LETTERS ON THE WEST INDIA QUESTION; Abolition of Slavery, addressed to the Right Honourable Sir George Murray, G.C.B., M.P. Colonial Secretary, &c. &c. by Presbyter. Author inscribed.

London, T. and G. Underwood, 1830.. FIRST EDITION 1830, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. 8vo, approximately 220 x 135 mm, 8½ x 5½ inches, pages: vi, (2), 9-124, 15 PAGES OF AUTHOR'S NOTES NOT PRESENT AFTER THE END OF THE TEXT, contemporary binding in full calf, decorative gilt border and rules to covers, skilfully rebacked with original backstrip laid on, gilt ruled border around lettering on spine, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. A few minor marks to covers, spine slightly rubbed, lettering very slightly rubbed, corners slightly worn with board showing at tips, armorial bookplate of Hardy Bertram McCall and an early binder's tiny ticket (Dumfries) on front pastedown, an occasional pale spot to margins. A very good copy, without the author's notes as noted. A few copies were issued without the notes, possibly bound up as presentation copies before the notes were ready. The inscription on a blank following the front endpaper reads: "Miss Hardy From her Affectionate friend The Author - Ruthwell Manse, 22d September 1830." Rev. Henry Duncan (1774-1846) was a famous Scotsman, rector of Ruthwell a village and parish on the Solway Firth between Dumfries and Annan in Dumfries and Galloway. He was a great philanthropist and visionary, transforming the wretched lives of his parishioners by innovative schemes to restore their independence and dignity. Above all in 1810 he founded the first viable and efficient Savings Bank in a small building in Ruthwell which proved so successful that it was copied all over the country and he was known as the Father of the Savings Bank. He was also a passionate abolitionist and in our book he attacks those British colonists in the West Indies who were ignoring the anti-slavery law passed in 1807. He also argues for the education of slaves. Sir George Murray to whom the letters are addressed was a Scottish soldier, a British Army officer and politician who when Duncan's book was published was Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. Some Chapters: Slavery Not Prohibited by Express Christian Precepts; Our Slaves at Present Unfit For Freedom; Progressive Improvement of th Negro Race; Period Advancing When Emancipation Will Become the Interest of the Planters; Foreign Slave Trade - Its extent and Consequences. See: Goldsmiths' Library of Economic Literature, No. 26475. Sabin, Dictionary of Books Relating to America, Volume I. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE. FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.