“INVALUABLE LEGACY OF GOOD ADVICE”: 1800 BROADSIDE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON’S FAREWELL ADDRESS
WASHINGTON, George. Address of the Late General George Washington, to the Citizens of the United States, on Declining Re-election to the Office of President. Hartford: Hudson and Goodwin, . Folio broadside, measures 18 by 22-1/2 inches, text printed in five columns. Handsomely matted and framed, entire piece measures 25 by 30 inches.
1800 broadside printing of the first president’s final address to the young nation, issued upon Washington’s death.
Resulting from a close collaboration between Washington, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton (who recognized the need to make the President’s announcement of retirement “importantly and lastingly useful”), Washington’s “Farewell Address” was both his valedictory and his vehicle for imparting advice to succeeding generations of Americans. “Washington’s thoughts on unity, on the love of power, on the impact of partisan strife, on the importance of focusing on our common interests, on avoiding entanglements with other nations, on religion and morality, on the public credit, and on freedom of trade have worn well when they have been observed” (Clarence B. Carson). The address was first published in David Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser on Monday, September 19, 1796; that very day, Washington’s coach “began its Potomac journey. By the hour when Philadelphians had refolded their newspapers… President Washington had left the seat of government for the last time… When his carriage moved southward again, its same passenger would be simply George Washington, Esq.” (Freeman, 702). The address saw 28 editions that year in 17 cities under various titles. Evans 38983. Sabin 101596. Grolier American 100 24.
Folds with light browning along center fold, minor tear with loss to corner under mat, not visible framed. A lovely piece in fine condition.