Ebook History of Slavery in Virginia

In the literature upon American slavery there is no such distinctive study of its institutional origin, development and relations as has been made of certain similar forms of social organization in Europe. This fact will serve to explain the method, constructive rather than narrative, of the present volume and the reference, somewhat more general than the title suggests, to the experience of other American colonies and States, and to that of Europe where it has seemed necessary.

It is recognized that objective views of the local character of slavery in every division of the present United States where it has existed are prerequisite to its true history in this country. My wish has been to contribute to this end by a careful investigation of the institution as it existed in one of these, Virginia, with a candid statement of results. The priority of this colony and the long coexistence there of forms of dependence give unusual interest and value to its institutional experience, and make it the natural starting point of the general inquiry.

For the invariable kindness with which the historical materials relating to the subject have been made accessible to me I desire to thank particularly, among many who have aided me, Messrs. Philip A. Bruce and W. G. Stanard, of the Virginia Historical Society; W. W. Scott, of the Virginia State Library; John L. Campbell, Secretary of the Washington and Lee University; Frederick W. Page, Librarian of the University of Virginia; Dr. Philip R. Uhler, Provost of the Peabody Library, Baltimore, and Hon. A. R. Spofford, of the Library of Congress, Washington.

Portions of Chapter II. have appeared, in somewhat modified form, in the pages of the Conservative Review and the permission to make use of this matter is due to the courtesy of the editors of that periodical.