[Letter to the Printer Concerning Growing Colonial Discontent]. Pennsylvania Chronicle. Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania]; April 18-25, 1768. Printed by William Goddard. Number 67, Volume II [2], number 13. Eight pages, 9.25" x 11". Paginated, 97-104, and printed in three columns. "These are the wild ravings at the present half-distracted Americans..." Contains an extensive letter to the printer (pages 100-101), regarding the "...present ill humour in America...". Written by an Englishman signing as "F&S", the letter outlines the processes leading to the Stamp Act, contested Duties, and the Act permitting quartering of British Troops in American homes, with further notes and opinion on the reaction and perceived misunderstandings of the American colonists. The letter reads, in part: "As the cause of the present ill humour in America, and of the resolution taken there to purchase less of our manufactures, does not seem to be generally understood, it may give them the following short historical state of facts..." It continues with a brief history and purpose of many of the contested British actions, particularly noting that the economic success and honor of the Colonies relies on a successful British economy and the respect of debts and services, rather than rebellion. "Let us live frugally, and let us industriously manufacture what we can for ourselves: Thus we shall be able honourable to discharge the debts we already owe them, and after that we may be able to keep some money in our country, not only for the use of our internal commerce, but for the service of our gracious Sovereign... These are the wild ravings at the present half-distracted Americans. To be sure, no reasonable man in England can approve of such sentiments, and, as I said before, I do not pretend to support or justify them: But, I sincerely wish, for the sake of the manufactures and commerce of Great Britain, and for the sake of the strength which a firm union with our growing colonies would give us, that these people had never been thus needlessly driven out of their senses." The letter is a fascinating insight into the growing disaffection among the American people and the varied perspectives of British actions and demands of the time, a discontent that would ultimately spark into Revolution. Condition: Minor edgewear. Toned and somewhat foxed. Light scattered soiling. A few light dampstains to margins. Remnants to left edge of previous binding. Partial separations along integral fold. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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