$1,800
Shay's Rebellion. Acts and Laws Passed by the General Court of Massachusetts . [Boston: Adams & Nourse, 1787]. Folio, comprising pages 546 through 630 of this serial publication, stab sewn, in original blue paper wrappers, untrimmed, with deckle edges throughout; some chipping to first and last few leaves, generally clean, 12 3/4 x 8 1/4 in. The first act in this collection, passed on 6 February 1787, authorizes the use of 40,000 pounds to raise a militia to suppress Shay's Rebellion. This grass-roots revolt mounted by Revolutionary War veterans who found themselves an increasingly economically marginalized group of foundering and bankrupt farmers in the years following American independence, originated in Western Massachusetts. Response to Shay's Rebellion indicated an unforeseen weakness in the newly established national government. Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could not raise a national army without the unanimous consent of the states. This glitch was addressed by the Constitutional Congress when they met in the summer of the same year.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2013-11-17
