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Franklin sends a heated letter: friendly terms are beyond hope...
Franklin sends a heated letter: friendly terms are beyond hope...
Item # 678011 THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1777 An article with page heading: "American Independency No New System" is interesting reading, including: "...The Americans, says P. did not originally aim at independence because--what? Because they themselves always pleaded not guilty..." and "...American rebellion, compared to a war with France or Spain, is as the murther of a deserving parent to what is called an affair of honour. But this revolt, he asserts, has been owing entirely to ourselves!..." with more.
The highlight of this issue is an excellent & somewhat lengthy letter by Ben Franklin. It is prefaced by: "A Letter from Lord Howe to Dr. Franklin" & signed by him in type: Howe, to which Franklin responds. Franklin's letter is datelined Philadelphia, July 30, 1776, portions including: "...It is impossible we should think of submission to a government that has, with the most wanton barbarity & cruelty, burnt our defenceless towns in the midst of winter; excited the savages to massacre our peaceful farmer, and our slaves to murder their masters...These atrocious injuries have extinguished every spark of affection for that parent-country we once held so dear..." and so much more. It is signed in type: B. FRANKLIN, and takes over a full page.
Over a full page under "American Affairs continued" discusses the Hessian soldiers in America, and continues to the next page with more on the Revolutionary War & noting: "...The blockheads whose heads are full of after-wisdom now condemn Rholl [Rall, at Trenton] for turning out his men...the contempt the Hessians then had of the enemy was such that he would have been branded for a coward had he done otherwise...Upon this adventure of Washington's, all our evil humours grew into rank disorder...Lord Cornwallis has done all that a good officer can do..." and much more.
Also included is a Proclamation by George Washington in which he commands that all those who have been tricked into swearing allegiance to the King should: "...repair to Headquarter...of the Continental army or militia & there deliver up such protection, certificate & passports & take the oath of allegiance to the Untied "States of America..." with more.
The foldout plate called for is in the May issue where is found the article describing it.
Complete in 48 pages, full title/contents page with an engraving of St. John's Gate, 5 by 8 1/4 inches, great condition.
A nice Revolutionary War era magazine from the "mother country" with a wide range of varied content beyond the war reports noted. This was the very first periodical to use the word "magazine" in its title, having begun in 1731.
Category: Revolutionary War
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$120.00
