Complete original issue of The London Chronicle from August 15-17, 1776, eight pages, 8.25 x 11.5, containing the first foreign printing of the Declaration of Independence. The text of the historic document appears on the fourth page, published without comment, under the heading: "Advices from America, In Congress, July 4, 1776, A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled." Other revolutionary news concerns a sea battle off Antigua involving the 28-gun provincial ship of war Revenge, and an English sloop of war "homeward bound with powder and other valuable articles," a convoy from Jamaica to sail with the English fleet, the suffering of the English soldiers at Bunker Hill, maneuvers of the French fleet, and military action on Staten Island and the removal of General Washington's headquarters "upon the discovery of a design to seize and deliver his person to Governor Tryon." In fine condition.
Founded in 1756–57, the London Chronicle was issued three times a week and covered a wide range of world and national news, often from far-flung outposts of the British empire. The paper offered tidbits on topics such as the military, trade, politics, crime, weddings, obituaries, and the theatre. In mid-August, 1776, it became the first paper in Europe to publish the text of the Declaration of Independence, though it offered no comment on the content—initially, many perceived the Declaration as one in a long line of trivial annoyances from the colonies. Though it was well-received by some liberals, many in politics became incensed by its indictment of King George III and viewed it as an act of treason. In the end, the Declaration of Independence set forth the guiding principles of American political ideals that would be realized through the Revolution.
