Lot 461
[Washington, George] Fixing Congress' Opening & Ordering Guns To Celebrate. Two documents pertaining to the formal opening of the United States Congress, and revealing a plan to suitably honor the anniversary of the event. Printed Document titled, "An Act fixing the date for the next Annual Meeting of Congress," signed in type by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, as "Speaker of the House of Representatives," John Adams as "Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate," and approved by George Washington, as "President of the United States" on 2 March 1791, 1p, 13¼ x 8 in. The Act reads, "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That after The third day of March next, the first annual meeting of Congress Shall be on the fourth Monday of October next." Slight edge wear.
With a manuscript document signed by John Stagg, Jr. as a clerk in the War Department, 1p, 12¾ x 8 in., War Department, 24 Oct. 1791. October 24, 1791 To William Knox ordering guns and powder for a salute to start the ceremonies commemorating the new, annual date of the U.S. Congress's opening. The letter's text reads, "The Secretary of War requests that you will furnish Captain Jeremiah Fisher of the city artillery, in order to fire a salute on tomorrow, at the opening of Congress: One hundred and eighty pounds of Cannon powder - One hundred Tubes - Forty six Flannel Cartridges for 12 pounders - Eight Portfires," Major Stagg and Captain Fisher were both veterans of the Revolution, the latter having served with Col. Thomas Proctor's celebrated 1st Pennsylvania artillery regiment. Light age toning and inoffensive wear at the left edge. These extremely rare pieces document a supremely important event in American history: the day the United States Congress fixed a permanent date for its own opening.
Estimated Value $5,500 - 7,500.
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