Lectures on the Philosophy and Practice of Slavery / As Exhibited in the Institution of Domestic Slavery in the United States, with the Duties of Masters to Slaves

A series of lectures analyzes the philosophical principles and practical arrangements of domestic slavery in the United States, debating whether slavery is sinful in principle, responding to prominent abolitionist arguments about equality and rights, and defining rights in relation to natural law and divine will. It applies those doctrines to the nature and purpose of government, considers historical and social objections, and discusses the moral and legal duties of masters toward enslaved people. The volume combines abstract ethical reflection, political theory, and practical counsel, assessing how habit, education, and institutions affect relations between masters and slaves and how political systems can check or perpetuate the institution.