James Dewolf

This is a master's thesis written on James DeWolf from Rhode Island. It is a presentation of new historical evidence regarding his prolific involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade from 1794-1816. This research discusses the evolution of state and national laws that explicitly declared that slaving was an illegal activity. Included are DeWolf's political involvement and influence, and how the local economy became dependent on his success in trafficking human cargo. DeWolf's prolific involvement in the slave trade will be established and the mythology previously surrounding both DeWolf and Rhode Island's role in slaving will be corrected