January 6, 1776
At the suggestion of some high-ranking men, including members of the Continental Congress, James Humphreys, Jr. partnered with Robert Bell and Robert Aitken to publish The Military Guide for Young Officers by Thomas Simes. The printers and booksellers described this work as “a large and valuable Compilation from the most celebrated Military Writers,” including “brave Heroes in critical Situations” whose example might inspire the young men who were raising arms to fight for independence.
Although this advertisement suggested that the books would be ready at the end of December 1775, later newspaper advertisements show that Humphreys, Bell, and Aitken did not begin selling the two-volume set until the end of February 1776.
John Adams purchased the second volume of the Military Guide, which included the “excellent Military, Historical and Explanatory DICTIONARY” described in the proposals. In June 1776, around the same time that he joined the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, Adams also became chairman of the Board of War and Ordnance, which was responsible for monitoring the needs and personnel of the Continental Army.
The Pennsylvania Ledger: Or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey Weekly Advertiser
Printed by James Humphreys, Jr.
By Desire of some the Members of the Honourable the American Continental Congress, and some of the Military Officers of the Association, the following PROPOSALS, are laid before all who chuse to encourage the Publication of the Work.
THE MILITARY GUIDE FOR YOUNG OFFICERS.
By THOMAS SIMES, Esquire.
This Work is a large and valuable Compilation from the most celebrated Military Writers—Marshal Saxe—General Bland—King of Prussia, Prince Ferdinand—&c. &c. Containing the Experience of many brave Heroes in critical Situations, for the Use of young Warriors; including an excellent Military, Historical and Explanatory DICTIONARY.
CONDITIONS.
1. THE American Edition of SIMES’s Military Guide, will be printed on the same Paper and Type with the Specimen, and neatly bound in two Octavo Volumes. Each Volume will contain about 300 Pages. Price to Subscribers THREE DOLLARS—And to Non-subscribers, the Price will actually be FOUR DOLLARS.
2. No Money expected until the Delivery of the Work, which, with great Expedition, will be about the latter end of December, 1775.
⁂ Subscriptions are gratefully received by JAMES HUMPHREYS, jun. Printer and Bookseller, in Front-street, the Corner of Black-horse Alley; by ROBERT BELL, Printer and Bookseller, next Door to St. Paul’s Church, in Third-street, and by ROBERT AITKEN, Printer and Bookseller, in Front-street, opposite the London Coffee-house, Philadelphia, (where the Names of those Gentlemen who have examined the Book, and do approve of its Publication may now be seen.) Also by all the Booksellers in America.
