Raynor HCA 2014-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
A complete and authentic issue of The Gentleman’s Magazine,” April 1789, 96pp., disbound, fine. From the interior is an anti-abolitionists letter to the editor, in full “ The scheme for the abolition of the slave-trade is, in every view of it, absurd and impolitic. It is founded on a mistaken notion of humanity, or rather on ignorance ... The Negroes of Africa, in their native country, are apparently useless in the great scale of human society; they are totally incapable of refinement, arts, or sciences. The only way to promote their civilization, to make them serviceble in their generation, and happy in themselves is to introduce them into a state of activity and industry. Man was not designed for a life of idleness. An dle man is a wretched creature. A Negro, removed to the West Indies, is placed in a climate much more agreeable to a labourer than the burning plains of Africa. His work in the Plantations is not harder, or more oppressive, than that of our common labourers in England, such as miners, blacksmiths, founders, paviours, scavengers, coal-heavers and many others, whose situation is viewed, by those very humane and compassionate people who are advocates for their African brethren, without the least concern. Yet most of these try have been compelled by necessity to leave the place of their nativity. The vulgar are influenced by names and titles. Instead of SLAVES, let the Negroes be called ASSISTANT-PLANTERS; and we shall not then hear such violent outcries against the slave trade by pious divines, tender-hearted poetesses, and short-sighted politicians.”
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