The Just Limitation of Slavery in the Laws of God Compared with the Unbounded Claims of the African Traders and British American Slaveholders Cambridge Library Collection - Slavery and Abolition Series

The author and campaigner Granville Sharp (1735?1813) was born in Durham to a religious family. In 1765, a chance encounter with a slave, Jonathan Strong, sparked the serious interest in abolitionism that in due course saw him become a founding member of the London committee of the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Due in part to his efforts and writings, the anti-slavery movement in Britain gained public attention and became a more focused and organised campaign. This tract, originally published in 1776, is one of several anti-slavery works that Sharp produced in that year. A rigorous defence of liberty and of 'the honour of holy Scriptures', it is a riposte to the idea that slavery is sanctioned by God, citing the biblical doctrines of 'Thou shalt not oppress a stranger' and 'Love thy neighbour as thyself'. Also included are several appendices of material relating to the abolitionist cause.

The just limitation of slavery; Appendix 1. An essay on slavery; Appendix 2. Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Maryland, to his friend in London; Appendix 3. A letter from Granville Sharp, to Jacob Bryant, Esq, concerning the descent of the negroes; Appendix 4. Mr Bryant's answer to the foregoing letter; Appendix 5. The regulations lately adopted by the Spaniards, at the Havanna, and some other places, for the gradual enfranchisement of slaves, are to the following effect; Appendix 6. Extract of a letter from the author to a gentleman at Philadelphia; Appendix 7. Extract from Mr Morgan's book, intituled, 'A Plan for the Abolition of Slavery, in the West Indies'; Appendix 8. A copy of what 'is said to be the substance of Lord Mansfield's speech in the case of Somerset and Knowles'; Appendix 9. Remarks on the judgment of the court of King's Bench, in the case of Stewart and Somerset, by Granville Sharp; Appendix 10. Case, prerogative court, May 11th, 1773, Cay and Crichton; Appendix 11. High court of Admiralty, before Sir Geo. Hay, Knt. L.L.D. June, 29, 1776; Appendix 12. From the General Evening Post, No. 6033. June 13th, 1772; Index of texts referred to in the foregoing work; Index.