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A fine & decorative issue from the Revolutionary War...
A fine & decorative issue from the Revolutionary War...
Item # 689458
November 11, 1780
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, Nov. 11, 1780
* Revolutionary War
* Great masthead
Over half of the front page is a: "Message from the President & Supreme Executive Council to the Representatives of...Pennsylvania" in which are addressed many issues.
A few bits include: "...when our enemies, forsaking in no small degree the efforts of open and manly force, build their hopes of success on the arts of disaffection and corruption, and presume that wearied with the contest...we shall yet relinquish the glorious object of so many toils and so much blood It is not only our duty...to convince them that their hopes are equally fallacious, whether folded on arms or seduction...our enemies draw not a ray of comfort from our inability or poverty, but our supposed debasement of spirit and exhausted patriotism...we are equally united in adopting & enforcing a permanent effective system of defense...and even British pride do homage to American virtue.
The first great object wow which we must call your attention is the army. To bring a competent force into the field...to relieve the distresses of captivity..." and so much more.
Page 2 has a report from the House of Commons noting in part: "...a plan of Mr. David Hartley for the foundation of an amicable settlement of our disputes with America...might be appointed by the Crown, who should have power to proclaim a cessation of hostilities in America as well as to suspend for the term of ten years such Acts of Parliament as has been made to restrain all intercourse with the Colonies...Lord North & Lord G. Germain opposed the motion...that the Americans are every day more & more inclined to return to their allegiance & that they will of themselves offer terms..." with more.
Much of the back page concerns the court martial of Dr. William Shippen who was heading the medical services of the American forces, he being charged with incompetence and negligence. Included is a defensive letter from him: "To the Public" signed in type: William Shippen, Junr.
Four pages, wide, never-trimmed margins, one of the more handsome & ornate mastheads of the era, great condition.
Category: Revolutionary War