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A Letter on the Abolition of the Slave Trade / Addressed to the freeholders and other inhabitants of Yorkshire cover

A Letter on the Abolition of the Slave Trade / Addressed to the freeholders and other inhabitants of Yorkshire

Chapter 1: A LETTER ON THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE; ADDRESSED TO THE FREEHOLDERS AND OTHER INHABITANTS OF YORKSHIRE.
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About This Book

The pamphlet assembles factual evidence and moral argumentation to urge ending the transatlantic slave trade. Drawing on reports, testimonies, and statistics, the author details how captives are procured in Africa, the brutal middle passage, and the degrading abuses on plantations that reduce population and punish humanity. Common objections are answered: claims of racial inferiority, supposed benefits to African societies, and economic or naval harms are examined and rebutted with empirical and moral reasoning. The text contrasts immediate abolition with gradual schemes, argues that reform of abuses would allow natural increase, and anticipates political and religious counterarguments while outlining expected humanitarian and commercial consequences.

Mr. Wilberforce,
ON
The Abolition of the Slave Trade.

A LETTER
ON
THE ABOLITION
OF THE
SLAVE TRADE;
ADDRESSED TO THE
FREEHOLDERS AND OTHER INHABITANTS
OF
YORKSHIRE.

By W. WILBERFORCE, Esq.

“There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore bowels of mercies, kindness,” &c.—Col. iii. 11. 12.

God hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth.”—Acts xvii. 26.

LONDON:
Printed by Luke Hansard & Sons,
FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, STRAND; And,
J. HATCHARD, PICCADILLY.
1807.