Commentary and Review of Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws Prepared for press from the original manuscript, in the hands of the publisher. To which are annexed Observations on the thirty-first book by the late M. Condorcet: and Two Letters of Helvetius on the merits of the same work.

Philadelphia: W. Duane, 1811. JEFFERSON, Thomas; DESTUTT DE TRACY, Antoine L.C.. translator]. DESTUTT DE TRACY, Antoine L.C., [contributor]. A Commentary and Review of Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws. Prepared for press from the original manuscript, in the hands of the publisher. To which are annexed Observations on the thirty-first book by the late M. Condorcet: and Two Letters of Helvetius on the merits of the same work. Philadelphia: W. Duane, 1811.

Full description:

JEFFERSON, Thomas, [translator]. DESTUTT DE TRACY, Antoine L.C., [author]. A Commentary and Review of Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws. Prepared for press from the original manuscript, in the hands of the publisher. To which are annexed Observations on the thirty-first book by the late M. Condorcet: and Two Letters of Helvetius on the merits of the same work. Philadelphia: W. Duane, 1811.

First edition all around. The French edition did not appear until 1817. Translated and revised by Thomas Jefferson from the manuscript by Destutt de Tracy. The introduction although presented as if by the anonymous author was written by Jefferson. This copy work also includes a translation of works by Condorcet and Helvetius on Montesquieu. Octavo (9 1/8 x 5 3/4 inches; 225 x 145 mm). [2], viii, [1]-292, [2, blank] pp.

Original drab boards, rebacked with pink cloth backstrip. Printed paper spine label. Uncut. Boards with some rubbing and chipping along edges. Leaves toned as usual for American paper. Edges of uncut sheets are a bit brittle. Some minor dampstaining to final leaves. Previous owner's pencil signature to initial blank and title-page. Another signature in old ink on title-page. Overall a very good copy.

"Using the French manuscript that he received from the author in 1809, Jefferson undertook to see into print an English edition of Destutt de Tracy’s commentary on Montesquieu’s Esprit des Lois. He recruited Philadelphia printer and journalist William Duane for the task... Duane engaged his own translator, even for the portions Jefferson had already translated, and made further revisions himself before sending the work in batches to Jefferson for his review. Jefferson spent part of the last months of 1810 composing a preface and reviewing the draft translation" (The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson and the Publication of Destutt de Tracy's Commentary on Montesquieu, Editorial Notes).

"Destutt de Tracy was born in Paris on July 20, 1754 and died in Paris on March 10, 1836. He was a philosophe, one of the founders in the 1790s of the classical liberal republican group known as the Idéologues (which included Cabanis, Condorcet, Constant, Daunou, Say, Madame de Staël), a politician under several regimes spanning the Revolution and the Restoration, and an influential author... The impact of Tracy’s political and economic ideas was considerable. His Commentary and Review of Montesquieu’s Spirit of Laws (1811) was much admired by Thomas Jefferson, who translated it and had it published in America at a time when a French edition was impossible due to Napoleon’s censorship. In the Commentary Tracy criticised Montesquieu’s defence of monarchy and supported American-style republicanism which operated in the context of a laissez-faire economic order." (Life and Works of Antoine Louis Claude, Comte Destutt de Tracy By David M. Hart).

"Commentaire sur l'Esprit des Lois de Montesquieu (1806) is a critique of Montesquieu's pessimistic appraisal of democracy in De l'Esprit des Lois. While minister to France in the 1780s Jefferson saw this work in manuscript. It so impressed him that he arranged for its publication in France and translated it anonymously for publication in America. Looking back at this work in a letter from 1811, Jefferson commended it for correcting De l'Esprit des Lois. While other studies "nibbled only at its errors," he told his correspondent, this work rebutted them "with a depth of thought, precision of idea, of language and of logic, which will force conviction into every mind. I declare to you, Sir, in the spirit of truth and sincerity, that I consider it the most precious gift the present age has received." The Writings of Thomas Jefferson V:566-571." (Good Reads).

Provenance: The ownership signature is of Gustavus Vasa Fox who was an officer in the US Navy and was the operations director of the Union navy during the Civil War. His descendant Gist Blair is the other ink signature on the title-page.

Sabin 96413.

HBS 68887.

$1,500. (Inventory #: 68887)