753

(A JEWISH COLONY ON THE NIAGRA?): A 11" x 2 1/4" news clipping removed from The Salem Gazette, Fe...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:100.00 - 150.00 USD
(A JEWISH COLONY ON THE NIAGRA?): A 11  x 2 1/4  news clipping removed from The Salem Gazette, Fe...
(A JEWISH COLONY ON THE NIAGRA?): A 11" x 2 1/4" news clipping removed from The Salem Gazette, Feb. 8, 1820 detailing a plan forwarded by "Mr. NOAH, Editor of the New-York National Advocate...praying that the State would authorize the sale of Grand Island, in the Niagara river, to him, for the purpose of building a city thereon, and inviting a community of Jewish emigrants to that place..." Considering the possibilities of success for the project, the article continues "...Indeed we have often wondered why the Jews do not emigrate more frequently to the U. States; why they should suffer from the intolerance of other governments, when an asylum so desirable can be found in this country. It must arise from their total unacquaintance with our laws and institutions..." The article sees no reason why the State shouldn't sell the island as "...it is of no use, and is the asylum of gypsies and wanderers, who are destroying the timber..." Musing on the benefits of Jewish immigration the article notes: "...The property of foreign Jews principally consists of money and merchandize, which can be easily removed to any country; and if a few of their great bankers would emigrate to this State, and circulate a few millions, they would secure a good profit and give a spur to internal commerce...Here they can have their Jerusalem, without fearing the legions of Titus; here they can erect their temple, without dreading the tortures of enraged soldiers; here they can lay their heads on their pillow, at night, without fear of mobs, bigotry and persecution..." Matted and framed with the top masthead for the newspaper and an engraving of Mordechai Manuel Noah (1785-1851), the chief proponent of the project. Although he did purchase Grand Island, the project proved to be a failure, and Noah concluded that Palestine would be the only homeland for the Jews, thus becoming one of the very first Zionists. Very good condition. Not examined out of frame. $100-150