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Alexander Hamilton. Observations on Certain Documents Contained in No. V & VI of "The History of the United States for the...
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Description
Alexander Hamilton. Observations on Certain Documents Contained in No. V & VI of "The History of the United States for the Year 1796," in which the Charge of Speculation against Alexander Hamilton, Late Secretary of the Treasury, is Fully Refuted. Written by Himself. Philadelphia: Printed for John Fenno, by John Bioren, 1797.Small 4to. Unbound and uncut; sewn, as issued. Housed in a quarter morocco folding case.
The present work, universally known as the "Reynolds Pamphlet," lies at the heart of one of the earliest great political scandals of the new Republic. The present title constitutes Alexander Hamilton's extraordinary attempt to defend his public reputation in the face of accusations of financial corruption, or, as Sabin notes, "Hamilton explains his public conduct at the expense of his private character." In James Callender's partisan history, The History of the United States for 1796, Hamilton was charged with speculation and misuse of Treasury funds; in response, Hamilton issued this pamphlet, candidly acknowledging his illicit relationship with Maria Reynolds and the ensuing blackmail by her husband, James Reynolds, while strenuously denying any impropriety in his official capacity as Secretary of the Treasury. The publication shocked contemporaries, and Hamilton's family made every effort to suppress it, thus its present rarity. As Henry Stevens observed, "truth never appeared so naked as in these confessions of Alexander Hamilton." Howes reminds us, "the reprints of 1800 were published by his enemies."
Uncommon, we can trace no other unbound copies at auction in the past thirty years.
Condition: Unbound wrappers sewn with original thread; pale spotting to wrappers and throughout; rear wrapper with some dampstaining; last few leaves with some staining, primarily confined to the margins; some edgewear; a few creases; a few penciled annotations in the margins.
References: Church 1276; Evans 32222; Ford, Bibliotheca Hamiltoniana, 64; Howes H-120; Reese, The Federal One Hundred, 68; Sabin 29969; Stevens, Bibliotheca Historica (1870), 846; Stevens, Bibliotheca Geographica & Historica (1872), 1306.
Auction Info
2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction #6323 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
15th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
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