[Boston. British Evacuation, 1775]

Two Favorite Songs Made on the Evacuation of the Town of Boston by the British Troops on the 17th of March 1776. [?Boston, 1776]

Broadside (17 x 10 1/2 in.; 430 x 265 mm). Large woodcut of a harbor fortress and naval vessels exchanging cannon fire, text in two columns; browned, edges slightly frayed, a few small holes causing loss of text in two places and to woodcut. Hinged to a mat and housed in a  navy cloth chemise and slipcase, navy morocco spine lettered gilt.

Acquisition: William Reese

Bristol B4385; Ford, Massachusetts Broadsides 2040; Sabin 97588; Shipton & Mooney 43179; cf. Lowance & Bumgardner, Massachusetts Broadsides of the American Revolution 28

Broadside (17 x 10 1/2 in.; 430 x 265 mm). Large woodcut of a harbor fortress and naval vessels exchanging cannon fire, text in two columns; browned, edges slightly frayed, a few small holes causing loss of text in two places and to woodcut. Hinged to a mat and housed in a navy cloth chemise and slipcase, navy morocco spine lettered gilt.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A rare broadside containing two songs celebrating the removal of the British troops from Boston to which they had laid siege since April, 1775. The illustration on this broadside was used previously on a broadside printed by Thomas Fleet of Boston, entitled "New England Bravery," a poem that described the successful siege by English forces at Louisburg in 1745. A smaller format broadside of the same two songs, set in a different type with variant spelling of certain words but employing the same cut, is entitled "On the Evacuation of Boston by the British Troops"  (Lowance).

The first song notes Washington's cunning strategy to fortify Dorchester Heights: "In seventeen hundred and seventy six, | On March the eleventh, the time was prefix'd, | Our forces march'd on Dochester Neck, | Made fortifications against an attack." The supplies and munitions left by the departing British are mentioned as is a fire set at Castle William during the evacuation. According to Boatner, "Washington had fortified Dorchester Heights to threaten the British ship movement, and thus gained bargaining power for British-occupied Boston during their withdrawal. The British were allowed to depart without interference, and the town was not burned by the by the withdrawing troops in exchange. In fact, the colonials gained large stores of medical supplies and munitions in resuming their occupation of Boston." The songster merrily concludes: "Let 'em go, let 'em go, for what they will fetch, | I think their great Howe is a miserable wretch; | And as for his men, they are fools for their pains, | So let them return to Old-England again."

The second song commences with a remembrance of the Battle of Bunker Hill and then describes  its re-occupation by American troops, noting the British had left several scarecrows behind to give the impression that it was still garrisoned. The concluding stanzas speculate on the destination of the British troops. "Some say they're sail'd for Halifax, | And others for New-York; | Howe let none know where he was bound, | When the soldiers did embark. | Where they are bound there's none can tell, | but the great God on high, | May all our heads be cover'd well, | When cannon balls do fly."