Report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the Subject of Manufactures

HAMILTON, Alexander (1757-1804)

Published by Printed for the Proprietors, by William Young, Philadelphia, 1792

(7 7/8 x 5 inches). Printed on pp. 33-75 in the magazine, The Universal Asylum, and Columbian Magazine, for January, 1792. (ii), 33-79, (1) pp. (pp. 1-32 not present). Three-quarter tan calf, stamped in gilt, red morocco spine label, over marbled paper-covered boards. Hamilton's classic report, referred to by Howes as 'One of the great American state papers, "the Magna Carta of industrial America"'. The second printing of Alexander Hamilton's famous Report on Manufactures, printed here in The Universal Asylum, and Columbian Magazine soon after Hamilton delivered his report to Congress on December 5, 1791. 'Issued in December 1791, (the report) provided not only theoretical justifications for the promotion of domestic manufacturing, but as a policy document made specific proposals for government action. These proposals included higher import duties on certain final goods, lower import duties on raw materials, pecuniary bounties (production subsidies) for selected industries, and government assistance for the immigration of skilled workers, among other measures. To this day, the report is often heralded as the quintessential American statement against laissez faire doctrines of free trade and a plea for activist government policies, including protectionist tariffs to promote industrialization' (Irwin). The report was met with criticism, especially from Thomas Jefferson, who viewed Hamilton's plan with alarm, as he thought it would disproportionately benefit Northerners at the expense of the Southern farmers he championed. Although the Report was rejected by Congress, Hamilton's vision offered a forward-looking model toward national industrial development. The present printing of Hamilton's Report provides a rare opportunity to own a contemporary printing of this classic work of Americana at an affordable price point. 'A prescient statement of American nationalism' (Chernow). Howes H 123 (ref.); Sabin 29975 (ref.); Ron Chernow, Alexander Hamilton (2004); Douglas A. Irwin, The Aftermath of Hamilton's 'Report on Manufactures', The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge, Vol. 64, No. 3 [Sep., 2004] pp. 800-821. Seller Inventory # 40074

Bibliographic Details

Title: Report of the Secretary of the Treasury on ...
Publisher: Printed for the Proprietors, by William Young, Philadelphia
Publication Date: 1792
Binding: Soft cover