[Murray, James; Benjamin Towne]:

SERMONS TO MINISTERS OF STATE. BY THE AUTHOR OF, SERMONS TO ASSES. DEDICATED TO LORD NORTH, PRIME MINISTER OF ENGLAND, FOR THE USE OF THE RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL, AND PHILOSOPHICAL RATIONALISTS, IN EUROPE, AND AMERICA.

Philadelphia: Robert Bell, 1783. 79, [1] pp. Title page lightly tanned, with a light spot, accession rubberstamp at top blank margin of first text page. Bound in modern quarter morocco and marbled paper-covered boards [bookplate on front pastedown]. Very Good.

Murray's "political principles were democratic in sentiment" [Sabin 51507], and he loses no opportunity to attack Lord North humorously but viciously-- "a little uncourtly," is the way Murray puts it. His dedication, written from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1781, advises Lord North that "Your Name and Transactions will stand recorded in History, with a peculiar Emphasis."
Jenkins observes, "Murray was strongly opposed to the war against America. This first American edition is of especial interest as it contains at the end an excellent satirical piece, 'The Humble Confession, Declaration, Recantation, and Apology of Benjamin Towne, Printer in Philadelphia,' which attacks a printer who temporarily sided with the Tories. It is said to have been written by John Witherspoon, member of the Continental Congress."
FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. Evans 18039. Gephart 14077. II Jenkins, Early American Imprints 339. Hildeburn 4323. Item #24724

Price: $1,000.00