1791 GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES – John Fenno – Washington Administration – First Bank Debate – Philadelphia
1791 GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES![]()
George Washington's Proclamation Establishing the Permanent Seat of Government (District of Columbia) – Great Seal – Thomas Jefferson – Contemporary Ownership Attributed to Revolutionary War General Jedediah Huntington
Philadelphia: Gazette of the United States, March 31, 1791.
An outstanding and historically important issue of the Gazette of the United States, the official Federalist newspaper of the Washington administration, containing the complete text of President George Washington's Proclamation of March 30, 1791, formally defining the boundaries of the permanent Seat of Government of the United States—the foundation of today's District of Columbia.
Prominently displayed beneath the engraved Great Seal of the United States, the proclamation announces the final location of the new federal district on both sides of the Potomac River, including Georgetown and Alexandria, and specifies the ten-mile-square territory authorized by Congress. It concludes with Washington's printed signature and the attestation of Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson.
This is one of the landmark public documents in the early history of the United States, representing the legal creation of the nation's permanent capital.
Attributed Contemporary Ownership
The newspaper bears a contemporary ownership signature in the upper margin, believed to be that of Revolutionary War Major General Jedediah Huntington (1743–1818). Although the top margin has been trimmed, obscuring part of the given name, the surviving surname strongly resembles "Huntington."
Jedediah Huntington was one of General George Washington's trusted officers during the Revolutionary War and, in 1791, served as Collector of Customs for the Port of New London, Connecticut, an important federal appointment within the Washington administration. As a prominent Federalist official, he would have been an ideal subscriber to the Gazette of the United States. While the attribution has not been independently authenticated, it is both plausible and historically compelling.
Historical Importance
This issue records one of the defining moments in American history—the formal establishment of the federal capital. The proclamation fixed the boundaries from which the District of Columbia would develop, ultimately becoming the permanent seat of the United States government.
Condition
- Complete issue.
- Clear, dark impression with an attractive strike of the engraved Great Seal.
- Expected folds and light age toning.
- Contemporary ownership inscription at the top margin, partially affected by historic trimming.
- Overall an attractive and highly displayable example.
A Superb Early Federal Newspaper
Few newspapers better represent the formative years of the American republic than the Gazette of the United States. This issue combines an exceptionally important Washington proclamation with a possible association to one of Washington's own Revolutionary generals, making it especially desirable to collectors of presidential history, Revolutionary War material, and early American newspapers.
1791 GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES![]()
George Washington's Proclamation Establishing the Permanent Seat of Government (District of Columbia) – Great Seal – Thomas Jefferson – Contemporary Ownership Attributed to Revolutionary War General Jedediah Huntington
Philadelphia: Gazette of the United States, March 31, 1791.
An outstanding and historically important issue of the Gazette of the United States, the official Federalist newspaper of the Washington administration, containing the complete text of President George Washington's Proclamation of March 30, 1791, formally defining the boundaries of the permanent Seat of Government of the United States—the foundation of today's District of Columbia.
Prominently displayed beneath the engraved Great Seal of the United States, the proclamation announces the final location of the new federal district on both sides of the Potomac River, including Georgetown and Alexandria, and specifies the ten-mile-square territory authorized by Congress. It concludes with Washington's printed signature and the attestation of Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson.
This is one of the landmark public documents in the early history of the United States, representing the legal creation of the nation's permanent capital.
Attributed Contemporary Ownership
The newspaper bears a contemporary ownership signature in the upper margin, believed to be that of Revolutionary War Major General Jedediah Huntington (1743–1818). Although the top margin has been trimmed, obscuring part of the given name, the surviving surname strongly resembles "Huntington."
Jedediah Huntington was one of General George Washington's trusted officers during the Revolutionary War and, in 1791, served as Collector of Customs for the Port of New London, Connecticut, an important federal appointment within the Washington administration. As a prominent Federalist official, he would have been an ideal subscriber to the Gazette of the United States. While the attribution has not been independently authenticated, it is both plausible and historically compelling.
Historical Importance
This issue records one of the defining moments in American history—the formal establishment of the federal capital. The proclamation fixed the boundaries from which the District of Columbia would develop, ultimately becoming the permanent seat of the United States government.
Condition
- Complete issue.
- Clear, dark impression with an attractive strike of the engraved Great Seal.
- Expected folds and light age toning.
- Contemporary ownership inscription at the top margin, partially affected by historic trimming.
- Overall an attractive and highly displayable example.
A Superb Early Federal Newspaper
Few newspapers better represent the formative years of the American republic than the Gazette of the United States. This issue combines an exceptionally important Washington proclamation with a possible association to one of Washington's own Revolutionary generals, making it especially desirable to collectors of presidential history, Revolutionary War material, and early American newspapers.
