[ Autographs ] THOMAS POWNALL DECLARES AMERICA LOST A fascinating D.S, 6pp. small 4to., in French, docketed London, Dec. 2, 1777, a Frenchmanuscript copy of a speech given in the House of Commons by former Massachusetts Gov. Thomas Pownall concerning the war with America, likely prepared for the use of the French intelligence service. Pownall's speech reads in part: "...in the years 1768 and 1769...I gave you a detailed account of the condition of America and its inhabitants....no one at this time knows America as well as I do...I was not listened to at the time you sent troops to Boston and the Americans were forced to wage war on you...the Americans were preparedfor all occurrences...I apprised the chamber about the form of government which they were going to adopt & under which they live today...I declare today...that America will never return to obedience..your sovereignty over America is destroyed...you will only learn thatyou no longer have authority over that country & that the United States form a sovereign and independent people...they wish to be independent and that is as it ought to be envisaged...". With completetranscript, a fine historic documents in very good condition.