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Washington's death: a first report...
Washington's death: a first report...
Item # 572416
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January 01, 1800
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL & TOWN & COUNTRY ADVERTISER, Rhode Island, Jan. 1, 1800
* George Washington death (1st report)
* One of the most historic issues to be had
Reports on the death of Washington remain among the more desired, and scarce, newspapers of the post-Revolutionary War era. Rarely have we been able to offer a first report: this is one.
There is a wealth of text concerning Washington's death, beginning with a front page report from Congress which starts: "The melancholy event which was yesterday announced with doubt, has been rendered but too certain. Our Washington is no more! The hero, the sage and the patriot of America; the man on whom in times of danger every eye was turned, and all hopes were placed, lives now only in his own great actions and in the hearts of an affectionate & afflicted people..." with much more (see). This text carries over to page 2 where is the letter from President John Adams, noting: "...inform you that it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from his life our excellent fellow citizen George Washington..." with more, signed in type: John Adams. This is then followed by the rather famous letter signed by Washington's personal secretary, Tobias Lear, which has the official announcement of Washington's death. It is datelined "Mount Vernon, Dec. 15, 1799" and begins: "It is with inexpressible grief, that I have to announce to you the death of the great and good General Washington. He died last evening, between 10 and 11 o'clock, after a short illness of about 24 hours. His disorder was an inflammatory fore throat, which proceeded from a cold, of which he made but little complaint on Friday..." with more (see). Additional reports follow.
But perhaps the most graphically appealing portion of this issue is the middle of page 2 where is found, in uncommonly large type: "Tributes Of Respect To The Memory of WASHINGTON ! "Philadelphia, Dec. 20. On Saturday, the 14th Instant, DIED SUDDENLY At his seat in Virginia, General George Washington, commander in Chief of the armies of the United States of America; Mature In Years, Covered With Glory, And Rich In the Affections of the American People." with more (see). The last column of page 2 has much on the funeral plans and other items relating to his death.
Coverage carries over to page 3 as well, where also is a nice graphic item which presents the details of the funeral, with a dateline of "George-Town, December 20" and the text beginning: "On Wednesday last, the mortal part of WASHINGTON THE GREAT--The father of his country & the friend of man, was consigned to the tomb, with solemn honours & funeral pomp..." with more. A bit further on is a textual presentation of the order of the funeral, noting the position of the pall bearers alongside the "Corpse" (see). More on Washington as well, taking most of page 3. Even page 4 has a poem titled: "On The Death of Washington".
A rare opportunity for a terrifically historic issue, complete in four pages, with all pages bordered in black mourning rules, and in very nice condition. A great wealth of reporting on Washington, and nice to have mention of his death on the front page, along with the more graphic presentations on the inside.
Four pages, very nice, clean condition. One vertical crease which does not affect the mentioned article.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
No Longer Available
