Beschreibung:

(Continental Congress)Rules and Articles for the Better Government of the Troops Raised, or to be Raised and Kept in Pay by and at the Expense of the United States of America. Philadelphia: printed by John Dunlap, 1776 8vo (212 x 134 mm, uncut). Lightly browned with some light spotting on title and last few leaves. Contemporary gray wrappers, stitched as issued, in a blue half morocco slipcase; two dampstains on rear wrapper. First edition of one of the first and most important acts of Congress after the Declaration of Independence, and published by the same printer. On 14 June 1776 a committee was formed composed of John Adams Thomas Jefferson John Rutledge, James Wilson and Robert R. Livingston who revised the 1775 code, which had been published for the original colonies. The present, revised code was recast so as to more closely resemble the British Articles of War, and was so adopted by the Continental Congress on 20 September 1776, remaining in force, with one major revision, until 1806, as the foundation of American military law. At the end is printed a resolution of Congress, dated 21 August 1776, and signed in print by John Hancock as president, stating: "That all persons ... found lurking as Spies in or about the fortifications or encampments of the Armies of the United States ... shall suffer Death according to the law and usage of nations, by sentence of a Court- Martial." It was under this ruling that Major André was executed for treason in 1780. REFERENCECelebration of My Country 70; ESTC W22042; Evans 15187; Hildeburn 3466; Revolutionary Hundred 43; Sabin 74058