(FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR) | By His Excellency William Shirley, Esq; Captain-General and Governor in Chief of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England. A Proclamation for a publick Fast. Boston: Printed by John Draper, Printer to His Excellency the Governor, & Council, [9 June 1755]

Property from the Eric C. Caren Collection

(FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR)

By His Excellency William Shirley, Esq; Captain-General and Governor in Chief of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England. A Proclamation for a publick Fast. Boston: Printed by John Draper, Printer to His Excellency the Governor, & Council, [9 June 1755]

Broadside on laid paper (15 x 12 3/8 in.; 383 x 318 mm). Woodcut arms of George II at top; a few fold separations with some tiny loss to three or four letters, light browning, a few small stains, mostly marginal. Matted. The consignor has independently obtained a letter of authenticity from PSA that will accompany the lot.

Early in the French and Indian War, Governor Shirley issues a broadside proclamation of a fast to enlist "divine favour and Blessing" against the French. The Governor explains that by "our manifold aggravated Sins, … we have provoked the just Anger of Almighty God" and that "by earnest Supplication to Him … he would graciously smile upon the Measures which are now in prosecution for the Recovery and Security of His Majesty's Territories in America, which have been so unjustly and perfidiously invaded by our French Neighbours."

This copy of the broadside was sent to the Second Parish Church of Ipswich, whose minister, John Cleaveland, was commissioned in 1758 as a chaplain to the British troops.

REFERENCE:

Evans 7477; Ford, Massachusetts Broadsides 1019

PROVENANCE:

"Revd. Mr. [John] Cleaveland, Chebacco" (contemporary docket on verso) — William Guthman (Sotheby's New York, 1 December 2005, lot 185)