Fine Books and Manuscripts

Gazette of the United States. New York: John Fenno, 16 September 1789. No. XLV. 4 pages, folio (429 x 265 mm).EARLY NEWSPAPER PRINTING OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS ESTABLISHING THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT, which was passed 2 September 1789. This early edition of the bi-weekly Gazette of the United States also includes coverage of the debate on finding a permanent seat of government, with James Madison arguing in favor of the site on the Potomac River. The paper flourished in the latter part of the 18th century, and was aided by several prominent Federalists, particularly Alexander Hamilton, who contributed many articles under various pseudonyms.