A 1774 handbill calling for a meeting of patriotic New Yorkers

Property from the Collection of Elsie and Philip Sang

ADVERTISEMENT. 

ADVERTISEMENT. [NEW YORK,] TUESDAY, JULY 5TH, 1774

Printed handbill (5 1/4 x 8 5/8 in.; 218 x 133 mm); fragment of another document adhered to lower margin, backed with linen.

A stirring, but anonymous call for a gathering of "every Friend to the true Interest of this distressed Country": ""Advertisement. The Enemies of the Liberty of America, being unwearied in misrepresenting the Attachment of the Inhabitants of this City, to the common Cause of this Country, to the neighbouring Colonies, a Number of the Citizens think it highly necessary to conveen the Good People of this Metropolis in the Fields on Wednesday next, which will be the 6th Instant, at Six o'Clock in the Evening; where every Friend to the true Interest of this distressed Country, is earnestly requested to attend—when Matters of the Utmost Importance to their Reputation and Security, as Freemen, will be Communicated."

The meeting was evidently called to express solidarity with Boston, then suffering under the Boston Port Act. Its organizer was likely Alexander McDougall and other memebers of the Sons of Liberty.

REFERENCE:

Evans 13095

PROVENANCE:

Described in Goodspeed's catalogue Vol. 30, No. 2 (1958), American Medley, item 37 — The Property of the Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang Foundation, Part 3 (Sotheby Parke Bernet, 20 June 1979, lot 799 [part; unsold])