Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - June - 2005 Issue
Colonial and Revolutionary Americana from George MacManus
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From the exaggerated to the outright fake we go next. Here are the Letters from General Washington to Several of His Friends, in June and July, 1776, in which is set forth an interesting view of American Politics at that All-Important Period. The problem is, Washington never wrote these letters, and they expressed views and sentiments contrary to those Washington held. Among the "quotes" attributed to Washington is, "we have overshot our mark; we have grasped at things beyond our reach; it is impossible we should succeed; and I cannot, with truth, say that I am sorry for it; because I am far from being sure that we deserve to succeed." The Letters were first published in 1777 in London, and the following year in New York, in an unsuccessful attempt to discredit Washington. However, this is the 1795 Philadelphia printing, which was republished once again to discredit Washington, though this time because of his stand on the Jay Treaty. Washington ignored the letters the first time, but at this point issued a denial, attributing them to John Randolph, the last British Attorney General of Virginia. This point isn't clear, but authorship is usually attributed to either Randolph or Reverend John Vardill, who was involved in British intelligence during the early stages of the Revolution. Item 757. $350.
Item 109 is an interesting one-two punch for those interested in the Salem witchcraft trials: Salem Witchcraft: Comprising More Wonders of the Invisible World. Collected by Robert Calef; and Wonders of the Invisible World, by Cotton Mather....This 1865 book combined the 1693 Mather work with Calef's rebuttal and criticisms. Mather was the Massachusetts religious leader who, so believing in the existence of witches and deviltry, helped set off the horrors of Salem. Though not a leader of the trials, his tacit support and prestige lent credibility to the atrocities. Calef's response was bitter, and while Mather's popularity was such that Calef had to have his book printed in London, no Boston printer being willing to touch it, his book still helped seal Mather's reputation. Most notable, Calef recounts that former Salem Minister George Burroughs, when brought forward to be hanged, perfectly recited the Lord's Prayer. Supposedly, those possessed by the Devil could not do so. While some called for the execution to be stopped, Mather supposedly urged the executioners on. $850.
As Calef was an opponent of Cotton Mather and his beliefs about witchcraft, John Wise was an opponent of Cotton and his father Increase Mather on the role of clergy. Wise believed that power within the church should be held by the parishioners, rather than the clergy, a sentiment not shared by the clergymen Mathers. This view has led Wise to be called the "first great American democrat." His book is titled, The Churches Quarrel Espoused: Or, A Reply in Satyre to Certain Proposals Made....Item 854. $2,500.
Item 286 is a must for all early American numismatists (also known as coin collectors). From Montroville Dickeson, it is The American Numismatic Manuel of the Currency or Money of the Aborigines, and Colonial, State, and United States Coins. With Historical and Descriptive Notices of Each Coin or Series. This is only going to list old coins as it was published in 1859. Color images are provided of wampum and other Indian currency, as well as local, state and national coins of early America. $300.
You may visit the George S. MacManus Company online at www.macmanus-rarebooks.com or reach them by phone at 610-520-7273.
