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Battle of Lexington & Concord... Taking of Ticonderoga...
Battle of Lexington & Concord... Taking of Ticonderoga...
Item # 216098
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May 18, 1775
Sold in Heritage Auction 2/22/23 = $4750.
THE NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 18, 1775 The ftpg. has a letter from the Speaker of the North Carolina Assembly which includes: "We contemplate with a degree of horror the unhappy state of America involved in the most embarrassing difficulties & distresses but a number of unconstitutional invasions of their just rights & privileges...it is not to be controvered that his Majesty's subjects have a right to petition for a redress of grievances..." with much more. Photos below only show a portion of the text which takes close to half of the ftpg. The ftpg. also has a letter from Williamsburg, Virginia, which tells of the theft of gunpower from the magazine, beginning: "This morning...all the gun-powder in the magazine, to the amount, as we hear, of about 20 barrels, was carried off in his Excellency the Governor's waggon escorted by a detachment of marines...as soon as the news of this manoeuvre took wind the whole city was alarmed & much exasperated...demand from the governor a restoration of what they so justly supposed was deposited in this magazine for the country's defence..." and what follows is the letter drafted to the governor with this request (see photos). The governor's response is here as well. This was a noteworthy event, recorded in most history books. Pg. 2 has a terrific editorial on the Battle of Lexington & Concord which is headed with an uncommonly large type: "The Rural Heroes, or The BATTLE of CONCORD." which begins with a great sentence: "Amongst all the various exits from this tumultuous state, to which mortals are subject, there is not any which, in the estimation of every brave & virtuous man, is so desirable as that of falling gloriously in defence of the civil & religious liberties of his country..." with more, including: "...a reflection upon the fate of those brave men who, in a late action in the neighbourhood of Concord, fell in the glorious cause of liberty..." and continuing with an interesting prophetic statement: "Some future historian will relate, with pleasures, & the latest posterity will read with wonder & admiration, how three hundred intrepid, rural sons of freedom drove before them more than five times their number of regular, well appointed troops, & forced them to take shelter behind their bulwarks!...may it convince the infatuated legislature of Britain that Americans dare fight & die in defence of their just & natural rights..." and more (see photos). Truly a terrific reflection on the spirit of Lexington & Concord! Pg. 2 has a letter from Philadelphia which includes: "Yesterday evening Dr. Franklin arrived here from London...which has given great joy to this town. He says we have no favours to expect from the ministry; nothing but submission will satisfy them. They expect little or no opposition will be made to their troops...Dr. Franklin is highly pleased to find us arming & preparing for the worst events--he thinks nothing else can save us from the most abject slavery & destruction..." with more (see photos). Pg. 3 has mention of the arrival in New York: "...on their way to the Continental Congress, at Phila., the Hon. John Hancock...Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine...Roger Sherman..." and yet another report comments on the death toll of Lexington & Concord with: "...have authentic advices that the number of regular soldiers killed & wounded is much greater than we at first heard, though all possible care has been taken to conceal the true account; that a list from one of Gen. Gage's surgeons has been seen of 202 killed & upwards of 160 wounded...". Pg. 3 has a very patriotic song which begins: "Hark 'tis Freedom that calls, come Patriots awake! To arms my brave Boys, and away, 'Tis Honour, 'tis Virtue, 'this Liberty calls...". Page 3 also has a very nice account of the taking of Ticonderoga, taking a bit over a full column of text, and including: "...number of gentlemen from Connecticut...joined by Col. Easton, Capt. Dickinson & Mr. Brown, with 40 soldiers, on an expedition against Ticonderoga & Crown Point....to inform Col. Ethan Allen of the design & desiring him to hold his Green Mountain Boys in actual readiness. The expedition has been carried on with the utmost secrecy as they are in hopes of taking those forts by surprize..." with more. This is followed by a later report with some details of the actual capture, including: "...we are in raised hopes here of hearing that Ticonderoga & Crown Point are in our hands..." with more, and then later: "...arrived...from Ticonderoga & brings the glorious news of the taking that place by the American forces without the loss of a man..." with much on the actual details as seen in the photos below. Great reading--be sure to see the photos!
But certainly the most significant content in this issue is the great & quite detailed report on the Battle of Lexington & Concord. Simply a terrific account--be sure to see these photos as well!
Complete in 4 pgs., some remnants of archival mends at the margins as most has been removed. Some clear archival tape at edge tears are almost unnoticeable. Some minor loss at the blank margins, and scattered, very light foxing and some light damp stains.
An extremely significant & historic newspaper, and great to have such a detailed account of Lexington & Concord in a newspaper published so close to where it happened.
Category: Revolutionary War
No Longer Available
