Autograph letter signed. Playford, Suffolk: 8 May 1844. A long autograph letter signed "Thomas Clarkson" on one sheet, about thirty lines in Clarkson's hand with corrections and underlinings, the letter addressed to Mr. [John] Scoble. Framed. Tipped to a backing, a few handling creases and spots, original smudging, not examined out of frame.

An late letter from the prominent English Abolitionist Thomas Clarkson (1760-1846) to fellow anti-slavery activist John Scoble on the interesting subject of duties to be paid on slave produced sugar reaching England from Cuba and Brazil. The letter opens with the 84 year old Clarkson asking Scoble to send a copy of his letter on the subject that is to be read at by Joseph Sturge public meeting. Scoble, active in criticizing the apprenticeship and indenture system that had replaced slavery in much of the West Indies, had accompanied Sturge there in 1837 and contributed to his report. At the time of this letter Scoble was secretary of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Scotiety and it is likely that Clarkson's letter was to be read at one of their meetings. Here Clarkson outines the duty paid on colonial and free-grown foregin sugar and asks of Scoble what the duty will be on slave grown foreign sugar, such as that grown in Cuba in Brazil. An unusual letter on a practical subject from this great abolitionist.