A Speech, Delivered in the House of Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania, May 24th, 1764 … On Occassion of a Petition, drawn up by Order, and then under Consideration, of the House, praying his Majesty for a Change of the Government of this Province.
Philadelphia: William Bradford 1764. xii, 30 pp., 8vo (200 x 133 mm). Stitched self-wrappers, uncut and largely unopened. Housed in a cloth chemise and morocco-backed slipcase. Condition : title toned, else as issued; restitched. first edition. the first significant pamphlet issued by dickinson, an early warning against royal government, and the groundwork for his revolutionary thought. In this pamphlet, Dickinson, who was in fact critical of the proprietor’s actions, cautions against the power of the Crown and argues persuasively that a proprietary government was the lesser of two evils as it better protected the democratic spirit of the province. “If the change of government now mediated, can take place, with all our priveleges preserved, let it instantly take place:” he writes, “but if they must be consumed in the blaze of royal authority, we shall pay too great a price…” [Dickinson’s emphasis]. He further argues that the Assembly was not authorized by the people to petition for such a change of governance. Finally, he warns that having the Crown maintain a military force in the colony would lead to greater problems, as its size and expense would inevitably increase. “For John Dickinson 1764 marked the beginning of his important political leadership … And in this fight he had clearly sided with the people and against any plans he thought subversive of their rights. Indeed his arguments in 1764 showed … a belief in the more radical idea that fundamental rights could not be altered without the consent of the governed, and idea that clearly foreshadowed the American position in the Revolutionary crisis of succeeding years” (Jacobson, “John Dickinson's Fight Against Royal Government, 1764” in The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 19, No. 1). Adams, American Controversy 64-5a; Evans 9641; Howes D334; Sabin 20049.
A Speech, Delivered in the House of Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania, May 24th, 1764 … On Occassion of a Petition, drawn up by Order, and then under Consideration, of the House, praying his Majesty for a Change of the Government of this Province.
Philadelphia: William Bradford 1764. xii, 30 pp., 8vo (200 x 133 mm). Stitched self-wrappers, uncut and largely unopened. Housed in a cloth chemise and morocco-backed slipcase. Condition : title toned, else as issued; restitched. first edition. the first significant pamphlet issued by dickinson, an early warning against royal government, and the groundwork for his revolutionary thought. In this pamphlet, Dickinson, who was in fact critical of the proprietor’s actions, cautions against the power of the Crown and argues persuasively that a proprietary government was the lesser of two evils as it better protected the democratic spirit of the province. “If the change of government now mediated, can take place, with all our priveleges preserved, let it instantly take place:” he writes, “but if they must be consumed in the blaze of royal authority, we shall pay too great a price…” [Dickinson’s emphasis]. He further argues that the Assembly was not authorized by the people to petition for such a change of governance. Finally, he warns that having the Crown maintain a military force in the colony would lead to greater problems, as its size and expense would inevitably increase. “For John Dickinson 1764 marked the beginning of his important political leadership … And in this fight he had clearly sided with the people and against any plans he thought subversive of their rights. Indeed his arguments in 1764 showed … a belief in the more radical idea that fundamental rights could not be altered without the consent of the governed, and idea that clearly foreshadowed the American position in the Revolutionary crisis of succeeding years” (Jacobson, “John Dickinson's Fight Against Royal Government, 1764” in The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 19, No. 1). Adams, American Controversy 64-5a; Evans 9641; Howes D334; Sabin 20049.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
