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The Howe's offer pardon to those who return their allegiance to the King...
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
* Great year to have in a publication (1776)
* General William Howe offers pardons - clemency
* American patriots asked to pledge oath to the crown
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.
AI notes: In 1776, as the American Revolutionary War intensified, British General William Howe sought to weaken the colonial rebellion by offering pardons to those who remained loyal to King George III or who would abandon the revolutionary cause. Howe issued proclamations promising clemency and protection to any colonists who would take an oath of allegiance to the Crown, aiming to encourage Loyalist support and undermine the Continental Army’s strength. This strategy was part of a broader British effort to pacify rebellious regions by exploiting divisions among the colonists. Despite these offers, many Patriots remained committed to independence, and the pardons had limited success. Howe’s attempts to restore loyalty ultimately failed to prevent the continued escalation of the war, as the colonies moved closer to full independence.
Category: Revolutionary War
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