Robert Dale Owen SPEECH ON INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS IN INDIANA Large Broadside 1838

Description: Speech on Internal Improvements, by Robert Dale Owen Author: [ECONOMICS & REFORM] [INDIANA] OWEN, Robert Dale Title: Speech on Internal Improvements, by Robert Dale Owen Publication: N.p., n.d. [Boston?: 1838] Description: Broadside, 53cm x 39cm. Text in five columns beneath headline. Issued without imprint, but introduced as follows: "To the Members of the Legislature of Massachusetts, now in Session..." Old folds; a few thin splits, with no loss to text; complete and Good. A large and substantial broadside, printing the text of Owen's address before the Indiana General Assembly, arguing against funding for public improvements and supporting his own bill to restrict the state's spending on infrastructure and to rescind existing contracts. The speech, delivered at the height of the severe economic recession of 1836-38, perfectly illustrates Owen's post-New Harmony transformation from utopian socialist to populist politician: in it, he inveighs against a laundry list of internal improvements, claiming they will plunge the state into irreperable debt, and asserts that the burden will lie heaviest on future generations of working people: "State debt! To those among us who, like myself, expect to live and to die citizens of Indiana, and to leave our children here when we are gone, how much of import is there in these two short words?...Your property, Sir, - mine, - that of every member on this floor - that of all our constituents, is mortgaged, for millions already, to the London Rothschilds or some of their brother Rulers of the money market...While Indiana remains a state, such a [burden] as that is a mortgage on the industry of her citizens..." Though the subject matter may at first glance appear somewhat dry, this is a most illustrative document for the period, directly addressing pressing questions of taxation and growth on the American frontier during the first decades of industrial expansion; involving perhaps the most colorful and complicated political figure in the early years of Indiana statehood. OCLC notes only a single holding (Indiana State Library), no other copies traced in commerce. Seller ID: 57888 Subject: Americana, Economics, Social Welfare & Reform, Utopian Thought & Literature Lorne Bair Rare Books, ABAA Winchester VA We are one of the country's leading specialists in the history, literature and art of American social movements. Over 25,000 items in-stock in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Guarantee Our items are described using AB Bookman standards - the standard grading terms of the trade, originally promulgated by the trade publication The Antiquarian Bookman's Weekly back in 1949. We tend to be conservative in our grading, but even the best booksellers make an occasional mistake. Thus, we offer the following guarantee: All items will be received as advertised and in the condition described. Any item is returnable for any reason within 30 days of receipt (prior notice appreciated). If you have questions regarding our description of any item, we encourage you to contact us prior to bidding. We are members of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America) and the Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA), and we adhere to these associations' strict ethical guidelines and conditions of sale. Shipping Standard domestic shipping is by USPS Insured Media Mail, at flat rate of $5. Delivery typically takes seven to ten business days depending on destination. Please be aware that, during the COVID emergency, delivery times have been delayed. We strongly recommend upgrading to Priority Mail if your order is time-sensitive! FOR DOMESTIC ORDERS ONLY we are happy to combine shipping on multiple items purchased at the same time that can be included in the same parcel. Again, please contact us prior to paying your invoice to arrange combined shipments. If you are overcharged for shipping by eBay, we will send you a prompt refund once the actual shipping cost has been determined. Overseas shipping is now managed through the eBay Global Shipping Program. All rates and fees are set by eBay, not the seller. We cannot alter a Global Shipping invoice once it has been generated; any queries should be directed to eBay Customer Support in your home country. Payment Payment is expected within 48 hours of purchase unless other arrangements have been made prior to sale. We ship all orders within 24 hours after receiving payment. Feedback We leave feedback for buyers once they have posted feedback for us. If you are unhappy with any aspect of a transaction with us, please contact us immediately. Our priority is to make customers happy and to resolve problems as promptly as possible.This listing was created by Bibliopolis.

Price: 1093 USD

Location: Winchester, Virginia

End Time: 2025-01-07T21:23:13.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6 USD