[FRENCH & INDIAN WAR]. CAPTAIN ADAM WILLIAMSON’S COPY

J1ohn Knox. “An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America for the Years 1757, 1758, 1759, and 1760: Containing the most Remarkable Occurrences of that Period; particularly the two Sieges of Quebec, the Orders of the Admirals and General Officers; Descriptions of the Countries where the Author has served, with their Forts and Garrisons; their Climates, Soil, Produce.…” Published by Printed for the Author; and sold by W. Johnston, London, 1769. 1 of 2 volumes only. Quarto. (10-1/2" x 8-1/2"). ix, [7], 405, [2]; [2], 465, [2]pp. Two engraved frontispiece portraits of Generals Jeffrey Amherst and James Wolfe and a folding, engraved map of British Dominions in America by Thomas Kitchin. Errata leaf in rear of vol. Contemporary calf, spine with raised bands and gilt decorations. Provenance: personal copy of Captain (later General) Adam Williamson, whose inscribed his surname in ink on the upper margin of the title page; Williamson was an original subscriber to this work and served as engineer on the 1758-60 Canadian expeditions and later returned to America as chief of artillery under Burgoyne, 1776-1777. "One of the most accurate and detailed accounts available on the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec" (TPL). Knox arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia with the 43rd Regiment of Foot in 1757 to take part in the anticipated expedition against Louisbourg and served through the taking of Quebec and later, the capitulation of Montreal and its subsequent defense in 1760. Knox gives a first-hand account of the battles and supplements his narrative with printings of important official documents and extracts from general and regimental orders. Howes K222; JCB 1680; Lande 486; Streeter Sale 1030; Sabin 38164; TPL 323. CONDITION: Overall, a very good copy, bright and clean pages with generous margins; some light toning to endpapers and title page, the large folding Thomas Kitchin map of North America (27-1/2" x 21-1/2") has a 5" tear where tipped into book, with old cellophane tape mend; the front board reattached with leather strips and spine label missing. JLK