RARE IN WEEKLY AND MONTHLY PARTS
[REVOLUTIONARY WAR]. [UNITED STATES CONTINENTAL CONGRESS]. Journals of Congress [Weekly and Monthly issues]. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1 February-14 August, 1779. 21 (of 41) parts, 8vo (216 x 133 mm). Each stab-sewn as issued, one in original wrapper, uncut (one issue unsewn, some spotting or light browning to titles, June 7th issue worn at lower corner with losses not affecting text, contemporary inked numerals at upper corners of weekly parts); housed together in a folding box. A RARE CONSECUTIVE RUN OF MONTHLY AND WEEKLY PRINTINGS OF THE JOURNALS OF CONGRESS, beginning with the two monthly parts Monday, February 1st, to Tuesday, March 30th, 1779 (the first issue of 1779 began in January in folio format and is not present here). The weekly parts then begin on Wednesday, March 31, and run consecutively to Saturday, August 14, 1779. The proceedings of Congress were initially published on an annual basis. However, following the Declaration of Independence, Congress acknowledged the importance of more timely dissemination of their proceedings after delegations voiced objections that the Journals were being published only in annual form. In 1779, for a brief period, it was decided to issue the proceedings in monthly and weekly issues. These more frequent publications were produced in limited quantities, and due to their ephemeral nature, few have survived (Evans locates only two complete copies). Evans 16586-16606.