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Thomas Paine writes about the Silas Deane affair...



Item # 687374

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February 04, 1779

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Feb. 4, 1779 

* Thomas Paine & Silas Deane
* American Revolutionary War
* Nice masthead for display


A nice feature of the masthead is a great engraving taken after one done earlier by Paul Revere, showing a patriot soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll reading "Independence" in the other.
The entire front page and a part of page 2 are a continuation of: "Common Sense to the Public, on Mr. Deane's Affair. This was an interesting bit of American history written by Thomas Paine concerning Silas Deane, one of the American ambassadors to France, & his unethical relationship with the French in getting money to support the American cause during the Revolutionary War. The texts in this issue is also found on the web. Page 3 has a document from Congress concerning this Thomas Paine letter.
Page 3 has some war-related reports including a bit beginning: "We have advices from Newport, Rhode Island...that the enemy there are 700 strong, chiefly Hessians: that they are short of provisions of all kinds...That the enemy gave out they intended to burn the town of Newport in May next..." with more.
Also a report from Charleston noting: "...That a body of regular troops...together with about 500 Tories & Indians, had invaded the state of Georgia...several skirmishes had happened..." with more. Further on: "The 28th of last month there was a most bloody engagement between Capt. Smith...and a ship of 18 six pounders...where the former was forced to yield with the loss of many men..." and a bit more.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, a few small archival mends near the inside spine, light water staining, generally good condition.

Category: Revolutionary War