Printed Document, “An Account of the Missions established by the Society late in Connection with the Rev. JOHN WESLEY, for the Conversion of the Negroes in the West Indies.” Two pages, 7 1/2” x 9 3/8” Bristol. August 13, 1798. The document reads, in part: “ … In the year 1786, Dr. Coke was driven by stress of weather form the Coast of America to the West Indies … He accordingly found that the Negroes were exceedingly susceptible of religious instruction; and having three preachers with him, he prevailed on them to continue in that part of the globe … When he returned to Europe, he laid the circumstance of the case before his venerable and honoured Friend, the late Rev. JOHN WESLEY, who considered it a very providential opening for the benefit of the Heathen … Dr. Coke has great satisfaction in being able to inform the Public, that the spiritual concerns of the missions are in a flourishing state. About 50,000 of the negroes are now under instruction in all the Island unitedly considered. Out of these, above 10,000 are Members of the Society, and are, as far as the Missionaries who are no judges of the heart can determine, awakened to a sense of their fallen state, and of heir alienation from GOD by nature. A very considerable part of these latter are converted to God, and give, in their Negro-Dialect, as clear and distinct an account of the work of grace upon their souls as any Believers in England … And it may be added that they have all of them made a sacrifice of their most besetting sin - Polygamy … Thus far the Grace and Providence of God have blessed the labours of the Missionaries. The Expense however is very great. But the enlargement of the Redeemer’s Kingdom, and the welfare and happiness of the world, are objects of such infinite movement, that it is hoped, every benevolent and competent person will think it a privilege to contribute … ”

JOHN WESLEY (1703-1791) Anglican cleric and Christian theologian who is largely credited with founding the Methodist movement.

THOMAS COKE (1747-1814) First Methodist Bishop, Coke is known as the Father of Methodist Missions. Coke made his first mission to the West Indies in 1786, returning again in 1788-89, 1790, and 1792-93.

Removed from previously bound work. Staining. Overall Fine.

Printed Document. One page, 20” x 16”. Maine. October 1847. The document lists the Bank’s date of incorporation, funds due from each bank, resources of each bank and dividends, reserved profits and so forth for each bank. Usual folds. One slight pin hole at center fold. Extremely Fine.

Partially Printed Document One page, 20 ½” x 17”. Fort Barrancas, Florida, 3rd Regiment of Artillery, Fort Hospital. September 1871. This abstract of requisitions lists a variety of provisions (Pork, Salt Beef, Fresh Beef, Flour, Beans, Rice Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Vinegar, Adaman Candles, Soap, Salt, and Pepper) needed for the sick and wounded soldiers in the Fort Barrancas Hospital. Fort Barrancas was the site of numerous conflicts before it was deactivated in 1947. During the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson commanded American forces during a small battle between British, Spanish and American forces at the then Spanish controlled fort. In 1818, Andrew Jackson successfully forced the Spanish to surrender the fort to American forces after several days of artillery barrages. Once in American hands, the fort was expanded to defend against both ships entering Pensacola Bay and against land forces. During the Civil War, Confederate forces took control of Fort Barrancas, forcing Union troops to retreat to nearby Fort Pickens. Confederate forces under General Bragg retained control of Fort Barrancas until news of the Union capture of New Orleans reached them, leading the Confederate troops to abandon Pensacola entirely. The fort continued to serve as a signal station, small arms range, and storage area until new weapon technology led to the deactivation of the fort in 1947. In 1980, the fort, now part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, was opened to the public.

(TEMPERANCE). D. 2pp. 8 1/2" x 13 3/4". Syracuse. August 17th, 1870. A large printed document concerning the temperance movement: "More than thirty years ago, a political party was organized against American Slavery. The movement was very generally condemned...Slavery had grown to be so great...that the voters could not be rallied to put it to a peaceful death. It had to go out in blood. So, too, is our organizing to suppress dramselling said to be too early. It is before the Republican and Democratic parties are ready for it...we see that the drunkards of our nation have increased to the frightful number of a million...even the temperance societies are all, more or less, soundly asleep over this swift-advancing destruction...Many professed temperance men who eschew our anti-dramshop party and cling to their dramshop party, propose to have Government leave it optional with each town or county, whether there shall or shall not be dramshops in it...We lament that the friends of temperance cannot agree to limit their political war upon intoxicating drinks to the retailing of them...We admit that boundless evils have come from the manufacture and importation of alcohol...Dark as are our skies, the little light that is in them, is sufficient to sustain our hopes...". The document has one two inch tear through part of the text but it does not affect the legibility. An interesting document from the radical arm of the temperance movement.

Circa 1887, Boston, Mass. 10 ¾” x 15 ½”. 1 page. An advertising broadside stating the “Ten Reason why you want The Golden Rule”. For example, “The Golden Rule contains what no other paper attempts to give, - as in the Christian Endeavor Department and the Department of Applied Christianity….”. The ad also contains testimonials espousing the virtues of the Golden Rule paper. Very Fine.

1788 New England Almanac. By Edmund Freebetter, Phila. Printed and sold by T. Green, New London. 24 pages. Professionally hardbound in recent years. Contains “Lunations, eclipses of the luminaries, Aspects; Judgment of the Weather, rising, sitting and southing of the seven seas; Sun and Moon’s rising and sitting; Festivals, and other remarkable days, courts, roads, etc.” A nice early American Almanac. Fine.

9” x 11”. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. July 17, 1805. Printed circular in which the Republican Corresponding Committee presses the need for viable republican candidates in the upcoming election which they considered to be “the absolute Necessity of prompt and vigorous Exertions…” The appeal continues on, “The Motives and Designs of the Leaders of the present Faction are daily developing, in Colors so storng that no well-disposed Citizen, who is not blinded by Predjudice, or deluded by the fascinating Charms of Novelty, can in Justice to himself, or his Country, remain a silent Spectator, at the Destruction of our Charter of Rights, and the Immolation of our venerable and patriotic Governor…” “The Result of the next Election will either add Stability to the present Constitution, or consign it to Oblivion…” Thomas McKean, who had been elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 1799, would win the upcoming election, ensuring the current party would stay in power. The national political climate was particularly difficult at this period and this document exhibits the efforts put forth at the local levels to support the national agenda. A fine political item. Some light age spots at center, otherwise fine.

1925. A Unique artist initialed color display of a notelike advertising display. This extraordinary artwork was skillfully created by layering a combinatino of engravings and pen and ink work to create what likely was in an office or lobby of the The American Bank Note Company. A large eagle is affixed at center with ornate scrollwork and a 1/8" gilt recessed into this stunning masterpiece. The initials J.S.S., 1925 appear at the lower right corner. Measures 20" x 14 1/2". Matted. A remarkable item.

[CIVIL WAR]. South Carolina. December 20, 1860. A blue printed card stock, “INDEPENDENCE DECLARED, South Carolina, December 20th 1860”. Attached with thread to a piece of cloth, all original and of the period. Prepared to celebrate the secession of South Carolina, the first state to do so, on December 20, 1860. The card measures 5 ½” x 3 ½” and the cloth is 26”x 4 ¼”. We have heard of only a very few of these in existence and this is the only one with original cloth we know of. Some light surface damage as evidenced in the above photo. A wonderful Civil War item.