Wales' proud contribution to abolition of slavery

Rhodri Morgan said Wales should mark its substantial contribution to the anti-slavery movement during this bi-centennial year.

The abolitionist cause was taken up in the last quarter of the 18th century by a whole range of ordinary working class people in Wales and some eminent figures in Welsh religious and cultural life as well during.

“People such as Morgan John Rhys, the Baptist Minister from Llanbradach who wrote a pamphlet on the horrors of slave transportation, John Elias, the Methodist preacher from Anglesey, Iolo Morganwg the poet and founder of the Gorsedd of Bards.  

“Robert Everett from Flintshire attacked slavery in an influential monthly magazine and encouraged the Welsh in America to join the abolition campaign, and at the St Asaph Eisteddfod in 1790 the winning poem and essay were on freedom and both authors criticised the slave trade,” he said.

"What we must guard against is smug self-satisfaction and pointing the finger of blame.  While the slave trade is mainly associated with the ports of Bristol, London and Liverpool, it must be remembered that the Welsh industrial revolution and profits from the slave trade went hand in hand," Mr Morgan said.

“Welsh industry produced the goods used as payment for slaves. Cyfarthfa Ironworks were built on the profits of the slave trade, as was the huge expansion of the slate industry at Penrhyn Quarry.  Welsh planters, agents and sea captains were directly involved, and ships used in the trade were built at Cardiff, Newport and Swansea.  Many ordinary working-class people were also indirectly connected – the seamen on the ships and the workers employed by the slave owners and industrialists.”

Mr Morgan said the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was a decisive step in the campaign to abolish the trade world-wide. The bicentenary was an important opportunity to reflect on the struggles of the past and to pay tribute to the courage and moral conviction of all those – black and white – who campaigned for its abolition.  It was also an opportunity to demand to know why slavery still exists in some parts of the world today.

He added:  “We will be organising and supporting a number of projects and events throughout the year to mark this important anniversary in partnership with other public bodies in Wales.  Further details will be announced shortly.”

Note

The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed by the British Parliament on 25 March 1807.  It outlawed the slave trade within the then British Empire and imposed a fine of £100 for every slave found aboard a British ship.  In 1827 Britain declared that participation in the slave trade was piracy and punishable by death.

The Slavery Abolition Act, passed on 23 August 1833, outlawed slavery in the British colonies and all slaves in the British Empire were emancipated on 1 August 1834.  However, they were still indentured to their former owners in a 6-year apprenticeship system, which was finally abolished in 1838.

Bicentenary, events are being held in Wales and the rest of UK.  These include an event in St David’s Hall, Cardiff on Sunday 25th March entitled ‘Valuing Freedom’ and a Service of Commemoration at Westminster Abbey on 27th March.  Other events in Wales include an exhibition on slavery at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea and an exhibition at Penrhyn Castle entitled ‘Sugar and Slavery – the Penrhyn Connections’, both of which run from May to October.

More information on the Welsh connection with the slave trade and its abolition can be found in Alan Llwyd’s book Cymru Ddu – Black Wales: A history produced in association with Butetown History and Arts Centre

January 23 2007