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Mention of Dr. Franklin...

A Tory newspaper from the Revolutionary War...



Item # 671967

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April 01, 1778

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, April 1, 1778 

* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America


This was a strongly Tory (supportive of the British cause) newspaper which began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia.
The front page includes an Act relating to detaining persons charged with, or suspected of, the crimes of high treason or piracy committed in the colonies of America. The balance of the front page is taken up with ads, including one for the sale of "A likely Negro man named Tom..." with some details.
Page two has various reports from London, including various items relating to the Revolutionary War including: "...attack had been made on Mud Island in which upwards of 90 English officers had been killed...this news was asserted to be true & that it came from America by the way of France, to Dr. Franklin, & that there could not be the least doubt of its authenticity..." and "...reports of a treaty being concluded between the French Court & the Congress are premature: It is true that advantageous offers have been made by the American deputies...Mr. Carmichael, the official secretary to Messrs. Franklin & co. is actually gone back to America with the refusal on the part both of France & Spain to acknowledge the Independence of America..." and "...A report was yesterday circulated that the Congress had refused to ratify the capitulation of Burgoyne on which Gen. Gates had thrown up his commission." There is some interesting editorial comment on the Revolutionary War as well.
Page 2 also has some nice reports taken from "Rebel papers", including a nice Resolve from Congress concerning the surrender of Saratoga, plus another report from Congress relating to the war which carries over to page 3.
A page 3 item begins: "Should the Americans continue obstinate & not give up their independence, you will have much to do on the continent next year...".
The back page is entirely taken up with ads. Four pages, light damp stain to a lower corner, numeric notations in margins next to ads (this was the editor's copy), generally in nice condition. Not surprisingly, being a Tory newspaper the masthead features an engraving of the Royal coat-of-arms.

Category: Revolutionary War