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Ben Franklin, George Washington & a notable address on slavery, by a "free negro"...



Item # 663474

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THE AMERICAN MUSEUM, Philadelphia, July, 1789 

* President George Washington
* Benjamin Franklin
* Early slavery


One of the more successful magazines from 18th century America. Pages 1 & 2 have the "Address of the Governor & Council of North Carolina to his excellency General Washington with his "Answer" signed in type: G. Washington. Other items in this issue include: "Account of the Climate of Pennsylvania" "...Respecting the Fortifications in the Western Country" "Account of the Society of Dunkards in Pennsylvania" "Account of the Effects of Electricity in Paralytic Cases. In a Letter to Dr. Pringle from Dr. Franklin" which is signed in type: B. Franklin, from Dec. 21, 1757; "On The Manumission of Slaves"
One of the great items is a very notable: "Letter on Slavery, by A Negro" which takes nearly 3 pages & is signed in type: "A free negro". This appears in the website BlackPast.org: "We don’t know the name of one of the earliest orators against slavery. He was a West Indian who apparently was a former slave fortunate enough to be educated. He was also intimately familiar with slavery and the slave trade in that region. The themes and arguments advanced in this oration will be repeated by countless anti-slavery speakers for the next eight decades. It is not clear where this address was given but the author who was living in England felt by publishing the text of his speech he would reach a wider audience. The speech appeared in the journal, American Museum in 1789." See the hyperlink for the full text of the address.
Near the back are 1 1/2 pages of "American Intelligence" with news items including a report of the celebration of the14th Fourth of July, and also a lengthy poem: "An Ode...to his Excellency General Washington on being Chosen President of the United States".
Complete in 70 pages, 5 by 8 inches, "Contents" page at the back, nice condition.

Category: The 1600's and 1700's