Newspaper clipping from the *Gazette of the United States*, Philadelphia, dated December 18, 1790. Features a letter written by Manuel Josephson on behalf of the Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, New York, Charleston, and Richmond to President George Washington, along with Washington's reply. This clipping is in mint condition and is noteworthy because American Jewish congregations sent separate congratulatory letters to Washington upon his inauguration, rather than a unified letter. This particular letter from Philadelphia is significant within the context of other similar letters sent from Newport, Rhode Island, and Savannah, Georgia. A book published in 1797 containing official correspondence between Washington and various Jewish communities included the Newport and Philadelphia letters, but not the Savannah letter. A similar *Gazette* clipping (June 19, 1790, featuring the Savannah letter) sold for $12,300 at auction in 2010.
Subject: Congratulatory Letters
No additional authority information available for Congratulatory Letters.
Newspaper clipping from the *Gazette of the United States*, June 19, 1790, featuring a letter from Levi Sheftel, President of the Savannah, Georgia Hebrew Congregation, to President George Washington, and Washington's reply. This is considered the first published example of Jewish support for the newly elected President of the United States. The item consists of two folio leaves (16.25 x 10 inches).