THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Jan. 16, 1776   Wonderful to find a newspaper not just dated 1776, but from Philadelphia. Perhaps the most historic content is found on pages 3 and 4: the complete text of Dr. Benjamin Church's traitorous letter intended for Major Edward Cane, a British officer in Boston. It states in part: "...a copy of Dr. Church's much talked of traitorous letter to a ministerial officer in Boston dated July 23, 1775." Portions near the end include: "...I wish you could contrive to write me freely in cypher by the way of Newport...enclose it in a cover to me intimating that I am a perfect stranger to you...Sign some fictitious name...to be delivered to me at Watertown. Make use of every precaution or I perish." Dr. Church was the first traitor to the Patriots - predating Benedict Arnold by over 5 years.
Of notable significance is the front page advertisement dated at Philadelphia, January 9, 1776, beginning: "This day was published, and is now selling by Robert Bell, in Third street (price two shillings) COMMON SENSE, addressed to the Inhabitants of America, on the following interesting subjects..." with more. Historical accounts differ on the formal date of Common Sense being published, some noting January 9 and others January 10.
Many history scholars have credited this very significant work with leading the charge for independence from, rather than reconciliation with, England. The latter was the mood of most in America in early 1776, also a time when the spirits of the American forces was at their lowest ebb and their future military success looking very doubtful. Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, changed all that.
Terrific to have this historic advertisement of its printing not only on the front page but in a Philadelphia newspaper, the town where Common Sense was written & published.
A page 2 report from Williamsburg begins: "...Lt. Batut & five grenadiers of the 14th reg., who were wounded at the Great Bridge, with 17 Tories & 11 Negroes arrived in town under a strong guard..." continuing on to talk of affairs in York, Virginia. Page 2 also has correspondence between Col. Howe & the governor of Virginia concerning the exchange of prisoners & other matters, carrying over to page 3.
Page 3 has much on the battle at Norfolk, with one report beginning: "The cannonade of the town began about a quarter after three yesterday from upwards of 100 pieces of cannon...". 
Most of the front page is taken up with a lengthy report from the "London Association" on: "Liberty of the Press", not necessarily related in any way to the American situation yet great reading nonetheless.
Other back page war-related items as well.
A terrific issue on two accounts: the front page Common Sense ad, and the traitorous letter of Dr. Church.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, 8 1/4 by 10 1/4 inches, two small binding holes at the blank spine, archivally strengthened at the spine, great condition.

Background: The Treachery of Dr. Benjamin Church
In late 1775, the Pennsylvania Evening Post provided a shocked public with the details of the American Revolution’s first major espionage scandal. Dr. Benjamin Church, the Continental Army’s first Surgeon General and a trusted advisor to George Washington, was exposed as a British informant after his mistress was caught attempting to deliver a ciphered letter to a British officer in Boston.
Once decoded, the letter revealed Church leaking sensitive military intelligence, including American troop strength, gunpowder supplies, and plans for the invasion of Canada. While Church claimed he was a "double agent" trying to intimidate Britain into a peace settlement, his plea—"Make use of every precaution or I perish"—suggested a far more sinister betrayal. This incident predates Benedict Arnold’s treachery by five years and marks a foundational moment in American counterintelligence and military law.