“THE LABOR OF FREE MEN IS CHEAPER THAN THAT OF SLAVES”

HODGSON, Adam. A Letter to M. Jean-Baptiste Say, on the Comparative Expense of Free and Slave Labour. New York: Mahlon Day for the Manumission Society, 1823. Octavo, disbound. $850.

First American edition of this important criticism of slavery.

Anglican evangelist Adam Hodgson was known for his anti-slavery tracts in which he used economic arguments to combat slavery. Say, the great 19th century economist, had previously said that while the slave system is morally indefensible, it is very profitable, economically. Using an array of references, Hodgson concludes that "the labor of free men is cheaper than that of slaves," that the "quantity" of slave output is less than that of free labor, "and that emancipation has rendered the estates on which it has taken place, greatly and rapidly more productive." Dumond 66. Howes H560. Sabin 32356. See Goldsmith 23958.

Some foxing and toning to pages. A very good copy.