Th. Jefferson begs Doctr. Franklin’s acceptance of a copy of these Notes. The circumstances under which they were written, with the talents of the writer, will account for their errors and defects. The original was sent to Monsr. de Marbois in December 1781. The desire of a friend to possess some of the details they contain occasioned him to revise them in the subsequent winter. The vices however of their original composition were such as forbid material amendment. He now has a few copies printed, with a design of offering them to some of his friends, and to some other estimable characters beyond that line. A copy is presented to Doctr. Franklin, not as worthy so much of his time as their reading would occupy, but as a testimony of the veneration and esteem which the writer bears his character and person, and a homage to which he is entitled. Unwilling to expose these sheets to the public eye, he asks the favor of Doctr. Franklin to put them into the hands of no person on whose care and fidelity he cannot rely to guard them against publication.