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Uncorrected bound proof of ''Memoirs of the Whig Party During My Time'' by Henry Richard Vassall-Fox Holland and edited by his son Henry Richard Fox Holland. First of two volumes. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans: 1852. Octavo half leather association copy runs 276pp. and contains extensive editor's marginalia in ink. Vassal-Fox Holland was an English politician, the third Baron of Holland, and is widely thought to be the creator of the British Whig Party in the early 19th century. In his memoir, Lord Holland chronicles his experiences within the Whig Party, from the political influence of his uncle at an early age and throughout his career, to the height of the Whig Party's popularity, finally ending with his uncle's death. Lord Holland relates important correspondence, as well as significant encounters with other domestic and world political leaders while seated in the House of Lords. In the second book within the volume, sections are given labels according to the issues they describe, such as: ''The Union Question,'' ''The French Forces,'' ''The Martial Law Bill,'' ''The Catholic Question,'' and ''Lord Melville's Impeachment.'' The fourth Baron of Holland, his son Henry Richard Fox Holland was also a Whig politician and eventually an ambassador. He edited a majority of his father's writings. Much of his notes throughout ameliorate grammatical errata or alter word choice, he also rewrites memorandums, comments on their placement, and corrects a footnote quotation of Sophocles' in the original Greek. The Whigs of the United Kingdom were one of the two political parties present for over two-hundred years, and were known predominantly for their focus on imparting a majority of the political authority to parliament and relegating the powerful British monarchy. Their name originates the American Whigs who fought for their independence from Britain in 1776. The Whigs supported non-Anglicans and aristocratic families, and obtained support from wealthy merchants and industrialists in the 18th century. By the early 1800s, the Whigs began focusing not only on the issue of parliament's authority over British royalty, but also the abolition of slavery, which eventually led to their downfall. The American Whig Party, the forerunner of the Republican Party, ironically took its name from the British Whigs, as the British party opposed the abuse of royal privileges. The American Whig Party of the mid-19th century similarly advocated Congressional power over the President, largely forming to combat the autocratic policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party. During the era of Jacksonian democracy, a great deal of the Congressional power was sacrificed in order to bolster the sway of the Executive Branch, and although there were several parties in existence at the time that opposed Jackson and his followers, none were able to garner as many supporters as the Whigs. With the Whigs' growing popularity, the era of the Second Party System developed, and the first competitive bipartisan dynamic in American history began. In its short life before being assimilated into the Republican Party, the Whigs managed to get both William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor elected to President of the United States. The party also had such political giants as Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln, and their leader Henry Clay among its ranks. The Whigs gained popularity with their focus on state and local rights, as well as Clay's ''American System'' for an economic policy, which promoted government support for a modern industrial economy. Eventually the Whig Party met their downfall on the issue of expanding slavery to the territories; as candidates refused to take a stance, they fell from favor. Whig leaders left the political sphere or joined a more popular party, and a majority of the Whig supporters defected to the Republican Party. By the 1856 Presidential Election the Whig Party had fallen far behind the Democratic and Republican parties in the popular vote, but the bipartisan dynamic that spurred voter interest remained. Some wear to edges, boards, and joints. Backstrip in remarkably fine condition, with gilt lettering and design still bright. Separation at front and rear hinge. Because it is an uncorrected bound proof, the leaves remain untrimmed. A separate 2pp. drafted note from editor also included, the text of which is printed on one of the final leaves of the book. Drafts are in Fox's hand and another fine script that is likely his secretary's. Fox's note reads: ''*Note by the Editor. My father abandoned this work at a later period of his life. The late Mr Allen commenced it, but also gave it up. The ample materials left by my father are now in Lord John Russells hands for that purpose. Holland.'' Overall a remarkable and interesting landmark book in excellent condition.
1852 Editor's Copy of ''Memoirs of the Whig Party'' by Henry Richard Vassall-Fox Holland -- Republican Landmark Book
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