Rare book: American Archives: Fourth Series, Vol. III. Washington: Published by M. St. Clair Clarke and Peter Force, 1840. Hardcover, 9.5 x 14.25, highlighted by the scarce facsimile of the Continental Congress Agreement of Secrecy of November 9, 1775, one of the most important documents from Force's monumental collection of American historical papers. Not unlike Force's famous facsimile of the Declaration of Independence contained in American Archives (Fifth Series, Vol. I), very few facsimile copies of the 1775 Secrecy Agreement exist. Force's Archives were not a success: only the Fourth and Fifth Series were ever published, and even these were severely undersubscribed. In consequence, how many copies of the 1775 Agreement were printed, and how many were inserted into the volumes, remains uncertain. As the projected edition of the work was 1500 copies, that is likely the maximum; it remains possible that as few as 500 were actually completed. Of these, relatively few appear to survive—either by themselves or folded into the book. Print condition: very good, with expected ink transfer. Book condition: VG-/None, with cracked hinges, ex-library markings, torn label to front board, and some staining, scuffing, and removed labels to spine.
Penned by Continental Congress secretary Charles Thomson and signed by 87 Continental Congressmen, the original manuscript of the Agreement of Secrecy is now held by the United States National Archives, and is one of the priceless wonders from America's foundation. Among the signers are famed founders like John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Lynch, Button Gwinnett, John Jay, and others.
On August 23, 1775, George III issued a 'Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition,' declaring elements of the American colonies in a state of 'open and avowed rebellion.' It ordered officials of the British Empire to 'use their utmost endeavours to withstand and suppress such rebellion' and posted a reward for the capture of certain prominent rebel leaders. In response, the delegates to the Continental Congress adopted strict rules of secrecy to protect the cause of American liberty and their own lives.
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