Author: DALZEL, Archibald.
Title: The history of Dahomey, an inland kingdom of Africa; compiled from authentic memoirs; with an introduction and notes.
Description: London, T. Spilsbury and Son, 1793. 4to. Later half calf, spine gilt. With folding engraved map with cartouche depicting an elephant after R. Norris, and 6 engraved plates by Chesham (one partly cut short and tipped in). XXXII,XXVI,(4),230 pp. First edition. - One of the first published descriptions of Dahomey. He drew partly on his own experience as a merchant and slave trader. He was the former governor at Whydah, West-Africa, and at time of publication of the present work, governor at Cape-Coast-Castle. His official position enabled him opportunities of obtaining valuable and accurate information. Parts of the history are compiled from i.a. the memoirs of Robert Norris, who spent eighteen years in the African trade, and from the communications of Lionel Abson, Dalzel's successor as British governor at Whydah. 'His History was both a historical compilation and propaganda against the abolition of the slave trade. He argued that the slave trade saved African victims from human sacrifice and slaughter' (The Paolo Bianchi Collection 102). The plates are showing scenes of the audience of the king of the of Dahomey, the king marching out at the head of his armed women, victims for sacrifice, the procession of the kings women, the last day of the annual customs for watering the graves of the kings ancestors, Adahoonzou cuts off 127 heads to complete the ornament of his wall,. The book is a polemic written in order to counter the charges of the British anti-slave trade movement and to prevent any further Parliamentary action being taken against the trade. 'His book remains important for its contents, pleasant style, and influence' (DNB). - (Occasionally sl. foxed; small library stamp on title-page). Cardinall 396; Hogg 170; Work p.8; Afro-Americana 2902.

Keywords: Africa Ghana Jubileum cat. West Africa slavery