Subjects
The Foundations of the American Economy:
The American Colonies from Inception to Independence
Series Editors: William J Barber, Malcolm Rutherford,
Steven G Medema, Marianne Johnson and Warren J Samuels
Early American Economic Thought
978 1 85196 727 8: 234x156mm: £495.00/$840.00
At this formative stage in the early history of America it is hard to separate economic writings from the religious and political. This set offers access to fascinating historical resource texts by some of the most influential figures of the period, some of whose names are no longer familiar today, including John Smith, John Woodbridge, William Penn, Richard Bland, John Rutherford and Increase Mather.
The writings depict the ongoing battle for control between the colonists and Britain, as well as the power struggles among the settlers themselves. Contentious issues include the use of indentured servants and slaves, the creation of a bank and currency, the power of the church and the critical debate over taxation levied from British shores.
As the theocracy of early New England gave way to secular government, controversy raged as to the correct legal framework for the new economic order. Part and parcel of these economic discussions were the conflicts over the ideologies of individualism and democracy, the debate that lead to the founding principles of the American constitution.
From foreign investors looking for a quick profit to families escaping religious persecution, the early settlers in America saw the massive potential for building prosperity in their newly occupied land. The documents included here focus on the nationwide struggle to foster economic growth and at the same time establish economic and political stability in a new society.
Contents
Volume 1: From Theocracy to Secular, Materialist Commercial Society
John Smith, excerpts from A Description of New England (1616); John Winthrop: A Modell of Christian Charity (1630); John Cotton, God’s Promise to his Plantations (1634); John Cotton, A Discourse about Civil Government in a New Plantation (1663); Roger Williams, excerpts from The Bloudy Tenet, of Persecution (1644); John Cotton, excerpts from The Bloudy Tenent, Washed, and Made White in the Bloud of the Lambe (1647); Thomas Hooker, excerpts from A Survey of the Summe of Church-Discipline (1648); William Penn, A Brief Account of the Province of Pennsylvania (1681); William Penn, A Further Account of the Province of Pennsylvania (1685); William Penn, excerpts from A Perswasive to Moderation (1686); Samuel Wilson, An Account of the Province of Carolina in America (1682); Thomas Budd, Good Order Established in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey in America, (1685); Increase Mather, The Great Blessing, of Primitive Counsellours (1693); Increase Mather, excerpts from A Discourse Concerning the Maintenance, Due to those that Preach the Gospel (1709); Benjamin Franklin, excerpt from [Autobiography] The Life of Dr Benjamin Franklin. Written by himself (1794); Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Ezra Stiles (1888 [1790]);
Volume 2: Individualism and the Structure of Power
John Cotton, An Abstract of Laws and Government (1655); Sir William Berkeley, A Discourse and View of Virginia (1663); Cotton Mather, excerpt from Bonifacius, An Essay Upon the Good (1710); John Hepburn, The American Defence of the Christian Golden Rule (1715); Thomas Pownall, excerpt from A Treatise on Government (1750); John Woolman, from Considerations on Keeping Negroes (1762); James Swan: A Dissuasion to Great-Britain and the Colonies (1772); Joel Barlow, excerpts from Advice to the Privileged Orders (1793)
Volume 3: Colonial Money, Credit, and Debt
John Woodbridge: Severals Relating to the Fund Printed for divers Reasons, as may appear (1682); John Blackwell, A Model for Erecting a Bank of Credit: with a Discourse in Explanation thereof (1688); [Paul Dudley], Objections to the Bank of Credit Lately Projected at Boston (1714); A Letter from one in Boston to his Friend in the Country (1714); A Vindication of the Bank of Credit (1714); A Projection for Erecting a Bank of Credit (1714); [Cotton Mather], Some Considerations on the Bills of Credit Now Passing in New England (1691); John Wise, A Word of Comfort to a Melancholy Country (1721); Benjamin Franklin, A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper-Currency (1729); Hugh Vans, An Inquiry into the Nature and Uses of Money (1740)
Volume 4: Mercantilism and Colonialism, Part I
Edward Rawson, The Revolution in New England Justified (1691); John Locke, ‘The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina’ (1698); [Robert Beverly], An Essay Upon the Government of the English Plantations on the Continent of America (1701); John Rutherford, The Importance of the Colonies to Great Britain (1761); Thomas Fitch, Reasons Why the British Colonies, in America, Should not be Charged with Internal Taxes (1764); Arthur Lee, An Essay in Vindication of the Continental Colonies of America (1764); John Dickinson, The Late Regulations Respecting the British Colonies on the Continent of America Considered (1765); John Dickinson, excerpts from Letter from a Farmer in Pennsylvania (1768)
Volume 5: Mercantilism and Colonialism, Part II
Richard Bland, An Enquiry into the Rights of the British Colonies (1769); Benjamin Franklin, The Interest of Great Britain Considered (1760); Benjamin Franklin, The Causes of the Present Distractions in America Explained (1774); [Benjamin Franklin or George Whatley], Reflections on the Principle of Trade in General (1769); Association of the Merchants of Boston, Observations on Several Acts of Parliament (1769); Jonathan Boucher, A Letter from a Virginian (1774); Jonathan Boucher, excerpts from A View of the Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution (1797); Thomas Pownall, excerpt from The Administration of the Colonies (1765); Thomas Pownall, A Letter from Governor Pownall to Adam Smith (1776); John Taylor, excerpt from Tyranny Unmasked (1775)
Reviews
'The set is a valuable resource for colonial and intellectual historians, as well as historians of economics.'
– Reference and Research Book News
‘Economics is ultimately intertwined with many other aspects of a society, ranging from politics to religion. This point is emphasized in this diverse collection of documents published during the American Colonial era. The authors range from prominent figures, such as Cotton Mather and Benjamin Franklin, to more obscure writers…. the volumes are well bound and printed on good quality paper. In selecting documents for inclusion, the editors have emphasized breadth…. This collection is probably best suited for use in upper-level undergraduate courses to give students exposure to primary sources.’
– CHOICE