Lot 290: KNOX, John (d.1778). An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America, for the Years

KNOX, John (d.1778). An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America, for the Years 1757, 1758, 1759, and 1760: Containing the Most Remarkable Occurrences of that Period; Particularly the Two Sieges of Quebec... London: Printed for the Author, 1769.

2 volumes, 4 o (263 x 199 mm). Errata leaves at end of each volume. Two engraved frontispiece portraits and large folding map by Thomas Kitchin (some spotting, tear crossing border and extreme image with old repair on verso). (Some occasional foxing, small paper flaw on p.165 with loss of one letter, few small stains.) Contemporary calf, arms of Jeffrey Amherst stamped in gilt at center of each side, edges marbled (rebacked). Provenance: Jeffrey Amherst (1717-1797), Baron Amherst (binding); five names are added in manuscript to the list of subscribers.

THE DEDICATION COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION OF "A VERY VALUABLE COLLECTION OF MATERIALS TOWARDS A HISTORY OF OUR LATE WAR," and one of the best original authorities for the death of Wolfe and the conquest of Canada (Monthly Review). "Knox, an Irishman, served in America from 1757-60 with the 43rd Regiment of Foot. His journal, 'written mostly at the time, and finished almost as soon as the events it contains' (introd.) is one of the most accurate and detailed accounts available on the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec" (TPL).

In 1757, Knox arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his regiment to take part in the expedition against Louisbourg, although the attack was postponed and the regiment did not see action in the siege. The regiment participated in the battle of the Plains of Abraham, served under James Murray at Quebec in the winter of 1759-60, and was present at the capitulation of Montreal in 1760. Knox gives a first-hand account of the battles, and supplements his narrative with printings of important official documents and orders from both the British and the French. The portraits represent generals Wolfe and Amherst, and the map, by Thomas Kitchin, shows the British dominions in North America according to the treaty of 1763.

Jeffrey Amherst, the book's dedicatee and this copy's original owner, won his reputation as Commander-in-Chief of British forces in the war in North America against the French between 1758 and 1764. Initially recalled from the German war to command the Louisbourg expedition, Amherst quickly distinguished himself in the field. In 1759, Pitt had directed that while Quebec was attacked, an attempt to penetrate Canada by way of Ticonderoga and Crown point should be made and Amherst was further directed to pursue any other course which would weaken the enemy without weakening the main objectives of the campaign. Several organizational decisions were somewhat ineffective in acheiving the aims of the British that year, though Amherst's determination was immense; he ordered Robert Rogers, for instance, to "Remember the barbarities that have been committed by the enemy's Indian scoundrels. Take your revence, but don't forget that, though those dastardly villians have promiscuously murdered women and childred on all ages, it is my order that no women or children be killed or hurt" (quoted in Parkman, Moncalm and Wolfe, NY, 1983, p.1371). Of him, Francis Parkman wrote: "He was energentic and resolute, somewhat cautious and slow, but with a bulldog tenacity of grip" (Parkman, p. 1228). Amherst was created Baron Amherst of Holmesdale in 1776 and 12 years later, since he was childless, Baron Amherst of Montreal. Howes K-220; Sabin 38163; Staton & Tremaine/TPL 323; Streeter II:1030. (2)