“NOTHING CAN BE OF SO MUCH CONSEQUENCE TO US AS LIBERTY”: PRICE’S CIVIL LIBERTY, 1776, A KEY INFLUENCE ON AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
(AMERICAN REVOLUTION) PRICE, Richard. Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, The Principles of Government, and the Justice and Policy of the War in America. Dublin: Printed for J. Exshaw, et al., 1776. 12mo (4 by 6-3/4 inches), contemporary full brown polished calf, raised bands, burgundy morocco spine label; pp. [viii], [1]-180. Housed in custom folding chemise and slipcase.
First Dublin edition, issued the same year as the London first edition of Price’s powerfully influential British defense of the American revolution, precedes the first American edition, a work of crucial importance in “determining the Americans to declare their independence” (DNB), scarce in contemporary calf, housed in a custom chemise and slipcase.
A close friend of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, Richard Price “was the most influential British advocate of American independence” (Howes P586). His Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty stands as the most important writing by an Englishman sympathetic to the American cause, for “the encouragement derived from this book had no inconsiderable share in determining the Americans to declare their independence” (DNB). Here Price presents “four different kinds of liberty—physical, moral, religious and civil—arguing that the central idea running through them all is self-government…. His enthusiasm for the American Revolution derived from his seeing it as the expression of these ideas” (Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 678). Price foresees that America will establish “a plan of government, and a growing power that shall astonish the world, and under which every subject of human enquiry shall be open to free discussion, and the friends of Liberty, in every quarter of the globe, find a safe retreat from civil and spiritual tyranny.” This powerful work had a significant effect on America’s resolve to secure self-government. In 1778 Price was offered the singular honor of United States citizenship, and “in recognition of his services in the cause of liberty, Dr. Price was presented with the freedom of the city of London” (DNB). First Dublin edition, issued same year as London first edition. Precedes the first American edition. Mispagination as issued (p. 268 for 168); F² correctly signed. Containing rarely found folding table, half title. Adams 76-118s. Adams, American Independence 224r. ESTC 12969. Howes P586. See Adams 76-118a; Adams, American Independence 224a, 224t; Sabin 65452; Kress 7243; Goldsmiths 11512; Sowerby 2994, 3109. Small bookseller notations to pastedowns. Bookplate to inner front cover of chemise.
Text generally fresh with only light scattered foxing, expert restoration to scarce contemporary calf.. An extremely good copy.