M & S Rare Books

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(AFRICAN EXECUTION). A Representation of Governor Wall Ordering Serjeant B. Armstrong, Without a Trial, to be tied to a gun, at Coree, in Africa, and inhumanly flogged by Black Slaves, who were changed every twenty-five lashes. [Caption title & partial text]. [Followed by large woodcut of the scene]. 12" x 7." Fine. London: J. Davenport, [1802]. $4,500.00

 

LCP/HSP Afro-Americana Catalogue, 10919, for an eight-page leaflet printed by Davenport in the same year on this famous crime and punishment. Not in NUC.

Beneath the 4.5" x 6" woodcut of the flogging (Armstrong was tied to a cannon) is further text, rexcounting Wall's execution on January 28, 1802, "after being twice respited, for the inhuman Murder of Serfeant Armstrong, nearly twenty years ago." Nearly 100,000 persons watched the execution of the former governor.. Six stanzas of verse follow the text, which recount the crime and punishment. Armstrong's crime was to be selected from a group of soldiers in Coree, Africa, all of whom were clamoring unsuccessfully for back pay. Gov. Wall ordered Armstrong flogged with 800 lashes, which killed him within five days of administration. We estimate that 32 slaves took part, as each was limited to 25 lashes. Cf. The Complete Newgate Calendar, Vol. IV, 246-50. Exceedingly rare.