[Ads-l] Antedating of "United States"

[Shapiro, Fred]

United States [as opposed to "United States of America" and not referring to the Dutch provinces] (OED 1776 [10 Oxt.])

1776 _Virginia Gazette_ 17 May 3/1 (America's Historical Newspapers)  The following toasts were given ... _The Grand Congress of the United States, and their respective legislatures_.

Fred Shapiro

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