A Failed British Expedition to Unseat the French in Canada
A Journal: Or Full Account of the Late Expedition to Canada. With an Appendix Containing Commissions, Orders, Instructions, Letters, Memorials, Courts-Martial, Councils of War, &c. Relating Thereto.
London: Printed for D. Browne [et al.], 1720.
Price: $2,250.00
About the item
First edition. [iv], 304 pp. 8vo. Contemporary paneled calf, rebacked to style with red morocco lettering piece, gilt tooling to board edges. Moderate rubbing to board edges, hinges cracked, later signatures to front pastedown and free endpaper, early signature (William Gossip 1755) to title page, armorial bookplate (of Randall Gossip Hatfeild) to front pastedown. Toning, light foxing in places. Very good. Lande 886; Howes W39 "b"; Sabin 101050.
Item #377945
An account from the British naval commander who oversaw a disastrous attempt to unseat the French in Quebec, both a detailed report of events and an attempt at self-exoneration.
"Such has been the Situation of Sir Hovenden Walker's Affairs these several Years past," laments the Advertisement, "that notwithstanding the many loud and invidious Clamours raised against him on account of the late Expedition to Canada, it was not possible for him hitherto to justifie himself." With this book, Walker attempts to do so, explaining the unfortunate circumstances of the 1711 naval expedition against Canada which saw the loss of 8 ships and nearly 900 lives under his command. The disaster led to intense persecution: he was stripped of his rank and pension, though he managed to avoid official censure.
"As the introduction to the Journal makes clear, Walker’s inner torments had not dissolved with the years, and this misery, aggravated by peremptory dismissal from the service, helped to create something like a persecution complex. On the other hand, although he pleads his own cause with bitterness and often with melodrama, there is no attempt to suppress evidence. Indeed, Walker’s naïve admissions serve to diminish his own stature as a commander. Even had he possessed the guile, he lacked the subtlety and balance to make out a convincing case for himself" (DCB).