Books and Manuscripts

Lord Cornwallis's Letter to British Commander-in-Chief of North America Henry Clinton Informing Him of His Surrender at Yorktown

Philadelphia: Printed by Hall and Sellers, Wednesday, December 5, 1781. Numb. 2686. Bifolium sheet, 16 1/4 x 9 7/8 in. (413 x 251 mm). Printed newspaper in three columns. Crease from old fold; wear along edges; dampstain in top corner; largely separated along center fold, with tape remnants from old reinforcement to same, affecting bordering text; scattered soiling; repairs along top edge; contemporary ownership signature at top of front page.

Printed on the second page is British General Lord Cornwallis's October 24 letter to British Commander-in-Chief of North America, General Henry Clinton, informing him of his surrender at Yorktown, "Sir, I have the mortification to inform your Excellency, that I have been forced to give up the posts of York and Gloucester, and to surrender the troops under my command, by capitulation, on the 19th instant, as prisoners of war, to the combined forces of America and France..."

Printed on the front page are eight Congressional Resolves, thanking General George Washington and French Generals, Count de Rochambeau and Count de Grasse, for their service and victory at Yorktown, as well as the presentation and erection of various ceremonial objects to commemorate the victory. Also printed are letters from the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, to General Washington, giving thanks and congratulations, with Washington's reply to each.