Manuscript Letter Concerning a Slave Uprising in 1823 in the Britiish West Indies

Seven tall folio sheets, about 1100 words, written in a very legible hand, docketed on the 8th or 18 June 1828. A two inch tear on the first page, but not affecting text, some minor chips at edges, normal aging; very nice overall. The letter is addressed to Sir George Murray, British Colonial Secretary, from a Lieut. Col Alen, concerning the 1823 slave uprising in the British West Indies. Alen was an officer in the 55th Regiment, stationed in Demerara during the uprising. With about 13,000 slaves involved, this uprising was one of the largest ever staged in the Americas. While it started out as more of a strike, in the end over 250 slaves were killed. In this document Lieut. Col. Alen is apparently adding some information to a previous report on the general condition of free blacks in the West Indies. He makes a number of suggestions on how to address the injustices imposted on blacks by the planters. His suggestions range from isuues on the cultivation of the soil to replacing two West India Regiments with a black militia. While the revolt really shook up Great Britian, and resulted in substantial reforms, Sir George Murray and his associates still failed in a parlimentary debate to end slavery on July 30, 1830. However, four years later in 1834, the crown would abolish slavery. Ragatz p. 424.