1775 JOHN WESLEY. An Address to American Colonies Urging Against the Revolution.

We have handled just one other example of this exceptionally scarce work, now many years ago.

It is a critical document in the history of the American Revolution that reveals how deeply the question of revolution was tied to broader theological understandings. Many of the most vocal advocates of the Revolution were Scottish Presbyterians, thinking along lines of the Solemn League of Covenant [1638] in Scotland. Methodists, many of whom still saw room for being reconnected to the national Church, tended to be more optimistic about the possibilities of working toward a resolution with England theologically. That same tone appears here as well as Wesley urges moderation, patience, and discourse.

In the end, the Methodist influence in America was simply not pervasive enough to prevent the Revolution. Wesley was attacked by pro-revolutionary divines and his words of moderation went unheeded. In the end, while Wesley is credited with preventing the French Revolution from spreading to England, he could not prevent the American Revolution. 

Frank Baker, in his The Shaping of Wesley's "Calm Address," says, "There can be no doubt that the Calm Address was one of the most significant pamphlets in the controversy which surrounded the government's conduct of American affairs. Coming as it did in the middle of an already heated debate it did much to fan the fires . . . such a powerful pamphlet could not go unchecked. Opponents of the government made every attempt in print to discredit Wesley and weaken his argument."

A Calm Address represented a reversal of sentiment on the part of Wesley. Prior to 1775, Wesley had expressed sympathy and admiration for the American cause, save his reproof of American slavery. He appears, however, to have been swayed by Samuel Johnson's Taxation No Tyranny, published in London just a few months earlier than the present tractate.

Wesley's work went through many editions in quick succession, each demonstrating editorial revisions by Wesley as his views developed and became more strident.

The present edition of the work is exceptionally scarce, with the additional Calm Address to Americanus, not in previous imprints. The usual 24pp section by Wesley has here been freshly typeset to fit on 16pp, and the additional 8pp addition included. Frank Baker believes this presently offered edition, with the addition of the Americanus section, was the last issued, perhaps mid-December 1775, and thus reflects the final form of Wesley's work [both parts], edited by his own hand.

A Calm Address To Our American Colonies. by John Wesley, M.A. A New Edition Corrected and Enlarged. To Which is Added, A Calm Address to Americanus. By a Native of America. London. Printed by R.Hawes, London. 1775. 16pp + 8pp, i.e. 24pp. 

Original pamphlet, binding somewhat perished, bound in a larger sammelband at some point. Some tide marks, folds, and handling. Textually complete. A signature has been exicised top right of title and repaired. Two notes, one from 1775/1776 and one from 1791 appear on the title page.

At the time of offering, W. S. Cotter offers a somewhat more common imprint, not including the Americanus section, at $2,800.00