Oration in Memory of General Montgomery
Item #72662
SMITH, William. An Oration in Memory of General Montgomery, and of the Officers and Soldiers, Who Fell with Him, December 31, 1775, before Quebec; Drawn Up (and Delivered February 19th, 1776.) At the Desire of the Honorable Continental Congress. Phila.: Printed by John Dunlap, 1776. 1st ed. [4],44pp. Disbound. Light scattered foxing, else very good or better. In a 1/4 leather clamshell box. HOWES S-695, "aa." Evans 15084. Adams, American Controversy, 76-143a. Adams 228a. Sabin 84633. Smith, Provost of the College and Academy of Philadelphia (later the University of Pennsylvania), was asked by Congress to deliver this oration. Smith was not a Revolutionary and strongly hoped for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He felt honor-bound to deliver his views in this oration. After the speech's chilly reception, he asked Benjamin Franklin for criticism of the text before publication. "The Congress was so annoyed with some of the things Smith said in this Oration that it refused to vote him thanks. He had it printed himself after omitting some of the more offensive passages" -Adams, American Independence, 228a. "In making this address before Continental Congress, Smith aroused stupefaction and hostility by suggesting appeasement with England" Howes.
Price: $2,500.00