Black History
“Confiscation of Property and Emancipation of the Slaves”
May 26, 1862-Dated Civil War Period, Pamphlet of a Congressional Speech on the Emancipation of Slaves, by Honorable Alfred Ely, Printed by Scammell & Co., Washington, D.C., Very Fine.
This printing of the Congressional Speech on the Emancipation of the Slave is 16 pages, plus cover, 8.75” x 5.5” disbound. The text of a speech given by the Honorable Alfred Ely of New York to Congress, delivered in the House of Representatives on May 26, 1862. Ely anticipates the Emancipation Proclamation and urges no compromises with the Rebels. While witnessing the First Battle of Bull Run, Congressman Ely was taken a prisoner by the Confederates and imprisoned in Libby Prison of Richmond, Virginia; he was there for nearly six months. At 5:00 AM on Christmas Day 1861, Ely was set free from Libby Prison. After Ely's release, D. Appleton & Company of New York published a journal of his experience in Libby Prison in 1862.
Alfred Ely (February 15, 1815 – May 18, 1892) was a U.S. Representative from New York. He was elected as a Republican to the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1863), serving New York's 29th congressional district.