(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--PRELUDE.) The Votes and Proceedings of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston. iv, 43 pages. 8vo, later 1/2 calf, minor wear; front hinge split, minor worming to first several pages, inked library stamp on title page, library bookplate and dated release stamp on front free endpaper. Boston: Edes and Gill, [1772]
first edition of the inflammatory tract known in its day simply as "The Boston pamphlet"--a printing of several key documents from Boston's decisive steps toward revolution in 1772. It starts with the minutes of the 28 October freeholders meeting appointing a Committee of Correspondence. Next are the long proceedings of 20 November, where John Hancock was chosen moderator as the Committee of Correspondence reported on "Natural Rights of the Colonists" as men, colonists and Christians, followed by "A List of Infringements and Violations of Rights." The blandly named "Letter of Correspondence, to the other Towns" dated 20 November spreads the word of "the Plan of Despotism, which the Enemies of our invaluable Rights have concerted." An appendix gives the correspondence between the committee and Governor Hutchinson. This copy was deaccessioned in 1965 from the John Carter Brown Library, with an inked release stamp and librarian's initials "TRA." That would be Thomas R. Adams, who had written the best bibliographical descriptions of the pamphlet--see Adams, American Independence 87a; and Adams, American Controversy 72-1a. Second state of the title page as described by Adams. Evans 12332; Reese, Revolutionary Hundred 13; Sabin 6568; Streeter sale II:744.5.
