The Constitution of the Republic of Mexico, and of the State of Coahuila & Texas...
New York: Ludwig & Tolefree, 1832. First Langworthy edition, and the best edition in English.
Octavo (8 3/4" x 5 3/4", 225mm x 145mm).
Bound in modern morocco. On the boards, a gilt fillet border. On the front board, title, date and year gilt. On the spine, two raised bands. In the panels, gilt fillets top and bottom. CONSTITUTION gilt to the second pane. Marbled end-papers. Fore- and bottom edges untrimmed. Red silk marking ribbon.
Light dampstain to the fore-edge, not affecting text. Else fine, with excellent margins.
The text of the constitution first appeared in Spanish in 1827, followed by English translations published in Natchitoches (1827) and Chillicothe (1829). The present New York edition is considered the best textually, for its additions by Langworthy, who had travelled through the region in the year previous. With Mexican independence from Spain in 1821 Texas became a department under the state government of Mexico, with its political chief residing in San Antonio. The 1824 Constitution of Mexico joined Texas with Coahuila to form the state of Coahuila y Tejas. With this, the Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas: Texas was united with Coahuila as a single state within the new nation; a unicameral legislature with twelve deputies was created, with two of the twelve being elected from the less populated Texas area of the state; an executive branch consisted of a governor and vice governor; and the Anglo Texans were not subject to military service, taxes or customs duties; in fact Texas mainly served as a buffer between Mexico and Native American tribes. It is difficult to overstate the importance of this work, which includes documents relating to the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company; grants to Dominguez, Wilson, and Exeter; as well as early observations on geography, climate charts, and an index.
Howes C 504, Eberstadt 162:478, Streeter Texas 1130.
Item #6JLR0067
Price: $8,500