A letter addressed to a member of the present parliament on the “articles of charge” against Marquis Wellesley, which have been laid before the House of Commons

London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1808. FIRST EDITION. Original boards. An excellent uncut copy. First edition of a significant political pamphlet supporting Wellesley in connection with efforts to impeach him from Parliament for actions taken when he was Governor General of India. The impeachment motion was originally made by James Paull (1770-1808) years before. In his letter, the author addresses three specific charges against Wellesley: his conduct towards two native noblemen and Chief ministers (of the provinces of Oude and Furruck-abad) and the measures taken by the British government against the Zamindars (landowners of two regions). Apparently Wellesley forced both states to surrender numerous cities to the British and usurped the land owned by the Zamindars, imposing astronomical taxes. When they refused to pay, Wellesley declared them “to be in a state of rebellion” and he used military force to establish the British authority. He was ultimately exonerated by Parliament.

Richard Wellesley, the first Marquess Wellesley (1760-1842), was a British statesman and government official. He worked to extinguish all French influence in the Indian territories, including waging military campaigns against tribal rulers who had or were in the process of negotiating treaties with France. As a result of his efforts, Britain became the dominant power in India. Dundas was editor of The Asiatic annual register, or, a view of the history of Hindustan, and of the politics, commerce and literature of Asia, as well as a prolific writer on India and Indian affairs.

Godsmith’s-Kress, 19665.