JUDAISM IN AMERICA: THE 'JEW BILL' DEBATE. BRACKENRIDGE, HENRY M. 1786-1871. 'Religious Freedom'...

JUDAISM IN AMERICA: THE 'JEW BILL' DEBATE. BRACKENRIDGE, HENRY M. 1786-1871. 'Religious Freedom' and related responses, appearing in Niles' Weekly Register, Volume 16 (March to September, 1819). Baltimore: H. Niles, 1819. 8vo (247 x 154 mm). 19th mottled sheep. Heavily rubbed, some chipping to blanks at front and back, browning and uneven light dampstaining. Provenance: Isaac Charles Platt (1781-1872, one of the founders of Plattsburgh, New York, inked ownership signature on title page); by descent through 4 generations to the current owner. While the constitution asserts that 'no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States,' several states continued to exclude citizens from holding office based on their religion. Henry Breckenridge was a staunch supporter of the movement to institutionalize this religious freedom, and his 1819 speech a landmark in this struggle. Volume 16 (also described as 'Volume IV - New Series') also contains important articles on related issues, including a series of 8 essays on the 'Mitigation of Slavery,' 3 articles on the Supreme Court's decision in McCulloch vs. Maryland which defined key powers of the Federal Government over the States, an address by the Colonization Society regarding establishment of a colony in West Africa, and an interview with enslaved Africans detailing the conditions they endured during their capture and transport to Georgia. Sabin 55316 (for publisher's general index). For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing