James Drummond MacGregor was a significant figure in the history of abolition in Canada. His publication in 1788, A Letter to a Clergyman Urging Him to Set Free a Black Girl He Held in Slavery, marked him as the first published abolitionist in Canada. In this letter, he appealed to Reverend Daniel Cock's moral and religious obligations to free a young enslaved girl, conveying arguments steeped in scripture. MacGregor dedicated much of his modest ministerial salary to buy the freedom of slaves, showcasing his lifelong commitment to the abolitionist cause in Pictou, Nova Scotia where he also ministered to the enslaved population. He passed away in 1830, leaving a legacy marked by unwavering opposition to slavery.
MacGregor's work, A Letter to a Clergyman, is regarded as the first abolitionist publication in Canada and remains one of the most significant pieces of anti-slavery literature in the Americas.
Citing religious scripture, MacGregor argued against the morality of slavery, emphasizing that buying and selling human beings contradicts God's will and their inherent freedom as His creations.
Throughout his ministry in Nova Scotia, MacGregor actively sought to abolish slavery, dedicating a significant portion of his income to purchase freedom for enslaved individuals, demonstrating his commitment to the cause.
While he championed abolitionism rigorously, the specific details surrounding the freedom purchase of the girl held by Reverend Cock remain uncertain, highlighting the complexities of historical abolitionist actions.
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