The Narrative of Lieut. Gen. Sir William Howe, in a Committee of the House of Commons, on the 29th of April, 1779, relative to his conduct, during his late command of the King's Troops in North America: to which are added, some observations upon a pam

Book Description

London: printed by H. Baldwin, sold by Almon & Debret, P.Elmsley and R. Baldwin, 1780. [bound with:] William PITT, Earl of Chatham (1708-78). Plan offered by the Earl of Chatham to the House of Lords, entitled, a Provisional Act, for settling the Troubles in America, and for asserting the Supreme Legislative Authority and Superintending Power of Great Britain over the Colonies. Which was rejected, and not suffered to lie on the table. London: printed for J. Salmon, 1775. 1p. publisher's advertisements at end. 2 works in one volume, 4to (10 5/8 x 8 ½ inches). Expertly bound to style in 18th-century half russia over contemporary marbled paper-covered boards, spine gilt in compartments, red morocco lettering piece. Provenance: Col. Thomas Aspinwall (1786-1876, label noting gift to:); Brookline Public Library (bookplate, with date "26 September 1859") First edition of both works, with an interesting provenance. Howe, as commander-in-chief of the British forces during the American Revolution, led his troops to a number of impressive victories. Although he repelled the attack of Washington at Germantown, he made no attempt to drive the weakened American forces from their camp at Valley Forge, instead spending the winter of 1777-78 in comfort in Philadelphia. Howe was severely criticized for his actions. He was recalled by the British government in May of 1778, and Sir Henry Clinton was appointed his successor. After Parliament's investigation of his military conduct in 1779, Howe was acquitted of blame by a number of military men, including Lord Cornwallis and Lord Grey, who affirmed that he had done what he could, considering the insufficiency of his army. Howe's response to Joseph Galloway's charges of incompetence and negligence in the latter's 'Letters to a Nobleman' are printed on pages 35-110. Writing of the second work, The Monthly Review noted "We cannot but regret that this plan was rejected, as we are convinced that by a few slight alterations it might have been rendered acceptable to the people of America." (vol. LII, p.179). Colonel Thomas Aspinwall was born in Brookline and by the time he died in 1876 in Boston, he was the oldest surviving officer who had fought in the War of 1812. He also served as United States Consul in London from 1815 to 1853, and was a noted bibliophile whose collection was described in A catalogue of books relating to America, in the collection of Colonel Aspinwall (Paris: 1831). The Colonel's gift of this book in 1859 ensured that it was not included in the auction sale of his library held in Boston in May 1879. Second edition of first work: American Controversy 80-43c; Howes H729; Sabin 33342 First work: Sabin 63071

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