The Proceedings at the Sessions House in the Old-Baily, London..

1681. Treason Trial of a Founding Member of the Whig Party [Trial]. Shaftesbury, Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of [1621-1683]. The Proceedings at the Sessions House in the Old-Baily, London on Thursday the 24th Day of November, 1681. Before His Majesties Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer, Upon the Bill of Indictment for High-Treason Against Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury. Published by His Majestie Special Command. London: Printed for Samuel Mearne and John Baker, 1681. [iv], 48 pp. With initial blank leaf. Folio (11" x 6-3/4"). Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet, spine discreetly reinforced with archival tissue. Moderate toning, negligible light foxing in a few places, light browning to edges of margins, light soiling and a few minor stains to exterior, folds and light wear to corners of several leaves, faint smudge to head of leaf B1 (p.1). $250. * Only edition. A founder of the Whig party and an important patron of John Locke, Shaftesbury was a prominent English politician during the Interregnum and reign of King Charles II. He was an outspoken supporter of the Exclusion Bill, which was intended to exclude the Catholic James II from ascending the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland. Shaftesbury was arrested for high treason by the Tory leadership after the failure of the bill in 1681. The prosecution was dropped several months later. However, in 1682, after the Tories had gained the ability to pack London juries, Shaftesbury fled the country to avoid a second trial. He died in Amsterdam in 1683. English Short-Title Catalogue R21380.