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Wealth of content on the effects of the Boston Port Bill... Discussing the Mass. Government Act...

Item # 700572

June 29, 1774

THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, June 29, 1774 This is the newspaper previously owned & printed by Ben Franklin, his name appearing in the imprint through 1765.
The front page begins with a harsh address from the Mass. Council to the governor, Thomas Gage, noting: "Your excellency has arrived at a juncture when the harmony between Great Britain and the colonies is greatly interrupted...". Further on: "...The inhabitants of this province claim no more than the rights of Englishmen..." with more.
This address was refused by the governor, he noting: "I cannot receive an address which contains indecent reflections on my predecessors...I consider this address as an insult upon his Majesty...and an affront to myself." signed in type: T. Gage.
Following this is a report that Governor Gage had dissolved the General Congress of Massachusetts Bay, and also: "...meeting of the mechanics...at Faneuil Hall...respecting making payment for the Tea...We learn...that the people in general, having become quite impatient by not hearing a Non-Importation Agreement has yet been come into by the merchants, are now taking the good work into their own hands & have & are solemnly engaging not to purchase any goods imported from Great Britain...to counterwork the designs of our enemies & to effect the salvation of this distressed & much injured people..." with more.
More of the front page is taken up with additional addresses concerning the troubling relations with England, including a letter from New York beginning: "The alarming measures of the British Parliament relative to your ancient & respectable town, which has so long been the seat of freedom, fills the inhabitants of this city with inexpressible concern..." Also a report from Williamsburg.
Virtually all of page 2 is taken up with many reports on the troubles with England, focused on the Boston Port Bill and the resulting economic weakness. Various news takes up most of page 3 as well.
Of added significance is the inclusion of the single sheet: "Postscript to the Pennsylvania Gazette" which is almost entirely taken up with America-related reports and documents. The front page is dominated by: "An Authentic Account of Friday's Debate in the House of Commons on the Second Reading of the Bill for Regulating the Civil Government of Massachusetts Bay".
This Massachusetts Government Act, as it wasps called, was passed by the Parliament & the King on May 20 1774. The Act effectively nullified the 1691 charter of the Province of Massachusetts Bay and gave its royally-appointed governor wide-ranging powers. The colonists declared that it altered the basic structure of colonial government, and vowed to block its implementation. The Act was a major step on the road to the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775.
Six pages including the Postscript, engraving of the Pennsylvania coat-of-arms in the masthead, never-trimmed margins, very nice condition.