![[AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. Manifesto and Proclamation to the Members of Congress, the Members of the General Assemblies or Conventions of the Several Colonies, Plantations and Provinces of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Three Lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Nort Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and All Others, Free Inhabitants of the said Colonies, of Every Rank and Denomination. By...Commissioners Appointed by His Majesty...to Treat, Consult and Agree Upon the Means of Quieting the Disorders Now Subsisting in Certain of the Colonies...in North America... [New-York: James Rivington, 1778].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01614_0070_000(102405).jpg?w=1)
Details
[AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. Manifesto and Proclamation to the Members of Congress, the Members of the General Assemblies or Conventions of the Several Colonies, Plantations and Provinces of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Three Lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Nort Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and All Others, Free Inhabitants of the said Colonies, of Every Rank and Denomination. By...Commissioners Appointed by His Majesty...to Treat, Consult and Agree Upon the Means of Quieting the Disorders Now Subsisting in Certain of the Colonies...in North America... [New-York: James Rivington, 1778].
Broadside 2o (582 x 479 mm). Large woodcut of English Royal arms flanked by unicorn and crowned lion at top of the sheet, bold heading "Manifesto and Proclamation," text in two columns, signed in type at end by General Henry Clinton, William Eden and Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle. (Right-hand margin slightly worn with a few small losses, not affecting text, back with a few old tape stains.) A LARGE, UNTRIMMED COPY.
ONLY OFFICIAL PRINTING IN AMERICA OF THE LAST BRITISH ATTEMPT TO PEACEFULLY QUELL THE REVOLUTION. Desperate to head off the looming American alliance with France, the British government sent Frederick Howard, the 5th Earl of Carlisle, to Philadelphia to make a last ditch try at reconciliation. With him were (among others) William Eden, and, as secretary, the famed Edinburgh professor Adam Ferguson, of Scottish enlightenment fame. The Congress, however, was in no mood to be conciliatory. They issued a dire warning against any individuals or groups conducting separate negotiations with the commission. Then they made an "unconditional surrender" reply to Carlisle: the only "terms" they would entertain were American independence and British evacuation. Uncovering spies in the "peace" delegation only strengthened American resentment. Trying to salvage something from his failure, Carlisle went around the Congress and issued this amnesty offer: "...We accordingly grant and proclaim a pardon or pardons of all, and all manner, of treasons or misprisions of treason, by any person or persons...within the said colonies, plantations or provinces, counseled, commanded, acted or done, on or before the date of this manifesto and proclamation..." He found no takers. Evans 15832.
Broadside 2
ONLY OFFICIAL PRINTING IN AMERICA OF THE LAST BRITISH ATTEMPT TO PEACEFULLY QUELL THE REVOLUTION. Desperate to head off the looming American alliance with France, the British government sent Frederick Howard, the 5th Earl of Carlisle, to Philadelphia to make a last ditch try at reconciliation. With him were (among others) William Eden, and, as secretary, the famed Edinburgh professor Adam Ferguson, of Scottish enlightenment fame. The Congress, however, was in no mood to be conciliatory. They issued a dire warning against any individuals or groups conducting separate negotiations with the commission. Then they made an "unconditional surrender" reply to Carlisle: the only "terms" they would entertain were American independence and British evacuation. Uncovering spies in the "peace" delegation only strengthened American resentment. Trying to salvage something from his failure, Carlisle went around the Congress and issued this amnesty offer: "...We accordingly grant and proclaim a pardon or pardons of all, and all manner, of treasons or misprisions of treason, by any person or persons...within the said colonies, plantations or provinces, counseled, commanded, acted or done, on or before the date of this manifesto and proclamation..." He found no takers. Evans 15832.