Bonhams 1793 : [KENNEDY, ARCHIBALD. 1685–1763.] The Importance of Gaining and Preserving the Friendship of the Indians to the British Interest Considered. London: E. Cave, jun., 1752.

The Importance of Gaining and Preserving the Friendship of the Indians to the British Interest Considered. London: E. Cave, jun., 1752.
[2], 46 pp. 8vo (196 x 117 mm). Modern full red morocco gilt-ruled, by Zaehnsdorf. Title and final leaves a little soiled, title leaf lightly reinforced repairing a couple of short closed tears.

FIRST ENGLISH EDITION, CONTAINING BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S UNSIGNED ESSAY ON A PLAN FOR COLONIAL UNION. Franklin's 8-page letter outlines his early views on intercolonial confederation, 2 years before the Albany Congress. Kennedy was a customs agent unhappy with British tariffs and he and Franklin concur in urging fair treatment for the Indians. Franklin's essay endorsing and replying to Kennedy does not appear in the first American edition of 1751 as he was shown the manuscript version by the printer, James Parker, just before that edition was published. Howes K81; Intellectual World of Benjamin Franklin 52; Sabin 37392; Streeter sale 870.
Acquisition: Laird Park sale, Sotheby's New York, Nov 29, 2000, lot 193, $7,200.

Sold for US$ 7,320 inc. premium

Footnotes

AE Footnote

"A voluntary union entered into by the colonies themselves, I think, would be preferable to one imposed by parliament; for it would be perhaps not much more difficult to procure, and more easy to alter and improve, as circumstances should require, and experience direct."

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