Printed and Manuscript Americana

Philadelphia: William Goddard, Monday July 24-Monday July 31, 1769. Numb. 133. Printed newspaper. 4 leaves, pp. (221)-228. Disbound; lightly toned; scattered spotting and light wear.

Scarce newspaper featuring multiple reports on the colonial reaction to the Townshend Acts.

On the fourth page is a lengthy address from a committee of the Massachusetts Assembly, of which John Hancock was a member, to the governor of Massachusetts, Francis Bernard, regarding the quartering of British troops in the city; it is followed by a message from the Governor. Following this is a report from the Massachusetts Assembly approving a petition to the King against Governor Bernard "as having been corrupt and arbitrary" and asking that "he may be For Ever removed from this Government." On the sixth page is a report from New Haven, Connecticut, reporting that merchants in the town have approved to join New York and Boston "to restrict the importation of goods from Great Britain, until the act of parliament, laying duties on paper, glass, &c. shall be repealed, (if duly adhered to) will have the best tendency to obtain a redress of our grievances, and to promote, industry, frugality and manufactures among ourselves. And we concur in opinion with our brethren in the other colonies, that it is our duty to exert ourselves by all lawful means, to maintain our constitutional rights, especially that important one, not to be taxed but by our own consent, or that of our representatives. And that the security of our rights depends much on our union." Further on the same page is the report of a ship seized for smuggling and escorted by the armed schooner Liberty, the later having formerly belonged to John Hancock, but itself seized by customs officials in June of 1768.