Historic Newspapers: Colonial - British Included

THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, December 20, 1781  

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

This issue contains one of the most historically significant letters from the Revolutionary War, being Cornwallis' official announcement of his surrender to Washington at the Battle of Yorktown.
The report begins on the front page no less, prefaced with: "I am directed to send you the enclosed letter from Lieutenant General Earl Cornwallis, to his Excellency the…

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…

THE LONDON MAGAZINE, London, December and the Appendix issue for the year 1781

* Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
* Surrender at Yorktown VA Virginia
* Revolutionary War from the enemy

Certainly the most historic report in this issue--and perhaps in any issue from the Revolutionary War--is that near the back of the issue under "American Affairs". It is an "Extract of a Letter from Sir Henry Clinton to...George Germain..." dated at New York, Nov. 13, 1781, which has: "In my…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 27, 1781  

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* Revolutionary War ending
* Historic item - 1st report

This is one of the more noteworthy issues of the Chronicle for the entire Revolutionary War, as it is the first issue in this title to announce the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, essentially ending the Revolutionary War.
Although the formal letter from Cornwallis announcing the surrender would appear in the next issue, that issue dated…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Nov. 13, 1781 

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

A terrific issue as not only does it contain a fine account of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, but it consumes the entire front page, carries over to take most of page 2, with additional information on page 3 as well.
The front page begins with a letter from Col. Tilghman, Aid de Camp to General Washington, datelined: "Head Quarters,…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Nov. 6, 1781  

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

Certainly the most notable content is an early report of the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
The page 2 report notes in part: "The General is happy in congratulating this army on the following authentic & interesting intelligence, received from the southward. That on the 15th instant two of the enemy's redoubts at York-Town were…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1781  Near the back is a section headed: "American News" which has a "Copy of a Letter from Brig. Gen. Arnold to his Excellency the Commander in Chief, dated Sound off Plumb Island, Sept. 8, 1781" which takes over an entire page & is signed by him in type: B. Arnold.
This is his detailed report on the taking of New London, Connecticut, known as the Battle of Groton Heights.
Also included is a letter from George Washington to Congress which prefaces…

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…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Oct. 11, 1781  Inside has a letter from New York which gives details of a naval battle, noting in part: "....the 29th of June we fell in with a rebel privateer of 22 guns...who engaged us for 3 hours and 20 minutes...The engagement was so excessively hot that for three quarters of an hour the muzzles of her guns & ours rubbed one another. We received so much damage that we could not follow her,  or she must have struck..." with more (see).
The back page has a…

LONDON MAGAZINE, England, September, 1781  Under Review Of Books" is one  for: "The Revolution of America", which begins: "A narrative of the origin and progress of the rupture between Great Britain and her colonies, written with extreme partiality to the colonists, condemning in every point of view the conduct of the British government & justifying France and Spain for the part they have taken in the quarrel..." (see).
One of the two plates called for is present, being a likeness of "Hyde…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, August 28, 1781

* Siege of Nintey Six - South Carolina
* General Nathanael Greene defeat
* American Revolutionary War

 Half of page 2 is taken up with a letter from Major General Greene in which he officers much on the Siege of Ninety-Six.
Additional reports carry over to page 3 with much more detail on the military events in South Carolina. One item begins: "...a party of horse, headed by Sad  Hampton, came down unexpectedly…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Aug. 21, 1781  Much of the front page is taken up with naval reports from the Caribbean. Page 4 has a nice document from Charleston signed in type by both: Rawdon and N. Balfour, in which they note: "...attention to the general security of the province has obliged his Majesty's troops...to relinquish some of the upper parts of it...unnecessary for us to exhort the loyal inhabitants of those districts to stand firm in their duty & principles...that many persons…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Aug. 16, 1781  Page 2 has some reports on the Revolutionary War, bits including: Letters from Charlestown [Charleston] say that the great activity of Lord Rawdon...is likely to surmount the difficulties they have had to encounter...purpose to overtake them & to scour the country which bids fair to put an end to that petty warfare...reasons at large for refusing the permit Congress money to pass in his lines, denying the demands of Congress & Washington for men,…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, August 14, 1781  

* Battle of Green Spring
* James County, Virginia
* American Revolutionary War

The front page has news from captured correspondence including: "The revolt of the Pennsylvania line & Jersey brigade...are certainly events of very great importance, & must have very extensive effects both in reducing Washington's present force & preventing its being recruited by new levies..." and: "...I flatter myself the southern…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, July 17, 1781  

* American Revolutionary War
* Ship prisoners exchanged
* Southern colonies evacuation (British)

The front page has several letters from British Lt. Col. Balfour, most dealing with discussion for an exchange of prisoners with General Greene.
This discussion carries over to page 2 where is found a letter datelined: "Torbay prison ship, Charlestown harbour, May 19, 1781" concerning men on the prison ship. Then yet…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 14, 1781 

* Movements of British troops in America 
* Revolutionary War from the enemy 

The back page has some news from America including : "...letters from Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton with an account of his Lordship having effected a junction with the troops under the command of Brigadier General Arnold, in consequence of which a great number of the inhabitants had come in & delivered up their arms...Lord Cornwallis further ads that finding…

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE London, July, 1781  The "Historical Chronicle" begins with: "Plan for Putting an End to the American War & for Laying the Foundation of a Permanent Peace with the Thirteen Colonies". Another report has some good talk on military affairs in America including: "...Lord Cornwallis has entered Virginia; that a reinforcement has entered Chesapeak...on receiving intelligence of the arrival there of Gen. Cornwallis...two intercepted letters from Gen. Washington to la Fayette, the…

A hand-written Revolutionary War pay document from the State of Connecticut dated June 20, 1781. It notes: "Sir: Pay Mr. William Edmonds one hundred fifty seven pounds nineteen shillings and ten pence in Bill of this state...and charge the state.  Pay Table Office, June 20, 1781" with two signatures.
Measures 5 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches, totally handwritten, very nice condition. A nice item for display. 

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, May 15, 1781 

* Rare American Revolutionary War publication

The front page has a brief item: "The American spy, mentioned a few days since, is taken at Harwich and will be examined before the Privy-Council. Many papers were found upon his person, touching a treasonable correspondence."
The front page also has some items from the war including the mention of  the British capturing a ship off the capes of Virginia, plus quantities…

THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL: of the NORTH AMERICAN INTELLIENCER, Philadelphia, May 9, 1781  Page 3 has a report from New York on the celebration of the British victory at Guilford Court House, North Carolina: "Last Saturday...a feu de joie was fired here, by all the troops in garrison, in consequence of the victory obtained by the British troops over the rebel army at Guilford court house...the 15th of March last...".
Also a letter from General Baron Steuben from Virginia noting in part: "...I…

THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL OR NORTH AMERICAN INTELLIGENCER, Philadelphia, May 2, 1781  

* Pre-surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War original 

A very nice issue from just five months before Cornwallis would surrender to Washington at Yorktown, essentially ending the Revolutionary War.
The front page has a report: "In Council" at Phila. beginning: "Whereas by an Act of Assembly...intitled 'An Act to complete the quota of the Federal Army assigned to this state..."…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 24, 1781  

* Battle of Guilford Courthouse
* Greensboro, North Carolina
* General Charles Cornwallis loss

Page 2 has some nice war content. The 2nd column begins with: "By accounts from General Greene's army as late as the 24th ultimo, we learn that Lord Cornwallis is retreating towards Cross Creek and that our army was in pursuit of him."
There is also some nice talk about the historic Battle of Guilford Court House fought on March…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 24, 1781 

* North Carolina volunteers
* Benedict Arnold chased
* Revolutionary War original

Page 2 has: "...letters from North Carolina bring advice that the majority of the inhabitants in that province have lately risen voluntarily on the side of loyalty & have seized upwards of 200 of the principal men who were known to be the most distinguished partizans of Congress & their cause, & carried them prisoners to the head quarters."
The back page…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 3, 1781  

* General Henry Clinton
* Peace with Americans ?
* Revolutionary War

Pages 1 and 2 contain an excellent response to the controversial "Declaration" of General Clinton in which he offers a proposal for peace to the Americans. A few bits include: "The first thing which is offered is a pardon to all the inhabitants of these States who have been so hardy as to oppose a degradation from the rank of freemen to that of…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, March 27, 1781 Page 2 has an item referencing the famous naval battle involving John Paul Jones, with: "...Displeasures of his B.M. in regard to what has been done for Paul  Jones is equally groundless...". Another item on pg. 2 extending to pg. 3 includes: "...negociation intended to lay the plan of a treaty of commerce to be concluded between the Republic & the said Colonies...in case the independency of those Colonies should be acknowledged by the Crown of…

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Jan. 30, 1781  

* American Revolutionary War
* Closing months - nice masthead

Page 2 has: "A Proclamation" beginning: "Whereas a resolve...for apprehending all prisoners of war that have been captured by any armed vessels of the United States and have not taken arms against the King of Great Britain..." with further dextral, signed in type by the governor of Mass: John Hancock.
Page 3 begins with a letter signed: Benedict…

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

* Rare Revolutionary War title from America

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: "To the Inhabitants of…

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1781  

* Revolutionary War events for 1780
* Ethan Allen

Under "Diary of Memorable Occurrences in the year 1780..." is a lengthy list of item & includes: "The American out posts at Newark & Elizabeth-town were surprized & the men made prisoners...American post of John's House on the White Plains was attacked when 40 men were killed & 97 taken. Another American post was surprized in the Jerseys & 65 men taken...Sir Henry Clinton issued a Proclamation in…

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Dec. 19, 1780 

* Battle of Camden, South Carolina
* Charles Cornwallis vs. Horatio Gates
* American Revolutionary War

See the photos for the very handsome masthead which features ornate lettering and an engraving of a ship.
A great issue as two-thirds of the front page and one-third of page 2 are taken up with the details of the Battle of Camden, South Carolina. The report is taken from the "London Gazette Extraordinary".
The Battle of…

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE SUPPLEMENT, London, For the Year 1780  Certainly the highlight of this issue is the nearly 7 pages taken up with the lengthy & very detailed proceedings headed: "Extracts of Letters from General Washington to the President of Congress". This concerns the trial of Major Andre in the treason affair with Benedict Arnold.
This is a terrific report with far more detail than we have found in any newspaper report of the period. Some of the items include: "...announcing the capture…

THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, September, 1780  A early article on Japan with: "Curious Account of the Inhabitants of the Empire of Japan, Their Government, Manners, & Customers..." which takes 3 1/2 pages.
Near the back is: "American Affairs"  taking nearly a full page, mostly on naval events in the Caribbean, but it also includes a report from Hartford noting Washington was named Lieut. General of the French troops in America: "His Excellency General Washington is appointed…

THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Aug. 9, 1780 

* American Revolutionary War

Page 2 has a report: "A gentleman just arrived from Virginia, by the way of New York, says the distresses of the inhabitants of that province are hardly to be described; that many of the first families had not tasted a morsel of fresh meat for near two months...This intelligence seems to account sufficiently for what we have lately heard of the disposition of the Virginians to emancipate themselves from…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1780  One report notes: "The assembly of Pennsylvania have fallen upon a new mode of distressing the friends of this country resident among them by obliging persons to take the oaths of allegiance or affirmation of fidelity to the state, & to take a certificate of the same, which certificate they are to produce or be liable to such fines as the governing party shall think proper...what seems still more oppressive...that the wives & children of all…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1780  One report notes: "The assembly of Pennsylvania have fallen upon a new mode of distressing the friends of this country resident among them by obliging persons to take the oaths of allegiance or affirmation of fidelity to the state, & to take a certificate of the same, which certificate they are to produce or be liable to such fines as the governing party shall think proper...what seems still more oppressive...that the wives & children of all…

THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, June 9, 1780  The bottom of the front page begins a letter which takes two-thirds of pg. 2 concerning relations with America, beginning; "I shall wave mentioning any thing with regard to the American war; so much has been said pro and con by men of superior abilities...this is not my design, but I shall confine myself to a few of the most notorious recent transactions in which both parties are culpable..." which is what takes most of pg. 2.
Eight pages, 8…

THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, May 23, 1780  Page 2 has: "...from the force carried out with Sir Henry Clinton to South Carolina, there is room to entertain the most favourable hopes of the success of his enterprise. With Sir Henry Clinton, from New York, went 7500 men..." with more (see photos). Elsewhere is: "...a letter from an Officer on board the brig Hawke off Staten Island" which includes: "...the alarm was given that the rebels were on Staten Island...express was sent on board…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, May 23, 1780  Page 2 includes a report that: "...certainly various accounts in tow from very respectable quarters, all of which confirm Sir Henry Clinton's taking Charlestown [Charleston] by storm on the 7th of April after a great slaughter on both sides..." (see).
Fully 1 1/3 pages are taken up with "Letter V to the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Howe" which is quite critical of actions in America during the Revolutionary War. Some bits include: "...But Brooklyn…

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, May, 1780  The first article has "Summary of Proceedings in the Present Parliament" which includes discussion of the situation in America.
Near the back the "Historical Chronicle" has several items from America concerning the Revolutionary War, including a letter from New York which has: "...since Gen. Clinton's departure from hence...the longest & most severe winter that was ever remembered...horses with heavy carriages could go over the ice into the…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 27, 1780 

* Revolutionary War Era
* 18th century America
* From The Enemy

Near the back is a column headed "America" with news taking over half the page & which includes: "Last Tues. night a party of the British troops embarked...they landed on the east side & surprised a body of the rebel troops, 34 of which were made prisoners...troops returned to their post at King's Bridge yesterday..." and "...a detachment of the royal army under the command…

THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, April 22, 1780  Page 3  has: "...An Act of the General Assembly of Virginia" concerning the fate of those who left Virginia to reside in England or elsewhere: "...bona fide inhabitants there for at least one year at any time within four years next before the commencement of hostilities on the 19th of April, 1775 [Lexington & Concord date], and who have left North America at any time before passing of the act declaring what shall be treason..." with more…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & THE WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 18, 1780 

* General John Burgoyne resignation
* re. Surrender at Saratoga - New York
* American Revolutionary War

The entire front page, two-thirds of page 2, and half of page 3 are taken up with: "...the various letters that passed between the late and present secretary at War and Lieutenant General Burgoyne, previous to that officer's resignation of his military employments.", with various references to his defeat &…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 6, 1780  

* American Revolutionary War
* French troops & Quebec

The back page has a report which notes: "We are informed that there are accounts received in town within these few days from America which signify that Congress are in speedy expectation of a large body of French troops which are to co-operate with their army in attempting the conquest of Quebec this summer."
Other news of the day, mostly European, and some ads as well. Eight pages, 9 by 12 inches,…

THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, March 22, 1780 

* American Revolutionary War

Page 3 has a small item: "It is a matter of surprize that no accounts have yet arrived from America respecting the progress of the war there, or the real destination of the troops that have been embarked since December last from New  York; two expeditions were certainly intended; one to Carolina, and the other to the West Indies." Another item has a dismal opinion of the situation in Virginia:…

THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, March 18, 1780 

* American Revolutionary War
* Georgia to leave the cause ?
* John Paul Jones

Page 2 has a report which includes: "...but New York is to be the grand point that is to be essayed. There is not a single line of battle ship now lying there & but one frigate; all the regulars & foreigners were drafted off for the expedition to Georgia...This plan was proposed by the Congress, who are to second them on land & assemble a great force to…

THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER & AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, March 13, 1780 

* One of the more patriotic mastheads from the Revolutionary War

The masthead includes one of the more patriotic engravings of the Revolutionary War, described by the motto just under the dateline: "All Hands With One Inflamed, Enlightened Heart" showing 13 arms--one for each colony--joined by holding a linked chain within which is the inflamed heart, representing the spirit of America.
Page 2 has a report under…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, March 9, 1780 

* General William Howe
* Revolutionary War from the enemy

Most of a page is taken up with a letter signed: "Americanus" which is critical in the efforts of General Howe during his leadership in war effort in America, headed: "To the Right Hon. Lord H--e" (brother of the general), which has near the beginning: "In the complaint your Lordship made in the House of Commons about the letters written upon your own & your Brother's conduct in…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1780  A fine opportunity to purchase a magazine from during the Revolutionary War at a reasonable price, as there is very little American content in this issue.
Just one report in the "Historical Chronicle" with two items: "There have been no material advices from America that can be rely'd on. A vague report...that two French ships...had been drove ashore between the Capes of Virginia, & that the loyalists had got possession of them..." and the other…

THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, March 1, 1780 

* Revolutionary War

Page 3 has an item which includes: "North America continues in its usual unknown state, or rather incomprehensible state. We are fed with ideal exploits to be performed in the midst of winter by an army which did nothing all the summer!...it be destruction to our fleet & army embarked, & the leaving the remaining small army in New York to fall a sacrifice to General Washington & his army in the same manner as…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1780 

* American Revolutionary War
* From the enemy

A fine opportunity to purchase a magazine from during the Revolutionary War at a reasonable price, as there is very little American content in this issue. Just one report in the "Historical Chronicle" with two items: "There have been no material advices from America that can be rely'd on. A vague report...that two French ships...had been drove ashore between the Capes of Virginia, & that the…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1780  A fine opportunity to purchase a magazine from during the Revolutionary War at a reasonable price, as there is very little American content in this issue. Just one report in the "Historical Chronicle" with two items: "There have been no material advices from America that can be rely'd on. A vague report...that two French ships...had been drove ashore between the Capes of Virginia, & that the loyalists had got possession of them..." and the other…