A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America,; Against the Attack of M. Turgot in his Letter to Dr. Price, Dated the Twenty-Second Day of March, 1778

London: John Stockdale, 1794. Second. hardcover. 3 volumes. [4], 8, xxxii, [3]-392; [4], 451, [1 binder's directions]; [4], 528, [36 index] pages. Frontispiece portrait in first volume, and half titles (History of the Principal Republics in the World) in all volumes; folding map "Chart of the River Scheldt" bound in volume two. 8vo, handsomely bound in 19th Century 3/4 mottled calf with ornately gilt-stamped spines and red labels; marbled boards and matching endpapers. London: John Stockdale, 1794. Second complete edition. Lightly inked names on half title and title pages, else perfectly clean with no foxing present; joints neatly re-enforced, still a near fine copy of this landmark book.

Labelled "A new edition" this is in fact the definitive second complete edition, published 3 years before the American edition [The first printings were printed 1787-1788]. The work comprises an important series of letters from the American patriot and soon-to-be second President, defending the U.S. Constitution from European criticisms of the doctrine of legislative balance. Adams compares the constitutions of the various states of the Union, and of the Union itself, with those of foreign countries and ancient cultures. Adams wrote these works while Minister to Britain, admiring their parliamentary system, but praising the U.S. Constitution as "admirably calculated to preserve the Union". -- Howes A-60; Sabin 233.