55
●
(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.) HAMLET, JAMES.
The Fugitive Slave Bill:
Its History and Unconstitutionality with an Account of the Seizure and
Enslavement of James Hamlet and his Subsequent Restoration to Liberty.
36
pages, sewn; lacking the presumed wrappers; some light stains and toning, especially to the
outer leaves.
New York: William Harned, 1850
[700/1,000]
FIRST EDITION
,
SCARCE
.
James Hamlet was the first slave arrested and remanded under the
Fugitive Slave Act of 18 September 1850, seized just eight days after its passage. Finkelman
(Slavery in the Courtroom), pages 85-86 cites this pamphlet as the only real record of the pro-
ceedings; there were no published reports of hearings before the fugitive slave commissioners.
Through the sale of this pamphlet and the fund-raising efforts of the American Anti-Slavery
Society, $800 was raised to buy Hamlet’s freedom. He was officially freed on October 5th,
1850. Not in the Blockson Collection.
56
●
(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.) JONES, CHARLES COLCOCK.
Catechism
of Scripture Doctrine and Practice for Families and Sabbath Schools Designed
Also for the Oral Instruction of Colored Persons.
154 pages. 12mo, original printed
paper-covered cloth-backed boards; covers darkened; text toned, but a tight copy in its
original binding.
Savannah: T. Purse & Co, 1845
[800/1,200]
A SCARCE CATECHISM
,
INTENDED FOR THE USE OF BOTH WHITE CONGREGATIONS
AND PEOPLE OF COLOR
.
This copy is the stated “Third Edition.” The first edition appeared
in 1837, with subsequent editions appearing in 1844, 1845 and onward as late as 1862. It
was apparently popular among the clergy of Georgia. Charles C. Jones (1804-1863) was an
ordained minister who cared about the condition of the slave population. His son, Charles C.
Jones Jr. was a folklorist and the author of several important collections of folk tales from
Georgia Negroes.
55
56
