James Madison Signed Certificate to Bring Slaves Back to Africa, American Colonization Society

James Madison (1751-1836). Partially Printed Document Signed, "James Madison Presid.t", at lower right, 1p, 10.25" x 7.75" (visible), Washington, undated, but circa 1833-36 based on the period Madison served as president of the Society. Countersigned at lower left by Ralph Randolph Gurley (1797-1872), "RR Gurley", as secretary. With an engraving by Henry Stone at lower portion picturing the Society's emblem with a ship sailing towards Liberia, with Latin motto "Lex in Tenebris" or "light amid darkness". Accompanied by a 1.125" diameter anti-slavery medallion engraved “Am I Not a Man and a Brother”. Handsomely matted and framed together to an overall size of 16" x 13.5". Light folds and creases. Minor toning and scattered foxing. In fine condition and very scarce.

As president of the Society, Madison signed its membership certificates. He signed a few in advance, to be filled in as required. Our certificate is one of these; the line for member's name remains blank. The finest-in-quality example we have offered - the printing is so sharp that the rim outline of the engraved copper plate is clearly visible. 

The American Colonization Society (ACS) was an organization dedicated to transporting freeborn Blacks and emancipated slaves to Africa. It was founded in 1816 by a group of White elites, which included Reverend Robert Finley, Charles Fenton Mercer, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Bushrod Washington, Elias Caldwell, and Francis Scott Key. Former President Thomas Jefferson publicly supported the organization’s goals.

While the ACS had been founded with primarily proslavery motivations, the origins of the organization also suggest a commitment, albeit loose, to abolitionist beliefs. As a result, the members of ACS were an unusual mix of abolitionists and enslavers - two groups that typically opposed each other. While they had very different primary goals, they agreed that free Black people would never be accepted as equals in the United States. Abolitionist-leaning members believed it was an opportunity for African Americans to escape racism, start their lives anew, and form their own nation where they could enjoy liberation and citizenship. It also removed the challenges integration would place on White people. Pro-slavery supporters considered it a means to remove those who might threaten Slavery.

Colonization was considered a somewhat progressive measure for the time, receiving support from people on both sides of the debate over slavery and abolition. While members had many motivations for joining the ACS and different opinions on the issue of slavery, the underlying belief that Black and White people could not peacefully co-exist in society held this unorthodox group together for decades.

As the ACS grew, the organization sought to create and settle a colony in West Africa to fulfill its mission. In early 1820, the first group of emigrants, numbering around eighty-six people, set sail for West Africa. Because many of the emigrants fell ill with "African fever" and the rainy season impacted travel to the coast, this trip was not as successful as supporters hoped. To avoid a repeat of these issues, the ACS and its agents decided to send future groups during a different time of year.

In 1821, the next group of emigrants and ACS agents traveled to West Africa, stopping in Sierra Leone to search for a suitable colony to purchase and settle. In December 1821, the ACS purchased land along the West African coast for settlement and created the colony of Montserado, later known as Liberia. The capital in the colony was later named "Monrovia" in honor of President James Monroe, an ardent supporter of the ACS.

Although President Madison supported colonization and disagreed with the practice of slavery, he never emancipated his enslaved laborers during his lifetime or after his death, nor did he offer them the opportunity to emigrate to Liberia. He was not an outspoken supporter of the ACS until after his presidency, and upon his death, he willed his enslaved laborers to his wife, Dolley, and left $2,000 to the ACS. While he never participated in the colonization process because he did not want to send free Black people to Liberia without their consent, his financial contributions helped the organization continue its work.

This lot comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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