[Edmund Burke Addresses Parliament]. The Pennsylvania Ledger. Or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New Jersey Weekly Advertiser. Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania]; February 17, 1776. Printed by James Humphreys. Number LVI [56]. Four pages of a bifolium, 10" x 16.35". Unpaginated and printed in three columns. An American report on Edmund Burke addressing Parliament, concerning the growing Revolution. A beautiful and bright example of a Revolutionary War-era newspaper, ripe with news on the war front, both in the colonies and overseas. Of particular note is a reference to Edmund Burke, who is noted as addressing the House of Commons on his expectations and strategies for the growing war: "As the ministry have for some time past deprived us of all information from America, they now shut out all information at home as much as possible, and have begun it in locking up the gallery door of the House of Commons, on the very day, for the first time this season, when it was expected Mr. [Edmund] Burke would give to the public, and to his country, a plan for the conciliation with the colonies. The Ministry were aware this plan would be relished much better by the public, than that decided on by the cabinet, and for this purpose were determined to repent all comparisons. Surely such a conduct in a free state, has but one obvious interpretation! Which is, that the ministers are conscious to themselves that their actions will not bear the approbation of reason or justification... He stated, that there were three plans afloat. First, simple war, in order to perfect conquest. Second, a mixture of war and treaty. And third, peace grounded on concession." Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was a British statesman and economist, who served in Parliament during the time of the American Revolution. Burke was a fierce spokesman for virtue, manners, and piety in the moral stability of the state and society. Interestingly, he often criticized the British for their actions toward the Colonies, even as he opposed an attempt for independence. He is widely regard in modern politics, particularly in the U.S., as the philosophical founder of conservatism. The rest of the paper continues in much the same manner, relaying various war-time happenings, including a shipment of Bohea Tea being confiscated and burned in Philadelphia, ship movements around critical eastern harbors, troop movements and support, among other related events and political actions. Condition: Minor scattered foxing. Remnants to left edge of previous binding. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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