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The American Revolution from a British Perspective, 1763-1783

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British pamphlets relating to the American Revolution, 1763-1783

The importance of these pamphlets has been long appreciated and the richness of their contents suspected but heretofore they have not all been readily accessible and some have been virtually unknown
Colin Bonwick and Thomas R. Adam, University of Keele and Brown University, R.I.

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Study the nature of discourse in Britain regarding the American Revolution

The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) was the culmination of an increasingly fraught relationship between the Thirteen Colonies of British America and the Colonial Government, which represented the British Crown. Delegates from these colonies argued in Congress that there should be ‘no taxation without representation’ in British Parliament.

This collection contains pamphlets authored on both sides of the Atlantic in the eighteenth century. The material covers a wide range of subject matter, shedding light on colonial governance, taxation, religion, and the debate over territory. Pamphlets discuss key events, such as the Boston Massacre of 1770, the 1773 Tea Act, and the 1775 Stamp Act.

Material includes Founding Father John Adams’ History of the dispute with America; From Its Origin in 1754, this can be contrasted with the ‘full and faithful’ reports of British parliamentary debates which offer a different perspective on the Revolutionary War and contribute to a comprehensive collection.

Contents

The American Revolution from a British Perspective, 1763-1783...

British pamphlets relating to the American Revolution, 1763-1783

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Volumes

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1763-1764

These items cover the rights accorded to the church in 1763, both with regard to the Charter granted to the...

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1765-1766

Commencing with a discussion upon taxing the colonies in 1765, these pamphlets these pamphlets then gain an increasing focus upon...

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1767-1768

The years 1767 and 1768 see an increased focus on lobbying Britain to change her mind about taxing the U.S....

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1769-1770

The focus of the pamphlets published in 1769 is upon the increasingly fragile relationship between Britain and North America. 1770...

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1771-1772

These papers include a pamphlet upon the trial of the British soldiers accused of perpetrating the Boston massacre. They also...

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1773-1774

1774 saw the publication of John Hancock?s ?An Oration; Delivered March 5, 1774, At The Request of The Inhabitants of...

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1775-1776

In general, these pamphlets are produced by a variety of different factions from both Britain and America. The Americans opposed...

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1777-1778

Commencing with a number of titles relating to the trial of James Hill, also known as ?John the Painter?, for...

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1779-1780

Commencing with a series of addresses to the Houses of Parliament, 1779 sees the advent of pamphlets using the term...

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1781-1782

The pamphlets of 1781 contain a significant number of sermons that were designed for and delivered to an English congregation....

Licensed to access Pamphlets for the Years, 1783-1784

These items fit into two core categories, the former is pamphlets that relate to Northern American Independence including treaties that...

Insights

  • Pamphlets are arranged by year, then alphabetically by author’s surname.
  • Earlier pamphlets discuss the impact of new taxation that Britain imposed on America. Some of these pamphlets express concern at potential unrest due to the high level of these taxes.
  • Pamphlets from 1773 to 1774 reflect the strained nature of relations between Britain and America. It is noteworthy that despite tensions, many believed the dispute would be resolved amicably.
  • There is a marked change of tone in many of these pamphlets after 1779, when authors began to react to the fact that Britain was at war with America.

Licensed to access Power and Profit: British Colonial Trade in America and the Caribbean, 1678-1825

1678   1825

Licensed to access British Army Lists of Officers, 1740-1784

1740   1784

Licensed to access American Records in the House of Lords Archive, 1621-1917

1621   1917

Licensed to access Prison Ship Records from the War of 1812

1812   1815
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