16 300
13
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MICHIGAN. McKee, Alexander.
A renowned British Indian agent tries to
arrange the capture of his escaped slave.
Autograph Letter Signed (“AMcKee”) to
brother James McKee of Christie’s Creek near Pittsburgh, PA. One page, 12
1
/
2
x 8 inches,
plus integral address leaf; worn at folds with slight loss and address panel detached.
Detroit, 14 September 1795
[800/1,200]
Alexander McKee (1735-1799) was a major figure in the early history of the Detroit area. A long-
time trader and Indian agent along the western frontier, he remained loyal to the Crown during the
American Revolution and was instrumental in securing alliances with the Shawnee and other tribes.
This letter was written from Fort Detroit in its last year before its transfer from British to American
rule. It concerns McKee’s slave Bill who had escaped: “I sit down hastily to inform you that Bill,
Hannah’s son, ran away to General Wayne’s camp while I was lately in Lower Canada. I have since
heard he intends to go to see his mother in Pittsburg. I beg therefore if you can find him that you will
take him & send him to be sold, if you can get a good price for him at some considerable distance from
Pittsburg or this country. Be perfectly on your guard & do not trust to one word of what he may say.
He was left in charge of my house here on my going to Quebec & took the opportunity of my absence
to go off with many things belonging to me.” As both Upper Canada and Pennsylvania had passed
gradual abolition acts, the handling of the sale was a delicate matter, so brother James would not have
been able to make the sale in Pittsburgh. Slavery documents from the western frontier are scarce, and
McKee’s involvement adds to the interest.
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14
●
WEDGEWOOD, JOSIAH.
“Humanity.”
Heavy pewter box (humi-
dor?), 5
3
⁄
8
x 3
1
⁄
2
x 3 inches, a representation
of the English and Foreign Anti-Slavery
Society’s logo, designed by Josiah
Wedgewood; some oxidation, not affect-
ing the design at all.
Np, circa 1795-1834
[800/1,200]
An unusual appearance of the famous image of
the kneeling slave, whose motto usually reads
“Am I Not a Man and Brother.” In this example
the motto reads simply “Humanity.” We have
seen a box like this once before, cast in iron.
15
●
HAITI.
An Inquiry into the
Causes of the Insurrection of the
Negroes in the Island of St.
Domingo.
39 pages stitched, including
the half-title; unbound as issued; outer
leaves toned with some foxing.
London, 1792
[700/1,000]
An account of the revolt of the slaves on the
island of San Domingo, the only successful
slave insurrection in history, leading to the
independent state of Haiti.
15