Declaration of the Causes & Necessity of… taking up Arms. Gent's Mag August 1775

CAPTION PRINTED BELOW PICTURE: 'Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North America, now met in General Congress in Philadelphia, setting forth the Causes and Necessity of their taking up Arms'

The first British printing, published in London in the Gentleman's Magazine of August 1755, of the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 6, 1775, which had been drafted by Thomas Jefferson and revised by John Dickinson. It justified the colonies’ decision to take up arms, while insisting they were not seeking independence. The text outlined grievances such as taxation without representation, the Coercive Acts, use of vice admiralty courts, and the Declaratory Act. It argued that for ten years the colonies had petitioned peacefully, but British policy had become coercive and unconstitutional. Parliament was accused of attempting to “enslave” the colonies by violence. The colonies claimed they were defending long-held freedoms and would lay down arms if British aggression ceased. Seen as a precursor to the Declaration of Independence, it provided a formal, reasoned explanation for armed resistance and helped unify colonial sentiment at the outset of the Revolutionary War.

DATE PRINTED: August 1775    

IMAGE SIZE: Approx 20.0 x 12.0cm, 7.75 x 4.75 inches (Small)

TYPE: Antique copperplate printed pages; a four page article, printed on two sheets, plus the August 1775 title page and index on a third sheet

CONDITION: Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Please contact us if you would like to arrange to view this print. Virtually all antiquarian maps and prints are subject to some normal aging due to use and time which is not obtrusive unless otherwise stated. We offer a no questions asked return policy.

AUTHENTICITY: This is an authentic historic print, published at the date stated above. It is not a modern copy.

VERSO: There is text printed on the reverse side

ARTIST/CARTOGRAPHER/ENGRAVER: Signed by John Hancock & Charles Thomson

PROVENANCE: "Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle", by Sylvanus Urban, Gent. London: Printed at St. John's Gate for D. Henry; and sold by F. Newbery, the corner of St Paul's Churchyard, Ludgate Street