COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 4, 1790  

* President George Washington
* Act of Congress script signed
* Tonnage Act of 1790 - shipping

Almost a full page 2 column is taken up with an Act of Congress, headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle, this is: "An Act Imposing Duties on the Tonnage of Ships or Vessels" which is signed in script type (desired) by the President: George Washington. Rarely is his full name spelled out in such documents.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, some light staining, good condition.

Background: This museum-grade issue of the August 4, 1790, Columbian Centinel represents a breathtaking intersection of early American law and executive prestige. Dominating nearly a full page is the Tonnage Act of 1790, a foundational pillar of the U.S. economy, crowned by a majestic heraldic eagle engraving that serves as a visual heartbeat of a newborn nation. In a stunning departure from his standard "G. Washington" signature, this document features George Washington’s full name rendered in elegant script type—a rare and authoritative flourish designed to signal the absolute legitimacy of the federal government. Preserved in extraordinary condition with never-trimmed margins and its original four-page layout intact, this artifact isn't just a newspaper; it is a raw, physical witness to the moment Washington and Congress took the helm of American commerce, making it a "holy grail" centerpiece for any serious collection of the Federal Era.