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William Reese Company Rare Books, Americana, Literature & Pictorial Americana 409 Temple Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511 203 / 789 · 8081 fax: 203 / 865 · 7653 e-mail: [email protected] web: www.reeseco.com Bulletin 34: Adams & Jefferson The Private First Edition of Jefferson’s Classic 1. Jefferson, Thomas: NOTES ON THE STATE OF VIR - GINIA; WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1781. [bound with:] DRAUGHT OF A FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITU - TION FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. [N.p., but Paris. “1782” on titlepage, but actually 1785]. [2], 391pp. (without the folding table found in some copies); 14pp. Contem- porary calf, expertly rebacked with original gilt spine laid down, red morocco label. Period manuscript cross-outs to five words on p.5 of Notes, presumed to be by Jefferson. Very good. In a black morocco box. Provenance: David S. Franks (inscription on verso of title: “This Book was given by the Author Mr. Jefferson to David S. Franks at Paris 7th Feb.y 1787”); Edward Livingston (armorial bookplate engraved by Peter Maverick); T. Jefferson Coolidge Jr. (book label). The extremely rare privately printed first edition of Thomas Jefferson’s only book-length work published in his lifetime, issued by him in Paris in 1785 while serving as the United States Ambassador to France. Jef- ferson originally decided to issue the Notes strictly for private circu- lation, and 200 copies were printed in May 1785. After the Notes was printed, Jefferson took advantage of the cheap Parisian printing to produce three pamphlets: the Constitution of Virginia; the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, which he co-authored; and his ideas on currency units. Some copies of the Notes were bound up with one or more of the extra pamphlets. This copy contains the first of these. The present copy includes provenance to David S. Franks, with a note on the verso of the titlepage, subsequently cancelled, believed to be in his hand, recording the presentation of the book to him by Jefferson on Feb. 7, 1787. Franks joined the American forces under Benedict Arnold in 1775 and was promoted to major general and Arnold’s aide-de-camp. Although arrested at the time of Arnold’s treason, Franks was exonerated and later served on George Washington’s staff. At the end of the war, Franks was dis- patched to deliver the official Treaty of Paris to Benjamin Franklin, and served as an honorary assistant to George Washington in his first inauguration procession. $325,000. Journals of the First and Second Continental Congress Bound Together in a Contemporary Binding 2. [Continental Congress]: JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONGRESS, HELD AT PHILADEL - PHIA, SEPTEMBER 5, 1774. Philadelphia. 1774. [4], 144pp. [bound with:] JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONGRESS, HELD AT PHILADELPHIA, MAY 10, 1775. Philadelphia. 1775. [4], iv, 239pp. Contemporary calf, raised bands. Front board detached. Extremities rather worn, some scuffing. An occasional fox mark, else internally crisp and very good. With contemporary ownership inscription of Nicholas Cresswell, possibly the young Englishman of that name who travelled extensively in the American colonies in 1774–77 (see The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, New York, 1924). In a half morocco and cloth box. The Journals of the first two Continental Congresses are among the most basic doc- uments of the American Revolution, set against the background of open conflict in Massachusetts and the first months of the war. Included are reports on Lexing- ton–Concord, the address to the Inhabit- ants of Canada inviting them to join the other thirteen colonies, numerous military matters, the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms, the Olive Branch Petition, the American negotia- tions with the Six Nations, and other cru- cial material. $100,000. In a Reply Drafted by Jefferson with Franklin, Adams, and Lee, the Continental Congress Rejects a Parliamentary Attempt at Compromise in the Spring of 1775 3. [Continental Congress]: [Jefferson, Thomas]: THE SEVERAL ASSEMBLIES OF NEW-JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA, HAVING REFERRED TO THE CONGRESS A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS OF GREAT-BRITAIN, WHICH RESOLUTION IS IN THESE WORDS. [Philadelphia. July 31, 1775]. 8pp. Modern half calf and marbled boards, gilt leather label. Minor foxing. Very good. The Continental Congress’ response to the “Conciliatory Resolution” set forth by the British Parliament, in an attempt to reach a peaceable settlement with the colonies immediately preced- ing the outbreak of the Revolution. The Resolution stated that so long as the colonists were willing to provide for the defense and administration of the colonies, they would be spared any but those taxes necessary for the regulation of normal commerce. The Several Assemblies rejects Britain’s pro- posal of peace: “We are of the opinion that the proposition contained in this resolution is unreasonable and insidi- ous. .” In the closing paragraph the American Congress states its com- plete defiance of the Resolution, citing its falsity as declared by the military actions already underway in the colo- nies. Rare and important. $45,000. The First American Army Regulations 4. [United States Continental Congress]: RULES AND ARTICLES FOR THE BETTER GOVERNMENT OF THE TROOPS RAISED, OR TO BE RAISED AND KEPT IN PAY BY AND AT THE EXPENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Philadelphia. 1776. 36pp. Original plain paper wrappers, stitched. Spine worn, light wear and slight soiling. Discreet ink stamp inside rear cover. Near fine, untrimmed. In a blue half morocco and cloth slipcase. The first edition of one of the first and most important acts of had been published for “the Twelve United English Colonies of Congress after the Declaration of Independence, this document North America.” The present revised code was recast to more is the foundation of American military law. On June 14, 1776 a closely resemble the British Articles of War. The Continental committee was formed composed of John Adams, Thomas Jef- Congress approved the revised Articles of War on Sept. 20, ferson, John Rutledge, James Wilson, and Robert R. Livings- 1776, and they remained in force, with one major revision, until ton. These committee members revised the 1775 code, which 1806. $25,000. A Remarkable John Adams Note Attacking the Veracity of a French Newsletter 5. Adams, John: [FRAGMENTARY AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED, FROM JOHN ADAMS TO EDME JACQUES GENET, REGARDING FORGED CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS]. [Passy. Jan. 4, 1779]. [2]pp. plus integral blank. Octavo, on a folded quarto sheet. Burnt at top margin, with loss of several words in upper left corner of first page. Corner loss repaired with later paper. Washed and silked. Fair. Fragment of a letter written and signed by John Adams, in the next issue of Affaires, Genet offers an apology. It is likely he which he responds to a forged document published in one of had taken his intelligence from an English newspaper that cited Genet’s newspapers. The spurious resolve stated that the British James Rivington’s Royal Gazette, a notorious Loyalist journal were planning to annihilate American towns. It directed Amer- published in New York City. Adams enumerates point by point icans living in targeted areas to build huts at thirty miles dis- the reasons why the report is a patent falsehood. $8500. tance, and if attacked they were to destroy all Tory property. In Full descriptions of these items may be viewed on our website or obtained on request. Our most recent catalogues include 305: Recent Acquisitions in Americana, 306: Literature, 307: Hawaii, and 308: Rare Books. These catalogues and others, as well as more items from our inventory, may be viewed on our website at www.reeseco.com The First Version of the Massachusetts Constitution 6. [Massachusetts]: [A] CONSTITUTION OR FRAME OF GOVERNMENT, AGREED UPON BY THE DELEGATES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS–BAY, IN CONVENTION, BEGUN AND HELD AT CAMBRIDGE ON THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER, 1779, AND CONTINUED BY ADJOURNMENTS TO THE SECOND OF MARCH, 1780. Boston. 1780. 53pp. Half title. Modern half morocco and marbled boards. The titlepage was apparently misprinted and lacks the “A” at the begin- ning of the title, the upper portion of a few letters in “Constitution,” and portions of the imprint are faint. Very good. Untrimmed. A document of capital importance in the framing of subsequent state con- stitutions and of the Federal Constitution, significantly shaped and crafted by John Adams. “Despite the title, Massachusetts is declared to be a free and independent Commonwealth (not State), and its people are referred to repeat- edly as ‘subjects.’ Freedom of religion is guaranteed to all Protestants, except that Catholics are barred from holding office. Enfranchisement is based solely on property”—Eberstadt. This octavo edition is the first issue, fol- lowed by a more common folio issue. A state constitution of great influence. $4750. Critical Collection of State Papers Published by John Adams 7. [Adams, John]: A COLLECTION OF STATE-PAPERS, RELATIVE TO THE FIRST ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The Hague. 1782. 96pp. Antique three-quarter calf and marbled boards, spine gilt, leather label. Very minor foxing. Very good. An important collection of official papers relating to the official recognition by the Dutch of American Independence. The different States of Holland were all called upon to individually affirm their support for a Dutch treaty with the United States, and almost all the papers express a desire on behalf of the prov- inces to ratify a treaty. The Dutch had by this time joined in the general war against the British on the French, Spanish, and American side. Published while Adams was still in Amsterdam as the American representative, its appearance speaks to Adams’ constant effort to speed foreign recognition of the United States in light of British attempts to broker a peace agreement without recog- nizing outright independence.
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