Letters from Illinois

London: Taylor and Hessey, 1818. SECOND ENGLISH EDITION. Original boards, rebacked; interior excellent. Ownership signature of Ralph R. Ritzman on the fly-leaf. Second English edition. Birkbeck’s Letters from Illinois was a follow-up to his wildly popular Notes on a journey in America, from the coast of Virginia to the territory of Illinois (1817) in which he describes his journey from England to America and his settlement on the 16,000 acres of land he purchase in Illinois. Following the success of that work and numerous requests for additional information, Birkbeck decided to publish his numerous correspondences “in the hope that, as a collection, they may be useful to others.” Many of the letters were written to his friends, but some consist of communication with strangers asking for his advice. Birkbeck writes in his same characteristic frank and wry manner that he did for Notes on a journey. Primarily geared towards his fellow immigrants, Birkbeck viewed Letters as an additional guide for the would-be traveler and settler. It was equally as popular, and at least four editions were printed in 1818.

Birkbeck (1764-1825) was a leading agriculturalist in England. A Quaker, he emigrated to America, leaving behind a church and government of which he disapproved. It was thanks to these two books that numerous Europeans made the journey to settle the plains of the Mid-West.

Buck, 105; Howes, B467; Sabin, 5566.