Volume of Gentleman’s magazine, 1779. American Revolution reports

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A volume of The (London) Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle (Vol. 49), 12 issues, Jan.-Dec., 1779. 616 pages, issues roughly 5x8-inches. Plenty of great news reports through letters concerning the AMERICAN REVOLUTION, from the heroic fight of Washington's forces in the Battle of Stony Point, revelations of two Quakers hanged for treason, a Bunker Hill general's reply to a Founding Father's pleas for redress, a treaty between America and France that could tilt the conflict with Great Britain, to the aftermath of the infamous naval battle at Penobscot Harbor and even a series on witches of Scotland (holy Macbeth!)(Jan., page 14): Almost full-page judge's speech upon passing "…a dreadful sentence…" of death upon a Quaker, John Roberts, found guilty of "high treason" for having correspondence with the British. Powerful, historic report from this tumultuous era of war "in the family." Roberts' and Abraham Carlisle's executions reported later on page 44. (Feb., page 73); A Treaty of Amity and Commerce concludes between American colonies and France. The two countries will fight together should war break out between Britain and France. (Page 74-78), Silas Deane, one of the ambassadors of Congress to the Court of France writes "To the free and virtuous Citizens of America." He cites his relationship to Benjamin Franklin and other emissaries to France and the good feelings of the French (who revel at news of Burgoyne's defeat). Just a fascinating look into this angle of the conflict. (Deane served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and then became the first foreign diplomat from the United States to France, where he helped negotiate the 1778 Treaty of Alliance.) In the March edition (pages 129-130), Francis Lightfoot Lee (signed in type), of the famed Virginia Lees, replies to Deane's letter(April, pages 177-181): Abstract from Lt. Col. Arch. Campbell to Lord George Germaine, an account of the detachment to Georgia in America and encounter with Howe's forces. Lengthy, detailed. Similar missive from Major Gen. Augustin Prevost (pages 180-181)(June, pages 321-32): Americans detain troops surrendered at Saratoga and call for Gen. Burgoyne to be suspended for "ferocious evils" against colonists. Letter to British Gen. Henry Clinton from N.J. Gov. (and founding father) William Livingston says he has proof someone has been paid handsomely to "assassinate me." Clinton's reply blows him off of that notion: "I should not blacken myself with so foul; a crime, to obtain so trifling an end." Gen. Clinton fought at Bunker Hill and was Commander-in-Chief at the time that the colonies were lost. (July, page 369-372): About 100 "American refugees" from the colonies seek protection of the king and show no allegiance to those left behind (in America)."…[They] never can establish happiness (in America)…." Also, letter from Lt.-Gov. of South Carolina to Va. Gov. Patrick Henry about British troops crossing from Georgia into South Carolinas pursuing Gen. Moultrie. There are also other letters and reports from America about troop movements in Charlestown and Savannah, Port Royal, St. Helena; as well as reports from the expedition in Virginia and from the Hudson River area and George Washington's movements. (October, pages 513-514): Extensive list of ships in the rebel fleet destroyed under naval commander Dudley Saltonstall. This is from the Penobscot Expedition, which ended in complete disaster, with all ships lost. Another important report comes (page 517) on the Battle of Stony Point which took place on July 16, 1779. In a well-planned and -executed nighttime attack, a highly trained select group of George Washington's Continental Army troops under the command of Brigadier General "Mad Anthony" Wayne defeated British troops in a quick and daring assault on their outpost in Stony Point, New York. The British suffered heavy losses in a battle that served as an important victory in terms of morale for the Continental Army. And, to take your mind off war, there is an excellent report (August, 393-395): "A true discourse of the apprehension of sundry witches lately taken in Scotland; whereof some are executed and some are yet imprisoned. With particular Recital of their examination taken in the presence of the King's Majesty." Continues into September edition (page 449-452).In every issue are reports from Parliament that contain war-related debate. There are also about a dozen illustrations (single-page and fold-outs) of landmark buildings, sketches of flora and fauna and inventions. This volume has been broken and separated along the spine, but no issues have been removed. Eight pages are loose from the breaking of the spine and in one other area. Issues in good rag condition.

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