Truth, Sojourner (circa 1797-1883)
First Appearance of her Letter Describing Meeting President Lincoln, in The Liberator.

Boston: J. B. Yerrinton & Son, 23 December 1864.

Tabloid-format newspaper, consisting of pages 205-208, complete issue, illustrated woodcut masthead, edited by William Lloyd Garrison; containing the text of Truth's letter written in Freedman's Village, VA on November 17, 1864, some old folds, one repaired tear, 25 x 18 in.

"I then said, ' I appreciate you, for you are the best President who has ever taken the seat.' He replied thus:-- 'I expect you have reference to my having emancipated the slaves in my Proclamation; but,' said he, mentioning the names of several of his predecessors, and particularly Washington, 'they were just as good, and would have done just as I have, if the time had come. And if the people over the river,' pointing across the Potomac, 'had behaved themselves, I could not have done what I have.' [...] I am proud to say that I never was treated with more kindness and cordiality than I was by that great and good man, Abraham Lincoln, by the grace of God President of the United States for four years more. He took my little book, and with the same hand that signed the death-warrant of Slavery, he wrote as follows: 'For Aunty Sojourner Truth. October 26, 1864. A. Lincoln.'"

Condition
For inquiries about condition, please contact:
Devon Eastland, Senior Specialist: deastland@swanngalleries.com
Grace Meschery-McCormack, Cataloguer: gmccormack@swanngalleries.com