[War of Jenkins' Ear]:

$200 · Offered by William Reese Company

AN INQUIRY INTO THE FITNESS OF ATTENDING PARLIAMENT: IN A LETTER FROM A MEMBER TO HIS FRIEND, WHO HAS ABSENTED. Letter concerning the secession on March 9, 1739 of the "Patriots" from the House of Commons over the negotiations preceding the War of Jenkins' Ear. The Patriots were Tories and disaffected Whigs who opposed Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister. Walpole argued for peace and moderation in dealing with Spain, and he was supported by a scant majority. This letter presents the informed view of a member of Parliament, displaying the furor in England for the protection of their American trade and decrying the factitious nature of English politics. The secession proved advantageous for Walpole because it allowed him to push through several bills relating to the free exportation of sugar and molasses from the West Indian Colonies.

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.