![SUMMARY VIEW OF THE RIGHTS OF BRITISH AMERICA – Postscript to the Pennsylvania Packet. No. 173. [Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1774.] No.173.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0229_001(summary_view_of_the_rights_of_british_america_postscript_to_the_pennsy060439).jpg?w=1)
![SUMMARY VIEW OF THE RIGHTS OF BRITISH AMERICA – Postscript to the Pennsylvania Packet. No. 173. [Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1774.] No.173.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0229_000(summary_view_of_the_rights_of_british_america_postscript_to_the_pennsy030220).jpg?w=1)
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SUMMARY VIEW OF THE RIGHTS OF BRITISH AMERICA – Postscript to the Pennsylvania Packet. No. 173. [Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1774.] No.173.
An important precursor to the Declaration of Independence, in Dunlap’s own paper as a broadsheet extra. Thomas Jefferson was en route to the Virginia Convention of 1774 when he fell ill and sent a written statement instead, being the Summary View of the Rights of British America. It has been judged, next to the Declaration, as “the greatest literary contribution to the American Revolution” (Parker, Wellsprings of a Nation). Although Jefferson’s stand was deemed too incendiary to be adopted by the Convention, it was printed separately by Clementina Rind of Williamsburg and at least one copy of her pamphlet was carried (by Patrick Henry) to the Congress in Philadelphia and there reprinted by John Dunlap. This Dunlap printing of the preface refers to the work as “just published.” The preface is addressed to King George and signed “Tribunus,” thought to be Arthur Lee of the famous Virginia family. In part: “The times are big with great events. What will be the consequence, is not in human sagacity to foretell. But if the same system be pursued, which for a long time hath employed the attention of your Majesty’s ministers, they ought to tremble for their heads….”
Broadsheet, two pages, folio (425 x 254mm). (Minor staining.)
An important precursor to the Declaration of Independence, in Dunlap’s own paper as a broadsheet extra. Thomas Jefferson was en route to the Virginia Convention of 1774 when he fell ill and sent a written statement instead, being the Summary View of the Rights of British America. It has been judged, next to the Declaration, as “the greatest literary contribution to the American Revolution” (Parker, Wellsprings of a Nation). Although Jefferson’s stand was deemed too incendiary to be adopted by the Convention, it was printed separately by Clementina Rind of Williamsburg and at least one copy of her pamphlet was carried (by Patrick Henry) to the Congress in Philadelphia and there reprinted by John Dunlap. This Dunlap printing of the preface refers to the work as “just published.” The preface is addressed to King George and signed “Tribunus,” thought to be Arthur Lee of the famous Virginia family. In part: “The times are big with great events. What will be the consequence, is not in human sagacity to foretell. But if the same system be pursued, which for a long time hath employed the attention of your Majesty’s ministers, they ought to tremble for their heads….”
Broadsheet, two pages, folio (425 x 254mm). (Minor staining.)