A Summary, Historical And Political, Of The First Planting, Progressive Improvements, And Present State Of The British Settlements in North America (Volume One only of Two)

Douglass, William

Published by Rogers & Fowle in Queen Street, Boston, Boston, 1749

About this Item

VOLUME ONE ONLY. Large 8vo, iii, [3], 568 pages. In two parts bound together. Part two starts on page 273 'Concerning the Hudson's-Bay Company, their territories and trade.' Bound in contemporary full leather with 5 raised bands, plain paper end papers as usual for that date. COLLATED AND COMPLETE. Covers the history to the present state of the area. Including different Indian tribes; ' The Indian Nations and Tribes upon the Eastern Side of North America' page 177. On page 155 'The Aboriginal Americans have no Honesty, no honour, that is, they are of no faith. The generally have have great fortitude of mind; without any appearance of fear or concern, they suffer and torture or death. In revenge they are barbarous and implacable; they never forget nor forgive injuries.' Section (page 449) on the Salem witches. Interesting historical read. Published just after the British colonial effort, capturing the French fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island in 1745, which was later returned to France in 1748. Douglass was a Scottish physician living in Boston. Although not a work noted for its accuracy, Wroth comments, "Modern critics of the SUMMARY have overlooked the fact that its author was the first to attempt this story from the viewpoint of a resident American." and further quotes a contemporary critic in the MONTHLY REVIEW as finding it "a fuller and more circumstantial account of North-America, than is any where else to be met with." The completion and publication of the work was interrupted by Douglass' death during the outbreak of the smallpox epidemic of 1752. The boards are attached but leather is worn. Inside there is a damp stain, many pages have old mould stains due to the damp it has suffered. A reading copy only. The old mould stains could cause an issue with some people. Size 20 x 13cm [8x5 inches].

Seller Inventory # 60004187

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Summary, Historical And Political, Of The First Planting, Progressive Improvements, And Present State Of The British Settlements in North America (Volume One only of Two)
• Publisher: Rogers & Fowle in Queen Street, Boston, Boston
• Publication Date: 1749
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Antiquarian.