Frossard andré

1789 · 186149 — Lyon: De l'imprimerie d'Aimé de la Roche imprimeur de la Société Royale d'Agriculture 1789. By far the best" early French abolitionist work First edition a superb uncut copy of this "esteemed and valuable work and one of the earliest on the evils of the slave trade" Sabin. "Of all the books. written in the early days of the French anti-slavery movement Frossard's careful two-volume survey of the history of the trade and its iniquities was by far the best. The author a Protestant minister had been awarded an honorary degree by Oxford in 1784 and while he was in England had become acquainted with the philanthropists there who were fighting slavery. La cause discussed the political and moral implications of slavery with eloquence" Library Company of Philadelphia p. 24. Frossard rejects the idea of a "barbaric" Africa and emphasizes the incompatibility of Christian doctrine and slavery. He also traces the history of transatlantic slavery and argues that emancipation could be achieved without harming the colonies. Echoing Adam Smith he argues that slave labour is less profitable than free labour. 2 vols octavo pp. 2 v 1 367 1; 2 vii 1 403 5. Engraved frontispiece by Boily after Rouvier depicting a crowned female personification of France bestowing liberty upon a group of enslaved persons. Uncut in contemporary boards very neatly rebacked. Contemporary notes to endpapers. Aside from the rebacking a fine copy crisp and clean. Goldsmiths' 14008; Sabin 26013. The Library Company of Philadelphia Negro History 1553-1903 1969. hardcover