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Four documents signed by George Washington... Significant pronouncement by Franklin on slavery...
Four documents signed by George Washington... Significant pronouncement by Franklin on slavery...
Item # 701210
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November 25, 1789
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Nov. 25, 1789
* Benjamin Franklin re. slavery - slaves
* Newly elected President George Washington
It contains: An Address to the Public" by Benjamin Franklin as President of the: "Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes, Unlawfully Held in Bondage".
This is an extremely noteworthy address as it is Franklin's strongest moral statement on the subject of slavery.
Franklin did not speak out against slavery until very late in his life. It was only in 1789 that he wrote & published supporting the abolition of slavery. In 1790 his last public act was to send to Congress a petition on behalf of the Society asking for the abolition of slavery.
A portion of his Address includes: "...Slavery is such an atrocious debasement of human nature that it very extirpation if not performed with solicitous care may sometimes open a source of serious evils. The unhappy man who has long been treated as a brute animal too frequently sinks beneath the common standard of the human species...Accustomed to move like a mere machete, but the will of a master, reflection is suspended: he has not the power of choice..." and so much more. It is signed at its conclusion: B. Franklin, President.
The front page contains the address: "In the Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America" to the President, with his reply beginning on the front page & concluding on page 2 where it is signed: G. Washington. In the letter Washington offers his gratitude for their support, thanks for the nation weathering the revolution and peacefully establishing constitutional government, and ensuring religious freedom.
Page 2 contains the: "Address of the Executive of New Hampshire to the President of the United States of America" signed by John Sullivan, which his response signed in type: G. Washington.
The back page has two Acts of Congress, each signed in type by John Adams and George Washington.
Four pages, archivally rejoined at the spine, various small archival mends at the blank margins, generally good condition.
This title is considered by many as the most significant newspaper of the 18th century, particularly during this, the formative year of the new federal government & when the federal capital was in New York, as the Gazette was the mouthpiece of all matters political. Most pronouncements from Congress & the President were printed first in this newspaper.
Note: another dealer offer this same title and date for $8,500
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
No Longer Available
