John Lathrop

A Discourse Preached, December 15th 1774. Being the Day Recommended by the Provincial Congress to be Observed in Thanksgiving to God for the Blessings Enjoyed; and Humiliation on Account of Public Calamities [wrapper title: Mr. Lathrop's Thanksgiving Discourse]

Boston: Printed by D. Kneeland ; and Sold by by Samuel Webb, in Queen-Street, 1774. Very Good. Item #26926

Boston: Printed by D. Kneeland ; and Sold by by Samuel Webb, in Queen-Street, 1774. First Edition. Octavo. 39 pp, with the half title. Housed in recent card wrappers. Light chipping to edges and text heavily toned though legible throughout. Usual ink correction to "Provincial" at title. About Very Good.

Lathrop's impassioned political sermon denouncing the Intolerable Acts of 1774, described by the minister as "the calamities under which we suffer" in the years leading up to the Revolution - a heady blend of theology, burgeoning political radicalism, and sheer anger at the state of his home city. The minister praises the recently-formed Continental Congress and denounces the military state of Boston, "Look to our port, and you see if blocked up with British ships of war... our most pleasant walks are filled with armed soldiers... in short, all things wear the shocking appearances of war." He continues, "Why is the power of Great-Britain so unnaturally directed against America? Why is this town filled with troops?... Have we been thus guilty?-Are we thus charged?-No.-What then is our crime?" (pp. 37-38). Scarce.

[Evans 13370; Sabin 39178].

Price: $1,000.00