Description: This is a nice, original printing of The American in England by Alexander Sidell Mackenzie. Volumes I & II. Published by Harper and Brothers, New York, 1835. Original Work, Not a Reproduction. Very Scarce, no other original printings have been found in such good condition! Alexander Slidell Mackenzie was a United States Navy officer, A contemporary of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and a personal friend of Washington Irving, he published a number of books, including A Year in Spain, Life of John Paul Jones, Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur, and Life of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (his late brother-in-law). He was promoted to lieutenant on January 13, 1825, and to commander on September 8, 1841. Mackenzie was also an accomplished man of letters, producing several volumes of travel writing and biographies of early important US naval figures, some of whom he knew personally. Sadly his literary works are overshadowed by his 1842 decision to execute three suspected mutineers aboard a ship under his command USS Somers in the Somers Mutiny, including Philip Spencer, the 19-year-old son of the Secretary of War John C. Spencer. Mackenzie's handling of the Somers Mutiny, including its lack of a lawful court martial, was highly controversial and public opinion ran against him. The mutiny proved the need for systematic training of cadets before they went to sea. In 1845, Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft seized on the Somers affair as a reason to establish the United States Naval Academy. Measures 5" x " and contains 238 and 239 pages respectively. Original covers have some corner scuffing and surface wear. Spines have small wear top and bottom. One spine has tiny wear along edge. Interior pages quite nice with minimal wear. A very nice example of this pair. Please review photos and Email with any question. A great addition to any collection!
Price: 295 USD
Location: Mineral Point, Wisconsin
End Time: 2025-02-02T16:18:29.000Z
Shipping Cost: 3.5 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Original/Facsimile: Original
Language: English
