Publisher Description

The Cornish-born traveller and writer James Silk Buckingham (1786–1855) campaigned energetically for social reform while a Member of Parliament during the 1830s. He later spent four years in the United States, and in 1839 travelled across the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama to observe at first hand the inhumane treatment of slaves in a system that showed 'reckless indifference to human life'. Originally published in 1842, and dedicated to Prince Albert, this two-volume work documents Buckingham's findings and argues that the USA should follow Britain's example in abolishing slavery. Within the framework of a travel narrative recording climate, geography, flora and fauna, Buckingham describes the use of slaves in industries as diverse as gold mining, cotton manufacturing, railways, canals, and agriculture. He highlights the economic, social and political implications of a change to free labour, and relations between the slaves and their employers.

Table of Contents

Volume 1: Dedication; 1. Embarkation at New York for Charleston; 2. First visit of Europeans to Florida; 3. Description of the State of South Carolina; 4. Description of the city of Charleston; 5. Climate of Charleston; 6. Departure for Savannah; 7. Foundation, rise, and progress of Savannah; 8. Description of the city of Savannah; 9. Newspapers, instability of editors; 10. Embarkation in the steam-boat for Augusta; 11. Plan of the city, spacious streets; 12. Departure from Augusta for Warrenton; 13. Departure from Macon for Columbus; 14. Leave Georgia for Alabama; 15. Voyage down the Alabama river to Mobile; 16. Description of the State of Alabama; 17. Departure from Mobile for New Orleans; 18. History of the colony; 19. History of New Orleans; 20. Description of New Orleans; 21. Plan and topography of the old city; 22. Population of New Orleans, white and coloured; 23. This chapter, by an error in enumerating, is left out; 24. Public undertakings and improvements; 25. Newspapers of New Orleans; 26. Last day passed in New Orleans; 27. Departure from New Orleans; 28. Settlement and progress of the State of Mississippi; 29. Area and productions of the State of Mississippi; 30. Points for commerce; 31. Embarkation at Natchez for New Orleans; 32. History, progress, and description of Montgomery; 33. Leave Montgomery; 34. Description of Columbus; 35. Leave Columbus for Macon; 36. Journey from Augusta to Charleston by railroad. Volume 2: 1. Journey from Charleston to Columbia; 2. From Columbia to Augusta; 3. Departure from Augusta for Athens; 4. Public funeral of the late Judge Clayton; 5. History and condition of the Cherokee Indians; 6. Environs of Athens; 7. Journey to the Madison Springs; 8. Description of Greenville; 9. Journey to Flatrock; 10. History of the state of North Carolina; 11. Departure from the Warm Springs; 12. Improved aspect of the country; 13. Journey from Tennessee to Virginia; 14. Journey from Abingdon to the Virginia Springs; 15. Red Sulphur Springs; 16. White Sulphur Springs; 17. Journey from the Sweet Springs to Fincastle; 18. Entrance into Wyer's Cave; 19. Journey to Waynesborough through Rock-fish Gap; 20. Stay at Richmond; 21. Journey to Petersburgh; 22. Description of Norfolk; 23. Visit to the fortifications at Old Point Comfort; 24. History of Virginia; 25. First representative assembly at James Town; 26. Present extent, condition, and statistics of Virginia; 27. Departure from Norfolk; 28. The Faquier Springs; 29. Journey from Alexandria to Washington City.

Promotional

This two-volume work, published in 1842, described the situation of slaves in the southern USA and called for their liberation.

Promotional "Headline"

This two-volume work, published in 1842, described the situation of slaves in the southern USA and called for their liberation.

Description for Bookstore

In 1839 the British writer James Silk Buckingham travelled through the southern USA to investigate the practice of slavery. This two-volume work, published in 1842, describes his findings within the framework of a travel narrative. It covers a wide variety of industries as well as economic, social and political debates.

Description for Library

In 1839 the British writer James Silk Buckingham travelled through the southern USA to investigate the practice of slavery. This two-volume work, published in 1842, describes his findings within the framework of a travel narrative. It covers a wide variety of industries as well as economic, social and political debates.

Details