The Pennsylvania Evening Post | A selection of 1776 issues published during the run-up to independence

The Pennsylvania Evening Post

Vol. II, Num. 150–Vol. II, Num. 160, Vol. II, Num. 166, Vol. II, Num. 169, Vol. II, Num. 171–Vol. II, Num. 173, Vol. II, Num. 176–Vol. II, Num. 186, Vol. II, Num. 189–Vol. II, Num. 199. Vol. II, Num. 266. Philadelphia: Printed by Benjamin Towne, in Front-street, near the London Coffee-House, Saturday, January 6, 1776–Thursday, October 3, 1776

4to, 37 four-page issues and one eight-page issue (267 x 212 mm, uncut) printed on half-sheet bifolia of laid paper, printed in two columns, accompanied by single-leaf supplements to Nums. 152, 177, 184; scattered mostly light browning and soiling, a few marginal tears, a few issues separated at central fold, Num. 190 severely browned and separated at folds into four pieces, Num. 266 quite worn at edges with loss. Disbound, with stab-sewing holes in the left margins.

An excellent selection of 1776 issues of one of the most important American newspapers of the Revolutionary era, including significant news of developments military, diplomatic, and political. Num. 150 features a lengthy front-page report (from Pinkney's Virginia Gazette) on the victory of the Virginia militia at the Battle of Great Bridge, and Num. 155 reports the death of General Richard Montgomery during his unsuccessful invasion of Quebec. Num. 154 includes a notice for Robert Bell's edition of Common Sense, and Num. 159 contains both a longer notice by Bell denouncing the double-dealing of the anonymous author (Thomas Paine) and an advertisement for the Bradfords' competing edition; the controversy continues in the next issue. Much of Num. 169 is given to a transcription of Richard Penn's examination before the House of Lords on matters including the Olive Branch Petition. Seven "Reasons for a Declaration of Independence of the American Colonies" appears in Num. 195.

Minutes from the Continental Congress, meeting, of course, in Philadelphia, feature prominently in many issues: Num 153 includes a resolve to punish those who attempt to depreciate congressional bills of credit; Num. 171 prints a series of resolutions encouraging the manufacture of saltpeter and gunpowder; Num. 172 features a resolution prohibiting any vessels from sailing to Great Britain, Ireland, or the British West Indies without congressional approval; the front page of Num. 181 prints above John Hancock's name the congressional order that May 17 be observed "as a day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer" in light of "the warlike preparations of the British Ministry to subvert our invaluable rights and privileges, and to reduce us … to the most abject and ignominious bondage"; Num. 191 includes the instructions from Congress on obtaining commissions "for private ships of war and letters of marque." Important resolutions and proclamations from various colonial assemblies—especially those of Massachusetts and Maryland, in addition to Pennsylvania—are also featured.