[African-Americana]
Scarce Issue of The Boston Gazette from the Early Months of the American Revolution, Deriding British Royal Governor Lord Dunmore's Treatment of Freed Slaves within his Army

The Boston-Gazette and Country Journal
Watertown: Benjamin Edes, December 25, 1775. No. 1075. Printed newspaper, with Paul Revere engraved masthead. Folio. 4 pp. Contemporary ownership signature at top left "Joseph Coolidge / Lancaster." Creasing from old folds, small closed tears along same; unevenly toned; small chips or loss to extremities.

As the issue describes, "Several persons lately from Norfolk inform that Lord Dunmore was preparing barracks for his army...and that several Scotch tories in that borough commanded black companies, who speak with much confidence of beating us...When his lordship first went down to Norfolk, he gave great encouragement to unwary Negroes, but, such was his baseness, some of them, it is confidently said, he sent to the West Indies, where these unfortunate creatures were disposed of to defray his lordship's expences...Lord Dunmore issued a proclamation inviting the slaves of rebels, as he pleased to say, to repair to his standard. A considerable number at first went to him, but upon their masters taking the oath of allegiance, they were immediately told they must return...such is the barbarous policy of this cruel man..."

Virginia royal governor Lord Dunmore (1730-1809) issued a proclamation on November 15, 1775, following a victory at the Battle of Kemp's Landing, promising emancipation to those enslaved in the colony that joined the British Army. While the act was not as successful as he might have hoped, Dunmore was able to form the Royal Ethiopian Regiment from those who joined him. It was the first British regiment during the war to feature Blacks as soldiers, and while it was disbanded not long after its formation, many recruits would go on to serve in other "Black Loyalist" regiments.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[African-Americana] Scarce Issue of The Boston Gazette from the Early Months of the American Revolution, Deriding British Royal Governor Lord Dunmore's Treatment of Freed Slaves within his Army

[African-Americana]
Scarce Issue of The Boston Gazette from the Early Months of the American Revolution, Deriding British Royal Governor Lord Dunmore's Treatment of Freed Slaves within his Army