Paine, Thomas - Dissertation on Government, Bank, and Money - 1786 First Edition, First Printing

PAINE, Thomas (1737–1809). Dissertations on Government, the Affairs of the Bank and Paper–Money. Philadelphia: printed by Charles Cist for Hall & Sellers, Robert Aitken and William Prichard, 1786. 8vo. (Lacking titlepage and preface leaf, browning and some stains throughout, some marginal chipping with losses to few leaves, repair to rear hinge, some contemporary underlining to first few leaves); folding chemise in slipcase. Provenance: Lt. Colonel William McKay (b.1772, fur trader, militia officer, Indian Department official. Led the Canadian Forces to victory at the Siege of Prairie du Chien during the War of 1812.) “Another time that tried men’s souls occurred in 1780 when the American troops were at the end of their patience because of lack of pay and scarcity of supplies. Serious features of mutiny and sedition had already appeared. A tone of discouragement swept through the Pennsylvania Assembly, for the treasury was empty. One member said, ‘We might as well give up first as