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Funeral Oration on the Death of General Washington. Delivered at the Request of Congress, by Major-General Henry Lee, Member of Congress from Virginia.
Boston: Printed for Joseph Nancrede and Manning & Loring, Sold by them respectively, [1800]. 8vo, original blue wrappers, un-trimmed. [3], 15 pp., early note in ink at head of front wrapper reading “Henry Lee’s Oration,” with later pencil note above it reading “Washington, George.” CONDITION: Good, wrappers worn through at spine but firmly attached, lower corners of front wrapper curled. The first Boston edition, following the official edition published in Philadelphia earlier that year, of Henry Lee’s eulogy for George Washington, best known for its characterization of the late first President as “First in war—first in peace—and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Also of note is Lee’s stirring conclusion which begins, “Methinks I see his august image, and hear, falling from his venerable lips, these deep sinking words: ‘CEASE, CEASE, Sons of America, lamenting our separation... Reverence religion; discuss knowledge throughout the land; patronize the arts and sciences; let Liberty and Order be inseparable companions; control party spirit, the bane of free government…” “Lee’s pronouncement that Washington is ‘first in war—first in peace—first in the hearts of his countrymen’ is second only to the idea of Washington as ‘father of his country’ in the popular lexicon and mythology of our nation’s first president…Lee’s funeral oration is a fundamentally important document in the shaping of George Washington’s image in American culture” (Reese). Nicknamed Light Horse Harry for his military exploits during the American Revolution, Henry Lee (1756–1818) was also the father of Confederate commander Robert E. Lee. He served in the Continental Congress and as Governor of Virginia only to eventually lose his fortune in land speculation and other difficulties. He wrote his war memoirs in debtor’s prison, and in 1812, was severely injured in a mob riot in Baltimore while defending his newspaper friend Alexander C. Hanson who opposed the War of 1812. Lee subsequently removed to the West Indies, remaining there until his death in 1818. REFERENCES: Evans 37804; Sabin 39747; Reese, Federal Hundred 83 (for the Philadelphia ed.); Stillwell, Washington Eulogies 134.
Item #7412
Price: $2,750.00
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