Wortman, Tunis | First edition, "the emergence of American Libertarianism"

Wortman, Tunis

A Treatise Concerning Political Enquiry and the Liberty of the Press. New York: Printed by George Forman, for the author, 1800

8vo (208 x 126 mm). Title inherently a bit faint, stained, with upper blank margin extended, overall light toning and foxing. Antique style half-calf and marbled boards, red morocco lettering-piece to flat spine. 

First edition, "the emergence of American libertarianism" 

Wortman's book is the foremost expression of American libertarian thinking on freedom of speech in its formative states, stating more fully than any of his fellow Jeffersonian Democrats that case for freedom of expression, Leonard Levy writes: "Tunis Wortman, a New York lawyer who was prominent in Tammany politics, contributed pre-eminently to the emergence of American libertarianism in his book… it is, in a sense, the book that Jefferson did not write, but should have. Devoid of party polemics and of the characteristically American preoccupation with legal and constitutional problems, it is a work of political philosophy that systematically present the case for freedom of expression… the outstanding characteristics of the book are its philosophic approach and its absolutist theses."

From the premise of the Declaration of Independence that the people have the right to dissolve political bonds, Wortman implied an "unlimited right" for individuals and society to express political opinions. For Wortman, a society interested in furthering knowledge or truth must leave speech "entirely unshackled." He held that open debate furthered the ability of society to arrive at the wisest course of action. He argued that the effect if the Alien and Sedition Acts was self-defeating, since coercion could not suppress thought but only its expression, and so would inevitably lead to a lack of faith in the government, which he viewed as a worse consequence than any breach of peace (Celebration).

PROVENANCE

John Chapman Hunter (ownership signatures) 

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 147; Cohen 3603; Evans 39150; Federal Hundred 85; Leonard Levy, Legacy of Suppression, Cambridge, 1960, pp. 283-89; McCoy, Freedom of the Press W398; Sabin 105514.