Historic Newspapers: Search Results

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, May 18, 1803  Page 2 has an interesting report concerning Thomas Paine & his letters, noting: "...is composed principally of encomiums upon himself and upon his projects for reforming the world, and abuse of General Washington's administration. The only thing worthy of notice ...is a copy of the whole of Mr. Jefferson's affectionate letter of invitation to Paine..." with much more.
This is responded to by Jefferson, signed in type: Thomas Jefferson.
Page 2 also…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Connecticut, March 25, 1848  Page 2 has: "Revolution in France!", "Abdication and Flight of Louis Phillippe", "500 Lives Lost", "A Provisional Govt. Appointed and a Republic Proclaimed".
Other news and advertisements, some which are illustrated, are within.
Complete in four pages and is in good condition.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Aug. 14, 1805

* Predecessor of the Hartford Courant, America's oldest newspaper

This is a nice, early issue of America's oldest continually published newspaper, now known as the Hartford Courant, but with this title for most of its history. Over half of the front page is taken up with ads. The inside pages have various news of the day & ads as well, with the back page again taken up entirely with ads, two of which are illustrated--one for watches,…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, May 13, 1807  This title has the distinction of being the oldest, continually published newspaper in America, now titled 'The Hartford Courant'. This issue is from the private collection, selected for inclusion because of the wide, untrimmed margins. Four pages, some light foxing, minor archival and at the spine, very nice condition.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, June 11, 1798  Page 2 has much correspondence & reporting on the XYZ Affair with France. Related to this is a page 3: "Bill to Suspend the Commercial Intercourse Between the United States & France".
Page 3 also has two curious Acts from Connecticut: "An Act, in Addition to & alternation of an Act entitled 'An Act for Preventing Mischief by Dogs" and the other: "An Act for Suppressing Montebanks, Rope-Dancers, Tumblers, etc."
A "mountebank" is a person who…

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, May 31, 1814  Page 3 has: "General Orders" from Sackett's Harbor followed by a letter from Thomas Macdonough, Commanding U.S. forces on Lake Champlain, to the Secretary of the Navy" datelines at Vergennes. This concerns a battle on Otter Creek (see). Also: "The Attack On Oswego" with a lengthy report.
Four pages, nice condition.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, May 15, 1781 

* Rare American Revolutionary War publication

The front page has a brief item: "The American spy, mentioned a few days since, is taken at Harwich and will be examined before the Privy-Council. Many papers were found upon his person, touching a treasonable correspondence."
The front page also has some items from the war including the mention of  the British capturing a ship off the capes of Virginia, plus quantities…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Feb. 26, 1782  

* Surrender of Lord Charles Cornwallis
* Revolutionary War - Yorktown, Virginia

The most historic content is on page 3 which begins with a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Lord George Germain, dated October 19, 1781. It contains in part: "...sailed from Sandy Hook on the 16th instant and arrived off Cape Charles the 24th, when we had the mortification to hear that Lord Cornwallis had proposed terms of capitulation…

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Oct. 1, 1787  

* Historic United States Constitution 
* Constitutional Convention - Congress
* President George Washington signs 

Here is one of the more historic and desirable newspapers to be had on the creation of the government of the United States--The Constitution of the United States was approved by Congress. This, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are likely the most historic 18th century documents to have in an American…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Aug. 16, 1790

* Funding Act of 1790

Taking two-thirds of the front page and half of page 2 is: "An Act making Provision for the Debt of the United States" which is signed in type by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.
This was the very historic Funding Act of 1790 which was passed on August 4, 1790 by the United States Congress to address the issue of funding of the domestic debt incurred by the individual colonies during the…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, July 15, 1799  Two columns on the front page are taken up with "An Act to regulate the Collection of Duties on Imports & Tonnage" continued in a future issue. It is headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle.
The back page has over a full column report from the "War Department" seeking bids to supply rations to the mentioned military installations.
Two small holes near the bottom do not affect mentioned content.
Four pages, generally nice condition.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Nov. 13, 1781 

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

A terrific issue as not only does it contain a fine account of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, but it consumes the entire front page, carries over to take most of page 2, with additional information on page 3 as well.
The front page begins with a letter from Col. Tilghman, Aid de Camp to General Washington, datelined: "Head Quarters,…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Nov. 6, 1781  

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

Certainly the most notable content is an early report of the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
The page 2 report notes in part: "The General is happy in congratulating this army on the following authentic & interesting intelligence, received from the southward. That on the 15th instant two of the enemy's redoubts at York-Town were…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & THE WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 18, 1780 

* General John Burgoyne resignation
* re. Surrender at Saratoga - New York
* American Revolutionary War

The entire front page, two-thirds of page 2, and half of page 3 are taken up with: "...the various letters that passed between the late and present secretary at War and Lieutenant General Burgoyne, previous to that officer's resignation of his military employments.", with various references to his defeat &…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, October 7, 1783

* Newburgh Conspiracy plan
* General George Washington
* Revolutionary War ending events

 Both the front page and page 2 have nice, lengthy letters concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy of that time.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, August 28, 1781

* Siege of Nintey Six - South Carolina
* General Nathanael Greene defeat
* American Revolutionary War

 Half of page 2 is taken up with a letter from Major General Greene in which he officers much on the Siege of Ninety-Six.
Additional reports carry over to page 3 with much more detail on the military events in South Carolina. One item begins: "...a party of horse, headed by Sad  Hampton, came down unexpectedly…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, May 21, 1782 

* Captain Joshua Huddy execution - hanging
* General George Washington angry reaction
* American Revolutionary War

Two-thirds of the front page is taken up with "Debates in the House of Commons Upon the American War". An excellent report providing much insight into the discussions on the troubling situation in America and how to resolve it. Consensus shows a strong interest in ending the military involvement in…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 3, 1781  

* General Henry Clinton
* Peace with Americans ?
* Revolutionary War

Pages 1 and 2 contain an excellent response to the controversial "Declaration" of General Clinton in which he offers a proposal for peace to the Americans. A few bits include: "The first thing which is offered is a pardon to all the inhabitants of these States who have been so hardy as to oppose a degradation from the rank of freemen to that of…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, August 14, 1781  

* Battle of Green Spring
* James County, Virginia
* American Revolutionary War

The front page has news from captured correspondence including: "The revolt of the Pennsylvania line & Jersey brigade...are certainly events of very great importance, & must have very extensive effects both in reducing Washington's present force & preventing its being recruited by new levies..." and: "...I flatter myself the southern…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 9, 1782  

* American Revolutionary War
* America sympathizers jailed
* Independence ?

Page 2 includes: "The enemy in New York are busy in prosecuting their canal...They are also erecting a line of works on Long Island...His Excellency GENERAL WASHINGTON and his Lady arrived last Monday at Head Quarters, New-Burg, in good health."
Page 3 has a report of a London printer going to jail for his criticism of the war in…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, July 17, 1781  

* American Revolutionary War
* Ship prisoners exchanged
* Southern colonies evacuation (British)

The front page has several letters from British Lt. Col. Balfour, most dealing with discussion for an exchange of prisoners with General Greene.
This discussion carries over to page 2 where is found a letter datelined: "Torbay prison ship, Charlestown harbour, May 19, 1781" concerning men on the prison ship. Then yet…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, March 26, 1782 

* Reaction to Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

Page 2 has some nice reporting on the military events further to the west, from a letter from Kentucky dated Dec. 6. It reports on the work of General Clarke near Fort Pitt, Colonel Loughrie, and some events near Detroit. An item mentions: "...that the enemy had evacuated John's Island about six miles from Charlestown & still…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Oct. 2, 1805  The front page, and much of page 2 contain a great wealth of information & reporting headed: "War With Tripoli" which is on the First Barbary War.
Four pages, a bit irregular at the spine margin from disbinding, nice condition.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Feb. 12, 1806  The front pages content on the First Barbary War including the: "Convention" or treaty with Tripoli in hopes of resolving the problems between the two nations.
Four pages, very nice condition.

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, March 5, 1816 The front page has an extract from A Sermon delivered in Boston before the American Society for education of pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry, Oct. 26, 1815, by the Rev. Eliphalet Pearson, L.L.D. Other news of the day includes: "Spotted Fever" "The National Bank Bill" "Congress" and much more. Some margin staining, second leaf has a few archival mends and a small hole at the fold juncture, otherwise good. 4 pages.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Oct. 27, 1800  The back page has 1 1/2 columns taken up with two Acts of Congress, each signed in type by the President: John Adams, and the Vice President: Th. Jefferson.
One Act is for: "...appropriations for the military establishment of the United States...".
Four pages, some damp staining, generally good.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, June 23, 1778  Most of the front page is taken up with an address of the governor of New Jersey to the General Assembly concerning the Revolutionary War.
It begins: "I heartily congratulate you upon the agreeable news we have received from France...The treaties of alliance & of amity & commerce between his Most Christian Majesty & the United States of America by which our freedom, sovereignty & independence are fully recognized..." with much more, portions…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, June 8, 1801  Pages 1 and 2 contain: "An Act Supplementary to the Act entitled 'An Act Concerning the District of Columbia' " which concerns the regulations and laws that will be enforced in this new district.
Page 2 has a letter concerning Algiers and Tripoli, relating to the First Barbary War.
Four pages, slightly irregular at the blank spine, good condition.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Nov. 13, 1805  Close to half of the front page is taken up with a lengthy & detailed report on the on-going Barbary War, headed: "American Captives in Tripoli". It carries over to page 2 & is continued in a future issue.
Four pages, nice condition.

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Nov. 5, 1806   

* Lewis and Clark Expedition letter
* Safe return - homeward bound

Page 2 begins with a notable report on the arrival of Lewis and Clark in St. Louis, after their 2-1/2 year expedition.
It begins: "It is, with the sincerest pleasure, that we announce to our fellow citizens, the arrival of CAPTAIN LEWIS, with his exploring party, at St. Lewis [sic]. The President has received a letter from him dated at St. Lewis, September 23, at which…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Sept. 15, 1800

* re. the creation of the state of Indiana
* Gabriel Prosser's slave insurrection

 Page 3 has a brief & early report on Gabriel's Rebellion,
It notes: "An insurrection was discovered on the 30th alt. among the negroes in the neighborhood of Richmond, Vir. and some of them are lodged in the gaol [jail] of that city...".
Gabriel's Rebellion was a planned slave rebellion in the Richmond, Virginia, area in the summer of 1800. Information…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, June 25, 1798

* The XYZ Affair
* France relations
* John Adams

 Tremendous coverage of the on-going XYZ Affair with over half of the front page, and all of pages 2 & 3 containing various reports & documents relating to this event.
The XYZ Affair was a political and diplomatic episode in 1797 and 1798, early in the presidency of John Adams, involving a confrontation between the United States and France that led to the Quasi-War. The name derives from…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Nov. 19, 1798  Page 3 has a report from Baltimore concerning the travels of George Washington with a curious beginning: "This morning arrived in tow, the Chief who unites all hearts... escorted in by captains Hollingworth's & Bentalou's troops...had the gratification of being reviews bye him...to the satisfaction of a large concourse of spectators who thronged around him...The object of the Commander-in-Chief in going to Trenton..." with more.
Another report…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Feb. 10, 1777  

* Thomas Paine's "American Crisis"
* Essay # 2 re. Revolutionary War
* Intended to bolster American morale 

Almost the entire front page is taken up with the continuation of Thomas Paine's essay #2 of his famous "American Crisis" series, a collection of 13 essays written by Paine during the American Revolutionary War.
In 1776 Paine wrote Common Sense, an extremely popular and successful pamphlet arguing for…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Jan. 8, 1782  

* Very rare Broadside edition from the Revolutionary War

Apparently a quite unusual broadside edition as the issue is a single sheet with the back page blank. If page 2 had text I would suspect that the back leaf was missing, but the front page text concludes on the front page and the reverse is entirely blank.
The front page has an item including: "...from Paris...that the King has signified to his Excellency…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Jan. 29, 1782 

* Lord Charles Cornwallis
* Surrender at Yorktown
* Revolutionary War

The front page is mostly taken up with: "An Ordinance Ascertaining What Captures on Water Shall be Lawful". This lengthy text carries over to take close to half of page 2 & is signed in type by: John Hanson, President of Congress.
Page 3 has some optimistic hopes from London including: "Though the croakers of politics be busily employed in…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Feb. 12, 1782  

* American Revolutionary War closing events
* George Washington & Thomas Jefferson

The inside pages have various reports concerning the Revolutionary War, including: "...nothing but the utter destruction of the Carolinas was talked of by the ministry & their creatures; but since the French have blocked up the Chesapeake & landed 8000 troops, they can condescend to think it very well if Lord Cornwallis should be…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, July 15, 1799  Two columns on the front page are taken up with "An Act to regulate the Collection of Duties on Imports & Tonnage" continued in a future issue. It is headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle.
The back page has over a full column report from the "War Department" seeking bids to supply rations to the mentioned military installations.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, nice condition.

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Nov. 28, 1791  Mot of the front page is taken up with the French Revolution with a lengthy letter signed: Louis.
Most of page 3 is taken up with reports from Congress, including a brief note to the House concerning expenses for the year signed by the Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton. This is followed by another letter signed: Alexander Hamilton with a chart of other expenses: "For compensation to the president, vice-president, chief justice, and associate…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Aug. 26, 1799  Various news of the day from both America and Europe. Most of the back page is taken up with a portion of a lengthy (and continued): "An Act to Regulate the Collection of Duties on Imports & Tonnage" headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, minor archival mend to the back page, nice condition.

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…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, July 27, 1803  A very historic issue, as page 3 contains: "By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation" for convening a special session of Congress to deal with the pending Louisiana Purchase.
Of significance is the report which follows, which includes in part: "Dispatches from the American Ministers at Paris...and contain the treaty, signed on April 30th, which conveys Louisiana to the United States. The extent of the territory ceded is…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Feb. 19, 1806  Th front page has: "Victory Over The French, Battle of Erems". The back page has a continued article from a previous issue, being a message from President Jefferson concerning the First Barbary War. It concludes in a future issue.
Four pages, nice condition. 

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Oct. 19, 1819 On page 3 under Missouri Expedition are details of a letter from an officer attached to the expedition, stating that Ketchums boat ...had run upon a sawyer and filled with water....The steamboat Expedition had burst her boiler and could not proceed..., plus more about other difficulties, and his observations about the land and climate in the region. Some staining in unrelated content, large area of foxing, with a bit in this report. Other news…

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Jan. 14, 1820 Pg. 3 has news about Yellow Stone Expedition noting the arrivals of Cols. Atkinson Chambers, Major Biddle, Capts. Smith and Carney at St. Louis, plus a few more details and word about the arrival of other personnel. Other news of the day includes: "Kentucky" "The Vermont Murder" "Restriction Of Slavery" and much more. Some lite staining in unrelated content, bit of lite rubbing in this content, large area of foxing.