The Alchemy of Slavery foregrounds diverse and adaptable slaving practices that masters deployed to build a slave economy in Illinois, innovating in response to antislavery pressures.

Introduction. Slavery and Freedom on the American Continent
Chapter 1. Making the French Negroes
Chapter 2. Another Law and Empire
Chapter 3. Remaking the French Negroes
Chapter 4. Contesting Bondage in the Slave North
Chapter 5. Paths to Independence
Chapter 6. Freedom Practices, Freedom Politics
Conclusion. North of Slavery, South of Freedom
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments