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A truth… a story… a myth… a discovery – What to do with a 1666 London Gazette?
September 28, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Collectors seek out “rare & early” newspapers for a host of reasons. Some use them as primary source material for research. Others collect them to grasp the contemporary response to an historical event, while others use them to chronical a non-revisionist view of an era. Framing them for display is quite common – whether it be to set a mood, or, as is quite common with museums, to aid in telling the story regarding a display of unique items. Yet another group loves to obtain them to enhance their primary collectible (ex. those who collect early sewing machines finding newspapers with matching advertisements, patents, or early commentary on various stages of development). The possibilities are almost endless.
The topic at hand was recently revived when a collector, who had just purchased a London Gazette dated August 9, 1666 containing a brief report on the week’s mortality bill from the Great Plague (shown below), informed us of his purpose in collecting the newspaper – which we found fascinating… and which eventually led to a discovery.
A Purpose – He purchased to use as inspiration for an event-tethered short story (historical fiction?). If you have a little time, I’m sure he would not mind if you took a gander: THE KING’S BAKER
A Discovery – After reading his story I decided to dig a little deeper into the 1665-6 London Plague and was drawn in by an article posted by the London Museum titled: THREE MYTHS ABOUT THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON
A MYTH – I don’t want to give anything away, but suffice to say, I need to go back to a lot of people and correct what I once thought was true. Yikes!
A Truth – For those who like to pine for the past, during the week prior to the above newspaper’s distribution in 1666, 42 people in London alone were known to have died from the bubonic plague. Life was not easy; but death often was.
Did it All Start with a Laugh?… Political Cartoons Across Time…
September 14, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · 1 Comment
Which of us doesn’t love a good laugh, especially when we need a healthy way to relieve a bit of the built-up pressure? The presence of political cartoons can sometimes take the sting out of the craziness of reality. While still popular today in print and digital form, political cartoons have been with us for centuries. Originally, they were not printed in newspapers but sold as individual prints, such as William Hogarth’s “An Emblematical Print on the South Sea Scheme” (1721), a satirical engraving which critiques the financial speculation, corruption, and public credulity that fueled the South Sea Bubble of 1720–21. Eventually, these satirical statements on society made their way into the newspapers of the day and across the ocean to the New World. Benjamin Franklin’s famous “Join, or Die,” appearing in the Pennsylvania Gazette, helped spur the colonies toward Revolution. Decades later, Thomas Nast’s work in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper and Harper’s Weekly aided Lincoln’s reelection and helped define the modern two-party system by popularizing both the Republican elephant and the Democratic donkey. Eventually, these artistic gems ventured into color, impacting audiences at a whole new level. Today we are inundated with political satire, some of which is comparable to the talent of the 1700s and 1800s and much of which falls well short. Regardless, our culture would be less rich without this creative way to help us laugh our way through more stressful times.
The Jamestown Charter… The Start of Something Great…
September 11, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
In the pages of Mercurius Politicus… London, 27 May 1652, readers encountered one of the most consequential documents of early colonial America. This rare newsbook, edited by the chameleon-like Marchamont Needham in service of the Commonwealth, carried the full text of the Treaty of Jamestown. Virginia’s royalist governor, Sir William Berkeley, had clung to the Stuart cause even after Charles I’s execution in 1649. Parliament responded with an embargo and, in the autumn of 1651, a fleet of fifteen ships. Commissioners summoned Berkeley and the House of Burgesses. On the 12th of March 1652, the colony surrendered at James City. The twelve articles were remarkably generous: full indemnity for past resistance, confirmation of all existing land grants and boundaries, freedom of trade (defying Parliament’s Navigation Acts), and limited religious continuity. The governor, council, and burgesses signed for Virginia; the parliamentary commissioners signed for England. Earlier treaties with Native nations—Hartford in 1638 and the 1646 Virginia agreement—exist, yet this appears to be the first formal political settlement between an English colony and the home government ever printed in a periodical. Surviving records of the era are sparse; the Mercurius Politicus printing therefore stands as a primary window onto a pivotal, largely peaceful transfer of power. The Treaty of Jamestown preserved property rights, granted amnesty, and allowed Virginia to continue under new masters with minimal disruption. In a single newsbook we glimpse both the reach of the English Civil Wars across the Atlantic and the pragmatic realism that shaped early American self-government.
Reasons for the Declaration of Independence. . . Step by Step Logic…
August 28, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Often as we have big decisions ahead of us, wise council around us may prompt us to ask ourselves the question. . . why? Knowing the whys can often help point us to answer the more logistical question of how. In April of 1776, the Pennsylvania Evening Post attempted to lay out the why of the enormous decision facing the colonies. Below, read the text and reasoning laid before the citizenry.
Reasons for a DECLARATION of the INDEPENDANCE of the American Colonies.
- THE Colonies will be delivered from two governments directly opposed to each other.
- The Colonies will be delivered from the disorders which arise from the unlimited, undescribed, and sometimes arbitrary powers of Conventions, Committees of Safety, and Committees of Inspection.
- A criminal correspondence with the enemies of this country will be prevented or punished under the article of high treason.
- The Colonies will be delivered from the danger of Crown officers, whose apparent interest it will always be to remain inactive, or to cooperate with the enemies of America.
- The British constitution may be immediately restored to each colony, with the great and necessary improvements of a Governor and Council chosen by the people.
- France will immediately attack Britain in the most defenseless parts of her empire and thus draw off her fleets and armies from our coasts.
- All the powers of Europe will conceive such ideas of our union, love of freedom, and military resources, that they will not be tempted to accept of a share in us upon the condition of conquering us.
If only we could all present our logical arguments in such a concise and impactful manner.
A recently released video related to this post is available at: Independence was Destiny – The Case for Independence
When crises happen, publishers can be creative… Ben Franklin & the Stamp Act…
August 24, 2026 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
Occasionally, a newspaper just doesn’t look like a newspaper. When crises happen, some newspaper publishers can be creative and angry, resulting in “newspapers” that are quite unusual. Here is one.
Looking very much like a broadside (although it is four pages), an issue we purchased many years ago is simply headed: “REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES”, having no date, no city of publication, and no issue number.
With some investigation, we learned that this is actually the November 14, 1765 issue of the famous “Pennsylvania Gazette” printed by Ben Franklin and David Hall. The hated Stamp Act took effect on Nov. 1, 1765. Therefore the paper was suspended and in its place a broadside entitled “No Stamped Paper to be had” was printed for Nov. 7, and this four page issue titled: “Remarkable Occurrences” was created for Nov. 14. The regular title and numbering were resumed with the Nov. 21 issue but without the imprint. No name of publisher appeared until the Feb. 6, 1766 issue printed by David Hall, as the partnership with Franklin had been dissolved.
Never, previously, have we ever handled either of these two issues.
The entire front page is taken up with Stamp Act content. Page 2 has content from Europe, and pages 3 and 4 have content with datelines from Boston, Newport, Philadelphia, and New York with again, much of the content related to the Stamp Act.
This is treasured as one of the more intriguing newspapers in our inventory, and is even more notable with its connection to the Stamp Act.
Liberty Hangs in the Balance… The Midnight Ride of Caesar Rodney…
July 24, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
We have all heard the poem… THE MIDNIGHT RIDE OF PAUL REVERE. Fewer of us may have heard of the midnight ride of Ceaser Rodney and yet, he is certainly an unsung hero in America’s courageous journey to Liberty.
Rodney’s most legendary moment came during the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. By early July 1776, the Congress was debating Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for independence. Delaware’s three delegates were divided:
– Thomas McKean strongly favored independence.
– George Read opposed it.
– Caesar Rodney was absent in Dover, helping suppress Loyalist activity in Sussex County.
On the evening of July 1, 1776, McKean sent an urgent message to Rodney informing him of the deadlock. Rodney immediately set out for Philadelphia, roughly 70–80 miles away. Although his doctor forbade his going for his health’s sake, he rode through a severe thunderstorm all night. Despite suffering from lifelong asthma and facial cancer, he pushed through.
He arrived at Independence Hall on the morning of July 2, 1776, “in his boots and spurs,” muddy and exhausted. Thomas McKean reportedly met him at the door. Rodney voted with McKean, breaking the tie and allowing Delaware to support independence. This helped shift momentum; other colonies followed, leading to a unanimous vote. The formal Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4 and signed by Rodney on August 2. Rodney’s own account to his brother, Thomas, was incredibly modest: “I arrived in Congress (tho detained by thunder and rain) time enough to give my voice in the matter of independence.” Talk about an understatement! It just goes to show that some of history’s most courageous figures didn’t chase the spotlight—they just did what needed to be done.
The Founding of the CIA… John Jay’s Committee for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies…
July 20, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
In a previous post we told the story of Thomas Hickey, the security guard for George Washington who was the 1st military execution.
The Hickey Plot exposed a dangerous reality: the Revolution faced threats not only from British armies on the battlefield but from spies, saboteurs, and disloyal citizens within Patriot-controlled territory. New York, with its large Loyalist population and strategic importance, was especially vulnerable.
In response, the New York Provincial Congress took decisive action. In mid-1776, it established what would become the Committee for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies. This body was tasked with “inquiring into, detecting and defeating all conspiracies which may be formed in this State against the liberties of America.”
Heading the committee was a 30-year-old lawyer and rising Patriot leader: John Jay.
Jay, who would later become the first Chief Justice of the United States and a co-author of The Federalist Papers, had already proven himself a skilled organizer. The committee operated as America’s first dedicated counterintelligence organization. Its members investigated suspected Loyalists, interrogated prisoners, gathered intelligence on enemy activities, made arrests, and even ran clandestine operations.
Over its existence, the committee handled more than 500 cases involving disloyalty, espionage, and subversion. It detained influential figures, broke up spy rings, and helped secure the Patriot rear lines during some of the war’s most critical early months. Historians and intelligence professionals today widely recognize Jay as the founding father of American counterintelligence.
The story of the Hickey Plot and Jay’s committee reminds us that threats to democracy often come from within as much as from without. It also shows how crisis can drive innovation. In the face of existential danger, a group of determined Patriots created one of the first organized intelligence efforts in American history — not out of ambition, but out of necessity.
Today, as we reflect on the Revolutionary era, we usually celebrate battles and declarations. But behind the scenes, quiet work by men like John Jay helped ensure the Revolution survived long enough to succeed.
Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (reflecting back on June/July, 1776)…
July 15, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
- Revolution Gaining Momentum – Building on Resistance (Lead-up to a Nation – E44)
- Irreconcilable Actions of England – Royal Authority Suppressed (Lead-up to a Nation – E45)
- The Brink of Independence – England Clings to Hope of Peace (Lead-up to a Nation – E46)
- The Virginia Convention – Colonies urged toward Independence (Lead-up to a Nation – E47)
- Centuries of Struggle – One Declaration that Changed the World (Lead-up to a Nation – E48)
We hope you’ve are enjoyed this year-long trek to the 250th anniversary of The United States through the eyes of those who were fully engaged, first hand. As we continue with the next phase of the journey, as mentioned previously, all accounts will be rooted in what they read in the newspapers of the day.
“History is never more fascinating than when read from the day it was first reported.” (Timothy Hughes, 1975)
Stories Surrounding the Declaration of Independence… the Treason of Thomas Hickey…
July 13, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
In light of the historic birthday for the American Declaration of Independence, I thought it might be nice to look at some of the surrounding stories that occurred which could have helped or hindered this momentous time in history. Perhaps one of the more intriguing stories is the treason of Thomas Hickey and those who were likely involved at some level.
In June 1776, as British forces threatened New York, General George Washington faced betrayal within his own ranks. Thomas Hickey, an Irish-born soldier and member of Washington’s elite Life Guard, became central to a Loyalist conspiracy reportedly backed by New York Governor William Tryon. The plot allegedly involved recruiting guardsmen, sabotaging supplies, and possibly assassinating Washington when British troops arrived.
Hickey’s downfall began when he was arrested for passing counterfeit money. While jailed, he bragged to fellow prisoner Isaac Ketcham about enlisting Life Guardsmen and receiving payments from Loyalists. Ketcham alerted authorities, exposing the scheme.
On June 26, Hickey faced a swift court-martial. Charged with mutiny, sedition, and corresponding with the enemy, he was convicted on witness testimony and sentenced to death by hanging. Washington approved the sentence the next day.
On June 28—the same day John Adams was presenting Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia—Hickey was hanged before an estimated 20,000 soldiers and civilians near Bowery Lane in Manhattan. Washington ordered the mass attendance to deter treason, making Hickey the first Continental soldier executed for such crimes. The event underscored the fragility of the Patriot cause and reinforced discipline on the eve of battle.
Coverage of this conspiracy can be found in THE LONDON CHRONICLE, August 8, 1776. Ironically, parts of this British plot can also be found in THE GENTLEMAN’S MAGAZINE, August 1776 … the same GENTLEMAN’S MAGAZINE containing the entire printing of the Declaration of Independence. 
The Declaration of Independence…Our Lives, Our Fortunes and Our Sacred Honor…
July 4, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
For roughly 5,000 years of recorded history, human civilization largely moved at a glacial pace. Empires rose and fell under kings, emperors, and tyrants. Most people lived under arbitrary rule, with limited rights, widespread slavery or serfdom, and slow technological and economic advancement. Then, in a remarkable burst beginning in the late 18th century, progress exploded, accelerated by the American Founding.
The Founders didn’t invent ideas from nothing—they synthesized the best principles from millennia of human experience, rooted in natural law, Judeo-Christian morality, English common law, and selective Enlightenment thought. They implemented these ideas into a new system of government that protected individual liberty and unleashed human potential like never before.
The intellectual roots of the Declaration of Independence (photo shown is from The Gentleman’s Magazine, London, August, 1776) stretch back thousands of years. Natural Law formed the bedrock with ancient thinkers like Aristotle and Cicero describing universal principles of justice discoverable by reason. Medieval Christian philosophers, especially Thomas Aquinas, integrated this with divine order. English common law and documents like the Magna Carta (1215) began limiting monarchical power and affirming rights.
Judeo-Christian traditions emphasized the inherent dignity of every person created in God’s image, moral accountability, and the idea that rulers are not above the law.
The Enlightenment provided key modern refinements. John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government (1689) powerfully argued for natural rights to life, liberty, and property; government by consent of the governed; and the right of the people to overthrow tyranny. Montesquieu influenced ideas of separated powers.
The American colonists, steeped in these traditions through education, sermons, and experience with British overreach, saw the Crown’s actions as violations of these timeless principles. They didn’t seek to create something entirely novel but to restore and perfect ancient liberties in a new republic.
The Declaration didn’t end history’s challenges, but it marked a turning point. By grounding government in natural law, consent, and unalienable rights—while building institutions around virtue, limited power, and free enterprise—the Founders created conditions where human potential could flourish as never before.
Below you will find the fruit of the painstaking assembly of thoughts these Founders labored through, searching history & the heart of their creator to lay a framework for all mankind. Today of all days, may we appreciate their singular focus on creating a republic that would last and inspire others.
Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives