Judgment signed in the Cause, Robert Whatley / Sir Robert Walpole first 1740
WHATLEY, Robert; WALPOLE, Sir Robert. Judgment Signed in the Cause Between the Right Honourable Sir Robert Walpole, and Mr. Whatley; Both Loyal Subjects of the same most gracious Sovereign, and Co-members of the same Free, Civil, Christian Community.
London: Printed by J. Mechell at the King's-Arms in Fleet-Street, and sold by him, and by the Booksellers, &c., 1740.
8vo, pp. 39, including terminal advertisement leaves. Later twentieth-century blue cloth binding by Maltby of Oxford, dated 1923, with gilt spine title. Two blank leaves added at front and rear during rebinding. Some light foxing and age-toning, title page slightly dusty, but a sound and well-presented, very good copy overall. Ownership inscription dated April 1922 to verso of title page.
A rare Walpole-era political pamphlet concerning Robert Whatley's highly personal public dispute with Sir Robert Walpole over patronage, preferment, and ministerial conduct. Framed as an appeal to the judgement of the public, the pamphlet accuses Walpole of failing to honour obligations made through political influence and of permitting attacks upon Whatley's character and reputation in the press.
Whatley repeatedly presents himself as a private subject resisting oppression by a powerful minister, invoking the language of liberty, honour, and the rights of the individual against the state.
Although institutionally well represented, the pamphlet appears uncommon in commerce.