American Historical Ephemera and Photography

1) [UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES] -- [VAN BUREN, Martin]. Search or Seizure of American Vessels on Coast of Africa... Message from the President of the United States, Transmitting a Report from the Secretary of State, in Relation to Seizures or Search of American Vessels... March 1, 1841. Washington: N.p., 1841. 8vo. Later half brown sheep (spine perishing with covers detached or detaching, some soiling and wear). Provenance: Henry D. Gilpin (1801-1860), Former U.S. Attorney General under Van Buren (bookplate and signature). Document number 115 from the 26th Congress, 2d Session.

AMISTAD LAWYER'S PERSONAL COPY OF PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS RELATING TO SEIZURE OF AMERICAN VESSELS ON AFRICAN COAST.

The United States v. Schooner Amistad case is considered to be one of the most significant ever argued before the Supreme Court relating to slavery. On 27 June 1839 the Spanish ship La Amistad departed Havana, Cuba with 49 enslaved Africans on board. After a few days at sea the Africans staged a revolt, took control of the ship and ordered its remaining crew to take them back to the African coast. Instead, the crew steered the ship along the east coast of the United States, where the ship and everyone on board was taken into U.S. custody. Desperate to avoid an international incident with Spain and concerned about his re-election prospects in the South, President Martin van Buren favored returning the Africans to Spain, a position argued before the Supreme Court by U.S. Attorney General Henry D. Gilpin. Former President John Quincy Adams argued in favor of the African captives and won, with the Court declaring them free and with the right to resist enslavement. This decision set a legal precedent against the institution of slavery, fueled the abolitionist movement, and became a symbol of resistance against slavery and oppression.

[KELLOGG, Francis S. (d. 1877)]. Partially printed document "Return of Clothing, Camp, and Garrison Equipage" accomplished in manuscript. Nashville, TN, 26 December 1864. 2 pages, 4to, 2 horizontal folds. Document no. 51, regarding 2nd Lieutenant Kellogg's property. Kellogg served in the 110th U.S. Colored Troops.

Stereoview of a woman doing a child's hair with manuscript notation verso "You knows how it is yourself."

[SCOFIELD, Hiram]. Brady's National Portrait Gallery, photographer. carte-de-visite on a cardstock mount of Scofield seated. New York: E & H.T. Anthony, n.d. Union Major General Scofield (often misspelled "Schofield") commanded the 1st U.S. Colored Troops in West Florida.

PAYNE, E. George. An Estimate of Our Negro Schools. New York: The American Church Institute for Negroes, n.d. Original printed wrappers.

And 2 others. Together, 7 works. Condition varies but is generally good (some with toning, soiling, or chipping).