Description:

CONTEMPORARY COPY OF WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL TO CONGRESS
Outstanding autograph manuscript, 3pp. legal folio, Annapolis, Dec. 25 [1783], a contemporary copy of Continental Congress Secretary Charles Thomson's minutes recording the arrival before Congress of Gen. George Washington, the text of Washington's speech resigning as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and the address made by Washington's contemporary, President Thomas Mifflin, in accepting the resignation. The account, undoubtedly written by a journalist, concludes: "Extract from the Minutes of Charles Thomson Secretary. Here we must let fall the scene, says an extract of a letter from a Genl. present at the address, few tragedies ever drew more tears from so many beautiful eyes, as were affected by the moving manner in which his Excellency took his final leave of Congress after which he immediately set out for Virginia accompanied to South River by the Governor with the warmest wishes of the City for [?], health & happiness. Long, Long may he enjoy them". A few clean, short splits, else very good. No doubt the writer had direct access to Thomson's minutes, as this manuscript is dated two days after Washington's resignation at the Maryland State House. Maryland Historical Magazine in 1942 attributed the concluding text to the editor of the Maryland Gazette, and this same quote was later repeated in other newspapers, thus we believe this may be the first press account of Washington's resignation and return to civilian life.

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September 10, 2014 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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