Thoughts on the Abolition of the Slave Trade, and Civilization of Africa
With Remarks on the African Institution

These controversial pamphlets on the emancipation of slaves, following the abolition of the trade in 1807, argued for gradual change.

Joseph Marryat (Author)

9781108025034, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 January 2011

550 pages
21.6 x 14 x 3.1 cm, 0.7 kg

Joseph Marryat (1757–1824) was an M.P., chairman of Lloyd's and colonial agent for Grenada. This volume contains three of his pamphlets - Thoughts on the Abolition of the Slave Trade (1816), More Thoughts (1816) and More Thoughts Still (1818) which replied to his critics. The first pamphlet was very controversial, running to four editions in the year of publication. It vigorously attacks the policies and influence of the African Institution, whose arguments regarding the operation of slavery since the Abolition Act of 1807 he proves, by using evidence from official British and colonial government reports, to contain many falsehoods. Marryat believed that, with regard to emancipation, lessons must be learned from the French Revolution: ideals, if taken too quickly to extremes, cause national and even international conflict. His critics accused him of equal economy with the truth by selective use of source material: his responses were also best-sellers.

1. Thoughts on the Abolition of the Slave Trade, and Civilization of Africa
2. More Thoughts, Occasioned by Two Publications which the Authors call An Exposure of some of the Numerous Misstatements and Misrepresentations Contained in a Pamphlet, Commonly Known by the Name of Mr. Marryat's Pamphlet, Entitled Thoughts, &c.
3. More Thoughts Still on the State of the West India Colonies, and the Proceedings of the African Institution: with Observations on the Speech of James Stephen, Esq. at the Annual Meeting of that Society, held on the 26th of March, 1817.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH]