Description:

Madison James 1751 - 1836

Certifying "a Member for life of the American Colonization Society" signed by the Society's President, James Madison.

Engraved document signed "James Madison," 1 page, 9" x 6.5". Washington, 1833 - 1836. In blank, not filled in. Minor flaws, mid vertical and horizontal folds reinforced on verso. Toned. Fine condition.

In full: "Office of the Colonization Society, Washington. This certifies that _____ is a Member for life of the American Colonization Society."

The lower portion of the document features a light circular seal with a vignette picturing a ship en route to the shores of Africa, flanked by a banana plant and date palm. Soaring above the ship is an eagle bearing a banner labeled "Liberia" and the Latin motto "Lex in Tenebris" ("light amid darkness"). At the lower edge, printed under the seal, "Henry Stone del. et sculp." (artist & engraver). In 1816, President James Madison received a certificate similar to this one, signed by the first President of the Society, Supreme Court Justice and George Washington's nephew Bushrod Washington stating that "James Madison is a Member for life of the American Colonization Society" (Papers of James Madison, Library of Congress).

James Madison served as President of the American Colonization Society from 1833 - 1836. The American Colonization Society, an organization dedicated to transporting freeborn blacks and emancipated slaves to Africa, was founded in 1816. Former President Thomas Jefferson publicly supported the organization's goals, and President James Madison arranged public funding for the Society. In 1822, the Society established on the west coast of Africa a colony that in 1847 became the independent nation of Liberia. The President of the United States in 1822 was James Monroe; Liberia's capital is Monrovia.

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