6/25/2021 - American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Gazette of the United States. New York: John Fenno, 10 July 1790. 10 x 16 in., 4pp. Vol. II, No. 26 (toned, scattered spotting). Issue contains a notice of the 5 July 1790, "Act to authorize the purchase of a tract of Land for the use of the United States" under heading "Laws of the United States. Published by Authority. Congress of the United States. At the Second Session." The Act, which authorized the President to purchase West Point "for the purpose of such fortifications and garrisons as may be necessary for the defense of the same [United States]," is printed in full and includes names signed in type of Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House, along with Vice President Adams, President Washington, and Secretary of State Jefferson.

[With:] Four consecutive issues of the Windham Herald. Windham, CT: John Byrne, 6, 13, 20, 27 February 1800. approx. 10.5 x 16.5 in. 4pp, Vol. IX, Nos. 466-469 (all disbound, some toning). Issue No. 466 devotes the entire front page to a report from Secretary of War James McHenry (1753-1816) in which he describes "certain measures which appear to him to be necessary for the improvement of our military System," beginning with the establishment of a "Military Academy" as a "means of preparing such a force with certainty and expedition" as was necessary for the safety and security of the nation. A lengthy description of the proposed schools within the academy and the officers, professors, and teachers that would be employed ensues. The following three issues continue with the remainder of the Secretary's report, devoting nearly an entire page on the 13th, approx. 1.5 pages on the 20th, and just over a full page on the 27th. 

Two years after the Windham Heralds were published, President Jefferson, at last, signed the legislation that would formally establish the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Together, 5 newspapers, condition generally good.