A Vindication of the Faults on both Sides, from the reflections of the Medley, the specimen-maker, and a pamphlet, entituled, Most faults on one side. With a dissertation on the nature and use of money and paper-credit in trade, and the true Value of Joint-Stocks, maintaining the Assertions of the Author, in Relation to those Matters.

First edition of Clement's defence of his Faults on Both Sides, a pamphlet supporting the establishment of a non-partisan government, published the same year. In the past Faults on Both Sides has been attributed to Robert Harley, but it is generally accepted that Simon Clement (c. 1654-c.1730) was the author. However it does seem that Harley had some role in its publication, and it can be seen as election propaganda for the 1710 election with Harley being the implicit non-partisan choice. Joseph Trapp published a response arguing that the pamphlet was a conspiracy by the Whigs, who saw that their dominance was ending and were consequently urging for a coalition government to keep their power, which Clement responded to in A Vindication. At any rate, the number of editions which the pamphlet and its responses ran to shows the significance of the publication on the contemporary political scene. ESTC T50855; Hanson, 1171 Goldsmiths', 4617. See Paul B. Patterson, "Harley, Defoe, Trapp and the 'Faults on Both Sides' Controversy", Albion, Vol. 11, No. 2, 1979), pp. 128-142. Octavo (193 x 115 mm). Recent marbled boards, printed paper label to front cover. Binding fine, contents somewhat browned. A very good copy.…