Ahead of its time …
On the 7th February 1792 – 15 years before the Slave Trade Act was passed in parliament – the Presbytery of Cupar issued a statement that it shared with the area’s newspapers.
They felt “constrained unanimously to declare their utter abhorrence” of the nature and effect of the African slave trade.
Their declaration spoke of “the horrid cruelties” and they “cordially approve of the benevolent exertions that have been already made in different part s of the British empire for its abolition“.
The collection of church ministers and elders recognised the “public manner” of their statement through which they wished to “express their warmest wishes and most sanguine hopes that the legislature will speedily adopt effectual measures to put an end to a commerce disgraceful to the nation, repugnant to the feelings of humanity and inconsistent with the principles of Christianity“.
Need more?
Thank you to Cupar Museum & Heritage Centre for the information featured in this short story: it is one of a series that we will publish as part of Cupar’s Year of Stories – in support of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Share your story …
Cupar’s Year of Stories is encouraging all to share stories on Cupar and our district – stories that may be from an individual, a company or organisation. They can feature the past, present … or the future. As long as they are linked with Cupar, we’d love to see them! You can click on the image below to submit your story. Once reviewed, we will publish on our Blog so they create an archive for the project.
Don’t miss out …
