The History of the Herculean Straits, now called the Straits of Gibraltar: including those Ports of Spain and Barbary that lie contiguous thereto.
2 volumes. London: Charles Rivington for the Author et al., 1771. 7 engraved plates, all but 2 folding, and 9 folding engraved maps and plans. viii, [2], 379, [1]; [4], 414 pages. 4to, 295x228 mm, spine of modern calf with raised bands and gilt, with worn contemporary tree sheep covers laid down to boards, hinges reinforced with cloth; engraved matter generally foxed and offset with occasional clean tears or partial separation at folds, occasional heavy foxing of text, otherwise a very good set. Remnants of date due slips and card pockets on rear endpapers, with 19th-century pencil signatures of Theodore Dwight on titles and notes in red ink in another hand concerning the family relationship of the author to the Union general and military historian John Watts de Peyster, with the latter's bookplate on verso; Franklin & Marshall College Library embossed stamps on titles and bookplate on front pastedowns (withdrawn). First (and only) edition of an important work on the Gibraltar and environs by a British artillery officer stationed there in the 1760s, ranging over a variety of subjects but primarily concerned with topography and military history of the Straits, including Cadiz and Algiers. Palau 122872 (not having seen a set); ESTC T93451. Maps and plates were largely drawn by Thomas Davies and engraved by Thomas Kitchin.
The work's author, Thomas James (172?-1780), was a talented artillery and engineer officer whose service began during the Cartagena Expedition of 1740 and which included distinguished service during the taking and Quebec in 1759 and the defense of Montreal in 1760. Returning to Britain at the close of hostilities during the French & Indian War, he was again sent to America in 1764 in overall command of all artillery stationed in the colonies. However, James soon found himself embroiled in unrest caused by the introduction of the Stamp Tax by his active role in defending the stamp tax agent of New York from the mob. On 31 October 1765, Engineer Captain John Montresor noted in his journal that a “a mob...went through the Streets crying ‘Liberty’” and that “Major James...threatened to be buried alive by the Populace as Commanding the Troops in the Fort for the protection of the Stamps.” The following night, the mob was out again and this time, “they proceeded to Major James’ House and there after breaking every window, cut down all the window shutters & broke down all the Partitions—then they destroyed 9 ¼ casks of Wine & distroyed all his plate, Furniture, apparel Books &c to the value of L 1500.” On 5 November, Major James, “in danger of his life”, embarked a packet for England “with dispatches to the Secretary of State from the Lieutenant Governor and General [Gage].”
Despite his rough treatment by the Sons of Liberty, it was noted that when Major James was called before Parliament to testify and enquiry was made about “the unwarrantable and tumultuous Proceedings that he was Witness to at New-York, he seemed to draw a Veil over them, and unprovoked at, or forgetful of, the Injuries he had personally suffered by the Outrage of the Populace, spoke with Tenderness of those misguided People” and it was noted that his testimony, “had great Weight in persuading the Repeal of the Act.” By May 1766, James had returned to New York and had “got an Order from His Majesty for a large Tract of Land, on Account of the Treatment he met with...and a Resolution to the Governor to make good the Damages he sustained”, which was duly acted upon with an act approving 2000 pounds recompense. James took up a fashionable residence, renting Vauxhall Gardens from its absentee owner and fixing it up in high style.
Promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 1st Battalion of Royal Artillery in 1771, the year in which this Gibraltar work was published, James remained as overall artillery commander in America until 1775. The following year, he commanded the artillery during General Henry Clinton’s disastrous campaign against Charleston. He married Margaret De Peyster (1749-1819) on 17 December 1776 at Jamaica, Long Island and the couple returned to England shortly thereafter, where he died four years later. His detailed maps and plans of the Charleston expedition were engraved and published by William Faden in 1777 and are highly prized by collectors today.
Item #127Price: $1,500.00