Narrative of Riots at Alton: in Connection with the Death of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy by Beecher, Edward - 1838

Alton: Published by George Holton, 1838. First edition. Presentation copy inscribed by the Author. 159pp. 12mo. Publisher's cloth, rebacked. First edition. Presentation copy inscribed by the Author. 159pp. 12mo. Presentation Copy. Edward Beecher was the brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, and like all of his family, a passionate opponent of slavery. He was president of Illinois College at the time his friend Lovejoy, who had been publishing anti-slavery tracts, was killed by a pro-slavery mob in Alton on 7 November 1837.

Lovejoy, as editor of the "Observer," an anti-slavery journal, had moved his press from St. Louis to Alton, Illinois in July 1836 due to repeated threats. His office was attacked three times in the following year; he was setting up again when the press was attacked by a mob and a riot occurred. At what appeared to be a withdrawal by the mob Lovejoy opened the door to his office and was shot. Lovejoy was referred to by Beecher as "the first martyr in America to the great principles of the freedom of speech and of the press.". Howes B307; Sabin 4302