Free Thoughts on the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, Held at

1775. [SEABURY, Samuel]. Free Thoughts on the Proceedings of the Continental Congress, Held at Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774...By a Farmer. New-York, Printed: London Reprinted for Richardson and Urquhart, 1775. [2],50pp. Modern paper-covered boards, printed paper spine label. Some scattered foxing. Very good. In a half morocco and cloth folding case, spine gilt. First British edition, following the New York edition of the previous year. Samuel Seabury was first bishop of the Episcopal Church in America. At the outset of the American Revolution "Seabury and his colleagues began their major literary struggle to keep the colonies loyal to the Crown. His most important pamphlets were signed A.W. Farmer" (DAB). Alexander Hamilton, at age seventeen, replied to Seabury's FREE THOUGHTS... with A FULL VINDICATION OF THE MEASURES OF THE CONGRESS.... This sparked a pamphlet war between the two, which produced three more publications by Seabury and another one by Hamilton. Through the present work and other pamphlets, Seabury sought to nullify the measures enacted by the Continental Congress. "Seabury was the pre-eminent exponent of Tory thought in America" - Howes. AMERICAN CONTROVERSY 74-70b. HOWES S253. SABIN 78575. DAB XVI, pp.528-30. FORD 1 (note). REESE, REVOLUTIONARY HUNDRED 22 (note).