HISTORY OF THE RISE, PROGRESS AND TERMINATION OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. INTERSPERSED WITH BIOGRAPHICAL, POLITICAL AND MORAL OBSERVATIONS

Boston: Printed by Manning and Loring, for E. Larkin, 1805.. Three volumes. xii,447; vii,[1],412; vi,[2],475pp. Modern three-quarter calf and marbled boards, spine with raised bands, leather labels stamped in gilt. Evenly tanned, light scattered foxing, occasional minor chipping or worming to margins, not touching text. Very good. This excellent account of the events of the Revolution was written by a woman intimate with those prominent in the Revolutionary councils of Massachusetts. Mercy Otis Warren was the younger sister of revolutionary theorist James Otis, the wife of Patriot leader James Warren, and a friend of John and Abigail Adams. Throughout the Revolutionary period, the historian, poet, and dramatist actively corresponded on political matters with numerous leaders including Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and especially John Adams, who became her literary mentor in those early years of unrest. In 1805 her literary career culminated with the publication of the HISTORY OF THE RISE, PROGRESS AND TERMINATION OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.... The book's sharp criticisms of Adams - that his passions and prejudices often debilitated his judgment and that he had demonstrated a distinct leaning toward monarchy during his sojourn in England - led to a heated correspondence and a breach in their friendship in 1807. After nearly five years, Elbridge Gerry managed to effect a reconciliation between Mercy Otis Warren and the Adams family.

Howes describes this book as the first important historical work by an American woman. "Her history is interesting both for the expert knowledge it reveals of public affairs and for its lively and penetrating commentary upon the leading figures of the day, more especially for the caustic analysis of character and motives among the 'malignant party' who opposed American freedom" - DAB. HOWES W122, "aa." SABIN 101484. SHAW & SHOEMAKER 9687. DAB XIX, p.484. ANB 22, pp.728-29. REESE, REVOLUTIONARY HUNDRED 93.