TRAVELS OF FOUR YEARS AND A HALF IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; DURING 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, and 1802. DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. BY JOHN DAVIS. Je ne connais sur la machine ronde Rien que deux peuples differens: Savoir les hommes bons, & les hommes mechants. BEAUMAR CHAIS. LONDON: SOLD BY T. OSTELL, AVE-MARIA-LANE, AND T. HURST, PATER-NOSTER-ROW; B. DUGDALE, AND J. JONES, DUBLIN; AND H. CARITAT, NEW-YORK; FOR R. EDWARDS, PRINTER, BROAD-STREET, BRISTOL. SIR, BANKS OF THE OCCOQUAN IN frequent journeyings through your country, I have made remarks on the character, the customs and manners of the people; these remarks I purpose to systematize into a Volume, and to you I should be happy to be allowed. the honour of dedicating them. The object of my speculations has been Human Nature; speculations that will lead the reader to the contemplation of his own manners, and enable him to compare his condition with that of other men. In my uncertain peregrinations, I have entered with equal interest the mud-hut of the negro, and the loghouse of the planter; I have alike communed with the slave who wields the hoe, and the task-master who imposes his labour. My motto has been invariably Homo sum! humani nihil a me alienum puto, and after saying this, whatever I were to say more, would be idle declamation. I am, SIR, Your most obedient, most humble Servant, JOHN DAVIS THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq. President of the United States of America, Monticello, Virginia. MONTICELLO, September 9, 1801. Sir, I received duly your letter of August 31, in which you do me the honour to propose to dedicate to me the work you are about to publish. Such a testimony of respect from an enlightened Foreigner cannot but be flattering to me, and I have only to regret that the choice of the patron will be little likely to give circulation to the work; its own merit however will supply that defect. Should you in your journeyings have been led to remark on the same objects on which I gave crude notes some years ago, I shall be happy to see them confirmed or corrected by a more accurate observer. I pray you to accept the assurances of my respect and consideration. TH: JEFFERSON MR. DAVIS, Occoquan, Virginia. |