Item 61: A Handwritten Copy by Unknown, [ca. twentieth century] of an Original Autographed Letter from Lord Vere to Thomas Rothley, 1763 November 16, and Note of Parliament (removed to black box #1), [1769 February]
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 61
Dates
- Created: [1769 February]
Creator
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Handwritten Letter, copy
Condition Note:
Poor {Letter}; Perfect {Introductory note}
Measurements:
8 ¾ in. x 7 ⅛ in. {Letter}; 8 ⅜ in. x 5 in. {Introductory note}
Description:
The following item depicts a copied transcription of a letter by Lord Vere to Thomas Rothley, dated November 16, 1763, and a resolution of Parliament concerning the work of John Wilkes, Essay on Woman. In the letter, the author is writing to inform the recipient about Parliament’s recent consideration of John Wilkes’ writing, Essay on Woman. He writes that Lord Sandwich brought a complaint to the House, stating that the writing was so immoral and against what is proper that he could not find one sentence to bring as an example because it would shock all listeners. The author continues on to explain that the House voted in favour of burning the work, but that the decision kept being delayed to figure out privileges. In the final parts of the letter, the author explains having heard that John Wilkes challenged Describes some of the parliamentary proceedings against Wilkes and a duel that Wilkes engaged in. The result of the duel was Wilkes getting shot. In the conclusion, the author says that it is not believed that Wilkes will die but that Mr. Hawkins, another party, has not said he would live either. The complaint about Wilkes’ writing has gone out to the treasurer, Mr. Martin.
The note captures a resolution by Parliament against the work Essay on Woman by John Wilkes for its most atrocious Blasphemies." In the satirical work, Wilkes parodies Alexander Pope’s Essay on Man, whose original body attempted to explain the differences between men and women. Wilkes’ recreation was considered lewd and pornographic at the time of its publication and would be the reason for his later removal from Parliament. “At the start of the parliamentary session in November 1763, the essay was read by Sandwich to the House of Lords, who voted it a libel and a breach of privilege. At the same time the Commons, on a government motion, declared “No. 45” a seditious libel. During the Christmas vacation Wilkes, recovering from a wound sustained in a duel provoked by exchanges in the House, stole off to Paris to visit his daughter and decided not to return to face prosecution” (Britannica).
The date for the original note has been estimated as February of 1769, due to connection with Wilkes’ removal from Parliament for the same decision.
Location:
London
Transcription:
John Wilkes
Copy Essay on Woman
1763 Original Holograph Letter
Nov[ember] 16 from (Lord Vere) to Thomas Rothley Esq[ui]r[e]
giving an account of the Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament in the matter of Wilkes’ Essay on Woman, and the text of the Resolution thereon, with an account, of Wilkes’ duel with Mr. Martyn.” Wensday (sic) [Wednesday] (1) Sir, Immediately after the K--left the house Lord Sandwich got up to complain of a Breach of Priviledge (sic) [privilege] against the Bishop of Gloucester a member of that house, by a scandalous Poem wherein his Lords & indeed every thing that is sacred was weaved in a most unparalleled manner the Title of it is an Essay on Woman & is so filled with obscenity & Blasphemy that Lord S. could hardly pick out two or three sentences from the whole to found his complaint upon that would not so shock the ears of all present that he was sure they would call to him to stop, we unanimously voted it an impious libel, a high breach of Priviledge (sic), most scandalously reflecting upon the Holy Scriptures & the Person of our Blessed Saviour it was incontestably moved to be written by Mr. Wilks, but as the House of Commons was upon the same subject, we put of the farther (sic) [further] consideration til tomorrow, the House of Commons as usual with them last a good deal of time about a point of order, so did not begin upon it-til hear eight oclock I hear they sat til past one and go upon it again today they divided twice, the first was 300 to III.--which does not look very favourable for Wilkes, indeed it is impossible to defend such conduct, the House of Commons I just now hear voted the North Britton, scandalous false & ordered it to be burnt & today they go upon the matter of privilege, but whether they will or no now is matter of doubt, for I am first uninformed that Mr. Wilks this morning challeng[e]’d Mr. Martyn for some words he said yesterday in the House they fought in Hide Park & Wilkes is shott (sic) [shot] in the body two Balls have been extracted & I hear Mr. Hawkins says he may live but does not say he will, it is the Mr. Martyn of the Treasury our address went very smoothly, very little said about it except about the Peace & that only by one person. I am a good deal satisfied so God Bless you. Adieu.
London 16th. Nov. 1763. Lord Vere. Relating to an essay on woman By Wilkes who is shot in a duel by Mr. Martyn To Thomas Rothley Esq. On College Green Bristol.
(2) resolved. That a printed paper entitled an Essay upon Woman with the notes, & another paper entitled beni creator paraphras[e]’d highly reflecting upon a member of this House, is a manifest breads of the Priviledges (sic) [privileges] thereof, & is a most scandalous obscene & impious libel, a gross proportion of many parts of the holy scriptures & a most wicked & blasphemous attempt to ridicule & vilify the person of our blessed Saviour.
giving an account of the Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament in the matter of Wilkes’ Essay on Woman, and the text of the Resolution thereon, with an account, of Wilkes’ duel with Mr. Martyn.” Wensday (sic) [Wednesday] (1) Sir, Immediately after the K--left the house Lord Sandwich got up to complain of a Breach of Priviledge (sic) [privilege] against the Bishop of Gloucester a member of that house, by a scandalous Poem wherein his Lords & indeed every thing that is sacred was weaved in a most unparalleled manner the Title of it is an Essay on Woman & is so filled with obscenity & Blasphemy that Lord S. could hardly pick out two or three sentences from the whole to found his complaint upon that would not so shock the ears of all present that he was sure they would call to him to stop, we unanimously voted it an impious libel, a high breach of Priviledge (sic), most scandalously reflecting upon the Holy Scriptures & the Person of our Blessed Saviour it was incontestably moved to be written by Mr. Wilks, but as the House of Commons was upon the same subject, we put of the farther (sic) [further] consideration til tomorrow, the House of Commons as usual with them last a good deal of time about a point of order, so did not begin upon it-til hear eight oclock I hear they sat til past one and go upon it again today they divided twice, the first was 300 to III.--which does not look very favourable for Wilkes, indeed it is impossible to defend such conduct, the House of Commons I just now hear voted the North Britton, scandalous false & ordered it to be burnt & today they go upon the matter of privilege, but whether they will or no now is matter of doubt, for I am first uninformed that Mr. Wilks this morning challeng[e]’d Mr. Martyn for some words he said yesterday in the House they fought in Hide Park & Wilkes is shott (sic) [shot] in the body two Balls have been extracted & I hear Mr. Hawkins says he may live but does not say he will, it is the Mr. Martyn of the Treasury our address went very smoothly, very little said about it except about the Peace & that only by one person. I am a good deal satisfied so God Bless you. Adieu.
London 16th. Nov. 1763. Lord Vere. Relating to an essay on woman By Wilkes who is shot in a duel by Mr. Martyn To Thomas Rothley Esq. On College Green Bristol.
(2) resolved. That a printed paper entitled an Essay upon Woman with the notes, & another paper entitled beni creator paraphras[e]’d highly reflecting upon a member of this House, is a manifest breads of the Priviledges (sic) [privileges] thereof, & is a most scandalous obscene & impious libel, a gross proportion of many parts of the holy scriptures & a most wicked & blasphemous attempt to ridicule & vilify the person of our blessed Saviour.
Creator
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu