Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) 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 enlarged on the twenty-third of April, 1787...

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.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07485.02 Author/Creator: Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Pamphlet Date: 1787 Pagination: 1 v. : 15 p. ; 19.8 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy

(title continues)... To which are added, the acts of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, for the gradual abolition of slavery. Franklin was President of the society, and Benjamin Rush was one of two society secretaries. Includes "An Act to give relief to certain persons taking refuge in the state with respect to their slaves," authorizing those taking refuge in Pennsylvania to keep their slaves.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809
Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources