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The publisher was jailed for what he printed...



Item # 121048

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THE NORTH BRITON, London, 1770  This was a radical newspaper from the 18th century, very much associated with the name John Wilkes. Wilkes published the issues #1 thru 46.
Issue number 45 (April 23, 1763) is the most famous issue of the paper. It criticized a royal speech in which King George III praised the Treaty of Paris ending the Seven Years' War. Wilkes was charged with libel (accusing the King of lying), and imprisoned for a short time in the Tower of London. Wilkes challenged the general warrant for his arrest and seizure of his paper, eventually winning the case. His courtroom speeches launched the cry "Wilkes and Liberty!", a popular slogan for freedom of speech and resistance to power. By the time Wilkes was released from prison in 1770, "45" had become a popular icon not only of Wilkes, but of liberty and freedom of speech in general.
Issue numbers 47 (May 10, 1768) through 218 (May 11, 1771) were published by William Bingley. Bingley was jailed on account of issues number 50 and 51. He was released after two years without trial.
This issue is from the Bingley era.
A 6 page newspaper measuring 8 by 12 inches. Minor foxing, mostly nice.  The image shown is representative of the look and condition of the issue you will receive, but actual dates vary (but  from 1770).

Category: The 1600's and 1700's