Visual Evidence

Photo 1: The Firm of Franklin and Armfield as Featured in an American Anti-Slavery Broadside, 1836

(Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division)

The Anti-Slavery Society printed an anti-slavery broadside in 1836 condemning the institution of slavery, and in particular, the sale of enslaved persons in the capital of the United States. The broadside pictures those places and activities that were central to the trading of enslaved persons; slave pens, harbors; and overland coffles. Two of the featured pictures include images of the firm of Franklin and Armfield. The port city of Alexandria, which at that time belonged to the District of Columbia, is also pictured in the broadside. Two of those three are pictured above.

1. Why do you believe that the Franklin and Armfield firm is featured prominently in the broadside?
2. Why do you think that the broadside highlights images of buildings and activities related to the slave trade in the nation’s capitol in particular? What message are they trying to convey? (Refer to Reading 2 if necessary.)
3. Was it common for slave trading firms to own their own slavers (ships for the transport of enslaved persons) as pictured above. Why or why not? Refer to Reading 1 if necessary.