THE SPEECH OF ALBERT GALLATIN, DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, ON THE FIRST OF MARCH, 1798. UPON THE FOREIGN INTERCOURSE BILL. SECOND EDITION. WITH AN APPENDIX.
Philadelphia: Richard Folwell, 1798. 48pp. Disbound, lightly toned. Tear at upper margin of title leaf affects portions of final three letters of title word 'SPEECH.' Good+
This is the second-- and best-- edition of two 1798 printings, each issuing from Folwell's press. The first, in 28 pages, lacks this second edition's Appendix, in which Gallatin presents new arguments defending a Legislature's "right of discretion" to enact laws without constraint from any prior legislation, "where the constitution is silent, and where no obligation, in the nature of a debt or contract, results from the law."
At this time in Gallatin's long career he was a member of the House of Representatives from western Pennsylvania. He demonstrated "an unrivaled grasp of constitutional and international law, great power of argument, and a calmness of temper unruffled by the personal attacks of the New England Federalists ... His signal service was in the field of finance" [DAB].
Gallatin, supporting a Republican amendment designed "to reduce the diplomatic establishment" by cutting ambassadors' salaries, upholds Congress's power of the purse against Federalist constitutional objections. His analysis is a sophisticated examination of the Constitution's system of divided government and checks and balances.
Evans 33775. ESTC W3538. Item #39776
Price: $1,750.00