Smith, Gerrit (1797-1874) Letter of Gerrit Smith to S.P. Chase, on the unconstitutionality of every part of American slavery
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04717.01 Author/Creator: Smith, Gerrit (1797-1874) Place Written: Albany, New York Type: Pamphlet Date: 1847 Pagination: 1 v. : 12 p. ; 14.4 x 9.2 cm. Order a Copy
Published by S. W. Green, Patriot Office. Letter was written at Peterboro, New York 1 November 1847. Chase recently disagreed with Smith's resolution at the National Convention of the Liberty party that slavery is unconstitutional. Argues that the Constitution "enjoins the abolition of every part of American slavery."
Smith, a politician from New York, served as a U.S. Representative from 1853-1854. He was a noted philanthropist and social reformer active in anti-slavery campaigns and women's rights. Chase was a United States Senator from Ohio 1849-1854 and 1861-1862, Governor of Ohio 1856-1860, and Secretary of the Treasury under President Abraham Lincoln.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.