THE TRIAL OF THE HONOURABLE ADMIRAL JOHN BYNG, AT A COURT-MARTIAL, AS TAKEN BY MR. CHARLES FERNE.

[Byng, John]

Published by Printed for R. Manby., London, 1757

36,*37-38,37-76,*73-76,77-130,19pp. Folio. Contemporary three-quarter calf and marbled boards, rebacked with spine tooled in gilt. Boards rubbed, corners heavily worn; calf gone from bottom corners. Bookplate on verso of titlepage. Bright and clean internally. Very good. Byng was assigned to command a squadron of ten British ships sent to defend Gibraltar and Minorca from the French. He was charged with cowardice, allegedly having delayed his departure from St. Helen's to Gibraltar, thereby arriving after the French had taken Minorca, and failing to wage a proper offense against their fleet. This publication prints his orders, his account of his actions, testimony at the trial, Byng's defense, and the findings of the court on each charge. Byng was found guilty and sentenced to be shot to death. After some efforts to repeal the sentence, it was finally carried out. The case was a CAUSE CELEBRE in England, where many thought the Admiral was railroaded for political reasons. It was so famous that there were Boston and New York editions published the same year. ESTC T20812. Seller Inventory # WRCAM40333

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE TRIAL OF THE HONOURABLE ADMIRAL JOHN ...
Publisher: Printed for R. Manby., London
Publication Date: 1757