Description:

Revolutionary War
Philadelphia, PA, February 27, 1775
Dunlap 1775 Philadelphia Newspaper tensions Build to Lex-Concord 6 Weeks Away! Plus Slave Sales
Newspaper

[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, or, The General Advertiser, February 27, 1775 (No. 175). Philadelphia: John Dunlap. 4 pp., 12.125" x 18.625". Lacks 2-page "Postscript" for the date; disbound; general toning, and scattered light staining and foxing; very good.

This edition of Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, published in Philadelphia, includes petitions, speeches, and letters addressing the tensions between Great Britain and the American colonies. Colonial governors try to keep legislatures in check, while an essayist explains why Americans must demand their rights as Englishmen. Meanwhile, advertisers seek the return of runaway indentured servants and a few offer slaves for sale.

Excerpts
[Petition of Assembly of Jamaica to King George III, December 28, 1774:]
"That week and feeble as this colony is from its very small number of white inhabitants, and its peculiar situation from the incumbrance of more than two hundred thousand slaves, it cannot be supposed that we now intend, or ever could have intended resistance to Great-Britain.
"That this colony has never, by riots, or other violent measures opposed, or permitted an act of resistance against any law imposed on us by Great-Britain, though always truly sensible of our just rights, and of the pernicious consequences, both to the parent and infant state, with which some of them must be attended; always relaying with the most implicit confidence, on the justice and paternal tenderness of your Majesty, even to the most feeble and distant of your subjects, and depending that when your Majesty, and your Parliament should have maturely considered and deliberated on the claims of Great-Britain and her colonies, every cause of dissatisfaction would be removed." (p1/c1)
"We therefore in this desperate extremity, must humbly beg leave, to approach the Throne, to declare to your Majesty, that our fellow subjects in Great-Britain, and consequently their Representatives, the House of Commons, have not a right as we trust we have shewn, to legislate for the Colonies; and that your petitioners and the Colonists are not, nor ought to be bound by any other laws, than such as they have themselves assented to, and are not disallowed by your Majesty." (p1/c2)

[Governor James Wright to the Assembly of Georgia, January 18, 1775:]
"The alarming situation of American affairs at this juncture, makes it highly necessary for me to say something to you on the subject, and it is with the utmost concern that I see by every account all the colonies to the northward of us as far as Nova-Scotia in a general ferment, and some of them in such a state as makes me shudder when I think of the consequence which it is most probable will soon befall them. The unhappy disputes with the mother country are now become of the most serious nature, and I am much afraid the very extraordinary and violent measures adopted and pursued, will not only prevent a reconciliation, but may involve all America in the most dreadful calamities....
"You may be advocates for liberty, so am I, but in a constitutional and legal way; you, Gentlemen, are legislators, and let me intreat you to take care how you give a sanction to trample on law and government, and be assured it is an indisputable truth, that where there is no law, there can be no liberty...." (p1/c3)

["A Farmer" to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies:]
"Our vigilance and our union are success and safety. Our negligence and our division are distress and death. They are worse. They are shame and slavery." (p2/c1)
"Let these truths be indelibly impressed on our minds—that we cannot be happy, without being free—that we cannot be free, without being secure in our property—that we cannot be secure in our property, if, without our consent, others may, as by right, take it away—that taxes imposed on us by Parliament, do thus take it away—that duties laid for the sole purpose of raising money, are taxes—that attempts to lay such duties should be instantly and firmly opposed—that this opposition can never be effectual, unless it is the united effort of these provinces—that therefore benevolence of temper towards each other, and unanimity of councils, are essential to the welfare of the whole—and lastly, that for this reason, every man amongst us, who in any manner would encourage either dissention, diffidence, or indifference, between these colonies, is an enemy to himself, and to his country." (p2/c1)
"You will convince the world of the justice of your demands, and the purity of your intentions. While all mankind must, with unceasing applauses, confess, that you indeed deserve liberty, whoso well understand it, so passionately love it, so temperately enjoy it, and so wisely, bravely, and virtuously assert, maintain and defend it." (p2/c2)

"TO BE SOLD, A HEALTHY strong young Negro Wench, about 24 years of age, with her male child, one year old. The wench has had the smallpox and measles, and can be recommended for her honesty and sobriety, and a plain cook; apply to the Printer." (p3/c1)

"TO BE SOLD, TWO likely young NEGRO MEN, that understand all sorts of country work, have had the small pox and measles, and can be well recommended for their honesty and sobriety. For further particulars enquire of the Printer." (p3/c2)

Additional Content
This issue also includes the George Assembly's response to Governor James Wright's message (p1/c4, p4/c1-2), and Wright's answer (p4/c2); a letter by Voltaire to the Earl of Chesterfield on the state of Great Britain (p2/c3); a letter on changing the value of gold coins in Philadelphia (p2/c3); notice that the New York General Assembly was considering the appointment of delegates to a General Congress to meet in May 1775 (Second Continental Congress) (p2/c4); the speech of Lieutenant Governor William Bull to the South Carolina General Assembly, their response, and his answer (p4/c2-3); and a variety of advertisements and notices, including four offering rewards for the return of indentured servants who had run away from various masters (p3/c2, 4).

The Pennsylvania Packet, or the General Advertiser (1771-1800) was founded by John Dunlap (1747-1812) in late 1771 as a weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, though it relocated to Lancaster during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777-1778. In 1776, Dunlap became the official printer for the Continental Congress, and he printed the first copies of the Declaration of Independence. On May 30, 1783, Benjamin Towne turned the Pennsylvania Evening Post into the first daily newspaper in the United States. However, with Towne branded a traitor and forced to hawk his own papers on the street, the newspaper collapsed the following year. John Dunlap and David Claypoole (1757-1849) then made their Pennsylvania Packet the first successful daily newspaper beginning on September 21, 1784. It was the first newspaper to print the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and the first to publish George Washington's Farewell Address in 1796. It underwent numerous name changes in the 1790s until sold in 1800 and renamed Poulson's American Daily Advertiser.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 12.125" x 18.625"
  • Medium: Newspaper

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

October 8, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000