18th Century North America from the William Reese Company

As late as 1775, the Continental Congress was still trying to resolve the dispute with England and save the relationship, though many believed by then that the cause was hopeless. Nevertheless, they published this broadsheet that year, The Twelve United Colonies, by Their Delegates in Congress, to the Inhabitants of Great Britain. The date was July 8, which is in itself remarkable as this comes after the Battles of Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill, which inflamed relations practically beyond repair. This appeal to British citizens, published at the same time as the “Olive Branch Petition” to the King, tells their British compatriots that Boston “is now garrisoned by an Army sent not to protect, but to enslave its Inhabitants.” However, they say that their aim is still “a Reconciliation with you on constitutional Principles.” Whether this had any effect on the British people didn't matter. King George had the final say, and he was not to be bent. There were four broadsheet editions of this declaration, two from Philadelphia, one from New York, and one from Portsmouth. This is a Portsmouth issue, of which only one other copy is known. Item 41. $27,500.

Item 157 is a broadside that first brought the news to England that peace had been reached between that country and its former colonies in America. It announces that “last night” (January 23, 1783) at 7:30 a preliminary agreement was reached. It would take a few months to finalize the treaty, but this essentially announced that the war was over. It lists nine articles of the agreement, the most important being number 1: “The King of Great-Britain...acknowledges the INDEPENDENCE of the United States...” $25,000.

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