Debates, Resolutions and Other Proceedings, of the Convention of the
187 to 168 in Favor of Ratification [Massachusetts]. [Federal Constitution]. Debates, Resolutions and Other Proceedings, Of the Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Convened at Boston, On the 9th of January, 1788, And Continued Until the 7th of February Following, For the Purpose of Assenting to and Ratifying the Constitution Recommended by the Grand Federal Convention. Together with The Yeas and Nays on the Decision of the Grand Question. To Which The Federal Constitution is Prefixed. Boston: Printed and Sold by Adams and Nourse, and Benjamin Russell, And Edmund Freeman, 1788. 219 pp. Octavo (7" x 4-1/2"). Contemporary speckled sheep, blind fillets and fragment of later hand-lettered paper title label to spine. Moderate rubbing to extremities with wear to head of spine, front joint starting, hinges cracked, later owner bookplate to front pastedown, front free endpaper lacking. Moderate toning to interior, occasional light foxing, internally clean. Item housed in a period-style clamshell box, lettering piece and blind fillets to spine. A desirable copy. $3,000. * First edition. "The ratification process in Massachusetts was viewed with anxiety by supporters of the Constitution throughout the nation. Massachusetts was a key state, and it was thought that actions there might determine the ultimate fate of the Constitution. The struggle was hard, bitter, and characterized by wild rumor and allegations of corrupt behavior. The Federalist strategy was to ratify the Constitution first and then consider amendments to it. On February 6 the Constitution was endorsed by the narrow vote of 187 to 168. Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify. Massachusetts was the first state to propose amendments along with ratification, setting a pattern for the states that followed. All except Maryland and Rhode Island were to ratify and simultaneously propose amendments" (Peckham). A second edition was published in 1808; another, edited by Bradford K. Peirce and Charles Hale, in 1856. Peckham, Liberty's Legacy: Our Celebration of the Northwest Ordinance and the United States Constitution USC-25. Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law 2859. Sabin, A Dictionary of Books Relating to America 45702.
Price: $3,000.00
Book number 62560