Beschreibung:

A Narrative of the Proceedings of the Black People, during the late Awful Calamity in Philadelphia, in the year 1793: and a Refutation of some Censures, Thrown upon them in some late Publications.
Philadelphia: Printed for the author by William W. Woodward, 1794. 28 pp., 12mo (170 x 105 mm). Modern boards. Condition : restoration at the lower corner of A5 without loss to text, other repaired edge tears. Provenance : Michael Zinman (booklabel, pencil note on the front free endpaper, “This is one of the most important books written by a ‘man of color’ in the 18th century and is exceedingly rare”). scarce pamphlet written by freed slaves on the role of african americans during the yellow fever epidemic: “a major and important work in african american literature” (Lapsansky). Absalom Jones (1746-1818) was born into slavery in Delaware. Sold to a Philadelphia merchant, he purchased his freedom in 1774 and began preaching with fellow free black Richard Adams to African American members of the Methodist Church, later becoming the first African American priest in the Episcopal Church. Beyond his religious contributions, Jones was a noted abolitionist, and routinely represented the Philadelphia African American community on public matters. In this rare pamphlet, Jones responds to statements made by Mathew Carey concerning the role of African Americans in his Account of the Yellow Fever epidemic. Little attention was given by Carey on the role that African Americans played, at their own risk, to care for the sick and bury the dead and Jones reviews their many contributions. Furthermore, he disputes Carey’s assertions of high fees charged by African Americans for those services, as well as unfounded accusations of thievery from the sick. “The Narrative is a major and important work in African American literature. It is the first account of a free black community in action, a first-hand account of the work of black Philadelphians among the sick and dying. It is also the first African American polemic in which black leaders sought to articulate black community anger and directly confront an accuser” (Lapsansky, “‘Abigail a Negress’: The Role and Legacy of African Americans in the Yellow Fever Epidemic” in A Melancholy Scene of Devastation, Philadelphia: 1997). At the end of the pamphlet is a brief “An Address to those who keep Slaves, and approve the practice.” This is among the earliest published antislavery essays written by an african american. very rare with no copies appearing in the auction records for the last quarter century. Austin 1079; Evans 27170; Howes J185. Not in Blockson.