A fine piece of African-American slave ephemera. Very small, 6 pages. Published in New York in 1842. Soft bound. Back cover torn. Publisher Reverend Peter P Sandford lived from 1782 to 1857, and he and co-publisher G. Lane published religious books for the Methodist Episcopalian Church. Later editions of this tract are titled Moses The Pious Negro. This copy predates those, and I can find no reference to this early version held in any library nor sold at auction.
The story recounts a white traveler on horseback in Virginia meeting a negro of advanced age named Moses. Moses graciously and constantly addresses the traveler as -Massa- and has no complaints about his hardscrabble life. He expounds on his many blessings and attributes them to his faith in Jesus. His hardships he casts aside as tricks of the devil to challenge his faith. The moral apparently being good God Fearing negroes graciously embrace their miserable lots in life with a smile, and show respect for white men. It was published in New York but would have been right at home in New Orleans, or Charleston, or Memphis... 1842.

Add $15.00 for materials, packing, and shipping. Insurance is $1.50 per $100. UPS signature service is $6.50 -- NO SHIPMENTS OUTSIDE USA --

Worn