The Private Sentiments of a Member of Parliament

What it is

This is a scanned copy of a printed pamphlet of 1715, titled The Private Sentiments of a Member of Parliament, in a Letter to his Friend in London. It was printed in London for J. Morphew near Stationers' Hall. The title page says it states and defends the grounds of duty and submission to the present majesty and makes remarks on the present posture of affairs. The text opens with a preface signed by the publisher, and the author is not named. The Internet Archive scan comes from a Queen's University library copy.

Why it matters

In 1715, the first year of George I's reign, Britain was divided by party politics and questions about loyalty to the new dynasty. Pamphlets like this one were a main way for writers to argue their case to the public. The pamphlet shows how supporters of the government sought to justify the new king and win over readers.

Look closer

• Who does the writer claim to be, and how might that claim help persuade readers?
• What does the preface suggest about the author's fairness, and how would you test it?
• What views of the opposition does the pamphlet leave out or describe only briefly?