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First editions of these six tracts recording efforts at British-American reconciliation during the Revolutionary War. This copy has an excellent provenance: although not marked as such, it comes from the family collection of William Eden (1744-1814), a key figure in the negotiations and the author of the latter two works. In 1778, Lord North appointed Eden, a member of the Board of Trade, and Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle (1748-1825), to a commission charged with reconciling Britain and America after the British defeat at Saratoga. Although the commissioners were authorized to grant every American demand short of independence, the mission was not a success. Mostly, this was because the Americans had already formed an alliance with France, but Carlisle did not help matters by issuing a manifesto which criticized the French and insisted that Britain would fight to the bitter end. This attracted the attention of the Marquis de Lafayette, who challenged Carlisle to a duel, which was rejected on diplomatic grounds. The Collection of Papers, published in New York by the king's printer, includes Carlisle's manifesto, along with various other letters and proclamations exchanged between the commissioners and Congress. The second, third, and fourth tracts comprise Congress's four-page response to the Carlisle manifesto, a petition, and an address to the commissioners from the loyalist merchants of New York City. These papers are often found with the Collection but are not always present and are listed as separate works in ESTC. In Eden's two tracts, he defends his record with the commission and demonstrates his continued engagement with British and Irish politics. He had begun to push for Carlisle's promotion, and in 1779 he secured for him the presidency of the Board of Trade. In 1780, Carlisle became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, taking Eden with him as his chief secretary. The other tracts comprise: b) SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. The following Paper is reprinted in New-York by Authority, with the Remarks subjoined to it. By the Congress of the United States of America. Manifesto. [New York: Printed for James Rivington, 1778]. 4 pp. Not in Howes or Sabin; ESTC W23804; Evans 16133. c) The Petition of the Merchants and Traders of the City of New York. [New York: Printed for James Rivington, 1778]. 4 pp. Not in Evans, Howes, or Sabin; ESTC W18925. d) The Address of the Inhabitants of the City of New-York, and its Dependencies, and others his Majesty's faithful and loyal subjects, late Inhabitants of the revolted Colonies. [New York: Printed for James Rivington, 1778]. 3, [1] pp. Not in Evans, Howes, or Sabin; ESTC W19159. e) EDEN, William. Four Letters to the Earl of Carlisle. On certain perversions of political reasoning. On the Present Circumstances of the War between Great Britain and the combined Powers of France and Spain. On the Public Debts. On the Representations of Ireland respecting a Free-Trade. London: Printed for B. White and T. Cadell, 1779. [2], 163, [1] pp. Bound without half-title. Not in Evans; Adams 79-6a; ESTC T40097; Howes E43; Sabin 21827. A second edition was published later in the same year. f) EDEN, William. A Fifth Letter to the Earl of Carlisle. On Population; on certain Revenue Laws and Regulations connected with the Interests of Commerce; and on Public Oeconomy. London: Printed for B. White and T. Cadell, 1780. [2], 71, [1] pp. Bound without half-title. Not in Eden or Howes; Adams 80-7a; ESTC T35522; Sabin 21828. ESTC W20046; Evans 15825; Howes C585; Sabin 14380. Six works bound in a single vol., octavo (208 x 123 mm). Complete with four-leaf appendix and errata leaf. Woodcut ornament to title page, woodcut head- and tailpieces. Contemporary sprinkled calf, smooth spine panelled and with elaborate decoration in gilt, and with red and green morocco labels, edges yellow. Housed in a tan cloth flat-back box by the Chelsea Bindery. Light bumping and rubbing, front joint cracked but holding firm, slight lo.
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