Description:

Two Rare James Monroe Pamphlets On the Prohibition of the Slave Trade

Two printed pamphlets regarding President James Monroe's position on the prohibition of the Slave Trade. The first printing is 3pp, measuring 5.75" x 9.25", Washington, D.C., dated December 20, 1819. Printed by Gales & Seaton and titled "Message from the President of the United States, stating the Interpretation Which Has Been Given to the Act Entitled 'An Act In Addition to the Acts Prohibiting the Slave Trade." Reading in part: "…On due consideration of the several sections of the act, and of its humane policy, it was supposed to be the intention of Congress, that all the persons above described [negroes, mulattoes, or persons of color], who might be taken under it, and landed in Africa, should be aided in their return to their former homes, or in their establishment at, or near, the place where landed. Some shelter and food would be necessary for them there, as soon as landed, let their subsequent disposition be what it might…"

The second printing is 22pp, measuring 5.5" x 8.5", Washington, D.C., dated February 16, 1825 and May 8, 1826. A record of the 18th Congress, 2nd Session, and titled "Of the Committee to whom was referred so much of the President's Message of the 7th of December last, as relates to the Suppression of the Slave Trade." Reading in part: "…pursuant to the almost unanimous request of the House of Representatives, expressed by their resolution of the 28th February, 1823, the President of the United States concluded a convention with Great Britain, on the 13th of March, in the following year, by which the African slave trade was denounced to be piracy under the laws of both countries…and annexing to it the penalty denounced against this crime by the common law of nations…The Committee on the Slave Trade, to whom was referred the memorial of the President and Board of Managers of the American Society for colonizing the Free People of Color of the United States…Resolved. That the President of the United States be requested to enter into such arrangements as he may deem suitable and proper with one or more of the maritime powers of Europe, for the effectual abolition of the Slave-Trade."

During his presidency, James Monroe had mixed opinions about slavery. Monroe owned a small Virginia plantation with dozens of slaves, but also believed slavery to be wrong. Despite wishing to halt the spread of slavery, however, he also was convinced that any attempts to promote emancipation would cause further problems in the country. He signed the Missouri Compromise in 1820, which admitted Missouri as a slave state but banned slavery from territories north of the parallel 36°30′ north. He was also a member of the American Colonization Society, which sought to aid freed slaves in colonizing Africa. Monroe seems to have been a walking contradiction, because while he stated that slavery was a blight needing to be eradicated, he owned as many as 250 slaves during his lifetime and freed only one, Peter Marks, at the end of his life.

The 1819 document has uneven toning throughout, with moderate foxing and a large spot of dampstaining. Edge chipping. The 1825 document has edge toning and is missing the front cover and a number of back unrelated pages. Overall very good.

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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