A very finely preserved foundational text for understanding the complex relationship historically, politically, and socially between the movement for the abolition of slavery and the movement for women’s rights and suffrage in America.

The book contains a collection of letters, written by Angelina Grimké in response to Catherine Beecher's views on abolition and her "general views in relation to the place woman is appointed to fill by the dispensations of heaven." Beecher’s belief that women should take a subordinate role to men was theological, and was to be applied to their role in the abolitionist cause. Grimké's response was robust, and the first of its kind by an American female author She frankly asserts and argues the necessary connection between racial and gender equality over the course of the books 130 pages. Her views is reasoned in organized fashion, flowing from her understanding of natural rights, familiarity with the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, her own experiences growing up in the South, and her Christian faith.

Grimké had been born the daughter of a prominent South Carolina slave owner. She left her family and moved to Philadelphia in 1829 after her religious awakening brought her into contact with antislavery activists. In 1837, she and her sister Sarah became the first women to conduct a speaking tour on behalf of the American Anti-Slavery Society, scandalizing traditionalists by appearing before mixed-gender audiences. Her speaking tour during this same period culminated with an address to the Massachusetts legislature, the first ever given by a woman to a legislative body in the United States.

A landmark document in American history.

The copy of Eunice C. Macy, dated 1838, signed both in pencil [on title] and on the first page of text. She appears to have been active in both the abolitionist movement and the suffrage movement, referenced in The Liberator, edited by William Lloyd Garrison, and other meetings related to the causes. The volume Also bears a period sepia ink inscription at the head of the pastedown, simply "Anti Slavery Library."

Letters to Catherine E. Beecher, in Reply to an Essay on Slavery and Abolitionism, Addressed to A. E. Grimke. Revised by the Author. Boston. Isaac Knapp. 1838. 130pp.

Good + to very good in original pebbled cloth spine and paper boards with lithographed front board title. Some light paper losses at extremities of boards, but very handsome and nicely preserved original binding on the whole. Textually very solid and clean with the neat pencil inscription and number to head of spine, likely from the Anti-Slavery Library inventory. Very discrete corner beginning on the title page and decreasing throughout the text block. Minor foxing. Both the blank front and rear flyleaves are lacking. On the whole, a very nicely preserved example.