Early Printings of the Declaration of Independence, and the First Article of the Articles of Confederation

Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War

Book

[Declaration of Independence], [the First Article of the Articles of Confederation], [Revolutionary War] The Town and Country Magazine. London: A. Hamilton, 1779. This publication includes early printings of the Declaration of Independence, the First Article of the Articles of Confederation, and much on the raging battles in New York and New Jersey which dominated the events of 1779. This publication is overflowing with extraordinary Revolutionary War content. Hardcover, 718 pages.

As printed here, the Declaration of Independence expressed the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.."

Also includes The First Article of the Articles of Confederation, This "first constitution of the United States" established a "league of " the 13 sovereign and independent states. Each state retained "every Power... which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States. The Articles of Confederation also outlined a Congress with representation not based on population – each state would have one vote in Congress. Including "Article 1: Created the name of the combined 13 states as The United States of America..." The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. This document served as the United States' first constitution. At the time of our printing in 1779 it was the American Constitution but not yet in effect, as it was in force from March 1, 1781, until 1789 when the present-day Constitution went into effect.

Also has extensive information within regards movements and developments in the field of battle, often speaking quite candidly about British military strategy and the American response: "All the advantage that had ever been expected from the complete possession of Hudson's River, the establishment of a communication between the two armies; the cutting off all intercourse between the northern and southern colonies, with the consequent opportunity of crushing the former, detached and debarred from all assistance, would now, it was presumed, infallibly be obtained... The enemy was now in a strong state of defence. Washington's army, besides the advantages he derived from the inaccessible posts which he occupied, was become very considerable as to number and force. Several bodies of the New England troops, under the General Gates, Person, and Arnold, advanced to the borders of the North River, where they ere ready to pass over to the Jerseys whenever opportunity invited, or the necessity of their friends demanded their assistance. At the same time the Jersey militia assembled from all quarters, with the greatest alacrity, so that every position it took, and every motion it made, the royal army was watched and environed with enemies."

These issues capture the evolution of the war in 1779, when General George Washington made a series of strategic decisions that defeated a British offensive, maintained control of the Hudson River, and protected critical Continental Army resources. Aside from war updates, Town and Country covered a variety of contemporary topics, from the "character" or "literary talents" of various British regents, poetry, Later binding - marbled boards with leather spine but worn along edges and corners, pages age-toned, bit of dog-earing and spotting near end. Rare historical volume. In very good condition overall.

Item #20625

Price: $1,750.00