Volney

Constantin François Comte de Volney. Autograph Note in the third person 'au Ministre du tresor public' presenting a copy of his 'Tableau du Climat et du Sol des Etats-Unis'.

réf. 21135 — Without place or date. Replied to on 25 October 1803. 1p. 4to. In good condition lightly aged. On bifolium with stub from mount adhering to blank second leaf. Neatly written and reading: 'Le Senateur Volney a l'honneur d'offrir au Ministre du tresor public comme a l'un des juges les plus competens et les plus Eclairés l'examplaire ci-joint de Son Nouveau livre Tableau du climat et du Sol des Etats-unis D'Amerique et leprie d'agreer des tres humbles civilités.' At the head of the page the recipient has written: 'Rep. 2o Brumaire. 12. i.e. 25 October 1803' Another of Volney's works 'Ruines of Empires' 1791 was extremely influential particularly in the United States. In 1796 Volney met Thomas Jefferson at Monticello to discuss Jefferson's plan to translate the book into English. Jefferson had completed the greater part of his translation by the time he mounted his 1800 bid for the presidency at which point he handed over the project to Joel Barlow who translated the last four chapters and at Jefferson's request put his name to the whole translation which was published in 1801. Without place or date. [Replied to on 25 October 1803.] unknown