Martin Bladen: A Biography

Martin Bladen was brought into politics on the patronage of Sir Robert Walpole. From a powerful position at the Board of Trade, he held an idyllic vision of harmonious colonists obedient to the Crown’s authority, contributing to the mother country’s economy but willing to confederate amongst themselves for their own common defence under a unitary leader and, if necessary, to answer the Crown’s call to arms if Britain was at war. Both Walpole and Newcastle’s doctrine of wise and salutary neglect hampered that vision and, what might be termed Bladenite policies riled colonists, particularly in America. All the elements that eventually led to the American Revolution were all manifesting themselves during his time in office and Bladen had a part to play in shaping history. This biography of Colonel Bladen brings his life-story up to date, using some previously unpublished material.