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 uncircum-
cision, 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.

CONTENTS.

Page

INTRODUCTION

Sources of Information

Methods by which the Slaves are supplied in Africa
Slave Trade's Effects in the Interior and on the Coast
Proof of Abolitionists' Facts decisive, and contrary
Allegations groundless

-

Pleas against Abolition, that Negroes are an inferior

Race

11

18

30

47

-53-4

Opponents' description of Negro Character con-
trasted with other Accounts

Argument from Africa's never having been civilized,
considered

-

New Phænomenon-Interior of Africa more civi-
lized than Coast

Plea of Opponents, that Slaves State in Africa ex-
tremely miserable

Plea from Cruelty of African Despots

-

Ditto, that refused Slaves would be massacred in

case of Abolition

Middle Passage

Opponents' grand Objection-that Stock of Slaves

cannot be kept up in West Indies without Impor

tations

-

57

71

86

89

92

95

96

Presumptive Arguments against the above Allega-
tion, from universal Experience

Positive Proof that the Stock of Slaves might be

kept up without Importations-Argument stated 109

I.-Abuses sufficient to account for great Decrease.

The Increase a subordinate Object of Attention

insufficient Feeding