Books and Manuscripts

Philadelphia: Printed by Hogan & M'elroy, 1797. First edition. 12mo. 304, (6) (subscriber's list), (2) (ads) pp. From the library of American diplomat Joseph Donaldson, United States Consul to Tunis and Tripoli, and the man who helped free the captives, and signed by him on title-page. Illustrated with engraved folding frontispiece, laid down. Full modern brown calf, red morocco spine label, stamped in gilt; all edges trimmed; scattered soiling to text. Sabin 91534

A scarce volume on American sailors and others captured by Barbary pirates, signed by the American diplomat, Joseph Donaldson, who helped negotiated their release with Algiers in September 1795. Donaldson was appointed deputy to Algiers in the spring of 1795 to negotiate directly with Hussein Dey, ruler of the Regency of Algiers, and within 48 hours a treaty was signed, and over $700,000 was promised to free the captive Americans. Donaldson and his efforts feature in this volume.

From the library of bibliographer, bookseller, and arms collector, Raymond L.J. Riling (1896-1974), and with his illustrated book-plate on front paste-down.