The Slave States of America

This two-volume work, published in 1842, described the situation of slaves in the southern USA and called for their liberation.

James Silk Buckingham (Author)

9781108033459, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 July 2011

624 pages, 4 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3.5 cm, 0.78 kg

The Cornish-born traveller and writer James Silk Buckingham (1786–1855) campaigned energetically for social reform while a Member of Parliament during the 1830s. He later spent four years in the United States, and in 1839 travelled across the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama to observe at first hand the inhumane treatment of slaves in a system that showed 'reckless indifference to human life'. Originally published in 1842, and dedicated to Prince Albert, this two-volume work documents Buckingham's findings and argues that the USA should follow Britain's example in abolishing slavery. Within the framework of a travel narrative recording climate, geography, flora and fauna, Buckingham describes the use of slaves in industries as diverse as gold mining, cotton manufacturing, railways, canals, and agriculture. He highlights the social and political issues surrounding free labour, and relations between the slaves and their employers. Volume 1 includes descriptions of Charleston, Augusta, and New Orleans.

Dedication
1. Embarkation at New York for Charleston
2. First visit of Europeans to Florida
3. Description of the State of South Carolina
4. Description of the city of Charleston
5. Climate of Charleston
6. Departure for Savannah
7. Foundation, rise, and progress of Savannah
8. Description of the city of Savannah
9. Newspapers, instability of editors
10. Embarkation in the steam-boat for Augusta
11. Plan of the city, spacious streets
12. Departure from Augusta for Warrenton
13. Departure from Macon for Columbus
14. Leave Georgia for Alabama
15. Voyage down the Alabama river to Mobile
16. Description of the State of Alabama
17. Departure from Mobile for New Orleans
18. History of the colony
19. History of New Orleans
20. Description of New Orleans
21. Plan and topography of the old city
22. Population of New Orleans, white and coloured
23. This chapter, by an error in enumerating, is left out
24. Public undertakings and improvements
25. Newspapers of New Orleans
26. Last day passed in New Orleans
27. Departure from New Orleans
28. Settlement and progress of the State of Mississippi
29. Area and productions of the State of Mississippi
30. Points for commerce
31. Embarkation at Natchez for New Orleans
32. History, progress, and description of Montgomery
33. Leave Montgomery
34. Description of Columbus
35. Leave Columbus for Macon
36. Journey from Augusta to Charleston by railroad.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK]