The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Retirement Series: Volume 5:
1 May 1812 to 10 March 1813
Thomas Jefferson
Edited by J. Jefferson Looney

Cloth | February 2009 | $99.50 / £59.95
812 pp. | 6 x 9 | 8 duotones. 10 line illus. 2 maps.

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Volume Five of the definitive edition of Thomas Jefferson's papers from the end of his presidency until his death includes 592 documents from 1 May 1812 to 10 March 1813. America declares war on Great Britain on 18 June 1812, and Jefferson counsels domestic reconciliation while suggesting that America recruit British incendiaries to burn London if necessary. Jefferson receives many requests for governmental patronage, responds insightfully to an assortment of authors and inventors, is mildly diverted by a fraudulent perpetual-motion machine, and spends considerable time on legal troubles. A dispute with David Michie over land in Albemarle County nearly leads to a duel between Michie and Jefferson's agent. A conflict with Samuel Scott over property in Campbell County further vexes Jefferson, who prepares an extensively researched answer to Scott's complaint. Despite the conflict, Jefferson graciously writes a letter of introduction for Scott's son. Jefferson remains accessible to the public, receives anonymous letters urging him to convert to Christianity, and settles a wager for one correspondent who asks if Jefferson ever met the British king. Jefferson gloomily observes that "the hand of age is upon me" and complains that his faculties are failing. He still has thirteen years to live.

J. Jefferson Looney is editor of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, which is sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Series:

• Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Retirement Series
  J. Jefferson Looney, Editor

Subject Area:

• American History

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For customers in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Australia
Cloth: $99.50 ISBN13: 978-0-691-13771-1

For customers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and India
Cloth: £59.95 ISBN13: 978-0-691-13771-1

Prices subject to change without notice

File created: 7/1/2008

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