United States Constitution | First English printing

United States Constitution

Plan of the New Constitution for the United States of America, Agreed Upon in a Convention of the States. With a Preface by the Editor. London: Printed for J. Debrett, 1787

8vo (210 x 128 mm). Small gouge (from earlier sewing?) at inner margin of title-page. Nineteenth-century half brown morocco over maroon cloth, marbled endpapers, bound with a number of blank leaves at end marbled en suite; extremities rubbed.

In common with early American editions, Debrett's issue accompanies the text of the Constitution with the roster of its Signers, the two resolutions of the Convention adopted on 17 September recommending the procedures for ratification and for the establishment of government under the Constitution by the Confederation Congress, and George Washington’s influential cover letter of the same date to Arthur St. Clair, president of Congress.

An interesting—and accurate—footnote to the editor's preface remarks, "Some of the London News-papers mentioned a strong opposition between General Washington and Doctor Franklin for the Presidency, and that General Washington was elected by a majority of one vote. We have authority to contradict this account. The fact is, that General Washington was elected with one voice, and not by a majority of one. Dr. Franklin, as the senior person of the Convention, and who is already President of the State of Pennsylvania, was the Member who put General Washington in nomination, and he was conducted to the Chair with a unanimous voice."

REFERENCES:

ESTC T138351; Howes P413; Sabin 63294

PROVENANCE:

Sidney Edward Bouverie Bouverie-Pusey (bookplate)