Details
[BROADSIDE]. PUTNAM, ISRAEL, General, Continental Army. Head-Quarters, Philadelphia, December 13th, l776. The General has been informed that some weak and wicked Men have reported that it is the Design and Wish of the Officers and Men in the Continental Army, to burn and destroy the City of Philadelphia..., [Philadelphia: s.n. 1776]. Oblong 4to, 177 x 207 mm. (8 1/8 x 7 in.), edges untrimmed, small paper flaw at top affecting one letter, otherwise in good condition. Evans 15181.
PUTNAM'S ORDERS FROM WASHINGTON TO "SECURE AND PROTECT THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AGAINST ALL INVADERS AND ENEMIES"
A rare broadside in which Putnam tries to counter rumors that the Continentals, if forced to abandon Philadelphia, would "burn abd destroy" it, and ordering the confiscation of weapons from citizens who might be in sympathy with the British. To "counteract such a false and scandalous report" that the city will be fired, Putnam reveals that he has received "positive Orders from the Honorable Continental Congress, and from his Excellency General Washington, to secure and protect the City...against all invaders and enemies. The General [Putnam] will consider every Attempt to burn the City of Philadelphia as a Crime of the Blackest Dye"; he commands "all able bodied men in the City...who are not conscientiously scrupulous against bearing arms [as were most Quakers]...to appear in the State-House Yard...with your Arms...This order must be complied with; the General being resolutely determined that no Person shall remain in this City an idle Spectator of the present Contest, who has it in his Power to injure the American cause....Those who are convicted of secreting any Arms or Acoutrements will be severely punished...."
PUTNAM'S ORDERS FROM WASHINGTON TO "SECURE AND PROTECT THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AGAINST ALL INVADERS AND ENEMIES"
A rare broadside in which Putnam tries to counter rumors that the Continentals, if forced to abandon Philadelphia, would "burn abd destroy" it, and ordering the confiscation of weapons from citizens who might be in sympathy with the British. To "counteract such a false and scandalous report" that the city will be fired, Putnam reveals that he has received "positive Orders from the Honorable Continental Congress, and from his Excellency General Washington, to secure and protect the City...against all invaders and enemies. The General [Putnam] will consider every Attempt to burn the City of Philadelphia as a Crime of the Blackest Dye"; he commands "all able bodied men in the City...who are not conscientiously scrupulous against bearing arms [as were most Quakers]...to appear in the State-House Yard...with your Arms...This order must be complied with; the General being resolutely determined that no Person shall remain in this City an idle Spectator of the present Contest, who has it in his Power to injure the American cause....Those who are convicted of secreting any Arms or Acoutrements will be severely punished...."