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General Washington’s Letter Declaring his ACCEPTANCE of the Command of the ARMIES of the UNITED STATES

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July 18, 1798-Dated Federal Period, Rare Broadside titled: “General Washington’s Letter, Declaring his ACCEPTANCE of the Command of the ARMIES of the UNITED STATES.” In Senate, July 18, 1798. Signed in Typeset, “John Adams.” President of the United States, Signed in Typeset, “G(eorge) WASHINGTON.,” Framed, Choice Extremely Fine.

Washington, George

Framed print 14x20"

General Washington's Letter, Declaring his Acceptance of the Command of the Armies of the United States, (Philadelphia): Published for General Information, 1798. This historic Printed Broadside measures 18.25 x 11.25” having its fully broad original margins, printed on fine quality laid period paper with excellent black typeset still partially embossed into the fresh clean paper. It is professionally and archivally framed measuring to fully 20.25” x 13.25” shown through special UV Plexiglas. There is a fine short 1” split to the left centerfold, yet overall this Broadside appears bright and appears mostly crisp with choice eye appeal. A superior, “museum” quality framed example, among the finest known extant. Signed in type by George Washington. See: Evans 34829; Sabin 101713

By July, 1798, as War between France and the United States seemed virtually inevitable, George Washington had been enjoying his retirement from public life at Mount Vernon for more than a year when Secretary of War James McHenry, under 2nd U.S. President John Adams, was sent to convince him that his country needed him once again. Though he was not required to lead troops in battle again, Washington played an active role in building up the nation's military capacity, until his death a year and a half later. This is the important Broadside Printing of Washington's Letter to President John Adams, Accepting the Role of Commander-in-Chief of the Military, during the “Quasi War” period with France.

This Broadside prints the entire text of George Washington's response to President Adams, dated from Mount Vernon, 13 July 1798. Washington expresses his "earnest wish that the choice had fallen upon a man less declined in years, and better qualified to encounter the usual vicissitudes of war" and of his hesitation, "at so late a period of life, to leave scenes I sincerely love, to enter upon the boundless field of public action, incessant trouble, and high responsibility." Washington goes on to describe the "insidious hostility" of the French Directory, including "their disregard of solemn treaties and the laws of nations; their war upon our defenceless commerce; their treatment of our ministers of peace; and their demands amounting to tribute." Here, he accepts the Commission as Commander-in-Chief, mentioning: "with the reserve only, that I shall not be called into the field until the army is in a situation to require my presence."

Very Rare. ESTC lists only three examples: the Library of Congress, the John Carter Brown Library, and the Boston Athenaeum, only a few examples known to be available to collectors.

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF

AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II


The 1798 Broadside featuring General George Washington's letter declaring his acceptance of the command of the armies of the United States is a significant historical document from the late 18th century.

In the late 1790s, tensions between the United States and France escalated during the Quasi-War, an Undeclared Naval Conflict between the two nations. In response to the growing threat of war, President John Adams sought to bolster the country's military readiness by appointing George Washington, the revered hero of the American Revolution, as Commander-in-chief of the newly established Provisional Army of the United States.

The Broadside features the text of General Washington's Letter to 2nd U.S. President Adams, dated July 13, 1798, in the letter, Washington expresses his willingness to serve his country once again and offers his full support to the government in its efforts to defend the nation against external threats.

Ex: General and President Washington's acceptance of the Command of the Armies of the United States was a momentous event in American history. It demonstrated Washington's enduring commitment to the principles of republican government and civic duty, as well as his dedication to the defense of the young nation.

Overall, the 1798 Broadside featuring General Washington's Letter declaring his Acceptance of the Command of the Armies of the United States is a significant artifact of American history, symbolizing Washington's enduring legacy and his crucial role in shaping the nation's military and political institutions.
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Lot Number: 158
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