Home >
Two Acts of Congress signed by Washington, Adams, and Jefferson...
Two Acts of Congress signed by Washington, Adams, and Jefferson...
Item # 703809
April 07, 1790
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 taken up with two Acts of Congress, one for: "...a cession of the Claims of the State of North Carolina to a certain district of Western Territory" with aims of becoming the state of Franklin, which would ultimately fail. Each of the Acts is signed in type by: John Adams, George Washington as President, and Thomas Jefferson.
Four pages, some light rubbing & dirtiness to the top of the front page only, good condition.
background: In April 1790, the United States Congress passed a significant act concerning North Carolina’s western lands, marking an important step in the organization of the new nation’s territory and governance. This legislation accepted North Carolina’s formal cession of its western lands—territory west of the Appalachian Mountains that would later become the state of Tennessee—transferring control from the state government to the federal government. The cession was critical because North Carolina had initially retained these lands, but by relinquishing them, Congress could establish the Southwest Territory under federal jurisdiction, promoting orderly settlement and governance in the region. This move also helped ease tensions over land claims and supported the young federal government’s authority in managing western expansion. Additionally, the act fit into the broader financial and political efforts of the time, such as the federal assumption of state debts, which aimed to unify the states economically and politically under the new Constitution that North Carolina had recently ratified. Thus, the April 1790 Act was a foundational moment for North Carolina’s transition from Revolutionary War governance to full integration in the United States federal system, shaping both its internal development and the nation’s westward growth.
Considered by many as the most significant newspaper of the 18th century, particularly during this, one of the formative years of the new federal government, as this paper 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
Available Now
$112.00
