[Penn, William]:

$7,500 · Offered by William Reese Company

EINE NACHRICHT WEGEN DER LANDSCHAFFT PENNSILVANIA IN AMERICA.... A variant printing of the second German edition of the founding tract of Pennsylvania, William Penn's Some Account of the Province of Pennsylvania. Penn's description of the new province was first published in London in 1681; there were three English, one Dutch, and two German editions in the next two years, all aimed at stimulating emigration to America. This German edition is a variant of the one described by Bonner & Fraser, and was originally published as part of a German periodical, Diarium Europaeum.Penn begins his tract by reviewing successful colonization efforts in history. He then discusses Pennsylvania, "describing the location, climate, water, soil, and air. He went on to explain how easy it was to reach the Atlantic for trade...products and resources available, and crops that could be raised....in the second section, Penn wrote about how the province would be governed, and promised that no laws would be made or taxes raised without the consent of the freemen. He promised to consult with the first purchasers in writing the constitution. The proprietor then outlined conditions under which land could be obtained....he combined practical information about the opportunities for farmers, craftsmen, and younger sons with a call for men of special spiritual maturity....Penn offered practical advice about the cost of passage, what to take, and how much capital would be needed....in conclusion, Penn asked rea

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