Sinclair, Archibald, Sir, 1664-1719

[SCOTLAND, 1703]. Some thoughts on the present state of affairs. Humbly offered to the high court of Parliament / by a lover of his Queen and countrey (sic). WITH: Some thoughts *upon* the present state of affairs

[Edinburgh]: 1703. First Edition. Softcover. Together two volumes, small quarto. 12 pp., COMPLETE. Stitched in old blue paper wrappers at a recent date. Contemporary (or near-contemporary) author attributions in ink on title-pages, faint blind-stamps on first and final leaves of both pamphlets. Very good. Item #564

BOTH editions of Sinclair's pamphlet recommending Scottish parliamentary reform, such as a triennial act, as well as toleration for dissent. The pamphlet demonstrates a royalist thread in Country discourse that can be linked to Episcopalian interests.

¶ Two editions appeared in 1703, both sina loca (but Edinburgh). The first edition is ESTC T57077. The second edition is distinguished by the title: 'Some thoughts *upon* the present state of affairs' (ESTC T155643). Priority is here established for the first time, afforded by careful examination of both editions side-by-side; it seems probable that ESTC T155643 was printed from ESTC T57077: compare the catchword on p. 2: in ESTC T155643 this catchword is typographically defective and seems to tumble outside the margin, whereas in ESTC T57077 the catchword, and all associated justification, is quite perfect.

¶ Sir Archibald, knight, (Baronet of Longformacus) was M.P. for Kirkwall, Orkney, and served in the Scottish Parliament for Wick from 1690-1702. He was admitted to Advocate in 1695, and was invested as a Knight ca. 1697 (cf. Burke's Peerage, 1847, p. 905, and Cokayne's Baronetage, reprinted 1983, vol. III, p. 351).

Hanson, 261. Kress, S-2273.

Price: $425.00