Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
Africa's first republic, Liberia was founded in 1822 as a result of the efforts of the American Colonization Society to settle freed American slaves in West Africa. The society contended that the emigration of blacks to Africa was an answer to the problem of slavery and the incompatibility of the races. Over the course of forty years, about 12,000 slaves were voluntarily relocated. Originally called Monrovia, the colony became the Free and Independent Republic of Liberia in 1847. Here Mrs. Mary E. Kingsford of Alexandria, [Va.], writes a 3pp. 4to. letter on Sept. 13, 1853, concerning sending one her newly freed slaves to Liberia saying, in part: "…still Alexandria continues healthy, busy…and oh! how much trouble about servants. Wages are high and abolition has to much poisoned the minds of the colrd. race…they are insubordinate-demanding-insolent & increasingly dishonest. Felicia is hired out in town. She has had a most distressing bone felon on her finger which forbade our sending her to Liberia when we intended and now tho it is nearly well she positively refuses to go. At present I have no cook. I have offered Mary the very first cook we had after moving from Harrisburg $7.00 besides the board of her child. I cannot get her because she can get $10.00 per month in Washington and so it is in every deportment of service…Mary E. Kingsford." The original stamped, with Alexandria, Virginia postal cancel, transmittal leaf remains attached addressed, in full: "Mrs. Thos. Kingsford, Starch Factory, Oswego, N. Y." Near fine
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