Slave-Trader's Letter-Book: Charles Lamar, the Wanderer, and Other Tales of the African Slave Trade

In 1858, Charles Lamar, a Savannah businessman, organized the shipment of hundreds of Africans on the luxury yacht Wanderer to Jekyll Island, Georgia, in violation of U.S. law. The four hundred survivors of the Middle Passage were sold into bondage. In 2009, researcher Jim Jordan found a cache of private papers belonging to Charles Lamars father, including his letter book, confirming him as the author. The Lamar documents, including the Slave-Traders Letter Book, are now at the Georgia Historical Society and provide insight into the lead-up to the Civil War from the perspective of a troubled figure.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2019
Publisher: University of Georgia Press

In 1858, a daring businessman named Charles Lamar orchestrated the illegal transportation of hundreds of African individuals on the luxurious yacht Wanderer to Jekyll Island, Georgia. This audacious act, in direct violation of U.S. law, resulted in the sale of the surviving four hundred individuals into forced labor. This remarkable event marked the first successful documented slave landing in the United States in approximately four decades, causing a seismic shock to a nation already teetering on the brink of civil war.

Over a century later, in 1886, the North American Review published excerpts from thirty letters purportedly written by Charles Lamar during the 1850s. These letters, believed to have been extracted from his letter book, shed light on his criminal activities. However, the authenticity of these letters remained a subject of doubt until very recently.

In 2009, a remarkable discovery was made by researcher Jim Jordan. While conducting research in an attic in New Jersey, he stumbled upon a cache of private papers belonging to Charles Lamar's father. Among these documents was Charles Lamar's letter book, confirming his authorship. The Lamar letters, including the Slave-Traders Letter Book, were carefully preserved and are now housed at the Georgia Historical Society, where they are accessible for scholarly research.

This captivating book is divided into two distinct parts. The first section delves into the tumultuous and reckless life of Charles Lamar, encompassing his involvement in southern secession, the slave trade, and a daring plot to overthrow the government of Cuba. A startling portrayal emerges, challenging the previous perception of Lamar as a shrewd entrepreneur and principled rebel. Instead, we witness a man plagued by financial desperation, whose erratic behavior consistently hindered his success. His involvement in the slave trade, while driven by a sense of southern defiance, was also fueled by a desperate attempt to alleviate his financial woes.

The second section presents the Slave-Traders Letter-Book, accompanied by extensive annotations. These seventy long-lost letters offer a unique perspective on the events leading up to the Civil War, providing a glimpse into the thoughts and actions of a troubled and enigmatic figure. Through their words, we gain insight into the complex web of relationships, alliances, and betrayals that shaped the political landscape of the time.

The Lamar letters and the Slave-Traders Letter-Book serve as a testament to the complex and often-shrouded history of slavery and its impact on American society. They shed light on the motivations and actions of individuals who played pivotal roles in shaping the nation's destiny, challenging our understanding of the past and prompting us to reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780820356877