Principles Not in the Market

Bowen and McNamee, his business partner were excoriated by other New York merchants for their refusal to participate in a huge gathering of New York businesses in support of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. In response, they published an often-quoted “card” in the New York Herald which stated that their goods and not their principles were for sale. The card in the Herald is surrounded by articles critical of their stance.

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress Chronicling America online collection