Parliamentary Act. Reign of George III

An Act for the better detaining, and more easy Exchange, of American Prisoners brought into Great Britain. London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan, 1782

Folio (311 x 197 mm). Woodcut arms of Great Britain, woodcut headpiece and initial, text in black letter, side notes in roman t🌠ype. Modern quarter calf over brown marbled boards, printed paper label on fr💝ont cover.

In a letter to John Adams dated Passy, 21 April 1782, Benjamin Franklin opines on "the late Act of Parliament for Exchanging American Prisoners as Prisoners of War according to the Law of Nations, any thing in their Commitments notwithstanding, seems to me a Renunciation of British Pretensions to try our People as Subjects guilty of High Treason, and to be a kind of tacit Acknowledgement of our Independency. Having taken this Step, it will less difficult for them to acknowledge it expressly. They are now preparing Transports to send the Prisoners home …" (Papers of John Adams, Volume 12, Digital Edition, //www.masshist.org/publications/adams-pape🐷rs/index.php/view/🌄PJA12d346).

REFERENCE:

ESTC N58134