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1791 Creating the District of Columbia...
1791 Creating the District of Columbia...
Item # 698230
February 01, 1791
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, February, 1791
* Creating the District of Columbia
* Early United States government
* President George Washington
Over 3 1/2 pages are taken up with a: "Description of Cape Cod & the Country of Barnstable", continued in a future issue. Also: "Picture of Jamaica" which curiously begins: "Jamaica is the dunghill of the universe; the refuse of the whole creation...a shapeless pile of rubbish...", then it gets worse, taking 1 1/2 pages.
Near the back over 5 pages are taken up with "Abstract of the Proceedings of Congress" which includes some interesting discussion on who would replace the President & Vice President. Other interesting discussion as the federal government structure was still in progress.
But the most notable content would be the very historic document: "A Proclamation" in which Maryland & Virginia both offered to cede to the United States land upon which the capital would be created.
The text includes in part: "...the State of Maryland...cede(d) to Congress a district of ten miles square in this State for the seat of the Government of the United States..." and also: "...General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia...An Act for the cession of ten miles square within this State to the United States in Congress...for the permanent seat of the General Government..." with much more, and eventually noting: "...after duly examining & weighing the advantages & disadvantages of the several situations within the limits aforesaid, I do hereby declare that the location of one part of the said district of ten miles square shall be found by running four lines..." and what follows are the boundaries within Virginia, followed by the boundaries within Maryland, such that the District of Columbia is comprised of portions of both states (see photos for full text). This very historic Proclamation is signed in type by the President: George Washington, and: Thomas Jefferson.
The "Domestic Chronicle" has accurate measurements of various portions of the 13 states.
The allegorical plate called for is present but foxed & somewhat worn with back side repairs.
Complete in 72 pages, 5 by 8 1/4 inches, full title/contents page, bit of foxing, good condition.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
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