Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
This collection contains a reproduction of George Washington's handwritten resignation speech as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. The speech was given on December 23, 1783 at the Maryland State House. The original date and origin of the reproduction is unknown. The speech was gifted to former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt.
George Washington delivered this speech to Congress in the Maryland State House in Annapolis at the close of the Revolutionary War. In this speech, Washington retired from his military position as commander in chief and returned to civil life. This act signalled that the states would not be ruled by civilian and not military authority and rejected the idea that Washington would continue ruling as a monarch.
The resignation speech was gifted to former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt. Governor Hunt served in office from 1977 to 1985 and 1993 to 2001.
This collection contains a reproduction of George Washington's handwritten resignation speech as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. The speech was given on December 23, 1783 at the Maryland State House. The original date and origin of the reproduction is unknown.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Reproduction of George Washington's Resignation Speech, MSS 00439, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of James B. Hunt (Accession no. 2020.0057)
Processed by: Taylor Wolford, 2021 August; Finding aid written by: Taylor Wolford and Cathy Dorin-Black, 2021 August, 2025 April.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
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Mailing address:
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[Identification of item], Reproduction of George Washington's Resignation Speech, MSS 00439, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.