1,230 results
1799ref. 39795Knoxville 1799. 7 works bound together octavo. 7 3/8 x 4 5/8 inches. First work lacks titlepage contemporary ownership inscription on first leaf present. Light foxing A few leaves trimmed closely at bottom edge affecting text. Contemporary calf spine gilt with red morocco label skillful repair to joints and corners. Housed within a black modern full morocco box. Provenance: J. Hamilton two signatures Possibly the greatest single volume of early Tennessee material with the second known complete copy of the First Tennessee Constitution in fine original condition. Seven works from the earliest pioneer press of Tennessee including the first printing of the National Constitution printed in the state as well as the first State Constitution here in the second known complete copy. Such imprints have not appeared on the market since World War II. In February 1790 North Carolina ceded its western land holdings to the United States. A few months later the area became the newly created Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio. William Blount was appointed territorial governor by President Washington and in 1795 he called a meeting of the territorial legislature to request a referendum for statehood. Thus the state of Tennessee was born on June 1 1796. George Roulstone the first printer in Tennessee began a newspaper in Knoxville in late 1791. The earliest Tennessee imprint noted by McMurtrie is a set of acts passed by the territorial government printed after March 25th 1793. Since then two earlier items have come to light; a broadside owned by Thomas W. Streeter dated Jan. 28 1793 and a broadside dated March 13 1793. The earliest dateable book present here was issued in 1794. The Tennessee State Constitution here in the first of three editions; it was to be revisited in 1835 and 1869 was created by Congress at the time Tennessee was admitted as a state and became effective on June 1 1796 when Tennessee entered the Union. It was not universally well received although Thomas Jefferson described it as the "least imperfect and most republican of the state constitutions." The first leaf and one title have the early ownership inscription of J. Hamilton possibly James Hamilton Jr. congressman and governor of South Carolina who read law in Charleston and was admitted to the bar in 1810. The individual titles are as follows: 1 Acts Passed at the First Session of the General Assembly of the Territory of the United States of America South of the River Ohio. Began and Held at Knoxville on Monday the Twenty Fifth day of August MDCCXCIV. Knoxville: George Roulstone 1794. 3-101pp. Lacks titlepage and preliminary viii pp. containing "Acts and ordinances of the governor and judges.as issued by William Blount." Evans accords this item its own number however so it is possible that it wasn't issued as a part of this copy. Copies noted by ESTC and Allen at Harvard Law the Huntington Library of Congress State Library of Tennessee and University of Tennessee. Allen 7; ESTC W9956; Evans 27724; McMurtrie 5. 2 Acts Passed at the Second Session of the First General Assembly of the Territory of the United States of America South of the River Ohio. Begun and Held at Knoxville on Monday the Twenty Ninth day of June 1795. Knoxville: George Roulstone 1795. 31pp. Copies noted by ESTC and Allen at Harvard Law the Huntington Library of Congress and University of Tennessee. Allen 15; ESTC W5409; Evans 29551; McMurtrie 8. 3 The Constitution of the United States of America. to which is Prefixed the Constitution of the State of Tennessee. Knoxville: Roulstone & Parrington 1799. 30pp. Copies noted by ESTC and Allen at State Library of Tennessee and University of Tennessee lacking titlepage.Allen 45; ESTC W30527; Evans 36404; McMurtrie 30. 4 Acts Passed at the Second Session of the Second General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. Knoxville: Roulstone & Parrington 1798. 70pp. The Table of Contents comprising the last ten pages and present here not present in two of the four recorded copies which may have been issued without it. Copies noted by ESTC and Allen at Library of Congress Harvard Law New York Public Library State Library of Tennessee and University of Tennessee. Allen 38; ESTC W23338; Evans 36403; McMurtrie 27. 5 Acts Passed at the First General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. Knoxville: George Roulstone 1796. 78pp. Copies noted by ESTC and Allen at Library of Congress Knoxville Public Library and University of Tennessee. Allen 21; ESTC W23331; Evans 31277; McMurtrie 21 6 Acts Passed at the Second Session of the First General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. Knoxville: George Roulstone 1796. 13pp. Copies noted by ESTC and Allen at Harvard Law University of Tennessee and Centre College of Kentucky. Allen 22; Bristol B9722; ESTC W23332; McMurtrie 22; Shipton & Mooney 47935. 7 Acts Passed at the First Session of the Second General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. Knoxville: George Roulstone 1797. 120pp. Copies noted by ESTC and Allen at American Antiquarian Society Library of Congress Harvard Law Knoxville Public Library and State Library of Tennessee. Allen 33; ESTC W9891; Evans 32913; McMurtrie 24. These works are essentially unprocurable and this volume provides a rare opportunity to acquire seven significant imprints from the first press in Tennessee. All are of the utmost rarity in any condition. Check List of Tennessee Imprints 5 8 30 27 21 22 24. unknown books
1841ref. 37248Providence 1841. Elephant folio sheet folded to 16-1/4" x 21." 4 pp. A persistent but light circular spot in the center of each page. Untrimmed a bit of crimping. Good. The "Proposed Constitution" adopted at "the Convention of the People" on 18 November 1841 is printed. It would grant the suffrage to "Every white male" adult. Articles favoring is adoption are printed along with Rhode Island's 1790 Declaration of Rights. The New Age a rare newspaper was an organ of the Rhode Island Suffrage Association allied with Thomas Dorr urging universal white male suffrage. unknown books
1841ref. 37252Providence 1841. Elephant folio sheet folded to 15-1/4" x 21-1/2." 4 pp. Old folds light foxing. Good. The "Proposed Constitution" adopted at "the Convention of the People" on 18 November 1841 is printed. It would grant the suffrage to "Every white male" adult. Articles favoring its adoption are printed along with Rhode Island's 1790 Declaration of Rights. Articles on national and local political affairs plus numerous advertisements are also printed. In 1843 Thomas Dorr was arrested at the offices of the Republican Herald for high treason. unknown books
1787ref. 37045Philadelphia: Printed by Mathew Carey 1787. 3 212-311 1 pp. Widely scattered light foxing; final few leaves with some blank inner margin wear. Pages 276-286 print in Very Good condition the proposed U.S. Constitution claimed as its first magazine printing. Overall Good in modern pale grey paper over boards. This September issue is credited along with another Philadelphia publication 'The Columbian Magazine' as the first periodical printing of the Constitution of the United States. The prefacing paragraph and Preamble are also printed: "The Constitution framed for the united states of America by a convention of deputies from the states . at a session begun May 14 and ended September 17 1787. We the people of the united states in order to form a more perfect union establish justice." After the Constitution signatures in type of George Washington and other delegates listed by state are printed; followed by Washington's two transmittal letters to the States and Congress's resolution signed in type by Charles Thomson as Secretary "recommending the appointment of state conventions to consider the preceding constitution". The Constitution is not the only item of importance contained in this September number. It also has an early American printing of Benjamin Franklin's "Information for those who wish to remove to America" first printed privately in Passy in 1784; and several other essays on American commerce politics and culture. Lomazow 22e. Evans 20194. Printed by Mathew Carey unknown books
1787ref. 37046Worcester: Isaiah Thomas 1787. Pages 335-352 with caption title as issued. Upper margins of several leaves trimmed closely shaving portions of several page numbers a couple of printer flaws with effect on a few letters. Good in modern pale grey paper over boards. This early rare printing of the proposed Constitution-- certainly one of the earliest-- appears at pages 349-352 under the heading "Proceedings of the Federal Convention." Isaiah Thomas started the Worcester Magazine in April 1786. It was "The octavo continuation of Isaiah Thomas' newspaper The Massachusetts Spy necessitated by his opposition to the tariffs on paper and the tax upon advertisements in newspapers which were repealed in April 1788" Lomazow. Lomazow 20. Evans 20159. Mott 92-93. Isaiah Thomas unknown books
1845ref. 700771845. French-Language Account of Louisiana's 1845 Constitutional Convention Louisiana. Constitution of 1845. Foullouze Foulhouze James Reporter. Rapports Officiels Des Devats sic de la Convention la Louisiane. New Orleans: J. Bayon Imprimeur de la Convention 1845. i 460 11 pp. Text in parallel columns. Octavo 9-1/2 x 6-1/4. Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces and paper location label to spine endleaves added. Some soiling and light shelfwear some chipping to edges of lettering pieces. Light browning and foxing to text early mark sin pencil to a few passages lower corners lacking from a few leaves with no loss to text library stamp to title page "8049" in early hand to its verso. $1850. Only edition. Louisiana's first constitution was adopted in 1812 its second in 1845. More liberal than its predecessor it expanded white male suffrage established public schools and granted the right of appeal to felons sentenced to death or hard labor. The final 11 pages contain a French translation of the 1845 Constitution. Also issued in English Foullouze's report is not to be confused with the Official Reports of Debates 1844 a different account by an anonymous author. The French edition of Foullouze's report is scarce the English edition in rare. Jumonville Bibliography of New Orleans Imprints 1390. Babbitt Hand-List of Legislative Sessions and Session Laws 150. unknown books
1870ref. 636861870. The Mexican Constitution in 1870 Mexico. Constitution. Constitucion Federal de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos Sancionada y Jurada por el Congreso General Constituyente el 5 Dia de Febrero de 1857. Y Coleccion de las Constituciones de los Estados que Forman la Confederacion. Toluca: Tip. del Instituto Literario Dirijida por Pedro Martinez 1870. 657 3 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/2". Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards raised bands lettering pieces blind ornaments and early owner label to spine. Moderate rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners small scuff to rear board. Moderate toning to text internally clean. Ex-library. Location label to spine small inkstamp to title page. A nice copy. $250. Only edition. Mexico's 1857 constitution remained in force until 1917. It received its first amendment in 1873 and numerous amendments and additions until its repeal which is why annotated editions from are helpful. OCLC locates 8 copies in North American law libraries. See Clagett and Valderrama A Revised Guide to the Law & Legal Literature of Mexico 9-10. unknown books
1884ref. 622541884. The Mexican Constitution in 1884 Mexico. Constitution. Coleccion que Comprende la Constitucion General de la Republica con sus Adiciones Reformas y Leyes Organicas Expedidas Hasta el 30 de Junio de 1884 y las Constituciones Especiales de Cada uno de los Estados de la Federacion. Mexico City: Imprenta del Gobierno en Palacio 1884. ii 451 2; ii 440 1 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-3/4". Later cloth red and black lettering pieces to spine endpapers renewed. Some soiling light fading to spine light wear to edges of lettering pieces. Moderate toning to text light foxing in a few places. Ex-library. Location label to spine stamps to title page annotations to verso. A solid copy of a scarce title. $450. Only edition. Mexico's 1857 constitution remained in force until 1917. It received numerous amendments and additions until its repeal which is why annotated editions from different periods are helpful. Coleccion also includes state constitutions. OCLC locates 7 copies in North American law libraries Columbia Harvard Library of Congress LA County St. Louis University University of Michigan University of Minnesota. See Clagett and Valderrama A Revised Guide to the Law & Legal Literature of Mexico 10. unknown books
1935ref. 496501935. Constitution United States. Emphasizing Americanism: The Constitution of the United States of America. Chicago: The Americana Corporation 1935. 563-578 pp. Pamphlet worn and slightly soiled. Internally clean. $25. unknown books
1874ref. 16168Atlanta 1874. Broadsheet 10" x 13" and printed in four columns. Light wear Very Good. The Report provides analyses "of most of the leading guanos and phosphates that are sold in this State." Included also are articlues by Mark W. Johnson of Atlanta on Cheap Corn Culture using the Thomas Patent Smoothing Harrow and Broadcast Reaper; and advice to every Georgia planter to "plant at least one to five acres of millet. unknown books
1871ref. 18311Bogotá: Imprenta i Estereotipia de Medardo Rívas 1871. 12mo. 45 pp. The political pendulum swung to the liberals in 1863 and a new constitution was promulgated at Rionegro which was to last until 1886. It renamed the nation the United States of Colombia gave to the states all powers not reserved to the central government contained fully defined individual liberties and guarantees and guaranteed Colombians full religious freedom. "Edicion oficial revisada por una comision de la Camara de Representantes compuesta de un miembro por cada estado." Uncommon: we locate fewer than half a dozen copies in U.S. libraries. Late 19th- or early 20th-century quarter cloth with marbled paper sides. Ownership mark on rear free endpaper. A very good copy. Imprenta i Estereotipia de Medardo Rívas hardcover books
1864ref. 34502Baltimore: Pr. & Pub. byJohn Murphy & Co. 1864. 8vo. 107 1 pp. With Marginal Notes and References to Acts of the General Assembly and Decisions of the Court of Appeals and an Appendix and Index by Edward Otis Hinkley." A short-lived document: the third of the four constitutions of the state of Maryland. Born of the Civil War it outlawed slavery and disenfranchised Southern sympathizers; it was in effect only until 1867. Provenance: "Stinnecke Maryland Episcopal Library. Contemporary law sheep covers detached spine leather mostly perished. Ex-library with stamps. Only a good copy. Pr. & Pub. byJohn Murphy & Co. hardcover books
1823ref. 28505Santiago de Chile: Imprenta Nacional 1823 or 1824. Small 4to 22 cm; 8". 81 1 blank pp. Sixth Chilean constitution the first having been the Reglamento para el arreglo de la Autoridad Ejecutiva Provisoria de Chile 1811. The author here was Mariano Egaña 17931846 "one of the two or three best-read Creole intellectuals of the time. . . . but The constitution was far too complex to be applied to Chile or anywhere else" Collier & Sater History of Chile pp. 4849. This constitution and its 277 articles were replaced by the Ensayo Federal de 1826. Briseño I 74; Palau 59709. 20th-century Spanish sheep. Stitching holes in inner margins. Very clean. A very good copy. Imprenta Nacional unknown books
1863ref. 18599Cali: Imprenta de Nicolas Hurtado 1863. 12mo. 50 pp. plus wrps. The political pendulum swung to the liberals in 1863 and a new constitution was promulgated at Rionegro which was to last until 1886. It renamed the nation the United States of Colombia gave to the states all powers not reserved to the central government contained fully defined individual liberties and guarantees and guaranteed Colombians full religious freedom. This states' printing occurred very shortly after the official Bogotá printing as seen by the ownership date of 11 August the document having been approved on 8 May! It is also very rare: We trace no copies via WorldCat and NUC. Further searches of the OPACs of the National Library of Colombia and of the universities of Cali and the Andes failed to locate a copy. Provenance: Ownership inscription of B. Núñez dated 11 Aug. 1863 on front wrappers; so too of Simon Arboleda 20th century undated and of J. R. Arboleda dated 29 Aug. 1900. Not in Palau. Original printer wrappers. Ownership inscriptions on front cover. Private ownership stamps on two pages. A very good copy. Imprenta de Nicolas Hurtado unknown books
1887ref. 21542Philadelphia: T. & J. W. Johnson & Co. 1887. 8vo. 46 pp. Original wrappers are missing; stapled. Ownership inscription on title-page. Ex-library with rubber-stamp of six-digit inventory number on page 1. T. & J. W. Johnson & Co. unknown books
1914ref. 18607Bogota: Imprenta Nacional 1914. 8vo. 186 pp. plus wrps. From 1863 until 1886 the liberals in Colombia held sway but in that latter year the federalist gained ascendancy again and they promulgated a new constitution concentrating power in Bogotá. The new constitution changed the name of the nation to the Republic of Colombia and with modification in 1910 remained in place until the late 20th century. This is an "Edicion oficial dirigida y anotada por la Comisión de Abogados Auxiliares de los Ministerios del Despacho Ejecutivo." It is uncommon: We trace no copies via WorldCat and NUC. Not in Palau. Original printer wrappers tattered with short tears sunned. Ownership inscription on front cover. Dog-earing. Printed on cheap acidic paper. A good copy. Imprenta Nacional unknown books
1832ref. 18408Bogotá: Tipografia de Bruno Espinosa 1832. Small 4to. lvii 1 pp. Official printing of the first Colombian constitution after the dissolution of the Republic of Gran Colombia 182230 and the short period of revolving leadership 183032. The constitution decentralized power vesting it in the states which then proceeded to snipe at one another; eventually civil war broke out. In 1842/3 a peace was achieved and in 1843 a new constitution with centralized power was promulgated. Searches of WorldCat locate only six copies in the U.S. Not in Palau Contemporary calf over paste boards; spine lacking; covers barely holding on. Serious worming to preliminaries and title-page costing letters. Worming in margins of other leaves. An "okay" copy of a scarce and historic constitution. Tipografia de Bruno Espinosa hardcover books
1787ref. WRCAM55477APhiladelphia: Printed for Seddon Spotswood Cist and Trenchard 1787. 2615-674pp. plus one plate of two. Lacks folding table. Engraved and letterpress titlepages. Later blue wrappers with facsimile of printed volume titlepage mounted on front wrapper. Moderate soiling to wrappers. Minor toning and foxing to text closed marginal repair to one leaf. About very good. The first periodical printing of the United States Constitution probably issued within a week of its release as a broadside. The Constitutional Convention ratified its final draft on Monday Sept. 17 1787. The following day the broadside version issued for members of the Convention was printed by Dunlap and Claypoole the official printers. On September 19 the same printers issued the first public printing of the Constitution in their newspaper THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET. The present magazine was probably printed late in the week and the final signature containing the Constitution and recent news was probably printed on Saturday September 22. This is the latest internal date on the last page and actually refers to an event that took place on the 17th as "Monday last." From a survey of Mott's HISTORY OF AMERICAN MAGAZINES in the period it seems that it was common practice to issue monthly publications by the last week of every month. This issue would seem to have been out and in general circulation by Monday the 24th one week after the end of the Convention. Its version of the Constitution was executed most likely on the 22nd four days after the official broadside and three days after the first public newspaper appearance. This issue also contains the text of John Quincy Adams's Harvard commencement address he finished second in a class of fifty-one which was given in Cambridge on July 18 1787. It is his first published writing. This copy contains one of the two plates published in this issue lacking the folding plate of the Natural Bridge in Virginia and the folding table of meteorological observations. THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE was a distinguished publication of the period. Mott calls it one of the best 18th-century American magazines. It began in September 1786 and was well established with Mathew Carey's AMERICAN MUSEUM as one of the two major periodicals then being issued in Philadelphia or for that matter the country at the time. Since the magazine probably had wider circulation than the newspapers issued in Philadelphia it is likely that this printing was one of the chief means of disseminating the Constitution immediately after its first publication. An exceptionally early and important printing of the Constitution. MOTT HISTORY OF AMERICAN MAGAZINES I pp.94-9. EVANS 20280. Wilbur T. Roberts "They Printed the Declaration and the Constitution" in THE MENTOR July 1928 pp.52-54. Leonard A. Rapport "Printing the Constitution" in PROLOGUE: THE JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Fall 1970 pp.69-89. Printed for Seddon, Spotswood, Cist, and Trenchard unknown books
1787ref. WRCAM55477Philadelphia: Printed for Seddon Spotswood Cist and Trenchard 1787. pp.615-674 plus two plates one folding and a folding table of Meteorological Observations. Antique-style calf gilt ornamental border on boards gilt leather label. Moderate foxing and toning. Extensive annotations in light pencil. Very good overall. The first periodical printing of the United States Constitution probably issued within a week of its release as a broadside. The Constitutional Convention ratified its final draft on Monday Sept. 17 1787. The following day Sept. 18 the broadside version issued for members of the Convention was printed by Dunlap and Claypoole the official printers. On Sept. 19 the same printers issued the first public printing of the Constitution in their newspaper THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET. The present magazine was probably printed late in the week and the final signature containing the Constitution and recent news was probably printed on Saturday Sept. 22. This is the last internal date on the last page and actually refers to an event that took place on the 17th as "Monday last." From a survey of Mott's HISTORY OF AMERICAN MAGAZINES in the period it seems that it was common practice to issue monthly publications by the last week of every month. This issue would seem to have been out and in general circulation by Monday the 24th one week after the end of the Convention. Its version of the Constitution was executed most likely on the 22nd four days after the official broadside and three days after the first public newspaper appearance. This issue also contains the text of John Quincy Adams's Harvard commencement address he finished second in a class of fifty-one which was given in Cambridge on July 18 1787. It is his first published writing. THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE was a distinguished publication of the period. Mott calls it one of the best 18th-century American magazines. It began in September 1786 and was well established with Mathew Carey's AMERICAN MUSEUM as one of the two major periodicals then being issued in Philadelphia or for that matter the country at the time. Since the magazine probably had wider circulation than the newspapers issued in Philadelphia it is likely that this printing was one of the chief means of disseminating the Constitution immediately after its first publication. An exceptionally early and important printing of the Constitution. MOTT HISTORY OF AMERICAN MAGAZINES I pp.94-9. EVANS 20280. Wilbur T. Roberts "They Printed the Declaration and the Constitution" in THE MENTOR July 1928 pp.52-54. Leonard A. Rapport "Printing the Constitution" in PROLOGUE: THE JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Fall 1970 pp.69-89. Printed for Seddon, Spotswood, Cist, and Trenchard hardcover books
ref. WRCAM55421Mexico: Imprenta a cargo de Martin Rivera 1823. 466pp. Small octavo. Contemporary mottled Mexican sheep spine gilt. Minor edge wear light scuffing to boards short wormtrack on front board. Small ownership mark reading "JNB" branded on front and rear pastedowns ink ownership signature of "De Francisco Gonzalez de Cossio" on front flyleaf. Internally clean. Very good. This is the first Mexican printing of the United States Constitution accompanied by two important addresses by George Washington. This work was produced in anticipation of Mexican independence from Spain and the U.S. Constitution in particular provided inspiration to the drafters of the constitution of newly-independent Mexico. Written in 1824 it was the first constitution of Mexico as a sovereign state and the constitution under which the colonization of Texas by Americans would take place. It is ample evidence of the transnational influence on the United States Constitution on emerging democracies in this case America's neighbor to the south. All seven articles of the United States Constitution are printed in full in Spanish in a section that is headed by a Federal garland ornament. The names of all the signers are given at the conclusion of the main text. This is followed by a section printing the first twelve amendments entitled here as "Correcciones" an interesting interpretation of the role of constitutional amendments. The final page contains the text of an amendment passed by the House and Senate and signed in print by Senate President pro tem John Gaillard and House Speaker J.B. Varnum prohibiting any American citizen from accepting a title of nobility or honor from a foreign government under threat of losing ones American citizenship and holding any further elective office. This "Titles of Nobility" amendment was passed by Congress in 1810 and came close to ratification by two-thirds of the states in the 1810s but has to this day never been ratified. The inclusion of this amendment is an interesting commentary on the priorities and concerns of Mexican lawmakers. The U.S. Constitution is preceded by two chapters printing addresses by George Washington whose actions following the American Revolution and his two terms as President were influential well beyond the borders of the United States. The first chapter prints Washington's 1796 Farewell Address to the United States "Discurso de Despedida de Washington al Pueblo de los Estados-Unidos". Designed by Washington and his principal advisors in drafting it - James Madison and Alexander Hamilton - as both a valedictory and advice to succeeding generations the address served as a guidepost to Americans from the point of its publication. The Farewell Address would have been of particular interest to the Mexican Constitutional framers. The second section prints Washington's Address to the Continental Army in 1783 "Carta Circular del General Washington a los Gobernadores de los Estados fecha en el Cuartel General de Newburgh 18 de Junio de 1783". In this circular letter General Washington announces his intention to resign his command of the Continental Army and retire into private life. He also expounds in detail on the serious issues facing the nascent United States government. Both of Washington's addresses are printed fully in Spanish as is the constitution. OCLC records just eight actual copies over three records. This is the first copy that we can find in the market in over a century and the first copy we have handled of this first Mexican printing of the United States Constitution. OCLC 24072481 503926127 1097838706. SABIN 16060. PALAU 59641 374086. Imprenta a cargo de Martin Rivera hardcover books
1787ref. 24135U.S. CONSTITUTION.Newspaper. The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser. October 1 1787 No. 2700 Philadelphia: John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole including the September 28 resolution of the Confederation Congress to send to the states for ratification the recently completed U. S. Constitution. 4 pp. 12 x 18¾ in. "The United States in Congress Assembled. Friday September 28 1787. CONGRESS having received the Report of the CONVENTION lately assembled in Philadelphia Resolved unanimously THAT the said report with the resolutions and letter accompanying the same be transmitted to the several legislatures in order to be submitted to a convention of delegates chose in each state by the people thereof in conformity to the resolves of the convention made and provided in that case. CHARLES THOMSON Secretary." p2/c3 The convention called to revise the Articles of Confederation met in the Pennsylvania's State House in Philadelphia starting on May 25 1787. After many delegates agreed that the Articles could not be sufficiently improved they started to draft an entirely new structure. Maintaining their pledge of secrecy after months of private deliberations over trade defense taxation representation separation of powers the election of a president the slave trade international relations and many other issues the proposed United States Constitution was signed by thirty-nine of the fifty-five delegates on September 17. Two days later the Constitution was first published by the Pennsylvania Packetand four other Philadelphia newspapers. The cover letter sent by George Washington president of what came to be called the Constitutional Convention submitting the plan to Arthur St. Clair the President of the Congress of the Confederation in New York was also printed then. Congress received and read the proposed Constitution on September 20th. As a sampling of their deliberations William Grayson of Virginia thought it was too weak while Richard Henry Lee of Virginia and Nathan Dane of Massachusetts thought it was too strong. On September 27 Virginia's Richard Henry Lee proposed that the Constitution be sent to the executives of each of the states. A Delaware representative quickly added "in order to be by them submitted to conventions of delegates to be chosen agreeably to the said resolutions of the convention." Ten of the twelve states then represented in Congress voted in favor. Before Congress adjourned for the day the majority of Virginia's representatives and a minority of New York's representatives also indicated their support. On September 28 Federalists holding out for a unanimous vote found a way to compromise with anti-Federalists: Congress unanimously resolved to send the Constitution to the states but without any recommendation or approval. Arider from New York City arrived in Philadelphia with the resolution that same day. George Clymer presented his own resolution to the Pennsylvania Assembly noting that "the late Federal Convention has digested a plan of government for the United States and recommended that it should be referred to the consideration of State Conventions…" After a "very long and animated debate" Clymer's resolution passed by a vote of 43 to 19 and adjourned until 4:00 p.m. But only 44 members returned falling two shy of the necessary quorum. The Assembly's sergeant-at-arms was sent to show the resolution to absent members. Two who still refused to attend were seized by the public dragged through the streets and thrust into the assembly room. The involuntarily completed quorum voted that "it is the sense of great numbers of the grand people of this state already signified in petitions & declarations to this house that the earliest steps should be taken to assemble a convention within the state for the purpose of deliberating and determining on the said constitution." They called for the election of deputies who would assemble for that purpose "on the third Tuesday of November at the State-house in the city of Philadelphia…" p2/c3-4 Other articles of interest in this issue include news from Europe and a brief piece against Indians "from the western country who still continue their depredations on the whites…" p2/c3 The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser1771-1839 was founded by John Dunlap in late 1771 as a weekly newspaper in Philadelphia though it relocated to Lancaster during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777-1778. On May 30 1783 Benjamin Towne turned the Pennsylvania Evening Post into the first daily newspaper in the United States. However with Towne branded a traitor and forced to hawk his own papers on the street the newspaper collapsed the following year. John Dunlap and David Claypoole then made their Pennsylvania Packet the first successful daily on September 21 1784. It underwent numerous name changes in the 1790s until sold in 1800 and renamed Poulson's American Daily Advertiser. John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole books
1805ref. WRCAM20263ARichmond 1805. viii477pp. 20th-century tan buckram gilt leather labels. Institutional ink stamp and contemporary ink inscription on titlepage ink signature on first page of main text some toning and foxing. Good. Second edition of the Virginia convention to ratify the federal constitution. An important document in the passing and implementation of the U.S. Constitution. Scarce. SHAW & SHOEMAKER 9665 3 copies. hardcover books
1795ref. WRCAM11233Philadelphia: Printed and sold by Benj. Franklin Bache 1795. 59pp. Modern half morocco and marbled boards. Minor tanning to text. Very good. The events of the French Revolution were followed with the keenest interest in America. As the excesses in France grew American reaction split along emerging political lines with the Federalists expressing revulsion while the Democrats were more supportive. The French Constitution of 1793 collapsed with the end of the Terror and this new constitution which created the Directory was instituted. This is the first American edition in English of that new constitution published by the Democratic grandson of Franklin Benjamin Franklin Bache. Bache also published an edition in French the same year. It would have keenly interested the politicians of that year both from a party and foreign relations viewpoint. The NUC locates eight copies. EVANS 28694. Printed and sold by Benj. Franklin Bache hardcover books
1791ref. WRCAM12452London 1791. 84pp. bound with: LA CONSTITUTION FRANCOISE; PRESENTEE AU ROI PAR L'ASSEMBLEE NATIONALE LE 3 SEPTEMBRE 1791. Paris i.e. London. 1791. 77pp. Contemporary paper backed marbled boards printed paper spine label. Somewhat rubbed later endpapers. Very good untrimmed. Noted on the half title as the third edition of the French constitution. Printed herein are the English translation and the original French. The constitution of the French Republic horrified most Englishmen excepting Charles James Fox. hardcover books
1805ref. WRCAM20263Richmond 1805. viii477pp. Original calf worn hinges broken. Minor staining. A sound copy. Second edition of the Virginia convention to ratify the federal constitution. An important document in the passing and implementation of the U.S. Constitution. Scarce. SHAW & SHOEMAKER 9665 3 copies. unknown books
