[BURKE, Edmund?]. An Impartial History of War in America, between Great Britain and her Colonies from Its Commencement of the end of the year 1779. London: R. Faulder and Carlisle: J. Milliken, 1780.

An early British history of the American War of Independence, owned by a French officer who served with Rochambeau. Adapted from news gleaned from the Annual Register, its authorship is largely attributed to Edmund Burke—well known for his pro-American sympathies. There were three issues all published in 1780, this is the scarcest one. This Carlisle issue has the same collation as the first London issue, but only some copies had all 13 portaits. The present copy has one portrait. Howes B-975 ("b").

The present copy was owned by Henri-Dominique, Chevalier de Palys de Montrepos (1722-1803) who served with Rochambeau's expeditionary force that played a critical role at Yorktown and is inscribed by de Palys ("Palys") on the title page.

Octavo (212 x 135mm). Large folding engraved map (very short fold splits, reinserted with cloth tape, mild creasing); one engraved plate, "A Real American Rifle-Man." Modern quarter calf and marbled boards and green calf titled spine (light shelfwear and sunning). Provenance: Henri-Dominique, Chevalier de Palys de Montrepos (armorial bookplate dated 1769, and ownership inscription on title).