Harris, I

Description

Racist caricature lampooning free African Americans' celebratory response to the abolition of the African slave trade by the United States in 1808. Depicts a large group of well-dressed men drinking, smoking, and making toasts around a dinner table. The toasts arrogantly and mockingly address "De Orator ob de day," William Wilberforce, a prominent British abolitionist; William Eustis, Governor of Massachusetts and the disgraced former Secretary of War under Madison; "De Sun" which should shine at night; Joseph Gales, a publisher and secretary of the American Colonization Society who believed only states had the right to emancipate slaves; "Ning Edwards;" "De Genius ob Merica;" the "White man" who wants to colonize blacks "now he got no furder use for him;" and "De day we Celembrate" and why it did not come sooner. In the background a participant drinks directly from a rum bottle and to the far right another reveler must carry away an incapacitated drunken party goer. During the early 19th century, summer celebratory processions commemorating the anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade occurred annually in major Northern cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.; Drawn and Engd. by I. Harris.; P.2016.45.2 trimmed and lacking imprint.; Forms part of: Life in Philadelphia (London).

Record Contributed By

The Library Company of Philadelphia

Record Harvested From

PA Digital