THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, May 16, 1780 

* Some talk of British prison ships 
* Rare mention of John Paul Jones 
* Revolutionary War original reading 

A very handsome masthead with both an engraving of a 3 masted ship and very ornate lettering in the title make this a great issue for display. Pg. 2 has most of a column taken up with a letter signed: "A Freeman" concerning a proposal for a conciliation between America and England, which provides some interesting ideas (see photos), with portions reading: "...they may be our friends again, but not our masters; they may trade with us, but never reign over us. Any connection with them that implies subjection we cannot brook...We know how to value the inestimable advantages of our present emancipation..." with much more.

A pg. 3 report from New London gives various items concerning the Revolutionary War & includes: "Among the number of stragglers that this town abounds with are some that appear on examination to be British prisoners, taken in prizes & brought into Rhode Island & left to their own liberty..." and "...thus the lives of our brethren are sported with when these pledges of their ransom are suffered to make their escape. Has not Congress resolved that prison ship shall be provided in these Eastern states? At whose hands then is the blood of our unhappy countrymen that are dying daily on board the prison ships in New York...".

Pg. 3 also includes 2 reward ads for runaway negroes, with details. The back page is filled with ads including a rather large illus. ad for "...the Noted Horse Whynot" with much detail. And there is a letter from Morristown which notes that "...some American Privateers...took a British Letter Marque...the frigates were ordered to chase...The Marquis LaFayette left France the 20th of March, Captain Paul Jones with his squadron, were to sail in 15 days after."

Complete in 4 pages,very handsome masthead, untrimmed margins, great, clean condition.