248

David Hoge.

Notebook kept as a Dickinson College student, including his commencement oration.

Carlisle, PA, 1789-1790
12, 4434, 25, [12] manuscript pages. Thick oblong 8vo, contemporary calf, worn and lacking rear board; minor wear to contents; unusual hand-made bookplate on front pastedown, signed on front free endpaper.

  • Notes: Dickinson College was the first college founded in the United States after the close of the Revolution. David Hoge (1764-1845) of Washington, PA was a member of its third graduating class in 1789. He later served as the federal land commissioner in Steubenville, OH and built the log-cabin land office there which remains as an historic landmark.

    Pages 1-12 of this volume are devoted to "An Oration on the Necessity of Morality as a Bond of Union in Society Delivered by David Hoge at the Third Public Commencement Held in Dickinson College at Carlisle, June 2nd 1789." It is imbued with the spirit of the early republic, just three months after the Constitution took effect: "With respect to the condition of mankind previous to human government there is an absolute equality. All men are born equally free and independent." He concludes with a quotation from George Washington, "America's favorite son, the illustrious president of the United States."

    The oration is followed by a 434-page essay titled "Logic," presented in the form of a Socratic dialogue on numerous aspects of philosophy. His arguments against slavery are set forth on pages 303-306. At the rear of the volume is a 6-page "Charge to the Grand Jury," followed by 30 pages of "Memoria Technica" tracing the chronology of the Classical period, both dated 1790.
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