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The Howe's offer pardon to those who return their allegiance to the King...



Item # 703273

December 19, 1776

THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 19, 1776  Taking close to half of the front page is a notable: "PROCLAMATION" by Richard Viscount Howe and William Howe.
Keeping in mind that Washington had just abandoned New York with the British taking control, within this Proclamation they noted previous grants of a free and general pardon if colonists again paid allegiance to Britain. Now the proclamation allowed for clemency for all who lay down guns against Britain and return home. The oath to be taken is included: "I, ___ do promise and declare, that I willl remain in a peaceable obedience to His Majesty and will no take up Arms nor encourage others to take up Arms in Opposition to His Authority." 
The Proclamation is dated Nov. 30, 1776 & signed in type: Howe, and W. Howe.
Page 2 begins with a letter: "It may suffice for the present to observe that the Proclamation in the first page of this paper [noted above] contains little in it besides a pardon to those who have been guilty of no crime..." with more. This is followed by a letter: "For the Encouragement of the Soldiers", and then a letter from Peekskill, New York, beginning: "I am now preparing to set off for the Jersies to which place General Lee with his division is now bending his course. General Washington had received a reinforcement from the southward..." with more.
Pages 3 & 4 have additional war-related content as partially seen in the photos.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, light damp stains at the bottom, good condition.

Item from our most recent catalog - #356, released for July, 2025

Category: Revolutionary War