Webster, Noah | Lexicographer Noah Webster argues for a strong centralized federal government

Webster, Noah

Sketches of American Policy. Under the Following Heads: I. Theory of Government. II. Governments on the Eastern Continent. III. American States; or the Principles of the American Constitutions Contrasted with Those of European States. IV. Plan of Policy for Improving the Advantages and Perpetuating the Union of the American States. Hartford: Hudson and Goodwin, 1785

8vo (202 x 115 mm). Marginal soiling to title and preliminaries, uniformly toned, lacking terminal blank. Antique half-calf and marbled boards, spine gilt in six compartments, red leather title label. 

A forceful argument from the great lexicographer in favor of a strong centralized federal government

This series of essays gave the young lexicographer, Noah Webster, his start as a journalist and pamphleteer, and constitutes a powerful argument for a strong federal government. The 28-year-old Webster had already produced a grammar and a spelling book, but was growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of any federal copyright protection for his work. He strove to establish copyright laws in each of the thirteen states, but found the loose confederation of states formed under the Articles of Confederation an unworkable system. Webster began agitating for a strong federal government, and this volume was one of the main products of those labors.

Scarce: this is apparently the first copy to appear at auction in over 50 years.

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 105; DAB XIX, pp. 594-97; Evans 19366; Federal Hundred 18; Howes W207; Skeel 717; Sabin 102399