The Gentleman's Magazine, with 1777 Flag Resolution, June 1783

Presented is an June 1783 issue of London's "The Gentleman's Magazine," containing significant historical content relating to the end of the Revolutionary War, the 1777 Flag Resolution, troop payment, Congress, British Parliament, and the “Dismemberment of America the Design of Providence." The magazine periodical was edited by “Sylvanus Urban” and printed in London by D. Henry at St. John's Gate. Issued as a small octavo, the pages of this paper bound magazine are numbered 457-543, indicating a continuance from previous 1783 monthly issues. The content inside this June 1783 issue is incredibly interesting, offering modern viewers and collectors a unique, historical look at English topics of interest at the tail end of the American Revolution. 

“The Gentleman's Magazine” was a monthly magazine founded by Edward Cave in London, in January of 1731. It published monthly issues uninterrupted for almost 200 years, until 1922. It was the first to use the term “magazine” for a periodical and quickly became the most influential periodical of its age. Its impact even extended to North America where, in 1741, Benjamin Franklin’s similarly titled “General Magazine” was chiefly “patterned after London’s ten-year-old ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’” (Isaacson, 118).

With “The Gentleman’s Magazine,” Edward Cave created a monthly digest of news and commentary on any and all topics the educated public might be interested in, from commodity prices and parliamentary news to book reviews and poetry. The list of contents on the cover of this June 1783 issue varies greatly in topics, from the “Dismemberment of America early foretold" and “Capture of Hudson’s Bay,” to “Eastern Manner of treating Sheep,” “Proof that the Pole of the World has changed its Place,” and "Parliamentary Debates at large.” “The Gentleman’s Magazine” always included original content from a handful of regular contributors, as well as extensive quotations and extracts from other periodicals and books. Cave edited “The Gentleman's Magazine” under the pen name "Sylvanus Urban," as seen on this June issue’s printed front, and many contributors crafted their essays in the form of letters to the editor, addressed to “Mr. Urban.”

Halfway through this June 1783 issue is a long section on “American Intelligence” appearing on pages 528-529. The coverage is varied in topic but incredibly interesting. The authors report on the payment of American troops after the war: “Between the American army and the Congress the greatest harmony subsists. Gen. Washington has presented a petition from the army, requesting that each soldier should have either a portion of land allotted to him, full pay for five years, or half-pay for life. So equitable a proposal was immediately agreed to.” They also report that “Gen. Washington has requested permission of Congress to retire to a private station not stipulating a single condition for himself.” This was Washington’s demonstration of his commitment to the principles of the newly formed nation, particularly the separation of powers and civilian authority over the military. Already, the cult of personality surrounding George Washington is evident, with early reporting that an eager Congress is ready to celebrate and honor their great Commander in Chief:  “The American Congress has passed a vote, expressing it ‘incumbent on them to testify their sense of the eminent services of Gen. Washington.’”

There is reporting of the ratification of the Articles of Peace, as well as further reiteration “that the seventh article of the Provincial Treaty between Great Britain and the United States of America be strictly attended to and complied with by all persons whatsoever under his command.” This issue discusses the eventual return of the British military, “whose fray at New-York is grumbled at by the multitude” and also urges the return of American papers, deeds, archives, and records, “which in the course of war may have fallen into the hands of any of the King’s officers.” Also notable in this “American Intelligence” article is the printing of the Flag Act of 1777: “Resolved, That the flag of the 13 United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: That the Union be thirteen stars, white, in a blue field, presenting a new constellation.”

CONDITION:

Overall very fine condition. This June issue was previously disbound from a volume, with evidenced wear at the spine. Light overall toning. Only minimal spotting and a few creases throughout. Illustrated, including a beautiful full page engraving “To the Master, Wardens, Court of Assistants & Livery of the Worshipful Company of Vintners" as well as a full page engraving of the “Antiquities as Leicester.”

The magazine is presented in a new archival 1⁄4 leather and cloth clamshell case, with raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles to the spine, and a printed inlay of the “Gentleman’s Magazine” cover on the front. Included with the clamshell case is a matching, cloth covered chemise, to hold and protect the magazine. 

Magazine Dimensions: 8 3/8" H x 5 3/16" W x 3/16" D. Clamshell Dimensions: 9 7/8" H x 6 3/8" W x 1 5/16" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.