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The First General Abolition of Slavery

[Décret d'abolition de l'esclavage du 4 février 1794] [Law of 4 February 1794] Décret de la Convention Nationale, Du seizième jour de Pluviôse, an deuxième de la république Françoise, une & indivisible. Qui abolit l'Esclavage des Nègres dans les Colonies. N.º 2262.

A Versailles: de l’Imprimerie du Département de Seine & Oise, [1794]. First edition printed in Versailles. Published unbound. 2 [2 (blank)] p. Contemporary registration note in ink on title page. “Comté de Surveillance” written in ink on last page by a contemporary hand. Small holes at the gutter. Tanned at the edges. Overall in fine condition.

The declaration of the first general abolition of slavery in the modern world, known as the Law of 4 February 1794.

This historic document, enacted by Revolutionary France on February 4, 1794, marks a significant moment in the history of human rights—the abolition of slavery in French colonies. The decree, issued by the National Convention, declares the abolition of slavery in all French colonies, affirming that all men, regardless of color, are entitled to the rights and privileges of French citizenship.

The roots of this decree lie in the rising anti-slavery sentiments in France, fueled by events like the Haitian Revolution and the efforts of abolitionists such as Abbé Grégoire. Toussaint Louverture, a key figure in the Haitian Revolution, played a crucial role in bringing attention to the issue, prompting action in France. Alongside Louverture, Sonthonax, as a French commissioner in Saint-Domingue, took bold measures to enforce emancipation, including the proclamation of freedom for Haitian slaves in 1793. Sonthonax's resolute leadership and unwavering commitment to challenging the status quo played a crucial role in advancing the abolitionist movement in France.

Despite initial opposition and economic considerations, the decree was passed, marking a significant policy shift. However, Napoleon's reinstatement of slavery in French colonies in 1802 reversed this progress. It wasn't until 1848 that slavery was finally abolished, underscoring the prolonged struggle for emancipation. The revolution in Haiti led to the country's independence from France in 1804, effectively ending slavery within its borders. This decree, the first of its kind on a national scale, represents a significant milestone in the fight against slavery. Its impact resonated beyond France, serving as a model for abolitionist movements worldwide.

Following its enactment, the decree was disseminated across France, and within weeks, it was printed in various cities including Marseille, Lille, Avignon, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Auxerre, and later even in Laon. The edition from Versailles, printed after April 19, 1794, appears to be exceptionally rare, as no copies with this imprint have been found in institutional holdings.

Price: €7,000.00