1003

"Manner with Slaves, kept chained to their Oars..."

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:137.00 USD Estimated At:275.00 - 350.00 USD
 Manner with Slaves, kept chained to their Oars...
Rare English promotion of the Colonies' value, with frequent mention of slaves in the Americas. The Present State of the Revenues and Forces by Sea and Land, of France and Spain. Compar'd with Those of Great Britain. "Being an Essay to demonstrate the Disadvantages under which France must Enter into the present War, if the natural Force of Britain is vigorously Exerted...(With) An Appendix: Containing a View of those Countries of the Spanish West Indies that will probably be the Seat of the present War." London: Tho. Cooper, 1740. 5 x 7 3/4, 62 pp. (pp. 55-56 misnumbered 47-48 but bound correctly), two engraved headpieces and printer's device on last page. Original printed wrappers, bound in late 19th cent. 3/4 morocco and lilac-rose boards. British propaganda designed to create public optimism in the projected War of Austrian Succession (1740-48), including material promoting England's ability to meet Spanish-American colonial offensives, and French and Spanish dependency on imports from American colonies. Including some 20 pages devoted to description of Spanish America, Fla., N.M., and other colonial locales - and the first mention in English of the place-name "the City of Angels" (Los Angeles, Mexico, not yet Calif.). "...The Soil and Air of Florida are both exceedingly good...The chief Spanish Gar(r)ison is that of St. Augustin...The Natives are an ingenious, brave and honest People, who live in Clans, like the Scots Highlanders...In the South Sea, there is only Calif...and it is, as yet, not half discovered...." "Our Gallies thus manned with such brave People as the Americans are, will beat 5 French or Spanish Gallies... because their Gallies are manned with Slaves, kept chained to their Oars without Arms...." Welcoming destruction of "those great Branches of Trade" of France and Spain, including "The Fishery in Newfoundland, The Sugar Trade, The Negroe Trade, and The Levant Trade. And likewise we should be able to possess ourselves of their Settlements in Newfoundland, Miss. and Hispaniola...If we suffer France to continue 20 Years longer in Peace, they will unavoidably... steal into the greatest part of the Trade which the English are now in possession of...What gives us the greater Certainty of Success in this War, is, the great Strength and vast Trade our Plantations in American have acquired since the last War: The Province of New England alone employs above 15,000 Sailors...N.Y., Penna., Md., Va., and Carolina deal in the same Manner...The Slaves in Cuba are 7 in number to every white Man (as they are all over the Spanish West Indies) who will readily come over to us upon Promise of Freedom...(Spanish) Buccaneers... in small Numbers are able to do the utmost Mischief. And thus throughout all these vast rich and noble Provinces, the Inhabitants seem inspired with a Spirit of Dissension, which renders them continually restless and uneasy, making almost useless those Blessings indulgent Providence has conferred upon them...." Outer front hinge wear, some cover shelf wear, minor break at inside front hinge, pencil notes of noted 20th-century collector on front endleaves, else internally fresh and very fine. A fascinating item, suitable for a comprehensive collection of early Americana, elucidating the realpolitik which prevailed as the clash between England and the colonies simmered, exploding some three decades hence. ESTC T711. European Americana 740/253. Goldsmiths 7445. Sabin 65330.