1793 – Tracts on Parliament Reform | Society of Friends of the People | 4 in 1

In early to mid-1790s London, there was concern amongst reformist Whigs, that there was inadequate representation for them in Parliament, and that Parliament was in need of reform based on the needs of the people. Much of this was a direct response to the French Revolution happening in Paris, but nonetheless, a line of loyalist/radical thought was drawn. Numerous tracts were published during this time that dealt with the need for parliamentary reform.

Four such tracts are included in this collection – tracts that discuss records of proceedings of the Society of the Friends of the People. Perhaps the most important of these works is Charles Pigott’s Treachery No Crime, or The System of Courts. In this essay, Pigott uses the example of General Dumouriez (the French general who defected in 1793) to attack the “system of courts”, kings, and ministers in France – essentially, a British tract that sympathized with the French Revolution.

These four works outline what a similar Revolution might have looked like in Great Britain, from the perspective of those involved in political clubs and associations.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Proceedings of the Society of Friends of the People…
• Author(s): Society of the Friends of the People (Great Britain)
• Contributor(s): Charles Pigott; John Brand
• Publisher: London Mr. Westley, J. Ridgeway; T.N. Longman and J. Owen; J. Ridgway
• Edition: First editions, 1793–1796
• Binding: Modern full leather
• Format: (8vo), single bound volume
• Size:  8 in x 5 in (20.3 cm x 12.7 cm)
• Collation:
  • “Proceedings” – 69, [3] p
  • “Treachery No Crime” – [4], 159 p
  • “Principles of political associations” – [6], 106, [2], 107-138 p
  • “Petition” – 15 p
• Illustrations:
• Contents Include:
  • “Proceedings of the Society of Friends of the People” (records of meetings and resolutions)
  • “Treachery No Crime, or the System of Courts” (Pigott’s critique of monarchic power and support for reform)
  • “An Historical Essay on the Principles of Political Associations in a State” (Brand’s theoretical exploration of organized reform)
  • “Petition of the Friends of the People” (public address to Parliament)

Condition:

Near Fine. Modern leather binding, expertly restored with tight, secure hinges and clean, bright pages. Minimal toning consistent with age, free from marks or tears. A handsome, well-preserved collection.

Why Collect This?

• Bound collection of four rare tracts on British parliamentary reform, 1793–1796
• Includes Pigott’s radical Treachery No Crime and key Society publications
• Representative of Britain’s political thought during the French Revolutionary period

Item Number: # 29720