Description:

Jacques Pierre Brissot
n.p., [October 29, 1790]
Jacques Pierre Brissot AL Re: American Investments; Brissot's Book on His American Travels Would Be Published The Following Year
AL
A 1p autograph letter in English in the hand of Jacques Pierre Brissot de Warville (1754-1793), the important French Revolutionary leader, abolitionist, journalist, and author of an American travelogue predating Alexis de Tocqueville's called "Nouveau Voyage dans les États-Unis de l'Amérique Septentrionale, Fait en 1788" ["New Travels in the United States of America, In 1788"] first published in 1791. N.d. but the docket on the integral address leaf indicates October 29, 1790, as does a collector's note located near the bottom. N.p. The collector's note reads in full: "Handwriting of J.P. Brissot. / Oct 29, 1790. / Presented by Dr Pliny Earle. / May 1842." The integral address leaf is also engrossed in Brissot's hand, and bears two hand-stamped philatelic markings. Hinged along the right edge to a piece of pink construction paper. Paper loss corresponding to wax seal areas. Expected wear including minor ink bleed-through and flattened folds and wrinkles. Else near fine. The unfolded letter measures 6.75" x 6.375" while the paper mount measures 7.625" x 9" overall.

Jacques Pierre Brissot wrote this letter to Andrew Craigie (1754-1819), the American real estate investor, who is more widely known for having served as the first Apothecary General of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Craigie later became a medicine and drug merchant in New York City. He also emerged as a shrewd investor, sniffing out real estate opportunities in the Western territory, and later in the Boston metropolitan area. Craigie managed Brissot's investments in America, which encompassed shares in the United States Liquidated Debt, as well as in Western land real estate.

Brissot wrote in part:

"I am just now apprized that Mr. L'huillier applied to for the draught of 1200 # in or of Mr. Porter (?), is in the country & I cannot get a positive answer before a fortnight.

I'll lend to my brother in law by the ship I have mentioned the Bard (?) of M. Seten."

Brissot's interest in the United States was not just financial; he also had a passionate sociological curiosity about the American practice of slavery. A dedicated abolitionist, Brissot had co-founded the Société des Amis des Noirs, or, the Society of the Friends of Blacks, in Paris in February 1788. The short-lived antislavery society (it would become inactive by late 1791) aimed to eliminate the practice of slavery in French overseas colonies, and to permanently dismantle the French slave trade. Brissot visited the United States the same year he helped establish the Society of the Friends of Blacks, touring the eastern seaboard between Virginia and Massachusetts. His observations on American slave-holding, the social integration of Blacks, and migration schemes are discussed in several chapters of his book, "New Travels in the United States of America, In 1788," including Chapter 19, "The School for Blacks in Philadelphia," Chapter 20, "The Endeavors Used to Abolish Slavery," Chapter 21, "The Laws Made in Different States for the Abolition of Slavery," and Chapter 24, "A Project for Re-transporting the Blacks to Africa."

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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  • Provenance: The former collector was Dr. Pliny Earle (1809-1892), an American doctor who became interested in psychiatry in the late 1830s. His inscription dates from the period when Dr. Earle served as the resident physician at the Asylum for the Insane in Frankford, Pennsylvania, from 1840-1842.
  • Dimensions: 7.625" x 9" overall
  • Medium: AL

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