1775 London Chronicle — Call for American Independence — Washington & Arnold’s Canadian Expedition

An original Revolutionary War newspaper containing a striking British argument for American independence, published more than seven months before the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

THE LONDON CHRONICLE. London, November 23–25, 1775. Vol. XXXVIII, No. 2959. Complete in eight pages, numbered 505–512. Sold by J. Wilkie, St. Paul’s Churchyard.

The principal feature is an extensive political letter, signed “A Frankelein,” examining Britain’s troubled relationship with its American colonies. Attacking the costs and contradictions of imperial policy, the writer urges:

“a speedy, absolute, and eternal separation of the whole continent of America from Great Britain.”

The argument goes further, insisting that the colonies be declared independent and removed from the protection of the King and Parliament. An arresting example of the debate over American independence appearing in the British press during the first year of the war.

Additional American reporting includes General Washington receiving intelligence from Colonel Benedict Arnold during the expedition toward Quebec; Montgomery’s operations against St. John’s; British troops seizing printing equipment at Norfolk, Virginia; Governor Tryon taking refuge aboard ship at New York; and the tarring and feathering of a merchant at Augusta, Georgia.

The issue also contains parliamentary proceedings, commercial and medical advertisements, and a notice announcing the forthcoming first volume of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

Condition: Generally well preserved in the photographs, with light age toning, scattered spotting, folds, minor edge wear, and evidence of removal from a bound volume along the spine. A red newspaper tax stamp appears on page 508. Text remains clear and readable.

A substantial contemporary record of the military struggle and political debate preceding American independence.