Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads… General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces.

FRANKLIN, Benjamin.

Item Number: 23058

London: J. Johnson, 1779.

First edition. Thick quarto, bound in 19th century full gilt-paneled brick red morocco, richly gilt spine compartments, inner dentelles. With portrait, 3 plates (1 folding), and folding table. In very good condition with some light wear and rubbing. Complete with errata.

"The only edition of Franklin's writings (other than his scientific), which was printed during his lifetime; was done with Franklin's knowledge and consent, and contains an 'errata' made by him for it" (Ford, 342). Edited by his close friend Benjamin Vaughan and published in London while Franklin was serving as America's ambassador, this seminal collection contains many of his writings on the rebellious American colonies and incendiary British measures such as the Stamp Act. Of particular interest is The Examination of Dr. Benjamin Franklin (255-301), a record of his 1766 appearance before Parliament. In Franklin's answers to the over 150 questions posed him in an afternoon of "highly charged testimony, he would turn himself into the foremost spokesman for the American cause" (Isaacson).