The Slave Trade Debate
Contemporary Writings For and Against
Bodleian Library (Publisher)
Published on 1. March 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-1-85124-316-7 (ISBN)
Description
At the height of the debate about the slave trade and its abolition in the 1780s and '90s, each side issued pamphlets in support of its position. This publication reproduces a selection of representative pamphlets encompassing the arguments put forward by each side. The pamphlets discuss many of the issues including humanitarianism and the Rights of Man, the economic well-being of Britain's colonial territories in the aftermath of the loss of the American colonies, the state of the British merchant marine and the Royal Navy, the condition of the poor in England, and, not least, the economic and moral condition of the slaves themselves, not only in the West Indies but also in Africa. Both sides drew freely on scriptural sources to support their case, thus providing a fascinating sidelight on theological debate of the time.
The book includes pamphlets written by the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, and by Sir John Gladstone (father of the Prime Minister) in support of the trade, and sets these against the leading abolitionists such as Wilberforce. It also includes a transcript of part of the unpublished journal of James Ramsay, a well-known abolitionist, in which he provides model answers for abolitionists asked to testify before a committee of enquiry.
The introduction explains the background to each pamphlet and sets them in their collective historical and social context.
Illustrated by the well-known engraving of the slaver Brookes, and by plans of Cape Coast slave castles, this book is a culturally fascinating read and will become a valuable source-book for students and scholars alike.
The book includes pamphlets written by the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, and by Sir John Gladstone (father of the Prime Minister) in support of the trade, and sets these against the leading abolitionists such as Wilberforce. It also includes a transcript of part of the unpublished journal of James Ramsay, a well-known abolitionist, in which he provides model answers for abolitionists asked to testify before a committee of enquiry.
The introduction explains the background to each pamphlet and sets them in their collective historical and social context.
Illustrated by the well-known engraving of the slaver Brookes, and by plans of Cape Coast slave castles, this book is a culturally fascinating read and will become a valuable source-book for students and scholars alike.
Reviews / Votes
"On the 200th anniversary of the act of the British Parliament abolishing the slave trade, Oxford University's Bodleian Library has reprinted 14 pamphlets from its collection of abolition materials. . . . Of particular interest are the two pamphlets taking contradictory positions based on biblical evidence. . . . Recommended."-R. T. Brown, ChoiceMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
21 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
420 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85124-316-7 (9781851243167)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
John Pinfold was Rhodes House Librarian from 1993-2008. He is the author of 'Postcards from the Russian Revolution', 'Postcards of Lost Royals' and 'Postcards from Utopia'. His most recent book is 'Petrograd 1917'.
Content
Introduction
The Case of our Fellow-Creatures, the Oppressed Africans, Respetfully Recommended to the Serious Consideration of the Legislature of Great-Britain, by the People called Quakers. London, 1784.
An Inquiry into the Effects of Putting a Stop to the African Slave Trade, and of Granting Liberty to the Slaves in the British Sugar Colonies. By the Author of the Essay on the Treatment and Conversation of African Slaves in the British Sugar Colonies. London, 1784.
The Substance of the Evidence of Sundry Persons on the Slave-Trade Collected in the Course of a Tour made in the autumn of the year 1788. [by Thomas Clarkson] London, 1789.
Notebook of the Rev. James Ramsay
Scriptural Researches on the Licitness of the Slave-Trade, Shewing its Conformity with the Principles of Natural and Revealed Religion, delineated in the Sacred Writings of the Word of God. By the Rev. R. Harris. Liverpool, 1788.
Examinations of The Rev. Mr. Harris's Scriptural Researches on the Licitness of the Slave Trade. By the Rev. James Ramsay. London, 1788.
The Abolition of the Slave Trade Considered in a Religious Point of View. A Sermon Preached Before the Corporation of the City of Oxford, at St. Martin's Church, on Sunday, February 3, 1788. By William Agutter, M.A. of St. Mary Magdalen College. London, 1788.
An Appeal to Candour and Common Sense, Respectfully Addressed, to the Members of both Houses of Parliament, and the Community at Large. By an Individual of Little Note. [n.p,] 1789.
The True State of the Question, Addressed to the Petitioners for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. By a plain man, who signed the petition at Derby, London, 1792.
An Address to the Inhabitants of Glasgow, Paisley, and the Neighbourhood, Concerning the African Slave Trade. By a Society in Glasgow, Glasgow, 1791.
Substance of the Speech of his Royal Highness The Duke of Clarence, in the House of Lords, on the Motion for the Recommitment of the Slave Trade Limitation Bill, on the fifth day of July, 1799. London, 1799. 4th edition.
Letters Concerning the Abolition of the Slave-Trade and other West-India Affairs. By Mercator, London, 1807.
List of illustrations.
The Case of our Fellow-Creatures, the Oppressed Africans, Respetfully Recommended to the Serious Consideration of the Legislature of Great-Britain, by the People called Quakers. London, 1784.
An Inquiry into the Effects of Putting a Stop to the African Slave Trade, and of Granting Liberty to the Slaves in the British Sugar Colonies. By the Author of the Essay on the Treatment and Conversation of African Slaves in the British Sugar Colonies. London, 1784.
The Substance of the Evidence of Sundry Persons on the Slave-Trade Collected in the Course of a Tour made in the autumn of the year 1788. [by Thomas Clarkson] London, 1789.
Notebook of the Rev. James Ramsay
Scriptural Researches on the Licitness of the Slave-Trade, Shewing its Conformity with the Principles of Natural and Revealed Religion, delineated in the Sacred Writings of the Word of God. By the Rev. R. Harris. Liverpool, 1788.
Examinations of The Rev. Mr. Harris's Scriptural Researches on the Licitness of the Slave Trade. By the Rev. James Ramsay. London, 1788.
The Abolition of the Slave Trade Considered in a Religious Point of View. A Sermon Preached Before the Corporation of the City of Oxford, at St. Martin's Church, on Sunday, February 3, 1788. By William Agutter, M.A. of St. Mary Magdalen College. London, 1788.
An Appeal to Candour and Common Sense, Respectfully Addressed, to the Members of both Houses of Parliament, and the Community at Large. By an Individual of Little Note. [n.p,] 1789.
The True State of the Question, Addressed to the Petitioners for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. By a plain man, who signed the petition at Derby, London, 1792.
An Address to the Inhabitants of Glasgow, Paisley, and the Neighbourhood, Concerning the African Slave Trade. By a Society in Glasgow, Glasgow, 1791.
Substance of the Speech of his Royal Highness The Duke of Clarence, in the House of Lords, on the Motion for the Recommitment of the Slave Trade Limitation Bill, on the fifth day of July, 1799. London, 1799. 4th edition.
Letters Concerning the Abolition of the Slave-Trade and other West-India Affairs. By Mercator, London, 1807.
List of illustrations.