Historical Sketch of Slavery, From the Earliest Periods

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Philosophy is the handmaid, and frequently the most successful expounder of the law. History is the ground work and only sure basis of philosophy. To understand aright, therefore, the Law of Slavery, we must not be ignorant of its history. A detailed and minute inquiry into the history of slavery would force us to trace the history of every na tion of the earth; for the most enlightened have, at some period within their existence, adopted it as-a sys tem; and no organized government has been so barbar ous as not to introduce it amongst its customs. It has been more universal than marriage, and more permanent than liberty.1 All that we can propose for ourselves here, is a limited and brief glance at its existence and condition during the several ages of the world.

Philosophy is the handmaid, and frequently the most successful expounder of the law. History is the ground work and only sure basis of philosophy. To understand aright, therefore, the Law of Slavery, we must not be ignorant of its history. A detailed and minute inquiry into the history of slavery would force us to trace the history of every na tion of the earth; for the most enlightened have, at some period within their existence, adopted it as-a sys tem; and no organized government has been so barbar ous as not to introduce it amongst its customs. It has been more universal than marriage, and more permanent than liberty.1 All that we can propose for ourselves here, is a limited and brief glance at its existence and condition during the several ages of the world.