Washington's Farewell to the People of the United States. Published for the Washington Benevolent Society

Washington, George

Published by Printed and sold by Denio & Phelps, Greenfield, 1812

Stipple engraved frontispiece portrait engraved by Gimbrede. 40pp. Partly-printed Washington Benevolent Society form accomplished in manuscript for Cyrus Washburn, signed by John Barrett, president, and Charles Bowen, Secretary. 12mo. Written largely by Alexander Hamilton, Washington's famed Farewell Address was first printed in newspapers in September 1796 at the end of his second term as President, emphasizing the importance of unity and morality, the dangers of political factions and sectionalism and warning against "insidious wiles of foreign influence." The reaction to the address was immediate and overwhelmingly positive, printed within regional newspapers and as separate pamphlets and broadsides throughout the United States. The Washington Benevolent Societies were grass-roots political clubs set up between 1808-1816 by the Federalist Party, with copies of Washington's address given to members. Thomas Gimbrede, the engraver of the portrait frontispiece, was an engraver and miniature painter, born in France in 1781. He emigrated to the United States from France in 1802. He initally did miniature work, but by 1810 he was doing work for publishers in New York City, such as John Low. He was appointed instructor of drawing at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1819 and held the position until his death in 1832. Shaw 27444 Contemporary calf-backed marbled paper covered boards Stipple engraved frontispiece portrait engraved by Gimbrede. 40pp. Partly-printed Washington Benevolent Society form accomplished in manuscript for Cyrus Washburn, signed by John Barrett, president, and Charles Bowen, Secretary. 12mo. Seller Inventory # 338513

Bibliographic Details

Title: Washington's Farewell to the People of the ...
Publisher: Printed and sold by Denio & Phelps, Greenfield
Publication Date: 1812
Signed: Signed