FEDERALIST "PROVIDENCE GAZETTE" 2-YEAR RUN WITH ISSUES RE: GEORGE WASHINGTON'S DEATH, CONTESTED ELECTION OF 1800, PROSSER'S SLAVE REBELLION, AND MORE

Providence Gazette. 100 issues. Vol. XXXVII, No. 1880 – Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1933; Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1936 – No. 1966; Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1968 – No. 1982. Providence, Rhode Island: John Carter, 11 January 1800 – 17 January 1801; 7 February – 5 September 1801; 19 September – 26 December 1801. 

Each 4 pages, folio, each approx. 10 7/8 x 17 1/2 in. Contemporary one-quarter calf over marbled boards, smooth spine gilt in 8 compartments, red morocco gilt lettered spine label in 1.  

A rare, near-complete 2-year run of the important pro-Federalist weekly newspaper published in Providence, Rhode Island by John Carter. 

The first two issues are printed with black mourning borders in remembrance of the recent death of George Washington. The early issues features the Senate's letter of condolence to President John Adams and his response (11 January 1800); the funeral oration by Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, coining: "First in war - first in peace - and first in the hearts of his countrymen" (25 January), plans for his funeral, and details of his will printed over the course of two issues (21 & 28 February). Notably, the will emancipated those individuals he enslaved and was printed alongside reactions and commentary. 

The papers cover many other important developments regarding slavery. In the May 10th issue, there is an article regarding progress on a bill to "prohibit the carrying on the slave trade from the United States to any foreign place or country." (Interestingly, the same issue publishes the Congressional appropriation to establish the Library of Congress). In October, the paper prints updates on the capture of Gabriel Prosser (circa 1776-1800) after plans of his slave rebellion were leaked. News of Prosser's execution, along with 9 others, is reported in the 1 November 1800 issue. 

In the early Republic, the Federal Government faced several tax-related rebellions, including Shay's Rebellion, the Whiskey Rebellion, and Fries's Rebellion in 1799 and 1800. In response to new taxes on real estate and slaves, in part to fund the rising tensions with France in the Quasi-War, German-American farmers in Pennsylvania took up arms in revolt. Although their methods were intimidation rather than actual violence, federal troops and militia were called in to quell the insurgency. The 7 June 1800 issue prints President Adams's pardon and Amnesty for leader John Fries (ca 1750-1818) and other instigators. 

As a Federalist paper, the Gazette wrote frequently in support of Adams's presidency, including political activity, legislation, orations, and correspondence. An interesting inclusion is transcripts from his famous July 1776 "Independence" letters sent by President Adams to his wife and constant correspondent, Abigail Adams, published in the Independence Day issue of 1800. In the 6 December 1800 issue, the paper reprints President Adams's fourth and final State of the Union. One of his final major acts as president was to conclude the undeclared Quasi-War with France. Agreements were reached and the Convention of 1800 (also known as the Treaty of Mortefontaine) was signed on 30 September 1800 and was reported in the December 27th issue. 

Over the course of the 1800 issues, the paper not only supported Adams, but also published anti-Jefferson articles in the lead up to the 1800 Presidential Election. Notably included are printings of the fifteen "Burleigh" essays that predicted a Civil War should Thomas Jefferson be elected president. The author warns, “The first proposition which I have to prove, is – Mr. Jefferson has long felt a spirit of deadly hostility against the federal constitution, and in conjunction with his party has been steadily plotting its destruction.” (12 July - 18 October 1800). Another essay, printed under the pseudonym "Clericus," decries Jefferson further: "Thomas Jefferson, whom some of our citizens wish to make President of the United States, has had, ever since he was publicly know, the character of an infidel, deist, or an enemy to the Christian religion." (1 November 1800). 

Despite the paper's best efforts and discouraging support for Jefferson, he was elected the third President of the United States, as the Gazette reports on 28 February 1801. On March 14th, the paper reprints his first Inaugural Address, attempting to find unity among the nascent parties, "“We are all republicans, we are all federalists. If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. I know, indeed, that some honest men fear that a republican government can not be strong, that this Government is not strong enough; but would the honest patriot, in the full tide of successful experiment, abandon a government which has so far kept us free and firm on the theoretic and visionary fear that this Government, the world's best hope, may by possibility want energy to preserve itself?” 

Also included is President Jefferson's first State of the Union address, focusing on the economy, westward expansion, relations with the Native Americans, and the growing military, including the ongoing skirmishes between the U.S. Navy and the Barbary Pirates. 

The interesting issues and topics covered are too numerous to detail, however, the bound volume contains a multitude of fascinating coverage of the early Republic, including western expansion, relations with Native Americans, political news, and international affairs. 

The Gazette was begun in 1762 by Sarah Updike Goddard with her children William Goddard and Mary Katherine Goddard, who would later print an early copy of the Declaration of Independence. John Carter, who had previously apprenticed under Benjamin Franklin, served as head printer. Although William moved from Providence, the paper was continued by Sarah and Mary Katherine until they sold it to Carter in 1768. From its earliest printings, the Gazette promoted the rights of the colonies and passionately supported the revolution. Carter continued to run the paper until 1814. It later merged with the Rhode Island American in 1825. 

A rare collection of newspapers featuring important coverage at a pivotal time in the early Republic. 

[Broadsides, Ephemera, Printing, Posters, Handbills, Documents, Newspapers] [Quasi-War, Napoleon Bonaparte, French Revolution] [Presidents, Politics] 

Lacking issues 1879, 1934, 1935, & 1967. Chipping, occasional marginal tears. Binding worn at extremities, chipping to spine especially, scuffs. A few occasional clippings.