A Letter on the Abolition of the Slave Trade

An impassioned early‑19th‑century appeal, this work is addressed to the freeholders and residents of Yorkshire by a determined parliamentary advocate for ending the transatlantic slave trade. Drawing on biblical language, contemporary statistics and vivid testimonies, the author maps out how slaves are captured, the horrors of the Middle Passage, and the dehumanising conditions on the plantations. The pamphlet systematically dismantles the economic and moral arguments of pro‑slavery opponents, while showcasing the wider social costs of the trade.

Listeners will experience a meticulously organized argument that moves from the raw facts of African capture to the corrosive effects on commerce, law and conscience. The author’s rhetorical force, coupled with detailed evidence—ranging from the plight of individual enslaved people to the broader impact on British industry—offers a clear window into the fervent abolitionist discourse that helped reshape a nation’s moral compass.