A Pamphlet Examining the Colonial Resistance to the Stamp Act (1766)

AN EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE COLONIES, UPON PRINCIPLES OF LAW. BY A GENTLEMAN AT THE BAR. London: Printed for R. Dymott and J. Almon, 1766. Rebound in quarter pebbled brown cloth over cardboard boards. 8vo; ff. π2 A-E4 (lacks E4); [1-4], 5-42pp. With half-title; lacks final advertising leaf for "Richard Dymott, BOOK-BINDER." ESTC T57093; Sabin 23372.

6 1/4 x 4 1/2 in.

From a Private North Carolina Collection

With the armorial bookplate of Bibliotheca Lindesiana, the important private library of the Earls of Crawford and Balcarres on the front paste-down.

An anonymous pamphlet printed the year after the Stamp Act. Per ESTC, it was attributed by Horace Walpole to the English judge Sir John Wilson (1741-1793). As Sabin states, it "Opposes the stand taken by the colonies." The author examines the case and determines that American colonists do not have the right to resist the tax imposed by Parliament: "I know not of any other Objections insisted upon by the Colonies, besides these I have taken Notice of; all of which upon a full and separate Examination appear to be groundless" (p. 35).

Sturdy boards with light warping, minor marks, some wear to extremities, and rubbing to cloth; handwritten title on front cover; front paste-down with some blue ink transfer, rear paste-down with corner fold, one later rear endpaper remains; quire E loose but still attached; occasional edge wear, creasing, and grime; expected light toning; significant trimming to leaves with no loss to text; damp staining throughout; all leaves with three small holes at inner margin, likely from previous binding, with some repaired; inner margins frequently extended and with an additional repair to final leaf.