(Ohio) | Consecutive run of the first 14 session laws of the General Assembly, 1803–1816

(Ohio)

[Consecutive Run of the First Fourteen Session Laws of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, 1803–1816]. Chillicothe and Zanesville: 1803–1816

14 vols., 8vo (202 x 128 mm to 223 x 132 mm). A few folding charts; foxed, toned, and dampstained, some offsetting, margins chipped, a few closed and open tears, some affecting text, several repairs, a few leaves lacking, instances of manuscript annotations to margins. Antique three-quarter morocco over marbled boards, smooth spines with red and black titlepieces gilt-lettered; extremities slightly rubbed.

A significant library set of the laws of the State of Ohio, from the first session of the General Assembly to the fourteenth of 1816, including the crucial years of the War of 1812.

Ohio served as the Western theater of the war, of which the impact is evident in the 1812 session laws: the very first act provides "blankets for the Ohio militia, now in the service of the United States." Later in this session, the assembly passed an act "for the encouragement of Volunteers in the North Western Army of the United States" after the "lamentable disaster" of the Battle of Frenchtown—a major loss for the American army in the War of 1812. Though Frenchtown resulted in more casualties than any other battle during the War of 1812, it became a rallying cry for the American army.

In addition to these acts, the 1812 laws include several resolutions related to war activities within the state, including resolutions authorizing the governor to procure arms and a resolution requesting that the services of the Ohio militia be paid by the United States. A couple of years later, the assembly passed a resolution to thank Andrew Jackson, his officers, and his men, for their "gallant defence of New Orleans," the great American land victory of the war. Most of the session laws were printed by various printers in Chillicothe, but the ninth and tenth General Assemblies were held at, and the session laws printed in, Zanesville. The final volume ends with the Constitution of the State of Ohio.

Full listing of volumes and references available upon request.

The present consecutive run of session laws for Ohio is unprecedented on the market. All of the volumes are rare, and only single volumes occasionally come up for sale.

PROVENANCE

S. Wright (owner's inscription to title of vol. 1) — John S. Gano? (owner's inscription to title of vol. 2) — Isaac G Burnet (owner's inscription to title of vol. 3) — J. Bryant Walker?, Cincinatti (owner's inscription to title of vols. 2, 4, and 6) — William Wallace (owner's inscription to endleaf of vol. 5) — Elijah Boardman (owner's inscription to title of vol. 8) — B. Storer (owner's inscription to title of vol. 9) — Dan Gano? (owner's inscription to title of vol. 14) — Association of the Bar Library, City of New York (inkstamp and blindstamp to titles)

Sold as a group, not subject to return.