[Wilkinson, James]

Burr's Conspiracy Exposed; and General Wilkinson Vindicated Against the Slanders of his Enemies on that Important Occasion [Memoirs of General Wilkinson, Volume II]

[Washington]: 1811.

Hardcover. Good+. Wilkinson was believed to be Aaron Burr's primary co-conspirator in an alleged scheme (the details of which are still disputes) to detach the Western states and the Louisiana Territory from the Union and establish a new nation. Issued several years in advance of the actual second part of his Memoirs (published in 1816), this volume was Wilkinson's attempt to defend himself against the "torrent of vilification" and "tempest of persecution" he experienced when the scandal broke. It was first issued in 1810 under the title "Memoirs of General Wilkinson, Volume II", then again in 1811 with an added "Burr's Conspiracy Exposed" title page and additional one-page "Advertisement" relating the reasons for publishing this volume in advance of the completed Memoirs. This copy has only the "Burr's Conspiracy" title page, not the half-tile identifying it as Memoirs of General Willkinson, Volume II, but there is faint evidence that the page was there and removed. Advertising leaf, dated May 1, 1811, present. 8vo, pp. [4], [3]-18, [3]-99, 136. Bound in quarter red leather and marbled boards. Spine leather damaged (has a scorched appearance, possibly oxidation), with the original gilt titles (Wilkinson's Memoirs" and "Burr's Conspiracy") just barely visible. Otherwise in very good condition, with untrimmed page edges, sound binding and clean text. Penciled note about the scarcity of the work on verso of front free endpaper, facing title page. Sabin 104028; Howes W-428; Streeter Sale 1700; Tompkins 107 (noting that "Wilkinson had been accused of having secured money from the Spanish government, and also of being an accomplice of Burr, and his conduct had been investigated by Congress').

Item #24382

Price: $2,000.00