Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

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Publishers' Preface.

General Butler has said in his introduction that every point is to be proven. This has necessitated a large staff of workers to carefully search the records of the War Department, and the consequent proof corrections have occasioned a long delay in the publication of the work, and required the reprinting of many folios. The work has in consequence been increased in number of pages and illustrations not originally announced or contemplated, making, we trust, valuable and interesting additions.

The historical documents have been placed in an appendix with references at the bottom of each page, thus elucidating and proving all statements, and adding accordingly to the value of the work as an authentic autobiographical history. The object of placing these documents in an appendix was to retain the logical sequence of historical events and not to break the thread of the story. Among the vast amount of data it is very possible that some errata may appear in the first edition, but mistakes will be duly rectified in the subsequent editions.

An impression prevails that by waiting a short time after the publication of a popular book sold by subscription, it may be bought at reduced prices at bookstores, dry-goods stores, news stands or as premiums for periodicals. This impression owes its inception to the practice of some publishers, who, for reasons — probably of a financial nature — have found it to their advantage to reduce the price of subscription books, after the first popular sale is over, and place them in bookstores, expose them in public libraries, and even permit them to be advertised and given as cheap premiums for periodicals, newspapers, etc. Besides this, of late years there has been a constant effort by bookstores and dry-goods stores to sell standard subscription books below cost as an advertisement.

It is not surprising that the public sometimes looks with distrust upon the promises of subscription book publishers, or their agents, who, having pledged themselves that the original price shall be maintained, have in many cases deliberately broken faith. [8]

In consequence we feel it incumbent upon us to offer the public something of more value than promises, which are the poorest possible collateral.

The following guarantee will, we trust, convince subscribers of our sincerity, and we feel confident that the plans we shall adopt will enable us to enforce it.

This guarantee, which appears in every copy, is, we believe, the first guarantee of a tangible, monetary value ever given to subscribers of subscription books, that the promises made by publishers or their agents are to be carried out.

To protect our subscribers and agents, we consulted the most eminent legal talent, and in answer received the following letter from General Butler, which will doubtless be received with more than ordinary interest, containing as it does the opinion of a lawyer second to none in the world:--

All agents for Butler's book enter into an agreement :--

Not to sell or deliver directly or indirectly, a copy of this work to anyone who does not actually subscribe for it for his own private use, and not for resale, and not knowingly to supply a copy, directly or indirectly, to any bookstore, bookdealer, news agent, or public library, nor be accessory to the same being done in any manner, and not to sell or to supply copies to anyone beyond the limits of his own territory and that the ownership of the book remains in the hands of the publishers until actually delivered and paid for by the subscribers for whom it was intended and ordered.

By virtue of this agreement this book remains our property until delivered to the bona-fide subscriber, who has purchased it under a contract “for personal use and not for resale,” as contained in our prospectus. Ownership in it reverts to us if used by subscriber for any other purpose; besides he becomes legally liable for any damages done us or our business by transfer.

If, therefore, any copy is sold or delivered by the agent to dealers or other persons for resale or exposure in public libraries or for purposes other than private use, he transfers property that does not belong to him, for which offence both agent, subscriber, bookseller, or receiver are liable.

In case any book is found in a bookstore, dry-goods store, public library or other place it will be easy to determine by

A. M. Thayer and Col., publishers, Boston, Mass.

reference to our records into whose hands the book was given and we will at once call the guilty parties to account. Each book contains a stamp of the Publishers & Booksellers' Protective Association, registered and numbered consecutively, placed in plain sight on the inside of the cover and a corresponding stamp so placed and combined with the book that the mark cannot be erased or tampered with without destroying the book. We keep a record of these numbers and so will know to whom each individual book has been consigned.

We do not sell the book to the agent whom we employ to take subscriptions on our behalf. It is consigned and remains our property until it reaches the subscriber and is paid for by the subscriber. The agent not being the owner of the books consigned to him, cannot lawfully do anything, except deliver them to bona-fide subscribers within the territory [10] assigned to him as specified in his certificate of agency contained in the prospectus subject to the inspection of every subscriber. If he sells or delivers to dealers or to persons outside of specified territory, he transfers property that belongs to us and not to him.

We are able by means of the precautions here described to protect the rights of the author, agent, and subscribers. We request every person finding a copy of this book in any store or public library to immediately inform us, giving registered number of the book and address of place where found. Any expense incurred in this matter will be cheerfully refunded.

Unscrupulous persons may remove these pages so as to make plausible the excuse that the above-mentioned facts were not duly brought to the notice of every party. This guarantee and notice being permanently attached to each book makes it a legal notice. Should any party remove the same from the book he will be liable for prosecution for the above-mentioned offence and also for the mutilation of a copyrighted work. In order to prevent this and to enable every purchaser to know that the book has been tampered with, we have placed a notice on a number of pages at the beginning of the work.

Trusting that all will co-operate with us to the utmost in securing the fullest possible protection, we are

Very truly yours,