A Friendly Address to all Reasonable Americans, on the Subject of our Political Confusions: in which the Necessary Consequences of Violently Opposing the King's Troops and of a General Non-Importation are Fairly State

First British Edition. 56pp. 8vo. At one time attributed to Myles Cooper, but now commonly assumed to be by Thomas Bradbury Chandler. In tone, this is more like a veiled threat than a "friendly address." The author warns the colonists of incurring the wrath of the mother country by their protests against tea duties and attacks on Royal troops. He writes that should the colonists put down their arms and give up thoughts of suspending trade with England, some political reforms, even "a general American constitution" under the tutelage of England, could be considered. But for American republicanism he has no sympathy: "no order or denomination of men amongst us would enjoy liberty or safety, if subjected to the fiery genius of a New England Republican Government; the little finger of which we should soon experience to be heavier than the loins of Parliament." Chandler was born in Connecticut and educated at Yale. "Although he had advised the repeal of the Stamp Act, he was as ardent a Loyalist as churchman, and the events of the next few years moved him to vigorous protest against the drift toward revolution. In 1775 appeared his pamphlet What Think Ye of Congress Now?, which was a spirited attack upon the authority and actions of the Continental Congress. The occurrences of April 1775 were too much for his Loyalist fervor, and he departed for England the following month" (DAB). Adams, American Controvery 74-20b; Sabin 16587; Howes C754; ESTC T96710 Later calf backed marbled boards, worn at joints. Inked and perforated stamps, bookplates.…