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THE FRIENDS OF LIBERTY - Sept 28, 1775 Revolutionary War New York City Broadside

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 24,000.00 USD
THE FRIENDS OF LIBERTY - Sept 28, 1775 Revolutionary War New York City Broadside
Colonial America
Extremely Rare Broadside “The Friends to Liberty are earnestly requested to attend at the LIBERTY-POLE, To-morrow Morning, at 8 o'Clock, on Business of the utmost Importance.” New-York, Sept. 28, 1775.
September 28, 1775-Dated Revolutionary War Period Broadside titled, “TO ALL TRUE WHIGS, And particularly to such as are Independent Electors of the City and County of New York., by “The Friends of Liberty,” New York, Very Fine.
Fully titled: “TO ALL TRUE WHIGS, And particularly to such as are Independent Electors of the City and County of New York. --- Gentlemen, -- The conduct of several of the magistrates of this City, having for a considerable time to notoriously inimical and unfriendly to the Liberties of this Country,...”. (Recommending seven aldermen and seven common

council men) (Dated) New York, Sept. 28, 1775. The name “Whigs” refers to a British political party, one of two political parties in England, Great Britain, Ireland, and later the United Kingdom, from the 17th to 19th centuries, commensurate with modern-day “Liberals.”

This exceedingly rare, important Revolutionary War New York Broadside measures about 8” x 9” with variable size and graphic design text, including some in italic. Apparently previously framed with a .75” wide outline of lighter tone where covered by a mat. Its blank reverse side with traces of numerous earlier tape reinforcements and/or repairs to scattered sealed tears within the paper, and there is a small marginal paper loss to lower right edge and at the top left corner selvage. This New York Broadside reads, in full:

“TO ALL TRUE WHIGS, --- And particularly to such as are Independent Electors of the City and County of New York. -- Gentlemen, - The conduct of several of the Magistrates of this city, having for a considerable time been so notoriously inimical and unfriendly to the Liberties of this Country, and diametrically opposite to the Sentiments of a number of their Constituents; who, therefore, without any Pique, or party Resentment, but purely to promote and serve the general Cause, have agreed to choose the undermentioned Gentlemen as Guardians of their City Liberties for the ensuing Year; they having shown a hearty Disposition to serve their oppressed and bleeding Country; and are therefore recommended to all true Friends of American Liberty, viz .” (This Broadside then continues its text in two columns, printing the names of seven Aldermen and seven Common Council members, including:)

“Aldermen. - Common Council.

Out Ward. Nicholas Bayard, Capt. Anthony Rutgers. Montgomery Ward. Capt. John Pell, Francis Van Dyck. East Ward. Capt. William Bedlow, Jeremiah Brower. North Ward. Isaac Stoutenburg, Stephen Terbune. West Ward. Jacobus Stoutenburg, Peter T. Curtenius. South Ward. Benjamin Davis, John Williamson. Dock Ward. Garret Abeel, Coenradt W. Ham.

“The Friends to Liberty are earnestly requested to attend at the L I B E R T Y - P O L E, To-morow Morning, at 8 o’Clock, on Business of the utmost Importance.

New York, Sep 28, 1775.”

Several of the gentlemen listed served on “Committee of One Hundred” whose purpose was to insure the British would not receive arms from New York. The committee disarmed all loyalists within its jurisdiction. The mentioned Liberty Pole was erected on The Common (now the site of City Hall) by the Sons of Liberty. From 1766-1776, the pole was a point of battle between the Sons of Liberty and the British authorities, and frequently had to be replaced. A few examples of this historic Broadside are known to be institutionally housed, including the Library of Congress. This example is the first we have offered.