Item #78593 Present State of North-America. I. The Discoveries, Rights. Ellis HUSKE.

Present State of North-America. I. The Discoveries, Rights

Item #78593

[HUSKE, Ellis]. The Present State of North-America. I. The Discoveries, Rights and Possessions of Great-Britain. II. The Discoveries, Rights and Possessions of France. III. The Encroachments and Depredations of the French upon His Majesty's Territories in North America.... London Printed, Boston, New-England, Re-printed and Sold by: D. Fowle and by Z. Fowle, 1755. 2nd American ed. [2],64pp. and advertisement leaf. Contemporary plain paper wrappers. Wrappers worn and lightly chipped. Contemporary manuscript inscriptions on wrappers and titlepage. Light wear and soiling. Very good. In a green morocco-backed slipcase and cloth chemise, spine gilt. HOWES H-840, "aa." Sabin 34027. Lande 463. Evans 7434. ESTC W28956. Wroth, American Bookshelf, p.142. DNB X, pp.322-323. Appleton's Cyclopadia III, p.330. Reese & Osborn, Struggle For North America 26 (note). First published in London the same year, this is the scarce second American (and second Boston) edition. The printers explain on the titlepage that "this book has been in such great Demand, that it has had two Editions already this Year in England, and this is the second Edition in Boston. And by the best Judges of the Affairs of this Country, it is thought to be peculiarly seasonable at this Time, and is worthy the Perusal of every true Englishman." Huske reviews the history of North American settlement from an English point of view, then describes French aggressions in Nova Scotia, in Maine, penetration into upper New York and the Ohio country and throughout the South. Huske urges immediate war to remedy the situation. "This book was, at the time of its appearance, both inflammatory and influential. It set forth British aims in North America, making a clear, vigorous, and concise attack on the French pretension..." - Lande. Often attributed to John Huske, NAIP, DNB, and British Museum Catalogue list the author as Ellis Huske (John Huske's younger brother). Ellis Huske was postmaster in Boston in 1734, preceded Benjamin Franklin as deputy postmaster general of the colonies, and was the publisher of the Boston Weekly Postboy for some 20 years. He died in 1755.

Price: $6,500.00

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