The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade

The History of the Rise, Progress
and
by the

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Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the
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Title: The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the
Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the British Parliament (1839)
Author: Thomas Clarkson
Release Date: May 16, 2007 [EBook #10633] [This file was first posted
on January 8, 2004]
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THE HISTORY OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND
ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ABOLITION OF THE
SLAVE-TRADE, BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT
BY THOMAS CLARKSON, M.A.
1839

[Illustration: Thomas Clarkson]
* * * * *

TO
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM, LORD GRENVILLE,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES, EARL GREY,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FRANCIS, EARL MOIRA,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE JOHN, EARL SPENCER,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY RICHARD, LORD
HOLLAND,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS, LORD ERSKINE,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD, LORD
ELLENBOROUGH,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HENRY PETTY,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS GRENVILLE,

* * * * *
NINE OUT OF TWELVE OF HIS MAJESTY'S LATE CABINET
MINISTERS,
TO WHOSE WISE AND VIRTUOUS ADMINISTRATION
BELONGS
THE UNPARALLELED AND ETERNAL GLORY
OF THE ANNIHILATION,
AS FAR AS THEIR POWER EXTENDED,
OF ONE OF THE GREATEST SOURCES OF CRIMES AND
SUFFERINGS,
EVER RECORDED IN THE ANNALS OF MANKIND;
AND TO THE MEMORIES OF
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM PITT,
AND OF
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES JAMES FOX,
UNDER WHOSE FOSTERING INFLUENCE
THE GREAT WORK WAS BEGUN AND PROMOTED;
THIS HISTORY
OF
THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE
ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE,
IS RESPECTFULLY AND GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED.

* * * * *

CONTENTS
PREFATORY REMARKS ON THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
CHAPTER I
Introduction.--Estimate of the evil of the Slave Trade; and of the
blessing of the Abolition of it.--Usefulness of the contemplation of this
subject
CHAPTER II
Those, who favoured the cause of the Africans previously to 1787,
were so many necessary forerunners in it.--Cardinal Ximenes; and
others
CHAPTER III
Forerunners continued to 1787; divided now into four classes.--First
consists of persons in England of various descriptions, Godwyn, Baxter,
and others
CHAPTER IV
Second, of the Quakers in England, George Fox, and his religious
descendants
CHAPTER V
Third, of the Quakers in America.--Union of these with individuals of
other religious denominations in the same cause
CHAPTER VI

Facility of junction between the members of these three different
classes
CHAPTER VII
Fourth, consists of Dr. Peckard; then of the Author.--Author wishes to
embark in the cause; falls in with several of the members of these
classes
CHAPTER VIII
Fourth class continued; Langton, Baker, and others.--Author now
embarks in the cause as a business of his life
CHAPTER IX
Fourth class continued; Sheldon, Mackworth, and others.--Author seeks
for further information on the subject; and visits Members of
Parliament
CHAPTER X
Fourth class continued.--Author enlarges his knowledge.--Meeting at
Mr. Wilberforce's.--Remarkable junction of all the four classes, and a
Committee formed out of them, in May, 1787, for the Abolition of the
Slave Trade.
CHAPTER XI
History of the preceding classes, and of their junction, shown by means
of a map.
CHAPTER XII
Author endeavours to do away the charge of ostentation in consequence
of becoming so conspicuous in this work.

CHAPTER XIII
Proceedings of the Committee; Emancipation declared to be no part of
its object.--Wrongs of Africa by Mr. Roscoe.
CHAPTER XIV
Author visits Bristol to collect information.--Ill-usage of seamen in the
Slave Trade.--Articles of African produce.--Massacre at Calabar.
CHAPTER XV
Mode of procuring and paying seamen in that trade; their mortality in
it.--Construction and admeasurement of slave-ships.--Difficulty of
procuring evidence.--Cases of Gardiner and Arnold.
CHAPTER XVI
Author meets with Alexander Falconbridge; visits ill-treated and
disabled seamen; takes a mate out of one of the slave-vessels, and puts
another in prison for murder.
CHAPTER XVII
Visits Liverpool.--Specimens of African produce.--Dock duties.--Iron
instruments used in the traffic.--His introduction to Mr. Norris.
CHAPTER XVIII
Manner of procuring and paying seamen at Liverpool in the Slave
Trade; their treatment and mortality.--Murder of Peter
Green.--Dangerous situation of the Author in consequence of his
inquiries.
CHAPTER XIX
Author proceeds to Manchester; delivers a discourse there on the

subject of the Slave Trade.--Revisits Bristol; new and difficult situation
there; suddenly crosses the Severn at night.--Returns to London.
CHAPTER XX
Labours of the Committee during the