How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

Debates of the Convention, of the State of Pennsylvania, on the Constitution, Proposed for the Government of the United States...Taken accurately in Short-Hand, by Thomas Lloyd
Philadelphia: Printed by Joseph James, 1788. First edition. Vol. I (all published). 8vo. 147, (1), (2, index) pp.; errata wanting. Modern red cloth, crimson morocco spine label, stamped in gilt; all edges trimmed, ink stamp along fore-edge; two ink stamps of the Library of the New York Law Institute on title-page, same ink stamp on pp. (3), (5), and 147; library ink notation at bottom verso title-page; soiling and light dampstaining to title-page, top gutter of same repaired, and with abrasion at lower center; sheets light to moderately toned; scattered spotting and soiling to text; scattered edge wear; scattered short closed tears in gutter. Evans 21365; ESTC W31192; Ford 140; Howes L-407; Sabin 60040

Pennsylvania served as a critical early barometer for the proposed federal Constitution. As one of the largest and most diverse states, its decision to adopt or reject the charter would significantly influence the document's legitimacy and its chances of passing in other states. The convention convened in Philadelphia from November 27 to December 12, 1787, in the very State House where the Constitution had been drafted just months earlier. The pro-ratification Federalists held a numerical majority and sought to secure swift approval to make Pennsylvania the first state to adopt the new framework. To achieve this, they leveraged their advantages to stifle and silence the anti-Federalist opposition. Better organized and largely in control of the state's print media, the Federalists quickly dominated both the convention proceedings and the public narrative around it. This publication exemplifies the power the Federalists wielded to suppress opposition voices. As the title-page suggests, this was intended to be the first of two volumes, with the present volume containing arguments for ratification, and a second volume for arguments against it. However, following this volume's release, Federalists blocked the publication of the second volume, ensuring that only pro-ratification arguments circulated. This volume features the speeches of the two primary Federalist speakers, James Wilson and Thomas McKean, as recorded by reporter Thomas Lloyd, who attended the debates and transcribed them in shorthand.

Not surprisingly, the Federalists prevailed in a vote of 46-23 in favor of ratification, making them, despite their efforts, the second state to adopt. Delaware became the first state to ratify, six days earlier, on December 7. On April 1, 1788, the New York American Museum wrote in regard to this publication, "The volume under consideration may be considered as a very useful publication, and calculated to diffuse a true knowledge of the principles of government in general, and particularly of the New Federal
Constitution. It may however be enquired, why has the compiler suppressed the speeches of the most able men on the opposite party? Are
they to appear in the second volume? and if so, will they not be misplaced? It is presumed that the principles of the Constitution, like those of the Christian religion will bear the severest scrutiny; and that its cause will even gain strength by discussion. The omission of the antifederal arguments as stated by the opposition, may give uneasiness to
some warm friends to the Constitution." (DHRC, Vol. 34, 592)

Although Howes calls for an issue with a 1787 title-page, we cannot locate a copy and suspect it to be a ghost. Due to the text of the debates in this volume going to December 11, the printing of Lloyd's certification on the verso of the title-page dated December 29, and ads from January and early February, 1788 notifying the volume's publication on February 4, we believe there is almost certainly not an earlier issue.

Rare, according to RBH this is only the fourth copy at auction since 2009.