[BOWLES, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS]
The Life of General W. A. Bowles, A Native of America - Born of English Parents, in Frederick County, Maryland, in the Year 1764. New York: Robert Wilson, 1803. First American edition, after the London printing in the 1801-1802 volume of Public Characters. Modern red cloth, gilt lettered black leather spine label. 8 3/8 x 5 /14 inches (21.25 x 13 cm); 31 pp. Toning and spotting, lower margin of title frayed, book label of Thomas W. Streeter.

The Streeter copy of William Augustus Bowles' exciting biography. His adventures include fighting as an English loyalist during the Revolutionary war, living with Florida's Cherokee and Muscogee tribes, marrying the daughter of the Muscogee chieftain, and operating a trading post for the British. In 1795 he formed a short-lived state in northern Florida known as the State of Muskogee, and styled himself its "Director General." After designing a flag and drafting a constitution, Bowles raised an army and raided the nearby Spanish territories. In He declared war on Spain in 1800, but was eventually captured and died imprisoned in 1805. Streeter notes: "After "Finis," on p. 31, a belated report from Havana dated June 13, 1803, is given, announcing that "The noted Bowles was brought prisoner to this city three days ago" and giving the details of his capture. This is followed by a later report from Havana, dated June 23, telling of his imprisonment in Morro Castle. This is an interesting account of a most unusual man. It is not generally realized, I think, that he was a nephew of Carrington Bowles, the English map seller." Rare - 6 copies in OCLC, only one other copy at auction since 1967, when this example last appeared. Howes B667 ("b"); Sabin 7083; Streeter sale, II:1197 (this copy).