Washington's 1796 Farewell Address to the People of the United States
Northampton, MA: The Washington Benevolent Society of Massachusetts, 1811. 1st Edition Thus. Duodecimo. Very Good. Item #15577
An early printing of Washington's Farewell Address, published as a gift for membership in the Washington Benevolent Society of Massachusetts
This issue contains a beautiful presentation page signifying that this particular volume was given to Dr. Silas Burgess in Northampton, Hampshire County, with the signatures of the club President Joseph Lymcum (?) and Secretary Samuel Henshaw in contemporary iron gall ink.
This piece also boasts the signature of Burgess on the front end paper as well as his original silk and paper Washington Benevolent Society ribbon with an illustration of Washington sewed onto the silk.
Washington's signature in block type at the end of the address.
"The Washington Benevolent Societies were grass-roots political clubs set up 1808-1816 by the Federalist Party in the U.S. to electioneer for votes. As shown on the membership certificates printed within copies of "Washington's Farewell Address" that were issued to members, the first of these societies was "instituted in the City of New York, on the 12th day of July, 1808." The President of that first WBS was Isaac Sebring and Secretary was G. C. Verplanck. Societies were also formed in Rhode Island in 1810, as the threat of warfare loomed. Citing a July 6, 1812 edition of the "Federalist" newspaper in New Jersey, it has been reported that: "Coinciding with the first state peace convention, the initial public appearance of the Washington Benevolent Society in New Jersey occurred in Trenton on July 4, 1812." - Wiki
[1], Title, [1], 47pp. Red cloth binding over patterned paper-covered boards. Moderate rubbing and edge wear to boards. Sporadic foxing.
A superb and desirable piece of early 19th-century George Washington history from the state of Massachusetts, published during the lifetimes of many signers and Revolutionary War veterans.
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