Historic Newspapers: Search Results

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 2, 1795  

* President George Washington
* 2 Acts of Congress signed 

The front page has an address: "To The President of the United States" by the "...subscribers, merchants & traders of the city of Philadelphia." which carries over to page 2.
Most of the document is taken up with a very lengthy list of names of those who signed it. It is followed on page 2 by the response from the President, a rather brief letter signed in script type: Go. Washington.
Page 2 has a…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 7, 1797  Page 2 has a report: "From Presque Isle (on Lake Erie)...that Ensign Callender had arrived there with information that the inhabitants of the Nartches [Natchez] had rebelled & hoisted the tri-coloured flag. That a detachment of Federal troops had been marched against them & that the Indians had been defeated in an attempt to take Fort Recovery by surprise...".
Four pages, nice condition.

Background: This specific October 7, 1797 issue of the Columbian…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 18, 1820 

* Very first "White House Wedding"

 Listed under the page 2 "Marriages" is one that reads: "In Washington city, Samuel Lawrence Gouverneur, Esq. of N. York, to Miss Maria Hester Monroe, youngest daughter of James Monroe, President of the U. States." This was first wedding to be held at the White House.
Other news of the day includes: "Royal Funeral" "Missouri Expedition" "Bankrupt Bill" and more.
Four pages, nice condition.

Background: The March 18, 1820…

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 to page 2, each signed in type: Samuel Adams. Page 2 also has a letter from Capt. Brant to the Indian Chief Cornplanter, dated at Mohawk…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 2, 1803  

* Historic Louisiana Purchase
* Expansion of the United States

The top of the front page has an historic notice headed: "Louisiana Treaty" announcing the ratification of the treaty by the Senate by which the United States acquired the Louisiana Territory, referred to now as the Louisiana Purchase. It lists the names of the senators who voted against the treaty and those who voted in favor of the treaty.
This report is followed by the text of…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 23, 1803 

* The Louisiana Purchase Treaty
* Signed by U.S. & France ministers

Page 2 has: "By the President of the United States...A PROCLAMATION" calling for a special session of Congress, signed in type: Th. Jefferson.
This is followed by a very historic report headed: "Louisiana - Official" which mentions in part: "Dispatches from the American ministers at Paris...contain the treaty, signed on April 30th which conveys Louisiana to the United States...The terms…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 9, 1812 

* USS United States vs. HMS Macedonian
* USS Wasp vs. HMS Frolic

 The middle of the front page has a nice letter under: "Naval Chronicle" headed: "Official Letter from Capt. Jones of  the Wasp sloop, to the Secretary of the Navy" which is official account of the naval battle which resulted in the capture of the British ship Frolic. The report is signed: Jas. Jones.
The top of page 2 has: "Our Country's Naval Glory" "capture of Another First Class English…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 31, 1798 

* Daniel Hewes's Umbrella Manufacturer advertisement

The back page has an advertisement for the: "Boston Umbrella Manufactury" by Daniel Hewes. (see image)
Complete with all 4 pages, good condition.

background: Daniel Hewes’s 1798 establishment of the Boston Umbrella Manufactury at 57 Marlborough Street represented a pivotal shift in the American mercantile landscape, transitioning the umbrella from an elite European luxury to a locally produced…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 30, 1797 

* President John Adams

 Page 2 has a "Tribute of Respect" from the American Academy of Arts & Sciences written: "To John Adams, L.L.D., President of the United States of America" concerning an honor given to him. This is followed by: "The President's Answer", signed in script type: John Adams.
Four pages, a bit irregular at the blank spine margin, good condition.

Background: The publication of this "Tribute of Respect" in the August 30, 1797, edition of…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 8, 1812  The front page begins with a rarely report event, headed: "Savage Attack on the Brig Otter". Taking over a full column is the: "Account of the Attack Made by the Indians of Chilcaaht on Board the Brig Otter, Samuel Hill, Master, April 12, 1811. This failed attack happened off the coast of Alaska.

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 the President: George Washington.
This may be the only issue we've handled where an Act of Congress entirely consumes the front page.
Page 2 begins with another Act of Congress signed in…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 14, 1814  

* Louisiana Purchase
* Thomas Jefferson

Page 3 contains an article headed: "Americans! Read This! " which is a critical piece against Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase of 11 years prior, relating to the creation of new states from that territory. Part of the article includes a letter: "From Thomas Jefferson to William Dunbar, of Natchez" datelined at Washington, July 17, 1803, signed by him in type: Th. Jefferson.
Four pages, nice condition.

Back…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 27, 1812  

* War of 1812 declaration by United States 
* President James Madison proclamation

In the last column of the front page is the very historic: "Proclamation" "By The President of the United States of America" & signed by James Madison, declaring that a state of war exists between the United States & England, marking the official beginning of the War of 1812.
Most of the balance of the front page is taken up with the very lengthy & detailed: "War Report"…

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 is: "...to authorize the President of the United States in certain cases to alter the place for holding a session of Congress."
Four pages, some toning at the…

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…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 3, 1802  The front page has a letter to the "...honored Bey of Tripoli, of Barbary..." concerning the on-going Barbary War, signed in type: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
Page 2 has: "A Proclamation" signed by: Th. Jefferson concerning France, within which is a letter signed in type by: Bonaparte. Also has a half column letter to the legislature of Vermont, signed in type: Th. Jefferson.
Four pages, good condition.

Background: The publication of the January…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 27, 1817 

* Grand Lodge of Massachusetts notice
* Masonic - Masons - Freemasonry - Freemasons
* The Elephant 'Columbus' engraving
* Asian Pachyderm from India on display
* First ever male exhibited in America 

The front page has a notice for a upcoming meeting headed: "Grand Lodge of Massachusetts" Also contains the seal of the lodge. (see image)
Page 3 has a 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch notice for an exhibition of "The Elephant Columbus", which includes an engraving of an…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 14, 1798  

* President John Adams acts of Congress
* Thomas Jefferson and Increase Sumner

The front page features two Acts of Congress, each signed in script type by the President: John Adams, and in block type by the Vice President: Th. Jefferson, one for defraying expenses for a treaty with Indians.
Also on the front page is a Mass. Act signed in script type by the governor: Increase Sumner.
Page 2 has an: "Important Message" signed in script: John Adams.
Four…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 5, 1800  

* John Adams & Thomas Jefferson
* re. the death of Patrick Henry

The front page has two Acts of Congress each signed in script type by the President: John Adams, and in block type by the Vice President: Th. Jefferson (hole in front leaf affects the first Adams signature). 
But more interesting is: "The Legacy of Another Dead Patriot of Virginia" which begins on the ftpg. & concludes on pg. 2 with a letter "To Archibald Blair" dated Jan. 8, 1799 and signed…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 20, 1814  

* Battle of Valparaiso
* Loss of the USS Essex
* Captain David Porter
* Battle of Chippawa

The entire front page & a portion of page 2 are taken up with an extremely detailed & lengthy letter being the: "Official Account of the Loss of the Frigate Essex", signed in type by its commander: D. Porter. This is followed by several letters between Porter & James Hillyar, the commander of the victorious British ship from the Battle of Valparaiso. 
Page 2 has…

CENTINEL EXTRA, (Boston), May 19, 1798  This is an uncommon 4 page "Extra" issue of the famous Columbian Centinel newspaper. Almost the entire issue it taken up with a lengthy document continued from the "regular" issue of Wednesday, concerning relations with France. Close-trimmed at the bottom of pages 2 & 3 cause some loss, otherwise in nice condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 31, 1818  The back page a rather small ad with a small heading: "GUITAR" reading: "For sale cheap--a new, elegant and superior toned English Guitar, together with instruction book, strings, etc. Inquire at the Centinel Counting Room".
Have you ever seen an earlier ad for a guitar?
The ftpg. has: "Indian War" being a lengthy report from General  E. P. Gaines, offering much detail.
Four pages, some light damp staining, good condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 31, 1818  This issue contains on the back page a rather small, classified-type ad with a small heading: "GUITAR" with the text of the ad reading: "For sale cheap--a new, elegant and superior toned English Guitar, together with instruction book, strings, etc. Inquire at the Centinel Counting Room".
Have you ever seen an earlier ad for a guitar? A folio-size, 4 page issue, complete and genuine. Some dirtiness at the edges, otherwise nice condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 7, 1794 

* President George Washington acts of Congress

The front page begins with two Acts of Congress, each signed in script type by the President; Go. Washington.
Page 3 has a document, signed by the President: G. Washington, in which he nominates John Jay as an envoy extraordinary to England in an effort to creates a treaty to resolve a number of lingering issues between the two countries. It would become known as the Jay Treaty.
Four pages, very…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 3, 1794 

* President George Washington
* United States Congress - John Adams
* Trade embargo against Great Britain

The front page begins with a Resolve of Congress extending the Embargo until May 25, signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and in block type by the Vice President; John Adams.
Four pages, very nice condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 17, 1808 

* James Sullivan death
* 7th governor of Massachusetts

The entirety of page 2 has wide black "mourning" rules for the funeral of the governor, James  Sullivan.  Included with the details is an engraving of the coffin noting the position of the pall-bearers, and the order of the "Procession".
Four pages, nice condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Dec. 2, 1812

* Mississippi statehood ?
* War of 1812 - Fort Harrison

The front page has a brief item headed: "Another New State" reading: "The bill to erect a new state out of the Mississippi Territory passed by a large majority...".
Page 2 has some nice items headed: "The Glorious War!!" and another: "An Indian Town Destroyed" with some details of the events at Fort Harrison, including: "...the town & every thing in it was destroyed which could not be brought…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 5, 1797  Most of the front page is "Important Documents" signed in type by: Timothy Pickering, concerning complaints arising from the treaty with England (Jay Treaty).
Other news of the day inside plus a great wealth of ads, several of which are illustrated.
Four pages, nice condition.

Masons... The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts...

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, December 2, 1820 

* The Historic Green Dragon Tavern (Boston).
* The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts

The first column of the front page has 2 wonderful advertisements: one for a meeting which was to be held at the (now) historic Green Dragon Tavern, and the other for a meeting to be held by The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts (Masons).
Also present are illustrated ads for playing cards, fishing rods and shipping. Other news of the day and…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 30, 1794 

* John Jay nomination - nominates
* President George Washington
* Envoy to Great Britain

A page 3 report notes: "The Senate of the United States have concurred in the Presidents nomination of JOHN JAY, as Envoy-Extraordinary to the Court of Great-Britain...".  He would become key to creating a treaty with England which would soon be referred to as the "Jay Treaty".
Four pages, very nice condition.

Note: In 1794, President George…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 30, 1793 

* Mad Anthony Wayne
* Battles with American Indians

Page 3 has: "Indian War" which has near the beginning: "..that Gen. Wayne's army had been attacked by the Indians & that, after a bloody engagement, the Indians were defeated with the loss of 600 killed and wounded--Gen. Wayne losing 500..." with more on the recent trouble with the Indian tribes.
Four pages, very nice condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 10, 1796   The front page has a full column taken up with two Acts of the Mass. legislature, each signed in type by the governor: Samuel Adams.
Page 2 has an article; "The Western Posts Taken Possession of" which is a letter from Capt. James Bruff to the Sec. of War dated at Fort Oswego.
Four pages, some foxing & light damp staining, a bit irregular at the margins.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 25, 1793 

* Founding Father John Hancock
* Proclamation & documents 
* re. Yellow Fever epidemic 

The front page begins with a document from  Massachusetts on the restrictions to be enforced due to the spread of the Yellow Fever epidemic centered at Philadelphia, signed in type by the governor: John Hancock.
This is followed by "A Proclamation" from him also relating to the: "...dangerous and infectious disease...prevails at this time..." also signed: John Hancock,…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 15, 1814  Page 2 has: "Launch" beginning: "The 'Seventy-four' at the Navy Yard in Charlestown will be launched on Saturday the 18th..." with a bit more. Also a black-bordered report of the death of the Hon. Samuel Sewall, Chief Justice of the Mass. Supreme Court. Also: 'Report from Maj. Appling to Gen. Gaines" "Measures of Defence" "Prompt Patriotism".
Four pages, archivally rejoined at the spine, good condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL.....EXTRA, Boston, July 3 1811  The entirety of this 4 page issue concerning the resignation of Robert Smith as Secretary of State under James Madison, much of it being: "Hon. Robert Smith's Address To the People of the United States". Included are other documents signed by hi as well as a letter signed by James Madison. Robert Smith would eventually become president of the American Bible Society.
Four pages, smaller in size than the daily issue, never-trimmed margins,…

(5) COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, lot of 5 issues dating from 1797-1801, each containing at least one John Adams signature. Somewhat 2nd-rate but not damaged.  Issues with his signature are increasingly hard to find, and these are priced at a significant discount.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 17, 1793  Page 2 has: "British Official Account Of The Battle At Maulde" which is a lengthy account. Also from Penna: "A letter from Fort St. Clair informs that every preparation for a campaign was making there: That several tracts of Indians had been seen round the fort...".
A report from Rhode Island notes: : "...The late Proclamation of the President of the U.S. declaring the neutrality of this country in the present war between the powers of Europe gave…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 19, 1799

* President John Adams letter
* Refuting George Washington's death

 Page 2 has a letter to the New York legislature signed in type by the President: John Adams.
Following it is a note which begins: "Some if the infernals who infest the United States have reported...the death of our beloved Fabius-Maximus, of Mount Vernon. The tale is false. Washington yet lives--and the God of all goodness still continues to bless him with health..." with more.…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 12, 1799  Page 2 has a lengthy speech by the Mass. governor, signed in script type: Increase Sumner. The back page features a very interesting & unusual illustrated ad for "Gunnery Articles Suitable for the Approaching Season". One wonders what the season is, as the illustration shows a cannon.
Four pages, small piece from a lower blank margin, very nice condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 29, 1793  Page 2 has: "The Address of the Baltimore Mechanical Society to George Washington, President of the United States" with his reply, signed in type: George Washington.
Many illustrated ads including ships, musical instruments, houses, and stage coaches.
Four pages, very nice condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 13, 1796  The entire first column on the front page is an Act by the Massachusetts Legislature which is signed in type by the governor; Samuel Adams.
Four pages, bit of light damp staining, good condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 13, 1799  The front page and a few items inside relate to the tensions between the U.S. and France, relating to what would be called the Quasi-War.
Page 2 includes: "Buonaparte's Proclamation" concerning the assassination of a French aid de camp, noting: "...they should be brought as hostages to Cairo. The town shall be pillaged and no house left standing..." signed in type: Buonaparte.
Four pages, some minor margin tears, nice condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 27, 1798  

* Charles Bulfinch designs Federal Street Theatre
* First American-born professional architect

The front page has an address: "To the President of the United States" from the officers of the Guilford Regiment of militia, relating to the troubling relationship with France. It is followed by his "Answer" signed in type: John Adams.
Inside has a lengthy: "Proclamation for a Day of Public Thanksgiving" signed in script type by the governor:…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 18, 1795

* Criticizing the Jay Treaty

 The front page has a lengthy: "Address to the President Of the United States" with criticisms about the controversial Jay Treaty with England. It carries over to page 2 as well.
Page 3 has a brief note: "Peace is at length concluded between the United States and the Regency of Algiers...". Another pg. 3 its notes: "Tomorrow will be observed as a day of General Thanksgiving throughout this state and Rhode…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 31, 1796  The front page begins with a nice document from the Secretary of the Treasury, Oliver Wolcott, concerning the sale of: "Lands of the United States" which are located: "...in the territory north-west of the river Ohio, and above the mouth of the Kentucky River..." with more detail.
Page 2 has a letter on the Napoleonic War signed in type: Buonaparte. 
Four pages, a few discrete archival mends, a few small margin tears, good condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 4, 1795  Page 2 has a report from Philadelphia noting: "The President has returned here from Mount Vernon. The reception he every where meets shews he unites in him all patriotic hearts...".
Four pages, scattered foxing, good condition.