20 September 1839

Eldredge, N. T., fl. 1839

Newspaper

Title: New York times and commercial intelligencer. [Vol. 3, no. 472 (September 20, 1839)]

Contains an article discussing the Amistad case. States "Very considerable doubts are entertained, I find, whether the grand jury will bring in a bill for any crime against the Africans; in which case the whole discussion will be on the various civil claims set up- namely, by the Spaniards to the Africans as slaves, and by the officers and crew of the Washington to salvage on the schooner and cargo..." Contains an advertisement for the Presidential campaign of Henry Clay. Includes notices of sale and scheduled shipping departures and arrivals.

GLC08812

March 30,1846

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Robert Baker for engaging in the slave trade].

Countersigned by James Buchanan. Baker, 1st mate on the Brig "Montivedio", was convicted of engaging in the slave trade between Africa and Brazil and sentenced to serve 6 months in prison and pay a $500 fine and court costs. Pardoned after serving twelve months in prison because of his poverty (inability to pay the fine) and excellent conduct.

GLC00043.11

30 June 1881

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of William Siler as U.S. Consul at Capetown].

Countersigned by Secretary of State Blaine. Signed two days before James A. Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disappointed officer-seeker who wanted to be appointed a U.S. consul. Accompanied by paper seal.

GLC00073

1 October 1785

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Document signed

Title: Instructions to John Lamb to treat with Algiers

Co-signed by Jefferson 11 October 1785 in Paris. Lamb was instructed to confer with Minister Carmichael in Spain, then proceed to Algiers. The Continental Congress sent John Lamb to negotiate with Dey Mohomet of Algiers for the release of 21 Americans held as prisoners and to secure safe passage of American vessels in the Mediterranean. The Dey demanded $3,000 ransom per man, twice as much as he asked of other nations. Lamb returned home in 1789 without securing a treaty. Also written in Paris, France

GLC00345

1837

eman, Frederick, 1799-1883

Book

Title: A plea for Africa, being familiar conversations on the subject of slavery and colonization, [originally published under the title "Yaradee."]

Published by J. Whetham. Discusses African history, slavery, and colonization. Contains reviews following the appendix. Also includes an advertisement for Psalmodia, another book by Freeman. On inner front cover, contains a Henry F. Porter, Circulating Library, Naugatuck, Connecticut sticker.

GLC00267.392

circa 29 October 1843

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Document signed

Title: [General Order no. 8 regarding African Squadron vessels' procedure for obtaining supplies]

One letter written by Commodore Matthew Perry dated October 29, 1843. Contains orders that fresh provisions and medicaid aid must be approved by the commanding officers before given to members of the African Squadron. Signed on behalf of the Commanding U.S. Naval Officers on the West African Coast.

GLC01126

26 November 1819

Key, Francis Scott, 1779-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Maynadier

Written from Georgetown. Key writes to his uncle about depressed stock prices. He also discusses colonizing 12 captured Africans who are in Baltimore (he does not explain how they came to be there), in reference to his efforts through the American Colonization Society.

GLC02379

July 15, 1879

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. M.A. Bosbyshell

Douglass cannot help Mrs. Bosbyshell obtain the postage stamps she asked for. Advises her to apply to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the President of Liberia, or the Post Master General of Bolivia.

GLC01467

June 11, 1844

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Tingey Craven

Perry writes from U.S. Frigate Macedonian to Craven, Commander of the U.S. Brig Porpoise. He instructs Craven that upon arriving in Liberia, he should go directly to the Galenas River. Discusses procedure for cruising and for display of the American Flag, noting, "...in the neighborhood of the Galenas at least you may be able to prevent the desecration of the American Flag to the vile purposes of the foreign slave Dealer." Requests Craven's observations on the land, currents, and other features of the Galenas River. Craven and Perry were engaged in suppressing the slave trade along the West…

GLC01617

3 August - 10 November 1787

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Manuscript letter

Title: [Letters from Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin]

Copies of three letters to Thomas Barclay. First one from Thomas Jefferson, written in Paris, dated 3 August. Presents Barclay with a tribute for his work as "Consul General for that Country [France] and Minister to the Court of Morocco, also as Agent in some particular Transactions for the state of Virginia ... " Second one from John Jay, dated 5 October from the Office of Foreign Affairs. Forwards a document from Congress "expressing their approbation of your conduct in the state of Negociations [sic] with Morocco." Third one from Benjamin Franklin, written at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,…

GLC02437.03633

29 November 1785

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks him for his recent correspondence and for the "western" contract Samuel Shaw sent him. Will be glad to know when a new contract is ready. Thanks him for attending to his accounts of rations that he furnished Captain [likely David] Zeigler, as well as for procuring him money for the rations. Mentions that his "commercial friends" wanted him to ask Knox about problems with the "Algerines," or pirates. Wishes to know whether Congress has passed any measures regarding the pirates. Mentions that some friends of his own a frigate which they would be willing to donate to Congress for use…

GLC02437.03221

6 December 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Writes in response to Biddle's letter of 29 November (see GLC02437.03221). Comments that he feels Congress has done everything in its power to handle the Algerine [pirate] situation, so he does not think it necessary for them to obtain any frigates to send out on the sea. Also discusses the places at which provisions will be issued on the Ohio [likely the Ohio River]. Hopes Biddle will attempt to win the contract to issue the rations, and will contact him again when he has more information.

GLC02437.03223

8 January 1786

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "My present engagements prevented my going to the westward to direct the business of supplies therefore I could not interest myself in the late proposals for victualing the troops as I wanted the means to [carry?] it on. I shall be much obliged by your orders to furnish the troops here when the recruiting service is again enter'd on." Also, in reference to an earlier letter, mentions that his friend Colonel [Eyres?] along with Charles Biddle remain very interested in donating ships to Congress for use in the conflict against pirates (see GLC02437.03221 and GLC02437.03223). Writes…

GLC02437.03234

1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: Message of the President of the United States transmitting a copy of the treaty between the United States and her Britannic Majesty for the suppresion of the African slave trade

The printed text of a treaty between the United States and Britain to aid in suppression of the international slave trade. Also contains correspondence between William H. Seward and Richard Lyons, the British diplomat on the subject. Lyons and Seward are the two signers of the treaty. The message was read to the Committee on Foreign Relation and ordered to be printed on 10 June, 1862 Printed by the U.S. G.P.O. Senate Executive Documents no. 57.

GLC08667

1856

Stewart, James A. (James Augustus), 1808-1879

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Hon. James A. Stewart, of Maryland, on African slavery, its status-- natural, moral, social, legal, and constitutional...

Title continues, "...and the origin, progress, present condition, and future destiny of the United States, considered in connection with African slavery as a part of its social system; with the bearings of that institution upon the interests of all sections of the union, and upon the African race." Delivered in the House of Representatives, 23 July 1856. Printed at the Congressional Globe Office, Washington, D.C.

GLC00267.004

December 2, 1817

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Pamphlet

Title: Message from the President of the United States, to both houses of Congress, at the commencement of the first session of the fifteenth Congress.

Monroe reports that Amelia Island, near the Georgia boundary, had been seized and was "being made a channel for the illicit introduction of slaves from Africa into the United States, an asylum for fugitive slaves from the neighboring states, and a port of smuggling of every kind." He calls for its suppression. Printed by Edward De Krafft, Printer, Washington City.

GLC00267.030

January 10,1818

United States. Congress

Pamphlet

Title: Report of the Committee to whom was referred so much of the President's Message as relates to the introduction of slaves from Amelia Island.

The report reflects the early distaste for the slave trade in the U.S. House Document 46, 15th Congress, 1st session. Accompanied with a bill supplementary to the act, to prohibit the importation of enslaved people into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States: passed 2d March 1807. Endpaper states: "The first copy of this report being incorrectly printed, is to be cancelled, and this copy substituted." First edition (thus).

GLC00267.031

26 March 1818

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Pamphlet

Title: Message from the President of the United States ... relating to the occupation of Amelia Island.

Full title reads, "Message from the President of the United States, transmitting, in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 20th instant, information, not heretofore communicated, relating to the occupation of Amelia Island." House Document 175. Printed by E. De Krafft. Amelia Island is an island off the coast of Florida that was under Spanish control before being occupied.

GLC00267.032

December 7, 1824

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Pamphlet

Title: Message from the President of the United States, to both houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the Second Session of the Eighteenth Congress.

Describes the joint efforts of the U.S. and Britain to suppress the slave trade, which the Monroe administration proposed to define as piracy. Also discusses the rights of U.S. vessels during recent wars. Document no. 2. Printed by Gales & Seaton. Stitched.

GLC00267.033

December 27, 1825

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Pamphlet

Title: Slave Trade. Message from the President of the United States, communicating correspondence with Great Britain in relation to the Convention for suppressing the slave trade.

Relating to the convention for the suppression of the slave trade. House Executive Document 16, 19th Congress, 1st session, Document no. 16. Secretary of State Clay advises the British that the Senate will not agree to British right of search along American coastal waters. Printed by Gales & Seaton.

GLC00267.034

1830

Mercer, Charles Fenton, 1778-1858

Pamphlet

Title: Slave trade.

Mercer reports for "the committee to whom were referred the memorial of the American Society for colonizing the free people of color of the United States; also, sundry memorials from the inhabitants of the State of Kentucky, and a memorial from certain free people of color of the State of Ohio..." The bulk of the report consists of appendices on the American Colonization Society, Liberia and material from earlier Congresses relating to the slave trade and colonization. 21st Congress, 1st session, House Doc. 348. Removed from previous binding; cover is missing.

GLC00267.035

27 May 1840

Society of Friends

Pamphlet

Title: Memorial of the Society of Friends in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, praying the adoption of measures for the suppression of the African slavetrade.

Message to Congress emphasizing the "horror and brutality of the middle passage." The memorial states that the trade is being "prosecuted to a greater extent, and in a manner more destructive to its victims, than it ever was before." 26 Congress, 1st session, document no. 491. Printed by Blair & Rives.

GLC00267.036

May 1858

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Pamphlet

Title: Message of the President of the United States, communicating in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, papers in regard to the seizure of the American barque Panchita on the coast of Africa.

35th Congress, 1st session, Senate Executive Document 61. The Panchita was an American slave ship seized by British vessels off the coast of Africa. Although the British admitted seizure violated U.S.-British accords, they argued it was in good faith.

GLC00267.040

28 April 1828

Tazewell, Littleton Waller, 1774-1860

Pamphlet

Title: In Senate of the United States. April 28, 1828. Mr. Tazewell made the following report:

20th Congress, 1st session, doc no. 178. The Committee on Foreign Relations report declares Congress has no authority to find territory on the coast of Africa for colonization, or to appropriate money for colonization, because such powers are not expressly granted by the Constitution.

GLC00267.045

16 April 1832

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Pamphlet

Title: In Senate of the United States. April 16, 1832. Mr. Clay, from the Committee on Manufactures, made, to the Senate, the following Report:

22d Congress, 1st Session, document no. 128. Discusses the history of land surveying and selling after the Revolution, the Louisiana purchase, and the acquisition of Florida. There was fear in the South that proceeds would be used to advance a colonization agenda. The report recommends distributing proceeds to the states based on population.

GLC00267.047