(French and Indian War) | George II's formal declaration of hostilities in the French and Indian War

(French and Indian War)

His Majesty’s Declaration of War against the French King. … Given at Our Court at Kensington, the Seventeenth Day of May, 1756. London: Printed by Thomas Baskett, Printer to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty; and by the Assigns of Robert Baskett, 1756

Broadside on paper (522 x 412 mm, untrimmed). Large woodcut headpiece of royal arms supported by martial accoutrements, historiated woodcut initial-frame; creased at central vertical fold, tiny holes at intersecting folds, some light discoloration. Half red morocco slipcase gilt, chemise.

George II's formal declaration of hostilities in the French and Indian War; this the official printing, preceded only by a suppressed issue that read "’French troops embarked from North America" rather than "’French troops embarked for North America." This rare broadside launched Great Britain and France into a worldwide conflict and finally determined which country would hold dominion in the North American colonies. In Crucible of War, historian Fred Anderson calls the French and Indian War "the most important event to occur in eighteenth-century North America."

The King's declaration enumerates the "unwarrantable Proceedings of the French in the West Indies and North America" that ultimately led him to conclude it "proper to declare War," culminating in the charge that "in Time of profound Peace, without any Declaration of War, and without any previous Notice given, or Application made, a Body of French Troops, under the Command of an Officer bearing the French King’s Commission, attacked in a hostile Manner and possessed themselves of the English Fort on the Ohio in North America."

Despite emphasizing the perfidy of the French ambassador and French king, who have foiled his "earnest desire of Peace," George II closes by assuring that French subjects in Great Britain who "demean themselves dutifully towards Us, shall be safe in their Persons and Effects."

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 32; ESTC N49923

PROVENANCE

Eric C. Caren (Christie's New York, 15 June 2017, lot 218)