MARSHALL, JOHN

The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces, During the War Which Established the Independence of His Country, and First President of the United States. Philadelphia: C.P. Wayne, 1804-1807. First edition. Five text volumes plus atlas (dated 1807). The text in American tree calf, the atlas in publisher's roan-backed boards. Text volumes: 8 3/8 x 5 1/2 inches (23.5 x 15 cm); frontispiece portrait (after Gilbert Stuart), xxii, 488, 45; viii, 560, 72; viii, 580, 28; viii, 626, 16; vi, 779, 36 pages. Atlas: 11 x 8 1/2 inches (28 x 22 cm); 10 engraved maps (8 double page), 22 pp. Subscriber's list. Some wear to the bindings, joints a little weak on some volumes but holding, generally a clean, sound copy, bearing the early 19th-century signature of Daniel William McHenry (d. 1814).

A McHenry family copy, this bears an exceptional inscription in volume III (see pp. 473-4) by James McHenry, Washington's secretary and a Signer of the Constitution. The set belonged to his son, Daniel William McHenry, who has signed the first volume. Daniel (who died young, at age 28), married Sophia Hall Ramsay, the daughter of Nathaniel Ramsay (Ramsey). In some 250 words, it details a dramatic moment during the Battle of Monmouth, and the gallantry of Nathaniel Ramsay, her father. By report the copy then came by gift and subsequent descent into the family of James McHenry Boyd, James McHenry's grandson.

The text reads: "I was at Gen. Washington's side, when he gave his orders to Colonels Stewart and Ramsay. General Lee's command were retiring before the British troops, which were pressing close upon them. General Washington arrived at this juncture, contemplated the scene for a few moments, then called to him Col. Stewart and Col. Ramsay, when taking the latter by the hand, Gentlemen,' said he to them, ' I shall depend on your immediate exertions to check with your two regiments the progress of the enemy till lean form the main army.' 'We shall check them,' said Col. Ramsay. These officers performed what they promised. Col. Stewart was early wounded and carried off the field. Col. Ramsay maintained the ground he had taken, till left without troops. In this situation, he engaged in single combat with some British dragoons, nor yielded till cut down by numbers, and left for dead on the field. It may not be superfluous to add, that this important service, which arrested the progress of the British army and gave time to the commander-in-chief to bring up and assign proper positions to the main body, was gratefully remembered on his accession to the Presidency of the U.S.; he appointed Col. Ramsay to the civil office of Marshal, and afterwards to a place of more profit in the Customs." This remarkable account is signed by McHenry.

The scarce atlas volume to this voluminous biography of Washington presents locations of Revolutionary War interest. Howes M317; Sabin 44788.

Please note that the dates of publication are 1805-1807 (note 1804-1807 as originally noted, and thus this is the first edition, second impression.

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