Description:

1788 Newspaper Cry for Abolition of Slavery & Huntington Constitution

8pp, measuring 8.75" x 10.25", New Haven, Connecticut, dated October 23, 1788. An issue of "The New-Haven Gazette, and the Connecticut Magazine, for 1788", Volume III, No. 42. Published by J. Meigs. Containing a letter from Reverent Robert Nickolls on the abolition of slavery, as well as a Proclamation from Governor Samuel Huntington. The letter from Reverend Nickolls appears on pages 3 and 4 and reads in part:

"…For all the blood split in such wars, set in flames by the contending parties, for all the ravages incident to war, for the tears and sufferings of the captives whole attachments are violently broken, for all the cruelties they endure in the course of their voyage, or under a rigid taskmaster when sold for slaves, the merchant is to answer. He sets up self-interest as his idol, and stabs humanity as the sacrifice to it. And shall the world sit down quietly and suffer their common humanity to be thus injured and insulted, that the trader may eat turtle, and the daughter of a master of a vessel flounce in silks and muslins?...To the planter, the prohibition of the slave trade would be immediately beneficial, and the benefit would be progressive with time…To the British nation it would be beneficial, because the planter cultivating the sugar-cane at less expense, could afford his produce at a lower rate: because, also, seamen and soldiers would not be sent to perish in the unhealthy climates of Africa: To the American States it would afford a proof, that we are no less friendly liberty than they, who have already shown us an example, in this respect, which we ought first to have given; To all the world it will prove our equity and humanity; To nations yet unborn it will transmit liberty and happiness…"

On pages 4 and 5 is the Proclamation "By His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esquire; Governor and Commander in Chief, in and over the State of Connecticut, in America." Huntington declares a state-wide day of thanksgiving and speaks on a Constitution. Reading in part:

"I have thought fit, by, and with the advice of the Council…do hereby appoint, THURSDAY the twenty-seventh day of November next, to be religiously observed as a day of PUBLIC THANKSGIVING…Also to offer up fervent supplication and prayer to Almighty GOD, the supreme Governor of the Universe, and ruler over the Kingdoms of Men, that it may graciously please him, to shower divine blessings upon the people of these United States; disposing them in a yet unexampled manner, to unite in voluntarily forming a salutary Constitution, which shall best fulfill the purposes of Civil Government, by securing the unalienable Rights of Individuals, and removing Oppression far from them, and in promoting the prosperity and permanent happiness of the UNION…"

With flattened folds. Light toning throughout, with areas of minor foxing, soiling, and dampstaining. Chipping to newspaper edges. Overall very good.

Robert Boucher Nicholls (c.1744-1814) was born in Barbados but became the Dean of Middleham, Yorkshire. He wrote a letter of support to the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade and may have helped secure charitable donations from people in his parish in support of the abolition movement. Samuel Huntington (1731-1796) was a delegate to the Continental Congress (1776-1781) and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He succeeded John Jay as President of the Continental Congress in September 1779 and held that position until 1781. He later became Governor of Connecticut (1786-1796), and led the battle for Connecticut’s ratification of the Federal Constitution.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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