Tyler had issued a proposal dated Washington, 12 Feb. 1818, “for publishing by subscription, a splendid edition of the DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE,” which reads: “COPIED from the original in the Secretary of State’s Office, with the fac similies of the signatures of all those patriotic defenders of liberty who signed it, ‘at a time that tried men’s souls,’ and mutually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to support it.
 It is a fact, which very few are aware of, that there has never been a correct copy of this important document published. In the original it is headed thus:
 ‘In Congress July 4th, 1776. The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America.’ But in the Journals of the old Congress (as well as several other inaccuracies, omissions &c. from which our printed copies are taken) the preamble is thus printed: ‘A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.’
 It must be obvious to every one, that an authentic copy should be published, as it is [an important state paper, from which more public good has emanated than any other ever composed by man. The object of] the present publication is to present to the American people a correct and elegant copy of that instrument, which secured to their fathers a deathless name, and to them extends liberty and happiness. Is it a concern unworthy the descendants of those sages who declared us free, and of those heroes who achieved our Independence, to make the charter of their freedom a decoration for the parlour or an ornament for the drawing-room? As such the publisher designs it, that every American who duly appreciates the value of liberty and independence can point his children to it, and say, ‘there hangs the pledge which secured your liberty and rescued you from the jaws of tyranny.’ The publisher, in order to give it its proper construction and emphasis, has been particular to copy every capital as in the original; observing the same punctuation, and executed the emphatical words in a great variety of ornamental hands, and is not only a correct copy, but an elegant specimen of penmanship, and engraving designed and executed by the publisher, (a native American,) in the most beautiful manner after the style of his Eulogy to the memory of the illustrious Washington, and engraved by Peter Maverick, Esq. of New York, a celebrated engraver, (also a native American) in whose hands it has been several months; the whole being truly American, and worthy the patronage of every friend of liberty and the ‘Rights of Man.’
 The following certificate of the Hon. Richard Rush, at that time acting Secretary of State, (written by him,) with the seal of the Secretary of State’s Office attached to it, will be engraved on the plate in a fac similie of Mr. Rush’s hand writing, as a testimony of its authenticity.
 

Tyler concluded that the publication was “now engraving on a plate 24 by 30 inches, the same size as the original, and will be ready for delivery to subscribers in April next, at five dollars per copy, payable on delivery.
 A few copies will be printed on parchment at seven dollars, those who prefer them will please add the word parchment to their names” (broadside pasted into subscription book in ViU: Albert H. Small Declaration of Independence Collection, torn and chipped at crease, with missing text supplied from Georgetown National Messenger, 1 Apr. 1818; reprinted in National Messenger [and later in other newspapers] with additional note: “It is hoped that printers generally through the U.S. who feel disposed to encourage this great National work, will give the above one or two insertions in their respective papers”).

Tyler’s subscription book at ViU contains more than one hundred pages of subscriber signatures, with TJ’s at the head of the list, followed by James Madison’s. Tyler visited Monticello sometime near the end of July 1818. He may have arrived just prior to the 31 July 1818 departure of TJ and Madison for Rockfish Gap and obtained both signatures at that time (Martha Jefferson Randolph to Jane H. Nicholas Randolph, [ca. 31 July 1818] [NcU: NPT]). Immediately following Madison’s signature are those of three sitting cabinet members, John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford, and John C. Calhoun. Included in the book is an additional MS prospectus and subscription list for a proposed volume entitled “A Naval Monument,” which was to include portraits of American naval heroes, the United States Navy’s coat of arms, and images of great American sea battles; and a nine-page section, keyed to selected names on both lists, providing “Remarks” on subscribers, including, when available, their birth and death dates and the significant political offices they held. Both TJ’s and Madison’s entries include their service as United States president and their death dates.