A Colonial Official's on The Abolition of Slavery in Jamaica

Slavery, Jamaica

Pamphlet

This pamphlet is a return to an Address of the House of Commons from March 25, 1836, whereby the Agent of Jamaica, William Burge, protests against the unilateral abolition of slavery in the British Empire. Ordered to be printed by the House of Commons in London, April 1836. 13 pages. 13" x 8.25" inches. Included within is a copy of three letters from the Agent to Lord Glenelg, the British colonial secretary, as well Burge's protest to Glenelg. Burge states: He is desirous that His Majesty's Government should understand, that this Protest is made, not as the performance of a formal act of official duty, but from his conviction that the proposed legislation for Jamaica is a direct violation of the constitutional rights of that Colony, rights coeval with its establishment, and which have hitherto been respected." The Agent was a colonial official who was the official representative of a British colony who was based in London and acted as lobbyists and trade negotiators for the affairs of the colony. While Burge had at other times claimed to "hate" slavery, he employs the British analogue of the "states rights'" argument that many moderate politicians in the United States used to signal personal distaste for slavery, but to nonetheless protect the institution's existence on the basis of constitutionality. When the institution of slavery died out in the British Empire after 1836, the abolitionist movement in the US gained tremendous momentum, despite the protests of our own William Burge's. This piece is overall in very good condition.

Item #17538

Price: $185.00