Narrative of a five years' expedition against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam, in Guiana on the Wild Coast of South America; from the year 1772 to 1777:

£9,500 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

Stedman’s book has been of vital importance as it is “ one of the most detailed descriptions ever written of an eighteenth-century slave plantation society ” (ODNB). His “intimate dealings with members of all social classes, from the governor and the wealthiest planters to the most oppressed slaves and maroon rebels, gave him unique opportunities to describe the full panorama of colonial life-the mistreatment of slaves by sadistic masters, the courage of the rebels in battle, the daily lives of Indian and African slaves, and exotic flora and fauna” ( ibid ). These insights into the harsh reality of the slave trade lead the book to be regarded as an important tool for early abolitionist causes. Interestingly, however, it is now known that this first edition “in fact represented a significantly altered version of the manuscript Stedman had submitted to his publisher, Joseph Johnson, in 1790. For unbeknown to the author, Johnson had passed the manuscript to William Thomson, a professional editor and ghost writer” (ibid) who was hired to rewrite the original manuscript entirely. Upon seeing this heavily edited version, Stedman commented that it was “mard intirely” and “full of lies and nonsense” (Stedman’s diary, 24 June, 1975). It is claimed that Stedman exploded in anger and burned two thousand copies. This first edition “distorted Stedman’s views on race, slavery, and social justice, and turned them more towards a pro-slavery position” ( ibid ). His view on slavery is, however

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