Harrison, William Henry

Remarks of General Harrison, Late Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Colombia, on Certain Charges Made Against Him by that Government. To which is added, an Unofficial Letter, from General Harrison to General Bolivar, on the Affairs of Colombia. Washington: Printed by Gales & Seaton, 1830

8vo (9 1/4 x 5 7/8 in.; 235 x 149 mm). Title-page soiled, title and following leaf with short tears at fore-edge margins, scattered foxing, top line of presentation inscription just shaved. Later half blue morocco over marbled boards, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, others uncut preserving deckle, visible holes from original stab-sewing; extremities quite rubbed.

John Wright (gift of the author) — Thomas W. Streeter (booklabel; sale, Parke-Bernet, 25 October 1967, lot 1740) — Victor and Irene Murr Jacobs (sale, Sotheby's New York, 29 October 1996, lot 22)

American Imprints 1763; Sabin 30572; Streeter 3:1740 (this copy)

First edition; presentation copy, inscribed and signed by Harrison on the title-page: “John C. Wright Esq. of Steubenville Ohio from his friend W. H. Harrison.” Harrison was appointed minister to Colombia by President John Quincy Adams in 1828 and spent ten tumultuous months in Bogotá before being recalled by the recently inaugurated Andrew Jackson. His Remarks offered a justification for his incautious alignment with Cordovan revolutionaries plotting the overthrow of President Simón Bolívar.

John Wright was a member with Harrison of Ohio’s congressional delegation, serving in the House of Representatives during the latter’s term in the Senate and actively supporting Harrison’s diplomatic appointment. Wright’s copy is evidently the only presentation copy of Harrison’s Remarks to ever appear at auction.