Rare French Book presenting the speech delivered by the Duke of Broglie in the house of Peers on March 28, 1822 fighting for the abolition of slave trade. Published by the society of Christian morality and committee for the abolition of the slave trade "Société de la morale chrétienne". Broglie was the president of this committee, and a highly influential person, formerly a Prince and then a Duke. This speech was pivotal in France and spearheaded the abolition of slave trade. Broglie also drew up the law regarding abolishment and signed the abolition treaties of 1831 & 1832. The stamp inside indicates it was in the royal library of Berlin at one stage, with the stamp "From the Royal Library of Berlin SELL"
The cover has numerous areas of wear such as scratches, dirt, and scuff marks, with particular wear to the edges. The spine is intact with no loose pages. The pages have foxing and toning. There are 2 pencil inscriptions to the front of the book and one on the inside of the back cover.
Some translated extracts...
"The abominable consequences that accompany either the acquisition of N##gr#s on the coast of Africa or their transport to the West Indies were covered by a thick veil; only those whom greed had thrown onto the slave ships possessed the deplorable secret; finally, all minds were deeply imbued with the prejudice that the fate of the principal States of Europe depended on the prosperity of their colonies, and this on the rapid growth of the slave trade, on the continual increase of a slave population that it was impossible to recruit otherwise. Such was the state of things in 1785; such were the obstacles to be overcome. Those whose duty now calls them to plead the cause of the Africans are in a much more favorable position.... the slave trade no longer has any defenders; the horrors that it brings in its wake have been displayed at the bar of the English parliament, and demonstrated with irresistible evidence"
"The merchants who, driven by shameful greed, are today striving to revive or perpetuate similar needs, have really no excuse; they show themselves to be rebellious to the laws of their country, as much as deaf to the voice of their conscience; they deserve neither consideration, nor consideration, nor pity. It seems therefore that by speaking today with the firm resolution to denounce before you such criminal practices, and to demand their repression, I should neither feel nor inspire distrust. I do not come in fact to try to surprise the religion of the Government; I do not come to provoke rash innovations. I present myself, holding in one hand treaties subscribed by the King, in the other laws sanctioned by yourselves;"
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