RC (DLC); addressed: “Mr. Jefferson Secty. of State near Petersburgh Virginia—author of several performances” endorsed by Samuel Campbell showing its receipt at New York “6 Octr. in a package from Edin. and forwarded” postmarked: “New York Oct.6” endorsed by TJ as received 25 Oct. 1790 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: A 7-page printed “Prospectus of an intended new periodical work, to be called The Bee, or Universal Literary Intelligencer, To be published Weekly; and to contain, Besides Original Miscellaneous Essays on Literature and the Belles Lettres, Early accounts of new discoveries in science and useful arts; an occasional review of valuable publications at home and abroad; extracts from foreign journals, academical dissertations and domestic performances of merit; biographical anecdotes and memoirs of eminent persons; notices of the heroic achievements of ancient and honourable families; observations on the topography and natural history of Britain and other countries; disquisitions concerning civil history and the progress of the human mind; poetical essays and translations; debates and distinguished speeches in parliament, and in the political assemblies of other states; remarkable laws and interesting decisions in courts of justice; a concise chronicle of recent events; and a complete list of new publications in Britain, with the prices. The whole being calculated To furnish an instructive amusement for the present hour, and to transmit to posterity a faithful picture of the acquirements, modes of thinking, prevailing habits, and chief pursuits of men, in Europe at least … by James Anderson, LLD.” Among the general queries, which occupied three pages of fine print in double columns, were questions concerning land tenure, the status of cultivators of the soil, mines and minerals, manufactures, commerce, religious establishments, penology, the adoption and execution of laws, roads and turnpikes, public revenues, postal establishments, libraries, museums, journals, book publishing, inventions, defense, amusements, the status of women, superstitions (on the theory that an exact delineation of ideas concerning ghosts, apparitions, fairies, incantations, &c. “would perhaps indicate the degree of civilization … more distinctly than any other circumstance”), and the following item which could not fail to catch TJ’s attention: “What is the state of the country in regard to the liberty of the press? To what restraints are the people subjected in this respect? What have been the pretexts adopted for curtailing this liberty, where it could not be directly attacked? Have these encroachments been made under the apparent view of augmenting the public revenue, or of serving the cause of religion, or of preventing immorality, or of promoting good order and public tranquillity, by protecting the innocent from calumny, or what else? Is the post office called in as an engine to effect this purpose: Have particular taxes also been imposed with this view? What are they?” (DLC: TJ Papers, 54: 9158–61). The editorial point of view was clearly revealed in the nature and phraseology of the questions; it could scarcely have failed to attract TJ’s subscription: See TJ to Anderson, 2 Dec. 1790; TJ to Samuel Campbell, 12 Nov. 1792; Sowerby, description begins E. Millicent Sowerby, comp., Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, 1952–1959, 5 vols. description ends No. 4927. Anderson’s prospectus for The Bee appeared in the Gazette of the United States for 14 July 1790, and in other newspapers. Washington caused the prospectus to be published in the Gazette for “the purpose of promoting the circulation” (Washington to the Earl of Buchan, 30 June 1790; Writings, ed. Fitzpatrick, xxxi, 63).