Exactly two months before the Declaration of Independence...

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 4, 1776  The entire front page  & most of pg. 2 are taken up with the continued: "Speech of Gov. Johnstone in the House of Commons" which begins: "What my worthy friend (Mr. Burke) said last year of their industry may now be applied to their warlike achievements...but all the secret of our colony government is now reduced to mere force, the baneful engine of destructive despotism..." and much more (see photos for portions).
Page 2 contains a response to an article in another Phila. newspaper, reading in part: "...First, that he got drunk at the election because nine-tenths of the people voted against independence...A new-jail tory, very like. Well! keep up your heart, old friend, we shall declare independence very shortly, and then we intend to put some of the other Tories in & let you out...".
Pg. 3 has reports with datelines from Boston, New London, New York, and Phila. A letter from Boston notes: "They are fortifying and putting the harbor, etc., in the best posture of defence they can...There was a fleet of the enemy about 20 sail, lay at Nantasket last week...Our small privateers run in & out of Pulling's Point without any regard to the enemy...", and a few other war-related reports (see photos).
Most of the back page is taken up with an: "Extract from the Votes...Resolutions Directing the mode of levying Taxes on Non-Associators." plus various bkpg. ads as well. Complete in 4 pgs., measures 8 by 10 inches, very nice condition.
Great to have a Philadelphia newspaper dated 1776 exactly two months before the Declaration of Independence.