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[CONTINENTAL CONGRESS]. The Constitutions of Several Independent States of America; The Declaration of Independence; The Articles of Confederation Between the Said States; The Treaties Between His Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America. Boston: printed by Norman and Bowen, 1785.
8vo. (Title–page with a few stains, lacks the last 9 leaves of The Treaties). Contemporary sheep (boards detached, spine perished but retaining original bands). Provenance: James Galbraith (1703–1786), dated ownership signature on title–page “Philadelphia 1 March 1786”; Warren Marple Erwin (dated inscription 1868).
SECOND EDITION, published originally by the Order of Congress of only 200 copies which was considered the “first authoritative and original printed text of these important documents” (Sabin). “This interesting publication contains a greater portion of unsophisticated wisdom and good sense than is perhaps to be met with in any other legislative code that was ever yet framed. It is, in short, the book which may be considered as the Magna Charta of the United American States” (Sabin, quoting the Monthly Review). An interesting association copy signed by James Galbraith who was an elected sheriff and a justice for the county of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and later served as an officer during the Indian Wars of 1755–63. Toward the Revolutionary period he removed to Cumberland county. His son Robert (1740–1806) served as an officer in the Revolution, commanding a regiment and was later commissioned president judge of Huntingdon county. Evans 19306; Howes C716; Sabin 16092.