The Constitution of The United States. For the Use of Schools and Academies.

WILLIAMS, George S.

Item Number: 125093

Cambridge: Welch, Bigelow, and Company, 1861.

First edition of Williams’ Civil War era printing of the United States Constitution, intended for use in both public schools and private academies. Octavo, original cloth elaborately stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine, gilt American flag and eagle vignette to the front panel. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “E. B. Cook with the respect of the author.” In very good condition with rubbing to the crown and foot of the spine. Includes The Constitution of the United States, Washington’s Farewell Address, The Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation.

Originally comprising seven articles, The Constitution of the United States delineates the national frame of government. Its first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III). Article IV, Article V and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment. Article VII establishes the procedure subsequently used by the 13 States to ratify it. It is regarded as the oldest written and codified national constitution in force. Since the Constitution came into force in 1789, it has been amended 27 times, including one amendment that repealed a previous one, in order to meet the needs of a nation that has profoundly changed since the 18th century.