OBSERVATIONS SUR LE GOUVERNEMENT ET LES LOIX DES ÉTATS-UNIS D'AMERIQU

Amsterda: Chez J.F. Rosart, 1784. [2],213pp. 12mo. Contemporary three-quarter mottled calf and marbled boards, spine richly gilt, gilt leather label. Binding lightly rubbed and edgeworn. Bookplate on front free endpaper. Very clean internally. Overall near fine. Mably's work consists of four letters written to John Adams, then the American Minister to Holland, on the government, laws, and political divisions in the United States. The French took great interest in the form that the American government would take after the Revolution, publishing the constitutions of the thirteen states in 1783. "Mably comments on the American approach to government as reflected in the constitutions of the thirteen states, and, more specifically, in those of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Georgia...he offers advice on a national constitution, urging a loose federation rather than a strong central government and warning against excessive democracy" - Cohen. There appears to be confusion over whether this is the first or second edition, with Howes calling it the first, and Echeverria & Wilkie calling it the second edition. We side with Howes. This is one of two issues of this edition, with page 159 numbered correctly and leaf G7 signed C7. HOWES M5, "aa." SABIN 42923. COHEN 2761. ECHEVERRIA & WILKIE 784/66.