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Cotton is king, and pro-slavery arguments; comprising the writings of Hammond, Harper, Christy, Stringfellow, Hodge, Bledsoe, and Cartwright, on this important subject, by E. N. Elliott...

(title continues)... With an essay on slavery in the light of international law, by the editor. 908 pages of text followed by 4 pages of advertisements at the end of book. Contains prints of some authors whose works are included. Printed by...

GLC05115

The narrative of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Written by himself.

Third English edition. Contains a frontispiece print of Douglass. Printed by Joseph Barker. Includes a preface to the second Dublin edition, preface to the first American edition, and a letter from Wendell Phillips (22 April 1845). Narrative is...

GLC05117

American slavery as it is: testimony of a thousand witnesses.

Possibly a first edition. Published by the American Anti-Slavery Society. Weld asserts, "A majority of the facts and testimony contained in this work rests upon the authority of slaveholders, whose names and residences are given to the public, as...

GLC05119

to Hardy Murfree Cryer

Describes the flogging and subsequent escape of an enslaved man named Cyrus. Explains the events that led to the overseer, Mr. Parsons, flogging Cyrus, and Cyrus' running away. Says Cyrus has been found and that "Cyrus shall not be abused, but he...

GLC04363

to Frederick Brown & Jeremiah Brown

Leaving Kansas, his poor health, and the health of his sons. Says he is leaving Kansas "both on business: & to recover my health," as he is suffering from "Dysentary & Chill Fever." However, "I expect to go back should the trouble continue"...

GLC04463.01

Sepia head and shoulders image of John Brown, with lock of hair

GLC04463.02

[Signatures of six of John Brown's supporters]

Piece of paper with six signatures, reportedly found in Brown's carpetbag. After Brown's capture, soldiers found a carpetbag of his in the farm where the raiders had been living. The bag contained numerous papers written and signed by his Northern...

GLC04463.04

National politics: Speech of Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, delivered at the Cooper Institute, Monday, Feb 27, 1860.

Published by the New York Tribune as Tribune Tracts No. 4. Lincoln addresses the most pressing issue of the day, slavery, and attacks the view put forth by Stephen Douglas and others that slavery was founded by the forefathers of the country. He...

GLC04471.01

to L. Harper

Written from Buchanan's estate, Wheatland. Discusses a recent trip to a General Bowman's home in Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania, where he and other guests held "meetings... which were not confined to Democrats." Referring to an upcoming judicial...

GLC04508

[Emancipation of Hiram, an enslaved man]

One document dated November 7, 1848. Pertains to the emancipation of Hiram, a 32-year-old enslaved man. His height, weight and facial scar is described. Signatures included Samuel Sawyer, William Morrison, and William H. Russell, James H. Bullard and...

GLC04128.01

Decree approved April 6, 1830, repealing colonization law of March 24, 1825

Printed document, provides for colonization contracts by Mexican empresarios in an attempt to staunch the flood of Anglo-American immigration to Texas. Also abolishes slavery and places Mexican troops in Texas. References: "Handbook" 2: 154...

GLC04252

[Petition of a freeman Edward D. Martin to be enslaved]

Petition to the Texas Court. Writes that "petition further represents to your Honor that he desires to avail himself of the law permitting him to select a master and become a slave; and believing Edward D. Martin, a citizen... to be a proper person...

GLC03840

to Thomas L. Kane

Young writes to Colonel Kane, an abolitionist and friend. Praises his acquaintance with Kane, and Kane's knowledge of the Mormon people. Thanks Kane for his assistance in a legal case, the "May case," noting "...it is no remedy at all, to put a man...

GLC03888

to Milton Sutliff

Weld writes to Sutliff, an Ohio abolitionist and lawyer, from the Office of the American Anti-Slavery Society. The Society will be publishing a series of tracts refuting the main objections to abolition, and Weld seeks information on slavery and the...

GLC04941

American Colonization Society membership certificate, signed blank

Printed membership certificate signed by Madison as President and R. R. Gurley as Secretary. The American Colonization Society resettled Black freedpeople in Liberia. D.B. Mattern letter 6/14/96, Madison accepted the presidency per his 19 February...

GLC04675.02

Astounding Disclosures!

An inflammatory Republican attack on the Democratic Party. Subtitled: "What will the Pirate Democracy do next!" Attacks Democrats over Kansas, slavery, and general corruption of the party. In the second half of the broadside, Goodenow, a...

GLC04714

Anti-Fugitive Slave Law Meeting. At a large meeting of persons from various parts of the State of New York, held in the City of Syracuse...

(title continues)... January 9th 1851, and of which Frederick Douglass was President, the following resolutions and address were unanimously adopted. The address is the same, and, with an inconsiderable exception, the Resolutions are the same, as...

GLC04717.16

Abolition documents. Number one. Principles and measures.

Created at the convention from 26-28 June in Syracuse. The abolitionists declare, "We...maintain that there can be no legitimate civil government, rightfully claiming support and allegiance as such, that is not authorized, nay, that is not morally...

GLC04717.22

to George Besore

Schneck asks for $300 to send a slave's wife and three children to Africa. The husband must also purchase his freedom for $1,500, but the Society is trying to raise money to assist in the transport itself. Written on behalf of the Colonization...

GLC04743

to Wiliam Wilberforce [in French]

Lafayette inquiries on the slave trade in France & America. He alludes to Wilberforce's attempts to have Lafayette freed from prison. Docket is in English, in Wilberforce's hand. Letter has been transcribed in English. Wilberforce as the recipient is...

GLC04802

[Plantation Book]

Plantation account book of William Jones, the owner of a cotton plantation in the vicinity of Jonesville, Liberty County, Georgia, near Savannah. Also mentions planting rice, but cotton appears to be the main staple of the plantation. Gives a nearly...

GLC03703

to editor of Quincy Patriot

Written as Member of Congress. A report to his constituents regarding petitions made concerning the right to petition and its suppression through the Gag Rule, abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia and the slave trade in the US, his...

GLC03707

to John Switzer

Written from Ashland, Clay's estate, to Switzer at Union Bridge, Frederick County, Maryland. Replying to a request from Switzer, Senator Clay discusses his opinions on colonization and slavery. Refers Switzer to an address he gave to the...

GLC03725

to Mary Stearns

Written three days before his execution. He asks to be "spared from having any mock; or hypocritical prayers made over me, when I am publicly murdered: & that my only religious attendants be poor little, dirty, ragged, bare headed, & barefooted...

GLC05925.01

Speech fragment concerning the abolition of slavery [from 1858 Senate race?]

Manuscript, probably the concluding portion of speech, possibly from the 1858 Senate campaign, concerning his expectation that slavery would eventually be abolished. Lincoln acknowledge his ambition for higher office but continues, "[i]n the...

GLC05302