Beschreibung:

WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President . Autograph manuscript fragment from the draft of the first inaugural address, consisting of pages 57 and 58, comprising about 320 words, n.p., n.d. [1789]. Two pages, 4to, written on both sides of a 4to leaf, paginated "57" and "58' by Washington in extreme left-hand corner of each page, two tiny, nearly invisible mends at extreme edge, otherwise in very good condition, left-hand margin of page 57 with inscription in Jared Sparks' hand: "Washington's handwriting." ONE OF ONLY TWELVE SURVIVING LEAVES FROM THE DRAFT OF WASHINGTON'S UNDELIVERED FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS In preparation for his inauguration, scheduled for April 30 in New York, Washington meticulously drafted a lengthy address, touching on the issues of the new Constitution, the organization of the judiciary, the nature of the office of President, the problems of national defense, trade and commerce, and other matters, and specifying the legislation needed from Congress in each area. As the great event drew nearer, Washington apparently decided the speech was too long, and perhaps, too radical for the occasion. Apparently assisted by James Madison, he drafted a new, far shorter address (see Papers, Presidential Series, ed. D. Twohig, 2:173-177 for that text). Nevertheless, the text of the unused address is of the highest interest and contains many striking passages which reveal a great deal about Washington's thoughts and avowed policies on the eve of his inauguration as President. A comparison of the text of the surviving fragments with the actual inaugural address reveals "an underlying similiarity of thoughts rather than words, although numerous recommendations to Congress appear in the unused draft. It is quite logical to assume...that the replacement was used for two strong reasons: the original spech with its multiple recommendations to Congress was too radical and far too long" (Nathaniel E. Stein "The Discarded Inaugural Address of George Washington," in Manuscripts; The First Twenty Years, pp.239-254). In the present fragment, the President considers the new nation's commerce, the foreign relations aspects of its growing export-import trade (with a striking allusion to the respect garnered for the new flag in foreign lands), the importance of internal improvements (roads and canals, specifically), better communications, an improved Postal service and wider distribution of the newspapers of the public press. He goes on to allude to the influx of new immigrants ("strangers"), and prophesies that the United States' economy will remain primarily agricultural for a long time, before manufacturing and industry become dominant. "...of the soil and the Sea, for the wares and merchandize of other Nations is open to all. Notwithstanding the embarassments under which our trade has hitherto laboured, since the peace, the enterprising spirit of our citizens has steered our Vessels to almost every region of the known world. In some distant & heretofore unfrequented countries, our new Constellation [i.e., the stars on the new flag] has been received with tokens of uncommon regard. An energetic government will give to our flag still greater respect: While a sense of reciprocal benefits will serve to connect us with the rest of mankind in stricter ties of amity. But an internal commerce is more in our power; and may be of more importance. The surplus of produce in one part of the United States, will, in many instances, be wanting in another. An intercourse of this kind is well calculated to multiply Sailors, exterminate prejudices, diffuse blessings, and encrease the friendship of the inhabitants of one state for another. While [p.58] the individual States shall be occupied in facilitating the means of transportation, by opening canals & improving roads; you will not forget that the purposes of business & Society may be vastly promoted by giving cheapness, dispatch & security to communications through the regular Posts. I need not say how s