THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 27, 1781

• Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
• American Revolutionary War ending

A wonderfully historic issue and nicely presented, as the details of Cornwallis surrendering to Washington at Yorktown, essentially ending the Revolutionary War.
The entire middle column of the front page is Washington's historic letter, dated at "Head-Quarters, near York, 19th October. 1781" and beginning: "Sir, I have the honor to inform Congress, that a reduction of the British army, under the command of Lord Cornwallis, is most happily effected..." with much more.
The last front page column has 4 letters of exchange between Washington and Cornwallis as they initiate negotiations for the surrender. The first reports: "Sir: I propose a cessation of hostilities for 24 hours and that two officers may be appointed by each side to meet...to settle terms for the surrender of the post of York and Gloucester." signed by: Cornwallis. Then Washington's response, followed by another letter from Cornwallis, then another response from Washington carrying over to page 2, and then a final letter signed: Cornwallis, beginning: "I agree to open a treaty of capitulation upon the basis of the garrison of York and Gloucester..." with other details.
Following this are the "Articles of Capitulation" with all 14 Articles with the signatures in type of Cornwallis, and Thomas Symonds (a senior British Royal Navy officer).
Following all this are three letters signed in type by: G. Washington, dated October 1, 12, and 16. Then a letter signed by: LaFayette dated October 16, this latter information mostly filling pages 2 and 3. The back page is taken up with ads.
A terrific issue, with the very significant Washington letter announcing the surrender consuming the middle of the front page. Then the related correspondences between the two, and then the actual text of the Articles of Capitulation. A wonderful package of notable letters and documents bundled into a single issue.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, old tape stains are at the inside spine margin affecting some text but causing no loss of readability, otherwise in very nice condition.

Background: The October 27, 1781 issue of The Pennsylvania Journal & The Weekly Advertiser stands as a paramount historical artifact of the American Revolution, capturing the exact moment British military dominance ended and American independence was secured. Printed in Philadelphia—the seat of the Continental Congress—just eight days after the Siege of Yorktown, this four-page newspaper offered the American public one of the very first complete accounts of General Charles Cornwallis's surrender. The front page is anchored by General George Washington’s historic October 19 letter to Congress declaring the "reduction of the British army," alongside the complete back-and-forth negotiations between Washington and Cornwallis initiating the cease-fire. It also preserves all 14 official "Articles of Capitulation" bearing the typed signatures of Cornwallis and Captain Thomas Symonds, as well as crucial field dispatches from Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette across pages two and three. Original, full-run newspapers from the immediate aftermath of Yorktown carrying these primary-source documents are exceedingly rare; few surviving copies remain in private hands, making this comprehensive issue an exceptional centerpiece of early American imprint history.

Note: This is a very early report, as most newspapers reported the event in their Oct. 30 - November 7 issues. The only earlier report we are aware of is the Freeman's Journal, Oct. 24 & also from Phila., which sold in auction for $137,000 eight years ago.