Declaration of Sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Adopted at the Formation of said Society, in Philadelphia, on the 4th day of December, 1833.

In 1844, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the formation of the American Anti-Slavery Society, the Society published this four page document (identified as Penny Tracts - Number 1), Declaration of Sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Adopted at the Formation of said Society, in Philadelphia, on the 4th day of December, 1833. The document contains four sections, which are:

• Declaration – This is the document, adopted in 1833, that expresses the principles and hopes for the Society.
• Preamble to the Constitution of the American Anti-Slave Society – Only the Preamble is printed here, because "...The Constitution of the American Anti-Slavery Society we omit, to make room for a brief extract from the Address adopted by the Society in 1844...".
• Address – Presented at the Tenth Anniversary of the Society, held in New York on May, 7, 1844, only the early part of the Address is printed here, because "...We can give only the commencement of the Address – which is long. From this brief statement of the principles of the American Anti-Slavery Society, the intelligent reader will understand our aims and our measures...".
• Anti-Slavery Newspapers – A list of four regional anti-slavery newspapers, including their addresses, publication frequency, and subscription cost is provided. These newspapers were published in Salem, Ohio, Philadelphia, Boston and New York.

The document, which measures approximately 5 ½ x 9 inches, contains four pages without covers. The document is in very good condition, with only bare traces of tanning. The picture accompanying this description shows the first page of the document. This item is an original copy of the 1844 issuance, as published by the American Anti-Slavery Society at their office at 142 Nassau-Street, New York and printed by William S. Dorr, Printer.

The American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) (1833–1870) was an abolitionist society founded by Devin Derry and Arthur Tappan. Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, was a key leader of this society who often spoke at its meetings. William Wells Brown was a freed slave who often spoke at meetings. By 1838, the society had 1,350 local charters with around 250,000 members. Headquartered in New York City, from 1840 to 1870 the society published a weekly newspaper, the National Anti-Slavery Standard. [Wikipedia]