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This book has been a work in progress for more than ten years. In those years, I have found myself in the debt of a number of individuals, without whose assistance the successful completion of this project would not have been possible. I received the initial inspiration for the project through the efforts of Dr.Martha Keber,who led a course in historical research methods during studies for my master’s degree at Georgia College and State University . The research paper for that course evolved into my master’s thesis under the direction of Dr. Robert Wilson III. Drs. Keber and Wilson supported me at every stage of the process; indeed, they convinced me that I had the makings of a historian. For that, I owe them a debt I can never repay. Work on my thesis, on the trials of slaves in Baldwin County, produced more questions than answers, and those questions led me to Emory University and James L. Roark. Dr. Roark was, and is, my adviser, mentor, and friend. His enthusiasm for Southern history, his keen intellectual eye, and his thoughtful—yet gentle—criticism helped me to shape the mass of data and the tangled ideas in my head into a dissertation. Dr. Dan T. Carter and Dr. Leslie Harris completed my dissertation committee, and their observations improved the dissertation immeasurably.The final guides on this intellectual odyssey were my editors, Richard Holway and Jeannette Hopkins . Mr. Holway was interested in this project before I ever put pen—well, word processor—to paper and has offered his guidance and enthusiastic support during the years it took for this book to become a reality.His professionalism and sensitivity have made the publication process straightforward and painless,something—from my limited knowledge of such matters—few authors are able to say. Ms. Hopkins worked with me on every page of the manuscript and along the way made me a better editor of my own work and that of my students.Her exacting standards and commitment to history and history books turned an encyclopedic dissertation into a book of which I am proud. My final obligations are personal and they are owed to my wife, Sylvie Coulibaly. She is a fine historian in her own right, and her thoughts, emotional support, and patience led me through those dark times of selfdoubt that all first-time authors experience. I hope that this book, and my lasting respect and admiration, will serve as partial recompense for what she has given me. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This page intentionally left blank ...

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