Botany Bay anti-Aborigine sentiment and abolitionist work of British women, as reported in British newspaper, 'The Iris, or the Sheffield Advertiser'.

July 26, 1825. Paperback. Full column article decrying the attitude of a "Botany Bay man" to the "black population" of New Holland, followed by an admiring description of the work of a local women's abolitionist society. The unidentified "transport" reportedly said "in a public room, that the black population of that region were so utterly incorrigible, that he should be glad to see them shot, and their carcasses scattered over the ground to manure it ..." The Botany Bay man's attitude, according to 'The Iris', is due to the "hardness of heart" brought on by the "rapacity of wealth" in those who "go out to seek their fortunes in strange climes", leaving behind the love of freedom and justice in order to have "the means of domineering over helpless barbarians". (p3, col. 1)

In another article, the anti slavery work of the local Female Association is described in glowing terms: "just before the close of the Session, a petition was presented to Parliament ... signed by two thousand females, praying that after a certain day to be named, all children born to Negro slaves might be born free ...". The article ends however with a description of the "virtuous, peaceable, and diligent labourers", the happy slaves of the island of Barbuda, owned by the Codrington family, and an extract from a letter by Sir Codrington to the editor of the John Bull. Full column at third page, 16 column inches. Large folio, disbound, 4pp, 15 1/2 x 20 1/2". Original center fold separated, a few small chips at edges, affects the text, which is still readable. Four pence tax stamp present. Otherwise very good condition. Item #22183

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