Partly Printed Document Signed

Vermont, 1798. unbound. Vermont Philanthropic Lottery Ticket No. 6463 - Second and Last Class: In pursuance of an Act of the Legislature of Vermont, passed Oct. 1798, for the benefit of the unfortunate Mr. Hawkins, this ticket entitles the possessor to such Prize as may be drawn against its Number, agreeably to the Scheme of said Lottery, 2 x 5.5 inches, on hand-made grid-lined paper, signed by "Seth Horn." Uneven toning and edges; very good(-) condition.<br/> <br/> Reprinted from Vermont Literary Magazine: "Mr. Hawkins was Joseph Hawkins, who left Alburg, Vermont in search of employment. He set out for Boston on horseback, and then caught a boat to Charleston, South Carolina, where he took a job on a slave trading ship. They set sail for West Africa on December 1, 1794. Upon arrival, Hawkins was sent inland to exchange goods with the Ebo tribe for prisoners of war. He did as he was instructed, traveling through the strange jungle. After he had made the trade, Hawkins returned to the ship with the natives his captain intended to sell as slaves in America. They sailed for home on June 13, 1795. During the voyage, disease spread among the slaves and the crew, killing many and blinding Joseph Hawkins. It was in this condition that he returned to Vermont. He learned from doctors in this country that ophthalmologist is Europe was his only hope. With no money to pay his passage over, he needed help. On October, 1798, the Vermont Legislature came to his rescue."<br/> <br/>