AN ADDRESS, DELIVERED BEFORE THE FREE PEOPLE OF COLOR, IN PHILADELPHIA, NEW-YORK, AND OTHER CITIES, DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE, 1831. BY WM. LLOYD GARRISON. PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.
Boston: Printed by Stephen Foster, 1831. 24pp. Disbound with minor toning. Else Very Good.
Foster issued second and third editions in 1831, to respond to demand, particularly, as Garrison notes, from "my colored brethren,"
Garrison's Preface, dated July 4, 1831, says, "They who do not hesitate to call me a madman, a fanatic, a disturber of the peace, a promoter of rebellion,-- among other charitable epithets,-- for vindicating the rights of the slaves, will naturally be offended if I presume to stand up in behalf of the free people of color, or to address them on a subject appertaining to their welfare. I am determined, nevertheless to give slaveholders and their apologists as much uneasiness as possible."
Garrison confesses, "I never rise to address a colored audience, without feeling ashamed of my own color; ashamed of being identified with a race of men who have done you so much injustice." He denounces Colonizationists, who wish to deport Negroes to Africa; advocates full citizenship rights for blacks; referring to Prudence Crandall's newly established, controversial school, he praises the "new College for the instruction of colored youth, which is proposed to be located in New Haven, Ct."; and urges them to "maintain your rights as you would defend your lives."
FIRST EDITION. LCP 4012. Work 353 [2d ed.]. AI 7227 [5]. OCLC records facsimiles of the second and third editions, published later in 1831, and locations for the third edition, but not for this first edition. Item #40940
Price: $2,000.00