BY HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM TRYON, ESQ; GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK, AND THE TERRITORIES DEPENDING THEREON IN AMERICA...A PROCLAMATION. THE SPANISH AMBASSADOR HAVING LATELY BY ORDER OF HIS COURT PRESENTED A DECLARATION AVOWIN

Book Description

[New York. 1779].. Broadside, 15 1/2 x 10 1/4 inches. Old fold marks, minor chips on right edge, otherwise very clean. A very good copy. A previously unrecorded broadside, not listed by Evans, Bristol, or Shipton & Mooney, and unknown to the North American Imprints Program. This proclamation by New York governor William Tryon, dated Sept. 2, 1779, informs the colonists that the Spanish King and Court have declared their hostile intentions against Great Britain and her dominions. Spain had officially declared war against Great Britain on June 21, 1779 after secretly agreeing in April of that year to join with France in waging war on the British. The monarchies of Spain and France were linked by the Bourbon Family Pact and both countries had lost territory to the British in North America following the Seven Years' War. In this broadside, Tryon states the King's intention "to commence hostilities against the Catholic King and his subjects" and Parliament's "support and assistance in the prosecution of such measures as his majesty shall think necessary to adopt on this occasion." Tryon adds that in response to these hostilities, Letters of Marque will be granted. Until these letters are issued, the governor assures "the owners of all ships bearing Letters of Marque against the French King and his subjects, that his Majesty will consider them as having a just claim to the King's share of all Spanish ships and property which they may make Prize of." A unique Revolutionary-era broadside documenting the international dimensions of Great Britain's activities during the Revolutionary War.

Not sure what some of these terms mean? Look it up in our glossary.