A DEFENCE OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, VOLUMES II AND VOLUME III
London, England: C. Dilly in the Poultry and John Stockdale, Piccadilly, 1787 / 1788. First Edition. Leather-bound. NOTE: Volumes II and III Only. Mixed, and sympathetically restored. Henry Cabot Lodge's bookplate to front pastedown of Volume II. Octavo, 8.5 in. x 5.5 in.. Volume II: pp. 451. Volume III: pp. 528, [36] (index). Full, contemporary tree calf, trimmed on all sides. Rebacked with contrasting gilt-on-black spine labels. Five raised bands (six compartments) with volume numbers in gilt. Professionally repaired front hinges. Moderate but inoffensive age-tanning, especially to endpapers. Pages supple and bright. Half-title present Volume II only. In Volume III: A former owner rubbed out "Vol. III" beneath author's name on title page; previous owner's name in blue, and another name ink-stamped to front free endpaper and verso of title page; ink mark to top of title page. Very Good Plus. Item #80126
"A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" is a three-volume work by John Adams published in 1787–1788. Adams wrote it while serving as the American ambassador in London. The work (later referred to as "Volume I") was printed in 1787, complete unto itself; soon thereafter, Volumes II and III were published, in 1787 and 1788, respectively, in time for the Constitutional Convention.
The work comprises an important series of letters from the American patriot and second President, defending the U.S. Constitution from European criticisms of the doctrine of legislative balance. Adams compares the constitutions of the various states of the Union, and of the Union itself, with those of foreign countries and ancient cultures. Adams wrote these works while Minister to Britain, admiring their parliamentary system, but praising the U.S. Constitution as 'admirably calculated to preserve the Union'. (Howes A60; Sabin 234). The proper nature of government was foremost in the minds of the pre-revolutionary and post-revolutionary Americans. He uses the format of Letters, but as chapters. He argues for a republican theory of mixed government, defends the US Constitution and reiterates the analysis of various historical governments which was of primary consent before the Revolution and during the drafting of the Constitution..." (Wikipedia)
Lodge enjoyed an extraordinarily close friendship with Theodore Roosevelt, who wrote:
“[Lodge] was my closest friend personally, politically and in every other way and occupied toward me a relationship that no other man has occupied or will occupy.” —Theodore Roosevelt on Henry Cabot Lodge June 20, 1900, Philadelphia.
Price: $6,000.00