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From 1776 - The British are taking New York... Letter signed by John Hancock...
From 1776 - The British are taking New York... Letter signed by John Hancock...
Item # 719852
August 20, 1776
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Aug. 20, 1776
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)
* British siege of New York City
* John Hancock signed letter
Inside pages have various items concerning the Revolutionary War including: "...the accounts of a battle are not true...two more of the transports with the Highlanders are taken by the Rebels...one of them fell in with 3 American privateers...She then proceeded for Boston not knowing that it was evacuated, & went into the harbour where she was surrounded by a great number of whale-boats & taken." and further on is: "You have no doubt heard that the Indians have declared in favour of America; I can, however, assure you they have absolutely refused to oppose the Great King..." with more on the relationship with the Indians.
An inside page has a great letter signed by John Hancock reading in part: "Gentlemen, The Congress have this day received advice, & are fully convinced, that it is the design of General Howe to make an attack upon the city of New York as soon as possible...The greatest exertions of vigour & expedition are requisite to prevent our enemies from getting possession of that town; I must therefore again most earnestly request you...to send forward the militia..." with a bit more, signed: John Hancock. Also, a report from Provincial Congress on praise given to George Washington, with Washington's response printed here.
Following this is an historic report from Staten Island beginning: "We took possession of this island three or four days since, without firing a shot; the rebels immediately quitted it, or rather before we landed; we only wait for the arrival of Lord Howe to proceed to attack the rebels..." with a bit more.
A back page letter expresses some thoughts concerning the Revolutionary War.
Nice to have a period newspaper dated 1776.
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, very minor loss to an upper corner of the first two leaves with no text loss, nice condition.
AI notes: In the summer and fall of 1776, the British effectively besieged and captured New York City during the New York and New Jersey campaign, marking a decisive early turning point in the American Revolutionary War. Following their evacuation of Boston, British forces under General Sir William Howe assembled the largest expeditionary army Britain had ever sent overseas—over 30,000 regulars, Hessians, and naval personnel—and targeted New York for its strategic harbor and control of the Hudson River. After landing on Long Island, Howe decisively defeated George Washington’s Continental Army at the Battle of Long Island (August 27, 1776), then used naval superiority and maneuver warfare to outflank American defenses, forcing Washington to abandon Manhattan after engagements at Harlem Heights and White Plains. British warships controlled the East and Hudson Rivers, cutting off escape routes and isolating Patriot positions, while Loyalist support within the city undermined American intelligence and supply efforts. By mid-September, British troops occupied New York City, which soon suffered a devastating fire of unknown origin, and the city became the principal British military and naval base in North America for the remainder of the war. Although not a formal siege in the European sense, the campaign functioned as a strategic encirclement that compelled Washington’s retreat into New Jersey, preserving the Continental Army but conceding Britain a critical stronghold.
Category: Revolutionary War
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