A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE HONORABLE COUNCIL, AND THE HONORABLE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY IN NEW-ENGLAND. AT BOSTON, MAY 28, 1777 BEING THE ANNIVERSARY FOR THE ELECTION OF THE HONORABLE COUNCIL.
Boston, New-England: Edes & Gill, 1777. First Edition. Stitched Pamphlet. Octavo, 7.75 in. x 5.1 in., pp. [5], 6-44, [2] (blank). A few chips to fore- and bottom-edges and light age-toning to half title and title page. Previous owner's name to top of title page; inscription, dated 1793, at bottom of half title. Closed tears and creases to final double-blank leaf. Bright, clean leaves. Evans 15703. Sabin 10423.
Tipped-in on page [5]: Quarter-page notice from "New England Historic Genealogical Society", dated 1882, to Mrs. Peter Thacher of Cleveland Ohio, acknowledging the gifted manuscript. Very Good. Item #100696
Previous owner's name at the top of the half title is "Mary Thacher 1787." Inscribed on the half title is: "Peter Thacher his book given to him by his ant [sic] Mary Thacher in the year 1793." Peter Thacher (1752-1802) served as pastor in Malden of the First Church (1770–1784) and in Boston of the Brattle Street Church (1785–1802). He actively supported the American Revolution. From February 4 to April 1, 1778, he served as a chaplain in a Massachusetts regiment in Rhode Island. He participated in the drafting of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, and in 1794 he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Webster delivers a fiery speech just 10 months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence framing the rebellion against the British as a religious duty. Webster argues that God forms governments for the good of the people, and thus rulers are servants of the public good, and not absolute monarchs.
Price: $4,500.00