Otis, James | First edition of the first major political statement from the American colonies

Otis, James

The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved. Boston: Printed and sold by Edes and Gill, 1764

8vo (216 x 152 mm, untrimmed). Gathered signatures, stabbed and stitched; browned and stained throughout. Quarter green morocco slipcase and chemise.

First edition of the first major political statement from the American colonies. The pamphlet was written in protest against the new Sugar Act of 1764, the first of the onerous taxes levied on the American colonies to offset the high cost of the recent war with the French. It was the first time Parliament had openly imposed taxes on the colonies for the sake of revenue rather than for the regulation of trade. In May 1764, the Massachusetts House chose Otis to prepare a response to the Sugar Act.

The Rights is a closely reasoned statement in which Otis asserts the "elemental positions that fueled and legitimated America’s Revolution, arguing that 'Parliament had no right to tax the colonists because they were unrepresented in it and therefore unable to give—or to withhold—their consent to levies on their property'" (Celebration). As the colonies' first and foremost influential proponent of colonial rights, this crucial work, according to Sabin, was read in manuscript before the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The published work was advertised in the Boston Evening Post of 23 July 1764, only months after the passage of the Act and subsequently forwarded to London.

This copy bears several contemporary ownership inscriptions showing descent through the Green family of Boston.

PROVENANCE

Joshua Green, Jr. (1764–1847; title-page inscribed and dated 1780) — Edward Green, Joshua’s uncle (title-page inscribed and dated 1774, additionally inscribed on verso of terminal leaf “Edward’s Book 1774”) — possibly in the hand of Joshua Green, (1731–1806; Boston merchant and member of the Sons of Liberty with Otis: “Given me by the author July 26 1764” and “Given me by the author July 26 1769”)

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 37; Adams, American Controversy 64-15a; Adams, American Independence 4a; Bailyn, Pamphlets of the American Revolution 7; Evans 9773; Howes O147 ("of great influence on colonial thought"); Revolutionary Hundred 2; Sabin 57866; Streeter sale 2:735