"SLAVERY SUBVERTS ALL THE RIGHTS OF MAN": FIRST EDITION OF AUGHEY'S THE IRON FURNACE: OR, SLAVERY AND SECESSION, 1863

AUGHEY, John H. The Iron Furnace; or, Slavery and Secession. Philadelphia: William S. & Alfred Martien, 1863. Octavo, original brown cloth. $850.

First edition of this memoir of an abolitionist and unionist Mississippi Presbyterian minister who was twice imprisoned and twice escaped the Confederate prison at Tupelo.

Written by a Presbyterian minister from Mississippi, this autobiographical work combines a damning examination of slavery with details of the author's own personal struggles as an abolitionist and unionist in the Confederate South. Aughey condemns slavery, arguing that it is a clear violation of human rights and that it is injurious both to slaves and slave owners. He also relates his experiences being twice imprisoned and twice escaping the horrific Confederate prison at Tupelo. While many prisoners were summarily shot and thrown into pits, Aughey was left alive in the prison since his public profile meant he could be hanged for propaganda purposes. Rather than await that fate, Aughey escaped to the North, despite being tracked by slave-catchers and bloodhounds. Sabin 2377.

Scattered foxing to interior, only light rubbing to cloth. A near-fine copy.