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Twenty-Sixth Annual Report of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. Philadelphia: Merrihew & Thompson, 1860.

Philadelphia: Merrihew & Thompson, 1860. 12mo, printed buff wrappers, renewed spine, wrappers reinforced with Japanese tissue. 28 pp.

A scarce Female Anti-Slavery Society report, likely written by Society president Sarah Pugh, reviewing the events of the past year, most notably John Brown's 1859 Raid on Harper's Ferry

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This report opens optimistically by arguing that the "spirit of Liberty" is winning its entrance into "that stronghold of slavery." To support this claim, the Report points to the "sturdy resistance of the State of Wisconsin to the aggressions of the Slave case of Sherman M. Booth charged with violation of the Fugitive Slave Statute," as well as the results of the well-known "Oberlin Rescuers" trial and the Maryland Slaveholder's Convention. Also mentioned is the case of the alleged slave Daniel Webster in Harrisburg, who was ultimately acquitted. The report makes note of the new Association, "Church Anti-Slavery Society of the United States," which they find promising. John Brown's 1859 Raid on Harper's Ferry is discussed at length, which they dub "the great event of the year eighteen hundred and fifty-nine." Lastly, note is made of the 24th annual Anti-Slavery Fair held in Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society was formed three days after the American Anti-Slavery Society in response to women being barred from that organization despite their presence at its founding meeting. Sarah Pugh, who served as president of the Female Anti-Slavery Society from its 1833 nascence until 1877 was close friends with Lucretia Mott, who served on the board of managers. Both women, along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, attended—or crashed—the World Anti-Slavery Conference in London, again in spite of women having been barred from participation.

The preamble to the Society’s constitution, the concluding text of the report, states:

Whereas…we believe that slavery and prejudice against color are contrary to the laws of God, and to the principles of our far famed Declaration of Independence, and recognizing this right of the slave to immediate emancipation; we deem it our duty to manifest our abhorrence of the flagrant injustice and deep sin of slavery, by united and vigorous exertions for its speedy removal, and for the restoration of the people color, to their inalienable rights.

Scarce. OCLC records just four copies, at AAS, Boston Public Library, Primary Source Media (electronic?), and the Library Company of Philadelphia.

REFERENCES: Sabin 61995; Amer. Imprints 33705; Library Company. Afro-Americana 7863; Yee, Shirley. Black Women Abolitionists: A Study in Activism, 1828–1860, pp. 95–105.

CONDITION: Good, minor losses at edges of wrappers

Item #4245

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