Subject: Colonies
Loading information...

This pamphlet reprints the text of an Act of Parliament passed in 1739 (13 George II, c. 7), which granted naturalization to foreign Protestants settling in British American colonies. Significantly, it included provisions for Jews, offering a path to naturalization without requiring adherence to Christian practices or oaths, a notable step toward religious tolerance in the British colonies. The act aimed to encourage foreign immigration to populate the colonies. This copy is from John Baskett's printing. The pamphlet includes the seal of King George II on the title page.

This is a 1725 map of Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) by Guillaume De L'Isle. It is one of the earliest known maps to show L'Anise de Juif, Haiti, a likely early trading settlement. The map is part of a collection that ranges in date from 1725 to 1858. The map is based on, but not a rote copy of, Amédée-François Frézier's 1722 Isle de S. Domingue et débouquemens circonvoisins. The description includes historical context regarding Jewish emigration to Haiti following French colonization in 1633, their involvement in the sugar plantations, and their subsequent expulsion in 1683 due to the Code Noir. Despite the expulsion, some Jews remained in leadership positions within French trading companies. A 1745 Buache edition of this map also exists, noting "Buache ...1745" in the lower right corner. This earlier map does not have this notation.

This book, published in Paramaribo in 1788, provides a historical essay on the colony of Surinam. Authored by David Cohen Nassy, it details the colony's founding, revolutions, and progress from its origins to the time of publication. The work includes a description of the colony, its annual revenues, expenses, and taxes, along with civil and political aspects. Furthermore, it features a tableau of the morals of its inhabitants and a history of the Portuguese and German Jewish communities established there. The book is written in French.

Hand-colored copperplate engraving map of Suriname, likely from the second edition of Johannes van Keulen's *Zee-Atlas*, depicting the coastline, rivers, and settlements, including the location of the Congregation Beraha VeSalom Synagogue in Jodensavanne. Published in Amsterdam in 1687 by Johannes van Keulen. Shows the earliest cartographic evidence of the second synagogue built in Suriname.

This manuscript, composed by Daniel de Medina, likely copied in the early 19th century from a 1740 original, examines maritime commerce between Spain and its American colonies. It details methods for protecting trade from pirates, the slave trade via foreign entrepreneurs, trade between the American colonies and the Philippines, competition with England and Holland, and strategies to maintain Spain's trade monopoly. Medina, as suggested by the text, was likely a member of the Creole-Spanish elite in Cuba. The manuscript consists of 17 leaves and measures 19.5 cm. It is in very good condition, showing minor stains and its original leather binding.

This is a 34-page folio-sized pamphlet published in London on April 6, 1832, by order of the House of Commons. It contains copies of laws passed by various colonial legislatures in the West Indies granting relief to Catholics and removing disabilities faced by Jews. The pamphlet is a government publication, offering a valuable insight into the legal and social changes related to religious tolerance in the British colonies during the early 19th century.