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France & America come to terms on a treaty of alliance...
France & America come to terms on a treaty of alliance...
Item # 615399
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May 13, 1778
PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, May 13, 1778
* Treaty of Alliance with France
* American Revolutionary War
This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. As a consequence this newspaper ended publication a few weeks after this issue in anticipation of the British departing Philadelphia in June.
The front page has a letter from General William Howe to Lord George Germaine dated from Philadelphia which includes rather rare mention of Washington's troops wintering at Valley Forge: "...not any thing more material happened since the departure of Lord Cornwallis...than the passing a considerable detachment of the army across the Schuylkill on the 22d of December to take post on the heights of Derby...On the 30th of December the troops went into winter quarters in this town, where they are well accommodated. The enemy's army...is hutted in the woods near Valley Forge upon the Schuylkill, 26 miles from hence, and in a very strong position...", signed in type: W. Howe (see).
Page 2 has several mentions of troops heading to America. Also reports from Parliament noting the King gave his royal approval to: "The bill to enable his Majesty to appoint commissioners with sufficient powers to treat & agree upon the means of quieting the disturbances now subsisting in certain of the American colonies." The bill to declare the intentions of the parliament of Great Britain concerning the exercise of imposing taxes in the American colonies."
Page 2 also has reports: "From the York-Town Rebel Paper of May 4" which includes: "The news of the defeat and captivity of Gen. Burgoyne were received in France...with as much joy as if a victory by their own troops had been announced. Our Plenipotentiaries took this opportunity again to attract the attention of the court of France to the object of their negociation...That after long and full consideration of our affairs...it was decided, & his Majesty was determined to acknowledge our Independence, and make a treaty with us of amity and commerce: That in this treaty no advantage would be taken of our present situation to obtain terms from us..." with much more on France creating a treaty of alliance with the American colonies, which carries over to page 3. Another item has: "The independence of America is a favourite object with all those powers of Europe who entertain commercial views...they have waited the example of France & will now be determined in our favor by her conduct...The King of Prussia would not allow the troops of Hesse and Hanau in British pay to pass through his dominions. He has promised tro be the second power in Europe to acknowledge the independence of America." There is much more text concerning dashed hopes of America coming to some agreement with England for a peace.
The back page has a: "Draught of a Bill for declaring the Intentions of the Parliament...Concerning the Exercise of the Right of Imposing Taxes with his Majesty's Colonies, Provinces, & Plantations in North America." which is followed by a: "Draught of a Bill to enable his Majesty to appoint Commissioners with sufficient powers to treat, consult & agree, upon the means of quieting the disorders now subsisting in certain of the Colonies, Plantations, and Provinces of North America".
Included with this issue is a single sheet "Supplement" of the same date, entirely filled with advertisements.
Four pages, Royal coat-of-arms engraving in the masthead, archivally rejoined at the irregular spine margin, numeric notations in margins next to ads, light damp stain to the lower left.
Category: Revolutionary War
No Longer Available
