(Philadelphia): Printed and Sold by Robert Aitken, 1787. First edition. 8vo. 52 pp. Three-quarter crimson straight-grain morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, stamped in gilt, boards and extremities rubbed; all edges trimmed; foxing to title-page and text; 19th-century library ink notations on title-page, two faint abrasions at center of same. Howes C-829; Sabin 17295; Evans 20306; Kress B1198; ESTC W31900

An important and scarce pamphlet on American commerce, an influential work of early Hamiltonian and Federalist economics. Coxe was a political economist, and one the earliest voices that advocated for a strong nationalist commercial policy. Born in Philadelphia, he represented Pennsylvania during the Annapolis Convention in 1786, strongly supported the ratification of the Constitution, and became assistant secretary of the Treasury under Alexander Hamilton in the new federal government.

Published on May 14, 1787, the day the Constitutional Convention began, this pamphlet was produced by The Society for Political Inquiries, a group created by Benjamin Franklin to influence the national debate on economic policy. This first edition provides a summation of Coxe's views on economic and commercial policy, where he urges for the development of domestic manufacturing, free commerce between states, the power for the government to impose tariffs and levy taxes, and regulatory powers to establish strong public credit. Coxe's views would be influential in the young government, where he worked alongside Hamilton in promoting government-led economic and commercial programs.

According to RBH, this is the first copy offered at auction since the Laird Park sale in 2000.