320, 11 pp. (8vo) 17.5x11 cm (7x4½"), original blindstamped brown pebbled cloth lettered in gilt, patterned endpapers.
A scarce volume comprising a selection of writings on matters "Intensely Interesting, Especially to the Freemasons and Lovers of Civil and Religious Liberty," compiled and translated by Edward Allen Sherman. Includes pieces on the Jesuits, the papal conspiracy against Abraham Lincoln, Bishop Dupanluop's tirade against Freemasonry, etc. An 11 pp. pamphlet bound in at the rear (as issued) details the instances in which sex is a mortal sin. An "obligation" plate is affixed to the front endpaper in which the owner swears not to loan out the book, and to keep its contents secret. The plate is filled out in full and dated 1894. Laid in is a broadside advertising an 1855 event held at San Francisco's Assembly Hall on Polk Street, featuring stereopticon entertainment and dancing.
Edwin A. Sherman was chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Grand Commandery of the Lincoln Grand Guard of Honor. In 1845, with prospect of war with Mexico, he enlisted in the United States Army. As soldier and interpreter he served with Generals William J. Worth, Zachary Taylor, and Winfield Scott, in the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Vera Cruz, Matamoras, and Cerro Gordo. At Monterey and Matamoras he assisted in getting out the American Flag, an army newspaper made up in Mexican Government printing offices.
In 1863 Sherman was elected state controller of Nevada. In 1862 Govemor Leland Stanford, of California, had commissioned him major of engineers on the staff of Brigadier General Alexander Malcolm Dobbie, and he was made military instructor of the National Guard of California for the state at large, it being placed on a war footing to suppress rebellion. Sherman was in New York City at the time of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, on April 14, 1865, and served as marshal of the Pacific Division of States and Territories in the great funeral procession in that city on April 25.
Condition:
Light rubbing to extremities, minuscule dent to bottom edge of top board, small chip to cloth at head of spine; some offsetting to endpapers, a number of leaves in the rear pamphlet are nearly detached but just holding, interior is otherwise sound; very good.