An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species

An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species is a seminal work written by Thomas Clarkson, a prominent Abolitionist and Fellow of the Royal Society, that played a crucial role in the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807 in the British Empire. The essay was first published in 1785 by J. Phillips and was widely read by influential figures such as William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp, and Olaudah Equiano. It is considered one of the most important works of the Abolitionist movement, alongside The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano and The History of Mary Prince. The essay's impact was felt across the Atlantic Ocean, from the West Indies to the United States, and influenced notable figures such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

● Introduction

The essay begins by discussing the African slave trade, which was a major industry in the 18th century, with European powers such as Portugal, Spain, France, and the Dutch Republic all involved. Thomas Clarkson argues that the slave trade is morally reprehensible and that it is the duty of Christians to work towards its abolition. He cites the work of Anthony Benezet, a Quaker Abolitionist, and John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, to support his arguments. The essay also references the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade, which was founded in 1787 by Clarkson, Wilberforce, and other prominent Abolitionists, including Josiah Wedgwood and James Ramsay.

● Historical Context

The essay was written during a time of great change in the British Empire, with the American Revolutionary War having recently ended and the French Revolution about to begin. The Transatlantic slave trade was a major issue, with millions of Africans being forcibly transported to the Americas every year. Thomas Clarkson draws on the work of Historians such as David Hume and Edward Gibbon to provide a historical context for the slave trade, and argues that it is a relatively recent phenomenon, dating back to the 15th century. He also references the Treaty of Utrecht, which marked the beginning of British involvement in the slave trade, and the Asiento, a contract between the British South Sea Company and the Spanish Empire to supply African slaves to the Spanish colonies.

● Arguments Against Slavery

Thomas Clarkson presents several arguments against slavery, including the fact that it is morally wrong, that it is economically inefficient, and that it is contrary to the principles of Christianity. He cites the work of Philosophers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau to support his arguments, and argues that all men are born equal and have the right to Liberty. He also references the Declaration of Independence, which states that all men are created equal, and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which enshrines the principles of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. The essay also discusses the Three-Fifths Compromise, which was included in the United States Constitution and counted African Americans as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation.

● The Slave Trade

The essay provides a detailed description of the slave trade, including the Middle Passage, which was the journey across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to the Americas. Thomas Clarkson argues that the conditions on slave ships were inhumane, with Africans being packed tightly into small spaces and subjected to physical and emotional abuse. He cites the work of Abolitionists such as William Pitt the Younger and Charles James Fox to support his arguments, and references the Zong massacre, in which over 130 African slaves were thrown overboard and drowned. The essay also discusses the Slave codes, which were laws that governed the treatment of African slaves in the Americas, and the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by African Americans to escape from slavery.

● Impact and Legacy

The essay had a significant impact on the Abolitionist movement, helping to raise awareness about the evils of the slave trade and to mobilize public opinion against it. It was widely read and influential, and helped to shape the debate about slavery in the British Empire and beyond. The essay's arguments were cited by Abolitionists such as William Wilberforce and Granville Sharp, and influenced the passage of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807. The essay's legacy can be seen in the work of later Abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe, and in the continued struggle for Civil rights and Social justice in the United States and around the world. The essay is also referenced in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines the principles of Human rights and Dignity.

● Conclusion

In conclusion, An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species is a powerful and influential work that played a crucial role in the Abolitionist movement. The essay's arguments against slavery, its detailed description of the slave trade, and its call to action helped to raise awareness and mobilize public opinion against the slave trade. The essay's legacy can be seen in the continued struggle for Civil rights and Social justice in the United States and around the world, and its influence can be felt in the work of later Abolitionists and Human rights activists, including Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai. The essay remains an important work of Historical and Literary significance, and continues to be studied by Scholars and Activists today, including those at the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the Harvard University. Category:Abolitionist literature