This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2024
[SLAVERY]. [LOPEZ, Aaron (1731-1782), association]. Disbursement Log of the Slave Ship Schooner, “Active,” with a Mention of Lopez “Disbursements for the Schooner Active at Barbados”. [1769]. Large 8vo bifolium ledger leaf on white laid paper, with manuscript ledger entries for slaves and other goods on recto (verso blank). Each page approximately 232 x 185 mm; bifolium approximately 232 x 374 mm. Bifolium with three vertical and three horizontal creases, a few small holes near the center, some edgewear, toning, foxing, a few ink entries a bit blurry. On line 23: “To Cash paid Mr. Lopez for George Simons 1-3-5 /2”. Another slave trade entry is on the final line of the left page: “To my Coast Commissions on the gross sales of 42 slaves @ 28=3=2 per head…” On line 16 is another entry related to the slave trade, wherein slaves were apparently traded for produce: “To potatoes pumpkins & Limes for the slaves.” The other entries are for other unspecified payments to various people, and other enumerated goods. Aaron Lopez (born Duarte Lopez), a Lisbon-born Jewish merchant, emigrated from Portugal to Newport, RI, in 1752, and almost immediately became a merchant. He built a trading empire, dealing in spermaceti, rum, chocolate, shipping, textiles, and, unfortunately, slaves. He was a central figure of the slave-trading culture of Newport, and he contributed to the establishment of Newport becoming one of the slave-trading centers in North America. The Revolutionary War greatly damaged his fortunes; when the Royal Navy anchored outside of Newport’s harbor in 1775, Lopez, along with many other Newport citizens, fled the city. Lopez relocated to Massachusetts, where he established more business interests. He had applied for citizenship in Rhode Island, but had been denied; he was granted citizenship in Massachusetts on October 15, 1762, becoming the first Jewish immigrant to be naturalized in Massachusetts. Despite being one of the key suppliers to American forces during the Revolutionary War, he is primarily remembered for his regrettable involvement in the North American slave trade.