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Historical Documents "Grand Celebration Ob De Bobalition Ob African Slabery" c.1828 |
Resource Bank Contents |
click image for close-upThis cartoon, originally drawn by Edward Williams Clay as one of fourteen in a series called "Life in Philadelphia," satirized black celebrations of the prohibition of the international slave trade.
A group of drunken black men sit, stand, and stagger around a table, proposing toasts:
"De day we Celumbrate! Who he no come sooner? Guess de hard fros & de backward Spring put um back. 29 pop gun & 2 grin."
"De Orator ob de day -- When I jus hear him begin he discourse, tink he no great ting, but when he come to de end ob um, I think he like de scorch cat more better dan he look -- Moosick -- Possum up de Gum tree."
"White man -- mighty anxious to send niggers to de place day stole him from, now he got no furder use for him."
"Gubner Eustas -- Cleber old sole as eber wore nee buckle in de shoe -- 99 cheer on tree quarter"
"De Genius de Merica -- He invent great many cruious ting: wonder who fust invent eating & drinking. 50 cheer & ober."
"De Sun -- Wonder why he no shine in de night putting nigger to dispense ob de candle."
"Joe Gales -- He asc massa Adams "if he be in health my brudder" and den he he cut he guts out."
"King Edwards -- Guess he no great tings no more nor udder people all he cut such a swell"
Image Credit: The Print and Picture Collection, The Free Library of Philadelphia
Related Entries:
• "Is Miss Dinah at Home? "
• "Black Charge"
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