1804-1807 The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces, during the War which established the Independence of his Country, and First President of the United States. Compiled under the inspection of the Honourable Bushrod Washington, from Original Papers bequeathed to him by his deceased Relative. To which is prefixed an introduction, containing a compendious view of the colonies planted by the English on the continent of North America.

Description

An Important Work, First Edition, Folding Maps, Illustrated, Leather Binding

Written by John Marshal, an American politician and lawyer who was closely associated with George Washington's nephew, Associate Justice Bushrod Washington. Washington had inherited his uncle's paper which formed the basis of these volumes. This biography was the first on Washington, and therefore the first on any U.S president. Modern historians have praised the accuracy and levelness of this work. Marshall was the Chief Justice of the United states whose views helped to lay the basis for the American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court a coequal branch of government. He was the longest serving Chief Justice of the United States and largely developed the American legal system.

With a frontispiece and two maps to the rear of volume I (plates 1-3 on the engravings list). Folding frontispiece plate (plate number 4. on the engravings list) to volume II. Folding frontispiece plate to volume III and engraved vignette to the rear (plate 5 and 6 on the engravings list. Folding frontispiece to volume V (plate 14 on the engravings list) and ten further folding maps to the rear of this volume (plates 8-13 and 15-16 on the engravings list).

The first editions of all volumes, which were published from 1804-1807. Volumes I-II are dated 1804, with volume III and IV dated 1805. Volume V is dated 1807. The first edition is regarded as the best edition overall. This title was originally published in Philadelphia in the same years. These are all the first London edition.

Collated, complete. With the publisher's adverts to volumes I and V as called for.

Page 572 to volume III is misnumbered 570 as called for.

Loosely inserted is some fascinating 20th century articles referring to Washington and the discovery of several more of his manuscripts.

Bookplate of one James Thornton to the verso of front endpaper to all volumes. Bookplate to the front pastedowns of one F J Cuthbert. With Cuthbert's crest gilt stamped to the spines of all volumes.

To the rear of volume II there is a notice that states 'the manuscript of another volume of this work will be received from America in the course of the Autumn and that the entire work will be completed, in Four or Five Volumes, before Christmas'.

This biography provides not just an insight into the man himself, but of the contemporary political state of America. Marshall paints a picture of the history of the American Revolution, the evolution of the American government and the Constitution including Washington's military and political career.

A smart copy of this definitive historical source, which touches on a formative part of American history.