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: "Reasons for a Declaration of the Independence of the American Colonies" stating seven reasons, all shown in the photos. Great to have this content in an issue just a few months before the actual Declaration of Independence.
A page 3 item from Worcester notes: "On Thursday the 4th instant the body of Major General Warren was found about 3 feet under ground on Bunker's hill. It was afterwards carried to Boston & on Monday last reinterred with the honors & respect due to so illustrious a hero." Also: "It is reported from different quarters that Quebec was taken by storm last month & that our loss is computed to be 600 men killed & wounded. However, it does not amount to a certainty." An item from New York includes: "Since our last a considerable number of troops have arrived here from New England. As great numbers of the inhabitants have moved into the country, many of their houses are taken up for the soldiers. The behavior of the New England soldiers is decent..." with more.
Also on page 3 is a terrific letter from Petersburg, Virginia which begins: "In my way through Virginia I found the inhabitants warm for independence...the people there [S.C.] have no expectation of ever being reconciled with Britain again but only as a foreign state...received from North Carolina, since that Convention met, I find they are for independence as they either have or intend to repeal the instructions that were given to their delegates & to leave them at liberty to vote upon...I hear nothing praised but Common Sense and independance. The people of North Carolina are making great preparations & say they are determined to die hard..." with more.
Terrific to find direct mention of Common Sense, particularly in a letter that notes a new-found spirit in favor of independence in the South. This report is followed by a letter from Lewestown, plus a note from Congress as well.
The back page has: "The Progress of an American's Creed for obtaining a redress of grievances & bringing about a reconciliation with Great Britain."
Four pages, 8 1/2 by 10 1/4 inches, wide, never trimmed margins, great condition.

Background: The April 20, 1776 issue of The Pennsylvania Evening Post is an exceptionally rare and historically vibrant artifact published mere months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, capturing the palpable, accelerating momentum toward American separation. Its pages uniquely bridge parliamentary debate with on-the-ground revolutionary fervor by featuring Governor Johnstone's speech in the House of Commons alongside a definitive manifesto outlining seven core "Reasons for a Declaration of the Independence of the American Colonies." Furthermore, the issue chronicles pivotal wartime updates—including the solemn reinterment of Bunker Hill hero Major General Joseph Warren and unconfirmed reports of the Quebec campaign—while highlighting a passionate dispatch from Petersburg, Virginia, that underscores the powerful spread of Thomas Paine's Common Sense and a newfound, unyielding spirit for independence across the Southern colonies.