"WITHOUT MEDDLING WITH THE INTERCOURSE BETWEEN AMERICA AND THE WEST INDIES, WE MUST ADD NEARLY ONE HALF TO OUR FLOCK OF SHIPS IN THE MERCHANTS SERVICE"

[ALLEN, James]. Considerations on the Present State of the Intercourse Between His Majesty's Sugar Colonies and the Dominions of the United States of America. [London: No publisher, 1784]. Octavo, disbound; pp. 54. $650.

First edition of this response to Lord Sheffield's Observations on the Commerce of the American States, arguing that all restrictions should be lifted on trade between America and the West Indies.

"A reply to Lord Sheffield's Observations on the Commerce of the American States… [this work] opposes the maintaining of restrictions on American-West Indian trade… declaring that the welfare of the Caribbean possessions demanded absolute freedom of intercourse with the United States" (Ragatz, 246). Much of this is attributed to the challenges Britain would face in producing ships due to cost and a general lumber shortage. According to Sabin, this was likely published solely for Parliament and not for the public, accounting for the lack of formal title. Sabin 834. Kress 12628. Faint "X" to first page. Early marginal ink notation.

Mild embrowning to text. An extremely good copy.