A Letter to His Royal Highness The Duke of York. Etc. London: G. Neal, 1826. 22 pp., interleaved. Fine contemporary full green morocco with gilt-decorated borders and spine, gilt edges; light wear to corners, otherwise a nice bright copy, beautifully bound.

A rare and obscure political pamphlet from the early 19th century arguing against the Irish Emancipation Bill. The author writes: ‘Will the tolerated Catholic labourer toil better for his hard-earned pittance? Will the Irish manufactures become more numerous or extensive? Or will the power of election satisfy those people, already, alas! Too much inclined to riot?

Increasing tensions and the threat of civil unrest prompted the British government to reconsider its stance against emancipation & ultimately the Catholic Relief Bill was passed in 1829, granting Catholics the right to hold most public offices, while imposing certain restrictions on the Church itself.

The work appears to be addressed to Prince Frederick, Duke of York (1763–1827), the second son of King George III and a prominent military figure (Commander-in-Chief of the British Army). Very little is known about Nathaniel Sotham. He does not appear in major biographical dictionaries, suggesting he was not a prominent literary or political figure. His name surfaces only in connection with this pamphlet and possibly a few other minor works.