Elements of Empire in America.


Political speech on Manifest Destiny. by former New York governor William H. Seward, delivered in 1844 before the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Union College and the Literary Society of Amherst College. Seward discusses American territorial expansion, slavery, population growth, and commerce and industry. “Seward believed not only in territorial expansion but in a commercial and diplomatic empire. He encouraged immigration to the United States, always seeing immigration as a source of strength…” (Stahr, Seward: Lincoln’s Indispensable Man, 2012)

Here, Seward approves of the abolition of slavery, though he takes a gradualist approach. He speaks of “forbearance and magnanimity” by northern, free-labor states toward “the slave-holding members of the Confederacy.” (p20) This same year, Seward declined to run for president on the abolitionist Liberty Party ticket. Four years later, Seward was elected to the U.S. Senate and subsequently served as President Lincoln’s Secretary of State.


Description: Elements of Empire in America.

New York: C. Shepard, 1844. 39, [1 (blank)]pp. Pamphlet. 8vo. Removed; without wrappers. Scattered pencil annotations on margins. Light foxing; Very Good.

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