[WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799)]. J. Russell’s Gazette. Vol. VII, Nos. 39-40. Boston, MA: James Cutler, 16 and 20 January 1800. Funeral Oration on the death of George Washington published in 2 consecutive issues.

2 consecutive issues, each. 4pp., folio, 12 x 20 in. Disbound (each partially separated at central fold, some chipping, short tears, and some loss at edges, light staining and toning to margins and near folds).

Both issues contain prominent, front page headlines: “Funeral Oration on the Death of General [George] Washington, Delivered at the Request of Congress, by Maj. Gen. Henry Lee, M.C. From Virginia.” The complete funeral oration delivered by General Henry Lee upon the death of George Washington is considered the most well-known funeral oration in US history, and contains the now famous phrase describing George Washington as: “…first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen…”

Two superlative display newspapers featuring Lee's renowned oration on the death of Washington. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee was a major general in the Continental Army, member of the Continental Congress, governor of Virginia, father of the famous Civil War general Robert E. Lee, and close friend of George Washington. Following Washington’s death on 14 December 1799, the Sixth Congress commissioned Lee, his brother in arms, to write a eulogy. Congress was unanimous in choosing Lee for the task due to his long-standing relationship with Washington. He composed the eulogy in Philadelphia while staying at Franklin Court, the former home of Benjamin Franklin, which had been converted into a boarding house, and the completed eulogy was presented to Congress on 28 December 1799. An array of items were created to memorialize Washington following his death, including a printed pamphlet containing Lee's full eulogy, and his words have been widely reprinted since that time.

[WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799)]. J. Russell’s Gazette. Vol. VII, Nos. 39-40. Boston, MA: James Cutler, 16 and 20 January 1800. Funeral Oration on the death of George Washington published in 2 consecutive issues.