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Thomas Jefferson helps to codify George Washington’s footsteps…
December 12, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
When it comes to collecting rare and early newspapers, those containing the text of presidential annual messages are quite desirable. While a handful are well known (Lincoln’s 2nd annual address, Washington’s 1st, Kennedy’s 1st, etc.), others fly well under the radar. A recently discovered broadsheet (Republican Argus, Extra, Oct. 16, 1808), containing Thomas Jefferson’s final address in 1808 brought this latter group to mind, yet, upon analysis in light of current events, seems to hold its own historically. The summary below, modified from multiple AI sources, is provided so you can draw your own conclusion. Enjoy.
Thomas Jefferson’s Eighth Annual Message to Congress, delivered on November 8, 1808, came at the close of his presidency during a time of international conflict and domestic unrest. He used the address to defend the Embargo Act of 1807, which aimed to protect U.S. neutrality and avoid war with Britain and France by halting foreign trade. Despite its economic toll on American farmers and merchants, Jefferson maintained that economic pressure was preferable to military conflict. The speech also reflected ongoing foreign policy tensions, particularly regarding maritime rights, and the young republic’s efforts to uphold sovereignty amid European aggression.
Jefferson’s speech highlighted the challenges of maintaining neutrality, the importance of strengthening U.S. military defenses, and his vision for internal development, including peace through trade with Native American tribes. It also revealed the political friction of the time, with Jefferson facing criticism from both Federalists and members of his own party over the embargo and proposed federal infrastructure projects. This period of political division underscored deeper questions about the role and limits of federal power in a republic still defining itself.
Most significantly, Jefferson’s 1808 address signaled the end of his presidency and affirmed his decision not to seek a third term. Although he had announced this publicly in 1807, his final annual message served as a symbolic and practical demonstration of his commitment to republican principles. By following George Washington’s example, Jefferson helped establish the precedent that presidents should serve no more than two terms. This voluntary transfer of power reinforced the principle that no individual should hold executive power indefinitely, a safeguard essential to American democracy.
Jefferson’s choice not to pursue a third term, especially during a time of national strain, cemented a critical political norm that influenced every president until Franklin D. Roosevelt. The importance of this precedent lies in its protection against the concentration of power and its promotion of leadership rotation—core values in a constitutional republic. Jefferson’s 1808 address, then, is not just a reflection on policy but a foundational moment in American political tradition, ultimately leading to the formalization of the two-term limit through the 22nd Amendment.
Announcing: Catalog #361 for December, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
December 1, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Announcing: Catalog #360 for November, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
October 31, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Catalog #360 (for November)
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Who’s Who in Newspapers? Citizen Genêt edition…
October 10, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
The 10th installment of Who’s Who in Newspapers
Citizen who? While exploring newspapers from the 18th and early 19th centuries over the past few decades, I noticed the name “Citizen Genet” appearing more than once—always tied to some sort of “affair.” As a novice historian at the time (my academic background is actually in mathematics and engineering), and given my aversion to sensationalized “yellow journalism,” I let it pass. With tens of thousands of fascinating topics to explore through our beloved collectible, I never stopped to uncover who he really was or what his “affair” involved.
Recently, however, I embraced the old adage that “it’s never too late to learn” and finally took the plunge. What I found was a story worth the effort, one that offered both historical insight and a better appreciation for the newspapers that recorded it. A summary of my discovery is as follows:
Edmond-Charles “Citizen” Genet was a French diplomat sent to the United States in 1793 to gain American support for France’s wars with Britain and other European powers. Instead of observing diplomatic protocol, he jumped right into recruiting privateers to attack British ships and encouraging Americans to take up arms against Spain. These moves directly violated President George Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation of 1793. To make matters worse, Genet bypassed Washington altogether and appealed directly to the American public, an act that came across as both disrespectful and threatening to U.S. sovereignty.
The uproar that followed—known as the “Citizen Genet Affair”—quickly became a defining moment in America’s early history. Washington demanded Genet’s recall, reinforcing both the president’s authority in foreign affairs and the new nation’s commitment to neutrality. At home, the controversy deepened political divisions: Federalists supported Washington’s cautious stance, while Democratic-Republicans sympathized with revolutionary France. In the end, Genet was granted asylum in the United States and lived out his life in New York, but his story left behind a lasting lesson in diplomacy and America’s determination to remain independent from foreign influence.
So much for jumping to conclusions regarding his “affair”. I should have known better.
The photos shown are from two articles within the Columbian Centinel, Dec. 11, 1793. – the above in full, and the below of only an excerpt due to the length of the article. If original newspapers on this topic remain available, they would be found at: CITIZEN GENET
Announcing: Catalog #359 for October, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
September 30, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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October’s catalog (#359)
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Announcing: Catalog #358 for September, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
August 29, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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September’s catalog (#358)
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Gerrymandering… (1813-1822) – an extremely rare find…
August 6, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following is being republished due to current events. Enjoy!
And so it began… but not without a bit of push back…
Shown below is a somewhat detailed analysis of an intriguing item which is rarely seen. When published in the early 1800s it brought to light a new technique in the election process which was certainly not conceived by the original “founders” of the United States: Gerrymandering. Whereas a brief description can be found posted on the item’s listing (The Gerry-Mander!), due to the volume of information available through multiple sources – especially in the face of its under-the-radar significance and rarity, we thought others might appreciate learning about the broadside as much as we have. We hope you enjoy.
Summary
The broadside “Natural And Political History of THE GERRY-MANDER! In Two Chapters…..With Cuts” is likely from 1813–1822, published in Boston, and satirizes early U.S. gerrymandering. It reprints an 1812 cartoon and article coining “gerrymander,” linking to Governor Elbridge Gerry’s redistricting favoring Democrat-Republicans. Included are two sections:
• “Natural History”: Reprints the 1812 Boston Gazette piece, humorously describing the “Gerry-mander” as a new political monster.
• “Political History”: An original essay explaining the 1812 redistricting’s origins, noting it favored Democrat-Republicans (winning 29 seats to Federalists’ 11, despite more votes for Federalists). It calls for ending such practices, though gerrymandering persists today.
The broadside is a historically significant document which is only found in a few institutions – one being the Massachusetts Historical Society. It is not listed in Shaw & Shoemaker, a bibliography of early American imprints, underscoring its rarity.
Historical Context and Origin of “Gerrymander”
The term “gerrymander” emerged in 1812 during the governorship of Elbridge Gerry, a prominent figure in early American politics who signed the Declaration of Independence and served as James Madison’s vice president. In February 1812, Massachusetts Republicans, led by Gerry, engineered a radical redistricting plan to disadvantage the Federalist majority in the upcoming state senatorial elections. This plan was particularly evident in Essex County, where one district was redrawn into an irregular, elongated shape that resembled a salamander. The cartoon, first published in the Boston Gazette on March 26, 1812, was attributed to illustrator Elkanah Tisdale, who added wings, claws, and fearsome teeth to the map, transforming it into a monstrous creature. The term “Gerry-mander” was coined during a dinner conversation, possibly by painter Gilbert Stuart or poet Richard Alsop, combining Gerry’s name with the mythical beast.
The redistricting was highly effective: in the 1812 election, the Republicans’ majority grew from 21-19 to 29-11, despite the Federalists receiving more votes. This outcome highlighted the manipulative potential of gerrymandering, where politicians could pick their voters rather than voters choosing their representatives. However, ironically, Gerry lost his re-election bid in 1812, and there is little evidence he strongly supported the redistricting law, though his name became indelibly linked to the practice.
Additional Details & Summary
The broadside reprints the original 1812 cartoon and article from the Boston Gazette (March 26, 1812), attributed to illustrator Elkanah Tisdale, which depicted the district as a winged, clawed monster with satirical text. It is a rare and historically significant artifact that encapsulates the early American political practice of gerrymandering, a term and concept that remain central to discussions of electoral fairness. Its call for ending gerrymandering contrasts with its persistence, as seen in modern debates over redistricting and voting rights. It serves as a reminder of the long-standing tension between political strategy and fair representation, with the term “gerrymander” remaining a symbol of electoral manipulation. The pronunciation note from some sources, suggesting it should be “gerrymander” with a hard ‘g’ rather than the common “jerrymander,” adds a linguistic dimension to its legacy, reflecting regional and historical variations in usage.
The following video was added after the post went live:
Announcing: Catalog #357 for August, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
August 1, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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August’s catalog (#357)
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Announcing: Catalog #356 for July, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
June 27, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Announcing: Catalog #355 for June, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
May 30, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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The June catalog (#355) is now available. Shown below are links to various segments of the catalog, our currently discounted
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[The links above will redirect to the latest catalog in approx. 30 days
upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.]