Description:

Washington Aide Richard Harison DS Re: Slavery

SLAVERY. Document Signed, “Rich: Harison”, as U.S. Attorney for the District of New York, 1p, 9.5” x 15.75”, New York, December 3, 1796. To William Rawle, U.S. Attorney for Pennsylvania. Flattened folds with tiny hole at intersection, expert repair to split, scattered foxing and toning, else Very Good.

Harison writes to Rawle, requesting aid in securing testimony from a reluctant witness in prosecution of cases pending in the District Court for violation of the Slave Trade Act of 1794. The document reads, in part, “The principal witness is supposed to have been prevailed upon by undue Methods, to quit this District is thought to be either in Philadelphia or Baltimore – Should he be in the former, I would esteem it a Favor if you will take every regular Method of procuring this Testimony, that it may be used upon Trials – If he should be gone to Baltimore, I will thank you to recommend the Business to the Attorney for the District of Maryland. The Public is in every Point of View interested in the Event…”

The Slave Trade Act of 1794, passed by the Third Congress and signed by President Washington, was the first American regulation of the international slave trade. It prohibited American citizens or residents from participating in trafficking slaves to any foreign country. Harison brought several cases under the Act, as noted in this document: The United States vs. The Brigantine Active, and two by George Geer, for himself and the USA vs. Elisha King.

Richard Harison (1747-1829) was an American lawyer and Federalist politician from New York. In 1789, President George Washington appointed Harison as the first United States Attorney for the District of New York, where he remained in office until 1801.

William Rawle (1759-1836) was an American lawyer in Philadelphia. In 1791, he was appointed as United States District Attorney in Pennsylvania. He was a founder and first president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, president of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, and for 40 years, a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania.

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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