Maryland ratifies: Articles of Confederation are in effect...
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February 03, 1781
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Feb. 3, 1781
* Historic Articles of Confederation
* Maryland ratifies
* Revolutionary War
A very historic issue, as the front page reports that Maryland has ratified the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States of America and legally established the union of the states.
Maryland Governor Thomas Sim Lee signed the Act on Feb. 2, 1781 whereby the Maryland Legislature ratified the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. As Maryland was the 13th and final state to ratify the Articles, the act established the required unanimous consent for the formation of the United States of America.
This newspaper has a dateline of Philadelphia, Feb. 3, 1781 which begins: "From the best authority we learn that the state of Maryland hath agreed to the confederation of the United States, by which means the confederacy is now complete. We also learn that the state of Virginia have given up their claim to the back lands, and have in a formal manner, by a law, ceded to the United States all the lands lying to the westward of the river Ohio."
This last point was why Maryland was the last to ratify. It refused to go along until Virginia and New York agreed to cede their claims in the Ohio River Valley.
Given that the governor signed the ratification Act on Feb. 2, this is an exceedingly early report not only of Maryland ratifying the Articles of Confederation, but an early report stating that "...the confederacy is now complete." Extremely significant as such.
The front page also has some war-related items including: "...letter from Williamsport...The enemy marched by land to Portsmouth where it is probable they will entrench." and "...a letter from...Virginia...Our last account was that the enemy had sent their men in boats up Pagan creek & landed at Smithfield...Baron Steuben was at Cabin Point...Gen. Nelson at Williamsburg...I suppose you have heard that Arnold issued a proclamation inviting the inhabitants to enlist with him, ordering a bounty of three guineas, and a commission to any man according to the number he shall bring with him." More items as well.
The entire back page is taken up with the: "Arrangement of the Pennsylvania Line, Jan. 17, 1781" with a list, by name, of those in the "Artillery" "Cavalry" and "Infantry" by regiment (see).
Complete as a single sheet newspaper, measures 8 by 10 1/4 inches, great condition.
* Historic Articles of Confederation
* Maryland ratifies
* Revolutionary War
A very historic issue, as the front page reports that Maryland has ratified the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States of America and legally established the union of the states.
Maryland Governor Thomas Sim Lee signed the Act on Feb. 2, 1781 whereby the Maryland Legislature ratified the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. As Maryland was the 13th and final state to ratify the Articles, the act established the required unanimous consent for the formation of the United States of America.
This newspaper has a dateline of Philadelphia, Feb. 3, 1781 which begins: "From the best authority we learn that the state of Maryland hath agreed to the confederation of the United States, by which means the confederacy is now complete. We also learn that the state of Virginia have given up their claim to the back lands, and have in a formal manner, by a law, ceded to the United States all the lands lying to the westward of the river Ohio."
This last point was why Maryland was the last to ratify. It refused to go along until Virginia and New York agreed to cede their claims in the Ohio River Valley.
Given that the governor signed the ratification Act on Feb. 2, this is an exceedingly early report not only of Maryland ratifying the Articles of Confederation, but an early report stating that "...the confederacy is now complete." Extremely significant as such.
The front page also has some war-related items including: "...letter from Williamsport...The enemy marched by land to Portsmouth where it is probable they will entrench." and "...a letter from...Virginia...Our last account was that the enemy had sent their men in boats up Pagan creek & landed at Smithfield...Baron Steuben was at Cabin Point...Gen. Nelson at Williamsburg...I suppose you have heard that Arnold issued a proclamation inviting the inhabitants to enlist with him, ordering a bounty of three guineas, and a commission to any man according to the number he shall bring with him." More items as well.
The entire back page is taken up with the: "Arrangement of the Pennsylvania Line, Jan. 17, 1781" with a list, by name, of those in the "Artillery" "Cavalry" and "Infantry" by regiment (see).
Complete as a single sheet newspaper, measures 8 by 10 1/4 inches, great condition.
Category: Revolutionary War
