WINTERBOTHAM, William An historical geographical, commercial and philosophical view of the American United States, and of the European settlements in America and the West-Indies. London printed for the editor, J. Ridgway, H.D. Symonds, D. Holt 1795 4 vol., 8vo: viii-[10]-591, [4]-493, [4]-525, [4]-415-[1 bl.]-95-[1 bl.]-[10] pp.; 11 maps ns and 19 pl. (some browning). Contemp. quarter sheep, flat gilt decor. spines, red leather title labels, sp. edges (corners sl. bumped and rubbed, joints splitting, spine of vol. 1 loosening, tail of vol. 4 def.). First edition of this exhaustive political and geographical essay on the United States of America from the time of their discovery, by the British Baptist minister and political prisoner Winterbotham (1763-1829). Illustrated with 4 engr. portraits of G. Washington, W. Penn, B. Franklin and W. Winterbotham, 11 engr. (fold.) maps and plans, 19 full-page engr. pl. showing birds, quadrupeds (including monkeys) and reptiles, the West Indies’ indigenous fauna, etc. and 4 fold. tables with the scarce hand-coloured engr. pl. showing a tobacco plant. With 10 appendixes at the end of vol. 4. Written while Winterbotham was serving a 2-year sentence in Newgate prison for political sermons on the Gunpowder Plot and on the Revolution. This book is for the most part a compilation of extracts drawn from various sources dealing with all aspects of the founding of America since its creation and through all its wars and economic difficulties, its alliances and treaties with other countries. The work also includes the geography, flora and fauna of the New Continent, presenting it as the new, mysterious land it then was, and not fully charted as yet. The economic situation, the political conflicts, the geographical changes, with cities being built and states defined, are explored in detail, and laid-out on the splendid maps and the many charts. Subscriber's list in 1st vol. Ref. Sabin 104833. - ESTC W12394. Prov. Libr. stamp (on title 1st vol.).