Digital object(s)

Click the thumbnail to

view a larger copy of
this image, and to see
any other images that
may be attached to this
record.

Senate chamber U.S.A. Conclusion of Clay... - JPEG Image

(584 K)

Title

Senate chamber U.S.A. Conclusion of Clay's speech in defense

of slavery. [graphic]

Publisher

[United States]: s.n.]

Date

[1839]

Physical
description

1 print: lithograph; 26 x 30 cm. (10 x 11.75 in.)

Description

Cartoon satirizing an 1839 anti-abolition speech by the great

congressional orator Henry Clay focusing on his conflicting views
on the abolition of slavery. Clay, despite deploring the institution
of slavery, was a slave owner who was against immediate
national abolition. Depicts Clay, in front of the Mason-Dixon line,
coming to an agreement with John Calhoun, his chief
congressional rival and leading senatorial supporter of slavery,
about the issue of slavery. They both stand on past antislavery
resolutions and a prostrate slave who states that he shall arise.
Clay's remarks "North" of the line reflect his antislavery rhetoric;
those "South" of the line refer to his being a slave owner. Calhoun
states his pleasure in Clay's awakening to the societal benefits
of slavery.

Is referenced by

Weitenkampf p.60.

Notes

Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute

of Museum and Library Services as administered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the
Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.

Subject

Afro-Americana.
Clay, Henry, -- 1777-1852,
Calhoun, John C. -- (John Caldwell), -- 1782-1850,
African Americans -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Slaves -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- United States.
Slavery -- Justification.

Genre

Lithographs -- 1830-1840.
Political cartoons -- 1830-1840.

Associated name

Imprint: US.

Location

Library Company of Philadelphia Print Dept. Political Cartoons 1839-24w [P.2275.18]

Related collections

African Americana Collection > African American Graphics

Collection
African Americana Collection > African Americana Political
Cartoons