A Defence of the Minority in the House of Commons, On the Question.

Relating to General Warrants. Inspired by the Wilkes Libel Case [Townsend, Charles (1725-1767), Attributed]. A Defence of the Minority in the House of Commons, On the Question Relating to General Warrants. London: Printed for J. Almon, 1764. [iv] 38, [2] pp. With half-title and publisher advertisement. Octavo (8" x 5"). Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light soiling to exterior, moderate toning and light foxing, light browning to a few leaves. $150. * Second edition. "A leading opponent of the government, especially of the King's favourite, Lord Bute, Wilkes was arrested after the publication on 23 April 1763 of an article in No. 45 of his paper, the North Briton, and charged with seditious libel. He successfully challenged the use of general warrants which had been issued, but could not avoid condemnation by Parliament. Wilkes fled to the continent in 1764" (Cannon). The first five editions of this pamphlet were published in 1764. Its final edition, the sixth, in 1765. Cannon, The Oxford Companion to British History 985. English Short-Title Catalogue T32269.