Home >
Death of George Washington...
Death of George Washington...
Item # 648623
Currently Unavailable. Contact us if you would like to be placed on a want list or to be notified if a similar item is available.
December 28, 1799
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 28, 1799
* President George Washington death
* HISTORIC
Newspapers reporting the death & funeral of George Washington--dated before the end of 1799--are among the more difficult, late-18th century reports to be found. This issue has related content on the front page with the top of the second column headed: "Washington Is No More ! " followed by a report from the "Congress of the United States" which includes: "Mr. Speaker, Information has just been received that our illustrious Fellow Citizen, the Commander in Chief of the American army, and the late President of the United States, is no more. Though this distressing intelligence is not certain, there is too much reason to believe its truth..." followed by a message from the President to the House of Representatives beginning: "The letter herewith transmitted will inform you that it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life our excellent fellow citizen, GEO. WASHINGTON, by the purity of his character & a long series of services to his country, rendered illustrious through the world..." signed in type: John Adams.
This is then followed by a report by the personal secretary of Washington, datelined "Mount Vernon, Dec. 16, 1799" and beginning: "Sir, 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 bout 24 hours..." with more, signed in type: Tobias Lear. Plus there is more on the front page essentially taking all of the two middle columns (see). Terrific to have such great reporting on the front page.
The reports concerning Washington's death continue on to page 2 as well, and even page 3 has some content including a black-bordered: "Tribute Of Respect" at the meeting of the Mechanic Association, and another bordered note from the "Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Masonic organization (see). Page 4 has a black-bordered notice of the Society of Cincinnati which is headed: "General WASHINGTON, Our President, is DEAD ! " (see).
Four pages, each page is bordered in wide, black mourning rules. A repair to a missing portion at the spine affects some text but only a few words a page 3 notice relating to Washington (see photos) . Some archival strengthening at the spine, and to a fold on pg. 2. Water staining does not affect any readability, some wear at the margins.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
No Longer Available
