G. Washington's 1st Inauguration in NYC, 1789 Original Newspaper

[George Washington]. Newspaper, The Pennsylvania Packet, and Daily Advertiser, 4pp, 11.25” x 18”, Philadelphia, May 2, 1789. Printed and sold by John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole, No. 3199. Paper loss to blank area of spine. Evidence of tape repair throughout. Chipping to edges, uniform toning and scattered foxing, else in near very good condition.

Once Congress achieved a quorum on April 6, 1789, it counted the electoral votes and declared George Washington elected as president. After he received official notice at Mount Vernon, he traveled to New York to assume the Presidency. His trip, from April 16 to April 23, took him through Alexandria, Georgetown, Baltimore, Wilmington, Chester, Philadelphia, Trenton, Princeton, Brunswick, Woodbridge, Bridgetown, and Elizabeth Town. On Wednesday, April 23, Washington was conducted from Elizabeth Town Point to New York aboard a 47-foot ceremonial barge, constructed for the occasion, rowed by thirteen Masters of Vessels dressed in white uniforms and black caps. Six other barges carried Congressional delegates and more dignitaries. The flotilla moved across Newark Bay and past Bedlar's (now Liberty) Island, to Murray's Wharf, where New York Governor George Clinton welcomed Washington. This issue also includes news from Great Britain regarding the sanity of King George III during the regency crisis (p2/c1-3); news from Newport, Rhode Island, where local citizens urged their representatives to ratify the new U.S. Constitution (p2/c3-4); a brief essay on raising cotton (p3/c1); and a variety of notices and advertisements.

Excerpts: New York, April 25, "The illumination of the city on Thursday evening was brilliant. The transparent paintings in various quarters did honor to the ingenuity and public spirit of the parties concerned in their exhibition. The spontaneous effusions of gratitude to the illustrious WASHINGTON, exhibited by all ranks of people, in a thousand various indications of the sublime principle, are the highest reward that virtue enjoys, next to a conscious approbation, which always precedes such undissembled testimonials of public affection." (p2/c4)

New Brunswick, "his Excellency. passed through this city on his way to the seat of the Federal Government. The near approach of his Excellency was announced by the firing of a federal salute from the artillery, and by the ringing of the bells. About five o'clock in the afternoon, his Excellency, accompanied by the Governor of the state, by many of the citizens of New-Brunswick, and by several gentlemen from the county of Essex, and amidst the joyful acclamations of a large concourse of happy people, crossed the [Raritan] river." (p2/c4-p3/c1)

"His Excellency and suite lodged at Woodbridge, and in the morning set out for New-York, and was met in Rahway by the light dragoons from Elizabeth-Town and Newark, and at Elizabeth-Town by the infantry, grenadiers, and artillery, who saluted him as he passed by. he was conducted to the Point, where, after viewing the troops, whose appearance was truly martial, he took his leave, and was seated in the barge, when a salute was fired; as he passed Staten-Island, he was saluted from the shore, when the oarmen rowed half-minute strokes: a great number of vessels were out to meet him, which all fell astern. The Spanish packet first saluted-then the fort. The vessels were elegantly dressed, and the yards manned. His reception was warm, and joy sparkled in every countenance: the crowd was amazing." (p3/c1)

On April 30, Washington took the oath of office and delivered his inaugural address in the Senate chamber of Federal Hall in New York City. That news took a few more days to be printed in Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania Packet, or the General Advertiser (1771-1800) was founded by John Dunlap in late 1771 as a weekly newspaper. In 1776, Dunlap became the official printer for the Continental Congress, and he printed the first copies of the Declaration of Independence. He relocated to Lancaster during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777-78. Dunlap and partner David Claypoole made their Pennsylvania Packet America’s first successful daily newspaper beginning on September 21, 1784. They were the first to print the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and the first to publish George Washington’s Farewell Address in 1796.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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