Important British pamphlet arguing the North ministry's position toward the American rebellion.

What is it about?

James Macpherson (1736-1796), the poet of Ossian, also wrote histories, supervised the government newspapers, served as Member of Parliament, and wrote two important pamphlets for the North ministry. His pamphlet, "The Rights of Great Britain Asserted against the Claims of America" (1775) became one of the most popular and effective statements of the British position regarding the American rebellion.

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Why is it important?

Macpherson designed a persuasive appeal to the British public for preserving order and supporting the Monarchy. He displays a controlled, often dispassionate voice in dealing with the American rebellion, while seeking humane solutions with creativity, conviction, and agility in an environment of popular discontent and political instability. Finally, as a poet, he insisted on balancing the historian's empirical demand for facts with sensitivity and a liberal spirit of dialogue often in opposition to the dominant opinion of his King and ministers.