Observations Leading to a Fair Examination of the System of Government, Proposed by the Late Convention; and to Several Essential and Necessary Alterations in it. In a Number of Letters from the Federal Farmer to The Republican

[Lee, Richard Henry]

Published by [New York], 1787

40pp. 8vo. A fundamentally important early critique of the just-drafted Constitution. "The Letters of a Federal Farmer, was, to the anti-Federalists what The Federalist was to the supporters of the Constitution" (Ford). His work takes the form of five letters, written on consecutive days in October 1787, just a few weeks after the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention. Lee thought the proposed federal government would degenerate into bureaucracy, or eventually into an aristocracy. He instead favored strong individual states, joined in a loose federation to work together on foreign affairs, defense, and coinage. He also opposed the Constitution over the absence of a Bill of Rights, and felt the people were underrepresented in the House. Lee's Letters "became a sort of textbook for the opposition" (DAB) and there was no greater political figure, except possibly Patrick Henry, opposed to the Constitution in Virginia. No less a commentator than Chancellor Kent called Lee's argument "one of the most plausible and ingenious that was written against the new Constitution." This is the second issue of the first edition of the Observations., with the date corrected on the titlepage. Evans 20455; ESTC W21305; Howes L216, "aa"; Ford 87; Streeter Sale 1044; Reese, Federal Hundred 17 Early blue paper wrappers. Housed in a red morocco backed box. Seller Inventory # 366965

Bibliographic Details

Title: Observations Leading to a Fair Examination ...
Publisher: [New York]
Publication Date: 1787
Binding: 40pp. 8vo