THE DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Saint Paul, Minnesota: Earle S. Goodrich, Territorial Printer, 1857. "Including the ORGANIC ACT OF THE TERRITORY with the Enabling Act of Congress, the Act of the Territorial Legislature Relative to the Convention, and the Vote of the People on the Constitution." xix, (3), 685 pages.  8vo.  Bound in the original 3/4 leather over marbled paper-covered boards.  First edition.  In 1857 Minnesota territorial politics reflected the intense national conflict between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, who were deeply divided over issues such as slavery and "state's rights."  When a convention to prepare a state constitution convened, Republican delegates and Democratic delegates met in different rooms and had separate debates.  Although they eventually did come together to write a common constitution, each party published its own record of the convention.  This is the Democratic record; the Republicans published their own in 1858.  The book is in very good condition: clean and tight, with rubbing on the cover; worn through to boards at the fore-edge corners; light foxing throughout; previous owners' names on front endpapers.. First Edition. Hardcover. Collectible-Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Book.