Item #11166 A First Letter to the People of England, on the Present Situation and Conduct of National Affairs [together with] A Second Letter, On Foreign Subsidies, Subsidiary Armies, and Their Consequences to this Nation; A Third Letter, On Liberty, Taxes, and the Application of Public Money, [and] A Fourth Letter, On the Conduct of the M___rs in Alliances, Fleets and Armies, since the first Differences on the Ohio, to the taking of Minorca by the French. John Shebbeare.

A First Letter to the People of England, on the Present Situation and Conduct of National Affairs [together with] A Second Letter, On Foreign Subsidies, Subsidiary Armies, and Their Consequences to this Nation; A Third Letter, On Liberty, Taxes, and the Application of Public Money, [and] A Fourth Letter, On the Conduct of the M___rs in Alliances, Fleets and Armies, since the first Differences on the Ohio, to the taking of Minorca by the French

London: 1756.

Hardcover. Near Fine. Fourth edition of letters One (56 pp), Two (56 pp), and Three (64 pp); second edition of letter Four (111 pp). All printed in 1756, bound together in modern brown cloth stamped in gilt on the spine. Mild scattered foxing, overall very clean and sound. The first four in a series of seven scathing pamphlets by Shebbeare (Tory political satirist, 1709-1788) on a variety of issues. The first and fourth letters are of particular American interest, as they address British actions and policies during the French and Indian War. The first letter blames Braddock's failed expedition to capture Fort Duquesne in 1755 on the influence of a wealthy Quaker landowner, who urged the British ministry to undertake the expedition because he feared for his property, and who caused the expedition to be provisioned in and launched from Virginia rather than Pennsylvania (which had more resources). The fourth letter attacks the British Ministry for making concessions and allowing French territorial encroachments. The second and third letters relate more generally to British foreign policy and finances, including some references to the American colonies. Howes S369, S368. Sabin 80052, 80056, 80061.

Item #11166

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