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1789 creation of the Department of War...
1789 creation of the Department of War...
Item # 703746
August 19, 1789
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 War. This was the "Sixth Act of the Legislature of the Union" and is titled: "An ACT to Establish an Executive Department, to be Denominated the DEPARTMENT OF WAR" which takes half a column and is signed in type by the President: George Washington, and also by the Vice President: John Adams. The balance of the last column is another Act: "An ACT for the Establishment & Support of Lighthouses, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers." also signed in type by Washington and Adams.
This is the very first newspaper printing of the creation of the Defense Department and a very significant newspaper for any military collection.
Half of pages 2 & 3 are taken up with reports from the "Proceedings Of Congress".
Four pages, an older repair at the top of page 4 partially obscures the word "Department" in the Defense Act. Various damp stains, some discrete archival mends inside, some ink smears at top of page 1, some wear & small holes at folds.
AI notes: The Department of War was created in 1789 as part of the first major reorganization of the U.S. federal government under the Constitution. Established by Congress on August 7, 1789, it was responsible for managing the country's military affairs, particularly the U.S. Army. The department was headed by the Secretary of War, a Cabinet-level position originally held by Henry Knox, who had also served under the Articles of Confederation. The Department of War oversaw all matters relating to land forces and played a crucial role in early American military and frontier policy. It existed until 1947, when the National Security Act reorganized the military and created the Department of Defense, absorbing the War Department and the newly formed Air Force.
Considered by many as the most significant newspaper of the 18th century, particularly during this, the formative year of the new federal government, as the Gazette was the mouthpiece of all matters political. Most pronouncements from Congress & the President were printed first in this newspaper.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
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