The Trial of Captain John Kimber, for the Murder of Two Female Negro Slaves, on Board the Recovery, African Slave Ship
Tried at the Admiralty Sessions, Held at the Old Baily, the 7th of June, 1792
"The Trial of Captain John Kimber, for the Murder of Two Female Negro Slaves, on board the Recovery, African Slave Ship" is a historical account written in the late 18th century. The book documents the trial of Captain John Kimber, who was accused of the murder of two enslaved African women aboard his slave ship, the Recovery. This account highlights the brutal realities of the slave trade and the judicial proceedings of the time, aiming to shed light on the inhumane treatment of slaves. The narrative follows the proceedings of the Admiralty Sessions held at the Old Bailey in June 1792, detailing the testimonies of witnesses, the prosecution's case, and the defense mounted by Kimber and his supporters. Key witnesses include the ship's surgeon and a fellow crew member who describe the severe and abusive treatment inflicted on the female slaves, leading to their deaths. Despite the evidence presented, the jury ultimately acquits Kimber, provoking critical reflections on the trial's implications for justice and morality during the era of the slave trade. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed and the societal attitudes toward slavery, both at the time of the trial and in the decades that followed.