[DUNDAS, Henry – Trial of.] – The trial, by impeachment, of henry lord viscount melville, for high crimes and misdemeanours, before The House of Peers, in westminster hall, Between the 29th of April and the 17th of May, 1806.

[DUNDAS, Henry – Trial of.]. The trial, by impeachment, of henry lord viscount melville, for high crimes and misdemeanours, before The House of Peers, in westminster hall, Between the 29th of April and the 17th of May, 1806..

London. Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, 1806. First edition.

8vo. iv, xcv, [1], 1-120, 121*-230*, 121-378pp, [8]. With an engraved portrait frontispiece. Twentieth century green buckram, lettered in gilt to spine. Lightly rubbed and marked. browning to title and blank fly-leaves, light scattered spotting, with chipping to edges of title page.

The first edition of this report of the last impeachment trial to be held in the House of Lords. The defendant, Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville (1742 – 1811), was accused of embezzling government funds during his appointment as treasurer of the admiralty between 1782 and 1800. Despite being acquitted, the trial lost Dundas a great degree of public favour, partially sullying his legacy as Home Secretary, Lord Advocate, Secretary of State for War, and First Lord of the Admiralty.

£ 250.00 Antiquates Ref: 35068