1775 AMERICAN REVOLUTION Handwritten MANUSCRIPT Diary Journal REVOLUTIONARY WAR

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1775 AMERICAN REVOLUTION Handwritten MANUSCRIPT Diary Journal REVOLUTIONARY WAR:
$7500.00

Greetings from Massachusetts Antiques!For your consideration:A 1770-1775 AMERICAN REVOLUTION Historic Important HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT Diary Journal
on Religion, Government, History, Medicine & the looming Revolutionary War!+ 35 Star Flag Eagle CIVIL WAR Fraktur Drawing; 300+ ppextract:
\"Sunday 22 March 1772. About 4 o\'clock in the afternoon a violent storm of thunder and lightning with hail and heavy rain\".extract:
\"23 August, 1772. Wrote extempore on the Pier at Calais last Sunday, at the time that an English Gentleman had had like to have been lost in the great storm\".extract:
\"I am very sensible, that civil government, as it actually exists in the world, by no means answers to the account I have given of it - Instead of being an institution for guarding the weak against the strong, we find it an institution which makes the strong yet stronger, and gives them a systematical power of oppressing. Instead of promoting virtue and restraining vice, encouraging free inquiry, establishing Liberty, and protecting alike all peaceable persons in the enjoyment of their civil and religious rights; we see a savage despotism, under its name, laying waste the earth, unreasonably elevating some and depressing others, discouraging improvement, and trampling upon every human right. That force of states, which ought to be applied only to their own defense, we see continually applied to the purpose of attach, and used to extend dominion by conquering neighboring communities. Civil Governors consider not themselves as servants but as masters. Their stations they thing they hold in their own right. The people they reckon their property; and their professions, a common stock from which they have a right to take what they will, and of which no more belongs to any individual than they are pleased to leave him. What a miserable perversion is this of a most important institution? What grievance is government so degenerated? But this perversion furnishes no just argument against the truth of the account I have given. Similar degeneracies have prevailed in other instances of no less importance.\" extract:
\"The Motto\" \"Should the morals of the English be perverted by luxury; - should they lose the colonies by restraining them, & c. - they will be enslaved; they will become insignificant and contemptible, and Europe will not be able to show the world one nation in which she can pride herself.\" ~ Able Raynoe? I could only reference this quote in \"The Works of Charles Sumner - Forgotten Books\" which was written well over half a century after this manuscript. extract:
\"I have made some further observations on the contest with America - I cannot expect any other than a tragical and deplorable issue to this contest. But let events turn out as they will, I shall always reflect with satisfaction, that I have, though a private person of little consequence, bore my testimony, from deep felt conviction, against a war which must shock the feelings and the reason of every considerate person; a war in which rivers of blood must be shed, not to repel the attacks of enemies, or to maintain the authority of government within the realm, but to maintain sovereignty and dominion in another world. I wish the advocates for the measures against America would attend to the distinction now intimated. The support of just government within the realm is always necessary and therefore right. But to maintain, by fire and word, dominion over the persons and the property of people out of the realm, who have share in its legislature, contradicts every principle of liberty and humanity. Legitimate government, let it be remembered, as opposed to oppression and tyranny, consists only in the dominion of equal laws made with common consent, or of men over themselves; and not in the dominion of communities over communities, or of any men over other men. This is the great truth I have endeavoured to explain and defend; and happy would the world by, were a due conviction of it impressed on every human heart. The representation I have given in this section and elsewhere, of the state of this Kingdom is without doubt, gloomy. But it is not the effect, as some have intimated of either a natural disposition to gloominess, or of sinister views. Few who know me will entertain such a suspicion. Valuing most what politicians and statesmen generally value least, I feel myself perfectly easy with respect to my interest as a citizen of this world; nor is their any change of situation that can make me happier, except a return to privacy and obscurity. The opinion I have entertained of the present danger of the kingdom is, therefore, the effect of evidence which appears to me irresistible. This evidence I have stated to the public; and every one may judge of it as he pleases. I am sensible of my own liableness to error. The measures which I condemn as the worst that ever disgraced and hazarded a great Kingdom, others, whose integrity I cannot question, approve, and that very situation of our affairs which I think others think prosperous. Time will determine which of these opinions is right. But supposing the latter to be so, no harm can arise from any representations which have a tendency to put us on our guard. Of all the writers against this war, the learned Dr. Tucker is the severest. For it, as he maintains, contrary to repeated declaration from the throne a separation from the Colonies would be an advantage to us, the attempt to keep them, by invasion & bloodshed, deserves a harsher censure than words can convey.\" Second to last Extract of third section (Fourth section looks to be penned in a different hand):
\"I have only to add, that I am truly ashamed of having, in this introduction, had occasion to say so much about myself. But, I hope, candid allowances will be made for it, when it is considered how much, for some time, has been said and writ about me. I now leave an open field to all who shall please to take any farther notice of me. Wishing them the same satisfaction that I have felt in meaning to promote peace and justice, and looking higher than this world of strife and tumult -- I withdraw from politics.\"Final Extract of third section
\"Among the worst sorts of government I reckon all governments by a corrupt representation. There is no instance in which the trite observation is more true than in this, \'that the best things when corrupted become the worst.\' A corrupt representation is so far from being any defense against oppression, that it is a support to it.\"Back cover signed J.A. Johnson Jr with a 35 star fraktur drawing and Latin motto. The Flag dates the drawing around 1863; assuming Johnson is a son or grandson of the original author of this journal. Appears to be penned by a known Reverend/Writer; also seems to be against war but not a Loyalist; looks to originate from Nova Scotia, Canada or perhaps northern New York; possibly British but very hard to tell and unlikely for the content seems very heartfelt and looks to be coming from the eyes of a colonist. The author looks to have tried to remain more or less candid in his writings for he knew that his views were not agreed with by all. Further, there are many pages that I have not read so once this is gone through completely with a fine tooth comb a more complete picture may be painted. Many references to potential war with the \"Colonies\" and \"America\". Also historical facts listed about Nova Scotia in an area. Many references to New England and Boston papers as well as extracts from British papers. Perhaps penned by Sir John Johnson but further research is required. We can see from the extracts above (especially the final two) that the author was a known individual involved in politics. Contents include: an extensive history on the roman empire, extensive original religious writing, historical facts including advisors of east india company, supporting Nova Scotia reverends, tables, quotations, news, many pages on civil government; historical content, an early transcription of Benjamin Franklin\'s epitaph which was originally published by Franklin many years before his death ( a very early form of this epitaph), many medical remedies and cures, 35 star American Flag fraktur drawing, population boom in North America, facts and much much more!Looks to have been owned by a reverend/Writer; mentions speeches he is writing and places he is speaking. Dates range from early 1760s with the latest entry being in 1775. Many earlier dates listed however those are reference dates penned by the author between the above stated period. The brunt of the dates are between 1770 and 1775.The two first segments are detached and only the last two segments remain attached. 4 main sections with 3 being hand numbered; roughly just over 300 pages. The breakdown is basically the first section being original religious writing/quotations/and extracts as well as some historical facts. The second section contains a very detailed history of the Roman Empire and its Emperors. The third sections discuss much of civil government and the looming Revolutionary War as well as list many early medical recipes and remedies. The final section looks to be penned in a different hand and I believe predates the 1760s; this section again has extensive original religious thought and quotations.In Good overall condition considering age and rarity; partially disbound with some segments and pages detached; handsome early marbled boards bound with think hemp string; two strings have become broken; moderate wear as expected. Clean text with light wear; all legible; fabulous early period ink throughout. All composed in the late 1760s up to 1775; ends rather abruptly in 1775. An amazing piece of Colonial American history!Measures 6 3/8\" x 3 7/8\" and 1\" thick. 300 pages with most being numbered.Due to the fragile nature of the journal and the high dollar amount associated with it I am not offering returns so please read thoroughly and contact me with any questions you may have or if you would like additional photos, thanks!Please enjoy the photos for further item details and if you have any questions feel free to ask. This item ships Worldwide. Fast payment ensures prompt shipping. Thank you and be sure to check out my other items.