SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES. CHIEFLY ON THE SUBJECT OF BRITISH AMERICAN UNION. Presentation Copy

London: Chapman And Hall, 1865. First Edition. Hardcover. First Edition. Hardcover. Signed by Author. First Edition Inscribed by Thomas D'Arcy McGee. An excellent copy in the original brown embossed cloth covered boards, gilt stamped on the spine. A vital work collecting McGee's major speeches in The Canadian Parliament and in various public forums concerning an evolving new Nationality. McGee's eloquent advocacy did more than anything else to create the psychological basis for union. This rare and early inscription, dated 1866, the year before Confederation and two years before McGee's assassination for his condemnation of the Irish-American Fenians, who invaded Canada, reads: 'To George Murray Esq./B.A. Oxon. / With the good wishes of the present and all other / Seasons, from Thos. D'arcy McGee / New Years Day / 1866'. Murray was a scholar, educator, journalist and litterateur who emigrated to Canada in 1859, a member of the Royal Society Of Canada, author of, Verses And Visions and for a period of ten-years, commencing in 1882, editor of the literary department of the Montreal Star, the country's most important newspaper at the time. The LOC has two copies, one with a poorly reproduced portrait frontis. & one without. As this was the author's copy to present, it may precede the issue with the portrait. A very good example of an important, uncommon book with a rare presentation.