Anti-Slavery Act 1807

"Even if Africa is known as humanity's scrap yard, it doesn't mean we have the right to mistreat the people there as punching bags. Aren't they technically men and brothers?"

— Unknown Quaker.

Purpose

Supposed to reduce or prevent the slave trade in England entirely.
Allowed the British Empire to enforce fines on countries which still imported forced labor from other places, especially African slaves.

Document Structure

Clauses

It is organized in paragraphs. The copy released on request has summarized sentences describing the caveats of the Act.

Caveats

Captains of ships carrying slaves would be fined up to £100 for each captive found on board. The fines varied based on the age and gender of the captives, being three pounds for a child, ten for a woman, and thirteen for a man on average.
Such ships would also be considered pirates for record purposes.
While captives would be freed and allowed to seek work, they weren't entitled to the full social benefits or pensions after work either.

Publication Status

Available on request.

Legal status

Valid within the British Empire and Commonwealth.

Historical Details

Background

"God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners."

— William Wilberforce's diary, 1787.

Anti-slavery sentiment had been held by some religious groups in England, mostly the Quakers. The latter had a large influence on the Parliment at the time, and wanted to abolish slavery as part of their believed divine mission.

History

In 1787, abolitionist groups consisting of Evangelical Protestants and Quakers were formed to protest against slavery as a barbaric practice.

Public Reaction

The theocratic elites of Xiyang Tangguo were the only group besides the British to agree to stamp out the slave trade.
Supporters of the act within England were confident that the act would end slavery at least within Britain.
However, some overseers in the Commonwealth believed that the British Empire was pushing its opinions as law and were reluctant to agree to the rules set in the Act.

Legacy

This particular act paved the way for a more thorough Abolition of Slavery act in 1833.
As of 1850, the British Navy's presence in West African waters can be directly tied to this.

Type

Manuscript, Legal

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

1807