British Slavery and Its Abolition, 1823-1838

Written by distinguished Scottish historian William L. Mathieson, this book is a study of British slavery and a narrative of the movement for its abolition, which began in 1823, succeeded partially in 1833, when slavery was said to have been abolished, and completely in 1838.British Slavery and Its Abolition, 1823-1838 focuses on slavery in the West Indian colonies—particularly British Guiana and British Honduras—which at the point of the book's first publication in 1926 had not yet been covered comprehensively, as greater interest had been taken in American than in British slavery, “for it was far more extensive, lasted some thirty years longer, and culminated in a great civil war.”The author traces the movement, “which always aimed at abolition, but the immediate object of which was at first amelioration,” through despatches and reports which were printed from year to year as Parliamentary Papers; describes the introduction of foreign systems, especially the Spanish system; discusses the controversy between the Jamaica Assembly and Parliament to a conclusion; and, in the final chapter, also delves into the effects of emancipation.An invaluable addition to any history collection.