Beschreibung:

SHIRLEY, William (1694-1771). A Letter from William Shirley, Esq; Governor of Massachuset's Bay, To his Grace the Duke of Newcastle: with A Journal of the Siege of Louisbourg, and other Operations of the Forces, during the Expedition against the French Settlements on Cape Breton; drawn up at the Desire of the Council and House of Representatives of the Province of Massachuset's Bay; approved and attested by Sir William Pepperrell, and the other Principal Officers who commanded in the said Expedition . London: Printed by E. Owen, 1746. 8 o (197 x 120 mm). Later calf-backed boards (a bit rubbed). FIRST EDITION. "The attack on Louisburg in 1745 was looked upon by Shirley only as a step towards a complete conquest of Canada, and the success of the siege at once raised his hopes. Instigated by him, the English ministry approved of an expedition against Canada, and a force of over eight thousand men was raised, principally from the northern colonies. The British force which was to have co-operated was, however, detained either by bad weather or by the blundering of the ministry, and nothing came of the attempt" (Lande). Streeter II, 1004 states: "Shirley's letter with his general account (p. [3]-15) is dated Louisbourg, October 28, 1745, and is followed by the Journal (p. [17]-32. At p. 32 is an attestation to the correctness of the Journal dated Louisbourg, Oct. 20, 1745, signed by Wm. Pepperell as Commander-in-Chief of the New England forces, and four others." Howes S-424; Lande 786 (erroneously calling for a frontispiece not present in his copy); Sabin 80545; Staton & Tremaine/TPL 4703.