Exploring the Early Americas

The Jay I. Kislak Collection

About This Object

Decades before the Civil War, both slavery and piracy became important subjects in the United States and England.  In a little more than a decade, and at a time when few texts were reprinted in multiple editions, this fictional account of an escaped slave turned pirate was released in nine editions on both sides of the Atlantic.
* Currently on Exhibit

The Florida Pirate, or, An account of a cruise on the schooner Esparanza. New York: [William Borradaile], 1823. Jay I. Kislak Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress (125.01.00)