American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Baltimore, MD: Yundt and Brown. Folio (19 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.), 4 pages. Bound volume containing 144 newspapers with 1 extra beginning with Volume 20, 3 January 1804 through 29 June 1804 (toning, occasional staining, some creasing, front page of 3 January 1804 issue partially torn near hinge, some of the advertisements have been clipped from the volume). Applied paper label to front cover inscribed, "The Baltimore Federal Gazette 1804" (significant wear to covers, top right corner fully separated).  

The newspaper features ample coverage of Thomas Jefferson and his involvement in both local and foreign affairs. Politics include the ratification of the 12th Amendment to the US Constitution allowing for separate titled ballots for both the President and Vice-President. The continuing battle between Federalists and Republicans is still alive and well long after the bloodless "Revolution of 1800." This "Revolution" heated the personal battle between Federalist Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, who controlled the first "political machine" of Tammany Hall. The first six months of this volume contain articles on Burr, his suits for libel and slander. During 1803, Jefferson had purchased all of Louisiana from the French and the Federal Gazette covers not only the ceremonies whereby we receive ownership, but also our efforts to divide up the territory and set up temporary governments. As the Louisiana Purchase became a reality, Jefferson had already started the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the Gazette contains accounts of the descriptions given on the Western Frontier.