Connecticut Newspaper Editor Uses Slavery as Metaphor for Political Servitude

This issue includes the ninth and most interesting in a series of ten essays entitled "Observations on the Present Situation and Future Prospects of This and the United States," quite possibly written by the editor Josiah Meigs. The author, writing over the pseudonym "Lycurgus," uses the recent discovery of "white negroes" in the service of satire. Although the serfs of ancient times were the first white negroes, they had risen in rebellion, and Lycurgus satirically insists that the best method for continuing the happy social state of servitude was in burdening the populace with debt and keeping them in debt by issuing paper money and refusing to fund existing obligations.

[JOSIAH MEIGS]. The New-Haven Gazette, and the Connecticut Magazine, April 13, 1787. New Haven, CT: Josiah Meigs. 8 pp. (65-72), 8.75" x 10.375". Disbound; separation on central fold; some staining and light, scattered spots throughout.

Excerpts
"A late celebrated historian has given an account of a race of negroes in the middlemost parts of Africa, who are as white as snow, and whose eyes are round, exactly resembling those of a partridge. He says they look askew—that the wool that covers their heads, and arches their eye brows, is like fine white cotton—that they are inferior to the blacks in bodily strength and understanding; and seem intended by nature as the next species after the Negroes and Hottentots, verging near on the monkey race." (p1/c1)

"This transformation of men takes place chiefly among the lower classes of people, and begins with a strange kind of political hypochondriac, tending however in the course of it, rather to madness than low dejected spirits.... About this time they begin to shew that gregarious disposition, apparent in several other orders of animals, whom nature has formed to herd together. They begin to separate from the rest of the community, and assemble in great numbers at taverns, town-meetings and conventions. At this period they are affected with violent convulsions, and disturb the whole society with their political brayings. This marks the second stage of their transformation. The third is the period in which they are tamed, which is easily effected in consequence of the weakness occasioned by their former convulsions. At last (some sooner, some later) they grow not only fearless of slavery, but fond of becoming the victims of its chain. When they have proceeded thus far, their transformation, as to mind and body, is complete. They grow calm and industrious; willing to work out the interest of our debt at the rate of fifteen per cent and on the compound plan of interest, and scarcely murmur at maintaining a large number of speculators which stand in the same relation to these as those they call negro drivers in the West-Indies do to the blacks—and in one word, they far exceed the Africans for slaves." (p2/c2-3)

"I would propose the following measures as well to increase their number as to preserve their perfect tranquillity.
"I. That our debt still remain unfunded, and that the same measures be invariably pursued in future, in regard to the payment of both principal and interest, as have hitherto been in regard to the interest that has been paid.
"II. That whenever any person or persons who have the love and confidence of this breed grow clamorous to have more paper bills emitted, that a large sum be immediately struck off and sent into circulation...." (p2/c3-p3/c1)

Additional Content
This issue also includes a chapter from "An Essay on Crimes and Punishments" by the Marquis Beccaria of Milan (p3/c2-3); a letter to the Senate of New York regarding the impost (p4/c2-p5/c2); a letter on the cultivation of silk (p5/c2-p6/c2); correspondence between South Carolina governor William Moultrie and Choctaw Chief Tinctimingo (p6/c2-p7/c1); results of recent elections in Boston and New-Haven (p7/c1-p8/c1); and a variety of notices and advertisements.

The New Haven Gazette, and the Connecticut Magazine (1784-1789) was a weekly newspaper in New Haven, Connecticut. It began as the New Haven Gazette, published by Josiah Meigs (1757-1822), Daniel Bowen, and Eleutheros Dana (1761-1788). In April 1786, Bowen left the partnership to publish the New Haven Chronicle. Dana left the partnership in August 1787, and Meigs continued to edit the newspaper alone.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.