The Constitution of the Pennsylvania Society, for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and the Relief of Free Negroes, Unlawfully Held in Bondage. Begun in the Year 1774, and Enlagred [sic] on the Twenty Third of April, 1787. To Which are Added, the Acts of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery. Philadelphia: Printed by Joseph James, 1787. First edition, first state with "enlarged" incorrectly spelled in the title.Stitched in original blue paper wrappers as issued, housed in a morocco backed clamshell case. 8 3/4 5 inches (19.5 x 12.5 cm); 15 pp., with half-title. Spotting and some old stains to wrappers, a small stain to corner of a few leaves.

The Pennsylvania Society, for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery was the first such society in the United States (it was founded in 1774 by Anthony Benezet). During the Revolutionary War and shortly thereafter slavery had been abolished in Vermont (1777), Massachusetts (1780) and New Hampshire (1784). The Pennsylvania Society, although founded before the war, suspended activity during that period but it was revived, Franklin elected its President, and this constitution was issued shortly before the convening of the Federal Constitutional Convention. This rare pamphlet lists Benjamin Franklin as President, Benjamin Rush and Tench Coxe as Secretaries, and Thomas Paine as Clerk of the General Assembly. "This was the first broadly circulated statement of anti-slavery sentiment printed in the United States" (Reese). Evans 20636; Reese, Federal Hundred, 14; Sabin 60364.