"AND I AM SURE YOUR GOOD SENSE WILL TEACH YOU THIS, THAT IF MEN ARE PERMITTED TO SAY ANY THING, THEY WILL VERY SOON GO THE LENGTH OF DOING ANY THING"

(EATON, Daniel Isaac). The Trial of Daniel Isaac Eaton, for Publishing a Supposed Libel, Comparing the King of England to a Game Cock In a Pamphlet Intitled Politics for the People; or Hog Wash at Justice Hall in the Old Bailey, February Twenty-Fourth, 1794. New York: L. Wayland, 1794. Octavo, modern half calf, marbled boards, pp. 48. $2400.

First American edition of this account of the prosecution of radical printer Daniel Isaac Eaton for sedition, with a wood engraving on the title page of the King of England next to a gamecock.

In 1793, "having acquired his own press, Eaton launched Hog's Wash, or, A Salmagundy for Swine, a weekly designed to spread political enlightenment among the masses. Partly original items, partly excerpts, enlivened by satire, irony, humour, and verse, it was immediately successful. Renamed Politics for the People, it ran for sixty numbers (September 1793 to March 1795). Through its pages—as through his pamphlets—Eaton consistently advocated universal manhood suffrage, annual parliaments, peace among nations, education of the poor, and unfettered discussion of politics and religion. When in the eighth number (16 November 1793) he published two items attacking monarchy (one comparing the king to a cruel, tyrannical gamecock), Eaton was prosecuted for seditious libel but acquitted on both counts. He triumphantly adopted the imprint: 'Printed by D. I. Eaton at the Cock and Swine, No. 74, Newgate Street.' The London Corresponding Society caused silver medals to be struck commemorating his acquittal. His shop became a gathering place for reformers and radicals" (DNB). Eaton is perhaps best remembered today for being arrested and convicted for publishing Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason, serving 18 months in prison. Published earlier that same year in London.

Scattered foxing, extremely good condition.