[A Letter of Hope from George Washington]. The New-England Chronicle. Or, The Essex Gazette. Cambridge, Massachusetts; March 28-April 4, 1776. Printed by Samuel Hall. Volume VIII [8], number 400. Four pages of a bifolium, 9.75" x 15.25". Unpaginated and printed in three columns. George Washington shares a prayer for success in achieving Independence. A quintessential Revolutionary War-era newspaper, conveying clearly the rising tensions between Colonists and Loyalists, both on American soil and back in England. Of particular note is a letter from the State of Massachusetts-Bay, addressed to George Washington, extolling his virtues and leadership and praising Congress for selecting him as a leader. The letter is signed in type, "John Lowell", a judge and delegate to the Congress of Confederation; Lowell was later nominated by Washington himself for a seat on the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, and later by John Adams for the First Circuit. Lowell's sincere letter is followed by a reply from Washington, signed George Washington" in type, with "...my most sincere and hearty thanks" and offering a prayer of hope for the fledgling country. "May that Being who is powerful to save, and in whose Hands is the Fate of Nations, look down with an Eye of tender Pity and Compassion upon the whole of the United Colonies.—May he continue to Smile upon their Councils and Arms, and crown them with Success, while employed in the Cause of Virtue and of Mankind, -- May this distressed Colony and its Capital, and every Part of this wide, extended Continent, thro' his divine Favour, be restored to more than their former Lustre and once happy State, and have Peace, Liberty and Safety secured upon a solid, permanent and lasting Foundation." The issue further contains a similar letter from Cambridge, with another reply from Washington signed in type "Geo. Washington", alongside various letters from other patriots and Loyalists and reports of military movements and political actions as the theatre of war plays on. With accompanying steel engraved portrait of Washington. Condition: Rough edges with minor chipping; separated along integral fold. Several narrow open tears affecting body of text (but not affecting Washington specific letters). Toned. Creased along old folds. Ink ownership to page [1]. Light scattered soiling. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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