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Letter to Editor
August 17, 1759
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In July 1759, a Philadelphia resident writes to Boston printers Green & Russell about a strange bird flying over the city, audibly crying 'REPENT' each morning. Described as parrot-like but unharmed by gunfire, it is viewed by many as a serious divine sign amid recent providences.
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Full Text
Philadelphia, 20th July, 1759
Mess'rs Green & Russell,
Observ'd in your Paper No. 100, that there has been (as you justly term it) an awful Providence lately among you, this has surpriz'd many among us, and induced me to inform you that we have had for these several Days past a Bird flying over the City every Morning, crying out distinctly, REPENT, REPENT : it appears not unlike a Parrot, one of its Feet and its Bill like that Bird ; the other a Stump without Talons ; its Colour dark blue, and about the size of a Pigeon. Several of the Youth of this City have frequently fir'd at it, but to no Purpose ; and tho' it has sometimes alighted within Pistol Shot of them, they tho' well charg'd with Pigeon Shot, could not even frighten it, much less kill it. This to a Worldly minded Man may seem an old Woman's Tale, but the thinking serious Part of us, of all Denominations, think otherwise.
I am, &c.
Mess'rs Green & Russell,
Observ'd in your Paper No. 100, that there has been (as you justly term it) an awful Providence lately among you, this has surpriz'd many among us, and induced me to inform you that we have had for these several Days past a Bird flying over the City every Morning, crying out distinctly, REPENT, REPENT : it appears not unlike a Parrot, one of its Feet and its Bill like that Bird ; the other a Stump without Talons ; its Colour dark blue, and about the size of a Pigeon. Several of the Youth of this City have frequently fir'd at it, but to no Purpose ; and tho' it has sometimes alighted within Pistol Shot of them, they tho' well charg'd with Pigeon Shot, could not even frighten it, much less kill it. This to a Worldly minded Man may seem an old Woman's Tale, but the thinking serious Part of us, of all Denominations, think otherwise.
I am, &c.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Religious
What themes does it cover?
Religion
What keywords are associated?
Repent Bird
Philadelphia Sighting
Divine Warning
Unharmable Creature
Religious Portent
What entities or persons were involved?
Mess'rs Green & Russell
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Mess'rs Green & Russell
Main Argument
reports the sighting of a mysterious bird in philadelphia that cries 'repent' every morning, cannot be harmed by gunfire, and is interpreted by serious-minded people as a divine sign following recent awful providences.
Notable Details
Bird Resembles Parrot With Dark Blue Color And Size Of Pigeon
One Foot And Bill Like Parrot, Other Foot A Stump Without Talons
Youth Fired At It With Pigeon Shot But Could Not Frighten Or Kill It