abolitionism (2 Ergebnisse)

Original decorative giltlettered cloth. Spine ends a bit damaged, first flyleaf cut out, contents foxed, else good. Please see description or ask for photos.

An impassioned letter from the leading Kentucky abolitionist John G. Fee (1816-1901), written near the close of the Civil War and addressing the urgent question of how to govern and support the newly emancipated population. Fee writes to General John McCauley Palmer (1817-1900), military commander of the District of Kentucky. The letter, unfortunately incomplete, was probably written in early 1865, during Fee's time at Camp Nelson. First established as a supply depot and hospital, Camp Nelson became a refuge for thousands of enslaved people fleeing bondage and a major recruitment centre for United States Colored Troops. Fee notes that part of the camp's land had been seized from secessionists: "Twelve hundred acres of the land in this camp did belong to notorious rebels - rebels who made up a rebel company - went out with Bragg. Another twelve hundred belong to copperheads, to say the least of them". Fee outlines his vision for emancipated African Americans in Kentucky, urging policies that would encourage independence and self-reliance: "Now allow me to suggest that this people be made self supporting. this will be a good to them as well as relief to the public crib. It will throw upon them responsibility, stimulate them to industry and cultivate self reliance. May I suggest that it is better to give to them land than bread. Some - the young, crippled and infirm - need an asylum. But many of these soldiers, if an acre or even half acre of ground were given, would put up their own house, and support their own families; at least the families would support themselves. Benevolent societies might & would furnish them teachers, missionaries & some clothing". He warns it "may not be best to congregate these colored people into colonies" and instead wants them attached to the soil "all over the state", rooted in society. Fee also invokes his own upbringing among enslaved people, insisting that African Americans were as capable of moral and religious development as any other people if given sympathetic guidance: "I was raised on a farm, with slaves - know their habits. They are capable of development as other men - morally, religiously, they are very hopeful. The best way to govern them is to teach them to govern themselves". He stresses that those charged with their oversight should be "men who are in religious sympathy with them", not speculators exploiting their labour. Bifolium and single sheet, page size 200 x 126 mm, on United States Christian Commission letterhead, comprising six handwritten pages numbered 5-9 (10 unnumbered); pages 1 to 4 are missing from this letter. Light toning and handling soiling with one small chip not affecting writing: in very good condition.