Discussing 'Common Sense'... The ship Scarborough...

Item # 611966

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April 27, 1776

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, April 27, 1776 The entire front page and one-third of page 2 are taken up with: "Letter VIII To the People of Pennsylvania" written & signed by Cato, a pseudonym for the clergyman William Smith, who wrote a series of letters in response to Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'. Also, the back page has the conclusion of Cato's letter #VII which takes nearly half the page.
Page 2 contains the response of "Cassandra" to Cato's letter VIII, and another letters which notes responds to Common Sense, including; "...their sentiments on the important subject of Independence. When the pamphlet called 'Common Sense' first appeared, I found myself stagger'd wit the high wrought declamations against Monarchy in general & of Britain in particular..." with much more, taking most of page 2, and including: "...In a total separation I behold a tedious & expensive war; the blood of thousands bedewing the ground & the whole wealth of the continent, the whole labour of a century, vanish'd in air...Whilst England continues bent upon enforcing her cruel mandates, I also grant that I see nothing before me but death or slavery...".
The back page has a nice account of the British ship Scarborough being driven from the harbor at Newport, Rhode Island (see hyperlink for much more).
Four pages, water stains to the bottom quadrant, numeric notations next to ads (this was the editor's copy), nice condition.

Category: Revolutionary War