Volume IX of Matthew Carey's
The American Museum, or Universal Magazine, among the earliest successful magazines published in the United States. Contains six issues, January through June, of 1791. Contained on page 40 of Appendix II (Public Papers) in the June issue is the notable and highly sought after "Address of the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, to the President of the United States," dated August 17, 1790. This address to President George Washington by Moses Seixas, Warden of the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, was written upon the occasion of Washington's visit, as an expression of welcome, but also to voice the concerns of America's Jewish citizenry that their rights be safeguarded. Among the many other pieces of interest contained in this volume include the publishing of various state Constitutions, essays on commerce and trade, policies regarding Native Americans, a letter from George Washington respecting the capture of Lord Cornwallis, American and foreign intelligence, and an essay on the slave trade by Benjamin Franklin.
In addition to being a highly sought after volume on its own, this particular copy is incredibly unique, featuring the signature of its former owner Richard Dobbs Spaight. Spaight, a member of the Continental Congress from 1783-1785 and the eighth governor of North Carolina, was also a signer of the U.S. Constitution, and likely witnessed or participated in much of the Constitutional-era politics discussed throughout the publication. Spaight died in1802 after being mortally wounded in a duel with Federalist Congressman John Stanly. While the signature has not been professionally authenticated, Spaight is listed in another issue among the approximately 1,250 subscribers to American Museum.