George Washington's copy of "Acts Passed at a Congress of the United States of America" contains key founding documents establishing the Union—and the president's personal annotations.
Washington's Personal Copy of the Acts of Congress
President of Mount Vernon Doug Bradburn discusses the significance of Washington's personal copy of the Acts of Congress.
A Historic Homecoming
On June 22, 2012, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association emerged triumphant from an auction at Christie’s in New York, securing a priceless treasure: George Washington’s personal copy of the Acts of Congress.
This rare volume includes Washington’s copy of the Constitution, the original 12 proposed amendments to the Constitution (out of which 10 were ratified as the Bill of Rights in 1791), and other legislation passed by the first session of Congress, complete with his personal annotations.
He brought the book home to Mount Vernon after retiring from the presidency in March 1797. Since leaving the hands of the Washington family in 1876, it has been treasured and preserved by several noted private collectors.
The book now resides within The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, which opened its doors in the Fall of 2013.
George Washington's The Acts of Congress, Purchase made possible through lead donations by an anonymous benefactor, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Borthwick, the A. Alfred Taubman Fund, Mr. Terry J. Kohler, and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, 2012
Property of the President
His custom-bound copy of the Acts is embossed in gilt letters reading “President of the United States.” Washington’s bold signature appears on the right corner of the title page. He also pasted his engraved armorial bookplate to the inside front cover. The bookplate features the Washington family coat of arms and the motto “exitus acta probat,” which translates to “the result is the test of the actions.”
Washington bookplate inside the cover of George Washington's copy of The Acts of Congress, Purchase made possible through lead donations by an anonymous benefactor, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Borthwick, the A. Alfred Taubman Fund, Mr. Terry J. Kohler, and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, 2012
Explore the Acts of Congress for Yourself
Take a look at the actual Acts of Congress in the Washington Library Digital Collection.
Washington's Notes
The most significant features of this book are Washington’s personal notes, penciled in the margins. Washington only rarely inserted notes or markings in his books, choosing instead to make notes on separate sheets of loose-leaf paper. All of his notes in this volume appear alongside the text of the Constitution, where he drew neat brackets to highlight passages of particular interest. In Article Two, spelling out the powers and duties of the president, he added the words “President,” “Powers,” and “Required.” He also marked passages in Article One concerning the president’s power to veto Congressional legislation — a critical element of the Constitution’s system of checks and balances on governmental power.
Washington's notations highlighting powers of the presidency in George Washington's copy of The Acts of Congress, Purchase made possible through lead donations by an anonymous benefactor, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Borthwick, the A. Alfred Taubman Fund, Mr. Terry J. Kohler, and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, 2012
"...the constitution is the guide, that I will never abandon."
George Washington to The Boston Selectmen, July 28, 1795
The Acts of Congress
See images of George Washington's own copy of The Acts of Congress
Own Your Own Copy of the Acts of Congress
This replica edition with a gilded and embossed hardcover, includes 112 pages presented in a rigid slip-case. A 48-page softcover companion booklet, written by Washington authority and historian Thomas B. Allen, outlining the genesis of the book and its journey returning to Mount Vernon is also included.