Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia. Lancaster, (Pennsylvania) Printed: Boston: Re-printed by John Gill, 1777



Folio (13 1/4 x 8 3/8 in.; 336 x 212 mm); formerly folded, lightly browned, some edge- and tiny fold-tears. Blue cloth folding-case, gilt-stamped title on spine.

Evans 15623

The first system of government of the United States, the cornerstone of any Americana collection.

A grand experiment, a nation composed of independent states, voluntarily joining together for common defense, diplomacy, and a few other tasks, this furthest (and sadly premature) expression of "states' rights" resulted in dismal failure. The close of the year 1786 found the Articles of Confederation in widespread discredit, and many national leaders eager to refashion it with a stronger central government.

First printed in Lancaster, while Congress met there during the occupation of Philadelphia by the British, this is the first Boston edition and the fifth edition overall listed by Evans. It includes two other Congressional resolutions, asking that the text be forwarded to the state legislatures, and asking the states to contribute cash (not bills of credit) for the prosecution of the war.