DESULTORY REFLECTIONS ON THE NEW POLITICAL ASPECTS OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE YEAR 1799

New York: Printed for the Author, by G. and R. Waite, and Published by J.W. Fenno, 1800. 62, [2 blanks] pp, disbound. Lightly to moderately foxed. Good+.

Federalist John Ward Fenno succeeded his father in 1798 as editor of the Gazette of the United States. He opposed the administration of President John Adams, especially what he regarded as his obsequious overtures to France.
Fenno favored Federalist Charles C. Pinckney over Adams in the 1800 presidential election. He urged suppression of the politicak opposition, war with France and its allies, and a permanent alliance with the British. "The measure which most pressingly demands adoption, (truncated) is, an immediate declaration of war against France, and her dependencies, Spain and Holland." Success is virtually assured, "with very little expence or inconvenience."
The book is characterized by "violent Anglophilia and anti-democratic rantings" [Daniel, SCANDAL & CIVILITY. JOURNALISM AND THE BIRTH OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, page 368, note 60]. This is the first edition. Two later 1800 printings, from Philadelphia and New York, identify Fenno as author.
FIRST EDITION. Evans 37417. Gaines 00-16. 2 BAL page 441. Sabin 19771. ESTC W20128. (Inventory #: 40443)