State of Massachusetts-Bay. In the House of Representatives, January 25, 1777. The Perseverance of Britain in her Attempts to subjugate the Free States of America to an unconditional Submission to their arbitrary Impositions, demands a Perseverance in the Inhabitants of these States, to frustrate the barbarous Design. ... [Boston: Benjamin Edes, 1777]



Broadside (13 1/2 zx8 7/8 in.; 345 x 225 mm). Soiled, verso silked, fold separations and one internal tear repaired with loss of text or characters in about 10 lines.

Evans 15425; Ford 2074

Broadside (13 1/2 zx8 7/8 in.; 345 x 225 mm). Soiled, verso silked, fold separations and one internal tear repaired with loss of text or characters in about 10 lines.
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 call to arms, drafting conscripts for the Continental Army. "For this End the Supreme Council of the Continent, convinced of the fatal Impolicy of short Inlistments, have called for Eighty-Eight Battalions, to serve during the War, or for the Term of Thr♓ee years, and for Fifteen of them from Massachusetts-Bay. ... And whereas it is the J♍udgment of this Court, that a Number amounting to One Seventh Part of all the Male Inhabitants, from Sixteen Years old and upwards ... of each Town and Plantation ... save the People called Quakers ... be inlisted ..."  

The Continental Army of 1777-80 was a result of several critical reforms and political decisions that came about when it was apparent that the British were sending massive forces to put an end to the American Revolution. The Continental Congress passed the "Eighty-eight Battalion Resolve," ordering each state to contribute one-battalion regiments in proportion to their population, and Washington was subsequently given authority൩ to raise an additional 16 battalions. Also, enlistment terms were extended to three years or "the length of the war" to avoid the year-end crises that depleted forces (including the near collapse of the army at the end of 1776 which could have ended the war in an American defeat by forfeit).