CANDID AND IMPARTIAL NARRATIVE OF THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE FLEET, UNDER THE COMMAND OF LORD HOWE, FROM THE ARRIVAL OF THE TOULON SQUADRON, ON THE COAST OF AMERICA, TO THE TIME OF HIS LORDSHIP'S DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND. WITH OBSERVATIONS. BY AN OFFICER THEN SERVING IN THE FLEET.
London: J. Almon, 1779 [i.e., 1778]. 44pp, stitched and untrimmed as issued. Very Good.
The first edition, issued without the map that accompanied the second. The work vindicates Howe against the charge that he failed to perform his duties during naval operations against D'Estaing from June-September 1778. The author blames Admiralty Lord Sandwich for supplying Howe with insufficient ships inadequate to the task.
"O'Beirne was chaplain of the fleet" [Howes]. "Praises Lord Howe and abuses the ministry, particularly Lord Sandwich"[Sabin]. Despite the 1779 imprint date, Adams shows that the pamphlet issued in December 1778.
FIRST EDITION. Sabin 10658. Howes O4aa. Adams Controversy 78-78a. ESTC T114803. Item #40210
Price: $3,000.00