Historic Newspapers: George Washington & The Revolutionary War

THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Sept. 13, 1773

• Native American Indians

Page 2 has a full column of reporting under "America" with reports from Charleston with much on the situation with the Cherokee & Creek Indians, and also bits noting: "...vessels belonging to Rhode Island...carried into New Providence are, we hear, both condemned. One of them had 18 chests of tea on board, & the other a quantity of foreign rum." Further on is another letter from Charleston which includes some

THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, April, 1774

• Boston Port Act of 1774 - Act
• Very rare illustration - print
• Pre Revolutionary War tensions

Over 20 pages within this issue are taken up with: "Debates Of A Political Society" which go into considerable detail discussing the ramifications of the historic Boston Port Bill. Also discussion of other concerns with the troubled relations with America. Eat the end of the "Debate" is: "An Abstract of the Boston Port Bill" providing the essence of the document

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, April 2, 1774

• Boston Port Act passed in a British publication
• Boston Tea Party colonists punishment for destroyed tea

The front page has a report that Thomas Hutchinson, governor of Massachusetts, requests to return to England, with Thomas Gage appointed as his replacement.
But of great significance is the page 2, 3 & 4 printing of the Boston Port Bill, titled: "An Act to Discontinue, in Such Manner & for such Time as are Therein Mentioned, the Landing and

THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY, Or Thomas's Boston Journal, October 27, 1774

• Extremely rare publication w/ Paul Revere
• Pre American Revolutionary War era
• "Join or Die" snake issue masthead

It would be difficult to properly place both the scarcity and desirability of this newspaper in the context of American history. This issue has the famous "Join Or Die" engraving stretching across the masthead.

In the same way that the famous "Dewey Defeats Truman" issue of the Chicago Tribune is commonly used in

THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, December 7, 1774

• Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon

If there was one graphic which represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption. 
The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead of this newspaper, shows a snake cut into various pieces, each with a label of a colony with the implied message that only by each of the separate

THE CRISIS, London, March 11, 1775

• Very rare publication
• British pro-American

In our over 50 years of dealing in rare newspapers, we have only once had the great fortune to encounter issues of this very rare title. Although we had sold all years ago, this one has come back to us.
This extraordinary paper is one of the most bitter political sheets to be found, issued in London both in defense of American liberty and their cause for independence, as well as to attack the policies of the King of

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE (with Supplement), Williamsburg, Mar. 17, 1775

• Very rare Colonial Virginia publication
• Election of Patrick Henry

This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a distinction to be made since there were three newspapers of this title printed in Williamsburg during the early period of the Revolutionary War.
The entire front page is a terrific letter: "To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of Virginia" relating the treasonous action of the "...eleven polluted members

THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, April 5, 1775

• Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon

If there was one graphic that represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War, it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption.  The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead of this newspaper, shows a snake cut into various pieces, each with a label of a colony with the implied message that only by each of the separate

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE, Williamsburg (with Supplement), April 28, 1775

• Very rare Colonial Virginia title
• Gunpowder Incident - Affair

This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a distinction to be made since there were three newspapers of this title printed in Williamsburg during the early period of the Revolutionary War.
This issue was printed 9 days after the battle of Lexington and Concord, however, the news of that historic beginning of the Revolutionary War had yet to reach

PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 11, 1775

• The Battles of Lexington and Concord
• Start of American Revolutionary War

This is a gem of an issue, as it is what all serious collectors seek for their Revolutionary War collection: an American newspaper with a terrific report on the famous battles at Lexington and Concord.
This page 3 report, datelined from Salem, April 25, begins: "Last Wednesday the troops of his Britanic Majesty commenced hostilities upon the people of this province..."

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 13, 1775

• Edmund Burke - Anglo-Irish statesman speech
• Conciliatory plan with the American colonies
• Prelude to the American Revolutionary War

All of pages 1 and 2 are taken up with continued discussion in the House of Lords: "Authentic Debates on the New-England Fishery Bill". This was one of the notable Restraining Acts that would eventually lead to the Revolutionary War.
Page 3 contains Mr. Burke's nine point conciliatory plan, taking over half

THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, June 9, 1775  This issue has content relating to the Battle of Lexington & Concord, as shown in the many photos. One item mentions in part: "...from Hampton in Virgina...brings advices that the people of Virginia had heard of the whole affair at Boston; that 24,000 provincial troops lay before it; that General Gage had been requested to let those come out who were inclined...upon receiving these advices in Virginia, General Washington immediately set out to

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, June 27, 1775

• Battle of Bunker Hill - Charlestown
• Siege of Boston, Massachusetts
• George Washington named commander
• American Revolutionary War

Almost the entire front page is taken up with a terrific and vitriolic attack on General Gage concerning his actions at Boston, the full text shown in the photos below, with bits including: "...waving all that may be said of your hypocracy, cruelty, villany, treachery, persidy, falsehood & inconsistancy...we well

THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, July, 1775  Although there is other good American content here, near the back has a great account of the very historic Battle of Bunker Hill signed in type: Tho. Gage, which overshadows all else. This report takes nearly an entire page and begins: "I am to acquaint your Lordship of an action that happened on the 17th of June instant between his Majesty's troops and a large body of the rebel forces. An alarm was given at break of day on the 17th...troops advanced,

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL & THE NEW HAVEN POST-BOY, July 5, 1775

• Battle of Bunker Hill - Charlestown
• Siege of Boston, Massachusetts
• George Washington named commander
• American Revolutionary War
• Terrific issue w/ many reports

Nice engraving in the masthead of a post boy on horseback.
The front page has a letter from an officer in General Gage's regiment heading for Boston, which details his reason for wanting to retire, noting: "...As I cannot, without reproach from my own conscience, consent to bear

LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 25, 1775  Page 2 has a fine account of the famous Battle of Bunker Hill. The account describes the march of the British Regulars stating in part that they: "...advanced within two miles of Cambridge without any considerable opposition; but they were there met by General Putnam at the head of 5000 men, who gave them a very warm reception...it is suppose 3 or 400 men were killed on each side, and the provincials retreated...without the least disorder. The Regulars

THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, July 29, 1775  In the world of American Revolutionary literature and manuscripts three bodies of work stand out: 1) Thomas Paine's Common Sense; 2) the Declaration of Independence; and 3) the earliest of the Revolutionary trinity: The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms.
All of the front page and a bit of page 2 are taken up with this latter document, signed in type by John Hancock. This document is rarely offered in a period American

RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER; or, the CONNECTICUT, HUDSON'S RIVER, NEW-JERSEY, and QUEBEC WEEKLY ADVERTISER, New York, Aug. 17, 1775

• American Revolutionary War
• Extremely rare publication
• James Rivington - spy publisher

James Rivington, the famous printer of this newspaper, had an interesting career.
He began this newspaper in 1773 initially with an impartial stance which shifted as a revolution loomed and public opinion polarized, until by late 1774 he was advocating the restrictive measures

PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Aug. 19, 1775

• The "Olive Branch Petition"
• Revolutionary War beginning
• Second Continental Congress

Certainly the most notable content in this issue is found taking over half of page 2, being the very historic Olive Branch Petition.
This was one of the more historic documents of the war, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5, 1775, in a final attempt to avoid a war between the American Colonies and England. The petition affirmed American loyalty to

RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER; or, the CONNECTICUT, HUDSON'S RIVER, NEW-JERSEY, and QUEBEC WEEKLY ADVERTISER, New York, Aug. 24, 1775

• Olive Branch Petition
• Patriots are considered traitors
• Printed by James Rivington
• American Revolutionary War

Certainly the most notable content in this issue is found taking over a full column of page 1 and a bit of page 2, being the very historic Olive Branch Petition.
This was one of the more historic documents of the war, adopted by the Second Continental

THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, Aug. 29, 1775  The most significant content is found on page 3. Found here is the complete text of King George III's "Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition," dated August 23, 1775, the Crown's formal declaration that the American colonies were in open rebellion. This was, essentially, England's declaration of war against the American Colonies.
Rejecting the colonists' constitutional arguments and ordering all civil and military authorities to

THE NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Sept. 7, 1775

• Lexington & Concord report
• John Hancock type signature
• The Conciliatory Resolution

A very historic issue as the front page contains not only the full text of the Conciliatory Resolution by Parliament, but the Continental Congress' lengthy response to it, signed in type by its President: John Hancock.
The Conciliatory Resolution was a resolution passed by the British Parliament in an attempt to reach a peaceful settlement

STORY & HUMPHREYS'S PENNSYLVANIA MERCURY & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, October 6, 1775

• Battle of Bunker Hill
• Revolutionary War
• Very rare publication

Certainly one of the more scarce titles from during the Revolutionary War. This is the volume 1 number 27 issue of a newspaper that existed only from April 7 to December 22, 1775, publishing a total of just 38 issues. Brigham notes that only two American institutions have this date.
The interesting engraving in the masthead shows Britain and

NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 12, 1775

• Battle of Bunker - Breed's Hill
• Charleston, Boston, Massachusetts
• General Thomas Gage account

Certainly a terrific issue as page 3 begins with a letter, signed in type by: Tho. Gage, in which he gives his account of the historic Battle of Bunker Hill, dated June 25 just 8 days after the battle.
In this letter Gage offers much detail, beginning: "I am to acquaint your Lordship of an action that happened on the 17th instant

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Oct. 18, 1775

• General George Washington
• Named Commander-in-Chief
• Continental Army - British reaction

The front page begins with a nice item from London concerning George Washington: "General Washington, who was lately appointed Generalissimo over the Provincials, has refused any salary, and is to attend to the hazardous and arduous duty allotted him from principle only. A most noble example & worthy of imitation in Great Britain, particularly at this time for

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Oct. 21, 1775

• Ethan Allen captured
• American Revolutionary War

The front page includes a letter: "To the King" which references the American situation & includes: "...Let then, royal Sire, the liberty of England and America be ever in your heart, then shall the people be free, and America shall yet be happy in the full enjoyment of her rights...". Also on the front page is: "A Plan for Reducing the Rebellious Colony of New England & for the Support of Legal

RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER; or, the CONNECTICUT, HUDSON'S RIVER, NEW-JERSEY, and QUEBEC WEEKLY ADVERTISER, New York, Nov. 23, 1775

• American Revolutionary War
• Extremely rare publication
• James Rivington - spy publisher

James Rivington, the famous printer of this newspaper, had an interesting career.
He began this newspaper in 1773 initially with an impartial stance which shifted as a revolution loomed and public opinion polarized, until by late 1774 he was advocating the restrictive measures

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1775

• Early Version of the Articles of Confederation
• Captain Cook and his voyage to the South Pacific

Over three pages taken up with: "Protest entered in the Upper House Against the Bill for Prohibiting all Commercial intercourse with the Confederated Colonies" which is very good reading in defense of America.
There is terrific & historic reading taking nearly 2 pages on what is an early version of the Articles of Confederation, being a plan to unite

THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, 1775

• Culture of vines (vineyards... for wine)
• Revolutionary War era in America

This issue is mostly taken up with a lengthy article headed: "Debates in the Last Session of Parliament, Resumed" which includes various talk of the Revolutionary War in America.
Another article is titled: "The Culture of Vines Further Illustrated", plus there is a wide variety of other articles as well.
Both plates called for are present, one of which is a foldout

THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, 1775

• Culture of vines (vineyards... for wine)
• Revolutionary War era in America

This issue is mostly taken up with a lengthy article headed: "Debates in the Last Session of Parliament, Resumed" which includes various talk of the Revolutionary War in America.
Another article is titled: "The Culture of Vines Further Illustrated", plus there is a wide variety of other articles as well.
One of the plates called for is present.
Complete in 32 pages

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1776

• American Revolutionary War
• Captain James Cook vogage
• South Pole map - HMS Resolution

This is a fine issue from this significant year of the Revolutionary War, with much war-related content.
Included are two pages on an: "Act for Prohibiting all Trade with America" which is followed by an: "Act of Massachusetts Bay for Fitting out Armed Vessels" which takes 3 pages.
Also reported here is a: "Declaration of the Continental Congress on a late

NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Jan. 4, 1776

• Traitor Dr. Benjamin Church
• British General Thomas Gage
• American Revolutionary War
• Great year to have (1776)

See the nice engraving in the masthead.
Fully two-thirds of the front page is taken up with a lengthy & detailed: "Letter from General Lee to General Burgoyne" datelined: "camp on Prospect Hill, Dec. 1, 1775". The letter includes in part: "As I am just informed you are ready to embark for England...An opportunity is now

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Jan. 25, 1776

• The "dishonest malevolence" controversy
• Thomas Paine "Common Sense" & Robert Bell
• Great year to have (1776) Revolutionary War

As a bit of a back story, printer Robert Bell ran an advertisement taking most of a column in the January 27 issue attacking both Paine and Bradford and ingenuously accusing them of "dishonest malevolence." He also continued his efforts to sell his own second edition of Thomas Paine's famous work 'Common Sense'.

NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR ESSEX GAZETTE, (Cambridge), Feb. 22, 1776

• American Revolutionary War
• Great year to have (1776)
• Battle of Quebec - Canada
• General Benedict Arnold

The top of the first column begins with a report from Cork that: "...there has been commotions amongst the soldiers who are to embark for America; that a great numbers of them have deserted & that several of the officers who are absent have sent letters to acquaint their officers that they shall not join their regiments to be

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Feb. 24, 1776

• Governor John Penn
• American Revolutionary War
• Great year to have (1776)

The front page has half a column taken up with 2 desertion reward ads, with much detail. Over a column is taken up with the verbatim cross-examination of Governor Penn of Pennsylvania, which carries over to take one-third of page 2. A few questions & answers include: "...Q. In what estimation was the Congress held? A. In the highest veneration imaginable by all ranks and

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Feb. 29, 1776

• General Benedict Arnold
• American Revolutionary War
• Great year to have (1776)

This remarkably historic Revolutionary War issue contains a wealth of foundational content from the early months of 1876. 
Page 2 carries an exceptional military report from Montreal detailing the ongoing American campaign in Canada, reading in part: "Quebec is inclosed by a considerable body of forces under Brigadier General Arnold. They hope to avoid storming &

THE ESSEX JOURNAL & NEW HAMPSHIRE PACKET, Newburyport, Massachusetts, March 1, 1776

• Paul Revere masthead engraving
• American Revolutionary War
• Great year to have (1776)

There were but a few masthead engravings of the 18th century which were created by Paul Revere. The "Massachusetts Spy" is perhaps the most famous, plus there is the engraving in the "Boston Gazette" as well, with these two newspapers being among the most common, in a relative sense. But even these are quite rare.
Revere also

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1776  This issue includes a lengthy article (3+ pages) on Captain Cook and the: "Resolution's Voyage on Discovery to the Southern Hemisphere". Accompanying this article is a rare full page map titled: "Part of the Tropical Discoveries of the Resolution Sloop, Captain Cook in 1774..." with a related article.
The map measures 5 1/45 by 9 inches, a bit close-trimmed at a bottom corner to fold into the issue but not affecting the b order.
The other nice graphic

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, March 9, 1776

• Rare Revolutionary War era title
• Tory issue from Pennsylvania
• Great year to have (1776)

This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. This newspaper ended publication in June, 1778 when the British evacuated the city.
Over half of the front page is taken up with: "The following rules for establishing a Society for Relieving the Distresses of Prisoners...". Page 2 has reports from Williamsburg, Worcester,

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, March 26, 1776  Wonderful to have a newspaper not just dated 1776, but from Philadelphia as well. As an added bonus this issue is printed on aqua "necessity paper" as the regular stock may have been disrupted by war-related events.

The front page has a few war-related items including a report: "... that General Clinton is landed in North Carolina, & that the troops, who lately dispersed the insurgents in that colony, are on their march to meet

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, March 30, 1776

• American Revolutionary War
• Great year to have (1776)
• Benjamin Franklin song

The front page begins with a wonderful letter beginning; "The Ministry have boasted much of their regular, their disciplined troops, which they fancied capable of beating all the irregulars in the world. One would wonder how men of any attention to what has passed, could deceive themselves into such an opinion when so many facts, within the memory of men not

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1776

• American Revolutionary War era map
• Shows North America and more
• Pre-Declaration of Independence

The prime feature is the great map showing all of the western hemisphere titled: "A New Projection of the Western Hemisphere of the Earth on a Plane shewing the proportions of its several parts nearly as on a Globe, By J. Hardy, at Eton College." 
The map is dated at the bottom: "by F. Newbery, Ludgate Street, May 1, 1776".  It measures 9 by 11 1/4 inches,

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, April 6, 1776  Wonderful to have a newspaper not just from 1776, but less than 3 months before the Declaration of Independence (which was first printed in this newspaper).
The entire front page is taken up with an address to the King concerning "...the present unhappy differences between Great Britain and her colonies...", which makes for interesting reading.  A page 2 item begins: "General Carlton has sent a ship express from Quebec with the

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, April 18, 1776

• Great year to have (1776)
• American Revolutionary War
• Rare mention of Button Gwinnett
• Birth of the American Postal System

A front page report from Savannah includes: "Friday last our Provincial Congress proceeded to the election of delegates to represent this province in the grand Continental Congress..." with the winners noted, one of which was Button Gwinnett,.
This is rare mention of Button Gwinnett, who has the dubious distinction of

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:

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, April 23, 1776

• Pre Declaration of Independence signing
• American Revolutionary War original
• Great year to have (776) - very rare

Most of the first column on the front page is taken up with reports of ships trading in the Caribbean & related news. Also on the front page is: "The French appear exceedingly friendly to the American cause which they would have promoted by a much larger supply of arms & ammunition than they have hitherto imported had they

THE TOWN & COUNTRY MAGAZINE, London, May, 1776

• Pre Declaration of Independence
• American Revolutionary War

Certainly one of the less common titles from the Revolutionary War, but a format & layout much like the more common 'Gentleman's Magazine".
Over 4 pages are taken up with a continued article: "The Present State of America" which includes "Religion & Civil Government of New England" "The Different Governments in North America Explained" & "Different Provinces of New England" with more.
Near

THE AMERICAN GAZETTE; OR THE CONSTITUTIONAL JOURNAL, Salem, Massachusetts, June 25, 1776

• Very rare Revolutionary War publication
• Volume 1 Number 2 issue - great year to have

This is the volume one, number two issue of a very rare newspaper. Its rarity would seem to be sufficient for its desirability, as it existed for only seven weekly issues, from June 18 thru July 30, 1776. 
But the content is nice as well, particularly given that this issue was printed just 9 days before the Declaration of

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1776

• American Independence
• John Hancock (July, 1776)
• Great month & Year to have

It is rare to find newspapers or magazines with the magical date of "July, 1776". Here is one.
The first article is: "Debate on the American Restraining Bill" with has much interesting reading and takes six pages. There are also 3 pages of text on events in America, including: "Proceedings of the American Colonists since the Passing the Boston Port Bill" with various reports,

THE WESTMINSTER MAGAZINE, London, July, 1776

• American Independence
• John Hancock (July, 1776)
• Great month & Year to have

Certainly a very uncommon title from the 18th century, formatted much like the more common 'Gentleman's Magazine" or the era.
An inside page has a great document headed: "American United Colonies, In Congress, May 15, 1776" which is a statement concerning the lack of ability to give allegiance to the King and the desire to authorize each of the 13 colonies to form a new