Heading: (Judaica & Jefferson Davis' copy)
Author:
Title: The Congressional Globe: Containing the Debates and Proceedings of the First Session of the Thirty-Sixth Congress: Also, of the Special Session of the Senate
Place Published: Washington, D.C.
Publisher:Printed at the Office of John C. Rives
Date Published: 1860
Description:

2 volumes. lxxvii, [1], 944; lxxvii, [1], [945]-1888. 29.2x21.5 cm (11½x8½"), original quarter straight-grain sheep & marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt.

Volumes significant for being, apparently, from the personal library of President of the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis, as well as for containing the first Jewish prayer intoned at the opening of the House of Representatives, by Rabbi M. J. Raphall, on Feb. 1, 1860, here recorded on pp. 649-49. This seminal occurrence is considered by the historian and rabbi Bertram Korn to be "the initial recognition by the House of Representatives of the equal status of Judaism, with Christianity as an American faith." This copy has an old manuscript note mounted on the front pastedown of the first volume, reading in part "This book Congressional Globe was once the property of Jefferson Davis President of the Southern Confederacy taken from his library by Peter Morrissey during the Civil War 1863 and taken by him to Tomales California..." With Morrissey's inkstamps on the rear flyleaves of the first volume, and an inscription by the publisher in the second volume. These two volumes are only the first two of an evidently much larger run, covering from December 7, 1859 to April 20, 1860, and ending in mid-sentence. Congressmen were evidently as long-winded back then as they are today, especially in the period leading up to the Civil War. Bookplates of Joseph M. Gleason.

Covers rubbed, joints cracked, spines worn; some foxing and darkening within; very good.