Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2018
Jim Jordan
Jim Jordan
Long-Lost Letters Document the Slave Voyage That Shocked a Nation
Long-Lost Letters Document the Slave Voyage That Shocked a Nation
Okatie, SC – A journal missing for more than 125 years documenting an illegal landing of 409 African slaves on American soil—the first successful one in almost forty years—has been found and is the basis for a new book.
Okatie, SC – A journal missing for more than 125 years documenting an illegal landing of 409 African slaves on American soil—the first successful one in almost forty years—has been found and is the basis for a new book.
Historian Jim Jordan, a resident of Callawassie Island, South Carolina, was researching the slaving voyage of the luxury yacht WANDERER when he discovered a long-lost cache of letters written by its part owner, Charles Lamar. These letters describe the Savannah businessman’s involvement in the illegal slave trade and Cuban filibustering movement. Lamar’s letter book had been stored in a New Jersey attic when Jordan learned of it, purchased it, and donated it to the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah. He uses these letters to tell the story of the criminal life of a troubled, and troubling figure, in THE SLAVE-TRADER'S LETTER-BOOK: CHARLES LAMAR, THE Wanderer, AND OTHER TALES OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE (University of Georgia Press).
Historian Jim Jordan, a resident of Callawassie Island, South Carolina, was researching the slaving voyage of the luxury yacht WANDERER when he discovered a long-lost cache of letters written by its part owner, Charles Lamar. These letters describe the Savannah businessman’s involvement in the illegal slave trade and Cuban filibustering movement. Lamar’s letter book had been stored in a New Jersey attic when Jordan learned of it, purchased it, and donated it to the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah. He uses these letters to tell the story of the criminal life of a troubled, and troubling figure, in THE SLAVE-TRADER'S LETTER-BOOK: CHARLES LAMAR, THE Wanderer, AND OTHER TALES OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE (University of Georgia Press).
The transatlantic African slave trade operated for about 350 years, 290 of them legally. During the illegal years the trade continued to thrive, primarily to Cuba and Brazil, despite the patrolling of the African coast by the British navy. Landings of slave ships on American shores were practically unheard of. Then Charles Lamar and his partners came up with a unique idea to fool the authorities—use a yacht as a slave ship. They bought the WANDERER, outfitted the vessel, and sent it to the Congo River, where Captain William C. Corrie wined and dined the officers of a British cruiser. Two months later the WANDERER landed its Africans on Jekyll Island, Georgia, causing an uproar throughout the nation. Then Lamar and his partners challenged the slave-trade laws as the country headed towards Civil War.
The transatlantic African slave trade operated for about 350 years, 290 of them legally. During the illegal years the trade continued to thrive, primarily to Cuba and Brazil, despite the patrolling of the African coast by the British navy. Landings of slave ships on American shores were practically unheard of. Then Charles Lamar and his partners came up with a unique idea to fool the authorities—use a yacht as a slave ship. They bought the WANDERER, outfitted the vessel, and sent it to the Congo River, where Captain William C. Corrie wined and dined the officers of a British cruiser. Two months later the WANDERER landed its Africans on Jekyll Island, Georgia, causing an uproar throughout the nation. Then Lamar and his partners challenged the slave-trade laws as the country headed towards Civil War.
John Duncan, professor emeritus of Armstrong State University says, “Jim Jordan has given us a fascinating look at little-known yet divisive events that occurred during the years leading up to the Civil War, particularly the illegal, transatlantic African slave trade. He brings them to life through the provocative and often outrageous words of a man involved in those activities.”
John Duncan, professor emeritus of Armstrong State University says, “Jim Jordan has given us a fascinating look at little-known yet divisive events that occurred during the years leading up to the Civil War, particularly the illegal, transatlantic African slave trade. He brings them to life through the provocative and often outrageous words of a man involved in those activities.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Mimi Schroeder APR / mimi@maxbookpr.com / 404.447.6242
MEDIA CONTACT: Mimi Schroeder APR / mimi@maxbookpr.com / 404.447.6242