September 28, 1775-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Printed Political Broadside titled, “TO ALL TRUE WHIGS, And particularly to such as are Independent Electors of the City and County of New York.”, issued by “The Friends of Liberty,” New York City, Typeset & Woodblock Printed, Extremely Fine.
This Broadside titled "To all true Whigs," dated September 28, 1775, was a Patriotic American Revolutionary Handbill addressed specifically to the "Independent Electors of the City and County of New York". It served as a “call to action” for true Patriots to replace pro-British New York City officials with representatives dedicated to the American cause. This exceedingly rare important Revolutionary War New York City Political Broadside is printed on clean remarkably fresh appearing laid period paper having some expertly conserved scattered edge splits retaining exceptional overall eye appeal, likely the finest known example.

This Broadside measures about 8” wide x 10” high, having its fully-wide original margins on all four sides and has a blank reverse, professionally deacidified. The black printed text uses variable sizes and graphic design text. In the header the word “WHIGS,” is bold and tall, appearing to be printed off an Hand-Engraved Woodblock with the lettering a huge 3/4 inches tall, and below the next two lines of text are printed in italic. This original September 28, 1775 dated Political early Revolutionary War Broadside is boldly printed and reads, in full:

“TO ALL TRUE

WHIGS,

And particularly to such as are Independent Electors of the

City and County of New York.

GENTLEMEN,

THE Conduct of several of the Magistrates of this City, having for a considerable Time to notoriously inimical and unfriendly to the Liberties of this Country, and diametrically opposite to the Sentiments of a Number of their Consituents; who, therefore, without any private Pique, or party Resentment, but purely to promote and serve the general Cause, have agreed to choose the undermentioned Gentlemen as Guardians of their City Liberties, for the ensuing Year; they having shown a hearty Disposition to serve their oppressed and bleeding Country ; and are therefore recommended to all true Friends of American Liberty, viz,

Aldermen. --- Common Council.

Out Ward. Nicholas Bayard, Capt. Anthony Rutgers.

Montgomery. Ward. Capt. John Pell, Francis Van Dyck.

East Ward. Capt. William Bedlow, Jeremiah Brower.

North Ward. Isaac Stoutenburg, Stephen Terbune.

West Ward. Jacobus Stoutenburg, Peter T. Curtenius.

South Ward. Benjamin Davis, John Williamson.

Dock Ward. Garret Abeel, Coenradt W. Ham.

The Friends to Liberty are earnestly requested to attend at the L I B E R T Y - P O L E, To-morow Morning, at 8 o’Clock, on Business of the utmost Importance.

New York, Sep 28, 1775.”

______

*Please note that several of the gentlemen listed served on the “Committee of One Hundred” whose purpose was to insure the British would not receive Weapons and Arms from the Colony of New York. That Committee disarmed all British Loyalists within its jurisdiction.

The mentioned “Liberty Pole” was erected on The Common (now the site of New York City Hall) by the Sons of Liberty. From 1766-1776, the Liberty Pole was a point of constant fights between the Sons of Liberty and their British authorities, and the Liberty Pole frequently had to be replaced.

Very few examples of this American Patriotic Political New York Broadside issued by “The Friends of Liberty” are known to exist, most all being institutionally housed, including the example in the Library of Congress which closely resembles this current offering in quality. An extraordinary opportunity to acquire this early New York Revolutionary War Political Broadside created for the support of American Liberty. Early American History Auctions had the privilege of offering one other example of this Broadside which sold in our August 26, 2017 auction Lot 64 selling at $18,000 to a noted dealer.

(References See: Photo of this Broadside held by the Library of Congress / Corbis / VCG via Getty Images). *The currently offered example is superior in its overall eye appeal and quality.
This historic rare Revolutionary War Date New York Broadside requests attendance at a political meeting ... “at the LIBERTY-POLE, To-morrow Morning, at 8 o'Clock,” here recommending seven “Aldermen” and seven “Common Council” men recommended by “The Friends of Liberty” Dated at New-York, Sept. 28, 1775.

The Broadside criticized several city magistrates for being "notoriously inimical and unfriendly" to the sentiments of their constituents. It urged "Friends to Liberty" to support a new slate of candidates for the upcoming year who had demonstrated a "hearty Disposition to serve their oppressed and bleeding Country."

At this time, New York's trade status was complex and divided, with ardent “Whigs” often blaming local merchants' self-interest for a lack of Revolutionary spirit. The Broadside listed specific individuals recommended as "Guardians of their City Liberties" for various wards in New York. As such, this particular document demonstrates the efforts to replace New York's local leadership perceived as loyal to the British with those supporting the Revolutionary cause

(The name “Whigs” refers to a British political party, one of two political parties in England, Great Britain, Ireland, and later in the United Kingdom, existing from the 17th to 19th centuries, commensurate with modern-day “Liberals”).

This historic Revolutionary War New York Broadside reads, in full:

“TO ALL TRUE WHIGS, --- And particularly to such as are Independent Electors of the City and County of New York. -- Gentlemen, - The conduct of several of the Magistrates of this city, having for a considerable time been so notoriously inimical and unfriendly to the Liberties of this Country, and diametrically opposite to the Sentiments of a number of their Constituents; who, therefore, without any Pique, or party Resentment, but purely to promote and serve the general Cause, have agreed to choose the undermentioned Gentlemen as Guardians of their City Liberties for the ensuing Year; they having shown a hearty Disposition to serve their oppressed and bleeding Country; and are therefore recommended to all true Friends of American Liberty, viz .” (This Broadside then continues its text in two columns, printing the names of seven Aldermen and seven Common Council members, including:)

“Aldermen. - Common Council.

Out Ward. Nicholas Bayard, Capt. Anthony Rutgers. Montgomery Ward. Capt. John Pell, Francis Van Dyck. East Ward. Capt. William Bedlow, Jeremiah Brower. North Ward. Isaac Stoutenburg, Stephen Terbune. West Ward. Jacobus Stoutenburg, Peter T. Curtenius. South Ward. Benjamin Davis, John Williamson. Dock Ward. Garret Abeel, Coenradt W. Ham.

“The Friends to Liberty are earnestly requested to attend at the L I B E R T Y - P O L E, To-morow Morning, at 8 o’Clock, on Business of the utmost Importance.

New York, Sep 28, 1775.”

Also happening on September 28th, 1775:

On September 28, 1775, the American Revolutionary War was in its early stages, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord having already occurred, and the Continental Congress was in session, with George Washington named Commander-in-chief.

On September 28, 1775, George Washington wrote to the Massachusetts General Court, introducing an Oneida Chief who had arrived at the Continental Army encampment in Cambridge, hoping for a favorable report back to his people, which would have "important consequences" to the American cause.
Friends to Liberty, LIBERTY-POLE, Revolutionary War, Broadside, 1775, WHIGS, Woodblock, New York,