Very scarce early pro-slavery speech by Virginia Legislator, John Thompson Brown. Abolitionist sentiments had been dispersed in Virginia throughout the late 1820's and early 1830's. Brown brought it to the floor under the idea that it must be discussed sooner or later. Thus, it should be discussed by choice, and the matter put to bed, as it were. Yes, he is that dismissive of the idea of abolition. 

His arguments are fairly straightforward. It's practically impossible and would destroy the Virginia economy. Nothing can be "moral" that destroys the lives of Virginia's [white] citizens. 

His son, also John Thompson Brown [1835-1864], a Colonel in the Confederate Army. He was active on May 7, 1861, at the Battle of Gloucester Point, VA, and is credited by many historians as having fired the first Confederate shot in Virginia. He was killed by a sharpshooter at the Battle of the Wilderness in May of 1864. 

Brown, John Thompson [Sen.] The Speech of John Thompson Brown, in the House of Delegates of Virginia on the Abolition of Slavery. Delivered Wednesday, January 18, 1832. Richmond. Thomas W. White. 1832. 32pp.

Good copy, textually complete and removed from a larger sammelband at some point. Some generally minor ex library marks.