The abolition of slavery considered with reference to the state of the West Indies since emancipation

Abstract

The decision of the moral question in favour of the abolition of Slavery, renders it necessary to adopt measures to carry that decision into effect; and, in thus carrying out the principle of abolition, it becomes necessary to consider certain questions of jurisprudence and political economy, which have not, and ought not to have, any influence on the decision of the primary moral question. The questions in jurisprudence and political economy to which I refer are the following:? 1. Should the abolition of slavery be gradual or immediate? 2 Should any preparatory measures be adopted before emancipation? 3 Should any auxiliary measures be adopted along with, or subsequent to emancipation? 4 On whom should the loss of the property in slaves fall? 5. Is it necessary to protect free labour against the competition of slave labour?