Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms: consumes the entire front page...

Item # 700583

July 29, 1775

THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, July 29, 1775 In the world of American Revolutionary literature and manuscripts three bodies of work stand out: 1) Thomas Paine's Common Sense; 2) the Declaration of Independence; and 3) the earliest of the Revolutionary trinity: The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms.
All of the front page and a bit of page 2 are taken up with this latter document, signed in type by John Hancock. This document is rarely offered in a period American newspaper, and how wonderful to have it on the front page.
This document was, in essence, America's declaration of war against Great Britain, remaining a most desired cornerstone piece in any collection of American newspapers.
Portions of the document, written by Thomas Jefferson & John Dickinson, are shown in the photos while the entire text can be seen on various web pages. This is an early printing as well preceding the printing of it in the popular New England Chronicle by 2 days.
There is much war-related content on inside pages as well including two references to the recent Battle of Lexington & Concord, one noting in part: "...news received from America of the disgraceful defeat of the King's troops hath thrown Lord Bate's cabal into the utmost consternation..." and as to the disparity in troop strength: "...a considerable advantage, for they are Regulars, whereas the Provincials are militia, who fight merely for a love of liberty." Much more as well.
Much more on the war as well, portions seen in the photos.
From our research only one other time in our 48 years have we offered this event where it consumed the entire front page, and that was 18 years ago.
Four pages, wide, never-trimmed margins, a few very discrete archival mends, some very fait damp staining, very nice condition.