First Edition in Original Boards
Hints on the National Bankruptcy of Britain. and on her Resources to Maintain the Present Contest with France.
New York: Ezra Sargeant, 1809.
New York: Ezra Sargeant 1809
First Edition. Octavo (9 1/8 x 6 inches; 231 x 150 mm). vi [2, advertisement], vii-xxi, 688 pp. The advertisement leaf bound between page vi and vii via a printer's error. We could find no copies at auction.
Original drab boards over paper spine. Rebacked. Partially unopened. All edges uncut. A few pages opened rough, but not affecting text. Dampstain to title-page and preliminary leaves. Pages toned as expected on American paper of this era. Still overall a very good copy.
"John Bristed was a British-American author and Episcopal clergyman. He is mostly remembered for his service as a rector of St. Michael's Church... During his life Bristed followed three different professions. He first studied medicine at Edinburgh and practised it for a short time; next he studied law under Joseph Chitty, editor of Blackstone's Commentaries, and was admitted to the Inner Temple; later in life he was to be a clergyman... Before leaving England John Bristed began writing and seems to have held ideas considered radical at the time... In 1806 Bristed came to New York City and there practised law, lectured, and wrote books and magazine articles. In 1807 he was an editor of the Monthly Register, Magazine and Review of the United States, founded in 1805 by Stephen Cullen Carpenter at Charleston, South Carolina. Bristed's books of this period include Hints on the National Bankruptcy of Britain, and on Her Resources to Maintain the Present Contest with France (1809). " (World Biographical Encyclopedia).
In a letter to William Bentley in 1810, John Adams writes "Excuse at the End a little Politicks. Have you read Mr John Bristeds Scottish and methodistical Hints on the National Bankruptcy of Great Britain? Have you read the Boston Patriot of last Saturday? What think you of an allyance with between G. Britain the United States of America and the Spanish Provinces of South America? Would not this make Great Britain, The most Universal and most despotick Empire that ever existed on this Globe. I think these broad Hints of Bristed ought to be read tho an enormous volume of 688 pages. For giving you this Task you will not thank your Friend and very respectful humble Servant."
According to Sabin and quoting J. R. Smith, "In some parts very severe on the Americans."
American Imprints 17085. Einaudi. Goldsmiths'. Kress B.5486. Sabin 8049.
HBS 68558.
$1,250.
Price: $1,250.00
Item #68558