James Buchanan’s personally-owned and –used law book, entitled “Constitutional Law,” published by Philadelphia’s Abraham Small in 1822, hardcover with slipcase, 5.75 x 9.5, 415 pages. Buchanan has added copious handwritten notations to two pages of the unsigned volume; the first instance, on page 313, written vertically along the right edge, “and the dividends which should arise from their stock for twenty years” and “‘or both, in each state, as Congress, with the absent of such state shall by law direct, & in the manner most conducive to the general welfare, according to the sales of representation, in the most numerous branch of the N. L.’” The second and more substantial portion of handwriting can be found on the reverse of the final free end page, “Vide page 313. These resolutions were referred to a Committee of the whole House; and the subject was debated on the 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13 March 1818: on which day that Committee reported the following resolutions to the House. 1. That Congress has power, under the Constitution, to appropriate money for the consideration of post roads, military & other roads, & for the improvement of water courses. 2. Resolved, that Congress has power, under the Constitution, to construct post roads & military roads: Provided that private property be not taken for public use, without just compensation. 3. Resolved, that Congress has power, under the Constitution, to construct roads & canals, necessary for commerce between the States: Provided that private property be not taken for public purposes, without just compensation. 4. Resolved that Congress has power, under the Constitution, to construct canals for military purposes; Provided, that private property be taken for any such purpose, without just compensation being made therefor. The ayes & noes were taken upon the passage of each of these resolutions. The first passed in the affirmative, Yeas 90, Nays 75. The second passed in the negative Ayes 82, Noes 84. The third passed in the negative, Ayes 71, Noes 95; & the 4th. also passed in the negative Ayes 81, Noes 83. Vide Journal H. R. page 335, P. S. W. Mercer voted against the third resolution.” The title page is signed by Buchanan’s niece Harriet Lane Johnston, “H. L. Johnston, 1868,” who acted as the bachelor president’s first lady during his presidency; the page also bears a Buchanan ownership notation, very possibly also in Johnston’s hand. Housed in a custom-made presentation slipcase. Autographic condition: very good, with mottled foxing to interior pages. Book condition: G/None, with text block detached from boards, which have been crudely repaired with tape. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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