The Trial and Imprisonment of Jonathan Walker, at Pensacola, Florida, for Aiding: with an Appendix Containing a Sketch of His Life. 1845

by Jonathan Walker, Joe M. Richardson (Editor)

This volume is produced from digital images from the Cornell University Library Samuel J. May Anti-Slavery Collection

127 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1974

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled on an old copy of this book. It's Jonathan Walker's own account of his imprisonment on charges of "slave-stealing." An abolitionist and a boat captain, he gives free passage on his boat to seven men who want to leave the place where they are enslaved. He asserts that what he did was not a crime; instead slavery is the abomination. A few pages of my copy are missing, but he focuses on how he is treated and includes copies of documents and correspondence. Support for his cause by a European abolitionist group prompts a stated intention by a group called the Governor's Select Committee to make slave-stealing a capital offense in Florida where he is being held. For the drama of the events, his presentation is dry and understated by modern standards. He describes witnessing the practice of citizens paying the jailors to flog slaves. I note there are books available putting his story into the historical context. This case merits that attention.
The appendix is about the abuse of young men who choose seafaring, urging reform, urging owners to pay more attention to the welfare of their employees, and warning young men of what a life at sea is like. Its historical significance makes star ratings somewhat irrelevant but I'm glad I read it.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short little read is an amazing, fascinating window to the pre-civil war storm clouds that were clearly gathering in FL in the 1840's.