This controversial, oft-suppressed work is a fascinating glimpse into the practice of white slavery. In White Slavery in the Barbary States captivity expert Charles Sumner takes a detailed look at the white slave markets which flourished on the Barbary Coast of North Africa, which included the Ottoman provinces of Algeria, Tunisia and Tripolitania and the independent sultanate of Morocco, between the 16th and middle of the 18th century.

But no classical authority is needed for this designation. War, as conducted under International Law, between two organized nations, is in all respects a duel, according to the just signification of this word,—differing from that between two individuals only in the number of combatants. The variance is of proportion merely, each nation being an individual who appeals to the sword as Arbiter; and in each case the combat is subject to rules constituting a code by which the two parties are bo...

The speeches of Charles Sumner have many titles to endure in the memory of mankind. They contain the reasons on which the American people acted in taking the successive steps in the revolution which overthrew slavery, and made of a race of slaves, freemen, citizens, voters. They have a high place in literature. They are not only full of historical learning, set forth in an attractive way, but each of the more important of them was itself an historical event. They afford a picture of a nobl...

What woman has not said “I remember when I was a girl....” Clara Barton at eighty-six years said, in the story of her childhood, I remember ..., I remember riding wild colts when I was five years of age. I remember how frightened I was, but acquired assurance when my brother used to tell me to “cling fast to the mane.” To this day (at eighty-six years of age) my seat in the saddle, or on the bare back of a horse, is as secure and tireless as in a rocking chair. I remember I thought the Pre...

'He was makin' himsel' a' the time, but he didna ken maybe what he was about till years had passed; at first he thought o' little, I dare say, but the queerness and the fun.'In these expressive words, Robert Shortreed, who guided Walter Scott on the celebrated 'raids' into the Liddesdale country, correctly summarized the youth and early manhood of the future poet and novelist. Scott was thirty-four years old when the 'Lay of the Last Minstrel' appeared, and had reached the mature age of fo...

"The Duel Between France and Germany" by Charles Sumner is a compelling exploration of the historical tensions and conflicts between these two nations. Sumner, a prominent American politician and abolitionist, delves into the political, social, and military aspects that have shaped the relationship between France and Germany. Through a detailed analysis, he examines key events and ideologies that have fueled rivalry and cooperation, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of how the...

The Best Portraits in Engraving by Charles Sumner is an insightful examination of the art of portrait engraving, focusing on some of the most notable engraved portraits from history. In this work, Sumner—who was a prominent American statesman and art enthusiast—highlights the intricacies of portrait engraving as both an artistic and technical craft. He pays homage to the engravers who have skillfully captured the likeness, personality, and social standing of their subjects through detailed...

"The Spanish Galleon" likely follows the thrilling adventures of a group of characters who set out to find or recover a Spanish galleon, a type of large sailing ship used by the Spanish Empire, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. These ships were often involved in transporting treasure, and the plot may revolve around a quest for lost riches, shipwrecks, and dangerous encounters at sea.The story could involve pirates, treasure hunters, and explorers navigating treacherous waters a...

In "The Crime Against Kansas," Charles Sumner delivers a passionate and incisive critique of the pro-slavery forces undermining the integrity of the young Kansas territory during the contentious era of the mid-19th century. This powerful speech, originally delivered in the Senate in 1856, employs a meticulous blend of rhetorical fervor and stark moral clarity, vividly portraying the violence and injustice perpetrated in the name of slavery. Sumner's bold literary style not only exemplifies...

In "The Spanish Galleon," Charles Sumner Seeley meticulously explores the intricate history and cultural significance of the famed ships that dominated maritime trade during the Age of Exploration. Employing a rich narrative style infused with vivid imagery, Seeley transports readers to the bustling ports and treacherous waters where galleons played a pivotal role in shaping the Spanish Empire's reach. His in-depth analysis incorporates historical records and personal accounts, providing a...

On the eighteenth day of August, 1886, as the sun was setting, I was floating in the Caribbean Sea. You may mark the place on the map as being approximately N. latitude 15°, and W. longitude 62° from Greenwich; or in other words, between one hundred and two hundred miles west of the French island of Martinique. A chest, well corded but partly filled with water, was all that kept my head above the surface. Without food or drink I had been floating thus since shortly after sunrise of the pre...

In "White Slavery in the Barbary States," Charles Sumner presents a meticulous examination of the plight of European captives held by North African powers, specifically the Barbary States during the early modern period. The text blends historical analysis with passionate rhetoric, reflecting the abolitionist sentiment of its time. Sumner's narrative draws upon a range of primary sources, including firsthand accounts and contemporary reports, thereby delivering a vivid portrayal of the horr...