“NOTHING CAN BE OF SO MUCH CONSEQUENCE TO US AS LIBERTY”

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION) PRICE, Richard. Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, The Principles of Government, and the Justice and Policy of the War in America. London: Printed for T. Cadell, 1776. Slim octavo, modern gray paper boards, renewed endpapers; pp. [viii], [1]-128. Housed in a custom folding box. $3200.

Second edition, issued within days of the first, of Price’s powerfully influential British defense of the American revolution, a work of crucial importance in “determining the Americans to declare their independence” (DNB).

A close friend of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, Richard Price "was the most influential British advocate of American independence" (Howes P586). His Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty stands as the most important writing by an Englishman sympathetic to the American cause, for "the encouragement derived from this book had no inconsiderable share in determining the Americans to declare their independence" (DNB). Here Price presents "four different kinds of liberty—physical, moral, religious and civil—arguing that the central idea running through them all is self-government…. His enthusiasm for the American Revolution derived from his seeing it as the expression of these ideas" (Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 678). Price foresees that America will establish "a plan of government, and a growing power that shall astonish the world, and under which every subject of human enquiry shall be open to free discussion, and the friends of Liberty, in every quarter of the globe, find a safe retreat from civil and spiritual tyranny." This powerful work had a significant effect on America's resolve to secure self-government. In 1778 Price was offered the singular honor of United States citizenship, and "in recognition of his services in the cause of liberty, Dr. Price was presented with the freedom of the city of London" (DNB). This scarce second edition, which precedes the first American edition, was issued within days of the first edition and is "printed from the same setting of type" (Adams 76-118b). With half title, rarely found. Adams, American Independence 224b. Sabin 65452. Kress 7244. ESTC T41824. Howes P586. See Adams, 76-118a; Adams, American Independence 224a, 224t; Goldsmiths 11512; Sowerby 2994, 3109. Bookplate to inner front cover of box.

Only very lightest scattered foxing. A fine copy.