THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Dec. 14, 1795

* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address

Page 3 include the historic annual state-of-the-union address of President George Washington to Congress. Headed "SPEECH" it is prefaced with: "This day, precisely at 12 o'clock, The President of the United States met both Houses of Congress in the hall of the Representatives, and addressed them in the following..." and what follows is his state-of-the-Union address in which he reflects upon the events of the year.
This was a tradition begun by Washington and continues to this day.
Four pages, archival strengthening at the blank spine, scattered foxing, good condition.

Background: The December 14, 1795 issue of The Connecticut Courant captures a pivotal moment in early American democracy: George Washington's 7th Annual Address (now known as the State of the Union) delivered in person at precisely 12 o'clock to both Houses of Congress in the House of Representatives hall. Initiating a Constitutional mandate that grew into a defining presidential tradition, Washington used this historic speech to reflect on a turbulent year and chart the course for a fragile young republic. Set against the backdrop of intense domestic debate over Jay's Treaty with Great Britain, the address underscored Washington’s commitment to foreign neutrality, commercial stability, and peaceful expansion following the Treaty of Greenville. By printing this full address on page 3, The Connecticut Courant—itself the country’s oldest continuously published newspaper—served as a crucial bridge between the federal government and the public, shaping early American national identity through the press.