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Very lengthy letter by Ben Franklin... British generals say America cannot be conquered...



Item # 697886

September 09, 1779

THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, Sept. 9, 1779  

* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
* Lengthy letter from Benjamin Franklin


A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781.
The entire front page and a bit of the back page are taken up with a very lengthy: "Address To the Inhabitants of Ireland", signed in type at its conclusion: B. Franklin. Versailles, October 4, 1778.
It begins: "The misery & distress which your ill-fated country has been so frequently exposed to & has so often experienced...has most sincerely affected your friends in America and has engaged the most serious attention of Congress..." with so much more.
Page 2 begins with hearings in the House of Commons concerning the conduct of British generals which resulted in the capitulation with General Gates, at Saratoga. This is followed by a letter from Augusta on military events in the  South, beginning: "Colonels Baker & Twiggs...having gone from Augusta towards Sunbury, met on...the 27th of June with M'Girth at Medway...who Col. Baker attacked & defeated..." with much more on the following events.
An interesting report begins: "Lord Cornwallis, Lord Howe, Gen. Howe, Gen. Grey...have declared their opinions in the most positive manner, in Parliament, that a conquest of the United states of America is impracticable. You will recollect, sir, that gen. Burgoyne had given a similar opinion..." with more.
There are many additional reports relating to the Revolutionary War, too many to note here but portions of which are seen in the photos.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, somewhat irregular at the blank margins but not affecting any text, generally nice condition.

Category: Revolutionary War