![BURKE, Edmund (1729-1797). Two autograph letters signed to an unidentified correspondent [Charles Townshend, M.P.], London and Beaconsfield, 17 October and 24 November 1771, 3 pages, 4to (small holes at centre folds).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1999/CKS/1999_CKS_06125_0162_000(114341).jpg?w=1)
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BURKE, Edmund (1729-1797). Two autograph letters signed to an unidentified correspondent [Charles Townshend, M.P.], London and Beaconsfield, 17 October and 24 November 1771, 3 pages, 4to (small holes at centre folds).
Burke denies with characteristically evasive vigour that he is the author of the letters of Junius: he ingenuously describes the letters as 'writings that are as superiour perhaps to my Talents as they are, most certainly different in many essential points from my regards & my principles', and asks Townshend's assistance in spreading the word of his denial without Burke himself giving his opponents the satisfaction of a public disavowal - 'When I have anything to object to persons in power, they know very well, that I use no sort of managements towards them'; a supposition that Burke was the author of Junius 'might tend indeed to raise the estimation of my powers of writing above their just value'; though subject to a constant stream of abuse, he has 'never condescended to take the least Notice of these invectives'. In the second letter, in reply to one from Townshend, though not 'until I had twice consulted my Pillow', Burke reiterates his reluctance to give any public denial, which 'seems to be giving satisfaction to those to whom I owe none, & intend none', and pledges his word that he is neither himself Junius, nor knows who it is.
The Letters of Junius (as they were afterwards collected) were perhaps the most notable satires of a politically scurillous age. They originally appeared in the London Public Advertiser between 21 January 1769 and 21 January 1772: particularly dedicated to the discrediting of the Grafton administration, they aroused especial indignation after a personal attack on George III in a letter of 19 December 1769. The accusation of writing the Junius letters was much raised against Burke at the time, encouraged by perhaps the most likely suspect, Sir Philip Francis. No generally accepted identification of Junius has been established. The recipient, Charles Townshend (1728-1810, created Baron Bayning, 1797), was M.P. for Great Yarmouth and from 1770 to 1777 a Lord of the Treasury. (2)
Burke denies with characteristically evasive vigour that he is the author of the letters of Junius: he ingenuously describes the letters as 'writings that are as superiour perhaps to my Talents as they are, most certainly different in many essential points from my regards & my principles', and asks Townshend's assistance in spreading the word of his denial without Burke himself giving his opponents the satisfaction of a public disavowal - 'When I have anything to object to persons in power, they know very well, that I use no sort of managements towards them'; a supposition that Burke was the author of Junius 'might tend indeed to raise the estimation of my powers of writing above their just value'; though subject to a constant stream of abuse, he has 'never condescended to take the least Notice of these invectives'. In the second letter, in reply to one from Townshend, though not 'until I had twice consulted my Pillow', Burke reiterates his reluctance to give any public denial, which 'seems to be giving satisfaction to those to whom I owe none, & intend none', and pledges his word that he is neither himself Junius, nor knows who it is.
The Letters of Junius (as they were afterwards collected) were perhaps the most notable satires of a politically scurillous age. They originally appeared in the London Public Advertiser between 21 January 1769 and 21 January 1772: particularly dedicated to the discrediting of the Grafton administration, they aroused especial indignation after a personal attack on George III in a letter of 19 December 1769. The accusation of writing the Junius letters was much raised against Burke at the time, encouraged by perhaps the most likely suspect, Sir Philip Francis. No generally accepted identification of Junius has been established. The recipient, Charles Townshend (1728-1810, created Baron Bayning, 1797), was M.P. for Great Yarmouth and from 1770 to 1777 a Lord of the Treasury. (2)