Historic Newspapers: Newspapers from the 1700s

The eighteenth century saw the heyday of the Age of Reason, and the rising popularity and increased distribution of newspapers played a key role in deepening and expanding public discourse. We carry only absolutely authentic original newspapers, and there's no better way to discover the history of the 1700s than to hold a newspaper from that century in your own hands.
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  • Washington signs an Act of Congress....   Votes for John Hancock...
    Item #704051
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 4, 1792  

    * President George Washington & more

    The front page begins with an Act of Congress, signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and in block type by John Adams and Th. Jefferson.
    Page 3 has over half a column of election results in Massachusetts, by city, for... Read full description  
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    $88.00
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  • Act of Congress signed by Washington...
    Item #704046
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 10, 1794 

    * President George Washington
    * Act of United States Congress


    The front page begins with an Act of Congress, signed in script type by the President; Go. Washington. It takes over half the column.
    Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, wide margins, some foxing and minor tears at the margins, nice... Read full description  
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    $98.00
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  • Three Acts of Congress signed by George Washington...
    Item #704045
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 26, 1794  

    * President George Washington
    * Three Acts of U.S. Congress


    A great display issue as the front page features not one but three Acts of Congress each signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and in block type by the Vice President: John Adams.
    The first of the Acts... Read full description  
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    $177.00
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  • A Washington Act of Congress begins the front page...
    Item #704043
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 26, 1791  

    * President George Washington 
    * Act of United States Congress
    * re. census of South Carolina 


    The front page begins with a half-column Act of Congress headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle. It is: "An Act Granting Farther Time for Making Returns of the Enumeration of... Read full description  
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    $72.00
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  • Acknowledging Washington's third annual address...
    Item #704042
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 12, 1791  

    * President George Washington
    * re. State of the Union Address


    Almost half of the front page is taken up with: "Answers Of Both Houses of Congress to The President's Speech", meaning George Washington's 3rd annual state-of-the-union address.
    The first column has "The... Read full description  
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    $152.00
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  • Five issue lot from before the Revolutionary War...
    Item #704040
    (5) THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, A group of five issues dated March 9, 1758, June 10, 1760, MArch 3, 1763, Feb. 20, 1768, and May 28, 1772. A nice little group lot providing a flavor of life in England from the period when tensions were growing with its American colonies. 
    Each issue is complete in 8 pages, 8 by 11 inches, perhaps minor rubbing & foxing to some, generally in good condition. 
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    $72.00
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  • The King's Proclamation to encourage naval recruitment...
    Item #704038
    THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, arch 20, 1755  Half of the front page is taken up with: "By the King, A PROCLAMATION, For continuing the encouragements to seamen who shall enter themselves on Board His Majesty's ships of war; for increasing the bounty to all such seamen..." with more.
    Four pages, 10 by 12 3/4 inches, repair at the blank spine, nice condition.
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    $37.00
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  • Major General Alexander Hamilton...
    Item #704011
    THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Nov. 6, 1799 

    * General Alexander Hamilton
    * At Trenton, New Jersey


    The back page has a nice "War Department" notice mentioning that: "All officers...who are...absent from their commands are required...to report themselves by letter to Major General ALEXANDER HAMILTON..." with a bit more.... Read full description  
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    $55.00
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  • Major General Alexander Hamilton...
    Item #704007
    THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Oct. 16, 1799  The back page has a nice "War Department" notice mention that: "All officers...who are...absent from their commands are required...to report themselves by letter to Major General ALEXANDER HAMILTON..." with a bit more. This is the Alexander Hamilton who served again in the military during the Quasi War.
    Four pages, nice condition.
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    $56.00
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  • Major General Alexander Hamilton...
    Item #704006
    THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Oct. 9, 1799  P

    * Alexander Hamilton during Quasi-War

    age 3 has a report concerning the construction of a light house at Shell Castle and at Cape Hatteras. Also reports from New York, Pittsfield, Worcester, Boston and Lexington.
    The back page has a nice "War Department" notice mentioning that:... Read full description  
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    $65.00
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  • Buonaparte has lost the confidence of his army...
    Item #704005
    THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Sept. 11, 1799  Inside has much on the war in Europe including: "Army of Italy" "Army of the Danube" and other datelines from Vienna, Zurich, London, etc.
    Page 3 has: "Latest News of Buonaparte in Egypt" which includes: "...Buonaparte has lost the confidence of his army, who are very... Read full description  
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    $40.00
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  • Launch of the U.S. brig President Adams...
    Item #704002
    THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Aug. 7, 1799  Most of the front page is taken up with: "Robespierre--The Detested", the famous name from the French Revolution.
    A page 2 item from Pittsburgh has: "A new brig, the property of the United States, called President Adams, was launched on Rouge River, six miles from Detroit...She... Read full description  
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    $43.00
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  • Celebrating the  Declaration of Independence...   Recruitment ad for the U.S. military...
    Item #704000
    THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, July 17, 1799  The front page has: "Celebration of the Fourth of July" at Worcester, followed by the celebrations at New Salem, Lancaster & Petersham.
    The back page has a very nice recruitment ad for the military headed: "ATTENTION ! " "To all who... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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    $43.00
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  • John Adams' famous letter on significance of the 4th of July...   Recruitment ad for the U.S. military...
    Item #703984
    THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, July 10, 1799  Page 3 has a printing of one of the more historic letters ever written concerning America's independence, being the letter signed in type by: John Adams, dated "Philadelphia, July 5, 1776".
    It begins: "Yesterday the greatest... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026

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    $57.00
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  • Colonists against the Stamp Act are warned of consequences....   Stamp distributor is forced to resign....
    Item #703953
    THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 7, 1765  

    * The Stamp Act crisis 
    * Sir Francis Bernard speech
    * Boston riots response


    The front page has a report from Boston appointing a committee to be comprised of James Otis & Sam Adams, among others, to offer thanks for "...his... Read full description  
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    $398.00
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  • Washington's Farewell Address...
    Item #703934
    THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Nov. 14, 1796  

    * President George Washington
    * Farewell Address (retirement) 


    Taking a full column on the front page, all of pages 2, and a bit of page 3 is an historic report headed "AMERICA - The President's Speech To the United States off America", more commonly known as Washington's Farewell... Read full description  
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    $455.00
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  • Two Acts of Congress signed by Washington, Adams, and Jefferson...
    Item #703809
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, April 7, 1790 

    * Act of Congress re. North Carolina's Western lands
    * George Washington - John Adams - Thomas Jefferson 


    Beginning on the front page & taking all of pg. 2 & some of page 3 are detailed reports from Congress during this formative year.
    Over half of page 3 is... Read full description  
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    $112.00
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  • Letters to Washington & Franklin...    Discussing the census...
    Item #703798
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Feb. 24, 1790 

    * President George Washington
    * Benjamin Franklin


    Half of the front page is taken up with reports from: "Congress - House of Representatives" which includes talk on: "...the report of the Secretary of the Treasury. -- Mr. Madison's motion for a discrimination under... Read full description  
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    $128.00
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  • The President tours the Northeast...
    Item #703766
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Nov. 18, 1789  

    * President George Washington
    * New England tour w/ many stops


    This issue has much coverage of the President's tour of the Northeast, including a front page address of the town of Portsmouth to the President, followed by: "The Answer" signed in type: G. Washington.
    Page 2 includes an:... Read full description  
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    $72.00
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  • Marriage advice from Ben Franklin...
    Item #703757
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Oct. 10, 1789  The front page has close to a full column taken up with: "Early Marriage -- Original Letter from Dr. Franklin to John Alleyne, Esq." which is signed by him in type: B. F.  This is a bit of a "Dear Abby" response from over 200 years ago.
    An internet source mentions this was printed in the... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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    $125.00
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  • Very detailed reporting on the beginning of the French Revolution: storming the Bastille...
    Item #703755
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 26, 1789  The most notable content is the lengthy, and terrific day-by-day account o the beginning of the French Revolution with the storming of the Bastille in Paris. Across France and the rest of Europe the consequences of the Revolution were... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026

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    $265.00
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  • Two items signed by George Washington...
    Item #703754
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 19, 1789 

    * President George Washington 
    * Arthur St. Clair - Wabash Indians
    * Federal government in its infancy

    Page 2 has a letter to the House  of Representatives signed in type by the President: Geo. Washington, beginning: "The Governor of the Western Territory has made a statement to me of... Read full description  
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    $144.00
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  • The Treasury Department is created...   Where will the federal capital be located?   Knox is  Secretary at War...
    Item #703753
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 16, 1789  

    * Treasury Act of September 2, 1789
    * Establishment of the Treasury Department 
    * President George Washington signs 


    Certainly the most notable report is that found on the back page, where is printed in full: "An ACT to... Read full description  
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    $895.00
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  • Debating where the permanent Capital should be...   Death of the President's mother...
    Item #703751
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 9, 1789  

    * Debate on Nation's capital location
    * Mary Ball Washington death
    * 1st president G.W.'s mother 


    Most of the front page is taken up with a: "Sketch of Proceedings of Congress in the House of Representatives..." with considerable debate on... Read full description  
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    $235.00
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  • 1789 creation of the Department of War...
    Item #703746
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Aug. 19, 1789 

    * Creation of the Department of War - Defense
    * Beginnings stages of the federal government
    * President George Washington signing


    A very significant issue, as the back page contains the official Act of Congress creating the Department of Defense, then known as the Department of... Read full description  
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    $895.00
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  • First state-of-the-union address by George Washington...   In American-made clothes...
    Item #703726
    GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Jan. 9, 1790

    * 1st President George Washington
    * First State of the Union Address (SOTU)


      A very significant issue, as page 3 contains George Washington's very first state-of-the-union address, taking over a full column and signed by him in type: G.... Read full description  
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    $2,350.00
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  • British officers revolt in New Jersey...   News from Pensacola...
    Item #703661
    THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE, Philadelphia, Aug. 3, 1767  

    * Pre Revolutionary War tensions
    * Colonial - Anti-British publication


    A fine, colonial newspaper offering a flavor of life in America during the tumultuous period shortly after the Stamp Act, during the hated Quartering Act & Townshend Acts era, and before... Read full description  
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    $385.00
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  • The South is complying with the hated Quartering Act...
    Item #703648
    PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Aug. 10, 1767  

    * Southern colonies & the Quartering Act
    * Pre-Revolutionary War tensions 


    A fine, colonial newspaper offering a flavor of life in America during the tumultuous period shortly after the Stamp Act, during the hated Quartering Act & Townshend Acts... Read full description  
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    $269.00
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  • Washington visits his Masonic lodge, with his reply to an address...
    Item #703615
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 29, 1797 

    * President George Washington acts
    * Alexandra-Washington Masonic Lodge

    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... Read full description  
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    $175.00
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  • Washington's Act of Congress consumes the entire front page...   More inside...
    Item #703612
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 7, 1790  

    * Seamen's Act of 1790
    * George Washington signed


    The entire front page is taken up with the full text of: "An ACT for the Government & Regulation of Seamen in the Merchants Service" headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle. It is signed in script type by... Read full description  
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    $86.00
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  • Building & dedicating Fort Fayette in Pennsylvania...   The Second Militia Act...
    Item #703606
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 2, 1792

    * 2nd - Second Militia Act of 1792 
    * President George Washington signs
    * Fort Lafayette - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    * Major General Anthony Wayne 


    Most of the front page is taken up with a Act of Congress now known as the Second Militia Act, signed in script... Read full description  
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    $154.00
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  • George Washington and Samuel Adams...
    Item #703605
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 14, 1795 

    * President George Washington
    * Samuel Adams


     The middle of the front page is taken up with 3 Acts of Congress each signed in script type by the President; Go. Washington, one of which is authorizing the creation of a lighthouse at the entrance of Georgetown harbor, South Carolina.
    Also on the... Read full description  
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    $84.00
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  • George Washington script signature...   Henry Knox, Paul Revere, & Sam Adams...
    Item #703604
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 17, 1795 

    * President George Washington
    * John & Samuel Adams - Paul Revere


    A nice feature of the front page is what's on the front page: An Act of Congress for making appropriations for the military, signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington & in block type by:... Read full description  
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    $105.00
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  • George Washington and Sam Adams...
    Item #703603
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 5, 1794  

    * President George Washington
    * Samuel Adams

    Almost the entire front page is taken up with: "An Act Laying Certain Duties Upon Snuff and Refined Sugar" which is signed in script type at its conclusion by the President: Go. Washington.
    This is followed by two Acts of the Massachusetts legislature, carrying over... Read full description  
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    $98.00
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  • Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and more...
    Item #703600
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 28, 1792  

    * George Washington - Act of U.S. Congress 
    * Future presidents John Adams & Thomas Jefferson 


    The front page has an Act of Congress concerning the creation of light houses, beacons, buoys & public piers, signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and in block type by Th. Jefferson... Read full description  
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    $145.00
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  • Very displayable: four George Washington script signatures...
    Item #703599
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 30, 1796  

    * President George Washington - John Adams
    * Four Acts of Congress signed in type


    The front page features not one but four Acts of Congress, each signed in script type by: Go. Washington, President of the United States. Each is also signed in block type by the Vice... Read full description  
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    $58.00
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  • Adams and Jefferson are declared President & Vice President...
    Item #703596
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 15, 1797  A page 2 report has a very historic report: "Wednesday last his Excellency JOHN ADAMS, Esq., as President of the United States; and the Hon. THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq., as V. President of the same, were declared in the presence of the Legislature of the Union, and a large concourse of... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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    $78.00
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  • Washington signs an Act of Congress...
    Item #703595
    AMERICAN HERALD OF LIBERTY, Exeter, New Hampshire, Nov. 12, 1793  

    * President George Washington
    * Rare 18th century publication
    * Act of U.S. Congress signed


    This title existed for just over 3 years. Brigham notes that only 3 institutions have this date in their holdings.
    Page 2 has a document signed by the President: Geo. Washington... Read full description  
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    $158.00
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  • Three Washington script signatures on the front page...
    Item #703589
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 9, 1796 

    * President George Washington - John Adams

    Over half of the front page is taken up with three documents of the federal government with each signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and two of them in block type by John Adams.
    This was one of just a couple of... Read full description  
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    $160.00
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  • Concerning the state of the United States...
    Item #703588
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 22, 1792  Over half of the front page is taken up with a continued series of articles headed: "Reflections on the State of the Union".  Page 3 has a report concerning Lafayette, and the back page has an ad for a: "Six Dollars Reward" for a deserted soldier.
    Four pages, very nice condition.
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    $40.00
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  • On the XYZ Affair, with letters from President Adams...
    Item #703586
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 27, 1798  

    * The XYZ Affair
    * France relations
    * John Adams


    The first column has a brief document signed by the President: John Adams, as an introduction to a lengthy document regarding the XYZ Affair and relations with France.
    Page 2 has yet another related document signed by: John Adams... Read full description  
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    $60.00
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  • Nice comments on Alexander Hamilton... Multiple John Adam's script signatures...
    Item #703585
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 11, 1798  The front page begins with two Acts of Congress, each signed in script type by the President: John Adams. One concerns suspending commercial trade with France due to the on-going XYZ Affair and the coming Quasi-War. The front page also has: "American Navy Spirt"... Read full description  
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    $112.00
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  • 6 front page script signatures of John Adams...
    Item #703584
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 24, 1798  

    * Presidents John Adams & Thomas Jefferson

    The front page has six "Acts" each signed in script type: John Adams & in block type: TH: Jefferson. One of the acts allowed for compensation "...to the door keeper of the Senate, and his assistant; for their services during the late session of... Read full description  
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    $58.00
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  • The Constellation & Constitution are almost ready...   The ingrate Thomas Paine...
    Item #703582
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 14, 1797 

    * USS Constitution & Constellation 
    * United States Navy first warships 


    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... Read full description  
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    $88.00
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  • The XYZ Affair...   Preventing mischief by dogs...
    Item #703577
    THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, June 11, 1798  Page 2 has much correspondence & reporting on the XYZ Affair with France. Related to this is a page 3: "Bill to Suspend the Commercial Intercourse Between the United States & France".
    Page 3 also has two curious Acts from Connecticut: "An Act, in Addition to & alternation of an Act... Read full description  
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    $38.00
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  • Laying the cornerstone for the President's House, sort of...
    Item #703561
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston,  May 26, 1792  

    * Philadelphia as the nation's capital (temporary)
    * Future "White House" ? - Laying of the cornerstone


    Page 3 has a somewhat inconspicuous report reading: "The following inscription is cut on the corner stone lately laid as the foundation of the house designed for the... Read full description  
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    $245.00
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  • The King declares Americans are free & independent...
    Item #703552
    THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, Dec. 10, 1782

    * American independence acknowledged
    * By King George III of England (speech)
    * Historic event that propelled U.S. freedom


    Certainly the most notable content is that found on pages 2 & 3, the very historic speech by the King of England to his Parliament, dated Dec. 5, 1782.
    ... Read full description  
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    $1,500.00
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  • Bunker Hill...  Post Revolutionary War engraving...
    Item #703551
    THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1790  

    * Full page engraving of Bunker Hill

    Certainly the prime piece is the very nice, full page engraved plate captioned: "View of Bunker's Hill" which is accompanied by a brief article which includes: "...very accurate & pretty drawing of Bunker's Hill, within the encampments of the... Read full description  
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    $98.00
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  • Georgetown to be the nation's capital?
    Item #703549
    THE UNIVERSAL ASYLUM & COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, October, 1790  The issue begins with the continued: "History of the Life & Character of Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D." which takes 6 pages & includes 4 letters signed by him in type from 1753 & 1754: B. Franklin.
    Other articles include: "On the Invention of Porcelain in Europe" "Thoughts on... Read full description  
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    $86.00
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  • With the desired Ben Franklin imprint...
    Item #703537
    THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, July 19, 1753

    * Most famous of newspapers
    * Benjamin Franklin (very rare)


    In the imprint at the bottom of the back page is the much desired Benjamin Franklin imprint, noted as: "Printed By B. FRANKLIN, Post-Master, and D. HALL at the New Printing Office, near the Market". Franklin would later... Read full description  
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    $3,935.00
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