Compulsory manumission : $b or, An examination of the actual state of the West India question

"Compulsory Manumission; or, An Examination of the Actual State of the West India Question" by Alexander M‘Donnell is a critical look at the debate around ending slavery in the British West Indies during the 1800s. The book unpacks the complex issues surrounding the idea of forced freedom for enslaved people. It probably reflects the views of plantation owners, focusing on how such a policy could negatively impact the plantation system and the well-being of the people they enslaved. The author begins by setting the scene, discussing the strong feelings about slavery at the time and the growing movement to abolish it. He voices worries about the accusations made against West India colonists by those against colonialism, who claimed the government favored their interests too much; and the author argues that caring for the enslaved should be the most important consideration when making laws, setting the stage for a thorough argument against compulsory freedom. The author's analysis highlights the possible negative results for both the enslaved and the economy of the colonies.