To rebuild the collection, Librarian of Congress George Watterston issued a call for the return of any books borrowed before the British invasion of Washington, D.C., or removed during the attack. “A sense of justice,” he stated, would induce anyone in the city or neighboring counties who had such books to return them promptly.
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Notice signed by Librarian of Congress George Watterston, ca. 1815
Rebuilding the Library of Congress
When British troops burned the U.S. Capitol in August 1814, they completely destroyed the Library of Congress, which was housed in the building. To help replace the lost books, maps, and other items, former president Thomas Jefferson offered to sell Congress his personal library of 6,487 volumes. Encompassing a broad range of subjects, it was the largest private book collection in North America. After debating the offer, Congress purchased Jefferson’s library for $23,950 in 1815. Jefferson’s collection is currently on exhibit at the Library of Congress.
To rebuild the collection, Librarian of Congress George Watterston issued a call for the return of any books borrowed before the British invasion of Washington, D.C., or removed during the attack. “A sense of justice,” he stated, would induce anyone in the city or neighboring counties who had such books to return them promptly.
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
