[Chaplain Jacob Duche's Letter to General Washington Requesting Congress Recall the Declaration of Independence]. The Independent Chronicle. And the Universal Advertiser. Boston, "Massachusetts-State"; Thursday, February 19, 1778. Printed by Powars and Willis. Volume X [10], number 4967. Four pages of a bifolium, 9.5" x 14.75". Unpaginated and printed in three columns. Issue of The Independent Chronicle containing Chaplain Duche's infamous letter to General Washington, requesting his surrender and the recall of the Declaration of Independence. "Your penetrating eye needs not more explicit language to discern my meaning...represent to Congress the indispensible [sic] necessity of rescinding the hasty and ill-advised declaration of Independency." This issue features a beautifully illustrated masthead taken after the "Sword in Hand" engraving done earlier by the noted silversmith, engraver, and American Patriot, Paul Revere. The newspaper contains a full printing of the now infamous October 8, 1777 letter from former Congressional Chaplain Jacob Duche (1737–1798) to General George Washington, urging him to recall the Declaration of Independence and lay down arms against the British. The article takes up the majority of page [2] and reads, in part: "... And now, my dear Sir, suffer me, in the language of truth and real affection, to address myself to you... Your most intimate friends at that time shuddered at the thought of a separation from the mother country; and I took it for granted, that your sentiments coincided with theirs. What have been the consequences of this rash and violent measure? A degeneracy of representation, confusion of councils, blunders without number... Are the dregs of a Congress, then, still to influence a mind like yours! These are not the men you engaged to serve. These are not the men that America has chosen to represent her...Long before they left Philadelphia, their dignity and consequence was gone... After this view of congress, turn to the Army. The whole world knows, that its very existence depends upon you, that your death or captivity disperses it in a moment, and that there is not a man on that side of the question in America capable of succeeding you. As to the Army itself, what have you to expect from them? Have they not frequently abandoned even yourself in the hour of extremity? Have you, can you have the least Confidence in a set of undisciplined en and officers, many of whom have been taken from the lowest of the people, without principle, without courage... Your penetrating eye needs not more explicit language to discern my meaning. With that prudence and delicacy, therefore, of which I know you to be possessed, represent to Congress the indispensible [sic] necessity of rescinding the hasty and ill-advised declaration of Independency. Recommend, and you have an undoubted Right to recommend, an immediate cessation of hostilities..." The article was widely published during this time and, unsurprisingly, the excoriated Duche absconded to England in December 1777. The frontpage of this issue also contains an extensive letter, titled "Letter V", from "a Gentleman in the Country" discussing the Articles of Confederation. Page [4] features a lengthy report from Henry Laurens as president of the Continental Congress concerning General Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga. Page [3] also has a report that General [Charles] Lee was released by the British, either on parole or as part of an exchange (the latter proved to be the case). An interesting war-dated issue illustrating a number of military and political situations affecting the nation in 1778. It is accompanied by a hand-colored engraved portrait of George Washington. Condition: Light expected edgewear. A few minor areas of loss along integral fold that does not affect any text. Minor scattered soiling. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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