WASHINGTON, George. Autograph leaf from his undelivered FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS, neatly paginated "35" and "36" by Washington, containing approximately 320 words in the President-elect's hand. Along the narrow margin of page 35 is Jared Sparks's inaccurate inscription: "Washington's handwriting, but not his composition." n.p., n.d. [early 1789]. 2 pages, 4to (9 x 6.7 in.), small paper reinforcements to edges (neatly removed from an album). In excellent, very fresh condition.
WASHINGTON, George. Autograph leaf from his undelivered FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS, neatly paginated "35" and "36" by Washington, containing approximately 320 words in the President-elect's hand. Along the narrow margin of page 35 is Jared Sparks's inaccurate inscription: "Washington's handwriting, but not his composition." n.p., n.d. [early 1789]. 2 pages, 4to (9 x 6.7 in.), small paper reinforcements to edges (neatly removed from an album). In excellent, very fresh condition. EXTOLLING "THAT PRE-EMINENT BLESSING, THE BIRTHRIGHT OF FREEMEN"; AFFIRMING THE PROMISE OF EDUCATION COUPLED WITH INGENUITY; ACKNOWLEDGING THE NEED TO "RESTORE THE PUBLIC CREDIT; AND PREDICTING THE NEW NATION'S EXPANSION OVER A "LARGE...PORTION OF THE EARTH" "THE REVOLUTIONS OF FUTURITY": THE ORATORICAL CLIMAX OF WASHINGTON'S "LOST" INAUGURAL ADDRESS: ARGUABLY THE MOST VISIONARY AND IMPASSIONED OF THE 14 SURVIVING LEAVES An exceptional, 2-page manuscript leaf from Washington's undelivered first Presidential inaugural address. In it, the President-elect forcefully declares that the American people--who had recently won independence after a long struggle--can never forget "the difference between freedom and slavery" and will always cherish "that pre-eminent blessing, the birthright of Freemen" ; discussing policies to be instituted "to restore our public credit"; expounding on the great promise and opportunities created by the discovery of the New World, and, in an almost visionary passage, envisioning the new nation's eventual expansion over "so large a portion of the earth." He stresses the importance of education to the new nation, and prophetically asserts the power of information and technology, noting that Americans are "ingenious for making improvements." He writes: "But until the people of America shall have lost all virtue; until they have become totally insensible to the difference between freedom & slavery; until they shall have been reduced to such poverty of spirit as to be willing to sell that pre-eminent blessing, the birthright of Freemen , for a mess of pottage; in short, until they shall have been found incapable of governing themselves and ripe for a Master-those consequences, I think, can never arrive." Washington is mindful of the responsibilities and problems he, and the new administration, must shoulder, and he pledges to "restore our public credit & secure our public felicity." He asks Americans to open their minds to "the dimensions of a Continent" that promises untold resources and opportunities for growth. "The New World is now becoming a stage for wonderful exhibitions." But he does not see America's democratic experiment limited to just one continent. He wonders whether the "revolutions of futurity" might not uncover "another Continent, in some unknown Seas" that would "afford a Theatre for political actions" and extend American influence "over so large a portion of the earth" and affect a great "multitude of its inhabitants." He is confident Americans are up to the task. For here was a nation whose free government is "built on the...virtue of the people." Happily, he adds, "our citizens are remarkably instructed by education, docile for duty and ingenious for making improvements. I believe, that more knowledge is, at this moment, diffused among them, than among almost..." [here the text breaks off] In preparation for the inauguration--the first under the newly ratified Constitution--Washington and his secretary David Humphreys meticulously drafted and polished a thoughtful address, spelling out Washington's view of the crucial issues facing the new nation: the implementation of the Constitution, the organization of the judiciary, national defense, trade, commerce and taxation. In late February 1787, the 64-page draft was sent to James Madison, who evidently advised Washington that the speech was too long, too specific and perhaps too radical for the occasion. The first address was set aside and Madison helped the Presiden
WASHINGTON, George. Autograph leaf from his undelivered FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS, neatly paginated "35" and "36" by Washington, containing approximately 320 words in the President-elect's hand. Along the narrow margin of page 35 is Jared Sparks's inaccurate inscription: "Washington's handwriting, but not his composition." n.p., n.d. [early 1789]. 2 pages, 4to (9 x 6.7 in.), small paper reinforcements to edges (neatly removed from an album). In excellent, very fresh condition.
WASHINGTON, George. Autograph leaf from his undelivered FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS, neatly paginated "35" and "36" by Washington, containing approximately 320 words in the President-elect's hand. Along the narrow margin of page 35 is Jared Sparks's inaccurate inscription: "Washington's handwriting, but not his composition." n.p., n.d. [early 1789]. 2 pages, 4to (9 x 6.7 in.), small paper reinforcements to edges (neatly removed from an album). In excellent, very fresh condition. EXTOLLING "THAT PRE-EMINENT BLESSING, THE BIRTHRIGHT OF FREEMEN"; AFFIRMING THE PROMISE OF EDUCATION COUPLED WITH INGENUITY; ACKNOWLEDGING THE NEED TO "RESTORE THE PUBLIC CREDIT; AND PREDICTING THE NEW NATION'S EXPANSION OVER A "LARGE...PORTION OF THE EARTH" "THE REVOLUTIONS OF FUTURITY": THE ORATORICAL CLIMAX OF WASHINGTON'S "LOST" INAUGURAL ADDRESS: ARGUABLY THE MOST VISIONARY AND IMPASSIONED OF THE 14 SURVIVING LEAVES An exceptional, 2-page manuscript leaf from Washington's undelivered first Presidential inaugural address. In it, the President-elect forcefully declares that the American people--who had recently won independence after a long struggle--can never forget "the difference between freedom and slavery" and will always cherish "that pre-eminent blessing, the birthright of Freemen" ; discussing policies to be instituted "to restore our public credit"; expounding on the great promise and opportunities created by the discovery of the New World, and, in an almost visionary passage, envisioning the new nation's eventual expansion over "so large a portion of the earth." He stresses the importance of education to the new nation, and prophetically asserts the power of information and technology, noting that Americans are "ingenious for making improvements." He writes: "But until the people of America shall have lost all virtue; until they have become totally insensible to the difference between freedom & slavery; until they shall have been reduced to such poverty of spirit as to be willing to sell that pre-eminent blessing, the birthright of Freemen , for a mess of pottage; in short, until they shall have been found incapable of governing themselves and ripe for a Master-those consequences, I think, can never arrive." Washington is mindful of the responsibilities and problems he, and the new administration, must shoulder, and he pledges to "restore our public credit & secure our public felicity." He asks Americans to open their minds to "the dimensions of a Continent" that promises untold resources and opportunities for growth. "The New World is now becoming a stage for wonderful exhibitions." But he does not see America's democratic experiment limited to just one continent. He wonders whether the "revolutions of futurity" might not uncover "another Continent, in some unknown Seas" that would "afford a Theatre for political actions" and extend American influence "over so large a portion of the earth" and affect a great "multitude of its inhabitants." He is confident Americans are up to the task. For here was a nation whose free government is "built on the...virtue of the people." Happily, he adds, "our citizens are remarkably instructed by education, docile for duty and ingenious for making improvements. I believe, that more knowledge is, at this moment, diffused among them, than among almost..." [here the text breaks off] In preparation for the inauguration--the first under the newly ratified Constitution--Washington and his secretary David Humphreys meticulously drafted and polished a thoughtful address, spelling out Washington's view of the crucial issues facing the new nation: the implementation of the Constitution, the organization of the judiciary, national defense, trade, commerce and taxation. In late February 1787, the 64-page draft was sent to James Madison, who evidently advised Washington that the speech was too long, too specific and perhaps too radical for the occasion. The first address was set aside and Madison helped the Presiden
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
