Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. The first three chapters of this volume describe the social and economic background of the struggle. Chapters v. To ix. Are devoted to a description of the master and slave as they lived together in a social combination which could be shaken apart only by a great convulsion. Chapters x. To xvii. Take up the obverse of the medal, the abolitionists and their methods and relation to master, slave, and government. Chapters xviii. And xix. Carry the con troversy into the national government. Chapter xx. Is on the political events of Van Buren''s administra tion. Chapter xxi. Is a summary of the actual effects of the movement. The authorities upon which the volume is based are in part enumerated in chapter xxii. But such references cannot include the per sonal impressions gained from association with southern whites, with the descendants Of slaves.