Books and Manuscripts

Burlington, in New-Jersey: Printed and sold by James Parker, Sold also by David Hall, in Philadelphia, 1765. First edition. 8vo. x, 573, (1) (errata) pp. With the ownership signatures of a Henry Remsen on front free endpaper and verso of rear free endpaper, presumably the colonial New York merchant Henry Remsen (1736-92). Full period-style speckled brown calf, red morocco spine label, spine stamped in gilt; all edges trimmed; front free endpaper starting; ink stamp of "Association of the Bar City of New York Library" and "Dec 4 - 1922" on title-page; scattered foxing to text leaves, toning to same. Church 1053; Evans 10166; Felcone, New Jersey Books 243; Howes S 661; Miller, Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia Printing 853

"The first history of New Jersey, printed by James Parker on a press owned by Benjamin Franklin, formerly used in Antiqua by Benjamin Mecom, and moved temporarily from New York to Burlington for the printing of this book." (Felcone 243)

Henry Remsen (1736-92) was a colonial merchant, Patriot, and owner of a New York City mercantile firm that dealt in European dry goods and West Indian imports. At the onset of the American Revolution he served as chairman of New York's Committee of Correspondence, was a member of New York's Committee of 100 that enforced the Continental Association's boycott of British goods, and served as a colonel in the New York militia. He represented New York City in the Provincial Congress from 1776-77, and upon the British occupation of New York City in the summer of 1776 he relocated his family to Morristown, New Jersey. Following the war Remsen returned to New York to resume his business, but was unable due to his dire financial situation and the city's depressed economy. He subsequently served in a variety of roles assisting the state treasury and legislature helping audit and investigate financial claims from the war, and served as a translator and interpreter of Low Dutch for the Confederation Congress.

In a letter written by Remsen to George Washington, dated May 11, 1789, he wrote about his difficult post-war financial situation: "On the return of peace I found my situation so embarrassed by the calamitous events of the War, as rendered me incapable to recommence mercantile pursuits." Outstanding debts to British creditors coupled with a British market closed to American trade led Remsen to sell off much of his valuable real estate in the hope of staying financially afloat. In the same above letter Remsen requests from Washington an appointment in the new federal government to help him pay down his debts: "If a firm attachment to, and an uniform solicitude to promote the cause of our Country, during her late struggle with G. Britain—The sacrifice of a large Estate, the earnings of a life devoted to active Commerce since the year 1759—A long and tedious Exile and a numerous family, are circumstances that can have influence, May I hope that Your Excellency will be pleased to countenance my application for some appointment, the emoluments of which may enable me to maintain my family and educate my younger children—And in the discharge of which, commercial experience, a knowledge of accounts, and Integrity are considered as the leading requisite qualifications." (Founders Online, National Archives. Originally published in: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 2, 1 April 1789?–?15 June 1789, ed. Dorothy Twohig. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1987, pp. 271–274.)