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Book: ANSWER TO THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

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American Revolution

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Rare Loyalist "Answer" to the Declaration of Independence

1776 Book: "AN ANSWER TO THE DECLARATION OF THE AMERICAN CONGRESS", attributed to Jonathan Lind, Third Edition, Printed for T. Cadell, J. Walter, T. Sewell, London, England, Fine.
This book is an anonymous attack on the Declaration of Independence, attributed to political writer Jonathan Lind by his friend Jeremy Bentham, whose copy, housed at the John Carter Brown Library, bears the inscription: "by J. Lind of Lincoln's Inn Esq: This is the work in the original state. A considerable part of this was left out at the desire of the Ministry in the published copy..." This disbound copy lacks covers, measures 7" x 4.25", 117 pages. The title page is slightly toned and trimmed--with no loss of pagination. Adams 76-87d; Howes L-349, NUC NL0376238. This is a Rare item--there are apparently only four copies in existence!

The book answers each article of the Declaration -- point by point. In answer to Article XVII: "For imposing Taxes on us without our consent", he answers: "This was originally the apparent object of contest. Nor could any thing have been found more proper to work upon the people. Such is the selfishness inherent in human nature, that men in general are but too apt to seize and pretence for evading the obligation of paying the servants of the Public... For one thing appears to be indisputable; had this ungrateful people, from the beginning, contributed to the common burdens of the state, in proportion as, by the care and protection of the British government they had prospered; had their contributions all along kept pace with their ability, they would have wanted the most specious of those shallow arguments, by which they have fought to justify rebellion..."
More excellent content in the pages which follow! A true rarity with important content. A similar item, (Fourth Edition), was sold in EAHA's June 11, 2005 Auction, Lot 124, which was purchased for $2990.



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