[Benjamin Franklin] | Cool Thoughts on the Present Situation of Public Affairs

[Benjamin Franklin]

Cool Thoughts on the Present Situation of our Public Affairs. In a Letter to a Friend in the Country. Philadelphia: Printed by W. Dunlap, M,DCC,LXIV (1764)

8vo (194 x 118 mm). Woodcut device to title, ornamental head- and tail-pieces; lacking half-title, scattered foxing and instances of finger-soiling throughout, final gathering dampstained at top edge, final blank lacking. Modern full red morocco, spine gilt-lettered.

First edition of Franklin's pamphlet advocating against the Proprietary Government of Pennsylvania.

Franklin, after criticizing what he saw as interference in the Assembly by Governor William Penn, here argues in favor of sending a petition to England requesting that Pennsylvania's proprietary government be removed and colonial governance be assumed by the British Crown. The work was first published as a supplement to William Bradford's Pennsylvania Journal, no. 1116, 25 April 1764.

REFERENCES

Evans 9663; Ford 270; Howes F-318; Sabin 25496