11 / 244
11
The History Sale 2015
www.adams.ie9
AN APOLOGY FOR THE FAILURES CHARG’D ON THE REVEREND MR
GEORGE WALKER’S PRINTED ACCOUNT OF THE LATE SIEGE OF DERRY,
in a letter to the undertaker of a more accurate narrative of that Siege - [London] 1689. 4to. pp.
[i], 27. A very good copy in modern quarter calf. Wing A 3549.
This well exemplifies the bitterness of the divide that existed between the Presbyterians and
the Established Church even when both were fighting on the same side: “A gentleman of great
sense as intelligent in Irish affairs as any, upon the report of so many thousands dying in Derry
by Famine, spoke plainly among some of his Gown, what others would perhaps for State-
reasons have minc’d, viz. Twas no matter how many of them dy’d, for they were but a pack of
Scots Presbyterians.” Sweeney 5473.
€250 - €350
10
THE APOLOGIE OF THE COMMON SOULDIERS OF HIS EXCELLENCIE SIR
THO. FAIRFAXES ARMY
[London]: May 3 1647. 4to. pp. 8. A very good copy in modern quarter morocco. Wing A 3558
“Shall your Excellencie .... be appointed for the Service of Ireland, and accept of that imploy-
ment; we must of necessity, contrary to our desires, shew our selves averse to that service,
until our desires be granted.” Amongst their grievances, the offer of 2 months pay when they
were 13 months in arrears. Sweeney 185.
€150 - €200
11
BACON, FRANCIS, 1ST VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS. / JAMES I. AND OTHERS
A declaration of the demeanor and cariage of Sir Walter Raleigh, Knight as well in his voyage,
as in, and sithence his returne; and of the true motives and inducements which occasioned
His Majestie to proceed in doing justice upon him, as hath bene done - London: 1618. 4to. pp.
[ii], 64. A very good copy in modern full calf. STC 20653. Exceedingly rare. COPAC locates 4
copies only.
Raleigh’s execution had aroused considerable public feeling - though not in Ireland where
memories of his brutal actions in the Desmond wars were still vivid - and within a month the
commissioners who had conducted the trial rushed out this exculpatory account defending the
King. James I himself had a hand in it as Bacon noted in a letter to the duke of Buckingham:
“We have put the declaration touching Raleigh to the press with his Majesty’s additions, which
were very material.” Sweeney 267 quoting the 1st edition.
€200 - €300
Lot 9
Lot 10
Lot 11