Chapters 8 and 9 of Bury The Chains focus on the efforts of the newly found committee against slavery to get their message out to the public and mobilize support amongst their fellow Britons. Clarkson embarks on a journey to several major seaports (Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester) in an attempt to gather information, testimonials, and gain further support for the cause. Through his inquisitive actions, Clarkson draws much resentment from people within the slaving industry. At one point, Clarkson is even confronted by a group of men who mean to throw him off the pier into the water (most Britons at the time could not swim so it is fair to say they meant to kill him). However, through his hard work and determination, Clarkson is able to enlist the services of several people who are willing to testify to parliament about the horros they have witnessed during their time in the slave trade as well as sign a petition against slavery. Chapter 9 ends with the story of King George IV going insane, an event that would put the abolition movement on hold (people couild not focus on the abolition movement until the Kings situation was resolved)
What I found most interesting about these chapters is the degree to which petitions were used during the time period. Because only 1 in every 4 Briton had the right to vote, Petitions were used as a very effective method for people to have their voice heard by government. I found this little bit of knowledge to be very interesting and surprising.
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