Historical Image of the Day

Political cartoon satirizing Congressional infighting, 1798.

I realize it's not the 1800s like I said the images would be for this week. I hope this doesn't devastate you.

Historical Image of the Day

This week's image consist primarily of documents either produced by abolitionists or documents urging resistance to abolition.

Title page of Jonathan Edwards, Jr's. sermon, The Injustice and Impolicy of the Slave Trade and of the Slavery of the Africans, 1794.

Historical Image of the Day

Copy of speech by Prince Hall, founder of African-American Masonic Order, 1797

We Are Not a Nation Founded on Christian Principles

Yet another piece of evidence to this fact:

The Treaty of Tripoli. Passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate and signed by President John Adams in 1797.

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

Via Helmut.

Historical Image of the Day

Benjamin Banneker's almanac, 1795. Banneker was an African-American astronomer and scientist of the late 18th century.

Historical Image of the Day

Image from William Bartram's Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, the Cherokee Country, etc., 1791. This is arguably the most influential naturalist book of late 18th century America. Bartram truly is a forgotten American, though the Library of America put out some volumes of his several years ago, and is deserving of a post in that series of mine.

Historical Image of the Day

Page 1 of George Washington's document declaring the 1794 protests in Pennsylvania a rebellion. Today, this is known as the Whiskey Rebellion.

Note that you can read the text if you click on the image.

Historical Image of the Day

Neutrality Proclamation of 1793

Attempt by the U.S. to stay out of the wars between Britain and France coming out of the French Revolution.

Historical Image of the Day

Map of New Hampshire and Vermont, 1796

Historical Image of the Day

Battle of Fallen Timbers, 1794