Historic Newspapers: Revolutionary War

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, Oct., 1776  This issue is filled with a great wealth of notable content concerning the Revolutionary War, however the prime piece here is the nice foldout map titled: "Sketch of the Country Illustrating the late Engagement in Long Island".
The map measures 8 1/4 by 12 1/2 inches & shows the region from Amboy in New Jersey to "Hamsted Plains" and a bit beyond, and north to West Chester & New Rochelle. Points of interest on the map include New Utrecht, Brooklyn,

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE AND THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 6, 1781

• American Revolutionary War
• Post Surrender of Cornwallis
• Loyalist James Rivington

The masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere, showing a soldier holding a sword and a document inscribed "Independence" while standing beneath a banner inscribed "Appeal To Heaven" and surrounded by ornate embellishments.

The entire front page & a bit of page 2 are taken up with: "The Revolution of America, by the

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 2, 1782

• American Revolutionary War

The front page begins with a lengthy report headed: "Office of Finance" signed by: Robert Morris. 
Page 2 begins with a very fine & detailed letter from Col. Stewart to Earl Cornwallis dated Sept. 9, 1781, being an account of the Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, as reported in the London Gazette. The first paragraph notes: "...have the honor to inform your Lordship that on the 8th

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1779

• Ethan Allen captivity
• Revolutionary War original

Most of the front page is taken up with an Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, prefaced with a paragraph signed in type by the Clerk of the General Assembly, none other than: Thomas Paine.
Page 3 has yet another Act which is prefaced with an intro signed: Thomas Paine. 
All of page 4 is taken up with the continued "Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen's Treatment during his Captivity." which is then

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Jan. 25, 1781

• Two John Hancock signatures
• Richard Langdon signature (President of Harvard)

A very handsome issue as the masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere for colonial currency at the time. It is a very patriotic device showing a soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll with 'Independence' in the other, with the words 'Appeal To Heaven" above him.
Most of the front page is taken up with a letter:

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Oct. 18, 1775

• General George Washington
• Named Commander-in-Chief
• Continental Army - British reaction

The front page begins with a nice item from London concerning George Washington: "General Washington, who was lately appointed Generalissimo over the Provincials, has refused any salary, and is to attend to the hazardous and arduous duty allotted him from principle only. A most noble example & worthy of imitation in Great Britain, particularly at this time for

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, October 11, 1781

• American Revolutionary War original
• American Issac Hayne's execution - hanging

Most of the front page is taken up with various correspondences from and to C. Fraser, Isaac Hayne, Lord Rawdon & John Collock, with a prefacing note: "The following are authentic copies of sundry papers which  Col. Isaac Hayne, two days before his execution, delivered to a friend with an injunction...".
Col. Isaac Hayne was one of the most prominent Americans to be

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1776  This issue includes a lengthy article (3+ pages) on Captain Cook and the: "Resolution's Voyage on Discovery to the Southern Hemisphere". Accompanying this article is a rare full page map titled: "Part of the Tropical Discoveries of the Resolution Sloop, Captain Cook in 1774..." with a related article.
The map measures 5 1/45 by 9 inches, a bit close-trimmed at a bottom corner to fold into the issue but not affecting the b order.
The other nice graphic

THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, Aug. 29, 1775  The most significant content is found on page 3. Found here is the complete text of King George III's "Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition," dated August 23, 1775, the Crown's formal declaration that the American colonies were in open rebellion. This was, essentially, England's declaration of war against the American Colonies.
Rejecting the colonists' constitutional arguments and ordering all civil and military authorities to

THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, June 9, 1775  This issue has content relating to the Battle of Lexington & Concord, as shown in the many photos. One item mentions in part: "...from Hampton in Virgina...brings advices that the people of Virginia had heard of the whole affair at Boston; that 24,000 provincial troops lay before it; that General Gage had been requested to let those come out who were inclined...upon receiving these advices in Virginia, General Washington immediately set out to

THE LONDON EVENING POST, May 22, 1779

• American Revolutionary War era
• 18th century - from The Enemy

Newspapers from England during the time of the Revolutionary War are always interesting as they give a sense as to life at that time and what political discussions were the "hot topic" of the day. Lightly inked red tax stamp on page 3.
I could find no "meaty" references to the Revolutionary War in this issue except for a front page list of "American Prisoners" (see images)
A very nice issue from the

EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, April 5, 1779  Page 2 of this rare Revolutionary War-era issue features an important official communication from the Continental Congress, prefaced by an explanatory note signed in type by its President, John Jay, formally disavowing an unauthorized diplomatic publication that had surfaced in the Pennsylvania Packet newspaper.

Sharing the page is a notable report extracted from the Boston Gazette concerning the movement of prisoners of war, stating that

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, August 17, 1776

• Post Declaration of Independence
• American Revolutionary War

This exceptional, content-rich issue was published just weeks after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, capturing the frantic military, diplomatic, and social upheavals of the summer of 1776.

Perhaps most interesting is a page 3 article which contains a stunningly prophetic address to the American public, warning: "Remember, in all your deliberations, you are engaged in

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Feb. 29, 1776

• General Benedict Arnold
• American Revolutionary War
• Great year to have (1776)

This remarkably historic Revolutionary War issue contains a wealth of foundational content from the early months of 1876. 
Page 2 carries an exceptional military report from Montreal detailing the ongoing American campaign in Canada, reading in part: "Quebec is inclosed by a considerable body of forces under Brigadier General Arnold. They hope to avoid storming &

THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, July 24, 1783

• General George Washington - Farewell to the Army
• Commander-in-Chief - American Revolutionary War

The entire front page and most of page 4 are taken up with one of the more noteworthy letters from General Washington during the war.
It is headed: "His Excellency General WASHINGTON'S LETTER to the several States which compose the American Republic - CIRCULAR" datelined at Head Quarters, Newburgh, June 11th, 1783.
This famous letter begins: "The great

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Feb. 24, 1776

• Governor John Penn
• American Revolutionary War
• Great year to have (1776)

The front page has half a column taken up with 2 desertion reward ads, with much detail. Over a column is taken up with the verbatim cross-examination of Governor Penn of Pennsylvania, which carries over to take one-third of page 2. A few questions & answers include: "...Q. In what estimation was the Congress held? A. In the highest veneration imaginable by all ranks and

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, April 20, 1776

• re. the upcoming Declaration of Independence
• Founding father Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
• American Revolutionary War - great year to have (1776)

The entire front page is: "The Speech of Gov. Johnstone in The House of Commons, 26th of October, 1776" which is continued from a previous issue and has much on the relations with America. This text carries over to page 2 and is then continued to a future issue.
Page 2 has a great item headed:

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, December 31, 1776 and January 2, 1777

• Battle of Long Island - New York City
• American Revolutionary War - 2 issue set
• Continental Army - George Washington loss

These two issues contain an excellent report on the battle for New York and the eventual evacuation of the city by George Washington.
Beginning in the Dec. 31 issue and taking over 2 complete pages is the beginning of the report which continues on the front page of the January 2, 1777 issue along with the

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE (with Supplement), Williamsburg, Mar. 17, 1775

• Very rare Colonial Virginia publication
• Election of Patrick Henry

This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a distinction to be made since there were three newspapers of this title printed in Williamsburg during the early period of the Revolutionary War.
The entire front page is a terrific letter: "To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of Virginia" relating the treasonous action of the "...eleven polluted members

THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER & THE AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, Nov. 24, 1783

"One Inflamed Enlightened Heart" patriotic masthead

A very nice feature of this issue is the masthead engraving which features a very patriotic theme: "All Hands with One Inflamed Enlightened Heart." signifying the 13 united colonies having a common, patriotic purpose. One of the more patriotic masthead engravings of the Revolutionary War era.

Beginning on page 1 and taking almost the entire back page is the historic

THE LONDON EVENING POST, Feb. 20, 1779

• American Revolutionary War era
• 18th century - from The Enemy

Newspapers from England during the time of the Revolutionary War are always interesting as they give a sense as to life at that time and what political discussions were the "hot topic" of the day.
I could find no "meaty" references to the Revolutionary War in this issue.
A very nice issue from the middle of the Revolutionary War. Complete with 4 pages, minor margin wear, a few binding holes along

NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dec. 14, 1775  A very historic issue as the first column of the front page has the: "Articles of Capitulation" for the capture of Montreal by General Richard Montgomery.
Also on the front page is a letter to a friend in Boston on the concern the people in Ireland have for those in America, followed by 4 more letters "...to an officer in Boston..." which are great reading, a few bits including: "...I was very happy to find you

EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Dec. 8, 1777

• Battles of Saratoga - Revolutionary War
• General John Burgoyne surrenders

Certainly the most  significant content is the page 2 report on the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, a very much-needed victory for the American cause. Some of the reporting includes: "...arrived in town express...we are sorry to say that Government have received the melancholy accounts that General Burgoyne and his army have been obliged to surrender themselves prisoners

THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY, Or Thomas's Boston Journal, October 27, 1774

• Extremely rare publication w/ Paul Revere
• Pre American Revolutionary War era
• "Join or Die" snake issue masthead

It would be difficult to properly place both the scarcity and desirability of this newspaper in the context of American history. This issue has the famous "Join Or Die" engraving stretching across the masthead.

In the same way that the famous "Dewey Defeats Truman" issue of the Chicago Tribune is commonly used in

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, July 24, 1776

• News of the Declaration of Independence spreads
• Battle of Sullivan's Island - General Charles Lee
• American Revolutionary War - great year to have

A great issue from less than 3 weeks after the Declaration of Independence was endorsed by Congress. Relating to this, page 2 has a report from New York: "Thursday last the Declaration of the INDEPENDENCY of the United States of AMERICA, was published at the Court House." A very notable report and great

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Oct. 21, 1775

• Ethan Allen captured
• American Revolutionary War

The front page includes a letter: "To the King" which references the American situation & includes: "...Let then, royal Sire, the liberty of England and America be ever in your heart, then shall the people be free, and America shall yet be happy in the full enjoyment of her rights...". Also on the front page is: "A Plan for Reducing the Rebellious Colony of New England & for the Support of Legal

THE NEW JERSEY GAZETTE, Trenton, April 29, 1778

• The Articles of Confederation (historic)
• American Revolutionary War

This was the very first newspaper in New Jersey, having begun in December, 1777. This is issue number 22.
There are only a handful of documents in American history which can be considered cornerstones in the creation of our national government, which would include the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution among a few others as well.
This

THE NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Sept. 7, 1775

• Lexington & Concord report
• John Hancock type signature
• The Conciliatory Resolution

A very historic issue as the front page contains not only the full text of the Conciliatory Resolution by Parliament, but the Continental Congress' lengthy response to it, signed in type by its President: John Hancock.
The Conciliatory Resolution was a resolution passed by the British Parliament in an attempt to reach a peaceful settlement

THE GENTLEMAN’S MAGAZINE. London, August 1776

• Original Declaration of Independence... the complete text
• From our American Revolutionary War foe

This issue contains one of the earliest British magazine printings of the foundational American document, with the full text headed: “Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled, July 4.” It begins with the immortal opening “When in the course of human events…” The document continues on the following

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1776

• American Independence
• John Hancock (July, 1776)
• Great month & Year to have

It is rare to find newspapers or magazines with the magical date of "July, 1776". Here is one.
The first article is: "Debate on the American Restraining Bill" with has much interesting reading and takes six pages. There are also 3 pages of text on events in America, including: "Proceedings of the American Colonists since the Passing the Boston Port Bill" with various reports,

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1776

• American Revolutionary War
• Captain James Cook vogage
• South Pole map - HMS Resolution

This is a fine issue from this significant year of the Revolutionary War, with much war-related content.
Included are two pages on an: "Act for Prohibiting all Trade with America" which is followed by an: "Act of Massachusetts Bay for Fitting out Armed Vessels" which takes 3 pages.
Also reported here is a: "Declaration of the Continental Congress on a late

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 13, 1775  Page 2 includes a letter from Alexandria, Virginia, noting in part: "Every Thing in America at present turns worse and worse. We are all in arms to protect ourselves, some in independent companies, & others in the militia...have been no less than 3 insurrections of the negroes in different parts of the country...A letter from Dr. Franklin...says that there was the utmost unanimity in the proceedings of the congress; that they had resolved to

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 5, 1777  Page 2 has a short item noting that: "...a brig is arrived there from New York with advice that both Sir William Howe's and Gen. Washington's army were within five miles of each other the 2nd of May, and that the latter were determined to give the former a battle."
And another page has a brief item: "...a vessel arrived there from Philadelphia with an account that the army, under the command of Lord Cornwallis, had routed & defeated upwards of 7000

THE LONDON EVENING POST, England, April 29, 1777  Page 3 has some news items on the war in America, including: "That General Howe had a very narrow escape of being made prisoner in Jersey...this party were almost surrounded on a sudden when another corps of American was discovered marching towards them..." Also: "That several skirmishes had happened in Jersey...In one of these skirmishes Col. Harcourt had a very narrow escape...". "That 11,000 New England troops...had come into the province of

THE LONDON EVENING POST, England, Nov. 4, 1777  Simply a terrific wealth of content on the Revolutionary War.
Page 2 begins with a fine letter from General Howe to Lord G. Germaine concerning events near the Chesapeake Bay. This is followed by a: "DECLARATION" signed in type: W. Howe, in which he offers pardon to all soldiers who left their ranks to join the American forces if they return to their allegiance to the King.
Then another letter from Howe to Germain with good content, and then a

MIDDLESEX JOURNAL & EVENING POST, London, July 1, 1779  Most of the ftpg. is taken up with continued report of "A Further Account of the Debate in the House of Commons...Relative to the Howes' Papers". More on this on the bkpg. This was an examination of the action of General Howe in America during his time in command of British forces. 
Page 2 has a report from New York noting in part: "The rebellion still continues, though we think it weakens fast, and we are not without hopes that the

EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Aug. 16, 1777  One-third of the front page is an article: "On Dueling". Page 2 has a letter from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, which includes: "...letter...at the lower Shawanese town advising me that...A body of Indians of the Mingoe tribe are certainly in arms, & on their march for Philadelphia. I am sorry to observe the savages seem determined to sacrifice themselves to the will of the Congress." followed by a few other American tidbits. 
Another report

THE LONDON EVENING POST, England, Nov. 2, 1779  The back page has a report from Philadelphia which begins with: "On Sunday last the 4th of July, being the anniversary of the day which gave freedom to the vast republic of America..." with a report a a religious ceremony to honor the historic anniversary.
This is followed by a letter from an officer at Bedford Camp, Long Island, which provides an account of actions in that vicinity. Bits include: "...Almost every ship in the fleet was reduced to

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1776  It would be difficult to argue for a more important document in American history than the Declaration of Independence. It remains a desire of most collectors to find an issue containing reference to it, and ultimately a contemporary printing of the actual document. With American newspaper printings commanding $75,000 or more in nice condition, here is an opportunity for a period printing at a very reasonable price.
The title/contents page of this

THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, April, 1779  Near the back under: "American Affairs" is fine & lengthy reporting on events in Georgia, including the battles at Savannah and Briar Creek. Most accounts are detailed in a letter from General Prevost to Lord G. Germain signed in type: A. Prevost. The report takes 1 1/2 pages.
Both plates called for are present.
Complete in 48 pages, 5 by 8 inches, very nice, clean condition.

Formatted very much like the Gentleman's Magazine but a much more scarce

THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, July, 1775  Although there is other good American content here, near the back has a great account of the very historic Battle of Bunker Hill signed in type: Tho. Gage, which overshadows all else. This report takes nearly an entire page and begins: "I am to acquaint your Lordship of an action that happened on the 17th of June instant between his Majesty's troops and a large body of the rebel forces. An alarm was given at break of day on the 17th...troops advanced,

THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, May, 1781  Near the back is a full page with a very nice & detailed: "Description of West Florida", which at that time was the present-day panhandle of Florida west to New Orleans. Nice descriptions of Mobile, Pensacola & other parts.
One of the two plates called for is present (map of West Florida is lacking).
Complete in 48 pages, 5 by 8 inches, a bit close-trimmed at the right margin of the title/contents page only, very nice condition.
Formatted very much like

THE MONTHLY REVIEW, London, July, 1780  One of the less common magazines of the 18th century, and more importantly, this issue is as it was sold on the streets, with untrimmed margins and with the original green outer wrapper.
The issue begins with the: "Account of the Russian Discoveries Between Asia & America..." which takes nearly 10 pages. Also within: "Political Annals of the Present United Colonies, from Their Settlement to the Peace of 1763" which ended the French & Indian War. This is

THE WESTMINSTER MAGAZINE, London, July, 1776

• American Independence
• John Hancock (July, 1776)
• Great month & Year to have

Certainly a very uncommon title from the 18th century, formatted much like the more common 'Gentleman's Magazine" or the era.
An inside page has a great document headed: "American United Colonies, In Congress, May 15, 1776" which is a statement concerning the lack of ability to give allegiance to the King and the desire to authorize each of the 13 colonies to form a new

LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 25, 1775

• Battle of Bunker Hill - Charlestown
• Great Revolutionary War issue

Page 2 has a fine account of the famous Battle of Bunker Hill. The account describes the march of the British Regulars stating in part that they: "...advanced within two miles of Cambridge without any considerable opposition; but they were there met by General Putnam at the head of 5000 men, who gave them a very warm reception...it is suppose 3 or 400 men were killed on each side, and the

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, March 7, 1778

• Rare pro-British publication
• Surrender of General Burgoyne
• Battles of Saratoga - New York

This was a strongly Tory (supportive of the British cause) newspaper which began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia.
Most of the front page is taken up with a: "...letter from Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Howe, to Mr. Stephens, dated on board his Majesty's ship Eagle in the River

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1776

• American Revolutionary War era map
• Shows North America and more
• Pre-Declaration of Independence

The prime feature is the great map showing all of the western hemisphere titled: "A New Projection of the Western Hemisphere of the Earth on a Plane shewing the proportions of its several parts nearly as on a Globe, By J. Hardy, at Eton College." 
The map is dated at the bottom: "by F. Newbery, Ludgate Street, May 1, 1776".  It measures 9 by 11 1/4 inches,

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, May 27, 1777

• American Revolutionary War from the enemy

A page 2 item notes: "...the cruisers from this island (Antigua) have been very successful against the Americans & almost knocked up their trade by the many captures they have taken."
An inside page has some reports from America, and another page includes: "...a provincial Captain named Martinhad, near Morristown, been shot by a scouting party of the Rebels who mistook him for an English officer." The back

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE, Williamsburg (with Supplement), April 28, 1775

• Very rare Colonial Virginia title
• Gunpowder Incident - Affair

This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a distinction to be made since there were three newspapers of this title printed in Williamsburg during the early period of the Revolutionary War.
This issue was printed 9 days after the battle of Lexington and Concord, however, the news of that historic beginning of the Revolutionary War had yet to reach

THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, Dec. 26, 1778

• During the American Revolutionary War

The entire front page and half of page 2 are taken up with the  second half of the: "Treaty of Amity and Commerce Between the Most Christian King and the United Starters of North America", this being the treaty of assistance between French and the colonies, which did much to support the American cause against the British and eventually lead to victory within 3 years.
At its conclusion if