Discussion On American Slavery

This volume contains the complete transcript of the 1836 Glasgow debate on American slavery between George Thompson, a British abolitionist, and Robert J. Breckinridge, a clergyman from Kentucky. The debate, held over five evenings in June at Rev. Dr. Wardlaw’s Chapel, Scotland, presents a detailed and often impassioned discussion of the institution of slavery in the United States. The speakers address the moral, religious, and political dimensions of slavery, providing a snapshot of abolitionist and pro-slavery arguments in the antebellum period.

Thompson, known for his powerful oratory, argues for the immediate abolition of slavery, while Breckinridge defends it within a complex theological and social framework. The record of their exchanges offers invaluable insights into the intellectual and emotional landscape surrounding one of the most contentious issues in American history. This edition allows modern readers to engage directly with the historical arguments and perspectives that shaped the slavery debate.

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