A collection of papers and other tracts, written occasionally : Containing, I. An essay on the nature of a publick spirit. II. The citizen. Containing twenty-five discourses on trade, with other practical and moral subjects, tending to encourage and promote both publick and private virtue. III. A dissertation on the liberty of the subject in Great-Britain. IV. An essay on the education of a young British nobleman. V. Observations on the office of an ambassador VI. A discourse on the present state of the British plantations in America, with respect to the interest of Great Britain. VII. A report to the Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations in the year 1718. VIII. A discourse on the medium of commerce. IX. Some useful observations on the consequences of the war with Spain, 1740.A Discourse on the Present State of the British Plantations in America,

William Keith, Sir

London :  Jacob Loyseau, 1749.

[1], vi-xxiv, 228 p. Second edition. Modern Cambridge style speckled leather.  Gilt decoration, raised bands, red leather spine label. Lacking prelim leaf, title page soiled and chipped, remounted. Tears to first page of dedication. Restoration work to margins, loss to text on p xv.

Includes: "A Discourse on the Present State of the British Plantations in  America, with Respect to the Interest of Great Britain." - Sabin 37239.

William Keith served as lieutenant governor of the Colonies of Pennsylvania and Delaware (term 1718-1726). Keith was seen as a successful governor and notably set up a militia in Pennsylvania, chancery court, as well as encouraged Benjamin Franklin to set up a printing press.  Of particular interest to American readers is Keith's Discourse on the present state of the colonies in America with respect to the interests of Great Britain (p. 168) Keith outlines Britain's economic interests for American colonial dependency, warns against of French encroachment on British colonial territory and proposes a stamp tax on colonists in order to finance standing armies.  An important book on the governing of the American colonies. 

Containing, I. An essay on the nature of a publick spirit. II. The citizen. Containing twenty-five discourses on trade, with other practical and moral subjects, tending to encourage and promote both publick and private virtue. III. A dissertation on the liberty of the subject in Great-Britain. IV. An essay on the education of a young British nobleman. V. Observations on the office of an ambassador VI. A discourse on the present state of the British plantations in America, with respect to the interest of Great Britain. VII. A report to the Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations in the year 1718. VIII. A discourse on the medium of commerce. IX. Some useful observations on the consequences of the war with Spain, 1740.