161

John Adams.

A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America.

London, 1787-1788
[2], xxxi, [1], 3-392; [2], 451; [2], 528, [36] pages. 3 volumes. 8vo, early marbled boards, rebacked with early spine titles laid down; intermittent foxing. 

First complete edition, with the stand-alone first volume and the two supplementary volumes issued within the next year. Adams wrote this work on constitutional theory while serving as Minister to the Court of St. James. It was a response to the liberal French statesman Turgot, who had criticized the new American state constitutions for their conservative economic framework. Adams's Defence was often cited in the debates of the Constitutional Convention. "A work marked by insight, breadth of views, conviction, courage, and—we may venture to add—much wisdom"--Larned, Literature of American History 2287. Howes A60 ("aa"), Sabin 234.

  • Condition: Vol III - I inch closed to tear to the margin on page 513-514.

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