How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

"The American continents, by the free and independent condition they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers"

National Journal [Extra]
Washington, D.C.: Published by Peter Force, December 3, 1823. Vol. I, No. I. 4to; 12 5/8 x 9 3/8 in. (321 x 238 mm). Six leaves, printed in two columns. Disbound from the National Government Journal, and Register of Official Papers...From December, 1823, to December, 1824; leaves separated; toned; wear and chipping along edges. Library of Congress ink stamp on recto and verso of first leaf ("Surplus Duplicate"). Sabin 25057

A very rare printing of President Monroe's December 2, 1823 message to Congress, now known as the Monroe Doctrine, one of the most important American state papers and the guiding foreign policy for America's relations in the Western Hemisphere. Printed in Peter Force's National Government Journal, and Register of Official Papers, an early predecessor of the Congressional Record. Force produced this special "Extra" edition of his daily newspaper (National Journal, 1823-30) to chronicle the sessions of the federal Congress. It contains the debates in the House and Senate, bills introduced, discussions and votes, and other government business. Although Force's venture failed after one year (only December 1823-December 1824 was printed), it was the first major separate publication dedicated solely to the printing of Congressional activity, and preceded by a year Joseph Gales, Jr. and William W. Seaton's Register of Debates (1824), printers of Force's rival newspaper, the National Intelligencer. The National Intelligencer, and Force's National Journal, were the de facto and semi-official newspapers of the federal government.

This printing is preceded only by the very rare broadside newspaper "extra" printed by the National Intelligencer, published the day prior, on December 2. Gales and Seaton also published President Monroe's message to Congress in their Daily National Intelligencer on the same day as this extra by Force.

Very rare to market, according to RBH, we can locate no other copy of this printing having been sold or offered at auction.