11. 1777 RECRUITING BROADSIDE Extremely rare recruiting broadside, 1p. folio, [Boston] "In the House of Representatives", Jan. 25, 1777 headed: "STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY...The Perseverance of Britain in her Attempts to subjugate the Free States of America to an unconditional Submission to their arbitrary Imposition, demands a vigorous Perseverance to the Inhabitants of these States, to frustrate the barbarous Design. 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 Three Years, and for Fifteen of them from Massachusetts-Bay. The Necessary Wisdom of the Measure, must meet the Approbation of every Friend to his Country. When this Court considers that a speedy and full Compliance with this Requisition, will (under GOD) issue in the greatest and happiest of all Events: And at the same Time remembers, the Virtue and Patriotism of their Constituents, they are happy to realize that they have only to point to a Method that will prove effectual...". The broadside continues, outlining the method of obtaining sufficient numbers to fill the ranks of Massachusetts' quota of soldiers. The act of the Continental Congress sought to extend enlistment periods which had become a serious issue just a month before when Washington's army nearly disintegrated due to expiring enlistments prior the key victories at Trenton and Princeton. The move would be one more step towards professionalizing the Continental Army and transforming it into a formidable force that could actually stand up to British regulars in the field, an event that military historians agree did not occur to the Battle of Monmouth in 1778 in which Washington fought Clinton to a draw. A superb and quite rare Revolutionary War broadside. Evans, 15425; Ford, W.C. Broadsides, 2074; Cushing, J.D. Mass. Laws, 978. OCLC 64620117. OCLC locates no extant institutional copies. Folds with one hole at intersection affecting a line of text, uneven toning from dampstain, toned at left margin, else very good condition.$2,000-3,000