Baltimore: John Murphy, 1845. 3/4 leather over boards with marbled paper sides. Octavo. [1-5], 6-84, [i-ii], [14 blank leaves] pages.

The first publication of the diary kept by Charles Carroll during his journey to Canada with the delegation from the Continental Congress in between early April and early June, 1776. The other delegates travelling with Carroll were Benjamin Franklin, fellow Marylander Samuel Chase, and his cousin the Reverend John Carroll.

The purpose of this mission was to persuade Canadian leaders and clergy to support the American Revolution and to bring the northern provinces into the union. Though diplomatically courteous, the Canadians wary of rebellion and loyal to Britain, making the effort an instructive but unsuccessful episode in early American foreign policy. The four delegates were back home by mid-June, 1776, and three of the four would sign the Declaration of Independence less than a month later.

The original diary from which this volume is transcribed was given by Carroll to his granddaughter in 1823, who in turn presented it to the Maryland Historical Society the year before this publication.

Ref. HOWES C179; SABIN 11068.

The original pamphlet is in a 19th century binding of marbled paper over boards with black leather spine and fore corners, gilt spine titling, and marbled endpapers. Front cover of the pamphlet is bound in at end of the text, and precedes 14 blank leaves--presumably there to bulk the textblock for binding. Mild rubs to spine and extremities, hinges sound, interior clean. Very good copy overall. A nice copy of the uncommon 1845 original.

Item #2103

Price: $850