Early Announcement of Continental Congress' Declaration of Independence

"The Pennsylvania Magazine: or, American Monthly Museum for June 1776. Number VI. Volume II",

This is the first magazine to announce the Continental Congress' Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776, and only the second known publication to announce the news, with the Pennsylvania Evening Post newspaper giving the first announcement on July 2. Although this issue is dated "June 1776," it was traditionally published the first Wednesday of the following month, which would have been on July 2. However, due to a paper shortage, the printing was delayed until July 4 or 5, giving just enough time to add to the end of the "Monthly Intelligence" section: "July 2. This day the Hon. Continental Congress declared the UNITED COLONIES FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES." The delay in printing is also explained: "Our customers will excuse us, though the day of publication be sometimes delayed: The great difficulty we have procuring printing paper, renders it impossible for us to publish always on the first Wednesday of the month."

This issue also features several stories of states breaking with England, including Pennsylvania, New York, and South Carolina. The text of Pennsylvania’s own declaration of independence is included, and reads in part: "A DECLARATION. Whereas George the Third, King of Great-Britain, &c. in violation of the principles of the British constitution, and of the laws of justice and humanity, hath, by an accumulation of oppressions unparalleled in history, excluded the inhabitants of this with the other American colonies from his protection: And whereas he hath paid no regard to any of our numerous and dutiful petitions for redress of our complicated grievances, but hath lately purchased foreign troops to assist in enslaving us, and hath excited the Savages of this country to carry on a war against us, as also the Negroes to embrue their hands in the blood of their masters, in a manner unpracticed by civilized nations; and moreover hath lately insulted our calamities by declaring that he will show us no mercy until, he hath subdued us [...] WE THE DEPUTIES of the people of Pennsylvania, assembled in FULL Provisional Conference for forming a plan for executing the resolve of Congress of the 15th of May last, for suppressing all authority in this province derived from the crown of Great-Britain, and for establishing a government upon the authority of the people only, DO in this public manner [...] UNANIMOUSLY declare our willingness to concur in a vote of the Congress declaring the United Colonies free and independent STATES."

Also included in this issue is an article on "An Account of the Colonies of North and South Carolina, with Georgia," which is accompanied by a map engraved by Robert Aitkin: A Newe Map of North & South Carolina, & Georgia. The map, which is found missing in many examples, shows the boundaries of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia extending from the coast to the Mississippi River. Rivers, settlements, and the locations of Native American tribes are identified.

The Pennsylvania Magazine was the only magazine issued in the American colonies during the critical years of 1775-76 during the Revolutionary War. (The only other magazine published in the colonies at the time, The Royal American Magazine, had ceased publication in March 1775.) The magazine was founded by Robert Aitken in January 1775 and was issued through July 1776, and contained both reprinted material from British and Continental sources, as well as original philosophical essays, scientific articles, and military and political news. Aitken was a well-known publisher and printer in Philadelphia, who also served as the printer for the Continental Congress. Shortly after founding the magazine, Aitken hired Thomas Paine as Editor. who served in this role from February 1775 through May 1776.

48 pp. with fold-out map, paper covers and original string tie. This rare and important imprint is housed in a stiff paper folder for protection.

References: Sabin #60346.

Condition: B

The text is toned with deckled edges, occasional soiling, and chipping along the fore-edges. The map is toned with offsetting and soiling. The covers have a number of small chips and tears along the edges, and are detached with soiling and a previous owner's name in manuscript at top.