The Whole Proceedings on the Trial of an Indictment Against Thomas...
Treason Trial of a Notable Manchester Cotton Merchant and Political Radical [Trial]. Walker, Thomas [1749-1817], Principal Defendant. Gurney, Joseph [1744-1815], Reporter. The Whole Proceedings on the Trial of an Indictment Against Thomas Walker of Manchester, Merchant, William Paul, Samuel Jackson, James Cheetham, Oliver Pearsall, Benjamin Booth, And Joseph Collier; For a Conspiracy to Overthrow the Constitution and Government, And to Aid and Assist the French, (Being the King's Enemies) in Case they Should Invade this Kingdom. Tried at the Assizes at Lancaster, April 2, 1794, Before the Hon. Mr. Justice Heath, One of the Judges of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas. Taken in Short-Hand by Joseph Gurney. Manchester: Printed for T. Boden, 1794. xvi, 134, [2] pp. With a half-title and errata leaf. Octavo (7-3/4" x 4-3/4"). Later library cloth, calf lettering piece to spine. Light soiling and shelfwear, light chipping to edges of lettering piece. Moderate toning to text, somewhat heavier in places, light foxing to a few leaves, library stamp to title page, library mark in pencil to verso. $250. * Only edition. A cotton merchant by trade, Walker was a well-connected radical and social reformer. His circle of friends and acquaintances included Thomas Paine, Charles James Fox, Josiah Wedgwood, Joseph Priestley and John Horne Tooke. He and his friends aroused suspicion during the anti-radical hysteria in Great Britain that followed the outbreak of the French Revolution. That was the basis of the treason trial of Walker and several of his associates. The defence was conducted by Thomas Erskine. The trial showed that the evidence was perjured, so the charge was abandoned. English Short-Title Catalogue T81558.
Price: $250.00
Book number 68800