Celebrate July 2 or July 4? Jay Treaty is ratified...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 1, 1795  The front page has the notable letter signed by: John Adams, datelined Phila., July 3d, 1776, in which he notes: "Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever debated in America...A resolution was passed...that these United Colonies are and of right out to be, free and independent states..." with more.

It is prefaced with a no... See More  

George Washington signs an Act of Congress...

... See More  

Death report of a "free black woman"...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston Oct. 18, 1797  Taking three front page columns is: "A List Of Prizes in Gloucester Road Lottery. Class Fourth."

Listed among the page 3 obituaries is one reporting the death of "...a free black woman named Venus Watkins..." at New-Providence. It mentions that: "...from a variety of circumstances she must have reached the great age of 120.&q... See More  

Honor bestowed upon President John Adams...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 30, 1797  Page 2 has a "Tribute of Respect" from the American Academy of Arts & Sciences written: "To John Adams, L.L.D., President of the United States of America" concerning an honor given to him. This is followed boy: "The President's Answer", signed in script type: John Adams.

Four pages, a bit irregular at the blank ... See More  

New Highland lighthouse on Cape Cod...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 11, 1797  The top of page 3 has an announcement of the operation of a new light house on Cape Code, at Clay Ponds.

From research we believe this is the Highland Lighthouse, originally built in 1797 but was replaced in 1857. The text is very descriptive on how ships are to navigate its vicinity.

Four pages, nice condition.... See More  

Natchez and Fort Recovery...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 7, 1797  Page 2 has a report: "From Presque Isle (on Lake Erie)...that Ensign Callender had arrived there with information that the inhabitants of the Nartches [Natchez] had rebelled & hoisted the tri-coloured flag. That a detachment of Federal troops had been marched against them & that the Indians had been defeated in an attempt to take Fort Rec... See More  

Detailed review of the militia...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 27, 1797  Page 2 has an interesting article: "Review Of Militia" commanded by Major-General Hull, with various particulars. The back page features 14 illustrated ship ads.

Four pages, nice condition.

Much on the new frigate Constitution...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 20, 1797  Page 2 has two articles concerning the famed frigate Constitution. The first headed: "The Launch" contains: "It will be high water this day...at which time the Constitution frigate will quite the cradle of her birth & repair to the element of which she is calculated to be the price & boast..." with more on this. Further o... See More  

Early Boston newspaper...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, February 8, 1797  Perhaps the most successful newspaper in America after the Revolutionary War with various news and ads of the day.

The entire front page is taken up with: "Documents" accompanying the message of the President, being a letter to Mr. Pinckney, America's ambassador to France.

Four pages, minor loss to an upper corner, very nice condit... See More  

Early Boston newspaper with a run away advertisement...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 29, 1797  Perhaps the most successful newspaper in America after the Revolutionary War with various news and ads of the day. Pg. 3 has an ad: "Ran Away from Benj. Rogers...Aaron Winn, about 18 years of age...will give three dollars reward..." with more (see photos).

Four pages, nice condition.

Details on manning the three Navy frigates...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 19, 1797  The front page is dominated by 3 Acts of Congress, the first is notable: "An Act Providing a Naval Armament" which takes 1 1/2 columns & provides much detail, noting at the beginning: "That the President of the United States by...empowered...to cause the frigates United States, Constitution, and Constellation, to be manned & em... See More  

President John Adams signs in script type...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 8, 1797  The last column of the front page is taken up with two Acts of Congress, each signed in in type by the President, John Adams, one in script type & the other in block type. Page 2 begins with a third Act signed in script type by John Adams.

Four pages, nice condition.

The Constellation & Constitution are almost ready...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 14, 1797  A page 2 report notes: "Gen. Smith (of Baltimore)...mentioned that the Constellation frigate, building at that place, would be launched the 4th of July next. The Constitution, building here will be afloat the second week of August--She has upwards of 200 hands constantly at work on her; and such is the forwardness of her masts, sails, rigging, &... See More  

Jefferson & others respond to the President...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 31, 1797  Page 2 contains a full column letter headed: "To the President Of the United States" which is in response to a recent address by the President concerning national and international affairs. The letter is signed in type by the Vice President: Thomas Jefferson.

This is followed by a nice response signed in type by the President: John Adams, a... See More  

Launch of the frigate "United States"...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 17, 1797  A page two report notes: "On Wednesday last, the 'United States' frigate, built at Philadelphia, was launched into her wonted element, amidst the acclamations of many...spectators....Capt. Barry, commanded on board in person; and the heads of Departments, &c. of the General Government witnessed the launch from the United States brig S... See More  

Washington visits his Masonic lodge, with his reply to an address...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 29, 1797  On the front page under "Laws of the United States" are three "Acts" of Congress, each signed in script type: Go. Washington.

Also, on the front page under "Masonic" is an address from Lodge, No. 22, of the Ancient York Masons at Alexandria to the President, delivered during a meeting attended by Washington, and signed... See More  

Three "signatures" by Washington on the front page...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 22, 1797  The front page contains not one but three Acts of Congress, each one signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.

The Acts are regarding duties on distilled spirits, one for placing buoys in Boston harbor, and one for setting the time for the next meeting of Congress.

This newspaper is one of the only titles which used the "script&... See More  

Washington and Napoleon Buonaparte...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 5, 1797  At the bottom of the front page is an Act of Congress which is signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.

This was one of just a few newspapers which used the script type for documents signed by politicians, making such issues very displayable.

Amongst the various items on page 2 are: "Mr. Monroe's Speech" and two documen... See More  

George Washington... John Adams...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 29, 1797  Certainly the key content is the front page Act of Congress which is concerning: "...the more general Promulgation of the Laws of the United States." which is signed in block type by the Vice President, John Adams, and in script type by the President: George Washington.

There is another Act beginning on the front page titled: "An Act... See More  

Washington returns home as a private citizen...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 18, 1797  Page 2 has a report noting that 24 Philadelphia clergymen presented an affectionate address to George Washington on the last day of his presidency, to which he replied: "Believing as I do, that Religion and Morality are the essential pillars of civil society; I view, with...pleasure, that harmony and brotherly love which characterizes the Clerg... See More  

Washington's birthday...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 22, 1797  Page 2 has a nice report headed: "The President" concerning celebrating the 66th birthday of George Washington.

Four pages, nice condition.

Tributes to Washington on retiring from public office...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 28, 1797  Page 2 has several reports concerning Washington's announcement of retiring from public service. An: "Address to the President" from Mass. includes: "...report a respectful address to the President of the United States on his retiring from office...". Then the: "Governor's' Speech" begins: "Since your la... See More  

On Washington retiring from public office...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 14, 1797  The ftpg. has: "Summary of the Points of the Debates in Congress on the Answer to the President's Address" referring to Washington's last state-of-the-union address. It begins: "On one side, it was openly declared that they did not regret the President was going to retire...".

Page 2 has a report from "Virginia"... See More  

Sam Adams and George Washington letters... Adams is elected President...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 28, 1796  The front page has nearly a full column taken up with an Act from the Massachusetts Legislature which is signed in type: Samuel Adams. Page 2 contains a letter signed in type by the President: Geo. Washington.

Also on page 2 are the "Votes For President, &c." being a list of the electoral votes for each state. It shows Adams with 71 vo... See More  

George Washington, John Adams, Sam Adams...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 21, 1796  The front page has four Acts of the Massachusetts legislature, each signed in type by the governor: Samuel Adams. Page 2 has a lengthy address to the President being the Senate's response to the state-of-the-union address, signed: John Adams. This is then followed by: "The Following is the Reply of the President" which is signed: George... See More