[U.S. Constitution] Two volumes of The Monthly Review, Or Literary Journal with Constitution content

Comprising of octavo volumes LXXVI (Jan-June 1787) 1-456pp, 1-569pp with an Index and Table of Contents; and LXXVII (July-Dec, 1787) xvi, 89-606pp with Index and Correspondence. Each London: R. Griffiths, 1787. The two volumes have quarter binding of green marbled boards and brown leather spine. Each volume has gilt lettering and decoration at the spine. The second volume has a page of Errata in the front of the book. Chipping and wear at the spine and cover edges, along with bumped corners. Minor soiling to the covers and some internal pages. Light toning throughout.

In Volume 2, p. 489, is a short article entitled, "Plan of the new Constitution for the United States of America, agreed upon in a Convention of the States." The piece reads in part:

"As the sudden rise of a new empire in the world, constituted on principles of government essentially different from the old, cannot fail to draw the notice of European politicians; every circumstance relating thereto, must necessarily become interesting and important. So says the Writer of the Preface to this republication; and the observation is just: we do not know a subject that is more likely to attract the notice of an attentive spectator of what passes on the grand theatre of the world, than the progressive steps of the new American republic, toward the completion of a well-regulated government. As to the articles contained in this plan for a new constitution, &c. we refer those readers to the pamphlet, who have not already perused them in the news-papers. The Preface-writer also gives us the following refutation of a groundless report, which, indeed, we never credited, as it appeared totally repugnant to all our ideas of the unbounded influence which the great character of Dr. Franklin has obtained throughout the American States: Some of the London New-papers mentioned the strong opposition between General Washington and Dr. Franklin for the Presidency; and that General Washington was elected by a majority of one vote. We have authority to contradict this account. The fact is, that General Washington was elected with one voice, and not by a majority of one. Dr. Franklin, as a senior person of the Convention, and who is already President of the State of Pennsylvania, was the member who put General Washington in nomination, and he was conducted to the Chair with a unanimous voice."

The U.S. Constitution was drafted throughout the year of 1787, with the final draft completed in September. The final document was presented at the Congressional Congress' final session on September 17, 1787, and was signed by 39 members of the convention, including Benjamin Franklin. The following year, the Constitution was transmitted to the thirteen states for ratification. The minimum of nine states required was met on June 21, 1788. Rhode Island was the last to ratify the document on May 29, 1790.

The Monthly Review was an English periodical founded by Ralph Griffiths in 1749. The periodical was divided into two sections, with longer reviews of several pages kept at the front, while shorter pieces were featured in the back in the Monthly Catalogue section. It was the first in England to offer reviews, and poet Oliver Goldsmith was an early contributor, along with later contributions by composer Charles Burney, novelist John Cleland, poet and children's author Anna Laetitia Barbauld, and Scottish author Tobias Smollett.

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