London: Printed for the Author; and Sold by R. Jameson; R. Faulder, et al., 1787. First edition. From the library of Americana and autograph collector, Zachary T. Hollingsworth, and with his book-plate on front paste-down. (iv), vi, (ii, errata), 186 pp.; including half-title. Full brown tree calf, black morocco spine label, stamped in gilt, spine very dry, cracking along joints, extremities dry; all edges trimmed; marbled endpapers; old catalogue description mounted to half-title. Howes M-138; Sabin 43431; ESTC T92989

Very scarce first edition of Roderick Mackenzie's critique of British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton's command during the American Revolution. Mackenzie was a lieutenant in the first battalion of the 71st Regiment of Foot, also known as “Fraser’s Highlanders", an elite unit in the British army that fought in the Revolution. He served under Major Archibald MacArthur during the Battle of Cowpens, where British troops under Tarleton's command were routed by American General Daniel Morgan, and where Mackenzie was wounded and one of 600 troops captured. After the battle, Tarleton was severely critical of the command of Lord Cornwallis and British officers, blaming them for the loss. Here, Mackenzie "defends Lord Cornwallis, and is very severe on Lieut. Col. Tarleton's 'History', in which, he says, 'Some facts have been withheld, and some mutilated, while others are raised to a pitch of importance, to which, if historical justice had been the author's object, they are by no means entitled.'" (Sabin)

According to RBH, this is only the third copy to come to auction since the Laird U. Park sale in 2000.