America’s Lecacy [sic] Being the Address of G. Washington, on his Declining a Re-election to the Presidency, to the People of the United States

Hudson: A. Stoddard, 1797. Full Description:

WASHINGTON, George. America’s Lecacy [sic]: Being the Address of G. Washington, on his Declining a Re-election to the Presidency, to the People of the United States. Hudson: A. Stoddard, 1797.

[Together with]

Circular Letter from His Excellency George Washington, commander in chief of the armies of the United States of America, to the Governors of the several States. Hudson: A. Stoddard, 1797. [Which contains] Farewel Orders of General Washington, to the armies of the United States. Rocky Hill, Near Princeton, November 2, 1787 [and] The Answer To His Excellency George Washington, (truncated) Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States of America [West-Point, November 15, 1783].

The rare first edition of Stoddard's printing in book form of Washington's Farewell Address announcing that he would not seek a third term as president. Originally published in David C. Claypoole's Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796. The speech is dated "17th Sept. 1796." Also the first printing of these two Washington addresses together. Four speeches in one twelvemo volume (5 x 3 1/8 inches; 127 x 80 mm). [1]-200, [2, blank] pp. Four works, but continuous pagination. With a half-title for America's Lecacy and separate title-pages for America's Lecacy and A Circular Letter. The Circular is Washington's famous official address resigning his command of the US army. The last separate copy of the "Circular Letter" at auction was in 1994. A copy of the 200 page edition was sold in 1937 and was called "very rare."

Contemporary full sheep. Spine with original red morocco spine label, lettered in gilt. Top edge dyed brown. Spine with some chipping and flaking. Some repairs along outer hinges and spine. Internally very clean. Overall a very nice copy. Housed in a full red morocco clamshell.

"In September 1796, worn out by burdens of the presidency and attacks of political foes, George Washington announced his decision not to seek a third term. With the assistance of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, Washington composed in a "Farewell Address" his political testament to the nation. Designed to inspire and guide future generations, the address also set forth Washington's defense of his administration’s record and embodied a classic statement of Federalist doctrine... Washington did not publicly deliver his Farewell Address. It first appeared on September 19, 1796, in the Philadelphia Daily American Advertiser and then in papers around the country." (United States Senate Historical Office).

"Following the speech's initial publication in the American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796, regional printers rushed copies into print. Ashbel Stoddard (1763-1840) was one of these. In 1797, he published two issues of Washington's farewell address... [it] was assembled in such haste that Stoddard did not have the opportunity to correct the egregious misspelling on the title page ("Lecacy" for "Legacy")." (Bonhams).

Howes W128. Sabin 101591.

HBS 69096.

$10,000. (Inventory #: 69096)