Proceedings and Debates of the Convention of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to outlets propose AMENDMENTS to CONSTITUTION commencing May 2 1837
This 4 book offering covers 4 of the 14 books printed by Packer, Barrett, and Park. Reported by John AGG, Stenographer to the Convention. Assisted by Messrs. Wheeler, Kingman, Drake and M'Kinley.
(NOTE - some of the first volumes state the date as May 2, 1838 but later ones say May 2, 1837.)
These were copies owned by John Dungan (his signature is on the top of the title pages).
This consists of Volumes 6, 11, 12, and 13. The published dates are - the first 2 are 1838 and the last two are 1839 on the title pages.
The bookplates on these books are from the "LIBRARY of the GREENWOOD LITERARY SOCIETY."
go here to see more on this society;
https://colcohist-gensoc.org/wp-content/uploads/139greenwood.pdf
Only a few of these original publications are currently offered for sale on any of the 22 vintage book selling sites.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_suffrage_in_Pennsylvania
The above site gives the following information on Black Suffrage in Pennsylvania.
Prior to the early 1800s wealthy African-American men in Pennsylvania could vote just as their rich European-American male counterparts could. However, voting rights were expanded to include poor European-American men ("universal manhood suffrage"), in a shift that began the move away from a society stratified by wealth, to one which was now also based on race; black wealthy men were now no longer allowed to vote. This page covers the context of the gradual decline in rights for African Americans which culminated in the loss of their voting rights, as well as the effects on the surrounding society and the resulting political climate as well as the revolt from the black community.
The 1838 Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention -
The 1838 convention was held with its original primary goal of reforming the tax and ownership restrictions placed on suffrage in order to enable the impoverished citizens of Pennsylvania to vote. However, due to the intense political turmoil target towards Black Philadelphians, thousands of white citizens petitioned the convention to restrict suffrage to whites, and on 20 January 1838 their wish was granted as the constitution was amended to be restricted to "white freemen." John Z Ross tried to justify the convention's actions in an official statement by proposing that although "all men are free and equal" this does not apply to black citizens in a political sense, "only in a sense of nature". He argued that this was what was best for the communities' "security and happiness" and further added that Black men should not be able to vote as he did not believe that they have any "conceptions of civil liberty".
African-American community response
Naturally the African American community wanted to try repeal this decision. Peter A. Jay responded to Ross's proclamation by highlighting that the convention's inception was to try "extend the right of suffrage… [Not] to be restricted". In his speech he emphasizes that African Americans have committed any crime, to be "punished" for. They are, instead, being persecuted for the colour of their skin. He also brought light to the fact that in other states such as Virginia and North Carolina, "free people of colour are permitted to vote", as such it would not be such a stretch to continue to allow black men the right to vote.
Volume 6 has some leather splitting on the front and rear hinges but they are holding very firmly. All the books are unmarked except fore the owners signature. There is foxing to some pages. outlets They measure 5 1/2 x 9 inches and have leather spines and marbled front and back covers.
Vol 6 has 494 pages
Vol 11 has 365 pages
Vol 12 has 370 pages
Vol 13 has 296 pages
e2248
102117e22