RARE NEW JERSEY GAZETTE/SHOULD SLAVES BE FREED?/BENEDICT ARNOLD–TRAITOR!

nj-gaz-full-fp-real.jpgTHE NEWSPAPER GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON HELPED TO ESTABLISH FOR HIS ARMY!

LORD CORNWALLIS ORDERS THE ESTATES OF FRANCIS (”THE SWAMP FOX”) MARION, HENRY LAURENS, JOHN RUTLEDGE AND OTHER SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO BE SEIZED!

The New Jersey Gazette, Trenton
Wednesday, January 10, 1781

Recognizing the power of the American Press, Gen. Washington encouraged the Patriot press, and aided in establishing The New Jersey Gazette so that his troops would have a pro-American newspaper to read during the terrible winter of 1777. The Commander-in-Chief actually consigned quanities of old tenting to be made into newsprint.

Most of the page one of this superb issue contains a letter to the editor regarding the manumission of slaves which had become a hot topic during the Revolution. The writer says, “Humanity, indeed, wishes they could enjoy liberty and happiness, consistent with justice to those who have honestly bought them, and we, in truth, consider our liberty as a prelude to their release from slavery.” He considers the Bible and “doing unto others as we would they should do to us,” as well as the possibility of freeing slaves during the present American Revolution. “Whenever they shall be emancipated, on mature deliberation perhaps it will be tho’t, that small settlements of them in different parts of the continent, under proper regulations, will be most compatible with our safety and their felicity.” A most fascinating early look at slavery in America. Most interesting is that this rare newspaper contains a number of large notices for Runaway Negroes!

Henry Laurens of South Carolina (who was in prision in the Tower of London after being captured in 1789 aboard an American ship) is said to be “chagrined” on account of his secret papers now being in the hands of the British Gov’t. They are said to contain plans of three American expeditions! (He also had the outline of a treaty with Holland that caused war between England and the United Provinces.)

4 pp., original and complete. Very fine condition–a gem!

$1,300

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Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under The Revolutionary War, All Historic Newspapers