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Collection Reference Number GLC07485.01
From Archive Folder Documents Relating to 1788 
Title Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington regarding the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery
Date 12 January 1788
Author Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790)  
Recipient Huntington, Samuel  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Written by Franklin, signer of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, as President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania to Huntington as Governor of Connecticut, three days after Connecticut ratified the Constitution. Writes in his capacity as President of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. Sends along several copies of the society's constitution, the laws of Pennsylvania concerning slavery, and a copy of Thomas Clarkson's essay on the commerce of slavery from Africa (a copy of the society's constitution is at GLC07485.02, but the other items are not included). Says he heard that "a considerable part" of the slaves sold in the South since the end of the Revolution have been imported by American vessels. Hopes Huntington will use his power to curtail such voyages, which are "repugnant to the political principles & forms of government lately adopted by the Citizens of the United States." Says his actions can delay the ire of "the impartial ruler of the Universe." Docket , in Huntington's hand, says Huntington answered the same day he received it, 2 May 1788.
Subjects African American History  Abolition  Reform Movement  Slavery  American Statesmen  Slave Trade  Africa  Law  Religion  
People Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790)  Huntington, Samuel (1731-1796)  
Place written Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Theme African Americans; Slavery & Abolition; Law; Religion
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859