Continental Congress Declares Independence - on July 2, 1776
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
From Seth Kaller Inc., White Plains, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 2 out of 5 stars
AbeBooks Seller since 1 December 2005
From Seth Kaller Inc., White Plains, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 2 out of 5 stars
AbeBooks Seller since 1 December 2005
About this Item
Pennsylvania Magazine: or American Monthly Museum. Philadelphia, Pa., R. Aitken, June 1776 [published ca. July 4.] 48 pp., 5 1/4 x 8 1/4 in., without fold out map. Due to a shortage of paper,The Pennsylvania Magazine: or American Monthly Museum, edited by Thomas Paine, held the June issue past its normal publication date (which would have been July 3rd), allowing time for the last-minute insertion of the actual resolution of Congress declaring independence. The Pennsylvania Evening Post is the only other contemporary publication of the resolution we have found, in their July 2 issue. Historical BackgroundThe Pennsylvania Magazine was founded by printer and bookseller Robert Aitken, who launched the periodical singlehandedly in January 1775, but soon hired Thomas Paine, who had only arrived in America in December 1774. As editor, Paine quickly became a major contributor, sometimes writing under the initials "A.B.," and other times writing with no by-line. Paine wrote prolifically on many topics for the magazine, including Revolutionary War politics and even descriptions of inventions.Due to a paper shortage, the June issue was slightly delayed. As it reported:"To our Correspondents. Hermes came too late for insertion this month. Our customers will excuse us, though the day of publication be sometimes delayed: The great difficulty we have procuring printing paper, renders it impossible for us to publish always on the first Wednesday of the month [July 3]."That left enough time for the last-minute addition of the news of Independence."July 2. this day the Hon. Continental Congress declared the UNITED COLONIES FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES."Likely appearing on July 4 or 5, this is one of the first reports of independence found in any publication. (The Pennsylvania Evening Post printed the resolution on the night of July 2; we know of no other publication at the time.) Had their paper delivery been delayed only a day or two more, theMagazine would have mentioned the July 4 Declaration of Independence. Instead, that appears in the July issue, which was printed in the first few days of August.Other NewsMaking paper: "As Paper is become an article of considerable importance and scarcity, the following account of the manner of making paper in Japan, of the barks of shrubs and trees, may not be unacceptable to the public. From this t, perhaps, some American artists may discover a similar method of manufacturing that useful commodity." (p259-62)The colony of South Carolina breaks away from Britain and establishes its own government: "South Carolina In Congress, Whereas the British Parliament, claiming of late years a right to bind the North-American Colonies by law, in all cases whatsoever, have enacted statutes for raising a revenue in those colonies, and disposing of such revenue as they thought proper, without the consent, and against the will of the colonists." The Resolution goes on to say that the British have incited unrest, taken the property of colonists, and killed and wounded many "to effect the ruin and destruction of the colonies." (p289-93)New York breaks away from Britain. A report headed, "In Provincial Congress, May 31," details the separation of the Colony and election of new officials. (p294)New Jersey resolves to stop paying the Colonial Governor, William Franklin. Lengthy report from Burlington with the Governor's address and the Colonists' reaction. (p294-95)The Pennsylvania Delegation meeting in Philadelphia writes a Declaration against the King and England, proclaims itself independent, and resolves to raise companies of soldiers to defend its new freedom. (p296)In the column immediately preceding the news, the text of Pennsylvania's own declaration of independence reads in part: "Whereas George the Third. in violation of the principles of the British constitution, and of the laws of justice and humanity. We the Deputies of the people of Pennsylvania, assembled in full Pr. (See website for full description). Seller Inventory # 26797.99
Bibliographic Details
Title: Continental Congress Declares Independence -...
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Publication Date: 1776
Binding: Softcover
Condition: Very Good
Book Type: Magazine
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