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.
[Philadelphia: Richard Folwell, 1798]. 28pp. Errata at page 28. Disbound. Scattered foxing. Several leaves trimmed closely but no text loss. Good+, with contemporary signatures of Joseph Jenkins
This is the first of two 1798 printings, each issuing from Folwell's press.
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].
Supporting a Republican amendment designed "to reduce the diplomatic establishment" by cutting ambassadors' salaries, Gallatin upholds Congress's power of the purse against Federalist constitutional objections. His analysis is a sophisticated examination of the system of divided government and checks and balances created by the Constitution.
Evans 33775. Sabin 26396. Item #39912
Price: $1,250.00