J. 136
Clarkson’s hist. of the abolition of the African slave trade in G. B.
2. v.
12
mo.
1815 Catalogue, page 56. no. 67, as above, with the readings
Slavetrade and
Great Britain.
CLARKSON,
Thomas.
The History of the Rise, Progress & Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the British Parliament.
By Thomas Clarkson, M.A. In
Two Volumes. Vol. I [-II].
First American, from the London Edition.
Philadelphia: Published by
James P. Parke;
Brown & Merritt, Printers,
1808.
HT1162 .C6
First American Edition. 2 vol. 12mo. Vol. I, 228 leaves, folded engraved map and full-page plate; vol. II, 234 leaves; folded engraved
plate of a slave-ship; collates in sixes.
Sabin 13486.
This edition not in Smith.
Rebound in blue buckram by the Library of Congress. Initialled by Jefferson at sig. I and T in both volumes.
Jefferson was one of the subscribers to this edition, at the suggestion of James Pemberton of Philadelphia, who wrote to him
on the 30th 5 mon: 1808, sending at the same time the
Report of the Committee of the African Institution
, q.v.
Pemberton’s letter reads in part: “. . . The first mentioned [i.e. Clarkson] has lately sent me a manuscript copy of the first vol: of a history of the Slave
Trade, which is an intelligent & entertaining Compilation. he proposes an American Edition to be published here about the
same time as the publication of that printing in London, for which purpose Subscription papers are circulating in the United
States, a copy of which I take liberty to hand to the President whose signature will tend to promote the work . . .”
Jefferson replied from Washington on June 21: “
. . . Your favor of May 30. was delivered me on my return to this place, and I now inclose the prospectus of Clarkson’s history
with my subscription to it . . .
”
The book was sent by Pemberton on the 22
d: 11 mon: “. . . This is intended to convey to thee one Copy of Clarkson’s History of the Slave
Trade &c. agreeably to thy directions which I esteem an interesting compilation and expect it will meet the President’s approbation
when leisure will permit his perusal of it; I have also the satisfaction to inform him that, the workmanship of the Book is
altogether American manufacture performed in this State from the Type to it’s completion.
"I directed the binding to be superior to the common run, but the workman has exceeded in adorning it more than thou may approve,
and thereby the price is enhanced to four dollars which please attend to as thy leisure will permit.”
Jefferson replied from Washington on December 7: “
Your letter covering the 2
d. Report to the African institution in London came safely to hand, as has that also of Nov. 22. accompanying Clarkson’s history,
for which I return you my thanks, as being both of them interesting in a high degree. my grandson, Thomas J. Randolph will
call on you with this letter, as well to reimburse the price of Clarkson as to have the satisfaction of recollecting hereafter
that he has been personally presented to you . . .
”
Another copy was sent to Jefferson by the Society, with a letter from Thomas P. Cope, dated from Philadelphia, January 28,
1809: “The American Convention for the Abolition of Slavery & improving the condition of the Africans, lately assembled in this City,
have directed me, as one of their members, to present you Clarkson’s History of Slavery . . .”
Thomas Clarkson, 1760-1846, English anti-slavery agitator. The first edition of this work appeared in London in the same year.
Thomas Pym Cope, 1768-1854, Quaker merchant and philanthropist of Philadelphia. Cope was one of the founders and was the first President of the Mercantile Library and of Philadelphia’s Board of Trade.
