Bury the Chains; Chapter Eight

"The abolitionists were pioneers in forging a central tool of modern civil society" (2007). While in our present time, the idea of a group meeting for a humanitarian and helpful cause seems somewhat simple. In Clarkson's era, this was unheard of. After being introduced to many traditions of the Quakers, we are told that while great strides were being taken it was still impossible for an immediate freeing of all present slaves. While a possible end to the slave trade seemed conceivable, a full abolition was not in reach just yet. Reverend Ramsay was seen as a traitor, and was not respected by any of his neighbors. Clarkson took his mission to Bristol head on, realizing the danger in his attempts. Clarkson expanded his first hand knowledge. After seeking John Dean, the slave turned sailor with horrendous scars on his back from an angry captain, he was the first person in the slave trade era to ever record the measurements of the living space that Africans were forced into on their voyages. Clarkson went as far as pressing criminal charges against slave ship captains that killed Africans on the voyages. With no hospitality offered to him because of his rebellious opinion, Clarkson received constant death threats against him. He even escaped a 8 or 9 men group that attempted to throw him over the pier because of his abolitionist ways. When visiting Manchester, he was introduced to Thomas Walker and Thomas Cooper. Before he knew it, he was delivering sermons to attentive citizens that had similar beliefs. After the Manchester petition was sent to Parliament, it later turned out as many as 1 in every 5 citizens of the city signed it. "A movement was under way" (121).