American Historical Ephemera and Photography

AMES, Fisher (1758-1808). An Oration on the Sublime Virtues of General George Washington Pronounced at the Old South Meeting-House in Boston, Before his honor the Lieutenant Governor, The Council, and the Two Branches of the Legislature of Massachusetts, At Their Request, On Saturday, the 8th of February, 1800. Boston: Young & Minns, Printers to the State. Evans #36828. Sabin #1300. Approx. 8 1/2 x 5 in., 31 pp. (heavy wear to cover wrap missing, adhesive remnants and discoloration on title page, loss bottom right corner pages 3/4, interior pages with toning and scattered marks but generally clean). Owner's inscription at top right "G.W. Kelly." A eulogy for George Washington delivered by Ames at the Old South Meeting House in Boston in 1800.

Fisher Ames was a respected essayist, orator, and Founding Father. was a Representative in the United States Congress from the 1st Congressional District of Massachusetts. He promoted the new Constitution during his state's ratifying convention, which propelled him to election to the United States Congress for four terms concurrent with the Washington Administration. In this role, he was an important leader of the Federalist Party in the House of Representatives and soon became famous for his powerful skill as an orator. Ames was on the committee that inaugurated President Washington, and he framed the final accepted wording in the First Amendment regarding freedom of religion in 1789.

[With:] Washington's Books and Papers. (To accompany amendment to bill H.R. no. 283.). April 1, 1834. Report by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to which has been referred a resolution, directing them to inquire into the expediency of purchasing the library and official and private papers of General Washington, to be deposited in the Department of State, have had the same under consideration, and report: [Washington, D.C.] Gales & Seaton, print. 1834. 4pp. 8vo. Disbound (chipping along edges, toninglight soil). 23d Congress, 1st Session. House of Representatives. Rep. No. 381.

Report regarding the purchase of the extensive library and official and private papers of George Washington, 1732-1799, for the National Archives with a recommendation to do so with an appropriation of $20,000.

[Also with:] Scrapbook, approx. 24pp, 12 x 12 3/4 in., identified on cover with modern label as coming "from the estate of Judge E.A. [Edwin Alexander] Latty." Contains primarily business-related documents spanning late 1800s to early 1900s, two CDVs - possibly of Anna Maria Latty (1844-1871), and other miscellaneous ephemera. Edwin Alexander Latty (1865-1937) was a lawyer and mayor in Defiance, Ohio. His father, Judge Alexander Sankey Latty (1815-1895) was an Irish immigrant and Ohio judge.

[Also with:] Large photograph of a winning race horse "Laboulaye," Garden State, 19 April 1948. -- A group of 6 tintypes of unidentified individuals. -- Several miscellaneous documents including a 1702 deed abstract from Massachusetts.