Beschreibung:

Continental CongressComplete set of the journals of Congress containing the proceedings from September 1774 to November 1788. Philadelphia: Aitken (Vols. 1-2), Dunlap (Vols. 3, 9-13), and Claypoole (Vols. 4-8), 1777-1788 13 volumes, 8vo (125 x 215 mm). Foxing, browning, and some marginal chipping throughout, closed marginal tear repaired with tape (Vol. VI, Aaa3), remnants of label adhesive (VIII). Each volume as follows: Volume I: September 5, 1774 to January 1, 1776. Philadelphia: R. Aitken, 1777. Evans 15683 — Volume II: For the Year 1776. Philadelphia: R. Aitken 1777. The rare issue with Aitken's imprint, one of a few known complete copies. Evans 15684 — Volume III: January 1, 1777 to January 1, 1778. Philadelphia: John Dunlap [1788]. The rare first issue with the six leaves of the general index. Evans 21527 — Volume IV: January 1, 1778 to January 1, 1779. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, [1779]. Includes 4pp. Appendix in the rear. Evans 16584 — Volume V: January 1, 1779 to January 1, 1780. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1782. Evans 17766 — Volume VI: January 1, 1780 to January 1, 1781. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, [1781]. Evans 17392 — Volume VII: For the Year 1781. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1781 [i.e. 1782]. Caption title of general index with volume misnumbered VIII, as called for in the first issue. Evans 17767 —Volume VIII: November 1782 to November 1783. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1783. Evans 18266 — Volume IX: November 1783 to June 1784. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, [1784]. [Bound with:] ... June 1784 to August 1784. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1784. With the rare addendum with separate title. Evans 18840 with 18441 — Volume X: November 1784 to November 1785. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1785. Evans 19316 — Volume XI [title incorrectly reads Volume XII, as issued]: November 1785 to November 1786. [Philadelphia:] John Dunlap, [1786]. Evans 20068 — Volume XII: November 1786 to November 1787. [Philadelphia or New York:] Published by Order of the Congress, 1787. Evans 20772 — Volume XIII: November 1787 to November 1788. [Philadelphia:] John Dunlap, [1788]. Evans 21526 Original plain paper boards, numerous pages uncut (Vol. I); neatly rebacked with appropriate paper, some soiling and dampstaining, extremities rubbed with occasional loss, inner joints reinforced. Housed in custom blue morocco clamshell cases. One of the most vital records of the Revolutionary and Confederate period — A complete set with important provenance On 26 September 1776, Congress authorized Robert Aitken to reprint the two congressional journals that had appeared, essentially, as occasional publications "and to continue to print the same." In the event, Aitken's duties were often fulfilled by John Dunlap and David Claypoole, both well known to Congress. The Journals contain the most vital documents from the Revolutionary period through the proposal of the federal constitution, including the text of the Declaration of Independence (with the names of the signers), minutes of the debates at the Constitutional Convention, and the proposed text of that document. Henry Remsen Jr., to whom several volumes of this set belonged, was an early American financier. He was appointed by the Continental Congress as the Under Secretary for foreign affairs, and would later serve as Thomas Jefferson's private secretary during his presidency. A rare complete set of the first uniform edition of the Journals of Congress PROVENANCEHenry Remsen Jr. (ownership signature to Vols. 3, 4, 6, and 7) REFERENCECelebration of My Country 77; Matyas, Declaration of Independence 77-098; Revolutionary Hundred 48