Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) to Samuel Huntington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07485.01 Author/Creator: Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Letter signed Date: 12 January 1788 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 23.2 x 18.8 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Franklin, signer of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, as President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania to Huntington as Governor of Connecticut, three days after Connecticut ratified the Constitution. Writes in his capacity as President of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. Sends along several copies of the society's constitution, the laws of Pennsylvania concerning slavery, and a copy of Thomas Clarkson's essay on the commerce of slavery from Africa (a copy of the society's constitution is at GLC07485.02, but the other items are not included). Says he heard that "a considerable part" of the slaves sold in the South since the end of the Revolution have been imported by American vessels. Hopes Huntington will use his power to curtail such voyages, which are "repugnant to the political principles & forms of government lately adopted by the Citizens of the United States." Says his actions can delay the ire of "the impartial ruler of the Universe." Docket , in Huntington's hand, says Huntington answered the same day he received it, 2 May 1788.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
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