Constitution of the State of Deseret, with the Journal of the Convention Which Formed It, and the Proceedings of the Legislative Consequent Thereon.

[Washington]: [Wm. M. Belt], 1850. Disbound. 12 pp. F-D 2784, Crawley 459.
Light foxing throughout; several small tears to paper along spine; first page nearly detached.

The constitution of the new State of Deseret was first published in 1849 in Kanesville by Orson Hyde. It represented a sudden shift in policy to seek acceptance as a state rather than as a territory. As such, the constitution includes several outright fantasies regarding a convention, voting and legislative sessions. Since they hadn't been done, Mormon leaders simply invented them, confusing many subsequent historians. As Peter Crawley notes, all these elements had to be present in order for a statehood application. This resulted in a document that "was as much a public relations piece as an application for statehood, a document designed to show that the traditional American political processes were alive and well in Deseret." A year later, it was presented in the House and then sent to the Committee on Territories, which is why this government version was produced. A foundational piece of Mormon and Utah history. Condition: Very good. Item #39338

Price: $750.00