Lisbon, Na Typografia de Simão Thaddeo Ferreira, 1822-1823.. FIRST EDITION. 2 volumes in 1. 4°, contemporary tree sheep (minor wear), smooth spine gilt, crimson morocco lettering piece, gilt letter, marbled endleaves. Woodcut Portuguese royal arms on title pages. Overall in very good to fine condition. Old ink manuscript inscription "N.º 121" in upper outer corner of first title page. Circular white paper ticket with blue border and "481" supplied in ink manuscript in upper outer corner of front pastedown endleaf. 216 pp. *** FIRST EDITION. The text appeared again in the author's Obras completas, [1987?]. It consists of 27 "Cartas". Beginning on p. [65] is a divisional title page, dated 1823, titled Continuação das Cartas aos Portugezes escriptas por José Accursio das Neves. This book attempts to foster the political economy while opposing the new constitutional system. There is much derogatory comment on the French and American revolutions, buttressed with references to Rousseau, Voltaire, Raynal, classical authors, and the Bible. On pp. 7-8 of the first part, the author refers to Portuguese shipping on the high seas, intended promote Brazilian sugar, coffee, and cotton, which will be traded for wines of the Alto Douro, plums from Traz-os-Montes, and figs from the Algarve. On p. 69 is a reference to Brazilian independence. This is further discussed in "Carta XII: o desmembramento da monarquia" on pp. [89]-96. Cartas XV, XVI, and XVII, pp. [113]-136 deal with "Effeitos da regeneração pelo que respeita a industria". Accursio das Neves (1766-1834), a noted economist, held various government posts; his writing was primarily concerned with the political implications of commerce. Elected a member of the Real Academia das Sciencias de Lisboa in 1810, he was a defender of absolutism, being one of the principle supporters of D. Miguel in the Côrtes of 1828. As an absolutist, he had been opposed to the liberal ideology behind the revolution of 1820, and the 1822 constitution. On May 14, 1821 he lost his government offices, only to be reinstated in June 1823. Nevertheless, Neves was elected deputy to the Côrtes of 1822. The years 1821-1828 saw the maturing of his political-economic development. Despite the ultra conservative approach to politics, Neves favored industrialization and free trade (while defending a moderate protectionism). As a result of his support for Miguelismo, Neves became an obscure figure after the liberals triumphed toward the end of his life. Today he is regarded as one of the most brilliant Portuguese thinkers and most lucid prose writers of his age - a precursor of modern economic theory in Portugal. *** Innocêncio IV, 182 (without collation); IV, 459 (stating that the book contains 216 pp.); XII, 197 (calling in error for 217 pp.); see pp. 181-3, 458-9; XII, 196-7; XVIII, 249 for biographical details and other works. Not in Biblioteca Pública de Braga, Catálogo do Fundo Barca-Oliveira. On the author, see Laranjo, Economistas portugueses pp. 89-94. Porbase locates nine copies: six in the Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal (one in poor condition), two at the Biblioteca João Paulo II-Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and one in the Biblioteca Central da Marinha. Not located in Jisc. *** BOUND WITH: NEVES, José Accursio das. Petição documentada, e dirigida a ElRey Nosso Senhor. Lisbon: Na Typografia de Simão Thaddeo Ferreira, 1823. 4º, woodcut Portuguese royal arms on title page, 28 pp. Overall in very good to fine condition. FIRST and ONLY EDITION. Relates to the reinstatement of José Accursio das Neves into the administration of the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro. * Innocêncio IV, 458. Biblioteca Pública de Braga, Catálogo do Fundo Barca-Oliveira, p. 181.
