Author

STEDMAN, J[ohn] G[abriel].

Title

Narrative of a five years' expedition against the revolted negroes of Surinam, in Guiana, on the wild coast of South America;
from the year 1722, to 1777: elucidating the history of that country; and describing its productions, viz. quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles, trees, fruits, & roots; with an account of the indians of Guiana. & negroes of Guinea.

Published, Date

J.Johnson, London,1796.

Description

Two volumes, 4to., xviii, 407, [ix]; iv, 404, [viii]pp., engraved frontispiece, , 2 engraved titles with vignettes, 2 folding maps & 78 plates and views, 13 of the plates by William Blake and 3 by Bartolozzi, all after drawings by the author, light browning and small waterstain to frontispiece, occasional light foxing to plates. Contemporary half calf rebacked preserving spine.

Note

A clean, fresh copy of the first edition. Stedman served in the Scots Brigade, a regiment of mercenary troops that had been established by the Netherlands to help protect its constitutional interests. In 1772, he volunteered to accompany the expedition sent by the States-General to subdue the insurgents in Dutch Guiana. However, the book takes a strong anti-slavery stance (as witnessed by the involvement of the progressive William Blake): Stedman describes the cruelties pracitsed on the slaves, and shows the moral deterioration of their masters.

References

Abbey Travel 719; Sabin 91075.

Stock Number

84519