[ENGLISH POLITICS] THOUGHTS ON THE CAUSE OF THE PRESENT DISCONTENTS

London: J. Dodsley, 1770. Fourth Edition. 8vo.; disbound pamphlet with remnants of calf spine with "2" penned on the leading edge, indicating it was the second pamphlet in the volume; 118 pages [with occasional misnumbering; e.g. the recto of the final leaf is numbered 171 not 117]; a previous owner has penned "Edmd. Burke" to the title page.~~The pamphlet was first published in April of 1770, so this self-styled "Fourth Edition" is a very early iteration. In it, "Burke defended the popular discontent, declaring that ‘in all disputes between the people and their rulers the presumption was at least upon a par in favour of the people".~~Printings of this pamphlet as early as this are uncommon; his thinking in it underlaid his support for the American colonies.~ (DNB, III, p. 351 [1921, 22]).