White dreams, black Africa : the British antislavery expedition to the River Niger 1841-1842 / Howard Temperley

New Haven, CT : Yale University Press, 1991. First Edition. Hardcover. Very good cloth copy, in a near-fine, very slightly edge-nicked and dust-dulled dw, now mylar-sleeved. Remains particularly and surprisingly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description: xv,204p : ill., mapports. ; 23 cm. Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: In 1841 Britain's anti-slavery crusaders launched a ""civilizing"" expedition to the Niger, seeking to cut off the slave trade at its source and make amends for past wrongs by carrying trade, civilization and Christianity into the African heartland. This book tells the story of this bizarre and ultimately tragic expedition and its aftermath, providing the first single account since the participants published their own experiences in the 1840s. Written by a specialist on the slave trade, it not only contributes to our knowledge of Britain's humanitarian endeavour but also sheds light on the intricate politics of pre-colonial West Africa. Subject: Slavery - Slave-trade - Africa, West - Niger - History - 19th century. Slavery & emancipation ; British & Irish history: c 1700 to c 1900 ; African history: c 1500 to c 1900. Slavery - Anti-slavery movements - abolitionist movements - Great Britain. Modern history c 1750 to c 1914. Dates covered: 1841-1842. Political science. Genre: Bibliography.