A caution and warning to Great Britain and her colonies, in a short representation of the calamitous state of the enslaved Negroes in the British Dominions. : Collected from various authors, and submitted to the serious consideration of all, more especially of those in power. Philadelphia: Printed by Henry Miller, in Second-Street, 1766. First edition. Disbound. 6 3/4 x 4 3/8 inches (17 x 11.2 cm); 35 [4]. Light toning and a few spots, a very fine copy.

The very rare first edition of this abolitionist tract by Anthony Benezet, the most important anti-slavery advocate before the American Revolution. Benezet was a French-born Huguenot who after leaving France and arriving in London became a Quaker. He arrived in Philadelphia in 1731 and was a known abolotionist. He was a teacher and by 1750 had offered classes to black slaves at night; in 1755, Benezet set up the first public girls' school on the American continent and in 1770 founded the Negro School at Philadelphia. Benezet helped found The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage better known as the Pennsylvania Abolition Society of which Benjamin Franklin was elected present. He died in 1784. The first edition of this important tract is rarely seen. More commonly encountered is the 1767 second issue which printed an address by Arthur Lee. We trace no copy in the auction record since 1952. Sabin 4670; Evans 10240.