THIRTY-FOUR MASSACHUSETTS ELECTION AND INDEPENDENCE DAY SERMONS, AND OTHER ORATIONS 1790-1809
1) "A sermon delivered before His Excellency Caleb Strong : esq., governor, the honorable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 26, 1802 : being the day of general election" by Thomas Baldwin, A.M., Minister of the Second Baptist Church in Boston. (Boston: Printed by Manning & Loring, 1802.) 2nd ed. 32pp. Sabin 2918; Vail p. 32. 2) "A discourse delivered July 5, 1802. In commemoration of American independence" by Nathanael Emmons, D.D., Pastor of the Church in Franklin. (Wrentham, Mass: Printed by Nathaniel Heaton, Jun., 1802.) 2nd ed. 24pp. Pro-Federalist view of 1775-1800 years, by the noted speaker and theologian. Sabin 22525n; Shaw & Shoemaker 2187. 3) "An oration, pronounced July 4th, 1803, at the request of the inhabitants of the town of Boston : in commemoration of the anniversary of American independence" by William Sullivan. (Boston: Printed at the "Boston weekly magazine" Office, by Gilbert and Dean, 1803.) 21pp. American Bibliography 5125; Sabin 93557. 4) "A sermon: delivered before his Excellency Caleb Strong, Esq. Governour, his Honour Edward H. Robbins, Esq. Lt. Governour, the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1803, Being the Day of General Election" by Reuben Puffer, Pastor of the Church at Berlin. (Boston: Printed by Young and Minns, 1803.) 32pp. American Bibliography 4943; Sabin 66603; Vail p.23. 5) "Religion the only sure basis of free governments : illustrated in a sermon preached before His Excellency Caleb Strong, esq., Governor, His Honor Edward H. Robbins, esq., Lieutenant-governor, the Honorable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 30, 1804, the day of general election" by Samuel Kendal, Minister of the Congregational Society in Weston. (Boston: Printed for Young & Minns, Printers to the State, 1804.) 34pp. Sabin 37345; Shaw & Shoemaker 6580; Vail p. 253. 6) "An oration delivered at Conway, July 4, 1804, being the anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. By the Honorable, Member of Congress. Published by Request" by Samuel Taggart, Member of Congress. (Northampton, Mass.: Printed by William Butler, 1804.) 30pp. Sabin 94208; Shaw & Shoemaker 7328. 7) "An oration pronounced July 4, 1804, at the request of the selectmen of town of Boston, in commemoration of the anniversary of American independence" by Thomas Danforth. (Boston: Printed by Russell and Cutler, 1804.) 22pp. Sabin 1848; Shaw & Shoemaker 6116 [2nd Edition; 1st edition not noted]. 8) "A sermon, preached in the audience of His Excellency Caleb Strong, Esq., Governor: the other members of the executive, and the honorable legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the anniversary election, May 29, 1805" by John Allyn, Congregational Minister of Duxborough. (Boston: Young & Minns, 1805.) 37pp. AI 7855; Sabin 937; Vail p.23. 9) "An oration, pronounced July 4, 1805, at the request of the inhabitants of the town of Boston, in commemoration of American independence" by Warren Dutton. (Boston: A. Newell, printer, [1805].) 15pp. Sabin 21472; Shaw & Shoemaker 8355. 10) "An oration, delivered at the request of the officers, before the First regiment in the Second brigade of the Second division of militia in the commonwealth : at Bayfield, July 4, 1805" by Elijah Parish, A.M. (Salem, Mass.: Printed by Joshua Cushing, 1805.) 24pp. Shaw & Shoemaker 9095. 11-12) Two copies: "A sermon: preached in the audience of His Excellency Caleb Strong, Esq., Governor, his honor Edward H. Robbins, Esq., Lieutenant Governor, the honorable the council, Senate and House of Representatives of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the anniversary election, May 28, 1806" by Samuel Shepard, Congregational Minister of Lenox. (Boston: Young & Minns, printers to the state, 1806.) 31pp. Sabin 80195; Shaw & Shoemaker 11356; Vail p. 253. 13) "An oration, delivered on the Fourth of July, A.D. 1806 in the Congregational meeting-house, in the east precinct of Rehoboth, Massachusetts" by Paul Allen, Esq. (Providence, R.I.: Printed by David Hawkins, jun. for David Heaton, 1806.) 16pp. AI 9822. 14) "A sermon before the governor, the honorable Council, and both branches of the Legislature of the commonwealth of Massachusetts : on the day of general election, May 27, 1807" by William Bentley, Minister of the Second Church in Salem. (Boston: Adams and Rhoades, Printers to the State, 1807.) 25pp. Sabin 4775; Shaw & Shoemaker 12105; Vail p. 254. 15) "An oration delivered before the inhabitants of the town of Boston, on the thirty-first anniversary of the independence of the United States of America" by Peter Thacher. (Boston: Printed by Munroe & Francis, 1807.) 18 [2] pp. Sabin 95187; Shaw & Shoemaker 13680 [2nd edition]; this 1st edition is not listed. 16) "An oration, pronounced July 4, 1808, at the request of the selectmen of the town of Boston : in commemoration of the anniversary of American independence" by Andrew Ritchie. ([Boston]: From the Press of Russell and Cutler, printers, 1808.) 19pp. Sabin 71557; Shaw & Shoemaker 16085. 17) "A sermon, preached before His Excellency, James Sullivan, esq., governor, His Honor, Levi Lincoln esq., lieutenant-governor, the honourable Council, and both branches of the legislature of Massachusetts, on the day of general election, May 25, 1808" by Thomas Allen, A.M., Minister of the Congregational Church in Pittsfield. (Boston: Printed by Adams and Rhoades, Printers to the State, 1808.) 19pp. Sabin 874; Shaw & Shoemaker 14328; Vail p. 254. 18) "A discourse: delivered before the Lieutenant-Governor, the Council, and the two Houses composing the Legislature of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 31, 1809, being the day of general election" by David Osgood, D.D., Pastor of the Church in Medford. (Boston: From the press of Russell & Cutler, 1809.) 32pp. Sabin 57775; Shaw & Shoemaker 18307; Vail p. 254. 19) "A discourse, delivered November 3, 1790: at the particular request of a number of respectable men in Franklin, who were forming a society, for the reformation of morals: And now published at the desire of the hearers" by Nathanael Emmons, A.M., Pastor of the Church in Franklin. (Providence, R.I.: by Bennett Wheeler, Westminster-Street, [1790].) 32pp. Alden 1198; Evans 22485; Winship p. 55. 20) "A sermon preached before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. governour; His Honor Samuel Adams, Esq. lieutenant-governour; the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 26, 1790. Being the day of general election" by Daniel Foster, A.M., Pastor of the church in New-Braintree. (Boston: Printed by Thomas Adams, printer to the Honourable, the General Court, MDCCXC [1790].) 35pp. Evans 22506; Sabin 25205; Vail p. 22. 21) "A sermon. Preached before His Excellency Jonh [ sic] Hancock, esq., Governour; His Honor Samuel Adams, Esq. Lieutenant Governor; the Honourable the Council, and the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1791. Being the day of general election" by Chandler Robbins, A.M., Pastor of the First Church in Plymouth. (Boston: Printed by Thomas Adams, Printer to the Honourable the General Court, MDCCXCI [1791].) 51pp. Evans 23741; Sabin 71757; Vail p. 252. 22) "A sermon preached before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. governour; His Honor Samuel Adams, Esq. lieutenant-governour; the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 30, 1792. Being the day of general election" by David Tappan, A.M., Pastor of a church in Newbury. (Boston: At the State Press, by Thomas Adams, printer to the Honourable the General Court., MDCCXCII [1792].) 39pp. Shipton & Mooney 24841; Vail p. 252. 23) "A sermon, preached before his Honor the Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable the Council, and the Honorable the Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 29, 1793: being the day of general election" by Samuel Parker, D.D., Rector of Trinity Church in Boston. (Boston: By Thomas Adams, Printer to the Honorable General Court, MDCCXCIII [1793].) 42pp. Evans 25963; Sabin 58732; Vail p. 23. 24) "A sermon, preached before His Excellency Samuel Adams, Esq. governour: His Honour Moses Gill, Esq. lieutenant governour, the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 27th, 1795: being the day of general election, by Peres Fobes, L.L.D., Pastor of the church in Raynham. (Boston: Printed at the Mercury Press, by Young & Minns, 1795.) 42pp. Evans 28686; Sabin 24932; Vail p. 253. 25) "A sermon preached before His Excellency Samuel Adams, esq., governour; His Honor Moses Gill, esq., lieutenant-governour; the Honourable the Council, Senate, and House of representatives, of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 25, 1796. Being the Day of General Election" by Jonathan French, A.M., Pastor of a church in Andover. (Boston: at the State Press, by Adams & Larkin, printers to the Honourable the General court, MDCCXCVI [1796].) 23pp. Evans 30454; Sabin 25867; Vail p. 23. 26) "The New Year's wish of an affectionate minister for the people of his charge: addressed to them in a sermon preached at Dorchester, January 1, 1796" by Thaddeus Mason Harris, M.A., F.H.S. (Boston: Printed by William Spotswood for the subscribers, 1796.) 24pp. Sabin 3052; Shipton & Mooney 30543. 27) "A sermon, preached at Dorchester, June 24, 1797: before the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free Masons" by Peter Thacher, D.D., Pastor of a church in Boston. (Boston: Printed by Samuel Hall, no. 53, Cornhill, Boston, 1797.) 21 [1]pp. Sabin 95176; Shipton & Mooney 32914. 28) "God's challenge to infidels to defend their cause: illustrated and applied in a sermon, delivered in West-Springfield, May 4, 1797, being the day of general fast" by Joseph Lathrop, D.D., Minister of the First Parish in said Town. (West-Springfield, Mass: Printed by Edward Gray, [1797].) 36pp. Evans 32360; Sabin 39199n. 29) "A discourse, delivered to the religious society in Brattle-Street, Boston, and to the Christian congregation in Charlestown, on April 5. 1798. Being the day of the annual fast in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts" by David Tappan, D.D., Hollis Professor of Divinity in Harvard College. (Boston: Printed by Samuel Hall, no. 53, Cornhill, 1798.) 31pp. Shipton & Mooney. 30) "A sermon, preached before His Excellency Increase Sumner, Esq., Governor, His Honor Moses Gill, Esq., Lieutenant-governor, the honorable the Council, Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 30, 1798: being the day of general election" by Nathanael Emmons, A.M., Pastor of the church in Franklin. (Boston: Printed for the State, 1798.) 31pp. Evans 33675; Sabin 22523; Vail p. 23. 31) "An oration, pronounced, July 4, 1798, at the request of the inhabitants of the town of Boston: in commemoration of the anniversary of American independence" by Josiah Quincy. (Boston: Printed by John Russell, 1798.) 2nd ed. 31pp. Evans 34430; Sabin 67231. 32) "A discourse, delivered at Reading, on the day of the national fast, April 25, 1799" by Eliab Stone, A.M., Pastor of a church in Reading. (Boston: Printed by Manning & Loring, 1799.) 29pp. Evans 36373; Sabin 92049. 33) "The Inoffensive Ministry described in a sermon, delivered before the Convention of the Clergy of Massachusetts in Boston, May 30, 1799" by Eli Forbes, Pastor of the First Church in Gloucester. (Charlestown, Mass.: Printed by Samuel Etheridge, 1799.) 22pp. Evans 35490; Sabin 25042. 34) "A sermon, preached before His Honor Moses Gill, Esq. lieutenant-governor, the Honourable, the Council, Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. May 29, 1799, being the day of general election" by Rev. Paul Coffin, A.M., Pastor of the church in Buxton. (Boston: Printed by Young & Minns, State Printers, MDCCXCIX [1799].) 31pp. Evans 35317; Sabin 14182; Vail p. 23.

Conditions of Sale

1. CORRECTNESS OF DESCRIPTION: Robert C. Eldred Co., Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Eldred's) has exercised reasonable care to catalog and describe correctly the property to be sold, but neither Eldred's nor its consignors warrant the correctness of description, attribution, authenticity, or condition of said property. No statements shall be deemed such a warranty or representation or an assumption of liability with respect thereto, but are to be construed as opinions only. Bidders are encouraged to personally examine all property to be sold prior to the beginning of the auction.

2. Unless otherwise announced by the auctioneer at the time of sale, all bids are per lot as numbered.

3. Eldred's reserves the right to withdraw any property before the sale.

4. DETERMINATION OF HIGHEST BIDDER: The highest bidder accepted by the auctioneer shall be the buyer. In the event of any dispute between bidders, the auctioneer may determine who is the successful bidder or the auctioneer may re-offer the article in dispute and his decision shall be final.

5. REJECTION OF BIDS: The auctioneer reserves the right to reject any nominal raise or any bid or raise which, in his opinion, is not commensurate with the value of the article being offered. At his discretion, he may also reject any nominal raise or any bid that he may determine as having a detrimental effect on the item in question or the sale as a whole. Eldred's may refuse to issue bidding privileges to any person not in good credit standing with Eldred's, who has no credit standing, or to any person who is deemed by Eldred's in its sole discretion, to be disruptive of or harmful to established auction practices, either before or after the acceptance of bids or the fall of the hammer.

6. TITLE: Except as herein otherwise provided, title will pass to the highest bidder as determined by the auctioneer, and the property is thereafter at the purchaser's sole risk and responsibility.

7. PAYMENT: On title passing to the highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer, and subject to all the conditions set forth herein, such bidder will thereupon pay the full purchase price. Payment in full is due within 7 days of the time of sale. Any bills not paid in full within 25 days of the date of the sale will accrue interest at a rate of 1.5% per month. In addition, the purchaser may be subject to one or more of the following actions: a) Any and all legal remedies available to Eldred's and its consignors by law including without limitation the right to hold the purchaser liable for the total purchase price; b) Immediate cancellation of the sale, with Eldred's retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by the purchaser; c) Resale of the property at public auction, wherein the original purchaser shall be liable for any deficiency, costs, and Eldred's commission on both sales. At Eldred's option, payment will not be deemed to have been made in full until Eldred's has collected funds represented by checks, or in the case of bank or cashier's checks, their authenticity has been confirmed. A buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price to be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price.

8. ORDER BIDS: Subject to these Conditions of Sale and to such terms and conditions as it may prescribe, but at no charge to the customer, Eldred's will undertake to execute all order bids submitted to it by a customer who has established credit with said company. Requests for such bidding must be given in writing with such clearness as to leave no room for misunderstanding as to the amount to be bid and must state the catalog number and the name or title of the article to be bid on. Telephone bids must be confirmed in writing or by cable. All bids are kept in strict confidence. In the event of identical bids, the earliest will take precedence (This applies to bids left directly with Eldred's NOT for online left bids). IMPORTANT ONLINE BIDDING NOTE: Because the live auction console does not differentiate between left bids and live bids, the first bid accepted by the auctioneer is the winning bid, regardless of the time the bid was originally left. Eldred's shall not be held responsible for errors or failure to execute bids. A deposit of 10% of the total amount bid is required. TELEPHONE BIDS: While the sale is in progress, bidding by telephone may be allowed by the auctioneer at his discretion. A deposit of 10% of the anticipated top bid is required. Eldred's shall not be held responsible for any failure to properly execute such a bid whether it be due to equipment failure, loss of connection, or failure to hear or understand the bidder's directions. Any advice or opinions provided by Eldred's or its employees are given strictly as a courtesy and are not a warrant of condition, attribution, authenticity, or description of said property. All bidding by telephone is solely at the risk of the bidder.

9. CONDITION: If for any cause whatsoever any article sold cannot be delivered, or cannot be delivered in as good condition as the same may have been at the time of sale, due to a failure or damage on the company's part, the sale will be cancelled, and any amount that may have been paid on account of the sale will be returned to the purchaser. EXCEPTION: Eldred's will not be held responsible for damage to picture frames or lampshades. Eldreds will not be responsible for damage by the shpping agent or his shippers after it has been delivered to such agent by Eldreds.

10. SALES TAX: All purchases are subject to the Massachusetts sales tax (currently 6.25%) unless the purchaser A) possesses a Massachusetts sales tax exemption or resale number and registers that number with the company, B) is an out-of-state vendor who meets all the requirements of Massachusetts Department of Revenue GLC 64H 1(5) and Directive 89-10 and registers with the company prior to each purchase, or C) has purchases shipped out of state directly from Eldred's by a bona fide shipping agent. Dealers, museums, etc. can apply for a Massachusetts number prior to the auction by contacting the Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02204.

11. RESERVES: Unless advertised as an "Unreserved Auction", all sales may have items subject to reserve (an agreed upon price between the auctioneer and the consignor, below which the article will not be sold).

12. COLLECTION OF PURCHASES: Delivery or shipping arrangements must be made within seven (7) days from the close of the auction for all purchases. All items must be removed from Eldred's facilities within fourteen (14) days of the end of the auction. All items remaining after fourteen days may be subject to a $5/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining over thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees.

13. PACKING and Shipping. In all cases the packing and shipping will be handled by an outside agent and arranged for by the purchaser. Eldreds uses the local UPS store or Pak Mail store. Eldred's will provide alternative shipping suggestions for items to large to be handled by these firms. Any other arrangements are the responsibility of the purchaser. Eldred(TM)s must be informed as to such arrangements. After payment purchases will not be kept in Eldred(TM)s possession pending delivery, for more than a week. The UPS store, Pak Mail Store or shipper of purchasers discretion will be responsible for removing them and storing them at the purchasers expense until shipment. Eldred's will not be responsible for damage or loss once the item has been received by the shipper. In the case of fragile articles, shipping will be undertaken at the sole discretion of the shipper.

14. These Conditions of Sale cannot be altered except in writing by Eldreds or by public announcement by the auctioneer at the time of the sale.

15. Bidding on any article(s) indicates acceptance of the terms set forth above.

16. These Conditions of Sale

Absentee Bids

Because of the manner in which our online system processes and transmits left bids, Eldred's does not receive bid information until the exact moment of sale. Because the bidding console does not differentiate between left bids and live bids, the first bid accepted by the auctioneer is the winning bid, regardless of the time the bid was originally left.

Payment

Payment is due within 7 days of the close of the auction. Payment must be in the form of bank or pre-approved personal check or money order. All checks must be drawn from a US bank in US funds. All bank checks must include complete personal information (name, address, phone number) as well as the phone number of the bank the check is drawn on. Eldred's reserves the right to hold merchandise until payment clears. Under no circumstances will Eldred's accept Paypal. Master Card and Visa are accepted provided that the total invoice amount is $5,000 USD or less and the credit card billing address is tied to a valid US zip code. International credit cards are NOT accepted under any circumstances.

Shipping

We require prompt payment and removal of your purchases as stated in Paragraph 12 of the Conditions of Sale. If you plan to pick up your purchases, please call ahead and we'll make every effort to have your items ready. Our physical address is 1483 Route 6A, East Dennis, MA. Pick up of smaller items at our Mystic, CT location is also available with advance notice.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide shipping quotes until the invoice had been paid in full.
In house shipping is offered exclusively though UPS. All items are shipped with UPS insurance (max. $50,000). UPS insurance is billed at $2.70 for the first $100 and at $0.90 per hundred afterwards. Eldred's charges $5 handling fee per package (not per lot) plus actual UPS shipping charges.
COLLECTION OF PURCHASES: Delivery or shipping arrangements must be made within seven (7) days from the close of the auction for all purchases. All items must be removed from Eldred's facilities within fourteen (14) days of the end of the auction. All items remaining after fourteen days may be subject to a $5/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining over thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees.

Buyer's Premium

A 25% Buyer's Premium will be charged on successful bids. This is inclusive of the the 5% on-line auction fee. All purchases are subject to the Massachusetts sales tax (currently 6.25%) unless the purchaser possesses a Massachusetts sales tax exemption or resale number and registers that number with the company or has purchases shipped out of state (with the exception of Connecticut) directly from Eldred's by a bona fide shipping agent. Connecticut residents picking items up in our Mystic branch or having purchases shipped to their Connecticut address are responsible for CT state sales sax.

Condition Reports

Prospective buyers should satisfy themselves by personal inspection as to the condition of each lot. Although condition reports may be given on request, such reports are statements of opinion only. Regardless of whether or not a condition report is given, all property is sold subject to Paragraph 1. of the Conditions of Sale which provides that all property is sold "as is". The absence of a condition report does not imply that the property is in good condition. All dimensions are approximate. Eldreds will make every reasonable effort to respond to all emails or phone calls relative to condition up until 24 hours before the sale. If there is no condition report on the web it does not necessarily mean that the item is without repair, refinish, restoration etc. It is the responsibility of the prospective purchaser to contact Eldreds if they are concerned about the condition of an item beyond what is listed online.

Contract

Your bid is a legally binding contract. Upon the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, title will pass to the highest bidder, and the property is thereafter at the purchaser's sole risk and responsibility. Users must register and be approved to bid before the auction. Eldred's reserves the right to deny approval for any reason. Accounts with private feedback will be approved under any circumstances.