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Cornwallis surrenders to Washington at Yorktown...



Item # 686313 THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1782  

* Lord Charles Cornwallis
* General George Washington
* Surrender at Yorktown - Virginia


This issue contains the very historic report of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. 
An inside page has a nice report headed: "Extract of a Letter from Sir Henry Clinton" which begins: "...I had the honour to acquaint your Lordship with my fears respecting the fate of the army in Virginia. It now gives me the deepest concern to inform you that they were but too well founded..." with more.
Following this is a report headed: "Copy of a Letter from Lt. General Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton dated York-Town, in Virginia, Oct. 20, 1781" which begins with the very famous line: "I have the mortification to inform your excellency that I have been forced to give up the posts of York and Gloucester and to surrender the troops under my command, by capitulation, on the 19th inst. as prisoners of war to the combined forces of America and France..." with much, much more, portions seen in the photos. This report carries over to the following three pages, and which includes letters between Cornwallis and George Washington, signed by each. One of the more significant dispatches signed by Washington includes his statement "...an ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood will readily incline me to listen to such terms for the surrender of your posts as are admissable..." with more.
Truly a very historic issue on the ending of the Revolutionary War, and great to have these reports in a British publication.
The unrelated plate called for is lacking.
Complete in 48 pages, full title/contents page featuring an engraving of St. John's Gate, 5 by 8 1/4 inches, good condition.


A very nice magazine from the closing moments of the Revolutionary War with a wide range of varied content. This was the first periodical to use the word "magazine" in its title, having begun in 1731 and lasting until 1907.

Category: Revolutionary War