Books and Manuscripts

"Question IV. What are the natural and unalienable rights of man? Answer. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..."

Philadelphia: Printed by R. Folwell, 1796. 12mo. 96 pp. Original limp stab-sewn marbled paper-covered wrappers, worn, small short tears to extremities; all edges trimmed; contemporary ownership signature on front and rear free endpaper; text browned with scattered creasing and light wear. Sabin 104730; Evans 31646; ESTC W27648

A very rare juvenile by itinerant Universalist preacher Elhanan Winchester (1751-97). In 68 questions and 68 answers Winchester expounds the principles and virtues of the United States, the federal government, and political and religious liberty. The catechistic format used here by Winchester was a popular pedagogical method at this time and was familiar to most lay readers. During this period the catechism was frequently being used outside of a religious context to educate Americans on civic and political matters, and increasingly, to teach them about party politics, which were just beginning to emerge on a national level. It is likely no coincidence that this publication's popularity coincided with the presidential election later that year between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, where campaign operatives used the catechistic format in newspapers and in handbills to appeal to the public about their candidate of choice.

Another edition of this title was also published in 1796 in Greenfield, Massachusetts by T. Dickman. Priority between these two editions is seemingly uncertain, as Winchester often traveled up and down the East Coast preaching. He is known to have been in New England in 1794, and then in Philadelphia in mid-to-late summer 1795, until the following June, 1796. During this latter period in Philadelphia, Winchester had other works published by R. Folwell, the publisher of this edition. Edwin Martin Stone recounts in his biography of Winchester, Biography of Rev. Elhanan Winchester (Boston, 1836), that "In 1795--if we mistake not, while resident in Philadelphia--at the suggestion of the Late Hon. Timothy Pickering--he published a Political Catechism, which he dedicated to the Universities and Seminaries of learning in America. In this work he warns the United States of the baneful effects of infidelity upon society, and lucidly exposes the evil tendency of French principles. It is well calculated to impress the minds of American Youth with a sense of the value of their civil and religious liberty, and of the importance of their country in a political and commercial view. It was generally approved, and passed through several editions." (p. 224).

While both 1796 editions are uncommon, this Philadelphia edition is the rarer of the two. ESTC locates only five institutions with the Philadelphia imprint, compared to 14 with the Massachusetts. Of the four total copies found on Rare Book Hub dating back to 1902, only one other copy was of the Philadelphia edition, sold 100 years ago. It was catalogued in that sale as "rare."