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Political Disquisitions by James Burgh 1774 First Edition

Political Disquisitions by James Burgh 1774 First Edition

£1,500.00 GBP
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"PRODUCED A GREAT EFFECT UPON THE MIND OF THE AMERICAN COLONISTS DURING THE REVOLUTION"
Political Disquisitions; Or An Enquiry into Public Errors, Defects, and Abuses. Illustrated by, and established upon Facts and Remarks extracted from a Variety of Authors, ancient and modern. Calculated to draw the timely attention of government and people to a due consideration of the necessity, and the means, of reforming those errors, defects, and abuses; of restoring the constitution, and saving the state. By James Burgh, published in 1774 in London for E. and C. Dilly.

 


RARE FIRST BRITISH EDITION (TRUE FIRST EDITION) OF BURGH'S 1774 POLITICAL DISQUISITIONS, READ BY WASHINGTON, JEFFERSON, HANCOCK, FRANKLIN, AND OTHER FOUNDING FATHERS. A STRONG INFLUENCE ON THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF AMERICA, LATER REPRINTED IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1775.


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The incredibly scarce true first British edition of Burgh's seminal work which was a significant influence on the founding fathers and of the American constitution, the precursor to the second amendment to the constitution wherein Burgh advocates for the rights for citizens to bear arms.


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James Burgh was a close friend of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams declared Burgh's Political Disquisitions "a book which ought to be in the hands of every American who has learned to read". Originally published in two volumes in 1774, with a third published in 1775; this set being the first two only.

Burgh advocates for the right for citizens to bear arms, to refuse to be taxed without representation, and to refuse the heavy load of taxes imposed by Great Britain. Thus also being a significant influence and precursor to the American independence, 2 years prior to the printing of the constitution.


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The work is cited in Hamilton, Madison, & Jay's Federalist Papers and Thomas Paine mentions it in Common Sense: "Those who would fully understand of what great consequence a large and equal representation is to a state, should read Burgh's political disquisitions".


Provenance: Armorial bookplate of Sir John Shelley (1772-1852) of Maresfield Park, Sussex.




Condition: 

Original bindings in full tree calf with tooled morocco labels 'Burgh's Disquisitions', the set in completely original condition. 2 volumes as originally published, without the third which was published the year afterwards. Both volumes collated as complete with no missing pages. Bound with scarce half-titles. Text block in near fine condition, lightly toned, else excellent condition. Front hinge and joints of both volumes deteriorated with front boards detached; rear boards both attached. Page edges near fine. Minor shelf wear. Small bookplate to front pastedown of both volumes of Sir John Shelley (1772-1852). Stunning set let down only by the detached front boards, also one of the preliminaries is ripped, with no affect to any text.

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