Search Results: Titles starting with I from Bruce Marshall Rare Books

Autograph letter, 2pp., folded, signed "G. Johnstone" to Sir David Dundas, contemporary ink stain not affecting text, marginal toning, 17 September, 1774
The autograph letter from George Johnstone, the Director of the East India Company, regarding George Vansittart (1745-1825) "quitting the service of the East India Company". The letter goes on to discuss Warren Hastings, the Treaty of Banaras and reformations. Beginning with a politically motivated embezzlement:"You will now judge what reformations are likely to take place under such a General who in a very inferior station cut out with 100,000£ and endeavoured to support evidence on the reform action attempted by General Claverings besides furthering by his own confession in a manner so very unworthy a public officer…". General Clavering was appointed Commander in Chief in India in 1774, shortly after Warren Hastings was appointed Governor General. By the 1770s Hastings had already made many political enemies in the East India Company. The… Read More

June 1720, Manuscript, 24 pages in a neat and flowing hand, signed Richard West.
A Highly Important Document in The Attorney General's Hand allowing Pirates to be tried and executed on foreign lands, particularly the Americas.
The law required anyone accused of piracy to be brought to London and tried by the Admiralty Courts. This proved impractical, expensive and other than a few cases, i.e. Captain Quelch, the practise of appearing for trial in London was adhered to until this important document was produced and the act was passed.
This document was created by Richard West to address the problems with earlier acts in the late 17th century that allowed pirates to escape prosecution due to various legal loopholes.
In 1684, most colonial trials came to a halt when the English government decided that the colonies did not have jurisdiction to try any piracy cases.
The 1536 statute obligated colonial officials to ship accused pirates and witnesses to England to attend trial. Since a great deal of piracy… Read More