WASHINGTON, GEORGE | Columbia’s Legacy; or, Washington’s Valuable Advice to his Fellow Citizens, published by him at the period of announcing his intention of retiring from public life at the expiration of the present constitutional term of the presidency of the United States. To which is added, his Speech to Congress, at their present session, which terminates his political career. Philadelphia: Printed by H. Sweitzer & J. Ormrod, December 10th, 1796

WASHINGTON, GEORGE

Columbia’s Legacy; or, Washington’s Valuable Advice to his Fellow Citizens, published by him at the period of announcing his intention of retiring from public life at the expiration of the present constitutional term of the presidency of the United States. To which is added, his Speech to Congress, at their present session, which terminates his political career. Philadelphia: Printed by H. Sweitzer & J. Ormrod, December 10th, 1796

32mo (3 3/4 x 2 1/2 in.; 91 x 68 mm). Half-title, the speech to Congress with separate half-title and title-page, with blanks DD5, D8, F6, woodcut tailpiece; central section of first gathering (A2–7) loose, some foxing and staining throughout, many page corners turned or creased, evidently lacking blanks F7–8. Contemporary sheep, black spine label, marbled endpapers, plain edges; quite rubbed but sound.

The first book-form edition of Washington's celebrated—and oft reprinted—Farewell Address, in which the first president urged national unity: "The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local distinctions." Very rare: the only copy we can trace in the auction records had a defective half-title.

REFERENCES

Evans 31545; Sabin 101578

PROVENANCE

James Evans (contemporary signature on front free endpaper) — W. J. Evans (signature dated 21 September 1821 on front free endpaper)