[HARRISON, William Henry (1773-1841)]. A group of pamphlets related to slavery, especially its expansion into Indiana, comprising:

Letter from William Henry Harrison, President of the Convention, Held at Vincennes, in the Indiana Territory, on the 28th of December, 1902, and Delegate from the County of Knox, inclosing an instrument declaratory of their consent to suspend for a term of years, the operation of the sixth article of Compact between the United States and the people of the said Territory, passed the 13th of July, 1787. [Washington, D.C.?]: N.p., 1803.

8vo. Disbound, original wrappers (toned). Provenance: Chicago Historical Society (blind stamp, perforation stamp, deaccessioned ink stamp).

FIRST EDITION publication of Harrison's letter from the 1802 Vincennes Convention advocating the suspension of Article VI of the 1787 Compact between the United States and the Indiana Territory which states that "there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory." RARE, OCLC locates 9 copies.

[With:] HARRISON, William Henry. Report of the Committee to Whom Were Referred, A Letter From William Henry Harrison, President of the General Convention of the People of the Indiana Territory. [Washington, D.C.?]: N.p., 1804. 8vo. Disbound, original wrappers (toned, some spotting, chipping at edges). FIRST EDITION publication of Harrison's further argument for expanding slavery to the Indiana Territory. The letter lists eight resolutions with the first stating: "That the 6th article of the ordinance of 1787, which prohibits slavery within the said territory, be suspended in a qualified manner for ten years, so as to permit the introduction of slaves, born with the United States." RARE, OCLC lists only 3 copies and online records indicate no copy every selling at auction.

[Also with:] JOHNSON, William Cost (1806-1860). Speech of William Cost Johnson, of Maryland, on the Subject of the Rejection of Petitions for the Abolition of Slavery; With Supplemental Remarks, in Reply to Certain Charges Against General Harrison. Washington, D.C.: Gales & Seaton, 1840. -- [STANLY, Edward (1810-1872)]. To the People of the State of North Carolina. [Washington, D.C.]: N.p., [1840]. A pamphlet regarding peonage that quotes William Henry Harrison and his attempt to expand slavery to Indiana Territory. RARE, OCLC locates 3 copies. Sabin 90338. -- Together, 2 pamphlets, all FIRST EDITION, 8vo, condition generally very good.

Collection of Tom Charles Huston