Historic Newspapers: Search Results
NATIONAL GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Feb. 20, 1793
* President George Washington
* Historic 2nd election victory
By far the most significant item in this issue is the page 3 report announcing the opening of the votes for President & Vice President.
History tells us that it was on February 13, 1793, when Congress officially tabulated the votes from the election of 1792. Page 3 has a report datelined February 20 which states: "On Wednesday last [the 13th] both houses of Congress met in…
THE HERALD OF FREEDOM & THE FEDERAL ADVERTISER, Boston, April 10, 1789
* George Washington presidential election win
This is a very historically significant issue, reporting the official results of George Washington being elected President of the United States.
Page 3 has: "Interesting Intelligence" that includes:"...On the Monday following, (6th inst.) by the arrival of the Hon. Richard H. Lee, from Virginia, a quorum was formed of the Senate of the United States, when they proceeded agreeably…
Item from last month's catalog - #367 - released for June, 2026
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, England, May, 1789
* George Washington elected 1st president of U.S.
* From the enemy just after the Revolutionary War
Certainly the most significant---and very historic--report in this issue is the account under the heading "America" of George Washington being elected the first President of the United States. The full text can be seen in the photos, however portions include: "The 4th of March, being the day appointed by the ordinance of Congress for…
FEDERAL ORRERY, Boston, Nov. 24, 1794
* President George Washington proclamation
The masthead features an engraving of the sun with various stars in its perimeter. this is the volume 1, number 11 issue of a title which lasted but two years.
Page 2 has a: "State Paper" being an address of: "George Washington, President of the United States of America, to the Representatives of the French people...the great & good friend & ally of the United States." signed by him in type: George…
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 22, 1796
* President George Washington
* Three documents signed in type
Page 2 has a document headed: "The United States of America...Letters Patent..." which is signed in type by the President: Go. Washington. The document notes a patent has been given to: "...Robert Dawson...of Delaware...hath alleged that he hath invented a new and useful improvement in bolting cloths...to be made patent...for the term of fourteen…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, June 16, 1790 Nearly half of the front page & a bit of page 2 contain: "The Charge of Chief Justice Jay to the Grand Juries of the Eastern Circuit".
Much of page 2 is taken up with reports from "Congress, House of Representatives".
Page 3 has a brief yet significant report from Congress noting: "...brought in a bill authorizing & empowering the President of the United States to purchase such a part of the tract of land at West Point as the public service…
Item from our most recent catalog - #368 - released for July, 2026
INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Sept. 28, 1795 This issue features a nice, ornate masthead engraving.
Page 2 begins with a discussion on the controversial Jay's Treaty with England. Also: "Indian Negotiations", but the feature report is a letter signed in type by the President: G. Washington, headed: "Answer Of the President to the Chairman of the Norfolk Town Meeting Relative to the Treaty".
Four pages, nice condition.
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE OR MONTHLY MUSEUM, Boston, May, 1789
* President George Washington
* Inauguration - inaugural address
* A detailed eyewitness account
* In a American publication (rare)
Rarely are we able to offer an American imprint with a period report of Washington's inauguration and inaugural address. Great to have this text in this famous magazine published by perhaps the most renowned printer of the 18th century, Isaiah Thomas, whose private collection become the foundation of…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 9, 1789
* Mary Ball Washington death
* 1st president G.W.'s mother
* Debate on Nation's capital location
Page 3 has a very nice obituary report on the death of the President's mother. Datelined: "Fredericksburg, August 27" it begins: "On Tuesday, the 25th let. died in her house in this town, Mrs. Mary Washington, aged 82, the venerable mother of the illustrious President of the United States, after a long & painful indisposition, which she bore…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 23, 1792
* President George Washington
* Designing District of Columbia
* Federal buildings - Capitol
Most of the first column on the front page is taken up with an Act of Congress and a “Resolve”, each signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, making this a nice issue for display.
Over 2 front-page columns are on: “Reflections On the State of the Union”.
Page 2 has a report from London on the: “Arrest of Mr. Paine”, being the famed…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 2, 1795
* President George Washington
* 2 Acts of Congress signed
The front page has an address: "To The President of the United States" by the "...subscribers, merchants & traders of the city of Philadelphia." which carries over to page 2.
Most of the document is taken up with a very lengthy list of names of those who signed it. It is followed on page 2 by the response from the President, a rather brief letter signed in script type: Go. Washington.
Page 2 has a…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, July 28, 1790
* President George Washington
* John Adams & Thomas Jefferson
Page 2 contains an "Address of the Providence Assoc. of Merchants to the President..." with "The President's Answer" signed by him in type: George Washington.
Page 2 also has a letter from the governor of Georgia to Alexander M'Gillivrary, chief of the Creek Indian Nation, with his response signed: Alex. M'Gillivray.
Page 3 contains an Act of Congress concerning the…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Nov. 25, 1789
* Benjamin Franklin re. slavery - slaves
* Newly elected President George Washington
It contains: An Address to the Public" by Benjamin Franklin as President of the: "Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes, Unlawfully Held in Bondage".
This is an extremely noteworthy address as it is Franklin's strongest moral statement on the subject of slavery.
Franklin did not speak out…
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, January 1, 1800
* George Washington death
* Historic & Highly sought item
This is one of the better issues to be had on the death & funeral of George Washington.
All columns and margins on pages 1, 2 & 3 have wide, black mourning rules. Page 4 has mourning rules at the top and bottom. The front page begins with a report headed with an engraving of a funeral urn above which is: "Testimonials of National Sorrow!" and beneath it: "On…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 26, 1794
* President George Washington
* Three Acts of U.S. Congress
A great display issue as the front page features not one but three Acts of Congress each signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and in block type by the Vice President: John Adams.
The first of the Acts is: "...to authorize the President of the United States in certain cases to alter the place for holding a session of Congress."
Four pages, some toning at the…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 19, 1789
* President George Washington
* Arthur St. Clair - Wabash Indians
* Federal government in its infancy
Page 2 has a letter to the House of Representatives signed in type by the President: Geo. Washington, beginning: "The Governor of the Western Territory has made a statement to me of reciprocal hostilities of the Wabash Indians & white people inhabiting the frontiers bordering on the river Ohio...", which is followed by a lengthy letter on…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 17, 1795
* President George Washington
* John & Samuel Adams - Paul Revere
A nice feature of the front page is what's on the front page: An Act of Congress for making appropriations for the military, signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington & in block type by: John Adams.
Also on the front page is a letter from the President concerning a report by the Secretary of War on the protection of the frontier, signed by him in block type: G.…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 14, 1792
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Taking over half of the front page and concluding on page two where it is signed in script type: G. Washington, is President George Washington's "Speech to Both Houses of Congress".
This was his annual state-of-the-union address, a tradition which he initiated in 1790 and which carries on to this day. There is a prefacing paragraph headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle, which notes:…
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, December, 1790
* President George Washington
* 2nd State of the Union Address
Certainly the most notable content is the 1 1/2 pages taken up with: "President Washington's Speech" which was his second state-of-the-union address, signed by him in type: George Washington.
The balance of the issue is taken up with a wide range of eclectic articles as noted in the title/contents page. Among the articles are: "Account of the Moravian Settlement at Bethlehem in…
THE GENERAL EVENING POST, London, Feb. 23, 1792
* President George Washington
* "Wallace Oak Box" presentation
The back page has a report of a gift to President Washington from Scotland, mentioned in a letter from Philadelphia. It notes: "...was presented to the President of the United States a box, elegantly mounted with silver & made of the celebrated oak tree that sheltered the Washington of Scotland, the brave & patriotic Sir William Wallace after his defeat at the battle of…
THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, May 26, 1787
* Constitutional Convention begins
* George Washington elected president
An exceedingly historic issue as this newspaper reports the formal beginning of the Constitutional Convention--terrific to have in a newspaper from the city where these notable proceedings were held.
As such, this is likely the first newspaper to report this event, which significantly includes the election of George Washington as its…
Item from our most recent catalog - #368 - released for July, 2026
(Added to the July, 2026 catalog [#368] after its initial release - only available on-line.)
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, Dec. 16, 1796
* President George Washington
* Retirement from public service
The front page includes 18 illustrated ship advertisements.
Page 3 has a letter signed in type: George Washington, in response to another letter about his retirement from public office. Washington makes some nice comments.
Page 2 has another letter signed in type: G. Washington, as well as a report from Georgetown concerning the votes of the Virginia…
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Dec. 14, 1795
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Page 3 include the historic annual state-of-the-union address of President George Washington to Congress. Headed "SPEECH" it is prefaced with: "This day, precisely at 12 o'clock, The President of the United States met both Houses of Congress in the hall of the Representatives, and addressed them in the following..." and what follows is his state-of-the-Union address in which he reflects…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 5, 1800
* John Adams & Thomas Jefferson
* re. the death of Patrick Henry
The front page has two Acts of Congress each signed in script type by the President: John Adams, and in block type by the Vice President: Th. Jefferson (hole in front leaf affects the first Adams signature).
But more interesting is: "The Legacy of Another Dead Patriot of Virginia" which begins on the ftpg. & concludes on pg. 2 with a letter "To Archibald Blair" dated Jan. 8, 1799 and signed…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Aug. 18, 1790
* American ships Columbia Rediviva & Lady Washington
* President George Washington - John Adams - Thomas Jefferson
Page 2 includes an Act of Congress, headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle: "...to enable the officers & soldiers of the Virginia line on Continental Establishment to obtain titles to certain lands lying northwest of the river Ohio, between the little Miami and Sciota." The Act of Congress is signed in type by the…
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 24, 1866 The entire ftpg. features nine: "Portraits of Washington" at various times in his life. Inside contains an article with nine illustrations on: 'The Birthplace, Home & Tomb of Washington'.
The doublepage centerfold is a very nice & large print captioned: "President Lincoln Entering Richmond, April 4, 1865" showing him surrounded by many appreciative Blacks, presumably former slaves.
This issue also has a full page print: "Foundering of the Steamship…
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE OR MONTHLY MUSEUM, Boston, September, 1789
* President George Washington
* Benjamin Franklin
The first article takes over a full page and is titled: "Description of Charles River Bridge". The plate called for is not present.
Other articles include: "Marriage Ceremonies Among the Tschouwasches, a Finnish Nation"; the conclusion to the article: "The Way to Wealth" signed in type: Richard Saunders (pen name of Benjamin Franklin); a full page: "Letter from Dr. Franklin to
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, July 7, 1790
* President George Washington
* Three Acts of U.S. Congress
Most of the middle column on page 2 is taken up with three Acts of Congress, all headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle and each signed in type by George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
Much of page 3 is taken up with reports from Congress. Page 3 also has several "Appointments" by the President, as well as reports on the celebration of the 4th of…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 5, 1794
* President George Washington
* Samuel Adams
Almost the entire front page is taken up with: "An Act Laying Certain Duties Upon Snuff and Refined Sugar" which is signed in script type at its conclusion by the President: Go. Washington.
This is followed by two Acts of the Massachusetts legislature, carrying over to page 2, each signed in type: Samuel Adams. Page 2 also has a letter from Capt. Brant to the Indian Chief Cornplanter, dated at Mohawk…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Jan. 9, 1790
* 1st President George Washington
* First State of the Union Address (SOTU)
A very significant issue, as page 3 contains George Washington's very first state-of-the-union address, taking over a full column and signed by him in type: G. Washington.
His address reflects upon the first year of the Presidency, beginning a tradition of addressing Congress at the conclusion of each year which continues to this day.
Also on page 3 is a…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 2, 1793
* (3) George Washington documents
Page 2 has an address of the people of Alexandria, Virginia, to the President supporting him in his Proclamation of Neutrality over the conflict between England & France. This is followed by the answer of the President, signed in type: G. Washington.
Then page 2 also has two more document, relating to France, which are each signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.
Four pages, irregular at the…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 28, 1794
* President George Washington
The front page begins with a half column Act of Congress signed by the President in script type: Go. Washington.
Inside includes: "Rule as to the Sailing of the Vessels of War of the Belligerent Nations from the United States". Also an article concerning the border of Vermont as it relates to Canada, as Vermont was not one of the original 13 colonies.
There is also: "A Proclamation" signed by the Mass. governor, Samuel…
Item from last month's catalog - #367 - released for June, 2026
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston Sept. 22, 1798
* General - President George Washington
Page 3 has under "Pennsylvania": "A meeting of the deluded citizens of Kentucky, at Lexington...to the number...of 5 or 6000, agreed to revolutions against the Alien and Sedition laws...They request their representatives to lay the resolutions before the national legislature and President."
Page 2 has an address: "To the President of the United States" from military officers of Baltimore County, relating…
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR THE WORCESTER GAZETTE, Sept. 30, 1795
* President George Washington letter
* Norfolk, Virginia & the Jay Treaty
Page 3 has: "The President's Answer to the Address of the Citizens of Norfolk" which concerns the Jay Treaty. It is signed in type: George Washington.
Four pages, light damp stains, nice condition.
J. RUSSELL'S GAZETTE, COMMERCIAL & POLITICAL, Boston, Jan. 13, 1800
* President George Washington's death
The front page has wide, black mourning rules, and the borders and all columns on pages 2, 3 & 4 also have wide, black mourning rules for the death of George Washington.
Related content is on pages 2, 3 and 4, with: "Public Testimonials, of Respect In Commemoration of the Virtues & Character of GENERAL WASHINGTON" "Tributary Honors at Berwick" "Tributary Honors at North Yarmouth"…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, June 15, 1803
* Parson Weems book advertisement
* President George Washington biography
The back page has a small advertisement for "The Rev. M. L. Weems", more popularly known as Parson Weems, the ad noting: "Is hereby authorized to solicit of the Ladies and Gentlemen of Philadelphia their subscriptions to the History of General George Washington."
Parson Weems was an author who wrote the first biography of George Washington immediately…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 22 and 25, 1796
* President George Washington
* Paul Revere's church bells
A two issue set with over half of the front page of the 22nd taken up with lengthy & detailed text of: "An ACT to Regulate Trade & Intercourse with the Indian Tribes & to Preserve Peace on the Frontiers." The Act carries over to take more than a full column on the front page of the 25th where it is signed in script type: Go. Washington.
The front page of the 25th also has an…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 9, 1796
* President George Washington
* Paul Revere's Masonic Lodge
Page 2 has an Act of Congress concerning a loan on the domestic debt which is signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and in block type by John Adams. Also on page 2 is a: "Tribute Of Respect" to: "...the Great WASHINGTON."
Page 3 has a Masonic notice for the "Grand Lodge" which is signed in type by the Grand Master: Paul Revere.
Four pages, nice condition.
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 14, 1795
* President George Washington
* Samuel Adams
The middle of the front page is taken up with 3 Acts of Congress each signed in script type by the President; Go. Washington, one of which is authorizing the creation of a lighthouse at the entrance of Georgetown harbor, South Carolina.
Also on the front page is an Act of the Mass. legislature: "An Act for Introducing the Dollar & Its Parts as the Money of Account in this Commonwealth" signed in…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 20, 1796
* President George Washington
* Three Acts of U.S. Congress
The front page features not one but three Acts of Congress, each signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington. One relates to building codes for new construction in Washington, D.C. and another is for: "...making Appropriations for the Support of the Military & Naval Establishments...".
Four pages, very nice condition.
WINDSOR FEDERAL GAZETTE, Vermont, Aug. 31, 1802 The front page contains the text of Washington's last official letter, including a nice introductory report concerning it.
The letter is dated "Mount Vernon, July 13, 1798" and is signed in type at its conclusion: George Washington. In the letter to John Adams he expresses his gratitude for being appointed Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of the U.S. armies. However, he also expressed his desire for a younger, more qualified person to…
THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR, THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, Nov. 5, 1782
* Revolutionary War ending events
* John Hanson - 1st American president ?
Page 2 has a lengthy letter which is reflective of the American-British relationship in the past. A few bits include: "...they have not duly considered the solid reasons and unanswerable arguments of the worthy, upright period, JOHN DICKINSON, and other American gentlemen, and the speeches & publications of some patriots at home...They…
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1800
* President George Washington's death
Near the back under the section headed: "Obituary, with Anecdotes, of Remarkable Persons" is the very historic report of the death of George Washington.
Beginning with the date of his death, the 14th, the obituary reads in part: ".... At his seat at Mount Vernon, in America, in his 68th year, after a short illness of about 24 hours, the illustrious General George Washington. His disorder was an…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 14, 1795
* President George Washington
* Acts of Congress
The first column of the ftpg. begins with not one but two Acts of Congress, each signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.
This title was one of just a few which used the script type in printing, making such issues quite displayable.
Four pages, minor foxing, good condition.
* President George Washington letter
* Citizens of Salem, Massachusetts
Page 3 has a reply from the President to an address from the inhabitants of Salem, signed in type G. Washington. In the reply he discusses his late Proclamation declaring neutrality in the present contest between France and other European powers.
Page 3 also has a report from Lansingburgh concerning a treaty with Indians.
Four pages, very nice condition.
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 17, 1796
* President George Washington
* Patent signed in type
* Inventor Robert Dawson
* Improvement in bolting cloths
The back page has a document headed: "The United States of America...Letters Patent..." which is signed in type by the President: Go. Washington. The document notes a patent has been given to: "...Robert Dawson...of Delaware...hath alleged that he hath invented a new and useful improvement in bolting…
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 13, 1796
* President George Washington
* Patent signed in type
* Inventor Robert Dawson
* Improvement in bolting cloths
Page 2 has a document headed: "The United States of America...Letters Patent..." which is signed in type by the President: Go. Washington. The document notes a patent has been given to: "...Robert Dawson...of Delaware...hath alleged that he hath invented a new and useful improvement in bolting cloths...to…
* President George Washington
* Congressional act signed in script
Half of the front page is taken up with an Act of Congress titled: "An Act...to provide more effectually for the collection of the duties in goods, wares and merchandize imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels." which is signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington on the following page.
This was one of just a few newspapers
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 26, 1797
* President George Washington
* United States Congress acts
The front page features not one, but four documents each signed by the President: Go. Washington, three of them are signed in the very desirable script type. One of the Acts relates to fixing the military establishment of the United States.
Four pages, very light damp staining at the bottom left, nice condition.
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 17, 1796
* President George Washington
* Patent signed in type
* Inventor Robert Dawson
* Improvement in bolting cloths
Page 4 has a document headed: "The United States of America...Letters Patent..." which is signed in type by the President: Go. Washington. The document notes a patent has been given to: "...Robert Dawson...of Delaware...hath alleged that he hath invented a new and useful improvement in bolting cloths...to…
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