Thoughts Upon Slavery

Thoughts Upon Slavery is a polemic essay by John Wesley, first published in 1774, that critiques the moral and ethical implications of slavery, particularly the African slave trade. Wesley, a key figure in the founding of Methodism, argues that slavery is a violation of natural justice and moral decency, detailing the brutal conditions faced by enslaved individuals and the inhumane practices of their procurement and treatment. He calls for recognition of the inherent rights of all humans and advocates for compassion and justice toward the oppressed, making this work a significant early critique of slavery in the context of Enlightenment thought.