Philadelphia: Printed by Benjamin Franklin and David Hall, 1748. First edition. 8vo. iv, 56 pp. Full modern dark red cloth, stamped in gilt, old glue residue on front board; contemporary stiff wrappers bound in; text toned and spotted; scattered dampstaining in gutters. Miller 456; Evans 6239; Hildeburn 1098

See lot 12 for Gilbert Tennant's response to this text.

Bound with:

Tennent, Gilbert
The late Association for Defence, encourag'd, or The lawfulness of a Defensive War. Represented in a Sermon Preached at Philadelphia December 24, 1747
Philadelphia: Printed by William Bradford, (1748). First edition. 8vo. 44 (of 50) pp.; lacking half-title (per Hildeburn and Evans) and final two leaves (one text leaf and "Corrigenda" leaf). Edges untrimmed. Text leaves toned, wear and small closed tears to edges of same. Evans 6244; Hildeburn 1102; Sabin 94694

Scarce Benjamin Franklin printing of John Smith's defense of Quaker pacifism, written in opposition to the Pennsylvania Association, a voluntary militia aimed to defend the province from French and Native American attacks. Despite printing Smith's pamphlet, Franklin was a prime supporter and sponsor of the Association.

Smith published this work in direct response to Presbyterian minister Gilbert Tennent's pro-Association sermon that is bound into this volume, The late Association for Defence, encourag'd, or The lawfulness of a Defensive War.