NARRATIVE OF A FIVE YEARS EXPEDITION AGAINST THE REVOLTED NEGROES OF SURINAM

London: Johnston.. Johnson & T. Payne, 1813. Second Edition. Leather-bound. Very Good. 2vol. 4to 4to. 2 folding maps 78 plates including 13 by Blake, from drawings made by the Author. Simply but nicly rebound in 1/4 leather over dark brown cloth. Second edition, corrected. List of subscribers. As is frequently seen, some offsetting to pages opposite plates.

One of the most famous and fascinating military, travel, and humanistic books of all history. The account of the unsuccessful attempt to put down the revolted Negros of Dutch Surinam. Full title: Narrative of a five years' expedition against the revolted Negroes of Surinam in Guiana, on the wild coast of South America, from the year 1772 to 1777 : elucidating the history of that country, and describing its productions, viz. quadrupedes, birds, fishes [sic], reptiles, trees, shrubs, fruits and roots : with an account of the Indians of Guiana, and Negroes of Guinea. With its first-hand depictions of slavery and other aspects of colonization, this book became an important tool in the early abolitionist cause. A vivid portrayal of a battle for the village of Gado Saby can be seen in the frontispiece of Stedman's Narrative, which depicts Stedman standing over a dead slave in the foreground and a village burning in the distance. Stedman contrasts the beauty and sweetness of the colony with his first taste of the violence and cruelty endemic there.

Stedman met Joanna, a mulatto slave, soon after arriving in Surinam (see portrait opposite p. 95) Stedman was captivated by Joanna's looks and charm, and they soon began a romance. Before long they had a son together, named Johnny. Throughout his Narrative, Stedman praises Joanna's character and sweet nature. He often describes instances of her loyalty and devotion to him through his absences and illnesses. Joanna died in 1782, after which their son migrated to Europe to live with Stedman.

Stedman served in the Scots Brigade, a regiment of mercenary troops that had been established by the Netherlands to help protect its constitutional interests. In 1772, he volunteered to accompany the expedition sent by the States-General to subdue the insurgents in Dutch Guiana. However, the book takes a strong anti-slavery stance (as witnessed by the involvement of the progressive William Blake):

Stedman describes the cruelties practiced on the slaves, and shows the moral deterioration of their masters. (from Auction Records Stedman served in the Scots Brigade, a regiment of mercenary troops that had been established by the Netherlands to help protect its constitutional interests. In 1772, he volunteered to accompany the expedition sent by the States-General to subdue the insurgents in Dutch Guiana. However, the book takes a strong anti-slavery stance (as witnessed by the involvement of the progressive William Blake): Stedman describes the cruelties practiced on the slaves, and shows the moral deterioration of their masters) (from Sotheby's auction records (L20409-57, 2020)

One scholar notes: "the later editions in English are the prefered text for any scholar interested in the power of Stedeman's witness against slavery.  " "...During the Dutch colonial period, Suriname was a lucrative source of sugar, its plantation economy driven by African slave labor and, after abolition of slavery in 1863, indentured servants from Asia...The Netherlands abolished slavery in Suriname in 1863, under a gradual process that required enslaved people to work on plantations for 10 transition years for minimal pay, which was considered as partial compensation for their masters..." (Wikipedia) It will be noticed that a William Blake engraved thirteen plates, while three plates were engraved by Bartolozzi". "Many of the plates, it will be noticed, were engraved by [William] Blake, who had learnt his trade from Basire, to whom he was apprenticed for seven years from August 1772. As Keynes says in his bibliography From 1791 until 1800 Blake did much of his work as a journeyman engraver for the booksellers" (Abbey). Keynes eventually decided that Blake was responsible for sixteen of the plates. "Both text and plates made a strong impression on reviewers. The Analytical Review, XXIV (Sept. 1796), said 'The numerous plates.are neatly engraved, and are, we have great reason to believe, faithful and correct delineations of objects described in the work.' The Critical Review (Jan. 1797) praised the engravings as being 'in a style of uncommon elegance'"