AN ADDRESS TO THE FREE AND INDEPENDANT [sic] CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH-AMERICA

Deane, Silas

Published by Hartford, 1784

30pp. Modern red half morocco and cloth, spine gilt. Contemporary ownership inscription on titlepage. Minor toning. Near fine. Deane has come to be recognized as a martyr to the American cause in the Revolution, although he died a maligned and exiled bankrupt. A prosperous Connecticut merchant, he went with Franklin and Arthur Lee as commissioners to France in 1778. After the signing of the French treaty he was recalled by Congress on the basis of accusations by Lee that he had taken gifts from the French and misused funds. Unable to defend himself without the necessary documents, he returned to Europe to obtain them, only to become embroiled in further difficulties when his pessimistic private letters to friends, suggesting that the Americans give up the struggle for independence, became public. His life thereafter was an attempt to justify himself from exile; this pamphlet is one of his leading self-defenses. DAB V:174. SABIN 19063. EVANS 18438. HOWES D172, "aa.". Seller Inventory # WRCAM47249

Bibliographic Details

Title: AN ADDRESS TO THE FREE AND INDEPENDANT [sic]...
Publisher: Hartford
Publication Date: 1784