AN ADDRESS TO THE FREE AND INDEPENDANT CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH - AMERICA.
Hartford: Printed by Hudson & Goodwin, 1784. 30pp. Bound in quarter red morocco and pale red cloth. Title stamped in gilt on spine. Bottom margin untrimmed. Very Good.
ESTC: "A defense of the author's conduct during his mission to France. Dated: London, August 10, 1783. Appendix dated: London, October 12, 1783. Also published the same year (with appended documents but without Deane's appendix dated Oct. 12 under title: An address to the United States of North-America (Evans 18439)".
A prosperous Connecticut merchant, he went with Franklin and Arthur Lee as commissioners to France in 1778. After the signing of the French treaty he was recalled by Congress on the basis of accusations by Lee that he had taken gifts from the French and misused funds. Unable to defend himself without the necessary documents, he returned to Europe to obtain them, only to become embroiled in further difficulties when his pessimistic private letters to friends, suggesting that the Americans give up the struggle for independence, became public. His life thereafter was an attempt to justify himself from exile; this pamphlet is one of his leading self-defenses.
Evans 18438. HOWES D172, "aa." ESTC 37190. Item #40598
Price: $1,500.00