Historic Newspapers: George Washington
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 23, 1792
* President George Washington
* Designing District of Columbia
* Federal buildings - Capitol
Most of the first column on the front page is taken up with an Act of Congress and a “Resolve”, each signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, making this a nice issue for display.
Over 2 front-page columns are on: “Reflections On the State of the Union”.
Page 2 has a report from London on the: “Arrest of Mr. Paine”, being the famed…
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE OR MONTHLY MUSEUM, Boston, May, 1789
* President George Washington
* Inauguration - inaugural address
* A detailed eyewitness account
* In a American publication (rare)
Rarely are we able to offer an American imprint with a period report of Washington's inauguration and inaugural address. Great to have this text in this famous magazine published by perhaps the most renowned printer of the 18th century, Isaiah Thomas, whose private collection become the foundation of…
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Oct. 18, 1775
* General George Washington
* Named Commander-in-Chief
* Continental Army - British reaction
The front page begins with a nice item from London concerning George Washington: "General Washington, who was lately appointed Generalissimo over the Provincials, has refused any salary, and is to attend to the hazardous and arduous duty allotted him from principle only. A most noble example & worthy of imitation in Great Britain, particularly at this time…
Item from last month's catalog - #369 - released for August, 2026
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, January 1, 1800
* George Washington death
* Historic & Highly sought item
This is one of the better issues to be had on the death & funeral of George Washington.
All columns and margins on pages 1, 2 & 3 have wide, black mourning rules. Page 4 has mourning rules at the top and bottom. The front page begins with a report headed with an engraving of a funeral urn above which is: "Testimonials of National Sorrow!" and beneath it: "On…
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, Sept., 1777
* Siege of Fort Ticonderoga
* General George Washington
* American Revolutionary War
Over 2 1/2 pages are taken up with: "Letter from Gen. Washington to Gen. Sir William Howe" from Middlebrook, June 10, 1777, signed by him in type: Geo. Washington. This is followed by another letter from Washington to Howe, which begins: "The fortune of war having thrown Major-General Prescot in our hands, I beg leave to propose his exchange for…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, September 11, 1790
* President George Washington
* Address received and response
* Brethren of King David's Lodge
* Newport, Rhode Island lodge
* Masonic - Jewish - Jews - Judaica
This is a very significant newspaper. The middle column on the back page (page 4) contains the: "Address of the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of King David's Lodge to George Washington, President of the United States of America" signed in type by committee…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 27, 1796
* President George Washington
* Mass. Governor Samuel Adams
The front page begins with a document: "Official By the President of the United States" concerning building codes for houses in the new city of Washington, D.C. It is signed in script type: Go. Washington.
Taking half of the front page is: "An Act for Establishing a Turnpike Gate on such Roads..." signed by the governor of Massachusetts: Samuel Adams.
Page 2 has a letter of "thanks" from the…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 30, 1789
* President George Washington
* U.S. government in it's infancy
Certainly the most significant & historic content is the page 3 report that: "The President of the United States has been pleased to nominate, and by & with the advice & consent of the Senate, to appoint, JOHN JAY, of New York, Chief Justice..." followed by a list of the Associate Judges of the Supreme Court as well.
Also of great significance are the other appointments listed:…
* 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 Senate's Answer" which is signed in type: John Adams, Vice President of the United States & President of the Senate" to which the president gave a short reply, signed in
THE MASSACHUETTS GAZETTE or the GENERAL ADVERTISER, Springfield, July 29, 1783
* General George Washington
* Circular letter re. U.S. Army
* Revolutionary War ending
The entire front page, all of page 2, and a portion of page 3 are taken up with one of the more noteworthy letters from General Washington during the war.
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 9, 1789
* Mary Ball Washington death
* 1st president G.W.'s mother
* Debate on Nation's capital location
Page 3 has a very nice obituary report on the death of the President's mother. Datelined: "Fredericksburg, August 27" it begins: "On Tuesday, the 25th let. died in her house in this town, Mrs. Mary Washington, aged 82, the venerable mother of the illustrious President of the United States, after a long & painful indisposition, which she bore…
NEW YORK MAGAZINE OR LITERARY REPOSITORY, November, 1792
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Certainly the most notable content is President Washington's state-of-the-union address, found in its entirety at the back of the issue.
Headed: "THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH" it is prefaced with a paragraph reading in part: "...the national legislature assembled...at Philadelphia...the President of the United States...repaired to the Senate Chamber...with both Houses being present, the…
THE COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 25, 1790
* President George Washington
* re. State of the Union Address
* United States Congress reaction
* re. death of Benjamin Franklin
The front page begins with the Senate's response to Washington's state-of-the-union address, followed by his response signed in script type: George Washington. This is then followed by the House of Representatives' response to Washington's address, & again followed by Washington's response to them signed in…
SPOONER'S VERMONT JOURNAL, Windsor, Dec. 28, 1795
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address - SOTU (S.O.U.)
Almost the entire front page is taken up with the President's: "SPEECH" being George Washington's annual state-of-the-union address for the year 1795, a tradition he started in his first administration and which continues to this day.
The "Speech" is prefaced with: "This day, precisely at 12 o'clock, The President of the United States met both Houses of Congress in the…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 2, 1796 Page 2 has a report from the Virginia House of Delegates concerning Washington: "...that the plan contemplated for erecting an University at the Federal city...And whereas when the general assembly of Virginia presented sundry shares in the James River and Potomac companies to George Washington as a small token of their gratitude for the great, eminent and unrivaled services he had rendered to this Commonwealth, to the United States, and to the world…
Item from last month's catalog - #369 - released for August, 2026
THE POLITICAL MAGAZINE, London, August, 1783
* General George Washington
* Circular letter re. U.S. Army
* Revolutionary War ending
ing the Revolutionary War. It contains a wealth of reports concerning the concluding events of the war.
Pages 1 and 2 have: "Lord Sheffield's Observations on the Commerce of the American States". Another page has a lengthy list of the: "American Ships Taken" during the war. Another page has: "An Act for Forfeiture & ale of the Estates of Persons who…
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 12, 1852
* Washington Monument obelisk
* George Watterston & construction
Page 2 has: "Gen. Scott At The West" meaning Ohio, which includes: "Speech of Gen. Scott at Hamilton" and: "Speech of Gen. Scott at Dayton".
Page 2 also has a nice, half-column article: "Washington National Monument" being a letter concerning the building of the Washington Monument at the District of Columbia, signed in type by: G. Watterston, the 3rd…
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 Ancient York Masons at Alexandria to the President, delivered during a meeting attended by Washington, and signed in type by James Gillis, the lodge Master. The President's…
THE GENERAL EVENING POST, London, Feb. 23, 1792
* President George Washington
* "Wallace Oak Box" presentation
The back page has a report of a gift to President Washington from Scotland, mentioned in a letter from Philadelphia. It notes: "...was presented to the President of the United States a box, elegantly mounted with silver & made of the celebrated oak tree that sheltered the Washington of Scotland, the brave & patriotic Sir William Wallace after his defeat at the battle of…
THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 27, 1781 A wonderfully historic issue and nicely presented, as the details of Cornwallis surrendering to Washington at Yorktown, essentially ending the Revolutionary War.
The entire middle column of the front page is Washington's historic letter, dated at "Head-Quarters, near York, 19th October. 1781" and beginning: "Sir, I have the honor to inform Congress, that a reduction of the British army, under the command of Lord…
Item from last month's catalog - #369 - released for August, 2026
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 14, 1792
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Taking over half of the front page and concluding on page two where it is signed in script type: G. Washington, is President George Washington's "Speech to Both Houses of Congress".
This was his annual state-of-the-union address, a tradition which he initiated in 1790 and which carries on to this day. There is a prefacing paragraph headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle, which notes:…
THE STAR, London, England, Sept. 27, 1814 Page 3 has wonderful reporting on this historic capture of Washington, D.C. by the British during the War of 1812.
The top of a column notes: "CAPTURE and DESTRUCTION OF WASHINGTON" with the report beginning: "Our readers might perceive, from the observations offered yesterday, on the military operations in America, that we expected soon to announce THE CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON. That important event has actually been accomplished, and the reign of…
Item from last month's catalog - #369 - released for August, 2026
J. RUSSELL'S GAZETTE, COMMERCIAL & POLITICAL, Boston, Jan. 13, 1800
* President George Washington's death
The front page has wide, black mourning rules, and the borders and all columns on pages 2, 3 & 4 also have wide, black mourning rules for the death of George Washington.
Related content is on pages 2, 3 and 4, with: "Public Testimonials, of Respect In Commemoration of the Virtues & Character of GENERAL WASHINGTON" "Tributary Honors at Berwick" "Tributary Honors at North Yarmouth"…
SPOONER'S VERMONT JOURNAL, Windsor, Dec. 8, 1794
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Certainly the prime content takes most of page 3, being the: "SPEECH Of His Excellency George Washington, Esq." to Congress, which was his annual state-of-the-union address. It is signed in type at its conclusion: Geo. Washington. Within the address, Washington notes the issues of the day, the events of 1794, and some thoughts about the future.
The presidential annual address was a…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 14, 1795
* George Washington letter
* re. John Jay's Treaty
The front page has a letter from the President to the inhabitants of Georgetown concerning the late Treaty with Great Britain, known as the Jay Treaty.
One bit notes: "...On a subject so complex, and having such extensive relations, some diversity of opinion might be expected...", signed in type: Go. Washington.
The front page also has: "Federal Ship News" which begins: "The good ship…
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…
THE MORNING POST & DAILY ADVERTISER, London, June 9, 1783
* General George Washington letter
* Announcing the end of hostilities
* American Revolutionary War ending
Certainly the most significant content takes almost an entire column of page 3, which has George Washington's letter announcing a cessation of hostilities in the Revolutionary War.
It is prefaced with a note stating: "The following is a copy of the Orders issued by General Washington to his troops on the arrival of the…
THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, April, 1789
* President George Washington
* Election victory & inauguration
Certainly the most notable content is found in "The Chronicle" section near the back where the latest news was reported, which covers the election & inauguration of President George Washington.
The full text is shown in the photos, however some items include the heading: "Commencement of Federal Government Under the New Constitution" followed by: "New York, April 1. This…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, June 15, 1803
* Parson Weems book advertisement
* President George Washington biography
The back page has a small advertisement for "The Rev. M. L. Weems", more popularly known as Parson Weems, the ad noting: "Is hereby authorized to solicit of the Ladies and Gentlemen of Philadelphia their subscriptions to the History of General George Washington."
Parson Weems was an author who wrote the first biography of George Washington immediately…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Aug. 18, 1790
* American ships Columbia Rediviva & Lady Washington
* President George Washington - John Adams - Thomas Jefferson
Page 2 includes an Act of Congress, headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle: "...to enable the officers & soldiers of the Virginia line on Continental Establishment to obtain titles to certain lands lying northwest of the river Ohio, between the little Miami and Sciota." The Act of Congress is signed in type by the…
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 25, 1782
* re. Battle of the Assunpink Creek - Trenton
* re. George Washington crossing the Delaware
Page 2 has a report beginning: "So determined are the French to pursue their favorite plan of annihilating the British power in North America, & particularly to the capturing the British army in New York...to co-operate with General Washington towards the reduction of that important garrison...".
All of pg. 4 & a bit of page 5 are taken up with…
THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, May 26, 1787
* Constitutional Convention begins
* George Washington elected president
An exceedingly historic issue as this newspaper reports the formal beginning of the Constitutional Convention--terrific to have in a newspaper from the city where these notable proceedings were held.
As such, this is likely the first newspaper to report this event, which significantly includes the election of George Washington as its…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 24, 1795
* President George Washington
* Brunswick County, Virginia
Page 2 has the: "Answer Of the President to the Brunswick, Virginia, Proceedings" relating to the Jay Treaty, which is signed by him in type: G. Washington.
Four pages, nice condition.
Background: In 1795, the citizens of Brunswick County, Virginia, along with neighboring counties, sent a formal address to President George Washington expressing their concerns about the recently…
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET & DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 4, 1789 Mot of page 3 is taken up with reports on the: "Proceedings of Congress" with datlines of April 28, then April 29, under the latter are reports on preparations for Washington's inauguration.
These reports include: "The committees of both houses of Congress, appointed to take order for conducting the ceremonial of the formal reception, etc. of the President of the United States, have agreed to the following order thereon,…
Item from last month's catalog - #369 - released for August, 2026
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, June 27, 1803 The back page has a small advertisement for "The Rev. M. L. Weems", more popularly known as Parson Weems, the ad noting: "Is hereby authorized to solicit of the Ladies and Gentlemen of Philadelphia their subscriptions to the History of General George Washington."
Parson Weems was an author who wrote the first biography of George Washington immediately after his death. He was the source of some of the apocryphal stories about…
THE HERALD OF FREEDOM & THE FEDERAL ADVERTISER, Boston, April 10, 1789
* George Washington presidential election win
This is a very historically significant issue, reporting the official results of George Washington being elected President of the United States.
Page 3 has: "Interesting Intelligence" that includes:"...On the Monday following, (6th inst.) by the arrival of the Hon. Richard H. Lee, from Virginia, a quorum was formed of the Senate of the United States, when they proceeded agreeably…
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 16, 1789
* President George Washington
* First inauguration (historic)
Certainly one of the more desirable events to have in a period newspaper is the first inauguration of George Washington. American issues with such content are virtually unobtainable today, and reports in any newspapers worldwide are extremely uncommon.
Here is a nice report of this significant event found on page 2, datelined: "Extract of a Letter from New York, dated May 1" with the text…
THE NEW WORLD, Philadelphia, Feb. 27, 1797
* President George Washington
* 64th birthday celebration & dinner
A quite scarce title, and until a recent find, the very first we have offered in our 44 years. It published for exactly one year.
Page 2 has over a full column on the: "Celebration" of Washington's 65th birthday, including the 16 toasts and much more. Also an article: "The President's Birth Day".
Page 3 has a report from the Treasury Dept. followed by a notice: "The President of the…
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1793
* George Washington re-election
* Botany Bay - Australia
There are several items of interest, one of which is several pages on the: "Minutes of the Proceedings of the National Convention of France" with much text on what should be the fate of Louis XVI.
This is followed by: "The Last Will and Testament of His Late Most Christian Majesty" which has near the beginning: "In the name of the Holy Trinity...This day, Dec. 21, 1792, I Louis…
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, July 27, 1779
* Battle of Stony Point - New York
* American Revolutionary War night assault
* Generals George Washington & Anthony Wayne
This title has one of the more handsome mastheads of the era, with very ornate lettering and an engraving of a three-masted ship.
Page 2 has a lengthy letter in defense of Robert Morris against Thomas Paine. Also much on a meeting of freeholders at Boston, moderated by Sam Adams, with…
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 3, 1790
* George Washington and John Adams
* Thomas Jefferson & Benjamin Franklin
Over a full column on page 2 is taken up with an Act of Congress which is headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle and signed in script type by the President: George Washington, and in block type by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
Page 2 also has much reporting from Congress.
Page 3 includes: "Dr. Franklin--Leaves, in his Will, to the President, a gold-headed Cane with the…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Nov. 25, 1789
* Benjamin Franklin re. slavery - slaves
* Newly elected President George Washington
It contains: An Address to the Public" by Benjamin Franklin as President of the: "Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes, Unlawfully Held in Bondage".
This is an extremely noteworthy address as it is Franklin's strongest moral statement on the subject of slavery.
Franklin did not speak out…
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, June 28, 1803 The back page has a small advertisement for "The Rev. M. L. Weems", more popularly known as Parson Weems, the ad noting: "Is hereby authorized to solicit of the Ladies and Gentlemen of Philadelphia their subscriptions to the History of General George Washington."
Parson Weems was an author who wrote the first biography of George Washington immediately after his death. He was the source of some of the apocryphal stories about…
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, Dec. 16, 1796
* President George Washington
* Retirement from public service
The front page includes 18 illustrated ship advertisements.
Page 3 has a letter signed in type: George Washington, in response to another letter about his retirement from public office. Washington makes some nice comments.
Page 2 has another letter signed in type: G. Washington, as well as a report from Georgetown concerning the votes of the Virginia…
ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Jan. 8, 1853
* Nauvoo, Illinois - Mormons
* Washington monument
A short-live newspaper which preceded the first issue of "Harper's Weekly". This is the volume 1, number 2 issue. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication.
The front page shows: "The Late Collision on the Mississippi--Loss of the Steamer Western World". Prints inside include a nice half page of: "Nauvoo, from the Mississippi, Looking Down the River" with a related article: "The…
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 reciprocal hostilities of the Wabash Indians & white people inhabiting the frontiers bordering on the river Ohio...", which is followed by a lengthy letter on…
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Feb. 12, 1756
* Rare Benjamin Franklin publication
* Early Colonel George Washington
* French and Indian War officer
A fine Ben Franklin issue from the French & Indian War period, which includes what we believe is the earliest mention of George Washington we have found in an American newspaper. He was a colonel in the Virginia militia at that time: "Last week Colonel Washington arrived here [Phila.] from Virginia; as did the honorable Chief…
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 8, 1853
* Creation of Washington Territory
* United States Congress passes
Being the "mouthpiece of the federal government", typically this newspaper was the first to report notable political reports and developments So it is no surprise that nearly half of the front page is taken up with the Act of Congress creating the Washington Territory.
Headed: "Laws OF The United States - An ACT to Establish the Territorial Government of…
WALKER'S HIBERNIAN MAGAZINE, (Dublin, Ireland), July, 1789 Bill Reese noted in one of his catalogs: "This important Irish monthly was founded in 1771 and continued until 1811, the later years under the auspices of Thomas Walker's son, Joseph. During its long run in its different incarnations, the "Hibernian Magazine" filled the role of a general Dublin periodical in its coverage of news and politics from Ireland, Britain, Europe and North America...".
The back several pages are where various…
Item from our most recent catalog - #370 - released for September, 2026
THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER & THE AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, Nov. 24, 1783
"One Inflamed Enlightened Heart" patriotic masthead
A very nice feature of this issue is the masthead engraving which features a very patriotic theme: "All Hands with One Inflamed Enlightened Heart." signifying the 13 united colonies having a common, patriotic purpose. One of the more patriotic masthead engravings of the Revolutionary War era.
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