THE ORACLE OF THE DAY, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Dec. 26, 1795

• President George Washington
• Chief Justice John Rutledge

This is a quite scarce 18th century American title as it existed only until 1799 and rarely comes on the market. We suspect the circulation was somewhat limited.
The front page has nearly a full column on: "State of Politicks In America - From Cooper's Information Respecting America". Also on the front page: "Real Federalism Triumphant!
Pages 2 & 3 contain the Senate's response to Washington's recent state of the union address, signed in type: John Adams. This is followed by the President's response, signed in type: G. Washington.
Another item notes: "Philadelphia papers mention that the appointment of Judge Rutledge as Chief Justice has not been confirmed by the Senate." Rutledge became the second Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, however, it was short-lived (he holds the record for the shortest term as Chief Justice) as after the Senate's recess, it did not approve the appointment.
Four pages, very nice condition.

Background: Published in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, by Charles Peirce, this rare December 26, 1795 issue of The Oracle of the Day captures a pivotal moment in early American politics, most notably reporting the Senate's historic rejection of John Rutledge as Chief Justice—marking the shortest tenure of any Chief Justice in U.S. history after his controversial opposition to the Jay Treaty cost him confirmation. Pages two and three showcase the formal constitutional tradition of the era with printed exchanges between Congress and the executive regarding Washington’s Seventh Annual Message, signed in type by Vice President John Adams ("John Adams") and President George Washington ("G. Washington"). Additionally, the front page highlights the fierce partisan landscape of the 1790s through the Federalist commentary "Real Federalism Triumphant!" and excerpts from English political radical Thomas Cooper’s Information Respecting America.