A pointed historical look at how slavery shaped Virginia’s economy and future, with arguments for a state-led path to change.
This edition discusses rights, compensation, and the moral duties that underlie policy choices.
The book frames a practical debate from an antebellum perspective, weighing economic losses against moral responsibility. It surveys property in slaves, the rights of the unborn, and the role of public necessity, offering a plan that aims to align policy with the state’s long-term interests.
- Analyzes the economic impact of slavery on Virginia’s wealth and growth.
- Discusses property rights, compensation, and the legitimacy of public action.
- Explores the idea of a state-sanctioned plan to reduce slavery’s harms.
- Considers the potential shift to free labor and how emancipation could unfold over time.
Ideal for readers interested in historical debates over slavery, policy, and early abolitionist thought in Virginia.