Westminster Election, Signed (2 results)

Paperback. Condition: New. Print on Demand. This book details events surrounding The East India Company's business practices and the flawed 1783 India Bill in Great Britain in the 18th century. The author provides a detailed account of the proceedings that took place from the assembling of parliament through its dissolution as well as an analysis of the three treaties with India that were signed during this tumultuous time. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book. print-on-demand item.

8vo, pp. [4], 91, [1]; small tear in gutter of title and first page, but a very good copy; disbound.First edition of a compilation of open letters to the electorate of Westminster, written during the violent 1749 election campaign. Despite the brutality which characterised the election the editor hopes the letters might be impartially considered for their merits: 'As many smart pieces were written in defence of each worthy candidate, the collecting them together in this manner, may not be unacceptable to the Public'. The majority of the entries are signed by the defending MP [Viscount] Trentham (honorary title of Granville Leveson-Gower, afterwards first Marquess of Stafford). Trentham, opposed by Sir George Vandeput (whose missives also appear here), was narrowly reelected with Bedford's support but the election was so vicious that Vandeput's chief agent Alexander Murray, among others, was imprisoned in Newgate for acts of incitement.Other inclusions appear under a variety of patriotic monikers and include satirical poems, explications of policy, anti-French sentiments, arrangements for hustings and factional meetings in coffee shops, as well as an oath made by one John Haines, in which he defends Trentham's honour and denies his Francophilia, which was sworn 'before me, H[enry] Fielding'. Language: English.