THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, June 18, 1776 

* John Hancock Document
* Meeting on the "4th of July..."

Nearly half of the front page has an address: "To the Privates of the Several Battalions of Military Associators in the Province of Pennsylvania" which tells of the organizing of the military, beginning: "The Honorable Congress having resolved upon a flying camp of ten thousand men for the protection of our province & Maryland...the security of their liberties depended greatly on the exercise of this right...elected by said battalions for the purpose of choosing said Generals to meet in Lancaster on Thursday the fourth of July..." with much more (see photos). Terrific to have mention of the "fourth of July" on the front page. Little did they know of the later significance of this date. The remainder of the front page is taken up with a response to this address, headed: "The Protest of the Committee of the Privates of the Military Association belonging to the City & Liberties of Philadelphia." (see photos) which carries over to pg. 2. Pg. 2 has an item datelined "New York, June 17" being: "...Letter from the Hon. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress to the Convention of this city, dated Philadelphia June 11, 1776" with the text including: "The Congress have this day received advice & are fully convinced that it is the design of General Howe to make an attack upon the city of New York as soon as possible...I am therefore most earnestly to request you, by order of Congress, to call forth your militia...& to forward them with all dispatch to the city of New York...The important day is at hand that will decide not only the fate of the city of New York but in all probability of the whole province...The greatest exertions of vigor & expedition are requisted to prevent our enemies from getting possession of that town..." with more, signed in type: John Hancock, President. Pg. 3 has a Revolutionary War report from Allbany, reading in part: "I was this moment informed by Gen. Schuyler that about 300 of the Regular troops came up the river St. Lawrence as far as the Three Rivers where they were busy entrenching themselves...ordered 2000 of his troops under Gen. Thompson to march down to dislodge them...is determined to march his army to Quebec..." with more (see photos). Also, a report from Philadelphia which begins: "This day the Provincial Conference met at Carpenters Hall in this city...Col. Thomas McKean was chosen President. Pg. 3 also has a report of the Committee of Safety, plus a report from "Congress, June 18, 1776" which has some terrific content including: "Resolved, that no man in these colonies charged with being a TORY, OR UNFRIENDLY TO THE CAUSE OF AMERICAN LIBERTY, be injured in his person or property...unless the proceedings against him be founded on an order of this Congress...shall not prevent the apprehending any person found in the commission of some act destructive of American liberty..." with a bit more.

Terrific Revolutionary War content in this issue published just 16 days before the Declaration of Independence, and in a Philadelphia newspaper! This would be the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence, which it did on July 6, 1776.

Complete in 4 pages, measures about 8 by 10 inches, some light foxing, generally in very nice, clean condition.