A State of the Expedition from Canada as laid before the House of Commons, and verified by evidence; with a collection of authentic documents, and an addition of many circumstances which were prevented from appearing before the House by the prorogation of Parliament

Burgoyne, [John,] General

Edité par for J. Almon, London, 1780

A propos de cet article

First edition. London: Printed for J. Almon, 1780. Quarto (10 3/8" x 8 7/16", 26mm x 215mm). [Full collation available.] With six folding engraved maps, hand-colored in outline. Bound in later calf with a double gilt fillet border within a blind roll border. On the spine, six panels. Author and title gilt to red sheep in the second panel. Blind roll to the edges of the boards. All edges of the text-block marbled. A very little rubbing to the extremities, with a little sunning to the front board. Mild even tanning throughout, with some peripheral foxing to the title-page. Underlining in early ink to p. 105, and an erased graphite brace in the outer margin of p. 117. Worn ownership signature of "Mr. Dayrell" to the title-page. A half-sheet of wove paper watermarked with the Prince of Wales's feathers above "J & M" above "1822" with an "Extract from the 'Sun' 13th November 1823" manuscript and signed by Jago laid in. John Burgoyne (1722-1792) was put in command of the British forces in Canada in 1777 after outlining what he considered the errors and insufficient boldness of his own commanding officer, Guy Carleton. His plan was to move south from Quebec and to retake the entire Hudson River valley down to the City of New York, with the aim of stranding New England from southern reinforcement. He got only as far as Saratoga, having failed to coordinate his rendezvous with the forces of Clinton and Howe. On 17 October he surrendered the whole of his army, some 5,800 men, to Horatio Gates. It was the Americans' greatest victory to date, and was crucial in convincing the French to join the fight. Modern historians consider the episode the critical point in the American Revolution's success. "Gentleman Johnny" returned to Britain with Washington's permission in order to defend his conduct, and the present volume is the account of that defense to the House of Commons, and more broadly to rehabilitate his career and to restore his name. That was his sole victory; he would go on to be a Privy Councilor, Commander-in-Chief of Ireland and Colonel of the King's Own Regiment -- to say nothing of a considerable success in the theatre, both on his own and in partnership with Richard Brinsley Sheridan. The identity of "Mr. Dayrell" must remain vague. The Dayrells of Lillingstone Dayrell in Buckhinghamshire have long been prominent. It is difficult to connect the laid-in manuscript with the volume. Jago (the first name or initial is indecipherable) describes a "Jury" -- perhaps merely just an assemblage of 15 men rather than a legal jury -- that "served Thomas Alexr Fraser Esqre of Lovat and Strichen," viz. Thomas Alexander Fraser, 12th Lord Lovat and 9th Laird of Strichen (1802-1875) on Monday last, viz. 10 November 1823. The extract continues: "After the Service the Jury and a large Party of Gentlemen of the Town and Neighbourhood dined with Lovat in Bennet's Hotel, when among many Loyal and Patriotic Toasts, the Health of their worthy Host, and a speedy Restoration to the honors of his Ancestors, was drank [sic] with enthusiasm." The loyalty and patriotism -- though doubtless widespread in Georgian Britain -- perhaps relate to the volume. Likelier, however, is that the account has no relation to the volume. Purchased at Bonham's New York, 15 December 2021, lot 4. Howes B 968, Sabin 9255, Staton & Tremaine/PRL 503, Streeter sale II:794.

N° de réf. du vendeur JLR0261

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: A State of the Expedition from Canada as laid before the House of Commons, and verified by evidence; with a collection of authentic documents, and an addition of many circumstances which were prevented from appearing before the House by the prorogation of Parliament
• Éditeur: for J. Almon, London
• Date de parution: 1780
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: First.
• État de l'article: Very good
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Maps & Atlases
  • Americana
  • Canadiana