How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

The Political State of Great-Britain
London: Printed for the Author, and Sold by Tho. Warner, and A. Rocayrol, 1719. Volume XVII; six monthly issues, January-June. First edition. 8vo. (x), 658 pp. (erratic pagination). Full contemporary partially speckled brown calf, red morocco onlay on front board, the latter stamped in blind and in gilt "Secretary's Office V:T: Foreign Office", "Foreign Office" stamped in blind on rear board, rebacked, red and black morocco spine labels, extremities and joints rubbed and worn, chipping along spine, library paper label at foot of spine; red speckled edges; Foreign Office Library book-plate on front paste-down; ink stamp on title-page recto and verso; foxing at front and rear; creasing in bottom corner of some leaves at rear.

Pages 443–444 feature an excerpt from a Royal Admiralty report detailing the death of the infamous English pirate Edward Teach (also known as Thatch, Thache, or Thack), better known as Blackbeard (ca. 1680–1718), at the hands of the Royal Navy. While details of his early life remain scarce, it is believed Teach began as a privateer before turning to piracy under the mentorship of Captain Benjamin Hornigold, a prominent Caribbean pirate. Promoted to captain by Hornigold in 1716, by the following year Teach commanded his own flagship, Queen Anne's Revenge, a captured French slave ship, and terrorized the West Indies. His escapades soon extended to North America. In 1718, he blockaded the port of Charleston, securing a ransom from the colonial government in exchange for halting his attacks. Although he briefly accepted a royal pardon and surrendered to the North Carolina governor, he quickly resumed his piratical ways. Ultimately, Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood organized a force to capture Blackbeard, dead or alive, to finally end his reign of terror.

What followed is reported within, and reads in part: "Captain Gordon and Captain Brand, consulted with Colonel Spotswood...and manned out Two Sloops from the Ships under their Command, which were sent in Quest of the aforesaid Pyrates, one of them under Lieutenant Maynard of the Pearl...On the 22d of November they had sight of the Pyrates Sloops on the Coast of North-Carolina, and row'd up to them, when Thach himself hailed them, and asked from whence they came, and who they were? to which he was answer'd, that he might see to whom they belonged by their Colours: Thereupon he drank Damnation to them, and said, that he would neither take nor give Quarter; to which they answered, that they did not expect, nor would give any; upon which he fired upon them with Four three Pounders, and Four Swivel Guns loaded with Small Shot...The Fire continued between them for the space of an Hour, in which Time he killed or wounded great part of the Sloops Companies; but at length they clapp'd him on board with both Sloops, and behaving themselves gallantly, killed Thach himself, and Nine of his Men...after the Action was over, Lieutenant Maynard ordered Thach's Head to be cut off, which he hung under the Boltsprit of his Sloop, and carried it in that manner to Virginia, where those Pyrates who had been taken were hanged." 

According to RBH, only one other copy of this issue has come to auction.