One Month Before July 4, 1776 - Front Page Revolutionary War News
The Connecticut Journal
June 5, 1776
George Washington’s Farewell Address - No Third Term
The Herald; A Gazette for the Country (New York)
September 21, 1796
This is the coveted George Washington Farewell Address. Page 2 has the “Resignation of the President. To the People of the United States.” This famous “resignation” is known historically as the Farewell Address of George Washington. In the address Washington announces his retirement fom politics, and presents his reasons for deciding against running for a third term.
The address also highlights the significant achievements of the his administrations. He also offers several astute observations and suggestions with regard to the current state as well as the future course of America, including a specific caution about alliances with other nations.
The address takes two columns on pg. 2, and four plus columns on pg. 3, signed in type: G. Washington, & dated “17th September, 1796.”
According to a source, the address was written with help from James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, and was never delivered as an oral presentation.
Has a stain and the subscriber’s name above the masthead, a few archival mends to clean tears on the first leaf, second has two small pieces missing in the outer margin, one close to the address, some lite foxing in the address. Earlier than most.
1776 Pennsylvania Newspaper on America Declaring Independence
The Pennsylvania Evening Post (Philadelphia)
September 28, 1776
Less than three months after July 4, this Philadelphia newspaper includes an entire front page of coverage about the new government which includes also: “…beg leave to point out the ordinance…that any person speaking against the measures carrying on by the United States of American on complaint & proof made on oath before any Justice or Justices, such person so offending shall be committed to the common jail…not exceeding the duration of the present war with Great Britain…” and further on is: “…Congress of the United States considered the form of trial by jury…to be of such importance to the preservation of the liberty of the subject that in their Declaration of Independence they advance the breach of them as solemn testsimonials of the tyranny & usurpation of George III. Our wise ancestors fought, bled & conquered in support of these grand bulwarks of liberty…” with much more carrying over to page 2.
Over a full column of pg. 2 is taken up with plans for holding elections in Pennsylvania for representatives in the General Assembly.
Pg. 3 has great text concerning the Revolutionary War which includes in part: “Advices from the camp at Harlem, near New York, say that the enemy…intended soon to strike a decisive blow. Their plan is to out flank & hem our people in…that General Howe had ordered the militia on Long Island to muster…a sufficient number of volunteers do not appear to fight against their American brethren…Should America this spring declare independence, it is most certain that France…will give her immediate assistance…The commission which Lord Howe has carried over is in fact nothing more than to receive the submission of the colonies but he is instructed to talk much on a reconciliation on honourable terms…that at present seem most averse to independence, will create divisions in the Congress…the ministry are more alarmed at the apprehension of America declaring herself independent than any thing else…the truth is, the King is so determined on the Unconditional Subjegation of America that it is certain he will risk the utter ruin of the whole empire rather than not succeed in what he has set his heart so much upon…” with much more (see photos).
The back page is entirely taken up with ads, including a desertion ad and a runaway slave ad.
Some even foxing, very nice, clean condition.
Cornwallis Trapped at Yorktown!
The Pennsylvania Packet
October 16, 1781
Features the extract of a letter from the army near York, dated October 1, 1781… “On the 28th of September the whole army marched from Williamsbugh and approached within two miles of the enemy at York – at which distance a shew was made of some opposition on our left, but upon the count Rochambeau, who commands the left wing, moving a few pieces of field artillery under the direction of the Baron Viominil and firing a few shots the enemy retired. On the 29th the American troops moved forward, and took their ground in front of the enemy’s works, on their left no opposition… After a variety of fatigue and every other concomitant trouble, we are at last seated now before Mr. Cornwallis’s lines. The French army is operating on their right, and the American army on their left… the enemy seem to be very passive… in six days from this date we will be (in all human probability) in their works….”
And much more! Newspaper in moderate condition – seems still well intact but a few tears are held together by tape and the edges are well chipped. Still, the value of the content of this historic newspaper far offsets the condition. A museum piece.
The Battles of Bunker Hill and Ticonderoga Reported in Same Newspaper
The Connecticut Journal
September 20, 1775
What a rarity – both the Battle of Bunker Hill and Ticonderoga mentioned in the same American newspaper. This newspaper is jam packed with Revolutionary War content but what stands out is a list of the persons now confined in Boston gaol, for no other crime than that of being the friends of their country, were brought out of Boston a few days since. Prisoners taken at Bunker’s Hill, June 17, 1775 – followed by a complete list of prisoners that extends about five column inches across two separate columns.
Immediately following the list of Bunker Hill prisoners is an extract of a letter from Ticonderoga, August 28. “Our troops here are in high spirits, much engaged to go forward; so that we are not likely to be in want of men here. The number already here, whith those expected soon to arrive, it is supposed will make about 7000 men in this department. We have plenty of provisions, fresh half the time; so that we live well, and feel contented. By the latest accounts from Ticonderoga we learn that the army that went down the Lake, under the command of General Schuyler, landed the 9th inst. On the isle of Noix, 15 miles this side of St. John’s…. attack’d by a number of regulars and Indians.
Battle of Lexington and Concord in American Newspaper on Front and Back Covers
The Connecticut Journal
August 23, 1775
Extensive front and back page coverage of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which is rare because most American newspapers printed “foreign” news on the front page. And, from a collector’s perspective, back page coverage is considered just as appealing as front page because you can open the paper and frame it while opened - capturing both the front and back page content.
As the front page reads, “Gen. Gage, having received intelligence of a large quantity of military stores being collected at Concord, for the avowed pupose of supplying a body of troops to act in opposition to his Majesty’s government, detached on the 18th of April at night, the grenadiers of his army, and the light infantry, under the command of Lieut. Col. Smith, of the tenth regiment and Major Pitcairne of the marines, with orders to destroy the said stores.
Lieut. Col Smith finding after he had advanced some miles on his march, that the country had been alarmed by the firing of guns and the ringing of bells, dispatched six companies of light infantry, in order to secure two bridges on different roads beyond Concord, who, upon their arrival at Lexington, found a body of the country people drawn up under arms on a green, close to the road… they went off in great confusion and several guns were fired upon the King’s troops from behind a stone wall.
Two entire columns of Lexington and Concord reports are followed by a list of casualties. The paper is printed on highly durable rag linen paper with browning along the vertical and horizontal centers. Some edge chipping too, which is normal for this period and the age of the paper. The historical content of this paper makes it worthy of a museum.
ULTRA RARE: Benjamin Franklin’s Famous Philadelphia Gazette from 1748!
The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia)
December 1, 1748
This is an ultra rare colonial newspaper and easily one of the most famous papers of the era because it was printed by Benjamin Franklin as indicated by the imprint at the bottom of the back page that famously states “PHILADELPHIA: Printed by B. FRANKLIN, Post-Master, and D. HALL, at the New-Printing-Office near the market.”
This imprint only appeared in the Gazette through 1765 and according to one newspaper historian, many issues of this period are not found with the imprint as it often appeared on the advertising leaf, commonly thrown away. Even more rare is finding a pre-1750 issue! At this time, only 12 colonial newspapers even existed. This is a complete issue in absolutely fantastic condition with all four pages and the Franklin imprint intact.
This front page features international news from Constantinople, London, Paris, Brussels, Madrid and much more. Inside the issue includes a “humble Address of the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Philadelphia,” and signed in type by “CHARLES WILLING, Mayor.” In response to the Mayor’s address, the Governor responds with a letter of his own. Local reports also discuss recent imports, deserters, stray away horses, ship news, advertisements, etc. A runaway notice decribes the person as “a servant maid, named Margaret Philips, about 30 years of age, of middle size, with large breasts and can sing well, and dance the ropes, with many other tricks…” A final statement on the inside pages says “All persons indebted to B. Franklin, for a years Gazette, or more, are desired to pay.”
Launched on December 24, 1728, the Pennsylvania Gazette was one of the first Colonial newspapers ever. Benjamin Franklin bought the Gazette in 1729 and gave the paper a brightness and liveliness unknown before to any colonial paper except his brother’s New England Courant, according to American Journalism by Frank Luther Mott. But the Gazette was decidedly a better newspaper than the Courant, more rounded, with superior news handling, greater advertising, and a handsomer appearance, wrote Mott. Franklin was more fully aware of the possibilities, limitations, and responsibilities of colonial journalism than were most of his fellow editors, Mott added.
The British Take New York!
Pennsylvania Post
October 16, 1776
“So vast a fleet was never seen before in this port, or perhaps in all America before.”
This fantastic Revolutionary War newspaper captured the sheer magnitude of the British might when they sent their fleet to take Control of New York! Some may say that this is when Britain really got down to business, and they started by taking New York . As written in the report, the British fleet simply overwhelmed the colonists!
This great report is about a column in length, and is a great addition to any Revolutionary War collection.
George Washington Crosses The Delaware River!
The Gentleman’s Magazine (London)
March 1777
An amazing Revolutionary War issue about the pivotal Battle of Trenton during Christmas of 1776 that turned the tide of the war in favor of the American Colonists with reporting of George Washington crossing the Delaware River! The issue includes talk of troop movements in New Jersey and the vicinity, but the prime content is a historically significant letter written and signed in type by G. Washington dated “Headquarters, New Town, Dec. 26, 1776″ which describes his crossing of the Delaware River, reading in part:
“I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon the success of an enterprize, which I had formed against a detachment of the enemy lying in Trenton, and was executed yesterday morning. The evening of the 25th I ordered the troops intended for this purpose to parade to the back of McKenky’s Ferry that they might begin to pass as soon as it grew dark…but the quantity of ice made that night, impeded the passage of the boats so much, that it was three o’clock before the artillery could be got over…formed my detachment into two divisions…to push directly into the town, that they might charge the enemy before they had time to form…” with further particulars of the ensuing battle.
Washington also reflects on the trying situation by saying: “…the difficulty of passing the river on a very severe night and their march through a violent storm of snow and hail did not in the least abate their ardour…”
Very historic reading, and one of the very few accounts of this event which gives some detail of the now-famous Washington crossing the Delaware …and from Washington himself! This complete issue is in excellent condition. Better yet, the entire letter resides in the spread of two pages, which makes this very displayable - perhaps alongside a printing of the famous Washington Crosses the Delaware oil painting.
United States Constitution - Very Early Printing
The Gentleman’s Magazine (London)
November and December 1787 (two issues)
This is an EXTREMELY RARE set as it contains one of the first printings of the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. It predates the Annual Register, which is generally considered the first printing in book form, and is extremely difficult to find both the November and December issue together. This set contains all seven articles of the Constitution and is an amazing printing… one of the earliest you’ll ever find. The issues are in great condition, but the first few pages of the November issue - not affecting the Constitution printing - are missing. The Constitution pages are completely intact and the December issue is 100 percent complete.
