Adams, John

Twenty-Six Letters, upon Interesting Subjects, Respecting the Revolution in America. Written in Holland in the Year M,DCC,LXXX. New York: John Fenno, 1789

12mo (7 x 4 3/4 in.; 178 x 121 mm, uncut). State of the title-page with 10 mm space below the rule captioning "Never Before Published"; some dust-soiling to fore-edges, title-page a trifle frayed, last two leaves browned.  Original blue paper wrappers, stabbed and stitched. Burgundy morocco-backed folding-case, chemise.

Acquisition: Bauman Rare Books

Evans 21624; Howes A66; Sabin 252

12mo (7 x 4 3/4 in.; 178 x 121 mm, uncut). Some dust-soiling to fore-edges, title-page a trifled frayed, last two leaves browned. Original blue paper wrappers, stabbed and stitched. Red cloth chemise, Burgundy morocco-backed folding case.
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First American edition, an exceptional uncut copy in original wrappers. This work had been printed privately by Fenno in 1789 and in London in 1786. The statement "Never Before Published" on the title-page may mean that the present work was the first public issue.

Adams's letters were written while he was Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain and charged wtih negotiating a peace and treaty of commerce. They  are addressed to Dr. Hendrik Calkoen. In the fifth letter, Dr. Calkoen inquires whether a voluntary revolt of any one or more of the states was to be feared. Adams replies that British first targeted the smallest of the states (Rhode Island, Delaware, New Jersey) but each of these states demonstrated their intractable resolve for independence. "When the English got possession of Philadelphia, and had the command of the whole navigation of the Delaware, these people were more in the power of the English than any part of America ever was, and the English generals, admirals, commissioners, and all the tories, used all their arts to seduce this little State; but they could not succeed. ... The people continued their delegation in Congress, and continued to elect their Governors, Senate, and Assemblies, under their new constitution, to furnish their quota to the continental army, and their proportion to the militia, until the English were obliged to evacuate Philadelphia.—There are besides, in this little State ... more tories in proportion, than in any other. And as this State stood immoveable, I think we have no reason to fear a voluntary submission of any other."