Letters Addressed to Caleb Strong, Esq, Late Governor of..

1818. A Christian Argument Against Retaliation and Capital Punishment [Whelpley, Samuel (1766-1817)]. Letters Addressed to Caleb Strong, Esq. Late Governor of Massachusetts, Showing, that Retaliation, Capital Punishments, And War, Are Prohibited by the Gospel; Justified by No Good Principle; Not Necessary to the Safety of Individuals or Nations: But, Incompatible with their Welfare; Inconsistent with Christian Character; And Contrary to the Laws of Christ. Providence: Printed by Miller & Hutchens, 1818. vii, [9]-126, [1] pp. Octavo (8" x 5"). Later library cloth, paper shelf label and residue of calf lettering piece to spine, endpapers added. Moderate shelfwear and soiling, chip to head of spine, front joint starting at ends. Light browning to text, light foxing in a few places, gradually diminishing faint dampstaining to p. 26, light soiling, edgewear and library stamp to title page, library marks to verso. $500. * Third and final edition. Whelpey was a Presbyterian preacher, first in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and later in Green River, New Jersey, who later became a school principal in New York City. First published in 1816, Letters argues that retaliation, whether in war or by capital punishment, is un-Christian. It went through three editions. This edition was later reissued in 1819 in Glasgow. Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law 3893.