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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Rise, Progress and
+Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the
+British Parliament (1839), by Thomas Clarkson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the
+Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the British Parliament (1839)
+
+Author: Thomas Clarkson
+
+Release Date: May 16, 2007 [EBook #10633]
+[This file was first posted on January 8, 2004]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ABOLITION OF SLAVE-TRADE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Carlo Traverso, Amy Overmyer, and PG Distributed
+Proofreaders from images generously made available by the Bibliotheque
+nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE HISTORY OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ABOLITION
+OF THE SLAVE-TRADE, BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT
+
+BY THOMAS CLARKSON, M.A.
+
+1839
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Thomas Clarkson]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+TO
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM, LORD GRENVILLE,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES, EARL GREY,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FRANCIS, EARL MOIRA,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE JOHN, EARL SPENCER,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY RICHARD, LORD HOLLAND,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS, LORD ERSKINE,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD, LORD ELLENBOROUGH,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HENRY PETTY,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS GRENVILLE,
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+NINE OUT OF TWELVE OF HIS MAJESTY'S LATE CABINET MINISTERS,
+
+TO WHOSE WISE AND VIRTUOUS ADMINISTRATION BELONGS
+
+THE UNPARALLELED AND ETERNAL GLORY
+
+OF THE ANNIHILATION,
+
+AS FAR AS THEIR POWER EXTENDED,
+
+OF ONE OF THE GREATEST SOURCES OF CRIMES AND SUFFERINGS,
+
+EVER RECORDED IN THE ANNALS OF MANKIND;
+
+AND TO THE MEMORIES OF
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM PITT,
+
+AND OF
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES JAMES FOX,
+
+UNDER WHOSE FOSTERING INFLUENCE
+
+THE GREAT WORK WAS BEGUN AND PROMOTED;
+
+THIS HISTORY
+
+OF
+
+THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE
+TRADE,
+
+IS RESPECTFULLY AND GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+    PREFATORY REMARKS ON THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
+
+    CHAPTER I Introduction.--Estimate of the evil of the Slave
+    Trade; and of the blessing of the Abolition of it.--Usefulness
+    of the contemplation of this subject
+
+
+    CHAPTER II Those, who favoured the cause of the Africans
+    previously to 1787, were so many necessary forerunners in
+    it.--Cardinal Ximenes; and others
+
+
+    CHAPTER III Forerunners continued to 1787; divided now into four
+    classes.--First consists of persons in England of various
+    descriptions, Godwyn, Baxter, and others
+
+
+    CHAPTER IV Second, of the Quakers in England, George Fox, and
+    his religious descendants
+
+
+    CHAPTER V Third, of the Quakers in America.--Union of these with
+    individuals of other religious denominations in the same cause
+
+
+    CHAPTER VI Facility of junction between the members of these
+    three different classes
+
+
+    CHAPTER VII Fourth, consists of Dr. Peckard; then of the
+    Author.--Author wishes to embark in the cause; falls in with
+    several of the members of these classes
+
+
+    CHAPTER VIII Fourth class continued; Langton, Baker, and
+    others.--Author now embarks in the cause as a business of his
+    life
+
+
+    CHAPTER IX Fourth class continued; Sheldon, Mackworth, and
+    others.--Author seeks for further information on the subject;
+    and visits Members of Parliament
+
+
+    CHAPTER X Fourth class continued.--Author enlarges his
+    knowledge.--Meeting at Mr. Wilberforce's.--Remarkable junction
+    of all the four classes, and a Committee formed out of them, in
+    May, 1787, for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XI History of the preceding classes, and of their
+    junction, shown by means of a map.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XII Author endeavours to do away the charge of
+    ostentation in consequence of becoming so conspicuous in this
+    work.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XIII Proceedings of the Committee; Emancipation declared
+    to be no part of its object.--Wrongs of Africa by Mr. Roscoe.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XIV Author visits Bristol to collect
+    information.--Ill-usage of seamen in the Slave Trade.--Articles
+    of African produce.--Massacre at Calabar.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XV Mode of procuring and paying seamen in that trade;
+    their mortality in it.--Construction and admeasurement of
+    slave-ships.--Difficulty of procuring evidence.--Cases of
+    Gardiner and Arnold.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XVI Author meets with Alexander Falconbridge; visits
+    ill-treated and disabled seamen; takes a mate out of one of the
+    slave-vessels, and puts another in prison for murder.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XVII Visits Liverpool.--Specimens of African
+    produce.--Dock duties.--Iron instruments used in the
+    traffic.--His introduction to Mr. Norris.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XVIII Manner of procuring and paying seamen at Liverpool
+    in the Slave Trade; their treatment and mortality.--Murder of
+    Peter Green.--Dangerous situation of the Author in consequence
+    of his inquiries.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XIX Author proceeds to Manchester; delivers a discourse
+    there on the subject of the Slave Trade.--Revisits Bristol; new
+    and difficult situation there; suddenly crosses the Severn at
+    night.--Returns to London.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XX Labours of the Committee during the Author's
+    journey.--Mr. Sharp elected chairman.--Seal engraved.--Letters
+    from different correspondents to the Committee.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXI Further labours of the Committee to February,
+    1788.--List of new Correspondents.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXII Progress of the cause to the middle of
+    May.--Petitions to Parliament.--Author's interviews with Mr.
+    Pitt and Mr. Grenville.--Privy Council inquire into the subject;
+    examine Liverpool delegates.--Proceedings of the Committee for
+    the Abolition.--Motion and Debate in the House of Commons;
+    discussion of the general question postponed to the next
+    Session.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXIII Progress to the middle of July.--Bill to diminish
+    the horrors of the Middle Passage; Evidence examined against it;
+    Debates; Bill passed through both Houses.--Proceedings of the
+    Committee, and effects of them.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXIV Continuation from June, 1788, to July,
+    1789.--Author travels in search of fresh evidence.--Privy
+    Council resume their examinations; prepare their
+    report.--Proceedings of the Committee for the Abolition; and of
+    the Planters and others.--Privy Council report laid on the table
+    of the House of Commons; debate upon it.--Twelve
+    propositions.--Opponents refuse to argue from the report;
+    examine new evidence of their own in the House of
+    Commons.--Renewal of the Middle Passage Bill.--Death and
+    character of Ramsay.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXV Continuation from July, 1789, to July, 1790.--Author
+    travels to Paris to promote the abolition in France; his
+    proceedings there; returns to England.--Examination of
+    opponents' evidence resumed in the Commons.--Author travels in
+    quest of new evidence on the side of the Abolition; this, after
+    great opposition, introduced.--Renewal of the Middle Passage
+    Bill.--Section of the slave-ship.--Cowper's _Negro's
+    Complaint_.--Wedgewood's Cameos.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXVI Continuation from July, 1790, to July,
+    1791.--Author travels again.--Examinations on the side of the
+    Abolition resumed in the Commons; list of those examined.--Cruel
+    circumstances of the times.--Motion for the Abolition of the
+    Trade; debates; motion lost.--Resolutions of the
+    Committee.--Sierra Leone Company established.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXVII Continuation from July, 1791, to July,
+    1792.--Author travels again.--People begin to leave off sugar;
+    petition Parliament.--Motion renewed in the Commons; debates;
+    abolition resolved upon, but not to commence till 1796.--The
+    Lords determine upon hearing evidence on the resolution; this
+    evidence introduced; further hearing of it postponed to the next
+    Session
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXVIII Continuation from July, 1792, to July,
+    1793.--Author travels again.--Motion to renew the Resolution of
+    the last year in the Commons; motion lost.--New motion to
+    abolish the foreign Slave Trade; motion lost.--Proceeding of the
+    Lords
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXIX Continuation from July, 1793, to July,
+    1794.--Author travels again.--Motion to abolish the foreign
+    Slave Trade renewed, and carried; but lost in the Lords; further
+    proceedings there.--Author, on account of declining health,
+    obliged to retire from the cause
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXX Continuation from July, 1794, to July,
+    1799.--Various motions within this period
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXXI Continuation from July, 1799, to July,
+    1805.--Various motions within this period
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXXII Continuation from July, 1805, to July,
+    1806.--Author, restored, joins the Committee again.--Death of
+    Mr. Pitt.--Foreign Slave Trade abolished.--Resolution to take
+    measures for the total abolition of the trade.--Address to the
+    King to negotiate with foreign powers for their concurrence in
+    it.--Motion to prevent new vessels going into the trade.--All
+    these carried through both Houses of Parliament
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXXIII Continuation from July, 1806, to July,
+    1807.--Death of Mr. Fox.--Bill for the total abolition carried
+    in the Lords; sent from thence to the Commons; amended, and
+    passed there, and sent back to the Lords; receives the royal
+    assent.--Reflections on this great event
+
+
+    Map
+
+
+    Plan and Sections of a Slave Ship
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+PREFATORY REMARKS
+
+TO
+
+THE PRESENT EDITION.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+The invaluable services rendered by Thomas Clarkson to the great
+question of the Slave Trade in all its branches, have been universally
+acknowledged both at home and abroad, and have gained him a high place
+among the greatest benefactors of mankind. The History of the Abolition
+which this volume contains, affords some means of appreciating the
+extent of his sacrifices and his labours in this cause. But after these,
+with the unwearied exertions of William Wilberforce, had conducted its
+friends to their final triumph, in 1807, they did not then rest from
+their labours. There remained four most important objects, to which the
+anxious attention of all Abolitionists was now directed.
+
+_First_,--The law had been passed, forced upon the Planters, the
+Traders, and the Parliament, by the voice of the people; and there was a
+necessity for keeping a watchful eye over its execution.
+
+_Secondly_,--The statute, however rigorously it might be enforced, left,
+of course, the whole amount of the Foreign Slave traffic untouched, and
+it was infinitely to be desired that means should be adopted for
+extending our Abolition to other nations.
+
+_Thirdly_,--Some compensation was due to Africa, for the countless
+miseries which our criminal conduct had for ages inflicted upon her, and
+strict justice, to say nothing of common humanity and Christian charity,
+demanded that every means should be used for aiding in the progress of
+her civilization, and effacing as far as possible the dreadful marks
+which had been left upon her by our crimes.
+
+_Lastly,_--Many of those whom we had transported by fraud and violence
+from their native country, and still more of the descendants of others
+who had fallen a sacrifice to our cruelties, and perished in the course
+of nature, slaves in a foreign land, remained to suffer the dreadful
+evils of West India bondage. It seemed to follow, that the earliest
+opportunity consistent with their own condition, should be taken to free
+those unhappy beings, the victims of our sordid cruelty; and all the
+more to be pitied, as we were all the more to be blamed, because one
+result of our transgression was the having placed them in so unnatural a
+position, that their enemies might seem to be furnished with an argument
+more plausible than sound, drawn from the Negro's supposed unfitness for
+immediate emancipation.
+
+In order to promote these four great objects, a society was formed in
+May 1807, called the African Institution, and although, at first, its
+labours were chiefly directed to the portion of the subject relating to
+Africa, by degrees, as the extinction of the British Slave Trade was
+accomplished, its care was chiefly bestowed on West India matters, which
+were more within the power of this country than the slave traffic, still
+carried on by foreign nations. But it is necessary in the first place,
+to recite the measures by which our own share in that enormous crime was
+surrendered, and the stigma partially obliterated, which it had brought
+upon our national character, Thomas Clarkson bore a forward and
+important part in all these useful and virtuous proceedings. His health
+was now, by rest among the Lakes of Westmoreland for several years,
+comparatively restored and his mind once more bent itself to the
+accomplishment of the grand object; of his life, we may he permitted
+reverently to suggest, the end of his existence.
+
+Mr. Stephen and others, at first, deemed the certainty of the Act passed
+in March 1807, being evaded under the stimulus, and the insurance
+against capture afforded by the enormous profits of the traffic, so
+clear, that they expected the law to become, almost from the time of its
+being enacted, a dead letter. There soon appeared the strongest reasons
+to concur in this opinion, the result of long and close observation in
+the Islands where Mr. Stephen had passed part of his life. The
+slave-dealers knew the risk of penalty and forfeiture which they ran;
+but they also knew that if one voyage in three or four was successful,
+they were abundantly remunerated for all their losses; and, therefore,
+they were no more restrained by the Abolition Act, than by any moderate
+increase of the cost or the risk attending their wicked adventures. This
+was sure, to be the case, as long as the law only treated slavetrading
+as a contraband commerce, subjecting those who drove it to nothing but
+pecuniary penalties. But it was equally evident that the same persons
+who made these calculations of profit and risk, while they only could
+lose the ship or the money by a seizure, would hesitate before they
+encountered the hazard of being tried as for a crime. And, surely, if
+ever these was an act which deserved to be declared felony, and dealt
+with as such, it was this of slave-trading. Accordingly, in 1810, Mr.
+Brougham, then a member of the House of Commons, in moving an address to
+the crown, (which was unanimously agreed to,) for more vigorous measures
+against the traffic, both British and Foreign, gave notice of the Bill,
+which he next year carried through Parliament, and which declared the
+traffic to be a felony, punishable with transportation. Some years
+afterwards it was by another Act made capital, under the name of Piracy,
+but this has since been repealed. Several convictions have taken place
+under the former Act, (of 1811,) and there cannot be the least doubt
+that the law has proved effectual, and that the Slave Trade has long
+ceased to exist as far as the British dominions are concerned.
+
+That foreign states continue shamefully to carry it on, is no less
+certain. There are yearly transported to Cuba and Brazil, above 100,000
+unhappy beings, by the two weakest nations in Europe, and these two most
+entirely subject to the influence and even direct control of England.
+The inevitable consequence is, that more misery is now inflicted on
+Africa by the criminals, gently called Slave-traders, of these two
+guilty nations, than if there were no treaties for the abolition of the
+traffic. The number required is always carried over, and hence, as many
+perish by a miserable death in escaping from the cruisers, as reach
+their destination. The recitals of horror which have been made to
+Parliament and the country on this dreadful subject, are enough to
+curdle the blood in the veins and heart of any one endued with the
+common feelings of humanity. The whole system of prevention, or rather
+of capture, after the crime has been committed, seems framed with a view
+to exasperate the evils of the infernal traffic, to scourge Africa with
+more intolerable torments, and to make human blood be spilt like water.
+Our cruisers, are excited to an active discharge of their duty, by the
+benefit of sharing in the price fetched when the captured ship is
+condemned and sold; but this is a small sum, indeed, compared with the
+rich reward of head-money held out, being so much for every slave taken
+on board. It is thus made the direct interest of these cruisers, that
+the vessels should have their human cargoes on board, rather than be
+prevented from shipping them. True, this vile policy may prove less
+mischievous where no treaty exists, giving a right to seize when there
+are no slaves in the vessel, because here a slave ship is suffered to
+pass, how clear soever her destination might be; yet, even here, the
+inducement to send in boats, and seize as soon as a slave or two may be
+on board, is removed, and the cruiser is told, "only let all these
+wretched beings be torn from their country, and safely lodged in the
+vessel's hold, and your reward is great and sure." Then, whenever there
+is an outfit clause, that is a power to seize vessels fitted for the
+traffic, this mischievous plan tends directly to make the cruiser let
+the slaver make ready and put to sea, or it has no tendency or meaning
+at all. Accordingly, the course is for the cruiser to stand out to sea,
+and not allow herself to be seen in the offing--the crime is
+consummated--the slaves are stowed away--the pirate--captain weighs
+anchor--the pirate-vessel freighted with victims, and manned by
+criminals fares forth--the cruiser, the British cruiser, gives
+chace--and then begin those scenes of horror, surpassing all that the
+poet ever conceived, whose theme was the torments of the damned and the
+wickedness of the fiends. Casks are filled with the slave, and in these
+they are stowed away; or to lighten the vessel, they are flung overboard
+by the score; sometimes they are flung overboard in casks, that the
+chasing ship may be detained by endeavours to pick them up; the dying
+and the dead strew the deck; women giving birth to the fruit of the
+womb, amidst the corpses of their husbands and their children; and
+other, yet worse and nameless atrocities, fill up the terrible picture,
+of impotent justice and triumphant guilt. But the guilt is not all
+Spanish and Portuguese. The English Government can enforce its demands
+on the puny cabinets of Madrid and Lisbon, scarce conscious of a
+substantive existence, in all that concerns our petty interests:
+wherever justice and mercy to mankind demand our interference, there our
+voice sinks within us, and no sound is uttered. That any treaty without
+an outfit clause should be suffered to exist between powers so situated,
+is an outrage upon all justice, all reason, all common sense. But one
+thing is certain, that unless we are to go further, we have gone too
+far, and must in mercy to hapless Africa retrace our steps. Unless we
+really put the traffic down with a strong hand, and instantly, we must
+instantly repeal the treaties that pretended to abolish it, for these
+exacerbate the evil a hundred fold, and are ineffectual to any one
+purpose but putting money into the pockets of our men of war. The fact
+is as unquestionable, as it is appalling, that all our anxious
+endeavours to extinguish the Foreign Slave Trade, have ended in making
+it incomparably worse than it was before we pretended to put it down;
+that owing to our efforts, there are thrice the number of slaves yearly
+torn from Africa; and that wholly because of our efforts, two thirds of
+these are murdered on the high seas and in the holds of the pirate
+vessels.
+
+It is said, that when these scenes were described to an indignant nation
+last session of Parliament, the actual effects of this bad system were
+denied, though its tendency could not be disputed.
+
+It was averred that "no British seaman could be capable of neglecting
+his duty for the sake of increasing the gains of the station." But
+nothing could be more absurd than this. Can the direct and inevitable
+tendency of the head-money system be doubted? Are cruisers the only men
+over whom motives have no influence? Then why offer a reward at all?
+When they want no stimulus to perform their duty, why tell them that if
+the ship is empty, they get a hundred pounds: if laden, five thousand?
+They know the rules of arithmetic;--they understand the force of
+numbers. But, in truth, there is not an individual on all the coast of
+Africa who will be misled by such appeals, or suffer all this to divert
+them from their purpose of denouncing the system. There are persons high
+in rank among the best servants of the crown, who know the facts from
+their own observations, and who are ready to bear witness to the truth,
+in spite of all the attempts that have been made to silence them.
+
+The other great object of the African Institution regarded the West
+Indies. The preparation of the negroes for that freedom which was their
+absolute right, and could only be withheld for an hour, on the ground of
+their not being prepared for it, and therefore being better without it,
+was the first thing to be accomplished. Here the friends of the
+abolition, all but Mr. Stephen, suffered a great disappointment. He
+alone had uniformly-foretold that the hopes held out, as it seemed very
+reasonably, of better treatment resulting from the stoppage of the
+supply of hands, were fallacious. All else had supposed that interest
+might operate on men whom principle had failed to sway; that they whom
+no feelings of compassion for their fellow-creatures could move to do
+their duty, might be touched by a feeling of their own advantage, when
+interest coincided with duty. The Slave-mart is now closed, it was said;
+surely the stock on hand will be saved by all means, and not wasted when
+it can no longer be replaced. The argument was purposely rested on the
+low ground of regarding human beings as cattle, or even as inanimate
+chattels, and it was conceived that human life would be regarded of as
+much value as the wear and tear of beasts, of furniture, or of tools.
+Hence it was expected that a better system of treatment would follow,
+from the law which closed the African market, and warned every planter
+that his stock must be spared by better treatment, and kept up by
+breeding, since it no longer could be, as it hitherto had been,
+maintained by new supplies.
+
+Two considerations were, in these arguments, kept out of view, both of a
+practical nature, and both known to Mr. Stephen,--the cultivation of the
+Islands by agents having wholly different interests from their masters,
+and the gambling spirit of trading and culture which long habit had
+implanted in the West Indian nature. The comforts of the slave depended
+infinitely more upon the agent on the spot, than the owner generally
+resident in the mother country; and though the interest of the latter
+might lead to the saving of negro life, and care for negro comforts, the
+agent had no such motives to influence his conduct; besides, it was with
+the eyes of this agent that the planter must see, and he gave no
+credence to any accounts but his. Now the consequence of cruelty is to
+make men at war with its objects. No one but a most irritable person
+feels angry with his beast, and even the anger of such a person is of a
+moment's duration. But towards an inanimate chattel even the most
+irritable of sane men can feel nothing like rage. Why? Because in the
+one case there is little, in the other no conflict or resistance at all.
+It is otherwise with a slave; he is human, and can disobey--can even
+resist. This feeling always rankles in his oppressor's bosom, and makes
+the tyrannical superior hate, and the more oppress his slave. The agent
+on the spot feels thus, and thus acts; nor can the voice of the owner at
+a distance be heard, even if interest, clearly proved, were to prompt
+another course. But the chief cause of the evil is the spirit of
+speculation, and it affects and rules resident owners even more than
+absentees. Let sugar rise in price, and all cold calculations of
+ultimate loss to the gang are lost in the vehement thirst of great
+present gain. All, or nearly all, planters are in distressed
+circumstances. They look to the next few years as their time; and if the
+sun shines they must make hay. They are in the mine, toiling for a
+season, with every desire to escape and realize something to spend
+elsewhere. Therefore they make haste to be rich, and care little, should
+the speculation answer and much sugar bring in great gain, what becomes
+of the gang ten years hence. Add to all this, that any interference of
+the local legislatures to discourage sordid or cruel management, to
+clothe the slaves with rights, to prepare them for freedom by better
+education, to pave the way for emancipation by restraining the master's
+power, to create an intermediate State of transition from slavery to
+freedom by partial liberty, as by attaching them to the soil, and
+placing them in the preparatory state through which our ancestors in
+Europe passed from bondage in gross to entire independence--all such
+measures were in the absolute discretion; not of the planters, but of
+the resident agents, one of the worst communities in the world, who had
+little interest in preparing for an event which they deprecated, and
+whose feelings of party, as well as individually, were all ranged on the
+oppressor's side. All this Mr. Stephen, enlightened by experience, and
+wise by long reflection, clearly and alone foresaw; all this vision of
+the future was too surely realized by the event. No improvement of
+treatment took place; no additional liberality in the supplies was
+shown; no abstinence in the exaction of labour appeared; no interference
+of the Colonial Legislature to check misconduct was witnessed; far less
+was the least disposition perceived to give any rights to the slaves,
+any security against oppression, any title independent of his Master,
+any intermediate state or condition which might prepare him for freedom.
+It is enough to say, that a measure which every man, except Mr. Stephen,
+had regarded as the natural, almost the necessary effect of the
+abolition--attaching the slaves to the soil--was not so much as
+propounded, far less adopted; it may be even said, was never mentioned
+in any one local assembly of any of our numerous colonies, during the
+thirty years which elapsed between the abolition and the emancipation!
+This is unquestionable, and it is decisive.
+
+As soon as it began to be perceived that such was likely to be the
+result of the abolition in regard to the emancipation, Mr. Stephen's
+authority with his coadjutors, always high, rose in proportion to the
+confirmations which the event had lent his predictions; and his zealous
+endeavours and unwearied labours for the subversion of the accursed
+system became both more extensive and more effectual. If, however,
+strict justice requires the tribute which we have paid to this eminent
+person's distinguished services, justice also renders it imperative on
+the historian of the Abolition in all its branches, to record an error
+into which he fell. Having originally maintained that the traffic would
+survive the Act of 1807, in which he was right, that Act only imposing
+pecuniary penalties, he persisted in the same opinion after the Act of
+1811 had made slave-trading a felony; and long after it had been
+effectually put down in the British dominions, he continued to maintain
+that it was carried on nearly as much as ever, reasoning upon
+calculations drawn from the island returns. Hence he insisted upon a
+general Registry Act, as essential to prevent the continuance of an
+importation which had little or no real existence. The importance of
+such a measure was undeniable, with a view to secure the good treatment
+of the negroes in the islands; but the extinction of the Slave Trade had
+long before been effectually accomplished.
+
+In the efforts to obtain Negro Emancipation, all the Abolitionists were
+now prepared to join. The conduct of the Colonial Assemblies having long
+shown the fallacy of those expectations which had been entertained of
+the good work being done in the islands as soon as the supply of new
+hands should be stopped by the Abolition, there remained no longer any
+doubt whatever, that the mother country alone could abate a nuisance
+hateful in the sight of God and man. Constant opportunities were
+therefore offered to agitate this great question, which was taken up by
+the enlightened, the humane, and the religious, all over the empire.
+
+The magnitude of the subject was indeed worthy of all the interest it
+excited. The destiny of nearly a million of human beings--nay, the
+question whether they should be treated as men with rational souls, or
+as the beasts which perish--should enjoy the liberty to which all God's
+creatures are entitled, as of right, or be harassed, oppressed,
+tormented, and stinted, both as regarded bodily food, and spiritual
+instruction--whether the colonies should be peopled with tyrants and
+barbarians, or inhabited by civilized and improving christian
+communities--was one calculated to put in action all the best principles
+of our nature, and to move all the noblest feelings of the human heart.
+
+Thomas Clarkson, as far as his means extended, aided this great
+excitement. He renewed his committees of correspondence all over the
+country; aided by the Society of Friends, his early and steady
+coadjutors in this pious work, he recommenced the epistolary intercourse
+with the provinces, held for so many hopeless years on the Slave Trade,
+but now made far more promising by the victory which had been obtained,
+and by the unanimity with which all Abolitionists now were resolved to
+procure emancipation. He also recommenced his journeys through the
+different parts of the island, and visited in succession part of
+Scotland, almost all England, and the whole of Wales, encouraging and
+interesting the friends of humanity wherever he went, and forming local
+societies and committees for furthering the common object.
+
+But it was, after all, in Parliament that the battle must be fought; and
+Mr. Buxton, of whose invaluable services in the House of Commons the
+cause has lately been deprived, repeatedly, with the support of Messrs.
+Wilberforce, William Smith, Brougham, Lushington, and others, urged the
+necessity of interference upon the representatives of a people unanimous
+in demanding it; and he repeatedly urged it in vain. The Government
+always leaned towards the planter, and the most flimsy excuses were
+constantly given for preferring to the effectual measures propounded by
+the Abolitionists, the most flimsy of expedients, useless for any one
+purpose, save that of making pretences and gaining time.
+
+At length came the great case of the missionary Smith's persecution,
+trial, and untimely death, when all the forms of judicature had been
+prostituted, all the rules of law broken, all the principles of justice
+outraged, by men assuming to sit in judgment as a court of criminal
+jurisprudence; and though assisted by legal functionaries, exhibiting
+such a spectacle of daring violation of the most received and best known
+canons of procedure, as no civilized community ever before were called
+upon to endure. This subject was immediately brought before Parliament
+by Mr. Brougham, and his motion of censure, which might have been an
+impeachment of the governor and the court of Demerara, was powerfully
+supported by Mr. Wilberforce, the amiable, eloquent, and venerable
+leader of the party, Mr. Denman, Mr. Williams, and Dr. Lushington, but
+rejected by a majority of the Commons, whom Mr. Canning led, in a speech
+little worthy of his former exertions against the Slave Trade, and far
+from being creditable either to his judgment or to his principles. Yet
+this memorable debate was of singular service to the cause. The great
+speeches delivered were spread through all parts of the country; the
+nakedness of the horrid system was exposed; the corruptions as well as
+cruelty of slavery were laid bare; the determination of colonies to
+protect its worst abuses was demonstrated; necessity of the
+mother-country interfering with a strong hand was declared; and even the
+loss of the motion showed the people of England how much their own
+exertions were still required if they would see slavery extirpated, by
+proving that upon them alone the fate of the execrable system hung.
+
+The effects of this great debate cannot be over estimated. The case of
+the missionary became the universal topic; The name of the martyred
+Smith, the general rallying cry. The superior interest excited by
+individual sufferings to any general misery inflicted upon masses of the
+people, or any evil, however gigantic, which operates over a large
+space, and in a course of time, has always been observed. The remark was
+peculiarly applicable in this instance. Although all reflecting men had,
+for many long years, been well aware of the evils pervading our colonial
+system, and though the iniquity and perverseness of West Indian
+judicatures had long been the topic of universal comment, yet this
+single case of a persecuted individual falling a victim to those gross
+perversions of law and justice which are familiar to the colonial
+people, produced an impression far more general and more deep than all
+that had ever been written or declaimed against system of West India
+slavery; and looking back on the consummation of all our hopes in 1833
+and 1838, we at once revert from this auspicious era to that ever
+memorable occasion as having laid the solid foundation of our ultimate
+triumph.
+
+In this important day, which has thus by its effects proved decisive of
+the Emancipation question, Mr. Stephen bore no part. He had long ceased
+to adorn and enlighten the House of Commons. His retirement was the
+result of honest differences of opinion respecting West India slavery
+with his political friends, then in the plenitude of their power. Those
+differences caused him to take the noble part, so rarely acted by
+politicians, of withdrawing from Parliament rather than lend his great
+support to men with whom he differed upon a question admitting no
+compromise; and he devoted his exertions in private life to the
+furtherance of the cause ever nearest his heart, the publication of his
+able and elaborate work on the Colonial Slave Laws was the fruit of his
+leisure; and had he never lent any other aid to the Emancipation, this
+would alone have placed him high among its most able and effective
+supporters. In all the consultations which were held before Mr.
+Brougham's motion in 1824, he bore an active and useful part. In pushing
+the advantages gained by the debate he was unwearied and successful.
+Unhappily it pleased Providence that he should not receive here below
+the final reward of his long and valued labours; for he was called to
+his final repose some months before the Emancipation Bill passed into a
+law.
+
+There remains little to add, except that this measure, which was carried
+with little opposition in 1833, owed its success in Parliament to the
+ample bribe of twenty millions, by which the acquiescence of the West
+Indians was purchased. The measure had hardly come into operation, when
+all men perceived that the intermediate state of apprenticeship was
+anything rather than a preparation for freedom, and anything rather than
+a mitigation of slavery. It is due to some able and distinguished
+friends of the negro race to state, that they all along were averse to
+this plan of a transition state. Lord Howick, then in the Colonial
+Office as Under-Secretary, went so far as to leave the department, from
+his dislike of this part of the measure. Mr. Buxton and others protested
+against it. Even its friends intimated that they wished the period of
+apprenticeship to end in 1838 instead of 1840; but there was a general
+belief of the preparatory step being necessary,--a belief apparently
+founded on experience of the negro character, and indeed of the vicious
+tendency of all slavery, to extinguish the power of voluntary labour, as
+well as to make the sudden change to freedom unsafe for the peace of the
+community. The fact soon dispersed these opinions. Antigua in a minute
+emancipated all her slaves to the number of thirty thousand and upwards.
+Not a complaint was ever heard of idleness or indolence; and, far from
+any breach of the peace being induced by the sudden change in the
+condition of the people, the Christmas of 1833 was the first, for the
+last twenty years, that martial law was not proclaimed, in order to
+preserve the public peace. Similar evidence from Jamaica and other
+islands, proving the industrious and peaceable habits of the
+apprentices, showed that there was nothing peculiar in the circumstances
+of Antigua.
+
+An important occurrence is now to be recorded as having exercised a
+powerful influence upon the question of immediate emancipation. Joseph
+Sturge, of Birmingham, a member of the Society of Friends, stricken with
+a sense of the injustice perpetrated against the African race, repaired
+to the West Indies, in order that he might examine, with his own eyes,
+the real state of the question between the two classes. He was
+accompanied by John Scoble and Thomas Harvey; and these able, excellent,
+and zealous men returned in a few months with such ample evidence of the
+effects produced by apprenticeship, and the fitness of the negroes for
+liberty, that the attention of the community was soon awakened to the
+subject, even more strenuously than it ever before had been; and the
+walls of Parliament were soon made once more to ring with the sufferings
+of the slave, only emancipated in name, and the injustice of withholding
+from him any longer the freedom which was his indefeasible right, as
+soon as he was shown capable of enjoying it beneficially for himself and
+safely for the rest of the community.
+
+In these transactions, both in Jamaica, where he is one of the largest
+planters, and in Parliament, where he is one of the most respected
+members, the Marquess of Sligo bore an eminent and an honourable part.
+His praise has been justly sounded by all who have supported the cause
+of negro freedom, and his conduct was by all admitted to be as much
+marked by the disinterested virtue of a good citizen and amiable man, as
+it was by the sagacity and ability of an enlightened statesman. Both as
+governor of Jamaica, as the owner of slaves whom he voluntarily
+liberated, and as a peer of Parliament, his patriotism, his humanity,
+and his talents, shone conspicuously through this severe and glorious
+struggle. While such was the conduct of those eminent philanthropists,
+some difference of opinion prevailed among the other and older leaders
+of the cause, chiefly grounded upon doubts whether the arrangement made
+by Parliament in 1833, might not be regarded as a compact with the
+planters which it would be unjust to violate by terminating their right
+to the labour of the apprentices at a period earlier than the one fixed
+in the Emancipation Act. A little consideration of the question at issue
+soon dispelled those doubts, and removed every obstacle to united
+exertion, by restoring entire unanimity of opinion. The slaves, it was
+triumphantly affirmed, were no party to the compact. But moreover, the
+whole arrangement of the apprenticeship was intended as a benefit to
+them, by giving them the preparation thought to be required before they
+could, safely for themselves, be admitted to unrestricted freedom,--not
+as a benefit to the planters, whose acquiescence was purchased with the
+grant of twenty millions. Experience having shown that no preparation at
+all was required, it was preposterous to continue the restraint upon
+natural liberty an hour longer, as regarded the negroes,--the only party
+whom we had any right to consider in the question; and as for the
+planters there was the grossest absurdity in further regarding any
+interests or any claims of theirs. The arrangement of 1833, as far as
+regards the transition or intermediate state, had been made under an
+error in fact, an error propagated by the representations of the
+masters. That error was now at an end, and an immediate alteration of
+the provisions to which it had given rise was thus a matter of strict
+justice;--not to mention that the planters had failed to perform their
+part of the contract. The Colonial Assemblies had, except in Antigua,
+done nothing for the slave in return for the large sum bestowed upon the
+West India body. So that in any view there was an end of all pretext for
+the further delay of right and justice.
+
+The ground now taken by the whole Abolitionists; therefore, both in and
+out of Parliament was, that the two years which remained of the
+indentured apprenticeship must immediately be cut off, and freedom given
+to the slaves in August, 1838, instead of 1840; The peace of the West
+Indian community, and the real interests of the planters, were affirmed
+to be as much concerned in this change as the rights of the negroes
+themselves. Far from preparing them for becoming peaceable subjects and
+contented members of society at the end of their apprenticeship, those
+two years of compulsory labour would, it was justly observed, be a
+period of heart-burning and discontent between master and servant, which
+must, in the mean while, be dangerous to the peace of society, and must
+leave, at the end of the time, a feeling of mutual ill-will and
+distrust. The question could no longer be kept from the cognizance of
+the negro people. Indeed, their most anxious expectations were already
+pointed towards immediate liberty, and their strongest feelings were
+roused to obtain it.
+
+Of these sentiments the whole community partook; meetings were
+everywhere held; petitions crowded the tables of Parliament; the press
+poured forth innumerable tracts which were eagerly received; the pulpit
+lent its aid to this holy cause; and discussions upon petitions and upon
+incidental motions shook the walls of Parliament, while they stimulated
+the zeal of the people. The Government adopted an unfortunate course,
+which contributed greatly to weaken their hold on the confidence and
+affections of the country; they resisted all the motions that were made
+on behalf of the slaves, and appeared to regard only the interests of
+the master, turning a deaf ear to the arguments of right and of justice.
+
+It was found, during the course of these debates, that a new Slave Trade
+had sprung up in the East Indies, with the sanction of an English Order
+in Council. Under pretence that hands were wanted to cultivate their
+estates, the Demerara planters had obtained permission to import what
+they termed, with a delicacy borrowed from the vocabulary of the African
+Slave Trade, "labourers" from Asia and from Africa east of the Cape, and
+to make them Indentured Apprentices for a term of years. No restrictions
+whatever were imposed by this unheard-of Order. No tonnage was required
+in proportion to the numbers shipped, no amount of provision, no medical
+assistance; no precautions were taken, or so much as thought of, to
+prevent kidnapping and fraud, nay, to prevent main force being used in
+any part of Eastern Africa, or of all Asia, in carrying on board the
+victims of West Indian avarice; in short, a worse Slave Trade than the
+African was established, and all the dominions of the East India
+Company, with all the African and Asiatic coasts, as yet independent,
+were given over to its ravages. This was repeatedly denounced by Lord
+Brougham in the House of Lords; and although his motion for rescinding
+the order was supported by Lord Lyndhurst, Lord Ellenborough, and Lord
+Wharncliffe, the influence of the Government and the planters prevailed,
+and the House rejected it. A bill was afterwards brought in to check the
+enormities complained of; but no remedy at all effectual is as yet
+applied. The official documents, however, proved that already men had
+been inveigled on board, by the agents of the Mauritius planters, in
+different parts of the East, and that the mortality on that
+comparatively short voyage exceeded even the dreadful waste of life
+which had characterized, and impressed with marks of horrid atrocity,
+the accursed Middle Passage.
+
+This subject, as might well be expected, once more roused the energies
+of Thomas Clarkson: he addressed an able and convincing letter to Lord
+Brougham, his old friend and coadjutor in the sacred cause; and it was
+printed and universally circulated. The subject still remains unsettled:
+and the labours of the enlightened philanthropist cannot now be directed
+to one more important, or more urgent.
+
+Meanwhile, in the spring of 1838, the question of Immediate Emancipation
+was agitated throughout the country. The Government proved hostile.
+Immense meetings were held at Exeter Hall, which were attended by many
+members of Parliament, over which Lord Brougham presided. Among others
+who were present and bore a distinguished part, were certain
+representatives of Ireland who promised their strenuous support. It is a
+painful duty to add, that their fellow-members from Ireland did not, on
+this great occasion, follow their good example; for eleven only of
+those, on whose votes reliance had been placed, opposed the Government,
+while no less than twenty-seven gave them support.
+
+The question was rejected by the House of Lords, when brought forward by
+Lord Brougham; but in spite of the efforts of the Government; the
+defalcation of the Irish, of a still greater proportion of the Scotch
+representatives, two hundred and seventeen members of the House of
+Commons voted for Immediate Abolition, out of four hundred and
+eighty-nine who were present on the occasion. A second effort in the
+same session placed Ministers in a minority; but they immediately gave
+notice, they should strenuously oppose any attempt to carry into
+practical effect this decision of the House; and in this determination
+they were supported by a majority on a third division.
+
+The word, however, had gone forth all over England, that the _Slave
+should be free_. It had not only pervaded Europe, it had reached
+America; and the West Indians at length perceived that they could no
+longer resist the voice of the British people, when it spoke the accents
+of humanity and of justice. The slaves would have met the dawn of the
+first of August,--the day which all the motions in Parliament and all
+the prayers of the petitions had fixed,--with perfect quiet, but with a
+resolute determination to do no work. The peace would not have been
+broken, but no more would a clod have been turned after that appointed
+sun had risen. A handful of whites surrounded by myriads of
+negroes,--now substantially free, and free without a blow,--must have
+been overwhelmed in an hour after sunrise on that day, had they
+resisted. The Colonial Legislatures, therefore, _now_ listened to the
+voice of reason, and they, one after another, emancipated their slaves.
+The first of August saw not a bondsman, under whatever appellation, in
+any part of the Western Sea which owns the British rule.
+
+The Mauritius, however, still held out, and on the Mauritius the hand of
+the Imperial Parliament must and will be laid, to enforce mercy and
+justice on those to whom mercy and justice have so long called aloud in
+vain. In truth, if the case for instant emancipation was strong
+everywhere, it was in no quarter half so strong as in the Mauritius; and
+the distribution of the grant by Parliament to this Colony was the most
+unjustifiable, and even incomprehensible. For, elsewhere, there existed
+at least a title to the slave, over whom an unjust and unchristian law
+recognised the right of property. But in the Mauritius there was not,
+nor is there now, one negro to whom a good title is clearly provable.
+The atrocious conduct of Governors and other functionaries, in conniving
+at the Slave Trade of Eastern Africa, had filled that Colony with
+thousands of negroes, every one of whom was carried there by the
+commission of felony, long after Slave Trading had been declared a
+capital crime by the law of the land, as by the law of nature it always
+was. Sir George Murray, when Colonial Secretary of State, had admitted,
+that at least thirty thousand of the negroes in the settlement were
+nominally slaves, but in reality free, having been carried thither
+contrary to law. He understated it by twenty thousand or more: yet on
+all these negroes, in respect of property, were two millions and more
+claimed: for all these the compensation money was given and taken, which
+Parliament had lavishly bestowed. How then was it possible to doubt,
+that every slave in the Mauritius should receive his freedom, when the
+only ground alleged for not singling out and liberating this fifty
+thousand, was the inability to distinguish them from the rest? If ten
+men are tried for an offence, and it is clear that five are innocent,
+though you cannot distinguish them from their companions, what jury will
+hesitate in acquitting the whole, on the ordinary principle of its being
+better five guilty should escape than five guiltless suffer? The same is
+still the state of the case in that most criminal settlement, which,
+having far surpassed all others in the enormity of its guilt, is now the
+only one where no attempt has been made to evince repentance by
+amendment of conduct. But the Government which has the power of
+compelling justice will share the crime which they refuse to prevent,
+and the Legislature must compel the Government, if their guilty
+reluctance shall continue, or it will take that guilt upon itself[A].
+
+[Footnote A: It is truly gratifying to state, that the late Secretary
+for the Colonies, Lord Glenelg, has, since this was written, given the
+most satisfactory assurances of orders having been sent over for
+immediate emancipation, in case the former instructions to the Governor
+of Mauritius should have failed, to make the Colonists themselves adopt
+the measure. Lord Glenelg's conduct on this occasion is most creditable
+to him.]
+
+The latest act of Thomas Clarkson's life has been one which, or rather
+the occasion for which, it is truly painful to contemplate; but this too
+must be recorded, or the present historical sketch would be incomplete.
+He whose days had all been spent in acts of kindness and of justice to
+others, was at last forced to exert his powers, supposed, by some, and
+erroneously supposed, to be enfeebled by age, in obtaining redress for
+his own wrongs. He whose thoughts had all been devoted to the service of
+his fellow-creatures, was now obliged to think of himself. A life spent
+in works of genuine philanthropy, alike standing aloof from party, and
+retiring with genuine humility from the public gaze, might have well
+hoped to escape that detraction, which is the lot of those who assume
+the leading stations among their contemporaries, and mingle in the
+contentious scenes of worldly affairs. Or, at least, it might have been
+expected that his traducers would only be found among the oppressors of
+the New World, or the slave-traders of the Old. This felicity has not
+been his lot; and the evening of his days has been overcast by an
+assault upon his character, proceeding from the quarter of all others
+the most unexpected and the most strange.
+
+The sons of his old and dear friend William Wilberforce,--whose
+incomparable merits he had ever been the first to acknowledge, whom he
+loved as a brother, and revered as the great leader of the cause to
+which his whole life had been devoted,--in publishing a Life of their
+illustrious parent, thought fit to charge Thomas Clarkson with having
+suppressed his services while he exaggerated his own; and not content
+with bringing a charge utterly groundless, (as it was instantly proved,)
+they deemed it worthy of their subject and of their name, to drag forth
+into the light of day a private correspondence of a delicate nature,
+with the purpose of proving that their father and others had assisted
+him with money, and that he had been pressing in his demands of a
+subscription. Two extracts of Letters of his were printed by these
+reverend gentlemen, upon which a statement was afterwards grounded in
+the _Edinburgh Review_ of their book, that the subscription was raised
+to remunerate him for his services in the Abolition. They further
+asserted, that their father was in the field before him, and that it was
+under their father's direction that he, and the Abolition Committee of
+1786, acted. In the whole history of controversy, we venture to affirm,
+there never was an instance of so triumphant a refutation as that by
+which these slanderous aspersions were instantly refuted, and their
+authors and their accomplices reduced to a silence as prudent as
+discreditable.
+
+The venerable philanthropist took up his pen, worn down in the cause of
+humanity and of justice. _First_, he showed, by incontrovertible
+evidence, the utter falsehood of the charge, that he had underrated the
+merits of others and exalted his own. These proofs were the references
+to his volumes themselves, which it really seemed as if the two reverend
+authors had never even looked into. He then proved to demonstration that
+he had taken the field earlier than William Wilberforce. This was shown,
+first, by known dates, matter of history; next, by letters from the
+friends of both parties, as Archdeacon Corbet and William Smith; but,
+lastly, by the words of William Wilberforce himself, as well privately
+as at public meetings, asserting that he (William Wilberforce) came into
+the field after his valued friend. But a striking fact may be cited, as
+a sample at once of the course pursued by the assailants, and the
+completeness of the defence. The reverend authors in proof of their
+unqualified assertion, that Thomas Clarkson and the Committee acted from
+the first under William Wilberforce's directions, refer to "MS. Minutes
+of the Committee" for their authority. But the friend who so ably
+superintended the publication of Thomas Clarkson's defence, and who
+added to that tract an appendix of singular merit and great interest
+(H.C. Robinson), showed that the parts referred to by the reverend
+authors, in proof of their assertion, completely disproved it; and that
+six months after the Committee had been working, William Wilberforce
+applied to them for any information of which they might be possessed on
+the subject of the Slave Trade.
+
+But the publication of the letters and the colour given to the
+transaction were far worse. The preservation of that correspondence, at
+all, by the sons, could only be justified by the belief of its being
+accidentally kept by the father, but, of course, never intended to be
+made public; least of all without the usual precaution of asking the
+writer's leave, and giving him the opportunity of explaining it. The
+biographers printed it without any kind of communication with him, and
+he saw it for the first time in print.
+
+Then, the attempt was made to represent this pure, and valuable, and
+disinterested man as a mendicant philanthropist, who, for his exertions
+in the cause of justice, stooped to the humiliating attitude of
+collecting a remuneration from his friends. The words of William
+Wilberforce, and other Abolition leaders, prove that he had expended a
+very considerable portion of his own small patrimony in the cause, and
+that the subscription was to pay a debt,--a just and lawful debt; not to
+confer a bounty, or reward, or remuneration for services performed. It
+is also proved, that after being reimbursed to the amount of the sum
+contributed, or rather levied on those for whom the poorest of their
+body had advanced his own money, he remained out of pocket far more than
+others had ever given, after their share of the repayment was credited
+to them, in this debtor and creditor account.
+
+But this is not all: Mr. Wilberforce himself, then a man of ample
+fortune, and Member for Yorkshire, had in 1807, published a pamphlet in
+the cause. The Minutes of the Committee for 6th June, 1811, contained an
+entry of an order to pay 83_l_. out of the subscription funds to Mr.
+Cadell, being Mr. Wilberforce's share of the loss sustained by that
+publication. There had been no mention at all of this in his life, by
+these reverend authors, who scrupled not to print the garbled letters,
+with the manifest design of lowering the character of their father's
+friend, by ranking him among venal stipendiary pretenders to
+philanthropy, and jobbing mendicant patriots.
+
+Wherefore, it may be asked, was this matter at all dragged forth to
+light, except to effect that unworthy purpose, and to give pain to a man
+as eminently as deservedly respected and beloved? The false pretext is,
+the vindication of their father's memory.--But it had never been
+attacked. They affect to suppose such an attack, that they may have a
+pretext for inflicting a wound in a fictitious and almost a fraudulent
+defence.--But if it had been ever so rudely attacked, the letters are no
+defence. For the only possible pretence of attack was the notion of
+Thomas Clarkson having assumed the priority, and these letters can have
+no earthly relation to that point. Whether Wilberforce, or Clarkson, or
+neither of them, first began the abolition struggle, is a question as
+utterly wide of the subscription as any one private matter in the life
+of either party can be of any one public transaction in which both were
+engaged.
+
+The indignation of mankind was awakened by this disgraceful proceeding,
+and it was in vain that the friends of the Wilberforces urged, as some
+extenuation of their offence, the zeal which they naturally cherished
+for the memory of their parent. Men of reflection felt that no
+well-regulated mind can ever engage in slandering one person for the
+purpose of elevating another. Men of ordinary discernment perceived that
+the assaults on Clarkson's reputation had no possible tendency to raise
+Wilberforce's reputation. Men of observation saw at once that there
+lurked behind the wish to praise the one party, a desire to wound the
+other; and gave them far less credit for over-anxiety to gratify their
+filial affections than eagerness to indulge their hostile feelings. It
+was plain, too, that they sought this gratification at the hazard of
+bringing a stain upon the memory of their father; for what could be more
+natural than the suspicion that they had obtained from him the materials
+out of which their web of detraction was woven? And what more
+discreditable to the author of the affectionate and familiar letters of
+Wilberforce to Clarkson than their discrepancy with the charges now
+urged against him? It is due to the memory of this venerable man, now
+gone to his rest, to say that no one who knew him, ever so slightly,
+could believe in the possibility of his holding one language to his
+friend and another to his children: far less of his bequeathing to them
+anything like materials for the attack upon one to whom he professed the
+most warm and steady attachment. But if such be the conclusion of all
+who knew the man, assuredly in arriving at it they have derived no help
+from the lights afforded by his family.
+
+The vindication of Thomas Clarkson has been triumphant; the punishment
+of his traducers has been exemplary. His character stands higher than
+ever; his name is lofty and it is unsullied; they have a character to
+retrieve,--a name which they have tarnished since it descended upon
+them, they have to restore by their own future deserts.
+
+The astonishment of the world was at its pitch when the champion of
+Abolition, the steady ally of Thomas Clarkson and Granville Sharpe, the
+_Edinburgh Review_, was seen attempting to rescue these parties, and
+taking part against the injured man, the patriarch of a cause defended
+by that celebrated Journal during a brilliant period of much above
+thirty years. The boldness displayed in its pages on this occasion was
+excessive. As if feeling that the weak and indefensible part in the
+assault was the publishing of the letters, it had the confidence to
+affirm, that this proceeding was called for in justice to Wilberforce's
+memory. So daring an attempt upon the integrity of facts has not often
+been witnessed. What! The publication of these letters, which had no
+possible connexion with Wilberforce's character, (a character, indeed,
+that no one had assailed,) letters which were absolutely foreign even to
+the question of priority in the abolition cause,--the publication of
+these necessary to the defence of Wilberforce? Then, upon what ground
+necessary? How had he been attacked? Where was he to be defended? But,
+if attacked, how did the letters aid,--how connect themselves
+with,--how, in any manner of way, bear upon the defence, or any defence,
+or any portion of Wilberforce's character and life? They showed him to
+have contributed towards the payment of a debt he had contracted to
+Clarkson. But who had ever charged him with refusing to pay his debts?
+With his merits as to the Abolition, (if that be what is meant by his
+character,)--merits which it was a mere fabrication to pretend that
+Clarkson had ever been slow to acknowledge,--those letters had
+absolutely no possible connexion; and whoever, on this score, affects to
+defend this publication, is capable of vindicating the printing any
+private letter upon the most delicate subject, by any man who writes the
+history of any other affair, or who writes on any subject from which the
+correspondence is wholly foreign. It is proper to add, that the editors
+of this Journal have most properly published a retractation of the
+charges made, in their ignorance of the whole facts of the case.
+
+The acute and sagacious editor of T. Clarkson's vindication, has given
+his reasons for suspecting that this criticism, in the _Edinburgh
+Review_, must have proceeded from some party directly concerned in the
+publication of Wilberforce's life. We enter into no discussion of the
+circumstantial evidence adduced in favour of this supposition. The
+editors of the Journal are the parties to whom we look; and as they,
+after being to all appearance misled by some partial writer, have made
+the best reparation for an involuntary error, by doing justice to the
+injured party, we can have no further remark to make upon the subject.
+
+But it is impossible to close these pages without mentioning the
+extraordinary merit of this latest, and, in all likelihood, this last
+production of Clarkson's pen. It is indeed a most able performance, and
+has been admired by some of the ablest controversial writers of the age,
+as a model of excellence in controversial writing. Plain, vigorous,
+convincing, perfectly calm and temperate, devoid of all acrimony, barely
+saying enough to repel unjust aggression without one word of
+retaliation, never losing sight for a moment of its purely defensive
+object, and accordingly, from the singleness of purpose with which that
+object is pursued, attaining it with the most triumphant success,--no
+wonder that the public judgment has been loudly and universally
+pronounced in its favour, that its adversaries have been reduced to
+absolute silence, that its author's name has been exalted even higher
+than before it stood. But the wonder is to see such unimpaired vigour at
+four-score years of age, after a life of unwearied labour, latterly
+clouded by domestic calamity, and a spirit as young as ever in zeal for
+justice, tempered only by the mellowness which the kindly heart spreads
+over the fruits of the manly understanding.
+
+There wanted no testimonials of esteem from his country to consummate
+the venerable philanthropist's renown; yet these too have been added.
+Various meetings have addressed their gratulations to him. Of these the
+great corporation of London claims the first regard, and after
+presenting him with the freedom of the city, they have ordered to be
+erected in their hall, as a memorial of his extraordinary virtue, a
+likeness of the mortal form of Thomas Clarkson.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+HISTORY OF THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+No subject more pleasing than that of the removal of evils.--Evils
+have existed almost from the beginning of the world; but there is a
+power in our nature to counteract them--this power increased by
+Christianity.--Of the evils removed by Christianity one of the
+greatest is the Slave Trade.--The joy we ought to feel on its
+abolition from a contemplation of the nature of it; and of the extent
+of it; and of the difficulty of subduing it.--Usefulness also of the
+contemplation of this subject.
+
+
+I scarcely know of any subject, the contemplation of which is more
+pleasing, than that of the correction or of the removal of any of the
+acknowledged evils of life; for while we rejoice to think that the
+sufferings of our fellow-creatures have been thus, in any instance,
+relieved, we must rejoice equally to think, that our own moral condition
+must have been necessarily improved by the change.
+
+That evils, both physical and moral, have existed long upon earth there
+can be no doubt. One of the sacred writers, to whom we more immediately
+appeal for the early history of mankind, informs us that the state of
+our first parents was a state of innocence and happiness; but that, soon
+after their creation, sin and misery entered into the world. The poets
+in their fables, most of which, however extravagant they may seem, had
+their origin in truth, speak the same language. Some of these represent
+the first condition of man by the figure of the golden, and his
+subsequent degeneracy and subjection to suffering by that of the silver,
+and afterwards of the iron age. Others tell us that the first female was
+made of clay; that she was called Pandora, because every necessary gift,
+qualification, or endowment, was given to her by the gods, but that she
+received from Jupiter, at the same time, a box from which, when opened,
+a multitude of disorders sprung, and that these spread themselves
+immediately afterwards among all of the human race. Thus it appears,
+whatever authorities we consult, that those which may be termed the
+evils of life existed in the earliest times. And what does subsequent
+history, combined with our own experience, tell us, but that these have
+been continued, or that they have come down in different degrees through
+successive generations of men, in all the known countries of the
+universe, to the present day?
+
+But though the inequality visible in the different conditions of life,
+and the passions interwoven into our nature, (both which have been
+allotted to us for wise purposes, and without which we could not easily
+afford a proof of the existence of that, which is denominated virtue,)
+have a tendency to produce vice and wretchedness among us, yet we see,
+in this our constitution, what may operate partially as preventives and
+corrective of them. If there be a radical propensity in our nature to do
+that which is wrong, there is, on the other hand, a counteracting power
+within it, or an impulse by means of the action of the divine Spirit
+upon our minds, which urges us to do that which is right. If the voice
+of temptation, clothed in musical and seducing accents, charms us one
+way, the voice of holiness, speaking to us from within, in a solemn and
+powerful manner, commands us another. Does one man obtain a victory over
+his corrupt affections? an immediate perception of pleasure, like the
+feeling of a reward divinely conferred upon him, is noticed. Does
+another fall prostrate beneath their power? a painful feeling, and such
+as pronounces to him the sentence of reproof and punishment is found to
+follow. If one, by suffering his heart to become hardened, oppresses a
+fellow-creature, the tear of sympathy starts up in the eye of another,
+and the latter instantly feels a desire, involuntarily generated, of
+flying to his relief. Thus impulses, feelings, and dispositions have
+been implanted in our nature, for the purpose of preventing and
+rectifying the evils of life. And as these have operated, so as to
+stimulate some men to lessen them by the exercise of an amiable charity,
+so they have operated to stimulate others in various other ways to the
+same end. Hence the philosopher has left moral precepts behind him in
+favour of benevolence, and the legislator has endeavoured to prevent
+barbarous practices by the introduction of laws.
+
+In consequence then of these impulses and feelings, by which the pure
+power in our nature is thus made to act as a check upon the evil part of
+it, and in consequence of the influence which philosophy and legislative
+wisdom have had in their respective provinces, there has been always, in
+all times and countries, a counteracting energy, which has opposed
+itself, more or less, to the crimes and miseries of mankind. But it
+seems to have been reserved for Christianity to increase this energy,
+and to give it the widest possible domain. It was reserved for her,
+under the same divine influence, to give the best views of the nature
+and of the present and future condition of man; to afford the best moral
+precepts, to communicate the most benign stimulus to the heart, to
+produce the most blameless conduct, and thus to cut off many of the
+causes of wretchedness, and to heal it wherever it was found. At her
+command, wherever she has been duly acknowledged, many of the evils of
+life have already fled. The prisoner of war is no longer led into the
+amphitheatre to become a gladiator, and to imbrue his hands in the blood
+of his fellow-captive for the sport of a thoughtless multitude. The
+stern priest, cruel through fanaticism and custom, no longer leads his
+fellow-creature to the altar to sacrifice him to fictitious gods. The
+venerable martyr, courageous through faith and the sanctity of his life,
+is no longer hurried to the flames. The haggard witch, poring over her
+incantations by moon-light, no longer scatters her superstitious poison
+among her miserable neighbours, nor suffers for her crime.
+
+But in whatever way Christianity may have operated towards the increase
+of this energy, or towards a diminution of human misery, it has operated
+in none more powerfully than by the new views and consequent duties,
+which it introduced on the subject of charity, or practical benevolence
+and love. Men in ancient times looked upon their talents, of whatever
+description, as, their own, which they might use, or cease to use at
+their discretion. But the Author of our religion was the first who
+taught that, however in a legal point of view, the talent of individuals
+might belong exclusively to themselves, so that no other person had a
+right to demand the use of it by force, yet in the Christian
+dispensation they were but the stewards of it for good; that so much was
+expected from this stewardship, that it was difficult for those who were
+intrusted with it to enter into his spiritual kingdom; that these had no
+right to conceal their talent in a napkin, but that they were bound to
+dispense a portion of it to the relief of their fellow-creatures; and
+that, in proportion to the magnitude of it, they were accountable for
+the extensiveness of its use. He was the first who pronounced the
+misapplication of it to be a crime, and to be a crime of no ordinary
+dimensions. He was the first who broke down the boundary between Jew and
+Gentile, and, therefore, the first who pointed out to men the
+inhabitants of other countries, for the exercise of their philanthropy
+and love. Hence a distinction is to be made both in the principle and
+practice of charity, as existing in ancient or in modern times. Though
+the old philosophers, historians, and poets, frequently inculcated
+benevolence, we have no reason to conclude from any facts they have left
+us, that persons in their days did anything more than occasionally
+relieve an unfortunate object, who might present himself before them, or
+that, however they might deplore the existence of public evils among
+them, they joined in associations for their suppression, or that they
+carried their charity, as bodies of men, into other kingdoms. To
+Christianity alone we are indebted for the new and sublime spectacle, of
+seeing men going beyond the bounds of individual usefulness to each
+other; of seeing them associate for the extirpation of private and
+public misery; and of seeing them carry their charity, as a united
+brotherhood, into distant lands. And in this wider field of benevolence
+it would be unjust not to confess, that no country has shone with more
+true lustre than our own, there being scarcely any case of acknowledged
+affliction, for which some of her Christian children have not united in
+an attempt to provide relief.
+
+Among the evils corrected or subdued, either by the general influence of
+Christianity on the minds of men, or by particular associations of
+Christians, the African[A]. Slave Trade appears to me to have occupied
+the foremost place. The abolition of it, therefore, of which it has
+devolved upon me to write the history, should be accounted as one of the
+greatest blessings, and as such should be one of the most copious
+sources of our joy: indeed, I know of no evil, the removal of which
+should excite in us a higher degree of pleasure. For, in considerations
+of this kind, are we not usually influenced by circumstances? Are not
+our feelings usually affected according to the situation, or the
+magnitude, or the importance of these? Are they not more or less
+elevated, as the evil under our contemplation has been more or less
+productive of misery, or more or less productive of guilt? Are they not
+more or less elevated again, as we have found it more or less
+considerable in extent? Our sensations will undoubtedly be in proportion
+to such circumstances, or our joy to the appreciation or mensuration of
+the evil which has been removed.
+
+[Footnote A: Slavery had been before annihilated by Christianity; I mean
+in the West of Europe, at the close of the twelfth century]
+
+To value the blessing of the abolition as we ought, or to appreciate the
+joy and gratitude which we ought to feel concerning it, we must enter a
+little into the circumstances of the trade. Our statement, however, of
+these needs not be long: a few pages will do all that is necessary! A
+glance only into such a subject as this will be sufficient to affect the
+heart,--to arouse our indignation and our pity,--and to teach us the
+importance of the victory obtained.
+
+The first subject for consideration, towards enabling us to make the
+estimate in question, will be that of the nature of the evil belonging
+to the Slave Trade. This may be seen by examining it in three points of
+view. First, as it has been proved to arise on the Continent of Africa,
+in the course of reducing the inhabitants of it to slavery. Secondly, in
+the course of conveying them from thence to the lands or colonies of
+other nations. And, thirdly, in continuing them there as slaves.
+
+To see it, as it has been shown, to arise in the first case, let us
+suppose ourselves on the Continent just mentioned. Well then, We are
+landed,--We are already upon our travels,--We have just passed through
+one forest,--We are now come to a more open place, which indicates an
+approach to habitation. And what object is that which first obtrudes
+itself upon our sight? Who is that wretched woman whom we discover under
+that noble tree, wringing her hands, and beating her breast, as if in
+the agonies of despair? Three days has she been there, at intervals, to
+look and to watch; and this is the fourth morning, and no tidings of her
+children yet. Beneath its spreading boughs they were accustomed to play:
+but, alas! the savage man-stealer interrupted their playful mirth, and
+has taken them for ever from her sight.
+
+But let us leave the cries of this unfortunate woman, and hasten into
+another district. And what do we first see here? Who is he that just now
+started across the narrow pathway, as if afraid of a human face? What is
+that sudden rustling among the leaves? Why are those persons flying from
+our approach, and hiding themselves in yon darkest thicket? Behold, as
+we get into the plain, a deserted village! The rice-field has been just
+trodden down around it; an aged man,--venerable by his silver
+beard,--lies wounded and dying near the threshold of his hut. War,
+suddenly instigated by avarice, has just visited the dwellings which we
+see. The old have been butchered, because unfit for slavery, and the
+young have been carried off, except such as have fallen in the conflict,
+or have escaped among the woods behind us.
+
+But let us hasten from this cruel scene, which gives rise to so many
+melancholy reflections. Let us cross yon distant river, and enter into
+some new domain. But are we relieved even here from afflicting
+spectacles? Look at that immense crowd which appears to be gathered in a
+ring. See the accused innocent in the middle! The ordeal of poisonous
+water has been administered to him, as a test of his innocence or his
+guilt: he begins to be sick and pale. Alas! yon mournful shriek of his
+relatives confirms that the loss of his freedom is now sealed.
+
+And whither shall we go now? the night is approaching fast. Let us find
+some friendly hut, where sleep may make us forget for a while the
+sorrows of the day. Behold a hospitable native ready to receive us at
+his door! let us avail ourselves of his kindness. And now let its give
+ourselves to repose. But why, when our eyelids are but just closed, do
+we find ourselves thus suddenly awakened? What is the meaning of the
+noise around us, of the trampling of people's feet, of the rustling of
+the bow, the quiver, and the lance? Let us rise up and inquire. Behold!
+the inhabitants are all alarmed! a wakeful woman has shown them yon
+distant column of smoke and blaze. The neighbouring village is on fire:
+the prince, unfaithful to the sacred duty of the protection of his
+subjects, has surrounded them. He is now burning their habitations, and
+seizing, as saleable booty, the fugitives from the flames.
+
+Such then are some of the scenes that have been passing in Africa, in
+consequence, of the existence of the Slave Trade; or such is the nature
+of the evil, as it has shown itself in the first of the cases we have
+noticed. Let us now estimate it as it has been proved to exist in the
+second; or let us examine the state of the unhappy Africans reduced to
+slavery in this manner, while on board the vessels, which are to convey
+them across the ocean to other lands. And here I must observe at once,
+that, as far as this part of the evil is concerned, I am at a loss to
+describe it. Where shall I find words to express properly their sorrow,
+as arising from the reflection of being parted for ever from their
+friends, their relatives, and their country? Where shall I find language
+to paint, in appropriate colours, the horror of mind brought on by
+thoughts of their future unknown destination, of which they can augur
+nothing but misery from all that they have yet seen? How shall I make
+known their situation, while labouring, under painful disease, or while
+struggling in the suffocating holds of their prisons, like animals
+enclosed in an exhausted receiver? How shall I describe their feelings
+as exposed to all the personal indignities, which lawless appetite or
+brutal passion may suggest? How shall I exhibit their sufferings as
+determining to refuse sustenance and die, or as resolving to break their
+chains, and, disdaining to live as slaves, to punish their oppressors?
+How shall I give an idea of their agony when under various punishments
+and tortures for their reputed crimes? Indeed, every part of this
+subject defies my powers, and I must, therefore, satisfy myself and the
+reader with a general representation, or in the words of a celebrated
+member of Parliament, that "Never was so much human suffering condensed
+in so small a space."
+
+I come now to the evil, as it has been proved to arise in the third
+case; or to consider the situation of the unhappy victims of the trade,
+when their painful voyages are over, or after they have been landed upon
+their destined shores. And here we are to view them, first under the
+degrading light of cattle: we are to see them examined, handled,
+selected, separated, and sold. Alas! relatives are separated from
+relatives, as if, like cattle, they had no rational intellect, no power
+of feeling the nearness of relationship, nor sense of the duties
+belonging to the ties of life! We are next to see them labouring; and
+this for the benefit of those to whom they are under no obligation, by
+any law either natural or divine, to obey. We are to see them, if
+refusing the commands of their purchasers, however weary, or feeble, or
+indisposed, subject to corporal punishments, and if forcibly resisting
+them to death: we are to see them in a state of general degradation and
+misery. The knowledge which their oppressors have of their own crime, in
+having violated the rights of nature, and of the disposition of the
+injured to seek all opportunities of revenge, produces a fear which
+dictates to them the necessity of a system of treatment, by which they
+shall keep up a wide distinction between the two, and by which the noble
+feelings of the latter shall be kept down, and their spirits broken. We
+are to see them again subject to individual persecution, as anger, or
+malice, or any bad passion may suggest: hence the whip, the chain, the
+iron-collar! hence the various modes of private torture, of which so
+many accounts have been truly given. Nor can such horrible cruelties be
+discovered so as to be made punishable, while the testimony of any
+number of the oppressed is invalid against the oppressors, however they
+may be offences against the laws. And, lastly, we are to see their
+innocent offspring, against whose personal liberty the shadow of an
+argument cannot be advanced, inheriting all the miseries of their
+parents' lot.
+
+The evil then, as far as it has been hitherto viewed, presents to us, in
+its three several departments, a measure of human suffering not to be
+equalled--not to be calculated--not to be described. But would that we
+could consider this part of the subject as dismissed! would that in each
+of the departments now examined there was no counterpart left us to
+contemplate! But this cannot be; for if there be persons who suffer
+unjustly there must be others who oppress: and if there be those who
+oppress, there must be to the suffering, which has been occasioned, a
+corresponding portion of immorality or guilt.
+
+We are obliged then to view the counterpart of the evil in question,
+before we can make a proper estimate of the nature of it. And, in
+examining this part of it, we shall find that we have a no less
+frightful picture to behold than in the former cases; or that, while the
+miseries endured by the unfortunate Africans excite our pity on the one
+hand, the vices, which are connected with them, provoke our indignation
+and abhorrence on the other. The Slave Trade, in this point of view,
+must strike us as an immense mass of evil on account of the criminality
+attached to it, as displayed in the various branches of it, which have
+already been examined. For, to take the counterpart of the evil in the
+first of these, can we say that no moral turpitude is to be placed to
+the account of those, who, living on the continent of Africa, give birth
+to the enormities, which take place in consequence of the prosecution of
+this trade? Is not that man made morally worse, who is induced to become
+a tiger to his species, or who, instigated by avarice, lies in wait in
+the thicket to get possession of his fellow-man? Is no injustice
+manifest in the land, where the prince, unfaithful to his duty, seizes
+his innocent subjects, and sells them for slaves? Are no moral evils
+produced among those communities, which make war upon other communities
+for the sake of plunder, and without any previous provocation or
+offence? Does no crime attach to those, who accuse others falsely, or
+who multiply and divide crimes for the sake of the profit of the
+punishment, and who for the same reason continue the use of barbarous
+and absurd ordeals as a test of innocence or guilt?
+
+In the second of these branches, the counterpart of the evil is to be
+seen in the conduct of those who purchase the miserable natives in their
+own country, and convey them to distant lands. And here questions,
+similar to the former, may be asked. Do they experience no corruption of
+their nature, or become chargeable with no violation of right, who, when
+they go with their ships to this continent, know the enormities which
+their visits there will occasion, who buy their fellow-creature man, and
+this, knowing the way in which he comes into their hands, and who chain,
+and imprison, and scourge him? Do the moral feelings of those persons
+escape without injury, whose hearts are hardened? And can the hearts of
+those be otherwise than hardened, who are familiar with the tears and
+groans of innocent strangers forcibly torn away from every thing that is
+dear to them in life, who are accustomed to see them on board their
+vessels in a state of suffocation and in the agonies of despair, and who
+are themselves in the habit of the cruel use of arbitrary power?
+
+The counterpart of the evil in its third branch is to be seen in the
+conduct of those, who, when these miserable people have been landed,
+purchase and carry them to their respective homes. And let us see
+whether a mass of wickedness is not generated also in the present case.
+Can those have nothing to answer for, who separate the faithful ties
+which nature and religion have created? Can their feelings be otherwise
+than corrupted, who consider their fellow-creatures as brutes, or treat
+those as cattle, who may become the temples of the Holy Spirit, and in
+whom the Divinity disdains not himself to dwell? Is there no injustice
+in forcing men to labour without wages? Is there no breach of duty, when
+we are commanded to clothe the naked, and feed the hungry, and visit the
+sick and in prison, in exposing them to want, in torturing them by cruel
+punishment, and in grinding them down by hard labour, so as to shorten
+their days? Is there no crime in adopting a system, which keeps down all
+the noble faculties of their souls, and which positively debases and
+corrupts their nature? Is there no crime in perpetuating these evils
+among their innocent offspring? And finally, besides all these crimes,
+is there not naturally in the familiar sight of the exercise, but more
+especially in the exercise itself, of uncontrolled power, that which
+vitiates the internal man? In seeing misery stalk daily over the land,
+do not all become insensibly hardened? By giving birth to that misery
+themselves, do they not become abandoned? In what state of society are
+the corrupt appetites so easily, so quickly, and so frequently indulged,
+and where else, by means of frequent indulgence, do these experience
+such a monstrous growth? Where else is the temper subject to such
+frequent irritation, or passion to such little control? Yes--if the
+unhappy slave is in an unfortunate situation, so is the tyrant who holds
+him. Action and reaction are equal to each other, as well in the moral
+as in the natural world. You cannot exercise an improper dominion over a
+fellow-creature, but by a wise ordering of Providence you must
+necessarily injure yourself.
+
+Having now considered the nature of the evil of the Slave Trade in its
+three separate departments of suffering, and in its corresponding
+counterparts of guilt, I shall make a few observations on the extent of
+it.
+
+On this subject it must strike us, that the misery and the crimes
+included in the evil, as it has been found in Africa, were not like
+common maladies, which make a short or periodical visit and then are
+gone, but that they were continued daily. Nor were they like diseases,
+which from local causes attack a village or a town, and by the skill of
+the physician, under the blessing of Providence, are removed; but they
+affected a whole continent. The trade with all its horrors began at the
+river Senegal, and continued, winding with the coast, through its
+several geographical divisions to Cape Negro; a distance of more than
+three thousand miles. In various lines or paths formed at right angles
+from the shore, and passing into the heart of the country, slaves were
+procured and brought down. The distance, which many of them travelled,
+was immense. Those, who have been in Africa, have assured us, that they
+came as far as from the sources of their largest rivers, which we know
+to be many hundred miles inland, and the natives have told us, in their
+way of computation, that they came a journey of many moons.
+
+It must strike us again, that the misery and the crimes, included in the
+evil, as it has been shown in the transportation, had no ordinary
+bounds. They were not to be seen in the crossing of a river, but of an
+ocean. They did not begin in the morning and end at night, but were
+continued for many weeks, and sometimes by casualties for a quarter of
+the year. They were not limited to the precincts of a solitary ship, but
+were spread among many vessels; and these were so constantly passing,
+that the ocean itself never ceased to be a witness of their existence.
+
+And it must strike us, finally, that the misery and crimes, included in
+the evil as it has been found in foreign lands, were not confined within
+the shores of a little island. Most of the islands of a continent, and
+many of these of considerable population and extent, were filled with
+them. And the continent itself, to which these geographically belong,
+was widely polluted by their domain. Hence, if we were to take the vast
+extent of space occupied by these crimes and sufferings from the heart
+of Africa to its shores, and that which they filled on the continent of
+America and the islands adjacent, and were to join the crimes and
+sufferings in one to those in the other, by the crimes and sufferings
+which took place in the track of the vessels successively crossing the
+Atlantic, we should behold a vast belt as it were of physical and moral
+evil, reaching through land and ocean to the length of nearly half the
+circle of the globe.
+
+The next view which I shall take of this evil will be as it relates to
+the difficulty of subduing it.
+
+This difficulty may be supposed to have been more than ordinarily great.
+Many evils of a public nature, which existed in former times, were the
+offspring of ignorance and superstition, and they were subdued of course
+by the progress of light and knowledge. But the evil in question began
+in avarice. It was nursed also by worldly interest. It did not therefore
+so easily yield to the usual correctives of disorders in the world. We
+may observe also, that the interest by which it was thus supported, was
+not that of a few individuals, nor of one body, but of many bodies of
+men. It was interwoven again into the system of the commerce and of the
+revenue of nations. Hence the merchant--the planter--the mortgagee--the
+manufacturer--the politician--the legislator--the
+cabinet-minister--lifted up their voices against the annihilation of it.
+For these reasons, the Slave Trade may be considered like the fabulous
+hydra, to have a hundred heads, every one of which it was necessary to
+cut off before it could be subdued. And as none but Hercules was fitted
+to conquer the one, so nothing less than extraordinary prudence,
+courage, labour, and patience, could overcome the other. To protection
+in this manner by his hundred interests, it was owing, that the monster
+stalked in security for so long a time. He stalked too in the open day,
+committing his mighty depredations. And when good men, whose duty it was
+to mark him as the object of their destruction, began to assail him, he
+did not fly, but gnashed his teeth at them, growling savagely at the
+same time, and putting himself into a posture of defiance.
+
+We see then, in whatever light we consider the Slave Trade, whether we
+examine into the nature of it, or whether we look into the extent of it,
+or whether we estimate the difficulty of subduing it, we must conclude
+that no evil more monstrous has ever existed upon earth. But if so, then
+we have proved the truth of the position, that the abolition of it ought
+to be accounted by us as one of the greatest blessings, and that it
+ought to be one of the most copious sources of our joy. Indeed, I do not
+know, how we can sufficiently express what we ought to feel upon this
+occasion. It becomes us, as individuals, to rejoice. It becomes us, as a
+nation, to rejoice. It becomes us even to perpetuate our joy to our
+posterity. I do not mean, however, by anniversaries, which are to be
+celebrated by the ringing of bells and convivial meetings, but by
+handing down this great event so impressively to our children, as to
+raise in them, if not continual, yet frequently renewed thanksgivings,
+to the great Creator of the universe, for the manifestation of this his
+favour, in having disposed our legislators to take away such a portion
+of suffering from our fellow-creatures, and such a load of guilt from
+our native land.
+
+And as the contemplation of the removal of this monstrous evil should
+excite in us the most pleasing and grateful sensations, so the perusal
+of the history of it should afford us lessons, which it must be useful
+to us to know or to be reminded of. For it cannot be otherwise than
+useful to us to know the means which have been used, and the different
+persons who have moved in so great a cause. It cannot be otherwise than
+useful to us to be impressively reminded of the simple axiom which the
+perusal of this history will particularly suggest to us, that "the
+greatest works must have a beginning;" because the fostering of such an
+idea in our minds cannot but encourage us to undertake the removal of
+evils, however vast they may appear in their size, or however difficult
+to overcome. It cannot, again, be otherwise than useful to us to be
+assured, (and this history will assure us of it,) that in any work,
+which is a work of righteousness, however small the beginning may be, or
+however small the progress may be that we may make in it, we ought never
+to despair; for that, whatever checks and discouragements we may meet
+with, "no virtuous effort is ever ultimately lost." And finally, it
+cannot be otherwise than useful to us, to form the opinion, which the
+contemplation of this subject must always produce, namely, that many of
+the evils which are still left among us, may, by an union of wise and
+virtuous individuals, be greatly alleviated, if not entirely done away;
+for if the great evil of the Slave Trade, so deeply entrenched by its
+hundred interests, has fallen prostrate before the efforts of those who
+attacked it, what evil of a less magnitude shall not be more easily
+subdued? O may reflections of this sort always enliven us, always
+encourage us, always stimulate us to our duty! May we never cease to
+believe, that many of the miseries of life are still to be remedied, or
+to rejoice that we may be permitted, if we will only make ourselves
+worthy by our endeavours, to heal them! May we encourage for this
+purpose every generous sympathy that arises in our hearts, as the
+offspring of the Divine influence for our good, convinced that we are
+not born for ourselves alone, and that the Divinity never so fully
+dwells in us, as when we do his will, and that we never do his will more
+agreeably, as far as it has been revealed to us, than when we employ our
+time in works of charity towards the rest of our fellow-creatures!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+As it is desirable to know the true sources of events in history, so
+this will be realized in that of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade.--Inquiry as to those who favoured the cause of the Africans
+previously to the year 1787.--All these to be considered as necessary
+forerunners in that cause.--First forerunners were Cardinal Ximenes;
+the Emperor Charles the Fifth; Pope Leo the Tenth; Elizabeth, queen of
+England; Louis the Thirteenth, of France.
+
+
+It would be considered by many, who have stood at the mouth of a river,
+and witnessed its torrent there, to be both an interesting and a
+pleasing journey to go to the fountain head, and then to travel on its
+banks downwards, and to mark the different streams in each side, which
+should run into it and feed it. So I presume the reader will not be a
+little interested and entertained, in viewing with me the course of the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, in first finding its source, and then in
+tracing the different springs which have contributed to its increase.
+And here I may observe that, in doing this, we shall have advantages,
+which historians have not always had in developing the causes of things.
+Many have handed down to us, events, for the production of which they
+have given us but their own conjectures. There has been often, indeed,
+such a distance between the events themselves, and the lives of those
+who have recorded them, that the different means and motives belonging
+to them have been lost through time. On the present occasion, however,
+we shall have the peculiar satisfaction of knowing, that we communicate
+the truth, or that those which we unfold, are the true causes and means;
+for the most remote of all the human springs, which can be traced as
+having any bearing upon the great event in question, will fall within
+the period of three centuries, and the most powerful of them within the
+last twenty years. These circumstances indeed have had their share in
+inducing me to engage in the present history. Had I measured it by the
+importance of the subject, I had been deterred; but believing that most
+readers love the truth, and that it ought to be the object of all
+writers to promote it, and believing, moreover, that I was in possession
+of more facts on this subject than any other person, I thought I was
+peculiarly called to undertake it.
+
+In tracing the different streams from whence the torrent arose, which
+has now happily swept away the Slave Trade, I must begin with an inquiry
+as to those who favoured the cause of the injured Africans, from the
+year 1516, to the year 1787, at which latter period, a number of persons
+associated themselves, in England, for its abolition. For though they,
+who belonged to this association, may, in consequence of having pursued
+a regular system, be called the principal actors, yet it must be
+acknowledged, that their efforts would never have been so effectual, if
+the minds of men had not been prepared by others, who had moved before
+them. Great events have never taken place without previously disposing
+causes. So it is in the case before us. Hence they, who lived even in
+early times, and favoured this great cause, may be said to have been
+necessary precursors in it. And here it may be proper to observe, that
+it is by no means necessary that all these should have been themselves
+actors in the production of this great event. Persons have contributed
+towards it in different ways:--Some have written expressly on the
+subject, who have had no opportunity of promoting it by personal
+exertions. Others have only mentioned it incidentally in their writings.
+Others, in an elevated rank and station, have cried out publicly
+concerning it, whose sayings have been recorded. All these, however, may
+be considered as necessary forerunners in their day; for all of them
+have brought the subject more or less into notice. They have more or
+less enlightened the mind upon it; they have more or less impressed it;
+and therefore each may be said to have had his share in diffusing and
+keeping up a certain portion of knowledge and feeling concerning it,
+which has been eminently useful in the promotion of the cause.
+
+It is rather remarkable, that the first forerunners and coadjutors
+should have been men in power.
+
+So early as in the year 1503, a few slaves had been sent from the
+Portuguese settlements in Africa into the Spanish colonies in America.
+In 1511, Ferdinand the Fifth, king of Spain, permitted them to be
+carried in great numbers. Ferdinand, however, must have been ignorant in
+these early times of the piratical manner in which the Portuguese had
+procured them. He could have known nothing of their treatment when in
+bondage, nor could he have viewed the few uncertain adventurous
+transportations of them into his dominions in the western world, in the
+light of a regular trade. After his death, however; a proposal was made
+by Bartholomew de las Casas, the bishop of Chiapa, to Cardinal Ximenes,
+who held the reigns of the government of Spain till Charles the Fifth
+came to the throne, for the establishment of a regular system of
+commerce in the persons of the native Africans. The object of
+Bartholomew de las Casas was undoubtedly to save the American Indians,
+whose cruel treatment and almost extirpation he had witnessed during his
+residence among them, and in whose behalf he had undertaken a voyage to
+the court of Spain. It is difficult to reconcile this proposal with the
+humane and charitable spirit of the bishop of Chiapa. But it is probable
+he believed that a code of laws would soon be established in favour both
+of Africans and of the natives in the Spanish settlements, and that he
+flattered himself that, being about to return and to live in the country
+of their slavery, he could look to the execution of it. The cardinal,
+however, with a foresight, a benevolence, and a justice which will
+always do honour to his memory, refused the proposal, not only judging
+it to be unlawful to consign innocent people to slavery at all, but to
+be very inconsistent to deliver the inhabitants of one country from a
+state of misery by consigning to it those of another. Ximenes,
+therefore, may be considered as one of the first great friends of the
+Africans after the partial beginning of the trade.
+
+This answer of the cardinal, as it showed his virtue as an individual,
+so was it peculiarly honourable to him as a public man, and ought to
+operate as a lesson to other statesmen, how they admit any thing new
+among political regulations and establishments, which is connected in
+the smallest degree with injustice; for evil, when once sanctioned by
+governments, spreads in a tenfold degree, and may, unless seasonably
+checked, become so ramified as to effect the reputation of a country,
+and to render its own removal scarcely possible without detriment to the
+political concerns of the state. In no instance has this been verified
+more than in the case of the Slave Trade. Never was our national
+character more tarnished, and our prosperity more clouded by guilt.
+Never was there a monster more difficult to subdue. Even they, who heard
+as it were the shrieks of oppression, and wished to assist the
+sufferers, were fearful of joining in their behalf. While they
+acknowledged the necessity of removing one evil, they were terrified by
+the prospect of introducing another; and were, therefore, only able to
+relieve their feelings by, lamenting, in the bitterness of their hearts,
+that this traffic had ever been begun at all.
+
+After the death of Cardinal Ximenes, the emperor Charles the Fifth, who
+had come into power, encouraged the Slave Trade. In 1517, he granted a
+patent to one of his Flemish favourites, containing an exclusive right
+of importing four thousand Africans into America. But he lived long
+enough to repent of what he had thus inconsiderately done; for in the
+year 1542, he made a code of laws for the better protection of the
+unfortunate Indians in his foreign dominions, and he stopped the
+progress of African slavery by an order that all slaves in his American
+islands should he made free. This order was executed by Pedro de la
+Gasca. Manumission took place as well in Hispaniola as on the Continent;
+but on the return of Gasca to Spain, and the retirement of Charles into
+a monastery, slavery was revived.
+
+It is impossible to pass over this instance of the abolition of slavery
+by Charles, in all his foreign dominions, without some comments. It
+shows him, first, to have been a friend both to the Indians and the
+Africans, as a part of the human race; it shows he was ignorant of what
+he was doing when he gave his sanction to this cruel trade; it shows
+when legislators give one set of men undue power over another, how
+quickly they abuse it, or he never would have found himself obliged, in
+the short space of twenty-five years, to undo that which he had
+countenanced as a great state measure; and while it confirms the former
+lesson to statesmen of watching the beginnings or principles of things
+in their political movements, it should teach them never to persist in
+the support of evils, through the false shame of being obliged to
+confess that they had once given them their sanction, nor to delay the
+cure of them because, politically speaking, neither this nor that is the
+proper season; but to do them away instantly, as there can only be one
+fit or proper time in the eye of religion, namely, on the conviction of
+their existence.
+
+From the opinions of Cardinal Ximenes and of the emperor Charles the
+Fifth, I hasten to that which was expressed much about the same time, in
+a public capacity, by Pope Leo the Tenth. The Dominicans in Spanish
+America, witnessing the cruel treatment which the slaves underwent
+there, considered slavery as utterly repugnant to the principles of the
+gospel, and recommended the abolition of it. The Franciscans did not
+favour the former in this their scheme of benevolence; and the
+consequence was, that a controversy on this subject sprung up between
+them, which was carried to this pope for his decision. Leo exerted
+himself, much to his honour, in behalf of the poor sufferers, and
+declared "That not only the Christian religion, but that Nature herself
+cried out against a state of slavery." This answer was certainly worthy
+of one who was deemed the head of the Christian Church. It must,
+however, be confessed that it would have been strange if Leo, in his
+situation as pontiff, had made a different reply. He could never have
+denied that God was no respecter of persons. He must have acknowledged
+that men were bound to love each other as brethren; and, if he admitted
+the doctrine that all men were accountable for their actions hereafter,
+he could never have prevented the deduction that it was necessary they
+should be free. Nor could he, as a man of high attainments, living early
+in the sixteenth century, have been ignorant of what had taken place in
+the twelfth; or that, by the latter end of this latter century,
+christianity had obtained the undisputed honour of having extirpated
+slavery from the western part of the European world.
+
+From Spain and Italy I come to England. The first importation of slaves
+from Africa, by our countrymen, was in the reign of Elizabeth, in the
+year 1562. This great princess seems on the very commencement of the
+trade to have questioned its lawfulness. She seems to have entertained a
+religious scruple concerning it; and, indeed, to have revolted at the
+very thought of it. She seems to have been aware of the evils to which
+its continuance might lead, or that, if it were sanctioned, the most
+unjustifiable means might be made use of to procure the persons of the
+natives of Africa. And in what light she would have viewed any acts of
+this kind, had they taken place, we may conjecture from this fact,--that
+when Captain (afterwards Sir John) Hawkins returned from his first
+voyage to Africa and Hispaniola, whither he had carried slaves, she sent
+for him, and, as we learn from Hill's _Naval History_ expressed her
+concern lest any of the Africans should be carried off without their
+free consent, declaring that "it would be detestable, and call down the
+vengeance of heaven upon the undertakers." Captain Hawkins promised to
+comply with the injunctions of Elizabeth in this respect, but he did not
+keep his word; for when he went to Africa again, he seized many of the
+inhabitants and carried them off as slaves, which occasioned Hill, in
+the account he gives of his second voyage, to use these remarkable
+words:--"Here began the horrid practice of forcing the Africans into
+slavery, an injustice and barbarity which, so sure as there is vengeance
+in heaven for the worst of crimes, will some time be the destruction of
+all who allow or encourage it." That the trade should have been suffered
+to continue under such a princess, and after such solemn expressions as
+those which she has been described to have uttered, can be only
+attributed to the pains taken by those concerned in it to keep her
+ignorant of the truth.
+
+From England I now pass over to France. Labat, a Roman missionary, in
+his account of the isles of America, mentions that Louis the Thirteenth
+was very uneasy when he was about to issue the edict by which all
+Africans coming into his colonies were to be made slaves, and that this
+uneasiness continued till he was assured that the introduction of them
+in this capacity into his foreign dominions was the readiest way of
+converting them to the principles of the Christian religion.
+
+These, then, were the first forerunners in the great cause of the
+abolition of the Slave Trade: nor have their services towards it been of
+small moment; for, in the first place, they have enabled those who came
+after them, and who took an active interest in the same cause, to state
+the great authority of their opinions and of their example. They have
+enabled them, again, to detail the history connected with these, in
+consequence of which circumstances have been laid open which it is of
+great importance to know; for have they not enabled them to state that
+the African Slave Trade never would have been permitted to exist but for
+the ignorance of those in authority concerning it--that at its
+commencement there was a revolting of nature against it--a suspicion, a
+caution, a fear, both as to its unlawfulness and its effects? Have they
+not enabled them to state that falsehoods were advanced, and these
+concealed under the mask of religion, to deceive those who had the power
+to suppress it? Have they not enabled them to state that this trade
+began in piracy, and that it was continued upon the principles of force?
+And, finally, have not they who have been enabled to make these
+statements, knowing all the circumstances connected with them, found
+their own zeal increased, and their own courage and perseverance
+strengthened; and have they not, by the communication of them to others,
+produced many friends and even labourers in the cause?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+Forerunners continued to 1787; divided from this time into four
+classes.--First class consists principally of persons in Great Britain
+of various descriptions: Godwyn; Baxter; Tryon; Southern; Primatt;
+Montesquieu; Hutcheson; Sharp; Ramsay; and a multitude of others,
+whose names and services follow.
+
+
+I have hitherto traced the history of the forerunners in this great
+cause only up to about the year 1640. If I am to pursue my plan, I am to
+trace it to the year 1787. But in order to show what I intend in a
+clearer point of view, I shall divide those who have lived within this
+period, and who will now consist of persons in a less elevated station,
+into four classes: and I shall give to each class a distinct
+consideration by itself.
+
+Several of our old English writers, though they have not mentioned the
+African Slave Trade, or the slavery consequent upon it, in their
+respective works, have yet given their testimony of condemnation against
+both. Thus our great Milton:--
+
+
+  O execrable son, so to aspire,
+  Above his brethren, to himself assuming
+  Authority usurpt, from God not given;
+  He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl,
+  Dominion absolute; that right we hold
+  By his donation; but man over men
+  He made not lord, such title to himself
+  Reserving, human left from human free.
+
+
+I might mention Bishop Saunderson and others, who bore a testimony
+equally strong against the lawfulness of trading in the persons of men,
+and of holding them in bondage; but as I mean to confine myself to those
+who have favoured the cause of the Africans specifically, I cannot admit
+their names into any of the classes which have been announced.
+
+Of those, who compose the first class, defined as it has now been, I
+cannot name any individual who took a part in this cause till between
+the years 1670 and 1680; for in the year 1640, and for a few years
+afterwards, the nature of the trade and of the slavery was but little
+known, except to a few individuals, who were concerned in them; and it
+is obvious that these would neither endanger their own interest nor
+proclaim their own guilt by exposing it. The first, whom I shall mention
+is Morgan Godwyn, a clergyman of the established church. This pious
+divine wrote a treatise upon the subject, which he dedicated to the then
+archbishop of Canterbury. He gave it to the world, at the time
+mentioned, under the title of "_The Negroes' and Indians' Advocate._" In
+this treatise he lays open the situation of these oppressed people, of
+whose sufferings he had been an eye-witness in the island of Barbados.
+He calls forth the pity of the reader in an affecting manner, and
+exposes with a nervous eloquence the brutal sentiments and conduct of
+their oppressors. This seems to have been the first work undertaken in
+England expressly in favour of the cause.
+
+The next person, whom I shall mention, is Richard Baxter, the celebrated
+divine among the nonconformists. In his _Christian Directory_, published
+about the same time as _The Negroes' and Indians' Advocate_, he gives
+advice to those masters in foreign plantations, who have negroes and
+other slaves. In this he protests loudly against this trade. He says
+expressly that they, who go out as pirates, and take away poor Africans,
+or people of another land, who never forfeited life or liberty, and make
+them slaves and sell them, are the worst of robbers, and ought to be
+considered as the common enemies of mankind; and that they who buy them,
+and use them as mere beasts for their own convenience, regardless of
+their spiritual welfare, are fitter to be called demons than christians.
+He then proposes several queries, which he answers in a clear and
+forcible manner, showing the great inconsistency of this traffic, and
+the necessity of treating those then in bondage with tenderness and a
+due regard to their spiritual concerns.
+
+The _Directory_ of Baxter was succeeded by a publication called
+_Friendly Advice to the Planters_ in three parts. The first of these
+was, _A brief Treatise of the principal Fruits and Herbs that grow in
+Barbados, Jamaica, and other Plantations in the West Indies_. The second
+was, _The Negroes' Complaint, or their hard Servitude, and the Cruelties
+practised upon them by divers of their Masters professing Christianity_.
+And the third was, _A Dialogue between an Ethiopian and a Christian, his
+Master, in America_. In the last of these, Thomas Tryon, who was the
+author, inveighs both against the commerce and the slavery of the
+Africans, and in a striking manner examines each by the touchstone of
+reason, humanity, justice, and religion.
+
+In the year 1696, Southern brought forward his celebrated tragedy of
+_Oronooko_, by means of which many became enlightened upon the subject,
+and interested in it. For this tragedy was not a representation of
+fictitious circumstances, but of such as had occurred in the colonies,
+and as had been communicated in a publication by Mrs. Behn.
+
+The person who seems to have noticed the subject next was Dr. Primatt.
+In his _Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy, and on the Sin of Cruelty to
+Brute Animals_, he takes occasion to advert to the subject of the
+African Slave Trade. "It has pleased God," says he, "to cover some men
+with white skins and others with black; but as there is neither merit
+nor demerit in complexion, the white man, notwithstanding the barbarity
+of custom and prejudice, can have no right by virtue of his colour to
+enslave and tyrannize over the black man. For whether a man be white or
+black, such he is by God's appointment, and, abstractly considered, is
+neither a subject for pride, nor an object of contempt."
+
+After Dr. Primatt, we come to Baron Montesquieu, "Slavery," says he, "is
+not good in itself. It is neither useful to the master nor to the slave;
+not to the slave, because he can do nothing from virtuous motives; not
+to the master, because he contracts among his slaves all sorts of bad
+habits, and accustoms himself to the neglect of all the moral virtues.
+He becomes haughty, passionate, obdurate, vindictive, voluptuous, and
+cruel." And with respect to this particular species of slavery, he
+proceeds to say, "It is impossible to allow the negroes are men,
+because, if we allow them to be men, it will begin to be believed that
+we ourselves are not Christians."
+
+Hutcheson, in his _System of Moral Philosophy_, endeavours to show, that
+he who detains another by force in slavery, can make no good title to
+him, and adds, "Strange that in any nation where a sense of liberty
+prevails, and where the Christian religion is professed, custom and high
+prospect of gain can so stupify the consciences of men, and all sense of
+natural justice, that they can hear such computations made about the
+value of their fellow-men and their liberty, without abhorrence and
+indignation!"
+
+Foster, in his _Discourses on Natural Religion and Social Virtue_, calls
+the slavery under our consideration "a criminal and outrageous violation
+of the natural rights of mankind." I am sorry that I have not room to
+say all that he says on this subject. Perhaps the following beautiful
+extracts may suffice:--
+
+
+    "But notwithstanding this, we ourselves, who profess to be
+    Christians, and boast of the peculiar advantages we enjoy by
+    means of an express revelation of our duty from heaven, are in
+    effect these very untaught and rude heathen countries. With all
+    our superior light, we instil into those whom we call savage and
+    barbarous, the most despicable opinion of human nature. We, to
+    the utmost of our power, weaken and dissolve the universal tie
+    that binds and unites mankind. We practise what we should
+    exclaim against as the utmost excess of cruelty and tyranny, if
+    nations of the world, differing in colour and form of government
+    from ourselves, were so possessed of empire as to be able to
+    reduce us to a state of unmerited and brutish servitude. Of
+    consequence, we sacrifice our reason, our humanity, our
+    Christianity, to an unnatural sordid gain. We teach other
+    nations to despise and trample under foot all the obligations of
+    social virtue. We take the most effectual method to prevent the
+    propagation of the Gospel, by representing it as a scheme of
+    power and barbarous oppression, and an enemy to the natural
+    privileges and rights of man."
+
+    "Perhaps all that I have now offered may be of very little
+    weight to restrain this enormity, this aggravated iniquity.
+    However, I shall still have the satisfaction of having entered
+    my private protest against a practice which, in my opinion, bids
+    that God, who is the God and Father of the Gentiles unconverted
+    to Christianity, most daring and bold defiance, and spurns at
+    all the principles both of natural and revealed religion."
+
+
+The next author is Sir Richard Steele, who, by means of the affecting
+story of Inkle and Yarico, holds up this trade again to our abhorrence.
+
+In the year 1735, Atkins, who was a surgeon in the navy, published his
+_Voyage to Guinea, Brazil, and the West Indies, in his Majesty's ships
+Swallow and Weymouth_. In this work he describes openly the manner of
+making the natives slaves, such as by kidnapping, by unjust accusations
+and trials, and by other nefarious means. He states also the cruelties
+practised upon them by the white people, and the iniquitous ways and
+dealings of the latter, and answers their argument, by which they
+insinuated that the condition of the Africans was improved by their
+transportation to other countries.
+
+From this time, the trade beginning to be better known, a multitude of
+persons of various stations and characters sprung up, who by exposing
+it, are to be mentioned among the forerunners and coadjutors in the
+cause.
+
+Pope, in his _Essay on Man_, where he endeavours to show that happiness
+in the present depends, among other things, upon the hope of a future
+state, takes an opportunity of exciting compassion in behalf of the poor
+African, while he censures the avarice and cruelty of his master:--
+
+
+  Lo, the poor Indian! whose untutored mind
+  Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind;
+  His soul proud Science never taught to stray
+  Far as the solar walk, or milky-way;
+  Yet simple Nature to his hope was given
+  Behind the cloud-topt hill an humbler heaven;
+  Some safer world in depth of woods embraced,
+  Some happier island in the watery waste,
+  Where slaves once more their native land behold,
+  No fiends torment, no Christians thirst for gold.
+
+
+Thomson also, in his _Seasons_, marks this traffic as destructive and
+cruel, introducing the well-known fact of sharks following the vessels
+employed in it:--
+
+
+  Increasing still the sorrows of those storms,
+  His jaws horrific arm'd with three-fold fate,
+  Here dwells the direful shark. Lured by the scent
+  Of steaming crowds, of rank disease, and death;
+  Behold! he rushing cuts the briny flood,
+  Swift as the gale can bear the ship along,
+  And from the partners of that cruel trade;
+  Which spoils unhappy Guinea of her sons,
+  Demands his share of prey, demands themselves.
+  The stormy fates descend: one death involves
+  Tyrants and slaves; when straight their mangled limbs
+  Crashing at once, he dyes the purple seas
+  With gore, and riots in the vengeful meal.
+
+
+Neither was Richard Savage forgetful in his poems of the _Injured
+Africans_: he warns their oppressors of a day of retribution for their
+barbarous conduct. Having personified Public Spirit, he makes her speak
+on the subject in the following manner:--
+
+
+  Let by my specious name no tyrants rise,
+  And cry, while they enslave, they civilize!
+  Know, Liberty and I are still the same
+  Congenial--ever mingling flame with flame!
+  Why must I Afric's sable children see
+  Vended for slaves, though born by nature free,
+  The nameless tortures cruel minds invent
+  Those to subject whom Nature equal meant?
+  If these you dare (although unjust success
+  Empowers you now unpunished, to oppress),
+  Revolving empire you and yours may doom--
+  (Rome all subdu'd--yet Vandals vanquish'd Rome)
+  Yes--Empire may revolt--give them the day,
+  And yoke may yoke, and blood may blood repay.
+
+
+Wallis, in his _System of the Laws of Scotland_, maintains, that
+"neither men nor governments have a right to sell those of their own
+species. Men and their liberty are neither purchaseable nor saleable."
+And, after arguing the case, he says, "This is the law of nature, which
+is obligatory on all men, at all times, and in all places.--Would not
+any of us, who should be snatched by pirates from his native land, think
+himself cruelly abused, and at all times entitled to be free? Have not
+these unfortunate Africans, who meet with the same cruel fate, the same
+right? Are they not men as well as we? And have they not the same
+sensibility? Let us not, therefore, defend or support an usage, which is
+contrary to all the laws of humanity."
+
+In the year 1750, the reverend Griffith Hughes, rector of St. Lucy, in
+Barbados, published his Natural History of that island. He took an
+opportunity, in the course of it, of laying open to the world the
+miserable situation of the poor Africans, and the waste of them by hard
+labour and other cruel means, and he had the generosity to vindicate
+their capacities from the charge, which they who held them in bondage
+brought against them, as a justification of their own wickedness in
+continuing to deprive them of the rights of men.
+
+Edmund Burke, in his account of the European settlements, (for this work
+is usually attributed to him,) complains "that the Negroes in our
+colonies endure a slavery more complete, and attended with far worse
+circumstances, than what any people in their condition suffer, in any
+other part of the world, or have suffered in any other period of time.
+Proofs of this are not wanting. The prodigious waste, which we
+experience in this unhappy part of our species, is a full and melancholy
+evidence of this truth." And he goes on to advise the planters, for the
+sake of their own interest, to behave like good men, good masters, and
+good Christians, and to impose less labour upon their slaves, and to
+give them recreation on some of the grand festivals, and to instruct
+them in religion, as certain preventives of their decrease.
+
+An anonymous author of a pamphlet, entitled, _An Essay in Vindication of
+the Continental Colonies of America_, seems to have come forward next.
+Speaking of slavery there, he says, "It is shocking to humanity,
+violative of every generous sentiment, abhorrent utterly from the
+Christian religion.--There cannot be a more dangerous maxim than that
+necessity is a plea for injustice, for who shall fix the degree of this
+necessity? What villain so atrocious, who may not urge this excuse, or,
+as Milton has happily expressed it,
+
+  And with necessity,
+  The tyrant's plea, excuse his devilish deed?
+
+
+"That our colonies," he continues, "want people, is a very weak argument
+for so inhuman a violation of justice.--Shall a civilized, a Christian
+nation encourage slavery, because the barbarous, savage, lawless African
+hath done it? To what end do we profess a religion whose dictates we so
+flagrantly violate? Wherefore have we that pattern of goodness and
+humanity, if we refuse to follow it? How long shall we continue a
+practice which policy rejects, justice condemns, and piety revolts at?"
+
+The poet Shenstone, who comes next in order, seems to have written an
+elegy on purpose to stigmatize this trade. Of this elegy I shall copy
+only the following parts:--
+
+
+  See the poor native quit the Libyan shores,
+  Ah! not in love's delightful fetters bound!
+  No radiant smile his dying peace restores,
+  No love, nor fame, nor friendship, heals his wound.
+
+  Let vacant bards display their boasted woes;
+  Shall I the mockery of grief display?
+  No; let the muse his piercing pangs disclose,
+  Who bleeds and weeps his sum of life away!
+
+  On the wild heath in mournful guise he stood,
+  Ere the shrill boatswain gave the hated sign;
+  He dropt a tear unseen into the flood,
+  He stole one secret moment to repine--
+
+  "Why am I ravish'd from my native strand?
+  What savage race protects this impious gain?
+  Shall foreign plagues infest this teeming land,
+  And more than sea-born monsters plough the main?
+
+  Here the dire locusts' horrid swarms prevail;
+  Here the blue asps with livid poison swell;
+  Here the dry dipsa writhes his sinuous mail;
+  Can we not here secure from envy dwell?
+
+  When the grim lion urged his cruel chase,
+  When the stern panther sought his midnight prey;
+  What fate reserved me for this Christian race?
+  O race more polished, more severe than they!
+
+  Yet shores there are, bless'd shores for us remain,
+  And favour'd isles, with golden fruitage crown'd,
+  Where tufted flow'rets paint the verdant plain,
+  And every breeze shall medicine every wound."
+
+
+In the year 1755, Dr. Hayter, bishop of Norwich, preached a sermon
+before the _Society for the Propagation of the Gospel_, in which he bore
+his testimony against the continuance of this trade.
+
+Dyer, in his poem called _The Fleece_, expresses his sorrow on account
+of this barbarous trade, and looks forward to a day of retributive
+justice on account of the introduction of such an evil.
+
+In the year 1760, a pamphlet appeared, entitled, _Two Dialogues on the
+Man-trade_, by John Philmore. This name is supposed to be an assumed
+one. The author, however, discovers himself to have been both an able
+and a zealous advocate in favour of the African race.
+
+Malachi Postlethwaite, in his _Universal Dictionary of Trade and
+Commerce_, proposes a number of queries on the subject of the Slave
+Trade. I have not room to insert them at full length, but I shall give
+the following as the substance of some of them to the reader: "Whether
+this commerce be not the cause of incessant wars among the
+Africans--Whether the Africans, if it were abolished, might not become
+as ingenious, as humane, as industrious, and as capable of arts,
+manufactures, and trades, as even the bulk of Europeans--Whether, if it
+were abolished, a much more profitable trade might not be substituted,
+and this to the very centre of their extended country, instead of the
+trifling portion which now subsists upon their coasts--And whether the
+great hindrance to such a new and advantageous commerce has not wholly
+proceeded from that unjust, inhuman, unchristianlike traffic, called the
+Slave Trade, which is carried on by the Europeans." The public proposal
+of these and other queries by a man of so great commercial knowledge as
+Postlethwaite, and by one who was himself a member of the African
+Committee, was of great service in exposing the impolicy as well as
+immorality of the Slave Trade.
+
+In the year 1761, Thomas Jeffery published an account of a part of North
+America, in which he lays open the miserable state of the slaves in the
+West Indies, both as to their clothing, their food, their labour, and
+their punishments. But, without going into particulars, the general
+account be gives of them is affecting: "It is impossible," he says, "for
+a human heart to reflect upon the slavery of these dregs of mankind,
+without in some measure feeling for their misery, which ends but with
+their lives--nothing can be more wretched than the condition of this
+people."
+
+Sterne, in his account of the Negro girl in his _Life of Tristram
+Shandy_, took decidedly the part of the oppressed Africans. The
+pathetic, witty, and sentimental manner, in which he handled this
+subject, occasioned many to remember it, and procured a certain portion
+of feeling in their favour.
+
+Rousseau contributed not a little in his day to the same end.
+
+Bishop Warburton, preached a sermon in the year 1766, before the Society
+for the Propagation of the Gospel, in which he took up the cause of the
+miserable Africans, and in which he severely reprobated their
+oppressors. The language in this sermon is so striking, that I shall
+make an extract from it. "From the free savages," says he, "I now come
+to the savages in bonds. By these I mean the vast multitudes yearly
+stolen from the opposite continent, and sacrificed by the colonists to
+their great idol, the god of gain. But what then say these sincere
+worshippers of Mammon? They are our own property which we offer
+up,--Gracious God! to talk, as of herds of cattle, of property in
+rational creatures, creatures endued with all our faculties, possessing
+all our qualities but that of colour, our brethren both by nature and
+grace, shocks all the feelings of humanity, and the dictates of common
+sense? But, alas! what is there, in the infinite abuses of society,
+which does not shock them! Yet nothing is more certain in itself and
+apparent to all, than that the infamous traffic for slaves directly
+infringes both divine and human law. Nature created man free, and grace
+invites him to assert his freedom.
+
+"In excuse of this violation it hath been pretended, that though,
+indeed, these miserable outcasts of humanity be torn from their homes
+and native country by fraud and violence, yet they thereby become the
+happier, and their condition the more eligible. But who are you, who
+pretend to judge of another man's happiness; that state which each man
+under the guidance of his Maker forms for himself, and not one man for
+another? To know what constitutes mine or your happiness is the sole
+prerogative of him who created us, and cast us in so various and
+different moulds. Did your slaves ever complain to you of their
+unhappiness amidst their native woods and deserts? or rather let me ask,
+did they ever cease complaining of their condition under you their
+lordly masters, where they see, indeed, the accommodations of civil
+life, but see them all pass to others, themselves unbenefited by them?
+Be so gracious then, ye petty tyrants over human freedom, to let your
+slaves judge for themselves, what it is which makes their own happiness,
+and then see whether they do not place it in the return to their own
+country, rather than in the contemplation of your grandeur, of which
+their misery makes so large a part; a return so passionately longed for,
+that, despairing of happiness here, that is, of escaping the chains of
+their cruel task-masters, they console themselves with feigning it to be
+the gracious reward of heaven in their future state."
+
+About this time certain cruel and wicked practices, which must now be
+mentioned, had arrived at such a height, and had become so frequent in
+the metropolis, as to produce of themselves other coadjutors to the
+cause.
+
+Before the year 1700, planters, merchants, and others, resident in the
+West Indies, but coming to England, were accustomed to bring with them
+certain slaves to act as servants with them during their stay. The
+latter, seeing the freedom and the happiness of servants in this
+country, and considering what would be their own hard fate on their
+return to the islands, frequently absconded. Their masters of course
+made search after them, and often had them seized and carried away by
+force. It was, however, thrown out by many on these occasions, that the
+English laws did not sanction such proceedings, for that all persons who
+were baptized became free. The consequence of this was, that most of the
+slaves, who came over with their masters, prevailed upon some pious
+clergyman to baptize them. They took of course godfathers of such
+citizens as had the generosity to espouse their cause. When they were
+seized they usually sent to these, if they had an opportunity, for their
+protection. And in the result, their godfathers, maintaining that they
+had been baptized, and that they were free on this account as well as by
+the general tenour of the law of England, dared those who had taken
+possession of them to send them out of the kingdom.
+
+The planters, merchants, and others, being thus circumstanced, knew not
+what to do. They were afraid of taking their slaves away by force, and
+they were equally afraid of bringing any of the cases before a public
+court. In this dilemma, in 1729, they applied to York and Talbot, the
+attorney and solicitor-general for the time being, and obtained the
+following strange opinion from them:--"We are of opinion, that a slave
+by coming from the West Indies into Great Britain or Ireland, either
+with or without his master, does not become free, and that his master's
+right and property in him is not thereby determined or varied, and that
+baptism doth not bestow freedom on him, nor make any alteration in his
+temporal condition in these kingdoms. We are also of opinion, that the
+master may legally compel him to return again to the plantations."
+
+This cruel and illegal opinion was delivered in the year 1729. The
+planters, merchants, and others, gave it of course all the publicity in
+their power. And the consequences were as might easily have been
+apprehended. In a little time slaves absconding were advertised in the
+London papers as runaways, and rewards offered for the apprehension of
+them, in the same brutal manner as we find them advertised in the land
+of slavery. They were advertised also, in the same papers, to be sold by
+auction, sometimes by themselves, and at others with horses, chaises,
+and harness? They were seized also by their masters, or by persons
+employed by them, in the very streets, and dragged from thence to the
+ships; and so unprotected now were these poor slaves, that persons in
+nowise concerned with them began to institute a trade in their persons,
+making agreements with captains of ships going to the West Indies to put
+them on board at a certain price. This last instance shows how far human
+nature is capable of going, and is an answer to those persons who have
+denied that kidnapping in Africa was a source of supplying the Slave
+Trade. It shows, as all history does from the time of Joseph, that where
+there is a market for the persons of human beings, all kinds of
+enormities will be practised to obtain them.
+
+These circumstances then, as I observed before, did not fail of
+producing new coadjutors in the cause. And first they produced that able
+and indefatigable advocate, Mr. Granville Sharp. This gentleman is to be
+distinguished from those who preceded him by this particular, that,
+whereas these were only writers, he was both a writer and an actor in
+the cause. In fact, he was the first labourer in it in England. By the
+words "actor" and "labourer," I mean that he determined upon a plan of
+action in behalf of the oppressed Africans, to the accomplishment of
+which he devoted a considerable portion of his time, talents, and
+substance. What Mr. Sharp has done to merit the title of coadjutor in
+this high sense, I shall now explain. The following is a short history
+of the beginning and of the course of his labours:--
+
+In the year 1765, Mr. David Lisle had brought over from Barbados
+Jonathan Strong, an African slave, as his servant. He used the latter in
+a barbarous manner at his lodgings in Wapping, but particularly by
+beating him over the head with a pistol, which occasioned his head to
+swell. When the swelling went down, a disorder fell into his eyes, which
+threatened the loss of them. To this an ague and fever succeeded, and a
+lameness in both his legs.
+
+Jonathan Strong, having been brought into this deplorable situation, and
+being therefore wholly useless, was left by his master to go whither he
+pleased. He applied accordingly to Mr. William Sharp, the surgeon, for
+his advice, as to one who gave up a portion of his time to the healing
+of the diseases of the poor. It was here that Mr. Granville Sharp, the
+brother of the former, saw him. Suffice it to say, that in process of
+time he was cured. During this time Mr. Granville Sharp, pitying his
+hard case, supplied him with money, and he afterwards got him a
+situation in the family of Mr. Brown, an apothecary, to carry out
+medicines.
+
+In this new situation, when Strong had become healthy and robust in his
+appearance, his master happened to see him. The latter immediately
+formed the design of possessing him again. According, when he had found
+out his residence, he procured John Ross, keeper of the Poultry-counter,
+and William Miller, an officer under the Lord Mayor, to kidnap him. This
+was done by sending for him to a public-house in Fenchurch-street, and
+then seizing him. By these he was conveyed, without any warrant, to the
+Poultry-counter, where he was sold by his master, to John Kerr, for
+thirty pounds.
+
+Strong, in this situation, sent, as was usual, to his godfathers, John
+London and Stephen Nail, for their protections. They went, but were
+refused admittance to him. At length he sent for Mr. Granville Sharp:
+the latter went, but they still refused access to the prisoner. He
+insisted, however, upon seeing him, and charged the keeper of the prison
+at his peril to deliver him up, till he had been carried before a
+magistrate.
+
+Mr. Sharp, immediately upon this, waited upon Sir Robert Kite, the then
+lord mayor, and entreated him to send for Strong and to hear his case. A
+day was accordingly appointed. Mr. Sharp attended, and also William
+McBean, a notary public, and David Laird, captain of the ship Thames,
+which was to have conveyed Strong to Jamaica, in behalf of the
+purchaser, John Kerr. A long conversation ensued, in which the opinion
+of York and Talbot was quoted. Mr. Sharp made his observations. Certain
+lawyers who were present seemed to be staggered at the case, but
+inclined rather to recommit the prisoner: the lord mayor, however,
+discharged Strong, as he had been taken up without a warrant.
+
+As soon as this determination was made known, the parties began to move
+off. Captain Laird, however, who kept close to Strong, laid hold of him
+before he had quitted the room, and said aloud, "Then I now seize him as
+my slave." Upon this Mr. Sharp put his hand upon Laird's shoulder, and
+pronounced these words: "I charge you, in the name of the king, with an
+assault upon the person of Jonathan Strong, and all these are my
+witnesses." Laird was greatly intimidated by this charge, made in the
+presence of the lord mayor and others, and, fearing a prosecution, let
+his prisoner go, leaving him to be conveyed away by Mr. Sharp.
+
+Mr. Sharp having been greatly affected by this case, and foreseeing how
+much he might be engaged in others of a similar nature, thought it time
+that the law of the land should be known upon this subject: he applied,
+therefore, to Dr. Blackstone, afterwards Judge Blackstone, for his
+opinion upon it. He was, however, not satisfied with it when he received
+it; nor could he obtain any satisfactory answer from several other
+lawyers, to whom he afterwards applied. The truth is that the opinion of
+York and Talbot, which had been made public and acted upon by the
+planters, merchants, and others, was considered of high authority, and
+scarcely any one dared to question the legality of it. In this situation
+Mr. Sharp saw no means of help but in his own industry, and he
+determined immediately to give up two or three years to the study of the
+English law, that he might the better advocate the cause of these
+miserable people. The result of these studies was the publication of a
+book in the year 1769, which he called, _A Representation of the
+Injustice and Dangerous Tendency of Tolerating Slavery in England_. In
+this work he refuted, in the clearest manner, the opinion of York and
+Talbot: he produced against it the opinion of the Lord Chief Justice
+Holt, who, many years before, had determined that every slave coming
+into England became free: he attacked and refuted it again by a learned
+and laborious inquiry into all the principles of Villenage. He refuted
+it again by showing it to be an axiom in the British constitution, "That
+every man in England was free to sue for and defend his rights, and that
+force could not be used without a legal process," leaving it to the
+judges to determine whether an African was a man. He attacked also the
+opinion of Judge Blackstone, and showed where his error lay. This
+valuable book, containing these and other kinds of arguments on the
+subject, he distributed, but particularly among the lawyers, giving them
+an opportunity of refuting or acknowledging the doctrines it contained.
+
+While Mr. Sharp was engaged in this work, another case offered, in which
+he took a part: this was in the year 1768. Hylas, an African slave,
+prosecuted a person of the name of Newton for having kidnapped his wife,
+and sent her to the West Indies. The result of the trial was, that
+damages to the amount of a shilling were given, and the defendant was
+bound to bring back the woman, either by the first ship, or in six
+months from this decision of the court.
+
+But soon after the work just mentioned was out, and when Mr. Sharp was
+better prepared, a third case occurred: this happened in the year 1770.
+Robert Stapylton, who lived at Chelsea, in conjunction with John Malony
+and Edward Armstrong, two watermen, seized the person of Thomas Lewis,
+an African slave, in a dark night, and dragged him to a boat lying in
+the Thames; they then gagged him and tied him with a cord, and rowed him
+down to a ship, and put him on board to be sold as a slave in Jamaica.
+This base action took place near the garden of Mrs. Banks, the mother of
+the late Sir Joseph Banks. Lewis, it appears, on being seized, screamed
+violently. The servants of Mrs. Banks, who heard his cries, ran to his
+assistance, but the boat was gone. On informing their mistress of what
+had happened, she sent for Mr. Sharp, who began now to be known as the
+friend of the helpless Africans, and professed her willingness to incur
+the expense of bringing the delinquents to justice. Mr. Sharp, with some
+difficulty, procured a _habeas corpus_, in consequence of which Lewis
+was brought from Gravesend just as the vessel was on the point of
+sailing. An action was then commenced against Stapylton, who defended
+himself on the plea, "That Lewis belonged to him as his slave." In the
+course of the trial, Mr. Dunning, who was counsel for Lewis, paid Mr.
+Sharp a handsome compliment; for he held in his hand Mr. Sharp's book,
+on the _Injustice and Dangerous Tendency of Tolerating Slavery in
+England_, while he was pleading; and in his address to the jury he spoke
+and acted thus:--"I shall submit to you," says Mr. Dunning, "what my
+ideas are upon such evidence, reserving to myself an opportunity of
+discussing it more particularly, and reserving to myself a right to
+insist upon a position, which I will maintain (and here he held up the
+book to the notice of those present,) in any place and in any court of
+the kingdom, that our laws admit of no such property[A]." The result of
+the trial was, that the jury pronounced the plaintiff not to have been
+the property of the defendant, several of them crying out, "No property,
+no property."
+
+[Footnote A: It is lamentable to think that the same Mr. Dunning, in a
+cause of this kind, which came on afterwards, took the opposite side of
+the question.]
+
+After this one or two other trials came on, in which the oppressor was
+defeated, and several cases occurred in which poor slaves were liberated
+from the holds of vessels and other places of confinement, by the
+exertions of Mr. Sharp. One of these cases was singular. The vessels on
+board which a poor African had been dragged and confined, had reached
+the Downs, and had actually got under weigh for the West Indies: in two
+or three hours she would have been out of sight; but just at this
+critical moment the writ of _habeas corpus_ was carried on board. The
+officer who served it on the captain saw the miserable African chained
+to the mainmast, bathed in tears, and casting a last mournful look on
+the land of freedom, which was fast receding from his sight. The
+captain, on receiving the writ, became outrageous; but knowing the
+serious consequences of resisting the law of the land, he gave up his
+prisoner, whom the officer carried safe, but now crying for joy, to the
+shore.
+
+But though the injured Africans, whose causes had been tried, escaped
+slavery, and though many who had been forcibly carried into dungeons,
+ready to be transported into the Colonies, had been delivered out of
+them, Mr. Sharp was not easy in his mind: not one of the cases had yet
+been pleaded on the broad ground, "Whether an African slave, coming into
+England, became free?" This great question had been hitherto studiously
+avoided; it was still, therefore, left in doubt. Mr. Sharp was almost
+daily acting as if it had been determined, and as if he had been
+following the known law of the land: he wished, therefore, that the next
+cause might be argued upon this principle. Lord Mansfield too, who had
+been biassed by the opinion of York and Talbot, began to waver in
+consequence of the different pleadings he had heard on this subject: he
+saw also no end of trials like these, till the law should be
+ascertained, and he was anxious for a decision on the same basis as Mr.
+Sharp. In this situation the following case offered, which was agreed
+upon for the determination of this important question.
+
+James Somerset, an African slave, had been brought to England by his
+master, Charles Stewart, in November 1769. Somerset in process of time
+left him. Stewart took an opportunity of seizing him, and had him
+conveyed on board the Ann and Mary, Captain Knowles, to be carried out
+of the kingdom and sold as a slave in Jamaica: the question was,
+"Whether a slave, by coming into England, became free?"
+
+In order that time might be given for ascertaining the law fully on this
+head, the case was argued at three different sittings. First, in
+January, 1772; secondly, in February, 1772; and thirdly, in May, 1772.
+And that no decision otherwise than what the law warranted might be
+given, the opinion of the judges was taken upon the pleadings. The great
+and glorious result of the trial was, "That as soon as ever any slave
+set his foot upon English territory, he became free."
+
+Thus ended the great case of Somerset, which, having, been determined
+after so deliberate an investigation of the law, can never be reversed
+while the British Constitution remains. The eloquence displayed in it by
+those who were engaged on the side of liberty, was perhaps never
+exceeded on any occasion; and the names of the counsellors Davy, Glynn,
+Hargrave, Mansfield, and Alleyne, ought always to be remembered with
+gratitude by the friends of this great cause. For when we consider in
+how many crowded courts they pleaded, and the number of individuals in
+these, whose minds they enlightened, and whose hearts they interested in
+the subject, they are certainly to be put down as no small instruments
+in the promotion of it; but chiefly to him, under Divine Providence, are
+we to give the praise, who became the first great actor in it, who
+devoted his time, his talents, and his substance to this Christian
+undertaking, and by whose laborious researches the very pleaders
+themselves were instructed and benefited. By means of his almost
+incessant vigilance and attention, and unwearied efforts, the poor
+African ceased to be hunted in our streets as a beast of prey. Miserable
+as the roof might be, under which he slept, he slept in security. He
+walked by the side of the stately ship, and he feared no dungeon in her
+hold. Nor ought we, as Englishmen, to be less grateful to this
+distinguished individual than the African ought to be upon this
+occasion. To him we owe it, that we no longer see our public papers
+polluted by hateful advertisements of the sale of the human species, or
+that we are no longer distressed by the perusal of impious rewards for
+bringing back the poor and the helpless into slavery, or that we are
+prohibited the disgusting spectacle of seeing man bought by his
+fellow-man. To him, in short, we owe this restoration of the beauty of
+our constitution--this prevention of the continuance of our national
+disgrace.
+
+I shall say but little more of Mr. Sharp at present, than that he felt
+it his duty, immediately after the trial, to write to Lord North, then
+principal minister of state, warning him in the most earnest manner, to
+abolish immediately both the trade and the slavery of the human species
+in all the British dominions, as utterly irreconcileable with the
+principles of the British constitution, and the established religion of
+the land.
+
+Among other coadjutors, whom the cruel and wicked practices which have
+now been so amply detailed brought forward, was a worthy clergyman,
+whose name I have not yet been able to learn. He endeavoured to interest
+the public feeling in behalf of the injured Africans, by writing an
+epilogue to the _Padlock_, in which Mungo appeared as a black servant.
+This epilogue is so appropriate to the case, that I cannot but give it
+to the reader. Mungo enters, and thus addresses the audience:--
+
+
+  Thank you, my massas! have you laugh your fill?
+  Then let me speak, nor take that freedom ill.
+  E'en from _my_ tongue some heart-felt truths may fall,
+  And outraged Nature claims the care of all.
+  My tale in _any_ place would force a tear,
+  But calls for stronger, deeper feelings here;
+  For whilst I tread the free-born British land,
+  Whilst now before me crowded Britons stand,--
+  Vain, vain that glorious privilege to me,
+  I am a slave, where all things else are free.
+
+  Yet was I born, as you are, no man's slave,
+  An heir to all that liberal Nature gave;
+  My mind can reason, and my limbs can move
+  The same as yours; like yours my heart can love;
+  Alike my body food and sleep sustain;
+  And e'en like yours--feels pleasure, want, and pain.
+  One sun rolls o'er us, common skies surround;
+  One globe supports us, and one grave must bound.
+
+  Why then am I devoid of all to live
+  That manly comforts to a man can give?
+
+  To live--untaught religion's soothing balm,
+  Or life's choice arts; to live--unknown the calm,
+  Of soft domestic ease; those sweets of life,
+  The duteous offspring, and th' endearing wife?
+  To live--to property and rights unknown,
+  Not e'en the common benefits my own!
+  No arm to guard me from Oppression's rod,
+  My will subservient to a tyrant's nod!
+  No gentle hand, when life is in decay,
+  To soothe my pains, and charm my cares away;
+  But helpless left to quit the horrid stage,
+  Harassed in youth, and desolate in age!
+
+  But I was born in Afric's tawny strand,
+  And you in fair Britannia's fairer land;
+  Comes freedom, then, from colour?--Blush with shame!
+  And let strong Nature's crimson mark your blame.
+  I speak to Britons.--Britons--then behold
+  A man by, Britons _snared_, and _seized_, and _sold!_
+  And yet no British statute damns the deed,
+  Nor do the more than murderous villains bleed.
+
+  O sons of Freedom! equalize your laws,
+  Be all consistent, plead the negro's cause;
+  That all the nations in your code may see
+  The British negro, like the Briton, free.
+  But, should he supplicate your laws in vain,
+  To break, for ever, this disgraceful chain,
+  At least, let gentle usage so abate
+  The galling terrors of its passing state,
+  That he may share kind Heaven's all social plan;
+  For, though no Briton, Mungo is--a man.
+
+I may now add, that few theatrical pieces had a greater run than the
+_Padlock_; and that this epilogue, which was attached to it soon after
+it came out, procured a good deal of feeling for the unfortunate
+sufferers, whose cause it was intended to serve.
+
+Another coadjutor, to whom these cruel and wicked practices gave birth,
+was Thomas Day, the celebrated author of _Sandford and Merton_, and
+whose virtues were well known among those who had the happiness of his
+friendship. In the year 1773 he published a poem, which he wrote
+expressly in behalf of the oppressed Africans. He gave it the name of
+_The Dying Negro._ The preface to it was written in an able manner by
+his friend Counsellor Bicknell, who is therefore to be ranked among the
+coadjutors in this great cause. The poem was founded on a simple fact,
+which had taken place a year or two before. A poor negro had been seized
+in London, and forcibly put on board a ship, where he destroyed himself,
+rather than return to the land of slavery. To the poem is affixed a
+frontispiece, in which the negro is represented. He is made to stand in
+an attitude of the most earnest address to heaven, in the course of
+which, with the fatal dagger in his hand, he breaks forth in the
+following words:
+
+  To you this unpolluted blood I pour,
+  To you that spirit, which ye gave, restore.
+
+
+This poem, which was the first ever written expressly on the subject,
+was read extensively; and it added to the sympathy in favour of
+suffering humanity, which was now beginning to show itself in the
+kingdom.
+
+About this time the first edition of the _Essay an Truth_ made its
+appearance in the world. Dr. Beattie took an opportunity, in this work,
+of vindicating the intellectual powers of the Africans from the
+aspersions of Hume, and of condemning their slavery as a barbarous piece
+of policy, and as inconsistent with the free and generous spirit of the
+British nation.
+
+In the year 1774, John Wesley, the celebrated divine, to whose pious
+labours the religious world will long be indebted, undertook the cause
+of the poor Africans. He had been in America, and had seen and pitied
+their hard condition. The work which he gave to the world in
+consequence, was entitled _Thoughts on Slavery_. Mr. Wesley had this
+great cause much at heart, and frequently recommended it to the support
+of those who attended his useful ministry.
+
+In the year 1776, the Abbé Proyart brought out, at Paris, his _History
+of Loango_, and other kingdoms in Africa, in which he did ample justice
+to the moral and intellectual character of the natives there.
+
+The same year produced two new friends in England, in the same cause,
+but in a line in which no one had yet moved. David Hartley, then a
+member of parliament for Hull, and the son of Dr. Hartley who wrote the
+_Essay on Man_, found it impossible any longer to pass over without
+notice the case of the oppressed Africans. He had long felt for their
+wretched condition, and, availing himself of his legislative situation,
+he made a motion in the House of Commons, "That the Slave Trade was
+contrary to the laws of God, and the rights of men." In order that he
+might interest the members as much as possible in his motion, he had
+previously obtained some of the chains in use in this cruel traffic, and
+had laid them upon the table of the House of Commons. His motion was
+seconded by that great patriot and philanthropist, Sir George Saville.
+But though I am now to state that it failed, I cannot but consider it as
+a matter of pleasing reflection, that this great subject was first
+introduced into parliament by those who were worthy of it; by those who
+had clean hands and an irreproachable character, and to whom no motive
+of party or faction could be imputed, but only such as must have arisen
+from a love of justice, a true feeling of humanity, and a proper sense
+of religion.
+
+About this time two others, men of great talents and learning, promoted
+the cause of the injured Africans, by the manner in which they
+introduced them to notice in their respective works.
+
+Dr. Adam Smith, in his _Theory of Moral Sentiments_, had, so early as
+the year 1759, held them up in an honourable, and their tyrants in a
+degrading light. "There is not a Negro from the coast of Africa, who
+does not, in this respect, possess a degree of magnanimity which the
+soul of his sordid master is too often scarce capable of conceiving.
+Fortune never exerted more cruelly her empire over mankind, than when
+she subjected those nations of heroes to the refuse of the gaols of
+Europe, to wretches who possess the virtue neither of the countries they
+came from, nor of those they go to, and whose levity, brutality, and
+baseness so justly expose them to the contempt of the vanquished." And
+now, in 1776, in his _Wealth of Nations_ he showed in a forcible manner
+(for he appealed to the interest of those concerned,) the dearness of
+African labour; or the impolicy of employing slaves.
+
+Professor Millar, in his _Origin of Ranks_, followed Dr. Smith on the
+same ground. He explained the impolicy of slavery in general, by its bad
+effects upon industry, population, and morals. These effects he attached
+to the system of agriculture as followed in our islands. He showed,
+besides, how little pains were taken, or how few contrivances were
+thought of, to ease the labourers there. He contended that the Africans
+ought to be better treated, and to be raised to a better condition; and
+he ridiculed the inconsistency of those who held them in bondage. "It
+affords," says he, "a curious spectacle to observe that the same people,
+who talk in a high strain of political liberty, and who consider the
+privilege of imposing their own taxes as one of the unalienable rights
+of mankind, should make no scruple of reducing a great proportion of
+their fellow-creatures into circumstances by which they are not only
+deprived of property, but almost of every species of right. Fortune,
+perhaps, never produced a situation more calculated to ridicule a
+liberal hypothesis, or to show how little the conduct of men is at the
+bottom directed by any philosophical principles." It is a great honour
+to the University of Glasgow, that it should have produced, before any
+public agitation of this question, three professors[A], all of whom bore
+their public testimony against the continuance of the cruel trade.
+
+[Footnote A: The other was Professor Hutcheson, before mentioned in p.
+56.]
+
+From this time, or from about the year 1776, to about the year 1782, I
+am to put down three other coadjutors, whose labours seem to have come
+in a right season for the promotion of the cause.
+
+The first of these was Dr. ROBERTSON. In his _History of America_ he
+laid open many facts relative to this subject. He showed himself a warm
+friend both of the Indians and Africans. He lost no opportunity of
+condemning that trade, which brought the latter into bondage: "a trade,"
+says he, "which is no less repugnant to the feelings of humanity than to
+the principles of religion." And in his _Charles the Fifth_, he showed
+in a manner that was clear, and never to be controverted, that
+Christianity was the great cause in the twelfth century of extirpating
+slavery from the west of Europe. By the establishment of this fact, he
+rendered important services to the oppressed Africans. For if
+Christianity, when it began to be felt in the heart, dictated the
+abolition of slavery, it certainly became those who lived in a Christian
+country, and who professed the Christian religion, to put an end to this
+cruel trade.
+
+The second was the Abbé Raynal. This author gave an account of the laws,
+government, and religion of Africa, of the produce of it, of the manners
+of its inhabitants, of the trade in slaves, of the manner of procuring
+these, with several other particulars relating to the subject. And at
+the end of his account, fearing lest the good advice he had given for
+making the condition of the slaves more comfortable should be construed
+into an approbation of such a traffic, he employed several pages in
+showing its utter inconsistency with sound policy, justice, reason,
+humanity, and religion.
+
+"I will not here," says he, "so far debase myself as to enlarge the
+ignominious list of those writers who devote their abilities to justify
+by policy what morality condemns. In an age where so many errors are
+boldly laid open, it would be unpardonable to conceal any truth that is
+interesting to humanity. If whatever I have hitherto advanced hath
+seemingly tended only to alleviate the burden of slavery, the reason is,
+that it was first necessary to give some comfort to those unhappy beings
+whom we cannot set free, and convince their oppressors that they were
+cruel, to the prejudice of their real interests. But, in the mean time,
+till some considerable revolution shall make the evidence of this great
+truth felt, it may not be improper to pursue this subject further. I
+shall then first prove that there is no reason of state which can
+authorize slavery. I shall not be afraid to cite to the tribunal of
+reason and justice those governments which tolerate this cruelty, or
+which even are not ashamed to make it the basis of their power."
+
+And a little further on he observes--"Will it be said that he, who wants
+to make me a slave, does me no injury; but that he only makes use of his
+rights? Where are those rights? Who hath stamped upon them so sacred a
+character as to silence mine?"
+
+In the beginning of the next paragraph he speaks thus:--"He who supports
+the system of slavery is the enemy of the whole human race. He divides
+it into two societies of legal assassins; the oppressors, and the
+oppressed. It is the same thing as proclaiming to the world, if you
+would preserve your life, instantly take away mine, for I want to have
+yours."
+
+Going on two pages further, we find these words:--"But the Negroes, they
+say, are a race born for slavery; their dispositions are narrow,
+treacherous, and wicked; they themselves allow the superiority of our
+understandings, and almost acknowledge the justice of our authority.
+Yes; the minds of the Negroes are contracted, because slavery destroys
+all the springs of the soul. They are wicked, but not equally so with
+you. They are treacherous, because they are under no obligation to speak
+truth to their tyrants. They acknowledge the superiority of our
+understanding, because we have abused their ignorance. They allow the
+justice of our authority, because we have abused their weakness."
+
+"But these Negroes, it is further urged, were born slaves. Barbarians!
+will you persuade me that a man can be the property of a sovereign, a
+son the property of a father, a wife the property of a husband, a
+domestic the property of a master, a Negro the property of a planter?"
+
+But I have no time to follow this animated author, even by short
+extracts, through the varied strains of eloquence which he displays upon
+this occasion. I can only say that his labours entitle him to a high
+station among the benefactors to the African race.
+
+The third was Dr. PALEY, whose genius, talents, and learning have been
+so eminently displayed in his writings in the cause of natural and
+revealed religion. Dr. Paley did not write any essay expressly in favour
+of the Africans. But in his _Moral Philosophy_, where he treated on
+slavery, he took an opportunity of condemning, in very severe terms, the
+continuance of it. In this work he defined what slavery was, and how it
+might arise consistently with the law of nature; but he made an
+exception against that which arose from the African trade. "The Slave
+Trade," says he, "upon the coast of Africa, is not excused by these
+principles. When slaves in that country are brought to market, no
+questions, I believe, are asked about the origin or justice of the
+vendor's title. It may be presumed, therefore, that this title is not
+always, if it be ever, founded in any of the causes above assigned.
+
+"But defect of right in the first purchase is the least crime with which
+this traffic is chargeable. The natives are excited to war and mutual
+depredation, for the sake of supplying their contracts, or furnishing
+the markets with slaves. With this the wickedness begins. The slaves,
+torn away from their parents, wives, and children, from their friends
+and companions, from their fields and flocks, from their home and
+country, are transported to the European settlements in America, with no
+other accommodation on ship-board than what is provided for brutes. This
+is the second stage of the cruelty, from which the miserable exiles are
+delivered, only to be placed, and that for life, in subjection to a
+dominion add system of laws, the most merciless and tyrannical that ever
+were tolerated upon the face of the earth: and from all that can be
+learned by the accounts of people upon the spot, the inordinate
+authority which the plantation-laws confer upon the slaveholder is
+exercised, by the English slaveholder especially, with rigour and
+brutality.
+
+"But necessity is pretended, the name under which every enormity is
+attempted to be justified; and after all, what is the necessity? It has
+never been proved that the land could not be cultivated there, as it is
+here, by hired servants. It is said, that it could not be cultivated
+with quite the same conveniency and cheapness, as by the labour of
+slaves; by which means, a pound of sugar, which the planter now sells
+for sixpence, could not be afforded under sixpence-halfpenny--and this
+is the necessity!
+
+"The great revolution which has taken place in the western world, may,
+probably, conduce (and who knows but that it was designed) to accelerate
+the fall of this abominable tyranny: and now that this contest and the
+passions which attend it are no more, there may succeed, perhaps, a
+season for reflecting, whether a legislature, which had so long lent its
+assistance to the support of an institution replete with human misery,
+was fit to be trusted with an empire, the most extensive that ever
+obtained in any age or quarter of the world."
+
+The publication of these sentiments may be supposed to have produced an
+extensive effect. For _The Moral Philosophy_ was adopted early by some
+of the colleges in our universities into the system of their education.
+It soon found its way also into most of the private libraries of the
+kingdom; and it was, besides, generally read and approved. Dr. Paley,
+therefore, must be considered, as having been a considerable coadjutor
+in interesting the mind of the public in favour of the oppressed
+Africans.
+
+In the year 1783, we find Mr. Sharp coming again into notice. We find
+him at this time taking a part in a cause, the knowledge of which, in
+proportion as it was disseminated, produced an earnest desire among all
+disinterested persons for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+In this year, certain underwriters desired to be heard against Gregson
+and others of Liverpool, in the case of the ship Zong, Captain
+Collingwood, alleging that the captain and officers of the said vessel
+threw overboard one hundred and thirty-two slaves alive into the seas in
+order to defraud them, by claiming the value of the said slaves, as if
+they had been lost in a natural way. In the course of the trial which
+afterwards came on, it appeared, that the slaves on board the Zong were
+very sickly; that sixty of them had already died; and several were ill
+and likely to die, when the captain proposed to James Kelsall, the mate,
+and others, to throw several of them overboard, stating, "that if they
+died a natural death, the loss would fall upon the owners of the ship;
+but that if they were thrown into the sea, it would fall upon the
+underwriters." He selected, accordingly, one hundred and thirty-two of
+the most sickly of the slaves. Fifty-four of these were immediately
+thrown overboard, and forty-two were made to be partakers of their fate
+on the succeeding day. In the course of three days afterwards the
+remaining twenty-six were brought upon deck to complete the number of
+victims. The first sixteen submitted to be thrown into the sea; but the
+rest, with a noble resolution, would not suffer the officers to touch
+them, but leaped after their companions and shared their fate.
+
+The plea which was set up in behalf of this atrocious and unparalleled
+act of wickedness was, that the captain discovered, when he made the
+proposal, that he had only two hundred gallons of water on board, and
+that he had missed his port. It was proved, however, in answer to this,
+that no one had been put upon short allowance; and that, as if
+Providence had determined to afford an unequivocal proof of the guilt, a
+shower of rain fell and continued for three days immediately after the
+second lot of slaves had been destroyed, by means of which they might
+have filled many of their vessels[A] with water, and thus have prevented
+all necessity for the destruction of the third.
+
+[Footnote A: It appeared that they filled six.]
+
+Mr. Sharp was present at this trial, and procured the attendance of a
+short-hand writer to take down the facts, which should come out in the
+course of it. These he gave to the public afterwards. He communicated
+them also, with a copy of the trial, to the Lords of the Admiralty, as
+the guardians of justice upon the seas, and to the Duke of Portland, as
+principal minister of state. No notice, however, was taken by any of
+these, of the information which had been thus sent them.
+
+But though nothing was done by the persons then in power, in consequence
+of the murder of so many innocent individuals, yet the publication of an
+account of it by Mr. Sharp, in the newspapers, made such an impression
+upon others, that; new coadjutors rose up. For, soon after this, we find
+Thomas Day entering the lists again as the champion of the injured
+Africans. He had lived to see his poem of _The Dying Negro_, which had
+been published in 1773, make a considerable impression. In 1776, he had
+written a letter to a friend in America, who was the possessor of
+slaves, to dissuade him by a number of arguments from holding such
+property; and now, when the knowledge of the case of the ship Zong was
+spreading, he published that letter under the title of Fragment of an
+Original Letter on the Slavery of the Negroes.
+
+In this same year, Dr. Porteus, Bishop of Chester, but now Bishop of
+London, came forward as a new advocate for the natives of Africa. The
+way in which he rendered them service, was by preaching a sermon in
+their behalf, before the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Of
+the wide circulation of this sermon, I shall say something in another
+place, but much more of the enlightened and pious author of it, who from
+this time never failed to aid, at every opportunity, the cause which he
+had so ably undertaken.
+
+In the year 1784, Dr. GREGORY produced his _Essays, Historical and
+Moral_. He took an opportunity of disseminating in these a
+circumstantial knowledge of the Slave Trade, and an equal abhorrence of
+it at the same time. He explained the manner of procuring slaves in
+Africa; the treatment of them on the passage, (in which he mentioned the
+case of the ship Zong) and the wicked and cruel treatment of them in the
+colonies. He recited and refuted also the various arguments adduced in
+defence of the trade. He showed that it was destructive to our seamen.
+He produced many weighty arguments also against the slavery itself. He
+proposed clauses for an Act of Parliament for the abolition of both;
+showing the good both to England and her colonies from such a measure,
+and that a trade might be substituted in Africa, in various articles,
+for that which he proposed to suppress. By means of the diffusion of
+light like this, both of a moral and political nature; Dr. Gregory is
+entitled to be ranked among the benefactors to the African race.
+
+In the same year, Gilbert Wakefield preached a sermon at Richmond, in
+Surrey, where, speaking of the people of this nation, he says, "Have we
+been as renowned for a liberal communication of our religion and our
+laws as for the possession of them! Have we navigated and conquered to
+save, to civilize, and to instruct; or to oppress, to plunder, and to
+destroy? Let India and Africa give the answer to these questions. The
+one we have exhausted of her wealth and her inhabitants by violence, by
+famine, and by every species of tyranny and murder. The children of the
+other we daily carry from off the land of their nativity; like sheep to
+the slaughter, to return no more. We tear them from every object of
+their affection, or, sad alternative, drag them together to the horrors
+of a mutual servitude! We keep them in the profoundest ignorance. We
+gall them in a tenfold chain, with an unrelenting spirit of barbarity,
+inconceivable to all but the spectators of it, unexampled among former
+and other nations, and unrecorded even in the bloody registers of
+heathen persecution. Such is the conduct of us enlightened Englishmen,
+reformed Christians! Thus have we profited by our superior advantages,
+by the favour of God, by the doctrines and example of a meek and lowly
+Savior. Will not the blessings which we have abused loudly testify
+against us? Will not the blood which we have shed cry from the ground
+for vengeance upon our sins?"
+
+In the same year, James Ramsay, vicar of Teston in Kent, became also an
+able, zealous, and indefatigable patron of the African cause. This
+gentleman had resided nineteen years in the island of St. Christopher,
+where he had observed the treatment of the slaves, and had studied the
+laws relating to them. On his return to England, yielding to his own
+feelings of duty and the solicitations of some amiable friends, he
+published a work, which he called _An Essay on the Treatment and
+Conversion of the African Slaves in the British Sugar Colonies_. After
+having given an account of the relative situation of master and slave in
+various parts of the world, he explained the low and degrading situation
+which the Africans held in society in our own islands. He showed that
+their importance would be increased; and the temporal interest of their
+masters promoted, by giving them freedom, and by granting them other
+privileges. He showed the great difficulty of instructing them in the
+state in which they then were, and such as he himself had experienced,
+both in his private and public attempts, and such as others had
+experienced also. He stated the way in which private attempts of this
+nature might probably be successful. He then answered all objections
+against their capacities, as drawn from philosophy, form, anatomy, and
+observation; and vindicated these from his own experience. And lastly,
+he threw out ideas for the improvement of their condition, by an
+establishment of a greater number of spiritual pastors among them; by
+giving them more privileges than they then possessed; and by extending
+towards them the benefits of a proper police. Mr. Ramsay had no other
+motive for giving this work to the public, than that of humanity, of a
+wish to serve this much-injured part of the human species. For he
+compiled it at the hazard of forfeiting that friendship, which he had
+contracted with many during his residence in the islands, and of
+suffering much in his private property, as well as subjecting himself to
+the ill-will and persecution of numerous individuals.
+
+The publication of this book by one who professed to have been so long
+resident in the islands, and to have been an eyewitness of facts,
+produced, as may easily be supposed, a good deal of conversation, and
+made a considerable impression, but particularly at this time, when a
+storm was visibly gathering over the heads of the oppressors of the
+African race. These circumstances occasioned one or two persons to
+attempt to answer it, and these answers brought Mr. Ramsay into the
+first controversy ever entered into on this subject, during which, as is
+the case in most controversies, the cause of truth was spread.
+
+The works which Mr. Ramsay wrote upon this subject were, the essay just
+mentioned, in 1784. _An Inquiry_, also, _into the Effects of the
+Abolition of the Slave Trade_, in 1784; _A Reply to Personal Invectives
+and Objections_, in 1785; _A Letter to James Tobin, Esq._, in 1787;
+_Objections to the Abolition of the Slave Trade, with Answers_; and _An
+Examination of Harris's Scriptural Researches on the Licitness of the
+Slave Trade_, in 1788; and _An Address on the proposed Bill for the
+Abolition of the Slave Trade_, in 1789. In short, from the time when he
+first took up the cause, he was engaged in it till his death, which was
+not a little accelerated by his exertions. He lived, however, to see
+this cause in a train of parliamentary inquiry, and he died satisfied;
+being convinced, as he often expressed, that the investigation must
+inevitably lead to the total abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+In the next year, that is, in the year 1785, another advocate was seen
+in Monsieur Necker, in his celebrated work on the _French Finances_,
+which had just been translated into the English language from the
+original work, in 1784. This virtuous statesman, after having given his
+estimate of the population and revenue of the French West Indian
+colonies, proceeds thus:--"The colonies of France contain, as we have
+seen, near five hundred thousand slaves, and it is from the number of
+these poor wretches that the inhabitants set a value on their
+plantations. What a dreadful prospect! and how profound a subject for
+reflection! Alas! how little are we both in our morality and our
+principles! We preach up humanity, and yet go every year to bind in
+chains twenty thousand natives of Africa! We call the Moors barbarians
+and ruffians, because they attack the liberty of Europeans at the risk
+of their own; yet these Europeans go, without danger, and as mere
+speculators, to purchase slaves by gratifying the avarice of their
+masters, and excite all those bloody scenes which are the usual
+preliminaries of this traffic!" He goes on still further in the same
+strain. He then shows the kind of power which has supported this
+execrable trade. He throws out the idea of a general compact, by which
+all the European nations should agree to abolish it; and he indulges the
+pleasing hope that it may take place even in the present generation.
+
+In the same year we find other coadjutors coming before our view, but
+these in a line different from that in which any other belonging to this
+class had yet moved. Mr. George White, a clergyman of the established
+church, and Mr. John Chubb, suggested to Mr. William Tucket, the mayor
+of Bridgewater, where they resided, and to others of that town, the
+propriety of petitioning parliament for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. This petition was agreed upon, and, when drawn up, was as
+follows:--
+
+"The humble petition of the inhabitants of Bridgewater showeth,
+
+"That your petitioners, reflecting with the deepest sensibility on the
+deplorable condition of that part of the human species, the African
+Negroes, who, by the most flagitious means, are reduced to slavery and
+misery in the British colonies, beg leave to address this honourable
+house in their behalf, and to express a just abhorrence of a system of
+oppression, which no prospect of private gain, no consideration of
+public advantage, no plea of political expediency, can sufficiently
+justify or excuse.
+
+"That, satisfied as your petitioners are that this inhuman system meets
+with the general execration of mankind, they flatter themselves the day
+is not far distant when it will be universally abolished. And they most
+ardently hope to see a British parliament, by the extinction of that
+sanguinary traffic, extend the blessings of liberty to millions beyond
+this realm, held up to an enlightened world a glorious and merciful
+example, and stand in the defence of the violated rights of human
+nature."
+
+This petition was presented by the Honourable Ann Poulet, and Alexander
+Hood, Esq., (afterwards Lord Bridport,) who were the members for the
+town of Bridgewater. It was ordered to lie on the table. The answer
+which these gentlemen gave to their constituents relative to the
+reception of it in the House of Commons is worthy of notice:--"There did
+not appear," say they in their common letter, "the least disposition to
+pay any further attention to it. Every one almost says that the
+abolition of the Slave Trade must immediately throw the West Indian
+islands into convulsions, and soon complete their utter ruin. Thus they
+will not trust Providence for its protection for so pious an
+undertaking."
+
+In the year 1786, Captain J.S. Smith, of the royal navy, offered himself
+to the notice of the public in behalf of the African cause. Mr. Ramsay,
+as I have observed before, had become involved in a controversy in
+consequence of his support of it. His opponents not only attacked his
+reputation, but had the effrontery to deny his facts. This circumstance
+occasioned Captain Smith to come forward. He wrote a letter to his
+friend Mr. Hill, in which he stated that he had seen those things, while
+in the West Indies, which Mr. Ramsay had asserted to exist, but which
+had been so boldly denied. He gave, also, permission to Mr. Hill to
+publish this letter. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on Captain
+Smith, for thus standing forth in a noble cause, and in behalf of an
+injured character.
+
+The last of the necessary forerunners and coadjutors of this class, whom
+I am to mention, was our much-admired poet, Cowper; and a great
+coadjutor he was, when we consider what value was put upon his
+sentiments, and the extraordinary circulation of his works. There are
+few persons who have not been properly impressed by the following
+lines:--
+
+
+     My ear is pain'd,
+  My soul is sick with every day's report,
+  Of wrong and outrage with which earth is fill'd.
+  There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart,
+  It does not feel for man. The natural bond
+  Of brotherhood is sever'd as the flax
+  That falls asunder at the touch of fire.
+  He finds his fellow guilty of a skin
+  Not colour'd like his own, and having power
+  To inforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause
+  Dooms and devotes him as his lawful prey.
+  Lands intersected by a narrow frith
+  Abhor each other. Mountains interpos'd,
+  Make enemies of nations, who had else,
+  Like kindred drops been mingled into one.
+  Thus man devotes his brother, and destroys;
+  And, worse than all, and most to be deplored
+  As human Nature's broadest, foulest blot,--
+  Chains him, and tasks him, and exacts his sweat
+  With stripes, that Mercy with a bleeding heart
+  Weeps, when she sees inflicted on a beast.
+  Then what is man? And what man, seeing this,
+  And having human feelings, does not blush
+  And hang his head to think himself a man?
+  I would not have a slave to till my ground,
+  To carry me, to fan me while I sleep,
+  And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth
+  That sinews bought and sold have ever earn'd.
+  No: dear as freedom is,--and in my heart's
+  Just estimation prized above all price,--
+  I had much rather be myself the slave,
+  And wear the bonds, than fasten them on him.
+  We have no slaves at home--then why abroad?
+  And they themselves once ferried o'er the wave
+  That parts us, are emancipate and loos'd.
+  Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their lungs
+  Receive our air, that moment they are free;
+  They touch our country, and their shackles fall[A].
+  That's noble, and bespeaks a nation proud
+  And jealous of the blessing. Spread it, then,
+  And let it circulate through every vein
+  Of all your empire--that where Britain's power
+  Is felt, mankind may feel her mercy too.
+
+
+[Footnote A: Expressions used in the great trial, when Mr. Sharp
+obtained the verdict in favour of Somerset.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+--Second class of forerunners and coadjutors, up to May 1787,
+consists of the Quakers in England.--Of George Fox and others.--Of the
+body of the Quakers assembled at the yearly meeting in 1727; and at
+various other times.--Quakers, as a body, petition Parliament; and
+circulate books on the subject.--Individuals among them become labourers
+and associate in behalf of the Africans; Dilwyn, Harrison, and
+others.--This the first association ever formed in England for the
+purpose.
+
+
+The second class of the forerunners and coadjutors in this great cause,
+up to May 1787, will consist of the Quakers in England.
+
+The first of this class was George Fox, the venerable founder of this
+benevolent society.
+
+George Fox was contemporary with Richard Baxter, being born not long
+after him, and dying much about the same time. Like him, he left his
+testimony against this wicked trade. When he was in the island of
+Barbados, in the year 1671, he delivered himself to those who attended
+his religious meetings in the following manner:--
+
+"Consider with yourselves," says he, "if you were in the same condition
+as the poor Africans are--who came strangers to you, and were sold to
+you as slaves--I say, if this should be the condition of you or yours,
+you would think it a hard measure; yea, and very great bondage and
+cruelty. And, therefore, consider seriously of this; and do you for them
+and to them, as you would willingly have them, or any others, do unto
+you, were you in the like slavish condition, and bring them to know the
+Lord Christ." And in his Journal, speaking of the advice which he gave
+his friends at Barbados, he says, "I desired also that they would cause
+their overseers to deal mildly and gently with their negroes, and not to
+use cruelty towards them, as the manner of some had been, and that after
+certain years of servitude they should make them free."
+
+William Edmundson, who was a minister of the society, and, indeed, a
+fellow-traveller with George Fox, had the boldness in the same island to
+deliver his sentiments to the governor on the same subject. Having been
+brought before him and accused of making the Africans Christians, or, in
+other words, of making them rebel and destroy their owners, he replied,
+"That it was a good thing to bring them to the knowledge of God and
+Christ Jesus, and to believe in him who died for them and all men, and
+that this would keep them from rebelling, or cutting any person's
+throat; but if they did rebel and cut their throats, as the governor
+insinuated they would, it would be their own doing, in keeping them in
+ignorance and under oppression, in giving them liberty to be common with
+women like brutes, and, on the other hand, in starving them for want of
+meat and clothes convenient; thus, giving them liberty in that which God
+restrained, and restraining them in that which was meat and clothing."
+
+I do not find any individual of this society moving in this cause, for
+some time after the death of George Fox and William Edmundson. The first
+circumstance of moment which I discover, is a resolution of the whole
+Society on the subject, at their yearly meeting, held in London in the
+year 1727. The resolution was contained in the following words:--"It is
+the sense of this meeting, that the importing of negroes from their
+native country and relations by Friends is not a commendable nor allowed
+practice, and is, therefore, censured by this meeting."
+
+In the year 1758, the Quakers thought it their duty, as a body, to pass
+another resolution upon this subject. At this, time the nature of the
+trade beginning to be better known, we find them more animated upon it,
+as the following extract will show:--
+
+"We fervently warn all in profession with us, that they carefully avoid
+being any way concerned in reaping the unrighteous profits, arising from
+the iniquitous practice of dealing in negro or other slaves; whereby, in
+the original purchase, one man selleth another, as he doth the beasts
+that perish, without any better pretension to a property in him than
+that of superior force; in direct violation of the Gospel rule, which
+teacheth all to do as they would be done by, and to do good to all;
+being the reverse of that covetous disposition, which furnisheth
+encouragement to those poor ignorant people to perpetuate their savage
+wars, in order to supply the demands of this most unnatural traffic, by
+which great numbers of mankind, free by nature, are subject to
+inextricable bondage, and which hath often been observed to fill their
+possessors with haughtiness, tyranny, luxury, and barbarity, corrupting
+the minds and debasing the morals of their children, to the unspeakable
+prejudice of religion and virtue, and the exclusion of that holy spirit
+of universal love, meekness, and charity, which is the unchangeable
+nature and the glory of true Christianity. We, therefore, can do no
+less, than, with the greatest earnestness, impress it upon Friends
+everywhere, that they endeavour to keep their hands clear of this
+unrighteous gain of oppression."
+
+The Quakers hitherto, as appears by the two resolutions which have been
+quoted, did nothing more than seriously warn all those in religious
+profession with them against being concerned in this trade. But in three
+years afterwards, or at the yearly meeting in 1761, they came to a
+resolution, as we find by the following extract from their minutes, that
+any of their members haying a concern in it should be disowned:--"This
+meeting having reason to apprehend that divers under our name, are
+concerned in the unchristian traffic in negroes, doth recommend it
+earnestly to the care of Friends everywhere, to discourage, as much as
+in them lies, a practice so repugnant to our Christian profession; and
+to deal with all such as shall persevere in a conduct so reproachful to
+Christianity; and to disown them, if they desist not therefrom."
+
+The yearly meeting of 1761, having thus agreed to exclude from
+membership such as should be found concerned in this trade, that of 1763
+endeavoured to draw the cords, still tighter, by attaching criminality
+to those who should aid and abet the trade in any manner. By the minute,
+which was made on this occasion, I apprehend that no one belonging to
+the Society could furnish even materials for such voyages. "We renew our
+exhortation, that Friends everywhere be especially careful to keep their
+hands clear of giving encouragement in any shape to the Slave Trade, it
+being evidently destructive of the natural rights of mankind, who are
+all ransomed by one Saviour, and visited by one divine light, in order
+to salvation; a traffic calculated to enrich and aggrandize some upon
+the misery of others; in its nature abhorrent to every just and tender
+sentiment, and contrary to the whole tenour of the Gospel."
+
+Some pleasing intelligence having been sent on this subject, by the
+Society in America to the Society in England, the yearly meeting of 1772
+thought it their duty to notice it, and to keep their former resolutions
+alive by the following minute:--"It appears that the practice of holding
+negroes in oppressive and unnatural bondage hath been so successfully
+discouraged by Friends in some of the colonies, as to be considerably
+lessened. We cannot but approve of these salutary endeavours, and
+earnestly intreat that they may be continued, that through the favour of
+divine Providence a traffic, so unmerciful and unjust in its nature to a
+part of our own species made, equally with ourselves, for immortality,
+may come to be considered by all in its proper light, and be utterly
+abolished as a reproach to the Christian name."
+
+I must beg leave to stop here for a moment, just to pay the Quakers a
+due tribute of respect for the proper estimation, in which they have
+uniformly held the miserable outcasts of society, who have been the
+subject of these minutes. What a contrast does it afford to the
+sentiments of many others concerning them! How have we been compelled to
+prove by a long chain of evidence, that they had the same feelings and
+capacities as ourselves! How many, professing themselves enlightened,
+even now view them as of a different species! But in the minutes which
+have been cited we have seen them uniformly represented, as persons
+"ransomed by one and the same Saviour," "as visited by one and the same
+light for salvation," and "as made equally for immortality as others."
+These practical views of mankind, as they are highly honourable to the
+members of this Society, so they afford a proof both of the reality and
+of the consistency of their religion.
+
+But to return:--From this time, there appears to have been a growing
+desire in this benevolent society to step out of its ordinary course in
+behalf of this injured people. It had hitherto confined itself to the
+keeping of its own members unpolluted by any gain from their oppression.
+But it was now ready to make an appeal to others, and to bear a more
+public testimony in their favour. Accordingly, in the month of June,
+1783, when a bill had been brought into the House of Commons for certain
+regulations to be made with respect to the African Trade, the society
+sent the following petition to that branch of the legislature:--
+
+"Your petitioners, met in this their annual assembly, having solemnly
+considered the state of the enslaved negroes, conceive themselves
+engaged, in religious duty, to lay the suffering situation of that
+unhappy people before you, as a subject loudly calling for the humane
+interposition of the legislature,
+
+"Your petitioners regret that a nation, professing the Christian faith,
+should so far counteract the principles of humanity and justice, as by
+the cruel treatment of this oppressed race to fill their minds with
+prejudices against the mild and beneficent doctrines of the gospel.
+
+"Under the countenance of the laws of this country, many thousand of
+these our fellow-creatures, entitled to the natural rights of mankind,
+are held as personal property in cruel bondage; and your petitioners
+being informed that a Bill for the Regulation of the African Trade is
+now before the House, containing a clause which restrains the officers
+of the African Company from exporting negroes, your petitioners, deeply
+affected with a consideration of the rapine, oppression, and bloodshed,
+attending this traffic, humbly request that this restriction may be
+extended to all persons whomsoever, or that the House would grant such
+other relief in the premises as in its wisdom may seem meet."
+
+This petition was presented by Sir Cecil Wray, who, on introducing it,
+spoke very respectfully of the society. He declared his hearty
+approbation of their application, and said he hoped he should see the
+day when not a slave would remain within the dominions of this realm.
+Lord North seconded the motion, saying he could have no objection to the
+petition, and that its object ought to recommend it to every humane
+breast; that it did credit to the most benevolent society in the world;
+but that, the session, being so far advanced, the subject, could not
+then be taken into consideration; and he regretted that the Slave Trade,
+against which the petition was so justly directed, was in a commercial
+view become necessary to almost every nation of Europe. The petition was
+then brought up and read, after which it was ordered to lie on the
+table. This was the first petition (being two years earlier than that
+from the inhabitants of Bridgewater), which was ever presented to
+parliament for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+But the society did not stop here; for having at the yearly meeting of
+1783 particularly recommended the cause to a standing committee,
+appointed to act at intervals, called the Meeting for Sufferings, the
+latter in this same year resolved upon an address to the public,
+entitled, _The Case of our Fellow-creatures, the oppressed Africans,
+respectfully recommended to the serious Consideration of the Legislature
+of Great Britain, by the People called Quakers_: in which they
+endeavoured, in the most pathetic manner, to make the reader acquainted
+with the cruel nature of this trade; and they ordered 2000 copies of it
+to be printed.
+
+In the year 1784, they began the distribution of this case. The first
+copy was sent to the king through Lord Carmarthen, and the second and
+the third, through proper officers, to the queen and the Prince of
+Wales. Others were sent by a deputation of two members of the society to
+Mr. Pitt, as prime-minister; to the Lord Chancellor Thurlow; to Lord
+Gower, as president of the council; to Lords Carmarthen and Sidney, as
+secretaries of state; to Lord Chief-Justice Mansfield; to Lord Howe, as
+first lord of the Admiralty; and to C.F. Cornwall, Esq., as speaker of
+the House of Commons. Copies were sent also to every member of both
+houses of parliament.
+
+The society, in the same year, anxious that the conduct of its members
+should be consistent with its public profession on this great subject,
+recommended it to the quarterly and monthly meetings to inquire through
+their respective districts, whether any, bearing its name, were in any
+way concerned in the traffic, and to deal with such, and to report the
+success of their labours in the ensuing year. Orders were also given for
+the reprinting and circulation of 10,000 other copies of _The Case_.
+
+In the year 1785, the society interested itself again in a similar
+manner. For the Meeting for Sufferings, as representing it, recommended
+to the quarterly meetings to distribute a work, written by Anthony
+Benezet, in America, called _A Caution to Great Britain and her
+Colonies, in a short Representation of the calamitous State of the
+enslaved Negroes in the British Dominions._ This book was accordingly
+forwarded to them for this purpose. On receiving it, they sent it among
+several public bodies, the regular and dissenting clergy, justices of
+the peace, and particularly among the great Schools of the kingdom, that
+the rising youth might acquire a knowledge, and at the same time a
+detestation, of this cruel traffic. In this latter base, a deputation of
+the society waited, upon the masters, to know if they would allow their
+scholars to receive it. The schools of Westminster, the Charter-house,
+St. Paul, Merchant-Taylors, Eton, Winchester, and Harrow, were among
+those visited. Several academies also were visited for this purpose.
+
+But I must now take my leave of the Quakers as a public body[A] and go
+back to the year 1783, to record an event, which will be found of great
+importance in the present history, and in which only individuals
+belonging to the society were concerned. This event seems to have arisen
+naturally out of existing or past circumstances. For the society, as I
+have before stated, had sent a petition to parliament in this year,
+praying for the abolition, of the Slave Trade. It had also laid the
+foundation for a public distribution of the books as just mentioned,
+with a view of enlightening others on this great subject. The case of
+the ship Zong, which I have before had occasion to explain, had occurred
+this same year. A letter also had been presented, much about the same
+time, by Benjamin West, from Anthony Benezet, before mentioned, to our
+queen, in behalf of the injured Africans, which she had received
+graciously. These subjects occupied at this time the attention of many
+Quaker families, and among others, that of a few individuals, who were
+in close intimacy with each other. These, when they met together,
+frequently conversed upon them. They perceived, as facts came out in
+conversation, that there was a growing knowledge and hatred of the Slave
+Trade, and that the temper of the times was ripening towards its
+abolition. Hence a disposition manifested itself among these, to unite
+as labourers for the furtherance of so desirable an object. An union was
+at length proposed and approved of, and the following persons (placed in
+alphabetical order) came together to execute the offices growing out of
+it:--
+
+[Footnote A: The Quakers, as a public body, kept the subject alive at
+their yearly meeting in 1784, 1785, 1787, &c.]
+
+WILLIAM DILLWYN,  THOMAS KNOWLES, M.D.
+GEORGE HARRISON,  JOHN LLOYD,
+SAMUEL HOARE,     JOSEPH WOODS.
+
+
+The first meeting was held on the seventh of July, 1783. At this "they
+assembled to consider what steps they should take for the relief and
+liberation of the negro slaves in the West Indies, and for the
+discouragement of the Slave Trade on the coast of Africa."
+
+To promote this object; they conceived it necessary that the public mind
+should be enlightened respecting it. They had recourse; therefore, to
+the public papers, and they appointed their members in turn to write in
+these, and to see that their productions were inserted. They kept
+regular minutes for this purpose. It was not however known to the world
+that such an association existed.
+
+It appears that they had several meetings in the course of this year.
+Before the close of it they had secured a place in the _General Evening
+Post_, in _Lloyd's Evening Post_, in the Norwich, Bath, York, Bristol,
+Sherborne, Liverpool, Newcastle, and other provincial papers, for such
+articles as they chose to send to them. These consisted principally of
+extracts from such authors, both in prose and verse, as they thought
+would most enlighten and interest the mind upon the subject of their
+institution.
+
+In the year 1784 they pursued the same plan; but they began now to print
+books. The first was from a manuscript composed by Joseph Woods, one of
+the committee; It was entitled, _Thoughts on the Slavery of the
+Negroes_. This manuscript was well put together. It was a manly and yet
+feeling address in behalf of the oppressed Africans. It contained a
+sober and dispassionate appeal to the reason of all, without offending
+the prejudices of any. It was distributed at the expense of the
+association, and proved to be highly useful to the cause which it was
+intended to promote.
+
+A communication having been made to the committee, that Dr. Porteus,
+then Bishop of Chester, had preached a sermon before the society for the
+propagation of the gospel, in behalf of the injured Africans, (which
+sermon was noticed in the last chapter,) Samuel Hoare was deputed to
+obtain permission to publish it. This led him to a correspondence with
+Mr. Ramsay before mentioned. The latter applied in consequence to the
+bishop, and obtained his consent. Thus this valuable sermon was also
+given to the world.
+
+In the year 1785, the association continued their exertions as before;
+but I have no room to specify them. I may observe, however, that David
+Barclay, a grandson of the great apologist of that name, assisted at one
+of their meetings, and (what is singular) that he was in a few years
+afterwards unexpectedly called to a trial of his principles on this very
+subject. For he and his brother John became, in consequence of a debt
+due to them, possessed of a large grazing farm, or pen, in Jamaica,
+which had thirty-two slaves upon it. Convinced, however, that the
+retaining of their fellow-creatures in bondage was not only
+irreconcilable with the principles of Christianity, but subversive of
+the rights of human nature, they determined upon the emancipation of
+these. And they[A] performed this generous office to the satisfaction of
+their minds, to the honour of their characters, to the benefit of the
+public, and to the happiness of the slave[B]. I mention this anecdote,
+not only to gratify myself, by paying a proper respect to those generous
+persons who sacrificed their interest to principle, but also to show the
+sincerity of David Barclay, (who is now the only surviving brother,) as
+he actually put in practice what at one of these meetings he was
+desirous of recommending to others.
+
+[Footnote A: They engaged an agent to embark for Jamaica in 1796 to
+effect this business, and had the slaves conveyed to Philadelphia, where
+they were kindly received by the Society for improving the Condition of
+free Black people. Suitable situations were found for the adults, and
+the young ones were bound out apprentices to handicraft trades, and to
+receive school learning.]
+
+[Footnote B: James Pemberton, of Philadelphia, made the following
+observation in a letter to a Friend in England:--"David Barclay's humane
+views towards the Blacks from Jamaica have been so far realized, that
+these objects of his concern enjoy their freedom with comfort to
+themselves, and are respectable in their characters, keeping up a
+friendly intercourse with each other, and avoiding to intermix with the
+common Blacks of this city, being sober in their conduct and industrious
+in their business."]
+
+Having now brought up the proceedings of this little association towards
+the year 1786, I shall take my leave of it, remarking, that it was the
+first ever formed in England for the promotion of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. That Quakers have had this honour is unquestionable. Nor is
+it extraordinary that they should have taken the lead on this occasion,
+when we consider how advantageously they have been situated for so
+doing. For the Slave Trade, as we have not long ago seen, came within
+the discipline of the society in the year 1727. From thence it continued
+to be an object of it till 1783. In 1783 the society petitioned
+parliament, and in 1784 it distributed books to enlighten the public
+concerning it. Thus we see that every Quaker, born since the year 1727,
+was nourished as it were in a fixed hatred against it. He was taught,
+that any concern in it was a crime of the deepest dye. He was taught,
+that the bearing of his testimony against it was a test of unity with
+those of the same religious profession. The discipline of the Quakers
+was therefore a school for bringing them up as advocates for the
+abolition of this trade. To this it may be added, that the Quakers knew
+more about the trade and the slavery of the Africans, than any other
+religious body of men, who had not been in the land of their sufferings.
+For there had been a correspondence between the society in America and
+that in England on the subject, the contents of which must have been
+known to the members of each. American ministers also were frequently
+crossing the Atlantic on religious missions to England. These, when they
+travelled through various parts of our island, frequently related to the
+Quaker families in their way the cruelties they had seen and heard of in
+their own country. English ministers were also frequently going over to
+America on the same religious errand. These, on their return, seldom
+failed to communicate what they had learned or observed, but more
+particularly relative to the oppressed Africans, in their travels. The
+journals also of these, which gave occasional accounts of the sufferings
+of the slaves, were frequently published. Thus situated in point of
+knowledge, and brought up moreover from their youth in a detestation of
+the trade, the Quakers were ready to act whenever a favourable
+opportunity should present itself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+Third class of forerunners and coadjutors, up to 1787,
+consists of the Quakers and others in America.--Yearly meeting for
+Pennsylvania and the Jerseys takes up the subject in 1696; and continue
+it till 1787.--Other five yearly meetings take similar
+measures.--Quakers, as individuals, also become labourers; William
+Burling and others.--Individuals of other religious denominations take
+up the cause also; Judge Sewell and others.--Union of the Quakers with
+others in a society for Pennsylvania, in 1774; James Pemberton; Dr.
+Rush.--Similar union of the Quakers with others for New York and other
+provinces.
+
+
+The next class of the forerunners and coadjutors, up to the year 1787,
+will consist, first, of the Quakers in America; and then of others, as
+they were united to these for the same object.
+
+It may be asked, How the Quakers living there should have become
+forerunners and coadjutors in the great work now under our
+consideration. I reply, first, that it was an object for many years with
+these to do away the Slave Trade as it was carried on in their own
+ports. But this trade was conducted in part, both before and after the
+independence of America, by our own countrymen. It was, secondly, an
+object with these to annihilate slavery in America; and this they have
+been instruments in accomplishing to a considerable extent. But any
+abolition of slavery within given boundaries must be a blow to the Slave
+Trade there. The American Quakers, lastly, living in a land where both
+the commerce and slavery existed, were in the way of obtaining a number
+of important facts relative to both, which made for their annihilation;
+and communicating many of these facts to those in England, who espoused
+the same cause, they became fellow-labourers with these in producing the
+event in question.
+
+The Quakers in America, it must be owned, did most of them originally as
+other settlers there with respect to the purchase of slaves. They had
+lands without a sufficient number of labourers, and families without a
+sufficient number of servants, for their work. Africans were poured in
+to obviate these difficulties, and these were bought promiscuously by
+all. In these days, indeed, the purchase of them was deemed favourable
+to both parties, for there was little or no knowledge of the manner in
+which they had been procured as slaves. There was no charge of
+inconsistency on this account, as in later times. But though many of the
+Quakers engaged, without their usual consideration, in purchases of this
+kind, yet those constitutional principles, which belong to the society,
+occasioned the members of it in general to treat those whom they
+purchased with great tenderness, considering them, though of a different
+colour, as brethren, and as persons for whose spiritual welfare it
+became them to be concerned; so that slavery, except as to the power
+legally belonging to it, was in general little more than servitude in
+their hands.
+
+This treatment, as it was thus mild on the continent of America where
+the members of this society were the owners of slaves, so it was equally
+mild in The West India Islands where they had a similar property. In the
+latter countries, however, where only a few of them lived, it began soon
+to be productive of serious consequences; for it was so different from
+that which the rest of the inhabitants considered to be proper, that the
+latter became alarmed at it. Hence in Barbados an act was passed in
+1676, under Governor Atkins, which was entitled, An Act to prevent the
+people called Quakers from bringing their Negroes into their meetings
+for worship, though they held these in their own houses. This act was
+founded on the pretence, that the safety of the island might be
+endangered, if the slaves were to imbibe the religious principles of
+their masters. Under this act Ralph Fretwell and Richard Sutton were
+fined in the different sums of eight hundred and of three hundred
+pounds, because each of them had suffered a meeting of the Quakers at
+his own house, at the first of which eighty negroes, and at the second
+of which thirty of them were present. But this matter was carried still
+further; for in 1680, Sir Richard Dutton, then governor of the island,
+issued an order to the Deputy Provost Marshal and others, to prohibit
+all meetings of this society. In the island of Nevis the same bad spirit
+manifested itself. So early as in 1661, a law was made there prohibiting
+members of this society from coming on shore. Negroes were put in irons
+for being present at their meetings, and they themselves were fined
+also. At length, in 1677, another act was passed, laying a heavy penalty
+on every master of a vessel who should even bring a Quaker to the
+island. In Antigua and Bermudas similar proceedings took place, so that
+the Quakers were in time expelled from this part of the world. By these
+means a valuable body of men were lost to the community in these
+islands, whose example might have been highly useful; and the poor
+slave, who saw nothing but misery in his temporal prospects, was
+deprived of the only balm which could have soothed his sorrow--the
+comfort of religion.
+
+But to return to the continent of America. Though the treatment which
+the Quakers adopted there towards those Africans who fell into their
+hands, was so highly commendable, it did not prevent individuals among
+them from becoming uneasy about holding them in slavery at all. Some of
+these bore their private testimony against it from the beginning as a
+wrong practice, and in process of time brought it before the notice of
+their brethren as a religious body. So early as in the year 1688, some
+emigrants from Krieshiem in Germany, who had adopted the principles of
+William Penn, and followed him into Pennsylvania, urged, in the yearly
+meeting of the society there, the inconsistency of buying, selling, and
+holding men in slavery, with the principles of the Christian religion.
+
+In the year 1696, the yearly meeting for that province took up the
+subject as a public concern, and the result was, advice to the members
+of it to guard against future-importations of African slaves, and to be
+particularly attentive to the treatment of those who were then in their
+possession.
+
+In the year 1711, the same yearly meeting resumed the important subject,
+and confirmed and renewed the advice which had been before given.
+
+From this time it continued to keep the subject alive; but finding at
+length, that though individuals refused to purchase slaves, yet others
+continued the custom, and in greater numbers than it was apprehended
+would have been the case after the public declarations which had been
+made, it determined, in the year 1754, upon a fuller and more serious
+publication of its sentiments; and therefore it issued, in the same
+year, the following pertinent letter to all the members within its
+jurisdiction:--
+
+
+    Dear Friends,
+
+    It hath frequently been the concern of our yearly meeting to
+    testify their uneasiness and disunity with the importation and
+    purchasing of negroes and other slaves, and to direct the
+    overseers of the several meetings to advise and deal with such
+    as engage therein. And it hath likewise been the continual care
+    of many weighty friends to press those who bear our name, to
+    guard, as much as possible, against being in any respect
+    concerned in promoting the bondage of such unhappy people. Yet,
+    as we have with sorrow to observe, that their number is of late
+    increased among us, we have thought it proper to make our advice
+    and judgment more public, that none may plead ignorance of our
+    principles therein; and also again earnestly to exhort all to
+    avoid, in any manner, encouraging that practice of making slaves
+    of our fellow-creatures.
+
+    Now, dear friends, if we continually bear in mind the royal law
+    of doing to others as we would be done by, we should never think
+    of bereaving our fellow-creatures of that valuable
+    blessing--liberty, nor endure to grow rich by their bondage. To
+    live in ease and plenty by the toil of those whom violence and
+    cruelty have put in our power, is neither consistent with
+    Christianity nor common justice; and, we have good reason to
+    believe, draws down the displeasure of Heaven; it being a
+    melancholy but true reflection, that, where slave-keeping
+    prevails, pure religion and sobriety decline, as it evidently
+    tends to harden the heart, and render the soul less susceptible
+    of that holy spirit of love, meekness and charity, which is the
+    peculiar characteristic of a true Christian.
+
+    How then can we, who have been concerned to publish the Gospel
+    of universal love and peace among mankind, be so inconsistent
+    with ourselves, as to purchase such as are prisoners of war, and
+    thereby encourage, this anti-Christian practice; and more
+    especially as many of these poor creatures are stolen away,
+    parents from children, and children from parents; and others,
+    who were in good circumstances in their native country,
+    inhumanly torn from what they esteemed a happy situation, and
+    compelled to toil in a state of slavery, too often extremely
+    cruel!
+
+    What dreadful scenes of murder and cruelty those barbarous
+    ravages must occasion in these unhappy people's country are too
+    obvious to mention. Let us make their case our own, and consider
+    what we should think, and how we should feel, were we in their
+    circumstances. Remember our blessed Redeemer's positive
+    command--to do unto others as we would have them do unto
+    us;--and that with what measure we mete, it shall be measured to
+    us again. And we intreat you to examine, whether the purchasing
+    of a negro, either born here or imported, doth not contribute to
+    a further importation, and, consequently, to the upholding of
+    all the evils above mentioned, and to the promoting of
+    man-stealing, the, only theft which by the Mosaic law was
+    punished with death;--He that stealeth a man and selleth him or
+    if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.'
+
+    The characteristic and badge of a true Christian is love and
+    continual exercise of them: 'Love one, another,' says he, 'as I
+    have loved you.' But how can we be said to love our brethren who
+    bring, or, for selfish ends, keep them in bondage? Do we act
+    consistently with this noble principle, who lay such heavy
+    burdens on our fellow creatures? Do we consider that they are
+    called and do we sincerely desire that they may become heirs
+    with us in glory, and that they may rejoice in the liberty of
+    the sons of God, whilst we are withholding from them the common
+    liberties of mankind? Or can the spirit of God, by which we have
+    always professed to be led, be the author of these oppressive
+    and unrighteous measures? Or do we not thereby manifest, that
+    temporal interest hath more influence on our conduct herein,
+    than the dictates of that merciful, holy, and unerring Guide?
+
+    And we, likewise, earnestly recommend to all who have slaves, to
+    be careful to come up in the performance of their duty towards
+    them, and to be particularly watchful over their own hearts, it
+    being, by sorrowful experience, remarkable that custom and a
+    familiarity with evil of any kind, have a tendency to bias the
+    judgment and to deprave the mind; and it is obvious, that the
+    future welfare of these poor slaves, who are now in bondage, is
+    generally too much disregarded by those who keep them. If their
+    daily task of labour be but fulfilled, little else, perhaps, is
+    thought of: nay, even that which in others would be looked upon
+    with horror and detestation, is little regarded in them by their
+    masters; such as the frequent separation of husbands from wives,
+    and wives from husbands, whereby they are tempted to break their
+    marriage covenants, and live in adultery, in direct opposition
+    to the laws of God and men, although we believe that Christ died
+    for all men without respect of persons. How fearful then ought
+    we to be of engaging in what hath so natural a tendency to
+    lesson our humanity, and of suffering ourselves to be inured to
+    the exercise of hard and cruel measures, lest thereby, in any
+    degree, we lose our tender and feeling sense of the miseries of
+    our fellow-creatures, and become worse than those who have not
+    believed.
+
+    And, dear friends, you, who by inheritance have slaves born in
+    your families, we beseech you to consider them as souls
+    committed to your trust, whom the Lord will require at your
+    hand, and who, as well as you, are made partakers of the Spirit
+    of grace, and called to be heirs of salvation. And let it be
+    your constant care to watch over them for good, instructing them
+    in the fear of God and the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ,
+    that they may answer the end of their creation, and that God may
+    be glorified and honoured by them, as well as by us. And so
+    train them up, that if you should come to behold their unhappy
+    situation, in the same light that many worthy men who are at
+    rest have done, and many of your brethren now do, and should
+    think it your duty to set them free, they may be the more
+    capable of making proper use of their liberty.
+
+    Finally, brethren, we intreat you, in the bowels of Gospel-love,
+    seriously to weigh the Cause of detaining them in bondage. If it
+    be for your own private gain, or any other motive than their
+    good, it is much to be feared that the love of God, and the
+    influence of the Holy Spirit, are not the prevailing principles
+    in you, and that your hearts are not sufficiently redeemed from
+    the world, which, that you with ourselves may more and more come
+    to witness, through the cleansing virtue of the Holy Spirit of
+    Jesus Christ, is our earnest desire. With the salutation of our
+    love we are your friends and brethren:--
+
+    _"Signed, in behalf of the yearly meeting, by_
+
+    JOHN EVANS,        ABRAHAM FARRINGDON,
+    JOHN SMITH,        JOSEPH NOBLE,
+    THOMAS CARLETON,   JAMES DANIEL,
+    WILLIAM TRIMBLE,   JOSEPH GIBSON,
+    JOHN SCARBOROUGH,  JOHN SHOTWELL,
+    JOSEPH HAMPTON,    JOSEPH PARKER."
+
+
+This truly Christian letter, which was written in the year 1754, was
+designed, as we collect from the contents of it, to make the sentiments
+of the society better known and attended to on the subject of the Slave
+Trade. It contains, as we see, exhortations to all the members within
+the yearly meeting of Pennsylvania and the Jerseys, to desist from
+purchasing and importing slaves, and, where they possessed them, to have
+a tender consideration of their condition. But that the first part of
+the subject of this exhortation might be enforced, the yearly meeting
+for the same provinces came to a resolution in 1755, That if any of the
+members belonging to it bought or imported slaves, the overseers were to
+inform their respective monthly meetings of it, that "these might treat
+with them, as they might be directed in the wisdom of truth."
+
+In the year 1774, we find the same yearly meeting legislating again on
+the same subject. By the preceding resolution they who became offenders,
+were subjected only to exclusion from the meetings for discipline, and
+from the privilege of contributing to the pecuniary occasions of the
+Society; but, by the resolution of the present year, all members
+concerned in importing, selling, purchasing, giving, or transferring
+negro or other slaves, or otherwise acting in such manner as to continue
+them in slavery beyond the term limited by law[A] or custom, were
+directed to be excluded from membership or disowned. At this meeting
+also all the members of it were cautioned and advised against acting as
+executors or administrators to estates, where slaves were bequeathed, or
+likely to be detained in bondage.
+
+[Footnote A: This alludes to the term of servitude for white persons in
+these provinces.]
+
+In the year 1776, the same yearly meeting carried the matter still
+further. It was enacted, That the owners of slaves, who refused to
+execute proper instruments for giving them their freedom, were to be
+disowned likewise.
+
+In 1778 it was enacted by the same meeting, that the children of those
+who had been set free by members, should be tenderly advised, and have a
+suitable education given them.
+
+It is not necessary to proceed further on this subject. It may be
+sufficient to say, that from this time the minutes of the yearly meeting
+for Pennsylvania and the Jerseys exhibit proofs of an almost incessant
+attention, year after year[B], to the means not only of wiping away the
+stain of slavery from their religious community, but of promoting the
+happiness of those restored to freedom, and of their posterity also; and
+as the yearly meeting of Pennsylvania and the Jerseys set this bright
+example, so those of New England, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and of
+the Carolinas and Georgia, in process of time followed it.
+
+[Footnote B: Thus in 1778-1782, 1784-1786. The members also of this
+meeting petitioned their own legislature on this subject, both in 1783
+and in 1786.]
+
+But, whilst the Quakers were making these exertions at their different
+yearly meetings in America, as a religious body, to get rid both of the
+commerce and slavery of their fellow-creatures, others, in the same
+profession; were acting as individuals, (that is, on their own grounds,
+and independently of any influence from their religious communion,) in
+the same cause, whose labours it will now be proper, in a separate
+narrative, to detail.
+
+The first person of this description in the Society, was William
+Burling, of Long Island. He had conceived an abhorrence of slavery from
+early youth. In process of time he began to bear his testimony against
+it, by representing the unlawfulness of it to those of his own Society,
+when assembled at one of their yearly meetings. This expression of his
+public testimony, he continued annually on the same occasion. He wrote
+also several Tracts with the same design, one of which, published in the
+year 1718, he addressed to the elders of his own church, on the
+inconsistency of compelling people and their posterity to serve them
+continually and arbitrarily, and without any proper recompense for their
+services.
+
+The next was Ralph Sandiford, a merchant in Philadelphia. This worthy
+person had many offers of pecuniary assistance, which would have
+advanced him in life, but he declined them all because they came from
+persons who had acquired their independence by the oppression of their
+slaves. He was very earnest in endeavouring to prevail upon his friends,
+both, in and out of the society, to liberate those whom they held in
+bondage. At length he determined upon a work called the _Mystery of
+Iniquity_, in a brief examination of the practice of the times. This he
+published in the year 1780, though the chief judge had threatened him if
+he should give it to the world, and he circulated it free of expense
+wherever he believed it would be useful. The above work was excellent as
+a composition; the language of it was correct; the style manly and
+energetic; and it abounded with facts, sentiments, and quotations,
+which, while, they showed the virtue and talents of the author, rendered
+it a valuable appeal in behalf of the African cause.
+
+The next public advocate was Benjamin Lay[A], who lived at Abington, at
+the distance of twelve or fourteen miles from Philadelphia. Benjamin Lay
+was known, when in England, to the royal family of that day, into whose
+private presence he was admitted. On his return to America, he took an
+active part in behalf of the oppressed Africans. In the year 1737, he
+published a _Treatise on Slave-Keeping_. This he gave away among his
+neighbours and others, but more particularly among the rising youth,
+many of whom he visited in their respective schools. He applied also to
+several of the governors for interviews, with whom he held conferences
+on the subject. Benjamin Lay was a man of strong understanding and of
+great integrity, but of warm and irritable feelings, and more
+particularly so when he was called forth on any occasion in which the
+oppressed Africans were concerned; for he had lived in the island of
+Barbados, and he had witnessed there scenes of cruelty towards them
+which had greatly disturbed his mind, and which unhinged it, as it were,
+whenever the subject of their sufferings was brought before him. Hence,
+if others did not think precisely as he did, when he conversed with them
+on the subject, he was apt to go out of due bounds. In bearing what he
+believed to be his testimony against this system of oppression, he
+adopted sometimes a singularity of manner, by which, as conveying
+demonstration of a certain eccentricity of character, he diminished in
+some degree his usefulness to the cause which he had undertaken; as far,
+indeed, as this eccentricity might have the effect of preventing others
+from joining him in his pursuit, lest they should be thought singular
+also, so far it must be allowed that he ceased to become beneficial. But
+there can be no question, on the other hand, that his warm and
+enthusiastic manners awakened the attention of many to the cause, and
+gave them first impressions concerning it, which they never afterwards
+forgot, and which rendered them useful to it in the subsequent part of
+their lives.
+
+[Footnote A: Benjamin Lay attended the meetings for worship, or
+associated himself with the religious society of the Quakers. His wife,
+too, was an approved minister of the Gospel in that society; but I
+believe he was not long an acknowledged member of it himself.]
+
+The person who laboured next in the society, in behalf of the oppressed
+Africans, was John Woolman.
+
+John Woolman was born at Northampton, in the county of Burlington and
+province of Western New Jersey, in the year 1720. In his very early
+youth he attended, in an extraordinary manner, to the religious
+impressions which he perceived upon his mind, and began to have an
+earnest solicitude about treading in the right path. "From what I had
+read and heard," says he, in his Journal[A], "I believed there had been
+in past ages, people who walked in uprightness before God in a degree
+exceeding any, that I knew or heard of, now living. And the apprehension
+of there being less steadiness and firmness among people of this age,
+than in past ages, often troubled me while I was a child." An anxious
+desire to do away, as far as himself was concerned, this merited
+reproach, operated as one among other causes to induce him to be
+particularly watchful over his thoughts and actions, and to endeavour to
+attain that purity of heart, without which he conceived there could be
+no perfection of the Christian character. Accordingly, in the
+twenty-second year of his age, he had given such proof of the integrity
+of his life, and of his religious qualifications, that he became an
+acknowledged minister of the Gospel in his own society.
+
+[Footnote A: This short sketch of the life and labours of John Woolman,
+is made up from his Journal.]
+
+At a time prior to his entering upon the ministry, being in low
+circumstances, he agreed for wages to "attend shop for a person at Mount
+Holly, and to keep his books." In this situation we discover, by an
+occurrence that happened, that he had thought seriously on the subject,
+and that he had conceived proper views of the Christian unlawfulness of
+slavery. "My employer," says he, "having a Negro woman, sold her, and
+desired me to write a bill of sale, the man being waiting who bought
+her. The thing was sudden, and though the thought of writing an
+instrument of slavery for one of my fellow-creatures made me feel
+uneasy, yet I remembered I was hired by the year, that it was my master
+who directed me to do it, and that it was an elderly man, a member of
+our society, who bought her. So through weakness I gave way and wrote,
+but, at executing it, I was so afflicted in my mind, that I said before
+my master and the friend, that I believed slave-keeping to be a practice
+inconsistent with the Christian religion. This in some degree abated my
+uneasiness; yet, as often as I reflected seriously upon it, I thought I
+should have been clearer, if I had desired to have been excused from it,
+as a thing against my conscience; for such it was. And some time after
+this, a young man of our society spoke to me to write a conveyance of a
+slave to him, he having lately taken a Negro into his house. I told him
+I was not easy to write it; for though many of our meeting, and in other
+places, kept slaves, I still believed the practice was not right, and
+desired to be excused from the writing. I spoke to him in good-will; and
+he told me that keeping slaves was not altogether agreeable to his mind,
+but that the slave being a gift to his wife he had accepted of her."
+
+We may easily conceive that a person so scrupulous and tender on this
+subject, (as indeed John Woolman was on all others,) was in the way of
+becoming in time more eminently serviceable to his oppressed
+fellow-creatures. We have seen already the good seed sown in his heart,
+and it seems to have wanted only providential seasons and occurrences to
+be brought into productive fruit. Accordingly we find that a journey,
+which he took as a minister of the Gospel in 1746 through the provinces
+of Maryland, Virginia, and, North Carolina, which were then more noted
+than others for the number of slaves in them, contributed to prepare him
+as an instrument for the advancement of this great cause. The following
+are his own observations upon this journey:--"Two things were remarkable
+to me in this journey; first, in regard to my entertainment. When I ate,
+drank, and lodged free-cost, with people who lived in ease on the hard
+labour of their slaves, I felt uneasy; and, as my mind was inward to the
+Lord, I found, from place to place, this uneasiness return upon me at
+times through the whole visit. Where the masters bore a good share of
+the burden and lived frugally, so that their servants were well provided
+for; and their labour moderate, I felt more easy; but where they lived
+in a costly way, and laid heavy burdens on their slaves, my exercise was
+often great, and I frequently had conversations with them in private
+concerning it. Secondly, this trade of importing slaves from their
+native country being much encouraged among them, and the white people
+and their children so generally living without much labour, was
+frequently the subject of my serious thoughts: and I saw in these
+southern provinces so many vices and corruptions, increased by this
+trade and this way of life, that it appeared to me as a gloom over the
+land."
+
+From the year 1747 to the year 1758, he seems to have been occupied
+chiefly as a minister of religion, but in the latter year he published a
+work upon slave-keeping; and in the same year, while travelling within
+the compass of his own monthly meeting, a circumstance happened which
+kept alive his attention to the same Subjects.
+
+"About this time" says he, "a person at some distance lying sick, his
+brother came to me to write his will. I knew he had slaves, and asking
+his brother was told he intended to leave them as slaves to his
+children. As writing was a profitable employ, and as offending sober
+people was disagreeable to my inclination, I was straitened in my mind,
+but as I looked to the Lord he inclined my heart to his testimony; and I
+told the man that I believed the practice of continuing slavery to this
+people was not right, and that I had a scruple in my mind against doing
+writings of that kind; that, though many in our society kept them as
+slaves, still I was not easy to be concerned in it, and desired to be
+excused from going to write the will. I spoke to him in the fear of the
+Lord; and he made no reply to what I said, but went away: he also had
+some concerns in the practice, and I thought he was displeased with me.
+In this case I had a confirmation, that acting contrary to present
+outward interest from a motive of Divine love, and in regard to truth
+and righteousness, opens the way to a treasure better than silver, and
+to a friendship exceeding the friendship of men."
+
+From 1753 to 1755, two circumstances of a similar kind took place, which
+contributed greatly to strengthen him in the path he had taken; for in
+both these cases the persons who requested him to make their wills were
+so impressed by the principle upon which he refused them, and by his
+manner of doing it, that they bequeathed liberty to their slaves.
+
+In the year 1756, he made a religious visit to several of the society in
+Long Island. Here it was that the seed, now long fostered by the genial
+influences of Heaven, began to burst forth into fruit; Till this time he
+seems to have been a passive instrument, attending only to such
+circumstances as came in his way on this subject. But now he became an
+active one, looking out for circumstances for the exercise of his
+labours.
+
+"My mind," says he; "was deeply engaged in this visit, both in public
+and private; and at several places, observing that members kept slaves,
+I found myself under a necessity, in a friendly way, to labour with
+them, on that subject, expressing, as the way opened, the inconsistency
+of that practice with the parity of the Christian religion, and the ill
+effects of it as manifested amongst us."
+
+In the year 1757, he felt, his mind so deeply interested on the same
+subject, that he resolved to travel over Maryland, Virginia, and North
+Carolina, in order to try to convince persons, principally in his own
+society, of the inconsistency of holding slaves. He joined his brother
+with him in this arduous service. Having passed the Susquehanna into
+Maryland, he began to experience great agitation of mind. "Soon after I
+entered this province," says he, "a deep and painful exercise came upon
+me, which I often had some feeling of since my mind was drawn towards
+these parts, and with which I had acquainted my brother, before we
+agreed to join as companions."
+
+"As the people in this and the southern provinces live much on the
+labour of slaves, many of whom are used hardly, my concern was that I
+might attend with singleness of heart to the voice of the true Shepherd,
+and be so supported, as to remain unmoved at the faces of men."
+
+It is impossible for me to follow him in detail, through this long and
+interesting journey, when I consider the bounds I have prescribed to
+myself in this work. I shall say, therefore, what I propose to offer
+generally, and in a few words.
+
+It appears that he conversed with persons occasionally, who were not of
+his own society, with a view of answering their arguments, and of
+endeavouring to evince the wickedness and impolicy of slavery. In
+discoursing with these, however strenuous he might appear, he seems
+never to have departed from a calm, modest, and yet dignified and even
+friendly demeanour. At the public meetings for discipline, held by his
+own society in these provinces, he endeavoured to display the same
+truths, and in the same manner, but particularly to the elders of his
+own society, exhorting them, as the most conspicuous rank, to be careful
+of their conduct, and to give a bright example in the liberation of
+their slaves. He visited, also, families for the same purpose: and he
+had the well-earned satisfaction of finding his admonitions kindly
+received by some, and of seeing a disposition in others to follow the
+advice he had given them.
+
+In the year 1758, he attended the yearly meeting at Philadelphia, where
+he addressed his brethren on the propriety of dealing with such members
+as should hereafter purchase slaves. On the discussion of this point he
+spoke a second time, and this to such effect that, he had the
+satisfaction at this meeting to see minutes made more fully than any
+before, and a committee appointed for the advancement of the great
+object, to which he had now been instrumental in turning the attention
+of many, and to witness a considerable spreading of the cause. In the
+same year, also, he joined himself with two others of the society to
+visit such members of it as possessed slaves in Chester county. In this
+journey he describes himself to have met with several who were pleased
+with his visit, but to have found difficulties with others, towards
+whom, however, he felt a sympathy and tenderness, on account of their
+being entangled by the spirit of the world.
+
+In the year 1759, he visited several of the society who held slaves in
+Philadelphia. In about three months afterwards, he travelled there
+again, in company with John Churchman, to see others under similar
+circumstances. He then went to different places on the same errand. In
+this last journey he went alone. After this he joined himself to John
+Churchman again, but he confined his labours to his own province. Here
+he had the pleasure of finding that the work prospered. Soon after this
+he took Samuel Eastburne as a coadjutor, and pleaded the cause of the
+poor Africans with many of the society in Bucks county, who held them in
+bondage there.
+
+In the year 1760, he travelled, in company with his friend Samuel
+Eastburne, to Rhode Island, to promote the same object. This island had
+been long noted for its trade to Africa for slaves. He found at Newport,
+the great sea-port town belonging to it, that a number of them had been
+lately imported. He felt his mind deeply impressed on this account. He
+was almost over-powered in consequence of it, and became ill. He thought
+once of prompting a petition to the legislature, to discourage all such
+importations in future. He then thought of going and speaking to the
+House of Assembly, which was then sitting; but he was discouraged from
+both these proceedings. He held, however, conference with many of his
+own society in the meeting-house chamber, where the subject of his visit
+was discussed on both sides with a calm and peaceable spirit. Many of
+those present manifested the concern they felt at their former
+practices, and others a desire of taking suitable care of their slaves
+at their decease. From Newport he proceeded to Nantucket; but observing
+the members of the society there to have few or no slaves, he exhorted
+them to persevere in abstaining from the use of them, and returned home.
+
+In the year 1761, he visited several families in Pennsylvania, and, in
+about three months afterwards, others about Shrewsbury and Squan in New
+Jersey. On his return he added a part to the treatise before published
+on the keeping of care which had been growing upon him for some years.
+
+In the year 1762, he printed, published, and distributed this treatise.
+
+In 1767, he went on foot to the western shores of the same province on a
+religious visit. After having crossed the Susquehanna, his old feelings
+returned to him; for coming amongst people living in outward ease and
+greatness, chiefly on the labour of slaves, his heart was much affected,
+and he waited with humble resignation to learn how he should further
+perform his duty to this injured people. The travelling on foot, though
+it was agreeable to the state of his mind, he describes to have been
+wearisome to his body. He felt himself weakly at times, in consequence
+of it, but yet continued to travel on. At one of the quarterly meetings
+of the society, being in great sorrow and heaviness, and under deep
+exercise on account of the miseries of the poor Africans, he expressed
+himself freely to those present, who held them in bondage. He expatiated
+on the tenderness and loving-kindness of the apostles, as manifested in
+labours, perils, and sufferings, towards the poor Gentiles, and
+contracted their treatment of the Gentiles with it, whom he described in
+the persons of their slaves; and was much satisfied with the result of
+his discourse.
+
+From this time we collect little more, from his journal concerning him,
+than that, in 1772, he embarked for England on a religious visit. After
+his arrival there, he travelled through many counties, preaching in
+different meetings of the society, till he came to the city of York. But
+even here, though he was far removed from the sight of those whose
+interests he had so warmly espoused, he was not forgetful of their
+wretched condition. At the quarterly meeting for that county, he brought
+their case before, those present in an affecting manner. He exhorted
+these to befriend their cause. He remarked that as they, the society,
+when under outward sufferings, had often found a concern to lay them
+before the legislature, and thereby, in the Lord's time, had obtained
+relief; so he recommended this oppressed part of the creation to their
+notice, that they might, as, the way opened, represent their sufferings
+as individuals, if not as a religious society, to those in authority in
+this land. This was the last opportunity that he had of interesting
+himself in behalf of this injured people for soon afterwards he was
+seized with the small-pox at the house of a friend in the city of York,
+where he died.
+
+The next person belonging to the society of the Quakers, who laboured in
+behalf of the oppressed Africans, was Anthony Benezet. He was born
+before, and he lived after, John Woolman; of course he was contemporary
+with him. I place him after John Woolman, because he was not so much
+known as a labourer, till two or three years after the other had begin
+to move in the same cause.
+
+Anthony Benezet was born at St. Quintin, in Picardy, of a respectable
+family, in the year 1713. His father was one of the many Protestants
+who, in consequence of the persecutions which followed the revocation of
+the edict of Nantz, sought an asylum in foreign countries. After a short
+stay in Holland, he settled, with his wife and children, in London, in
+1715.
+
+Anthony Benezet having received from his father a liberal education,
+served an apprenticeship in an eminent mercantile house in London. In
+1731, however, he removed with his family to Philadelphia, where he
+joined in profession with the Quakers. His three brothers then engaged
+in trade, and made considerable pecuniary acquisitions in it. He himself
+might have partaken both of their concerns and of their prosperity; but
+he did not feel himself at liberty to embark in their undertakings. He
+considered the accumulation of wealth as of no importance, when compared
+with the enjoyment of doing good; and he chose the humble situation of a
+schoolmaster, as according best with this notion, believing, that by
+endeavouring to train up youth in knowledge and virtue, he should become
+more extensively useful than in any other way to his fellow-creatures.
+
+He had not been long in his new situation, before he manifested such an
+uprightness of conduct, such a courtesy of manners, such a purity of
+intention, and such a spirit of benevolence, that he attracted the
+notice, and gained the good opinion, of the inhabitants among whom he
+lived. He had ready access to them, in consequence, upon all occasions;
+and, if there were any whom he failed to influence at any of these
+times, he never went away without the possession of their respect.
+
+In the year 1756, when a considerable number of French families were
+removed from Acadia into Pennsylvania, on account of some political
+suspicions, he felt deeply interested about them. In a country where few
+understood their language, they were wretched and helpless; but Anthony
+Benezet endeavoured to soften the rigour of their situation, by his kind
+attention towards them. He exerted himself, also, in their behalf, by
+procuring many contributions for them, which, by the consent of his
+fellow-citizens, were intrusted to his care.
+
+As the principle of benevolence, when duly cultivated, brings forth
+fresh shoots, and becomes enlarged, so we find this amiable person
+extending the sphere of his usefulness by becoming an advocate for the
+oppressed African race. For this service he seems to have been
+peculiarly qualified. Indeed, as in all great works, a variety of
+talents is necessary to bring them to perfection, so Providence seems to
+prepare different men as instruments, with dispositions and
+qualifications so various, that each, in pursuing that line which seems
+to suit him best, contributes to furnish those parts which, when put
+together, make up a complete whole. In this point of view, John Woolman
+found in Anthony Benezet the coadjutor whom, of all others, the cause
+required. The former had occupied himself principally on the subject of
+slavery. The latter went to the root of the evil, and more frequently
+attacked the trade. The former chiefly confined his labours to America,
+and chiefly to those of his own society there. The latter, when he
+wrote, did not write for America only, but for Europe also, and
+endeavoured to spread a knowledge and hatred of the traffic through the
+great society of the world.
+
+One of the means which Anthony Benezet took to promote the cause in
+question, (and an effectual one it proved, as far as it went,) was to
+give his scholars a due knowledge and proper impressions concerning it.
+Situated as they were likely to be in after-life, in a country where,
+slavery, was a custom, he thus prepared many, and this annually, for the
+promotion of his plans.
+
+To enlighten others, and to give them a similar bias, he had recourse to
+different measures from time to time. In the almanacs published annually
+in Philadelphia, he procured articles to be inserted, which he believed
+would attract the notice of the reader, and make him pause, at least for
+a while, as to the licitness of, the Slave Trade. He wrote also, as he
+saw occasion, in the public papers of the day. From small things he
+proceeded to greater. He collected, at length, further information on
+the subject, and, winding it up with observations and reflections, he
+produced several little tracts, which he circulated successively (but
+generally at his, own expense), as he considered them adapted to the
+temper and circumstances of the times.
+
+In the course of this his employment, having found some who had approved
+his tracts, and, to whom, on that account, he wished to write, and
+sending his tracts to others, to whom he thought it proper to introduce
+them by letter, he found himself engaged in a correspondence which much
+engrossed his time, but which proved of great importance in procuring
+many advocates for his cause.
+
+In the year 1762, when he had obtained a still greater store of
+information, he published a larger work. This, however, he entitle _A
+short Account of that part of Africa inhabited by the Negroes_ In 1767
+he published _A Caution and Warning to Great Britain and her colonies on
+the calamitous state of the enslaved Negroes in the British Dominions_;
+and soon after this appeared, _An Historical Account of Guinea, its
+Situation, Produce, and the general Disposition of its Inhabitants: with
+an Inquiry into the Rise and Progress of the Slave Trade, its Nature,
+and Calamitous Effects._ This pamphlet contained a clear and distinct
+development of the subject, from the best authorities. It contained
+also, the sentiments of many enlightened upon it; and it became
+instrumental beyond any other book ever before published, in
+disseminating a proper knowledge and detestation of this trade.
+
+Anthony Benezet may be considered as one of the most zealous, vigilant,
+and active advocates which the cause of the oppressed Africans ever had.
+He seemed to have been born and to have lived for the promotion of it
+and therefore he never omitted any the least opportunity of serving it.
+If a person called upon him who was going a journey his first thoughts
+usually were how he could make him an instrument in its favour; he
+either gave him tracts to distribute or he sent letters by him, or he
+gave him some commission on the subject; so that he was the means of
+employing several persons at the same time, in various parts of America;
+in advancing the work he had undertaken.
+
+In the same manner he availed himself of every other circumstance, as
+far as he could, to the same end. When he heard that Mr. Granville Sharp
+had obtained; in the year 1772, the noble verdict in the cause of
+Somerset the slave, he opened a correspondence with him which he kept
+up, that there might be an union of action between them for the future,
+as far as it could be effected, and that they might each give
+encouragement to the other to proceed.
+
+He opened also a correspondence with George Whitfield and John Wesley
+that these might assist him in promoting the cause of the oppressed.
+
+He wrote also a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon on the following
+subject:--She had founded a college, at the recommendation of George
+Whitfield, called the Orphan-house near Savannah, in Georgia, and had
+endowed it. The object of this institution was to furnish scholastic
+instruction to the poor, and to prepare some of them for the ministry.
+George Whitfield, ever attentive to the cause of the poor Africans,
+thought that this institution might have been useful to them also; but
+soon after his death, they who succeeded him bought slaves, and these in
+unusual numbers to extend the rice and indigo plantations belonging to
+the college. The letter then in question was written by Anthony Benezet,
+in order to lay before the Countess, as a religious woman, the misery
+she was occasioning in Africa, by allowing the managers of her college
+in Georgia to give encouragement to the Slave Trade. The Countess
+replied, that such a measure should never have her countenance, and that
+she would take care to prevent it.
+
+On discovering that the Abbé Raynal had brought out his celebrated work,
+in which he manifested a tender feeling in behalf of the injured
+Africans, he entered into a correspondence with him, hoping to make him
+yet more useful to their cause.
+
+Finding, also, in the year 1783 that the Slave Trade, which had greatly
+declined during the American war, was reviving, he addressed a pathetic
+letter to our Queen, (as I mentioned in the last chapter,) who, on
+hearing the high character of the writer of it from Benjamin West,
+received it with marks of peculiar condescension and attention. The
+following is a copy of it:--
+
+
+    TO CHARLOTTE, QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN.
+
+    Impressed with a sense of religious duty, and encouraged by the
+    opinion generally entertained of thy benevolent disposition to
+    succor the distressed, I take the liberty; very respectfully, to
+    offer to thy perusal some tracts, which, I believe, faithfully
+    describe the suffering condition of many hundred thousands of
+    our fellow-creatures of the African race, great numbers of whom,
+    rent from every tender connexion in life, are annually taken
+    from their native land; to endure, in the American islands and
+    plantations, a most rigorous and cruel slavery; whereby many,
+    very many of them, are brought to a melancholy and untimely end.
+
+    When it is considered that the inhabitants of Great Britain, who
+    are themselves so eminently blessed in the enjoyment of
+    religious and civil liberty, have long been, and yet are, very
+    deeply concerned in this flagrant violation of the common rights
+    of mankind, and that even its national authority is exerted in
+    support of the African Slave Trade, there is much reason to
+    apprehend that this has been, and, as long as the evil exists,
+    will continue to be, an occasion of drawing down the Divine
+    displeasure on the nation and its dependencies. May these
+    considerations induce thee to interpose thy kind endeavours in
+    behalf of this greatly injured people, whose abject situation
+    gives them an additional claim to the pity and assistance of the
+    generous mind, inasmuch as they are altogether deprived of the
+    means of soliciting effectual relief for themselves; that so
+    thou mayest not only be a blessed instrument in the hand of him
+    'by whom kings reign and princes decree justice,' to avert the
+    awful judgments by which the empire has already been so
+    remarkably shaken, but that the blessings of thousands ready to
+    perish may come upon thee, at a time when the superior
+    advantages attendant on thy situation in this world will no
+    longer be of any avail to thy consolation and support.
+
+    To the tracts on this subject to which I have thus ventured to
+    crave thy particular attention, I have added some which at
+    different times I have believed it my duty to publish[A], and
+    which, I trust, will afford thee some satisfaction, their design
+    being for the furtherance of that universal peace and good-will
+    amongst men, which the Gospel was intended to introduce.
+
+    [Footnote A: These related to the principles of the religious
+    society of the Quakers.]
+
+    "I hope thou wilt kindly excuse the freedom used on this
+    occasion by an ancient man, whose mind, for more than forty
+    years past, has been much separated from the common intercourse
+    of the world, and long painfully exercised in the consideration
+    of the miseries under which so large a part of mankind, equally
+    with us the objects of redeeming love, are suffering the most
+    unjust and grievous oppression, and who sincerely desires thy
+    temporal and eternal felicity, and that of thy royal consort.
+
+    "ANTHONY BENEZET."
+
+
+Anthony Benezet, besides the care he bestowed upon forwarding the cause
+of the oppressed Africans in different parts of the world, found time to
+promote the comforts, and improve the condition of those, in the state
+in which he lived. Apprehending that much advantage would arise both to
+them and the public from instructing them in common learning, he
+zealously promoted the establishment of a school for that purpose. Much
+of the two last years of his life he devoted to a personal attendance on
+this school, being earnestly desirous that they who came to it might be
+better qualified for the enjoyment of that freedom to which great
+numbers of them had been then restored. To this he sacrificed the
+superior emoluments of his former school, and his bodily ease also,
+although the weakness of his constitution seemed to demand indulgence.
+By his last will he directed, that, after the decease of his widow, his
+whole little fortune (the savings of the industry of fifty years)
+should, except a few very small legacies, be applied to the support of
+it. During his attendance upon it he had the happiness to find, (and his
+situation enabled him to make the comparison,) that Providence had been
+equally liberal to the Africans in genius and talents as to other
+people.
+
+After a few days' illness, this excellent man died at Philadelphia, in
+the spring of 1784. The interment of his remains was attended by several
+thousands of all ranks, professions, and parties, who united in
+deploring their loss. The mournful procession was closed by some
+hundreds of those poor Africans who had been personally benefited by his
+labours, and whose behaviour on the occasion showed the gratitude and
+affection they considered to be due to him as their own private
+benefactor, as well as the benefactor of their whole race.
+
+Such, then, were the labours of the Quakers in America; of individuals,
+from 1718 to 1784, and of the body at large, from 1696 to 1787, in this
+great cause of humanity and religion. Nor were the effects produced from
+these otherwise than corresponding with what might have been expected
+from such an union of exertion in such a cause; for both the evils, that
+is, the evil of buying and selling, and the evil of using slaves, ceased
+at length with the members of this benevolent society. The leaving off
+all concern with the Slave Trade took place first. The abolition of
+slavery, though it followed, was not so speedily accomplished; for,
+besides the loss of property, when slaves were manumitted, without any
+pecuniary consideration in return, their owners had to struggle, in
+making them free, against the laws and customs of the times. In
+Pennsylvania, where the law in this respect was the most favourable, the
+parties wishing to give freedom to a slave were obliged to enter into a
+bond for the payment of thirty pounds currency, in case the said slave
+should become chargeable for maintenance. In New Jersey the terms were
+far less favorable, as the estate of the owner remained liable to the
+consequences of misconduct in the slave, or even in his posterity. In
+the southern parts of America manumission was not permitted but on terms
+amounting nearly to a prohibition. But, notwithstanding these
+difficulties, the Quakers could not be deterred, as they became
+convinced of the unlawfulness of holding men in bondage, from doing that
+which they believed to be right. Many liberated their slaves, whatever
+the consequences were; and some gave the most splendid example in doing
+it, not only by consenting, as others did, thus to give up their
+property, and to incur the penalties of manumission, but by calculating
+and giving what was due to them, over and above their food and clothing,
+for wages[A] from the beginning of their slavery to the day when their
+liberation commenced. Thus manumission went on, some sacrificing more;
+and others less; some granting it sooner, and others later; till, in the
+year 1787[B] there was not a slave in the possession of an acknowledged
+Quaker.
+
+[Footnote A: One of the brightest instances was that afforded by Warner
+Mifflin. He gave unconditional liberty to his slaves. He paid all the
+adults, on their discharge, the sum, which arbitrators, mutually chosen,
+awarded them.]
+
+[Footnote B: Previously to the year 1787, several of the states had made
+the terms of manumission more easy.]
+
+Having given to the reader the history of the third class of forerunners
+and coadjutors, as it consisted of the Quakers in America, I am now to
+continue it, as it consisted of an union of these with others on the
+same continent, in the year 1774, in behalf of the African race. To do
+this, I shall begin with the causes which led to the production of this
+great event.
+
+And, in the first place, as example is more powerful than precept, we
+cannot suppose that the Quakers could have shown these noble instances
+of religious principle, without supposing also that individuals of other
+religious denominations would be morally instructed by them. They who
+lived in the neighborhood where they took place, must have become
+acquainted with the motives which led to them. Some of them must at
+least have praised the action, though they might not themselves have
+been ripe to follow the example: nor is it at all improbable that these
+might be led, in the course of the workings of their own minds, to a
+comparison between their own conduct and that of the Quakers on this
+subject, in which they themselves might appear to be less worthy in
+their own eyes. And as there is sometimes a spirit of rivalship among
+the individuals of religious sects, where the character of one is
+sounded forth as higher than that of another; this, if excited by such a
+circumstance, would probably operate for good. It must have been
+manifest also to many, after a lapse of time, that there was no danger
+in what the Quakers had done, and that there was even sound policy in
+the measure. But, whatever were the several causes, certain it is, that
+the example of the Quakers in leaving off all concern with the Slave
+Trade, and in liberating their slaves, (scattered, as they were, over
+various parts of America,) contributed to produce in many of a different
+religious denomination from themselves, a more tender disposition than
+had been usual towards the African race.
+
+But a similar disposition towards these oppressed people was created in
+others, by means of other circumstances or causes. In the early part of
+the eighteenth century, Judge Sewell of New England came forward as a
+zealous advocate for them: he addressed a memorial to the legislature,
+which he called, _The Selling of Joseph_, and in which he pleaded their
+cause both as a lawyer and, a Christian. This memorial produced an
+effect upon many, but particularly upon those of his own persuasion; and
+from this time the Presbyterians appear to have encouraged a sympathy in
+their favour.
+
+In the year 1739, the celebrated George Whitfield became an instrument
+in turning the attention of many others to their hard case, and of
+begetting in these a fellow sympathy towards them. This laborious
+minister, having been deeply affected with what he had seen in the
+course of his religious travels in America, thought it his duty, to
+address a letter from Georgia to the inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia,
+and North and South Carolina. This letter was printed in the year above
+mentioned, and is in part as follows:--
+
+
+    As I lately passed through your provinces in my way hither, I
+    was sensibly touched with a fellow-feeling for the miseries of
+    the poor negroes. Whether it be lawful for Christians to buy
+    slaves, and thereby encourage the nations, from whom they are
+    bought, to be at perpetual war with each other, I shall not take
+    upon me to determine. Sure I am, it is sinful, when they have
+    bought them to use them as bad as though they were brutes, nay,
+    worse; and whatever particular exceptions there may be, (as I
+    would charitably hope there are some,) I fear the generality of
+    you who own negroes are liable to such a charge; for your
+    slaves, I believe, work as hard, if not harder, than the horses
+    whereon you ride. These, after they have done their work, are
+    fed and taken proper care of; but many negroes when wearied with
+    labour, in your plantations, have been obliged to grind their
+    corn after their return home: your dogs are caressed and fondled
+    at your table, but your slaves, who are frequently styled dogs
+    or beasts, have not an equal privilege; they are scarce
+    permitted to pick up the crumbs which fall from their master's
+    table: not to mention what numbers have been given up to the
+    inhuman usage of cruel taskmasters, who, by their unrelenting
+    scourges have ploughed their backs and made long furrows, and at
+    length brought them even unto death. When, passing along, I have
+    viewed your plantations cleared and cultivated, many spacious
+    houses built and the owners of them faring sumptuously every
+    day, my blood has frequently almost run cold within me, to
+    consider how many of your slaves had neither convenient food to
+    eat, nor proper raiment to put on, notwithstanding most of the
+    comforts you enjoy were solely owing to their indefatigable
+    labours.
+
+
+The letter, from which this is an extract, produced a desirable effect
+upon many of those who perused it, but particularly upon such as began
+to be seriously disposed in these times. And as George Whitfield
+continued a firm friend to the poor Africans, never losing an
+opportunity of serving them, he interested, in the course of his useful
+life, many thousands of his followers in their favour.
+
+To this account it may be added, that from the year 1762 ministers, who
+were in the connection of John Wesley, began to be settled in America,
+and that as these were friends to the oppressed Africans also, so they
+contributed in their turn[A] to promote a softness of feeling towards
+them among those of their own persuasion.
+
+[Footnote A: It must not be forgotten, that the example of the Moravians
+had its influence also in directing men to their duty towards these
+oppressed people; for though, when they visited this part of the world
+for their conversion, they never meddled with the political state of
+things, by recommending it to masters to alter the condition of their
+slaves, as believing religion could give comfort in the most abject
+situations in life, yet they uniformly freed those slaves who came into
+their own possession.]
+
+In consequence then of these and other causes, a considerable number of
+persons of various religious denominations, had appeared at different
+times in America, besides the Quakers, who, though they had not
+distinguished themselves by resolutions and manumissions as religious
+bodies, were yet highly friendly to the African cause. This friendly
+disposition began to manifest itself about the year 1770; for when a few
+Quakers, as individuals, began at that time to form little associations
+in the middle provinces of North America, to discourage the introduction
+of slaves among people in their own neighbourhoods, who were not of
+their own Society, and to encourage the manumission of those already in
+bondage, they, were joined as colleagues by several persons of this
+description[A], who co-operated with them in the promotion of their
+design.
+
+[Footnote A: It then appeared that individuals among those of the Church
+of England, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, and others had
+begun in a few instances to liberate their slaves.]
+
+This disposition, however, became more manifest in the year 1772; for
+the house of burgesses of Virginia presented a petition to the king,
+beseeching his majesty to remove all those restraints on his governors
+of that colony, which inhibited their assent to such laws as might check
+that inhuman and impolitic commerce, the Slave Trade: and it is
+remarkable, that the refusal of the British government to permit the
+Virginians to exclude slaves from among them by law, was enumerated
+afterwards among the public reasons for separating from the mother
+country.
+
+But this friendly disposition was greatly increased in the year 1773, by
+the literary labours of Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia[B], who, I
+believe, is a member of the Presbyterian Church: for in this year, at
+the instigation of Anthony Benezet, he took up the cause of the
+oppressed Africans in a little work, which he entitled, _An Address to
+the Inhabitants of the British Settlements, on the Slavery of the
+Negroes_; and soon afterwards in another, which was a vindication of the
+first, in answer to an acrimonious attach by a West Indian planter.
+These publications contained many new observations; they were written in
+a polished style; and while they exhibited the erudition and talents,
+they showed the liberality and benevolence of the author. Having had a
+considerable circulation, they spread conviction among many, and
+promoted the cause for which they had been so laudably undertaken. Of
+the great increase of friendly disposition towards the African cause in
+this very year, we have this remarkable proof: that when the Quakers,
+living in East and West Jersey, wished to petition the legislature to
+obtain an act of assembly for the more equitable manumission of slaves
+in that province, so many others of different persuasions joined them,
+that the petition was signed by upwards of three thousand persons.
+
+[Footnote B: Dr. Rush has been better known since for his other literary
+works, such as his _Medical Dissertations_, his _Treatises on the
+Discipline of Schools_, _Criminal Law_, &c.]
+
+But in the next year, or in the year 1774[A], the increased good-will
+towards the Africans became so apparent, but more particularly in
+Pennsylvania, where the Quakers were more numerous than in any other
+state, that they, who considered themselves more immediately as the
+friends of these injured people, thought it right to avail themselves of
+it: and accordingly James Pemberton, one of the most conspicuous of the
+Quakers in Pennsylvania, and Dr. Rush, one of the most conspicuous of
+those belonging to the various other religious communities in that
+province, undertook, in conjunction with others, the important task of
+bringing those into a society who were friendly to this cause. In this
+undertaking they succeeded. And hence arose that union of the Quakers
+with others, to which I have been directing the attention of the reader,
+and by which the third class of forerunners and coadjutors becomes now
+complete. This society, which was confined to Pennsylvania, was the
+first ever formed in America, in which there was an union of persons of
+different religious denominations in behalf of the African race.
+
+[Footnote A: In this year, Elhanan Winchester, a supporter of the
+doctrine of universal redemption, turned the attention of many of his
+hearers to this subject, both by private interference, and by preaching
+expressly upon it.]
+
+But this society had scarcely begun to act, when the war broke out
+between England and America, which had the effect of checking its
+operations. This was considered as a severe blow upon it. But as those
+things which appear most to our disadvantage, turn out often the most to
+our benefit, so the war, by giving birth to the independence of America,
+was ultimately favourable to its progress. For as this contrast had
+produced during its continuance, so it left, when it was over, a general
+enthusiasm for liberty. Many talked of little else but of the freedom
+they had gained. These were naturally led to the consideration of those
+among them who were groaning in bondage. They began to feel for their
+hard case. They began to think that they should not deserve the new
+blessing which they had acquired if they denied it to others. Thus the
+discussions, which originated in this contest, became the occasion of
+turning the attention of many, who might not otherwise have thought of
+it, towards the miserable condition of the slaves.
+
+Nor were writers wanting, who, influenced by considerations on the war,
+and the independence resulting from it, made their works subservient to
+the same benevolent end. A work, entitled _A Serious Address to the
+Rulers of America on the Inconsistency of their Conduct respecting
+Slavery, forming a Contrast between the Encroachments of England on
+American Liberty and American Injustice in tolerating Slavery_; which
+appeared in 1783, was particularly instrumental in producing this
+effect. This excited a more than usual attention to the case of these
+oppressed people, and where most of all it could be useful; for the
+author compared in two opposite columns the animated speeches and
+resolutions of the members of congress in behalf of their own liberty
+with their conduct in continuing slavery to others. Hence the
+legislature began to feel the inconsistency of the practice; and so far
+had the sense of this inconsistency spread there, that when the
+delegates met from each state to consider of a federal union, there was
+a desire that the abolition of the Slave Trade should be one of the
+articles in it. This was, however, opposed by the delegates from North
+and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Georgia, the five states
+which had the greatest concern in slaves. But even these offered to
+agree to the article, provided a condition was annexed to it, (which was
+afterwards done,) that the power of such abolition should not commence
+in the legislature till the 1st of January, 1808.
+
+In consequence then of these different circumstances, the Society of
+Pennsylvania, the object of which was "for promoting the abolition of
+slavery and the relief of free negroes unlawfully held in bondage,"
+became so popular, that in the year 1787 it was thought desirable to
+enlarge it. Accordingly several new members were admitted into it. The
+celebrated Dr. Franklin, who had long warmly espoused the cause of the
+injured Africans, was appointed president; James Pemberton and Jonathan
+Penrose were appointed vice-presidents; Dr. Benjamin Rush and Tench
+Coxe, secretaries; James Star, treasurer; William Lewis, John D. Coxe,
+Miers Fisher, and William Rawle, counsellors; Thomas Harrison, Nathan
+Boys, James Whiteall, James Reed, John Todd, Thomas Armatt, Norris
+Jones, Samuel Richards, Francis Bayley, Andrew Carson, John Warner, and
+Jacob Shoemaker, junior, an electing committee; and Thomas Shields,
+Thomas Parker, John Oldden, William Zane, John Warner, and William
+McElhenny, an acting committee for carrying on the purposes of the
+institution.
+
+I shall now only observe further upon this subject, that as a society,
+consisting of an union of the Quakers, with others of other religious
+denominations, was established for Pennsylvania in behalf of the
+oppressed Africans; so different societies, consisting each of a similar
+union of persons, were established in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey,
+Delaware, Maryland, and other states for the same object, and that these
+afterwards held a correspondence and personal communion with each other
+for the promotion of it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+Observations on the three classes already introduced.--Coincidence of
+extraordinary circumstances.--Individuals in each of these classes,
+who seem to have had an education as it were to qualify them for
+promoting the cause of the abolition; Sharp and Ramsay in the first;
+Dillwyn in the second; Pemberton and Rush in the third.--These, with
+their respective classes, acted on motives of their own, and
+independently of each other; and yet, from circumstances neither
+foreseen nor known by them, they were in the way of being easily
+united in 1787.--William Dillwyn, the great medium of connexion
+between them all.
+
+
+If the reader will refer to his recollection, he will find that I have
+given the history of three of the classes of the forerunners and
+coadjutors in the great cause of the abolition of the Slave Trade up to
+the time proposed. He will of course expect that I should proceed with
+the history of the fourth. But, as I foresee that, by making certain
+observations upon the classes already introduced in the present, rather
+than in any future, place, I shall be able to give him clearer views on
+the subject, I shall postpone the history of the remaining class to the
+next chapter.
+
+The account which I shall now give, will exhibit a concurrence of
+extraordinary and important circumstances. It will show, first, that in
+each of the three classes now introduced, there were individuals, in the
+year 1787, who had been educated as it were for the purpose of becoming
+peculiarly qualified to act together for the promotion of the abolition
+of the Slave Trade. It will show, secondly, that these, with their
+respective classes, acted upon their own principles, distinctly and
+independently of each other. And lastly, that by means of circumstances,
+which they themselves had neither foreseen nor contrived, a junction
+between them was rendered easily practicable, and that it was beginning
+to take place at the period assigned.
+
+The first class of forerunners and coadjutors consisted principally, as
+it has appeared, of persons in England of various descriptions. These, I
+may observe, had no communication with each other as to any plan for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. There were two individuals, however, among
+them who were more conspicuous than the rest, namely, Granville Sharp,
+the first labourer, and Mr. Ramsay, the first controversial writer, in
+the cause.
+
+That Granville Sharp received an education as if to become qualified to
+unite with others, in the year 1787, for this important object, must
+have, appeared from the history of his labours, as detailed in several
+of the preceding pages. The same may be said of Mr. Ramsay; for it has
+already appeared that he lived in the island of St. Christopher, where
+he made his observations, and studied the laws, relative to the
+treatment of slaves, for nineteen years.
+
+That Granville Sharp acted on grounds distinct from those in any of the
+other classes is certain. For he knew nothing at this time either of the
+Quakers in England or of those in America, any more than that they
+existed by name. Had it not been for the case of Jonathan Strong, he
+might never have attached himself to the cause. A similar account may be
+given of Mr. Ramsay; for, if it had not been for what he had seen in the
+island of St. Christopher, he had never embarked in it. It was from
+scenes, which he had witnessed there, that he began to feel on the
+subject. These feelings he communicated to others on his return to
+England, and these urged him into action.
+
+With respect to the second class, the reader will recollect that it
+consisted of the Quakers in England: first, of George Fox; then of the
+Quakers as a body; then of individuals belonging to that body, who
+formed themselves into a committee, independently of it, for the
+promotion of the object in question. This committee, it may he
+remembered, consisted of six persons, of whom one was William Dillwyn.
+
+That William Dillwyn became fitted for the station, which he was
+afterwards to take, will be seen shortly. He was born in America, and
+was a pupil of the venerable Benezet, who took pains very early to
+interest his feelings on this great subject. Benezet employed him
+occasionally, I mean in a friendly manner, as his amanuensis, to copy
+his manuscripts for publication, as well as several of his letters
+written in behalf of the cause. This gave his scholar an insight into
+the subject; who, living besides in the land where both the Slave Trade
+and slavery were established, obtained an additional knowledge of them,
+so as to be able to refute many of those objections, to which others,
+for want of local observation, could never have replied.
+
+In the year 1772, Anthony Benezet introduced William Dillwyn by letter
+to several of the principal people of Carolina, with whom he had himself
+corresponded on the sufferings of the poor Africans, and desired him to
+have interviews with them on the subject. He charged him also to be very
+particular in making observations as to what he should see there. This
+journey was of great use to the latter, in fixing him as the friend of
+these oppressed people; for he saw so much of their cruel treatment in
+the course of it, that he felt an anxiety ever afterwards, amounting to
+a duty, to do every thing in his power for their relief.
+
+In the year 1773, William Dillwyn, in conjunction with Richard Smith and
+Daniel Wells, two of his own society, wrote a pamphlet in answer to
+arguments then prevailing, that the manumission of slaves would be
+injurious. This pamphlet--which was entitled, _Brief Considerations on
+Slavery, and the Expediency of its Abolition; with some Hints on the
+Means whereby it may be gradually effected_,--proved that in lieu of the
+usual security required, certain sums paid at the several periods of
+manumission would amply secure the public, as well as the owners of the
+slaves, from any future burdens. In the same year also, when the
+society, joined by several hundreds of others in New Jersey, presented a
+petition to the legislature, (as mentioned in the former chapter,) to
+obtain an act of assembly for the more equitable manumission of slaves
+in that province, William Dillwyn was one of a deputation, which was
+heard at the bar of the assembly for that purpose.
+
+In 1774, he came to England, but his attention was still kept alive to
+the subject; for he was the person by whom Anthony Benezet sent his
+letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, as before related. He was also the
+person to whom the same venerable defender of the African race sent his
+letter, before spoken of, to be forwarded to the Queen.
+
+That William Dillwyn, and those of his own class in England, acted upon
+motives very distinct from those of the former class, may be said with
+truth; for they acted upon the constitutional principles of their own
+society, as incorporated into its discipline: which principles would
+always have incited them to the subversion of slavery, as far as they
+themselves were concerned, whether any other person had abolished it or
+not. To which it may be added, as a further proof of the originality of
+their motives, that the Quakers have had, ever since their institution
+as a religious body, but little intercourse with the world.
+
+The third class, to which I now come, consisted, as we have seen, first
+of the Quakers in America; and secondly, of an union, of these with
+others on the same continent. The principal individuals concerned in
+this union were James Pemberton and Dr. Rush. The former of these,
+having taken an active part in several of the yearly meetings of his own
+society relative to the oppressed Africans, and having been in habits of
+intimacy and friendship with John Woolman and Anthony Benezet, with the
+result of whose labours he was acquainted, may be supposed to have
+become qualified to take a leading station in the promotion of their
+cause. Dr. Rush also had shown himself, as has appeared, an able
+advocate, and had even sustained a controversy in their favour. That the
+two last mentioned acted also on motives of their own, or independently
+of those belonging to the other two classes, when they formed their
+association in Pennsylvania, will be obvious from these circumstances;
+first, that most of those of the first class, who contributed to throw
+the greatest light and odium upon the Slave Trade, had not then made
+their public appearance in the world. And, with respect to the second
+class, the little committee belonging to it had neither been formed nor
+thought of.
+
+And as the individuals in each of the three classes, who have now been
+mentioned, had an education as it were to qualify them for acting
+together in this great cause, and had moved independently of each other;
+so it will appear that, by means of circumstances, which they themselves
+had neither foreseen nor contrived, a junction between them was rendered
+easily practicable, and that it was beginning to take place at the
+period assigned.
+
+To show this, I must first remind the reader, that Anthony Benezet, as
+soon as he heard of the result of the case of Somerset, opened a
+correspondence with Granville Sharp, which was kept up to the
+encouragement of both. In the year 1774, when he learned that William
+Dillwyn was going to England, he gave him letters to that gentleman.
+Thus one of the most conspicuous of the second class was introduced,
+accidentally as it were, to one of the most conspicuous of the first. In
+the year 1775, William Dillwyn went back to America, but, on his return
+to England to settle, he renewed his visits to Granville Sharp. Thus the
+connexion was continued. To these observations I may now add, that
+Samuel Hoare, of the same class as William Dillwyn, had, in consequence
+of the Bishop of Chester's sermon, begun a correspondence in 1784, as
+before mentioned, with Mr. Ramsay, who was of the same class as Mr.
+Sharp. Thus four individuals of the two first classes were in the way of
+an union with one another.
+
+But circumstances equally natural contributed to render an union between
+the members of the second and the third classes easily practicable also.
+For what was more natural than that William Dillwyn, who was born and
+who had resided long in America, should have connexions there? He had
+long cultivated a friendship (not then knowing to what it would lead)
+with James Pemberton. His intimacy with him was like that of a family
+connexion. They corresponded together; they corresponded also as kindred
+hearts, relative to the Slave Trade. Thus two members of the second and
+third classes had opened an intercourse on the subject and thus was
+William Dillwyn the great medium, through whom the members of the two
+classes now mentioned, as well as the members of all the three, might be
+easily united also, if a fit occasion should offer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+Fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors up to 1787.--Dr.
+Peckard, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, the first of
+these; gives out the Slave Trade as the subject for one of the annual
+prizes.--Author writes and obtains the first of these; reads his
+Dissertation in the Senate-house in the summer of 1785; his feelings on
+the subject during his return home; is desirous of aiding the cause of
+the Africans, but sees great difficulties; determines to publish his
+prize essay for this purpose; is accidentally thrown into the way of
+James Phillips, who introduces him to W. Dillwyn, the connecting medium
+of the three classes before mentioned; and to G. Sharp and Mr. Ramsay,
+and to R. Phillips.
+
+
+I proceed now to the fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors up to
+the year 1787 in the great cause of the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+The first of these was Dr. Peckard. This gentleman had distinguished
+himself in the earlier part of his life by certain publications on the
+intermediate state of the soul, and by others in favour of civil and
+religious liberty. To the latter cause he was a warm friend, seldom
+omitting any opportunity of declaring his sentiments in its favour. In
+the course of his preferment he was appointed by Sir John Griffin,
+afterwards Lord Howard of Walden, to the mastership of Magdalen College
+in the University of Cambridge. In this high office he considered it to
+be his duty to support those doctrines which he had espoused when in an
+inferior station; and accordingly, when in the year 1784 it devolved
+upon him to preach a sermon, before the University of Cambridge, he
+chose his favourite subject: in the handling of which he took an
+opportunity of speaking of the Slave Trade in the following nervous
+manner:--
+
+
+    "Now, whether we consider the crime with respect to the
+    individuals concerned in this most barbarous and cruel traffic,
+    or whether we consider it as patronized and encouraged by the
+    laws of the land, it presents to our view an equal degree of
+    enormity. A crime, founded on a dreadful pre-eminence in
+    wickedness--a crime, which being both of individuals and the
+    nation, must sometime draw down upon us the heaviest judgment of
+    Almighty God, who made of one blood all the sons of men, and who
+    gave to all equally a natural right to liberty; and who, ruling
+    all the kingdoms of the earth with equal providential justice,
+    cannot suffer such deliberate, such monstrous iniquity, to pass
+    long unpunished."
+
+
+But Dr. Peckard did not consider this delivery of his testimony, though
+it was given before a learned and religious body, as a sufficient
+discharge of his duty, while any opportunity remained of renewing it
+with effect. And, as such an one offered in the year 1785, when he was
+vice-chancellor of the University, he embraced it. In consequence of his
+office, it devolved upon him to give out two subjects for Latin
+dissertations, one to the middle bachelors, and the other to the senior
+bachelors of arts. They who produced the best were to obtain the prizes.
+To the latter he proposed the following: _Anne liceat Invitos in
+Servitutem dare?_ or, _Is it right to make slaves of others against
+their will?_
+
+This circumstance of giving out subjects for the prizes, though only an
+ordinary measure, became the occasion of my own labours, or of the real
+honour which I feel in being able to consider myself as the next
+coadjutor of this class in the cause of the injured Africans. For it
+happened in this year that, being of the order of senior bachelors, I
+became qualified to write. I had gained a prize for the best Latin
+dissertation in the former year, and, therefore, it was expected that I
+should obtain one in the present, or I should be considered as having
+lost my reputation both in the eyes of the University and of my own
+College. It had happened also, that I had been honoured with the first
+of the prizes[A], in that year, and therefore it was expected again,
+that I should obtain the first on this occasion. The acquisition of the
+second, however honourable, would have been considered as a falling off,
+or as a loss of former fame. I felt myself, therefore, particularly
+called upon to maintain my post. And, with feelings of this kind, I
+began to prepare myself for the question.
+
+[Footnote A: There are two prizes on each subject, one for the best and
+the other for the second-best essays.]
+
+In studying the thesis, I conceived it to point directly to the African
+Slave Trade, and more particularly as I knew that Dr. Peckard, in the
+sermon which I have mentioned, had pronounced so warmly against it. At
+any rate, I determined to give it this construction. But, alas! I was
+wholly ignorant of this subject; and, what was unfortunate, a few weeks
+only were allowed for the composition. I was determined, however, to
+make the best use of my time. I got access to the manuscript papers of a
+deceased friend, who had been in the trade. I was acquainted also with
+several officers who had been in the West Indies, and from these I
+gained something. But I still felt myself at a loss for materials, and I
+did not know where to get them; when going by accident into a friend's
+house, I took up a newspaper then lying on his table. One of the
+articles which attracted my notice, was an advertisement of ANTHONY
+BENEZET'S _Historical Account of Guinea_. I soon left my friend and his
+paper, and, to lose no time, hastened to London to buy it. In this
+precious book I found almost all I wanted. I obtained, by means of it, a
+knowledge of, and access to, the great authorities of Adanson, Moore,
+Barbot, Smith, Bosman, and others. It was of great consequence to know
+what these persons had said upon this subject. For, having been
+themselves either long resident in Africa, or very frequently there,
+their knowledge of it could not be questioned. Having been concerned
+also in the trade, it was not likely that they would criminate
+themselves more than they could avoid. Writing too at a time when the
+abolition was not even thought of, they could not have been biassed with
+any view to that event. And, lastly, having been dead many years, they
+could not have been influenced, as living evidences may be supposed to
+have been, either to conceal or exaggerate, as their own interest might
+lead them, either by being concerned in the continuance of the trade, or
+by supporting the opinions of those of their patrons in power, who were
+on the different sides of this question.
+
+Furnished then in this manner, I began my work. But no person can tell
+the severe trial which the writing of it proved to me. I had expected
+pleasure from the invention of the arguments, from the arrangement of
+them, from the putting of them together, and from the thought in the
+interim that I was engaged in an innocent contest for literary honour.
+But, all my pleasure was damped by the facts which were now continually
+before me. It was but one gloomy subject from morning to night. In the
+day-time I was uneasy. In the night I had little rest. I sometimes never
+closed my eye-lids for grief. It became now not so much a trial for
+academical reputation, as for the production of a work, which might be
+useful to injured Africa. And keeping this idea in my mind ever after
+the perusal of Benezet, I always slept with a candle in my room, that I
+might rise out of my bed and put down such thoughts as might occur to me
+in the night, if I judged them valuable, conceiving that no arguments of
+any moment should be lost in so great a cause. Having at length finished
+this painful task, I sent my Essay to the vice-chancellor, and soon
+afterwards found myself honoured as before with the first prize.
+
+As it is usual to read these Essays publicly in the senate-house soon
+after the prize is adjudged, I was called to Cambridge for this purpose.
+I went and performed my office. On returning however to London, the
+subject of it almost wholly engrossed my thoughts. I became at times
+very seriously affected while upon the road. I stopped my horse
+occasionally, and dismounted and walked. I frequently tried to persuade
+myself in these intervals that the contents of my Essay could not be
+true. The more, however, I reflected upon them, or rather upon the
+authorities on which they were founded, the more I gave them credit.
+Coming in sight of Wades Mill, in Hertfordshire, I sat down disconsolate
+on the turf by the roadside and held my horse. Here a thought came into
+my mind, that if the contents of the Essay were true, it was time some
+person should see these calamities to their end. Agitated in this
+manner, I reached home. This was in the summer of 1785.
+
+In the course of the autumn of the same year I experienced similar
+impressions. I walked frequently into the woods, that I might think on
+the subject in solitude, and find relief to my mind there. But there the
+question still recurred, "Are these things true?" Still the answer
+followed as instantaneously "They are." Still the result accompanied it,
+"Then surely some person should interfere." I then began to envy those
+who had seats in parliament, and who had great riches, and widely
+extended connexions, which would enable them to take up this cause.
+Finding scarcely any one at that time who thought of it, I was turned
+frequently to myself. But here many difficulties arose. It struck me,
+among others, that a young man of only twenty-four years of age could
+not have that solid judgment or knowledge of men, manners, and things,
+which were requisite to qualify him to undertake a task of such
+magnitude and importance;--and with whom was I to unite? I believed
+also, that it looked so much like one of the feigned labours of
+Hercules, that my understanding would be suspected if I proposed it. On
+ruminating, however, on the subject, I found one thing at least
+practicable, and that this also was in my power. I could translate my
+Latin dissertation. I could enlarge it usefully. I could see how the
+public received it, or how far they were likely to favour any serious
+measures, which should have a tendency to produce the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. Upon this then I determined; and in the middle of the month
+of November 1785, I began my work.
+
+By the middle of January, I had finished half of it, though I had made
+considerable additions. I now thought of engaging with some bookseller
+to print it when finished. For this purpose I called upon Mr. Cadell, in
+the Strand, and consulted him about it. He said that as the original
+essay had been honoured by the University of Cambridge with the first
+prize, this circumstance would insure it a respectable circulation among
+persons of taste. I own I was not much pleased with his opinion. I
+wished the essay to find its way among useful people, and among such as
+would act and think with me. Accordingly I left Mr. Cadell, after having
+thanked him for his civility, and determined, as I thought I had time
+sufficient before dinner, to call upon a friend in the city. In going
+past the Royal Exchange, Mr. Joseph Hancock, one of the religious
+society of the Quakers, and with whose family my own had been long
+united in friendship, suddenly met me. He first accosted me by saying
+that I was the person whom he was wishing to see. He then asked me why I
+had not published my prize essay. I asked him in return what had made
+him think of that subject in particular. He replied that his own society
+had long taken it up as a religious body, and individuals among them
+were wishing to find me out. I asked him who. He answered, James
+Phillips, a bookseller, in Georgeyard, Lombard-street, and William
+Dillwyn, of Walthamstow, and others. Having but little time to spare, I
+desired him to introduce me to one of them. In a few minutes he took me
+to James Phillips, who was then the only one of them in town; by whose
+conversation I was so much interested and encouraged, that without any
+further hesitation I offered him the publication of my work. This
+accidental introduction of me to James Phillips was, I found afterwards,
+a most happy circumstance for the promotion of the cause which I had
+then so deeply at heart, as it led me to the knowledge of several of
+those, who became afterwards material coadjutors in it. It was also of
+great importance to me with respect to the work itself: for he possessed
+an acute penetration, a solid judgment, and a literary knowledge, which
+he proved by the many alterations and additions he proposed; and which I
+believe I uniformly adopted, after mature consideration, from a sense of
+their real value. It was advantageous to me also, inasmuch as it led me
+to his friendship, which was never interrupted but by his death.
+
+On my second visit to James Phillips, at which time I brought him about
+half my manuscript for the press, I desired him to introduce me to
+William Dillwyn, as he also had mentioned him to me on my first visit,
+and as I had not seen Mr. Hancock since. Matters were accordingly
+arranged, and a day appointed before I left him. On this day I had my
+first interview with my new friend. Two or three others of his own
+religious society were present, but who they were, I do not now
+recollect. There seemed to be a great desire among them to know the
+motive, by which I had been actuated in contending for the prize. I told
+them frankly that I had no motive but that which, other young men in the
+University had on such occasions; namely, the wish of being
+distinguished, or of obtaining literary honour; but that I had felt so
+deeply on the subject of it, that I had lately interested myself in it
+from a motive of duty. My conduct seemed to be highly approved by those
+present, and much conversation ensued, but it was of a general nature.
+
+As William Dillwyn wished very much to see me at his house at
+Walthamstow, I appointed the 13th of March to spend the day with them
+there. We talked for the most part, during my stay, on the subject of my
+essay. I soon discovered the treasure I had met with in his local
+knowledge, both of the Slave Trade and of slavery, as they existed in
+the United States; and I gained from him several facts, which, with his
+permission, I afterwards inserted in my work. But how surprised was I to
+hear, in the course of our conversation, of the labours of Granville
+Sharp, of the writings of Ramsay, and of the controversy in which the
+latter was engaged, of all which I had hitherto known nothing! How
+surprised was I to learn that William Dillwyn himself had, two years
+before, associated himself with five others for the purpose of
+enlightening the public mind upon this great subject! How astonished was
+I to find that a society had been formed in America for the same object,
+with some of the principal members of which he was intimately
+acquainted! And how still more astonished at the inference which
+instantly rushed upon my mind, that he was capable of being made the
+great medium of connexion between them all. These thoughts almost
+overpowered me. I believe that after this I talked but little more to my
+friend. My mind was overwhelmed with the thought that I had been
+providentially directed to his house; that the finger of Providence was
+beginning to be discernible; that the day-star of African liberty was
+rising, and that probably I might be permitted to become an humble
+instrument in promoting it.
+
+In the course of attending to my work, as now in the press, James
+Phillips introduced me also to Granville Sharp, with whom I had
+afterwards many interesting interviews from time to time, and whom I
+discovered to be a distant relation by my father's side.
+
+He introduced me also by letter to a correspondence with Mr. Ramsay, who
+in a short time afterwards came to London to see me.
+
+He introduced me also to his cousin, Richard Phillips, of Lincoln's Inn,
+who was at that time, on the point of joining the religious society of
+Quakers. In him I found much sympathy, and a willingness to co-operate
+with me. When dull and disconsolate, he encouraged me. When in spirits,
+he stimulated me further. Him I am now to mention as a new, but soon
+afterwards as an active and indefatigable, coadjutor in the cause. But I
+shall say more concerning him in a future chapter. I shall only now add
+that my work was at length printed; that it was entitled _An Essay on
+the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, particularly the African,
+translated from a Latin Dissertation, which was honoured with the first
+Prize in the University of Cambridge, for the year 1785; with
+Additions_; and that it was ushered into the world in the month of June,
+1786, or in about a year after it had been read in the Senate-house in
+its first form.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+Continuation of the fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors up to
+1787; Bennet Langton; Dr. Baker; Lord and Lady Scarsdale.--Author
+visits Ramsay at Teston.--Lady Middleton and Sir Charles (afterward
+Lord Barham).--Author declares himself at the house of the latter
+ready now to devote himself to the cause; reconsiders this declaration
+or pledge; his reasoning and struggle upon it; persists in it; returns
+to London; and pursues the work as now a business of his life.
+
+
+I had purposed, as I said before, when I determined to publish my essay,
+to wait to see how the world would receive it, or what disposition there
+would be in the public to favour my measures for the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. But the conversation which I had held on the 13th of March
+with William Dillwyn, continued to make such an impression upon me, that
+I thought now there could be no occasion for waiting for such a purpose.
+It seemed now only necessary to go forward. Others I found had already
+begun the work. I had been thrown suddenly among these, as into a new
+world of friends. I believed, also, that a way was opening under
+Providence for support; and I now thought that nothing remained for me
+but to procure as many coadjutors as I could.
+
+I had long had the honour of the friendship of Mr. Bennet Langton, and I
+determined to carry him one of my books, and to interest his feelings in
+it, with a view of procuring his assistance in the cause. Mr. Langton
+was a gentleman of an ancient family and respectable fortune in
+Lincolnshire, but resided then in Queen Square, Westminster. He was
+known as the friend of Dr. Johnson, Jonas Hanway, Edmund Burke, Sir
+Joshua Reynolds, and others. Among his acquaintance, indeed, were most
+of the literary, and eminent professional, and public-spirited men of
+the times. At court, also, he was well known, and had the esteem of his
+majesty (George III.), with whom he frequently conversed. His friends
+were numerous also, in both houses of the legislature. As to himself, he
+was much noted for his learning, but most of all for the great example
+he gave, with respect to the usefulness and integrity of his life.
+
+By introducing my work to the sanction of a friend of such high
+character and extensive connexions, I thought I should be doing great
+things. And so the event proved. For when I went to him after he had
+read it, I found that it had made a deep impression upon his mind. As a
+friend to humanity, he lamented over the miseries of the oppressed
+Africans; and over the crimes of their tyrants, as a friend to morality
+and religion. He cautioned me, however, against being too sanguine in my
+expectations, as so many thousands were interested in continuing the
+trade. Justice, however, which he said weighed with him beyond all
+private or political interest, demanded a public inquiry, and he would
+assist me to the utmost of his power in my attempts towards it. From
+this time he became a zealous and active coadjutor in the cause, and
+continued so to the end of his valuable life.
+
+The next person, to whom I gave my work with a like view, was Dr. Baker,
+a clergyman of the Establishment, and with whom I had been in habits of
+intimacy for some time. Dr. Baker was a learned and pious man. He had
+performed the duties of his profession, from the time of his initiation
+into the church, in an exemplary manner; not only by paying a proper
+attention to the customary services, but by the frequent visitation of
+the sick and the instruction of the poor. This he had done, too, to
+admiration in a particularly extensive parish. At the time I knew him,
+he had May-Fair Chapel, of which an unusual portion of the congregation
+consisted then of persons of rank and fortune. With most of these he had
+a personal acquaintance. This was of great importance to me in the
+promotion of my views.  Having left him my book for a month, I called
+upon him. The result was that which I expected from so good a man. He,
+did not wait for me to ask him for his co-operation, but he offered his
+services in any way which I might think most eligible; feeling it his
+duty, as he expressed it, to become an instrument in exposing such a
+complication of guilt and misery to the world. Dr. Baker became from
+this time an active coadjutor also, and continued so to his death.
+
+The person to whom I sent my work next, was the late Lord Scarsdale,
+whose family I had known for about two years. Both he and his lady read
+it with attention. They informed me, after the perusal of it, that both
+of them were desirous of assisting me in promoting the cause of the poor
+Africans. Lady Scarsdale lamented that she might possibly offend near
+and dear connexions, who had interests in, the West Indies, by so doing;
+but that, conscious of no intention to offend these, and considering the
+duties of religion to be the first to be attended to, she should be
+pleased to become useful in so good a cause. Lord Scarsdale also assured
+me, that, if the subject should ever come before the House of Lords, it
+should have his constant support.
+
+While attempting to make friends in this manner, I received a letter
+from Mr. Ramsay, with an invitation to spend a month at his house at
+Teston, near Maidstone, in Kent. This I accepted, that I might
+communicate to him the progress I had made, that I might gain more
+knowledge from him on the subject, and that I might acquire new strength
+and encouragement to proceed. On hearing my account of my proceedings,
+which I detailed to him on the first evening of our meeting, he seemed
+almost overpowered with joy. He said he had been long of opinion that
+the release of the Africans from the scourges of this cruel trade was
+within the determined views of Providence, and that by turning the
+public attention to their misery, we should be the instruments of
+beginning the good work. He then informed me how long he himself had had
+their cause at heart; that communicating his feelings to Sir Charles
+Middleton (afterwards Lord Barham) and his lady, the latter had urged
+him to undertake a work in their behalf; that her importunities were
+great respecting it; and that he had on this account, and in obedience
+also to his own feelings, as has been before mentioned, begun it; but
+that, foreseeing the censure and abuse which such a subject, treated in
+any possible manner, must bring upon the author, he had laid it aside
+for some time. He had, however, resumed it at the solicitation of Dr.
+Porteus, then Bishop of Chester; after which, in the year 1784, it made
+its appearance in the world.
+
+I was delighted with this account on the first evening of my arrival;
+but more particularly, as I collected from it that I might expect in the
+Bishop of Chester and Sir Charles Middleton two new friends to the
+cause. This expectation was afterwards fully realized, as the reader
+will see in its proper place. But I was still more delighted, when I was
+informed that Sir Charles and Lady Middleton, with Mrs. Bouverie, lived
+at Teston Hall, in a park which was but a few yards from the house in
+which I then was. In the morning I desired an introduction to them,
+which accordingly took place, and I found myself much encouraged and
+supported by this visit.
+
+It is not necessary, nor indeed is there room, to detail my employments
+in this village, or the lonely walks I took there, or the meditations of
+my mind at such seasons. I will therefore come at once to a particular
+occurrence. When at dinner one day with the family at Teston Hall, I was
+much pleased with the turn which the conversation had taken on the
+subject, and in the joy of my heart I exclaimed, that "I was ready to
+devote myself to the cause." This brought great commendation from those
+present; and Sir Charles Middleton added, that if I wanted any
+information in the course of my future inquiries relative to Africa,
+which he could procure me as comptroller of the navy, such as extracts
+from the journals of the ships of war to that continent, or from other
+papers, I should have free access to his office. This offer I received
+with thankfulness, and it operated as a new encouragement to me to
+proceed.
+
+The next morning, when I awoke, one of the first things that struck me
+was, that I had given a pledge to the company the day before that I
+would devote myself to the cause of the oppressed Africans. I became a
+little uneasy at this. I questioned whether I had considered matters
+sufficiently to be able to go so far with propriety. I determined
+therefore to give the subject a full consideration, and accordingly I
+walked to the place of my usual meditations,--the woods.
+
+Having now reached a place of solitude, I began to balance everything on
+both sides of the question. I considered first, that I had not yet
+obtained information sufficient on the subject to qualify me for the
+undertaking of such a work. But I reflected, on the other hand, that Sir
+Charles Middleton had just opened to me a new source of knowledge; that
+I should be backed by the local information of Dillwyn and Ramsay; and
+that surely, by taking pains, I could acquire more.
+
+I then considered that I had not yet a sufficient number of friends to
+support me. This occasioned me to review them. I had now Sir Charles
+Middleton, who was in the House of Commons. I was sure of Dr. Porteus,
+who was in the House of Lords. I could count upon Lord Scarsdale, who
+was a peer also. I had secured Mr. Langton, who had a most extensive
+acquaintance with members of both houses of the legislature. I had also
+secured Dr. Baker, who had similar connexions. I could depend upon
+Granville Sharp, James Phillips, Richard Phillips, Ramsay, Dillwyn, and
+the little committee to which he belonged, as well as the whole society
+of the Quakers. I thought, therefore, upon the whole, that, considering
+the short time I had been at work, I was well off with respect to
+support. I believed, also, that there were still several of my own
+acquaintance whom I could interest in the question, and I did not doubt
+that, by exerting myself diligently, persons, who were then strangers to
+me, would be raised up in time.
+
+I considered next, that it was impossible for a great cause like this to
+be forwarded without large pecuniary funds. I questioned whether some
+thousand pounds would not be necessary, and from whence was such a sum
+to come! In answer to this, I persuaded myself that generous people
+would be found who would unite with me in contributing their mite
+towards the undertaking, and I seemed confident that, as the Quakers had
+taken up the cause as a religious body, they would not be behind-hand in
+supporting it.
+
+I considered lastly, that if I took up the question, I must devote
+myself wholly to it. I was sensible that a little labour now and then
+would be inadequate to the purpose, or that, where the interests of so
+many thousand persons were likely to be affected, constant exertion
+would be necessary. I felt certain that if ever the matter were to be
+taken up, there could be no hope of success, except it should be taken
+up by some one who would make it an object or business of his life. I
+thought too that a man's life might not be more than adequate to the
+accomplishment of the end. But I knew of no one who could devote such a
+portion of time to it. Sir Charles Middleton, though he was so warm and
+zealous, was greatly occupied in the discharge of his office. Mr.
+Langton spent a great portion of his time in the education of his
+children. Dr. Baker had a great deal to do in the performance of his
+parochial duty. The Quakers were almost all of them in trade. I could
+look therefore to no person but myself; and the question was, whether I
+was prepared to make the sacrifice. In favour of the undertaking, I
+urged to myself, that never was any cause, which had been taken up by
+man in any country or in any age, so great and important; that never was
+there one in which so much misery was heard to cry for redress; that
+never was there one in which so much good could be done; never one in
+which the duty of Christian charity could be so extensively exercised;
+never one more worthy of the devotion of a whole life towards it; and
+that, if a man thought properly, he ought to rejoice to have been called
+into existence, if he were only permitted to become an instrument in
+forwarding it in any part of its progress. Against these sentiments, on
+the other hand, I had to urge, that I had been designed for the church;
+that I had already advanced as far as deacon's orders in it; that my
+prospects there on account of my connexions were then brilliant, that,
+by appearing to desert my profession, my family would be dissatisfied,
+if not unhappy. These thoughts pressed upon me, and rendered the
+conflict difficult. But the sacrifice of my prospects staggered me, I
+own, the most. When the other objections, which I have related, occurred
+to me, my enthusiasm instantly, like a flash of lightning, consumed
+them; but this stuck to me, and troubled me. I had ambition. I had a
+thirst after worldly interest and honours, and I could not extinguish it
+at once. I was more than two hours in solitude under this painful
+conflict. At length I yielded, not because I saw any reasonable prospect
+of success in my new undertaking (for all cool-headed and cool-hearted
+men would have pronounced against it), but in obedience, I believe, to a
+higher Power. And I can say, that both on the moment of this resolution,
+and for some time afterwards, I had more sublime and happy feelings than
+at any former period of my life.
+
+Having now made up my mind on the subject, I informed Mr. Ramsay, that
+in a few days I should be leaving Teston, that I might begin my labours,
+according to the pledge I had given him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+Continuation of the fourth Class of forerunners and coadjutors Up to
+1787.--Author resolves upon the distribution of his book.--Mr.
+Sheldon; Sir Herbert Mackworth; Lord Newhaven; Lord Balgonie
+(afterwards Leven); Lord Hawke; Bishop Porteus.--Author visits African
+vessels in the Thames; and various persons, for further
+information.--Visits also Members of Parliament; Sir Richard Hill; Mr.
+Powys (late Lord Lilford); Mr. Wilberforce and others; conduct of the
+latter on this occasion.
+
+
+On my return to London, I called upon William Dillwyn, to inform him of
+the resolution I had made at Teston, and found him at his town lodgings
+in the Poultry. I informed him also, that I had a letter of introduction
+in my pocket from Sir Charles Middleton to Samuel Hoare, with whom I was
+to converse on the subject. The latter gentleman had interested himself
+the year before as one of the committee for the Black poor in London,
+whom Mr. Sharp was sending under the auspices of government to Sierra
+Leone. He was also, as the reader may see by looking back, a member of
+the second class of coadjutors, or of the little committee which had
+branched out of the Quakers in England as before described. William
+Dillwyn said he would go with me and introduce me himself. On our
+arrival in Lombard-street, I saw my new friend, with whom we conversed
+for some time. From thence I proceeded, accompanied by both, to the
+house of James Phillips in George-yard, to whom I was desirous of
+communicating my resolution also. We found him at home, conversing with
+a friend of the same religious society, whose name was Joseph Gurney
+Bevan. I then repeated my resolution before them all. We had much
+friendly and satisfactory conversation together. I received much
+encouragement on every side, and I fixed to meet them again at the place
+where we then were in three days.
+
+On the evening of the same day, I waited upon Granville Sharp to make
+the same communication to him. He received it with great pleasure, and
+he hoped I should have strength to proceed. From thence I went to the
+Baptist-head coffee-house, in Chancery-lane, and having engaged with the
+master of the house that I should always have one private room to myself
+when I wanted it, I took up my abode there, in order to be near my
+friend Richard Phillips of Lincoln's Inn, from whose advice and
+assistance I had formed considerable expectations.
+
+The first matter for our deliberation, after we had thus become
+neighbours, was, what plan I ought to pursue to give effect to the
+resolution I had taken.
+
+After having discussed the matter two or three times at his chambers, it
+seemed to be our opinion, that, as members of the legislature could do
+more to the purpose in this question, than any other persons, it would
+be proper to circulate all the remaining copies of my work among these,
+in order that they might thus obtain information upon the subject.
+Secondly, that it would be proper that I should wait personally upon
+several of these also. And thirdly, that I should be endeavouring in the
+interim to enlarge my own knowledge, that I might thus be enabled to
+answer the various objections which might be advanced on the other side
+of the question, as well as become qualified to be a manager of the
+cause.
+
+On the third day, or at the time appointed, I went with Richard Phillips
+to George-yard, Lombard-street, where I met all my friends as before. I
+communicated to them the opinion we had formed at Lincoln's Inn,
+relative to my future proceedings in the three different branches as now
+detailed. They approved the plan. On desiring a number of my books to be
+sent to me at my new lodgings for the purpose of distribution, Joseph
+Gurney Bevan, who was stated to have been present at the former
+interview, seemed uneasy, and at length asked me if I was going to
+distribute these at my own expense. I replied, I was. He appealed
+immediately to those present whether it ought to be allowed. He asked
+whether, when a young man was giving up his time from morning till
+night, they who applauded his pursuit and seemed desirous of
+co-operating with him, should allow him to make such a sacrifice, or
+whether they should not at least secure him from loss; and he proposed
+directly that the remaining part of the edition should be taken off by
+subscription, and, in order that my feelings might not be hurt from any
+supposed stain arising from the thought of gaining any thing by such a
+proposal, they should be paid for only at the prime cost. I felt myself
+much obliged to him for this tender consideration about me, and
+particularly for the latter part of it, under which alone I accepted the
+offer. Samuel Hoare was charged with the management of the subscription,
+and the books were to be distributed as I had proposed, and in any way
+which I myself might prescribe.
+
+This matter having been determined upon, my first care was that the
+books should be put into proper hands. Accordingly I went round among my
+friends from day to day, wishing to secure this before I attended to any
+of the other objects. In this I was much assisted by my friend Richard
+Phillips. Mr. Langton began the distribution of them. He made a point
+either of writing to or of calling upon those to whom he sent them. Dr.
+Baker took the charge of several for the same purpose; Lord and Lady
+Scarsdale of others; Sir Charles and Lady Middleton of others. Mr.
+Sheldon, at the request of Richard Phillips, introduced me by letter to
+several members of parliament, to whom I wished to deliver them myself.
+Sir Herbert Mackworth, when spoken to by the latter, offered his
+services also. He seemed to be particularly interested in the cause. He
+went about to many of his friends in the House of Commons, and this from
+day to day, to procure their favour towards it. Lord Newhaven was
+applied to, and distributed some. Lord Balgonie took a similar charge.
+The late Lord Hawke, who told me that he had long felt for the
+sufferings of the injured Africans, desired to be permitted to take his
+share of the distribution among members of the House of Lords, and Dr.
+Porteus, now Bishop of London, became another coadjutor in the same
+work.
+
+This distribution of my books having been consigned to proper hands, I
+began to qualify myself, by obtaining further knowledge, for the
+management of this great cause. As I had obtained the principal part of
+it from reading, I thought I ought now to see what could be seen, and to
+know from living persons what could be known on the subject.  With
+respect to the first of these points, the river Thames presented itself
+as at hand. Ships were going occasionally from the port of London to
+Africa, and why could I not get on board them and examine for myself?
+After diligent inquiry, I heard of one which had just arrived. I found
+her to be a little wood-vessel, called the Lively, Captain Williamson,
+or one which traded to Africa in the natural productions of the country,
+such as ivory, bees'-wax, Malaguetta pepper, palm-oil, and dye-woods. I
+obtained specimens of some of these, so that I now became possessed of
+some of those things of which I had only read before. On conversing with
+the mate, he showed me one or two pieces of the cloth made by the
+natives, and from their own cotton. I prevailed upon him to sell me a
+piece of each. Here new feelings arose, and particularly when I
+considered that persons of so much apparent ingenuity, and capable of
+such beautiful work as the Africans, should be made slaves, and reduced
+to a level with the brute creation. My reflections here on the better
+use which might be made of Africa by the substitution of another trade,
+and on the better use which might be made of her inhabitants, served
+greatly to animate and to sustain me amidst the labour of my pursuits.
+
+The next vessel I boarded was the Fly, Captain Colley. Here I found
+myself for the first time on the deck of a slave-vessel. The sight of
+the rooms below and of the gratings above, and of the barricado across
+the deck, and the explanation of the uses of all these, filled me both
+with melancholy and horror. I found soon afterwards a fire of
+indignation kindling within me. I had now scarce patience to talk with
+those on board. I had not the coolness this first time to go leisurely
+over the places that were open to me. I got away quickly. But that which
+I thought I saw horrible in this vessel had the same effect upon me as
+that which I thought I had seen agreeable in the other, namely, to
+animate and to invigorate me in my pursuit.
+
+But I will not trouble the reader with any further account of my
+water-expeditions, while attempting to perfect my knowledge on this
+subject. I was equally assiduous in obtaining intelligence wherever it
+could be had; and being now always on the watch, I was frequently
+falling in with individuals, from whom I gained something. My object was
+to see all who had been in Africa, but more particularly those who had
+never been interested, or who at any rate were not then interested, in
+the trade. I gained accordingly access very early to General Rooke; to
+Lieutenant Dalrymple, of the army; to Captain Fiddes, of the engineers;
+to the reverend Mr. Newton; to Mr. Nisbett, a surgeon in the Minories;
+to Mr. Devaynes, who was then in parliament, and to many others; and I
+made it a rule to put down in writing, after every conversation, what
+had taken place in the course of it. By these means, things began to
+unfold themselves to me more and more, and I found my stock of knowledge
+almost daily on the increase.
+
+While, however, I was forwarding this, I was not inattentive to the
+other object of my pursuit, which was that of waiting upon members
+personally. The first I called upon was Sir Richard Hill. At the first
+interview he espoused the cause. I waited then upon others, and they
+professed themselves friendly; but they seemed to make this profession
+more from the emotion of good hearts, revolting at the bare mention of
+the Slave Trade, than from any knowledge concerning it. One, however,
+whom I visited, Mr. Powys, (the late Lord Lilford,) with whom I had been
+before acquainted in Northamptonshire, seemed to doubt some of the facts
+in my book, from a belief that human nature was not capable of
+proceeding to such a pitch of wickedness. I asked him to name his facts.
+He selected the case of the hundred and thirty-two slaves who were
+thrown alive into the sea to defraud the underwriters. I promised to
+satisfy him fully upon this point, and went immediately to Granville
+Sharp, who lent me his account of the trial, as reported at large from
+the notes of the short-hand writer, whom he had employed on the
+occasion. Mr. Powys read the account. He became, in consequence of it,
+convinced, as, indeed, he could not otherwise be, of the truth of what I
+had asserted, and he declared at the same time that, if this were true,
+there was nothing so horrible related of this trade, which might not
+immediately be believed. Mr. Powys had been always friendly to this
+question, but now he took a part in the distribution of my books.
+
+Among those whom I visited was Mr. Wilberforce. On my first interview
+with him, he stated frankly, that the subject had often employed his
+thoughts, and that it was near his heart. He seemed earnest about it,
+and also very desirous of taking the trouble of inquiring further into
+it. Having read my book, which I had delivered to him, in person, he
+sent, for me. He expressed a wish that I would make him acquainted with
+some of my authorities for the assertions in it, which I did afterwards
+to his satisfaction. He asked me if I could support it by any other
+evidence. I told him I could. I mentioned Mr. Newton, Mr. Nisbett, and
+several others to him. He took the trouble of sending for all these. He
+made memorandums of their conversation, and, sending for me afterwards,
+showed them to me. On learning my intention to devote myself to the
+cause, he paid me many handsome compliments. He then desired me to call
+upon him often, and to acquaint him with my progress from time to time.
+He expressed also his willingness to afford me any assistance in his
+power in the prosecution of my pursuits.
+
+The carrying on of these different objects, together with the writing
+which was connected with them, proved very laborious, and occupied
+almost all my time. I was seldom engaged less than sixteen hours in the
+day. When I left Teston to begin the pursuit as an object of my life, I
+promised my friend Mr. Ramsay a weekly account of my progress. At the
+end of the first week my letter to him contained little more than a
+sheet of paper. At the end of the second it contained three; at the end
+of the third, six; and at the end of the fourth I found it would be so
+voluminous, that I was obliged to decline writing it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+Continuation of the fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors up to
+1787.--Author goes on to enlarge his knowledge in the different
+departments of the subject; communicates more frequently with Mr.
+Wilberforce.--Meetings now appointed at the house of the
+latter.--Dinner at Mr. Langton's.--Mr. Wilberforce pledges himself
+there to take up the subject in Parliament; remarkable junction, in
+consequence, of all the four classes of forerunners and coadjutors
+before-mentioned.--Committee formed out of these on the 22nd of May,
+1787, for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+
+The manner in which Mr. Wilberforce had received me, and the pains which
+he had taken, and was still taking, to satisfy himself of the truth of
+those enormities which had been charged upon the Slave Trade, tended
+much to enlarge my hope, that they might become at length the subject of
+a parliamentary inquiry. Richard Phillips, also, to whom I made a report
+at his chambers almost every evening of the proceedings of the day, had
+begun to entertain a similar expectation. Of course we unfolded our
+thoughts to one another; from hence a desire naturally sprung up in each
+of us to inquire whether any alteration in consequence of this new
+prospect should be made in my pursuits. On deliberating upon this point,
+it seemed proper to both of us that the distribution of the books should
+be continued; that I should still proceed in enlarging my own knowledge;
+and that I should still wait upon members of the legislature, but with
+this difference, that I should never lose sight of Mr. Wilberforce, but,
+on the other hand, that I should rather omit visiting some others than
+paying a proper attention to him.
+
+One thing however appeared now to be necessary, which had not yet been
+done. This was to inform our friends in the city, upon whom I had all
+along occasionally called, that we believed the time was approaching
+when it would be desirable that we should unite our labours, if they saw
+no objection to such a measure; for, if the Slave Trade were to become a
+subject of parliamentary inquiry with a view to the annihilation of it,
+no individual could perform the work which would be necessary for such a
+purpose. This work must be a work of many; and who so proper to assist
+in it as they, who had before so honourably laboured in it? In the case
+of such an event large funds also would be wanted, and who so proper to
+procure and manage them as these? A meeting was accordingly called at
+the house of James Phillips, when these our views were laid open. When I
+stated that from the very time of my hopes beginning to rise I had
+always had those present in my eye as one day to be fellow-labourers,
+William Dillwyn replied, that from the time they had first heard of the
+_Prize Essay_, they also had had their eyes upon me, and, from the time
+they had first seen me, had conceived: a desire of making the same use
+of me as I had now expressed a wish of making of them, but that matters
+did not appear ripe at our first interview. Our proposal, however, was
+approved, and an assurance was given, that an union should take place as
+soon as it was judged to be seasonable. It was resolved also, that one
+day in the week[A] should be appointed for a meeting at the house of
+James Phillips, where as many might attend as had leisure, and that I
+should be there to make a report of my progress, by which we might all
+judge of the fitness of the time of calling ourselves an united body.
+Pleased now with the thought that matters were put into such a train, I
+returned to my former objects.
+
+[Footnote A: At these weekly meetings I met occasionally Joseph Woods,
+George Harrison, and John Lloyd, three of the other members, who
+belonged to the committee of the second class of forerunners and
+coadjutors as before described. I had seen all of them before, but I do
+not recollect the time when I first met them.]
+
+It is not necessary to say anything more of the first of these objects,
+which was that of the further distribution of my book, than that it was
+continued, and chiefly by the same hands.
+
+With respect to the enlargement of my knowledge, it was promoted
+likewise. I now gained access to the Custom-House in London, where I
+picked up much valuable information for my purpose.
+
+Having had reason to believe that the Slave Trade was peculiarly fatal
+to those employed in it, I wished much to get copies of many of the
+muster-rolls from the Custom-House at Liverpool for a given time. James
+Phillips wrote to his friend William Rathbone, who was one of his own
+religious society, and who resided there, to procure them. They were
+accordingly sent up. The examination of these, which took place at the
+chambers of Richard Phillips, was long and tedious. We looked over them
+together. We usually met for this purpose at nine in the evening, and we
+seldom parted till one, and sometimes not till three in the morning.
+When our eyes were inflamed by the candle, or tired by fatigue, we used
+to relieve ourselves by walking out within the precincts of Lincoln's
+Inn, when all seemed to be fast asleep, and thus, as it were, in
+solitude and in stillness to converse upon them, as well as upon the
+best means of the further promotion of our cause. These scenes of our
+early friendship and exertions I shall never forget. I often think of
+them both with astonishment and with pleasure. Having recruited
+ourselves in this manner, we used to return to our work. From these
+muster-rolls, I may now observe that we gained the most important
+information: we ascertained, beyond the power of contradiction, that
+more than half of the seamen who went out with the ships in the Slave
+Trade did not return with them, and that of these so many perished, as
+amounted to one-fifth of all employed. As to what became of the
+remainder, the muster-rolls did not inform us; this, therefore, was left
+to us as a subject for our future inquiry.
+
+In endeavouring to enlarge my knowledge, my thoughts were frequently
+turned to the West Indian part of the question, and in this department
+my friend Richard Phillips gained me important intelligence. He put into
+my hands several documents concerning estates in the West Indies, which
+he had mostly from the proprietors themselves, where the slaves by mild
+and prudent usage had so increased in population, as to supersede the
+necessity of the Slave Trade.
+
+By attending to these and to various other parts of the subject, I began
+to see as it were with new eyes; I was enabled to make several necessary
+discriminations, to reconcile things before seemingly contradictory, and
+to answer many objections which had hitherto put on a formidable shape.
+But most of all was I rejoiced at the thought that I should soon be able
+to prove that which I had never doubted, but which had hitherto been
+beyond my power in this case, that Providence, in ordaining laws
+relative to the agency of man, had never made that to be wise which was
+immoral, and that the Slave Trade would be found as impolitic as it was
+inhuman and unjust.
+
+In keeping up my visits to members of parliament, I was particularly
+attentive to Mr. Wilberforce, whom I found daily becoming more
+interested in the fate of Africa. I now made to him a regular report of
+my progress, of the sentiments of those in parliament whom I had
+visited, of the disposition of my friends in the city, of whom he had
+often heard me speak, of my discoveries from the Custom-Houses of London
+and Liverpool, of my documents concerning West India estates, and of
+all, indeed, that had occurred to me worth mentioning. He had himself
+also been making his inquiries, which he communicated to me in return.
+Our intercourse had now become frequent, no one week elapsing without an
+interview: at one of these, I suggested to him the propriety of having
+occasional meetings at his own house, consisting of a few friends in
+parliament, who might converse on the subject: of this he approved. The
+persons present at the first meeting were Mr. Wilberforce, the
+Honourable John Villiers, Mr. Powys, Sir Charles Middleton, Sir Richard
+Hill, Mr. Granville Sharp, Mr. Ramsay, Dr. Gregory, (who had written on
+the subject, as before mentioned,) and myself. At this meeting I read a
+paper, giving an account of the light I had collected in the course of
+my inquiries, with observations as well on the impolicy as on the
+wickedness of the trade. Many questions arose out of the reading of this
+little essay; many answers followed. Objections were started and
+canvassed. In short, this measure was found so useful, that certain
+other evenings as well as mornings were fixed upon for the same purpose.
+
+On reporting my progress to my friends in the city, several of whom now
+assembled once in the week, as I mentioned before to have been agreed
+upon, and particularly on reporting the different meetings which had
+taken place at the house of Mr. Wilberforce on the subject, they were of
+opinion that the time was approaching when we might unite, and that this
+union might prudently commence as soon as ever Mr. Wilberforce would
+give his word that he would take up the question in Parliament. Upon
+this I desired to observe, that though the latter gentleman had pursued
+the subject with much earnestness, he had never yet dropped the least
+hint that he would proceed so far in the matter, but I would take care
+that the question should be put to him, and I would bring them his
+answer.
+
+In consequence of the promise I had now made, I went to Mr. Wilberforce.
+But when I saw him, I seemed unable to inform him of the object of my
+visit. Whether this inability arose from any sudden fear that his answer
+might not be favourable, or from a fear that I might possibly involve
+him in a long and arduous contest upon this subject, or whether it arose
+from an awful sense of the importance of the mission, as it related to
+the happiness of hundreds of thousands then alive, and of millions then
+unborn, I cannot say. But I had a feeling within me for which I could
+not account, and which seemed to hinder me from proceeding; and I
+actually went away without informing him of my errand.
+
+In this situation I began to consider what to do, when I thought I would
+call upon Mr. Langton, tell him what had happened, and ask his advice. I
+found him at home. We consulted together. The result was, that he was to
+invite Mr. Wilberforce and some others to meet me at a dinner at his own
+house in two or three days, when he said he had no doubt of being able
+to procure an answer, by some means or other, to the question which I
+wished to have resolved.
+
+On receiving a card from Mr. Langton, I went to dine with him. I found
+the party consist of Sir Charles Middleton, Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Hawkins
+Browne, Mr. Windham, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Mr. Boswell. The latter
+was then known as the friend of Dr. Johnson, and afterwards as the
+writer of his _Tour to the Hebrides_. After dinner the subject of the
+Slave Trade was purposely introduced. Many questions were put to me, and
+I dilated upon each in my answers, that I might inform and interest
+those present as much as I could. They seemed to be greatly impressed
+with my account of the loss of seamen in the trade, and with the little
+samples of African cloth which I had procured for their inspection. Sir
+Joshua Reynolds gave his unqualified approbation of the abolition of
+this cruel traffic. Mr. Hawkins Browne joined heartily with him in
+sentiment; he spoke with much feeling upon it, and pronounced it to be
+barbarous, and contrary to every principle of morality and religion. Mr.
+Boswell, after saying the planters would urge that the Africans were
+made happier by being carried from their own country to the West Indies,
+observed, "Be it so. But we have no right to make people happy against
+their will." Mr. Windham, when it was suggested that the great
+importance of our West Indian islands, and the grandeur of Liverpool,
+would be brought against those who should propose the abolition of the
+Slave Trade, replied, "We have nothing to do with the policy of the
+measure. Rather let Liverpool and the islands be swallowed up in the
+sea, than this monstrous system of iniquity be carried on.[A]" While
+such conversation was passing, and when all appeared to be interested in
+the cause, Mr. Langton put the question, about the proposal of which I
+had been so diffident, to Mr. Wilberforce, in the shape of a delicate
+compliment. The latter replied, that he had no objection to bring
+forward the measure in parliament when he was better prepared for it,
+and provided no person more proper could be found. Upon this, Mr.
+Hawkins Browne and Mr. Windham both said they would support him there.
+Before I left the company, I took Mr. Wilberforce aside, and asked him
+if I might mention this his resolution to those of my friends in the
+city, of whom he had often heard me speak, as desirous of aiding him by
+becoming a committee for the purpose. He replied, I might. I then asked
+Mr. Langton, privately, if he had any objection to belong to a society
+of which there might be a committee for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He said he should be pleased to become a member of it. Having
+received these satisfactory answers, I returned home.
+
+[Footnote A: I do not know upon what grounds, after such strong
+expressions, Mr. Boswell, in the next year, and Mr. Windham, after
+having supported the cause for three or four years, became inimical to
+it.]
+
+The next day, having previously taken down the substance of the
+conversation at the dinner, I went to James Phillips, and desired that
+our friends might be called together as soon as they conveniently could
+to hear my report. In the interim I wrote to Dr. Peckard, and waited
+upon Lord Scarsdale, Dr. Baker, and others, to know (supposing a society
+were formed for the abolition of the Slave Trade) if I might say they
+would belong to it. All of them replied in the affirmative, and desired
+me to represent them, if there should be any meeting for this purpose.
+
+At the time appointed I met my friends. I read over the substance of the
+conversation which had taken place at Mr. Langton's. No difficulty
+occurred. All were unanimous for the formation of a committee. On the
+next day we met by agreement for this purpose. It was then resolved
+unanimously, among other things,--That the Slave Trade was both
+impolitic and unjust. It was resolved, also,--That the following persons
+be a committee for procuring such information and evidence, and
+publishing the same, as may tend to the abolition of the Slave Trade,
+and for directing the application of such moneys as have been already,
+and may hereafter be collected for the above purpose:--
+
+All these were present. Granville Sharp, who stands at the head of the
+list, and who, as the father of the cause in England, was called to the
+chair, maybe considered as representing the first class of forerunners
+and coadjutors, as it has been before described. The five next, of whom
+Samuel Hoare was chosen as the treasurer, were they who had been the
+committee of the second class, or of the Quakers in England, with the
+exception of Dr. Knowles, who was then dying, but who, having heard of
+our meeting, sent a message to us to exhort us to proceed. The third
+class, or that of the Quakers in America, may be considered as
+represented by William Dillwyn, by whom they were afterwards joined to
+us in correspondence. The two who stand next, and in which I am
+included, may be considered as representing the fourth, most of the
+members of which we had been the means of raising. Thus, on the 22nd of
+May, 1787, the representatives of all the four classes, of which I have
+been giving a history from the year 1516, met together, and were united
+in that committee, to which I have been all along directing the
+attention of the reader; a committee, which, labouring afterwards with
+Mr. Wilberforce as a parliamentary head, did, under Providence, in the
+space of twenty years, contribute to put an end to a trade, which,
+measuring its magnitude by its crimes and sufferings, was the greatest
+practical evil that ever afflicted the human race.
+
+After the formation of the committee[A], notice was sent to Mr.
+Wilberforce of the event, and a friendship began, which has continued
+uninterruptedly between them, from that to the present day.
+
+[Footnote A: All the members were of the society of the Quakers, except
+Mr. Sharp, Sansom, and myself. Joseph Gurney Bevan was present on the
+day before this meeting. He desired to belong to the society, but to be
+excused from belonging to the committee.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+The preceding history of the different classes of the forerunners and
+coadjutors, to the time of the formation of the committee, collected
+into one view by means of a map.--Explanation of this map, and
+observations upon it.
+
+
+As the preceding history of the different classes of the forerunners and
+coadjutors, to the time of their junction, or to the formation of the
+committee, as just explained, may be thought interesting by many, I have
+endeavoured, by means of the annexed map, so to bring it before the
+reader, that he may comprehend the whole of it at a single view.
+
+The figure beginning at A and reaching down to X represents the first
+class of forerunners and coadjutors up to the year 1787, as consisting
+of so many springs or rivulets, which assisted in making and swelling
+the torrent which swept away the Slave Trade.
+
+The figure from B to C and from C to X represents the second class, or
+that of the Quakers in England, up to the same time. The stream on the
+right-hand represents them as a body, and that on the left the six
+individuals belonging to them, who formed the committee in 1783.
+
+The figure from B to D represents the third class, or that of the
+Quakers in America when joined with others in 1774. The stream passing
+from D through E to X shows how this class was conveyed down, as it
+were, so as to unite with the second. That passing from D to Y shows its
+course in its own country, to its enlargement in 1787. And here I may
+observe, that as the different streams which formed a junction at X,
+were instrumental in producing the abolition of the Slave Trade in
+England, in the month of March, 1807, so those, whose effects are found
+united at Y, contributed to produce the same event in America, in the
+same month of the same year.
+
+The figure from F to X represents the fourth class up to 1787.
+
+[Illustration: First Class of Forerunners and Coadjutors]
+
+[Illustration: Second Class of Forerunners and Coadjutors]
+
+[Illustration: Third Class of Forerunners and Coadjutors]
+
+X represents the junction of all the four classes in the committee
+instituted in London on the twenty-second day of May, 1787.
+
+The parallel lines G, H, I, K, represent different periods of time,
+showing when the forerunners and coadjutors lived. The space between G
+and H includes the space of fifty years, in which we find but few
+labourers in this cause. That between H and I includes the same portion
+of time, in which we find them considerably increased, or nearly
+doubled. That between I and K represents the next thirty-seven years;
+but here we find their increase beyond all expectation, for we find four
+times more labourers in this short term, than in the whole of the
+preceding century.
+
+In looking over the map, as thus explained, a number of thoughts
+suggested themselves, some of which it may not be improper to detail.
+And first, in looking between the first and second parallel, we
+perceive, that Morgan Godwyn, Richard Baxter, and George Fox, the first
+a clergyman of the established church, the second a divine at the head
+of the nonconformists, and the third the founder of the religious
+society of the Quakers, appeared each of them the first in his own
+class, and all of them, about the same time, in behalf of the oppressed
+Africans. We see then this great truth first apparent, that the
+abolition of the Slave Trade took its rise, not from persons who set up
+a cry for liberty, when they were oppressors themselves, nor from
+persons who were led to it by ambition, or a love of reputation among
+men, but where it was most desirable, namely, from the teachers of
+Christianity in those times.
+
+This account of its rise will furnish us with some important lessons.
+And first, it shows us the great value of religion. We see, when moral
+disorders become known, that the virtuous are they who rise up for the
+removal of them. Thus Providence seems to have appointed those who
+devote themselves most to his service, to the honourable office of
+becoming so many agents, under his influence, for the correction of the
+evils of life. And as this account of the rise of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade teaches us the necessity of a due cultivation of religion;
+so it should teach us to have a brotherly affection for those, who,
+though they may differ from us in speculative opinions concerning it, do
+yet show by their conduct that they have a high reward for it. For
+though Godwyn, and Baxter, and Fox, differed as to the articles of their
+faith, we find them impelled by the spirit of Christianity, which is of
+infinitely more importance than a mere agreement in creeds, to the same
+good end.
+
+In looking over the different streams in the map, as they are
+discoverable both in Europe and America, we are impressed with another
+truth on the same subject, which is, that the Christian religion is
+capable of producing the same good fruit in all lands. However men may
+differ on account of climate, or language, or government, or laws, or
+however they may be situated in different quarters of the globe, it will
+produce in them the same virtuous disposition, and make them instruments
+for the promotion of happiness in the world.
+
+In looking between the two first parallels, where we see so few
+labourers, and in contemplating the great increase of these between the
+others, we are taught the consoling lesson, that however small the
+beginning and slow the progress may appear in any good work which we may
+undertake, we need not be discouraged as to the ultimate result of our
+labours; for though our cause may appear stationary, it may only become
+so, in order that it may take a deeper root, and thus be enabled to
+stand better against the storms which may afterwards beat about it.
+
+In taking the same view again, we discover the manner in which light and
+information proceed under a free government in a good cause. An
+individual, for example, begins; he communicates his sentiments to
+others. Thus, while alive, he enlightens; when dead, he leaves his
+works, behind him. Thus, though departed, he yet speaks, and his
+influence is not lost. Of those enlightened by him, some become authors,
+and others actors in their turn. While living, they instruct, like their
+predecessors; when dead, they speak also. Thus a number of dead persons
+are encouraging us in libraries, and a number of living are conversing
+and diffusing zeal among us at the same time. This, however, is not true
+in any free and enlightened country, with respect to the propagation of
+evil. The living find no permanent encouragement, and the dead speak to
+no purpose in such a case.
+
+This account of the manner in which light and information proceed in a
+free country, furnishes us with some valuable knowledge. It shows us,
+first, the great importance of education; for all they who can read may
+become enlightened. They may gain as much from the dead as from the
+living. They may see the sentiments of former ages. Thus they may
+contract, by degrees, habits of virtuous inclination, and become fitted
+to join with others in the removal of any of the evils of life.
+
+It shows us, secondly, how that encouraging maxim may become true, That
+no good effort is ever lost. For if he, who makes the virtuous attempt,
+should be prevented by death from succeeding in it, can he not speak,
+though in the tomb? Will not his works still breathe his sentiments upon
+it? May not the opinions, and the facts, which he has recorded, meet the
+approbation of ten thousand readers, of whom it is probable, in the
+common course of things, that some will branch out of him as authors,
+and others as actors or labourers, in the same cause?
+
+And, lastly, it will show us the difficulty (if any attempt should be
+made) of reversing permanently the late noble act of the legislature for
+the abolition of the Slave Trade. For let us consider how many, both of
+the living and the dead, could be, made to animate us. Let us consider,
+too, that this is the cause of mercy, justice, and religion; that as
+such, it will always afford renewed means of rallying; and that the dead
+will always be heard with interest, and the living with enthusiasm upon
+it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+Author devotes this chapter to considerations relative to himself;
+fears that by the frequent introduction of himself to the notice of
+the reader he may incur the charge of ostentation.--Observations on
+such a charge.
+
+
+Having brought my history of the abolition of the Slave Trade up to the
+month of May 1787, I purpose taking the liberty, before I proceed with
+it, to devote this chapter to considerations relative to myself. This,
+indeed, seems to be now necessary; for I have been fearful for some
+pages past, and, indeed, from the time when I began to introduce myself
+to the notice of the reader, as one of the forerunners and coadjutors in
+this great cause, that I might appear to have put myself into a
+situation too prominent, so as even to have incurred the charge of
+ostentation. But if there should be some who, in consequence of what
+they have already read of this history, should think thus unfavourably
+of me, what must their opinion ultimately be, when, unfortunately, I
+must become still more prominent in it!  Nor do I know in what manner I
+shall escape their censure: for if, to avoid egotism, I should write, as
+many have done, in the third person, what would this profit me? The
+delicate situation, therefore, in which I feel myself to be placed,
+makes me desirous of saying a few words to the reader on this subject.
+
+And first, I may observe, that several of my friends urged me from time
+to time, and this long before the abolition of the Slave Trade had been
+effected, to give a history of the rise and progress of the attempt, as
+far as it had been then made; but I uniformly resisted their
+application.
+
+When the question was decided last year, they renewed their request.
+They represented to me, that no person knew the beginning and progress
+of this great work so well as myself; that it was a pity that such
+knowledge should die with me; that such a history would be useful; that
+it would promote good feelings among men; that it would urge them to
+benevolent exertions; that it would supply them with hope in the midst
+of these; that it would teach them many valuable lessons;--these and
+other things were said to me. But, encouraging as they were, I never
+lost sight of the objection; which is the subject of this chapter; nor
+did I ever fail to declare, that though, considering the part I had
+taken in this great cause, I might be qualified better than some others,
+yet it was a task too delicate for me to perform. I always foresaw that
+I could not avoid making myself too prominent an object in such a
+history, and that I should be liable, on that account, to the suspicion
+of writing it for the purpose of sounding my own praise.
+
+With this objection my friends were not satisfied. They answered, that I
+might treat the History of the Abolition of the Slave Trade as a species
+of biography, or as the history of a part of my own life: that people,
+who had much less weighty matters to communicate, wrote their own
+histories; and that no one charged them with vanity for so doing.
+
+I own I was not convinced by this answer. I determined, however, in
+compliance with their wishes, to examine the objection more minutely,
+and to see if I could overcome it more satisfactorily to my own mind.
+With this view, I endeavoured to anticipate the course which such a
+history would take. I saw clearly, in the first place, that there were
+times, for months together, when the committee for the abolition of the
+Slave Trade was labouring without me, and when I myself for an equal
+space of time was labouring in distant parts of the kingdom without
+them. Hence I perceived that, if my own exertions were left out, there
+would be repeated chasms in this history; and, indeed, that it could not
+be completed without the frequent mention of myself. And I was willing
+to hope that this would be so obvious to the good sense of the reader,
+that if he should think me vain-glorious in the early part of it, he
+would afterwards, when he advanced in the perusal of it, acquit me of
+such a charge. This consideration was the first which removed my
+objection on this head. That there can be no ground for any charge of
+ostentation, as far as the origin of this history is concerned, so I
+hope to convince him there, can be none, by showing him in what light I
+have always viewed myself in connexion with the committee, to which I
+have had the honour to belong.
+
+I have uniformly considered our committee for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade; as we usually consider the human body, that is, as made up of a
+head and of various members which had different offices to perform.
+Thus, if one man was an eye, another was an ear, another an arm, and
+another a foot. And here I may say, with great truth, that I believe no
+committee was ever made up of persons, whose varied talents were better
+adapted to the work before them. Viewing then the committee in this
+light, and myself as in connexion with it, I may deduce those truths,
+with which the analogy will furnish me. And first, it will follow, that
+if every member has performed his office faithfully, though one may have
+done something more than another, yet no one of them in particular has
+any reason to boast. With what propriety could the foot, though in the
+execution of its duty it had become weary, say to the finger, "Thou hast
+done less than I;" when the finger could reply with truth, "I have done
+all that has been given me to do?". It will follow, also, that as every
+limb is essentially necessary for the completion of a perfect work; so
+in the case before us, every one was as necessary in his own office, or
+department, as another. For what, for example, could I myself have done
+if I had not derived so much assistance from the committee? What could
+Mr. Wilberforce have done in Parliament, if I, on the other hand, had
+not collected that great body of evidence, to which there was such a
+constant appeal? And what could the committee have done without the
+parliamentary aid of Mr. Wilberforce? And in mentioning this necessity
+of distinct offices and talents for the accomplishment of the great
+work, in which we have been all of us engaged, I feel myself bound by
+the feelings of justice to deliver it as my opinion in this place, (for,
+perhaps, I may have no other opportunity,) that knowing, as I have done,
+so many members of both houses of our legislature, for many of whom I
+have had a sincere respect, there was never yet one, who appeared to me
+to be so properly qualified, in all respects, for the management of the
+great cause of the abolition of the Slave Trade, as he, whose name I
+have just mentioned. His connexions, but more particularly his
+acquaintance with the first minister of state, were of more service in
+the promotion of it, than they, who are but little acquainted with
+political movements, can well appreciate. His habits also of diligent
+and persevering inquiry made him master of all the knowledge that was
+requisite for conducting it. His talents both in and out of parliament
+made him a powerful advocate in its favour. His character, free from the
+usual spots of human imperfection, gave an appropriate lustre to the
+cause, making it look yet more lovely, and enticing others to its
+support. But most of all the motive, on which he undertook it, insured
+its progress. For this did not originate in views of selfishness, or of
+party or of popular applause, but in an awful sense of his duty as a
+Christian. It was this which gave him alacrity and courage in his
+pursuit. It was this which made him continue in his elevated situation
+of a legislator, though it was unfavourable, if not to his health, at
+least to his ease and comfort. It was this which made him incorporate
+this great object among the pursuits of his life, so that it was daily
+in his thoughts. It was this which when year after year of unsuccessful
+exertion returned, occasioned him to be yet fresh and vigorous in
+spirit, and to persevere till the day of triumph.
+
+But to return:--There is yet another consideration, which I shall offer
+to the reader on this subject, and with which I shall conclude it. It is
+this; that no one ought to be accused of vanity until he has been found
+to assume to himself some extraordinary merit. This being admitted, I
+shall now freely disclose the views which I have always been desirous of
+taking of my own conduct on this occasion, in the following words:--
+
+As Robert Barclay, the apologist for the Quakers, when he dedicated his
+work to Charles the Second, intimated to this prince, that any merit
+which the work might have, would not be derived from his patronage of
+it, but from the Author of all spiritual good; so I say to the reader,
+with respect to myself, that I disclaim all praise on account of any
+part I may have taken in the promotion of this great cause, for that I
+am desirious above all things to attribute my best endeavours in it to
+the influence of a superior Power; of Him, I mean, who gave me a heart
+to feel--who gave me courage to begin--and perseverance to proceed--and
+that I am thankful to Him, and this with the deepest feeling of
+gratitude and humility, for having permitted me to become useful, in any
+degree, to my fellow-creatures.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+Author returns to his History.--Committee formed as before-mentioned;
+its proceedings.--Author produces a summary view of the Slave Trade,
+and of the probable consequences of its abolition.--Wrongs of Africa,
+by Mr. Roscoe, generously presented to the committee.--Important
+discussion as to the object of the committee.--Emancipation declared
+to be no part of it.--Committee decides on its public title.--Author
+requested to go to Bristol, Liverpool, and Lancaster, to collect
+further information on the subject of the trade.
+
+
+I return now, after this long digression, to the continuation of my
+history.
+
+It was shown in the latter part of the tenth chapter, that twelve
+individuals, all of whom were then named, met together by means which no
+one could have foreseen, on the 22d of May, 1787; and that, after having
+voted the Slave Trade to be both unjust and impolitic, they formed
+themselves into a committee for procuring such information and evidence,
+and for publishing the same, as might tend to the abolition of it, and
+for directing the application of such money as had been already, and
+might hereafter be collected for that purpose. At this meeting it was
+resolved also, that no less than three members should form a quorum;
+that Samuel Hoare should be the treasurer; that the treasurer should pay
+no money but by order of the committee; and that copies of these
+resolutions should be printed and circulated, in which it should be
+inserted that the subscriptions of all such as were willing to forward
+the plans of the committee should be received by the treasurer or any
+member of it.
+
+On the 24th of May the committee met again to promote the object of its
+institution.
+
+The treasurer reported at this meeting, that the subscriptions already
+received amounted to one hundred and thirty-six pounds.
+
+As I had foreseen long before this time that my _Essay on the Slavery
+and Commerce of the Human Species_ was too large for general
+circulation, and yet that a general circulation of knowledge on this
+subject was absolutely necessary, I determined directly after the
+formation of the committee to write a short pamphlet consisting only of
+eight or ten pages for this purpose. I called it _A Summary View of the
+Slave Trade, and of the probable consequences of its Abolition_. It
+began by exhibiting to the reader the various unjustifiable ways in
+which persons living on the coast of Africa became slaves. It then
+explained the treatment which these experienced on their passage, the
+number dying in the course of it, and the treatment of the survivors in
+the colonies of those nations to which they were carried. It then
+announced the speedy publication of a work on the impolicy of the trade,
+the contents of which, as far as I could then see, I gave generally
+under the following heads:--Part the first, it was said, would show that
+Africa was capable of offering to us a trade in its own natural
+productions as well as in the persons of men; that the trade in the
+persons of men was profitable but to a few; that its value was
+diminished from many commercial considerations; that it was also highly
+destructive to our seamen; and that the branch of it, by which we
+supplied the island of St. Domingo with slaves, was peculiarly impolitic
+on that account. Part the second, it was said, would show that if the
+slaves were kindly treated in our colonies, they would increase; that
+the abolition of the trade would necessarily secure such a treatment to
+them, and that it would produce many other advantages which would be
+then detailed.
+
+This little piece I presented to the committee at this their second
+meeting. It was then duly read and examined; and the result was, that
+after some little correction it was approved, and that two thousand
+copies of it were ordered to be printed, with lists of the subscribers
+and of the committee, and to be sent to various parts of the kingdom.
+
+On June the 7th, the committee met again for the despatch of business,
+when, among other things, they voted their thanks to Dr. Baker, of Lower
+Grosvenor-street, who had been one of my first assistants, for his
+services to the cause.
+
+At this committee John Barton, one of the members of it, stated that he
+was commissioned by the author of a poem, entitled _The Wrongs of
+Africa_, to offer the profits which might arise from the sale of that
+work, to the committee, for the purpose of enabling them to pursue the
+object of their institution. This circumstance was not only agreeable,
+inasmuch as it showed us that there were others who felt with us for the
+injured Africans, and who were willing to aid us in our designs, but it
+was rendered still more so when we were given to understand that the
+poem was written by Mr. Roscoe, of Liverpool, and the preface to it by
+the late Dr. Currie, who then lived in the same place. To find friends
+to our cause rising up from a quarter where we expected scarcely
+anything but opposition, was very consolatory and encouraging. As this
+poem was well written, but cannot now be had, I shall give the
+introductory part of it, which is particularly beautiful, to the perusal
+of the reader. It begins thus:--
+
+
+  Offspring of Love divine, Humanity!
+  To whom, his eldest born, th' Eternal gave
+  Dominion o'er the heart; and taught to touch
+  Its varied stops in sweetest unison;
+  And strike the string that from a kindred breast
+  Responsive vibrates! from the noisy haunts
+  Of mercantile confusion, where thy voice
+  Is heard not; from the meretricious glare
+  Of crowded theatres, where in thy place
+  Sits Sensibility, with wat'ry eye,
+  Dropping o'er fancied woes her useless tear;
+  Come thou, and weep with me substantial ills;
+  And execrate the wrongs that Afric's sons,
+  Torn from their natal shore, and doom'd to bear
+  The yoke of servitude in foreign climes,
+  Sustain. Nor vainly let our sorrows flow,
+  Nor let the strong emotion rise in vain;
+  But may the land contagion widely spread,
+  Till in its flame the unrelenting heart
+  Of avarice melt in softest sympathy--
+  And one bright blaze of universal love
+  In grateful incense rises up to Heaven!
+
+  Form'd with the same capacity of pain,
+  The same desire of pleasure and of ease,
+  Why feels not man for man! When nature shrinks
+  From the slight puncture of an insect's sting,
+  Faints, if not screen'd from sultry suns, und pines
+  Beneath the hardship of an hour's delay
+  Of needful nutriment;--when liberty
+  Is priz'd so dearly, that the slightest breath
+  That ruffles but her mantle, can awake
+  To arms unwarlike nations, and can rouse
+  Confed'rate states to vindicate her claims:--
+  How shall the suff'rer man his fellow doom
+  To ills he mourns and spurns at; tear with stripes
+  His quiv'ring flesh; with hunger and with thirst
+  Waste his emaciate frame; in ceaseless toils
+  Exhaust his vital powers; and bind his limbs
+  In galling chains? Shall he, whose fragile form
+  Demands continual blessings to support
+  Its complicated texture, air, and food,
+  Raiment, alternate rest, and kindly skies,
+  And healthful seasons, dare with impious voice
+  To ask those mercies, whilst his selfish aim
+  Arrests the general freedom of their course;
+  And, gratified beyond his utmost wish,
+  Debars another from the bounteous store?
+
+
+In this manner was the subject of this beautiful poem introduced to the
+notice of the public. But I have no room for any further extracts, nor
+time to make any further comment upon it. I can only add, that the
+committee were duly sensible as well of its merits, as of the virtuous
+and generous disposition of the author, and that they requested John
+Barton to thank him in an appropriate manner for his offer, which he was
+to say they accepted gratefully.
+
+At this sitting, at which ten members were present out of the twelve, a
+discussion unexpectedly arose on a most important subject. The
+committee, finding that their meetings began to be approved by many, and
+that the cause under their care was likely to spread, and foreseeing,
+also, the necessity there would soon be of making themselves known as a
+public body throughout the kingdom, thought it right that they should
+assume some title, which should be a permanent one, and which should be
+expressive of their future views. This gave occasion to them to
+reconsider the object for which they had associated, and to fix and
+define it in such a manner that there should be no misunderstanding
+about it in the public mind. In looking into the subject, it appeared to
+them that there were two evils quite distinct from each other, which it
+might become their duty to endeavour to remove. The first was the evil
+of the Slave Trade, in consequence of which many thousand persons were
+every year fraudulently and forcibly taken from their country, their
+relations and friends, and from all that they esteemed valuable in life.
+The second was the evil of slavery itself, in consequence of which the
+same persons were forced into a situation where they were deprived of
+the rights of men, where they were obliged to linger out their days
+subject to excessive labour and cruel punishments, and where their
+children were to inherit the same hard lot. Now the question was, which
+of the two evils the committee should select as that to which they
+should direct their attention with a view of the removal of it; or
+whether, with the same view, it should direct its attention to both of
+them.
+
+It appeared soon to be the sense of the committee, that to aim at the
+removal of both, would be to aim at too much, and that by doing this we
+might lose all.
+
+The question then was, which of the two they were to take as their
+object? Now, in considering this question, it appeared that it did not
+matter where they began, or which of them they took, as far as the end
+to be produced was the thing desired. For first, if the Slave Trade
+should be really abolished, the bad usage of the slaves in the colonies,
+that is, the hard part of their slavery, if not the slavery itself,
+would fall. For the planters and others being unable to procure more
+slaves from the coast of Africa, it would follow directly, whenever this
+great event should take place, that they must treat those better whom
+they might then have. They must render marriage honourable among them.
+They must establish the union of one man with one wife. They must give
+the pregnant women more indulgences. They must pay more attention to the
+rearing of their offspring. They must work and punish the adults with
+less rigour. Now it was to be apprehended that they could not do these
+things, without seeing the political advantages which would arise to
+themselves from so doing; and that, reasoning upon this, they might be
+induced to go on to give them greater indulgences, rights, and
+privileges, in time. But how would every such successive improvement of
+their condition operate, but to bring them nearer to the state of
+freemen? In the same manner it was contended, that the better treatment
+of the slaves in the colonies, or that the emancipation of them there,
+when fit for it, would of itself lay the foundation for the abolition of
+the Slave Trade. For if the slaves were kindly treated, that is, if
+marriage were encouraged among them; if the infants who should be born
+were brought up with care; if the sick were properly attended to; if the
+young and the adult were well fed and properly clothed, and not
+over-worked, and not worn down by the weight of severe punishments, they
+would necessarily increase, and this on an extensive scale. But if the
+planters were thus to get their labourers from the births on their own
+estates, then the Slave Trade would in time be no longer necessary to
+them, and it would die away as an useless and a noxious plant. Thus it
+was of no consequence, which of the two evils the committee were to
+select as the object for their labours; for, as far as the end in view
+only was concerned, that the same end would be produced in either case.
+
+But in looking further into this question, it seemed to make a material
+difference which of the two they selected, as far as they had in view
+the due execution of any laws, which might be made respecting them, and
+their own prospect of success in the undertaking. For, by aiming at the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, they were laying the axe at the very root.
+By doing this, and this only, they would not incur the objection, that
+they were meddling with the property of the planters, and letting loose
+an irritated race of beings, who, in consequence of all the vices and
+infirmities which a state of slavery entails upon those who undergo it,
+were unfit for their freedom. By asking the government of the country to
+do this, and this only, they were asking for that which it had an
+indisputable right to do; namely, to regulate or abolish any of its
+branches of commerce: whereas it was doubtful, whether it could
+interfere with the management of the internal affairs of the colonies,
+or whether this was not wholly the province of the legislatures
+established there. By asking the government, again, to do this, and this
+only, they were asking what it could really enforce. It could station
+its ships of war, and command its custom-houses, so as to carry any act
+of this kind into effect. But it could not insure that an act to be
+observed in the heart of the islands should be enforced[A]. To this it
+was added, that if the committee were to fix upon the annihilation of
+slavery as the object for their labours, the Slave Trade would not fall
+so speedily as it would by a positive law for the abolition; because,
+though the increase from the births might soon supply all the estates
+now in cultivation with labourers, yet new plantations might be opened
+from time to time in different islands, so that no period could be fixed
+upon, when it could be said that it would cease.
+
+[Footnote A: The late correspondence of the governors of our colonies
+with Lord Camden in his official situation, but particularly the
+statements made by Lord Seaforth and General Prevost, have shown the
+wisdom of this remark, and that no dependence was to be had for the
+better usage of the slaves but upon the total abolition of the trade.]
+
+Impressed by these arguments, the committee were clearly of opinion,
+that they should define their object to be the abolition of the Slave
+Trade, and not of the slavery which sprung from it. Hence from this
+time, and in allusion to the month when this discussion took place, they
+styled themselves in their different advertisements, and reports, though
+they were first associated in the month of May, The Committee instituted
+in June, 1787, for effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Thus, at
+the very outset, they took a ground which was for ever tenable. Thus
+they were enabled also to answer the objection, which was afterwards so
+constantly and so industriously circulated against them, that they were
+going to emancipate the slaves. And I have no doubt that this wise
+decision contributed greatly to their success; for I am persuaded that,
+if they had adopted the other object, they could not for years to come,
+if ever, have succeeded in their attempt.
+
+Before the committee broke up, I represented to them the necessity there
+was of obtaining further knowledge on all those individual points which
+might be said to belong to the great subject of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. In the first place, this knowledge was necessary for me, if
+I were to complete my work on _The Impolicy of this Trade_, which work,
+the _Summary View_, just printed, had announced to the world. It would
+be necessary, also, in case the Slave Trade should become a subject of
+parliamentary inquiry; for this inquiry could not proceed without
+evidence. And if any time was peculiarly fit for the procuring of such
+information or evidence, it was the present. At this time the passions
+of men had not been heated by any public agitation of the question, nor
+had interest felt itself biassed to conceal the truth. But as soon as
+ever it should be publicly understood, that a parliamentary inquiry was
+certain, (which we ourselves believed would be the case, but which
+interested men did not then know,) we should find many of the avenues to
+information closed against us. I proposed, therefore, that some one of
+the committee should undertake a journey to Bristol, Liverpool, and
+Lancaster, where he should reside for a time to collect further light
+upon this subject; and that if others should feel their occupations or
+engagements to be such as would make such a journey unsuitable, I would
+undertake it myself. I begged, therefore, the favour of the different
+members of the committee, to turn the matter over in their minds by the
+next meeting, that we might then talk over and decide upon the propriety
+of the measure.
+
+The committee held its fourth meeting on the 12th of June. Among the
+subjects which were then brought forward, was that of the journey before
+mentioned. The propriety, and indeed, even the necessity, of it was so
+apparent, that I was requested by all present to undertake it, and a
+minute for that purpose was entered upon our records. Of this journey,
+as gradually unfolding light on the subject, and as peculiarly connected
+with the promotion of our object, I shall now give an account; after
+which I shall return to the proceedings of the committee.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+Author arrives at Bristol; introduction to Quaker families
+there.--Objects of his inquiry.--Ill usage of seamen on board the ship
+Brothers.--Obtains a knowledge of several articles of African
+produce.--Dr. Caniplin; Dean Tucker; Mr. Henry Sulgar.--Procures an
+authenticated account of the treacherous massacre at Calabar.--Ill
+usage of the seamen of the ship Alfred.--Painful feelings of the
+author on this occasion.
+
+
+Having made preparations for my journey, I took my leave of the
+different individuals of the committee. I called upon Mr. Wilberforce,
+also, with the same design. He was then very ill, and in bed; Sir
+Richard Hill and others were sitting by his bedside. After conversing as
+much as he well could in his weak state, he held out his hand to me and
+wished me success. When I left him I felt much dejected; it appeared to
+me as if it would be in this case, as it is often in that of other
+earthly things, that we scarcely possess what we repute a treasure when
+it is taken from us.
+
+I determined to take this journey on horseback, not only on account of
+the relaxed state in which I found myself, after such close and constant
+application, but because I wished to have all my time to myself upon the
+road, in order the better to reflect upon the proper means of promoting
+this great cause. The first place I resolved to visit was Bristol;
+accordingly I directed my course thither. On turning a corner, within
+about a mile of that city, at about eight in the evening, I came within
+sight of it. The weather was rather hazy, which occasioned it to look of
+unusual dimensions. The bells of some of the churches were then ringing;
+the sound of them did not strike me till I had turned the corner before
+mentioned, when it came upon me at once; it filled me, almost directly,
+with a melancholy for which I could not account. I began now to tremble,
+for the first time, at the arduous task I had undertaken, of attempting
+to subvert one of the branches of the commerce of the great place which
+was then before me. I began to think of the host of people I should have
+to encounter in it; I anticipated much persecution in it also; and I
+questioned whether I should even get out of it alive. But in journeying
+on I became more calm and composed; my spirits began to return. In these
+latter moments I considered my first feelings as useful, inasmuch as
+they impressed upon me the necessity of extraordinary courage, and
+activity, and perseverance, and of watchfulness, also, over my own
+conduct, that I might not throw any stain upon the cause I had
+undertaken. When, therefore, I entered the city, I entered it with an
+undaunted spirit, determining that no labour should make me shrink, nor
+danger, nor even persecution, deter me from my pursuit.
+
+My first introduction was by means of a letter to Harry Gandy, who had
+then become one of the religious society of the Quakers. This
+introduction to him was particularly useful to me; for he had been a
+seafaring man. In his early youth he had been of a roving disposition;
+and, in order to see the world, had been two voyages in the Slave Trade,
+so that he had known the nature and practices of it. This enabled him to
+give me much useful information on the subject; and as he had frequently
+felt, as he grew up, deep affliction of mind for having been concerned
+in it, he was impelled to forward my views as much as possible, under an
+idea that he should be thus making some reparation for the indiscreet
+and profane occupations of his youth.
+
+I was also introduced to the families of James Harford, John Lury,
+Matthew Wright, Philip, Debell Tucket, Thomas Bonville, and John Waring;
+all of whom were of the same religious society. I gained an
+introduction, also, soon afterwards, to George Fisher. These were my
+first and only acquaintance at Bristol for some time; I derived
+assistance in the promotion of my object from all of them; and it is a
+matter of pleasing reflection, that the friendships then formed have
+been kept alive to the present time.
+
+The objects I had marked down as those to be attended to, were--to
+ascertain what were the natural productions of Africa, and, if possible,
+to obtain specimens of them, with the view of forming a cabinet or
+collection--to procure as much information as I could relative to the
+manner of obtaining slaves on continent of Africa, of transporting them
+to the West Indies, and of treating them there--to prevail upon persons,
+having a knowledge of any or all of these circumstances, to come forward
+to be examined as evidences before parliament, if such an examination
+should take place--to make myself still better acquainted with the loss
+of seamen in the Slave Trade--also with the loss of those who were
+employed in the other trades from the same port--to know the nature, and
+quantity, and value of the imports and exports of goods in the former
+case:--there were some other objects which I classed under the head of
+miscellaneous.
+
+In my first movements about this city, I found that people talked very
+openly on the subject of the Slave Trade. They seemed to be well
+acquainted with the various circumstances belonging to it. There were
+facts, in short, in every body's mouth concerning it; and every body
+seemed to execrate it, though no one thought of its abolition. In this
+state of things I perceived that my course was obvious; for I had little
+else to do, in pursuing two or three of my objects, than to trace the
+foundation of those reports which were in circulation.
+
+On the third of July I heard that the ship Brothers[A], then lying in
+King's Road for Africa, could not get her seamen, and that a party which
+had been put on board, becoming terrified by the prospect of their
+situation, had left her on Sunday morning. On inquiring further, I found
+that those who had navigated her on her last voyage, thirty-two of whom
+had died, had been so dreadfully used by the captain, that he could not
+get hands in the present. It was added, that the treatment of seamen was
+a crying evil in this trade, and that consequently few would enter into
+it, so that there was at all times a great difficulty in procuring them,
+though they were ready enough to enter into other trades.
+
+[Footnote A: I abstain from mentioning the names of the captain of this
+or of other vessels, lest the recording of them should give pain to
+relatives who can have had no share in their guilt.]
+
+The relation of these circumstances made me acquainted with two things,
+of which I had not before heard; namely, the aversion of seamen to
+engage, and the bad usage of them when engaged in this cruel trade; into
+both which I determined immediately to inquire.
+
+I conceived that it became me to be very cautious about giving ear too
+readily to reports; and therefore, as I could easily learn the truth of
+one of the assertions which had been made to me, I thought it prudent to
+ascertain this, and to judge, by the discovery I should make concerning
+it, what degree of credit might be due to the rest. Accordingly, by
+means of my late friend, Truman Harford, the eldest son of the
+respectable family of that name, to which I have already mentioned
+myself to have been introduced, I gained access to the muster-roll of
+the ship Brothers. On looking over the names of her last crew, I found
+the melancholy truth confirmed, that thirty-two of them had been placed
+among the dead.
+
+Having ascertained this circumstance, I became eager to inquire into the
+truth of the others, but more particularly of the treatment of one of
+the seamen, which, as it was reported to me, exceeded all belief. His
+name was John Dean; he was a black man, but free. The report was, that
+for a trifling circumstance, for which he was in no-wise to blame, the
+captain had fastened him with his belly to the deck, and that, in this
+situation, he had poured hot pitch upon his back, and made incisions in
+it with hot tongs.
+
+Before however I attempted to learn the truth of this barbarous
+proceeding, I thought I would look into the ship's muster-roll, to see
+if I could find the name of such a man. On examination I found it to be
+the last on the list. John Dean, it appeared, had been one of the
+original crew, having gone on board, from Bristol, on the twenty-second
+day of July, 1785.
+
+On inquiring where Dean was to be found, my informant told me that he
+had lately left Bristol for London. I was shown, however, to the house
+where he had lodged. The name of his landlord was Donovan. On talking
+with him on the subject, he assured me that the report I had heard was
+true; for that while he resided with him he had heard an account of his
+usage from some of his ship-mates, and that he had often looked at his
+scarred and mutilated back.
+
+On inquiring of Donovan if any other person in Bristol could corroborate
+this account, he referred me to a reputable tradesman living, in the
+Market-place. Having been introduced to him, he told me that he had long
+known John Dean to be a sober and industrious man; that he had seen the
+terrible indentures on his back; and that they were said to have been
+made by the captain, in the manner related, during his last voyage.
+
+While I was investigating this matter further, I was introduced to Mr.
+Sydenham Teast, a respectable ship-builder in Bristol, and the owner of
+vessels trading to Africa in the natural productions of that country. I
+mentioned to him by accident what I had heard relative to the treatment
+of John Dean. He said it was true. An attorney[A] in London had then
+taken up his cause, in consequence of which the captain had been
+prevented from sailing till he could find persons who would be
+answerable for the damages which might be awarded against him in a court
+of law. Mr. Teast further said, that, not knowing at that time the
+cruelty of the transaction to its full extent, he himself had been one
+of the securities for the captain at the request of the purser[B] of the
+ship. Finding, however, afterwards, that it was as the public had
+stated, he was sorry that he had ever interfered, in such a barbarous
+case.
+
+[Footnote A: I afterwards found out this attorney. He described the
+transaction to me, as, by report, it had taken place, and informed me
+that he had made the captain of the Brothers pay for his barbarity.]
+
+[Footnote B: The purser of a ship, at Bristol, is the person who manages
+the outfit, as well as the trade, and who is often in part owner of
+her.]
+
+This transaction, which I now believed to be true, had the effect of
+preparing me for crediting whatever I might hear concerning the
+barbarities said to be practised in this trade. It kindled also a fire
+of indignation within me, and produced in me both anxiety and spirit, to
+proceed. But that which excited these feelings the most, was the
+consideration that the purser of this ship, knowing, as he did, of this
+act of cruelty, should have sent out this monster again. This, I own,
+made me think that there was a system of bad usage to be deliberately
+practised upon the seamen in this employment, for some purpose or other
+which I could then neither comprehend nor ascertain.
+
+But while I was in pursuit of this one object, I was not unmindful of
+the others which I had marked out for myself. I had already procured an
+interview, as I have mentioned, with Mr. Sydenham Teast. I had done this
+with a view of learning from him what were the different productions of
+the continent of Africa, as far as he had been able to ascertain from
+the imports by his own vessels. He was very open and communicative. He
+had imported ivory, red-wood, cam-wood, and gum-copal. He purposed to
+import palm-oil. He observed that bees'-wax might be collected, also,
+upon the coast. Of his gum-copal he gave me a specimen. He furnished me,
+also, with two different specimens of unknown woods, which had the
+appearance of being useful. One of his captains, he informed me, had
+been told by the natives, that cotton, pink in the pod, grew in their
+country. He was of opinion, that many valuable productions might be
+found upon this continent.
+
+Mr. Biggs, to whom I gained an introduction also, was in a similar trade
+with Mr. Teast; that is, he had one or two vessels which skimmed, as it
+were, the coast and rivers for what they could get of the produce of
+Africa, without having any concern in the trade for slaves. Mr. Biggs
+gave me a specimen of gum Senegal, of yellow-wood, and of Malaguetta and
+Cayenne pepper. He gave me, also, small pieces of cloth made and dyed by
+the natives, the colours of which they could only have obtained from
+materials in their own country. Mr. Biggs seemed to be assured that, if
+proper persons were sent to Africa on discovery, they would fine a rich
+mine of wealth in the natural productions of it, and in none more
+advantageous to this as a manufacturing nation, than in the many
+beautiful dyes which it might furnish.
+
+From Thomas Bonville I collected two specimens of cloth made by the
+natives; and from others a beautiful piece of tulipwood, a small piece
+of wood similar to mahogany, and a sample of fine rice, all of which had
+been brought from the same continent.
+
+Among the persons whom I found out at Bristol, and from whom I derived
+assistance, were Dr. Camplin and the celebrated Dean Tucker. The former
+was my warm defender; for the West Indian and African merchants, as soon
+as they discovered my errand, began to calumniate me. The dean, though
+in a very advanced age, felt himself much interested in my pursuit. He
+had long moved in the political world himself, and was desirous of
+hearing of what was going forward that was new in it, but particularly
+about so desirable a measure as that of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade[A]. He introduced me to the Custom House at Bristol. He used to
+call upon me at the Merchants' Hall, while I was transcribing the
+muster-rolls of the seamen there. In short, he seemed to be interested
+in all my movements. He became, also, a warm supporter both of me and of
+my cause.
+
+[Footnote A: Dean Tucker, in his _Reflections on the Disputes between
+Great Britain and Ireland_, published in 1785, had passed a severe
+censure on the British planters for the inhuman treatment of their
+slaves.]
+
+Among others who were useful to me in my pursuit, was Mr. Henry Sulgar,
+an amiable minister of the gospel, belonging to the religious society of
+the Moravians in the same city. From him I first procured authentic
+documents relative to the treacherous massacre at Calabar. This cruel
+transaction had been frequently mentioned to me; but as it had taken
+place twenty years before, I could not find one person who had been
+engaged in it, nor could I come, in a satisfactory manner, at the
+various particulars belonging to it. My friend, however, put me in
+possession of copies of the real depositions which had been taken in the
+case of the king against Lippincott and others relative to this event;
+namely, of Captain Floyd, of the city of Bristol, who had been a witness
+to the scene, and of Ephraim Robin John, and of Ancona Robin Robin John,
+two African chiefs, who had been sufferers by it. These depositions had
+been taken before Jacob Kirby and Thomas Symons, esquires, commissioners
+at Bristol for taking affidavits in the Court of King's Bench. The
+tragedy, of which they gave a circumstantial account, I shall present to
+the reader in as concise a manner as I can.
+
+In the year, 1767, the ships Indian Queen, Duke of York, Nancy, and
+Concord, of Bristol; the Edgar, of Liverpool; and the Canterbury, of
+London; lay in Old Calabar river.
+
+It happened, at this time, that a quarrel subsisted between the
+principal inhabitants of Old Town and those of New Town, Old Calabar,
+which had originated in a jealousy respecting slaves. The captains of
+the vessels now mentioned, joined in sending several letters to the
+inhabitants of Old Town, but particularly to Ephraim Robin John, who was
+at that time a grandee, or principal inhabitant of the place. The tenor
+of these letters was, that they were sorry that any jealousy or quarrel
+should subsist between the two parties; that if the inhabitants of Old
+Town would come on board, they would afford them security and
+protection; adding, at the same time, that their intention in inviting
+them was, that they might become mediators, and thus heal their
+disputes.
+
+The inhabitants of Old Town, happy to find that their differences were
+likely to be accommodated, joyfully accepted the invitation. The three
+brothers of the grandee just mentioned, the eldest of whom was Amboe
+Robin John, first entered their canoe, attended by twenty-seven others,
+and, being followed by nine canoes, directed their course to the Indian
+Queen. They were despatched from thence the next morning to the Edgar,
+and afterwards to the Duke of York, on board of which they went, leaving
+their canoe and attendants by the side of the same vessel. In the mean
+time, the people on board the other canoes were either distributed on
+board, or lying close to, the other ships.
+
+This being the situation of the three brothers, and of the principal
+inhabitants of the place, the treachery now began to appear. The crew of
+the Duke of York, aided by the captain and mates, and armed with pistols
+and cutlasses, rushed into the cabin, with an intent to seize the
+persons of their three innocent and unsuspicious guests. The unhappy
+men, alarmed at this violation of the rights of hospitality, and struck
+with astonishment at the behaviour of their supposed friends, attempted
+to escape through the cabin windows; but, being wounded, were obliged to
+desist, and to submit to be put in irons.
+
+In the same moment in which this atrocious attempt had been made, an
+order had been given to fire upon the canoe, which was then lying by the
+side of the Duke of York. The canoe soon filled and sunk, and the
+wretched attendants were either seized, killed, or drowned. Most of the
+other ships followed the example. Great numbers were additionally killed
+and drowned on the occasion, and others were swimming to the shore.
+
+At this juncture, the inhabitants of New Town, who had concealed
+themselves in the bushes by the water-side, and between whom and the
+commanders of the vessels the plan had been previously concerted, came
+out from their hiding-places, and, embarking in their canoes, made for
+such as were swimming from the fire of the ships. The ships' boats,
+also, were manned, and joined in the pursuit. They butchered the
+greatest part of those whom they caught. Many dead bodies were soon seen
+upon the sands, and others were floating upon the water; and including
+those who were seized and carried off, and those who were drowned and
+killed, either by the firing of the ships or by the people of New Town,
+three hundred were lost to the inhabitants of Old Town on that day.
+
+The carnage which I have been now describing was scarcely over, when a
+canoe, full of the principal people of New Town, who had been the
+promoters of the scheme, dropped along-side of the Duke of York. They
+demanded the person of Amboe Robin John, the brother of the grandee of
+Old Town, and the eldest of the three on board. The unfortunate man put
+the palms of his hands together, and beseeched the commander of the
+vessel that he would not violate the rights of hospitality, by giving up
+an unoffending stranger to his enemies. But no entreaties could avail.
+The commander received from the New Town people a slave of the name of
+Econg in his stead, and then forced him into the canoe, where his head
+was immediately struck off in the sight of the crew, and of his
+afflicted and disconsolate brothers. As for them, they escaped his fate;
+but they were carried off with their attendants to the West Indies, and
+sold for slaves.
+
+The knowledge of this tragical event now fully confirmed me in the
+sentiment, that the hearts of those who were concerned in this traffic
+became unusually hardened, and that I might readily believe any
+atrocities, however great, which might be related of them. It made also
+my blood boil, as it were, within me: it gave anew spring to my
+exertions; and I rejoiced, sorrowful as I otherwise was, that I had
+visited Bristol, if it had been only to gain an accurate statement of
+this one fact.
+
+In pursuing my objects, I found that reports were current, that the crew
+of the Alfred slave-vessel, which had just returned, had been
+barbarously used, but particularly a young man of the name of Thomas,
+who had served as the surgeon's mate on board her. The report was, that
+he had been repeatedly knocked down by the captain; that he had become
+in consequence of his ill usage so weary of his life, that he had three
+times jumped over board to destroy it; that on being taken up the last
+time he had been chained to the deck of the ship, in which situation he
+had remained night and day for some time; that in consequence of this
+his health had been greatly impaired; and that it was supposed he could
+not long survive this treatment.
+
+It was with great difficulty, notwithstanding all my inquiries, that I
+could trace this person. I discovered him, however, at last. He was
+confined to his bed when I saw him, and appeared to me to be delirious.
+I could collect nothing from himself relative to the particulars of his
+treatment. In his intervals of sense, he exclaimed against the cruelty
+both of the captain and of the chief mate, and pointing to his legs,
+thighs, and body, which were all wrapped up in flannel, he endeavoured
+to convince me how much he had suffered there. At one time he said he
+forgave them. At another, he asked if I came to befriend him. At
+another, he looked wildly, and asked if I meant to take the captain's
+part, and to kill him.
+
+I was greatly affected by the situation of this poor man, whose image
+haunted me both night and day, and I was meditating how most effectually
+to assist him, when I heard that he was dead.
+
+I was very desirous of tracing something further on this subject, when
+Walter Chandler, of the society of the Quakers, who had been daily
+looking out for intelligence for me, brought a young man to me of the
+name of Dixon. He had been one of the crew of the same ship. He told me
+the particulars of the treatment of Thomas, with very little variation
+from those contained in the public report. After cross-examining him in
+the best manner I was able, I could find no inconsistency in his
+account.
+
+I asked Dixon how the captain came to treat the surgeon's mate in
+particular so ill. He said he had treated them all much alike. A person
+of the name of Bulpin, he believed, was the only one who had escaped bad
+usage in the ship. With respect to himself, he had been cruelly used so
+early as in the outward bound passage, which had occasioned him to jump
+overboard. When taken up, he was put into irons, and kept in these for a
+considerable time. He was afterwards ill used at different times, and
+even so late as within three or four days of his return to port. For
+just before the Alfred made the island of Lundy, he was struck by the
+captain, who cut his under lip into two. He said that it had bled so
+much, that the captain expressed himself as if much alarmed; and having
+the expectation of arriving soon at Bristol, he had promised to make him
+amends, if he would hold his peace. This he said he had hitherto done,
+but he had received no recompense. In confirmation of his own usage, he
+desired me to examine his lip, which I had no occasion to do, having
+already perceived it, for the wound was apparently almost fresh.
+
+I asked Dixon if there was any person in Bristol beside himself, who
+could confirm to me this his own treatment, as well as that of the other
+unfortunate man who was now dead. He referred me to a seaman of the name
+of Matthew Pyke. This person, when brought to me, not only related
+readily the particulars of the usage in both cases, as I have now stated
+them, but that which he received himself. He said that his own arm had
+been broken by the chief mate in Black River, Jamaica, and that he had
+also by the captain's orders, though contrary to the practice in
+merchant-vessels, been severely flogged. His arm appeared to be then in
+pain; and I had a proof of the punishment by an inspection of his back.
+
+I asked Matthew Pyke if the crew in general had been treated in a cruel
+manner. He replied they had, except James Bulpin. I then asked where
+James Bulpin was to be found. He told me where he had lodged; but feared
+he had gone home to his friends in Somersetshire, I think, somewhere in
+the neighbourhood of Bridgewater.
+
+I thought it prudent to institute an inquiry into the characters of
+Thomas, Dixon, and Matthew Pyke, before I went further. The two former I
+found were strangers in Bristol, and I could collect nothing about them.
+The latter was a native of the place, had served his time as a seaman
+from the port, and was reputed of fair character.
+
+My next business was to see James Bulpin. I found him just setting off
+for the country. He stopped, however, to converse with me. He was a
+young man of very respectable appearance, and of mild manners. His
+appearance, indeed, gave me reason to hope that I might depend upon his
+statements; but I was most of all influenced by the consideration that,
+never having been ill-used himself, he could have no inducement to go
+beyond the bounds of truth on this occasion. He gave me a melancholy
+confirmation of all the three cases. He told me, also, that one Joseph
+Cunningham had been a severe sufferer, and that there was reason to fear
+that Charles Horseler, another of the crew, had been so severely beaten
+over the breast with a knotted end of a rope, (which end was of the size
+of a large ball, and had been made on purpose,) that he died of it. To
+this he added, that it was now a notorious fact, that the captain of the
+Alfred, when mate of a slave-ship, had been tried at Barbados for the
+murder of one of the crew with whom he had sailed, but that he escaped
+by bribing the principal witness to disappear[A].
+
+[Footnote A: Mr. Sampson, who was surgeon's mate of the ship in which
+the captain had thus served as a mate, confirmed to me afterwards this
+assertion, having often heard him boast in the cabin, "how he had
+tricked the law on that occasion."]
+
+The reader will see, the further I went into the history of this voyage,
+the more dismal it became. One miserable account, when examined, only
+brought up another. I saw no end to inquiry. The great question was,
+what was I to do? I thought the best thing would be to get the captain
+apprehended, and make him stand his trial either for the murder of
+Thomas or of Charles Horseler. I communicated with the late Mr. Burges,
+an eminent attorney, and the deputy town-clerk, on this occasion. He had
+shown an attachment to me on account of the cause I had undertaken, and
+had given me privately assistance in it. I say privately; because,
+knowing the sentiments of many of the corporate body at Bristol, under
+whom he acted, he was fearful of coming forward in an open manner. His
+advice to me was, to take notes of the case for my own private
+conviction, but to take no public cognizance of it. He said that seamen,
+as soon as their wages were expended, must be off to sea again. They
+could not generally, as landsmen do, maintain themselves on shore. Hence
+I should be obliged to keep the whole crew at my own expense till the
+day of trial, which might not be for months to come. He doubted not
+that, in the interim, the merchants and others would inveigle many of
+them away by making them boatswains and other inferior officers in some
+of their ships; so that, when the day of trial should come, I should
+find my witnesses dispersed and gone. He observed, moreover, that if any
+of the officers of the ship had any notion of going out again under the
+same owners[A], I should have all these against me. To which he added,
+that if I were to make a point of taking up the cause of those whom I
+found complaining of hard usage in this trade, I must take up that of
+nearly all who sailed in it; for that he only knew of one captain from
+the port in the Slave Trade, who did not deserve long ago to be hanged.
+Hence I should get into a labyrinth of expense, and difficulty, and
+uneasiness of mind, from whence I should not easily find a clew to guide
+me.
+
+[Footnote A: The seamen of the Alfred informed the purser of their ill
+usage, Matthew Pyke not only showed him his arm and his back, but
+acquainted him with the murder of Charles Horseler, stating that he had
+the instrument of his death in his possession. The purser seemed more
+alive to this than to any other circumstance, and wished to get it from
+him. Pyke, however, had given it to me. Now what will the reader think,
+when he is informed that the purser, after all this knowledge of the
+captain's cruelty, sent him out again, and that he was the same person
+who was purser of the Brothers, and who had also sent out the captain of
+that ship a second time, as has been related, notwithstanding his
+barbarities in former voyages!]
+
+This advice, though it was judicious, and founded on a knowledge of law
+proceedings, I found it very difficult to adopt. My own disposition was
+naturally such, that whatever I engaged in I followed with more than
+ordinary warmth. I could not be supposed, therefore, affected and
+interested as I then was, to be cool and tranquil on this occasion. And
+yet what would my worthy friend have said, if in this first instance I
+had opposed him? I had a very severe struggle in my own feelings on this
+account. At length, though reluctantly, I obeyed; but as the passions
+which agitate the human mind, when it is greatly inflamed, must have a
+vent somewhere, or must work off, as it were, or in working together
+must produce some new passion or effect, so I found the rage which had
+been kindling within me subsiding into the most determined resolutions
+of future increased activity and perseverance. I began now to think that
+the day was not long enough for me to labour in. I regretted often the
+approach of night, which suspended my work, and I often welcomed that of
+the morning, which restored me to it. When I felt myself weary, I became
+refreshed by the thought of what I was doing; when disconsolate, I was
+comforted by it. I lived in hope that every day's labour would furnish
+me with that knowledge which would bring this evil nearer to its end;
+and I worked on under these feelings, regarding neither trouble nor
+danger in the pursuit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+Author confers with the inhabitants of Bridgewater relative to a
+petition to parliament in behalf of the abolition; returns to Bristol;
+discovers a scandalous mode of procuring seamen for the Slave Trade,
+and of paying them; makes a comparative view of their loss in this and
+in other trades; procures imports and exports.--Examines the
+construction and admeasurement of slave ships; of the Fly and
+Neptune.--Difficulty of procuring evidence.--Case of Gardiner, of the
+Pilgrim; of Arnold, of the Ruby; some particulars of the latter in his
+former voyages.
+
+
+Having heard by accident that the inhabitants of the town of Bridgewater
+had sent a petition to the House of Commons, in the year 1785, for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, as has been related in a former part of
+the work, I determined, while my feelings were warm, to go there, and to
+try to find out those who had been concerned in it, and to confer with
+them as the tried friends of the cause. The time seemed to me to be
+approaching when the public voice should be raised against this enormous
+evil. I was sure that it was only necessary for the inhabitants of this
+favoured island to know it to feel a just indignation against it.
+Accordingly I set off. My friend George Fisher, who was before mentioned
+to have been of the religious Society of the Quakers, gave me an
+introduction to the respectable family of Ball, which was of the same
+religious persuasion. I called upon Mr. Sealey, Anstice, Crandon, Chubb,
+and others. I laid open to those whom I saw, the discoveries I had made
+relative to the loss and ill treatment of seamen; at which they seemed
+to be much moved; and it was agreed that if it should be thought a
+proper measure, (of which I would inform them when I had consulted the
+committee,) a second petition should be sent to Parliament from the
+inhabitants, praying for the abolition of the Slave Trade. With this
+view I left them several of my _Summary View_, before mentioned, to
+distribute, that the inhabitants might know more particularly the nature
+of the evil, against which they were going to complain. On my return to
+Bristol, I determined to inquire into the truth of the reports that
+seamen had an aversion to enter, and that they were inveigled, if not
+often forced, into this hateful employment. For this purpose I was
+introduced to a landlord of the name of Thompson, who kept a
+public-house called the Seven Stars. He was a very intelligent man, was
+accustomed to receive sailors when discharged at the end of their
+voyages, and to board them till their vessels went out again, or to find
+them births in others. He avoided, however, all connexion with the Slave
+Trade, declaring that the credit of his house would be ruined if he were
+known to send those, who put themselves under his care, into it.
+
+From him I collected the truth of all that had been stated to me on this
+subject. But I told him I should not be satisfied until I had beheld
+those scenes myself which he had described to me; and I entreated him to
+take me into them, saying that I would reward him for all his time and
+trouble, and that I would never forget him while I lived. To this he
+consented; and as three or four slave-vessels at this time were
+preparing for their voyages, it was time that we should begin our
+rounds. At about twelve at night we generally set out, and were employed
+till two and sometimes three in the morning. He led me from one of these
+public-houses to another which the mates of the slave-vessels used to
+frequent to pick up their hands. These houses were in Marsh-street, and
+most of them were then kept by Irishmen. The scenes witnessed in these
+houses were truly distressing to me; and yet, if I wished to know
+practically what I had purposed, I could not avoid them. Music, dancing,
+rioting, drunkenness, and profane swearing, were kept up from night to
+night. The young mariner, if a stranger to the port, and unacquainted
+with the nature of the Slave Trade, was sure to be picked up. The
+novelty of the voyages, the superiority of the wages in this over any
+other trades, and the privileges of various kinds, were set before him.
+Gulled in this manner, he was frequently enticed to the boat, which was
+waiting to carry him away. If these prospects did not attract him, he
+was plied with liquor till he became intoxicated, when a bargain was
+made over him between the landlord and the mate. After this his senses
+were kept in such a constant state of stupefaction by the liquor, that
+in time the former might do with him what he pleased. Seamen, also, were
+boarded in these houses, who, when the slave-ships were going out, but
+at no other time, were encouraged to spend more than they had money to
+pay for; and to these, when they had thus exceeded, but one alternative
+was given, namely, a slave-vessel or a gaol. These distressing scenes I
+found myself obliged frequently to witness, for I was no less than
+nineteen times occupied in making these hateful rounds; and I can say
+from my own experience, and all the information I could collect from
+Thompson and others, that no such practices were in use to obtain seamen
+for other trades.
+
+The treatment of the seamen employed in the Slave Trade had so deeply
+interested me, and now the manner of procuring them, that I was
+determined to make myself acquainted with their whole history; for I
+found by report that they were not only personally ill-treated, as I
+have already painfully described, but that they were robbed by artifice
+of those wages, which had been held up to them as so superior in this
+service. All persons were obliged to sign articles that, in case they
+should die or be discharged during the voyage, the wages then due to
+them should be paid in the currency where the vessel carried her slaves,
+and that half of the wages due to them on their arrival there should be
+paid in the same manner, and that they were never permitted to read over
+the articles they had signed. By means of this iniquitous practice the
+wages in the Slave Trade, though nominally higher in order to induce
+seamen to engage in it, were actually lower than in other trades. All
+these usages I ascertained in such a manner, that no person could doubt
+the truth of them. I actually obtained possession of articles of
+agreement belonging to these vessels, which had been signed and executed
+in former voyages. I made the merchants themselves, by sending those
+seamen who had claims upon them to ask for their accounts current with
+their respective ships, furnish me with such documents as would have
+been evidence against them in any court of law. On whatever branch of
+the system I turned my eyes, I found it equally barbarous. The trade
+was, in short, one mass of iniquity from the beginning to the end.
+
+I employed myself occasionally in the Merchant's-hall, in making copies
+of the muster-rolls of ships sailing to different parts of the world,
+that I might make a comparative view of the loss of seamen in the Slave
+Trade, with that of those in the other trades from the same port. The
+result of this employment showed me the importance of it: for, when I
+considered how partial the inhabitants of this country were to their
+fellow-citizens, the seamen belonging to it, and in what estimation the
+members of the legislature held them, by enforcing the Navigation Act,
+which they considered to be the bulwark of the nation, and by giving
+bounties to certain trades, that these might become so many nurseries
+for the marine, I thought it of great importance, to be able to prove,
+as I was then capable of doing, that more persons would be found dead in
+three slave-vessels from Bristol, in a given time, than in all the other
+vessels put together, numerous as they were, belonging to the same port.
+
+I procured also an account of the exports and imports for the year 1786,
+by means of which I was enabled to judge of the comparative value of
+this and the other trades.
+
+In pursuing another object, which was that of going on board the
+slave-ships, and learning their construction and dimensions, I was
+greatly struck, and indeed affected, by the appearance of two little
+sloops, which were fitting out for Africa, the one of only twenty-five
+tons, which was said to be destined to carry seventy and the other of
+only eleven, which was said to be destined to carry thirty slaves. I was
+told also that which was more affecting, namely, that these were not to
+act as tenders on the coast, by going up and down the rivers, and
+receiving three or four slaves at a time, and then carrying them to a
+large ship, which was to take them to the West Indies; but that it was
+actually intended, that they should transport their own slaves
+themselves; that one if not both of them were, on their arrival in the
+West Indies, to be sold as pleasure-vessels, and that the seamen
+belonging to them were to be permitted to come home by what is usually
+called the run.
+
+This account of the destination of these little vessels, though it was
+distressing at first, appeared to me afterwards, on cool reasoning, to
+be incredible. I thought that my informants wished to impose upon me, in
+order that I might make statements which would carry their own
+refutation with them, and that thus I might injure the great cause which
+I had undertaken. And I was much inclined to be of this opinion, when I
+looked again at the least of the two; for any person, who was tall,
+standing upon dry ground by the side of her, might have overlooked every
+thing upon her deck. I knew also that she had been built as a
+pleasure-boat for the accommodation of only six persons upon the Severn.
+I determined, therefore, to suspend my belief till I could take the
+admeasurement of each vessel. This I did; but lest, in the agitation of
+my mind on this occasion, I should have made any mistake, I desired my
+friend George Fisher to apply to the builder for his admeasurement also.
+With this he kindly complied. When he obtained it he brought it me. This
+account, which nearly corresponded with my own, was as follows:--In the
+vessel of twenty-five tons, the length of the upper part of the hold, or
+roof of the room, where the seventy slaves were to be stowed, was but
+little better than ten yards, or thirty-one feet. The greatest breadth
+of the bottom, or floor, was ten feet four inches; and the least five.
+Hence, a grown person must sit down all the voyage, and contract his
+limbs within the narrow limits of three square feet. In the vessel of
+eleven tons, the length of the room for the thirty slaves was twenty-two
+feet. The greatest breadth of the floor was eight, and the least four.
+The whole height from the keel to the beam was but five feet eight
+inches, three feet of which were occupied by ballast, cargo, and
+provisions, so that two feet eight inches remained only as the height
+between the decks. Hence, each slave would have only four square feet to
+sit in, and, when in this posture, his head, if he were a full-grown
+person, would touch the ceiling, or upper deck.
+
+Having now received this admeasurement from the builder, which was
+rather more favourable than my own, I looked upon the destination of
+these little vessels as yet more incredible than before. Still the
+different persons, whom I occasionally saw on board them, persisted in
+it that they were going to Africa for slaves, and also for the numbers
+mentioned, which they were afterwards to carry to the West Indies
+themselves. I desired, however, my friends, George Fisher, Truman
+Harford, Harry Gandy, Walter Chandler, and others, each to make a
+separate inquiry for me on this subject; and they all agreed that,
+improbable as the account both of their destination, and of the number
+they were to take, might appear, they had found it to be too true. I had
+soon afterwards the sorrow to learn from official documents from the
+Custom-house, that these little vessels actually cleared out for Africa,
+and that now nothing could be related so barbarous of this traffic,
+which might not instantly be believed.
+
+In pursuing my different objects there was one, which, to my great
+vexation, I found it extremely difficult to attain. This was the
+procuring of any assurance from those who had been personally acquainted
+with the horrors of this trade, that they would appear, if called upon,
+as evidence against it. My friend Harry Gandy, to whom I had been first
+introduced, had been two voyages, as I before mentioned; and he was
+willing, though at an advanced age, to go to London, to state publicly
+all he knew concerning them. But with respect to the many others in
+Bristol, who had been to the coast of Africa, I had not yet found one
+who would come forward for this purpose. There were several old Slave
+Captains living there, who had a great knowledge of the subject. I
+thought it not unreasonable that I might gain one or two good evidences
+out of these, as they had probably long ago left the concern, and were
+not now interested in the continuance of it; but all my endeavours were
+fruitless. I sent messages to them by different persons. I met them in
+all ways. I stated to them, that if there was nothing objectionable in
+the trade, seeing it laboured under such a stigma, they had an
+opportunity of coming forward and of wiping away the stain. If, on the
+other hand, it was as bad as represented, then they had it in their
+power, by detailing the crimes which attached to it, of making some
+reparation or atonement, for the part they had taken in it. But no
+representations would do. All intercourse was positively forbidden
+between us; and whenever they met me in the street, they shunned me as
+if I had been a mad dog. I could not for some time account, for the
+strange disposition which they thus manifested towards me; but my
+friends helped me to unravel it, for I was assured that one or two of
+them, though they went no longer to Africa as captains, were in part
+owners of vessels trading there; and, with respect to all of them, it
+might be generally said, that they had been guilty of such enormities,
+that they would be afraid of coming forward in the way I proposed, lest
+any thing should come out by which they might criminate themselves. I
+was obliged then to give up all hope of getting any evidence from this
+quarter, and I saw but little prospect of getting it from those, who
+were then actually deriving their livelihood from the trade: and yet I
+was determined to persevere; for I thought that some might be found in
+it who were not yet so hardened as to be incapable of being awakened on
+this subject. I thought that others might be found in it who wished to
+leave it upon principle, and that these would unbosom themselves to me:
+and I thought it not improbable that I might fall in with others, who
+had come unexpectedly into a state of independence, and that these might
+be induced, as their livelihood would be no longer affected by giving me
+information, to speak the truth.
+
+I persevered for weeks together under this hope, but could find no one
+of all those, who had been applied to, who would have any thing to say
+to me. At length, Walter Chandler had prevailed upon a young gentleman,
+of the name of Gardiner, who was going out as surgeon of the Pilgrim, to
+meet me. The condition was, that we were to meet at the house of the
+former, but that we were to enter in and go out at different times, that
+is, we were not to be seen together.
+
+Gardiner, on being introduced to me, said at once, that he had often
+wished to see me on the subject of my errand, but that the owner of the
+Pilgrim had pointed me out to him as a person whom he would wish him to
+avoid. He then laid open to me the different methods of obtaining slaves
+in Africa, as he had learned from those on board his own vessel in his
+first, or former, voyage. He unfolded also the manner of their treatment
+in the Middle passage, with the various distressing scenes which had
+occurred in it.  He stated the barbarous usuage of the seamen as he had
+witnessed it, and concluded by saying, that there never was a subject
+which demanded so loudly the interference of the legislature as that of
+the Slave Trade.
+
+When he had finished his narrative, and answered the different questions
+which I had proposed to him concerning it, I asked him, in as delicate a
+manner as I could, how it happened, that, seeing the trade in this
+horrible light, he had consented to follow it again? He told me frankly,
+that he had received a regular medical education, but that his
+relations, being poor, had not been able to set him up in his
+profession. He had saved a little money in his last voyage. In that,
+which he was now to perform, he hoped to save a little more. With the
+profits of both voyages together, he expected he should be able to
+furnish a shop in the line of his profession, when he would wipe his
+hands of this detestable trade.
+
+I then asked him, whether, upon the whole, he thought he had judged
+prudently, or whether the prospect of thus enabling himself to become
+independent, would counterbalance the uneasiness which might arise in
+future? He replied, that he had not so much to fear upon this account.
+The trade, while it continued, must have surgeons. But it made a great
+difference both to the crew and to the slaves, whether these discharged
+their duty towards them in a feeling manner, or not. With respect to
+himself, he was sure that he should pay every attention to the wants of
+each. This thought made his continuance in the trade for one voyage
+longer more reconcilable. But he added, as if not quite satisfied,
+"Cruel necessity!" and he fetched a deep sigh.
+
+We took our leave, and departed, the one a few minutes after the other.
+The conversation of this young man was very interesting. I was much
+impressed both by the nature and the manner of it. I wished to secure
+him, if possible, as an evidence for parliament, and thus save him from
+his approaching voyage: but I knew not what to do. At first, I thought
+it would be easy to raise a subscription to set him up. But then, I was
+aware that this might be considered as bribery, and make his testimony
+worth nothing. I then thought that the committee might detain him as an
+evidence, and pay him, in a reasonable manner, for his sustenance, till
+his testimony should be called for. But I did not know how long it would
+be before his examination might take place. It might be a year or two. I
+foresaw other difficulties also and I was obliged to relinquish what
+otherwise I should have deemed a prize.
+
+On reviewing the conversation which had passed between us after my
+return home, I thought, considering the friendly disposition of Gardiner
+towards us, I had not done all I could for the cause; and, communicating
+my feelings to Walter Chandler, he procured me another interview. At
+this, I asked him, if he would become an evidence if he lived to return.
+He replied, very heartily, that he would. I then asked him, if he would
+keep a journal of facts during his voyage, as it would enable him to
+speak more correctly, in case he should be called upon for his
+testimony. He assured me he would, and that he would make up a little
+book for that purpose. I asked him, lastly, when he meant to sail. He
+said, as soon as the ship could get all her hands. It was their
+intention to sail to-morrow, but that seven men, whom the mates had
+brought drunk out of Marsh-street the evening before, were so terrified
+when they found they were going to Africa, that they had seized the boat
+that morning, and had put themselves on shore. I took my leave of him,
+entreating him to follow his resolutions of kindness both to the sailors
+and the slaves, and wished him a speedy and a safe return.
+
+On going one day by the Exchange, after this interview with Gardiner, I
+overheard a young gentleman say to another, "that it happened on the
+coast, last year, and that he saw it." I wished to know who he was, and
+to get at him if I could. I watched him at a distance for more than half
+an hour, when I saw him leave his companion. I followed him till he
+entered a house. I then considered whether it would be proper, and in
+what manner, to address him when he should come out of it. But I waited
+three hours, and I never saw him. I then concluded that he either lodged
+where I saw him enter, or that he had gone to dine with some friend. I
+therefore took notice of the house, and, showing it afterwards to
+several of my friends, desired them to make him out for me. In a day or
+two I had an interview with him. His name was James Arnold. He had been
+two voyages to the coast of Africa for slaves; one as a surgeon's mate
+in the Alexander, in the year 1785, and the other as surgeon in the
+Little Pearl, in the year 1786, from which he had not then very long
+returned.
+
+I asked him if he was willing to give me any account of these voyages,
+for that I was making an inquiry into the nature of the Slave Trade. He
+replied, he knew that I was. He had been cautioned about falling in with
+me; he had, however, taken no pains to avoid me. It was a bad trade, and
+ought to be exposed.
+
+I went over the same ground as I had gone with Gardiner relative to the
+first of these voyages; or that in the Alexander. It is not necessary to
+detail the particulars. It is impossible, however, not to mention, that
+the treatment of the seamen on board this vessel was worse than I had
+ever before heard of. No less than eleven of them; unable to bear their
+lives; had deserted at Bonny, on the coast of Africa,--which is a most
+unusual thing,--choosing all that could be endured, though in a most
+inhospitable climate, and in the power of the natives, rather than to
+continue in their own ship. Nine others also, in addition to the loss of
+these, had died in the same voyage. As to the rest; he believed, without
+any exception, that they had been badly used.
+
+In examining him with respect to his second voyage, or that in the
+Little Pearl, two circumstances came out with respect to the slaves,
+which I shall relate in few words.
+
+The chief mate used to beat the men-slaves on very trifling occasions.
+About eleven one evening, the ship then lying off the coast, he heard a
+noise in their room. He jumped down among them with the lanthorn in his
+hand. Two of those who had been ill-used by him, forced themselves out
+of their irons, and, seizing him, struck him with the bolt of them, and
+it was with some difficulty that he was extricated from them by the
+crew.
+
+The men-slaves, unable now to punish him, and finding they had created
+an alarm, began to proceed to extremities. They endeavoured to force
+themselves up the gratings, and to pull down a partition which had been
+made for a sick-birth; when they were fired upon and repressed. The next
+morning they were brought up one by one; when it appeared that a boy had
+been killed, who was afterwards thrown into the sea.
+
+The two men, however, who had forced themselves out of irons, did not
+come up with the rest, but found their way into the hold, and armed
+themselves with knives from a cask, which had been opened for trade. One
+of them being called to in the African tongue by a black trader, who was
+then on board, came up, but with a knife in each hand; when one of the
+crew, supposing him yet hostile, shot him in the right side and killed
+him on the spot.
+
+The other remained in the hold for twelve hours. Scalding water mixed
+with fat was poured down upon him, to make him come up. Though his flesh
+was painfully blistered by these means, he kept below. A promise was
+then made to him in the African tongue by the same trader, that no
+injury should be done him if he would come among them. To this at length
+he consented; but on observing, when he was about half way up, that a
+sailor was armed between decks, he flew to him, and clasped him, and
+threw him down. The sailor fired his pistol in the scuffle, but without
+effect; he contrived, however, to fracture his skull with the butt end
+of it, so that the slave died on the third day.
+
+The second circumstance took place after the arrival of the same vessel
+at St. Vincent's. There was a boy-slave on board, who was very ill and
+emaciated. The mate, who, by his cruelty, had been the author of the
+former mischief, did not choose to expose him to sale with the rest,
+lest the small sum he would fetch in that situation should lower the
+average price, and thus bring down[A] the value of the privileges of the
+officers of the ship. This boy was kept on board, and no provisions
+allowed him.
+
+[Footnote A: Officers are said to be allowed the privilege of one or
+more slaves, according to their rank. When the cargo is sold, the sum
+total fetched is put down, and this being divided by the number of
+slaves sold, gives the average price of each. Such officers, then,
+receive this average price for one or more slaves, according to their
+privileges, but never the slaves themselves.]
+
+The mate had suggested the propriety of throwing him overboard, but no
+one would do it. On the ninth day he expired, having never been allowed
+any sustenance during that time.
+
+I asked Mr. Arnold if he was willing to give evidence of these facts in
+both cases. He said he had only one objection, which was, that in two or
+three days he was to go in the Ruby on his third voyage: but on leaving
+me, he said, that he would take an affidavit before the mayor of the
+truth of any of those things which he had related to me, if that would
+do; but, from motives of safety, he should not choose to do this till
+within a few hours before he sailed.
+
+In two or three days after this he sent for me; he said the Ruby would
+leave King-road the next day, and that he was ready to do as he had
+promised. Depositions were accordingly made out from his own words. I
+went with him to the residence of George Daubeny, Esq., who was then
+chief magistrate of the city, and they were sworn to in his presence,
+and witnessed as the law requires.
+
+On taking my leave of him, I asked him how he could go a third time in
+such a barbarous employ; he said he had been distressed. In his voyage
+in the Alexander he had made nothing; for he had been so ill-used, that
+he had solicited his discharge in Grenada, where, being paid in
+currency, he had but little to receive. When he arrived in Bristol from
+that island, he was quite penniless; and finding the Little Pearl going
+out, he was glad to get on board her as her surgeon, which he then did
+entirely for the sake of bread. He said, moreover, that she was but a
+small vessel, and that his savings had been but small in her. This
+occasioned him to apply for the Ruby, his present ship; but if he
+survived this voyage he would never go another. I then put the same
+question to him as to Gardiner, and he promised to keep a journal of
+facts, and to give his evidence, if called upon, on his return.
+
+The reader will see, from this account, the difficulty I had in
+procuring evidence from this port. The owners of vessels employed in the
+trade there forbade all intercourse with me; the old captains, who had
+made their fortunes in it, would not see me; the young, who were making
+them, could not be supposed to espouse my cause, to the detriment of
+their own interest. Of those whose necessities made them go into it for
+a livelihood, I could not get one to come forward, without doing so much
+for him as would have amounted to bribery. Thus, when I got one of these
+into my possession, I was obliged to let him go again. I was, however,
+greatly consoled by the consideration, that I had procured two sentinels
+to be stationed in the enemy's camp, who keeping a journal of different
+facts, would bring me some important intelligence at a future period.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+Author goes to Monmouth; confers relative to a petition from that
+place; returns to Bristol; is introduced to Alexander Falconbridge;
+takes one of the mates of the Africa out of that ship; visits disabled
+seamen from the ship Thomas; puts a chief mate into prison for the
+murder of William Lines.--Ill-usage of seamen in various other
+slave-vessels; secures Crutwell's Bath paper in favour of the
+abolition; lays the foundation of a committee at Bristol; and of a
+petition from thence also; takes his leave of that city.
+
+
+By this time I began to feel the effect of my labours upon my
+constitution. It had been my practice to go home in the evening to my
+lodgings, about twelve o'clock, and then to put down the occurrences of
+the day. This usually kept me up till one, and sometimes till nearly two
+in the morning. When I went my rounds in Marsh-street, I seldom got home
+till two, and into bed till three. My clothes, also, were frequently wet
+through with the rains. The cruel accounts I was daily in the habit of
+hearing, both with respect to the slaves, and to the seamen employed in
+this wicked trade, from which, indeed, my mind had no respite, often
+broke my sleep in the night, and occasioned me to awake in an agitated
+state. All these circumstances concurred in affecting my health; I
+looked thin; my countenance became yellow; I had also rheumatic
+feelings. My friends, seeing this, prevailed upon me to give myself two
+or three days' relaxation; and as a gentleman, of whom I had some
+knowledge, was going into Carmarthenshire, I accompanied him as far as
+Monmouth.
+
+After our parting at this place, I became restless and uneasy, and
+longed to get back to my work. I thought, however, my journey ought not
+to be wholly useless to the cause; and hearing that Dr. Davis, a
+clergyman at Monmouth, was a man of considerable weight among the
+inhabitants, I took the liberty of writing him a letter, in which I
+stated who I was and the way in which I had lately employed myself, and
+the great wish I had to be favoured with an interview with him; and I
+did not conceal that it would be very desirable, if the inhabitants of
+the place could have that information on the subject which would warrant
+them in so doing, that they should petition the legislature for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. Dr. Davis returned me an answer, and
+received me. The questions which he put to me were judicious. He asked
+me, first, whether, if the slaves were emancipated, there would not be
+much confusion in the islands? I told him that the emancipation of them
+was no part of our plan; we solicited nothing but the stopping of all
+future importations of them into the islands. He then asked what the
+planters would do for labourers? I replied, they would find sufficient
+from an increase of the native population, if they were obliged to pay
+attention to the latter means. We discoursed a long time upon this last
+topic. I have not room to give the many other questions he proposed to
+me: no one was ever more judiciously questioned. In my turn, I put him
+into possession of all the discoveries I had made. He acknowledged the
+injustice of the trade; he confessed, also, that my conversation had
+enlightened him as to the impolicy of it; and, taking some of my
+_Summary View_ to distribute, he said he hoped that the inhabitants
+would, after the perusal of them, accede to my request.
+
+On my return to Bristol, my friends had procured for me an interview
+with Mr. Alexander Falconbridge, who had been to the coast of Africa, as
+a surgeon, for four voyages; one in the Tartar, another in the
+Alexander, and two in the Emilia slave-vessels.
+
+On my introduction to him, I asked him if he had any objection to give
+me an account of the cruelties which were said to be connected with the
+Slave Trade; he answered, without any reserve, that he had not; for that
+he had now done with it. Never were any words more welcome to my ears
+than these: "Yes--I have done with the trade;"--and he said, also, that
+he was free to give me information concerning it. Was he not then one of
+the very persons, whom I had so long been seeking, but in vain?
+
+To detail the accounts which he gave me at this and at subsequent
+interviews, relative to the different branches of this trade, would fill
+no ordinary volume. Suffice it to say, in general terms, as far as
+relates to the slaves, that he confirmed the various violent and
+treacherous methods of procuring them in their own country; their
+wretched condition, in consequence of being crowded together in the
+passage; their attempts to rise in defence of their own freedom, and,
+when this was impracticable, to destroy themselves by the refusal of
+sustenance, by jumping overboard into the sea, and in other ways; the
+effect also of their situation upon their minds, by producing insanity
+and various diseases; and the cruel manner of disposing of them in the
+West Indies, and of separating relatives and friends.
+
+With respect to the seamen employed in this trade, he commended Captain
+Frazer for his kind usage to them, under whom he had so long served. The
+handsome way in which he spoke of the latter pleased me much, because I
+was willing to deduce from it his own impartiality, and because I
+thought I might infer from it, also, his regard to truth as to other
+parts of his narrative. Indeed I had been before acquainted with this
+circumstance. Thompson, of the Seven Stars, had informed me that Frazer
+was the only man sailing out of that port for slaves who had not been
+guilty of cruelty to his seamen: and Mr. Burges alluded to it, when he
+gave me advice not to proceed against the captain of the Alfred; for he
+then said, as I mentioned in a former chapter, "that he knew but one
+captain in the trade, who did not deserve long ago to be hanged." Mr.
+Falconbridge, however, stated, that though he had been thus fortunate in
+the Tartar and Emilia, he had been as unfortunate in the Alexander; for
+he believed there were no instances upon naval record, taken altogether,
+of greater barbarity, than of that which had been exercised towards the
+seamen in this voyage. In running over these, it struck me that I had
+heard of the same from some other quarter, or at least that these were
+so like the others, that I was surprised at their coincidence. On taking
+out my notes, I looked for the names of those whom I recollected to have
+been used in this manner; and on desiring Mr. Falconbridge to mention
+the names of those, also, to whom he alluded, they turned out to be the
+same. The mystery, however, was soon cleared up, when I told him from
+whom I had received my intelligence: for Mr. Arnold, the last-mentioned
+person in the last chapter, had been surgeon's mate under Mr.
+Falconbridge in the same vessel.
+
+There was one circumstance of peculiar importance, but quite new to me,
+which I collected from the information which Mr. Falconbridge had given
+me. This was, that many of the seamen, who left the slave-ships in the
+West Indies, were in such a weak, ulcerated, and otherwise diseased
+state, that they perished there. Several, also, of those who came home
+with the vessels were in the same deplorable condition. This was the
+case, Mr. Falconbridge said, with some who returned in the Alexander. It
+was the case, also, with many others; for he had been a pupil for twelve
+months in the Bristol Infirmary, and had had ample means of knowing the
+fact. The greatest number of seamen, at almost all times, who were
+there, were from the slave-vessels. These, too, were usually there on
+account of disease, whereas those from other ships were usually there on
+account of accidents. The health of some of the former was so far
+destroyed, that they were never wholly to be restored. This information
+was of great importance; for it showed that they who were reported dead
+upon the muster-rolls, were not all that were lost to the country by the
+prosecution of this wicked trade. Indeed, it was of so much importance,
+that in all my future interviews with others, which were for the purpose
+of collecting evidence, I never forgot to make it a subject of inquiry.
+
+I can hardly say how precious I considered the facts with which Mr.
+Falconbridge had furnished me from his own experience, relative to the
+different branches of this commerce. They were so precious, that I began
+now to be troubled lest I should lose them. For, though he had thus
+privately unbosomed himself to me, it did not follow that he would come
+forward as a public evidence. I was not a little uneasy on this account.
+I was fearful lest, when I should put this question to him, his future
+plan of life, or some little narrow consideration of future interest,
+would prevent him from giving his testimony, and I delayed asking him
+for many days. During this time, however, I frequently visited him; and
+at length, when I thought I was better acquainted, and probably in some
+little estimation, with him, I ventured to open my wishes on this
+subject. He answered me boldly, and at once, that he had left the trade
+upon principle, and that he would state all he knew concerning it,
+either publicly or privately, and at any time when he should be called
+upon to do it. This answer produced such an effect upon me, after all my
+former disappointments, that I felt it all over my frame. It operated
+like a sudden shock, which often disables the impressed person for a
+time. So the joy I felt rendered me quite useless, as to business, for
+the remainder of the day.
+
+I began to perceive in a little time the advantage of having cultivated
+an acquaintance with Thompson of the Seven Stars. For nothing could now
+pass in Bristol, relative to the seamen employed in this trade, but it
+was soon brought to me. If there was anything amiss, I had so arranged
+matters that I was sure to hear of it. He sent for me one day to inform
+me that several of the seamen, who had been sent out of Marsh Street
+into the Prince, which was then at Kingroad, and on the point of sailing
+to Africa for slaves, had, through fear of ill usage on the voyage,
+taken the boat and put themselves on shore. He informed me, at the same
+time, that the seamen of the Africa, which was lying there also, and
+ready to sail on a like voyage, were not satisfied, for that they had
+been made to sign their articles of agreement without being permitted to
+see them. To this he added, that Mr. Sheriff, one of the mates of the
+latter vessel, was unhappy, also, on this account. Sheriff had been a
+mate in the West India trade, and was a respectable man in his line. He
+had been enticed by the captain of the Africa, under the promise of
+peculiar advantages, to change his voyage. Having a wife and family at
+Bristol, he was willing to make a sacrifice on their account: but when
+he himself was not permitted to read the articles, he began to suspect
+bad work, and that there would be nothing but misery in the approaching
+voyage. Thompson entreated me to extricate him if I could. He was sure,
+he said, if he went to the coast with that man, meaning the captain,
+that he would never return alive.
+
+I was very unwilling to refuse anything to Thompson. I was deeply bound
+to him in gratitude for the many services he had rendered me, but I
+scarcely saw how I could serve him on this occasion. I promised,
+however, to speak to him in an hour's time. I consulted my friend Truman
+Harford in the interim; and the result was, that he and I should proceed
+to Kingroad in a boat, go on board the Africa, and charge the captain in
+person with what he had done, and desire him to discharge Sheriff, as no
+agreement, where fraud or force was used in the signatures, could be
+deemed valid. If we were not able to extricate Sheriff by these means,
+we thought that at least we should know, by inquiring of those whom we
+should see on board, whether the measure of hindering the men from
+seeing their articles on signing them had been adopted. It would be
+useful to ascertain this because such a measure had been long reported
+to be usual in this, but was said to be unknown in any other trade.
+
+Having passed the river's mouth, and rowed towards the sea, we came near
+the Prince first, but pursued our destination to the Africa. Mr. Sheriff
+was the person who received us on board. I did not know him till I asked
+his name. I then told him my errand, with which he seemed to be much
+pleased. On asking him to tell the captain that I wished to speak with
+him, he replied that he was on shore. This put me to great difficulty,
+as I did not know then what to do. I consulted with Truman Harford, and
+it was our opinion that we should inquire of the seamen, but in a very
+quiet manner, by going individually to each, if they had ever demanded
+to see the articles on signing them, and if they had been refused. We
+proposed this question to them. They replied, that the captain had
+refused them in a savage manner, making use of threats and oaths. There
+was not one contradictory voice on this occasion. We then asked Mr.
+Sheriff what we were to do. He entreated us by all means to take him on
+shore. He was sure that under such a man as the captain, and
+particularly after the circumstance of our coming on board should be
+made known to him, he would never come from the coast of Africa alive.
+Upon this, Truman Harford called me aside, and told me the danger of
+taking an officer from the ship; for that, if any accident should happen
+to her, the damage might all fall upon me. I then inquired of Mr.
+Sheriff if there was any officer on board who could manage the ship. He
+pointed one out to me, and I spoke to him in the cabin. This person told
+me I need be under no apprehension about the vessel, but that every one
+would be sorry to lose Mr. Sheriff. Upon this ground, Truman Harford,
+who had felt more for me than for himself, became now easy. We had
+before concluded, that the obtaining any signature by fraud or force
+would render the agreement illegal. We therefore joined in opinion, that
+we might take away the man. His chest was accordingly put into our boat.
+We jumped into it with our rowers, and he followed us, surrounded by the
+seamen, all of whom took an affectionate leave of him, and expressed
+their regret at parting. Soon after this there was a general cry of
+"Will you take me, too?" from the deck; and such a sudden movement
+appeared there, that we were obliged to push off directly from the side,
+fearing that many would jump into our boat and go with us.
+
+After having left the ship, Sheriff corroborated the desertion of the
+seamen from the Prince, as before related to me by Thompson. He spoke
+also of the savage disposition of his late captain, which he had even
+dared to manifest through lying in an English port. I was impressed by
+this account of his rough manners; and the wind having risen before and
+the surf now rolling heavily, I began to think what an escape I might
+have had; how easy it would have been for the savage captain, if he had
+been on board, or for any one at his instigation, to have pushed me over
+the ship's side. This was the first time I had ever considered the peril
+of the undertaking. But we arrived safe; and though on the same evening
+I left my name at the captain's house, as that of the person who had
+taken away his mate, I never heard more about it.
+
+In pursuing my inquiries into the new topic suggested by Mr.
+Falconbridge, I learnt that two or three of the seamen of the ship
+Thomas, which had arrived now nearly a year from the Coast, were in a
+very crippled and deplorable state; I accordingly went to see them. One
+of them had been attacked by a fever, arising from circumstances
+connected with these voyages. The inflammation, which had proceeded from
+it, had reached his eyes; it could not be dispersed; and the consequence
+was, that he was then blind. The second was lame; he had badly ulcerated
+legs, and appeared to be very weak. The third was a mere spectre; I
+think he was the most pitiable object I ever saw. I considered him as
+irrecoverably gone. They all complained to me of their bad usage on
+board the Thomas. They said they had heard, of my being in Bristol, and
+they hoped I would not leave it without inquiring into the murder of
+William Lines.
+
+On inquiring who William Lines was, they informed me that he had been
+one of the crew of the same ship, and that all on board believed that he
+had been killed by the chief mate; but they themselves had not been
+present when the blows were given him; they had not seen him till
+afterwards; but their shipmates had told them of his cruel treatment,
+and they knew that soon afterwards he had died.
+
+In the course of the next day, the mother of Lines, who lived in
+Bristol, came to me and related the case. I told her there was no
+evidence as to the fact, for that I had seen three seamen, who could not
+speak to it from their own knowledge. She said, there were four others
+then in Bristol who could; I desired her to fetch them. When they
+arrived I examined each separately, and cross-examined them in the best
+manner I was able; I could find no variation in their account, and I was
+quite convinced that the murder had taken place. The mother was then
+importunate that I should take up the case. I was too much affected by
+the narration I had heard to refuse her wholly, and yet I did not
+promise that I would; I begged a little time to consider of it. During
+this I thought of consulting my friend Burges, but I feared he would
+throw cold water upon it, as he had done in the case of the captain of
+the Alfred. I remembered well what he had then said to me, and yet I
+felt a strong disposition to proceed, for the trade was still going on.
+Every day, perhaps, some new act of barbarity was taking place; and one
+example, if made, might counteract the evil for a time. I seemed
+therefore to incline to stir in this matter, and thought, if I should
+get into any difficulty about it, it would be better to do it without
+consulting Mr. Burges, than, after having done it, to fly as it were in
+his face. I then sent for the woman, and told her that she might appear
+with the witnesses at the Common Hall, where the magistrates usually sat
+on a certain day.
+
+We all met at the time appointed, and I determined to sit as near to the
+mayor as I could get. The hall was unusually crowded. One or two
+slave-merchants, and two or three others, who were largely concerned in
+the West India trade, were upon the bench; for I had informed the mayor
+the day before of my intention, and he, it appeared, had informed them.
+I shall never forget the savage looks which these people gave me; which
+indeed were so remarkable, as to occasion the eyes of the whole court to
+be turned upon me. They looked as if they were going to speak to me, and
+the people looked as if they expected me to say something in return.
+They then got round the mayor, and began to whisper to him, as I
+supposed, on the business before it should come on. One of them,
+however, said aloud to the former, but fixing his eyes upon me, and
+wishing me to overhear him, "Scandalous reports had lately been spread,
+but sailors were not used worse in Guineamen than in other vessels."
+This brought the people's eyes upon me again; I was very much irritated,
+but I thought it improper to say anything. Another, looking savagely at
+me, said to the mayor, "that he had known Captain Vicars a long time;
+that he was an honourable man[A], and would not allow such usage in his
+ship. There were always vagabonds to hatch up things;" and he made a
+dead point at me, by putting himself into a posture which attracted the
+notice of those present, and by staring me in the face. I could now no
+longer restrain myself, and I said aloud, in as modest manner as I
+could, "You, sir, may know many things which I do not; but this I know,
+that if you do not do your duty, you are amenable to a higher court."
+The mayor upon this looked at me, and directly my friend Mr. Burges, who
+was sitting as the clerk to the magistrates, went to him and whispered
+something in his ear; after which all private conversation between the
+mayor and others ceased, and the hearing was ordered to come on.
+
+[Footnote A: We may well imagine what this person's notion of another
+man's honour was; for he was the purser of the Brothers and of the
+Alfred, who, as before mentioned, sent the captains of those ships out a
+second voyage; after knowing their barbarities in the former; and he was
+also the purser of this very ship Thomas, where the murder had been
+committed. I by no means, however, wish by these observations to detract
+from the character of Captain Vicars, as he had no concern in the cruel
+deed.]
+
+I shall not detain the reader by giving an account of the evidence which
+then transpired. The four witnesses were examined, and the case was so
+far clear; Captain Vicars, however, was sent for. On being questioned,
+he did not deny that there had been bad usage, but said that the young
+man had died of the flux. But this assertion went for nothing when
+balanced against the facts which had come out; and this was so evident,
+that an order was made out for the apprehension of the chief mate. He
+was accordingly taken up. The next day, however, there was a rehearing
+of the case, when he was returned to the gaol, where he was to lie till
+the Lords of the Admiralty should order a sessions to be held for the
+trial of offences committed on the high seas.
+
+This public examination of the case of William Lines, and the way in
+which it ended, produced an extraordinary result; for after this time
+the slave-captains and mates who used to meet me suddenly, used as
+suddenly to start from me, indeed to the other side of the pavement, as
+if I had been a wolf, or tiger, or some dangerous beast of prey. Such of
+them as saw me beforehand used to run up the cross streets or lanes,
+which were nearest to them, to get away. Seamen, too, came from various
+quarters to apply to me for redress. One came to me who had been treated
+ill in the Alexander, when Mr. Falconbridge had been the surgeon of her.
+Three came to me who had been ill-used in the voyage which followed,
+though she had then sailed under a new captain. Two applied to me from
+the Africa, who had been of her crew in the last voyage. Two from the
+Fly. Two from the Wasp. One from the Little Pearl, and three from the
+Pilgrim or Princess, when she was last upon the coast.
+
+The different scenes of barbarity which these represented to me, greatly
+added to the affliction of my mind. My feelings became now almost
+insupportable. I was agonized to think that this trade should last
+another day. I was in a state of agitation from morning till night. I
+determined I would soon leave Bristol. I saw nothing but misery in the
+place. I had collected now, I believed, all the evidence it would
+afford; and to stay in it a day longer than was necessary, would be only
+an interruption for so much time both of my happiness and of my health.
+I determined therefore to do only two or three things, which I thought
+to be proper, and to depart in a few days.
+
+And first I went to Bath, where I endeavoured to secure the respectable
+paper belonging to that city in favour of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. This I did entirely to my satisfaction, by relating to the worthy
+editor all the discoveries I had made, and by impressing his mind in a
+forcible manner on the subject. And it is highly to the honour of Mr.
+Crutwell, that from that day he never ceased to defend our cause; that
+he never made a charge for insertions of any kind; but that he
+considered all he did upon this occasion in the light of a duty, or as
+his mite given in charity to a poor and oppressed people.
+
+The next attempt was to lay the foundation of a committee in Bristol,
+and of a petition to Parliament from it for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. I had now made many friends. A gentleman of the name of Paynter
+had felt himself much interested in my labours. Mr. Joseph Harford, a
+man of fortune, of great respectability of character, and of
+considerable influence, had attached himself to the cause. Dr. Fox had
+assisted me in it. Mr. Hughes, a clergyman of the baptist church, was
+anxious and ready to serve it. Dr. Camplin, of the establishment, with
+several of his friends, continued steady. Matthew Wright, James Harford,
+Truman Harford, and all the Quakers to a man, were strenuous, and this
+on the best of principles, in its support. To all these I spoke, and I
+had the pleasure of seeing that my wishes were likely in a short time to
+be gratified in both these cases.
+
+It was now necessary that I should write to the committee in London. I
+had written to them only two letters during my absence; for I had
+devoted myself so much to the great object I had undertaken, that I
+could think of little else. Hence some of my friends among them were
+obliged to write to different persons at Bristol, to inquire if I was
+alive, I gave up a day or two therefore, to this purpose. I informed the
+committee of all my discoveries in the various branches to which my
+attention had been directed, and desired them in return to procure me
+various official documents for the port of London, which I then
+specified. Having done this, I conferred with Mr. Falconbridge, relative
+to being with me at Liverpool. I thought it right to make him no other
+offer than that his expenses should be paid. He acceded to my request on
+these disinterested terms; and I took my departure from Bristol, leaving
+him to follow me in a few days.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+Author secures the Gloucester paper, and lays the foundation of a
+petition from that city; does the same at Worcester, and at
+Chester.--Arrives at Liverpool.--Collects specimens of African
+produce; also imports and exports, and muster-rolls, and accounts of
+dock duties, and iron instruments used in the Slave Trade.--His
+introduction to Mr. Norris, and others.--Author and his errand become
+known.--People visit him out of curiosity.--Frequent controversies on
+the subject of the Slave Trade.
+
+
+On my arrival at Gloucester, I waited upon my friend Dean Tucker. He was
+pleased to hear of the great progress I had made since he left me. On
+communicating to him my intention of making interest with the editors of
+some provincial papers, to enlighten the public mind, and with the
+inhabitants of some respectable places, for petitions to Parliament,
+relative to the abolition of the Slave Trade, he approved of it, and
+introduced me to Mr. Raikes, the proprietor of the respectable paper
+belonging to that city. Mr. Raikes acknowledged, without any hesitation,
+the pleasure he should have in serving such a noble cause; and he
+promised to grant me, from time to time, a corner in his paper, for such
+things as I might point out to him for insertion. This promise he
+performed afterwards, without any pecuniary consideration, and solely on
+the ground of benevolence. He promised also his assistance as to the
+other object, for the promotion of which I left him several of my
+_Summary View_ to distribute.
+
+At Worcester I trod over the same ground, and with the same success.
+Timothy Bevington, of the religious society of the Quakers, was the only
+person to whom I had an introduction there: he accompanied me to the
+mayor, to the editor of the Worcester paper, and to several others,
+before each of whom I pleaded the cause of the oppressed Africans in the
+best manner I was able. I dilated both on the inhumanity and on the
+impolicy of the trade, which I supported by the various facts recently
+obtained at Bristol. I desired, however, as far as petitions were
+concerned, (and this desire I expressed on all other similar occasions,)
+that no attempt should be made to obtain these, till such information
+had been circulated on the subject, that every one, when called upon,
+might judge, from his knowledge of it, how far he would feel it right to
+join in it. For this purpose I left also here several of my _Summary
+View_ for distribution.
+
+After my arrival at Chester, I went to the bishop's residence, but I
+found he was not there. Knowing no other person in the place, I wrote a
+note to Mr. Cowdroy, whom I understood to be the editor of the Chester
+paper, soliciting an interview with him, I explained my wishes to him on
+both subjects. He seemed to be greatly rejoiced, when we met, that such
+a measure as that of the abolition of the Slave Trade was in
+contemplation. Living at so short a distance from Liverpool, and in a
+country from which so many persons were constantly going to Africa, he
+was by no means ignorant, as some were, of the nature of this cruel
+traffic; but yet he had no notion that I had probed it so deeply, or
+that I had brought to light such important circumstances concerning it,
+as he found by my conversation. He made me a hearty offer of his
+services on this occasion, and this expressly without fee or reward. I
+accepted them most joyfully and gratefully. It was, indeed, a most
+important thing, to have a station so near the enemy's camp, where we
+could watch their motions, and meet any attack which might be made from
+it. And this office of a sentinel Mr. Cowdroy performed with great
+vigilance; and when he afterwards left Chester for Manchester, to
+establish a paper there, he carried with him the same friendly
+disposition towards our cause.
+
+My first introduction at Liverpool was to William Rathbone, a member of
+the religious society of the Quakers. He was the same person who, before
+the formation of our committee, had procured me copies of several of the
+muster-rolls of the slave-vessels belonging to that port, so that,
+though we were not personally known, yet we were not strangers to each
+other. Isaac Hadwen, a respectable member of the same society, was the
+person whom I saw next. I had been introduced to him, previously to my
+journey, when he was at London, at the yearly meeting of the Quakers, so
+that no letter to him was necessary. As Mr. Roscoe had generally given
+the profits of _The Wrongs of Africa_ to our committee, I made no
+scruple of calling upon him. His reception of me was very friendly, and
+he introduced me afterwards to Dr. Currie, who had written the preface
+to that poem. There was also a fourth upon whom I called, though I did
+not know him. His name was Edward Rushton: he had been an officer in a
+slave-ship, but had lost his sight, and had become an enemy to that
+trade. On passing through Chester, I had heard, for the first time, that
+he had published a poem called _West Indian Eclogues_, with a view of
+making the public better acquainted with the evil of the Slave Trade,
+and of exciting their indignation against it. Of the three last it may
+be observed, that, having come forward thus early, as labourers, they
+deserve to be put down, as I have placed them in the map, among the
+forerunners and coadjutors in this great cause, for each published his
+work before any efforts were made publicly, or without knowing that any
+were intended. Rushton, also, had the boldness, though then living in
+Liverpool, to affix his name to his work. These were the only persons
+whom I knew for some time after my arrival in that place.
+
+It may not, perhaps, be necessary to enter so largely into my
+proceedings at Liverpool as at Bristol. The following account,
+therefore, may suffice:--
+
+In my attempts to add to my collection of specimens of African produce,
+I was favoured with a sample of gum ruber astringents, of cotton from
+the Gambia, of indigo and musk, of long pepper, of black pepper from
+Whidàh, of mahogany from Calabar, and of cloths of different colours,
+made by the natives, which, while they gave other proofs of the quality
+of their own cotton, gave proofs, also, of the variety of their dyes.
+
+I made interest at the Custom-house for various exports and imports, and
+for copies of the muster-rolls of several slave-vessels, besides those
+of vessels employed in other trades.
+
+By looking out constantly for information on this great subject, I was
+led to the examination of a printed card or table of the dock duties of
+Liverpool, which was published annually. The town of Liverpool had so
+risen in opulence and importance from only a fishing-village, that the
+corporation seemed to have a pride in giving a public view of this
+increase. Hence they published and circulated this card. Now the card
+contained one, among other facts, which was almost as precious, in a
+political point of view, as any I had yet obtained. It stated that in
+the year 1772, when I knew that a hundred vessels sailed out of
+Liverpool for the coast of Africa, the dock-duties amounted to 4552_l._,
+and that in 1779, when I knew that, in consequence of the war, only
+eleven went from thence to the same coast, they amounted to 4957_l_.
+From these facts put together, two conclusions were obvious. The first
+was, that the opulence of Liverpool, as far as the entry of vessels into
+its ports, and the dock-duties arising from thence, were concerned, was
+not indebted to the Slave Trade; for these duties were highest when it
+had only eleven ships in that employ. The second was, that there had
+been almost a practical experiment with respect to the abolition of it;
+for the vessels in it had been gradually reduced from one hundred to
+eleven, and yet the West Indians had not complained of their ruin, nor
+had the merchants or manufacturers suffered, nor had Liverpool been
+affected by the change.
+
+There were specimens of articles in Liverpool, which I entirely
+overlooked at Bristol, and which I believed I should have overlooked
+here also, had it not been for seeing them at a window in a shop; I mean
+those of different iron instruments used in this cruel traffic. I bought
+a pair of the iron hand-cuffs with which the men-slaves are confined.
+The right-hand wrist of one, and the left of another, are almost brought
+into contact by these, and fastened together, as the figure A in the
+annexed plate represents, by a little bolt with a small padlock at the
+end of it.
+
+[Illustration: Handcuffs]
+
+I bought also a pair of shackles for the legs. These are represented by
+the figure B.
+
+The right ancle of one man is fastened to the left of another, as the
+reader will observe, by similar means. I bought these, not because it
+was difficult to conceive how the unhappy victims of this execrable
+trade were confined, but to show the fact that they were so. For what
+was the inference from it, but that they did not leave their own country
+willingly; that, when they were in the holds of the slave-vessels, they
+were not in the Elysium which had been represented; and that there was a
+fear either that they would make their escape, or punish their
+oppressors?
+
+[Illustration: Shackles for the legs]
+
+I bought also a thumb-screw at this shop. The thumbs are put into this
+instrument through the two circular holes at the top of it. By turning a
+key, a bar rises up by means of a screw from C to D, and the pressure
+upon them becomes painful. By turning it further you may make the blood
+start from the ends of them. By taking the key away, as at E, you leave
+the tortured person in agony, without any means of extricating himself,
+or of being extricated by others. This screw, as I was then informed,
+was applied by way of punishment, in case of obstinacy in the slaves, or
+for any other reputed offence, at the discretion of the captain.
+
+At the same place I bought another instrument which I saw. It was called
+a speculum oris. The dotted lines in the figure on the right hand of the
+screw represent it when shut, the black lines when open. It is opened,
+as at G H, by a screw below with a nob at the end of it. This instrument
+is known among surgeons, having been invented to assist them in
+wrenching open the mouth as in the case of a locked jaw; but it had got
+into use in this trade.
+
+[Illustration: Thumb screw]
+
+[Illustration: Speculum oris]
+
+On asking the seller of the instruments on what occasion it was used
+there, he replied that the slaves were frequently so sulky as to shut
+their mouths against all sustenance, and this with a determination to
+die; and that it was necessary their mouths should be forced open to
+throw in nutriment, that they who had purchased them might incur no loss
+by their death.
+
+The town-talk of Liverpool was much of the same nature as that at
+Bristol on the subject of this trade. Horrible facts concerning it were
+in everybody's mouth; but they were more numerous, as was likely to be
+the case where eighty vessels were employed from one port, and only
+eighteen from the other. The people, too, at Liverpool seemed to be more
+hardened, or they related them with more coldness or less feeling. This
+may be accounted for from the greater number of those facts, as just
+related, the mention of which, as it was of course more frequent,
+occasioned them to lose their power of exciting surprise. All this I
+thought in my favour, as I should more easily, or with less
+obnoxiousness, come to the knowledge of what I wanted to obtain.
+
+My friend William Rathbone, who had been looking out to supply me with
+intelligence, but who was desirous that I should not be imposed upon,
+and that I should get it from the fountainhead, introduced me to Mr.
+Norris for this purpose. Norris had been formerly a slave-captain, but
+had quitted the trade, and settled as a merchant in a different line of
+business. He was a man of quick penetration, and of good talents, which
+he had cultivated to advantage, and he had a pleasing address both as to
+speech and manners. He received me with great politeness, and offered me
+all the information I desired. I was with him five or six times at his
+own house for this purpose. The substance of his communications on these
+occasions I shall now put down, and I beg the reader's particular
+attention to it, as he will be referred to it in other parts of this
+work.
+
+With respect to the produce of Africa, Mr. Norris enumerated many
+articles in which a new and valuable trade might be opened, of which he
+gave me one, namely, the black pepper from Whidàh before mentioned. This
+he gave me, to use his own expressions, as one argument among many
+others of the impolicy of the Slave Trade, which, by turning the
+attention of the inhabitants to the persons of one another for sale,
+hindered foreigners from discovering, and themselves from cultivating,
+many of the valuable productions of their own soil.
+
+On the subject of procuring slaves, he gave it as his decided opinion
+that many of the inhabitants of Africa were kidnapped by each other, as
+they were travelling on the roads, or fishing in the creeks, or
+cultivating their little spots. Having learned their language, he had
+collected the fact from various quarters, but more particularly from the
+accounts of slaves whom he had transported in his own vessels. With
+respect, however, to Whidàh, many came from thence who were reduced to
+slavery in a different manner. The king of Dahomey, whose life (with the
+wars and customs of the Dahomans) he said he was then writing, and who
+was a very despotic prince, made no scruple of seizing his own subjects,
+and of selling them, if he was in want of any of the articles which the
+slave-vessels would afford him. The history of this prince's life he
+lent me afterwards to read, while it was yet in manuscript, in which I
+observed that he had recorded all the facts now mentioned. Indeed he
+made no hesitation to state them, either when we were by ourselves, or
+when others were in company with us. He repeated them at one time in the
+presence both of Mr. Cruden and Mr. Coupland. The latter was then a
+slave-merchant at Liverpool. He seemed to be fired at the relation of
+these circumstances. Unable to restrain himself longer, he entered into
+a defence of the trade, both as to the humanity and the policy of it;
+but Mr. Norris took up his arguments in both these cases, and answered
+them in a solid manner.
+
+With respect to the Slave Trade as it affected the health of our seamen,
+Mr. Norris admitted it to be destructive; but I did not stand in need of
+this information, as I knew this part of the subject, in consequence of
+my familiarity with the muster-rolls, better than himself.
+
+He admitted it also to be true, that they were too frequently
+ill-treated in this trade. A day or two after our conversation on this
+latter subject he brought me the manuscript journal of a voyage to
+Africa, which had been kept by a mate, with whom he was then acquainted.
+He brought it to me to read, as it might throw some light upon the
+subject on which we had talked last. In this manuscript various
+instances of cruel usage towards seamen were put down, from which it
+appeared that the mate, who wrote it, had not escaped himself.
+
+At the last interview we had, he seemed to be so satisfied of the
+inhumanity, injustice, and impolicy of the trade, that he made me a
+voluntary offer of certain clauses, which he had been thinking of, and
+which, he believed, if put into an Act of Parliament, would judiciously
+effect its abolition. The offer of these clauses I embraced eagerly. He
+dictated them, and I wrote. I wrote them in a small book which I had
+then in my pocket. They were these:--
+
+No vessel, under a heavy penalty, to supply foreigners with slaves.
+
+Every vessel to pay to government a tax for a register on clearing out
+to supply our own islands with slaves.
+
+Every such vessel to be prohibited from purchasing or bringing home any
+of the productions of Africa.
+
+Every such vessel to be prohibited from bringing home a passenger, or
+any article of produce, from the West Indies.
+
+A bounty to be given to every vessel trading in the natural productions
+of Africa. This bounty to be paid in part out of the tax arising from
+the registers of the slave-vessels.
+
+Certain establishments to be made by government in Africa, in the
+Bananas, in the Isles de Los, on the banks of the Camaranca, and in
+other places, for the encouragement and support of the new trade to be
+substituted there.
+
+Such then were the services, which Mr. Norris, at the request of William
+Rathbone, rendered me at Liverpool, during my stay there; and I have
+been very particular in detailing them, because I shall be obliged to
+allude to them, as I have before observed, on some important occasions
+in a future part of the work.
+
+On going my rounds one day, I met accidentally with Captain Chaffers.
+This gentleman either was or had been in the West India employ. His
+heart had beaten in sympathy with mine, and he had greatly favoured our
+cause. He had seen me at Mr. Norris's, and learned my errand there. He
+told me he could introduce me in a few minutes, as we were then near at
+hand, to Captain Lace, if I chose it. Captain Lace, he said, had been
+long in the Slave Trade, and could give me very accurate information
+about it. I accepted his offer. On talking to Captain Lace, relative to
+the productions of Africa, he told me that mahogany grew at Calabar. He
+began to describe a tree of that kind, which he had seen there. This
+tree was from about eighteen inches to two feet in diameter, and about
+sixty feet high, or, as he expressed it, of the height of a tall
+chimney. As soon as he mentioned Calabar, a kind of horror came over me.
+His name became directly associated in my mind with the place. It almost
+instantly occurred to me, that he commanded the Edgar out of Liverpool,
+when the dreadful massacre there, as has been related, took place.
+Indeed I seemed to be so confident of it, that, attending more to my
+feelings than to my reason at this moment, I accused him with being
+concerned in it. This produced great confusion among us. For he looked
+incensed at Captain Chaffers, as if he had introduced me to him for this
+purpose. Captain Chaffers again seemed to be all astonishment that I
+should have known of this circumstance, and to be vexed that I should
+have mentioned it in such a manner. I was also in a state of trembling
+myself. Captain Lace could only say it was a bad business. But he never
+defended himself, nor those concerned in it. And we soon parted, to the
+great joy of us all.
+
+Soon after this interview, I began to perceive that I was known in
+Liverpool, as well as the object for which I came. Mr. Coupland, the
+slave-merchant, with whom I had disputed at Mr. Norris's house, had
+given the alarm to those who were concerned in the trade, and Captain
+Lace, as may be now easily imagined, had spread it. This knowledge of me
+and of my errand was almost immediately productive of two effects, the
+first of which I shall now mention.
+
+I had a private room at the King's Arms tavern, besides my bed-room,
+where I used to meditate and to write; but I generally dined in public.
+The company at dinner had hitherto varied but little as to number, and
+consisted of those, both from the town and country, who had been
+accustomed to keep up a connexion with the house. But now things were
+altered, and many people came to dine there daily with a view of seeing
+me, as if I had been some curious creature imported from foreign parts.
+They thought, also, they could thus have an opportunity of conversing
+with me. Slave-merchants and slave-captains came in among others for
+this purpose. I had observed this difference in the number of our
+company for two or three days. Dale, the master of the tavern, had
+observed it also, and told me in a good-natured manner, that many of
+these were my visitors, and that I was likely to bring him a great deal
+of custom. In a little time, however, things became serious; for they,
+who came to see me, always started the abolition of the Slave Trade as
+the subject for conversation. Many entered into the justification of
+this trade with great warmth, as if to ruffle my temper, or at any rate
+to provoke me to talk. Others threw out, with the same view, that men
+were going about to abolish it, who would have done much better if they
+had stayed at home. Others said they had heard of a person turned mad,
+who had conceived the thought of destroying Liverpool, and all its
+glory. Some gave as a toast, Success to the trade, and then laughed
+immoderately, and watched me when I took my glass to see if I would
+drink it. I saw the way in which things were now going, and I believed
+it would be proper that I should come to some fixed resolutions; such
+as, whether I should change my lodgings, and whether I should dine in
+private; and if not, what line of conduct it would become me to pursue
+on such occasions. With respect to changing my lodgings and dining in
+private, I conceived, if I were to do either of these things, that I
+should be showing an unmanly fear of my visiters, which they would turn
+to their own advantage. I conceived too, that, if I chose to go on as
+before, and to enter into conversation with them on the subject of the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, I might be able, by having such an
+assemblage of persons daily, to gather all the arguments which they
+could collect on the other side of our question, an advantage which I
+should one day feel in the future management of the cause. With respect
+to the line, which I should pursue in the case of remaining in the place
+of my abode and in my former habits, I determined never to start the
+subject of the abolition myself--never to abandon it when started--never
+to defend it but in a serious and dignified manner--and never to
+discover any signs of irritation, whatever provocation might be given
+me. By this determination I abided rigidly. The King's Arms became now
+daily the place for discussion on this subject. Many tried to insult me,
+but to no purpose. In all these discussions I found the great advantage
+of having brought Mr. Falconbridge with me from Bristol; for he was
+always at the table; and when my opponents, with a disdainful look,
+tried to ridicule my knowledge, among those present, by asking me if I
+had ever been on the coast of Africa myself, he used generally to reply,
+"But I have. I know all your proceedings there, and that his statements
+are true." These and other words put in by him, who was an athletic and
+resolute-looking man, were of great service to me. All disinterested
+persons, of whom there were four or five daily in the room, were
+uniformly convinced by our arguments, and took our part, and some of
+them very warmly. Day after day we beat our opponents out of the field,
+as many of the company acknowledged, to their no small notification, in
+their presence. Thus, while we served the cause by discovering all that
+could be said against it, we served it by giving numerous individuals
+proper ideas concerning it, and of interesting them in our favour.
+
+The second effect which I experienced was, that from this time I could
+never get any one to come forward as an evidence to serve the cause.
+There were, I believe, hundreds of persons in Liverpool, and in the
+neighbourhood of it, who had been concerned in this traffic, and who had
+left it, all of whom could have given such testimony concerning it as
+would have insured its abolition. But none of them would now speak out.
+Of these, indeed, there were some, who were alive to the horrors of it,
+and who lamented that it should still continue. But yet even these were
+backward in supporting me. All that they did was just privately to see
+me, to tell me that I was right, and to exhort me to persevere: but as
+to coming forward to be examined publicly, my object was so unpopular,
+and would become so much more so when brought into parliament, that they
+would have their houses pulled down, if they should then appear as
+public instruments in the annihilation of the trade. With this account I
+was obliged to rest satisfied; nor could I deny, when I considered the
+spirit, which had manifested itself, and the extraordinary number of
+interested persons in the place, that they had some reason for their
+fears; and that these fears were not groundless, appeared afterwards;
+for Dr. Binns, a respectable physician belonging to the religious
+society of the Quakers, and to whom Isaac Hadwen had introduced me, was
+near falling into a mischievous plot, which had been laid against him,
+because he was one of the subscribers to the institution for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, and because he was suspected of having
+aided me in promoting that object.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+Hostile disposition towards the author increases, on account of his
+known patronage of the seamen employed in the Slave Trade; manner of
+procuring and paying them at Liverpool; their treatment and
+mortality.--Account of the murder of Peter Green; trouble taken by the
+author to trace it; his narrow escape.--Goes to Lancaster, but returns
+to Liverpool; leaves the latter place.
+
+
+It has appeared that a number of persons used to come and see me, out of
+curiosity, at the King's Arms tavern; and that these manifested a bad
+disposition towards me, which was near breaking out into open insult.
+Now the cause of all this was, as I have observed, the knowledge which
+people had obtained relative to my errand at this place. But this
+hostile disposition was increased by another circumstance, which I am
+now to mention. I had been so shocked at the treatment of the seamen
+belonging to the slave-vessels at Bristol, that I determined, on my
+arrival at Liverpool, to institute an inquiry concerning it there also.
+I had made considerable progress in it, so that few seamen were landed
+from such vessels, but I had some communication with them; and though no
+one else would come near me, to give me any information about the trade,
+these were always forward to speak to me, and to tell me their
+grievances, if it were only with the hope of being able to get redress.
+The consequence of this was, that they used to come to the King's Arms
+tavern to see me. Hence, one, two, and three, were almost daily to be
+found about the door; and this happened quite as frequently after the
+hostility just mentioned had shown itself, as before. They, therefore,
+who came to visit me out of curiosity, could not help seeing my sailor
+visiters; and on inquiring into their errand, they became more than ever
+incensed against me.
+
+The first result of this increased hostility towards me was an
+application from some of them to the master of the tavern, that he would
+not harbour me. This he communicated to me in a friendly manner, but he
+was by no means desirous that I should leave him. On the other hand, he
+hoped I would stay long enough to accomplish my object. I thought it
+right, however, to take the matter into consideration; and having
+canvassed it, I resolved to remain with him, for the reasons mentioned
+in the former chapter. But, that I might avoid doing anything that would
+be injurious to his interest, as well as in some measure avoid giving
+unnecessary offence to others, I took lodgings in Williamson Square,
+where I retired to write, and occasionally to sleep, and to which place
+all seamen, desirous of seeing me, were referred. Hence I continued to
+get the same information as before, but in a less obnoxious and
+injurious manner.
+
+The history of the seamen employed in the slave-vessels belonging to the
+port of Liverpool, I found to be similar to that of those from Bristol.
+
+They who went into this trade were of two classes. The first consisted
+of those who were ignorant of it, and to whom generally improper
+representations of advantage had been made, for the purpose of enticing
+them into it. The second consisted of those who, by means of a regular
+system, kept up by the mates and captains, had been purposely brought by
+their landlords into distress, from which they could only be extricated
+by going into this hateful employ. How many have I seen, with tears in
+their eyes, put into boats, and conveyed to vessels, which were then
+lying at the Black Rock, and which were only waiting to receive them to
+sail away!
+
+The manner of paying them in the currency of the islands was the same as
+at Bristol. But this practice was not concealed at Liverpool, as it was
+at the former place. The articles of agreement were printed, so that all
+who chose to buy might read them. At the same time it must be observed,
+that seamen were never paid in this manner in any other employ; and that
+the African wages, though nominally higher for the sake of procuring
+hands, were thus made to be actually lower than in other trades.
+
+The loss by death was so similar, that it did not signify whether the
+calculation on a given number was made either at this or the other port.
+I had, however, a better opportunity at this than I had at the other, of
+knowing the loss, as it related to those whose constitutions had been
+ruined, or who had been rendered incapable by disease, of continuing
+their occupation at sea. For the slave-vessels which returned to
+Liverpool, sailed immediately into the docks, so that I saw at once
+their sickly and ulcerated crews. The number of vessels, too, was so
+much greater from this, than from any other port, that their sick made a
+more conspicuous figure in the infirmary; and they were seen also more
+frequently in the streets.
+
+With respect to their treatment, nothing could be worse. It seemed to me
+to be but one barbarous system from the beginning to the end. I do not
+say barbarous, as if premeditated, but it became so in consequence of
+the savage habits gradually formed by a familiarity with miserable
+sights, and with a course of action inseparable from the trade. Men in
+their first voyages usually disliked the traffic; and if they were happy
+enough then to abandon it, they usually escaped the disease of a
+hardened heart. But if they went a second and a third time, their
+disposition became gradually changed. It was impossible for them to be
+accustomed to carry away men and women by force, to keep them in chains,
+to see their tears, to hear their mournful lamentations, to behold the
+dead and the dying, to be obliged to keep up a system of severity amidst
+all this affliction,--in short, it was impossible for them to be
+witnesses, and this for successive voyages, to the complicated mass of
+misery passing in a slave-ship, without losing their finer feelings, or
+without contracting those habits of moroseness and cruelty which would
+brutalize their nature. Now, if we consider that persons could not
+easily become captains (and to these the barbarities were generally
+chargeable by actual perpetration, or by consent) till they had been two
+or three voyages in this employ, we shall see the reason why it would be
+almost a miracle, if they, who were thus employed in it, were not rather
+to become monsters, than to continue to be men.
+
+While I was at Bristol, I heard from an officer of the Alfred, who gave
+me the intelligence privately, that the steward of a Liverpool ship,
+whose name was Green, had been murdered in that ship. The Alfred was in
+Bonny river at the same time, and his own captain, (so infamous for his
+cruelty, as has been before shown,) was on board when it happened. The
+circumstances, he said, belonging to this murder, were, if report were
+true, of a most atrocious nature, and deserved to be made the subject of
+inquiry. As to the murder itself, he observed, it had passed as a
+notorious and uncontradicted fact.
+
+This account was given me just as I had made an acquaintance with Mr.
+Falconbridge, and I informed him of it; he said he had no doubt of its
+truth; for in his last voyage he went to Bonny himself, where the ship
+was then lying, in which the transaction happened: the king and several
+of the black traders told him of it. The report then current was simply
+this, that the steward had been barbarously beaten one evening; that
+after this he was let down with chains upon him into a boat, which was
+alongside of the ship, and that the next morning he was found dead.
+
+On my arrival at Liverpool, I resolved to inquire into the truth of this
+report. On looking into one of the wet docks, I saw the name of the
+vessel alluded to; I walked over the decks of several others, and got on
+board her. Two people were walking up and down her, and one was leaning
+upon a rail by the side. I asked the latter how many slaves this ship
+had carried in her last voyage; he replied he could not tell; but one of
+the two persons walking about could answer me, as he had sailed out and
+returned in her. This man came up to us, and joined in conversation. He
+answered my questions and many others, and would have shown me the ship,
+but on asking him how many seamen had died on the voyage, he changed his
+manner, and said, with apparent hesitation, that he could not tell. I
+asked him next, what had become, of the steward Green. He said he
+believed he was dead. I asked how the seamen had been used. He said, not
+worse than others. I then asked whether Green had been used worse than
+others. He replied, he did not then recollect. I found that he was now
+quite upon his guard, and as I could get no satisfactory answer from him
+I left the ship.
+
+On the next day I looked over the muster-roll of this vessel; on
+examining it, I found that sixteen of the crew had died; I found also
+the name of Peter Green; I found, again, that the latter had been put
+down among the dead. I observed, also, that the ship had left Liverpool
+on the 5th of June, 1786, and had returned on the 5th of June, 1787, and
+that Peter Green was put down as having died on the 19th of September;
+from all which circumstances it was evident that he must, as my Bristol
+informant asserted, have died upon the Coast.
+
+Notwithstanding this extraordinary coincidence of name, mortality, time,
+and place, I could gain no further intelligence about the affair till
+within about ten days before I left Liverpool; when among the seamen,
+who came to apply to me in Williamson Square was George Ormond. He came
+to inform me of his own ill-usage; from which circumstance I found that
+he had sailed in the same ship with Peter Green. This led me to inquire
+into the transaction in question, and I received from him the following
+account.
+
+Peter Green had been shipped as steward. A black woman, of the name of
+Rodney, went out in the same vessel; she belonged to the owners of it,
+and was to be an interpretess to the slaves who should be purchased.
+About five in the evening, some time in the month of September, the
+vessel then lying in Bonny river, the captain, as was his custom, went
+on shore. In his absence, Rodney, the black woman, asked Green for the
+keys of the pantry, which he refused her, alleging that the captain had
+already beaten him for having given them to her on a former occasion,
+when she drank the wine. The woman, being passionate, struck him, and a
+scuffle ensued, out of which Green extricated himself as well as he
+could.
+
+When the scuffle was over the woman retired to the cabin, and appeared
+pensive. Between eight and nine in the evening, the captain, who was
+attended by the captain of the Alfred, came on board; Rodney immediately
+ran to him, and informed him that Green had made an assault upon her.
+The captain, without any inquiry, beat him severely, and ordered his
+hands to be made fast to some bolts on the starboard side of the ship
+and under the half deck, and then flogged him himself, using the lashes
+of the cat-of-nine-tails upon his back at one time, and the double
+walled knot at the end of it upon his head at another; and stopping to
+rest at intervals, and using each hand alternately, that he might strike
+with the greater severity.
+
+The pain had now become so very severe, that Green cried out, and
+entreated the captain of the Alfred, who was standing by, to pity his
+hard case, and to intercede for him. But the latter replied, that he
+would have served me in the same manner. Unable to find a friend here,
+he called upon the chief mate; but this only made matters worse, for the
+captain then ordered the latter to flog him also; which he did for some
+time, using however only the lashes of the instrument. Green then called
+in his distress upon the second mate to speak for him; but the second
+mate was immediately ordered to perform the same cruel office, and was
+made to persevere in it till the lashes were all worn into threads. But
+the barbarity did not close here; for the captain, on seeing the
+instrument now become useless, ordered another, with which he flogged
+him as before, beating him at times over the head with the double-walled
+knot, and changing his hands, and cursing his own left hand for not
+being able to strike so severe a blow as his right.
+
+The punishment, as inflicted by all parties, had now lasted two hours
+and a half, when George Ormond was ordered to cut down one of the arms,
+and the boatswain the other, from the places of their confinement; this
+being done, Green lay motionless on the deck. He attempted to utter
+something, Ormond understood it to be the word water; but no water was
+allowed him. The captain, on the other hand, said he had not yet done
+with him, and ordered him to be confined with his arms across, his right
+hand to his left foot, and his left hand to his right foot. For this
+purpose the carpenter brought shackles, and George Ormond was compelled
+to put them on. The captain then ordered some tackle to be made fast to
+the limbs of the said Peter Green, in which situation he was then
+hoisted up, and afterwards let down into a boat, which was lying
+alongside the ship. Michael Cunningham was then sent to loose the
+tackle, and to leave him there.
+
+In the middle watch, or between one and two next morning, George Ormond
+looked out of one of the port-holes, and called to Green, but received
+no answer. Between two and three, Paul Berry, a seaman, was sent down
+into the boat, and found him dead. He made his report to one of the
+officers of the ship. About five in the morning the body was brought up,
+and laid on the waist near the half-deck door. The captain on seeing the
+body when he rose, expressed no concern, but ordered it to be knocked
+out of irons, and to be buried at the usual place of interment for
+seamen, or Bonny Point. I may now observe, that the deceased was in good
+health before the punishment took place, and in high spirits; for he
+played upon the flute only a short time before Rodney asked him for the
+keys, while those seamen, who were in health, danced.
+
+On hearing this cruel relation from George Ormond, who was throughout a
+material witness to the scene, I had no doubt in my own mind of the
+truth of it; but I thought it right to tell him at once that I had seen
+a person, about four weeks ago, who had been the same voyage with him
+and Peter Green, but yet who had no recollection of these circumstances.
+Upon this he looked quite astonished, and began to grow angry; he
+maintained he had seen the whole; he had also held the candle himself
+during the whole punishment. He asserted that one candle and half of
+another were burnt out while it lasted. He said also that, while the
+body lay in the waist, he had handled the abused parts, and had put
+three of his fingers into a hole, made by the double walled knot, in the
+head, from whence a quantity of blood and, he believed, brains issued.
+He then challenged me to bring the man, before him; I desired him upon
+this to be cool, and to come to me the next day, and I would then talk
+with him again upon the subject.
+
+In the interim I consulted the muster-roll of the vessel again; I found
+the name of George Ormond; he had sailed in her out of Liverpool, and
+had been discharged at the latter end of January in the West Indies, as
+he had told me. I found also the names of Michael Cunningham and of Paul
+Berry, whom he had mentioned. It was obvious also that Ormond's account
+of the captain of the Alfred being on board at the time of the
+punishment tallied with that given me at Bristol by an officer of that
+vessel, and that his account of letting down Peter Green into the boat
+tallied with that which Mr. Falconbridge, as I mentioned before, had
+heard from the king and the black traders in Bonny river.
+
+When he came to me next day, he came in high spirits. He said he had
+found out the man whom I had seen. The man, however, when he talked to
+him about the murder of Peter Green, acknowledged every thing concerning
+it. Ormond intimated that this man was to sail again in the same ship
+under the promise of being an officer, and that he had been kept on
+board, and had been enticed to a second voyage, for no other purpose
+than that he might be prevented from divulging the matter. I then asked
+Ormond, whether he thought the man would acknowledge the murder in my
+hearing. He replied, "that, if I were present, he thought he would not
+say much about it, as he was soon to be under the same captain, but that
+he would not deny it. If, however, I were out of sight, though I might
+be in hearing, he believed he would acknowledge the facts."
+
+By the assistance of Mr. Falconbridge, I found a public-house, which had
+two rooms in it: nearly at the top of the partition between them was a
+small window, which a person might look through by standing upon a
+chair. I desired Ormond, one evening, to invite the man into the larger
+room, in which he was to have a candle, and, to talk with him on the
+subject. I proposed to station myself in the smallest in the dark, so
+that by looking through the window I could both see and hear him, and
+yet be unperceived myself. The room, in which I was to be, was one where
+the dead were frequently carried to be owned. We were all in our places
+at the time appointed. I directly discovered that it was the same man
+with whom I had conversed on board the ship in the wet docks. I heard
+him distinctly relate many of the particulars of the murder, and
+acknowledge them all. Ormond, after having talked with him some time,
+said, "Well, then, you believe Peter Green was actually murdered?" He
+replied, "If Peter Green was not murdered, no man ever was." What
+followed I do not know. I had heard quite enough; and the room was so
+disagreeable in smell, that I did not choose to stay in it longer than
+was absolutely necessary.
+
+I own I was now quite satisfied that the murder had taken place, and my
+first thought was to bring the matter before the mayor, and to take up
+three of the officers of the ship. But, in mentioning my intention to my
+friends, I was dissuaded from it. They had no doubt but that in
+Liverpool, as there was now a notion that the Slave Trade would become a
+subject of parliamentary inquiry, every, effort would be made to
+overthrow me. They were of opinion also that such of the magistrates, as
+were interested in the trade, when applied to for warrants of
+apprehension, would contrive to give notice to the officers to escape.
+In addition to this they believed, that so many in the town were already
+incensed against me, that I should be torn to pieces, and the house
+where I lodged burnt down, if I were to make the attempt. I thought it
+right therefore to do nothing for the present; but I sent Ormond to
+London, to keep him out of the way of corruption, till I should make up
+my mind as to further proceedings on the subject.
+
+It is impossible, if I observe the bounds I have prescribed myself, and
+I believe the reader will be glad of it on account of his own feelings,
+that I should lay open the numerous cases, which came before me at
+Liverpool, relative to the ill-treatment of the seamen in this wicked
+trade. It may be sufficient to say, that they harassed my constitution,
+and affected my spirits daily. They were in my thoughts on my pillow
+after I retired to rest, and I found them before my eyes when I awoke.
+Afflicting, however, as they were, they were of great use in the
+promotion of our cause: for they served, whatever else failed, as a
+stimulus to perpetual energy: they made me think light of former
+labours, and they urged me imperiously to new. And here I may observe,
+that among the many circumstances which ought to excite our joy on
+considering the great event of the abolition of the Slave Trade, which
+has now happily taken place, there are few for which we ought to be more
+grateful, than that from this time our commerce ceases to breed such
+abandoned wretches: while those, who have thus been bred in it, and who
+may yet find employment in other trades, will, in the common course of
+nature, be taken off in a given time, so that our marine will at length
+be purified from a race of monsters, which have helped to cripple its
+strength, and to disgrace its character.
+
+The temper of many of the interested people of Liverpool had now become
+still more irritable, and their hostility more apparent than before. I
+received anonymous letters, entreating me to leave it, or I should
+otherwise never leave it alive. The only effect which this advice had
+upon me, was to make me more vigilant when I went out at night. I never
+stirred out at this time without Mr. Falconbridge; and he never
+accompanied me without being well armed. Of this, however, I knew
+nothing until we had left the place. There was certainly a time when I
+had reason to believe that I had a narrow escape. I was one day on the
+pier-head with many others looking at some little boats below at the
+time of a heavy gale. Several persons, probably out of curiosity, were
+hastening thither. I had seen all I intended to see, and was departing,
+when I noticed eight or nine persons making towards me. I was then only
+about eight or nine yards from the precipice of the pier, but going from
+it. I expected that they would have divided to let me through them;
+instead of which they closed upon me and bore me back. I was borne
+within a yard of the precipice, when I discovered my danger; and
+perceiving among them the murderer of Peter Green, and two others who
+had insulted me at the King's Arms, it instantly struck me that they had
+a design to throw me over the pier-head; which they might have done at
+this time, and yet have pleaded that I had been killed by accident.
+There was not a moment to lose. Vigorous on account of the danger, I
+darted forward. One of them, against whom I pushed myself, fell down:
+their ranks were broken; and I escaped, not without blows, amidst their
+imprecations and abuse.
+
+I determined now to go to Lancaster, to make some inquiries about the
+Slave Trade there. I had a letter of introduction to William Jepson, one
+of the religious society of the Quakers, for this purpose. I found from
+him, that, though there were slave-merchants at Lancaster, they made
+their outfits at Liverpool, as a more convenient port. I learnt too from
+others, that the captain of the last vessel, which had sailed out of
+Lancaster to the coast of Africa for slaves, had taken off so many of
+the natives treacherously, that any other vessel known to come from it
+would be cut off. There were only now one or two superannuated captains
+living in the place. Finding I could get no oral testimony, I was
+introduced into the Custom-house. Here I just looked over the
+muster-rolls of such slave-vessels as had formerly sailed from this
+port; and having found that the loss of seamen was precisely in the same
+proportion as elsewhere, I gave myself no further trouble, but left the
+place.
+
+On my return to Liverpool, I was informed by Mr. Falconbridge, that a
+ship-mate of Ormond, of the name of Patrick Murray, who had been
+discharged in the West Indies, had arrived there. This man, he said, had
+been to call upon me in my absence, to seek redress for his own bad
+usage; but in the course of conversation he had confirmed all the
+particulars as stated by Ormond, relative to the murder of Peter Green.
+On consulting the muster-roll of the ship, I found his name, and that he
+had been discharged in the West Indies on the 2nd of February. I
+determined, therefore, to see him. I cross-examined him in the best
+manner I could. I could neither make him contradict himself, nor say
+anything that militated against the testimony of Ormond. I was
+convinced, therefore, of the truth of the transaction; and, having
+obtained his consent, I sent him to London to stay with the latter, till
+he should hear further from me. I learnt also from Mr. Falconbridge,
+that visitors had continued to come to the King's Arms during my
+absence; that they had been very liberal of their abuse of me; and that
+one of them did not hesitate to say (which is remarkable) that "I
+deserved to be thrown over the pierhead."
+
+Finding now that I could get no further evidence; that the information
+which I had already obtained was considerable[A]; and that the committee
+had expressed an earnest desire, in a letter which I had received, that
+I would take into consideration the propriety of writing my Essay on the
+_Impolicy of the Slave Trade_ as soon as possible, I determined upon
+leaving Liverpool.
+
+[Footnote A: In London, Bristol, and Liverpool, I had already obtained
+the names of more than 20,000 seamen, in different voyages, knowing what
+had become of each.]
+
+I went round accordingly and took leave of my friends. The last of these
+was William Rathbone, and I have to regret, that it was also the last
+time I ever saw him. Independently of the gratitude I owed him for
+assisting me in this great cause, I respected him highly as a man: he
+possessed a fine understanding with a solid judgment: he was a person of
+extraordinary simplicity of manners. Though he lived in a state of
+pecuniary independence, he gave an example of great temperance, as well
+as of great humility of mind: but however humble he appeared, he had
+always the courage to dare to do that which was right, however it might
+resist the customs or the prejudices of men. In his own line of trade,
+which was that of a timber-merchant on an extensive scale, he would not
+allow any article to be sold for the use of a slave-ship, and he always
+refused those, who applied to him for materials for such purposes. But
+it is evident that it was his intention, if he had lived, to bear his
+testimony still more publicly upon this subject; for an advertisement,
+stating the ground of his refusal to furnish anything for this traffic
+upon Christian principles, with a memorandum for two advertisements in
+the Liverpool papers, was found among his papers at his decease.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+Author proceeds to Manchester; finds a spirit rising among the people
+there for the abolition of the Slave Trade; is requested to deliver a
+discourse on the subject of the Slave Trade; heads of it, and
+extracts.--Proceeds to Keddleston, and Birmingham; finds a similar
+spirit at the latter place.--Revisits Bristol; new and difficult
+situation there.--Author crosses the Severn at night; unsuccessful
+termination of his journey; returns to London.
+
+
+I now took my departure from Liverpool, and proceeded to Manchester,
+where I arrived on the Friday evening. On the Saturday morning, Mr.
+Thomas Walker, attended by Mr. Cooper and Mr. Bayley of Hope, called
+upon me. They were then strangers to me. They came, they said, having
+heard of my arrival, to congratulate me on the spirit which was then
+beginning to show itself among the people of Manchester, and of other
+places, on the subject of the Slave Trade, and which would
+unquestionably manifest itself further by breaking out into petitions to
+parliament for its abolition. I was much surprised at this information.
+I had devoted myself so entirely to my object, that I had never had time
+to read a newspaper since I left London. I never knew, therefore, till
+now, that the attention of the public had been drawn to the subject in
+such a manner. And as to petitions, though I myself had suggested the
+idea at Bridgewater, Bristol, Gloucester, and two, or three other
+places, I had only done it provisionally, and this without either the
+knowledge or the consent of the committee. The news, however, as it
+astonished, so it almost overpowered me with joy. I rejoiced in it,
+because it was a proof of the general good disposition of my countrymen;
+because it showed me that the cause was such as needed only to be known,
+to be patronized; and because the manifestation of this spirit seemed to
+me to be an earnest, that success would ultimately follow.
+
+The gentleman now mentioned took me away with them, and introduced me to
+Mr. Thomas Phillips. We conversed, at first, upon the discoveries made
+in my journey; but in a little time, understanding that I had been
+educated as a clergyman, they came upon me with one voice, as if it had
+been before agreed upon, to deliver a discourse the next day, which was
+Sunday, on the subject of the Slave Trade. I was always aware that it
+was my duty to do all that I could with propriety to serve the cause I
+had undertaken, and yet I found myself embarrassed at their request.
+Foreseeing, as I have before related, that this cause might demand my
+attention to it for the greatest part of my life, I had given up all
+thoughts of my profession. I had hitherto but seldom exercised it, and
+then only to oblige some friend. I doubted, too, at the first view of
+the thing, whether the pulpit ought to be made an engine for political
+purposes, though I could not but consider the Slave Trade as a mass of
+crimes, and therefore the effort to get rid of it as a Christian duty. I
+had an idea, too, that sacred matters should not be entered upon without
+due consideration, nor prosecuted in a hasty, but in a decorous and
+solemn manner. I saw besides that, as it was then two o'clock in the
+afternoon, and this sermon was to be forthcoming the next day, there was
+not sufficient time to compose it properly. All these difficulties I
+suggested to my new friends without any reserve. But nothing that I
+could urge would satisfy them. They would not hear of a refusal, and I
+was obliged to give my consent, though I was not reconciled to the
+measure.
+
+When I went into the church it was so full that I could scarcely get to
+my place; for notice had been publicly given, though I knew nothing of
+it, that such a discourse would be delivered. I was surprised, also, to
+find a great crowd of black people standing round the pulpit. There
+might be forty or fifty of them. The text that I took, as the best to be
+found in such a hurry, was the following:--"Thou shalt not oppress a
+stranger, for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers
+in the land of Egypt."
+
+I took an opportunity of showing, from these words, that Moses, in
+endeavouring to promote among the children of Israel a tender
+disposition towards those unfortunate strangers who had come under their
+dominion, reminded them of their own state when strangers in Egypt, as
+one of the most forcible arguments which could be used on such an
+occasion. For they could not have forgotten that the Egyptians "had made
+them serve with rigour; that they had made their lives bitter with hard
+bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the
+field; and that all the service, wherein they made them serve, was with
+rigour." The argument, therefore, of Moses was simply this:--"Ye knew
+well, when ye were strangers in Egypt, the nature of your own feelings.
+Were you not made miserable by your debased situation there? But if so,
+you must be sensible that the stranger, who has the same heart, or the
+same feelings with yourselves, must experience similar suffering, if
+treated in a similar manner. I charge you, then, knowing this, to stand
+clear of the crime of his oppression."
+
+The law, then, by which Moses commanded the children of Israel to
+regulate their conduct with respect to the usage of the stranger, I
+showed to be a law of universal and eternal obligation, and for this,
+among other reasons, that it was neither more nor less than the
+Christian law, which appeared afterwards, that we should not do that to
+others which we should be unwilling to have done unto ourselves.
+
+Having gone into these statements at some length, I made an application
+of them in the following words:--
+
+"This being the case, and this law of Moses being afterwards established
+into a fundamental precept of Christianity, I must apply it to facts of
+the present day, and I am sorry that I must apply it to--ourselves.
+
+"And first,--Are there no strangers whom we oppress? I fear the wretched
+African will say, that he drinks the cup of sorrow, and that he drinks
+it at our hands. Torn from his Native soil, and from his family and
+friends, he is immediately forced into a situation, of all others the
+most degrading, where he and his progeny are considered as cattle, as
+possessions, and as the possessions of a man to whom he never gave
+offence.
+
+"It is a melancholy fact, but it can be abundantly proved, that great
+numbers of the unfortunate strangers, who are carried from Africa to our
+colonies, are fraudulently and forcibly taken from their native soil. To
+descant but upon a single instance of the kind must be productive of
+pain to the ear of sensibility and freedom. Consider the sensations of
+the person, who is thus carried off by the ruffians, who have been
+lurking to intercept him. Separated from everything which he esteems in
+life, without the possibility even of bidding his friends adieu, beheld
+him overwhelmed in tears--wringing his hands in despair--looking
+backwards upon the spot where all his hopes and wishes lay;--while his
+family at home are waiting for him with anxiety and suspense--are
+waiting, perhaps, for sustenance--are agitated between hope and
+fear--till length of absence confirms the latter, and they are
+immediately plunged into inconceivable misery and distress.
+
+"If this instance, then, is sufficiently melancholy of itself, and is at
+all an act of oppression, how complicated will our guilt appear who are
+the means of snatching away thousands annually in the same manner, and
+who force them and their families into the same unhappy situation,
+without either remorse or shame!"
+
+Having proceeded to show, in a more particular manner than I can detail
+here, how, by means of the Slave Trade, we oppressed the stranger, I
+made an inquiry into the other branch of the subject, or how far we had
+a knowledge of his heart.
+
+To elucidate this point, I mentioned several specific instances out of
+those which I had collected in my journey, and which I could depend upon
+as authentic, of honour--gratitude--fidelity--filial, fraternal, and
+conjugal affection--and of the finest sensibility on the part of those
+who had been brought into our colonies from Africa in the character of
+slaves; and then I proceeded for a while in the following words:--
+
+"If, then, we oppress the stranger, as I have shown, and if, by a
+knowledge of his heart, we find that he is a person of the same passions
+and feelings as ourselves, we are certainly breaking, by means of the
+prosecution of the Slave Trade, that fundamental principle of
+Christianity, which says, that we shall not do that unto another which
+we wish should not be done unto ourselves, and, I fear, cutting
+ourselves off from all expectation of the Divine blessing. For how
+inconsistent is our conduct! We come into the temple of God; we fall
+prostrate before Him; we pray to Him, that He will have mercy upon us.
+But how shall He have mercy upon us, who have had no mercy upon others!
+We pray to Him, again, that He will deliver us from evil. But how shall
+He deliver us from evil, who are daily invading the rights of the
+injured African, and heaping misery on his head!"
+
+I attempted, lastly, to show, that, though the sin of the Slave Trade
+had been hitherto a sin of ignorance, and might, therefore, have so far
+been winked at, yet as the crimes and miseries belonging to it became
+known, it would attach even to those who had no concern in it, if they
+suffered it to continue either without notice or reproach, or if they
+did not exert themselves in a reasonable manner for its suppression. I
+noticed particularly, the case of Tyre and Sidon, which were the Bristol
+and the Liverpool of those times. A direct judgment had been pronounced
+by the prophet Joel against these cities, and, what is remarkable, for
+the prosecution of this same barbarous traffic. Thus, "And what have ye
+to do with me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? Ye
+have cast lots for my people. Ye have sold a girl for wine. The children
+of Judah, and the children of Jerusalem, have ye sold unto the Grecians,
+that ye might remove them far from their own border. Behold! I will
+raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will
+recompense your wickedness on your own heads." Such was the language of
+the prophet; and Tyre and Sidon fell, as he had pointed out, when the
+inhabitants were either cut off, or carried into slavery.
+
+Having thrown out these ideas to the notice of the audience, I concluded
+in the following words:--
+
+"If, then, we wish to avert the heavy national judgment which is hanging
+over our heads, (for must we not believe that our crimes towards the
+innocent Africans lie recorded against us in heaven?) let us endeavour
+to assert their cause. Let us nobly withstand the torrent of the evil,
+however inveterately it may be fixed among the customs of the times;
+not, however, using our liberty as a cloak of maliciousness against
+those, who, perhaps, without due consideration, have the misfortune to
+be concerned in it, but upon proper motives, and in a proper spirit, as
+the servants of God; so that if the sun should be turned into darkness,
+and the moon into blood, and the very heaven should fall upon us, we may
+fall in the general convulsion without dismay, conscious that we have
+done our duty in endeavouring to succour the distressed, and that the
+stain of the blood of Africa is not upon us."
+
+From Manchester I proceeded to Keddleston in Derbyshire, to spend a day
+with Lord Scarsdale, and to show him my little collection of African
+productions, and to inform him of my progress since I last saw him. Here
+a letter was forwarded to me from the Reverend John Toogood, of Keington
+Magna in Dorsetshire, though I was then unknown to him. He informed me
+that he had addressed several letters to the inhabitants of his own
+county, through their provincial paper, on the subject of the Slave
+Trade, which letters had produced a considerable effect. It appeared,
+however, that, when he began them, he did not know of the formation of
+our committee, or that he had a single coadjutor in the cause.
+
+From Keddleston I turned off to Birmingham, being desirous of visiting
+Bristol in my way to London, to see if anything new had occurred since I
+was there. I was introduced by letter, at Birmingham, to Sampson and
+Charles Lloyd, the brothers of John Lloyd, belonging to our committee,
+and members of the religious society of the Quakers. I was highly
+gratified in finding that these, in conjunction with Mr. Russell, had
+been attempting to awaken the attention of the inhabitants to this great
+subject, and that in consequence of their laudable efforts, a spirit was
+beginning to show itself there, as at Manchester, in favour of the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. The kind manner in which these received
+me, and the deep interest which they appeared to take in our cause, led
+me to an esteem for them, which, by means of subsequent visits, grew
+into a solid friendship.
+
+At length I arrived at Bristol about ten o'clock on Friday morning. But
+what was my surprise, when almost the first thing I heard from my friend
+Harry Gandy was, that a letter had been despatched to me to Liverpool,
+nearly a week ago, requesting me immediately to repair to this place;
+for that in consequence of notice from the lords of the Admiralty,
+advertised in the public papers, the trial of the chief mate, whom I had
+occasioned to be taken up at Bristol, for the murder of William Lines,
+was coming on at the Old Bailey, and that not an evidence was to be
+found. This intelligence almost paralyzed me. I cannot describe my
+feelings on receiving it. I reproached myself with my own obstinacy for
+having resisted the advice of Mr. Burges, as has been before explained.
+All his words now came fresh into my mind. I was terrified, too, with
+the apprehension that my own reputation was now at stake. I foresaw all
+the calumnies which would  be spread, if the evidences were not
+forthcoming on this occasion. I anticipated, also, the injury which the
+cause itself might sustain, if, at our outset, as it were, I should not
+be able to substantiate what I had publicly advanced; and yet the mayor
+of Bristol had heard and determined the case,--he had not only examined,
+but re-examined, the evidences,--he had not only committed, but
+re-committed, the accused: this was the only consolation I had. I was
+sensible, however, amidst all these workings of my mind, that not a
+moment was to be lost, and I began, therefore, to set on foot an inquiry
+as to the absent persons.
+
+On waiting upon the mother of William Lines, I learnt from her, that two
+out of four of the witnesses had been bribed by the slave-merchants, and
+sent to sea, that they might not be forthcoming at the time of the
+trial; that the two others had been tempted also, but that they had been
+enabled to resist the temptation; that, desirous of giving their
+testimony in this cause, they had gone into some coal-mine between Neath
+and Swansea, where they might support themselves till they should be
+called for; and that she had addressed a letter to them, at the request
+of Mr. Gandy, above a week ago, in which she had desired them to come to
+Bristol immediately, but that she had received no answer from them. She
+then concluded, either that her letter had miscarried, or that they had
+left the place.
+
+I determined to lose no time, after the receipt of this intelligence;
+and I prevailed upon a young man, whom my friend Harry Gandy had
+recommended to me, to set off directly, and to go in search of them. He
+was to travel all night, and to bring them, or, if weary himself with
+his journey, to send them up, without ever sleeping on the road. It was
+now between twelve and one in the afternoon. I saw him depart. In the
+interim I went to Thompson's, and other places, to inquire if any other
+of the seamen, belonging to the Thomas, were to be found; but, though I
+hunted diligently till four o'clock, I could learn nothing satisfactory.
+I then went to dinner, but I grew uneasy. I was fearful that my
+messenger might be at a loss, or that he might want assistance on some
+occasion or other. I now judged that it would have been more prudent if
+two persons had been sent, who might have conferred with each other, and
+who might have divided, when they had reached Neath, and gone to
+different mines, to inquire for the witnesses. These thoughts disturbed
+me. Those, also, which had occurred when I first heard of the vexatious
+way in which things were situated, renewed themselves painfully to my
+mind. My own obstinacy in resisting the advice of Mr. Burges, and the
+fear of injury to my own reputation, and to that of the cause I had
+undertaken, were again before my eyes. I became still more uneasy: and I
+had no way of relieving my feelings, but by resolving to follow the
+young man, and to give him all the aid in my power.
+
+It was now near six o'clock. The night was cold and rainy and almost
+dark. I got down, however, safe to the passage-house, and desired to be
+conveyed across the Severn. The people in the house tried to dissuade me
+from my design. They said no one would accompany me, for it was quite a
+tempest. I replied that I would pay those handsomely who would go with
+me. A person present asked me if I would give him three guineas for a
+boat. I replied I would. He could not for shame retract. He went out,
+and in about half an hour brought a person with him. We were obliged to
+have a lanthorn as far as the boat. We got on board, and went off. But
+such a passage I had never before witnessed. The wind was furious. The
+waves ran high. I could see nothing but white foam. The boat, also, was
+tossed up and down in such a manner that it was with great difficulty I
+could keep my seat. The rain, too, poured down in such torrents that we
+were all of us presently wet through. We had been, I apprehend, more
+than an hour in this situation, when the boatmen began to complain of
+cold and weariness. I saw, also, that they began to be uneasy, for they
+did not know where they were. They had no way of forming any judgment
+about their course, but by knowing the point from whence the wind blew,
+and by keeping the boat in a relative position towards it. I encouraged
+them as well as I could, though I was beginning to be uneasy myself, and
+also sick. In about a quarter of an hour they began to complain again.
+They said they could pull no longer. They acknowledged, however, that
+they were getting nearer to the shore, though on what part of it they
+could not tell. I could do nothing but bid them hope. They then began to
+reproach themselves for having come out with me. I told them I had not
+forced them, but that it was a matter of their own choice. In the midst
+of this conversation I informed them that I thought I saw either a star
+or a light straight forward. They both looked at it and pronounced it to
+be a light, and added with great joy that it must be a light in the
+Passage-house; and so we found it; for in about ten minutes afterwards
+we landed, and, on reaching the house, learnt that a servant maid had
+been accidentally talking to some other person on the stair-case, near a
+window, with a candle in her hand, and that the light had appeared to us
+from that circumstance.
+
+It was now near eleven o'clock. My messenger, it appeared, had arrived
+safe about five in the evening, and had proceeded on his route. I was
+very cold on my arrival, and sick also. There seemed to be a chilliness
+all over me, both within and without. Indeed I had not a dry thread
+about me. I took some hot brandy and water, and went to bed; but
+desired, as soon as my clothes were thoroughly dried, to be called up,
+that I might go forward. This happened at about two in the morning, when
+I got up. I took my breakfast by the fire-side. I then desired the
+post-boy, if he should meet any persons on the road, to stop and inform
+me, as I did not know whether the witnesses might not be coming up by
+themselves, and whether they might not have passed my messenger without
+knowing his errand. Having taken these precautions, I departed. I
+travelled on, but we met no one. I traced, however, my messenger through
+Newport, Cardiff, and Cowbridge. I was assured, also, that he had not
+passed me on his return; nor had any of those passed me whom he was
+seeking. At length, when I was within about two miles of Neath I met
+him. He had both the witnesses under his care. This was a matter of
+great joy to me. I determined to return with them. It was now nearly two
+in the afternoon. I accordingly went back, but we did not reach the
+Passage-house again till nearly two the next morning.
+
+During our journey, neither the wind nor the rain had much abated. It
+was quite dark on our arrival. We found only one person, and he had been
+sitting up in expectation of us. It was in vain that I asked him for a
+boat to put us across the water. He said all the boatmen were in bed;
+and, if they were up, he was sure that none of them would venture out.
+It was thought a mercy by all of them that we were not lost last night.
+Difficulties were also started about horses to take us another way.
+Unable, therefore, to proceed, we took refreshment and went to bed.
+
+We arrived at Bristol between nine and ten the next morning; but I was
+so ill that I could go no further; I had been cold and shivering ever
+since my first passage across the Severn; and I had now a violent sore
+throat and a fever with it. All I could do was to see the witnesses off
+for London, and to assign them to the care of an attorney, who should
+conduct them to the trial. For this purpose I gave them a letter to a
+friend of the name of Langdale. I saw them depart. The mother of William
+Lines accompanied them. By a letter received on Tuesday, I learnt that
+they had not arrived in town till Monday morning at three o'clock; that
+at about nine or ten they found out the office of Mr. Langdale; that, on
+inquiring for him, they heard he was in the country, but that he would
+be home at noon; that, finding he had not then arrived, they acquainted
+his clerk with the nature of their business, and opened my letter to
+show him the contents of it; that the clerk went with them to consult
+some other person on the subject, when he conveyed them to the Old
+Bailey; but that, on inquiring at the proper place about the
+introduction of the witnesses, he learnt that the chief mate had been
+brought to the bar in the morning, and, no person then appearing against
+him, that he had been discharged by proclamation. Such was the end of
+all my anxiety and labour in this affair. I was very ill when I received
+the letter; but I saw the necessity of bearing up against the
+disappointment, and I endeavoured to discharge the subject from my mind
+with the following wish, that the narrow escape which the chief mate had
+experienced, and which was entirely owing to the accidental
+circumstances now explained, might have the effect, under Providence, of
+producing in him a deep contrition for his offence, and of awakening him
+to a serious attention to his future life[A].
+
+[Footnote A: He had undoubtedly a narrow escape; for Mr. Langdale's
+clerk had learnt that he had no evidence to produce in his favour. The
+slave-merchants, it seems, had counted most upon bribing those who were
+to come against him, to disappear.]
+
+I was obliged to remain in Bristol a few days longer in consequence of
+my illness; but as soon as I was able I reached London, when I attended
+a sitting of the committee after an absence of more than five months. At
+this committee it was strongly recommended to me to publish a second
+edition of my _Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species_,
+and to insert such of the facts in it in their proper places, out of
+those collected in my late travels, as I might judge to be productive of
+an interesting effect. There appeared, also, an earnest desire in the
+committee, that, directly after this, I should begin my _Essay on the
+Impolicy of the Slave Trade_.
+
+In compliance with their wishes, I determined upon both these works; but
+I resolved to retire into the country, that, by being subject to less
+interruption there, I might the sooner finish them. It was proper,
+however, that I should settle many things in London before I took my
+departure from it; and, among these, that I should find out George
+Ormond and Patrick Murray, whom I had sent from Liverpool on account of
+the information they had given me relative to the murder of Peter Green.
+I saw no better way than to take them before Sir Sampson Wright, who was
+then at the head of the police of the metropolis. He examined and
+cross-examined them several times, and apart from each other. He then
+desired their evidence to be drawn up in the form of depositions, copies
+of which he gave to me. He had no doubt that the murder would be proved.
+The circumstances of the deceased being in good health at nine o'clock
+in the evening, and of his severe sufferings till eleven, and of the
+nature of the wounds discovered to have been made on his person, and of
+his death by one in the morning, could never, he said, be done away by
+any evidence who should state that he had been subject to other
+disorders which might have occasioned his decease. He found himself,
+therefore, compelled to apply to the magistrates of Liverpool, for the
+apprehension of three of the principal officers of the ship; but the
+answer was that the ship had sailed, and that they whose names had been
+specified were then, none of them, to be found in Liverpool.
+
+It was now for me to consider whether I would keep the two witnesses,
+Ormond and Murray, for a year, or perhaps longer, at my own expense, and
+run the hazard of the death of the officers in the interim, and of other
+calculable events. I had felt so deeply for the usage of the seamen in
+this cruel traffic, which indeed had embittered all my journey, that I
+had no less than nine prosecutions at law upon my hands on their
+account, and nineteen witnesses detained at my own cost. The committee
+in London could give me no assistance in these cases. They were the
+managers of the public purse for the abolition of the Slave Trade, and
+any expenses of this kind were neither within the limits of their
+object, nor within the pale of their duty. From the individuals
+belonging to it, I picked up a few guineas by way of private
+subscription, and this was all. But a vast load still remained upon me,
+and such as had occasioned uneasiness to my mind. I thought it,
+therefore, imprudent to detain the evidences for this purpose for so
+long a time, and I sent them back to Liverpool. I commenced, however, a
+prosecution against the captain at common law for his barbarous usage of
+them, and desired that it might be pushed on as vigorously as possible;
+and the result was, that his attorney was so alarmed, particularly after
+knowing what had been done by Sir Sampson Wright, that he entered into a
+compromise to pay all the expenses of the suit hitherto incurred, and to
+give Ormond and Murray a sum of money as damages for the injury which
+they themselves had sustained. This compromise was acceded to. The men
+received the money, and signed the release, (of which I insisted upon a
+copy,) and went to sea again in another trade, thanking me for my
+interference in their behalf. But by this copy, which I have now in my
+possession, it appears that care was taken by the captain's attorney to
+render their future evidence in the case of Peter Green almost
+impracticable; for it was there wickedly stated, "that George Ormond and
+Patrick Murray did then and there bind themselves in certain penalties
+that they would neither encourage nor support any action at law against
+the said captain, by or at the suit or prosecution of any other of the
+seamen now or late on board the said ship, and that they released the
+said captain also from all manner of actions, suits, and cause and
+causes of action, informations, prosecutions, and other proceedings
+which they then had, or ever had, or could or might have, by reason of
+the said assaults upon their own persons, or _other wrongs or injuries
+done by the said captain heretofore and to the date of this
+release_[A]."
+
+[Footnote A: None of the nine actions before mentioned ever came to a
+trial; but they were all compromised by paying sums to the injured
+parties.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+Labours of the committee during the author's journey; Quakers the
+first to notice its institution; General Baptists the
+next.--Correspondence opened with American societies for
+Abolition.--First individual who addressed the committee was Mr.
+William Smith.--Thanks voted to Ramsay.--Committee prepares lists of
+persons to whom to send its publications; Barclay, Taylor, and
+Wedgewood, elected members of the committee.--Letters from Brissot and
+others.--Granville Sharp elected chairman,--Seal ordered to be
+engraved.--Letters from different correspondents, as they offered
+their services to the committee.
+
+
+The committee, during my absence, had attended regularly at their posts;
+they had been both vigilant and industrious; they were, in short, the
+persons who had been the means of raising the public spirit which I had
+observed first at Manchester, and afterwards as I journeyed on. It will
+be proper, therefore, that I should now say something of their labours,
+and of the fruits of them: and if, in doing this, I should be more
+minute for a few pages than some would wish, I must apologize for myself
+by saying, that there are others who would be sorry to lose the
+knowledge of the particular manner in which the foundation was laid, and
+the superstructure advanced, of a work which will make so brilliant an
+appearance in our history, as that of the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+The committee having dispersed five hundred circular letters, giving an
+account of their institution in London and its neighbourhood, the
+Quakers were the first to notice it. This they did in their yearly
+epistle, of which the following is an extract:--"We have also thankfully
+to believe there is a growing attention in many, not of our religious
+society, to the subject of negro slavery; and that the minds of the
+people are more and more enlarged to consider it as an aggregate of
+every species of evil, and to see the utter inconsistency of upholding
+it by the authority of any nation whatever, especially of such as
+punish, with loss of life, crimes whose magnitude bears scarce any
+proportion to this complicated iniquity."
+
+The General Baptists were the next; for on the 22nd of June, Stephen
+Lowdell and Dan Taylor attended as a deputation from the annual meeting
+of that religious body, to inform the committee, that those whom they
+represented approved their proceedings, and that they would countenance
+the object of their institution.
+
+The first individual who addressed the committee was Mr. William Smith,
+the late member for Norwich. In his letter, he expressed the pleasure he
+had received in finding persons associated in the support of a cause in
+which he himself had taken a deep interest. He gave them advice as to
+their future plans. He promised them all the co-operation in his power:
+and he exhorted them not to despair, even if their first attempt should
+be unsuccessful; "for consolation," says he, "will not be wanting. You
+may rest satisfied that the attempt will be productive of some good;
+that the fervent wishes of the righteous will be on your side, and that
+the blessing of those who are ready to perish will fall upon you." And
+as Mr. Smith was the first person to address the committee as an
+individual after its formation, so, next to Mr. Wilberforce and the
+members of it, he gave the most time and attention to the promotion of
+the cause.
+
+On the 5th of July, the committee opened a correspondence, by means of
+William Dillwyn, with the societies of Philadelphia and New York, of
+whose institution an account has been given. At this sitting a due sense
+was signified of the services of Mr. Ramsay, and a desire of his
+friendly communications when convenient.
+
+The two next meetings were principally occupied in making out lists of
+the names of persons in the country, to whom the committee should send
+their publications for distribution. For this purpose, every member was
+to bring in an account of those whom he knew personally, and whom he
+believed not only to be willing, but qualified on account of their
+judgment and the weight of their character, to take an useful part in
+the work which was to be assigned to them. It is a remarkable
+circumstance, that when the lists were arranged, the committee, few as
+they were, found they had friends in no less than thirty-nine
+counties[A], in each of which there were several, so that a knowledge of
+their institution could now be soon diffusively spread.
+
+[Footnote A: The Quakers, by means of their discipline, have a greater
+personal knowledge of each other, than the members of any other
+religious society. But two-thirds of the committee were Quakers, and
+hence the circumstance is explained. Hence also nine-tenths of our first
+coadjutors were Quakers.]
+
+The committee having now fixed upon their correspondents, ordered five
+hundred of the circular letters which have been before mentioned, and
+five thousand of the _Summary View_, an account of which has been given
+also, to be printed.
+
+On account of the increase of business, which was expected in
+consequence of the circulation of the preceding publications, Robert
+Barclay, John Vickris Taylor, and Josiah Wedgewood, Esq., were added to
+the committee; and it was then resolved, that any three members might
+call a meeting when necessary.
+
+On the 27th of August, the new correspondents began to make their
+appearance. This sitting was distinguished by the receipt of letters
+from two celebrated persons. The first was from Brissot, dated Paris,
+August the 18th, who, it may be recollected, was an active member of the
+National Convention of France, and who suffered in the persecution of
+Robespierre. The second was from Mr. John Wesley, whose useful labours
+as a minister of the Gospel, are so well known to our countrymen.
+
+Brissot, in his letter, congratulated the members of the committee, on
+having come together for so laudable an object. He offered his own
+assistance towards the promotion of it. He desired, also, that his
+valuable friend Claviere (who suffered also under Robespierre) might be
+joined to him, and that both might be acknowledged by the committee, as
+associates in what he called this heavenly work. He purposed to
+translate and circulate through France such publications as they might
+send him from time to time; and to appoint bankers in Paris, who might
+receive subscriptions, and remit them to London, for the good of their
+common cause. In the mean time, if his own countrymen should be found to
+take an interest in this great cause, it was not improbable that a
+committee might be formed in Paris, to endeavour to secure the
+attainment of the same object from the government in France.
+
+The thanks of the committee were voted to Brissot for this disinterested
+offer of his services, and he was elected an honorary and corresponding
+member. In reply, however, to his letter, it was stated that, as the
+committee had no doubt of procuring from the generosity of their own
+nation sufficient funds for effecting the object of their institution,
+they declined the acceptance of any pecuniary aid from the people of
+France; but recommended him to attempt the formation of a committee in
+his own country, and to inform them of his progress, and to make to them
+such other communications as he might deem necessary upon the subject
+from time to time.
+
+Mr. Wesley, whose letter was read next, informed the committee of the
+great satisfaction which he also had experienced, when he heard of their
+formation. He conceived that their design, while it would destroy the
+Slave Trade, would also strike at the root of the shocking abomination
+of slavery also. He desired to forewarn them that they must expect
+difficulties and great opposition from those who were interested in the
+system; that these were a powerful body; and that they would raise all
+their forces, when they perceived their craft to be in danger. They
+would employ hireling writers, who would have neither justice nor mercy.
+But the committee were not to be dismayed by such treatment, nor even if
+some of those who professed goodwill towards them, should turn against
+them. As for himself, he would do all he could to promote the object of
+their institution. He would reprint a new and large edition of his
+_Thought on Slavery_, and circulate it among his friends in England and
+Ireland, to whom he would add a few words in favour of their design. And
+then he concluded in these words: "I commend you to Him who is able to
+carry you through all opposition, and support you under all
+discouragements."
+
+On the 4th, 11th, and 18th of September, the committee were employed
+variously. Among other things, they voted their thanks to Mr. Leigh, a
+clergyman of the Established Church, for the offer of his services for
+the county of Norfolk. They ordered, also, one thousand of the circular
+letters to be additionally printed.
+
+At one of these meetings a resolution was made, that Granville Sharp,
+Esq. be appointed chairman. This appointment, though now first formally
+made in the minute book, was always understood to have taken place; but
+the modesty of Mr. Sharp was such that, though repeatedly pressed, he
+would never consent to take the chair; and he generally refrained from
+coming into the room till after he knew it to be taken. Nor could he be
+prevailed upon, even after this resolution, to alter his conduct: for
+though he continued to sign the papers, which were handed to him by
+virtue of holding this office, he never was once seated as the chairman,
+during the twenty years in which he attended at these meetings. I
+thought it not improper to mention this trait in his character.
+Conscious that he engaged in the cause of his fellow-creatures, solely
+upon the sense of his duty as a Christian, he seems to have supposed
+either that he had done nothing extraordinary to merit such a
+distinction, or to have been fearful lest the acceptance of it should
+bring a stain upon the motive, on which alone he undertook it.
+
+On the 2nd and 16th of October two sittings took place; at the latter of
+which a sub-committee, which had been appointed for the purpose, brought
+in a design for a seal. An African was seen, (as in the figure[A],) in
+chains, in a supplicating posture, kneeling with one knee upon the
+ground, and with both his hands lifted up to heaven, and round the seal
+was observed the following motto, as if he was uttering the words
+himself,--"Am I not a Man and a Brother?" The design having been
+approved of, a seal was ordered to be engraved from it. I may mention
+here that this seal, simple as the design was, was made to contribute
+largely, as will be shown in its proper place, towards turning the
+attention of our countrymen to the case of the injured Africans, and of
+procuring a warm interest in their favour.
+
+[Footnote A: The figure is rather larger than that in the seal.]
+
+[Illustration: Seal]
+
+On the 30th of October several letters were read: one of these was from
+Brissot and Claviere conjointly; in this they acknowledged the
+satisfaction they had received on being considered as associates in the
+humane work of the abolition of the Slave Trade, and correspondents in
+France for the promotion of it. They declared it to be their intention
+to attempt the establishment of a committee there, on the same
+principles as that in England; but, in consequence of the different
+constitutions of the two governments, they gave the committee reason to
+suppose, that their proceedings must be different, as well as slower
+than those in England, for the same object.
+
+A second letter was read from Mr. John Wesley. He said that he had now
+read the publications which the committee had sent him, and that he
+took, if possible, a still deeper interest in their cause. He exhorted
+them to more than ordinary diligence and perseverance; to be prepared
+for opposition; to be cautious about the manner of procuring information
+and evidence, that no stain might fall upon their character; and to take
+care that the question should be argued, as well upon the consideration
+of interest as of humanity and justice, the former of which he feared
+would have more weight than the latter; and he recommended them and
+their glorious concern, as before, to the protection of Him who was able
+to support them.
+
+Letters were read from Dr. Price, approving the institution of the
+committee; from Charles Lloyd of Birmingham, stating the interest which
+the inhabitants of that town were taking in it; and from William
+Russell, Esq. of the same place, stating the same circumstance, and that
+he would co-operate with the former in calling a public meeting, and in
+doing whatever else was necessary for the promotion of so good a cause.
+A letter was read also from Manchester, signed conjointly by George
+Barton Thomas Cooper, John Ferriar, Thomas Walker, Thomas Phillips,
+Thomas Butterworth Bayley, and George Lloyd, Esqrs., promising their
+assistance from that place. Two others were read from John Kerrich,
+Esq., of Harleston, and from Joshua Grigby, Esq., of Drinkston, each
+tendering their services, one for the county Of Norfolk, and the other
+for the county of Suffolk. The latter concluded by saying, "With respect
+to myself, in no possible instance of my public conduct can I receive so
+much sincere satisfaction, as I shall, by the vote I will most assuredly
+give in parliament, in support of this most worthy effort to suppress a
+traffic, which is contrary to all the feelings of humanity, and the laws
+of our religion."
+
+A letter was read also at this sitting from Major Cartwright, of
+Marnham, in which he offered his own services, in conjunction with those
+of the Rev. John Charlesworth, of Ossington, for the county of
+Nottingham.
+
+"I congratulate you," says he, in this letter, "on the happy prospect of
+some considerable step at least being taken, towards the abolition of a
+traffic, which is not only impious in itself, but of all others tends
+most to vitiate the human mind.
+
+"Although procrastination is generally pernicious in cases depending
+upon the feelings of the heart, I should almost fear that, without very
+uncommon exertions, you will scarcely be prepared early in the next
+sessions, for bringing the business into parliament with the greatest
+advantage. But, be that as it may, let the best use be made of the
+intermediate time; and then, if there be a superintending Providence,
+which governs everything in the moral world, there is every reason to
+hope for a blessing on this particular work."
+
+The last letter was from Robert Boucher Nickolls, dean of Middleham, in
+Yorkshire. In this he stated that he was a native of the West Indies,
+and had travelled on the continent of America. He then offered some
+important information to the committee as his mite, towards the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, and as an encouragement to them to
+persevere. He attempted to prove, that the natural increase of the
+negroes already in the West Indian islands would be fully adequate to
+the cultivation of them, without any fresh supplies from Africa; and
+that such natural increase would be secured by humane treatment. With
+this view, he instanced the two estates of Mr. MacMahon and of Dr. Mapp,
+in the island of Barbados. The first required continual supplies of new
+slaves, in consequence of the severe and cruel usage adopted upon it.
+The latter overflowed with labourers in consequence of a system of
+kindness, so that it almost peopled another estate. Having related these
+instances, he cited others in North America, where, though the climate
+was less favourable to the constitution of the Africans, but their
+treatment better, they increased also. He combated, from his own
+personal knowledge, the argument, that self-interest was always
+sufficient to insure good usage, and maintained that there was only one
+way of securing it, which was the entire abolition of the Slave Trade.
+He showed in what manner the latter measure would operate to the desired
+end: he then dilated on the injustice and inconsistency of this trade,
+and supported the policy of the abolition of it, both to the planter,
+the merchant, and the nation.
+
+This letter of the Dean of Middleham, which was a little Essay of
+itself, was deemed of so much importance by the committee, but
+particularly as it was the result of local knowledge, that they not only
+passed a resolution of thanks to him for it, but desired his permission
+to print it.
+
+The committee sat again on the 13th and 22nd of November. At the first
+of these sittings, a letter was read from Henry Grimston, Esq., of
+Whitwell Hall, near York, offering his services for the promotion of the
+cause in his own county. At the second, the Dean of Middleham's answer
+was received. He acquiesced in the request of the committee; when five
+thousand of his letters were ordered immediately to be printed.
+
+On the 22nd a letter was read from Mr. James Mackenzie, of the town of
+Cambridge, desiring to forward the object of the institution there. Two
+letters were read also, one from the late Mr. Jones, tutor of Trinity
+College, and the other from Mr. William Frend, fellow of Jesus College.
+It appeared from these, that the gentlemen of the University of
+Cambridge were beginning to take a lively interest in the abolition of
+the Slave Trade, among whom Dr. Watson, the bishop of Llandaff, was
+particularly conspicuous. At this committee two thousand new _Summary
+View_ were ordered to be printed, and the circular letter to be prefixed
+to each.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+Labours of the committee continued to February, 1788.--Committee elect
+new members; vote thanks to Falconbridge and others; receive letters
+from Grove and others; circulate numerous publications; make a report;
+send circular letters to corporate bodies; release negroes unjustly
+detained; find new correspondents in Archdeacon Paley, the Marquis de
+la Fayette, Bishop of Cloyne, Bishop of Peterborough, and in many
+others.
+
+
+The labours of the committee, during my absence, were as I have now
+explained them; but as I was obliged, almost immediately, on joining
+them, to retire into the country to begin my new work, I must give an
+account of their further services till I joined them again, or till the
+middle of February, 1788.
+
+During sittings which were held from the middle of December, 1787, to
+the 18th of January, 1788, the business of the committee had so
+increased, that it was found proper to make an addition to their number.
+Accordingly James Martin and William Morton Pitt, Esquires, members of
+parliament, and Robert Hunter, and Joseph Smith, Esquires, were chosen
+members of it.
+
+The knowledge also of the institution of the society had spread to such
+an extent, and the eagerness among individuals to see the publications
+of the committee had been so great, that the press was kept almost
+constantly going during the time now mentioned. No fewer than three
+thousand lists of the subscribers, with a circular letter prefixed to
+them, explaining the object of the institution, were ordered to be
+printed within this period, to which are to be added fifteen hundred of
+BENEZET'S _Account of Guinea_, three thousand of the DEAN of MIDDLEHAM'S
+_Letters_, five thousand _Summary View,_ and two thousand of a new
+edition of the _Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species_, which I had
+enlarged before the last of these sittings from materials collected in
+my late tour.
+
+The thanks of the committee were voted during this period to Mr.
+Alexander Falconbridge, for the assistance he had given me in my
+inquiries into the nature of the Slave Trade.
+
+As Mr. Falconbridge had but lately returned from Africa, and as facts
+and circumstances, which had taken place but a little time ago, were
+less liable to objections (inasmuch as they proved the present state of
+things) than those which happened in earlier times, he was prevailed
+upon to write an account of what he had seen during the four voyages he
+had made to that continent; and accordingly, within the period which has
+been mentioned, he began his work.
+
+The committee, during these sittings, kept up a correspondence with
+those gentlemen who were mentioned in the last chapter to have addressed
+them. But, besides these, they found other voluntary correspondents in
+the following persons, Capell Lofft, Esq., of Troston, and the Reverend
+B. Brome, of Ipswich, both in the county of Suffolk. These made an
+earnest tender of their services for those parts of the county in which
+they resided. Similar offers were made by Mr. Hammond, of Stanton, near
+St. Ives, in the county of Huntingdon, by Thomas Parker, Esq., of
+Beverly, and by William Grove, Esq., of Litchfield, for their respective
+towns and neighbourhoods.
+
+A letter was received also within this period from the society
+established at Philadelphia, accompanied with documents in proof of the
+good effects of the manumission of slaves, and with specimens of writing
+and drawing by the same. In this letter the society congratulated the
+committee in London on its formation, and professed its readiness to
+co-operate in any way in which it could me made useful.
+
+During these sittings, a letter was also read from Dr. Bathurst,
+afterwards bishop of Norwich, dated Oxford, December 17th, in which he
+offered his services in the promotion of the cause.
+
+Another was read, which stated that Dr. Home, president of Magdalen
+College in the same university, and afterwards bishop of the same see as
+the former, highly favoured it.
+
+Another was read from Mr. Lambert, fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge,
+in which he signified to the committee the great desire he had to
+promote the object of their institution. He had drawn up a number of
+queries relative to the state of the unhappy slaves in the islands,
+which he had transmitted to a friend, who had resided in them, to
+answer. These answers he purposed to forward to the committee on their
+arrival.
+
+Another was read from Dr. Hinchliffe, bishop of Peterborough, in which
+he testified his hearty approbation of the institution, and of the
+design of it, and his determination to support the object of it in
+parliament. He gave in at the same time a plan, which he called
+_Thoughts on the Means of Abolishing the Slave Trade in Great Britain
+and in our West Indian Islands_, for the consideration of the committee.
+
+At the last of these sittings, the committee thought it right to make a
+report to the public relative to the state and progress of their cause;
+but as this was composed from materials which the reader has now in his
+possession, it may not be necessary to produce it.
+
+On the 22nd and 29th of January, and on the 5th and 12th of February,
+1788, sittings were also held. During these, the business still
+increasing, John Maitland, Esq., was elected a member of the committee.
+
+As the correspondents of the committee were now numerous, and as these
+solicited publications for the use of those who applied to them, as well
+as of those to whom they wished to give a knowledge of the subject, the
+press was kept in constant employ during this period also. Five thousand
+two hundred and fifty additional _Reports_ were ordered to be printed,
+and also three thousand of FALCONBRIDGE'S _Account of the Slave Trade_,
+the manuscript of which was now finished. At this time, Mr. Newton,
+rector of St. Mary Woolnoth in London, who had been in his youth to the
+coast of Africa, but who had now become a serious and useful divine,
+felt it his duty to write his _Thoughts on the African Slave Trade_. The
+committee, having obtained permission, printed three thousand copies of
+these also.
+
+During these sittings, the chairman was requested to have frequent
+communication with Dr. Porteus, bishop of London, as he had expressed
+his desire of becoming useful to the institution.
+
+A circular letter also, with the report before mentioned, was ordered to
+be sent to the majors of several corporate towns.
+
+A case also occurred, which it may not be improper to notice. The
+treasurer reported that he had been informed by the chairman, that the
+captain of the Albion, merchant ship, trading to the Bay of Honduras,
+had picked up at sea, from a Spanish ship, which had been wrecked, two
+black men, one named Henry Martin Burrowes, a free native of Antigua,
+who had served in the royal navy, and the other named Antonio Berrat, a
+Spanish negro; that the said captain detained these men on board his
+ship, then lying in the river Thames, against their will; and that, he
+would not give them up. Upon this report, it was resolved that the cause
+of these unfortunate captives should be espoused by the committee. Mr.
+Sharp accordingly caused a writ of habeas-corpus to be served upon them;
+soon after which he had the satisfaction of reporting, that they had
+been delivered from the place of their confinement.
+
+During these sittings the following letters were read also:
+
+One from Richard How, of Apsley, offering his services to the committee.
+
+Another from the Reverend Christopher Wyvill, of Burton Hall, in
+Yorkshire, to the same effect.
+
+Another from Archdeacon Plymley, (afterwards Corbett,) in which he
+expressed the deep interest he took in this cause of humanity and
+freedom, and the desire he had of making himself useful as far as he
+could towards the support of it; and he wished to know, as the Clergy of
+the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry were anxious to espouse it also,
+whether a petition to parliament from them, as a part of the Established
+Church, would not be desirable at the present season.
+
+Another from Archdeacon Paley, containing his sentiments on a plan for
+the abolition of the Slave Trade, and the manumission of slaves in our
+islands, and offering his future services, and wishing success to the
+undertaking.
+
+Another from Dr. Sharp, prebendary of Durham, inquiring into the
+probable amount of the subscriptions which might be wanted, and for what
+purposes, with a view of serving the cause.
+
+Another from Dr. Woodward, bishop of Cloyne, in which he approved of the
+institution of the committee. He conceived the Slave Trade to be no less
+disgraceful to the legislature and injurious to the true commercial
+interests of the country, than it was productive of unmerited misery to
+the unhappy objects of it, and repugnant both to the principles and the
+spirit of the Christian religion. He wished to be placed among the
+assertors of the liberty of his fellow-creatures, and he was therefore
+desirous of subscribing largely, as well as of doing all he could, both
+in England and Ireland, for the promotion of such a charitable work.
+
+A communication was made, soon after the reading of the last letter,
+through the medium of the Chevalier de Ternant, from the celebrated
+Marquis de la Fayette of France. The Marquis signified the singular
+pleasure he had received on hearing of the formation of a committee in
+England for the abolition of the Slave Trade, and the earnest desire he
+had to promote the object of it. With this view, he informed the
+committee that he should attempt the formation of a similar society in
+France. This he conceived to be one of the most effectual measures he
+could devise for securing the object in question; for he was of opinion,
+that if the two great nations of France and England were to unite in
+this humane and Christian work, the other European nations might be
+induced to follow the example.
+
+The committee, on receiving the two latter communications, resolved,
+that the chairman should return their thanks to the Bishop of Cloyne,
+and the Marquis de la Fayette, and the Chevalier de Ternant, and that he
+should inform them, that they were enrolled among the honorary and
+corresponding members of the society.
+
+The other letters read during these sittings were to convey information
+to the committee, that people in various parts of the kingdom had then
+felt themselves so deeply interested in behalf of the injured Africans,
+that they had determined either on public meetings, or had come to
+resolutions, or had it in contemplation to petition parliament, for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. Information was signified to this effect
+by Thomas Walker, Esquire, for Manchester; by John Hoyland, William
+Hoyles, Esquire, and the Reverend James Wilkinson, for Sheffield; by
+William Tuke, and William Burgh, Esquire, for York; by the Reverend Mr.
+Foster, for Colchester; by Joseph Harford and Edmund Griffith, Esquires,
+for Bristol; by William Bishop, Esquire, the mayor, for Maidstone; by
+the Reverend R. Brome and the Reverend J. Wright, for Ipswich; by James
+Clarke, Esquire, the mayor, for Coventry; by Mr. Jones, of Trinity
+College, for the University of Cambridge; by Dr. Schomberg, of Magdalen
+College, for the University of Oxford; by Henry Bullen, Esquire, for
+Bury St. Edmunds; by Archdeacon Travis, for Chester; by Mr. Hammond, for
+the county of Huntingdon; by John Flint, Esquire, (afterwards Corbett,)
+for the town of Shrewsbury and county of Salop; by the Reverend Robert
+Lucas, for the town and also for the county of Northampton; by Mr.
+Winchester, for the county of Stafford; by the Reverend William Leigh,
+for the county of Norfolk; by David Barclay, for the county of Hertford;
+and by Thomas Babington, Esquire, for the county of Leicester.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+Further progress to the middle of May.--Petitions begin to be sent to
+parliament.--The king orders the privy council to inquire into the
+Slave Trade.--Author called up to town; his interviews with Mr. Pitt,
+and with Mr.(afterwards Lord) Grenville.--Liverpool delegates examined
+first; these prejudice the council; this prejudice at length
+counteracted.--Labours of the committee in the interim.--Public
+anxious for the introduction of the question into parliament.--Message
+of Mr. Pitt to the committee concerning it.--Day fixed for the
+motion.--Substance of the debate which followed.--Discussion of the
+general question deferred till the next sessions.
+
+
+By this time the nature of the Slave Trade had, in consequence of the
+labours of the committee and of their several correspondents, become
+generally known throughout the kingdom. It had excited a general
+attention, and there was among the people a general feeling in behalf of
+the wrongs of Africa. This feeling had also, as may be collected from
+what has been already mentioned, broken out into language: for not only
+had the traffic become the general subject of conversation, but public
+meetings had taken place, in which it had been discussed, and of which
+the result was, that an application to parliament had been resolved upon
+in many places concerning it. By the middle of February not fewer than
+thirty-five petitions had been delivered to the Commons, and it was
+known that others were on their way to the same house.
+
+This ferment in the public mind, which had shown itself in the public
+prints even before the petitions had been resolved upon, had excited the
+attention of government. To coincide with the wishes of the people on
+this subject, appeared to those in authority to be a desirable thing. To
+abolish the trade, replete as it was with misery, was desirable also;
+but it was so connected with the interest of individuals, and so
+interwoven with the commerce and revenue of the country, that a hasty
+abolition of it without a previous inquiry appeared to them to be likely
+to be productive of as much misery as good. The king, therefore, by an
+order of council dated February the eleventh, 1788, directed that a
+committee of Privy Council should sit as a board of trade, "to take into
+their consideration the present state of the African Trade, particularly
+as far as related to the practice and manner of purchasing or obtaining
+slaves on the coast of Africa, and the importation and sale thereof,
+either in the British colonies and settlements, or in the foreign
+colonies and settlements in America or the West-Indies; and also as far
+as related to the effects and consequences of the trade both in Africa
+and in the said colonies and settlements, and to the general commerce of
+this kingdom; and that they should report to him in council the result
+of their inquiries, with such observations as they might have to offer
+thereupon."
+
+Of this order of council Mr. Wilberforce, who had attended to this great
+subject, as far as his health would permit, since I left him, had
+received notice; but he was then too ill himself to take any measures
+concerning it. He therefore wrote to me, and begged of me to repair to
+London immediately, in order to get such evidence ready as we might
+think it eligible to introduce when the council sat. At that time, as
+appears from the former chapter, I had finished the additions to my
+_Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species_, and I had now
+proceeded about half way in that of the Impolicy of it. This summons,
+however, I obeyed, and returned to town on the fourteenth of February,
+from which day to the twenty-fourth of May I shall now give the history
+of our proceedings.
+
+My first business in London was to hold a conversation with Mr. Pitt
+previously to the meeting of the council, and to try to interest him, as
+the first minister of state, in our favour. For this purpose Mr.
+Wilberforce had opened the way for me, and an interview took place. We
+were in free conversation together for a considerable time, during which
+we went through most of the branches of the subject. Mr. Pitt appeared
+to me to have but little knowledge of it. He had also his doubts, which
+he expressed openly, on many points. He was at a loss to conceive how
+private interest should not always restrain the master of the slave from
+abusing him. This matter I explained to him as well as I could; and if
+he was not entirely satisfied with my interpretation of it, he was at
+least induced to believe that cruel practices were more probable than he
+had imagined. A second circumstance, of the truth of which he doubted,
+was the mortality and usage of seamen in this trade; and a third was the
+statement by which so much had been made of the riches of Africa, and of
+the genius and abilities of her people; for he seemed at a loss to
+comprehend, if these things were so, how it happened that they should
+not have been more generally noticed before. I promised to satisfy him
+upon these points, and an interview was fixed for this purpose the next
+day.
+
+At the time appointed, I went with my books, papers, and African
+productions. Mr. Pitt examined the former himself. He turned over leaf
+after leaf, in which the copies of the muster-rolls were contained, with
+great patience; and when he had looked over above a hundred pages
+accurately, and found the name of every seaman inserted, his former
+abode or service, the time of his entry, and what had become of him,
+either by death, discharge, or desertion, he expressed his surprise at
+the great pains which had been taken in this branch of the inquiry; and
+confessed, with some emotion, that his doubts were wholly removed with
+respect to the destructive nature of this employ; and he said, moreover,
+that the facts contained in these documents, if they had been but fairly
+copied, could never be disproved. He was equally astonished at the
+various woods and other productions of Africa, but most of all at the
+manufactures of the natives in cotton, leather, gold, and iron, which
+were laid before him. These he handled and examined over and over again.
+Many sublime thoughts seemed to rush in upon him at once at the sight of
+these, some of which he expressed with observations becoming a great and
+a dignified mind. He thanked me for the light I had given him on many of
+the branches of this great question. And I went away under a certain
+conviction that I had left him much impressed in our favour.
+
+My next visit was to Mr. (afterwards Lord) Grenville. I called upon him
+at the request of Mr. Wilberforce, who had previously written to him
+from Bath, as he had promised to attend the meetings of the privy
+council during the examinations which were to take place. I found, in
+the course of our conversation, that Mr. Grenville had not then more
+knowledge of the subject than Mr. Pitt; but I found him differently
+circumstanced in other respects, for I perceived in him a warm feeling
+in behalf of the injured Africans, and that he had no doubt of the
+possibility of all the barbarities which had been alleged against this
+traffic. I showed him all my papers and some of my natural productions,
+which he examined. I was with him the next day, and once again
+afterwards, so that the subject was considered in all its parts. The
+effect of this interview with him was of course different from that upon
+the minister. In the former case I had removed doubts, and given birth
+to an interest in favour of our cause. But I had here only increased an
+interest, which had already been excited, I had only enlarged the mass
+of feeling, or added zeal to zeal, or confirmed resolutions and
+reasonings. Disposed in this manner originally himself, and strengthened
+by the documents with which I had furnished him, Mr. Grenville
+contracted an enmity to the Slave Trade, which was never afterwards
+diminished[A].
+
+[Footnote A: I have not mentioned the difference between these two
+eminent persons, with a view of drawing any invidious comparisons, but
+because, as these statements are true, such persons as have a high
+opinion of the late Mr. Pitt's judgment, may see that this great man did
+not espouse the cause hastily, or merely as a matter of feeling, but
+upon the conviction of his own mind.]
+
+A report having gone abroad that the committee of privy council would
+only examine those who were interested in the continuance of the trade,
+I found it necessary to call upon Mr. Pitt again, and to inform him of
+it, when I received an assurance that every person whom I chose to send
+to the council in behalf of the committee should be heard. This gave
+rise to a conversation relative to those witnesses whom we had to
+produce on the side of the abolition. And here I was obliged to disclose
+our weakness in this respect. I owned with sorrow that, though I had
+obtained specimens and official documents in abundance to prove many
+important points, yet I had found it difficult to prevail upon persons
+to be publicly examined on this subject. The only persons we could then
+count upon, were Mr. Ramsay, Mr. H. Gandy, Mr. Falconbridge, Mr. Newton,
+and the Dean of Middleham. There was one, however, who would be a host
+of himself, if we could but gain him. I then mentioned Mr. Norris. I
+told Mr. Pitt the nature[A] and value of the testimony which he had
+given me at Liverpool, and the great zeal he had discovered to serve the
+cause. I doubted, however, if he would come to London for this purpose,
+even if I wrote to him; for he was intimate with almost all the owners
+of slave-vessels in Liverpool, and, living among these, he would not
+like to incur their resentment by taking a prominent part against them.
+I therefore entreated Mr. Pitt to send him a summons of council to
+attend, hoping that Mr. Norris would then be pleased to come up, as he
+would be enabled to reply to his friends that his appearance had not
+been voluntary. Mr. Pitt, however, informed me, that a summons from a
+committee of privy council, sitting as a board, was not binding upon the
+subject; and therefore that I had no other means left, but of writing to
+him, and he desired me to do this by the first post.
+
+[Footnote A: See his evidence, Chap. XVII.]
+
+This letter I accordingly wrote, and sent it to my friend William
+Rathbone, who was to deliver it in person, and to use his own influence
+at the same time; but I received for answer, that Mr. Norris was then in
+London. Upon this I tried to find him out, to entreat him to consent to
+an examination before the council. At length I found his address; but
+before I could see him, I was told by the Bishop of London that he had
+come up as a Liverpool delegate in support of the Slave Trade.
+Astonished at this information, I made the bishop acquainted with the
+case, and asked him how it became me to act; for I was fearful lest, by
+exposing Mr. Norris, I should violate the rights of hospitality on the
+one hand, and by not exposing him that I should not do my duty to the
+cause I had undertaken on the other. His advice was, that I should see
+him, and ask him to explain the reasons of his conduct. I called upon
+him for this purpose, but he was out. He sent me, however, a letter soon
+afterwards, which was full of flattery; and in which, after having paid
+high compliments to the general force of my arguments, and the general
+justice and humanity of my sentiments on this great question, which had
+made a deep impression upon his mind, he had found occasion to differ
+from me, since we had last parted, on particular points, and that he had
+therefore less reluctantly yielded to the call of becoming a
+delegate,--though notwithstanding he would gladly have declined the
+office if he could have done it with propriety.
+
+At length the council began their examinations. Mr. Norris, Lieutenant
+Matthews, of the navy, who had just left a slave employ in Africa, and
+Mr. James Penny, formerly a slave captain, and then interested as a
+merchant in the trade, (which three were the delegates from Liverpool,)
+took possession of the ground first. Mr. Miles, Mr. Weuves, and others,
+followed them on the same side. The evidence which they gave, as
+previously concerted between themselves, may be shortly represented
+thus:--They denied that kidnapping either did or could take place in
+Africa, or that wars were made there for the purpose of procuring
+slaves. Having done away these wicked practices from their system, they
+maintained positions which were less exceptionable, as that the natives
+of Africa generally became slaves in consequence of having been made
+prisoners in just wars, or in consequence of their various crimes. They
+then gave a melancholy picture of the despotism and barbarity of some of
+the African princes, among whom the custom of sacrificing their own
+subjects prevailed. But, of all others, that which was afforded by Mr.
+Norris on this ground was the most frightful. The King of Dahomey, he
+said, sported with the lives of his people in the most wanton manner. He
+had seen at the gates of his palace two piles of heads, like those of
+shot in an arsenal. Within the palace, the heads of persons, newly put
+to death, were strewed at the distance of a few yards in the passage,
+which led to his apartment. This custom of human sacrifice by the King
+of Dahomey was not on one occasion only, but on many; such as on the
+reception of messengers from neighbouring states, or of white merchants,
+or on days of ceremonial. But the great carnage was once a year, when
+the poll-tax was paid by his subjects. A thousand persons, at least,
+were sacrificed annually on these different occasions. The great men,
+too, of the country, cut off a few heads on festival-days. From all
+these particulars the humanity of the Slave Trade was inferred, because
+it took away the inhabitants of Africa into lands where no such
+barbarities were known. But the humanity of it was insisted upon by
+positive circumstances also; namely, that a great number of the slaves
+were prisoners of war, and that in former times all such were put to
+death, whereas now they were saved: so that there was a great accession
+of happiness to Africa since the introduction of the trade.
+
+These statements, and those of others on the same side of the question,
+had a great effect, as may easily be conceived, upon the feelings of
+those of the council who were present. Some of them began immediately to
+be prejudiced against us. There were others who even thought that it was
+almost unnecessary to proceed in the inquiry, for that the trade was
+actually a blessing. They had little doubt that all our assertions
+concerning it would be found false. The Bishop of London himself was so
+impressed by these unexpected accounts, that he asked me if
+Falconbridge, whose pamphlet had been previously sent by the committee
+to every member of the council, was worthy of belief, and if he would
+substantiate publicly what he had thus written: but these impressions
+unfortunately were not confined to those who had been present at the
+examinations. These could not help communicating them to others. Hence,
+in all the higher circles (some of which I sometimes used to frequent) I
+had the mortification to hear of nothing but the Liverpool evidence, and
+of our own credulity, and of the impositions which had been practised
+upon us: of these reports the planters and merchants did not fail to
+avail themselves. They boasted that they would soon do away all the idle
+tales which had been invented against them. They desired the public only
+to suspend their judgment till the privy council report should be out,
+when they would see the folly and wickedness of all our allegations. A
+little more evidence, and all would be over. On the 22nd of March,
+though the committee council had not then held its sittings more than a
+month, and these only twice or thrice a week, the following paragraph
+was seen in a morning paper:--"The report of the committee of privy
+council will be ready in a few days. After due examination it appears
+that the major part of the complaints against this trade are
+ill-founded. Some regulations, however, are expected to take place,
+which may serve in a certain degree to appease the cause of humanity."
+
+But while they, who were interested, had produced this outcry against
+us, in consequence of what had fallen from their own witnesses in the
+course of their examinations, they had increased it considerably by the
+industrious circulation of a most artful pamphlet among persons of rank
+and fortune at the west end of the metropolis, which was called,
+_Scriptural Researches on the Licitness of the Slave Trade_. This they
+had procured to be written by R. Harris, who was then clerk in a
+slave-house in Liverpool, but had been formerly a clergyman and a
+Jesuit. As they had maintained in the first instance, as has been
+already shown, the humanity of the traffic, so, by means of this
+pamphlet they asserted its consistency with revealed religion. That such
+a book should have made converts in such an age is surprising; and yet
+many, who ought to have known better, were carried away by it; and we
+had now absolutely to contend, and almost degrade ourselves by doing so,
+against the double argument of the humanity and the holiness of the
+trade.
+
+By these means, but particularly by the former, the current of opinion
+in particular circles ran against us for the first month, and so strong,
+that it was impossible for us to stem it at once; but as some of the
+council recovered from their panic, and their good sense became less
+biassed by their feelings, and they were in a state to hear reason,
+their prejudices began to subside. It began now to be understood among
+them, that almost all the witnesses were concerned in the continuance of
+the trade. It began to be known also, (for Mr. Pitt and the Bishop of
+London took care that it should be circulated,) that Mr. Norris had but
+a short time before furnished me at Liverpool with information, all of
+which he had concealed[A] from the council, but all of which made for
+the abolition of it. Mr. Devaynes also, a respectable member of
+parliament, who had been in Africa, and who had been appealed to by Mr.
+Norris, when examined before the privy council, in behalf of his
+extraordinary facts, was unable, when summoned, to confirm them to the
+desired extent. From this evidence the council collected, that human
+sacrifices were not made on the arrival of White traders, as had been
+asserted; that there was no poll-tax in Dahomey at all; and that Mr.
+Norris must have been mistaken on these points, for he must have been
+there at the time of the ceremony of watering the graves, when about
+sixty persons suffered. This latter custom moreover appeared to have
+been a religious superstition of the country, such as at Otaheite, or in
+Britain in the time of the Druids, and to have had nothing to do with
+the Slave Trade[B]. With respect to prisoners of war, Mr. Devaynes
+allowed that the old, the lame, and the wounded, were often put to death
+on the spot; but this was to save the trouble of bringing them away. The
+young and the healthy were driven off for sale; but if they were not
+sold when offered, they were not killed, but reserved for another
+market, or became house-slaves to the conquerors. Mr. Devaynes also
+maintained, contrary to the allegations of the others, that a great
+number of persons were kidnapped in order to be sold to the ships; and
+that the government, where this happened, was not strong enough to
+prevent it. But besides these drawbacks from the weight of the testimony
+which had been given, it began to be perceived by some of the lords of
+the council, that the cruel superstitions which had been described,
+obtained only in one or two countries in Africa, and these of
+insignificant extent; whereas at the time, when their minds were carried
+away, as it were by their feelings, they had supposed them to attach to
+the whole of that vast continent. They perceived also, that there were
+circumstances related in the evidence by the delegates themselves, by
+means of which, if they were true, the inhumanity of the trade might be
+established, and this to their own disgrace. They had all confessed that
+such slaves, as the White traders refused to buy, were put to death; and
+yet that these traders, knowing that this would be the case, had the
+barbarity uniformly to reject those whom it did not suit them to
+purchase. Mr. Matthews had rejected one of this description himself,
+whom he saw afterwards destroyed. Mr. Penny had known the refuse thrown
+down Melimba rock. Mr. Norris himself, when certain prisoners of war
+were offered to him for sale, declined buying them because they appeared
+unhealthy; and though the king then told him that he would put them to
+death, he could not be prevailed upon to take them but left them to
+their hard fate; and he had the boldness to state afterwards, that it
+was his belief that many of them actually suffered.
+
+[Footnote A: This was also the case with another witness, Mr. Weuves. He
+had given me accounts, before any stir was made about the Slave Trade,
+relative to it, all of which he kept back when he was examined there.]
+
+[Footnote B: Being a religion custom, it would still have gone on,
+though the Slave Trade had been abolished: nor could the merchants at
+any time have bought off a single victim.]
+
+These considerations had the effect of diminishing the prejudices of
+some of the council on this great question: and when this was perceived
+to be the case, it was the opinion of Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, and the
+Bishop of London, that we should send three or four of our own evidences
+for examination, who might help to restore matters to an equilibrium.
+Accordingly, Mr. Falconbridge, and some others, all of whom were to
+speak to the African part of the subject, were introduced. These
+produced a certain weight in the opposite scale. But soon after these
+had been examined, Dr. Andrew Spaarman, professor of physic, and
+inspector of the museum of the royal academy at Stockholm, and his
+companion, C.B. Wadstrom, chief director of the assay-office there,
+arrived in England. These gentlemen had been lately sent to Africa by
+the late king of Sweden, to make discoveries in botany, mineralogy, and
+other departments of science. For this purpose the Swedish ambassador at
+Paris had procured them permission from the French government to visit
+the countries bordering on the Senegal, and had insured them protection
+there. They had been conveyed to the place of their destination, where
+they had remained from August 1787, to the end of January 1788; but
+meeting with obstacles which they had not foreseen, they had left it,
+and had returned to Havre de Grace, from whence they had just arrived in
+London, on their way home. It so happened, that by means of George
+Harrison, one of our committee, I fell in unexpectedly with these
+gentlemen. I had not long been with them, before I perceived the great
+treasure I had found. They gave me many beautiful specimens of African
+produce. They showed me their journals, which they had regularly kept
+from day to day. In these I had the pleasure of seeing a number of
+circumstances minuted down, all relating to the Slave Trade, and even
+drawings on the same subject. I obtained a more accurate and
+satisfactory knowledge of the manners and customs of the Africans from
+these, than from all the persons put together whom I had yet seen. I was
+anxious, therefore, to take them before the committee of council, to
+which they were pleased to consent; and as Dr. Spaarman was to leave
+London in a few days, I procured him an introduction first. His evidence
+went to show, that the natives of Africa lived in a fruitful and
+luxuriant country, which supplied all their wants, and that they would
+be a happy people, if it were not for the existence of the Slave Trade.
+He instanced wars which he knew to have been made by the Moors upon the
+Negroes, (for they were entered upon wholly at the instigation of the
+White traders,) for the purpose of getting slaves, and he had the pain
+of seeing the unhappy captives brought in on such occasions, and some of
+them in a wounded state. Among them, were many women and children, and
+the women were in great affliction. He saw also the king of Barbesin
+send out his parties on expeditions of a similar kind, and he saw them
+return with slaves. The king had been made intoxicated on purpose, by
+the French agents, or he would never have consented to the measure. He
+stated also, that in consequence of the temptations held out by
+slave-vessels coming upon the coast, the natives seized one another in
+the night, when they found opportunity; and even invited others to their
+houses, whom they treacherously detained, and sold at these times; so
+that every enormity was practised in Africa, in consequence of the
+existence of the trade. These specific instances made a proper
+impression upon the lords of the council in their turn; for Dr. Spaarman
+was a man of high character; he possessed the confidence of his
+sovereign; he had no interest whatever in giving his evidence on this
+subject, either on one or the other side; his means of information too
+had been large; he had also recorded the facts which had come before
+him, and he had his journal, written in the French language, to produce.
+The tide, therefore, which had run so strongly against us, began now to
+turn a little in our favour.
+
+While these examinations were going on, petitions continued to be sent
+to the House of Commons, from various parts of the kingdom. No less than
+one hundred and three were presented in this session. The city of
+London, though she was drawn the other way by the cries of commercial
+interest, made a sacrifice to humanity and justice: the two universities
+applauded her conduct by their own example. Large manufacturing towns,
+and whole counties, expressed their sentiments and wishes in a similar
+manner. The Established Church in separate dioceses, and the Quakers and
+other dissenters, as separate religious bodies, joined in one voice upon
+this occasion.
+
+The committee, in the interim, were not unmindful of the great work they
+had undertaken, and they continued to forward it in its different
+departments. They kept up a communication by letter with most of the
+worthy persons, who have been mentioned to have written to them, but
+particularly with Brissot and Claviere; from whom they had the
+satisfaction of learning, that a society had at length been established
+at Paris, for the abolition of the Slave Trade in France. The learned
+Marquis de Condorcet had become the president of it. The virtuous Duc de
+la Rochefoucauld and the Marquis de la Fayette had sanctioned it by
+enrolling their names as the two first members. Petion, who was placed
+afterwards among the mayors of Paris, followed. Women also were not
+thought unworthy of being honorary and assistant members of this humane
+institution; and among these were found the amiable Marchioness of la
+Fayette, Madame de Poivre, widow of the late intendant of the Isle of
+France, and Madame Necker, wife of the first minister of state.
+
+The new correspondents, who voluntarily offered their services to the
+committee, during the first part of the period now under consideration,
+were S. Whitcomb, Esq., of Gloucester; the Rev. D. Watson, of Middleton
+Tyas, Yorkshire; John Murlin, Esq., of High Wycomb; Charles Collins,
+Esq., of Swansea; Henry Tudor, Esq., of Sheffield; the Rev. John Hare,
+of Lincoln; Samuel Tooker, Esq., of Moorgate, near Rotherham; the Rev.
+G. Walker, and Francis Wakefield, Esq., of Nottingham; the Rev. Mr.
+Hepworth, of Burton-upon-Trent; the Rev. H. Dannett, of St. John's,
+Liverpool; the Rev. Dr. Oglander, of New College, Oxford; the Rev. H.
+Coulthurst, of Sidney College, Cambridge; R. Selfe, Esq., of
+Cirencester; Morris Birkbeck, of Hanford, Dorsetshire; William Jepson,
+of Lancaster; B. Kaye, of Leeds: John Patison, Esq., of Paisley; J.E.
+Dolben, Esq., of Northamptonshire; the Rev. Mr. Smith, of Wendover; John
+Wilkinson, Esq., of Woodford; Samuel Milford, Esq., of Exeter; Peter
+Lunel, Esq., treasurer of the committee at Bristol; James Pemberton, of
+Philadelphia; and the president of the Society at New York.
+
+The letters from new correspondents during the latter part of this
+period, were the following:--
+
+One from Alexander Alison, Esq., of Edinburgh, in which he expressed it
+to be his duty to attempt to awaken the inhabitants of Scotland to a
+knowledge of the monstrous evil of the Slave Trade, and to form a
+committee there, to act in union with that of London, in carrying the
+great object of their institution into effect.
+
+Another from Elhanan Winchester, offering the committee one hundred of
+his sermons, which he had preached against the Slave Trade, in Fairfax
+county, in Virginia, so early as in the year 1774.
+
+Another from Dr. Frossard, of Lyons, in which he offered his services
+for the South of France, and desired different publications to be sent
+him, that he might be better qualified to take a part in the promotion
+of the cause.
+
+Another from Professor Bruns, of Helmstadt, in Germany, in which he
+desired to know the particulars relative to the institution of the
+committee, as many thousands upon the continent were then beginning to
+feel for the sufferings of the oppressed African race.
+
+Another from Rev. James Manning, of Exeter, in which he stated himself
+to be authorized by the dissenting ministers of Devon and Cornwall, to
+express their high approbation of the conduct of the committee, and to
+offer their services in the promotion of this great work of humanity and
+religion.
+
+Another from William Senhouse, Esq., of the island of Barbados. In this
+he gave the particulars of two estates, one of them his own, and the
+other belonging to a nobleman, upon each of which the slaves, in
+consequence of humane treatment, had increased by natural population
+only. Another effect of this humane treatment had been, that these
+slaves were among the most orderly and tractable in that island. From
+these and other instances he argued, that if the planters would, all of
+them, take proper care of their slaves, their humanity would be repaid
+in a few years, by a valuable increase in their property, and they would
+never want supplies from a traffic, which had been so justly condemned.
+
+Two others, the one from Travers Hartley, and the other from Alexander
+Jaffray, Esqrs., both of Dublin, were read. These gentlemen sent certain
+resolutions, which had been agreed upon by the chamber of commerce and
+by the guild of merchants there, relative to the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. They rejoiced, in the name of those whom they represented, that
+Ireland had been unspotted by a traffic, which they held in such deep
+abhorrence; and promised, if it should be abolished in England, to take
+the post active measures to prevent it from finding an asylum in the
+ports of that kingdom.
+
+The letters of William Senhouse, and of Travers Hartley, and of
+Alexander Jaffray, Esqrs., were ordered to be presented to the committee
+of privy council, and copies of them to be left there.
+
+The business of the committee having almost daily increased within this
+period, Dr. Baker and Bennet Langton, Esq., who were the two first to
+assist me in my early labours, and who have been mentioned among the
+forerunners and coadjutors of the cause, were elected members of it. Dr.
+Kippis also was added to the list.
+
+The honorary and corresponding members, elected within the same period,
+were the Dean of Middleham; T.W. Coke, Esq., member of parliament, of
+Holkham, in Norfolk; and the Rev. William Leigh, who has been before
+mentioned, of Little Plumstead, in the same county. The latter had
+published several valuable letters in the public papers, under the
+signature of Africanus: these had excited great notice, and done much
+good. The worthy author had now collected them into a publication, and
+had offered the profits of it to the committee. Hence this mark of their
+respect was conferred upon him.
+
+The committee ordered a new edition of three thousand of the Dean of
+Middleham's Letters to be printed. Having approved of a manuscript,
+written by James Field Stanfield, a mariner, containing observations
+upon a voyage which he had lately made to the coast of Africa for
+slaves, they ordered three thousand of these to be printed also. By this
+time, the subject having been much talked of, and many doubts and
+difficulties having been thrown in the way of the abolition, by persons
+interested in the continuance of the trade, Mr. Ramsay, who has been
+often so honourably mentioned, put down upon paper all the objections
+which were then handed about, and also those answers to each, which he
+was qualified, from his superior knowledge of the subject, to suggest.
+This he did, that the members of the legislature might see the more
+intricate parts of the question unravelled, and that they might not be
+imposed upon by the spurious arguments which were then in circulation
+concerning it. Observing also the poisonous effect which _The Scriptural
+Researches on the Licitness of the Slave Trade_ had produced upon the
+minds of many, he wrote an answer on scriptural grounds to that
+pamphlet. These works were sent to the press, and three thousand copies
+of each of them were ordered to be struck off.
+
+The committee, in their arrangement of the distribution of their books,
+ordered NEWTON'S _Thoughts_, and RAMSAY'S _Objections and Answers_, to
+be sent to each member of both houses of parliament.
+
+They appointed also three sub-committees for different purposes: one to
+draw up such facts and arguments respecting the Slave Trade, with a view
+of being translated into other languages, as should give foreigners a
+suitable knowledge of the subject; another to prepare an answer to
+certain false reports which had been spread relative to the object of
+their institution, and to procure an insertion of it in the daily
+papers; and a third to draw up rules for the government of the society.
+
+By the latter end of the month of March, there was an anxious
+expectation in the public, notwithstanding the privy council had taken
+up the subject, that some notice should be taken, in the lower house of
+parliament, of the numerous petitions which had been presented there.
+There was the same expectation in many of the members of it themselves.
+Lord Penrhyn, one of the representatives for Liverpool, and a planter
+also, had anticipated this notice, by moving for such papers relative to
+ships employed, goods exported, produce imported, and duties upon the
+same, as would show the vast value of the trade, which it was in
+contemplation to abolish. But at this time Mr. Wilberforce was ill, and
+unable to gratify the expectations which had been thus apparent. The
+committee, therefore, who partook of the anxiety of the public, knew not
+what to do. They saw that two-thirds of the session had already passed.
+They saw no hope of Mr. Wilberforce's recovery for some time. Rumours
+too were afloat, that other members, of whose plans they knew nothing,
+and who might even make emancipation their object, would introduce the
+business into the house. Thus situated, they waited, as patiently as
+they could, till the 8th of April[A], when they resolved to write to Mr.
+Wilberforce, to explain to him their fears and wishes, and to submit it
+to his consideration, whether, if he were unable himself, he would
+appoint some one in whom he could confide, to make some motion in
+parliament on the subject.
+
+[Footnote A: Brissot attended in person at this committee in his way to
+America, which it was then an object with him to visit.]
+
+But the public expectation became now daily more visible. The
+inhabitants of Manchester, many of whom had signed the petition for that
+place, became impatient, and they appointed Thomas Walker and Thomas
+Cooper, Esquires, as their delegates, to proceed to London to
+communicate with the committee on this subject, to assist them in their
+deliberations upon it, and to give their attendance while it was under
+discussion by the legislature.
+
+At the time of the arrival of the delegates, who were received as such
+by the committee, a letter came from Bath, in which it was stated that
+Mr. Wilberforce's health was in such a precarious state, that his
+physicians dared not allow him to read any letter which related to the
+subject of the Slave Trade.
+
+The committee were now again at a loss how to act, when they were
+relieved from this doubtful situation by a message from Mr. Pitt, who
+desired a conference with their chairman. Mr. Sharp accordingly went,
+and on his return made the following report: "He had a full
+opportunity," he said, "of explaining to Mr. Pitt that the desire of the
+committee went to the entire abolition of the Slave Trade. Mr. Pitt
+assured him that his heart was with the committee as to this object, and
+that he considered himself pledged to Mr. Wilberforce, that the cause
+should not sustain any injury from his indisposition; but at the same
+time observed, that the subject was of great political importance, and
+it was requisite to proceed in it with temper and prudence. He did not
+apprehend, as the examinations before the privy council would yet take
+up some time, that the subject could be fully investigated in the
+present session of parliament; but said he would consider whether the
+forms of the house would admit of any measures that would be obligatory
+on them to take it up early in the ensuing session."
+
+In about a week after this conference, Mr. Morton Pitt was deputed by
+the minister to write to the committee, to say that he had found
+precedents for such a motion as he conceived to be proper, and that he
+would submit it to the House of Commons in a few days.
+
+At the next meeting, which was on the 6th of May, and at which Major
+Cartwright and the Manchester delegates assisted, Mr. Morton Pitt
+attended as a member of the committee, and said that the minister had
+fixed his motion for the 9th. It was then resolved, that deputations
+should be sent to some of the leading members of parliament, to request
+their support of the approaching motion. I was included in one of these,
+and in that which was to wait upon Mr. Fox. We were received by him in a
+friendly manner. On putting the question to him, which related to the
+object of our mission, Mr. Fox paused for a little while, as if in the
+act of deliberation; when he assured us unequivocally, and in language
+which could not be misunderstood, that he would support the object of
+the committee to its fullest extent, being convinced that there was no
+remedy for the evil, but in the total abolition of the trade.
+
+At length, the 9th, or the day fixed upon, arrived, when this important
+subject was to be mentioned in the House of Commons for the first
+time[A], with a view to the public discussion of it. It is impossible
+for me to give, within the narrow limits of this work, all that was then
+said upon it; and yet as the debate which ensued was the first which
+took place upon it, I should feel inexcusable if I were not to take some
+notice of it.
+
+[Footnote A: David Hartley made a motion some years before in the same
+house, as has been shown in a former part of this work; but this was
+only to establish a proposition, That the Slave Trade was contrary to
+the Laws of God and the Rights of Man.]
+
+Mr. Pitt rose. He said he intended to move a resolution relative to a
+subject which was of more importance than any which had ever been
+agitated in that house. This honour he should not have had, but for a
+circumstance which he could not but deeply regret, the severe
+indisposition of his friend Mr. Wilberforce, in whose hands every
+measure which belonged to justice, humanity, and the national interest,
+was peculiarly well placed. The subject in question was no less than
+that of the Slave Trade. It was obvious from the great number of
+petitions which had been presented concerning it, how much it had
+engaged the public attention, and consequently how much it deserved the
+serious notice of that house, and how much it became their duty to take
+some measure concerning it. But whatever was done on such a subject,
+every one would agree, ought to be done with the maturest deliberation.
+Two opinions had prevailed without doors, as appeared from the language
+of the different petitions. It had been pretty generally thought that
+the African Slave Trade ought to be abolished. There were others,
+however, who thought that it only stood in need of regulations. But all
+had agreed that it ought not to remain as it stood at present. But that
+measure which it might be the most proper to take, could only be
+discovered by a cool, patient, and diligent examination of the subject
+in all its circumstances, relations, and consequences. This had induced
+him to form an opinion that the present was not the proper time for
+discussing it; for the session was now far advanced, and there was also
+a want of proper materials for the full information of the house. It
+would, he thought, be better discussed, when it might produce some
+useful debate, and when that inquiry which had been instituted by His
+Majesty's Ministers, (he meant the examination by a committee of privy
+council,) should be brought to such a state of maturity as to make it
+fit that the result of it should be laid before the house. That inquiry,
+he trusted, would facilitate their investigation, and enable them the
+better to proceed to a decision which should be equally founded on
+principles of humanity, justice, and sound policy. As there was not a
+probability of reaching so desirable an end in the present state of the
+business, he meant to move a resolution to pledge the house to the
+discussion of the question early in the next  session. If by that time
+his honourable friend should be recovered, which he hoped would be the
+case, then he (Mr. Wilberforce) would take the lead in it; but should it
+unfortunately happen otherwise, then he (the Chancellor of the
+Exchequer) pledged himself to bring forward some proposition concerning
+it. The house, however, would observe, that he had studiously avoided
+giving any opinion of his own on this great subject. He thought it wiser
+to defer this till the time of the discussion should arrive. He
+concluded with moving, after having read the names of the places from
+whence the different petitions had come, "That this house will, early in
+the next session of parliament, proceed to take into consideration the
+circumstances of the Slave Trade complained of in the said petitions,
+and what may be fit to be done thereupon."
+
+Mr. Fox began by observing, that he had long taken an interest in this
+great subject, which he had also minutely examined, and that it was his
+intention to have brought something forward himself in parliament
+respecting it; but when he heard that Mr. Wilberforce had resolved to
+take it up, he was unaffectedly rejoiced, not only knowing the purity of
+his principles and character, but because, from a variety of
+considerations as to the situations in which different men stood in the
+house, there was something that made him honestly think it was better
+that the business should be in the hands of that gentleman than in his
+own. Having premised this, he said that, as so many petitions, and these
+signed by such numbers of persons of the most respectable character, had
+been presented, he was sorry that it had been found impossible that the
+subject of them could be taken up this year, and more particularly as he
+was not able to see, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer had done, that
+there were circumstances, which might happen by the next year, which
+would make it more advisable and advantageous to take it up then, than
+it would have been to enter upon it in the present session. For
+certainly there could be no information laid before the house, through
+the medium of the lords of the council, which could not more
+advantageously have been obtained by themselves, had they instituted a
+similar inquiry. It was their duty to advise the king, and not to ask
+his advice. This the constitution had laid down as one of its most
+essential principles; and though in the present instance he saw no cause
+for blame, because he was persuaded His Majesty's Ministers had not
+acted with any ill intention, it was still a principle never to be
+departed from, because it never could be departed from without
+establishing a precedent which might lead to very serious abuses. He
+lamented that the privy council, who had received no petitions from the
+people on the subject, should have instituted an inquiry, and that the
+House of Commons, the table of which had been loaded with petitions from
+various parts of the kingdom, should not have instituted any inquiry at
+all. He hoped these petitions would have a fair discussion in that
+house, independently of any information that could be given to it by His
+Majesty's Ministers. He urged again the superior advantage of an inquiry
+into such a subject carried on within those walls over any inquiry
+carried on by the lords of the council. In inquiries carried on in that
+house, they had the benefit of every circumstance of publicity; which
+was a most material benefit indeed, and that which of all others made
+the manner of conducting the parliamentary proceedings of Great Britain
+the envy and the admiration of the world. An inquiry there was better
+than an inquiry in any other place, however respectable the persons
+before and by whom it was carried on. There, all that could be said for
+the abolition or against it might be said. In that house every relative
+fact would have been produced, no information would have been withheld,
+no circumstance would have been omitted, which was necessary for
+elucidation; nothing would have been kept back. He was sorry, therefore,
+that the consideration of the question, but more particularly where so
+much human suffering was concerned, should be put off to another
+session, when it was obvious that no advantage could be gained by the
+delay.
+
+He then adverted to the secrecy which the Chancellor of the Exchequer
+had observed relative to his own opinion on this important subject. Why
+did he refuse to give it? Had Mr. Wilberforce been present, the house
+would have had a great advantage in this respect, because doubtless he
+would have stated in what view he saw the subject, and in a general way
+described the nature of the project he meant to propose. But now they
+were kept in the dark as to the nature of any plan, till the next
+session. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had indeed said, that it had
+been a very general opinion that the African Slave Trade should be
+abolished. He had said again, that others had not gone so far, but had
+given it as their opinion, that it required to be revised and regulated.
+But why did he not give his own sentiments boldly to the world on this
+great question? As for himself, he (Mr. Fox) had no scruple to declare
+at the outset, that the Slave Trade ought not to be regulated, but
+destroyed. To this opinion his mind was made up; and he was persuaded
+that, the more the subject was considered, the more his opinion would
+gain ground; and it would be admitted, that to consider it in any other
+manner, or on any other principles than those of humanity and justice,
+would be idle and absurd. If there were any such men, and he did not
+know but that there were those, who, led away by local and interested
+considerations, thought the Slave Trade might still continue under
+certain modifications, these were the dupes of error, and mistook what
+they thought their interest, for what he would undertake to convince
+them was their loss. Let such men only hear the case further, and they
+would find the result to be, that a cold-hearted policy was folly when
+it opposed the great principles of humanity and justice.
+
+He concluded by saying that he would not oppose the resolution, if other
+members thought it best to postpone the consideration of the subject;
+but he should have been better pleased if it had been discussed sooner;
+and he certainly reserved to himself the right of voting for any
+question upon it that should be brought forward by any other member in
+the course of the present session.
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that nothing he had heard had
+satisfied him of the propriety of departing from the rule he had laid
+down for himself, of not offering, but of studiously avoiding to offer,
+any opinion upon the subject till the time should arrive when it could
+be fully argued. He thought that no discussion which could take place
+that session, could lead to any useful measure, and therefore, he had
+wished not to argue it till the whole of it could be argued. A day would
+come, when every member would have an opportunity of stating his
+opinion; and he wished it might be discussed with a proper spirit on all
+sides, on fair and liberal principles, and without any shackles from
+local and interested considerations.
+
+With regard to the inquiries instituted before the committee of privy
+council, he was sure, as soon as it became obvious that the subject must
+undergo a discussion, it was the duty of His Majesty's Ministers to set
+those inquiries on foot, which should best enable them to judge in what
+manner they could meet or offer any proposition respecting the Slave
+Trade. And although such previous examinations by no means went to
+deprive that house of its undoubted right to institute those inquiries;
+or to preclude them, they would be found greatly to facilitate them.
+But, exclusive of this consideration, it would have been utterly
+impossible to have come to any discussion of the subject, that could
+have been brought to a conclusion in the course of the present session.
+Did the inquiry then before the privy council prove a loss of time? So
+far from it, that, upon the whole, time had been gained by it. He had
+moved the resolution, therefore, to pledge the house to bring on the
+discussion early in the next session, when they would have a full
+opportunity of considering every part of the subject: first, whether the
+whole of the trade ought to be abolished; and, if so, how and when. If
+it should be thought that the trade should only be put under certain
+regulations, what those regulations ought to be, and when they should
+take place. These were questions which must be considered; and therefore
+he had made his resolution as wide as possible, that there might be room
+for all necessary considerations to be taken in. He repeated his
+declaration, that he would reserve his sentiments till the day of
+discussion should arrive; and again declared, that he earnestly wished
+to avoid an anticipation of the debate upon the subject. But if such
+debate was likely to take place, he would withdraw his motion, and offer
+it another day.
+
+A few words then passed between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox in reply to each
+other; after which Lord Penrhyn rose. He said there were two classes of
+men, the African merchants, and the planters, both of whose characters
+had been grossly calumniated. These wished that an inquiry might be
+instituted, and this immediately, conscious that the more their conduct
+was examined the less they would be found to merit the opprobrium with
+which they had been loaded. The charges against the Slave Trade were
+either true or false. If they were true, it ought to be abolished; but
+if upon inquiry they were found to be without foundation, justice ought
+to be done to the reputation of those who were concerned in it. He then
+said a few words, by which he signified, that, after all, it might not
+be an improper measure to make regulations in the trade.
+
+Mr. Burke said, the noble lord, who was a man of honour himself, had
+reasoned from his own conduct, and, being conscious of his own
+integrity, was naturally led to imagine that other men were equally just
+and honourable. Undoubtedly the merchants and planters had a right to
+call for an investigation of their conduct, and their doing so did them
+great credit. The Slave Trade also ought equally to be inquired into.
+Neither did he deny that it was right his Majesty's ministers should
+inquire into its merits for themselves. They had done their duty; but
+that House, who had the petitions of the people on their table,
+neglected it, by having so long deferred an inquiry of their own. If
+that House wished to preserve their functions, their understandings,
+their honour, and their dignity, he advised them to beware of committees
+of privy council. If they suffered their business to be done by such
+means, they were abdicating their trust and character, and making way
+for an entire abolition of their functions, which they were parting with
+one after another, Thus:--
+
+
+  Star after star goes out, and all is night.
+
+
+If they neglected the petitions of their constituents, they must fall,
+and the privy-counsel be instituted in their stead. What would be the
+consequence? His Majesty's Ministers, instead of consulting them, and
+giving them the opportunity of exercising their functions of
+deliberation and legislation, would modify the measures of government
+elsewhere, and bring down the edicts of the privy council to them to
+register. Mr. Burke said, he was one of those who wished for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. He thought it ought to be abolished, on
+principles of humanity and justice. If, however, opposition of interests
+should render its total abolition impossible, it ought to be regulated,
+and that immediately. They need not send to the West Indies to know the
+opinions of the planters on the subject. They were to consider first of
+all, and abstractedly from all political, personal, and local
+considerations, that the Slave Trade was directly contrary to the
+principles of humanity and justice, and to the spirit of the British
+constitution; and that the state of slavery, which followed it, however
+mitigated, was a state so improper, so degrading, and so ruinous to the
+feelings and capacities of human nature, that it ought not to be
+suffered to exist. He deprecated delay in this business, as well for the
+sake of planters as of the slaves.
+
+Mr. Gascoyne, the other member for Liverpool, said he had no objection
+that the discussion should stand over to the next session of parliament,
+provided it could not come on in the present, because he was persuaded
+it would ultimately be found that his constituents, who were more
+immediately concerned in the trade, and who had been so shamefully
+calumniated, were men of respectable character. He hoped the privy
+council would print their Report when they had brought their inquiries
+to a conclusion, and that they would lay it before the House and the
+public, in order to enable all concerned to form a judgment of what was
+proper to be done relative to the subject next session. With respect,
+however, to the total abolition of the Slave Trade, he must confess that
+such a measure was both unnecessary, visionary, and impracticable; but
+he wished some alterations or modifications to be adopted. He hoped
+that, when the House came to go into the general question, they would
+not forget the trade, commerce, and navigation of the country.
+
+Mr. Rolle said, he had received instruction from his constituents to
+inquire if the grievances, which had been alleged to result from the
+Slave Trade, were well founded; and, if it appear that they were, to
+assist in applying a remedy. He was glad the discussion had been put off
+till next session, as it would give all of them an opportunity of
+considering the subject with more mature deliberation.
+
+Mr. Martin desired to say a few words only. He put the case, that,
+supposing the slaves were treated ever so humanely, when they were
+carried to the West Indies, what compensation could be made them for
+being torn from their nearest relations, and from everything that was
+dear to them in life? He hoped no political advantage, no national
+expediency, would be allowed to weigh in the scale against the eternal
+rules of moral rectitude. As for himself, he had no hesitation to
+declare, in this early stage of the business, that he should think
+himself a wicked wretch if he did not do everything in his power to put
+a stop to the Slave Trade.
+
+Sir William Dolben said, that he did not then wish to enter into the
+discussion of the general question of the abolition of the Slave Trade,
+which the Chancellor of the Exchequer was so desirous of postponing; but
+he wished to say a few words on what he conceived to be a most crying
+evil, and which might be immediately remedied, without infringing upon
+the limits of that question. He did not allude to the sufferings of the
+poor Africans in their own country, nor afterwards in the West India
+islands, but to that intermediate state of tenfold misery which they
+underwent in their transportation. When put on board the ships, the poor
+unhappy wretches were chained to each other, hand and foot, and stowed
+so close, that they were not allowed above a foot and a half for each
+individual in breadth. Thus crammed together like herrings in a barrel,
+they contracted putrid and fatal disorders; so that they who came to
+inspect them in a morning had occasionally to pick dead slaves out of
+their rows, and to unchain their carcasses from the bodies of their
+wretched fellow-sufferers, to whom they had been fastened. Nor was it
+merely to the slaves that the baneful effects of the contagion thus
+created were confined. This contagion affected the ships' crews, and
+numbers of the seamen employed in the horrid traffic perished. This
+evil, he said, called aloud for a remedy, and that remedy ought to be
+applied soon; otherwise no less than ten thousand lives might be lost
+between this and next session. He wished therefore this grievance to be
+taken into consideration, independently of the general question; and
+that some regulations, such as restraining the captains from taking
+above a certain number of slaves on board, according to the size of
+their vessels, and obliging them to let in fresh air, and provide better
+accommodation for the slaves during their passage, should be adopted.
+
+Mr. Young wished the consideration of the whole subject to stand over to
+the next session.
+
+Sir James Johnstone, though a planter, professed himself a friend to the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. He said it was highly necessary that the
+House should do something respecting it; but whatever was to be done
+should be done soon, as delay might be productive of bad consequences in
+the islands.
+
+Mr. L. Smith stood up a zealous advocate for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He said that even Lord Penrhyn and Mr. Gascoyne, the members for
+Liverpool, had admitted the evil of it to a certain extent; for
+regulations or modifications, in which they seemed to acquiesce, were
+unnecessary where abuses did not really exist.
+
+Mr. Grigby thought it his duty to declare, that no privy council report,
+or other mode of examination, could influence him. A traffic in the
+persons of men was so odious, that it ought everywhere, as soon as ever
+it was discovered, to be abolished.
+
+Mr. Bastard was anxious that the House should proceed to the discussion
+of the subject in the present session. The whole country, he said, had
+petitioned; and was it any satisfaction to the country to be told, that
+the committee of privy council were inquiring? Who knew anything of what
+was doing by the committee of privy council, or what progress they were
+making? The inquiry ought to have been instituted in that House, and in
+the face of the public, that everybody concerned might know what was
+going on. The numerous petitions of the people ought immediately to be
+attended to. He reprobated delay on this occasion; and as the honourable
+baronet, Sir William Dolben, had stated facts which were shocking to
+humanity, he hoped he would move that a committee might be appointed to
+inquire into their existence, that a remedy might be applied, if
+possible, before the sailing of the next ships for Africa.
+
+Mr. Whitbread professed himself a strenuous advocate for the total and
+immediate abolition of the Slave Trade. It was contrary to nature, and
+to every principle of justice, humanity, and religion.
+
+Mr. Pelham stated, that he had very maturely considered the subject of
+the Slave Trade; and had he not known that the business was in the hands
+of an honourable member, (whose absence from the house, and the cause of
+it, no man lamented more sincerely than he did,) he should have ventured
+to propose something concerning it himself. If it should be thought that
+the trade ought not to be entirely done away, the sooner it was
+regulated the better. He had a plan for this purpose, which appeared to
+him to be likely to produce some salutary effects. He wished to know if
+any such thing would be permitted to be proposed in the course of the
+present session.
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he should be happy, if he thought
+the circumstances of the house were such as to enable them to proceed to
+an immediate discussion of the question; but as that did not appear,
+from the reasons he had before stated, to be the case, he could only
+assure the honourable gentleman, that the same motives which had induced
+him to propose an inquiry into the subject early in the next session of
+parliament, would make him desirous of receiving any other light which
+could be thrown upon it.
+
+The question having been then put, the resolution was agreed to
+unanimously. Thus ended the first debate that ever took place in the
+Commons, on this important subject. This debate, though many of the
+persons concerned in it abstained cautiously from entering into the
+merits of the general question, became interesting, in consequence of
+circumstances attending it. Several rose up at once to give relief, as
+it were, to their feelings by utterance; but by so doing they were
+prevented, many of them, from being heard. They who were heard, spoke
+with peculiar energy, as if warmed in an extraordinary manner by the
+subject. There was an apparent enthusiasm in behalf of the injured
+Africans. It was supposed by some, that there was a moment, in which, if
+the Chancellor of the Exchequer had moved for an immediate abolition of
+the trade, he would have carried it that night; and both he and others,
+who professed an attachment to the cause, were censured for not having
+taken a due advantage of the disposition which was so apparent. But
+independently of the inconsistency of doing this on the part of the
+ministry, while the privy council were in the midst of their inquiries,
+and of the improbability that the other branches of the legislature
+would have concurred in so hasty a measure; what good would have accrued
+to the cause, if the abolition had been then carried? Those concerned in
+the cruel system would never have rested quietly under the stigma under
+which they then laboured. They would have urged, that they had been
+condemned unheard. The merchants would have said, that they had had no
+notice of such an event, that they might prepare, a way for their
+vessels in other trades. The planters would have said, that they had had
+no time allowed them to provide such supplies from Africa as might
+enable them to keep up their respective stocks. They would, both of
+them, have called aloud for immediate indemnification. They would have
+decried the policy of the measure of the abolition; and where had it
+been proved? They would have demanded a reverse of it; and might they
+not in cooler moments have succeeded? Whereas, by entering into a
+patient discussion of the merits of the question; by bringing evidence
+upon it; by reasoning upon that evidence night after night, and year
+after year, and thus by disputing the ground inch as it were by inch,
+the abolition of the Slave Trade stands upon a rock, upon which it never
+can be shaken. Many of those who were concerned in the cruel system have
+now given up their prejudices, because they became convinced in the
+contest. A stigma too has been fixed upon it, which can never be erased:
+and in a large record, in which the cruelty and injustice of it have
+been recognised in indelible characters, its impolicy also has been
+eternally enrolled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+Continuation to the middle of July.--Anxiety of Sir William Dolben to
+lessen the horrors of the Middle Passage till the great question
+should be discussed; brings in a bill for that purpose; debate upon
+it.--Evidence examined against it; its inconsistency and
+falsehoods.--Further debate upon it.--Bill passed, and carried to the
+Lords; vexatious delays and opposition there; carried backwards and
+forwards to both houses.--At length finally passed.--Proceedings of
+the committee in the interim; effects of them.
+
+
+It was supposed, after the debate, of which the substance has been just
+given, that there would have been no further discussion of the subject
+till the next year; but Sir William Dolben became more and more affected
+by those considerations which he had offered to the house on the ninth
+of May. The trade, he found, was still to go on. The horrors of the
+transportation, or Middle Passage, as it was called, which he conceived
+to be the worst in the long catalogue of evils belonging to the system,
+would of course accompany it. The partial discussion of these, he
+believed, would be no infringement of the late resolution of the house.
+He was desirous, therefore, of doing something in the course of the
+present session, by which the miseries of the trade might be diminished
+as much as possible, while it lasted, or till the legislature could take
+up the whole of the question. This desire he mentioned to several of his
+friends; and as these approved of his design, he made it known on the
+twenty-first of May in the House of Commons.
+
+He began by observing, that he would take up but little of their time.
+He rose to move for leave to bring in a bill for the relief of those
+unhappy persons, the natives of Africa, from the hardships to which they
+were usually exposed in their passage from the coast of Africa to the
+colonies. He did not mean, by any regulations he might introduce for
+this purpose, to countenance or sanction the Slave Trade, which, however
+modified, would be always wicked and unjustifiable. Nor did he mean, by
+introducing these, to go into the general question which the house had
+prohibited. The bill which he had in contemplation, went only to limit
+the number of persons to be put on board to the tonnage of the vessel
+which was to carry them, in order to prevent them from being crowded too
+closely together; to secure to them good and sufficient provisions; and
+to take cognizance of other matters, which related to their health and
+accommodation; and this only till parliament could enter into the
+general merits of the question. This humane interference he thought no
+member would object to. Indeed, those for Liverpool had both of them
+admitted, on the ninth of May, that regulations were desirable; and he
+had since conversed with them, and was happy to learn that they would
+not oppose him on this occasion.
+
+Mr. Whitbread highly approved of the object of the worthy baronet, which
+was to diminish the sufferings of an unoffending people. Whatever could
+be done to relieve them in their hard situation, till parliament could
+take up the whole of their case, ought to be done by men living in a
+civilized country, and professing the Christian religion: he therefore
+begged leave to second the motion which had been made.
+
+General Norton was sorry that he had not risen up sooner. He wished to
+have seconded this humane motion himself. It had his most cordial
+approbation.
+
+Mr. Burgess complimented the worthy baronet on the honour he had done
+himself on this occasion, and congratulated the house on the good, which
+they were likely to do by acceding, as he was sure they would, to his
+proposition.
+
+Mr. Joliffe rose, and said that the motion in question should have his
+strenuous support.
+
+Mr. Gascoyne stated, that having understood from the honourable baronet
+that he meant only to remedy the evils, which were stated to exist in
+transporting the inhabitants of Africa to the West Indies, he had told
+them that he would not object to the introduction of such a bill. Should
+it however interfere with the general question, the discussion of which
+had been prohibited, he would then oppose it. He must also reserve
+another case for his opposition; and this would be, if the evils of
+which it took cognizance should appear not to have been well founded. He
+had written to his constituents to be made acquainted with this
+circumstance, and he must be guided by them on the subject.
+
+Mr. Martin was surprised how any person could give an opposition to such
+a bill. Whatever were the merits of the great question, all would allow,
+that if human beings were to be transported across the ocean, they
+should be carried over with as little suffering as possible to
+themselves.
+
+Mr. Hamilton deprecated the subdivision of this great and important
+question, which the house had reserved for another session. Every
+endeavour to meddle with one part of it, before the whole of it could be
+taken into consideration, looked rather as if it came from an enemy than
+from a friend. He was fearful that such a bill as this would sanction a
+traffic, which should never be viewed but in a hostile light, or as
+repugnant to the feelings of our nature, and to the voice of our
+religion.
+
+Lord Frederic Campbell was convinced that the postponing of all
+consideration of the subject till the next session was a wise measure.
+He was sure that neither the house nor the public were in a temper
+sufficiently cool to discuss it properly. There was a general warmth of
+feeling, or an enthusiasm about it, which ran away with the
+understandings of men, and disqualified them from judging soberly
+concerning it. He wished, therefore, that the present motion might be
+deferred.
+
+Mr. William Smith said, that if the motion of the honourable Baronet had
+trespassed upon the great question reserved for consideration, he would
+have opposed it himself; but he conceived the subject which it
+comprehended might with propriety be separately considered; and if it
+were likely that a hundred, but much more a thousand, lives would be
+saved by this bill, it was the duty of that house to adopt it without
+delay.
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer, though he meant still to conceal his
+opinion as to the general merits of the question, could not be silent,
+here. He was of opinion that he could very consistently give this motion
+his support. There was a possibility (and a bare possibility was a
+sufficient ground with him) that in consequence of the resolution lately
+come to by the house, and the temper then manifested in it, those
+persons who were concerned in the Slave Trade might put the natives of
+Africa in a worse situation, during their transportation to the
+colonies, even than they were in before, by cramming additional numbers
+on board their vessels, in order to convey as many as possible to the
+West Indies before parliament ultimately decided on the subject. The
+possibility, therefore, that such a consequence might grow out of their
+late resolution during the intervening months between the end of the
+present and the commencement of the next session, was a good and
+sufficient parliamentary ground for them to provide immediate means to
+prevent the existence of such an evil. He considered this as an act of
+indispensable duty, and on that ground the bill should have his support.
+
+Soon after this the question was put, and leave was given for the
+introduction of the bill.
+
+An account of these proceedings of the house having been sent to the
+merchants of Liverpool, they held a meeting, and came to resolutions on
+the subject. They determined to oppose the bill in every stage in which
+it should be brought forward, and, what was extraordinary, even the
+principle of it. Accordingly, between the 21st of May and the 2nd of
+June, on which latter day the bill having been previously read a second
+time was to be committed, petitions from interested persons had been
+brought against it, and consent had been obtained, that both council and
+evidence should be heard.
+
+The order of the day having been read on the 2nd of June for the house
+to resolve itself into a committee of the whole house, a discussion took
+place relative to the manner in which the business was to be conducted.
+This being over, the counsel began their observations; and, as soon as
+they had finished, evidence was called to the bar in behalf of the
+petitions which had been delivered.
+
+From the 2nd of June to the 17th the house continued to hear the
+evidence at intervals, but the members for Liverpool took every
+opportunity of occasioning delay. They had recourse twice to counting
+out the house; and at another time, though complaint had been made of
+their attempts to procrastinate, they opposed the resuming of their own
+evidence with the same view; and this merely for the frivolous reason,
+that, though there was then a suitable opportunity, notice had not been
+previously given. But in this proceeding, other members feeling
+indignant at their conduct, they were overruled.
+
+The witnesses brought by the Liverpool merchants against this humane
+bill were the same as they had before sent for examination to the privy
+council, namely, Mr. Norris, Lieutenant Matthews, and others. On the
+other side of the question it was not deemed expedient to bring any. It
+was soon perceived that it would be possible to refute the former out of
+their own mouths, and to do this seemed more eligible than to proceed in
+the other way. Mr. Pitt, however, took care to send Captain Parrey, of
+the Royal Navy, to Liverpool, that he might take the tonnage and
+internal dimensions of several slave-vessels, which were then there,
+supposing that these, when known, would enable the house to detect any
+misrepresentations, which the delegates from that town might be disposed
+to make upon this subject.
+
+It was the object of the witnesses, when examined, to prove two things:
+first, that regulations were unnecessary, because the present mode of
+the transportation was sufficiently convenient for the objects of it,
+and was well adapted to preserve their comfort and their health. They
+had sufficient room, sufficient air, and sufficient provisions. When
+upon deck, they made merry and amused themselves with dancing. As to the
+mortality, or the loss of them by death in the course of their passage,
+it was trifling. In short, the voyage from Africa to the West Indies
+"was one of the happiest periods of a Negro's life."
+
+Secondly, that if the merchants were hindered from taking less that two
+full sized, or three smaller Africans, to a ton, then the restrictions
+would operate not as the regulation, but as the utter ruin of the trade.
+Hence the present bill, under the specious mask of a temporary
+interference, sought nothing less than its abolition.
+
+These assertions having been severally made, by the former of which it
+was insinuated that the African, unhappy in his own country, found in
+the middle passage, under the care of the merchants, little less than an
+Elysian retreat, it was now proper to institute a severe inquiry into
+the truth of them. Mr. Pitt, Sir Charles Middleton, Mr. William Smith,
+and Mr. Beaufoy, took a conspicuous part on this occasion, but
+particularly the two latter, to whom much praise was due for the
+constant attention they bestowed upon this subject. Question after
+question was put by these to the witnesses; and from their own mouths
+they dragged out, by means of a cross-examination as severe as could be
+well instituted, the following melancholy account:--
+
+Every slave, whatever his size might be, was found to have only five
+feet and six inches in length, and sixteen inches in breadth, to lie in.
+The floor was covered with bodies stowed or packed according to this
+allowance: but between the floor and the deck or ceiling were often
+platforms or broad shelves in the mid-way, which were covered with
+bodies also. The height from the floor to the ceiling, within which
+space the bodies on the floor and those on the platforms lay, seldom
+exceeded five feet eight inches, and in some cases it did not exceed
+four feet.
+
+The men were chained two and two together by their hands and feet, and
+were chained also by means of ring-bolts, which were fastened to the
+deck. They were confined in this manner at least all the time they
+remained upon the coast, which was from six weeks to six months as it
+might happen.
+
+Their allowance consisted of one pint of water a day to each person, and
+they were fed twice a day with yams and horsebeans.
+
+After meals they jumped up in their irons for exercise. This was so
+necessary for their health, that they were whipped if they refused to do
+it; and this jumping had been termed dancing.
+
+They were usually fifteen and sixteen hours below deck out of the
+twenty-four. In rainy weather they could not be brought up for two or
+three days together. If the ship was full, their situation was then
+distressing. They sometimes drew their breath with anxious and laborious
+efforts, and some died of suffocation.
+
+With respect to their health in these voyages, the mortality, where the
+African constitution was the strongest, or on the windward coast, was
+only about five in a hundred. In thirty-five voyages, an account of
+which was produced, about six in a hundred was the average number lost.
+But this loss was still greater at Calabar and Bonny, which were the
+greatest markets for slaves. This loss, too, did not include those who
+died, either while the vessels were lying upon the Coast, or after their
+arrival in the West Indies, of the disorders which they had contracted
+upon the voyage. Three and four in a hundred had been known to die in
+this latter case.
+
+But besides these facts, which were forced out of the witnesses by means
+of the cross-examination which took place, they were detected in various
+falsehoods.
+
+They had asserted that the ships in this trade were peculiarly
+constructed, or differently from others, in order that they might carry
+a great number of persons with convenience; whereas Captain Parrey
+asserted, that out of the twenty-six, which he had seen, ten only had
+been built expressly for this employ.
+
+They had stated the average height between decks at about five feet and
+four inches. But Captain Parrey showed, that out of the nine he
+measured, the height in four of the smallest was only four feet eight
+inches, and the average height in all of them was but five feet two.
+
+They had asserted that vessels under two hundred tons had no platforms.
+But by his account the four just mentioned were of this tonnage, and yet
+all of them had platforms either wholly or in part.
+
+On other points they were found both to contradict themselves and one
+another. They had asserted, as before mentioned, that if they were
+restricted to less than two full-grown slaves to a ton, the trade would
+be ruined. But in examining into the particulars of nineteen vessels,
+which they produced themselves, five of them only had cargoes equal to
+the proportion which they stated to be necessary to the existence of the
+trade. The other fourteen carried a less number of slaves (and they
+might have taken more on board if they had pleased); so that the average
+number in the nineteen was but one man and four-fifths to a ton, or ten
+in a hundred below their lowest standard[A]. One again said, that no
+inconvenience arose in consequence of the narrow space allowed to each
+individual in these voyages. Another said, that smaller vessels were
+more healthy than larger, because, among other reasons, they had a less
+proportion of slaves as to number on board.
+
+[Footnote A: The falsehood of their statements in this respect was
+proved again afterwards by facts. For, after the regulation had taken
+place, they lost fewer slaves and made greater profits.]
+
+They were found also guilty of a wilful concealment of such facts, as
+they knew, if communicated, would have invalidated their own testimony.
+I was instrumental in detecting them on one of these occasions myself.
+When Mr. Dalzell was examined, he was not wholly unknown to me; my
+Liverpool muster-rolls told me that he had lost fifteen seamen out of
+forty in his last voyage. This was a sufficient ground to go upon; for
+generally, where the mortality of the seamen has been great, it may be
+laid down that the mortality of the slaves has been considerable also. I
+waited patiently till his evidence was nearly closed, but he had then
+made no unfavourable statements to the house. I desired, therefore, that
+a question might be put to him, and in such a manner, that he might know
+that they, who put it, had got a clue to his secrets. He became
+immediately embarrassed; his voice faltered; he confessed with trembling
+that he had lost a third of his sailors in his last voyage. Pressed hard
+immediately by other questions, he then acknowledged that he had lost
+one hundred and twenty, or a third of his slaves, also. But would he say
+that these were all he had lost in that voyage? No; twelve others had
+perished by an accident, for they were drowned. But were no others lost
+beside the one hundred and twenty and the twelve? None, he said, upon
+the voyage, but between twenty and thirty before he left the Coast. Thus
+this champion of the merchants, this advocate for the health and
+happiness of slaves in the middle passage, lost nearly a hundred and
+sixty of the unhappy persons committed to his superior care, in a single
+voyage!
+
+The evidence, on which I have now commented, having been delivered, the
+counsel summed up on the 17th of June, when the committee proceeded to
+fill up the blanks in the bill. Mr. Pitt moved that the operation of it
+be retrospective, and that it commence from the 10th instant. This was
+violently opposed by Lord Penrhyn, Mr. Gascoyne, and Mr. Brickdale, but
+was at length acceded to.
+
+Sir William Dolben then proposed to apportion five men to every three
+tons in every ship under one hundred and fifty tons burden, which had
+the space of five feet between the decks, and three men to two tons in
+every vessel beyond one hundred and fifty tons burden, which had equal
+accommodation in point of height between the decks. This occasioned a
+very warm dispute, which was not settled for some time, and which gave
+rise to some beautiful and interesting speeches on the subject.
+
+Mr. William Smith pointed out in the clearest manner many of the
+contradictions, which I have just stated in commenting upon the
+evidence; indeed he had been a principal means of detecting them. He
+proved how little worthy of belief the witnesses had shown themselves,
+and how necessary they had made the present bill by their own
+confession. The worthy baronet, indeed, had been too indulgent to the
+merchants, in the proportion he had fixed of the number of persons to be
+carried to the tonnage of their vessels. He then took a feeling view of
+what would be the wretched state of the poor Africans on board, even if
+the bill passed as it now stood; and conjured the house, if they would
+not allow them more room, at least not to infringe upon that which had
+been proposed.
+
+Lord Belgrave (afterwards Grosvenor) animadverted with great ability
+upon the cruelties of the trade, which he said had been fully proved at
+the bar. He took notice of the extraordinary opposition which had been
+made to the bill then before them, and which he believed every
+gentleman, who had a proper feeling of humanity, would condemn. If the
+present mode of carrying on the trade received the countenance of that
+house, the poor unfortunate African would have occasion doubly to curse
+his fate. He would not only curse the womb that brought him forth, but
+the British nation also, whose diabolical avarice had made his cup of
+misery still more bitter. He hoped that the members for Liverpool would
+urge no further opposition to the bill, but that they would join with
+the house in an effort to enlarge the empire of humanity; and that,
+while they were stretching out the strong arm of justice to punish the
+degraders of British honour and humanity in the East, they would with
+equal spirit exert their powers to dispense the blessings of their
+protection to those unhappy Africans, who were to serve them in the
+West.
+
+Mr. Beaufoy entered minutely into an examination of the information,
+which had been given by the witnesses, and which afforded unanswerable
+arguments for the passing of the bill. He showed the narrow space which
+they themselves had been made to allow for the package of a human body,
+and the ingenious measures they were obliged to resort to for stowing
+this living cargo within the limits of the ship. He adverted next to the
+case of Mr. Dalzell, and showed how one dismal fact after another, each
+making against their own testimony, was extorted from him. He then went
+to the trifling mortality said to be experienced in these voyages, upon
+which subject he spoke in the following words: "Though the witnesses are
+some of them interested in the trade, and all of them parties against
+the bill, their confession is, that of the negroes of the windward
+coast, who are men of the strongest constitution which Africa affords,
+no less on an average than five in each hundred perish in the voyage,--a
+voyage, it must be remembered but of six weeks. In a twelvemonth, then,
+what must be the proportion of the dead? No less than forty-three in a
+hundred, which is seventeen times the usual rate of mortality; for all
+the estimates of life suppose no more than a fortieth of the people, or
+two and a half in the hundred, to die within the space of a year. Such
+then is the comparison. In the ordinary course of nature the number of
+persons, (including those in age and infancy, the weakest periods of
+existence,) who perish in the space of a twelvemonth, is at the rate of
+but two and a half in a hundred; but in an African voyage,
+notwithstanding the old are excluded and few infants admitted, so that
+those who are shipped are in the firmest period of life, the list of
+deaths, presents an annual mortality of forty-three in a hundred. It
+presents this mortality even in vessels from the windward coast of
+Africa; but in those which sail to Bonny, Benin, and the Calabars, from
+whence the greatest proportion of the slaves are brought, this mortality
+is increased by a variety of causes, (of which the greater length of the
+voyage is one,) and is said to be twice as large which supposes that in
+every hundred the deaths annually amount to no less than eighty-six. Yet
+even the former comparatively low mortality; of which the counsel speaks
+with so much satisfaction, as a proof of the kind and compassionate
+treatment of the slaves, even this indolent and lethargic destruction
+gives to the march of death seventeen times its usual speed. It is a
+destruction, which, if general but for ten years, would depopulate the
+world, blast the purposes of its creation, and extinguish the human
+race."
+
+After having gone with great ability through the other branches of the
+subject, he concluded in the following manner:--"Thus I have considered
+the various objections which have been stated to the bill, and am
+ashamed to reflect that it could be necessary to speak so long in
+defence of such a cause; for what, after all, is asked by the proposed
+regulations? On the part of the Africans, the whole of their purport is,
+that they whom you allow to be robbed of all things but life, may not
+unnecessarily and wantonly be deprived of life also. To the honour; to
+the wisdom, to the feelings of the house, I now make my appeal,
+perfectly confident that you will not tolerate, as senators, a traffic
+which, as men, you shudder to contemplate, and that you will not take
+upon yourselves the responsibility of this waste of existence. To the
+memory of former parliaments the horrors of this traffic will be an
+eternal reproach; yet former parliaments have not known, as you on the
+clearest evidence now know, the dreadful nature of this trade. Should
+you reject this bill, no exertions of yours to rescue from oppression
+the suffering inhabitants of your eastern empire; no records of the
+prosperous state to which, after a long and unsuccessful war, you have
+restored your native land; no proofs; however splendid, that under your
+guidance Great Britain has recovered her rank, and is again the
+arbitress of nations, will save your names from the stigma of
+everlasting dishonour. The broad mantle of this one infamy will cover
+with substantial blackness the radiance of your glory, and change to
+feelings of abhorrence the present admiration of the world. But pardon
+the supposition of so impossible an event. I believe that justice and
+mercy may be considered as the attributes of your character, and that
+you will not tarnish their lustre on this occasion."
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose next; and after having made some
+important observations on the evidence (which took up much time), he
+declared himself most unequivocally in favour of the motion made by the
+honourable baronet. He was convinced that the regulation proposed would
+not tend to the abolition of the trade; but if it even went so far, he
+had no hesitation openly and boldly to declare, that if it could not be
+carried on in a manner different from that stated by the members for
+Liverpool, he would retract what he had said on a former day against
+going into the general question; and, waving every other discussion than
+what had that day taken place, he would give his vote for the utter
+annihilation of it at once. It was a trade, which it was shocking to
+humanity to hear detailed. If it were to be carried, on as proposed by
+the petitioners, it would, besides its own intrinsic baseness, be
+contrary to every humane and Christian principle, and to every sentiment
+that ought to inspire the breast of man; and would reflect the greatest
+dishonour on the British senate and the British nation. He, therefore,
+hoped that the house, being now in possession of such information as
+never hitherto had been brought before them, would in some measure
+endeavour to extricate themselves from that guilt, and from that
+remorse, which every one of them ought to feel for having suffered such
+monstrous cruelties to be practised upon an helpless and unoffending
+part of the human race.
+
+Mr. Martin complimented Mr. Pitt in terms of the warmest panegyric on
+his noble sentiments, declaring that they reflected the greatest honour
+upon him both as an Englishman and as a man.
+
+Soon after this the house divided upon the motion of Sir William Dolben.
+Fifty-six appeared to be in favour of it, and only five against it. The
+latter consisted of the two members for Liverpool and three other
+interested persons. This was the first division which ever took place on
+this important subject. The other blanks were then filled up, and the
+bill was passed without further delay.
+
+The next day, or on the 18th of June, it was carried up to the House of
+Lords. The slave-merchants of London, Liverpool, and Bristol,
+immediately presented petitions against it, as they had done in the
+lower house. They prayed that counsel might open their case; and though
+they had been driven from the Commons on account of their evidence, with
+disgrace, they had the effrontery to ask that they might call witnesses
+here also.
+
+Counsel and evidence having been respectively heard, the bill was
+ordered to be committed the next day. The Lords attended according to
+summons. But on a motion by Dr. Warren, the Bishop of Bangor, who stated
+that the Lord Chancellor Thurlow was much indisposed, and that he wished
+to be present when the question was discussed, the committee was
+postponed.
+
+It was generally thought that the reason for this postponement, and
+particularly as it was recommended by a prelate, was that the Chancellor
+might have an opportunity of forwarding this humane bill. But it was
+found to be quite otherwise. It appeared that the motive was, that he
+might give to it, by his official appearance as the chief servant of the
+crown in that house, all the opposition in his power. For when the day
+arrived which had been appointed for the discussion, and when the Lords
+Bathurst and Hawkesbury (afterwards Liverpool) had expressed their
+opinions, which were different, relative to the time when the bill
+should take place, he rose up and pronounced a bitter and vehement
+oration against it. He said, among other things, that it was full of
+inconsistency and nonsense from the beginning to the end. The French had
+lately offered large premiums for the encouragement of this trade. They
+were a politic people, and the presumption was, that we were doing
+politically wrong by abandoning it. The bill ought not to have been
+brought forward in this session. The introduction of it was a direct
+violation of the faith of the other house. It was unjust, when an
+assurance had been given that the question should not be agitated till
+next year, that this sudden fit of philanthropy, which was but a few
+days old, should be allowed to disturb the public mind, and to become
+the occasion of bringing men to the metropolis with tears in their eyes
+and horror in their countenances, to deprecate the ruin of their
+property, which they had embarked on the faith of parliament.
+
+The extraordinary part which the Lord Chancellor Thurlow took upon this
+occasion, was ascribed at the time by many who moved in the higher
+circles, to a shyness or misunderstanding which had taken place between
+him and Mr. Pitt on other matters; when, believing this bill to have
+been a favourite measure with the latter, he determined to oppose it.
+But whatever were his motives (and let us hope that he could never have
+been actuated by so malignant a spirit as that of sacrificing the
+happiness of forty thousand persons for the next year to spite the
+gratification of an individual), his opposition had a mischievous
+effect, on account of the high situation in which he stood; for he not
+only influenced some of the Lords themselves, but, by taking the cause
+of the slave-merchants so conspicuously under his wing, he gave them
+boldness to look up again under the stigma of their iniquitous calling,
+and courage even to resume vigorous operations after their disgraceful
+defeat. Hence arose those obstacles which will be found to have been
+thrown in the way of the passing of the bill from this period.
+
+Among the Lords who are to be particularly noticed as having taken the
+same side as the Lord Chancellor in this debate, were the Duke of
+Chandos and the Earl of Sandwich. The former foresaw nothing but
+insurrections of the slaves in our islands, and the massacre of their
+masters there, in consequence of the agitation of this question. The
+latter expected nothing less than the ruin of our marine. He begged the
+house to consider how, by doing that which might bring about the
+abolition of this traffic, they might lessen the number of British
+sailors; how, by throwing it into the hands of France they might
+increase those of a rival nation; and how, in consequence, the flag of
+the latter might ride triumphant on the ocean. The Slave Trade was
+undoubtedly a nursery for our seamen. All objections against it in this
+respect were ill-founded. It was as healthy as the Newfoundland and many
+other trades.
+
+The debate having closed, during which nothing more was done than
+filling up the blanks with the time when the bill was to begin to
+operate, the committee was adjourned. But the bill after this dragged on
+so heavily, that it would be tedious to detail the proceedings upon it
+from day to day. I shall, therefore, satisfy myself with the following
+observations concerning them:--The committee sat not less than five
+different times, which consumed the space of eight days, before a final
+decision took place. During this time, so much was it an object to throw
+in obstacles which might occupy the little remaining time of the
+session, that other petitions were presented against the bill, and leave
+was asked, on new pretences contained in these, that counsel might be
+heard again. Letters also were read from Jamaica, about the mutinous
+disposition of the slaves there, in consequence of the stir which had
+been made about the abolition; and also from merchants in France, by
+which large offers were made to the British merchants to furnish them
+with slaves. Several regulations also were proposed in this interval,
+some of which were negatived by majorities of only one or two voices. Of
+the regulations which were carried, the most remarkable were those
+proposed by Lord Hawkesbury (afterwards Liverpool); namely, that no
+insurance should be made on the slaves, except against accidents by fire
+and water; that persons should not be appointed as officers of vessels
+transporting them, who had not been a certain number of such voyages
+before; that a regular surgeon only should be capable of being employed
+in them; and that both the captain and surgeon should have bounties, if,
+in the course of the transportation, they had lost only two in a hundred
+slaves. The Duke of Chandos again, and Lord Sydney, were the more
+conspicuous among the opposers of the humane bill; and the Duke of
+Richmond, the Marquis Townshend, the Earl of Carlisle, the Bishop of
+London, and Earl Stanhope, among the most strenuous supporters of it. At
+length it passed by a majority of nineteen to eleven votes.
+
+On the 4th of July, when the bill had been returned to the Commons, it
+was moved, that the amendments made in it by the Lords should be read;
+but as it had become a money-bill in consequence of the bounties to be
+granted, and as new regulations were to be incorporated in it, it was
+thought proper that it should be wholly done away. Accordingly Sir
+William Dolben moved, that the further consideration of it should be put
+off till that day three months. This having been agreed upon, he then
+moved for leave to bring in a new bill. This was accordingly introduced,
+and an additional clause was inserted in it, relative to bounties, by
+Mr. Pitt. But on the second reading, that no obstacle might be omitted
+which could legally be thrown in the way of its progress, petitions were
+presented against it, both by the Liverpool merchants and the agent for
+the island of Jamaica, under the pretence that it was a new bill. Their
+petitions, however, were rejected, and it was committed and passed
+through its regular stages, and sent up to the Lords.
+
+On its arrival there on the 5th of July, petitions from London and
+Liverpool still followed it. The prayer of these was against the general
+tendency of it, but it was solicited also that counsel might be heard in
+a particular case; the solicitation was complied with; after which the
+bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed.
+
+On the 7th, when it was taken next into consideration, two other
+petitions were presented against it. But here so many objections were
+made to the clauses of it as they then stood, and such new matter
+suggested that the Duke of Richmond, who was a strenuous supporter of
+it, thought it best to move that the committee then sitting should be
+deferred till that day seven-night, in order to give time for another
+more perfect to originate in the lower house.
+
+This motion having been acceded to, Sir William Dolben introduced a new
+one for the third time into the Commons. This included the suggestions
+which had been made in the Lords. It included also a regulation, on the
+motion of Mr. Sheridan, that no surgeon should be employed as such in
+the slave-vessels, except he had a testimonial that he had passed a
+proper examination at Surgeon's Hall. The amendments were all then
+agreed to, and the bill was passed through its several stages.
+
+On the 10th of July, being now fully amended it came for a third time
+before the Lords; but it was no sooner brought forward than it met with
+the same opposition as it had experienced before. Two new petitions
+appeared against it; one from a certain class of persons in Liverpool,
+and another from Miles Peter Andrews, Esq., stating that if it passed
+into a law it would injure the sale of his gunpowder, and that he had
+rendered great services to the government during the last war, by his
+provision of that article. But here the Lord Chancellor Thurlow reserved
+himself for an effort, which, by occasioning only a day's delay, would,
+in that particular period of the session have totally prevented the
+passing of the bill. He suggested certain amendments for consideration
+and discussion which, if they had agreed upon, must have been carried
+again to the lower House, and sanctioned there before the bill could
+have been complete. But it appeared afterwards, that there would have
+been no time for the latter proceeding. Earl Stanhope, therefore,
+pressed this circumstance peculiarly upon the lords who were present. He
+observed that the king was to dismiss the parliament next day, and
+therefore they must adopt the bill as it stood, or reject it altogether.
+There was no alternative, and no time was to be lost: accordingly, he
+moved for an immediate division on the first of the amendments proposed
+by Lord Thurlow. This having taken place, it was negatived. The other
+amendments shared the same fate; and thus, at length, passed through the
+Upper House, as through an ordeal as it were of fire, the first bill
+that ever put fetters upon that barbarous and destructive monster, the
+Slave Trade.
+
+The next day, or on Friday, July the 11th, the king gave his assent to
+it, and, as Lord Stanhope had previously asserted in the House of Lords,
+concluded the session.
+
+While the legislature was occupied in the consideration of this bill,
+the lords of the council continued their examinations, that they might
+collect as much light as possible previously to the general agitation of
+the question in the next session of parliament. Among others I underwent
+an examination: I gave my testimony first, relative to many of the
+natural productions of Africa, of which I produced the specimens. These
+were such as I had collected in the course of my journey to Bristol and
+Liverpool, and elsewhere. I explained, secondly, the loss and usage of
+seamen in the Slave Trade. To substantiate certain points, which
+belonged to this branch of the subject, I left several depositions and
+articles of agreement for the examination of the council. With respect
+to others, as it would take a long time to give all the data upon which
+calculations had been made, and the manner of making them, I was desired
+to draw up a statement of particulars, and to send it to the council at
+a future time. I left also depositions with them, relative to certain
+instances of the mode of procuring and treating slaves.
+
+The committee also for effecting the abolition of the Slave Trade
+continued their attention, during this period, towards the promotion of
+the different objects which came within the range of the institution.
+
+They added the Rev. Dr. Coombe, in consequence of the great increase of
+their business, to the list of their members.
+
+They voted thanks to Mr. Hughes, vicar of Ware, in Hertfordshire, for
+his excellent answer to Harris's _Scriptural Researches on the Licitness
+of the Slave Trade_, and they enrolled him among their honorary and
+corresponding members. Also thanks to William Roscoe, Esq., for his
+Answer to the same. Mr. Roscoe had not affixed his name to this pamphlet
+any more than to his poem of _The Wrongs of Africa_; but he made himself
+known to the committee as the author of both. Also thanks to William
+Smith and Henry Beaufoy, Esqrs., for having so successfully exposed the
+evidence offered by the slave merchants against the bill of Sir William
+Dolben, and for having drawn out of it so many facts, all making for
+their great object the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+As the great question was to be discussed in the approaching sessions,
+it was moved in the committee to consider of the propriety of sending
+persons to Africa and the West Indies, who should obtain information
+relative to the different branches of the system as they existed in each
+of these countries, in order that they might be able to give their
+testimony, from their own experience, before one or both of the houses
+of parliament, as it might be judged proper. This proposition was
+discussed at two or three several meetings. It was, however, finally
+rejected, and principally on the following grounds--First, It was
+obvious that persons sent out upon such an errand would be exposed to
+such dangers from varying causes, that it was not improbably that both
+they and their testimony might be lost. Secondly, Such persons would be
+obliged to have recourse to falsehoods, that is, to conceal or
+misrepresent the objects of their destination, that they might get their
+intelligence with safety; which falsehoods the committee could not
+countenance. To which it was added, that few persons would go to these
+places, except they were handsomely rewarded for their trouble; but this
+reward would lessen the value of their evidence, as it would afford a
+handle to the planters and slave-merchants to say that they had been
+bribed.
+
+Another circumstance which came before the committee was the
+following:--Many arguments were afloat at this time relative to the
+great impolicy of abolishing the Slave Trade, the principal of which
+was, that, if the English abandoned it, other foreign nations would take
+it up; and thus, while they gave up certain national profits themselves,
+the great cause of humanity would not be benefited, nor would any moral
+good be done by the measure. Now there was a presumption that, by means
+of the society instituted in Paris, the French nation might be awakened
+to this great subject; and that the French government might in
+consequence, as well as upon other considerations, be induced to favour
+the general feeling upon this occasion. But there was no reason to
+conclude, either than any other maritime people, who had been engaged in
+the Slave Trade, would relinquish it, or that any other, who had not yet
+been engaged in it, would not begin it when our countrymen should give
+it up. The consideration of these circumstances occupied the attention
+of the committee; and as Dr. Spaarman, who was said to have been
+examined by the privy council, was returning home, it was thought
+advisable to consider whether it would not be proper for the committee
+to select certain of their own books on the subject of the Slave Trade,
+and send them by him, accompanied by a letter, to the King of Sweden, in
+which they should entreat his consideration of this powerful argument
+which now stood in the way of the cause of humanity, with a view that,
+as one of the princes of Europe, he might contribute to obviate it, by
+preventing his own subjects, in case of the dereliction of this commerce
+by ourselves, from embarking in it. The matter having been fully
+considered, it was resolved that the proposed measure would be proper,
+and it was accordingly adapted. By a letter received afterwards from Dr.
+Spaarman, it appeared that both the letter and the books had been
+delivered, and received graciously; and that he was authorized to say,
+that, unfortunately, in consequence of those hereditary possessions
+which had devolved upon His Majesty, he was obliged to confess that he
+was the sovereign of an island which had been principally peopled by
+African slaves, but that he had been frequently mindful of their hard
+case. With respect to the Slave Trade, he never heard of an instance in
+which the merchants of his own native realm had embarked in it; and as
+they had preserved their character pure in this respect, he would do all
+he could that it should not be sullied in the eyes of the generous
+English nation, by taking up, in the case which had been pointed out to
+him, such an odious concern.
+
+By this time I had finished my _Essay on the Impolicy of the Slave
+Trade_, which I composed from materials collected chiefly during my
+journey to Bristol, Liverpool, and Lancaster. These materials I had
+admitted with great caution and circumspection; indeed I admitted none
+for which I could not bring official and other authentic documents, or
+living evidences if necessary, whose testimony could not reasonably be
+denied; and when I gave them to the world, I did it under the impression
+that I ought to give them as scrupulously as if I were to be called upon
+to substantiate them upon oath. It was of peculiar moment that this book
+should make its appearance at this time. First, Because it would give
+the lords of the council, who were then sitting, an opportunity of
+seeing many important facts, and of inquiring into their authenticity;
+and it might suggest to them, also, some new points, or such as had not
+fallen within the limits of the arrangement they had agreed upon for
+their examinations on this subject: and secondly, Because, as the
+members of the House of Commons were to take the question into
+consideration early in the next sessions, it would give them, also, new
+light and information upon it before this period. Accordingly the
+committee ordered two thousand copies of it to be struck off, for these
+and other objects; and though the contents of it were most diligently
+sifted by the different opponents of the cause, they never even made an
+attempt to answer it. It continued, on the other hand, during the
+inquiry of the legislature, to afford the basis or grounds upon which to
+examine evidences on the political part of the subject; and evidences
+thus examined continued in their turn to establish it.
+
+Among the other books ordered to be printed by the committee within the
+period now under our consideration, were a new edition of two thousand
+of the DEAN OF MIDDLEHAM'S _Letter_, and another of three thousand of
+FALCONBBIDGE'S _Account of the Slave Trade_.
+
+The committee continued to keep ups, during the same period, a
+communication with many of their old correspondents, whose names have
+been already mentioned. But they received, also, letters from others,
+who had not hitherto addressed them: namely, from Ellington Wright, of
+Erith; Dr. Franklin, of Philadelphia; Eustace Kentish, Esq., high
+sheriff for the county of Huntingdon; Governor Bouchier; the Reverend
+Charles Symmons, of Haverfordwest; and from John York and William
+Downes, Esquires, high sheriffs for the counties of York and Hereford.
+
+A letter, also, was read in this interval from Mr. Evans, a dissenting
+clergyman, of Bristol, stating that the elders of several Baptist
+churches, forming the western Baptist association, who had met at,
+Portsmouth Common, had resolved to recommend it to the ministers and
+members of the same, to unite with the committee in the promotion of the
+great object of their institution.
+
+Another from Mr. Andrew Irvin, of the Island of Grenada, in which he
+confirmed the wretched situation of many of the slaves there, and in
+which he gave the outlines of a plan for bettering their condition, as
+well as that of those in the other islands.
+
+Another from I.L. Wynne, Esq., of Jamaica. In this he gave an afflicting
+account of the suffering and unprotected state of the slaves there,
+which it was high time to rectify. He congratulated the committee on
+their institution, which he thought would tend to promote so desirable
+an end; but desired them not to stop short of the total abolition of the
+Slave Trade, as no other measure would prove effectual against the evils
+of which he complained. This trade, he said, was utterly unnecessary, as
+his own plantation, on which his slaves had increased rapidly by
+population, and others which he knew to be similarly circumstanced,
+would abundantly testify. He concluded by promising to give the
+committee such information from time to time as might be useful on this
+important subject.
+
+The session of parliament having closed, the committee thought it right
+to make a report to the public: in which they gave an account of the
+great progress of their cause since the last; of the state in which they
+then were; and of the unjustifiable conduct of their opponents, who
+industriously misrepresented their views, but particularly by
+attributing to them the design of abolishing slavery: and they concluded
+by exhorting their friends not to relax their endeavours on account of
+favourable appearances; but to persevere, as if nothing had been done,
+under the pleasing hope of an honourable triumph.
+
+And now having given the substance of the labours of the committee from
+its formation to the present time, I cannot conclude this chapter
+without giving to the worthy members of it that tribute of affectionate
+and grateful praise, which is due to them for their exertions in having
+forwarded the great cause which was intrusted to their care. And this I
+can do with more propriety, because, having been so frequently absent
+from them when they were engaged in the pursuit of this their duty, I
+cannot be liable to the suspicion, that in bestowing commendation upon
+them I am bestowing it upon myself. From about the end of May, 1787, to
+the middle of July, 1788, they had no less than fifty-one committees.
+These generally occupied them from about six in the evening till about
+eleven at night. In the intervals between the committees they were often
+occupied, having each of them some object committed to his charge. It is
+remarkable, too, that though they were all, except one, engaged in,
+business or trade, and though they had the same calls as other men for
+innocent recreation, and the same interruptions of their health, there
+were individuals who were not absent more than five or six times within
+this period. In the course of the thirteen months, during which they had
+exercised this public trust, they had printed, and afterwards
+distributed, not at random, but judiciously, and through, respectable
+channels, (besides 26,526 reports, accounts of debates in parliament,
+and other small papers,) no less than 51,432 pamphlets, or books.
+
+Nor, was the effect, produced within this short period otherwise than
+commensurate with the efforts used. In May, 1787, the only public notice
+taken of this great cause was by this committee of twelve individuals,
+of whom all were little known to the world except Mr. Granville Sharp.
+But in July, 1788, it had attracted the notice of several distinguished
+individuals in France and Germany; and in our own country it had come
+within the notice of the government, and a branch of it had undergone a
+parliamentary discussion and restraint. It had arrested, also, the
+attention of the nation, and it had produced a kind of holy flame, or
+enthusiasm, and this to a degree and to an extent never before
+witnessed. Of the purity of this flame no better proof can be offered,
+than that even Bishops deigned to address an obscure committee,
+consisting principally of Quakers; and that Churchmen and Dissenters
+forgot their difference of religious opinions, and joined their hands,
+all over the kingdom, in its support.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+Continuation from June 1788 to July 1789.--Author travels to collect
+further evidence; great difficulties in obtaining it; forms committees
+on his tour.--Privy council resume the examinations; inspect cabinet
+of African productions; obliged to leave many of the witnesses in
+behalf of the abolition unexamined; prepare their report--Labours of
+the committee in the interim.--Proceedings of the planters and
+others.--Report laid on the table of the House of
+Commons.--Introduction of the question, and debate there; twelve
+propositions deduced from the report and reserved for future
+discussion; day of discussion arrives; opponents refuse to argue from
+the report; require new evidence; this granted and introduced; further
+consideration of the subject deferred to the next session.--Renewal of
+Sir William Dolben's bill.--Death and character of Ramsay.
+
+
+Matters had now become serious. The gauntlet had been thrown down and
+accepted. The combatants had taken their stations, and the contest was
+to be renewed, which was to be decided soon on the great theatre of the
+nation. The committee by the very act of their institution had
+pronounced the Slave Trade to be criminal. They, on the other hand, who
+were concerned in it, had denied the charge. It became the one to prove,
+and the other to refute it, or to fall in the ensuing session.
+
+The committee, in this perilous situation, were anxious to find out such
+other persons as might become proper evidences before the privy council.
+They had hitherto sent there only nine or ten, and they had then only
+another, whom they could count upon for this purpose, in their view. The
+proposal of sending persons to Africa, and the West Indies, who might
+come back and report what they had witnessed, had already been
+negatived. The question then was, what they were to do. Upon this they
+deliberated, and the result was an application to me to undertake a
+journey to different parts of the kingdom for this purpose.
+
+When this determination was made, I was at Teston, writing a long letter
+to the privy council on the ill usage and mortality of the seamen
+employed in the Slave Trade, which it had been previously agreed should
+be received as evidence there. I thought it proper, however, before I
+took my departure, to form a system of questions upon the general
+subject. These I divided into six tables. The first related to the
+productions of Africa, and the dispositions and manners of the natives.
+The second, to the methods of reducing them to slavery. The third, to
+the manner of bringing them to the ships, their value, the medium of
+exchange, and other circumstances. The fourth, to their transportation.
+The fifth, to their treatment in the colonies. The sixth, to the seamen
+employed in the trade. These tables contained together one hundred and
+forty-five questions. My idea was that they should be printed on a small
+sheet of paper, which should be folded up in seven or eight leaves, of
+the length and breadth of a small almanac, and then be sent in franks to
+our different correspondents. These, when they had them, might examine
+persons capable of giving evidence, who might live in their
+neighbourhoods, or fall in their way, and return us their examinations
+by letter.
+
+The committee having approved and printed the tables of questions, I
+began my tour. I had selected the southern counties from Kent to
+Cornwall for it. I had done this, because these included the great
+stations of the ships of war in ordinary; and as these were all under
+the superintendence of Sir Charles Middleton, as comptroller of the
+navy, I could get an introduction to those on board them. Secondly,
+because sea-faring people, when they retire from a marine life, usually
+settle in some town or village upon the coast.
+
+Of this tour I shall not give the reader any very particular account. I
+shall mention only those things which are most worthy of his notice in
+it. At Poole, in Dorsetshire, I laid the foundation of a committee, to
+act in harmony with that of London for the promotion of the cause. Moses
+Neave, of the respectable society of the Quakers, was the chairman;
+Thomas Bell, the secretary; and Ellis B. Metford and the Reverend Mr.
+Davis and others the committee. This was the third committee which had
+been instituted in the country for this purpose. That at Bristol, under
+Mr. Joseph Harford as chairman, and Mr. Lunell as secretary, had been
+the first: and that at Manchester, under Mr. Thomas Walker as chairman,
+and Mr. Samuel Jackson as secretary, had been the second.
+
+As Poole was a great place for carrying on the trade to Newfoundland, I
+determined to examine the assertion of the Earl of Sandwich in the House
+of Lords, when he said, in the debate on Sir William Dolben's bill, that
+the Slave Trade was not more fatal to seamen than the Newfoundland and
+some others. This assertion I knew at the time to be erroneous, as far
+as my own researches had been concerned: for out of twenty-four vessels,
+which had sailed out of the port of Bristol in that employ, only two
+sailors were upon the dead list. In sixty vessels from Poole, I found
+but four lost. At Dartmouth, where I went afterwards on purpose, I found
+almost a similar result. On conversing, however, with Governor
+Holdsworth, I learnt that the year 1786 had been more fatal than any
+other in this trade. I learnt that in consequence of extraordinary
+storms and hurricanes, no less than five sailors had died and twenty-one
+had been drowned in eighty-three vessels from that port. Upon this
+statement I determined to look into the muster-rolls of the trade there
+for two or three years together. I began by accident with the year 1769,
+and I went on to the end of 1772. About eighty vessels on an average had
+sailed thence in each of these years. Taking the loss in these years,
+and compounding it with that in the fatal year, three sailors had been
+lost; but taking it in these four years by themselves, only two had been
+lost in twenty-four vessels so employed. On comparison with the Slave
+Trade, the result would be, that two vessels to Africa would destroy
+more seamen than eighty-three sailing to Newfoundland. There was this
+difference also to be noted, that the loss in the one trade was
+generally by the weather or by accident, but in the other by cruel
+treatment or disease; and that they who went out in a declining state of
+health in the one, came home generally recovered; whereas they, who went
+out robust in the other, came home in a shattered condition.
+
+At Plymouth I laid the foundation of another committee. The late William
+Cookworthy, the late John Prideaux, and James Fox, all of the society of
+the Quakers, and Mr. George Leach, Samuel Northcote and John Saunders,
+had a principal share in forming it. Sir William Ellford was chosen
+chairman.
+
+From Plymouth I journeyed on to Falmouth, and from thence to Exeter,
+where having meetings with the late Mr. Samuel Milford, the late Mr.
+George Manning, the Reverend James Manning, Thomas Sparkes, and others,
+a desire became manifest among them of establishing a committee there.
+This was afterwards effected; and Mr. Milford, who at a general meeting
+of the inhabitants of Exeter, on the 10th of June, on this great
+subject, had been called by those present to the chair, was appointed
+the chairman of it.
+
+With respect to evidence, which was the great object of this tour, I
+found myself often very unpleasantly situated in collecting it. I heard
+of many persons capable of giving it to our advantage, to whom I could
+get no introduction. I had to go after these many miles out of my
+established route. Not knowing me, they received me coldly, and even
+suspiciously; while I fell in with others, who, considering themselves,
+on account of their concerns and connexions, as our opponents, treated
+me in an uncivil manner.
+
+But the difficulties and disappointments in other respects which I
+experienced in this tour,--even where I had an introduction, and where
+the parties were not interested in the continuance of the Slave
+Trade,--were greater than people in general would have imagined. One
+would have thought, considering the great enthusiasm of the nation on
+this important subject, that they who could have given satisfactory
+information upon it, would have rejoiced to do it. But I found it
+otherwise; and this frequently to my sorrow. There was an aversion in
+persons to appear before such a tribunal as they conceived the privy
+council to be. With men of shy or timid character this operated as an
+insuperable barrier in their way. But it operated more or less upon all.
+It was surprising to see what little circumstances affected many. When I
+took out my pen and ink to put down the information which a person was
+giving me, he became evidently embarrassed and frightened. He began to
+excuse himself from staying, by alleging that he had nothing more to
+communicate, and he took himself away as quickly as he could with
+decency. The sight of the pen and ink had lost me so many good
+evidences, that I was obliged wholly to abandon the use of them, and to
+betake myself to other means. I was obliged for the future to commit my
+tables of questions to memory; and endeavour by practice to put down,
+after the examination of a person, such answers as he had given me to
+each of them.
+
+Others went off, because it happened that immediately on my interview, I
+acquainted them with the nature of my errand and solicited their
+attendance in London. Conceiving that I had no right to ask them such a
+favour, or terrified at the abruptness and apparent awfulness of my
+request some of them gave me an immediate denial, which they would never
+afterwards retract. I began to perceive in time that it was only by the
+most delicate management that I could get forward on these occasions. I
+resolved, therefore, for the future, except in particular cases, that
+when I should be introduced to persons who had a competent knowledge of
+this trade, I would talk with them upon it as upon any ordinary subject,
+and then leave them without saying anything about their becoming
+evidences. I would take care, however, to commit all their conversation
+to writing when it was over; and I would then try to find out that
+person among their relations or friends, who could apply to them for
+this purpose, with the least hazard of a refusal.
+
+There were others, also, who, though they were not so much impressed by
+the considerations mentioned, yet objected to give their public
+testimony. Those whose livelihood, or promotion, or expectations, were
+dependent upon the government of the country, were generally backward on
+these occasions. Though they thought they discovered in the
+parliamentary conduct of Mr. Pitt, a bias in favour of the cause, they
+knew to a certainty that the Lord Chancellor Thurlow was against it.
+They conceived, therefore, that the administration was at least divided
+upon the question, and they were fearful of being called upon, lest they
+should give offence, and thus injure their prospects in life. This
+objection was very prevalent in that part of the kingdom which I had
+selected for my tour.
+
+The reader can hardly conceive how my mind was agitated and distressed
+on these different accounts. To have travelled more than two months,--to
+have seen many who could have materially served our cause,--and to have
+lost most of them,--was very trying. And though it is true that I
+applied a remedy, I was not driven to the adoption of it, till I had
+performed more than half my tour. Suffice it to say, that after having
+travelled upwards of sixteen hundred miles backwards and forwards, and
+having conversed with forty-seven persons, who were capable of promoting
+the cause by their evidence, I could only prevail upon nine, by all the
+interest I could make, to be examined.
+
+On my return to London, whither I had been called up by the committee,
+to take upon me the superintendence of the evidence, which the privy
+council was now ready again to hear, I found my brother: he was then a
+young officer in the navy; and as I knew he felt as warmly as I did in
+this great cause, I prevailed upon him to go to Havre de Grace, the
+great slave-port in France, where he might make his observations for two
+or three months, and then report what he had seen and heard; so that we
+might have some one to counteract any false statement of things, which
+might be made relative to the subject in that quarter.
+
+At length the examinations were resumed, and with them the contest, in
+which our own reputation and the fate of our cause were involved. The
+committee for the abolition had discovered, one or two willing evidences
+during my absence; and Mr. Wilberforce, who was now recovered from his
+severe indisposition, had found one or two others. These, added to my
+own, made a respectable body; but we had sent no more than four or five
+of these to the council, when the king's illness unfortunately stopped
+our career. For nearly five weeks between the middle of November and
+January, the examinations were interrupted or put off, so that at the
+latter period we began to fear, that there would be scarcely time to
+hear the rest; for not only the privy council report was to be printed,
+but the contest itself was to be decided by  the evidence contained in
+it, in the existing session.
+
+The examinations, however, went on; but they went on only slowly, being
+still subject to interruption from the same unfortunate cause. Among
+others I offered my mite of information again. I wished the council to
+see more of my African productions and manufactures, that they might
+really know what Africa was capable of affording, instead of the Slave
+Trade; and that they might make a proper estimate of the genius and
+talents of the natives. The samples which I had collected, had been
+obtained by great labour, and at no inconsiderable expense: for whenever
+I had notice that a vessel had arrived immediately from that continent,
+I never hesitated to go, unless under the most pressing engagements
+elsewhere, even as far as Bristol, if I could pick up but a single new
+article. The lords having consented, I selected several things for their
+inspection out of my box,--of the contents of which the following
+account may not be unacceptable to the reader:--
+
+The first division of the box consisted of woods of about four inches
+square, all polished. Among these were mahogany of five different sorts,
+tulip-wood, satin-wood, cam-wood, bar-wood, fustic, black and yellow
+ebony, palm-tree, mangrove, calabash, and date. There were seven woods,
+of which the native names were remembered; three of these, Tumiah,
+Samain, and Jimlake, were of a yellow colour; Acajoú was of a beautiful
+deep crimson; Bork and Quellé were apparently fit for cabinet work; and
+Benten was the wood of which the natives made their canoes. Of the,
+various other woods the names had been forgotten, nor were they known in
+England at all. One of them was of a fine purple; and from two others,
+upon which the privy council had caused experiments to be made, a strong
+yellow, a deep orange, and a flesh-colour were extracted.
+
+The second, division included ivory and musk; four species of pepper,
+the long, the black, the Cayenne, and the Malaguetta; three species of
+gum, namely, Senegal, Copal, and ruber astringens; cinnamon, rice,
+tobacco, indigo, white and Nankin cotton, Guinea corn, and millet; three
+species of beans, of which two were used for food, and the other for
+dyeing orange; two species of tamarinds, one for food, and the other to
+give whiteness to the teeth; pulse, seeds, and fruits of various kinds,
+some of the latter of which Dr. Spaarman had pronounced; from a trial
+during his residence in Africa, to be peculiarly valuable as drugs.
+
+The third division contained an African loom, and an African spindle
+with spun cotton round it; cloths of cotton of various kinds made by the
+natives, some white, but others dyed by them of different colours, and
+others in which they had interwoven European silk; cloths and bags made
+of grass, and fancifully coloured; ornaments made of the same materials;
+ropes made from a species of aloes and others, remarkably strong, from
+glass and straw; fine string made from the fibres of the roots of trees;
+soap of two kinds; one of which was formed from an earthy substance;
+pipe-bowls made of clay, and of a brown red; one of these, which came
+from the village of Dakard, was beautifully ornamented by black devices
+burnt in, and was besides highly glazed; another brought from Galam, was
+made of earth, which was richly impregnated with little particles of
+gold; trinkets made by the natives from their own gold; knives and
+daggers made by them from our bar-iron; and various other articles, such
+as bags, sandals, dagger-cases, quivers, grisgris, all made of leather
+of their own manufacture, and dyed of various colours, and ingeniously
+sewed together.
+
+The fourth division consisted of the thumb-screw, speculum oris, and
+chains and shackles of different kinds, collected at Liverpool. To these
+were added, iron neck-collars, and other instruments of punishment and
+confinement used in the West Indies, and collected at other places. The
+instrument also, by which Charles Horseler was mentioned to have been
+killed, in a former chapter, was to be seen among these.
+
+We were now advanced far into February, when we were alarmed by the
+intelligence that the lords of the council were going to prepare their
+report: At this time we had sent but few persons to them to examine, in
+comparison with our opponents, and we had yet eighteen to introduce: for
+answers had come into my tables of questions from several places, and
+persons had been pointed out to us by our correspondents, who had
+increased our list of evidences to this number. I wrote therefore to
+them, at the desire of the committee for the abolition, and gave them
+the names of the eighteen, and requested also, that they would order,
+for their own inspection; certain muster-rolls of vessels from Poole and
+Dartmouth, that they might be convinced that the objection which the
+Earl of Sandwich had made in the House of Lords, against the abolition
+of the Slave Trade, had no solid foundation. In reply to my first
+request they informed me, that it was impossible, in the advanced state
+of the session, (it being then the middle of March,) that the
+examinations of so many could be taken; but I was at liberty, in
+conjunction with the Bishop of London, to select eight for this purpose.
+This occasioned me to address them again; and I then found, to my
+surprise and sorrow, that even this last number was to be diminished;
+for I was informed in writing, "that the Bishop of London having laid my
+last letter before their lordships, they had agreed to meet on the
+Saturday next, and on the Tuesday following, for the purposes of
+receiving the evidence of some of the gentlemen named in it. And it was
+their lordships' desire that I would give notice to any three of them
+(whose information I might consider the most material) of the above
+determination, that they might attend the committee accordingly."
+
+This answer, considering the difficulties we had found in collecting a
+body of evidence, and the critical situation in which we were, was
+peculiarly distressing; but we had no remedy left us, nor could we
+reasonably complain. Three therefore were selected, and they were sent
+to deliver their testimony on their arrival in town.
+
+But before the last of these had left the council room, who should come
+up to me but Dr. Arnold? He had but lately arrived at Bristol from
+Africa; and having heard from our friends there that we had been daily
+looking for him, he had come to us in London. He and Mr. Gardiner were
+the two surgeons, as mentioned in the former chapter, who had promised
+me, when I was in Bristol, in the year 1787, that they would keep a
+journal of facts during the voyages they were then going to perform.
+They had both kept this promise. Gardiner, I found, had died upon the
+coast; and his journal, having been discovered at his death, had been
+buried with him in great triumph. But Arnold had survived, and he came
+now to offer us his services in the cause.
+
+As it was a pity that such correct information as that taken down in
+writing upon the spot should be lost (for all the other evidences,
+except Dr. Spaarman and Mr. Wadstrom, had spoken from their memory
+only), I made all the interest I could to procure a hearing for Mr.
+Arnold. Pleading now for the examination of him only, and under these
+particular circumstances, I was attended to. It was consented, in
+consequence of the little time which was now left for preparing and
+printing the report, that I should make out his evidence from his
+journal under certain heads. This I did. Mr. Arnold swore to the truth
+of it, when so drawn up, before Edward Montague, Esquire, a master in
+Chancery. He then delivered the paper in which it was contained to the
+lords of the council, who, on receiving it, read it throughout, and then
+questioned him upon it.
+
+At this time, also, my brother returned with accounts and papers
+relative to the Slave Trade from Havre de Grace; but as I had pledged
+myself to offer no other person to be examined, his evidence was lost.
+Thus, after all the pains we had taken, and in a contest, too, on the
+success of which our own reputation and the fate of Africa depended, we
+were obliged to fight the battle with sixteen less than we could have
+brought into the field; while our opponents, on the other hand, on
+account of their superior advantages, had mustered all their forces, not
+having omitted a single man.
+
+I do not know of any period of my life in which I suffered so much, both
+in body and mind, as from the time of resuming these public inquiries by
+the privy council, to the time when they were closed. For I had my
+weekly duty to attend at the committee for the abolition during this
+interval. I had to take down the examinations of all the evidences who
+came to London, and to make certain copies of these. I had to summon
+these to town, and to make provision against all accidents; and here I
+was often troubled, by means of circumstances, which unexpectedly
+occurred, lest, when committees of the council had been purposely
+appointed to hear them, they should not be forthcoming at the time. I
+had also a new and extensive correspondence to keep up; for the tables
+of questions which had been sent down to our correspondents, brought
+letters almost innumerable on this subject, and they were always
+addressed to me. These not only required answers of themselves, but as
+they usually related to persons capable of giving their testimony, and
+contained the particulars of what they could state, they occasioned
+fresh letters to be written to others. Hence the writing often of ten or
+twelve daily became necessary.
+
+But the contents of these letters afforded the circumstances, which gave
+birth to so much suffering. They contained usually some affecting tale
+of woe. At Bristol my feelings had been harassed by the cruel treatment
+of the seamen, which had come to my knowledge there: but now I was
+doomed to see this treatment over again in many other melancholy
+instances; and, additionally, to take in the various sufferings of the
+unhappy slaves. These accounts I could seldom get time to read till late
+in the evening, and sometimes not till midnight, when the letters
+containing them were to be answered. The effect of these accounts was in
+some instances to overwhelm me for a time in tears, and in others to
+produce a vivid indignation, which affected my whole frame. Recovering
+from these, I walked up and down the room: I felt fresh vigour, and made
+new determinations of perpetual warfare against this impious trade. I
+implored strength that I might succeed. I then sat down, and continued
+my work as long as my wearied eyes would permit me to see. Having been
+agitated in this manner, I went to bed; but my rest was frequently
+broken by the visions which floated before me. When I awoke, these
+renewed themselves to me, and they flitted about with me for the
+remainder of the day. Thus I was kept continually harassed: my mind was
+confined to one gloomy and heart-breaking subject for months. It had no
+respite, and my health began now materially to suffer.
+
+But the contents of these letters were particularly grievous, on account
+of the severe labours which they necessarily entailed upon me in other
+ways than those which have been mentioned. It was my duty, while the
+privy council examinations went on, not only to attend to all the
+evidence which was presented to us by our correspondents, but to find
+out and select the best. The happiness of millions depended upon it.
+Hence I was often obliged to travel during these examinations, in order
+to converse with those who had been pointed out to us as capable of
+giving their testimony; and, that no time might be lost, to do this in
+the night. More than two hundred miles in a week were sometimes passed
+over on these occasions.
+
+The disappointments too, which I frequently experienced in journeys,
+increased the poignancy of the, suffering, which arose from a
+contemplation of the melancholy cases which I had thus travelled to
+bring forward to the public view. The reader at present can have no idea
+of these. I have been sixty miles to visit a person, of whom I had
+heard, not only as possessing important knowledge, but as espousing our
+opinions on this subject. I have at length seen him. He has applauded my
+pursuit at our first interview. He has told me, in the course of our
+conversation, that neither my own pen, nor that of any other man, could
+describe adequately the horrors, of the Slave Trade, horrors which he
+himself had witnessed. He has exhorted me to perseverance in this noble
+cause. Could I have wished for a more favourable reception!--But mark
+the issue. He was the nearest relation of a rich person concerned in the
+traffic; and if he were to come forward with his evidence publicly, he
+should ruin all his expectations from that Quarter. In the same week I
+have visited another at a still greater distance. I have met with
+similar applause. I have heard him describe scenes of misery which he
+had witnessed, and on the relation of which he himself almost wept. But
+mark the issue again.--"I am a surgeon," says he; "through that window
+you see a spacious house; it is occupied by a West Indian. The medical
+attendance upon his family is of considerable importance to the temporal
+interests of mine. If I give you my evidence I lose his patronage. At
+the house above him lives a East Indian. The two families are connected:
+I fear, if I lose the support of one, I shall lose that of the other
+also: but I will give you privately all the intelligence in my power."
+
+The reader may now conceive the many miserable hours I must have spent,
+after such visits, in returning home; and how grievously my heart must
+have been afflicted by these cruel disappointments, but more
+particularly where they arose from causes inferior to those which have
+been now mentioned, or from little frivolous excuses, or idle and
+unfounded conjectures, unworthy of beings expected to fill a moral
+station in life. Yes, O man! often in these solitary journeyings have I
+exclaimed against the baseness of thy nature, when reflecting on the
+little paltry considerations which have smothered thy benevolence, and
+hindered thee from succouring an oppressed brother. And yet, on a
+further view of things, I have reasoned myself into a kinder feeling
+towards thee. For I have been obliged to consider ultimately, that there
+were both lights and shades in the human character; and that, if the bad
+part of our nature was visible on these occasions, the nobler part of it
+ought not to be forgotten. While I passed a censure upon those, who were
+backward in serving this great cause of humanity and justice, how many
+did I know, who were toiling in the support of it! I drew also this
+consolation from my reflections, that I had done my duty; that I had
+left nothing untried or undone; that amidst all these disappointments I
+had collected information, which might be useful at a future time; and
+that such disappointments were almost inseparable from the prosecution
+of a cause of such magnitude, and where the interests of so many were
+concerned:--
+
+Having now given a general account of my own proceedings, I shall state
+those of the committee; or show how they contributed, by fulfilling the
+duties of their several departments, to promote the cause in the
+interim.
+
+In the first place they completed the rules, or code of laws, for their
+own government.
+
+They continued to adopt and circulate books, that they might still
+enlighten the public mind on the subject, and preserve it interested in
+favour of their institution. They kept the press indeed almost
+constantly going for this purpose. They printed, within the period
+mentioned, RAMSAY'S, _Address on the proposed Bill for the Abolition;
+The Speech of Henry Beaufoy, Esq., on Sir William Dolben's Bill_, of
+which an extract is given in Chap. xxiii.; _Notes by a Planter on the
+two Reports from the Committee of the Honourable House of Assembly of
+Jamaica_; _Observations on the Slave Trade_ by Mr. Wadstrom; and
+DICKSON'S _Letters on Slavery._ These were all new publications. To
+those they added others of less note, with new editions of the old.
+
+They voted their thanks to the Rev. Mr. Clifford, for his excellent
+Sermon on the Slave Trade; to the pastor and congregation of the Baptist
+church at Maze Pond, Southwark, for their liberal subscription; and to
+John Barton, one of their own members, for the services he had rendered
+them. The latter, having left his residence in town for one in the
+country, solicited permission to resign, and hence this mark of
+approbation was given to him. He was continued also as an honorary and
+corresponding member.
+
+They elected David Hartley and Richard Sharpe, Esqs., into their own
+body, and Alexander Jaffray, Esq., the Rev. Charles Symmons, of
+Haverfordwest, and the Rev. T. Burgess (afterwards bishop of Salisbury),
+as honorary and corresponding members. The latter had written
+_Considerations on the Abolition of Slavery and the Slave Trade, upon
+grounds of natural, religious, and political Duty_, which had been of
+great service to the cause.
+
+Of the new correspondents of the committee within this period I may
+first mention Henry Taylor, of North Shields; William Proud, of Hull;
+the Rev. T. Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge; and William Ellford, Esq., of
+Plymouth. The latter as chairman of the Plymouth committee, sent up for
+inspection an engraving of a plan and section of a slave-ship, in which
+the bodies of the slaves were seen stowed in the proportion of rather
+less than one to a ton. This happy invention gave all those who saw it a
+much better idea, than they could otherwise have had, of the horrors of
+their transportation, and contributed greatly, as will appear,
+afterwards, to impress the public in favour of our cause.
+
+The next, whom I shall mention, was C.L. Evans, Esq., of West Bromwich;
+the Rev. T. Clarke, of Hull; S.P. Wolferstan, of Stratford, near
+Tamworth; Edmund Lodge, Esq., of Halifax; the Rev. Caleb Rotheram, of
+Kendal; and Mr. Campbell Haliburton, of Edinburgh. The news which Mr.
+Haliburton sent was very agreeable. He informed us that, in consequence
+of the great exertions of Mr. Alison, an institution had been formed in
+Edinburgh, similar to that in London, which would take all Scotland
+under its care and management, as far as related to this great subject.
+He mentioned Lord Gardenston as the chairman; Sir William Forbes as the
+deputy-chairman; himself as the secretary; and Lord Napier, Professor
+Andrew Hunter, Professor Greenfield, and William Creech, Adam Rolland,
+Alexander Ferguson, John Dickson, John Erskine, John Campbell, Archibald
+Gibson, Archibald Fletcher, and Horatius Canning, Esqrs., as the
+committee.
+
+The others were, the Rev. J. Bidlake, of Plymouth; Joseph Storrs, of
+Chesterfield; William Fothergill, of Carr End, Yorkshire; J. Seymour, of
+Coventry; Moses Neave, of Poole; Joseph Taylor, of Scarborough; Timothy
+Clark, of Doncaster; Thomas Davis, of Milverton; George Croker Fox, of
+Falmouth; Benjamin Grubb, of Clonmell in Ireland; Sir William Forbes, of
+Edinburgh; the Rev. J. Jamieson, of Forfar; and Joseph Gurney, of
+Norwich; the latter of whom sent up a remittance, and intelligence at
+the same time, that a committee, under Mr. Leigh, so often before
+mentioned, had been formed in that city[A].
+
+[Footnote A: On the removal of Mr. Leigh from Norwich, Dr. Pretyman,
+precentor of Lincoln and a prebend of Norwich, succeeded him.]
+
+But the committee in London, while they were endeavouring to promote the
+object of their institution at home, continued their exertions for the
+same purpose abroad within this period.
+
+They kept up a communication with the different societies established in
+America.
+
+They directed their attention also to the continent of Europe. They had
+already applied, as I mentioned before, to the king of Sweden in favour
+of their cause, and had received a gracious answer. They now attempted
+to interest other Potentates in it. For this purpose they bound up in an
+elegant manner two sets of the _Essays on the Slavery and Commerce of
+the Human Species, and on the Impolicy of the Slave Trade_, and sent
+them to the Chevalier de Pinto, in Portugal. They bound up in a similar
+manner three sets of the same, and sent them to Mr. Eden (afterwards
+Lord Aukland), at Madrid, to be given to the king of Spain, the Count
+d'Aranda, and the Marquis del Campomanes.
+
+They kept up their correspondence with the committee at Paris, which had
+greatly advanced itself in the eyes of the French nation; so that, when
+the different bailliages sent deputies to the states-general, they
+instructed them to take the Slave Trade into their consideration as a
+national object, and with a view to its abolition.
+
+They kept up their correspondence with Dr. Frossard of Lyons. He had
+already published in France on the subject of the Slave Trade; and now
+he offered the committee to undertake the task, so long projected by
+them, of collecting such arguments and facts concerning it, and
+translating them into different languages, as might be useful in
+forwarding their views in foreign parts.
+
+They addressed letters also to various individuals, to Monsieur
+Snetlage, doctor of laws at Halle in Saxony; to Monsieur Ladebat, of
+Bordeaux; to the Marquis de Feuillade d'Aubusson, at Paris; and to
+Monsieur Necker. The latter in his answer replied in part as follows:
+"As this great question," says he, "is not in my department, but in that
+of the minister for the colonies, I cannot interfere in it directly, but
+I will give indirectly all the assistance in my power. I have for a long
+time taken an interest in the general alarm on this occasion, and in the
+noble alliance of the friends of humanity in favour of the injured
+Africans. Such an attempt throws a new lustre over your nation. It is
+not yet, however, a national object in France; but the moment may
+perhaps come, and I shall think myself happy in preparing the way for
+it. You must be aware, however, of the difficulties which we shall have
+to encounter on our side of the water; for our colonies are much more
+considerable than yours; so that in the view of political interest we
+are not on an equal footing. It will therefore be necessary to find some
+middle line at first, as it cannot be expected that humanity alone will
+be the governing principle of mankind."
+
+But the day was now drawing near, when it was expected that this great
+contest would be decided. Mr. Wilberforce, on the 19th of March, rose up
+in the House of Commons and desired the resolution to be read, by which
+the house stood pledged to take the Slave Trade into their consideration
+in the then session; He then moved that the house should resolve itself
+into a committee of the whole house on Thursday the 23rd of April, for
+this purpose. This motion was agreed to; after which he moved for
+certain official documents necessary to throw light upon the subject in
+the course of its discussion.
+
+This motion, by means of which the great day of trial was now fixed,
+seemed to be the signal for the planters, merchants, and other
+interested persons to begin a furious opposition. Meetings were
+accordingly called by advertisement. At these meetings much warmth and
+virulence were manifested in debate, and propositions breathing a spirit
+of anger were adopted. It was suggested there, in the vehemence of
+passion, that the islands could exist independently of the mother
+country; nor were even threats withheld to intimidate government from
+effecting the abolition.
+
+From this time, also, the public papers began to be filled with such
+statements as were thought most likely to influence the members of the
+House of Commons, previously to the discussion of the question.
+
+The first impression attempted to be made upon them was with respect to
+the slaves themselves. It was contended, and attempted to be shown by
+the revival of the old argument of human sacrifices in Africa, that
+these were better off in the islands than in their own country. It was
+contended, also, that they were people of very inferior capacities, and
+but little removed from the brute creation; whence an inference was
+drawn that their treatment, against which so much clamour had arisen,
+was adapted to their intellect and feelings.
+
+The next attempt was to degrade the abolitionists in the opinion of the
+house, by showing the wildness and absurdity of their schemes. It was
+again insisted upon that emancipation was the real, object of the
+former; so that thousands of slaves would be let loose in the islands to
+rob or perish, and who could never be brought back again into habits of
+useful industry.
+
+An attempt was then made to excite their pity in behalf of the planters.
+The abolition, it was said, would produce insurrections among the
+slaves. But insurrections would produce the massacre of their masters;
+and, if any of these should happily escape from butchery, they would be
+reserved only for ruin.
+
+An appeal was then made to them on the ground of their own interest and
+of that of the people whom they represented. It was stated that the ruin
+of the islands would be the ruin of themselves and of the country. Its
+revenue would be half annihilated; its naval strength would decay.
+Merchants, manufacturers and others would come to beggary. But in this
+deplorable situation they would expect to be indemnified for their
+losses. Compensation, indeed, must follow: it could not be withheld. But
+what would be the amount of it? The country would have no less than from
+eighty to a hundred millions to pay the sufferers; and it would be
+driven to such distress in paying this sum as it had never before
+experienced.
+
+The last attempt was to show them that a regulation of the trade was all
+that was now wanted. While this would remedy the evils complained of, it
+would prevent the mischief which would assuredly follow the abolition.
+The planters had already done their part. The assemblies of the
+different islands had most of them made wholesome laws upon the subject.
+The very bills passed for this purpose in Jamaica and Grenada had
+arrived in England, and might be seen by the public; the great
+grievances had been redressed; no slave could now be mutilated or
+wantonly killed by his owner; one man could not now maltreat, or bruise,
+or wound the slave of another; the aged could not now be turned off to
+perish by hunger. There were laws, also, relative to the better feeding
+and clothing of the slaves. It remained only that the trade to Africa
+should be put under as wise and humane regulations as the slavery in the
+islands had undergone.
+
+These different statements, appearing now in the public papers from day
+to day, began, in this early stage of the question, when the subject in
+all its bearings was known but to few, to make a considerable impression
+upon those, who were soon to be called to the decision of it. But that
+which had the greatest effect upon them, was the enormous amount of the
+compensation, which, it was said, must be made. This statement against
+the abolition was making its way so powerfully, that Archdeacon Paley
+thought it his duty to write, and to send to the committee, a little
+treatise called _Arguments against the unjust Pretensions of Slave
+Dealers and Holders, to be indemnified by pecuniary Allowances at the
+public expense, in case the Slave Trade should be abolished_. This
+treatise, when the substance of it was detailed in the public papers,
+had its influence upon several members of the House of Commons; but
+there were others who had been, as it were, panic-struck by the
+statement. These in their fright seemed to have lost the right use of
+their eyes, or to have looked through a magnifying glass. With these the
+argument of emancipation, which they would have rejected at another time
+as ridiculous, obtained now easy credit. The massacres too, and the
+ruin, though only conjectural, they admitted also. Hence some of them
+deserted our cause wholly, while others, wishing to do justice as far as
+they could to the slaves on the one hand, and to their own countrymen on
+the other, adopted a middle line of conduct, and would go no further
+than the regulation of the trade.
+
+While these preparations were making by our opponents to prejudice the
+minds of those who were to be the judges in this contest, Mr. Pitt
+presented the privy council report at the bar of the House of Commons;
+and as it was a large folio volume, and contained the evidence upon
+which the question was to be decided, it was necessary that time should
+be given to the members to peruse it. Accordingly, the 12th of May was
+appointed, instead of the 23rd of April, for the discussion of the
+question.
+
+This postponement of the discussion of the question gave time to all
+parties to prepare themselves further. The merchants and planters
+availed themselves of it to collect petitions to parliament from
+interested persons, against the abolition of the trade, to wait upon
+members of parliament by deputation, in order to solicit their
+attendance in their favour, and to renew their injurious paragraphs in
+the public papers. The committee for the abolition availed themselves of
+it to reply to these; and here Dr. Dickson, who had been secretary to
+Governor Hey, in Barbados, and who had offered the committee his
+_Letters on Slavery_ before mentioned, and his services also, was of
+singular use. Many members of parliament availed themselves of it to
+retire into the country to read the report. Among the latter were Mr.
+Wilberforce and Mr. Pitt. In this retirement they discovered,
+notwithstanding the great disadvantages under which we had laboured with
+respect to evidence, that our cause was safe, and that, as far as it was
+to be decided by reason and sound policy, it would triumph. It was in
+this retirement that Mr. Pitt made those able calculations which
+satisfied him for ever after, as the minister of the country, as to the
+safety of the great measure of the abolition of the Slave Trade; for he
+had clearly proved, that not only the islands could go on in a
+flourishing state without supplies from the coast of Africa, but that
+they were then in a condition to do it.
+
+At length the 12th of May arrived. Mr. Wilberforce rose up in the
+Commons and moved the order of the day for the house to resolve itself
+into a committee of the whole house, to take into consideration the
+petitions which had been presented against the Slave Trade.
+
+This order having been read, he moved that the report of the committee
+of privy council, that the acts passed in the islands relative to
+slaves, that the evidence adduced last year on the Slave Trade, that the
+petitions offered in the last session against the Slave Trade, and that
+the accounts presented to the house in the last and present session
+relative to the exports and imports of Africa, be referred to the same
+committee.
+
+These motions having been severally agreed to, the House immediately
+resolved itself into a committee of the whole house, and Sir William
+Dolben was put into the chair.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce began by declaring, that when he considered how much
+discussion the subject, which he was about to explain to the committee,
+had occasioned, not only in that House, but throughout the kingdom, and
+throughout Europe; and when he considered the extent and importance of
+it, the variety of interests involved in it, and the consequences which
+might arise, he owned he had been filled with apprehensions, lest a
+subject of such magnitude, and a cause of such weight, should suffer
+from the weakness of its advocate; but when he recollected that, in the
+progress of his inquiries, he had everywhere been received with candour,
+that most people gave him credit for the purity of his motives, and
+that, however many of these might then differ from him, they were all
+likely to agree in the end, he had dismissed his fears, and marched
+forward with a firmer step in this cause of humanity, justice, and
+religion. He could not, however, but lament that the subject had excited
+so much warmth. He feared that too many on this account were but ill
+prepared to consider it with impartiality. He entreated all such to
+endeavour to be calm and composed. A fair and cool discussion was
+essentially necessary. The motion he meant to offer, was as reconcilable
+to political expediency as to national humanity. It belonged to no party
+question. It would in the end be found serviceable to all parties, and
+to the best interests of the country. He did not come forward to accuse
+the West India planter, or the Liverpool merchant, or indeed any one
+concerned in this traffic; but, if blame attached anywhere, to take
+shame to himself in common, indeed, with the whole parliament of Great
+Britain, who, having suffered it to be carried on under their own
+authority, were all of them participators in the guilt.
+
+In endeavouring to explain the great business of the day, he said he
+should call the attention of the House only to the leading features of
+the Slave Trade. Nor should he dwell long upon these. Every one might
+imagine for himself what must be the natural consequence of such a
+commerce with Africa. Was it not plain that she must suffer from it?
+that her savage manners must be rendered still more ferocious? and that
+a trade of this nature, carried on round her coasts, must extend
+violence and desolation to her very centre? It was well known that the
+natives of Africa were sold as goods, and that numbers of them were
+continually conveyed away from their country by the owners of British
+vessels. The question then was, which way the latter came by them. In
+answer to this question, the privy council report, which was then on the
+table, afforded evidence the most satisfactory and conclusive. He had
+found things in it, which had confirmed every proposition he had
+maintained before, whether this proposition had been gathered from
+living information of the best authority, or from the histories he had
+read. But it was unnecessary either to quote the report, or to appeal to
+history on this occasion. Plain reason and common sense would point out
+how the poor Africans were obtained. Africa was a country divided into
+many kingdoms, which had different governments and laws. In many parts
+the princes were despotic. In others they had a limited rule. But in all
+of them, whatever the nature of the government was, men were considered
+as goods and property, and, as such, subject to plunder in the same
+manner as property in other countries. The persons in power there were
+naturally fond of our commodities; and to obtain them, (which could only
+be done by the sale of their countrymen,) they waged war on one another,
+or even ravaged their own country, when they could find no pretence for
+quarrelling with their neighbours: in their courts of law many poor
+wretches, who were innocent, were condemned; and to obtain these
+commodities in greater abundance, thousands were kidnapped and torn from
+their families, and sent into slavery. Such transactions, he said, were
+recorded in every history of Africa, and the report on the table
+confirmed them. With respect, however, to these he should make but one
+or two observations. If we looked into the reign of Henry the Eighth, we
+should find a parallel for one of them. We should find that similar
+convictions took place; and that penalties followed conviction. With
+respect to wars, the kings of Africa were never induced to engage in
+them by public principles, by national glory, and least of all by the
+love of their people. This had been stated by those most conversant in
+the subject, by Dr. Spaarman and Mr. Wadstrom. They had conversed with
+these princes, and had learned from their own mouths that to procure
+slaves was the object of their hostilities. Indeed, there was scarcely a
+single person examined before the privy council who did not prove that
+the Slave Trade was the source of the tragedies acted upon that
+extensive continent. Some had endeavoured to palliate this circumstance;
+but there was not one who did not more or less admit it to be true. By
+one the Slave Trade was called the concurrent cause, by the majority it
+was acknowledged to be the principal motive, of the African wars. The
+same might be said with respect to those instances of treachery and
+injustice, in which individuals were concerned. And here he was sorry to
+observe that our own countrymen were often guilty. He would only at
+present advert to the tragedy at Calabar, where two-large African
+villages, having been for some time at war, made peace. This peace was
+to have, been ratified by intermarriages; but some of our captains, who
+were there, seeing their trade would be stopped for a while, sowed
+dissension again between them. They actually set one village against the
+other, took a share in the contest, massacred many of the inhabitants,
+and carried others of them away as slaves. But shocking as this
+transaction might appear, there was not a single history of Africa to be
+read, in which scenes of as atrocious a nature were not related. They,
+he said, who defended this trade, were warped and blinded by their own
+interests, and would not be convinced of the miseries they were daily
+heaping on their fellow creatures. By the countenance, they gave it,
+they had reduced the inhabitants of Africa to a worse state than that of
+the most barbarous nation. They had destroyed what ought to have been
+the bond of union and safety among them; they had introduced discord and
+anarchy among them; they had set kings against their subjects, and
+subjects against each other; they had rendered every private family
+wretched; they had, in short, given birth to scenes of injustice and
+misery not to be found in any other quarter of the globe.
+
+Having said thus much on the subject of procuring slaves in, Africa, he
+would now go to that of the transportation of them. And here he had
+fondly hoped, that when men with affections and feelings like our own
+had been torn from their country, and everything dear to them, he should
+have found some mitigation of their sufferings; but the sad reverse was
+the case. This was the most wretched part of the whole subject. He was
+incapable, of impressing the House with what he felt upon it. A
+description of their conveyance was impossible. So much misery
+condensed, in so little room was more than the human imagination had
+ever before conceived. Think only of six hundred persons linked
+together, trying to get rid of each other, crammed in a close vessel
+with every object that was nauseous and disgusting, diseased, and
+struggling with all the varieties of wretchedness. It seemed impossible
+to add anything more to human misery. Yet shocking as this description
+must be felt to be by every man, the transportation had been described
+by several witnesses from Liverpool to be a comfortable conveyance. Mr.
+Norris had painted the accommodations on board a slave-ship in the most
+glowing colours. He had represented them in a manner which would have
+exceeded his attempts at praise of the most luxurious scenes. Their
+apartments, he said, were fitted up as advantageously for them as
+circumstances could possibly admit: they had several meals a day; some
+of their own country provisions, with the best sauces of African
+cookery; and, by way of variety, another meal of pulse, according to the
+European taste. After breakfast they had water to wash themselves, while
+their apartments were perfumed with frankincense and lime-juice. Before
+dinner they were amused after the manner of their country; instruments
+of music were introduced; the song and the dance were promoted; games of
+chance were furnished them; the men played and sang, while the women and
+girls made fanciful ornaments from beads, with which they were
+plentifully supplied. They were indulged in all their little fancies,
+and kept in sprightly humour. Another of them had said, when the sailors
+were flogged, it was out of the hearing of the Africans, lest it should
+depress their spirits. He by no means wished to say that such
+descriptions were wilful misrepresentations. If they were not, it proved
+that interest or prejudice was capable of spreading a film over the eyes
+thick enough to occasion total blindness.
+
+Others, however, and these men of the greatest veracity, had given a
+different account. What would the house think, when by the concurring
+testimony of these the true history was laid open? The slaves who had
+been described as rejoicing in their captivity, were so wrung with
+misery at leaving their country, that it was the constant practice to
+set sail in the night, lest they should know the moment of their
+departure. With respect to their accommodation, the right ancle of one
+was fastened to the left ancle of another by an iron fetter; and if they
+were turbulent, by another on the wrists. Instead of the apartments
+described, they were placed in niches, and along the decks, in such a
+manner, that it was impossible for any one to pass among them, however
+careful he might be, without treading upon them. Sir George Yonge had
+testified, that in a slave-ship, on board of which he went, and which
+had not completed her cargo by two hundred and fifty, instead of the
+scent of frankincense being perceptible to the nostrils, the stench was
+intolerable. The allowance of water was, so deficient, that the slaves
+were, frequently found gasping for life, and almost suffocated. The
+pulse with which they had been said to be favoured, were absolutely
+English horse-beans. The legislature of Jamaica had stated the
+scantiness both of water and provisions, as a subject which called for
+the interference of parliament. As Mr. Norris had said, the song and the
+dance were promoted, he could not pass over these expressions without
+telling the house what they meant. It would have been much more fair if
+he himself had explained the word _promoted_. The truth was, that, for
+the sake of exercise, these miserable wretches, loaded with chains and
+oppressed with disease, were forced to dance by the terror of the lash,
+and sometimes by the actual use of it. "I" said one of the evidences,
+"was employed to dance the men, while another person danced the women."
+Such then was the meaning of the, word _promoted_; and it might also be
+observed with respect to food, that instruments were sometimes carried
+out in order to force them to eat; which was the same sort of proof, how
+much they enjoyed themselves in this instance also. With respect to
+their singing, it consisted of songs, of lamentation for the loss of
+their country. While they sung they were in tears: so that one of the
+captains, more humane probably than the rest, threatened a woman with a
+flogging because the mournfulness of her song was too painful for his
+feelings. Perhaps he could not give a better proof of the sufferings of
+these injured people during their passage, than by stating the mortality
+which accompanied it. This was a species of evidence, which was
+infallible on this occasion. Death was a witness which could not deceive
+them; and the proportion of deaths would not only confirm, but, if
+possible, even aggravate our suspicion of the misery of the transit. It
+would be found, upon an average of all the ships, upon which evidence
+had been given, that, exclusively of such as perished before they sailed
+from Africa, not less than twelve and-a-half per cent died on their
+passage: besides these, the Jamaica report stated that four and-a-half
+per cent died while in the harbours, or on shore before the day of sale,
+which was only about the space of twelve or fourteen days after their
+arrival there; and one-third more died in the seasoning: and this in a
+climate exactly similar to their own, and where, as some of the
+witnesses pretended, they were healthy and happy. Thus out of every lot
+of one hundred shipped from Africa, seventeen died in about nine weeks,
+and not more than fifty lived to become effective labourers in our
+islands.
+
+Having advanced thus far in his investigation, he felt, he said, the
+wickedness of the Slave Trade to be so enormous, so dreadful, and
+irremediable, that he could stop at no alternative short of its
+abolition, A trade founded on iniquity, and carried on with such
+circumstances of horror, must be abolished, let the policy of it be what
+it might; and he had from this time determined, whatever were the
+consequences, that he would never rest till he had effected that
+abolition. His mind had, indeed, been harassed by the objections of the
+West India planters, who had asserted, that the ruin of their property
+must be the consequence of such a measure. He could not help, however,
+distrusting their arguments. He could not believe that the Almighty
+Being, who had forbidden the practice of rapine and bloodshed, had made
+rapine and bloodshed necessary to any part of his universe. He felt a
+confidence in this persuasion, and took the resolution to act upon it.
+Light, indeed, soon broke in upon him. The suspicion of his mind was
+every day confirmed by increasing information, and the evidence he had
+now to offer upon this point was decisive and complete. The principle
+upon which he founded the necessity of the abolition was not policy, but
+justice: but though justice were the principle of the measure, yet he
+trusted he should distinctly prove it to be reconcilable with our truest
+political interest.
+
+In the first place, he asserted that the number of the slaves in our
+West India islands might be kept up without the introduction of recruits
+from Africa; and to prove this, he would enumerate the different sources
+of their mortality. The first was the disproportion of the sexes, there
+being, upon an average, about five males imported to three females: but
+this evil, when the Slave Trade was abolished, would cure itself. The
+second consisted in the bad condition in which they were brought to the
+islands, and the methods of preparing them for sale. They arrived
+frequently in a sickly and disordered state, and then they were made up
+for the market by the application of astringents, washes, mercurial
+ointments, and repelling drugs, so that their wounds and diseases might
+be hid. These artifices were not only fraudulent but fatal; but these,
+it was obvious, would of themselves fall with the trade. A third was,
+excessive labour joined with improper food; and a fourth was, the
+extreme dissoluteness of their manners. These, also, would both of them
+be counteracted by the impossibility of getting further supplies: for
+owners, now unable to replace those slaves whom they might lose, by
+speedy purchases in the markets, would be more careful how they treated
+them in future, and a better treatment would be productive of better
+morals. And here he would just advert to an argument used against those
+who complained of cruelty in our islands, which was, that it was the
+interest of masters to treat their slaves with humanity: but surely it
+was immediate and present, not future and distant interest, which was
+the great spring of action in the affairs of mankind. Why did we make
+laws to punish men? It was their interest to be upright and virtuous:
+but there was a present impulse continually breaking in upon their
+better judgment, and an impulse, which was known to be contrary to their
+permanent advantage. It was ridiculous to say that men would be bound by
+their interest, when gain or ardent passion urged them. It might as well
+be asserted, that a stone could not be thrown into the air, or a body
+move from place to place, because the principle of gravitation bound
+them to the surface of the earth. If a planter in the West Indies found
+himself reduced in his profits, he did not usually dispose of any part
+of his slaves; and his own gratifications were never given up, so long
+as there was a possibility of making any retrenchment in the allowance
+of his slaves.--But to return to the subject which he had left: he was
+happy to state, that as all the causes of the decrease which he had
+stated might be remedied, so, by the progress of light and reformation,
+these remedies had been gradually coming into practice; and that, as
+these had increased, the decrease of slaves had in an equal proportion
+been lessened. By the gradual adoption of these remedies, he could prove
+from the report on the table, that the decrease of slaves in Jamaica had
+lessened to such a degree, that from the year 1774 to the present it was
+not quite one in a hundred, and that, in fact, they were at present in a
+state of increase; for that the births in that island, at this moment,
+exceeded the deaths by one thousand or eleven hundred per annum.
+Barbados, Nevis, Antigua, and the Bermudas, were, like Jamaica,
+lessening their decrease, and holding forth an evident and reasonable
+expectation of a speedy state of increase by natural population. But
+allowing the number of Negroes even to decrease for a time, there were
+methods which would insure the welfare of the West India islands. The
+lands there might be cultivated by fewer hands, and this to greater
+advantage to the proprietors and to this country, by the produce of
+cinnamon, coffee, and cotton, than by that of sugar. The produce of the
+plantations might also be considerably increased, even in the case of
+sugar, with less hands than were at present employed, if the owners of
+them would but introduce machines of husbandry. Mr. Long himself, long
+resident as a planter, had proved, upon his own estate, that the plough,
+though so little used in the West Indies, did the service of a hundred
+slaves, and caused the same ground to produce three hogsheads of sugar,
+which, when cultivated by slaves, would only produce two. The division
+of work, which, in free and civilized countries, was the grand source of
+wealth, and the reduction of the number of domestic servants, of whom
+not less than from twenty to forty were kept in ordinary families,
+afforded other resources for this purpose. But, granting that all these
+suppositions should be unfounded, and that everyone of these substitutes
+should fail for a time, the planters would be indemnified, as is the
+case in all transactions of commerce, by the increased price of their
+produce in the British market. Thus, by contending against the
+abolition, they were defeated in every part of the argument. But he
+would never give up the point, that the number of the slaves could be
+kept up, by natural population, and without any dependence whatever on
+the Slave Trade. He therefore called upon the house again to abolish it
+as a criminal waste of life--it was utterly unnecessary--he had proved
+it so by documents contained in the report. The merchants of Liverpool,
+indeed, had thought otherwise, but he should be cautious how he assented
+to their opinions. They declared last year that it was a losing trade at
+two slaves to a ton, and yet they pursued it when restricted to five
+slaves to three tons. He believed, however, that it was upon the whole a
+losing concern; in the same manner as the lottery would be a losing
+adventure to any company who should buy all the tickets. Here and there
+an individual gained a large prize, but the majority of adventurers
+gained nothing. The same merchants, too, had asserted, that the town of
+Liverpool would be mined by the abolition. But Liverpool did not depend
+for its consequence upon the Slave Trade. The whole export-tonnage from
+that place amounted to no less than 170,000 tons; whereas the export
+part of it to Africa amounted only to 13,000. Liverpool, he was sure,
+owed its greatness to other and very different causes; the Slave Trade
+bearing but a small proportion to its other trade.
+
+Having gone through that part of the subject which related to the
+slaves, he would now answer two objections which he had frequently heard
+stated. The first of these was, that the abolition of the Slave Trade
+would operate to the total ruin of our navy, and to the increase of that
+of our rivals. For an answer to these assertions, he referred to what he
+considered to be the most valuable part of the report, and for which the
+House and the country were indebted to the indefatigable exertions of
+Mr. Clarkson. By the report it appeared, that, instead of the Slave
+Trade being a nursery for British seamen, it was their grave. It
+appeared that more seamen died in that trade in one year than in the
+whole remaining trade of the country in two. Out of 910 sailors in it,
+216 died in the year, while upon a fair average of the same number of
+men employed in the trades to the East and West Indies, Petersburgh,
+Newfoundland, and Greenland, no more than eighty-seven died. It appeared
+also, that out of 3170, who had left Liverpool in the slave-ships in the
+year 1787, only 1428 had returned. And here, while he lamented the loss
+which the country thus annually sustained in her seamen, he had
+additionally to lament the barbarous usage which they experienced, and
+which this trade, by its natural tendency to harden the heart,
+exclusively produced. He would just read an extract of a letter from
+Governor Parrey, of Barbados, to Lord Sydney, one of the secretaries of
+state. The Governor declared he could no longer contain himself on
+account of the ill treatment, which the British sailors endured at the
+hands of their savage captains. These were obliged to have their vessels
+strongly manned, not only on account of the unhealthiness of the climate
+of Africa, but of the necessity of guarding the slaves, and preventing
+and suppressing insurrections; and when they arrived in the West Indies,
+and were out of all danger from the latter, they quarrelled with their
+men on the most frivolous pretences, on purpose to discharge them, and
+thus save the payment of supernumerary wages home. Thus many were left
+in a diseased and deplorable state; either to perish by sickness, or to
+enter into foreign service; great numbers of whom were for ever lost to
+their country. The Governor concluded by declaring, that the enormities
+attendant on this trade were so great, as to demand the immediate
+interference of the legislature.
+
+The next objection to the abolition was, that if we were to relinquish
+the Slave Trade, our rivals, the French, would take it up; so that,
+while we should suffer by the measure, the evil would still go on, and
+this even to its former extent. This was, indeed, a very weak argument;
+and, if it would defend the continuance of the Slave Trade, might
+equally be urged in favour of robbery, murder, and every species of
+wickedness, which, if we did not practise, others would commit. But
+suppose, for the sake of argument, that they were to take it up, what
+good would it do them? What advantages, for instance, would they derive
+from this pestilential commerce to their marine? Should not we, on the
+other hand, be benefited by this change? Would they not be obliged to
+come to us, in consequence of the cheapness of our manufactures, for
+what they wanted for the African market? But he would not calumniate the
+French nation so much as to suppose that they would carry on the trade,
+if we were to relinquish it. He believed, on the other hand, that they
+would abolish it also. Mr. Necker, the minister of France, was a man of
+religious principle; and, in his work upon the administration of the
+finances, had recorded his abhorrence of this trade. He was happy also
+to relate an anecdote of the king of France, which proved that he was a
+friend to the abolition; for, being petitioned to dissolve a society,
+formed at Paris, for the annihilation of the Slave Trade, his majesty
+answered, that he would not, and was happy to hear that so humane an
+association was formed in his dominions. And here, having mentioned the
+society in Paris, he could not help paying a due compliment to that
+established in London for the same purpose, which had laboured with the
+greatest assiduity to make this important subject understood, and which
+had conducted itself with so much judgment and moderation as to have
+interested men of all religions, and to have united them in their cause.
+
+There was another topic which he would submit to the notice of the
+House, before he concluded. They were perhaps not aware that a fair and
+honourable trade might be substituted in the natural productions of
+Africa, so that our connexion with that continent in the way of
+commercial advantage need not be lost. The natives had already made some
+advances in it; and if they had not appeared so forward in raising and
+collecting their own produce for sale as in some other countries, it was
+to be imputed to the Slave Trade: but remove the cause, and Africa would
+soon emerge from her present ignorant and indolent state. Civilization
+would go on with her as well as with other nations. Europe, three or
+four centuries ago, was in many parts as barbarous as Africa at present,
+and chargeable with as bad practices. For what would be said, if, so
+late as the middle of the thirteenth century, he could find a parallel
+there for the Slave Trade?--Yes. This parallel was to be found even in
+England. The people of Bristol, in the reign of Henry the Seventh, had a
+regular market for children, which were bought by the Irish: but the
+latter having experienced a general calamity, which they imputed as a
+judgment from Heaven on account of this wicked traffic, abolished it.
+The only thing, therefore, which he had to solicit of the House, was to
+show that they were now as enlightened as the Irish were four centuries
+back, by refusing to buy the children of other nations. He hoped they
+would do it. He hoped, too, they would do it in an unqualified manner.
+Nothing less than a total abolition of the trade would do away the evils
+complained of. The legislature of Jamaica, indeed, had thought that
+regulations might answer the purpose. Their report had recommended, that
+no person should be kidnapped, or permitted to be made a slave, contrary
+to the customs of Africa. But might he not be reduced to this state very
+unjustly, and yet by no means contrary to the African laws? Besides, how
+could we distinguish between those who were justly or unjustly reduced
+to it? Could we discover them by their physiognomy?--But if we could,
+who would believe that the British captains would be influenced by any
+regulations; made in this country, to refuse to purchase those who had
+not been fairly, honestly? and uprightly enslaved? They who were offered
+to us for sale, were brought, some of them, three or four thousand
+miles, and exchanged like cattle from one hand to another, till they
+reached the coast. But who could return these to their homes, or make
+them compensation for their sufferings during their long journeyings? He
+would now conclude by begging pardon of the House for having detained
+them so long. He could indeed have expressed his own conviction in fewer
+words. He needed only to have made one or two short statements, and to
+have quoted the commandment, "Thou shalt do no murder." But he thought
+it his duty to lay the whole of the case, and the whole of its guilt,
+before them. They would see now that no mitigations, no palliatives,
+would either be efficient or admissible. Nothing short of an absolute
+abolition could be adopted. This they owed to Africa: they owed it, too,
+to their own moral characters. And he hoped they would follow up the
+principle of one of the repentant African captains, who had gone before
+the committee of privy council as a voluntary witness, and that they
+would make Africa all the atonement in their power for the multifarious
+injuries she had received at the hands of British subjects. With respect
+to these injuries, their enormity and extent, it might be alleged in
+their excuse, that they were not fully acquainted with them till that
+moment, and therefore not answerable for their former existence: but now
+they could no longer plead ignorance concerning them. They had seen them
+brought directly before their eyes, and they must decide for themselves,
+and must justify to the world and their own consciences the facts and
+principles upon which their decision was formed.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce having concluded his speech, which lasted three hours
+and a half, read, and laid on the table of the House, as subjects for
+their future discussion, twelve propositions which he had deduced from
+the evidence contained in the privy council report, and of which the
+following is the abridged substance:--
+
+1. That the number of slaves annually carried from the coast of Africa,
+in British vessels, was about 38,000, of which, on an average, 22,500
+were carried to the British islands, and that of the latter only 17,500
+were retained there.
+
+2. That these slaves, according to the evidence on the table, consisted,
+first, of prisoners of war; secondly, of free persons sold for debt, or
+on account of real or imputed crimes, particularly adultery and
+witchcraft; in which cases they were frequently sold with their whole
+families, and sometimes for the profit of those by whom they were
+condemned; thirdly, of domestic slaves sold for the profit of their
+masters, in some places at the will of the masters, and in others, on
+being condemned by them for real or imputed crimes; fourthly, of persons
+made slaves by various acts of oppression, violence, or fraud, committed
+either by the princes and chiefs of those countries on their subjects,
+or by private individuals on each other; or, lastly, by Europeans
+engaged in this traffic.
+
+3. That the trade so carried on, had necessarily a tendency to occasion
+frequent and cruel wars among the natives; to produce unjust convictions
+and punishments for pretended or aggravated crimes; to encourage acts of
+oppression, violence, and fraud, and to obstruct the natural course of
+civilization and improvement in those countries!
+
+4. That Africa in its present state furnished several valuable articles
+of commerce, which were partly peculiar to itself, but that it was
+adapted to the production of others, with which we were now either
+wholly or in great part supplied by foreign nations. That an extensive
+commerce with Africa might be substituted in these commodities, so as to
+afford a return for as many articles as had annually been carried
+thither in British vessels: and, lastly, that such a commerce might
+reasonably be expected to increase, by the progress of civilization
+there.
+
+5. That the Slave Trade was peculiarly destructive to the seamen
+employed in it; and that the mortality there had been much greater than
+in any British vessels employed upon the same coast in any other service
+or trade.
+
+6. That the mode of transporting the slaves from Africa to the West
+Indies necessarily exposed them to many and grievous sufferings, for
+which no regulations could provide an adequate remedy; and that in
+consequence thereof a large proportion had annually perished during the
+voyage.
+
+7. That a large proportion had also perished in the harbours in the West
+Indies, from the diseases contracted in the voyage, and the treatment of
+the same, previously to their being sold; and that this loss amounted to
+four and a half percent of the imported slaves.
+
+8. That the loss of the newly-imported slaves, within the three first
+years after their importation, bore a large proportion to the whole
+number imported.
+
+9. That the natural increase of population among the slaves in the
+islands appeared to have been impeded principally by the following
+causes:--First, by the inequality of the sexes in the importations from
+Africa. Secondly, by the general dissoluteness of manners among the
+slaves, and the want of proper regulations for the encouragement of
+marriages, and of rearing children among them. Thirdly, by the
+particular diseases which were prevalent among them, and which were, in
+some instances, to be attributed to too severe labour, or rigorous
+treatment; and in others to insufficient or improper food. Fourthly, by
+those diseases, which affected a large proportion of negro-children in
+their infancy, and by those to which the negroes, newly imported from
+Africa, had been found to be particularly liable.
+
+10. That the whole number of the slaves in the island of Jamaica, in
+1768, was about 167,000, in 1774, about 193,000, and in 1787, about
+256,000: that by comparing these numbers with the numbers imported and
+retained in the said island during all these years, and making proper
+allowances, the annual excess of deaths above births was in the
+proportion of about seven-eighths per cent.; that in the first six years
+of this period it was in the proportion of rather more than one on every
+hundred; that in the last thirteen years of the same it was in the
+proportion of about three-fifths on every hundred; and that a number of
+slaves, amounting to fifteen thousand, perished during the latter
+period, in consequence of repeated hurricanes, and of the want of
+foreign supplies of provisions.
+
+11. That the whole number of slaves in the island of Barbados was, in
+the year, 1764, about 70,706; in 1774, about 74,874; in 1780, about
+68,270; in 1781, after the hurricane, about 63,248, and in 1786, about
+62,115; that, by comparing these numbers with the number imported into
+this island, (not allowing for any re-exportation,) the annual excess of
+deaths above births in the ten years, from 1764 to 1774, was in, the
+proportion of about five on every hundred; that in the seven years, from
+1774 to 1780, it was in the proportion of about one and one-third on
+every hundred; that between the years 1780 and 1781 there had been a
+decrease in the number of slaves, of about 5000; that in the six years,
+from 1781 to 1786, the excess of deaths was in the proportion of rather
+less than seven-eighths on every hundred; that in the four years, from,
+1783 to 1786, it was in the proportion of rather less than one-third on
+every hundred; and that during the whole period, there was no doubt that
+some had been exported from the island, but considerably more in the
+first part of this period than in the last.
+
+12. That the accounts from the Leeward Islands, and from Dominica,
+Grenada, and St. Vincent's, did not furnish sufficient grounds for
+comparing the state of population in the said islands, at different
+periods, with the number of slaves, which had been from time to time
+imported there, and exported therefrom; but that from the evidence which
+had been received, respecting the present state of these islands, as
+well as that of Jamaica and Barbados, and from a consideration of the
+means of obviating the causes, which had hitherto operated to impede the
+natural increase of the slaves, and of lessening the demand for manual
+labour, without diminishing the profit of the planters, no considerable
+or permanent inconvenience would result from discontinuing the further
+importation of African slaves.
+
+These propositions having been laid upon the table of the House, Lord
+Penrhyn rose in behalf of the planters; and next, after him, Mr.
+Gascoyne, (both members for Liverpool,) in behalf of the  merchants
+concerned in the latter place. They both predicted the ruin and misery
+which would inevitably follow the abolition of the trade. The former
+said, that no less than seventy millions were mortgaged upon lands in
+the West Indies, all of which would be lost. Mr. Wilberforce, therefore,
+should have made a motion to pledge the House to the repayment of this
+sum, before he had brought forward his propositions. Compensation ought
+to have been agreed upon as a previous necessary measure. The latter
+said, that in consequence of the bill of last year, many ships were laid
+up, and many seamen out of employ. His constituents had large capitals
+engaged in the trade, and, if it were to be wholly done away, they would
+suffer from not knowing where to employ them: they both joined in
+asserting, that Mr. Wilberforce had made so many misrepresentations in
+all the branches of this subject, that no reliance whatever was to be
+placed on the picture, which he had chosen to exhibit. They should
+speak, however, more fully to this point when the propositions were
+discussed.
+
+The latter declaration called up Mr. Wilberforce again, who observed
+that he had no intention of misrepresenting any fact: he did not know
+that he had done it in any one instance; but, if he had, it would be
+easy to convict him out of the report upon the table.
+
+Mr. Burke then rose. He would not, he said, detain the committee long:
+indeed, he was not able, weary and indisposed as he then felt himself,
+even if he had an inclination to do it; but as on account of his other
+parliamentary duty, he might not have it in his power to attend the
+business now before them in its course, he would take that opportunity
+of stating his opinion upon it.
+
+And, first, the House, the nation, and all Europe were under great
+obligations to Mr. Wilberforce for having brought this important subject
+forward. He had done it in a manner the most masterly, impressive, and
+eloquent. He had laid down his principles so admirably, and with so much
+order and force, that his speech had equalled anything he had ever heard
+in modern oratory, and perhaps it had not been excelled by anything to
+be found in ancient times. As to the Slave Trade itself, there could not
+be two opinions about it, where men were not interested. A trade begun
+in savage war, prosecuted with unheard-of barbarity, continued during
+the transportation with the most loathsome imprisonment, and ending in
+perpetual exile and slavery, was a trade so horrid in all in
+circumstances, that it; was impossible to produce a single argument in
+its favour. On the ground of prudence, nothing could be said in defence
+of it, nor could it be justified by necessity. It was necessity alone
+that could be brought to justify inhumanity; but no case of necessity
+could be made out strong enough to justify this monstrous traffic. It
+was therefore the duty of the House to put an end to it, and this
+without further delay. This conviction, that it became them to do it
+immediately, made him regret (and it was the only thing he regretted in
+the admirable speech he had heard) that his honourable friend should
+have introduced propositions on this subject. He could have wished that
+the business had been brought to a conclusion at once, without voting
+the propositions which had been read to them. He was not over fond of
+abstract propositions; they were seldom necessary, and often occasioned
+great difficulty, embarrassment, and delay. There was, besides, no
+occasion whatever to assign detailed reasons for a vote, which nature
+herself dictated, and which religion enforced. If it should happen that
+the propositions were not carried in that House or the other, such a
+complication of mischiefs might follow, as might occasion them heartily
+to lament that they were ever introduced. If the ultimate resolution
+should happen to be lost, he was afraid the propositions would pass as
+waste paper, if not be injurious to the cause at a future time.
+
+And now, as the House must bring this matter to an issue, he would beg
+their attention to a particular point. He entreated them to look further
+than the present moment, and to ask themselves if they had fortified
+their minds sufficiently to bear the consequences which might arise from
+the abolition of the Slave Trade, supposing they should decide upon it.
+When they abandoned it, other foreign powers might take it up, and
+clandestinely supply our islands with slaves. Had they virtue enough to
+see another country reaping profits, which they themselves had given up;
+and to abstain from that envy natural to rivals, and firmly to adhere to
+their determination? If so, let them thankfully proceed to vote the
+immediate abolition of the Slave Trade. But if they should repent of
+their virtue, (and he had known miserable instances of such repentance,)
+all hopes of future reformation of this enormous evil would be lost.
+They would go back to a trade they had abandoned with redoubled
+attachment, and would adhere to it with a degree of avidity and
+shameless ardour, to their own humiliation, and to the degradation and
+disgrace of the nation in the eyes of all Europe. These were
+considerations worth regarding, before they took a decisive step in a
+business, in which they ought not to move with any other determination
+than to abide by the consequences at all hazards. The honourable
+gentleman (who to his eternal honour had introduced this great subject
+to their notice) had, in his eloquent oration, knocked at every door,
+and appealed to every passion, well knowing that mankind were governed
+by their sympathies. But there were other passions to be regarded; men
+were always ready to obey their sympathies when it cost them nothing;
+but were they prepared to pay the price of their virtue on this great
+occasion? This was the question. If they were, they would do themselves
+immortal honour, and would have the satisfaction of having done away a
+commerce, which, while it was productive of misery not to be described,
+most of all hardened the heart and vitiated the human character.
+
+With respect to the consequences mentioned by the two members for
+Liverpool, he had a word or two to offer upon them. Lord Penrhyn had
+talked of millions to be lost and paid for; but seeing no probability of
+any loss ultimately, he could see no necessity for compensation. He
+believed on the other hand, that the planters would be great gainers by
+those wholesome regulations, which they would be obliged to make, if the
+Slave Trade were abolished. He did not however flatter them with the
+idea that this gain would be immediate. Perhaps they might experience
+inconveniences at first, and even some loss. But what then? With their
+loss, their virtue would be the greater. And in this light he hoped the
+House would consider the matter; for, if they were called upon to do an
+act of virtuous energy and heroism, they ought to think it right to
+submit to temporary disadvantages for the sake of truth, justice,
+humanity, and the prospect of greater happiness.
+
+The other member, Mr. Gascoyne, had said that his constituents, if the
+trade were abolished, could not employ their capitals elsewhere. But
+whether they could or not, it was the duty of that House, if they put
+them into a traffic which was shocking to humanity and disgraceful to
+the nation, to change their application, and not to allow them to be
+used to a barbarous purpose. He believed, however, that the merchants of
+Liverpool would find no difficulty on this head. All capitals required
+active motion; it was in their nature not to remain passive and
+unemployed; they would soon turn them into other channels. This they had
+done themselves during the American war; for the Slave Trade was almost
+wholly lost, and yet they had their ships employed, either as transports
+in the service of government or in other ways.
+
+And as he now called upon the House not to allow any conjectural losses
+to become impediments in the way of the abolition of the Slave Trade, so
+he called upon them to beware how they suffered any representations of
+the happiness of the state of slavery in our islands to influence them
+against so glorious a measure. Admiral Barrington had said in his
+testimony, that he had often envied the condition of the slaves there.
+But surely, the honourable admiral must have meant, that, as he had
+often toiled like a slave in the defence of his country, (as his many
+gallant actions had proved,) so he envied the day when he was to toil in
+a similar manner in the same cause. If, however, his words were to be
+taken literally, his sensations could only be accounted for by his
+having seen the negroes in the hour of their sports, when a sense of the
+misery of their condition was neither felt by themselves not visible to
+others. But their appearance on such occasions did by no means disprove
+their low and abject state. Nothing made a happy slave but a degraded
+man. In proportion as the mind grows callous to its degradation, and all
+sense of manly pride is lost, the slave feels comfort. In fact, he is no
+longer a man. If he were to define a man, he would say with Shakespeare,
+
+
+  Man is a being holding large discourse,
+  Looking before and after.
+
+
+But, a slave was incapable of looking before and after; he had no motive
+to do it; he was a mere passive instrument in the hands of others to be
+used at their discretion. Though living, he was, dead as to all
+voluntary agency; though moving amidst the creation with an erect form,
+and with the shape and semblance of a human being, he was a nullity as a
+man.
+
+Mr. Pitt thanked his honourable friend Mr. Wilberforce for having at
+length introduced this great and important subject to the consideration
+of the House. He thanked him also for the perspicuous, forcible, and
+masterly manner in which he had treated it. He was sure that no argument
+compatible with any idea of justice could be assigned for the
+continuation of the Slave Trade. And at the same time that he was
+willing to listen with candour and attention to everything that could be
+urged on the other side of the question, he was sure that the
+principles, from which his opinion was deduced, were unalterable. He had
+examined the subject with the anxiety which became him, where the
+happiness and interests of so many thousands were concerned, and with
+the minuteness which would be expected of him, on account of, the
+responsible situation which he held; and he averred that it was
+sophistry, obscurity of ideas, and vagueness of reasoning, which alone
+could have hitherto prevented all mankind (those immediately interested
+in the question excepted) from agreeing in one and the same opinion upon
+the subject. With respect to the propriety of introducing the individual
+propositions which had been offered, he differed with Mr. Burke, and he
+thanked his honourable friend Mr. Wilberforce for having chosen the only
+way in which it could be made obvious to the worlds that they were
+warranted on every ground of reason and of fact in coming to that vote,
+which he trusted would be the end of their proceeding. The grounds for
+the attainment of this end were distinctly stated in the propositions.
+Let the propositions be brought before the House, one by one, and argued
+from the evidence, and it would then be seen that they were such as no
+one, who was not deaf to the language of reason, could deny. Let them be
+once entered upon the journals of that House, and it was almost
+impossible they should fail. The abolition must be voted; as to the mode
+of it, or how it should be effected, they were not at present to discuss
+it; but he trusted it would be such as would not invite foreign powers
+to supply our islands with slaves by a clandestine trade. After a debt,
+founded on the immutable principles of justice, was found to be due, it
+was impossible but the country had means to cause it to be paid. Should
+such an illicit proceeding be attempted; the only language which it
+became us to adopt, was, that Great Britain had resources to enable her
+to protect her islands, and to prevent that traffic from being
+clandestinely carried on by them, which she had thought fit from a
+regard to her character to abandon. It was highly becoming Great Britain
+to take the lead of other nations in such a virtuous and magnificent
+measure, and he could not but have confidence that they would he
+inclined to share the honour with us, or be pleased to follow us as
+their example. If we were disposed to set about this glorious work in
+earnest, they might he invited to concur with us by a negotiation to be
+immediately opened for that purpose. He would only now observe, before
+he sat down, in answer to certain ideas thrown out, that he could by no
+means acquiesce in any compensation for losses which might be sustained
+by the people of Liverpool or by others in any other part of the
+kingdom, in the execution of this just and necessary undertaking.
+
+Sir William Yonge said, he wanted no inducement to concur with the
+honourable mover of the propositions, provided the latter could be
+fairly established, and no serious mischiefs were to arise from the
+abolition. But he was apprehensive, that many evils might follow in the
+case of any sudden or unlooked-for decrease in the slaves. They might be
+destroyed by hurricanes. They might be swept off by many fatal
+disorders. In these cases, the owners of them would not be able to fill
+up their places, and they who had lent money upon the lands, where the
+losses had happened, would foreclose their mortgages. He was fearful,
+also, that a clandestine trade would be carried on, and then the
+sufferings of the Africans, crammed up in small vessels, which would be
+obliged to be hovering about from day to day, to watch an opportunity of
+landing, would be ten times greater than any which they now experienced
+in the legal trade. He was glad, however, as the matter was to be
+discussed, that it had been brought forward in the shape of distinct
+propositions, to be grounded upon the evidence in the privy council
+report.
+
+Mr. Fox observed that he did not like, where he agreed as to the
+substance of a measure, to differ with respect to the form of it. If,
+however, he differed in any thing in the present case, it was with a
+view rather to forward the business than to injure it, or to throw
+anything like an obstacle in its way. Nothing like either should come
+from him. What he thought was, that all the propositions were not
+necessary to be voted previously to the ultimate decision, though some
+of them undoubtedly were. He considered them as of two classes: the one,
+alleging the grounds upon which it was proper to proceed to the
+abolition; such as that the trade was productive of inexpressible
+misery, in various ways, to the innocent natives of Africa; that it was
+the grave of our seamen, and so on; the other merely answering
+objections which might be started, and where there might be a difference
+of opinion. He was, however, glad that the propositions were likely to
+be entered upon the journals; since, if, from any misfortune, the
+business should be deferred, it might succeed another year. Sure he was
+that it could not fail to succeed sooner or later. He highly approved of
+what Mr. Pitt had said relative to the language it became us to hold out
+to foreign powers, in case of a clandestine trade. With respect,
+however, to the assertion of Sir William Yonge that a clandestine trade
+in slaves would be worse than a legal one, he could not admit it. Such a
+trade, if it existed at all, ought only to be clandestine. A trade in
+human flesh and sinews was so scandalous, that it ought not openly to be
+carried on by any government whatever, and much less by that of a
+Christian country. With regard to the regulation of the Slave Trade, he
+knew of no such thing as a regulation of robbery and murder. There was
+no medium. The legislature must either abolish it, or plead guilty of
+all the wickedness which had been shown to attend it. He would now say a
+word or two with respect to the conduct of foreign nations on this
+subject. It was possible that these, when they heard that the matter had
+been discussed in that House, might follow the example, or they might go
+before us and set one themselves. If this were to happen, though we
+might be the losers, humanity would be the gainer. He himself had been
+thought sometimes to use expressions relative to France, which were too
+harsh, and as if he could only treat her as the enemy of this country.
+Politically speaking, France was our rival. But he well knew the
+distinction between political enmity and illiberal prejudice. If there
+was any great and enlightened nation in Europe, it was France, which was
+as likely as any country upon the face of the globe to catch a spark
+from the light of our fire, and to act upon the present subject with
+warmth and enthusiasm. France had often been improperly stimulated by
+her ambition; and he had no doubt but that, in the present instance, she
+would readily follow its honourable dictates.
+
+Mr. (afterwards Lord) Grenville would not detain the house by going into
+a question which had been so ably argued; but he should not do justice
+to his feelings, if he did not express publicly to his honourable
+friend, Mr. Wilberforce, the pleasure he had received from one of the
+most masterly and eloquent speeches he had ever heard; a speech which,
+while it did honour to him, entitled him to the thanks of the House, of
+the people of England, of all Europe, and of the latest posterity. He
+approved of the propositions as the best mode of bringing this great
+question to a happy issue. He was pleased, also, with the language which
+had been held out with respect to foreign nations, and with our
+determination to assert our right of preventing our colonies from
+carrying on any trade which we had thought it our duty to abandon.
+
+Aldermen Newnham, Sawbridge, and Watson, though they wished well to the
+cause of humanity, could not, as representatives of the city of London,
+give their concurrence to a measure which would injure it so essentially
+as the abolition of the Slave Trade. This trade might undoubtedly be put
+under wholesome regulations, and made productive of great commercial
+advantages; but, if it were abolished, it would render the city of
+London one scene of bankruptcy and ruin. It became the house to take
+care, while they were giving way to the goodness of their hearts, that
+they did not contribute to the ruin of the mercantile interests of their
+country.
+
+Mr. Martin stated that he was so well satisfied with the speech of the
+honourable gentleman who had introduced the propositions, and with the
+language held out by other distinguished members on this subject, that
+he felt himself more proud than ever of being an Englishman. He hoped
+and believed that the melancholy predictions of the worthy aldermen
+would not prove true, and that the citizens of London would have too
+much public spirit to wish that a great national object (which
+comprehended the great duties of humanity and justice) should be set
+aside, merely out of consideration to their own private interests.
+
+Mr. Dempster expected, notwithstanding all he had heard, that the first
+proposition submitted to them would have been to make good out of the
+public purse all the losses individuals were liable to sustain from an
+abolition of the Slave Trade. This ought to have been, as Lord Penrhyn
+had observed, a preliminary measure. He did not like to be generous out
+of the pockets of others. They were to abolish the trade, it was said,
+out of a principle of humanity. Undoubtedly they owed humanity to all
+mankind; but they also owed justice to those who were interested in the
+event of the question, and had embarked their fortunes on the faith of
+parliament. In fact he did not like to see men introducing even their
+schemes of benevolence to the detriment of other people; and much less
+did he like to see them going to the colonies, as it were upon their
+estates, and prescribing rules to them for their management. With
+respect to his own speculative opinion, as it regarded cultivation, he
+had no objection to give it. He was sure that sugar could be raised
+cheaper by free-men than by slaves. This the practice in China
+abundantly proved; but yet neither he, nor any other person, had a right
+to force a system upon others. As to the trade itself, by which the
+present labourers were supplied, it had been considered by that House as
+so valuable that they had preferred it to all others, and had annually
+voted a considerable sum towards carrying it on. They had hitherto
+deemed it an essential nursery for our seamen. Had it really been such
+as had been represented, our ancestors would scarcely have encouraged
+it; and therefore, upon these and other considerations, he could not
+help thinking that they would be wanting in their duty if they abolished
+it altogether.
+
+Mr. William Smith would not detain the House long at that late hour upon
+this important subject; but he could not help testifying the great
+satisfaction he felt at the manner, in which the honourable gentleman
+who opened the debate (if it could be so called) had treated it. He
+approved of the propositions as the best mode of bringing the decision
+to a happy issue. He gave Mr. Fox great credit for the open and manly
+way in which he had manifested his abhorrence of this trade, and for the
+support he meant to give to the total and unqualified abolition of it;
+for he was satisfied, that the more it was inquired into, the more it
+would be found that nothing short of abolition would cure the evil. With
+respect to certain assertions of the members for Liverpool, and certain
+melancholy predictions about the consequences of such an event, which
+others had held out, he desired to lay in his claim for observation upon
+them when the great question should come before the House.
+
+Soon after this the House broke up; and the discussion of the
+propositions, which was the next parliamentary measure intended, was
+postponed to a future day, which was sufficiently distant to give all
+the parties concerned, time to make the necessary preparations for it.
+
+Of this interval the committee for the abolition availed themselves, to
+thank Mr. Wilberforce for the very able and satisfactory manner in which
+he had stated to the House his propositions for the abolition of the
+Slave Trade, and for the unparalleled assiduity and perseverance with
+which he had all along endeavoured to accomplish this object, as well as
+to take measures themselves for the further promotion of it. Their
+opponents availed themselves of this interval also. But that which now
+embarrassed them, was the evidence contained in the privy council
+report. They had no idea, considering the number of witnesses they had
+sent to be examined, that this evidence, when duly weighed, could by
+right reasoning have given birth to the sentiments which had been
+displayed in the speeches of the most distinguished members of the House
+of Commons, or to the contents of the propositions which had been laid
+upon their table. They were thunderstruck as it were by their own
+weakness; and from this time they were determined, if possible, to get
+rid of it as a standard for decision, or to interpose, every
+parliamentary delay in their power.
+
+On the 21st of May, the subject came again before the attention of the
+House. It was ushered in, as was expected, by petitions collected in the
+interim, and which were expressive of the frightful consequences which
+would attend the abolition of the Slave Trade. Alderman Newnham
+presented one from certain merchants in London; Alderman Watson another
+from certain merchants, mortgagees, and creditors of the sugar-islands;
+Lord Maitland, another from the planters of Antigua; Mr. Blackburne,
+another from certain manufacturers of Manchester; Mr. Gascoyne, another
+from the corporation of Liverpool; and Lord Penrhyn, others from
+different interested bodies in the same town.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce then moved the order of the day for the House to go into
+a committee of the whole house on the report of the privy council, and
+the several matters of evidence already upon the table relative to the
+Slave Trade.
+
+Mr. Alderman Sawbridge immediately arose, and asked Mr. Wilberforce if
+he meant to adduce any other evidence, besides that in the privy council
+report, in behalf of his propositions, or to admit other witnesses, if
+such could be found, to invalidate them. Mr. Wilberforce replied, that
+he was quite satisfied with the report on the table. It would establish
+all his propositions. He should call no witnesses himself; as to
+permission to others to call them, that must be determined by the House.
+
+This question and this answer gave birth immediately to great disputes
+upon the subject. Aldermen Sawbridge, Newnham, and Watson; Lords Penrhyn
+and Maitland; Messrs. Gascoyne, Marsham, and others, spoke against the
+admission of the evidence which had been laid upon the table. They
+contended that it was insufficient, defective, and contradictory; that
+it was _ex parte_ evidence; that it had been manufactured by ministers;
+that it was founded chiefly on hearsay, and that the greatest part of it
+was false; that it had undergone no cross-examination; that it was
+unconstitutional; and that, if they admitted it, they would establish a
+dangerous precedent, and abandon their rights. It was urged on the other
+hand by Mr. Courtenay, that it could not be _ex parte_ evidence, because
+it contained testimony on both sides of the question. The circumstance,
+also, of its being contradictory, which had been alleged against it,
+proved that it was the result of an impartial examination. Mr. Fox
+observed, that it was perfectly admissible. He called upon those, who
+took the other side of the question, to say why, if it was really
+inadmissible, they had not opposed it at first. It had now been a long
+time on the table, and no fault had been found with it. The truth was,
+it did not suit them; and they were determined by a side-wind, as it
+were, to put an end to the inquiry. Mr. Pitt observed, that, if
+parliament had previously resolved to receive no evidence on a given
+subject but from the privy council, such a resolution, indeed, would
+strike at the root of the privileges of the House of Commons; but it was
+absurd to suppose that the House could upon no occasion receive
+evidence, taken where it was most convenient to take it, and subject
+throughout to new investigation, if any one doubted its validity. The
+report of the privy council consisted, first, of calculations and
+accounts from the public offices; and, next, of written documents on the
+subject: both of which were just as authentic as if they had been laid
+upon the table of that House. The remaining part of it consisted of the
+testimony of living witnesses, all of whose names were published; so
+that if any one doubted their veracity, it was open to him to re-examine
+all or each of them. It had been said by adversaries that the report on
+the table was a weak and imperfect report, but would not these have the
+advantage of its weakness and imperfection? It was strange, when his
+honourable friend, Mr. Wilberforce, had said, "Weak and imperfect as the
+report may be thought to be, I think it strong enough to bear me out in
+all my propositions," that they, who objected to it, should have no
+better reason to give than this, "We object, because the ground of
+evidence on which you rest is too weak to support your cause." Unless it
+were meant to say (and the meaning seemed to be but thinly disguised)
+that the House ought to abandon the inquiry, he saw no reason whatever
+for not going immediately into a committee; and he wished gentlemen to
+consider whether it became the dignity of their proceedings to obstruct
+the progress of an inquiry, which the House had pledged itself to
+undertake. Their conduct, indeed, seemed extraordinary on this occasion.
+It was certainly singular that; while the report had been five weeks
+upon the table, no argument had been brought against its sufficiency;
+but that on the moment when the House was expected to come to an
+ultimate vote upon the subject, it should be thought defective,
+contradictory, unconstitutional, and otherwise objectionable. These
+objections, he was satisfied, neither did nor could originate with the
+country gentlemen; but they were brought forward; for purposes not now
+to be concealed, by the avowed enemies of this noble cause.
+
+In the course of the discussion which arose upon this subject, every
+opportunity was taken to impress the House with the dreadful
+consequences of the abolition! Mr. Heriniker read a long letter from the
+King of Dahomey to George the First, which had been found among the
+papers of James, first Duke of Chandos, and which had remained in the
+family till that time. In this, the King of Dahomey boasted of his
+victory over the King of Ardrah and how he had ornamented the pavement
+and walls of his palace with the heads of the vanquished. These
+cruelties, Mr. Henniker said, were not imputable to the Slave Trade.
+They showed the Africans to be naturally a savage people, and that we
+did them a great kindness by taking them from their country. Alderman
+Sawbridge maintained that, if the abolition passed, the Africans who
+could not be sold as slaves would be butchered at home; while those who
+had been carried, to our islands would be no longer under control. Hence
+insurrections, and the manifold evils which belonged to them. Alderman
+Newnham was certain that the abolition would be the ruin of the trade of
+the country. It would affect even the landed interest and the funds. It
+would be impossible to collect money to diminish the national debt.
+Every man in the kingdom would feel the abolition come home to hit.
+Alderman Watson maintained the same argument, and pronounced the trade
+under discussion to be a merciful and humane trade.
+
+Compensation was also insisted upon by Mr. Drake, Alderman Newnham, Mr.
+Senniker, Mr. Cruger, and others. This was resisted by Mr. Burke; who
+said, that compensation in such a case would be contrary to every
+principle of legislation. Government gave encouragement to any branch of
+commerce while it was regarded as conducive to the welfare of the
+community; or compatible with humanity and justice; but they were
+competent to withdraw their countenance from it, when it was found to be
+immoral, and injurious, and disgraceful to the state: They who engaged
+in it knew the terms under which they were placed, and adopted it with
+all the risks with which it was accompanied; and of consequence it was
+but just, that they should be prepared to abide by the loss which might
+accrue, when the public should think it right no longer to support it.
+But such a trade as this it was impossible any longer to support. Indeed
+it was not a trade. It was a system of robbery. It was a system, too,
+injurious to the welfare of other nations. How could Africa ever be
+civilized under it? While we continued to purchase the natives, they
+must remain in a state of barbarism. It was impossible to civilize
+slaves. It was contrary to the system of human nature. There was no
+country placed under such disadvantageous circumstances, into which the
+shadow of improvement had ever been introduced.
+
+Great pains were taken to impress the house with the propriety of
+regulation. Sir Grey Cooper; Aldermen Sawbridge, Watson, and Newnham;
+Mr. Marsham, and Mr. Cruger, contended strenuously for it instead of
+abolition. It was also stated, that the merchants would consent to any
+regulation of the trade which might be offered to them.
+
+In the course of the debate much warmth of temper was manifested on both
+sides. The expression of Mr. Fox in a former debate, "that the Slave
+Trade could not be regulated, because there could be no regulation of
+robbery and murder," was brought up, and construed by planters in the
+house as a charge of these crimes upon themselves. Mr. Fox, however,
+would not retract the expression. He repeated it. He had no notion,
+however, that any individual would have taken it to himself. If it
+contained any reflection at all, it was on the whole parliament, who had
+sanctioned such a trade. Mr. Molyneux rose up, and animadverted severely
+on the character of Mr. Ramsay, one of the evidences in the privy
+council report, during his residence in the West Indies. This called up
+Sir William Dolben and Sir Charles Middleton in his defence, the latter
+of whom bore honourable testimony to his virtues from an intimate
+acquaintance with him, and a residence in the same village with him, for
+twenty years. Mr. Molyneux spoke also in angry terms of the measure of
+abolition. To annihilate the trade, he said, and to make no compensation
+on account of it, was an act of swindling. Mr. Macnamara called the
+measure hypocritical, fanatic, and methodistical. Mr. Pitt was so
+irritated at the insidious attempt to set aside the privy council
+report, when no complaint had been alleged against it before, that he
+was quite off his guard, and he thought it right afterwards to apologize
+for the warmth into which he had been betrayed. The Speaker, too, was
+obliged frequently to interfere. On this occasion no less than thirty
+members spoke. And there had probably been few seasons, when so much
+disorder had been discoverable in that house.
+
+The result of the debate was, a permission to those interested in the
+continuance of the Slave Trade to bring counsel to the bar on the 26th
+of May, and then to introduce such witnesses, as might throw further
+light on the propositions in the shortest time: for Mr. Pitt only
+acquiesced in this new measure on a supposition, "that there would be no
+unnecessary delay, as he could by no means submit to the ultimate
+procrastination of so important a business." He even hoped (and in this
+hope he was joined by Mr. Fox) that those concerned would endeavour to
+bring the whole of the evidence they meant to offer at the first
+examination.
+
+On the day appointed, the house met for the purposes now specified; when
+Alderman Newnham, thinking that such an important question should not be
+decided but in a full assembly of the representatives of the nation,
+moved for a call of the House on that day fortnight. Mr. Wilberforce
+stated that he had no objection to such a measure; believing the greater
+the number present the more favourable it would be to his cause. This
+motion, however, produced a debate and a division, in which it appeared
+that there were one hundred and fifty-eight in favour of it, and
+twenty-eight against it. The business of the day now commenced. The
+house went into a committee, and Sir William Dolben was put into the
+chair. Mr. Serjeant Le Blanc was then called in. He made an able speech
+in behalf of his clients; and introduced John Barnes, Esquire, as his
+first witness, whose examination took up the remainder of the day. By
+this step they who were interested in the continuance of the trade,
+attained their wishes, for they had now got possession of the ground
+with their evidence; and they knew they could keep it, almost as long as
+they pleased, for the purposes of delay. Thus they, who boasted, when
+the privy council examinations began, that they would soon do away all
+the idle tales which had been invented against them, and who desired the
+public only to suspend their judgment till the report should come out,
+when they would see the folly and wickedness of all our allegations,
+dared not abide by the evidence which they themselves had taught others
+to look up to as the standard by which they were desirous of being
+judged: thus they, who had advantages beyond measure in forming a body
+of evidence in their own favour, abandoned that which they had
+collected. And here it is impossible for me not to make a short
+comparative statement on this subject, if it were only to show how
+little can be made out, with the very best opportunities, against the
+cause of humanity and religion. With respect to ourselves, we had almost
+all our witnesses to seek. We had to travel after them for weeks
+together. When we found them, we had scarcely the power of choice. We
+where obliged to take them as they came. When we found them, too, we had
+generally to implore them to come forward in our behalf. Of those so
+implored, three out of four refused, and the plea for this refusal was a
+fear lest they should injure their own interests. The merchants, on the
+other hand, had their witnesses ready on the spot. They had always ships
+in harbour, containing persons who had a knowledge of the subject, they
+had several also from whom to choose. If one man was favourable to their
+cause in three of the points belonging to it, but was unfavourable in
+the fourth, he could be put aside and replaced. When they had thus
+selected them, they had not to entreat, but to command their attendance.
+They had no fear, again, when they thus commanded, of a refusal on the
+ground of interest; because these were promoting their interest by
+obliging these who employed them. Viewing these and other circumstances,
+which might be thrown into this comparative statement, it was some
+consolation to us to know, amidst the disappointment which this new
+measure occasioned, and our apparent defeat in the eyes of the public,
+that we had really beaten our opponents at their own weapons, and that,
+as this was a victory in our own private feelings, so it was the presage
+to us of a future triumph.
+
+On the 29th of May, Mr. Tierney made a motion to divide the
+consideration of the Slave Trade into two heads, by separating the
+African from the West Indian part of the question. This he did for the
+more clear discussion of the propositions, as well as to save time. This
+motion, however, was overruled by Mr. Pitt.
+
+At length, on the 9th of June, by which time it was supposed that new
+light, and this in sufficient quantity, would have been thrown upon the
+propositions, it appeared that only two witnesses had been fully heard.
+The examinations, therefore, were continued, and they went on till the
+23rd. On this day, the order for the call of the house, which had been
+prolonged, standing unrepealed, there was a large attendance of members.
+A motion was then made, to get rid of the business altogether, but it
+failed. It was now seen, however, that it was impossible to bring the
+question to a final decision in this session; for they who were
+interested in it, affirmed that they had yet many important witnesses to
+introduce. Alderman Newnham, therefore, by the consent of Mr.
+Wilberforce, moved that "the further consideration of the subject be
+deferred to the next session." On this occasion, Mr. William Smith
+remarked, that though the decision on the great question was thus to be
+adjourned, he hoped the examinations at least would be permitted to go
+on. He had not heard any good reason why they might not be carried on
+for some weeks  longer. It was known that the hearing of evidence was,
+at all times thinly attended. If, therefore, the few members who did
+attend, were willing to give up their time a little longer, why should
+other members complain of an inconvenience in the suffering of which
+they took no share? He thought that by this the examination of witnesses
+on the part of the merchants might be finished, and of consequence the
+business brought into a very desirable state of forwardness against the
+ensuing session. These observations had not the desired effect, and the
+motion of Mr. Alderman Newnham was carried without a division. Thus the
+great question, for the elucidation of which all the new evidences were
+to be heard at the very first examination, in order that it might be
+decided by the 9th of June, was, by the intrigue of our opponents,
+deferred to another year.
+
+The order of the day for going into the further consideration of the
+Slave Trade having been discharged, Sir William Dolben rose to state,
+that it was his intention to renew his bill of the former year, relative
+to the conveyance of the unhappy Africans from their own country to the
+West Indies, and to propose certain alterations in it. He made a motion
+accordingly, which was adopted; and he and Mr. Wilberforce were desired
+to prepare the same.
+
+This bill he introduced soon afterwards, and it passed; but not without
+opposition. It was a matter, however, of great pleasure to find that the
+worthy baronet was enabled by the assistance of Captain (afterwards
+Admiral) Macbride, and other naval officers in the house, to carry such
+clauses, as provided in some degree for the comfort of the poor seamen
+who were seduced into this wicked trade. They could not, indeed, provide
+against the barbarity of their captains; but they secured them a space
+under the half deck in which to sleep. They prescribed a form of
+muster-rolls, which they were to see and sign in the presence of the
+clearing officer. They regulated their food, both as to kind and
+quantity; and they preserved them from many of the impositions to which
+they had been before exposed.
+
+From the time when Mr. Wilberforce gave his first notice this session to
+the present, I had been variously employed, but more particularly in the
+composition of a new work. It was soon perceived to be the object of our
+opponents, to impress upon the public the preference, of regulation to
+abolition. I attempted, therefore, to show the fallacy and wickedness of
+this notion. I divided the evils belonging to the Slave Trade into two
+kinds. These I enumerated in their order. With respect to those of the
+first kind, I proved that they were never to be remedied by any acts of
+the British parliament. Thus, for instance, what bill could alter the
+nature of the human passions? What bill could prevent fraud and violence
+in Africa, while the Slave Trade existed there? What bill could prevent
+the miserable victims of the trade from rising, when on board the ships,
+if they saw an opportunity, and felt a keen sense of their oppression?
+Those of the second I stated to admit of a remedy, and after making
+accurate calculations on the subject of each, I showed that those
+merchants who were to do them away effectually, would be ruined by their
+voyages. The work was called _An Essay on the Comparative Efficiency of
+Regulation or Abolition as applied to the Slave Trade_.
+
+The committee, also, in this interval, brought out their famous print of
+the plan and section of a slave-ship, which was designed to give the
+spectator an idea of the sufferings of the Africans in the Middle
+Passage, and this so familiarly, that he might instantly pronounce upon
+the miseries experienced there. The committee at Plymouth had been the
+first to suggest the idea; but that in London had now improved it. As
+this print seemed to make an instantaneous impression of horror upon all
+who saw it, and as it was therefore very instrumental, in consequence of
+the wide circulation given it, in serving the cause of the injured
+Africans, I have given the reader a copy of it in the annexed plate, and
+I will now state the ground or basis upon which it was formed.
+
+It must be obvious that it became the committee to select some one ship,
+which had been engaged in the Slave Trade, with her real dimensions, if
+they meant to make a fair representation of the manner of the
+transportation. When Captain Parrey, of the royal navy, returned from
+Liverpool, to which place Government had sent him, he brought with him
+the admeasurement of several vessels which had been so employed, and
+laid them on the table of the House of Commons. At the top of his list
+stood the ship Brookes. The committee, therefore, in choosing a vessel
+on this occasion, made use of the ship Brookes; and this they did,
+because they thought it less objectionable to take the first that came,
+than any other. The vessel, then, in the plate is the vessel now
+mentioned, and the following is her admeasurement as given in by Captain
+Parrey.
+
+                                                                    Ft.  In.
+Length of the lower deck, gratings, and bulk heads included at A A  100  0
+Breadth of beam on the lower deck inside, B B                       25   4
+Depth of hold ooo, from ceiling to ceiling                          10   0
+Height between decks from deck to deck                              5    8
+Length of the men's room, C C, on the lower deck                    46   0
+Breadth of the men's room, C C, on the lower deck                   25   4
+Length of the platform, D D, in the men's room                      46   0
+Breadth of the platform in the men's room, on each side             6    0
+Length of the boys' room, E E                                       13   9
+Breadth of the boys' room                                           25   0
+Breadth of platform, F F, in boys' room                             6    0
+Length of women's room, G G                                         28   6
+Breadth of women's room                                             23   6
+Length of platform, H H, in women's room                            28   6
+Breadth of platform in women's room                                 6    0
+Length of the gun-room, I I, on the lower deck                      10   6
+Breadth of the gun-room on the lower deck                           12   0
+Length of the quarter-deck, K K                                     33   6
+Breadth of the quarter-deck                                         19   6
+Length of the cabin, L L                                            14   0
+Height of the cabin                                                 6    2
+Length of the half-deck, M M                                        16   6
+Height of the half-deck                                             6    2
+Length of the platform, N N, on the half-deck                       16   6
+Breadth of the platform on the half-deck                            6    0
+Upper deck, P P
+
+
+The committee, having proceeded thus far, thought that they should now
+allow certain dimensions for every man, woman, and child; and then see
+how many persons, upon such dimensions and upon the admeasurements just
+given, could be stowed in this vessel. They allowed, accordingly, to
+every man slave 6 ft. by 1 ft. 4in. for room, to every woman 5 ft. by 1
+ft. 4 in., to every boy 5 ft. by 1 ft. 2 in., and to every girl 4 ft. 6
+in. by 1 ft. They then stowed them, and found them as in the annexed
+plate, that is, they found, (deducting the women stowed in z of figures
+6 and 7, which spaces, being half of the half-deck, were allowed by Sir
+William Dolben's last bill to the seamen,) that only 450 could be stowed
+in her; and the reader will find, if he should think it worthwhile to
+count the figures in the plate, that, on making the deduction mentioned,
+they will amount to this number.
+
+The committee then thought it right to inquire how many slaves the act
+of Sir William Dolben allowed this vessel to carry, and they found the
+number to be 454; that is, they found it allowed her to carry four more
+than could be put in without trespassing upon the room allotted to the
+rest; for we see that the bodies of the slaves, except just at the head
+of the vessel, already touch each other, and that no deduction has been
+made for tubs or stanchions to support the platforms and decks.
+
+[Illustration: Slave Ship]
+
+[Illustration: Slave Ship]
+
+[Illustration: Slave Ship]
+
+[Illustration: Slave Ship]
+
+Such was the picture which the committee were obliged to draw, if they
+regarded mathematical accuracy, of the room allotted to the slaves in
+this vessel. By this picture was exhibited the nature of the Elysium
+which Mr. Norris and others had invented for them during their
+transportation from their own country. By this picture were seen also
+the advantages of Sir William Dolben's bill; for many, on looking at the
+plate, considered the regulation itself as perfect barbarism. The
+advantages, however, obtained by it were considerable; for the Brookes
+was now restricted to 450 slaves, whereas it was proved that she carried
+609 in a former voyage.
+
+The committee, at the conclusion of the session of parliament, made a
+suitable report. It will be unnecessary to detail this, for obvious
+reasons. There was, however, one thing contained in it, which ought
+not to be omitted. It stated, with appropriate concern, the death of
+the first controversial writer, and of one of the most able and
+indefatigable labourers in their cause. Mr. Ramsay had been for some
+time indisposed. The climate of the West Indies, during a residence of
+twenty years, and the agitation in which his mind had been kept for
+the last four years of his life, in consequence of the virulent
+attacks on his word and character by those interested in the
+continuance of the trade, had contributed to undermine his
+constitution. During his whole illness he was cheerful and composed;
+nor did he allow it to hinder him, severe as it was, from taking any
+opportunity which offered, of serving those unhappy persons for whose
+injuries he had so deeply felt. A few days only before he died, I
+received from him probably the last letter he ever wrote, of which the
+following is an extract:
+
+    "My health has certainly taken a most alarming turn; and, if
+    some considerable alteration does not take place for the
+    better in a very little time, it will be all over with me: I
+    mean as to the present life. I have lost all appetite, and
+    suffer grievously from an almost continual pain in my
+    stomach, which leaves me no enjoyment of myself, but such as
+    I can collect from my own reflections, and the comforts of
+    religion. I am glad the bill for the abolition is in such
+    forwardness. Whether it goes through the house or not, the
+    discussion attending it will have a most beneficial effect.
+    The whole of this business I think now to be in such a train,
+    as to enable me to bid farewell to the present scene with the
+    satisfaction of not having lived in vain, and of having done
+    something towards the improvement of our common nature; and
+    this at no little expense of time and reputation. The little
+    I have now written is my utmost effort; yet yesterday I
+    thought it necessary to write an answer to a scurrilous libel
+    in _The Diary_ by one Scipio. On my own account he should
+    have remained unnoticed; but our great cause must be kept
+    unsullied."
+
+Mr. Ramsay was a man of active habit, of diligence and perseverance in
+his undertakings, and of extraordinary application. He was of mild and
+humble manners. He possessed a strong understanding, with great
+coolness and courage. Patriotism and public spirit were striking
+traits in his character. In domestic life he was amiable: in the
+ministry, exemplary and useful; and he died to the great regret of his
+parishioners; but most of all to that of those who moved with him in
+his attempts to bring about the important event of the abolition of
+the Slave Trade.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+Continuation from July 1789 to July 1790.--Author travels to Paris to
+promote the abolition in France; attends the committees of the Friends
+of the Negroes.--Counter-attempts of the committee of White
+Colonists.--An account of the deputies of Colour.--Meeting at the Duke
+de la Rochefoucauld's.--Mirabeau espouses the cause; canvasses the
+National Assembly.--Distribution of the section of the slave-ship
+there.--Character of Brissot.--Author leaves Paris and returns to
+England.--Examination of merchants' and planters' evidence resumed in
+the House of Commons.--Author travels in search of evidence in favour
+of the abolition; opposition to the hearing of it.--This evidence is
+at length introduced.--Renewal of Sir William Dolben's
+bill.--Distribution of the section of the slave-ship in England; and
+of Cowper's Negro's Complaint; and of Wedgewood's Cameos.
+
+
+We usually find, as we give ourselves up to reflection, some little
+mitigation of the afflictions we experience; and yet of the evils
+which come upon us, some are often so heavy as to overpower the
+sources of consolation for a time, and to leave us wretched. This was
+nearly our situation at the close of the last session of parliament.
+It would be idle not to confess that circumstances had occurred which
+wounded us deeply. Though we had foiled our opponents at their own
+weapons, and had experienced the uninterrupted good wishes and support
+of the public, we had the great mortification to see the enthusiasm of
+members of parliament beginning to cool; to see a question of humanity
+and justice (for such it was when it was delivered into their hands)
+verging towards that of commercial calculation; and finally to see
+regulation, as it related to it, in the way of being substituted for
+abolition; but most of all were we affected, knowing as we did the
+nature and the extent of the sufferings belonging to the Slave Trade,
+that these should be continued to another year. This last
+consideration almost overpowered me. It had fallen to my lot, more
+than to that of any other person, to know these evils, and I seemed
+almost inconsolable at the postponement of the question. I wondered
+how members of parliament, and these Englishmen, could talk as they
+did on this subject; how they could bear for a moment to consider
+their fellow-man as an article of trade; and how they should not count
+even the delay of an hour, which occasioned so much misery to
+continue, as one of the most criminal actions of their lives.
+
+It was in vain, however, to sink under our burdens. Grief could do no
+good; and if our affairs had taken an unfavourable turn, the question
+was, how to restore them. It was sufficiently obvious that, if our
+opponents were left to themselves, or without any counteracting
+evidence, they would considerably soften down the propositions, if not
+invalidate them in the minds of many. They had such a power of selection
+of witnesses, that they could bring men forward who might say with truth
+that they had seen but very few of the evils complained of, and these in
+an inferior degree. We knew, also, from the example of the Liverpool
+delegates, how interest and prejudice could blind the eyes, and how
+others might be called upon to give their testimony, who would dwell
+upon the comforts of the Africans when they came into our power; on the
+sprinkling of their apartments with frankincense; on the promotion of
+music and the dance among them; and on the health and festivity of their
+voyages. It seemed, therefore, necessary that we should again be looking
+out for evidence on the part of the abolition. Nor did it seem to me to
+be unreasonable, if our opponents were allowed to come forward in a new
+way, because it was more constitutional, that we should be allowed the
+same privilege. By these means the evidence, of which we had now lost
+the use, might be restored; indifference might be fanned into warmth;
+commercial calculation might be overpowered by justice; and abolition,
+rising above the reach of the cry of regulation, might eventually
+triumph.
+
+I communicated my ideas to the committee, and offered to go round the
+kingdom to accomplish this object. The committee had themselves been
+considering what measures to take, and as each in his own mind had come
+to conclusions similar with my own, my proposal was no sooner made than
+adopted.
+
+I had not been long upon this journey when I was called back. Mr.
+Wilberforce, always solicitous for the good of this great cause, was of
+opinion that, as commotions had taken place in France, which then aimed
+at political reforms, it was possible that the leading persons concerned
+in them might, if an application were made to them judiciously, be
+induced to take the Slave Trade into their consideration, and
+incorporate it among the abuses to be done away. Such a measure, if
+realized, would not only lessen the quantity of human suffering, but
+annihilate a powerful political argument against us. He had a
+conference, therefore, with the committee on this subject; and, as they
+accorded with his opinion, they united with him in writing a letter to
+me, to know if I would change my journey, and proceed to France.
+
+As I had no object in view but the good of the cause, it was immaterial
+to me where I went, if I could but serve it; and therefore, without any
+further delay, I returned to London.
+
+As accounts had arrived in England of the excesses which had taken place
+in the city of Paris, and of the agitated state of the provinces through
+which I was to pass, I was desired by several of my friends to change my
+name. To this I could not consent; and, on consulting the committee,
+they were decidedly against it.
+
+I was introduced as quickly as possible, on my arrival at Paris, to the
+friends of the cause there, to the Duke de la Rochefoucauld, the Marquis
+de Condorcet, Messieurs Pétion de Villeneuve, Clavière, and Brissot, and
+to the Marquis de la Fayette. The latter received me with peculiar marks
+of attention. He had long felt for the wrongs of Africa, and had done
+much to prevent them. He had a plantation in Cayenne, and had devised a
+plan, by which the labourers upon it should pass by degrees from slavery
+to freedom! With this view he had there laid it down as a principle,
+that all crimes were equal, whether they were committed by Blacks or
+Whites, and ought equally to be punished. As the human mind is of such a
+nature, as to be acted upon by rewards as well as punishments, he
+thought it unreasonable, that the slaves should have no advantage from a
+stimulus from the former. He laid it down therefore as another
+principle, that temporal profits should follow virtuous action. To this
+he subjoined a reasonable education to be gradually given. By
+introducing such principles, and by making various regulations for the
+protection and comforts of the slaves, he thought he could prove to the
+planters, that there was no necessity for the Slave Trade; that the
+slaves upon all their estates would increase sufficiently by population;
+that they might be introduced gradually, and without detriment, to a
+state of freedom; and that then the real interests of all would be most
+promoted. This system he had began to act upon two years before I saw
+him. He had also, when the society was established in Paris, which took
+the name of "The Friends of the Negroes," enrolled himself a member of
+it.
+
+The first public steps taken after my arrival in Paris were at a
+committee of the Friends of the Negroes, which was but thinly attended.
+None of those mentioned, except Brissot, were present. It was resolved
+there, that the committee should solicit an audience of Mr. Necker; and
+that I should wait upon him, accompanied by a deputation consisting of
+the Marquis de Condorcet, Monsieur de Bourge, and Brissot de Warville:
+secondly, that the committee should write to the president of the
+National Assembly, and request the favour of him to appoint a day for
+hearing the cause of the Negroes; and thirdly, that it should be
+recommended to the committee in London to draw up a petition to the
+National Assembly of France, praying for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade by that country. This petition, it was observed, was to be signed
+by as great a number of the friends to the cause in England, as could be
+procured. It was then to be sent to the committee at Paris, who would
+take it in a body to the place of its destination.
+
+I found great delicacy as a stranger in making my observations upon
+these resolutions, and yet I thought I ought not to pass them over
+wholly in silence, but particularly the last. I therefore rose up, and
+stated that there was one resolution, of which I did not quite see the
+propriety; but this might arise from my ignorance of the customs, as
+well as of the genius and spirit of the French people. It struck me that
+an application from a little committee in England to the National
+Assembly of France was not a dignified measure, nor was it likely to
+have weight with such a body. It was, besides, contrary to all the
+habits of propriety in which I had been educated. The British Parliament
+did not usually receive petitions from the subjects of other nations. It
+was this feeling which had induced me thus to speak.
+
+To these observations it was replied, that the National Assembly of
+France would glory in going contrary to the example of other nations in
+a case of generosity and justice, and that the petition in question, if
+it could be obtained, would have an influence there, which the people of
+England, unacquainted with the sentiments of the French nation, would
+hardly credit.
+
+To this I had only to reply, that I would communicate the measure to the
+committee in London, but that I could not be answerable for the part
+they would take in it.
+
+By an answer received from Mr. Necker, relative to the first of these
+resolutions, it appeared that the desired interview had been obtained;
+but he granted it only for a few minutes, and this principally to show
+his good-will to the cause: for he was then so oppressed with business
+in his own department, that he had but little time for any other. He
+wrote to me, however, the next day, and desired my company to dinner. He
+then expressed a wish to me, that any business relative to the Slave
+Trade might be managed by ourselves as individuals, and that I would
+take the opportunity of dining with him occasionally for this purpose.
+By this plan, he said, both of us would save time. Madame Necker, also,
+promised to represent her husband, if I should call in his absence, and
+to receive me, and converse with me on all occasions in which this great
+cause of humanity and religion might be concerned.
+
+With respect to the other resolutions, nothing ever came of them; for we
+waited daily for an answer from the president during the whole of his
+presidency, but we never received any; and the committee in London, when
+they had read my letter, desired me unequivocally to say, that they did
+not see the propriety of the petition which it had been recommended to
+them to obtain.
+
+At the next meeting it was resolved, that a letter should be written to
+the new president for the same purpose as the former. This, it was said,
+was now rendered essentially necessary; for the merchants, planters, and
+others interested in the continuance of the Slave Trade, were so alarmed
+at the enthusiasm of the French people in favour of the new order of
+things, and of any change recommended to them, which had the appearance
+of prompting the cause of liberty, that they held daily committees to
+watch and to thwart the motions of the friends of the Negroes. It was
+therefore thought proper, that the appeal to the Assembly should be
+immediate on this subject, before the feelings of the people should
+cool, or before they, who were thus interested, should poison the minds
+by calculations of loss and gain. The silence of the former president
+was already attributed to the intrigues of the planters' committee. No
+time therefore was to be lost. The letter was accordingly written, but
+as no answer was ever returned to it, they attributed this second
+omission to the same cause.
+
+I do not really know whether interested persons ever did, as was
+suspected, intercept the letters of the committee to the two presidents
+as now surmised; or whether they ever dissuaded them from introducing so
+important a question for discussion, when the nation was in such a
+heated state; but certain it is, that we had many, and I believe
+barbarous, enemies to encounter. At the very next meeting of the
+committee, Clavière produced anonymous letters which he had received,
+and in which it was stated that, if the society of the Friends of the
+Negroes did not dissolve itself, he and the rest of them would be
+stabbed. It was said that no less than three hundred persons had
+associated themselves for this purpose. I had received similar letters
+myself; and on producing mine, and comparing the handwriting in both it
+appeared that the same persons had written.
+
+In a few days after this, the public prints were filled with the most
+malicious representations of the views of the committee. One of them
+was, that they were going to send twelve thousand muskets to the Negroes
+in St. Domingo, in order to promote an insurrection there. This
+declaration was so industriously circulated, that a guard of soldiers
+was sent to search the committee-room; but these were soon satisfied
+when they found only two or three books and some waste paper. Reports
+equally unfounded and wicked were spread also in the same papers
+relative to myself. My name was mentioned at full length, and the place
+of my abode hinted at. It was stated at one time, that I had proposed
+such wild and mischievous plans to the committee in London relative to
+the abolition of the Slave Trade, that they had cast me out of their own
+body, and that I had taken refuge in Paris, where I now tried to impose
+equally on the French nation. It was stated at another, that I was
+employed by the British government as a spy, and that it was my object
+to try to undermine the noble constitution which was then forming for
+France. This latter report, at this particular time, when the passions
+of men were so inflamed, and when the stones of Paris had not been long
+purified from the blood of Foulon and Berthier, might have cost me my
+life; and I mentioned it to General la Fayette, and solicited his
+advice. He desired me to make a public reply to it: which I did. He
+desired me also to change my lodging to the Hotel de Yorck, that I might
+be nearer to him; and to send to him if there should be any appearance
+of a collection of people about the hotel, and I should have aid from
+the military in his quarter. He said, also, that he would immediately
+give in my name to the Municipality; and that he would pledge himself to
+them, that my views were strictly honourable.
+
+On dining one day at the house of the Marquis de la Fayette, I met the
+deputies of colour. They had arrived only the preceding day from St.
+Domingo, I was desired to take my seat at dinner in the midst of them.
+They were six in number; of a sallow or swarthy complexion, but yet it
+was not darker than that of some of the natives of the south of France.
+They were already in the uniform of the Parisian National Guards; and
+one of them wore the cross of St. Louis. They were men of genteel
+appearance and modest behaviour. They seemed to be well informed, and of
+a more solid cast than those whom I was in the habit of seeing daily in
+this city. The account which they gave of themselves was this. The white
+people of St. Domingo consisting of less than ten thousand persons, had
+deputies then sitting in the National Assembly. The people of colour in
+the same island greatly exceeded the whites in number. They amounted to
+thirty thousand, and were generally proprietors of lands. They were
+equally free by law with the former, and paid their taxes to the
+mother-country in an equal proportion. But in consequence of having
+sprung from slaves they had no legislative power, and moreover were
+treated with great contempt. Believing that the mother-country was going
+to make a change in its political constitution, they had called a
+meeting on the island, and this meeting had deputed them to repair to
+France, and to desire the full rights of citizens, or that the free
+people of colour might be put upon an equality with the whites. They
+(the deputies) had come in consequence. They had brought with them a
+present of six millions of livres to the National Assembly, and an
+appointment to General la Fayette to be commander-in-chief over their
+constituents, as a distinct body. This command, they said, the general
+had accepted, though he had declined similar honours from every town in
+France, except Paris, in order to show that he patronized their cause.
+
+I was now very anxious to know the sentiments which these gentlemen
+entertained on the subject of the Slave Trade. If they were with us,
+they might be very useful to us; not only by their votes in the
+Assembly, but by the knowledge of facts which they would be able to
+adduce there in our favour. If they were against us, it became me to be
+upon my guard against them, and to take measures accordingly. I
+therefore stated to them at once the nature of my errand to France, and
+desired their opinion upon it. This they gave me without reserve. They
+broke out into lavish commendations of my conduct, and called me their
+friend. The Slave Trade, they said, was the parent of all the miseries
+in St. Domingo, not only on account of the cruel treatment it occasioned
+to the slaves, but on account of the discord which it constantly kept up
+between the whites and people of colour, in consequence of the hateful
+distinctions it introduced. These distinctions could never be
+obliterated while it lasted. Indeed both the trade and the slavery must
+fall, before the infamy, now fixed upon a skin of colour, could be so
+done away, that whites and blacks could meet cordially, and look with
+respect upon one another. They had it in their instructions, in case
+they should obtain a seat in the Assembly, to propose, an immediate
+abolition of the Slave Trade, and an immediate amelioration of the state
+of slavery also, with a view to its final abolition in fifteen years.
+
+But time was flying apace; I had now been nearly seven weeks in Paris,
+and had done nothing. The thought of this made me uneasy, and I saw no
+consoling prospect before me. I found it even difficult to obtain a
+meeting of the Friends of the Negroes. The Marquis de la Fayette had no
+time to attend. Those of the committee, who were members of the National
+Assembly, were almost constantly engaged at Versailles. Such of them as
+belonged to the Municipality, had enough to do at the Hotel deVille.
+Others were employed either in learning the use of arms, or in keeping
+their daily and nightly guards. These circumstances made me almost
+despair of doing anything for the cause at Paris, at least in any
+reasonable time. But a new circumstance occurred, which distressed me
+greatly; for I discovered, in the most satisfactory manner, that two out
+of the six at the last committee were spies. They had come into the
+society for no other reason than to watch and report its motions; and
+they were in direct correspondence with the slave-merchants at Havre de
+Grace. This matter I brought home to them afterwards, and I had the
+pleasure of seeing them excluded from all our future meetings.
+
+From this time I thought it expedient to depend less upon the committee,
+and more upon my own exertions; and I formed the resolution of going
+among the members of the National Assembly myself, and of learning from
+their own mouths the hope I ought to entertain relative to the decision
+of our question. In the course of my endeavours I obtained a promise
+from the Duke de la Rochefoucauld, the Comte de Mirabeau the Abbé
+Siéyes, Monsieur Bergasse, and Monsieur Pétion de Villeneuvé, five of
+the most approved members of the National Assembly, that they would meet
+me if I would fix a day. I obtained a similar promise from the Marquis
+de Condorcet, and Clavière and Brissot, as members selected from the
+committee of the Friends of the Negroes. And Messieurs de Roveray and Du
+Monde, two Genevese gentlemen at Versailles, men of considerable
+knowledge and interest, and who had heard of our intended meeting, were
+to join us at their own request. The place chosen was the house of the
+Bishop of Chartres at Versailles.
+
+I was now in hope that I should soon bring the question to some issue;
+and on the 4th of October I went to dine with the Bishop of Chartres to
+fix the day. We appointed the 7th. But how soon, frequently, do our
+prospects fade! From the conversation which took place at dinner, I
+began to fear that our meeting would not be realised. About three days
+before, the officers of the Garde du Corps had given the memorable
+banquet, recorded in the annals of the revolution, to the officers of
+the regiment of Flanders, which then lay at Versailles. This was a topic
+on which the company present dwelt. They condemned it as a most fatal
+measure in these heated times; and were apprehensive that something
+would grow immediately out of it, which might endanger the king's
+safety. In passing afterwards through the streets of Versailles my fears
+increased. I met several of that regiment in groups. Some were
+brandishing their swords. Others were walking arm in arm, and singing
+tumultuously. Others were standing and conversing earnestly together.
+Among the latter I heard one declare with great vehemence, "that it
+should not be; that the revolution must go on." On my arrival at Paris
+in the evening, the Palais Royal was full of people; and there were
+movements and buzzings among them, as if something was expected to
+happen. The next day, when I went into the streets, it was obvious what
+was going to take place. Suffice it to say, that the next evening the
+king and queen were brought prisoners into Paris. After this, things
+were in such an unsettled state for a few days, and the members of the
+National Assembly were so occupied in the consideration of the event
+itself, and of the consequences which might attend it, that my little
+meeting, of which it had cost me so much time and trouble to procure the
+appointment, was entirely prevented.
+
+I had now to wait patiently till a new opportunity should occur. The
+Comte de Mirabeau, before the departure of the king, had moved, and
+carried the resolution, that "the Assembly was inseparable from his
+majesty's person." It was expected, therefore, that the National
+Assembly would immediately transfer its sittings to Paris. This took
+place on the 19th. It was now more easy for me to bring persons
+together, than when I had to travel backward and forward to Versailles.
+Accordingly, by watching my opportunities, I obtained the promise of
+another meeting. This was held afterwards at the Duke de la
+Rochefoucauld's. The persons before mentioned were present; except the
+Comte de Mirabeau, whose occupations at that moment made it utterly
+impossible for him to attend.
+
+The duke opened the business in an appropriate manner; and concluded, by
+desiring each person to give his opinion frankly and unequivocally as to
+what might be expected of the National Assembly relative to the great
+measure of the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+The Abbé Siéyes rose up, and said it would probably bring the business
+within a shorter compass if, instead of discussing this proposition at
+large, I were to put to the meeting my own questions. I accordingly
+accepted this offer, and began by asking those present "how long it was
+likely that the present National Assembly would sit?" After some
+conversation, it was replied that "it would sit till it had completed
+the constitution, and interwoven such fixed principles into it, that the
+legislature which should succeed it might have nothing more to do than
+to proceed on the ordinary business of the state. Its dissolution would
+probably not take place till the month of March."
+
+I then asked them, "whether it was their opinion that the National
+Assembly would feel itself authorized to take up such a foreign question
+(if I might be allowed the expression) as that of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade." The answer to this was, "that the object of the National
+Assembly was undoubtedly the formation of a constitution for the French
+people. With respect to foreign possessions, it was very doubtful
+whether it were the real interest of France to have any colonies at all;
+but while it kept such colonies under its dominion, the assembly would
+feel that it had the right to take up this question; and that the
+question itself would naturally spring out of the bill of rights, which
+had already been adopted as the basis of the constitution."
+
+The next question I proposed was, "whether they were of opinion that the
+National Assembly would do more wisely, in the present situation of
+things, to determine upon the abolition of the Slave Trade now, or to
+transfer it to the legislature, which was to succeed it in the month of
+March."
+
+This question gave birth to a long discussion, during which much
+eloquence was displayed; but the unanimous answer, with the reasons for
+it, may be conveyed in substance as follows:--"It would be most wise,"
+it was said, "in the present Assembly, to introduce the question to the
+notice of the nation, and this as essentially connected with the bill of
+rights, but to transfer the determination of it, in a way the best
+calculated to ensure success, to the succeeding legislature. The
+revolution was of more importance to Frenchmen than the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. To secure this was their first object, and more
+particularly because the other would naturally flow from it; but the
+revolution might be injured by the immediate determination of the
+question. Many persons in the large towns of Bourdeaux, Marseilles,
+Rouen, Nantes, and Havre, who were now friends to it, might be converted
+into enemies. It would also be held up by those who wished to produce a
+counter-revolution, (and the ignorant and prejudiced might believe it,)
+that the Assembly had made a great sacrifice to England by thus giving
+her an opportunity of enlarging her trade. The English House of Commons
+had taken up the subject, but had done nothing; and though they, who
+were then present, were convinced of the sincerity of the English
+minister who had introduced it, and that the trade must ultimately fall
+in England, yet it would not be easy to persuade many bigoted persons in
+France of these truths. It would, therefore, be most wise in the
+Assembly only to introduce the subject as mentioned; but if
+extraordinary circumstances should arise, such as a decree that the
+deputies of Colour should take their seats in the Assembly, or that
+England should have begun this great work, advantage might be taken of
+them, and the abolition of the Slave Trade might be resolved upon in the
+present session."
+
+The last question I proposed was this:--"If the determination of this
+great question should be proposed to the next legislature, would it be
+more difficult to carry it then than now?"
+
+This question also produced much conversation; but the answer was
+unanimous, "that there would be no greater difficulty in the one than in
+the other case; for that the people would daily more and more admire
+their constitution; that this constitution would go down to the next
+legislature, from whence would issue solid and fixed principles, which
+would be resorted to as a standard for decision on all occasions. Hence
+the Slave Trade, which would be adjudged by it also, could not possibly
+stand. Add to which, that the most virtuous members in the present would
+be chosen into the new legislature, which, if the constitution were but
+once fairly established, would not regard the murmurs of any town or
+province." After this a desultory conversation took place, in which some
+were of opinion that it would be proper, on the introduction of the
+subject into the Assembly, to move for a committee of inquiry, which
+should collect facts and documents against the time when it should be
+taken up with a view to its final discussion.
+
+As it now appeared to me that nothing material would be done with
+respect to our cause till after the election of the new legislature, I
+had thoughts of returning to England to resume my journey in quest of
+evidence; but I judged it right to communicate first with the Comte de
+Mirabeau and the Marquis de la Fayette, both of whom would have attended
+the meeting just mentioned, if unforeseen circumstances had not
+prevented them.
+
+On conversing with the first, I found that he differed from those whom I
+had consulted. He thought that the question, on account of the nature
+and urgency of it, ought to be decided in the present legislature. This
+was so much his opinion, that he had made a determination to introduce
+it there himself; and had been preparing for his motion. He had already
+drawn up the outlines of a speech for the purpose; but was in want of
+circumstantial knowledge to complete it. With this knowledge he desired
+me to furnish him. He then put his speech into my hand, and wished me to
+take it home and peruse it. He wrote down, also, some questions, and he
+gave them to me directly afterwards, and begged I would answer them at
+my leisure.
+
+On conversing with the latter, he said, "that he believed with those of
+the meeting that there would be no greater difficulty in carrying the
+question in the succeeding than in the present legislature; but this
+consideration afforded an argument for the immediate discussion of it;
+for it would make a considerable difference to suffering humanity
+whether it were to be decided now or then. This was the moment to be
+taken to introduce it; nor did he think that they ought to be deterred
+from doing it by any supposed clamours from some of the towns in France.
+The great body of the people admired the constitution, and would support
+any decisions which were made in strict conformity to its principles.
+With respect to any committee of inquiry, he deprecated it. The Slave
+Trade, he said, was not a trade. It dishonoured the name of commerce. It
+was piracy. But if so, the question which it involved was a question of
+justice only; and it could not be decided, with propriety by any other
+standard." I then informed him that the Comte de Mirabeau had undertaken
+to introduce it into the Assembly. At this he expressed his uneasiness.
+"Mirabeau," says he, "is a host in himself; and I should not be
+surprised if by his own eloquence and popularity only he were to carry
+it; and yet I regret that he has taken the lead in it. The cause is so
+lovely that even ambition, abstractedly considered, is too impure to
+take it under its protection, and not to sully it. It should have been
+placed in the hands of the most virtuous man in France. This man is the
+Duc de la Rochefoucauld. But you cannot alter things now. You cannot
+take it out of his hands. I am sure he will be second to no one on this
+occasion."
+
+On my return to my hotel, I perused the outlines of the speech which the
+Comte de Mirabeau had lent me. It afforded a masterly knowledge of the
+evils of the trade, as drawn from reason only. It was put together in
+the most striking and affecting manner. It contained an almost
+irresistible appeal to his auditors by frequent references to the
+ancient system of things in France, and to their situation and prospects
+under the new. It flowed at first gently like a river in a level
+country; but it grew afterwards into a mountain-torrent, and carried
+everything before it. On looking at the questions which he had written
+down for me, I found them consist of three. 1. What are the different
+ways of reducing to slavery the inhabitants of that part of Africa which
+is under the dominion of France? 2. What is the state of society there
+with respect to government, industry, and the arts? 3. What are the
+various evils belonging to the transportation of the Africans from their
+own country?
+
+It was peculiarly agreeable to me to find, on reading the first two
+questions, that I had formed an acquaintance with Monsieur Geoffroy de
+Villeneuve, who had been aide-du-camp to the Chevalier de Boufflers at
+Goree; but who was then at his father's house in Paris. This gentleman
+had entertained Dr. Spaarman and Mr. Wadstrom; and had accompanied them
+up the Senegal, when under the protection of the French government in
+Africa. He had confirmed to me the testimony which they had given before
+the privy council: but he had a fund of information on this subject,
+which went far beyond what these possessed, or I had ever yet collected
+from books or men. He had travelled all over the kingdom of Cayor on
+foot; and had made a map of it. His information was so important, that I
+had been with him for almost days together to take it down. I
+determined, therefore, to arrange the facts which I had obtained from
+him, of which I had now a volume, that I might answer the two first
+questions, which had been proposed to me; for it was of great importance
+to the Comte de Mirabeau, that he should be able to appeal, in behalf of
+the statements in his speech to the Assembly, to an evidence on the
+spot.
+
+In the course of my correspondence with the Comte, which continued with
+but little intermission for six weeks, many circumstances took place,
+which were connected with the cause, and which I shall now detail in
+their order.
+
+On waiting upon Mr. Necker, at his own request, he gave me the pleasing
+intelligence, that the committee of finances, which was then composed of
+members of the National Assembly, had resolved, though they had not yet
+promulgated their resolution, upon a total abolition of all the bounties
+then in existence in favour of the Slave Trade.
+
+The Deputies of Colour now began to visit me at my own hotel. They
+informed me, that they had been admitted, since they had seen me, into
+the National Assembly. On stating their claims, the president assured
+them, that they might take courage; for that the assembly knew no
+distinction between Blacks and Whites, but considered all men as having
+equal rights. This speech of the president, they said, had roused all
+the White Colonists in Paris. Some of these had openly insulted them.
+They had held also a meeting on the subject of this speech; at which
+they had worked themselves up so as to become quite furious. Nothing but
+intrigue was now going forward among them to put off the consideration
+of the claims of the free People of Colour. They, the deputies, had been
+flattered by the prospect of a hearing no less than six times; and, when
+the day arrived, something had constantly occurred to prevent it.
+
+At a subsequent interview, they appeared to be quite disheartened; and
+to be grievously disappointed as to the object of their mission. They
+were now sure, that they should never be able to make head against the
+intrigues and plots of the White Colonists. Day after day had been fixed
+as before for the hearing of their cause. Day after day it had been
+deferred in like manner. They were now weary with waiting. One of them,
+Ogé, could not contain himself, but broke out with great warmth--"I
+begin," says he, "not to care whether the National Assembly will admit
+us or not. But let it beware of the consequences. We will no longer
+continue to be beheld in a degraded light. Dispatches shall go directly
+to St. Domingo; and we will soon follow them. We can produce as good
+soldiers on our estates, as those in France. Our own arms shall make us
+independent and respectable. If we are once forced to desperate
+measures, it will be in vain that thousands will be sent across the
+Atlantic to bring us back to our former state." On hearing this, I
+entreated the deputies, to wait with patience. I observed to them, that
+in a great revolution, like that of France, things, but more
+particularly such as might be thought external, could not be discussed
+either so soon or so rapidly as men full of enthusiasm would wish.
+France would first take care of herself. She would then, I had no doubt,
+extend her care to her Colonies. Was not this a reasonable conclusion,
+when they, the deputies, had almost all the first men in the Assembly in
+their favour? I entreated them therefore to wait patiently; as well as
+upon another consideration, which was, that by an imprudent conduct they
+might not only ruin their own cause in France, but bring indescribable
+misery upon their native land.
+
+By this time a large packet, for which I had sent, from England arrived.
+It consisted of above a thousand of the plan and section of a
+slave-ship, with an explanation in French. It contained, also, about
+five hundred coloured engravings, made from two views, which Mr.
+Wadstrom had taken in Africa. The first of these represented the town of
+Joal, and the king's military on horseback returning to it, after having
+executed the great pillage, with their slaves. The other represented the
+village of Bain; from whence ruffians were forcing a poor woman and her
+children to sell them to a ship, which was then lying in the Roads. Both
+these scenes Mr. Wadstrom had witnessed. I had collected, also, by this
+time, one thousand of my Essays on the _Impolicy of the Slave Trade_,
+which had been translated into the French language. These I now wished
+to distribute, as preparatory to the motion of Mirabeau, among the
+National Assembly. This distribution was afterwards undertaken and
+effected by the Archbishop of Aix, the Bishop of Chartres, the Marquis
+de la Fayette, the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, the Comte de Mirabeau,
+Monsieur Necker, the Marquis de Condorcet, Messieurs Pétion de
+Villeneuve, Bergasse, Clavière and Brissot, and by the Marchioness de la
+Fayette, Madame Necker, and Madame de Poivre, the latter of whom was the
+widow of the late intendant of the Isle of France.
+
+This distribution had not been long begun, before I witnessed its
+effects. The virtuous Abbé Gregoire, and several members of the National
+Assembly, called upon me. The section of the slave-ship, it appeared,
+had been the means of drawing them towards me. They wished for more
+accurate information concerning it. Indeed, it made its impression upon
+all who saw it. The Bishop of Chartres once told me, that, when he first
+espoused our cause, he did it at once; for it seemed obvious to him that
+no one could, under the Christian dispensation, hold another as his
+slave; and it was no less obvious, where such an unnatural state
+existed, that there would be great abuses; but that, nevertheless, he
+had not given credit to all the tales which had been related of the
+Slave Trade, till he had seen this plate; after which there was nothing
+so barbarous which might not readily be believed. The Archbishop of Aix,
+when I first showed him the same plate, was so struck with horror, that
+he could scarcely speak: and when Mirabeau first saw it, he was so
+impressed by it, that he ordered a mechanic to make a model of it in
+wood, at a considerable expense. This model he kept afterwards in his
+dining-room. It was a ship in miniature, about a yard long, and little
+wooden men and women, which were painted black to represent the slaves,
+were seen stowed in their proper places.
+
+But while the distribution of these different articles thus contributed
+to make us many friends, it called forth the extraordinary exertions of
+our enemies. The merchants and others interested in the continuance of
+the Slave Trade wrote letters to the Archbishop of Aix, beseeching him
+not to ruin France; which he would inevitably do, if, as then president,
+he were to grant a day for hearing the question of the abolition. Offers
+of money were made to Mirabeau from the same quarter, if he would
+totally abandon his motion. An attempt was made to establish a colonial
+committee, consisting of such planters as were members of the National
+Assembly, upon whom it should devolve to consider and report upon all
+matters relating to the Colonies, before they could be determined there.
+Books were circulated in abundance in opposition to mine. Resort was
+again had to the public papers, as the means of raising a hue and cry
+against the principles of the Friends of the Negroes. I was again
+denounced as a spy; and as one sent by the English minister to bribe
+members in the Assembly to do that in a time of public agitation, which
+in the settled state of France they could never have been prevailed upon
+to accomplish. And as a proof that this was my errand, it was requested
+of every Frenchman to put to himself the following question, "How it
+happened that England, which had considered the subject coolly and
+deliberately for eighteen months, and this in a state of internal peace
+and quietness, had not abolished the Slave Trade?"
+
+The clamour which was now made against the abolition pervaded all Paris,
+and reached the ears of the king; Mr. Necker had a long conversation
+with him upon it; the latter sent for me immediately. He informed me
+that His Majesty was desirous of making himself master of the question,
+and had expressed a wish to see my _Essay on the Impolicy of the Slave
+Trade_; he desired to have two copies of it, one in French, and the
+other in English, and he would then take his choice as to which of them
+he would read; he (Mr. Necker) was to present them. He would take with
+him, also, at the same time, the beautiful specimens of the manufactures
+of the Africans, which I had lent to Madame Necker out of the cabinet of
+Monsieur Geoffroy de Villeneuve and others; as to the section of the
+slave-ship, he thought it would affect His Majesty too much, as he was
+then indisposed. All these articles, except the latter, were at length
+presented; the king bestowed a good deal of time upon the specimens; he
+admired them, but particularly those in gold. He expressed his surprise
+at the state of some of the arts in Africa. He sent them back on the
+same day on which he had examined them, and commissioned Mr. Necker to
+return me his thanks, and to say that he had been highly gratified with
+what he had seen; and with respect to the _Essay on the Impolicy of the
+Slave Trade_, that he would read it with all the seriousness which such
+a subject deserved.
+
+My correspondence with the Comte de Mirabeau was now drawing near to its
+close. I had sent him a letter every other day for a whole month, which
+contained from sixteen to twenty pages; he usually acknowledged the
+receipt of each; hence many of his letters came into my possession:
+these were always interesting, on account of the richness of the
+expressions they contained. Mirabeau even in his ordinary discourse was
+eloquent; it was his peculiar talent to use such words, that they who
+heard them were almost led to believe that he had taken great pains to
+cull them for the occasion. But this his ordinary language was the
+language also of his letters; and as they show a power of expression, by
+which the reader may judge of the character of the eloquence of one, who
+was then undoubtedly the greatest orator in France, I have thought it
+not improper to submit one of them to his perusal in the annexed
+note[A]. I could have wished, as far as it relates to myself, that it
+had been less complimentary. It must be observed, however, that I had
+already written to him more than two hundred pages with my own hand; and
+as this was done at no small expense, time, and trouble, and solely to
+qualify him for the office of doing good, he could not but set some
+value upon my labours.
+
+[Footnote A: Je fais toujours mille remercimens plus empressés et plus
+affectueux à Monsieur Clarkson pour la vertueuse profusion de ses
+lumières, de ses recherches, et de ses travaux. Comme ma motion, et tous
+ses développemens sont entièrement prêts, j'attends avec une vive
+impatience ses nouvelles lettres, afin d'achever de classer les faits et
+les raisonnemens de Monsieur Clarkson, et, cette déduction entièrement
+finie, de commencer à manoeuvrer en tactique le succès douteux de cette
+périlleuse proposition. J'aurai l'honneur de le recevoir Dimanche depuis
+onze heures, et même dix du matin jusqu'à midi, non seulement avec un
+vif plaisir, mais avec une sensible reconnaissance. 25_th__Décembre_,
+1789.]
+
+When our correspondence was over, I had some conversation with him
+relative to fixing a day for the motion. But he judged it prudent,
+previously to this, to sound some of the members of the Assembly on the
+subject of it. This he did, but he was greatly disappointed at the
+result; there was not one member, out of all those with whom he
+conversed, who had not been canvassed by the planters' committee; and
+though most of them had been proof against all its intrigues and
+artifices, yet many of them hesitated respecting the abolition at that
+moment. There was a fear in some that they should injure the revolution
+by adopting it; others, who had no such fears, wished for the
+concurrence of England in the measure, and suggested the propriety of a
+deputation there for that purpose previously to the discussion of the
+question in France. While others maintained that, as England had done
+nothing, after having had it so long under consideration, it was fair to
+presume that she judged it impolitic to abandon the Slave Trade; but if
+France were to give it up, and England to continue it, how would
+humanity be the gainer?
+
+While the Comte de Mirabeau was continuing his canvass among the members
+of the National Assembly, relative to his motion, attempts were again
+made in the public papers to mislead them; emancipation was now stated
+to be the object of the friends of the negroes. This charge I repelled,
+by addressing myself to Monsieur Beauvet. I explained to him the views
+of the different societies which had taken up the cause of the Africans;
+and I desired him to show my letter to the planters. I was obliged also
+to answer publicly a letter by Monsieur Mosneron de Laung. This writer
+professed to detail the substance of the privy council report. He had
+the injustice to assert that three things had been distinctly proved
+there: First, that slavery had always existed in Africa; Secondly, that
+the natives were a bloody people, addicted to human sacrifice, and other
+barbarous customs; and, Thirdly, that their soil was incapable of
+producing any proper articles for commerce. From these premises he
+argued, as if they had been established by the unanimous and
+uncontradicted testimony of the witnesses; and he drew the conclusion,
+that not only had England done nothing in consequence, but that she
+never would do anything which should affect the existence of this trade.
+
+But these letters had only just made their appearance in the public
+papers, when I was summoned to England; parliament, it appeared, had
+met, and I was immediately to leave Paris. Among those of whom I had but
+just time to take leave, were the deputies of colour. At this, my last
+conference with them, I recommended moderation and forbearance, as the
+best gifts I could leave them; and I entreated them rather to give up
+their seats in the Assembly, than on that account to bring misery on
+their country; for that with patience their cause would ultimately
+triumph. They replied, that I had prescribed to them a most difficult
+task; they were afraid that neither the conduct of the white colonists
+nor of the National Assembly could be much longer borne; they thanked
+me, however, for my advice. One of them gave me a trinket, by which I
+might remember him; and as for himself, he said he should never forget
+one, who had taken such a deep interest in the welfare of his mother[A].
+I found, however, notwithstanding all I said, that there was a spirit of
+dissatisfaction in them, which nothing but a redress of their grievances
+could subdue; and that, if the planters should persevere in their
+intrigues, and the National Assembly in delay, a fire would be lighted
+up in St. Domingo, which could not easily be extinguished. This was
+afterwards realized: for Ogé, in about three months from this time, left
+his companions, to report to his constituents in St. Domingo the state
+of their mission; when hearing, on his arrival in that island, of the
+outrageous conduct of the whites of the committee of Aquin, who had
+begun a persecution of the people of colour, for no other reason than
+that they had dared to seek the common privileges of citizens, and of
+the murder of Ferrand and Labadie, he imprudently armed his slaves. With
+a small but faithful band he rushed upon superior numbers, and was
+defeated; taking refuge at length in the Spanish part of St. Domingo, he
+was given up, and his enemies, to strike terror into the people of
+colour, broke him upon the wheel. From this time reconciliation between
+the parties became impossible; a bloody war commenced, and with it all
+those horrors which it has been our lot so frequently to deplore. It
+must be remembered, however, that the Slave Trade, by means of the cruel
+distinctions it occasioned, was the original cause; and though the
+revolution of France afforded the occasion, it was an occasion which
+would have been prevented, if it had not been for the intrigues and
+injustice of the whites.
+
+[Footnote A: Africa.]
+
+Another upon whom I had time to call was the amiable bishop of Chartres.
+When I left him, the Abbé Siéyes, who was with him, desired to walk with
+me to my hotel; he there presented me with a set of his works, which he
+sent for while he staid with me; and, on parting, he made use of this
+complimentary expression, in allusion, I suppose, to the cause I had
+undertaken,--"I am pleased to have been acquainted with the friend of
+man."
+
+It was necessary that I should see the Comte de Mirabeau and the Marquis
+de la Fayette before I left Paris, I had written to each of them to
+communicate the intelligence of my departure, as soon as I received it.
+The comte, it appeared had nearly canvassed the Assembly; he could count
+upon three hundred members, who, for the sake of justice, and without
+any consideration of policy or of consequences, would support his
+motion. But alas! what proportion did this number bear to twelve
+hundred! About five hundred more would support him, but only on one
+condition, which was, if England would give an unequivocal proof of her
+intention to abolish the trade. The knowledge of these circumstances, he
+said, had induced him to write a letter to Mr. Pitt. In this he had
+explained how far he could proceed without his assistance, and how far
+with it. He had frankly developed to him the mind and temper of the
+Assembly on this subject; but his answer must be immediate, for the
+white colonists were daily gaining such an influence there, that he
+forsaw that it would be impossible to carry the measure, if it were long
+delayed. On taking leave of him he desired me to be the bearer of the
+letter, and to present it to Mr. Pitt.
+
+On conversing with the Marquis de la Fayette, he lamented deeply the
+unexpected turn which the cause of the Negroes had lately taken in the
+Assembly. It was entirely owing to the daily intrigues of the White
+Colonists. He feared they would ruin everything. If the Deputies of
+Colour had been heard on their arrival, their rights would have been
+acknowledged. But now there was little probability that they would
+obtain them. He foresaw nothing but desolation in St. Domingo. With
+respect to the abolition of the Slave Trade, it might be yet carried;
+but not unless England would concur in the measure. On this topic he
+enlarged with much feeling. He hoped the day was near at hand, when two
+great nations, which had been hitherto distinguished only for their
+hostility, one toward the other, would unite in so sublime a measure;
+and that they would follow up their union by another, still more lovely,
+for the preservation of eternal and universal peace. Thus their future
+rivalships might have the extraordinary merit of being rivalships in
+good. Thus the revolution of France, through the mighty aid of England,
+might become the source of civilization, of freedom, and of happiness to
+the whole world. No other nations were sufficiently enlightened for such
+an union, but all other nations might be benefited by it.
+
+The last person whom I saw was Brissot. He accompanied me to my
+carriage. With him, therefore, I shall end my French account; and I
+shall end it in no way so satisfactory to myself, as in a very concise
+vindication of his character, from actual knowledge, against the attacks
+of those who have endeavoured to disparage it; but who never knew him.
+Justice and truth, I am convinced, demand some little declaration on
+this subject at my hands. Brissot then was a man of plain and modest
+appearance. His habits, contrary to those of his countrymen in general,
+were domestic. In his own family he set an amiable example, both as a
+husband and as a father. On all occasions he was a faithful friend. He
+was particularly watchful over his private conduct. From the simplicity
+of his appearance, and the severity of his morals, he was called "The
+Quaker;" at least in all the circles which I frequented. He was a man of
+deep feeling. He was charitable to the poor as far as a slender income
+permitted him. But his benevolence went beyond the usual bounds. He was
+no patriot in the ordinary acceptation of the word; for he took the
+habitable globe as his country and wished to consider every foreigner as
+his brother.
+
+I left France, as it may be easily imagined, much disappointed, that my
+labours, which had been of nearly six months continuance, should have
+had no better success; nor did I see, in looking forward, any
+circumstances that were consoling with respect to the issue of them
+there; for it was impossible that Mr. Pitt, even if he had been inclined
+to write to Mirabeau, circumstanced as matters then were with respect to
+the hearing of evidence, could have given him a promise, at least of a
+speedy abolition; and, unless his answer had been immediate, it would
+have arrived, seeing that the French planters were daily profiting by
+their intrigues, too late to be effectual.
+
+I had but just arrived in England, when Mr. Wilberforce made a new
+motion in the House of Commons on the subject of the Slave Trade. In
+referring to the transactions of the last session, he found that
+twenty-eight days had been allotted to the hearing of witnesses against
+the abolition, and that eleven persons only had been examined in that
+time. If the examinations were to go on in the same manner, they might
+be made to last for years. He resolved, therefore, to move, that,
+instead of hearing evidence in future in the house at large, members
+should hear it in an open committee above stairs; which committee should
+sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the house itself. This motion he
+made; and in doing it he took an opportunity of correcting an erroneous
+report; which was, that he had changed his mind on this great subject.
+This was, he said, so far from being the case, that the more he
+contemplated the trade, the more enormous he found it, and the more he
+felt himself compelled to persevere in endeavours for its abolition.
+
+One would have thought that a motion, so reasonable and so
+constitutional, would have met with the approbation of all; but it was
+vehemently opposed by Mr. Gascoyne, Alderman Newnham, and others. The
+plea set up was, that there was no precedent for referring a question of
+such importance to a committee. It was now obvious, that the real object
+of our opponents in abandoning decision by the privy council evidence
+was delay. Unable to meet us there, they were glad to fly to any
+measure, which should enable them to put off the evil day. This charge
+was fixed upon them in unequivocal language by Mr. Fox; who observed
+besides, that if the members of the house should then resolve to hear
+evidence in a committee of the whole house as before, it would amount to
+a resolution, that the question of the abolition of the Slave Trade
+should be put by, or at least that it should never be decided by them.
+After a long debate, the motion of Mr. Wilberforce was voted without a
+division; and the examination of witnesses proceeded in behalf of those
+who were interested in the continuance of the trade.
+
+This measure having been resolved upon, by which despatch in the
+examinations was promoted, I was alarmed lest we should be called upon
+for our own evidence, before we were fully prepared. The time which I
+had originally allotted for the discovery of new witnesses, had been
+taken up, if not wasted, in France. In looking over the names of the
+sixteen, who were to have been examined by the committee of privy
+council, if there had been time, one had died, and eight, who were
+sea-faring people, were out of the kingdom. It was time, therefore, to
+stir immediately in this business. Happily, on looking over my letters,
+which I found on my arrival in England, the names of several had been
+handed to me, with the places of their abode, who could give me
+information on the subject of our question. All these I visited with the
+utmost despatch. I was absent only three weeks. I had travelled a
+thousand miles in this time, had conversed with seventeen persons, and
+had prevailed upon three to be examined.
+
+I had scarcely returned with the addition of these witnesses to my list,
+when I found it necessary to go out again upon the same errand. This
+second journey arose in part from the following circumstances. There was
+a matter in dispute relative to the mode of obtaining slaves in the
+rivers of Calabar and Bonny. It was usual, when the slave-ships lay
+there, for a number of canoes to go into the inland country. These went
+in a fleet. There might be from thirty to forty armed natives in each of
+them. Every canoe, also, had a four or a six-pounder (cannon) fastened
+to her bow. Equipped in this manner they departed; and they were usually
+absent from eight to fourteen days. It was said that they went to fairs,
+which were held on the banks of these rivers, and at which there was a
+regular show of slaves. On their return they usually brought down from
+eight hundred to a thousand of these for the ships. These lay at the
+bottom of the canoes; their arms and legs having been first bound by the
+ropes of the country. Now the question was, how the people, thus going
+up these rivers, obtained their slaves?
+
+It was certainly a very suspicious circumstance, that such a number of
+persons should go out upon these occasions; and that they should be
+armed in such a manner. We presumed, therefore, that, though they might
+buy many of the slaves, whom they brought down, at the fairs which have
+been mentioned, they obtained others by violence, as opportunity
+offered. This inference we pressed upon our opponents, and called upon
+them to show what circumstances made such warlike preparations necessary
+on these excursions. To this they replied readily, "The people in the
+canoes," said they, "pass through the territories of different petty
+princes; to each of whom, on entering his territory, they pay a tribute
+or toll. This tribute has been long fixed; but attempts frequently have
+been made to raise it. They who follow the trade cannot afford to submit
+to these unreasonable demands; and therefore they arm themselves in case
+of any determination on the part of these petty princes to enforce
+them." This answer we never judged to be satisfactory. We tried
+therefore, to throw light upon the subject, by inquiring if the natives
+who went upon these expeditions usually took with them as many goods as
+would amount to the number of the slaves they were accustomed to bring
+back with them. But we could get no direct answer, from any actual
+knowledge, to this question. All had seen the canoes go out and return;
+but no one had seen them loaded, or had been on board them. It appeared,
+however, from circumstantial evidence, that though the natives on these
+occasions might take some articles of trade with them, it was impossible
+from appearances that they could take them in the proportion mentioned.
+We maintained, then, our inference as before; but it was still uniformly
+denied.
+
+How then were we to decide this important question? for it was said that
+no white man was ever permitted by the natives to go up in these canoes.
+On mentioning accidentally the circumstances of the case, as I have now
+stated them, to a friend, immediately on my return from my last journey,
+he informed me that he himself had been in company, about a year before,
+with a sailor, a very respectable-looking man, who had been up these
+rivers. He had spent half an hour with him at an inn. He described his
+person to me; but he knew nothing of his name, or of the place of his
+abode. All he knew was, that he was either going, or that he belonged
+to, some ship of war in ordinary; but he could not tell at what port. I
+might depend upon all these circumstances if the man had not deceived
+him; and he saw no reason why he should.
+
+I felt myself set on fire, as it were, by this intelligence, deficient
+as it was; and I seemed to determine instantly that I would, if it were
+possible, find him out. For if our suspicions were true that the natives
+frequently were kidnapped in these expeditions, it would be of great
+importance to the cause of the abolition to have them confirmed; for as
+many slaves came annually from these two rivers, as from all the coast
+of Africa besides. But how to proceed on so blind an errand was the
+question. I first thought of trying to trace the man by letter; but this
+might be tedious. The examinations were now going on rapidly. We should
+soon be called upon for evidence ourselves; besides, I knew nothing of
+his name. I then thought it to be a more effectual way to apply to Sir
+Charles Middleton, as comptroller of the navy, by whose permission I
+could board every ship of war in ordinary in England, and judge for
+myself. But here the undertaking seemed very arduous, and the time it
+would consume became an objection in this respect, that I thought I
+could not easily forgive myself, if I were to fail in it. My
+inclination, however, preponderated this way. At length I determined to
+follow it; for, on deliberate consideration, I found that I could not
+employ my time more advantageously to the cause; for as other witnesses
+must be found out somewhere, it was highly probable that, if I should
+fail in the discovery of this man, I should, by moving among such a
+number of sea-faring people, find others who could give their testimony
+in our favour.
+
+I must now inform the reader, that ships of war in ordinary, in one of
+which this man was reported to be, are those which are out of
+commission, and which are laid up in the different rivers and waters in
+the neighbourhood of the king's dock-yards. Every one of these has a
+boatswain, gunner, carpenter, and assistants on board. They lie usually
+in divisions of ten or twelve; and a master in the navy has a command
+over every division.
+
+At length I began my journey. I boarded all the ships of war lying in
+ordinary at Deptford, and examined the different persons in each. From
+Deptford I proceeded to Woolwich, where I did the same. Thence I
+hastened to Chatham, and then, down the Medway, to Sheerness. I had now
+boarded above a hundred and sixty vessels of war. I had found out two
+good and willing evidences among them; but I could gain no intelligence
+of him who was the object of my search.
+
+From Chatham I made the best of my way to Portsmouth harbour. A very
+formidable task presented itself here; but the masters' boats were ready
+for me, and I continued my pursuit. On boarding the Pegase, on the
+second day, I discovered a very respectable person in the gunner of that
+ship. His name was George Millar. He had been on board the Canterbury
+slaveship at the dreadful massacre at Calabar. He was the only
+disinterested evidence living, of whom I had yet heard. He expressed his
+willingness to give, his testimony, if his presence should be thought
+necessary in London. I then continued my pursuit for the remainder of
+the day. On the next day I resumed and finished it for this quarter. I
+had now examined the different persons in more than a hundred vessels in
+this harbour, but I had not discovered the person I had gone to seek.
+
+Matters now began to look rather disheartening, I mean as far as my
+grand object was concerned. There was but one other port left, and this
+was between two and three hundred miles distant. I determined, however,
+to go to Plymouth. I had already been more successful in this tour, with
+respect to obtaining general evidences than in any other of the same
+length; and the probability was, that as I should continue to move among
+the same kind of people, my success would be in a similar proportion
+according to the number visited. These were great encouragements to me
+to proceed. At length I arrived at the place of my last hope. On my
+first day's expedition I boarded forty vessels, but found no one in
+these who had been on the coast of Africa in the Slave Trade. One or two
+had been there in king's ships; but they had never been on shore. Things
+were now drawing near to a close; and, notwithstanding my success as to
+general evidence in this journey, my heart began to beat. I was restless
+and uneasy during the night. The next morning I felt agitated again
+between the alternate pressure of hope and fear; and in this state I
+entered my boat. The fifty-seventh vessel, which I boarded in this
+harbour was the Melampus frigate. One person belonging to it, on
+examining him in the captain's cabin, said he had been two voyages to
+Africa; and I had not long discoursed with him before I found, to my
+inexpressible joy, that he was the man. I found, too, that he unravelled
+the question in dispute precisely as our inferences had determined it.
+He had been two expeditions up the river Calabar in the canoes of the
+natives. In the first of these, they came within a certain distance of a
+village. They then concealed themselves under the bushes, which hung
+over the water from the banks. In this position they remained during
+day-light; but at night they went up to it armed, and seized all the
+inhabitants, who had not time to make their escape. They obtained
+forty-five persons in this manner. In the second, they were out eight or
+nine days, when they made a similar attempt, and with nearly similar
+success. They seized men, women, and children, as they could find them
+in the huts. They then bound their arms, and drove them before them to
+the canoes. The name of the person, thus discovered on board the
+Melampus, was Isaac Parker. On inquiring into his character from the
+master of the division, I found it highly respectable. I found, also,
+afterwards, that he had sailed with Captain Cook, with great credit to
+himself, round the world. It was also remarkable that my brother, on
+seeing him in London, when he went to deliver his evidence, recognised
+him as having served on board the Monarch man-of-war, and as one of the
+most exemplary men in that ship.
+
+I returned now in triumph. I had been out only three weeks, and I had
+found out this extraordinary person, and five respectable witnesses
+besides. These, added to the three discovered in the last journey, and
+to those provided before, made us more formidable than at any former
+period; so that the delay of our opponents, which we had looked upon as
+so great an evil, proved in the end truly serviceable to our cause.
+
+On going into the committee-room of the House of Commons on my return, I
+found that the examinations were still going on in the behalf of those
+who were interested in the continuance of the trade; and they went on
+beyond the middle of April, when it was considered that they had closed.
+Mr. Wilberforce moved accordingly, on the 23rd of the same month, that
+Captain Thomas Wilson, of the royal navy, and that Charles Berns
+Wadstrom and Henry Hew Dalrymple, Esqrs., do attend as witnesses on the
+behalf of the abolition. There was nothing now but clamour from those on
+the opposite side of the question. They knew well that there were but
+few members of the House of Commons, who had read the privy council
+report. They knew, therefore, that if the question were to be decided by
+evidence, it must be decided by that which their own witnesses had given
+before parliament. But this was the evidence only on one side. It was
+certain, therefore, if the decision were to be made upon this basis,
+that it must be entirely in their favour. Will it then be believed that
+in an English House of Commons there could be found persons, who could
+move to prevent the hearing of any other witnesses on this subject; and,
+what is more remarkable, that they should charge Mr. Wilberforce,
+because he proposed the hearing of them, with the intention solely of
+delay? Yes, such persons were found; but happily only among the friends
+of the Slave Trade. Mr. Wilberforce, in replying to them, could not help
+observing that it was rather extraordinary that they, who had occasioned
+the delay of a whole year, should charge him with that of which they
+themselves had been so conspicuously guilty. He then commented for some
+time on the injustice of their motion. He stated, too, that he would
+undertake to remove from disinterested and unprejudiced persons many of
+the impressions which had been made by the witnesses against the
+abolition; and he appealed to the justice and honour of the house in
+behalf of an injured people; under the hope that they would not allow a
+decision to be made till they had heard the whole of the case. These
+observations, however, did not satisfy all those who belonged to the
+opposite party. Lord Penrhyn contended for a decision without a moment's
+delay. Mr. Gascoyne relented; and said, he would allow three weeks to
+the abolitionists, during which their evidence might be heard. At
+length, the debate ended; in the course of which Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox
+powerfully supported Mr. Wilberforce; when the motion was negatived
+without any attempt at a division.
+
+The witnesses in behalf of the abolition of the Slave Trade now took
+possession of the ground which those in favour of it had left. But what
+was our surprise, when only three of them had been heard, to find that
+Mr. Norris should come forward as an evidence! This he did to confirm
+what he had stated to the privy council as to the general question; but
+he did it more particularly, as it appeared afterwards, in the
+justification of his own conduct: for the part which he had taken at
+Liverpool, as it related to me, had become a subject of conversation
+with many. It was now well known what assistance he had given me there
+in my pursuit; how he had even furnished me with clauses for a bill, for
+the abolition of the trade; how I had written to him, in consequence of
+his friendly co-operation, to come up as an evidence in our favour; and
+how at that moment he had accepted the office of a delegate on the
+contrary side. The noise which the relation and repetition of these and
+other circumstances had made, had given him, I believe, considerable
+pain. His friends, too, had urged some explanation as necessary. But how
+short-sighted are they who do wrong! By coming forward in this imprudent
+manner, he fixed the stain only the more indelibly on himself; for he
+thus imposed upon me the cruel necessity of being examined against him;
+and this necessity was the more afflicting, to me, because I was to be
+called upon not to state facts relative to the trade, but to destroy his
+character as an evidence in its support. I was to be called upon, in
+fact, to explain all those communications which have been stated to have
+taken place between us on this subject. Glad indeed should I have been
+to have declined this painful interference. But no one would hear of a
+refusal. The Bishop of London, Mr. Pitt, and Mr. Wilberforce considered
+my appearance on this occasion as an imperious duty to the cause of the
+oppressed. It may be perhaps sufficient to say that I was examined; that
+Mr. Norris was present all the time; that I was cross-examined by
+counsel; and, that after this time, Mr. Norris seemed to have no
+ordinary sense of his own degradation; for he never afterwards held up
+his head or looked the abolitionists in the face, or acted with energy
+as a delegate, as on former occasions.
+
+The hearing of evidence continued to go on in behalf of the abolition of
+the trade. No less than twenty-four witnesses altogether were heard in
+this session. And here it may not be improper to remark, that during the
+examination of our own witnesses, as well as the cross-examination of
+those of our opponents, no counsel were ever employed. Mr. Wilberforce
+and Mr. William Smith undertook this laborious department; and as they
+performed it with great ability, so they did it with great liberality
+towards those who were obliged to come under their notice, in the course
+of this fiery ordeal.
+
+The bill of Sir William Dolben was now to be renewed. On this occasion
+the enemies of the abolition became again conspicuous; for on the 26th
+of May, they availed themselves of a thin house to propose an amendment,
+by which they increased the number of the slaves to the tonnage of the
+vessel. They increased it, too, without taking into the account, as had
+hitherto been done, the extent of the superficies of the vessels which
+were to carry them. This was the third indecorous attempt against what
+were only reasonable and expected proceedings in the present session.
+But their advantage was of no great duration; for the very next day, the
+amendment was rejected on the report by a majority of ninety-five to
+sixty-nine, in consequence, principally, of the private exertions of Mr.
+Pitt. Of this bill, though it was renewed in other years besides the
+present, I shall say no more in this _History_; because it has nothing
+to do with the general question. Horrible as it yet left the situation
+of the poor slaves in their transportation, (which the plate has most
+abundantly shown,) it was the best bill which could be then obtained;
+and it answered to a certain degree the benevolent wishes of the worthy
+baronet who introduced it: for if we could conclude, that these voyages
+were made more comfortable to the injured Africans, in proportion as
+there was less mortality in them, he had undoubtedly the pleasure of
+seeing the end, at least partially, obtained; though he must always have
+felt a great drawback from it, by reflecting that the survivors, however
+their sufferings might have been a little diminished, were reserved for
+slavery.
+
+The session was now near its close; and we had the sorrow to find,
+though we had defeated our opponents in the three instances which have
+been mentioned, that the tide ran decidedly against us, upon the general
+question, in the House of Commons. The same statements which had struck
+so many members with panic in the former sessions, such as that of
+emancipation, of the ruin and massacre of the planters, and of
+indemnification to the amount of seventy millions, had been
+industriously kept up, and this by a personal canvass among them. But
+this hostile disposition was still unfortunately increased by
+considerations of another sort. For the witnesses of our opponents had
+taken their ground first. No less than eleven of them had been examined
+in the last sessions. In the present, two-thirds of the time had been
+occupied by others on the same side. Hence the impression upon this
+ground also was against us; and we had yet had no adequate opportunity
+of doing it away. A clamour was also raised, where we thought it least
+likely to have originated. They (the planters), it was said, had
+produced persons in elevated life, and of the highest character, as
+witnesses; whereas we had been obliged to take up with those of the
+lowest condition. This idea was circulated directly after the
+introduction of Isaac Parker, before mentioned, a simple mariner, and
+who was now contrasted with the admirals on the other side of the
+question. This outcry was not only ungenerous, but unconstitutional. It
+is the glory of the English law, that it has no scale of veracity which
+it adapts to persons, according to the station which they may be found
+to occupy in life. In our courts of law, the poor are heard as well as
+the rich; and if their reputation be fair, and they stand proof against
+the cross-examinations they undergo, both the judge and the jury must
+determine the matter in dispute by their evidence. But the House of
+Commons was now called upon by our opponents, to adopt the preposterous
+maxim of attaching falsehood to poverty, or of weighing truth by the
+standard of rank and riches.
+
+But though we felt a considerable degree of pain in finding this adverse
+disposition among so many members of the Lower House, it was some
+consolation to us to know that our cause had not suffered with their
+constituents,--the people. These were still warmly with us. Indeed,
+their hatred of the trade had greatly increased. Many circumstances had
+occurred in this year to promote it. The committee, during my absence in
+France, had circulated the plate of the slave-ship throughout all
+England. No one saw it but he was impressed. It spoke to him in a
+language which was at once intelligible and irresistible. It brought
+forth the tear of sympathy in behalf of the sufferers, and it fixed
+their sufferings in his heart. The committee, too, had been particularly
+vigilant during the whole of the year with respect to the public papers.
+They had suffered no statement in behalf of those interested in the
+continuance of the trade to go unanswered. Dr. Dickson, the author of
+the _Letters on Slavery_, before mentioned, had come forward again with
+his services on this occasion; and, by his active co-operation with a
+sub-committee appointed for the purpose, the coast was so well cleared
+of our opponents, that, though they were seen the next year again,
+through the medium of the same papers, they appeared only in sudden
+incursions, as it were, during which they darted a few weapons at us;
+but they never afterward ventured upon the plain to dispute the matter,
+inch by inch, or point by point, in an open and manly manner.
+
+But other circumstances occurred to keep up a hatred of the trade among
+the people in this interval, which, trivial as they were, ought not to
+be forgotten. The amiable poet Cowper had frequently made the Slave
+Trade the subject of his contemplation. He had already severely
+condemned it in his valuable poem _The Task_. But now he had written
+three little fugitive pieces upon it. Of these, the most impressive was
+that which he called _The Negro's Complaint_, and of which the following
+is a copy:--
+
+
+  Forced from home and all its pleasures,
+    Afric's coast I left forlorn,
+  To increase a stranger's treasures,
+    O'er the raging billows borne;
+  Men from England bought and sold me,
+    Paid my price in paltry gold;
+  But, though theirs they have enroll'd me,
+    Minds are never to be sold.
+
+  Still in thought as free as ever,
+    What are England's rights, I ask,
+  Me from my delights to sever,
+    Me to torture, me to task?
+  Fleecy locks and black complexion
+    Cannot forfeit Nature's claim;
+  Skins may differ, but affection
+    Dwells in black and white the same.
+
+  Why did all-creating Nature
+    Make the plant, for which we toil?
+  Sighs must fan it, tears must water,
+    Sweat of ours must dress the soil.
+  Think, ye masters, iron-hearted,
+    Lolling at your jovial boards,
+  Think, how many backs have smarted
+    For the sweets your cane affords.
+
+  Is there, as you sometimes tell us,
+    Is there one, who rules on high;
+  Has he bid you buy and sell us,
+    Speaking from his throne, the sky?
+  Ask him, if your knotted scourges,
+    Fetters, blood-extorting screws,
+  Are the means, which duty urges
+    Agents of his will to use?
+
+  Hark! he answers. Wild tornadoes,
+    Strewing yonder sea with wrecks,
+  Wasting towns, plantations, meadows,
+    Are the voice with which he speaks.
+  He, foreseeing what vexations
+    Afric's sons should undergo,
+  Fixed their tyrants' habitations
+    Where his whirlwinds answer--No.
+
+  By our blood in Afric wasted,
+    Ere our necks received the chain;
+  By the miseries, which we tasted
+    Crossing, in your barks, the main;
+  By our sufferings, since you brought us
+    To the man-degrading mart,
+  All-sustained by patience, taught us
+    Only by a broken heart:
+
+  Deem our nation brutes no longer,
+    Till some reason you shall find
+  Worthier of regard, and stronger,
+    Than the colour of our kind.
+  Slaves of gold! whose sordid dealings
+    Tarnish all, your boasted powers,
+  Prove that you have human feelings,
+    Ere you proudly question ours.
+
+
+This little piece Cowper presented in manuscript to some of his friends
+in London; and these, conceiving it to contain a powerful appeal in
+behalf of the injured Africans, joined in printing it. Having ordered it
+on the finest hot-pressed paper, and folded it up in a small and neat
+form, they gave it the printed title of _A Subject for Conversation at
+the Tea-table_. After this, they sent many thousand copies of it in
+franks into the country. From one it spread to another, till it
+travelled almost over the whole island. Falling at length into the hands
+of the musician, it was set to music; and it then found its way into the
+streets, both of the metropolis and of the country, where it was sung as
+a ballad; and where it gave a plain account of the subject, with an
+appropriate feeling, to those who heard it.
+
+Nor was the philanthropy of the late Mr. Wedgewood less instrumental in
+turning the popular feeling in our favour. He made his own manufactory
+contribute to this end. He took the seal of the committee, as exhibited
+in Chap. XX., for his model; and he produced a beautiful cameo, of a
+less size, of which the ground was a most delicate white, but the Negro,
+who was seen imploring compassion in the middle of it, was in his own
+native colour. Mr. Wedgewood made a liberal donation of these, when
+finished, among his friends. I received from him no less than five
+hundred of them myself. They, to whom they were sent, did not lay them
+up in their cabinets, but gave them away likewise. They were soon, like
+_The Negro's Complaint_, in different parts of the kingdom. Some had
+them inlaid in gold on the lid of their snuff-boxes. Of the ladies,
+several wore them in bracelets, and others had them fitted up in an
+ornamental manner as pins for their hair. At length the taste for
+wearing them became general; and thus fashion, which usually confines
+itself to worthless things, was seen for once in the honourable office
+of promoting the cause of justice, humanity, and freedom.
+
+I shall now only state that the committee took as members within its own
+body, in the period of time which is included in this chapter, the
+Reverend Mr. Ormerod, chaplain to the Bishop of London, and Captain
+James Bowen, of the royal navy; that they elected the Honourable
+Nathaniel Curzon (afterwards Lord Scarsdale), Dr. Frossard, of Lyons,
+and Benjamin Garlike, Esq., then secretary to the English embassy at the
+Hague, honorary and corresponding members; and that they concluded their
+annual labours with a suitable report, in which they noticed the
+extraordinary efforts of our opponents to injure our cause in the
+following manner:--"In the progress of this business, a powerful
+combination of interest has been excited against us. The African trader,
+the planter, and the West India merchant, have united their forces to
+defend the fortress, in which their supposed treasures lie. Vague
+calculations and false alarms have been thrown out to the public, in
+order to show that the constitution, and even the existence, of this
+free and opulent nation depend on its depriving the inhabitants of a
+foreign country of those rights and of that liberty which we ourselves
+so highly and so justly prize. Surely, in the nature of things, and in
+the order of Providence, it cannot be so. England existed as a great
+nation long before the African commerce was known amongst us, and it is
+not to acts of injustice and violence that she owes her present rank in
+the scale of nations."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+--Continuation from July, 1790, to July, 1791.--Author travels again
+throughout the kingdom; object of his journey.--Motion in the House of
+Commons to resume the hearing of evidence in favour of the abolition;
+list of all those examined on this side of the question; machinations
+of interested persons, and cruel circumstances of the times previously
+to the day of decision.--Motion at length made for stopping all
+further importation of Slaves from Africa; debates upon it; motion
+lost.--Resolutions of the committee for the Abolition of the Slave
+Trade.--Establishment of the Sierra Leone Company.
+
+
+It was a matter of deep affliction to us to think, that the crimes and
+sufferings inseparable from the Slave Trade were to be continued to
+another year. And yet it was our duty, in the present moment, to
+acquiesce in the postponement of the question. This postponement was not
+now for the purpose of delay, but of securing victory. The evidence, on
+the side of the abolition, was, at the end of the last session, but half
+finished. It was impossible, for the sake of Africa, that we could have
+then closed it. No other opportunity might offer in parliament for
+establishing an indelible record in her favour, if we were to neglect
+the present. It was our duty, therefore, even to wait to complete it,
+and to procure such a body of evidence, as should not only bear us out
+in the approaching contest, but such as, if we were to fail, would bear
+out our successors also. It was possible, indeed, if the inhabitants of
+our islands were to improve in civilization, that the poor slaves might
+experience gradually an improved treatment with it; and so far testimony
+now might not be testimony for ever; but it was utterly impossible,
+while the Slave Trade lasted, and the human passion continued to be the
+same, that there should be any change for the better in Africa; or that
+any modes, less barbarous, should come into use for procuring slaves.
+Evidence, therefore, if once collected on this subject, would be
+evidence for posterity. In the midst of these thoughts another journey
+occurred to me as necessary for this purpose; and I prayed, that I might
+have strength to perform it in the most effectual manner; and that I
+might be daily impressed, as I travelled along, with the stimulating
+thought, that the last hope for millions might possibly rest upon my own
+endeavours.
+
+The committee highly approved of this journey; Mr. Wilberforce saw the
+absolute necessity of it also, and had prepared a number of questions,
+with great ingenuity, to be put to such persons as might have
+information to communicate. These I added to those in the tables, which
+have been already mentioned, and they made together a valuable
+collection on the subject.
+
+This tour was the most vexatious of any I had yet undertaken; many still
+refused to come forward to be examined, and some on the most frivolous
+pretences, so that I was disgusted, as I journeyed on, to find how
+little men were disposed to make sacrifices for so great a cause. In one
+part of it I went over nearly two thousand miles, receiving repeated
+refusals; I had not secured one witness within this distance; this was
+truly disheartening. I was subject to the whims and caprice of those
+whom I solicited on these occasions[A]; to these I was obliged to
+accommodate myself. When at Edinburgh, a person who could have given me
+material information declined seeing me, though he really wished well to
+the cause; when I had returned southward as far as York, he changed his
+mind, and he would then see me; I went back that I might not lose him.
+When I arrived, he would give me only private information. Thus I
+travelled, backwards and forwards, four hundred miles to no purpose. At
+another place a circumstance almost similar happened, though with a
+different issue. I had been for two years writing about a person, whose
+testimony was important. I had passed once through the town in which he
+lived, but he would not then see me; I passed through it now, but no
+entreaties of his friends could make him alter his resolution. He was a
+man highly respectable as to situation in life, but of considerable
+vanity. I said therefore to my friend, on leaving the town, You may tell
+him that I expect to be at Nottingham in a few days, and though it be a
+hundred and fifty miles distant, I will even come back to see him if he
+will dine with me on my return. A letter from my friend announced to me,
+when at Nottingham, that his vanity had been so gratified by the thought
+of a person coming expressly to visit him from such a distance, that he
+would meet me according to my appointment; I went back; we dined
+together; he yielded to my request; I was now repaid, and I returned
+towards Nottingham in the night. These circumstances I mention, and I
+feel it right to mention them, that the reader may be properly impressed
+with the great difficulties we found in collecting a body of evidence in
+comparison with our opponents. They ought never to be forgotten; for if
+with the testimony, picked up as it were under all these disadvantages,
+we carried our object against those who had almost numberless witnesses
+to command, what must have been the merits of our cause! No person can
+indeed judge of the severe labour and trials in these journeys. In the
+present, I was out four months; I was almost over the whole island; I
+intersected it backwards and forwards both in the night and in the day;
+I travelled nearly seven thousand miles in this time, and I was able to
+count upon twenty new and willing evidences.
+
+Having now accomplished my object, Mr. Wilberforce moved on the 4th of
+February in the House of Commons, that a committee be appointed to
+examine further witnesses in behalf of the abolition of the Slave Trade,
+This motion was no sooner made, than Mr. Cawthorne rose, to our great
+surprise, to oppose it. He took upon himself to decide that the House
+had heard evidence enough. This indecent motion was not without its
+advocates. Mr. Wilberforce set forth the injustice of this attempt, and
+proved, that out of eighty-one days which had been given up to the
+hearing of evidence, the witnesses against the abolition had occupied no
+less than fifty-seven. He was strenuously supported by Mr. Burke, Mr.
+Martin, and other respectable members. At length the debate ended in
+favour of the original motion, and a committee was appointed
+accordingly.
+
+The examinations began again on February 7th, and continued till April
+5th, when they were finally closed. In this, as in the former session,
+Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. William Smith principally conducted them; and
+indeed it was necessary that they should have been present at these
+times; for it is perhaps difficult to conceive the illiberal manner in
+which our witnesses were treated by those on the other side of the
+question. Men who had left the trade upon principle, and who had come
+forward, against their apparent interest, to serve the cause of humanity
+and justice, were looked upon as mercenaries and culprits, or as men of
+doubtful and suspicious character; they were brow-beaten; unhandsome
+questions were put to them; some were kept for four days under
+examination. It was however highly to their honour that they were found
+in no one instance to prevaricate, nor to waver as to the certainty of
+their facts.
+
+But this treatment, hard as it was for them to bear, was indeed good for
+the cause; for, coming thus pure out of the fire, they occasioned their
+own testimony, when read, to bear stronger marks of truth than that of
+the generality of our opponents; nor was it less superior when weighed
+by other considerations. For the witnesses, against the abolition were
+principally interested; they, who were not, had been hospitably received
+at the planters' tables. The evidence, too, which they delivered, was
+almost wholly negative. They had not seen such and such evils; but this
+was no proof that the evils did not exist. The witnesses, on the other
+hand, who came up in favour of the abolition, had no advantage in making
+their several assertions. In some instances they came up against their
+apparent interest, and, to my knowledge, suffered persecution for so
+doing. The evidence also which they delivered was of a positive nature.
+They gave an account of specific evils, which had come under their own
+eyes; these evils were never disproved; they stood therefore on a firm
+basis, as on a tablet of brass. Engraved there in affirmative
+characters, a few of them were of more value than all the negative and
+airy testimony which had been advanced on the other side of the
+question.
+
+That the public may judge, in some measure, of the respectability of the
+witnesses in favour of the abolition, and that they may know also to
+whom Africa is so much indebted for her deliverance, I shall subjoin
+their names in the three following lists. The first will contain those
+who were examined by the privy council only; the second those who were
+examined by the privy council and the House of Commons also; and the
+third those who were examined-by the House of Commons only.
+
+LIST I.
+
+LIST II.
+
+LIST III.
+
+The evidence having been delivered on both sides, and then printed, it
+was judged expedient by Mr. Wilberforce, seeing that it filled three
+folio volumes, to abridge it. This abridgement was made by the different
+friends of the cause. William Burgh, Esq., of York; Thomas Babington,
+Esq., of Rothley Temple; the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge; Mr.
+Campbell Haliburton, of Edinburgh; George Harrison, with one or two
+others of the committee, and myself, were employed upon it. The greater
+share, however, of the labour, fell upon Dr. Dickson. That no
+misrepresentation of any person's testimony might be made, Matthew
+Montagu, Esq., and the Honourable E.J. Elliott, members of Parliament,
+undertook to compare the abridged manuscripts with the original text,
+and to strike out or correct whatever they thought to be erroneous, and
+to insert whatever they thought to have been omitted. The committee for
+the abolition, when the work was finished, printed it at their own
+expense, Mr. Wilberforce then presented it to the House of Commons, as a
+faithful abridgement of the whole evidence. Having been received as
+such, under the guarantee of Mr. Montague and Mr. Elliott, the committee
+sent it to every individual member of that House.
+
+The book having been thus presented, and a day fixed for the final
+determination of the question, our feelings became almost insupportable;
+for we had the mortification to find, that our cause was going down in
+estimation, where it was then most important that it should have
+increased in favour. Our opponents had taken advantage of the long delay
+which the examination of evidence had occasioned, to prejudice the minds
+of many of the members of the House of Commons against us. The old
+arguments of emancipation, massacre, ruin, and indemnification, had been
+kept up; but, as the day of final decision approached, they had been
+increased. Such was our situation at this moment, when the current was
+turned still more powerfully against us by the peculiar circumstances of
+the times. It was, indeed, the misfortune of this great cause to be
+assailed by every weapon which could be turned against it. At this time,
+Thomas Paine had published his _Rights of Man_. This had been widely
+circulated. At this time, also, the French revolution had existed nearly
+two years. The people of England had seen, during this interval, a
+government as it were dissected. They had seen an old constitution taken
+down, and a new one put up, piece by piece, in its stead. The
+revolution, therefore, in conjunction with the book in question, had had
+the effect of producing dissatisfaction among thousands; and this
+dissatisfaction was growing, so as to alarm a great number of persons of
+property in the kingdom, as well as the government itself. Now will it
+be believed that our opponents had the injustice to lay hold of these
+circumstances, at this critical moment, to give a death-blow to the
+cause of the abolition? They represented the committee, though it had
+existed before the French revolution, or the _Rights of Man_ were heard
+of, as a nest of Jacobins; and they held up the cause, sacred as it was,
+and though it had the support of the minister, as affording an
+opportunity of meeting for the purpose of overthrowing the state. Their
+cry succeeded. The very book of the abridgment of the evidence was
+considered by many members as poisonous as that of the _Rights of Man_.
+It was too profane for many of them to touch; and they who discarded it,
+discarded the cause also.
+
+But these were not the only circumstances which were used as means, at
+this critical moment, to defeat us. News of the revolution, which had
+commenced in St. Domingo, in consequence of the disputes between the
+whites and the people of colour, had, long before this, arrived in
+England. The horrible scenes which accompanied it, had been frequently
+published as so many arguments against our cause. In January, new
+insurrections were announced as having happened in Martinique. The
+negroes there were described as armed, and the planters as having
+abandoned their estates for fear of massacre. Early in the month of
+March, insurrections in the smaller French islands were reported. Every
+effort was then made to represent these as the effects of the new
+principles of liberty, and of the cry for abolition. But what should
+happen, just at this moment, to increase the clamour against us? Nothing
+less than an insurrection in Dominica.--Yes!--An insurrection in a
+British island. This was the very event for our opponents. "All the
+predictions of the planters had now become verified. The horrible
+massacres were now realizing at home." To give this news still greater
+effect, a meeting of our opponents was held at the London Tavern. By a
+letter read there, it appeared that "the ruin of Dominica was now at
+hand." Resolutions were voted, and a memorial presented to government,
+"immediately to despatch such a military force to the different islands,
+as might preserve the whites from destruction, and keep the negroes in
+subjection during the present critical state of the slave bill." This
+alarm was kept up till the 7th of April, when another meeting took
+place, to receive the answer of government to the memorial. It was there
+resolved that, "as it was too late to send troops to the islands, the
+best way of preserving them would be to bring the question of the Slave
+Trade to an immediate issue; and that it was the duty of the government,
+if they regarded the safety of the islands, to oppose the abolition of
+it."  Accounts of all these proceedings were inserted in the public
+papers. It is needless to say that they were injurious to our cause.
+Many looked upon the abolitionists as monsters. They became also
+terrified themselves. The idea with these was, that unless the
+discussion on this subject was terminated, all would be lost. Thus,
+under a combination of effects, arising from the publication of the
+_Rights of Man_, the rise and progress of the French revolution, and the
+insurrections of the negroes in the different islands, no one of which
+events had anything to do with the abolition of the Slave Trade, the
+current was turned against us; and in this unfavourable frame of mind
+many members of parliament went into the House, on the day fixed for the
+discussion, to discharge their duty with respect to this great question.
+
+On the 18th of April, Mr. Wilberforce made his motion. He began by
+expressing a hope, that the present debate, instead of exciting asperity
+and confirming prejudice, would tend to produce a general conviction of
+the truth of what in fact was incontrovertible; that the abolition of
+the Slave Trade was indispensably required of them, not only by morality
+and religion, but by sound policy. He stated that he should argue the
+matter from evidence. He adverted to the character, situation, and means
+of information of his own witnesses; and having divided his subject into
+parts, the first of which related to the manner of reducing the natives
+of Africa to a state of slavery, he handled it in the following
+manner:--
+
+He would begin, he said, with the first boundary of the trade. Captain
+Wilson and Captain Hills, of His Majesty's navy, and Mr. Dalrymple, of
+the land service, had concurred in stating, that in the country
+contiguous to the river Senegal, when slave-ships arrived there, armed
+parties were regularly sent out in the evening, who scoured the country,
+and brought in their prey. The wretched victims were to be seen in the
+morning bound back to back in the huts on shore, whence they were
+conveyed, tied hand and foot, to the slave-ships. The design of these
+ravages was obvious, because, when the Slave Trade was stopped, they
+ceased. Mr. Kiernan spoke of the constant depredations by the Moors to
+procure slaves. Mr. Wadstrom confirmed them. The latter gentleman showed
+also that they were excited by presents of brandy, gunpowder, and such
+other incentives; and that they were not only carried on by one
+community against another, but that the kings were stimulated to
+practise them in their territories, and on their own subjects: and in
+one instance a chieftain, who, when intoxicated, could not resist the
+demands of the slave merchants, had expressed, in a moment of reason, a
+due sense of his own crime, and had reproached his Christian seducers.
+Abundant also were the instances of private rapine. Individuals were
+kidnapped, whilst in their fields and gardens. There was an universal
+feeling of distrust and apprehension there. The natives never went any
+distance from home without arms; and when Captain Wilson asked them the
+reason of it, they pointed to a slave-ship then lying within sight.
+
+On the windward coast, it appeared from Lieutenant Story and Mr. Bowman,
+that the evils just mentioned existed, if possible, in a still higher
+degree. They had seen the remains of villages, which had been burnt,
+whilst the fields of corn were still standing beside them, and every
+other trace of recent desolation. Here an agent was sent to establish a
+settlement in the country, and to send to the ships such slaves as he
+might obtain. The orders he received from his captain were, that "he was
+to encourage the chieftains by brandy and gunpowder to go to war, to
+make slaves." This he did. The chieftains performed their part in
+return. The neighbouring villages were surrounded and set on fire in the
+night. The inhabitants were seized when making their escape; and, being
+brought to the agent, were by him forwarded to his principal on the
+coast. Mr. How, a botanist in the service of Government, stated, that on
+the arrival of an order for slaves from Cape Coast Castle, while he was
+there, a native chief immediately sent forth armed parties, who brought
+in a supply of all descriptions in the night.
+
+But he would now mention one or two instances of another sort, and these
+merely on account of the conclusion, which was to be drawn from them.
+When Captain Hills was in the river Gambia, he mentioned accidentally to
+a Black pilot, who was in the boat with him, that he wanted a cabin-boy.
+It so happened that some youths were then on the shore with vegetables
+to sell. The pilot beckoned to them to come on board; at the same time
+giving Captain Hills to understand, that he might take his choice of
+them; and when Captain Hills rejected the proposal with indignation, the
+pilot seemed perfectly at a loss to account for his warmth; and drily
+observed, that the slave-captains would not have been so scrupulous.
+Again, when General Rooke commanded at Goree, a number of the natives,
+men, women, and children, came to pay him a friendly visit. All was
+gaiety and merriment. It was a scene to gladden the saddest, and to
+soften the hardest, heart. But a slave-captain was not so soon thrown
+off his guard. Three English barbarians of this description had the
+audacity jointly to request the general, to seize the whole unsuspicious
+multitude and sell them. For this they alleged the precedent of a former
+governor. Was not this request a proof of the frequency of such acts of
+rapine? for how familiar must such have been to slave-captains, when
+three of them dared to carry a British officer of rank such a flagitious
+proposal! This would stand in the place of a thousand instances. It
+would give credibility to every other act of violence stated in the
+evidence, however enormous it might appear.
+
+But he would now have recourse for a moment to circumstantial evidence.
+An adverse witness, who had lived on the Gold Coast, had said that the
+only way in which children could he enslaved, was by whole families
+being sold when the principals had been condemned for witchcraft. But he
+said at the same time, that few were convicted of this crime, and that
+the younger part of a family in these cases was sometimes spared. But if
+this account were true, it would follow that the children in the
+slave-vessels would be few indeed. But it had been proved, that the
+usual proportion of these was never less than a fourth of the whole
+cargo on the coast, and also, that the kidnapping of children was very
+prevalent there.
+
+All these atrocities, he said, were fully substantiated by the evidence;
+and here he should do injustice to his cause, if he were not to make a
+quotation from the speech of Mr. B. Edwards in the Assembly of Jamaica,
+who, though he was hostile to his propositions, had yet the candour to
+deliver himself in the following manner there. "I am persuaded," says
+he, "that Mr. Wilberforce has been rightly informed as to the manner in
+which slaves are generally procured. The intelligence I have collected
+from my own negroes abundantly confirms his account; and I have not the
+smallest doubt, that in Africa the effects of this trade are precisely
+such as he has represented them. The whole, or the greatest part, of
+that immense continent is a field of warfare and desolation; a
+wilderness, in which the inhabitants are wolves towards each other. That
+this scene of oppression, fraud, treachery, and bloodshed, if not
+originally occasioned, is in part (I will not say wholly) upheld by the
+Slave Trade, I dare not dispute. Every man in the Sugar Islands may be
+convinced that it is so, who will enquire of any African negroes, on
+their first arrival, concerning the circumstances of their captivity.
+The assertion that it is otherwise, is mockery and insult."
+
+But it was not only by acts of outrage that the Africans were brought
+into bondage. The very administration of justice was turned into an
+engine for that end. The smallest offence was punished by a fine equal
+to the value of a slave. Crimes were also fabricated; false accusations
+were resorted to; and persons were sometimes employed to seduce the
+unwary into practices with a view to the conviction and the sale of
+them.
+
+It was another effect of this trade, that it corrupted the morals of
+those who carried it on. Every fraud was used to deceive the ignorance
+of the natives by false weights and measures, adulterated commodities,
+and other impositions of a like sort. These frauds were even
+acknowledged by many who had themselves practised them, in obedience to
+the orders of their superiors. For the honour of the mercantile
+character of the country, such a traffic ought immediately to be
+suppressed.
+
+Yet these things, however clearly proved by positive testimony, by the
+concession of opponents, by particular inference, by general reasoning,
+by the most authentic histories of Africa, by the experience of all
+countries and of all ages,--these things, and (what was still more
+extraordinary) even the possibility of them, were denied by those who
+had been brought forward on the other side of the question. These,
+however, were chiefly persons who had been trading-governors of forts in
+Africa, or who had long commanded ships in the Slave Trade. As soon as
+he knew the sort of witnesses which was to be called against him, he had
+been prepared to expect much prejudice. But his expectations had been
+greatly surpassed by the testimony they had given. He did not mean to
+impeach their private characters, but they certainly showed themselves
+under the influence of such gross prejudices, as to render them
+incompetent judges of the subject they came to elucidate. They seemed
+(if he might so say) to be enveloped by a certain atmosphere of their
+own; and to see, as it were, through a kind of African medium. Every
+object which met their eyes came distorted and turned from its true
+direction. Even the declarations, which they made on other occasions,
+seemed wholly strange to them. They sometimes not only forgot what they
+had seen, but what they had said; and when to one of them his own
+testimony to the privy council was read, he mistook it for that of
+another, whose evidence he declared to be "the merest burlesque in the
+world."
+
+But the House must be aware that there was not only an African medium,
+but an African logic. It seemed to be an acknowledged axiom in this,
+that every person who offered a slave for sale had a right to sell him,
+however fraudulently he might have obtained him. This had been proved by
+the witnesses who opposed him. "It would have stopped my trade," said
+one of them, "to have asked the broker how he came by the person he was
+offering me for sale."--"We always suppose," said another, "the broker
+has a right to sell the person he offers us."--"I never heard of such a
+question being asked," said a third; "a man would be thought a fool who
+should put such a question."--He hoped the House would see the practical
+utility of this logic. It was the key-stone which held the building
+together. By means of it, slave-captains might traverse the whole coast
+of Africa, and see nothing but equitable practices. They could not,
+however, be wholly absolved, even if they availed themselves of this
+principle to its fullest extent; for they had often committed
+depredations themselves; especially when they were passing by any part
+of the coast, where they did not mean to continue or to go again. Hence
+it was (as several captains of the navy and others had declared on their
+examination), that the natives, when at sea in their canoes, would never
+come near the men-of-war, till they knew them to be such. But finding
+this, and that they were not slave-vessels, they laid aside their fears,
+and came and continued on board with unsuspecting cheerfulness. With
+respect to the miseries of the Middle Passage, he had said so much on a
+former occasion, that he would spare the feelings of the committee as
+much as he could. He would therefore simply state that the evidence,
+which was before them, confirmed all those scenes of wretchedness which
+he had then described: the same suffering from a state of suffocation,
+by being crowded together; the same dancing in fetters; the same
+melancholy singing; the same eating by compulsion; the same despair; the
+same insanity; and all the other abominations which characterized the
+trade. New instances however had occurred, where these wretched men had
+resolved on death to terminate their woes. Some had destroyed themselves
+by refusing sustenance, in spite of threats and punishments. Others had
+thrown themselves into the sea; and more than one, when in the act of
+drowning, were seen to wave their hands in triumph, "exulting" (to use
+the words of an eye-witness) "that they had escaped." Yet these and
+similar things, when viewed through the African medium he had mentioned,
+took a different shape and colour. Captain Knox, an adverse witness, had
+maintained, that slaves lay during the night in tolerable comfort. And
+yet he confessed, that in a vessel of one hundred and twenty tons, in
+which he had carried two hundred and ninety slaves, the latter had not
+all of them room to lie on their backs. How comfortably, then, must they
+have lain in his subsequent voyages! for he carried afterwards, in a
+vessel of a hundred and eight tons, four hundred and fifty; and in a
+vessel of one hundred and fifty tons, no less than six hundred slaves.
+Another instance of African deception was to be found in the testimony
+of Captain Frazer, one of the most humane captains in the trade. It had
+been said of him, that he had held hot coals to the mouth of a slave, to
+compel him to eat. He was questioned on this point; but not admitting,
+in the true spirit of African logic, that he who makes another commit a
+crime is guilty of it himself, he denied the charge indignantly, and
+defied a proof. But it was said to him, "Did you never order such a
+thing to be done?" His reply was, "Being sick in my cabin, I was
+informed that a man-slave would neither eat, drink, nor speak. I desired
+the mate and surgeon to try to persuade him to speak. I desired that the
+slaves might try also. When I found he was still obstinate, not knowing
+whether it was from sulkiness or insanity, I ordered a person to present
+him with a piece of fire in one hand, and a piece of yam in the other,
+and to tell me what effect this had upon him. I learnt that he took the
+yam and began to eat it, but he threw the fire overboard." Such was his
+own account of the matter. This was eating by duresse, if anything could
+be called so. The captain, however, triumphed in his expedient; and
+concluded by telling the committee, that he sold this very slave at
+Grenada for forty pounds. Mark here the moral of the tale, and learn the
+nature and the cure of sulkiness.
+
+But upon whom did the cruelties, thus arising out of the prosecution of
+this barbarous traffic, fall? Upon a people with feeling and intellect
+like ourselves. One witness had spoken of the acuteness of their
+understandings; another, of the extent of their memories; a third, of
+their genius for commerce: a fourth, of their proficiency in
+manufactures at home. Many had admired their gentle and peaceable
+disposition, their cheerfulness, and their hospitality. Even they who
+were nominally slaves, in Africa lived a happy life. A witness against
+the abolition had described them as sitting and eating with their
+masters in the true style of patriarchal simplicity and comfort. Were
+these, then, a people incapable of civilization? The argument that they
+were an inferior species had been proved to be false.
+
+He would now go to a new part of the subject. An opinion had gone forth
+that the abolition of the trade would be the ruin of the West India
+Islands. He trusted he should prove that the direct contrary was the
+truth; though, had he been unable to do this, it would have made no
+difference as to his own vote. In examining, however, this opinion; he
+should exclude the subject of the cultivation of new lands by fresh
+importations of slaves. The impolicy of this measure, apart from its
+inhumanity, was indisputably clear. Let the committee consider the
+dreadful mortality which attended it. Let them look to the evidence of
+Mr. Woolrich, and there see a contrast drawn between the slow, but sure,
+progress of cultivation carried on in the natural way, and the attempt
+to force improvements, which, however flattering the prospect at first,
+soon produced a load of debt, and inextricable embarrassments. He might
+even appeal to the statements of the West Indians themselves, who
+allowed that more than twenty millions were owing to the people of this
+country, to show that no system could involve them so deeply as that on
+which they had hitherto gone. But he would refer them to the accounts of
+Mr. Irving, as contained in the evidence. Waving, then, the
+consideration of this part of the subject, the opinion in question must
+have arisen from a notion, that the stock of slaves, now in the islands,
+could not be kept up by propagation; but that it was necessary, from
+time to time, to recruit them with imported Africans. In direct
+refutation of this position he should prove: First, that, in the
+condition and treatment of the Negroes, there were causes sufficient to
+afford us reason to expect a considerable decrease, but particularly
+that their increase had not been a serious object of attention:
+Secondly, that this decrease was in fact, notwithstanding, very
+trifling; or rather, he believed, he might declare it had now actually
+ceased: and, Thirdly, he should urge many direct and collateral facts
+and arguments, constituting on the whole an irresistible proof, that
+even a rapid increase might henceforth be expected.
+
+He wished to treat the West Indians with all possible candour: but he
+was obliged to confess, in arguing upon these points, that whatever
+splendid instances there might be of kindness towards their slaves,
+there were some evils of almost universal operation, which were
+necessarily connected with the system of slavery. Above all, the state
+of degradation to which they were reduced, deserved to be noticed, as it
+produced an utter inattention to them as moral agents; they were kept at
+work under the whip like cattle; they were left totally ignorant of
+morality and religion; there was no regular marriage among them; hence
+promiscuous intercourse, early prostitution, and excessive drinking,
+were material causes of their decrease. With respect to the instruction
+of the slaves in the principles of religion, the happiest effects had
+resulted, particularly in Antigua, where, under the Moravians and
+Methodists, they had so far profited, that the planters themselves
+confessed their value as property had been raised one-third by their
+increased habits of regularity and industry.
+
+Whatever might have been said to the contrary, it was plainly to be
+inferred from the evidence that the slaves were not protected by law.
+Colonial statutes had indeed been passed, but they were a dead letter;
+since, however ill they were treated, they were not considered as having
+a right to redress. An instance of astonishing cruelty by a Jew had been
+mentioned by Mr. Ross; it was but justice to say, that the man was held
+in detestation for it, but yet no one had ever thought of calling him to
+a legal account. Mr. Ross conceived a master had a right to punish his
+slave in whatever manner he might think proper; the same was declared by
+numberless other witnesses. Some instances indeed had lately occurred of
+convictions. A master had wantonly cut the mouth of a child, of six
+months old, almost from ear to ear. But did not the verdict of the jury
+show, that the doctrine of calling masters to an account was entirely
+novel, as it only pronounced him "Guilty, subject to the opinion of the
+court, if immoderate correction of a slave by his master be a crime
+indictable!" The court determined in the affirmative; and what was the
+punishment of this barbarous act?--A fine of forty shillings currency,
+equivalent to about twenty-five shillings sterling.
+
+The slaves were but ill off in point of medical care. Sometimes four or
+five, and even eight or nine thousand of them, were under the care of
+one medical man; which, dispersed on different and distant estates, was
+a greater number than he could possibly attend to.
+
+It was also in evidence that they were in general under-fed; they were
+supported partly by the produce of their own provision-ground, and
+partly by an allowance of flour and grain from their masters. In one of
+the islands, where provision-ground did not answer one year in three,
+the allowance to a working Negro was but from five to nine pints of
+grain per week: in Dominica, where it never failed, from six to seven
+quarts: in Nevis and St. Christopher's, where there was no
+provision-ground, it was but eleven pints. Add to this, that it might be
+still less, as the circumstances of their masters might become
+embarrassed, and in this case both an abridgment of their food and an
+increase of their labour would follow.
+
+But the great cause of the decrease of the slaves was in the
+non-residence of the planters. Sir George Yonge, and many others, had
+said, they had seen the slaves treated in a manner which their owners
+would have resented if they had known it. Mr. Orde spoke in the
+strongest terms of the misconduct of managers. The fact was, that these
+in general sought to establish their characters by producing large crops
+at a small immediate expense; too little considering how far the slaves
+might suffer from ill-treatment and excessive labour. The pursuit of
+such a system was a criterion for judging of their characters, as both
+Mr. Long and Mr. Ottley had confessed.
+
+But he must contend, in addition to this, that the object of keeping up
+the stock of slaves by breeding had never been seriously attended to.
+For this he might appeal both to his own witnesses and to those of his
+opponents, but he would only notice one fact. It was remarkable that,
+when owners and managers were asked about the produce of their estates,
+they were quite at home as to the answer; but when they were asked about
+the proportion of their male and female slaves, and their infants, they
+knew little about the matter. Even medical men were adepts in the art of
+planting, but when they were asked the latter questions, as connected
+with breeding and rearing, they seemed quite amazed, and could give no
+information upon the subject of them.
+
+Persons, however, of great respectability had been called as witnesses
+who had not seen the treatment of the Negroes as he had now described
+it. He knew what was due to their characters, but yet he must enter a
+general protest against their testimony. "I have often," says Mr. Ross,
+"attended both governors and admirals upon tours in the island of
+Jamaica, but it was not likely that these should see much distress upon
+these occasions. The white people and drivers would take care not to
+harrow up the feelings of strangers of distinction by the exercise of
+the whip, or the infliction of punishments, at that particular time;
+and, even if there were any disgusting objects, it was natural to
+suppose that they would then remove them." But in truth these gentlemen
+had given proofs that they were under the influence of prejudice. Some
+of them had declared the abolition would ruin the West Indies; but this,
+it was obvious, must depend upon the practicability of keeping up the
+stock without African supplies; and yet, when they were questioned upon
+this point, they knew nothing about it; hence they had formed a
+conclusion without premises. Their evidence, too, extended through a
+long series of years; they had never seen one instance of ill-treatment
+in the time, and yet, in the same breath, they talked of the amended
+situation of the slaves, and that they were now far better off than
+formerly. One of them, to whom his country owed much, stated that a
+master had been sentenced to death for the murder of his own slave; but
+his recollection must have failed him, for the murder of a slave was not
+then a capital crime. A respectable governor also had delivered an
+opinion to the same effect; but, had he looked into the statute-book of
+the island, he would have found his error.
+
+It had been said that the slaves were in a better state than the
+peasantry of this country; but when the question was put to Mr. Ross,
+did he not answer, "that he would not insult the latter by a
+comparison!"
+
+It had been said again, that the Negroes were happier as slaves than
+they would be if they were to be made free. But how was this
+reconcilable with facts? If a Negro under extraordinary circumstances
+had saved money enough, did he not always purchase his release from this
+situation of superior happiness by the sacrifice of his last shilling?
+Was it not also notorious, that the greatest reward which a master
+thought he could bestow upon his slave for long and faithful services
+was his freedom.
+
+It had been said again, that Negroes, when made free, never returned to
+their own country. But was not the reason obvious? If they could even
+reach their own homes in safety, their kindred and connexions might be
+dead. But would they subject themselves to be kidnapped again; to be
+hurried once more on board a slave-ship, and again to endure and survive
+the horrors of the passage? Yet the love of their native country had
+been proved beyond a doubt; many of the witnesses had heard them talk of
+it in terms of the strongest affection. Acts of suicide, too, were
+frequent in the islands, under the notion that these afforded them the
+readiest means of getting home. Conformably with this, Captain Wilson
+had maintained that the funerals, which in Africa were accompanied with
+lamentations and cries of sorrow, were attended, in the West Indies with
+every mark of joy.
+
+He had now, he said, made good his first proposition--that in the
+condition of the slaves there were causes, which should lead us to
+expect, that there would be a considerable decrease among them. This
+decrease in the island of Jamaica was but trifling, or, rather, it had
+ceased some years ago; and if there was a decrease, it was only on the
+imported slaves. It appeared from the privy council report, that from
+1698 to 1730 the decrease was three and a-half per cent.; from 1730 to
+1755 it was two and a-half per cent.; from 1755 to 1768 it was lessened
+to one and three-quarters; and from 1768 to 1788 it was not more than
+one per cent. This last decrease was not greater than could be accounted
+for from hurricanes and consequent famines, and from the number of
+imported Africans who perished in the seasoning. The latter was a cause
+of mortality, which, it was evident, would cease with the importations.
+This conclusion was confirmed in part by Dr. Anderson, who, in his
+testimony to the Assembly of Jamaica, affirmed that there was a
+considerable increase on the properties of the island, and particularly
+in the parish in which he resided.
+
+He would now proceed to establish his second proposition, that from
+henceforth a very considerable increase might be expected. This he might
+support by a close reasoning upon the preceding facts; but the testimony
+of his opponents furnished him with sufficient evidence. He could show,
+that wherever the slaves were treated better than ordinary, there was
+uniformly an increase in their number. Look at the estates of Mr.
+Willock, Mr. Ottley, Sir Ralph Payne, and others. In short, he should
+weary the committee, if he were to enumerate the instances of
+plantations, which were stated in the evidence to have kept up their
+numbers only from a little variation in their treatment. A remedy also
+had been lately found for a disorder, by which vast numbers of infants
+had been formerly swept away. Mr. Long, also, had laid it down, that
+whenever the slaves should bear a certain proportion to the produce,
+they might be expected to keep up their numbers; but this proportion
+they now exceeded. The Assembly of Jamaica had given it also as their
+opinion, "that when once the sexes should become nearly equal in point
+of number, there was no reason to suppose, that the increase of the
+Negroes by generation would fall short of the natural increase of the
+labouring poor in Great Britain." But the inequality, here spoken of,
+could only exist in the case of the African Negroes, of whom more males
+were imported than females; and this inequality would be done away soon
+after the trade should cease.
+
+But the increase of the Negroes, where their treatment was better than
+ordinary, was confirmed in the evidence by instances in various parts of
+the world. From one end of the continent of America to the other, their
+increase had been undeniably established; and this to a prodigious
+extent, though they had to contend with the severe cold of the winter,
+and in some parts with noxious exhalations in the summer. This was the
+case, also, in the settlement of Bencoolen in the East Indies. It
+appeared from the evidence of Mr. Botham, that a number of Negroes, who
+had been imported there in the same disproportion of the sexes as in
+West Indian cargoes, and who lived under the same disadvantages, as in
+the islands, of promiscuous intercourse and general prostitution, began,
+after they had been settled a short time, annually to increase.
+
+But to return to the West Indies.--A slave-ship had been, many years
+ago, wrecked near St. Vincent's. The slaves on board, who escaped to the
+island, were without necessaries; and, besides, were obliged to maintain
+a war with the native Caribbs: yet they soon multiplied to an
+astonishing number; and, according to Mr. Ottley, they were now on the
+increase. From Sir John Dalrymple's evidence it appeared that the
+domestic slaves in Jamaica, who were less worked than those in the
+field, increased; and from Mr. Long, that the free Blacks and Mulattoes
+there increased also.
+
+But there was an instance which militated against these facts (and the
+only one in the evidence), which he would now examine. Sir Archibald
+Campbell had heard that the Maroons in Jamaica, in the year 1739,
+amounted to three thousand men fit to carry arms. This supposed their
+whole number to have been about twelve thousand; but in the year 1782,
+after a real muster by himself, he found, to his great astonishment,
+that the fighting men did not then amount to three hundred. Now the fact
+was, that Sir Archibald Campbell's first position was founded upon
+rumour only, and was not true; for, according to Mr. Long, the Maroons
+were actually numbered in 1749, when they amounted to about six hundred
+and sixty in all, having only a hundred and fifty men fit to carry arms.
+Hence, if when mustered by Sir Archibald Campbell he found three hundred
+fighting men, they must from 1749 to 1782 have actually doubled their
+population.
+
+Was it possible, after these instances, to suppose that the Negroes
+could not keep up their numbers, if their natural increase were made a
+subject of attention? The reverse was proved by sound reasoning. It had
+been confirmed by unquestionable facts. It had been shown, that they had
+increased in every situation, where there was the slightest circumstance
+in their favour. Where there had been any decrease, it was stated to be
+trifling; though no attention appeared to have been paid to the subject.
+This decrease had been gradually lessening; and, whenever a single cause
+of it had been removed (many still remaining), it had altogether ceased.
+Surely these circumstances formed a body of proof which was
+irresistible.
+
+He would now speak of the consequences of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade in other points of view; and first, as to its effects upon our
+marine. An abstract of the Bristol and Liverpool muster-rolls had been
+just laid before the House. It appeared from this, that in three hundred
+and fifty slave-vessels, having on board twelve thousand two hundred and
+sixty-three persons, two thousand six hundred and forty-three were lost
+in twelve months; whereas in four hundred and sixty-two West Indiamen,
+having on board seven thousand six hundred and forty persons, one
+hundred and eighteen only were lost in seven months. This rather
+exceeded the losses stated by Mr. Clarkson. For their barbarous usage on
+board these ships, and for their sickly and abject state in the West
+Indies, he would appeal to Governor Parry's letter; to the evidence of
+Mr. Ross; to the assertion of Mr. B. Edwards, an opponent; and to the
+testimony of Captains Sir George Yonge and Thompson, of the Royal Navy.
+He would appeal, also, to what Captain Hall, of the Navy, had given in
+evidence. This gentleman, after the action of the 12th of April,
+impressed thirty hands from a slave-vessel, whom he selected with the
+utmost care from a crew of seventy; and he was reprimanded by his
+admiral, though they could scarcely get men to bring home the prizes,
+for introducing such wretches to communicate disorders to the fleet.
+Captain Smith of the Navy had also declared, that when employed to board
+Guineamen to impress sailors, although he had examined near twenty
+vessels, he never was able to get more than two men, who were fit for
+service; and these turned out such inhuman fellows, although good
+seamen, that he was obliged to dismiss them from the ship.
+
+But he hoped the committee would attend to the latter part of the
+assertion of Captain Smith. Yes: this trade, while it injured the
+constitutions of our sailors, debased their morals. Of this, indeed,
+there was a barbarous illustration in the evidence. A slave-ship had
+struck on some shoals, called the Morant Keys, a few leagues from the
+east end of Jamaica. The crew landed in their boats, with arms and
+provisions, leaving the slaves on board in their irons. This happened in
+the night. When morning came, it was discovered that the Negroes had
+broken their shackles, and were busy in making rafts; upon which
+afterwards they placed the women and children. The men attended upon the
+latter, swimming by their side, whilst they drifted to the island where
+the crew were. But what was the sequel? From an apprehension that the
+Negroes would consume the water and provisions, which had been landed,
+the crew resolved to destroy them as they approached the shore. They
+killed between three and four hundred. Out of the whole cargo only
+thirty-three were saved, who, on being brought to Kingston, were sold.
+It would, however, be to no purpose, he said, to relieve the Slave Trade
+from this act of barbarity. The story of the Morant Keys was paralleled
+by that of Captain Collingwood; and were you to get rid of these,
+another, and another, would still present itself, to prove the barbarous
+effects of this trade on the moral character.
+
+But of the miseries of the trade there was no end. Whilst he had been
+reading out of the evidence the story of the Morant Keys, his eye had
+but glanced on the opposite page, and it met another circumstance of
+horror. This related to what were called the refuse-slaves. Many people
+in Kingston were accustomed to speculate in the purchase of those, who
+were left after the first day's sale. They then carried them out into
+the country, and retailed them. Mr. Ross declared, that he had seen
+these landed in a very wretched state, sometimes in the agonies of
+death, and sold as low as for a dollar, and that he had known several
+expire in the piazzas of the vendue-master. The bare description
+superseded the necessity of any remark. Yet these were the familiar
+incidents of the Slave Trade.
+
+But he would go back to the seamen. He would mention another cause of
+mortality, by which many of them lost their lives. In looking over
+Lloyd's list, no less than six vessels were cut off by the irritated
+natives in one year, and the crews massacred. Such instances were not
+unfrequent. In short, the history of this commerce was written
+throughout in characters of blood.
+
+He would next consider the effects of the abolition on those places
+where it was chiefly carried on. But would the committee believe, after
+all the noise which had been made on this subject, that the Slave Trade
+composed but a thirtieth part of the export trade of Liverpool, and that
+of the trade of Bristol it constituted a still less proportion? For the
+effects of the abolition on the general commerce of the kingdom, he
+would refer them to Mr. Irving; from whose evidence it would appear,
+that the medium value of the British manufactures, exported to Africa,
+amounted only to between four and five hundred thousand pounds annually.
+This was but a trifling sum. Surely the superior capital, ingenuity,
+application, and integrity of the British manufacturer would command new
+markets for the produce of his industry, to an equal amount, when this
+should be no more. One branch, however, of our manufactures, he
+confessed, would suffer from the abolition; and that was the manufacture
+of gunpowder; of which the nature of our connexion with Africa drew from
+us as much as we exported to all the rest of the world besides.
+
+He hastened, however, to another part of the argument. Some had said,
+"We wish to put an end to the Slave Trade, but we do not approve of your
+mode. Allow more time. Do not displease the legislatures of the West
+India islands. It is by them that those laws must be passed, and
+enforced, which will secure your object." Now he was directly at issue
+with these gentlemen. He could show, that the abolition was the only
+certain mode of amending the treatment of the slaves, so as to secure
+their increase: and that the mode which had been offered to him, was at
+once inefficacious and unsafe. In the first place, how could any laws,
+made by these legislatures, be effectual, whilst the evidence of Negroes
+was in no case admitted against White men? What was the answer from
+Grenada? Did it not state, "that they who were capable of cruelty, would
+in general be artful enough to prevent any but slaves from being
+witnesses of the fact?" Hence it had arisen, that when positive laws had
+been made, in some of the islands, for the protection of the slaves,
+they had been found almost a dead letter. Besides, by what law would you
+enter into every man's domestic concerns, and regulate the interior
+economy of his house and plantation? This would be something more than a
+general excise. Who would endure such a law? And yet on all these and
+innumerable other minutiae must depend the protection of the slaves,
+their comforts, and the probability of their increase. It was
+universally allowed, that the Code Noir had been utterly neglected in
+the French islands, though there was an officer appointed by the crown
+to see it enforced. The provisions of the Directorio had been but of
+little more avail in the Portuguese settlements, or the institution of a
+Protector of the Indians, in those of the Spaniards. But what degree or
+protection the slaves would enjoy might be inferred from the admission
+of a gentleman, by whom this very plan of regulation had been
+recommended, and who was himself no ordinary person, but a man of
+discernment and legal resources. He had proposed a limitation of the
+number of lashes to be given by the master or overseer for one offence.
+But, after all, he candidly confessed, that his proposal was not likely
+to be useful, while the evidence of slaves continued inadmissible
+against their masters. But he could even bring testimony to the
+inefficacy of such regulations. A wretch in Barbados had chained a Negro
+girl to the floor, and flogged her till she was nearly expiring. Captain
+Cook and Major Fitch, hearing her cries, broke open the door and found
+her. The wretch retreated from their resentment, but cried out
+exultingly, "that he had only given her thirty-nine lashes (the number
+limited by law) at any one time; and that he had only inflicted this
+number three times since the beginning of the night," adding, "that he
+would prosecute them for breaking open his door; and that he would flog
+her to death for all any one, if he pleased; and that he would give her
+the fourth thirty-nine before morning."
+
+But this plan of regulation was not only inefficacious, but unsafe. He
+entered his protest against the fatal consequences which might result
+from it. The Negroes were creatures like ourselves; but they were
+uninformed, and their moral character was debased. Hence they were unfit
+for civil rights. To use these properly they must be gradually restored
+to that level, from which they had been so unjustly degraded. To allow
+them an appeal to the laws, would be to awaken in them a sense of the
+dignity of their nature. The first return of life, after a swoon, was
+commonly a convulsion, dangerous at once to the party himself and to all
+around him. You should first prepare them for the situation, and not
+bring the situation to them. To be under the protection of the law was
+in fact to be a freeman; and to unite slavery and freedom in one
+condition was impracticable. The abolition, on the other hand, was
+exactly such an agent as the case required. All hopes of supplies from
+the coast being cut off, breeding would henceforth become a serious
+object of attention; and the care of this, as including better clothing,
+and feeding, and milder discipline, would extend to innumerable
+particulars, which an act of assembly could neither specify nor enforce.
+The horrible system, too, which many had gone upon, of working out their
+slaves in a few years, and recruiting their gangs with imported
+Africans, would receive its death-blow from the abolition of the trade.
+The opposite would force itself on the most unfeeling heart. Ruin would
+stare a man in the face, if he were not to conform to it. The
+non-resident owners would then express themselves in the terms of Sir
+Philip Gibbs, "that he should consider it as the fault of his manager,
+if he were not to keep up the number of his slaves." This reasoning
+concerning the different tendencies of the two systems was self-evident;
+but facts were not wanting to confirm it. Mr. Long had remarked, that
+all the insurrections and suicides in Jamaica had been found among the
+imported slaves, who, not having lost the consciousness of civil rights,
+which they had enjoyed in their own country, could not brook the
+indignities to which they were subjected in the West Indies. An instance
+in point was afforded also by what had lately taken place in the island
+of Dominica. The disturbance there had been chiefly occasioned by some
+runaway slaves from the French islands. But what an illustration was it
+of his own doctrine to say, that the slaves of several persons, who had
+been treated with kindness, were not among the number of the insurgents
+on that occasion!
+
+But when persons coolly talked of putting an end to the Slave Trade
+through the medium of the West India legislatures, and of gradual
+abolition, by means of regulations, they surely forgot the miseries
+which this horrid traffic occasioned in Africa during every moment of
+its continuance. This consideration was conclusive with him, when called
+upon to decide whether the Slave Trade should be tolerated for a while,
+or immediately abolished. The divine law against murder was absolute and
+unqualified. Whilst we were ignorant of all these things, our sanction
+of them might, in some measure, be pardoned. But now, when our eyes were
+opened, could we tolerate them for a moment, unless we were ready at
+once to determine, that gain should be our god, and, like the heathens
+of old, were prepared to offer up human victims at the shrine of our
+idolatry?
+
+This consideration precluded also the giving heed for an instant to
+another plea, namely, that if we were to abolish the trade it would be
+proportionably taken up by other nations.  But, whatever other nations
+did, it became Great Britain, in every point of view, to take a forward
+part. One half of this guilty commerce had been carried on by her
+subjects. As we had been great in crime we should be early in our
+repentance. If Providence had showered his blessings upon us in
+unparalleled abundance, we should show ourselves grateful for them by
+rendering them subservient to the purposes for which they were intended.
+There would be a day of retribution, wherein we should have to give an
+account of all those talents, faculties, and opportunities with which we
+have been intrusted. Let it not then appear that our superior power had
+been employed to oppress our fellow-creatures, and our superior light to
+darken the creation of God. He could not but look forward with delight
+to the happy prospects which opened themselves to his view in Africa,
+from the abolition of the Slave Trade, when a commerce, justly deserving
+that name, should be established with her; not like that, falsely so
+called, which now subsisted, and which all who were interested for the
+honour of the commercial character (though there were no superior
+principle) should hasten to disavow. Had this trade indeed been ever so
+profitable, his decision would have been in no degree affected by that
+consideration. "Here's the smell of blood on the hand still, and all the
+perfumes of Arabia cannot sweeten it."
+
+He doubted whether it was not almost an act of degrading condescension
+to stoop to discuss the question in the view of commercial interest. On
+this ground, however, he was no less strong than on every other. Africa
+abounded with productions of value, which she would gladly exchange for
+our manufactures, when these were not otherwise to be obtained: and to
+what an extent her demand might then grow, exceeded almost the powers of
+computation. One instance already existed of a native king, who being
+debarred by his religion the use of spirituous liquors, and therefore
+not feeling the irresistible temptation to acts of rapine which they
+afforded to his countrymen, had abolished the Slave Trade throughout all
+his dominions, and was encouraging an honest industry.
+
+For his own part, he declared that, interested as he might be supposed
+to be in the final event of the question, he was comparatively
+indifferent as to the present decision of the House upon it. Whatever
+they might do, the people of Great Britain, he was confident, would
+abolish the Slave Trade when, as would then soon happen, its injustice
+and cruelty should be fairly laid before them. It was a nest of
+serpents, which would never have existed so long but for the darkness in
+which they lay hid. The light of day would now be let in on them, and
+they would vanish from the sight. For himself, he declared he was
+engaged in a work which he would never abandon; the consciousness of the
+justice of his cause would carry him forward, though he were alone; but
+he could not but derive encouragement from considering with whom he was
+associated. Let us not, he said, despair; it is a blessed cause, and
+success ere long will crown our exertions. Already we have gained one
+victory; we have obtained for these poor creatures the recognition of
+their human nature[A], which, for a while, was most shamefully denied
+them. This is the first fruits of our efforts; let us persevere, and our
+triumph will be complete. Never, never, will we desist till we have
+wiped away this scandal from the Christian name; till we have released
+ourselves from the load of guilt under which we at present labour; and
+till we have extinguished every trace of this bloody traffic, which our
+posterity, looking back to the history of these enlightened times, will
+scarcely believe had been suffered to exist so long, a disgrace and a
+dishonour to our country.
+
+[Footnote A: This point was actually obtained by the evidence before the
+House of Commons; for, after this, we heard no more of them as an
+inferior race.]
+
+He then moved, that the chairman be instructed to move for leave to
+bring in a bill to prevent the further importation of slaves into the
+British colonies in the West Indies.
+
+Colonel Tarleton immediately rose up, and began by giving an historical
+account of the trade from the reign of Elizabeth to the present time. He
+then proceeded to the sanction which parliament had always given it;
+hence it could not then be withdrawn without a breach of faith: hence,
+also, the private property embarked in it was sacred; nor could it be
+invaded, unless an adequate compensation were given in return.
+
+They who had attempted the abolition of the trade were led away by a
+mistaken humanity; the Africans themselves had no objection to its
+continuance.
+
+With respect to the middle passage, he believed the mortality there to
+be on an average only five in the hundred; whereas in regiments sent out
+to the West Indies, the average loss in the year was about ten and a
+half per cent.
+
+The Slave Trade was absolutely necessary, if we meant to carry on our
+West India commerce; for many attempts had been made to cultivate the
+lands in the different islands by white labourers, but they had always
+failed.
+
+It had also the merit of keeping up a number of seamen in readiness for
+the state. Lord Rodney had stated this as one of its advantages on the
+breaking out of a war. Liverpool alone could supply nine hundred and
+ninety-three seamen annually.
+
+He would now advert to the connexions dependent upon the African trade.
+It was the duty of the House to protect the planters, whose lives had
+been, and were then, exposed to imminent, dangers, and whose property
+had undergone an unmerited, depreciation. To what could this
+depreciation, and to what could the late insurrection at Dominica be
+imputed, which had been saved from horrid carnage and midnight-butchery
+only by the adventitious arrival of two British regiments? They could
+only be attributed to the long delayed question of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade; and if this question were to go much longer unsettled,
+Jamaica would be endangered also.
+
+To members of landed property he would observe, that the abolition would
+lessen the commerce of the country, and increase the national debt and
+the number of their taxes. The minister, he hoped, who patronized this
+wild scheme had some new pecuniary resource in store to supply the
+deficiencies it would occasion.
+
+To the mercantile members he would speak thus: "A few ministerial men in
+the house had been gifted with religious inspiration, and this had been
+communicated to other eminent personages in it: these enlightened
+philanthropists had discovered that it was necessary, for the sake of
+humanity, and for the honour of the nation, that the merchants concerned
+in the African trade should be persecuted, notwithstanding the sanction
+of their trade by Parliament, and notwithstanding that such persecution
+must aggrandize the rivals of Great Britain." Now how did this language
+sound? It might have done in the twelfth century, when all was bigotry
+and superstition; but let not a mistaken humanity, in these enlightened
+times, furnish a colourable pretext for any injurious attack on property
+or character.
+
+These things being considered, he should certainly oppose the measure in
+contemplation. It would annihilate a trade, whose exports amounted to
+eight hundred thousand pounds annually, and which employed a hundred and
+sixty vessels, and more than five thousand seamen. It would destroy also
+the West India trade, which was of the annual value of six millions; and
+which employed one hundred and sixty thousand tons of shipping, and
+seamen in proportion. These were objects of too much importance to the
+country to be hazarded on an unnecessary speculation.
+
+Mr. Grosvenor then rose. He complimented the humanity of Mr.
+Wilberforce, though he differed from him on the subject of his motion.
+He himself had read only the privy council report, and he wished for no
+other evidence. The question had then been delayed two years; had the
+abolition been so clear a point as it was said to be, it could not have
+needed either so much evidence or time.
+
+He had heard a good deal about kidnapping, and other barbarous
+practices. He was sorry for them. But these were the natural
+consequences of the laws of Africa; and it became us as wise men to turn
+them to our own advantage. The Slave Trade was certainly not an amiable
+trade. Neither was that of a butcher; but yet it was a very necessary
+one.
+
+There was great reason to doubt the propriety of the present motion. He
+had twenty reasons for disapproving it. The first was, that the thing
+was impossible. He needed not, therefore to give the rest. Parliament,
+indeed might relinquish the trade. But to whom? To foreigners, who would
+continue it, and without the humane regulations which were applied to it
+by his countrymen.
+
+He would give advice to the House on this subject, in the words which
+the late Alderman Beckford used a different occasion:--"Meddle, not with
+troubled waters; they will be found to be bitter waters; and the waters
+of affliction." He again admitted, that the Slave Trade was not an
+amiable trade; but he would not gratify his humanity at the expense of
+the interests of his country; and he thought we should not too curiously
+inquire into the unpleasant circumstances which attended it.
+
+Mr. James Martin succeeded Mr. Grosvenor. He said he had been long aware
+how much self-interest could pervert the judgment; but he was not
+apprized of the full power of it, till the Slave Trade became a subject
+of discussion. He had always conceived that the custom of trafficing in
+human beings had been incautiously begun, and without any reflection
+upon it; for he never could believe that any man, under the influence of
+moral principles, could suffer himself knowingly to carry on a trade
+replete with fraud, cruelty, and destruction; with destruction indeed,
+of the worst kind, because it subjected the sufferers to a lingering
+death. But he found now, that even such a trade as this could be
+sanctioned.
+
+It was well observed, in the petition from the University of Cambridge
+against the Slave Trade, "that a firm belief in the providence of a
+benevolent Creator assured them that no system, founded on the
+oppression of one part of mankind, could be beneficial to another." He
+felt much concern, that in an assembly of the representatives of the
+country, boasting itself zealous, not only for the preservation of its
+own liberties, but for the general rights of mankind, it should be
+necessary to say a single word upon such a subject; but the
+deceitfulness of the human heart was such, as to change the appearances
+of truth, when it stood in opposition to self-interests. And he had to
+lament that even among those, whose public duty it was to cling to the
+universal and eternal principles of truth, justice, and humanity, there
+were found some who could defend that which was unjust, fraudulent, and
+cruel.
+
+The doctrines he had heard that evening ought to have been reserved for
+times the most flagrantly profligate and abandoned. He never expected
+then to learn that the everlasting laws of righteousness were to give
+way to imaginary, political, and commercial expediency; and that
+thousands of our fellow-creatures were to be reduced to wretchedness,
+that individuals might enjoy opulence, or government a revenue.
+
+He hoped that the House, for the sake of its own character, would
+explode these doctrines with all the marks of odium they deserved; and
+that all parties would join in giving a death-blow to this execrable
+trade. The royal family would, he expected, from their known
+benevolence, patronize the measure. Both Houses of Parliament were now
+engaged in the prosecution of a gentleman accused of cruelty and
+oppression in the East. But what were these cruelties, even if they
+could be brought home to him, when compared in number and degree to
+those which were every day and every hour committed in the abominable
+traffic which was now under their discussion! He considered, therefore,
+both Houses of Parliament as pledged upon this occasion. Of the support
+of the bishops he could have no doubt; because they were to render
+Christianity amiable, both by their doctrine and their example. Some of
+the inferior clergy had already manifested a laudable zeal in behalf of
+the injured Africans. The University of Cambridge had presented a
+petition to that House worthy of itself. The sister-university had, by
+one of her representatives, given sanction to the measure. Dissenters of
+various denominations, but particularly the Quakers, (who, to their
+immortal honour, had taken the lead in it,) had vied with those of the
+Established Church in this amiable contest. The first counties, and some
+of the largest trading towns, in the kingdom had espoused the cause. In
+short, there had never been more unanimity in the country, than in this
+righteous attempt.
+
+With such support, and with so good a cause, it would be impossible to
+fail. Let but every man stand forth who had at any time boasted of
+himself as an Englishman, and success would follow. But if he were to be
+unhappily mistaken as to the result, we must give up the name of
+Englishmen. Indeed, if we retained it, we should be the greatest
+hypocrites in the world; for we boasted of nothing more than of our own
+liberty; we manifested the warmest indignation at the smallest personal
+insult; we professed liberal sentiments towards other nations: but to do
+these things, and to continue such a traffic, would be to deserve the
+hateful character before mentioned. While we could hardly bear the sight
+of anything resembling slavery, even as a punishment, among ourselves,
+how could we consistently entail an eternal slavery upon others?
+
+It had been frequently, but most disgracefully, said, that "we should
+not be too eager in setting the example: let the French begin it." Such
+a sentiment was a direct libel upon the ancient, noble, and generous
+character of this nation. We ought, on the other hand, under the
+blessings we enjoyed, and under the high sense we entertained of our own
+dignity as a people, to be proudly fearful, lest other nations should
+anticipate our design, and obtain the palm before us. It became us to
+lead. And if others should not follow us, it would belong to them to
+glory in the shame of trampling under foot the laws of reason, humanity,
+and religion.
+
+This motion, he said, came strongly recommended to them. The honourable
+member who introduced it was justly esteemed for his character. He was
+the representative, too of a noble county, which had been always ready
+to take the lead in every public measure for the good of the community,
+or for the general benefit of mankind; of a county, too, which had had
+the honour of producing a Saville. Had his illustrious predecessor been
+alive, he would have shown the same zeal on the same occasion. The
+preservation of the unalienable rights of all his fellow-creatures was
+one of the chief characteristics of that excellent citizen. Let every
+member in that House imitate him in the purity of their conduct and in
+the universal rectitude of their measures, and they would pay the same
+tender regard to the rights of other countries as to those of their own;
+and, for his part, he should never believe those persons to be sincere
+who were loud in their professions of love of liberty, if he saw that
+love confined to the narrow circle of one community, which ought to be
+extended to the natural rights of every inhabitant of the globe.
+
+But we should be better able to bring ourselves up to this standard of
+rectitude, if we were to put ourselves into the situation of those whom
+we oppressed. This was the rule of our religion. What should we think of
+those who should say, that it was their interest to injure us?  But he
+hoped we should not deceive ourselves so grossly as to imagine that it
+was our real interest to oppress any one. The advantages to be obtained
+by tyranny were imaginary, and deceitful to the tyrant; and the evils
+they caused to the oppressed were grievous, and often insupportable.
+
+Before he sat down, he would apologize if he had expressed himself too
+warmly on this subject. He did not mean to offend any one. There were
+persons connected with the trade, some of whom he pitied on account of
+the difficulty of their situation. But he should think most contemptibly
+of himself as a man if he could talk on this traffic without emotion. It
+would be a sign to him of his own moral degradation. He regretted his
+inability to do justice to such a cause; but if, in having attempted to
+forward it, he had shown the weakness of his powers, he must console
+himself with the consideration, that he felt more solid comfort in
+having acted up to sound public principles, than he could have done from
+the exercise of the most splendid talents, against the conviction of his
+conscience.
+
+Mr. Burdon rose, and said he was embarrassed to know how to act. Mr.
+Wilberforce had in a great measure met his ideas. Indeed he considered
+himself as much in his hands; but he wished to go gradually to the
+abolition of the trade. He wished to give time to the planters to
+recruit their stocks. He feared the immediate abolition might occasion a
+monopoly among such of them as were rich, to the detriment of the less
+affluent. We ought, like a judicious physician, to follow nature, and to
+promote a gradual recovery.
+
+Mr. Francis rose next. After complimenting Mr. Wilberforce, he stated
+that personal considerations might appear to incline him to go against
+the side which he was about to take, namely, that of strenuously
+supporting his motion. Having himself an interest in the West Indies, he
+thought that what he should submit to the House would have the double
+effect of evidence, and argument; and he stated most unequivocally his
+opinion, that the abolition of the Slave Trade would tend materially to
+the benefit of the West Indies.
+
+The arguments urged by the honourable mover were supported by the facts,
+which he had adduced from the evidence, more strongly than any arguments
+had been supported in any speech he had ever heard. He wished, however,
+that more of these facts had been introduced into the debate; for they
+were apt to have a greater effect upon the mind than mere reasonings,
+however just and powerful. Many had affirmed that the Slave Trade was
+politic and expedient; but it was worthy of remark, that no man had
+ventured to deny that it was criminal. Criminal, however, he declared it
+to be in the highest degree; and he believed it was equally impolitic.
+Both its inexpediency and injustice had been established by the
+honourable mover. He dwelt much on the unhappy situation of the negroes
+in the West Indies, who were without the protection of government or of
+efficient laws, and subject to the mere caprice of men, who were at once
+the parties, the judges, and the executioners.
+
+He instanced an overseer, who, having thrown a negro into a copper of
+boiling cane-juice, for a trifling offence, was punished merely by the
+loss of his place, and by being obliged to pay the value of the slave.
+He stated another instance of a girl of fourteen, who was dreadfully
+whipped for coming too late to her work. She fell down motionless after
+it; and was then dragged along the ground, by the legs, to an hospital;
+where she died. The murderer, though tried, was acquitted by a jury of
+his peers, upon the idea, that it was impossible a master could destroy
+his own property. This was a notorious fact. It was published in the
+_Jamaica Gazette;_ and it had even happened since the question of the
+abolition had been started.
+
+The only argument used against such cruelties, was the master's interest
+in the slave; but he urged the common cruelty to horses, in which their
+drivers had an equal interest with the drivers of men in the colonies,
+as a proof that this was no security. He had never heard an instance of
+a master being punished for the murder of his slave. The propagation of
+the slaves was so far from being encouraged, that it was purposely
+checked, because it was thought more profitable and less troublesome to
+buy a full grown negro, than to rear a child. He repeated that his
+interest might have inclined him to the other side of the question; but
+he did not choose to compromise between his interest and his duty; for,
+if he abandoned his duty, he should not be happy in this world; nor
+should he deserve happiness in the next.
+
+Mr. Pitt rose; but he said it was only to move, seeing that justice
+could not be done to the subject this evening, that the further
+consideration of the question might be adjourned to the next.
+
+Mr. Cawthorne and Colonel Tarleton both opposed this motion, and Colonel
+Phipps and Lord Carhampton supported it.
+
+Mr. Fox said, the opposition to the adjournment was uncandid and
+unbecoming. They who opposed it well knew that the trade could not bear
+discussion. Let it be discussed; and, although there were symptoms of
+predetermination in some, the abolition of it must be carried. He would
+not believe that there could be found in the House of Commons men of
+such hard hearts and inaccessible understandings, as to vote an assent
+to its continuance, and then go home to their families, satisfied with
+their vote, after they had been once made acquainted with the subject.
+
+Mr. Pitt agreed with Mr. Fox, that from a full discussion of the subject
+there was every reason to augur that the abolition would be adopted.
+Under the imputations, with which this trade was loaded, gentlemen
+should remember, they could not do justice to their own characters,
+unless they stood up, and gave their reasons for opposing the abolition
+of it. It was unusual also to force any question of such importance to
+so hasty a decision. For his own part, it was his duty, from the
+situation in which he stood, to state fully his own sentiments on the
+question; and, however exhausted both he and the House might be, he was
+resolved it should not pass without discussion, as long as he had
+strength to utter a word upon it. Every principle that could bind a man
+of honour and conscience, would impel him to give the most powerful
+support he could to the motion for the abolition.
+
+The motion of Mr. Pitt was assented to, and the House was adjourned
+accordingly.
+
+On the next day the subject was resumed. Sir William Yonge rose, and
+said, that, though he differed from the honourable mover, he had much
+admired his speech of the last evening. Indeed the recollection of it
+made him only the more sensible of the weakness of his own powers; and
+yet, having what he supposed to be irrefragable arguments in his
+possession, he felt emboldened to proceed.
+
+And, first, before he could vote for the abolition, he wished to be
+convinced, that, whilst Britain were to lose, Africa would gain. As for
+himself, he hated a traffic in men, and joyfully anticipated its
+termination at no distant period under a wise system of regulation: but
+he considered the present measure as crude and indolent; and as
+precluding better and wiser measures, which were already in train. A
+British Parliament should attain not only the best ends, but by the
+wisest means.
+
+Great Britain might abandon her share of this trade, but she could not
+abolish it. Parliament was not an assembly of delegates from the powers
+of Europe, but of a single nation. It could not therefore suppress the
+trade; but would eventually aggravate those miseries incident to it,
+which every enlightened man must acknowledge, and every good man must
+deplore. He wished the traffic for ever closed. But other nations were
+only waiting for our decision, to seize the part we should leave them.
+The new projects of these would be intemperate; and, in the zeal of
+rivalship, the present evils of comparatively sober dealing would be
+aggravated beyond all estimate in this new and heated auction of bidders
+for life and limb. We might, indeed, by regulation give an example of
+new principles of policy and of justice; but if we were to withdraw
+suddenly from this commerce, like Pontius Pilate, we should wash our
+hands, indeed, but we should not be innocent as to the consequences.
+
+On the first agitation of this business, Mr. Wilberforce had spoken
+confidently of other nations following our example. But had not the
+National Assembly of France referred the Slave Trade to a select
+committee, and had not that committee rejected the measure of its
+abolition? By the evidence it appeared, that the French and Spaniards
+were then giving bounties to the Slave Trade; that Denmark was desirous
+of following it; that America was encouraging it; and that the Dutch had
+recognized its necessity, and recommended its recovery. Things were bad
+enough indeed as they were, but he was sure this rivalship would make
+them worse.
+
+He did not admit the disorders imputed to the trade in all their extent.
+Pillage and kidnapping could not be general, on account of the
+populousness of the country; though too frequent instances of it had
+been proved. Crimes might be falsely imputed. This he admitted; but only
+partially. Witchcraft, he believed, was the secret of poisoning, and
+therefore deserved the severest punishment. That there should be a
+number of convictions for adultery, where polygamy was a custom, was not
+to be wondered at; but he feared, if a sale of these criminals were to
+be done away, massacre would be the substitute.
+
+An honourable member had asked on a former day, "Is it an excuse for
+robbery to say that another would hare committed it?" But the Slave
+Trade did not necessarily imply robbery. Not long since Great Britain
+sold her convicts, indirectly at least, to slavery; but he was no
+advocate for the trade. He wished it had begun, and that it might soon
+terminate. But the means were not adequate to the end proposed.
+
+Mr. Burke had said on a former occasion, "that in adopting measure we
+must prepare to pay the price of our virtue." He was ready to pay his
+share of that price; but the effect of the purchase must be first
+ascertained. If they did not estimate this, it was not benevolence, but
+dissipation. Effects were to be duly appreciated; and though statesmen
+might rest everything on a manifesto of causes, the humbler moralist,
+meditating peace and good will towards men, would venture to call such
+statesmen responsible for consequences.
+
+In regard to the colonies, a sudden abolition would be oppression. The
+legislatures there should be led, and not forced, upon this occasion. He
+was persuaded they would act wisely to attain the end pointed out to
+them. They would see that a natural increase of their negroes might be
+effected by an improved system of legislation; and that in the result
+the Slave Trade would be no longer necessary.
+
+A sudden abolition, also, would occasion dissatisfaction there. Supplies
+were necessary for some time to come. The negroes did not yet generally
+increase by birth. The gradation of ages was not yet duly filled. These
+and many defects might be remedied, but not suddenly.
+
+It would cause, also, distress there. The planters, not having their
+expected supplies, could not discharge their debts; hence their slaves
+would be seized and sold. Nor was there any provision in this case
+against the separation of families, except as to the mother and infant
+child. These separations were one of the chief outrages complained of in
+Africa. Why, then, should we promote them in the West Indies? The
+confinement on board a slave-ship had been also bitterly complained of;
+but, under distraint for the debt of a master, the poor slave might
+linger in a gaol twice or thrice the time of the Middle Passage.
+
+He again stated his abhorrence of the Slave Trade; but as a resource,
+though he hoped but a temporary one, it was of such consequence to the
+existence of the country, that it could not suddenly be withdrawn. The
+value, of the imports and exports between Great Britain and the West
+Indies, including the excise and customs, was between seven and eight
+millions annually; and the tonnage of the ships employed about an eighth
+of the whole tonnage of these kingdoms.
+
+He complained that in the evidence the West Indian planters had been by
+no means spared. Cruel stories had been hastily and lightly told against
+them. Invidious comparisons had been made to their detriment; but it was
+well known that one of our best comic writers, when he wished to show
+benevolence in its fairest colours, had personified it in the character
+of the West Indian. He wished the slave might become as secure as the
+apprentice in this country; but it was necessary that the alarms
+concerning the abolition of the Slave Trade should, in the mean time, be
+quieted; and he trusted that the good sense and true benevolence of the
+House would reject the present motion.
+
+Mr. Matthew Montagu rose and said a few words in support of the motion;
+and after condemning the trade in the strongest manner, he declared,
+that as long as he had life he would use every faculty of his body and
+mind in endeavouring to promote its abolition.
+
+Lord John Russell succeeded Mr. Montagu. He said, that although slavery
+was repugnant to his feelings, he must vote against the abolition as
+visionary and delusive. It was a feeble attempt, without the power, to
+serve the cause of humanity. Other nations would take up the trade.
+Whenever a bill of wise regulation should be brought forward, no man
+would be more ready than himself to lend his support. In this way the
+rights of humanity might be asserted without injury to others. He hoped
+he should not incur censure by his vote; for, let his understanding be
+what it might, he did not know that he had, notwithstanding the
+assertions of Mr. Fox, an inaccessible heart.
+
+Mr. Stanley (agent for the islands) rose next. He felt himself called
+upon, he said, to refute the many calumnies which had for years been
+propagated against the planters, (even through the medium of the pulpit,
+which should have been employed to better purposes,) and which had at
+length produced the mischievous measure, which was now under the
+discussion of the House. A cry had been sounded forth, and from one end
+of the kingdom to the other, as if there had never been a slave from
+Adam to the present time. But it appeared to him to have been the
+intention of Providence, from the very beginning, that one set of men
+should be slaves to another. This truth was as old as it was universal.
+It was recognised in every history, under every government, and in every
+religion. Nor did the Christian religion itself if the comments of Dr.
+Halifax, Bishop of Gloucester, on a passage of St. Paul's epistle to the
+Corinthians were true, show more repugnance to slavery than any other.
+
+He denied that the slaves were procured in the manner which had been
+described. It was the custom of all savages to kill their prisoners; and
+the Africans ought to be thankful that they had been carried safe into
+the British colonies.
+
+As to the tales of misery in the Middle Passage, they were gross
+falsehoods; and as to their treatment in the West Indies, he knew
+personally that it was, in general, indulgent and humane.
+
+With regard to promoting their increase by any better mode of treatment,
+he wished gentlemen would point it out to him. As a planter he would
+thank them for it. It was absurd to suppose that he and others were
+blind to their own interest. It was well known that one Creole slave was
+worth two Africans; and their interest, therefore, must suggest to them,
+that the propagation of slaves was preferable to the purchase of
+imported negroes, of whom one half very frequently died in the
+seasoning.
+
+He then argued the impossibility of beasts doing the work of the
+plantations. He endeavoured to prove that the number of these adequate
+to this purpose could not be supplied with food; and after having made
+many other observations, which, on account of the lowness of his voice,
+could not be heard, he concluded by objecting to the motion.
+
+Mr. William Smith rose. He wondered how the last speaker could have had
+the boldness to draw arguments from scripture in support of the Slave
+Trade. Such arguments could be intended only to impose on those who
+never took the trouble of thinking for themselves. Could it be thought
+for a moment, that the good sense of the House could be misled by a few
+perverted or misapplied passages, in direct opposition to the whole
+tenor, and spirit of Christianity; to the theory, he might say, of
+almost every religion, which had ever appeared in the world? Whatever
+might have been advanced, every body must feel that the Slave Trade
+could not exist an hour, if that excellent maxim, "to do to others as we
+would wish that others should do to us," had its proper influence on the
+conduct of men.
+
+Nor was Mr. Stanley more happy in his argument of the antiquity and
+universality of slavery. Because a practise had existed, did it
+necessarily follow that it was just? By this argument every crime might
+be defended from the time of Cain. The slaves of antiquity, however were
+in a situation far preferable to that of the negroes in the West Indies.
+A passage in Macrobius, which exemplified this in the strongest manner,
+was now brought to his recollection. "Our ancestors," says Macrobius,
+"denominated the master, father of the family, and the slave, domestic,
+with the intention of removing all odium from the condition of the
+master, and all contempt from that of the servant." Could this language
+be applied to the present state of West India slavery?
+
+It had been complained of by those who supported the trade, that they
+laboured under great disadvantages by being obliged to contend against
+the most splendid abilities which the House could boast. But he believed
+they laboured under one, which was worse and for which no talents could
+compensate; he meant the impossibility of maintaining their ground
+fairly on any of those principles, which every man within those walls
+had been accustomed, from his infancy, to venerate as sacred. He and his
+friends, too, laboured under some disadvantages. They had been charged
+with fanaticism. But what had Mr. Long said, when he addressed himself
+to those planters, who were desirous of attempting improvements on their
+estates? He advised them "not to be diverted by partial views, vulgar
+prejudices, or the ridicule which might spring from weak minds, from a
+benevolent attention to the public good." But neither by these nor by
+other charges were he or his friends to be diverted from the prosecution
+of their purpose. They were convinced of the rectitude and high
+importance of their object; and were determined never to desist from
+pursuing it, till it should be attained.
+
+But they had to struggle with difficulties far more serious. The West
+Indian interest which opposed them, was a collected body; of great
+power, affluence, connexions, and respectability.
+
+Artifice had also been employed. Abolition and emancipation had been so
+often confounded, and by those who knew better, that it must have been
+purposely done, to throw an odium on the measure which was now before
+them.
+
+The abolitionists had been also accused as the authors of the late
+insurrection in Dominica. A revolt had certainly taken place in that
+island. But revolts there had occured frequently before. Mr. Stanley
+himself, in attempting to fix this charge upon them, had related
+circumstance which amounted to their entire exculpation. He had said
+that all was quiet there till the disturbances in the French islands;
+when some negroes from the latter had found their way to Dominica, and
+had excited the insurrection in question. He had also said, that the
+negroes in our own islands hated the idea of the abolition; for they
+thought, as no new labourers were to come in, they should be subjected
+to increased hardships. But if they and their masters hated this same
+measure, how was this coincidence of sentiment to give birth to
+insurrections?
+
+Other fallacies, also, had been industriously propogated. Of the African
+trade, it had been said, that the exports amounted to a million
+annually; whereas, from the report on the table, it had on an average
+amounted to little more than half a million; and this included the
+articles for the purchase of African produce which were of the value of
+140,000_l._
+
+The East Indian Trade, also, had been said to depend on the West Indian
+and the African. In the first place, it had but very little connexion
+with the former at all. Its connexion with the latter was principally on
+account of the saltpetre which it furnished for making gunpowder. Out of
+nearly three millions of pounds in weight of the latter article, which
+had been exported in a year from this country, one-half had been sent to
+Africa alone; for the purposes, doubtless, of maintaining peace, and
+encouraging civilization among its various tribes! Four or five thousand
+persons were said, also, to depend for their bread in manufacturing guns
+for the African trade; and these, it was pretended, could not make guns
+of another sort.--But where lay the difficulty?--One of the witnesses
+had unravelled it. He had seen the negroes maimed by the bursting of
+these guns. They killed more from the butt than from the muzzle. Another
+had stated, that on the sea-coast the natives were afraid to fire a
+trade-gun.
+
+In the West Indian commerce, two hundred and forty thousand tons of
+shipping were stated to be employed. But here deception intruded itself
+again. This statement included every vessel, great and small, which went
+from the British West Indies to America, and to the foreign islands; and
+what was yet more unfair, all the repeated voyages of each throughout
+the year. The shipping, which could only fairly be brought into this
+account, did but just exceed half that which had been mentioned.
+
+In a similar manner had the islands themselves been overrated. Their
+value had been computed, for the information of the privy council, at
+thirty-six millions; but the planters had estimated them at seventy. The
+truth, however, might possibly lie between these extremes. He by no
+means wished to depreciate their importance; but he did not like that
+such palpable misrepresentations should go unnoticed.
+
+An honourable member (Colonel Tarleton) had disclaimed every attempt to
+interest the feelings of those present, but had desired to call them to
+reason and accounts. He also desired (though it was a question of
+feeling, if any one ever was,) to draw the attention of the committee to
+reason and accounts--to the voice of reason instead of that of
+prejudice, and to accounts in the place of idle apprehensions. The
+result, he doubted not, would be a full persuasion, that policy and
+justice were inseparable upon this, as upon every other occasion.
+
+The same gentleman had enlarged on the injustice of depriving the
+Liverpool merchants of a business, on which were founded their honour
+and their fortunes. On what part of it they founded their honour he
+could not conjecture, except from those passages in the evidence, where
+it appeared, that their agents in Africa had systematically practised
+every fraud and villany, which the meanest and most unprincipled cunning
+could suggest, to impose on the ignorance of those with whom they
+traded.
+
+The same gentleman had also lamented, that the evidence had not been
+taken upon oath. He himself lamented it too. Numberless facts had been
+related by eye-witnesses, called in support of the abolition, so
+dreadfully atrocious, that they appeared incredible; and seemed rather,
+to use the expression of Ossian, like "the histories of the days of
+other times." These procured for the trade a species of acquittal, which
+it could not have obtained, had the committee been authorised to
+administer an oath. He apprehended, also, in this case, that some other
+persons would have been rather more guarded in their testimony. Captain
+Knox would not then perhaps have told the committee, that six hundred
+slaves could have had comfortable room at night in his vessel of about
+one hundred and forty tons; when there could have been no more than five
+feet six inches in length, and fifteen inches in breadth, to about
+two-thirds of his number.
+
+The same gentleman had also dwelt upon the Slave Trade as a nursery for
+seamen. But it had appeared by the muster-rolls of the slave-vessels,
+then actually on the table of the house, that more than a fifth of them
+died in the service, exclusive of those who perished when discharged in
+the West Indies; and yet he had been instructed by his constituents to
+maintain this false position. His reasoning, too, was very curious; for,
+though numbers might die, yet as one half who entered were landsmen,
+seamen were continually forming. Not to dwell on the expensive cruelty
+of forming these seamen by the yearly destruction of so many hundreds,
+this very statement was flatly contradicted by the evidence. The
+muster-rolls from Bristol stated the proportion of landsmen in the trade
+there at one twelfth, and the proper officers of Liverpool itself at but
+a sixteenth of the whole employed. In the face again of the most glaring
+facts, others had maintained that the mortality in these vessels did not
+exceed that of other trades in the tropical climates. But the same
+documents, which proved that twenty-three per cent were destroyed in
+this wasting traffic, proved that in West India ships only about one and
+a half per cent were lost, including every casualty. But the very men,
+under whose management this dreadful mortality had been constantly
+occurring, had coolly said, that much of it might be avoided by proper
+regulations. How criminal then were they, who, knowing this, had neither
+publicly proposed, nor in their practice adopted, a remedy!
+
+The average loss of the slaves on board, which had been calculated by
+Mr. Wilberforce at twelve and a half per cent., had been denied. He
+believed this calculation, taking in all the circumstances connected
+with it, to be true; but that for years not less than one-tenth had so
+perished, he would challenge those concerned in the traffic to disprove.
+Much evidence had been produced on the subject; but the voyages had been
+generally selected. There was only one who had disclosed the whole
+account. This was Mr. Anderson of London, whose engagements in this
+trade had been very inconsiderable. His loss had only amounted to three
+per cent.; but, unfortunately for the slave-traders of Liverpool, his
+vessel had not taken above three-fourths of that number in proportion to
+the tonnage which they had stated to be necessary to the very existence
+of their trade.
+
+An honourable member (Mr. Grosvenor) had attributed the protraction of
+this business to those who had introduced it. But from whom did the
+motion for further evidence (when that of the privy council was refused)
+originate, but from the enemies of the abolition? The same gentleman had
+said, it was impossible to abolish the trade; but where was the
+impossibility of forbidding the further importation of slaves into our
+own colonies? and beyond this the motion did not extend.
+
+The latter argument had also been advanced by Sir William Yonge and
+others. But allowing it its full force, would there be no honour in the
+dereliction of such a commerce? Would it be nothing publicly to
+recognise great and just principles? Would our example be nothing!--Yes:
+every country would learn, from our experiment, that American colonies
+could be cultivated without the necessity of continual supplies equally
+expensive and disgraceful.
+
+But we might do more than merely lay down principles or propose
+examples. We might, in fact, diminish the evil itself immediately by no
+inconsiderable part,--by the whole of our own supply; and here he could
+not at all agree with the honourable baronet, in what seemed to him a
+commercial paradox, that the taking away from an open trade by far the
+largest customer, and the lessening of the consumption of the article,
+would increase both the competition and the demand, and of course all
+those mischiefs, which it was their intention to avert.
+
+That the civilization of the Africans was promoted, as had been
+asserted, by their intercourse with the Europeans, was void of
+foundation, as had appeared from the evidence. In manners and dishonesty
+they had indeed assimilated with those who frequented their coasts. But
+the greatest industry and the least corruption of morals were in the
+interior, where they were out of the way of this civilizing connexion.
+
+To relieve Africa from famine, was another of the benign reasons which
+had been assigned for continuing the trade. That famines had occurred
+there, he did not doubt; but that they should annually occur, and with
+such arithmetical exactness as to suit the demands of the Slave Trade,
+was a circumstance most extraordinary; so wonderful, indeed, that, could
+it once be proved, he should consider it as a far better argument in
+favour of the divine approbation of that trade, than any which had ever
+yet been produced.
+
+As to the effect of the abolition on the West Indies, it would give
+weight to every humane regulation which had been made; by substituting a
+certain and obvious interest, in the place of one depending upon chances
+and calculation. An honourable member (Mr. Stanley) had spoken of the
+impossibility of cultivating the estates there without further
+importations of negroes; and yet, of all the authorities he had brought
+to prove his case, there was scarcely one which might not be pressed to
+serve more or less effectually against him. Almost every planter he had
+named had found his negroes increase under the good treatment he had
+professed to give them; and it was an axiom, throughout the whole
+evidence, that, wherever they were well used, importations were not
+necessary. It had been said, indeed, by some adverse witnesses, that in
+Jamaica all possible means had been used to keep up the stock by
+breeding; but how preposterous was this, when it was allowed that the
+morals of the slaves had been totally neglected, and that the planters
+preferred buying a larger proportion of males than females!
+
+The misfortune was, that prejudice, and not reason, was the enemy to be
+subdued. The prejudices of the West Indians on these points were
+numerous and inveterate. Mr. Long himself had characterised them on this
+account, in terms which he should have felt diffident in using. But Mr.
+Long had shown his own prejudices also: for he justified the chaining of
+the Negroes on board the slave-vessels, on account of "their bloody,
+cruel, and malicious dispositions." But hear his commendation of some of
+the Aborigines of Jamaica, "who had miserably perished in caves, whither
+they had retired to escape the tyranny of the Spaniards. These," says
+he, "left a glorious monument of their having disdained to survive the
+loss of their liberty and their country." And yet this same historian
+could not perceive that this natural love of liberty might operate as
+strongly and as laudably in the African Negro, as in the Indian of
+Jamaica.
+
+He was concerned to acknowledge that these prejudices were yet further
+strengthened by resentment against those who had taken an active part in
+the abolition of the Slave Trade. But it was never the object of these
+to throw a stigma on the whole body of the West Indians; but to prove
+the miserable effects of the trade. This it was their duty to do; and
+if, in doing this, disgraceful circumstances had come out, it was not
+their fault; and it must never be forgotten that they were true.
+
+That the slaves were exposed to great misery in the islands, was true as
+well from inference as from facts: for what might not be expected from
+the use of arbitrary power, where the three characters of party, judge,
+and executioner were united! The slaves, too, were more capable on
+account of their passions, than the beasts in the field, of exciting the
+passions of their tyrants. To what a length the ill-treatment of them
+might be carried, might be learnt from, the instance which General
+Tottenham mentioned to have seen in the year 1780 in the streets of
+Bridge Town, Barbados: "A youth about nineteen (to use his own words in
+the evidence), entirely naked, with an iron collar about his neck,
+having five long projecting spikes. His body both before and behind was
+covered with wounds. His belly and thighs were almost cut to pieces,
+with running ulcers all over them; and a finger might have been laid in
+some of the weals. He could not sit down, because his hinder part was
+mortified; and it was impossible for him to lie down, on account of the
+prongs of his collar." He supplicated the General for relief. The latter
+asked who had punished him so dreadfully? The youth answered, his master
+had done it. And because he could not work, this same master, in the
+same spirit of perversion, which extorts from Scripture a justification
+of the Slave Trade, had fulfilled the apostolic maxim, that he should
+have nothing to eat. The use he meant to make of this instance was to
+show the unprotected state of the slaves. What must it be, where such an
+instance could pass not only unpunished, but almost unregarded! If, in
+the streets of London, but a dog were to be seen lacerated like this
+miserable man, how would the cruelty of the wretch be execrated, who had
+thus even abused a brute!
+
+The judicial punishments also inflicted upon the Negro showed the low
+estimation, in which, in consequence of the strength of old customs and
+deep-rooted prejudices, they were held. Mr. Edwards, in his speech to
+the Assembly at Jamaica, stated the following case, as one which had
+happened in one of the rebellions there. Some slaves surrounded the
+dwelling-house of their mistress. She was in bed with a lovely infant.
+They deliberated upon the means of putting her to death in torment. But
+in the end one of them reserved her for his mistress; and they killed
+her infant with an axe before her face. "Now," says Mr. Edwards,
+(addressing himself to his audience) "you will think that no torments
+were too great for such horrible excesses. Nevertheless I am of a
+different opinion. I think that death, unaccompanied with cruelty,
+should be the utmost exertion of human authority over our unhappy
+fellow-creatures." Torments, however, were always inflicted in these
+cases. The punishment was gibbeting alive, and exposing the delinquents
+to perish by the gradual effects of hunger, thirst, and parching sun; in
+which situation they were known to suffer for nine days, with a
+fortitude scarcely credible, never uttering a single groan. But horrible
+as the excesses might have been, which occasioned these punishments, it
+must be remembered, that they were committed by ignorant savages, who
+had been dragged from all they held most dear; whose patience had been
+exhausted by a cruel and loathsome confinement during their
+transportation; and whose resentment had been wound up to the highest
+pitch of fury by the lash of the driver.
+
+But he would now mention another instance, by way of contrast, out of
+the evidence. A child on board a slave-ship, of about ten months old,
+took sulk and would not eat. The captain flogged it with a cat; swearing
+that he would make it eat, or kill it. From this and other ill-treatment
+the child's legs swelled. He then ordered some water to be made hot to
+abate the swelling. But even his tender mercies were cruel; for the
+cook, on putting his hand into the water, said it was too hot. Upon this
+the captain swore at him, and ordered the feet to be put in. This was
+done. The nails and skin came off. Oiled cloths were then put round
+them. The child was at length tied to a heavy log. Two or three days
+afterwards, the captain caught it up again; and repeated that he would
+made it eat, or kill it. He immediately flogged it again, and in a
+quarter of an hour it died. But, after the child was dead, whom should
+the barbarian select to throw it overboard, but the wretched mother? In
+vain she started from the office. He beat her, till he made her take up
+the child and carry it to the side of the vessel. She then dropped it
+into the sea, turning her head the other way that she might not see it.
+Now it would naturally be asked, was not this captain also gibbeted
+alive? Alas! although the execrable barbarity of the European exceeded
+that of the Africans before mentioned, almost as much as his
+opportunities of instruction has been greater than theirs, no notice
+whatsoever was taken of this horrible action; and a thousand similar
+cruelties had been committed in this abominable trade with equal
+impunity: but he would say no more. He would vote for the abolition, not
+only as it would do away all the evils complained of in Africa and the
+Middle Passage; but as it would be the most effectual means of
+ameliorating the condition of those unhappy persons, who were still to
+continue slaves in the British colonies.
+
+Mr. Courtenay rose. He said, he could not but consider the assertion of
+Sir William Yonge as a mistake, that the Slave Trade, if abandoned by
+us, would fall into the hands of France. It ought to be recollected,
+with what approbation the motion for abolishing it, made by the late
+Mirabeau, had been received; although the situation of the French
+colonies might then have presented obstacles to carrying the measure
+into immediate execution. He had no doubt, if parliament were to begin,
+so wise and enlightened a body as the National Assembly would follow the
+example. But even if France were not to relinquish the trade, how could
+we, if justice required its abolition, hesitate as to our part of it?
+
+The trade, it had been said, was conducted upon the principles of
+humanity. Yes: we rescued the Africans from what we were pleased to call
+their wretched situation in their own; country, and then we took credit
+for our humanity; because, after having killed one half of them in the
+seasoning, we substituted what we were again pleased to call a better
+treatment than that which they would have experienced at home.
+
+It had been stated that the principle of war among savages was a general
+massacre. This was not true. They frequently adopted the captives into
+their own families; and, so far from massacring the women and children,
+they often gave them the protection which the weakness of their age and
+sex demanded.
+
+There could be no doubt, that the practice of kidnapping; prevailed in
+Africa. As to witchcraft, it had been made a crime in the reign of James
+the First in this country, for the purpose of informations; and how much
+more likely were informations to take place in Africa, under the
+encouragement afforded by the Slave Trade! This trade, it had been said,
+was sanctioned by twenty-six acts of parliament. He did not doubt but
+fifty-six might be found, by which parliament had sanctioned witchcraft
+of the existence of which we had now no belief whatever....
+
+It had been said by Mr. Stanley that the pulpit had been used as an
+instrument of attack on the Slave Trade. He was happy to learn it had
+been so well employed; and he hoped the Bishops would rise up in the
+House of Lords, with the virtuous indignation which became them, to
+abolish a traffic so contrary to humanity, justice, and religion.
+
+He entreated every member to recollect, that on his vote that night
+depended the happiness of millions; and that it was then in his power to
+promote a measure, of which the benefits would be felt over one whole
+quarter of the globe; that the seeds of civilization might, by the
+present bill, be sown all over Africa: and the first principles of
+humanity be established in regions where they had hitherto been excluded
+by the existence of this execrable trade.
+
+Lord Carysfort rose, and said, that the great cause of the abolition had
+flourished by the manner in which it had been opposed. No one argument
+of solid weight had been adduced against it. It had been shown, but
+never disproved, that the colonial laws were inadequate to the
+protection of the slaves; that the punishments of the latter were most
+unmerciful; that they were deprived of the right of self-defence against
+any White man; and, in short, that the system was totally repugnant to
+the principles of the British constitution.
+
+Colonel Phipps followed Lord Carysfort. He denied that this was a
+question in which the rights of humanity and the laws of nature were
+concerned. The Africans became slaves in consequence of the constitution
+of their own governments. These were founded in absolute despotism.
+Every subject was an actual slave. The inhabitants were slaves to the
+great men, and the great men were slaves to the prince. Prisoners of
+war, too, were by law subject to slavery. Such being the case, he saw no
+more cruelty in disposing of them to our merchants, than to those of any
+other nation. Criminals, also, in cases of adultery and witchcraft,
+became slaves by the same laws.
+
+It had been said, that there were no regulations in the West Indies for
+the protection of slaves. There were several; though he was ready to
+admit that more were necessary; and he would go in this respect as far
+as humanity might require. He had passed ten months in Jamaica, where he
+had never seen any such acts of cruelty as had been talked of. Those
+which he had seen were not exercised by the Whites, but by the Blacks.
+The dreadful stories which had been told, ought no more to fix a general
+stigma upon the planters, than the story of Mrs. Brownrigg to stamp this
+polished metropolis with the general brand of murder. There was once a
+haberdasher's wife (Mrs. Nairne) who locked up her apprentice girl, and
+starved her to death; but did ever any body think of abolishing
+haberdashery on this account? He was persuaded the Negroes in the West
+Indies were cheerful and happy. They were fond of ornaments; but it was
+not the characteristic of miserable persons to show a taste for finery.
+Such a taste, on the contrary, implied a cheerful and contented mind. He
+was sorry to differ from his friend Mr. Wilberforce, but he must oppose
+his motion.
+
+Mr. Pitt rose, and said, that from the first hour of his having had the
+honour to sit in parliament down to the present, among all the
+questions, whether political or personal, in which it had been his
+fortune to take a share, there had never been one in which his heart was
+so deeply interested as in the present; both, on account of the serious
+principles it involved, and the consequences connected with it.
+
+The present was not a mere question of feeling. The argument, which
+ought, in his opinion, to determine the committee, was, that the Slave
+Trade was unjust. It was, therefore, such a trade as it was impossible
+for him to support, unless it could be first proved to him, that there
+were no laws of morality binding upon nations; and that it was not the
+duty of a legislature to restrain its subjects, from invading the
+happiness of other countries, and from violating; the fundamental
+principles of justice.
+
+Several had stated the impracticability of the measure before them. They
+wished to see the trade abolished; but there was some necessity for
+continuing it, which they conceived to exist. Nay, almost every, one, he
+believed, appeared to wish that the further importation of slaves might
+cease, provided, it could be made out that, the population of the West
+Indies could be maintained without it. He proposed, therefore, to
+consider the latter point; for, as the impracticability of keeping up
+the population there appeared to operate as the chief objection, he
+trusted that, by showing it to be ill founded, he should clear away all
+other obstacles whatever; so that, having no ground either of justice or
+necessity to stand upon, there could be no excuse left to the committee
+for resisting the present motion.
+
+He might reasonably, however, hope that they would not reckon any small
+or temporary disadvantage, which might arise from the abolition, to be a
+sufficient reason against it. It was surely not any slight degree of
+expediency, nor any small balance of profit, nor any light shades of
+probability on the one side, rather than on the other, which would
+determine them on this question. He asked pardon even for the
+supposition. The Slave Trade was an evil of such magnitude, that there
+must be a common wish in the committee at once to put an end to it, if
+there were no great and serious obstacles. It was a trade, by which
+multitudes of unoffending nations were deprived of the blessings of
+civilization, and had their peace and happiness invaded. It ought,
+therefore, to be no common expediency, it ought to be nothing less than
+the utter ruin of our islands, which it became those to plead, who took
+upon them to defend the continuance of it.
+
+He could not help thinking that the West India gentlemen had manifested
+an over great degree of sensibility as to the point in question; and
+that their alarms had been unreasonably excited upon it. He had examined
+the subject carefully for himself: and he would now detail those
+reasons, which had induced him firmly to believe, not only that no
+permanent mischief would follow from the abolition, but not even any
+such temporary inconvenience as could be stated to be a reason for
+preventing the House from agreeing to the motion before them; on the
+contrary, that the abolition itself would lay the foundation for the
+more solid improvement of all the various interests of those colonies.
+
+In doing this he should apply his observations chiefly to Jamaica, which
+contained more than half the slaves in the British West Indies; and if
+he should succeed in proving that no material detriment could arise to
+the population there, this would afford so strong a presumption with
+respect to the other islands, that the House could no longer hesitate
+whether they should, or should not, put a stop to this most horrid
+trade.
+
+In the twenty years ending in 1788, the annual loss of slaves in Jamaica
+(that is, the excess of deaths above the births,) appeared to be one in
+the hundred. In a preceding period the loss was greater; and, in a
+period before that greater still; there having been a continual
+gradation in the decrease through the whole time. It might fairly be
+concluded, therefore, that (the average logs of the last period being
+one per cent.) the loss in the former part of it would be somewhat more,
+and in the latter part somewhat less, than one per cent; insomuch that
+it might be fairly questioned, whether, by this time, the births and
+deaths in Jamaica might not be stated as nearly equal. It was to be
+added, that a peculiar calamity, which swept away fifteen thousand
+slaves, had occasioned a part of the mortality in the last-mentioned
+period. The probable loss, therefore, now to be expected, was very
+inconsiderable indeed.
+
+There was, however, one circumstance to be added, which the West India
+gentlemen, in stating this matter, had entirely overlooked; and which
+was so material, as clearly to reduce the probable diminution in the
+population of Jamaica down to nothing. In all the calculations he had
+referred to of the comparative number of births and deaths, all the
+Negroes in the island were included. The newly imported, who died in the
+seasoning, made apart; but these swelled, most materially, the number of
+the deaths. Now, as these extraordinary deaths would cease, as soon as
+the importation ceased, a deduction of them ought to be made from his
+present calculation.
+
+But the number of those, who thus died in the seasoning, would make up
+of itself nearly the whole of that one per cent. which had been stated.
+He particularly pressed an attention to this circumstance; for the
+complaint of being likely to want hands in Jamaica, arose from the
+mistake of including the present unnatural deaths, caused by the
+seasoning, among the natural and perpetual muses of mortality. These
+deaths, being erroneously taken into the calculations, gave the planters
+an idea that the numbers could not be kept up. These deaths, which were
+caused merely by the Slave Trade, furnished the very ground, therefore,
+on which the continuance of that trade had been thought necessary.
+
+The evidence as to this point was clear; for it would be found in that
+dreadful catalogue of deaths, arising from the seasoning and the
+passage, which the House had been condemned to look into, that one half
+died. An annual mortality of two thousand slaves in Jamaica might be
+therefore charged to the importation; which, compared with the whole
+number on the island, hardly fell short of the whole one per cent.
+decrease.
+
+Joining this with all the other considerations, he would then ask, could
+the decrease of the slaves in Jamaica be such--could the colonies be so
+destitute of means--could the planters, when by their own accounts they
+were establishing daily new regulations for the benefit of the
+slaves--could they, under all these circumstances, be permitted to plead
+that total impossibility of keeping up their number, which they had
+rested on, as being indeed the only possible pretext for allowing fresh
+importations from Africa? He appealed, therefore, to the sober judgment
+of all, whether the situation of Jamaica was such, as to justify a
+hesitation in agreeing to the present motion.
+
+It might be observed, also, that, when the importations should stop,
+that disproportion between the sexes, which was one of the obstacles to
+population, would gradually diminish; and a natural order of things be
+established. Through the want of this natural order, a thousand
+grievances were created, which it was impossible to define; and which it
+was in vain to think that, under such circumstances, we could cure. But
+the abolition, of itself, would work this desirable effect. The West
+Indians would then feel a near and urgent interest to enter into a
+thousand little details, which it was impossible for him to describe,
+but which would have the greatest influence on population. A foundation
+would thus be laid for the general welfare of the islands; a new system
+would rise up, the reverse of the old; and eventually both their general
+wealth and happiness would increase.
+
+He had now proved far more than he was bound to do; for, if he could
+only show that the abolition would not be ruinous, it would be enough.
+He could give up, therefore, three arguments out of four, through the
+whole of what he had said, and yet have enough left for his position. As
+to the Creoles, they would undoubtedly increase. They differed in this
+entirely from the imported slaves, who were both a burthen and a curse
+to themselves and others. The measure now proposed would operate like a
+charm; and, besides stopping all the miseries in Africa and the passage,
+would produce even more benefit in the West Indies than legal
+regulations could effect.
+
+He would now just touch upon the question of emancipation. A rash
+emancipation of the slaves would be mischievous. In that unhappy
+situation, to which our baneful conduct had brought ourselves and them,
+it would be no justice on either side to give them liberty. They were as
+yet incapable of it; but their situation might be gradually amended.
+They might be relieved from everything harsh and severe; raised from
+their present degraded state; and put under the protection of the law.
+Till then, to talk of emancipation was insanity. But it was the system
+of fresh importations, which interfered with these principles of
+improvement; and it was only the abolition which could establish them.
+This suggestion had its foundation in human nature. Wherever the
+incentive of honour, credit, and fair profit appeared, energy would
+spring up; and when these labourers should have the natural springs of
+human action afforded them, they would then rise to the natural level of
+human industry.
+
+From Jamaica he would now go to the other islands. In Barbadoes the
+slaves had rather increased. In St. Kitts the decrease for fourteen
+years had been but three-fourths per cent.; but here many of the
+observations would apply, which he had used in the case of Jamaica. In
+Antigua many had died by a particular calamity. But for this, the
+decrease would have been trifling. In Nevis and Montserrat there was
+little or no disproportion of the sexes; so that it might well be hoped,
+that the numbers would be kept up in these islands. In Dominica some
+controversy had arisen about the calculation; but Governor Orde had
+stated an increase of births above the deaths. From Grenada and St.
+Vincent's no accurate accounts had been delivered in answer to the
+queries sent them; but they were probably not in circumstances less
+favourable than in the other islands.
+
+On a full review, then, of the state of the Negro population in the West
+Indies, was there any serious ground of alarm from the abolition of the
+Slave Trade? Where was the impracticability, on which alone so many had
+rested their objections? Must we not blush at pretending, that it would
+distress our consciences to accede to this measure, as far as the
+question of the Negro population was concerned?
+
+Intolerable were the mischiefs of this trade, both in its origin, and
+through every stage of its progress. To say that slaves could be
+furnished us by fair and commercial means was ridiculous. The trade
+sometimes ceased, as during the late war. The demand was more or less
+according to circumstances. But how was it possible, that to a demand so
+exceedingly fluctuating the supply should always exactly accommodate
+itself? Alas! We made human beings the subject of commerce; we talked of
+them as such; and yet we would not allow them the common principle of
+commerce, that the supply must accommodate itself to the consumption. It
+was not from wars, then, that the slaves were chiefly procured. They
+were obtained in proportion as they were wanted. If a demand for slaves
+arose, a supply was forced in one way or other; and it was in vain,
+overpowered as we then were with positive evidence, as well as the
+reasonableness of the supposition, to deny that by the Slave Trade we
+occasioned all the enormities which had been alleged against it.
+
+Sir William Yonge had said, that if we were not to take the Africans
+from their country, they would be destroyed. But he had not yet read
+that all uncivilized nations destroyed their captives. We assumed,
+therefore, what was false. The very selling of them implied this; for,
+if they would sell their captives for profit, why should they not employ
+them so as to receive a profit also? Nay, many of them, while there was
+no demand from the slave merchants, were often actually so employed. The
+trade, too, had been suspended during the war; and it was never said, or
+thought, that any such consequence had then followed.
+
+The honourable baronet had also said, to justification of the Slave
+Trade, that witchcraft commonly implied poison, and was therefore a
+punishable crime; but did he recollect that not only the individual
+accused, but that his whole family, were sold as slaves? The truth was,
+we stopped the natural progress of civilization in Africa. We cut her
+off from the opportunity of improvement. We kept her down in a state of
+darkness, bondage, ignorance, and bloodshed. Was not this an awful
+consideration for this country? Look at the map of Africa, and see how
+little useful intercourse had been established on that vast continent!
+While other countries were assisting and enlightening each other, Africa
+alone had none of these benefits. We had obtained as yet only so much
+knowledge of her productions, as to show that there was a capacity for
+trade, which we checked. Indeed, if the mischiefs there were out of the
+question, the circumstance of the Middle Passage alone would, in his
+mind, be reason enough for the abolition. Such a scene as that of the
+slave-ships passing over with their wretched cargoes to the West Indies,
+if it could be spread before the eyes of the House, would be sufficient
+of itself to make them vote in favour of it; but when it could be added,
+that the interest even of the West Indies themselves rested on the
+accomplishment of this great event, he could not conceive an act of more
+imperious duty, than that which was imposed upon the House, of agreeing
+to the present motion.
+
+Sir Archibald Edmonstone rose, and asked whether the present motion went
+so far as to pledge those who voted for it to a total and immediate
+abolition.
+
+Mr. Alderman Watson rose next. He defended the Slave Trade as highly
+beneficial to the country, being one material branch of its commerce.
+But he could not think of the African trade without connecting it with
+the West Indian. The one hung upon the other. A third important branch
+also depended upon it, which was the Newfoundland fishery; the latter
+could not go on, if it were not for the vast quantity of inferior fish
+bought up for the Negroes in the West Indies, and which quite unfit for
+any other market. If, therefore, we destroyed the African, we destroyed
+the other trades. Mr. Turgot, he said, had recommended in the National
+Assembly of France the gradual abolition of the Slave Trade. He would,
+therefore, recommend it to the House to adopt the same measure, and to
+soften the rigours of slavery by wholesome regulations; but an immediate
+abolition he could not countenance.
+
+Mr. Fox at length rose. He observed that some expressions which he had
+used on the preceding day, had been complained of as too harsh and
+severe. He had since considered them, but he could not prevail upon
+himself to retract them; because, if any gentleman, after reading the
+evidence on the table, and attending to the debate, could avow himself
+an abettor of this shameful traffic in human flesh, it could only be
+either from some hardness of heart, or some difficulty of understanding,
+which he really knew not how to account for.
+
+Some had considered this question as a question of political, whereas,
+it was a question of personal, freedom. Political freedom was
+undoubtedly a great blessing; but when it came to be compared with
+personal, it sunk to nothing. To confound the two, served, therefore, to
+render all arguments on either perplexing and unintelligible. Personal
+freedom was the first right of every human being. It was a right, of
+which he who deprived a fellow-creature was absolutely criminal in so
+depriving him, and which he who withheld was no less criminal in
+withholding. He could not, therefore, retract his words with respect to
+any, who (whatever respect he might otherwise have for them) should, by
+their vote of that night, deprive their fellow-creatures of so great a
+blessing. Nay, he would go further. He would say, that if the House,
+knowing what the trade was by the evidence, did not, by their vote, mark
+to all mankind their abhorrence of a practice so savage, so enormous, so
+repugnant to all laws human and divine, they would consign their
+character to eternal infamy.
+
+That the pretence of danger to our West Indian islands from the
+abolition of the Slave Trade was totally unfounded, Mr. Wilberforce had
+abundantly proved; but if there were they who had not been satisfied
+with that proof, was it possible to resist the arguments of Mr. Pitt on
+the same subject? It had been shown, on a comparison of the births and
+deaths in Jamaica, that there was not now any decrease of the slaves.
+But if there had been, it would have made no difference to him in his
+vote; for, had the mortality been ever so great there, he should have
+ascribed it to the system of importing Negroes, instead of that of
+encouraging their natural increase. Was it not evident that the planters
+thought it more convenient to buy them fit for work, than to breed them?
+Why, then, was this horrid trade to be kept up?--To give the planters
+truly the liberty of misusing their slaves, so as to check population:
+for it was from ill-usage only that, in a climate so natural to them,
+their numbers could diminish. The very ground, therefore, on which the
+planters rested the necessity of fresh importations, namely, the
+destruction of lives in the West Indies, was itself the strongest
+argument that could be given, and furnished the most imperious call upon
+parliament for the abolition of the trade.
+
+Against this trade innumerable were the charges. An honourable member,
+Mr. Smith, had done well to introduce those tragical stories which had
+made such an impression upon the House. No one of these had been yet
+controverted. It had, indeed, been said; that the cruelty of the African
+captain to the child was too bad to be true; and we had been desired to
+look at the cross-examination of the witness, as if we should find
+traces of the falsehood in his testimony there. But his
+cross-examination was peculiarly honourable to his character; for, after
+he had been pressed in the closest manner by some able members of the
+House, the only inconsistency they could fix upon him was, whether the
+fact had happened on the same day of the same month of the year 1764 or
+the year 1765.
+
+But it was idle to talk of the incredibility of such instances. It was
+not denied that absolute power was exercised by the slave-captains; and
+if this was granted, all the cruelties charged upon them would naturally
+follow. Never did he hear of charges so black and horrible as those
+contained in the evidence on the table. They unfolded such a scene of
+cruelty, that if the House, with all their present knowledge of the
+circumstances, should dare to vote for its continuance, they must have
+nerves of which he had no conception. We might find instances, indeed,
+in history, of men violating the feelings of nature on extraordinary
+occasions. Fathers had sacrificed their sons and daughters, and husbands
+their wives; but to imitate their characters, we ought to have not only
+nerves as strong as the two Brutuses, but to take care that we had a
+cause as good; or that we had motives for such a dereliction of our
+feelings as patriotic as those which historians had annexed to these
+when they handed them to the notice of the world.
+
+But what was our motive in the case before us?--to continue a trade
+which was a wholesale sacrifice of a whole order and race of our
+fellow-creatures, which carried them away by force from their native
+country, in order to subject them to the mere will and caprice, the
+tyranny and oppression of other human beings, for their whole natural
+lives, them and their posterity for ever!! O most monstrous wickedness!
+O unparalleled barbarity! And, what was more aggravating, this most
+complicated scene of robbery and murder which mankind had ever
+witnessed, had been honoured by the name of trade.
+
+That a number of human beings should be at all times ready to be
+furnished as fair articles of commerce, just as our occasions might
+require, was absurd. The argument of Mr. Pitt on this head was
+unanswerable. Our demand was fluctuating: it entirely ceased at some
+times: at others it was great and pressing. How was it possible, on
+every sudden call, to furnish a sufficient return in slaves, without
+resorting to those execrable means of obtaining them, which were stated
+in the evidence? These were of three sorts, and he would now examine
+them.
+
+Captives in war, it was urged, were consigned either to death or
+slavery. This, however, he believed to be false in point of fact. But
+suppose it were true; did it not become us, with whom it was a custom,
+founded in the wisest policy, to pay the captives a peculiar respect and
+civility, to inculcate the same principles in Africa? But we were so far
+from doing this, that we encouraged wars for the sake of taking, not
+men's goods and possessions, but men themselves; and it was not the war
+which was the cause of the Slave Trade, but the Slave Trade which was
+the cause of the war. It was the practice of the slave-merchants to try
+to intoxicate the African kings in order to turn them to their purpose.
+A particular instance occurred in the evidence of a prince, who, when
+sober, resisted their wishes; but in the moment of inebriety he gave the
+word for war, attacked the next village, and sold the inhabitants to the
+merchants.
+
+The second mode was kidnapping. He referred the House to various
+instances of this in the evidence: but there was one in particular, from
+which we might immediately infer the frequency of the practice. A black
+trader had kidnapped a girl and sold her; but he was presently
+afterwards kidnapped and sold himself; and, when he asked the captain
+who bought him, "What! do you buy me, who am a great trader?" the only
+answer was, "Yes, I will buy you, or her, or anybody else, provided any
+one will sell you;" and accordingly both the trader and the girl were
+carried to the West Indies, and sold for slaves.
+
+The third mode of obtaining slaves was by crimes committed or imputed.
+One of these was adultery. But was Africa the place, where Englishmen,
+above all others, were to go to find out and punish adultery? Did it
+become us to cast the first stone? It was a most extraordinary
+pilgrimage for a most extraordinary purpose! And yet upon this plea we
+justified our right of carrying off its inhabitants. The offence alleged
+next was witchcraft. What a reproach it was to lend ourselves to this
+superstition!--Yes: we stood by; we heard the trial; we knew the crime
+to be impossible; and that the accused must be innocent: but we waited
+in patient silence for his condemnation; and then we lent our friendly
+aid to the police of the country, by buying the wretched convict, with
+all his family; whom, for the benefit of Africa, we carried away also
+into perpetual slavery.
+
+With respect to the situation of the slaves in their transportation, he
+knew not how to give the House a more correct idea of the horrors of it,
+than by referring them to the printed section of the slave-ship; where
+the eye might see what the tongue must fall short in describing. On this
+dismal part of the subject he would not dwell. He would only observe,
+that the acts of barbarity, related of the slave-captains in these
+voyages, were so extravagant, that they had been attributed in some
+instances to insanity. But was not this the insanity of arbitrary power?
+Who ever read the facts recorded of Nero without suspecting he was mad?
+Who would not be apt to impute insanity to Caligula--or Domitian--or
+Caracalla--or Commodus--or Heliogabalus? Here were six Roman emperors,
+not connected in blood, nor by descent, who, each of them, possessing
+arbitrary power, had been so distinguished for cruelty, that nothing
+short of insanity could be imputed to them. Was not the insanity of the
+masters of slave-ships to be accounted for on the same principles?
+
+Of the slaves in the West Indies it had been said, that they were taken
+from a worse state to a better. An honourable member, Mr. W. Smith, had
+quoted some instances out of the evidence to the contrary. He also would
+quote one or two others. A slave under hard usage had run away. To
+prevent a repetition of the offence his owner sent for his surgeon, and
+desired him to cut off the man's leg. The surgeon refused. The owner, to
+render it a matter of duty in the surgeon, broke it. "Now," says he,
+"you must cut it off; or the man will die." We might console ourselves,
+perhaps, that this happened in a French island; but he would select
+another instance, which had happened in one of our own. Mr. Ross heard
+the shrieks of a female issuing from an out-house; and so piercing, that
+he determined to me what was going on. On looking in he perceived a
+young female tied up to a beam by her wrists, entirely naked, and in the
+act of involuntary writhing and swinging; while the author of her
+torture was standing below her with a lighted torch in his hand, which
+he applied to all the parts of her body as it approached him. What crime
+this miserable woman had perpetrated he knew not; but the human mind
+could not conceive a crime warranting such a punishment.
+
+He was glad to see that these tales affected the House. Would they then
+sanction enormities, the bare recital of which made them shudder? Let
+them remember that humanity did not consist in a squeamish ear. It did
+not consist in shrinking and starting at such tales as these; but in a
+disposition of the heart to remedy the evils they unfolded. Humanity
+belonged rather to the mind than to the nerves. But, if so, it should
+prompt men to charitable exertion. Such exertion was necessary in the
+present case. It was necessary for the credit of our jurisprudence at
+home, and our character abroad. For what would any man think of our
+justice, who should see another hanged for a crime, which would be
+innocence itself, if compared with those enormities, which were allowed
+in Africa and the West Indies under the sanction of the British
+parliament?
+
+It had been said, however, in justification of the trade, that the
+Africans were less happy at home than in the Islands. But what right had
+we to be judges of their condition? They would tell us a very different
+tale, if they were asked. But it was ridiculous to say, that we bettered
+their condition, when we dragged them from everything dear in life to
+the most abject state of slavery.
+
+One argument had been used, which for a subject so grave was the most
+ridiculous he had ever heard. Mr. Alderman Watson had declared the Slave
+Trade to be necessary on account of its connexion with our fisheries.
+But what was this but an acknowledgment of the manner, in which these
+miserable beings, were treated? The trade was to be kept up, with all
+its enormities, in order that there might be persons to consume the
+refuse fish from Newfoundland, which was too bad for anybody else to
+eat.
+
+It had been said that England ought not to abolish the Slave Trade,
+unless other nations would also give it up. But what kind of morality
+was this? The Trade was defensible upon no other principle than that of
+a highwayman. Great Britain could not keep it upon these terms. Mere
+gain was not a motive for a great country to rest on, as a justification
+of any measure. Honour was its superior; and justice was superior to
+honour.
+
+With regard to the emancipation of those in slavery, he coincided with
+Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Pitt; and upon this principle, that it might be
+as dangerous to give freedom at once to a man used to slavery, as, in
+the case of a man who had never seen day-light, to expose him all at
+once to the full glare of a meridian sun.
+
+With respect to the intellect and sensibility of the Africans, it was
+pride only, which suggested a difference between them and ourselves.
+There was a remarkable instance to the point in the evidence, and which
+he would quote. In one of the slave-ships was a person of consequence; a
+man, once high in a military station, and with a mind not insensible to
+the eminence of his rank. He had been taken captive and sold; and was
+then in the hold, confined promiscuously with the rest. Happening in the
+night to fall asleep, he dreamed that he was in his own country; high in
+honour and command; caressed by his family and friends; waited on by his
+domestics; and surrounded with all his former comforts in life. But
+awaking suddenly, and finding where he was, he was heard to burst into
+the loudest groans and lamentations on the miserable contrast of his
+present state; mixed with the meanest of his subjects; and subjected to
+the insolence of wretches a thousand times lower than himself in every
+kind of endowment. He appealed to the House, whether this was not as
+moving a picture of the miserable effects of the Slave Trade, as could
+be well imagined. There was one way, by which they might judge of it.
+Let them make the case their own. This was the Christian rule of
+judging; and, having mentioned Christianity, he was sorry to find that
+any should suppose, that it had given countenance to such a system of
+oppression. So far was this from being the case, that he thought it one
+of the most splendid triumphs of this religion, that it had caused
+slavery to be so generally abolished on its appearance in the world. It
+had done this by teaching us, among other beautiful precepts, that, in
+the sight of their Maker, all mankind were equal. Its influence appeared
+to have been more powerful in this respect than that of all the ancient
+systems of philosophy; though even in these, in point of theory, we
+might trace great liberality and consideration for human rights. Where
+could be found finer sentiments of liberty than in Demosthenes and
+Cicero? Where bolder assertions of the rights of mankind, than in
+Tacitus and Thucydides? But, alas! these were the holders of slaves: It
+was not so with those who had been converted to Christianity. He knew,
+however, that what he had been ascribing to Christianity had been
+imputed by others to the advances which philosophy had made. Each of the
+two parties took the merit to itself. The philosopher gave it to
+philosophy, and the divine to religion. He should not, then, dispute
+with either of them; but, as both coveted the praise, why should they
+not emulate each other by promoting this improvement in the condition of
+the human race?
+
+He would now conclude by declaring, that the whole country, indeed the
+whole civilized world, must rejoice that such a bill as the present had
+been moved for, not merely as a matter of humanity, but as an act of
+justice; for he would put humanity out of the case. Could it be called
+humanity to forbear committing murder? Exactly upon this ground did the
+motion stand; being strictly a question of national justice. He thanked
+Mr. Wilberforce for having pledged himself so strongly to pursue his
+object till it was accomplished; and, as for himself, he declared, that,
+in whatever situation he might ever be, he would use his warmest efforts
+for the promotion of this righteous cause.
+
+Mr. Stanley (the member for Lancashire) rose, and declared that, when he
+came into the house, he intended to vote against the abolition; but that
+the impression made both on his feelings and on his understanding was
+such, that he could not persist in his resolution. He was now convinced
+that the entire abolition of the Slave Trade was called for equally by
+sound policy and justice. He thought it right and fair to avow manfully
+this change in his opinion. The abolition, ho was sure, could not long
+fail of being carried. The arguments for it were irresistible.
+
+The Honourable Mr. Ryder said that he came to the house not exactly in
+the same circumstances as Mr. Stanley, but very undecided on the
+subject. He was, however, so strongly convinced by the arguments he had
+heard, that he was become equally earnest for the abolition.
+
+Mr. Smith (member for Pontefract) said, that he should not trouble the
+House, at so late an hour, further than to enter his protest, in the
+most solemn manner, against this trade, which he considered as most
+disgraceful to the country, and contrary to all the principles of
+justice and religion.
+
+Mr. Sumner declared himself against the total, immediate, and
+unqualified abolition, which he thought would wound at least the
+prejudices of the West Indians, and might do mischief; but a gradual
+abolition should have his hearty support.
+
+Major Scott declared there was no member in the house, who would give a
+more independent vote upon this question than himself. He had no concern
+either in the African or West Indian trades; but in the present state of
+the finances of the country, he thought it would be a dangerous
+experiment to risk any one branch of our foreign commerce. As far as
+regulation would go, he would join in the measure.
+
+Mr. Burke said he would use but few words. He declared that he had for a
+long time had his mind drawn towards this great subject. He had even
+prepared a bill for the regulation of the trade, conceiving at that time
+that the immediate abolition of it was a thing hardly to be hoped for;
+but when he found that Mr. Wilberforce had seriously undertaken the
+work, and that his motion was for the abolition, which he approved much
+more than his own, he had burnt his papers; and made an offering of them
+in honour of this nobler proposition, much in the same manner as we
+read, that the curious books were offered up and burnt at the approach
+of the Gospel. He highly applauded the confessions of Mr. Stanley and
+Mr. Ryder. It would be a glorious tale for them to tell their
+constituents, that it was impossible for them, however prejudiced, if
+sent to hear, discussion in that House, to avoid surrendering up their
+hearts and judgments at the shrine of reason.
+
+Mr. Drake said, that he would oppose the abolition to the utmost. We
+had, by a want of prudent conduct, lost America. The House should be
+aware of being carried away by the meteors with which they had been
+dazzled. The leaders, it was true, were for the abolition; but the minor
+orators, the dwarfs, the pigmies, he trusted, would that night carry the
+question against them. The property of the West Indians was at stake;
+and, though men might be generous with their own property, they should
+not be so with the property of others.
+
+Lord Sheffield reprobated the overbearing language which had been used
+by some gentlemen towards others, who differed in opinion from them on a
+subject of so much difficulty as the present. He protested against a
+debate, in which he could trace nothing like reason; but, on the
+contrary, downright phrensy, raised perhaps by the most extraordinary
+eloquence. The abolition, as proposed, was impracticable. He denied the
+right of the legislature to pass a law for it. He warned the Chancellor
+of the Exchequer to beware of the day, on which the bill should pass, as
+the worst he had ever seen.
+
+Mr. Milnes declared, that he adopted all those expressions against the
+Slave Trade, which had been thought so harsh; and that the opinion of
+the noble lord had been turned in consequence of having become one of
+the members for Bristol. He quoted a passage from Lord Sheffield's
+pamphlet; and insisted that the separation of families in the West
+Indies, there complained of by himself, ought to have compelled him to
+take the contrary side of the question.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce made a short reply to some arguments in the course of
+the debate; after which, at half-past three in the morning, the House
+divided. There appeared for Mr. Wilberforce's motion eighty-eight, and
+against it one hundred and sixty-three; so that it was lost by a
+majority of seventy-five votes.
+
+By this unfavourable division the great contest, in which we had been so
+long engaged, was decided. We were obliged to give way to superior
+numbers. Our fall, however, grievous as it was, was rendered more
+tolerable by the circumstance of having been prepared to expect it. It
+was rendered more tolerable, also, by other considerations; for we had
+the pleasure of knowing, that we had several of the most distinguished
+characters in the kingdom, and almost all the splendid talents of the
+House of Commons[A], in our favour. We knew, too, that the question had
+not been carried against us either by evidence or by argument; but that
+we were the victims of the accidents and circumstances of the times. And
+as these considerations comforted us, when we looked forward to future
+operations on this great question, so we found great consolation as to
+the past, in believing, that, unless human constitutions were stronger
+than they really were, we could not have done more than we had done
+towards the furtherance of the cause.
+
+[Footnote A: It is a pity that no perfect list was ever made of this or
+of any other division in the House of Commons on this subject. I can
+give, however, the names of the following, members, as having voted for
+Mr.  Wilberforce's motion at this time.
+
+Mr. Pitt,           Lord Bayham,           Mr. Duncombe,
+Mr. Fox,            Lord Arden,            Mr. Martin,
+Mr. Burke,          Lord Carysfort,        Mr. Milnes,
+Mr. Grey,           Lord Muncaster,        Mr. Steele,
+Mr. Windham,        Lord Barnard,          Mr. Coke,
+Mr. Sheridan,       Lord North,            Mr. Eliott,
+Mr. Whitbread,      Lord Euston,           Mr. Montagu,
+Mr. Courtenay,      General Burgoyne,      Mr. Bastard,
+Mr. Francis,        Hon. R. Fitzpatrick,   Mr. Stanley,
+Mr. Wilberforce,    Sir William Dolben,    Mr. Plumer,
+Mr. Ryder,          Sir Henry Houghton,    Mr. Beaufoy,
+Mr. William Smith,  Sir Edward Lyttleton,  Mr. I.H. Browne,
+Mr. John Smyth,     Sir William Scott,     Mr. G.N. Edwards,
+Mr. Robert Smith,   Mr. Samuel Thornton,   Mr. W.M. Pitt,
+Mr. Powys,          Mr. Henry Thornton,    Mr. Bankes,
+Lord Apsley,        Mr. Robert Thornton,
+
+]
+
+The committee for the abolition held a meeting soon after this our
+defeat. It was the most impressive I ever attended. The looks of all
+bespoke the feelings of their hearts. Little was said previously to the
+opening of the business; and, after it was opened, it was conducted with
+a kind of solemn dignity, which became the occasion. The committee, in
+the course of its deliberations, came to the following resolutions:--
+
+That the thanks of this committee be respectfully given to the
+illustrious minority of the House of Commons, who lately stood forth the
+assertors of British justice and humanity, and the enemies of a traffic
+in the blood of man.
+
+That our acknowledgments are particularly due to William Wilberforce,
+Esq., for his unwearied exertions to remove this opprobrium of our
+national character; and to the right honourable William Pitt, and the
+right honourable Charles James Fox, for their virtuous and dignified
+co-operation in the same cause.
+
+That the solemn declarations of these gentlemen, and of Matthew Montagu
+and William Smith, Esqrs., that they will not relinquish, but with life,
+their struggle for the abolition of the Slave Trade, are not only highly
+honourable to themselves as Britons, as statesmen, and as Christians,
+but must eventually, as the light of evidence shall be more and more
+diffused, be seconded by the good wishes of every man not immediately
+interested in the continuance of that detestable commerce.
+
+And lastly, that anticipating the opposition they should have to sustain
+from persons trained to a familiarity with the rapine and desolation
+necessarily attendant on the Slave Trade, and sensible, also, of the
+prejudices which implicitly arise from long-established usages, this
+committee consider the late decision in the House of Commons as a delay,
+rather than a defeat. In addressing a free and enlightened nation on a
+subject, in which its justice, its humanity, and its wisdom are
+involved, they cannot despair of final success; and they do hereby,
+under an increasing conviction of the excellence of their cause, and in
+conformity to the distinguished examples before them, renew their firm
+protestation, that they will never desist from appealing to their
+countrymen, till the commercial intercourse with Africa shall cease to
+be polluted with the blood of its inhabitants.
+
+These resolutions were published, and they were followed by a suitable
+report.
+
+The committee, in order to strengthen themselves for the prosecution of
+their great work, elected Sir William Dolben, Bart., Henry Thornton,
+Lewis Alexander Grant, and Matthew Montagu, Esqrs., who were members of
+parliament, and Truman Harford, Josiah Wedgewood, jun., Esq., and John
+Clarkson, Esq., of the royal navy, as members of their own body; and
+they elected the Rev. Archdeacon Plymley (afterwards Corbett) an
+honorary and corresponding member, in consequence of the great services
+which he had rendered their cause in the shires of Hereford and Salop,
+and the adjacent counties of Wales.
+
+The several committees, established in the country, on receiving the
+resolutions and report as before mentioned, testified their sympathy in
+letters of condolence to that of London on the late melancholy occasion;
+and expressed their determination to support it as long as any vestiges
+of this barbarous traffic should remain.
+
+At length the session ended; and though, in the course of it, the
+afflicting loss of the general question had occurred, there was yet an
+attempt made by the abolitionists in parliament, which met with a better
+fate. The Sierra Leone Company received the sanction of the Legislature.
+The object of this institution was to colonize a small portion of the
+coast of Africa. They, who were to settle there, were to have no concern
+in the Slave Trade, but to discourage it as much as possible. They were
+to endeavour to establish a new species of commerce, and to promote
+cultivation in its neighborhood by free labour. The persons more
+generally fixed upon for colonists, were such Negroes, with their wives
+and families, as chose to abandon their habitations in Nova Scotia.
+These had followed the British arms in America; and had been settled
+there, as a reward for their services, by the British government. My
+brother, just mentioned to have been chosen a member of the committee,
+and who had essentially served the great cause of the abolition on many
+occasions, undertook a visit to Nova Scotia, to see if those in question
+were willing to undergo the change; and in that case to provide
+transports, and conduct them to Sierra Leone. This object he
+accomplished. He embarked more than eleven hundred persons in fifteen
+vessels, of all which he took the command. On landing them he became the
+first Governor of the new colony. Having laid the foundation of it, he
+returned to England; when a successor was appointed. From that time many
+unexpected circumstances, but particularly devastations by the French in
+the beginning of the war, took place, which contributed to ruin the
+trading company which was attached to it. It is pleasing, however, to
+reflect, that though the object of the institution, as far as mercantile
+profit was concerned, thus failed, the other objects belonging to it
+were promoted. Schools, places of worship, agriculture, and the habits
+of civilized life were established. Sierra Leone, therefore, now
+presents itself as the medium of civilization for Africa. And, in this
+latter point of view, it is worth all the treasure which has been lost
+in supporting it; for the Slave Trade, which was the great obstacle to
+this civilization, being now happily abolished, there is a metropolis,
+consisting of some hundreds of persons, from which may issue the seeds
+of reformation to this injured continent; and which, when sown, may be
+expected to grow into fruit without interruption. New schools may be
+transplanted from thence into the interior. Teachers, and travellers on
+discovery, may be sent from thence in various directions, who may return
+to it occasionally as to their homes. The natives, too, able now to
+travel in safety, may resort to it from various parts. They may see the
+improvements which are going on from time to time. They may send their
+children to it for education; and thus it may become the medium[A] of a
+great intercourse between England and Africa, to the benefit of each
+other.
+
+[Footnote A: To promote this desirable end an association took place
+last year, called The African Institution, under the patronage of the
+Duke of Gloucester, as president, and of the Mends to the African cause,
+particularly of such as were in parliament, and as belonged to the
+committee for the abolition of the Slave Trade.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+--Continuation from July 1791 to July 1792.--Author travels round the
+kingdom again; object of his journey.--People begin to leave off the
+use of sugar; to form committees; and to send petitions to
+Parliament.--Motion made in the House of Commons for the immediate
+abolition of the trade; Debates upon it; Abolition resolved upon, but
+not to commence till 1796.--Resolution taken to the Lords; latter
+determine upon hearing evidence; Evidence at length introduced;
+further hearing of it postponed to the next session.
+
+
+The defeat which we had just sustained, was a matter of great triumph to
+our opponents. When they considered the majority in the House of Commons
+in their favour, they viewed the resolutions of the committee, which
+have been detailed, as the last spiteful effort of a vanquished and
+dying animal, and they supposed that they had consigned the question to
+eternal sleep. The committee, however, were too deeply attached to the
+cause, vanquished as they were, to desert it; and they knew, also, too
+well the barometer of public feeling, and the occasion of its
+fluctuations, to despair. In the year 1787, the members of the House of
+Commons, as well as the people, were enthusiastic in behalf of the
+abolition of the trade. In the year 1788, the fair enthusiasm of the
+former began to fade. In 1789, it died. In 1790, prejudice started up as
+a noxious weed in its place. In 1791, this prejudice arrived at its
+growth. But to what were these changes owing? To delay; during which the
+mind, having been gradually led to the question as a commercial, had
+been gradually taken from it as a moral object. But it was possible to
+restore the mind to its proper place. Add to which, that the nation had
+never deserted the cause during this whole period.
+
+It is much to the honour of the English people, that they should have
+continued to feel for the existence of an evil which was so far removed
+from their sight. But at this moment their feelings began to be
+insupportable. Many of them resolved, as soon as parliament had rejected
+the bill, to abstain from the use of West Indian produce. In this state
+of things, a pamphlet, written by William Bell Crafton, of Tewksbury,
+and called _A Sketch of the Evidence, with a Recommendation on the
+Subject to the serious Attention of People in general_, made its
+appearance; and another followed it, written by William Fox, of London,
+_On the Propriety of abstaining from West India Sugar and Rum_. These
+pamphlets took the same ground. They inculcated abstinence from these
+articles as a moral duty; they inculcated it as a peaceable and
+constitutional measure; and they laid before the reader a truth which
+was sufficiently obvious, that, if each would abstain, the people would
+have a complete remedy for this enormous evil in their own power.
+
+While these things were going on, it devolved upon me to arrange all the
+evidence on the part of the abolition under proper heads, and to abridge
+it into one volume. It was intended that a copy of this should be sent
+into different towns of the kingdom, that all might know, if possible,
+the horrors (as far as the evidence contained them) of this execrable
+trade; and as it was possible that these copies might lie in the places
+where they were sent, without a due attention to their contents, I
+resolved, with the approbation of the committee, to take a journey, and
+for no other purpose than personally to recommend that they might be
+read.
+
+The books, having been printed, were despatched before me. Of this tour
+I shall give the reader no other account than that of the progress of
+the remedy, which the people were then taking into their own hands. And
+first I may observe, that there was no town, through which I passed, in
+which there was not some one individual who had left off the use of
+sugar. In the smaller towns there were from ten to fifty by estimation,
+and in the larger from two to five hundred, who made this sacrifice to
+virtue. These were of all ranks and parties. Rich and poor, churchmen
+and dissenters, had adopted the measure. Even grocers had left off
+trading in the article, in some places. In gentlemen's families, where
+the master had set the example, the servants had often voluntarily
+followed it; and even children, who were capable of understanding the
+history of the sufferings of the Africans, excluded, with the most
+virtuous resolution, the sweets, to which they had been accustomed, from
+their lips. By the best computation I was able to make from notes taken
+down in my journey, no fewer than three hundred thousand persons had
+abandoned the use of sugar.
+
+Having travelled over Wales, and two-thirds of England, I found it would
+be impossible to visit Scotland on the same errand. I had already, by
+moving upwards and downwards in parallel lines, and by intersecting
+these in the same manner, passed over six thousand miles. By the best
+calculation I could make, I had yet two thousand to perform. By means of
+almost incessant journeyings night and day, I had suffered much in my
+health. My strength was failing daily. I wrote, therefore, to the
+committee on this subject; and they communicated immediately with Dr.
+Dickson, who, on being applied to, visited Scotland in my stead. He
+consulted first with the committee at Edinburgh relative to the
+circulation of the Abridgment of the Evidence. He then pursued his
+journey, and, in conjunction with the unwearied efforts of Mr. Campbel
+Haliburton, rendered essential service to the cause for this part of the
+kingdom.
+
+On my return to London, I found that the committee had taken into their
+own body T.F. Forster, B.M. Forster, and James West, Esqrs., as members;
+and that they had elected Hercules Boss, Esq., an honorary and
+corresponding member, in consequence of the handsome manner in which he
+had come forward as an evidence, and of the peculiar benefit which had
+resulted from his testimony to the cause.
+
+The effects of the two journeys by Dr. Dickson and myself were soon
+visible. The people could not bear the facts, which had been disclosed
+to them by the Abridgment of the Evidence. They were not satisfied, many
+of them, with the mere abstinence from sugar; but began to form
+committees to correspond with that of London. The first of these
+appeared at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, so early as the month of October. It
+consisted of the Rev. William Turner, as chairman, and of Robert
+Ormston, William Batson, Henry, Taylor, Ralph Bambridge, George Brown,
+Hadwen Bragg, David Sutton, Anthony Clapham, George Richardson, and
+Edward Prowit. It received a valuable addition afterwards by the
+admission of many others. The second was established at Nottingham. The
+Rev. Jeremiah Bigsby became the president, and the Revs. G. Walker and
+J. Smith, and Messrs. Dennison, Evans, Watson, Hart, Storer, Bott,
+Hawkesley, Pennington, Wright, Frith, Hall, and Wakefield, the
+committee. The third was formed at Glasgow, under the patronage of David
+Dale, Scott Montcrieff, Robert Graham, Professor Millar, and others.
+Other committees started up in their turn. At length public meetings
+began to take place, and after this petitions to be sent to parliament;
+and these so generally, that there was not a day for three months,
+Sundays excepted, in which five or six were not resolved upon in some
+places or other in the kingdom.
+
+Of the enthusiasm of the nation at this time none can form an opinion
+but they who witnessed it. There never was perhaps a season when so much
+virtuous feeling pervaded all ranks. Great pains were taken by
+interested persons in many places to prevent public meetings. But no
+efforts could avail. The current ran with such strength and rapidity,
+that it was impossible to stem it. In the city of London a remarkable
+instance occurred. The livery had been long waiting for the common
+council to begin a petition; but the lord mayor and several of the
+aldermen stifled it. The former, indignant at this conduct, insisted
+upon a common hall. A day was appointed; and, though the notice given of
+it was short, the assemblage was greater than had ever been remembered
+on any former occasion. Scarcely a liveryman was absent, unless sick, or
+previously engaged. The petition, when introduced, was opposed by those
+who had prevented it in the common council. But their voices were
+drowned amidst groans and hissings. It was shortly after carried; and it
+had not been signed more than half an hour, before it was within the
+walls of the House of Commons. The reason of this extraordinary despatch
+was, that it had been kept back by intrigue so late, that the very hour
+in which it was delivered to the House, was that in which Mr.
+Wilberforce was to make his new motion.
+
+And as no petitions were ever more respectable than those presented on
+this occasion, as far as they breathed the voice of the people, and as
+far as they were founded on a knowledge of the object which they
+solicited, so none were ever more numerous, as far as we have any record
+of such transactions. Not fewer than three hundred and ten were
+presented from England; one hundred and eighty-seven from Scotland; and
+twenty from Wales. Two other petitions also for the abolition came from
+England, but they were too late for delivery. On the other side of the
+question, one was presented from the town of Reading for regulation, in
+opposition to that for abolition from the same place. There were also
+four against abolition. The first of these was from certain persons at
+Derby, in opposition to the other from that town. The second was from
+Stephen Fuller, Esq., as agent for Jamaica. The third from J. Dawson,
+Esq., a slave-merchant at Liverpool. And the fourth from the merchants,
+planters, mortgagees, annuitants, and others concerned in the West
+Indian colonies. Taking in all these statements, the account stood
+thus:--for regulation there was one; against all abolition there were
+four; and for the total abolition of the trade five hundred and
+nineteen.
+
+On the 2nd of April Mr. Wilberforce moved the order of the day; which
+having been agreed to, Sir William Dolben was put into the chair.
+
+He then began by soliciting the candid attention of the West Indians to
+what he was going to deliver to the House. However others might have
+censured them indiscriminately, he had always himself made a distinction
+between them and their system. It was the latter only which he
+reprobated. If aristocracy had been thought a worse form of government
+than monarchy, because the people had many tyrants instead of one, how
+objectionable must be that form of it, which existed in our colonies!
+Arbitrary power could be bought there by any one, who could buy a slave.
+The fierceness of it was doubtless restrained by an elevation of mind in
+many, as arising from a consciousness of superior rank and consequence:
+but, alas! it was too often exercised there by the base and vulgar. The
+more liberal, too, of the planters were not resident upon their estates.
+Hence a promiscuous censure of them would be unjust, though their system
+would undoubtedly be odious.
+
+As for the cure of this monstrous evil, he had shown, last year, that
+internal regulations would not produce it. These could have no effect,
+while the evidence of slaves was inadmissible. What would be the
+situation of the bulk of the people of this country, if only gentlemen
+of five hundred a-year were admitted as evidences in our courts of law?
+Neither was the cure of it in the emancipation of the slaves. He did not
+deny that he wished them this latter blessing. But, alas, in their
+present degraded state, they were unfit for it! Liberty was the child of
+reason and order. It was, indeed, a plant of celestial growth, but the
+soil must be prepared for its reception. He, who would see it flourish
+and bring forth its proper fruit, must not think it sufficient to let it
+shoot in unrestrained licentiousness. But if this inestimable blessing
+was ever to be imparted to them, the cause must be removed, which
+obstructed its introduction. In short, no effectual remedy could be
+found but in the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+He then took a copious view of the advantages, which would arise both to
+the master and to the slave, if this traffic were done away; and having
+recapitulated and answered the different objections to such a measure,
+he went to that part of the subject, in which he described himself to be
+most interested.
+
+He had shown, he said, last year, that Africa was exposed to all the
+horrors of war; and that most of these wars had their origin in the
+Slave Trade. It was then said, in reply, that the natural barbarity of
+the natives was alone sufficient to render their country a scene of
+carnage. This was triumphantly instanced in the King of Dahomey. But his
+honourable friend Lord Muncaster, then in the House, had proved in his
+interesting publication, which had appeared since, called _Historical
+Sketches of the Slave Trade, and of its Effects in Africa_, addressed to
+the people of Great Britain, that the very cruelties of this king, on
+which so much stress had been laid, were committed by him in a war,
+which had been undertaken expressly to punish an adjacent people for
+having stolen some of his subjects and sold them for slaves.
+
+He had shown, also, last year, that kings were induced to seize and sell
+their subjects, and individuals each other, in consequence of the
+existence of the Slave Trade.
+
+He had shown, also, that the administration of justice was perverted, so
+as to become a fertile source of supply to this inhuman traffic; that
+every crime was punished by slavery; that false accusations were made to
+procure convicts; and that even the judges had a profit on the
+convictions.
+
+He had shown again, that many acts of violence were perpetrated by the
+Europeans themselves. But he would now relate others which had happened
+since. The captain of an English vessel, lying in the river Cameroons,
+sent his boat with three sailors and a slave to get water. A Black
+trader seized the latter, and took him away. He alleged in his defence,
+that the captain owed him goods to a greater amount than the value of
+the slave; and that he would not pay him. This being told on board, the
+captain, and a part of his crew, who were compelled to blacken their
+naked bodies that they might appear like the natives, went on shore at
+midnight, armed with muskets and cutlasses. They fired on the trader's
+dwelling, and killed three of his children on the spot. The trader,
+being badly wounded, died while they were dragging him to the boat; and
+his wife, being wounded also, died in half an hour after she was on
+board the ship. Resistance having been made to these violent
+proceedings, some of the sailors were wounded, and one was killed.
+
+Some weeks after this affray, a chieftain of the name of Quarmo went on
+board the same vessel to borrow some cutlasses and muskets. He was
+going, he said, into the country to make war; and the captain should
+have half of his booty. So well understood were the practices of the
+trade, that his request was granted. Quarmo, however, and his
+associates, finding things favourable to their design, suddenly seized
+the captain, threw him overboard, hauled him into their canoe, and
+dragged him to the shore; where another party of the natives, lying in
+ambush, seized such of the crew as were absent from the ship. But how
+did these savages behave, when they had these different persons in their
+power? Did they not instantly retaliate by murdering them all? No--they
+only obliged the captain to give an order on the vessel to pay his
+debts. This fact came out only two: months ago in a trial in the Court
+of Common Pleas--not in trial for piracy and murder, but in the trial of
+a civil suit, instituted by some of the poor sailors, to whom the owners
+refused their wages, because the natives, on account of the villainous
+conduct of their captain, had kept them from their vessel by detaining
+them as prisoners on shore. This instance, he said, proved the dreadful
+nature of the Slave Trade, its cruelty, its perfidy, and its effect on
+the Africans as well as on the Europeans, who carried it on. The cool
+manner in which the transaction was conducted on both sides, showed that
+these practices were not novel. It showed also the manner of doing
+business in the trade. It must be remembered, too, that these
+transactions were carrying on at the very time when the inquiry
+concerning this trade was going forward in Parliament, and whilst the
+witnesses of his opponents were strenuously denying not only the actual,
+but the possible, existence of any such depredations.
+
+But another instance happened only in August last. Six British ships,
+the Thomas, Captain Philips; the Wasp, Captain Hutchinson; the Recovery,
+Captain Kimber, of Bristol; the Martha, Captain Houston; the Betsey,
+Captain Doyle; and the Amachree, (he believed,) Captain Lee, of
+Liverpool; were anchored off the town of Calabar. This place was the
+scene of a dreadful massacre about twenty years before. The captains of
+these vessels, thinking that the natives asked too much for their
+slaves, held a consultation, how they should proceed; and agreed to fire
+upon the town unless their own terms were complied with. On a certain
+evening they notified their determination to the traders; and told them,
+that, if they continued obstinate, they would put it into execution the
+next morning. In this they kept their word. They brought sixty-six guns
+to bear upon the town; and fired on it for three hours. Not a shot was
+returned. A canoe then went to offer terms of accommodation. The parties
+however not agreeing, the firing recommenced; more damage was done; and
+the natives were forced into submission. There were no certain accounts
+of their loss. Report said that fifty were killed; but some were seen
+lying badly wounded, and others in the agonies of death by those who
+went afterwards on shore.
+
+He would now say a few words relative to the Middle Passage, principally
+to show, that regulation could not effect a cure of the evil there. Mr.
+Isaac Wilson had stated in his evidence, that the ship, in which he
+sailed, only three years ago, was of three hundred and seventy tons; and
+that she carried six hundred and two slaves. Of these she lost one
+hundred and fifty-five. There were three or four other vessels in
+company with her, and which belonged to the same owners. One of these
+carried four hundred and fifty, and buried two hundred; another carried
+four hundred and sixty-six, and buried seventy-three; another five
+hundred and forty-six, and burled one hundred and fifty-eight; and from
+the four together, after the landing of their cargoes, two hundred and
+twenty died. He fell in with another vessel, which had lost three
+hundred and sixty-two; but the number, which had been bought, was not
+specified. Now if to these actual deaths, during and immediately after
+the voyage, we were to add the subsequent loss in the seasoning, and to
+consider that this would be greater than ordinary in cargoes which were
+landed in such a sickly state, we should find a mortality, which, if it
+were only general for a few months, would entirely depopulate the globe.
+
+But he would advert to what Mr. Wilson said, when examined, as a
+surgeon, as to the causes of these losses, and particularly on board his
+own ship, where he had the means of ascertaining them. The substance of
+his reply was this--That most of the slaves laboured under a fixed
+melancholy, which now and then broke out into lamentations and plaintive
+songs, expressive of the loss of their relations, friends, and country.
+So powerfully did this sorrow operate, that many of them attempted in
+various ways to destroy themselves, and three actually effected it.
+Others obstinately refused to take sustenance; and when the whip and
+other violent means were used to compel them to eat, they looked up in
+the face of the officer, who unwillingly executed this painful task, and
+said, with a smile, in their own language, "Presently we shall be no
+more." This, their unhappy state of mind, produced a general languor and
+debility, which were increased in many instances by an unconquerable
+aversion to food, arising partly from sickness, and partly, to use the
+language of the slave-captains, from sulkiness. These causes naturally
+produced the flux. The contagion spread; several were carried off daily;
+and the disorder, aided by so many powerful auxiliaries, resisted the
+power of medicine. And it is worth while to remark, that these grievous
+sufferings were not owing either to want of care on the part of the
+owners, or to any negligence or harshness of the captain; for Mr. Wilson
+declared, that his ship was as well fitted out, and the crew and slaves
+as well treated, as anybody could reasonably expect.
+
+He would now go to another ship. That, in which Mr. Claxton sailed as a
+surgeon, afforded a repetition of all the horrid circumstances which had
+been described. Suicide was attempted, and effected; and the same
+barbarous expedients were adopted to compel the slaves to continue an
+existence, which they considered as too painful to be endured. The
+mortality, also, was as great. And yet here, again, the captain was in
+no wise to blame. But this vessel had sailed since the regulating act.
+Nay, even in the last year, the deaths on shipboard would be found to
+have been between ten and eleven per cent, on the whole number exported.
+In truth, the House could not reach the cause of this mortality by all
+their regulations. Until they could cure a broken heart--until they
+could legislate for the affections, and bind by their statutes the
+passions and feelings of the mind, their labour would be in vain.
+
+Such were the evils of the Passage. But evils were conspicuous
+everywhere in this trade. Never was there, indeed, a system so replete
+with wickedness and cruelty. To whatever part of it we turned our eyes,
+whether to Africa, the Middle Passage, or the West Indies, we could find
+no comfort, no satisfaction, no relief. It was the gracious ordinance of
+Providence, both in the natural and moral world, that good should often
+arise out of evil. Hurricanes cleared the air; and the propagation of
+truth was promoted by persecution, Pride, vanity, and profusion
+contributed often; in their remoter consequences, to the happiness of
+mankind. In common, what was in itself evil and vicious, was permitted
+to carry along with it some circumstances of palliation. The Arab was
+hospitable; the robber brave. We did not necessarily find cruelty
+associated with fraud, or meanness with injustice. But here the case was
+far otherwise. It was the prerogative of this detested traffic to
+separate from evil its concomitant good, and to reconcile discordant
+mischiefs. It robbed war of its generosity; it deprived peace of its
+security: we saw in it the vices of polished society, without its
+knowledge or its comforts; and the evils of barbarism without its
+simplicity. No age, no sex, no rank, no condition, was exempt from the
+fatal influence of this wide-wasting calamity. Thus it attained to the
+fullest measure of pure, unmixed, unsophisticated wickedness; and,
+scorning all competition and comparison, it stood without a rival in the
+secure, undisputed, possession of its detestable preeminence.
+
+But, after all this, wonderful to relate, this execrable traffic had
+been defended on the ground of benevolence! It had been said, that the
+slaves were captives and convicts, who, if we were not to carry them
+away, would be sacrificed, and many of them at the funerals of people of
+rank, according to the savage custom of Africa. He had shown, however,
+that our supplies of slaves were obtained from other quarters than
+these. But he would wave this consideration for the present. Had it not
+been acknowledged by his opponents that the custom of ransoming slaves
+prevailed in Africa? With respect to human sacrifices, he did not deny
+that there might have been some instances of these; but they had not
+been proved to be more frequent than amongst other barbarous nations;
+and, where they existed, being acts of religion, they would not be
+dispensed with for the sake of commercial gain. In fact, they had
+nothing to do with the Slave Trade; only perhaps, if it were abolished,
+they might, by means of the civilization which would follow, be done
+away.
+
+But, exclusively of these sacrifices, it had been asserted, that it was
+kindness to the inhabitants to take them away from their own country.
+But what said the historians of Africa, long before the question of the
+abolition was started? "Axim," says Bosman, "is cultivated, and abounds
+with numerous large and beautiful villages: its inhabitants are
+industriously employed in trade, fishing, or agriculture."--"The
+inhabitants of Adom always expose large quantities of corn to sale,
+besides what they want for their own use."--"The people of Acron husband
+their grounds and time so well, that every year produces a plentiful
+harvest." Speaking of the Fetu country, he says,--"Frequently, when
+walking through it, I have seen it abound with fine well-built and
+populous towns, agreeably enriched with vast quantities of corn and
+cattle, palm-wine, and oil. The inhabitants all apply themselves,
+without distinction, to agriculture; some sow corn; others press oil,
+and draw wine from the palm-trees."
+
+Smith, who was sent out by the royal African company in 1726, assures
+us, "that the discerning natives account it their greatest unhappiness,
+that they were ever visited by the Europeans. They say that we
+Christians introduced the traffic of slaves; and that before our coming
+they lived in peace. But, say they, it is observable, wherever
+Christianity comes, there come swords and guns, and powder and ball,
+with it."
+
+"The Europeans," says Bruce, "are far from desiring to act as
+peace-makers among them. It would be too contrary to their interests;
+for the only object of their wars is to carry off slaves; and, as these
+form the principal part of their traffic, they would be apprehensive of
+drying up the source of it, were they to encourage the people to live
+well together."
+
+"The neighbourhood of the Damel and Tin keep them perpetually at war,
+the benefit of which accrues to the Company, who buy all the prisoners
+made on either side; and the more there are to sell, the greater is
+their profit; for the only end of their armaments is to make captives,
+to sell them to the white traders."
+
+Artus, of Dantzic, says, that in his time "those liable to pay fines
+were banished till the fine was paid; when they returned to their houses
+and possessions."
+
+Bosman affirms, "that formerly all crimes in Africa were compensated by
+fine or restitution, and, where restitution was impracticable, by
+corporal punishment."
+
+Moore says, "Since this trade has been used, all punishments have been
+changed into slavery. There being an advantage in such condemnation,
+they strain the crimes very hard, in order to get the benefit of selling
+the criminal. Not only murder, theft, and adultery, are punished by
+selling the criminal for a slave, but every trifling crime is punished
+in the same manner."
+
+Loyer affirms that "the King of Sain, on the least pretence, sells his
+subjects for European goods. He is so tyrannically severe, that he makes
+a whole village responsible for the fault of one inhabitant; and on the
+least offence sells them all for slaves."
+
+Such, he said, were the testimonies, not of persons whom he had
+summoned; not of friends of the abolition; but of men who were
+themselves, many of them, engaged in the Slave Trade. Other testimonies
+might be added; but these were sufficient to refute the assertions of
+his opponents, and to show the kind services we had done to Africa by
+the introduction of this trade.
+
+He would just touch upon the argument, so often repeated, that other
+nations would carry on the Slave Trade, if we abandoned it. But how did
+we know this? Had not Denmark given a noble example to the contrary? She
+had consented to abolish the trade in ten years; and had she not done
+this, even though we, after an investigation for nearly five years, had
+ourselves hung back? But what might not be expected, if we were to take
+up the cause in earnest; if we were to proclaim to all nations the
+injustice of the trade, and to solicit their concurrence in the
+abolition of it! He hoped the representatives of the nation would not be
+less just than the people. The latter had stepped forward, and expressed
+their sense more generally by petitions, than in any instance in which
+they had ever before interfered. To see this great cause thus triumphing
+over distinctions and prejudices was a noble spectacle. Whatever might
+be said of our political divisions, such a sight had taught us that
+there were subjects still beyond the reach of party; that there was a
+point of elevation, where we ascended above the jarring of the
+discordant elements, which ruffled and agitated the vale below. In our
+ordinary atmosphere clouds and vapours obscured the air, and we were the
+sport of a thousand conflicting winds and adverse currents; but here we
+moved in a higher region, where all was pure and clear, and free from
+perturbation and discomposure:
+
+
+  As some tall cliff, that lifts its awful form,
+  Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm;
+  Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
+  Eternal sunshine settles on its head.
+
+
+Here then, on this august eminence, he hoped we should build the Temple
+of Benevolence; that we should lay its foundation deep in Truth and
+Justice; and that we should inscribe upon its gates, "Peace and Good
+Will to Men." Here we should offer the first-fruits of our benevolence,
+and endeavour to compensate, if possible, for the injuries we had
+brought upon our fellow-men.
+
+He would only now observe, that his conviction of the indispensable
+necessity of immediately abolishing this trade remained as strong as
+ever. Let those who talked of allowing three or four years to the
+continuance of it, reflect on the disgraceful scenes which had passed
+last year. As for himself, he would wash his hands of the blood which
+would be spilled in this horrid interval. He could not, however, but
+believe, that the hour was come, when we should put a final period to
+the existence of this cruel traffic. Should he unhappily be mistaken, he
+would never desert the cause; but to the last moment of his life he
+would exert his utmost powers in its support. He would now move, "That
+it is the opinion of this committee, that the trade carried on by
+British subjects for the purpose of obtaining slaves on the coast of
+Africa, ought to be abolished."
+
+Mr. Baillie was in hopes that the friends of the abolition would have
+been contented with the innocent blood which had been already shed. The
+great island of St. Domingo had been torn to pieces by insurrections.
+The most dreadful barbarities had been perpetrated there. In the year
+1789, the imports into it exceeded five millions sterling. The exports
+from it in the same year amounted to six millions; and the trade
+employed three hundred thousand tons of shipping, and thirty thousand
+seamen. This fine island, thus advantageously situated, had been lost in
+consequence of the agitation of the question of the Slave Trade. Surely
+so much mischief ought to have satisfied those who supported it; but
+they required the total destruction of all the West Indian colonies,
+belonging to Great Britain, to complete the ruin.
+
+The honourable gentleman, who had just spoken, had dwelt upon the
+enormities of the Slave Trade. He was far from denying that many acts of
+inhumanity might accompany it; but as human nature was much the same
+everywhere, it would be unreasonable to expect among African traders, or
+the inhabitants of our islands, a degree of perfection in morals, which
+was not to be found in Great Britain itself. Would any man estimate the
+character of the English nation by what was to be read in the records of
+the Old Bailey? He himself, however, had lived sixteen years in the West
+Indies, and he could bear testimony to the general good usage of the
+slaves.
+
+Before the agitation of this impolitic question the slaves were
+contented with their situation. There was a mutual confidence between
+them and their masters: and this continued to be the case till the new
+doctrines were broached. But now depots of arms were necessary on every
+estate; and the scene was totally reversed. Nor was their religious then
+inferior to their civil state. When the English took possession of
+Grenada, where his property lay, they found them baptized and instructed
+in the principles of the Roman Catholic faith. The priests of that
+persuasion had indeed been indefatigable in their vocation; so that
+imported Africans generally obtained within twelve months a tolerable
+idea of their religious duties. He had seen the slaves there go through
+the public mass in a manner, and with a fervency, which would have done
+credit to more civilized societies. But the case was now altered; for,
+except where the Moravians had been, there was no trace in our islands
+of an attention to their religious interests.
+
+It had been said that their punishments were severe. There might be
+instances of cruelty; but these were not general. Many of them were
+undoubtedly ill disposed; though not more, according to their number, on
+a plantation, than in a regiment, or in a ship's crew. Had we never
+heard of seamen being flogged from ship to ship, or of soldiers dying in
+the very act of punishment? Had we not also heard, even in this country
+of boasted liberty, of seamen being seized, and carried away, when
+returning from distant voyages, after an absence of many years; and this
+without even being allowed to see their wives and families? As to
+distressed objects, he maintained, that there was more wretchedness and
+poverty in St. Giles's, than in all the West Indian islands belonging to
+Great Britain.
+
+He would now speak of the African and West Indian trades. The imports
+and exports of these amounted to upwards of ten millions annually; and
+they gave employment to three hundred thousand tons of shipping, and to
+about twenty-five thousand seamen. These trades had been sanctioned by
+our ancestors in parliament. The acts for this purpose might be classed
+under three heads. First, they were such as declared the colonies, and
+the trade thereof, advantageous to Great Britain, and therefore entitled
+to her protection. Secondly, such as authorized, protected, and
+encouraged the trade to Africa, as advantageous in itself, and necessary
+to the welfare and existence of the sugar colonies: and, Thirdly, such
+as promoted and secured loans of money to the proprietors of the said
+colonies, either from British subjects, or from foreigners. These
+acts[A], he apprehended, ought to satisfy every person of the legality
+and usefulness of these trades. They were enacted in reigns
+distinguished for the production of great and enlightened characters. We
+heard then of no wild and destructive doctrines like the present. These
+were reserved for this age of novelty and innovation. But he must remind
+the House, that the inhabitants of our islands had as good a right to
+the protection of their property, as the inhabitants of Great Britain.
+Nor could it be diminished in any shape without full compensation. The
+proprietors of lands in the ceded islands, which were purchased of
+government under specific conditions of settlement, ought to be
+indemnified. They also (of whom he was one), who had purchased the
+territory granted by the crown to General Monkton, in the island, of St.
+Vincent, ought to be indemnified also. The sale of this had gone on
+briskly, till it was known that a plan was in agitation for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. Since that period, the original purchasers
+had done little or nothing, and they had many hundred acres on hand,
+which would be of no value, if the present question was carried. In
+fact, they had a right to compensation. The planters generally spent
+their estates in this country. They generally educated their children in
+it. They had never been found seditious, or rebellious; and they
+demanded of the Parliament of Great Britain that protection, which, upon
+the principles of good faith, it was in duty bound to afford them in
+common with the rest of his majesty's loyal subjects.
+
+[Footnote A: Here he quoted them specifically.]
+
+Mr. Vaughan stated that, being a West Indian by birth, and connected
+with the islands, he could speak from his own knowledge. In the early
+part of his life he was strongly in favour of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He had been educated by Dr. Priestley, and the father of Mrs.
+Barbauld; who were both of them friends to that question. Their
+sentiments he had imbibed; but, although bred at the feet of Gamaliel,
+he resolved to judge for himself, and he left England for Jamaica.
+
+He found the situation of the slaves much better than he had imagined.
+Setting aside liberty, they were as well off as the poor in Europe. They
+had little want of clothes or fuel; they had a house and garden found
+them, were never imprisoned for debts, nor deterred from marrying
+through fear of being unable to support a family; their orphans and
+widows were taken care of, as they themselves were when old and
+disabled; they had medical attendance without expense; they had private
+property, which no master ever took from them; and they were resigned to
+their situation, and looked for nothing beyond it. Perhaps persons might
+have been prejudiced by living in the towns, to which slaves were often
+sent for punishment; and where there were many small proprietors; or by
+seeing no negro otherwise than as belonging to the labouring poor; but
+they appeared to him to want nothing but liberty; and it was only
+occasionally that they were abused.
+
+There were two prejudices with respect to the colonies, which he would
+notice. The first was, that cruel usage occasioned the inequality of
+births and deaths among the slaves. But did cruelty cause the excess of
+deaths above births in the city of London? No--this excess had other
+causes. So it had among the slaves. Of these more males were imported
+than females: they were dissolute too in their morals; they had also
+diseases peculiar to themselves. But in those islands where they nearly
+kept up their numbers, there was this difficulty, that the equality was
+preserved by the increase on one estate compensating for the decrease on
+another. These estates, however, would not interchange their numbers;
+whereas, where freedom prevailed, the free labourers circulated from one
+employer to another, and appeared wherever they were wanted.
+
+The second was, that all chastisement of the slaves was cruelty. But
+this was not true. Their owners generally withdrew them from public
+justice; so that they, who would have been publicly executed elsewhere,
+were often kept alive by their masters, and were found punished again
+and again for repeating their faults. Distributive justice occasioned
+many punishments; as one slave was to be protected against every other
+slave: and, when one pilfered from another, then the master interfered.
+These punishments were to be distinguished from such as arose from
+enforcing labour, or from the cruelty of their owners. Indeed he had
+gone over the islands, and he had seen but little ill usage. He had seen
+none on the estate where he resided. The whip, the stocks, and
+confinement, were all the modes of punishment he had observed in other
+places. Some slaves belonging to his father were peculiarly well off.
+They saved money, and spent it in their own way.
+
+But notwithstanding all he had said, he allowed that there was room for
+improvement; and particularly for instilling into the slaves the
+principles of religion. Where this should be realized, there would be
+less punishment, more work, more marriages, more issue, and more
+attachment to masters. Other improvements would be the establishment of
+medical societies; the introduction of task-work; and grants of premiums
+and honorary distinctions both to fathers and mothers, according to the
+number of children which they should rear. Besides this, Negro evidence
+should be allowed in the courts of law, it being left to the discretion
+of the court or jury to take or reject it, according to the nature of
+the case. Cruel masters also should be kept in order in various ways.
+They should he liable to have their slaves taken from them, and put in
+trust. Every instrument of punishment should be banished, except the
+whip. The number of lashes should be limited; and the punishment should
+not be repeated till after intervals. These and other improvements
+should be immediately adopted by the planters. The character of the
+exemplary among them was hurt by being confounded with that of lower and
+baser men. He concluded by stating, that the owners of slaves were
+entitled to compensation, if, by means of the abolition, they should not
+be able to find labourers for the cultivation of their lands[A].
+
+[Footnote A: Mr. Vaughan declared in a future stage of the debate, that
+he wished to see a prudent termination both of the Slave Trade and of
+slavery; and that, though he was the eldest son of his father, he never
+would, on any consideration, become the owner of a slave.]
+
+Mr. Henry Thornton conceived, that the two last speakers had not spoken
+to the point. The first had described the happy state of the slaves in
+the West Indies. The latter had made similar representations; but yet
+had allowed, that much improvement might be made in their condition. But
+this had nothing to do with the question then before them. The manner of
+procuring slaves in Africa was the great evil to be remedied. Africa was
+to be stripped of its inhabitants to supply a population for the West
+Indies. There was a Dutch proverb, which said, "My son; get money,
+honestly if you can--but get money:" or, in other words, "Get slaves,
+honestly if you can--but get slaves." This was the real grievance; and
+the two honourable gentlemen, by confining their observations to the
+West Indies, had entirely overlooked it.
+
+Though this evil had been fully proved, he could not avoid stating to
+the House some new facts, which had come to his knowledge as a director
+of the Sierra Leone Company, and which would still further establish it.
+The consideration, that they had taken place since the discussion of the
+last year on this subject, obliged him to relate them.
+
+Mr. Falconbridge, agent to the Company, sitting one evening in Sierra
+Leone, heard a shout, and immediately afterwards the report of a gun.
+Fearing an attack, he armed forty of the settlers, and rushed with them
+to the place from whence the noise came. He found a poor wretch, who had
+been crossing from a neighbouring village, in the possession of a party
+of kidnappers, who were tying his hands. Mr. Falconbridge, however,
+dared not rescue him, lest, in the defenceless state of his own town,
+retaliation might be made upon him.
+
+At another time a young woman, living half a mile off, was sold, without
+any criminal charge, to one of the slave-ships. She was well acquainted
+with the agent's wife, and had been with her only the day before. Her
+cries were heard; but it was impossible to relieve her.
+
+At another time a young lad, one of the free settlers who went from
+England, was caught by a neighbouring chief, as he was straggling alone
+from home, and sold for a slave. The pretext was, that some one in the
+town of Sierra Leone had committed an offence. Hence the first person
+belonging to it, who could be seized, was to be punished. Happily the
+free settlers saw him in his chains; and they recovered him, before he
+was conveyed to the ship.
+
+To mark still more forcibly the scenes of misery, to which the Slave
+Trade gave birth, he would mention a case stated to him in a letter by
+King Naimbanna. It had happened to respectable person, in no less than
+three instances, to have some branches of his family kidnapped, and
+carried off to the West Indies. At one time three young men, Corpro,
+Banna, and Marbrour, were decoyed on board a Danish slave-ship, under
+pretence of buying something, and were taken away. At another time
+another relation piloted a vessel down the river. He begged to be put on
+shore, when he came opposite to his own town; but he was pressed to
+pilot her to the river's mouth. The captain then pleaded the
+impracticability of putting him on shore; carried him to Jamaica; and
+sold him for a slave. Fortunately, however, by means of a letter, which
+was conveyed there, the man, by the assistance of the governor, was sent
+back to Sierra Leone. At another time another relation was also
+kidnapped. But he had not the good fortune, like the former, to return.
+
+He would mention one other instance. A son had sold his own father, for
+whom he obtained a considerable price: for, as the father was rich in
+domestic slaves, it was not doubted that he would offer largely for his
+ransom. The old man accordingly gave twenty-two of these in exchange for
+himself. The rest, however, being from that time filled with
+apprehensions of being on some ground or other sold to the slave-ships,
+fled to the mountains of Sierra Leone, where they now dragged on a
+miserable existence. The son himself was sold, in his turn, soon after.
+In short, the whole of that unhappy peninsula, as he learnt from
+eye-witnesses, had been desolated by the trade in slaves. Towns were
+seen standing without inhabitants all over the coast; in several of
+which the agent of the Company had been. There was nothing but distrust
+among the inhabitants. Every one, if he stirred from home, felt himself
+obliged to be armed.
+
+Such was the nature of the Slave Trade. It had unfortunately obtained
+the name of a trade; and many had been deceived by the appellation; but
+it was war, and not trade. It was a mass of crimes, and not commerce. It
+was that which prevented the introduction of a trade in Africa; for it
+was only by clearing and cultivating the lands, that the climate could
+be made healthy for settlements; but this wicked traffic, by dispersing
+the inhabitants, and causing the lands to remain uncultivated, made the
+coast unhealthy to Europeans. He had found, in attempting to establish a
+colony there, that it was an obstacle which opposed itself to him in
+innumerable ways; it created more embarrassments than all the natural
+impediments of the country; and it was more hard to contend with than
+any difficulties of climate, soil, or natural disposition of the people.
+
+He would say a few words relative to the numerous petitions which were
+then on the table of the House. They had shown, in an extraordinary
+manner, the opinion of the people. He did not wish to turn this into a
+constitutional question; but he would observe, that it was of the utmost
+consequence to the maintenance of the constitution of this country, that
+the reputation of parliament should be maintained. But nothing could
+prejudice its character so much, as a vote, which should lead the people
+to believe that the legislative body was the more corrupt part of it,
+and that it was slow to adopt moral principles.
+
+It had been often insinuated that parliament, by interfering in this
+trade, departed from its proper functions; No idea could be more absurd;
+for, was it not its duty to correct abuses? and what abuses were greater
+than robbery and murder? He was, indeed, anxious for the abolition. He
+desired it, as a commercial man, on account of the commercial character
+of the country. He desired it for the reputation of parliament, on which
+so materially depended the preservation of our happy constitution; but
+most of all he prayed for it for the sake of those eternal principle's
+of justice, which it was the duty of nations, as well as of individuals,
+to support.
+
+Colonel Tarleton repeated his arguments of the last year. In addition to
+these he inveighed bitterly against the abolitionists, as a junto of
+secretaries, sophists, enthusiasts, and fanatics. He condemned the
+abolition as useless, unless other nations would take it up. He brought
+to the recollection of the House the barbarous scenes which had taken
+place it in St. Domingo, all of which, he said, had originated in the
+discussion of this question. He described the alarms, in which the
+inhabitants of our own islands were kept, lest similar scenes should
+occur from the same cause. He ridiculed the petitions on the table.
+Itinerant clergymen, mendicant physicians, and others, had extorted
+signatures from the sick, the indigent, and the traveller. School-boys
+were invited to sign them, under the promise of a holiday. He had
+letters to produce, which would prove all these things though he was not
+authorized to give up the names of those who had written them.
+
+Mr. Montagu said, that, in the last session, he had simply entered his
+protest against the trade; but now He could be no longer silent; and as
+there were many, who had conceived regulation to be more desirable than
+abolition, he would himself to that subject.
+
+Regulation, as it related to the manner of procuring slaves, was utterly
+impossible; for how could we know the case of each individual, whom we
+forced away into bondage? Could we establish tribunals all along the
+coast, and in every ship, to find it out? What judges could we get for
+such an office? But, if this could not be done upon the coast, how could
+we ascertain the justness of the captivity of by far the greatest
+number, who were brought from immense distances inland?
+
+He would not dwell upon the proof of the inefficiency of regulations, as
+to the Middle Passage. His honourable friend, Mr. Wilberforce, had
+shown, that, however the mortality might have been lessened in some
+ships by the regulations of Sir William Dolben, yet, wherever a
+contagious disorder broke out, the greatest part of the cargo was swept
+away. But what regulations by the British parliament could prevent these
+contagions, or remove them suddenly, when they appeared?
+
+Neither would regulations be effectual, as they related to the
+protection of the slaves in the West Indies. It might, perhaps, be
+enacted, as Mr. Vaughan had suggested, that their punishments should be
+moderate; and that the number of lashes should be limited. But the
+colonial legislatures had already done as much, as the magic of words
+alone could do, upon this subject; yet the evidence upon the table
+clearly proved, that the only protection of slaves was in the clemency
+of their masters. Any barbarity might be exercised with impunity,
+provided no White person were to see it, though it happened in the sight
+of a thousand slaves. Besides, by splitting the offence, and inflicting
+the punishment at intervals, the law could be evaded, although the fact
+was within the reach of the evidence of a White man. Of this evasion
+Captain Cook, of the 89th regiment, had given a shocking instance; and
+Chief Justice Ottley had candidly confessed, that "he could devise no
+method of bringing a master, so offending, to justice, while the
+evidence of the slave continued inadmissible." But perhaps councils of
+protection, and guardians of the slaves, might be appointed. This,
+again, was an expedient which sounded well, but which would be nugatory
+and absurd. What person would risk the comfort of his life by the
+exercise of so invidious an interference? But supposing that one or two
+individuals could be found, who would sacrifice all their time, and the
+friendship of their associates, for the good of the slaves; what could
+they effect? Could they be in all places at once? But even if acts of
+barbarity should be related to them, how were they to come at the proof
+of them?
+
+It appeared, then, that no regulations could be effectual until the
+slaves were admitted to give their evidence; but to admit them to this
+privilege in their present state, would be to endanger the safety and
+property of their masters. Mr. Vaughan had, however, recommended this
+measure with limitations, but it would produce nothing but discontent;
+for how were the slaves to be persuaded that it was fit they should be
+admitted to speak the truth, and then be disbelieved and disregarded?
+What a fermentation would such conduct naturally excite in men dismissed
+with injuries unredressed, though abundantly proved, in their
+apprehension, by their testimony? In fact, no regulations would do.
+There was no cure for these evils, but in the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He called upon the planters to concur with his honourable friend,
+Mr. Wilberforce, in this great measure. He wished them to consider the
+progress which the opinion of the injustice of this trade was making in
+the nation at large, as manifested by the petitions; which had almost
+obstructed the proceedings of the House by their perpetual introduction.
+It was impossible for them to stifle this great question. As for
+himself, he would renew his profession of last year, that he would never
+cease, but with life, to promote so glorious an end.
+
+Mr. Whitbread said, that even if he could conceive, that the trade was,
+as some had asserted it to be, founded on principles of humanity; that
+the Africans were rescued from death in their own country; that, upon
+being carried to the West Indies, they were put under kind masters; that
+their labour there was easy; that at evening they returned cheerful to
+their homes; that in sickness they were attended with care; and that
+their old age was rendered comfortable; even then he would vote for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, inasmuch as he was convinced that that
+which was fundamentally wrong, no practice could justify.
+
+No eloquence could persuade him, that the Africans were torn from their
+country and their dearest connexions, merely that they might lead a
+happier life; or that they could be placed under the uncontrolled
+dominion of others without suffering. Arbitrary power would spoil the
+hearts of the best; hence would arise tyranny on the one side, and a
+sense of injury on the other. Hence the passions would be let loose, and
+a state of perpetual enmity would follow.
+
+He needed only to go to the accounts of those who defended the system of
+slavery, to show that it was cruel. He was forcibly struck last year by
+an expression of an honourable member, an advocate for the trade, who,
+when he came to speak of the slaves, on selling off the stock of a
+plantation, said that they fetched less than the common price, because
+they were damaged. Damaged! What! Were they goods and chattels? What an
+idea was this to hold out of our fellow-creatures! We might imagine how
+slaves were treated, if they could be spoken of in such a manner.
+Perhaps these unhappy people had lingered out the best part of their
+lives in the service of their master. Able then to do but little, they
+were sold for little! and the remaining substance of their sinews was to
+be pressed out by another, yet more hardened than the former, and who
+had made a calculation of their vitals accordingly.
+
+As another proof, he would mention a passage in a pamphlet, in which the
+author, describing the happy situation of the slaves, observed, that a
+good negro never wanted a character; a bad one could always be detected
+by his weals and scars. What was this but to say, that there were
+instruments in use which left indelible marks, behind them; and who
+would say that these were used justly?
+
+An honourable gentleman, Mr. Vaughan, had said, that setting aside
+slavery, the slaves were better off than the poor in this country. But
+what was it that we wished to abolish! Was it not the Slave Trade, which
+would destroy in time the cruel distinction he had mentioned? The same
+honourable gentleman had also expressed his admiration of their
+resignation; but might it not be that resignation which was the
+consequence of despair?
+
+Colonel Tarleton had insinuated that the petitions on the table had been
+obtained in an objectionable manner. He had the honour to present one
+from his constituents, which he would venture to say had originated with
+themselves, and that there did not exist more respectable names in the
+kingdom than those of the persons who had signed it. He had also
+asserted, that there was a strong similitude in their tenour and
+substance, as if they had been manufactured by the same persons. This
+was by no means to be wondered at. There was surely but one plain tale
+to tell, and it was not surprising that it had been clothed in nearly
+the same expressions. There was but one boon to ask, and that was--the
+abolition of this wicked trade.
+
+It had been said by another, (Mr. Baillie,) that the horrible
+insurrections in St. Domingo arose from the discussion of the question
+of the Slave Trade. He denied the assertion; and maintained that they
+were the effect of the trade itself. There was a point of endurance,
+beyond which human nature could not go, at which the mind of man rose by
+its native elasticity with a spring and violence proportioned to the
+degree to which it had been depressed. The calamities in St. Domingo
+proceeded from the Slave Trade alone; and, if it were continued, similar
+evils were to be apprehended in our own islands. The cruelties which the
+slaves had perpetrated in that unfortunate colony they had learnt from
+their masters. Had not an African eyes? Had he not ears? Had he not
+organs, senses, and passions? If you pricked him, would he not feel the
+puncture, and bleed? If you poisoned him, would he not die? and, if you
+wronged him, would he not revenge? But he had said sufficient, for he
+feared he could not better the instruction.
+
+Mr. Milbank would only just observe, that the policy of the measure of
+the abolition was as great as its justice was undeniable. Where slavery
+existed, everything was out of its natural place. All improvement was at
+an end; there must also, from the nature of the human heart, be
+oppression. He warned the planters against the danger of fresh
+importations, and invited their concurrence in the measure.
+
+Mr. Dundas (afterwards Viscount Melville) declared that he had always
+been a warm friend to the abolition of the Slave Trade, though he
+differed from Mr. Wilberforce as to the mode of effecting it.
+
+The abolitionists, and those on the opposite side of the question, had,
+both of them, gone into extremes. The former were for the immediate and
+abrupt annihilation of the trade; the latter considered it as
+essentially necessary to the existence of the West Indian islands, and
+therefore laid it down that it was to be continued for ever. Such was
+the vast distance between the parties. He would now address himself to
+each.
+
+He would say first, that he agreed with his honourable friend, Mr.
+Wilberforce, in very material points. He believed the trade was not
+founded in policy; that the continuation of it was not essential to the
+preservation of our trade with the West Indian islands; and that the
+slaves were not only to be maintained, but increased there, by natural
+population. He agreed, too, as to the propriety of the abolition. But
+when his honourable friend talked of direct and abrupt abolition, he
+would submit it to him, whether he did not run counter to the prejudices
+of those who were most deeply interested in the question; and whether,
+if he could obtain his object without wounding these, it would not be
+better to do it? Did he not also forget the sacred attention which
+parliament had ever shown to the private interests and patrimonial
+rights of individuals?
+
+Whatever idea men might then have of the African trade, certain it was
+that they, who had connected themselves with it, had done it under the
+sanction of parliament. It might also be well worth while to consider,
+(though the conduct of other nations ought not to deter us from doing
+our duty,) whether British subjects in the West Indies might not be
+supplied with slaves under neutral flags. Now he believed it was
+possible to avoid these objections, and at the same time to act in
+harmony with the prejudices which had been mentioned. This might be done
+by regulations, by which we should effect the end much more speedily
+than by the way proposed. By regulations, he meant such as would
+increase the breed of the slaves in the West Indies; such as would
+ensure a moral education to their children; and such as would even in
+time extinguish hereditary slavery. The extinction, however, of this was
+not to be effected by allowing the son of an African slave to obtain his
+freedom on the death of his parent. Such a son should be considered as
+born free; he should then be educated at the expense of the person
+importing his parents; and, when arrived at such a degree of strength as
+might qualify him to labour, he should work for a term of years for the
+payment of the expense of his education and maintenance. It was
+impossible to emancipate the existing slaves at once; nor would such an
+emancipation be of any immediate benefit to themselves; but this
+observation would not apply to their descendants, if trained and
+educated in the manner he had proposed.
+
+He would now address himself to those who adopted the opposite extreme;
+and he thought he should not assume too much when he said, that if both
+slavery and the Slave Trade could be abolished with safety to their
+property, it deeply concerned their interests to do it. Such a measure,
+also, would only be consistent with the principles of the British
+constitution. It was surely strange that we, who were ourselves free,
+should carry on a Slave Trade with Africa, and that we should never
+think of introducing cultivation into the West Indies by free labourers.
+
+That such a measure would tend to their interest he had no doubt. Did
+not all of them agree with Mr. Long, that the great danger in the West
+Indies arose from the importation of the African slaves there? Mr. Long
+had asserted, that all the insurrections there arose from these. If this
+statement was true, how directly it bore upon the present question! But
+we were told, also, by the same author, that the Slave Trade gave rise
+to robbery, murder, and all kinds of depredations on the coast of
+Africa. Had this been answered? No: except indeed it had been said that
+the slaves were such as had been condemned for crimes. Well, then, the
+imported Africans consisted of all the convicts, rogues, thieves, and
+vagabonds in Africa. But would the West Indians choose to depend on
+fresh supplies of these for the cultivation of their lands, and the
+security of their islands, when it was also found that every
+insurrection had arisen from them? It was plain the safety of the
+islands was concerned in this question. There would be danger so long as
+the trade lasted. The planters were, by these importations, creating the
+engines of their own destruction. Surely they would act more to their
+own interest if they would concur in extinguishing the trade, than by
+standing up for its continuance.
+
+He would now ask them, what right they had to suppose that Africa would
+for ever remain in a state of barbarism. If once an enlightened prince
+were to rise up there, his first act would be to annihilate the Slave
+Trade. If the light of heaven were ever to descend upon that continent,
+it would directly occasion its downfall. It was their interest then to
+contrive a mode of supplying labour, without trusting to precarious
+importations from that quarter. They might rest assured that the trade
+could not continue. He did not allude to the voice of the people in the
+petitions then lying on the table of the House; but he knew certainly,
+that an idea not only of the injustice, but of the impolicy, of this
+trade had been long entertained by men of the most enlightened
+understandings in this country. Was it then a prudent thing for them to
+rest on this commerce for the further improvement of their property?
+
+There was a species of slavery, prevailing only a few years ago, in the
+collieries in certain boroughs in Scotland. Emancipation there was
+thought a duty by parliament: but what an opposition there was to the
+measure! Nothing but ruin would be the consequence of it! After several
+years struggle the bill was Carried. Within a year after, the ruin so
+much talked of vanished in smoke, and there was an end of the business.
+It had also been contended that Sir William Dolben's bill would be the
+ruin of Liverpool: and yet one of its representatives had allowed, that
+this bill had been of benefit to the owners of the slave-vessels there.
+Was he then asking too much of the West Indians, to request a candid
+consideration of the real ground of their alarms? He would conclude by
+stating, that he meant to propose a middle way of proceeding. If there
+was a number of members in the House, who thought with him, that this
+trade ought to be ultimately abolished, but yet by moderate measures,
+which should neither invade the property nor the prejudices of
+individuals, he wished them to unite, and they might then reduce the
+question to its proper limits.
+
+Mr. Addington, the speaker, (now Viscount Sidmouth,) professed himself
+to be one of those moderate persons called upon by Mr. Dundas. He wished
+to see some middle measure suggested. The fear of doing injury to the
+property of others, had hitherto prevented him from giving an opinion
+against a system, the continuance of which he could not countenance.
+
+He utterly abhorred the Slave Trade. A noble and learned lord, who had
+now retired from the bench, said on a certain occasion, that he pitied
+the loyalty of that man, who imagined that any epithet could aggravate
+the crime of treason. So he himself knew of no language which could
+aggravate the crime of the Slave Trade. It was sufficient for every
+purpose of crimination, to assert, that man thereby was bought; and
+sold, or that he was made subject to the despotism of man. But though he
+thus acknowledged the justice due to a whole continent on the one side,
+he confessed there were opposing claims of justice on the other. The
+case of the West Indians deserved a tender consideration also.
+
+He doubted, if we were to relinquish the Slave Trade alone, whether it
+might not be carried on still more barbarously than at present; and
+whether, if we were to stop it altogether, the islands could keep up
+their present stocks. It had been asserted that they could. But he,
+thought that the stopping of the imputations could not be depended upon
+for this purpose, so much as a plan for providing them with more
+females.
+
+With the mode suggested by his right honourable friend, Mr. Dundas, he
+was pleased, though he, did not wholly agree to it. He could not grant
+liberty to the children born in the islands. He thought, also, that the
+trade ought to be permitted for ten or twelve years longer, under such
+arrangements as should introduce a kind of management among the slaves
+there, favourable to their interests, and of course to their future
+happiness. One species of regulation which he should propose, would be
+greater encouragement to the importation of females than of males, by
+means of a bounty on the former till their numbers should be found
+equal. Rewards also might be given to those slaves who should raise a
+certain number of children; and to those who should devise means of
+lightening negro-labour. If the plan of his honourable friend should
+comprehend these regulations, he would heartily concur in it. He wished
+to see the Slave Trade abolished. Indeed it did not deserve the name of
+a trade. It was not a trade, and ought not to be allowed. He was
+satisfied, that in a few years it would cease to be the reproach of this
+nation and the torment of Africa. But under regulations like these, it
+would cease without any material injury to the interests of others.
+
+Mr. Fox said, that after what had fallen from the two last speakers, he
+could remain no longer silent. Something so mischievous had come out,
+and something so like a foundation had been laid for preserving, not
+only for years to come, but for ever, this detestable traffic, that he
+should feel himself wanting in his duty, if he were not to deprecate all
+such deceptions and delusions upon the country.
+
+The honourable gentlemen had called themselves moderate men: but upon
+this subject he neither felt, nor desired to feel, anything like a
+sentiment of moderation. Their speeches had reminded him of a passage in
+MIDDLETON'S _Life of Cicero_. The translation of it was defective,
+though it would equally suit his purpose. He says, "To enter into a
+man's house, and kill him, his wife, and family, in the night, is
+certainly a most heinous crime, and deserving of death; but to break
+open his house, to murder him, his wife, and all his children in the
+night, may be still very right, provided it be done with moderation."
+Now, was there anything more absurd in this passage, than to say, that
+the Slave Trade might be carried on with moderation; for, if you could
+not rob or murder a single man with moderation, with what moderation
+could you pillage and wound a whole nation? In fact, the question of the
+abolition was simply a question of justice. It was only, whether we
+should authorize by law, respecting Africa, the commission of crimes,
+for which, in this country, we should forfeit our lives: notwithstanding
+which, it was to be treated, in the opinion of these honourable
+gentlemen, with moderation.
+
+Mr. Addington had proposed to cure the disproportion of the sexes in the
+islands, by a bounty on the importation of females; or, in other words,
+by offering a premium to any crew of ruffians, who would tear them from
+their native country. He would let loose a banditti against the most
+weak and defenceless of the sex. He would occasion these to kill
+fathers, husbands, and brothers, to get possession of their relatives,
+the females, who, after this carnage, were to be reserved for--slavery.
+He should like to see the man, who would pen such a moderate clause for
+a British parliament.
+
+Mr. Dundas had proposed to abolish the Slave Trade, by bettering the
+state of the slaves in the islands, and particularly that of their
+offspring. His plan, with respect to the latter, was not a little
+curious. They were to become free, when born; and then they were to be
+educated, at the expense of those to whom their fathers belonged. But it
+was clear, that they could not be educated for nothing. In order,
+therefore, to repay this expense, they were to be slaves for ten or
+fifteen years. In short, they were to have an education, which was to
+qualify them to become freemen; and after they had been so educated,
+they were to become slaves. But as this free education might possibly
+unfit them for submitting to slavery; so, after they had been made to
+bow under the yoke for ten or fifteen years, they might then, perhaps,
+be equally unfit to become free; and therefore, might be retained as
+slaves for a few years longer, if not for their whole lives. He never
+heard of a scheme so moderate, and yet so absurd and visionary.
+
+The same honourable gentleman had observed, that the conduct of other
+nations should not hinder us from doing, our duty; but yet neutrals
+would furnish, our islands with slaves. What was the inference from this
+moderate assertion, but that we might as well supply them ourselves? He
+hoped, if we were yet to be supplied, it would never be by Englishmen.
+We ought no longer to be concerned in such a crime.
+
+An adversary, Mr. Baillie, had said, that it would not be fair to take
+the character of this country from the records of the Old Bailey. He did
+not at all wonder, when the subject of the Slave Trade was mentioned,
+that the Old Bailey naturally occurred to his recollection. The facts,
+which had been described in the evidence, were associated in all our
+minds with the ideas of criminal justice. But Mr. Baillie had forgot the
+essential difference between the two cases. When we learnt from these
+records, that crimes were committed in this country, we learnt also,
+that they were punished with transportation and death. But the crimes
+committed in the Slave Trade were passed over with impunity. Nay, the
+perpetrators were even sent out again to commit others.
+
+As to the mode of obtaining slaves, it had been suggested as the least
+disreputable, that they became so in consequence of condemnation as
+criminals. But he would judge of the probability of this mode by the
+reasonableness of it. No less than eighty thousand Africans were
+exported annually by the different nations of Europe from their own
+country. Was it possible to believe that this number could have been
+legally convicted of crimes, for which they had justly forfeited their
+liberty? The supposition was ridiculous. The truth was, that every
+enormity was practised to obtain the persons of these unhappy people; He
+referred those present to the case in the evidence of the African
+trader, who had kidnapped and sold a girl, and who was afterwards
+kidnapped and sold himself. He desired them to reason upon the
+conversation which had taken place between the trader and the captain of
+the ship on this occasion. He desired them also to reason upon the
+instance mentioned this evening, which had happened in the river
+Cameroons, and they would infer all the rapine, all the desolation, and
+all the bloodshed, which had been placed to the account of this
+execrable trade.
+
+An attempt had been made to impress the House with the horrible scenes
+which had taken place in St. Domingo, as an argument against the
+abolition of the Slave Trade; but could any more weighty argument be
+produced in its favour? What were the causes of the insurrections there?
+They were two. The first was the indecision of the National Assembly,
+who wished to compromise between that which was right and that which was
+wrong on this subject. And the second was the oppression of the people
+of colour, and of the slaves. In the first of the causes we saw
+something like the moderation of Mr. Dundas and Mr. Addington. One day
+this Assembly talked of liberty, and favoured the Blacks. Another day
+they suspended their measures and favoured the Whites. They wished to
+steer a middle course; but decision had been mercy. Decision even
+against the planters would have been a thousand times better than
+indecision and half measures. In the mean time, the people of colour
+took the great work of justice into their own hands. Unable, however, to
+complete this of themselves, they called in the aid of the slaves. Here
+began the second cause; for the slaves, feeling their own power, began
+to retaliate on the Whites. And here it may be observed, that, in all
+revolutions, the clemency or cruelty of the victors will always be in
+proportion to their former privileges, of their oppression. That the
+slaves then should have been guilty of great excesses, was not to be
+wondered at; for where did they learn their cruelty? They learnt it from
+those who had tyrannized over them. The oppression, which they
+themselves had suffered, was fresh in their memories, and this had
+driven them to exercise their vengeance so furiously. If we wished to
+prevent similar scenes in our own islands, we must reject all moderate
+measures, and at once abolish the Slave Trade. By doing this, we should
+procure a better treatment for the slaves there; and when this happy
+change of system should have taken place, we might depend on them for
+the defence of the islands as much as on the whites themselves.
+
+Upon the whole, he would give his opinion of this traffic in a few
+words. He believed it to be impolitic--he knew it to be inhuman--he was
+certain it was unjust--he thought it so inhuman and unjust, that, if the
+colonies could not be cultivated without it, they ought not to be
+cultivated at all. It would be much better for us to be without them,
+than, not abolish the Slave Trade. He hoped therefore that members would
+this night act the part which would do them honour. He declared, that,
+whether he should vote in a large minority or a small one, he would
+never give up the cause. Whether in Parliament or out of it, in whatever
+situation he might ever be, as long as he had a voice to speak, this
+question should never be at rest. Believing the trade to be of the
+nature of crimes and pollutions, which stained the honour of the
+country, he would never relax his efforts. It was his duty to prevent
+man from preying upon man; and if he and his friends should die before
+they had attained their glorious object, he hoped there would never be
+wanting men alive to their duty, who would continue to labour till the
+evil should be wholly done away. If the situation of the Africans was as
+happy as servitude could make them, he could not consent to the enormous
+crime of selling man to man; nor permit a practice to continue, which
+put an entire bar to the civilization of one quarter of the globe. He
+was sure that the nation would not much longer allow the continuance of
+enormities which shocked human nature. The West Indians had no right to
+demand that crimes should be permitted by this country for their
+advantage; and, if they were wise, they would lend their cordial
+assistance to such measures, as would bring about, in the shortest
+possible time, the abolition of this execrable trade.
+
+Mr. Dundas rose again, but it was only to move an amendment, namely,
+that the word "gradually" should be inserted before the words "to be
+abolished" in Mr. Wilberforce's motion.
+
+Mr. Jenkinson (afterwards Earl of Liverpool) said, that the opinions of
+those who were averse to the abolition had been unfairly stated. They
+had been described as founded on policy, in opposition to humanity. If
+it could be made out that humanity would be aided by the abolition, he
+would be the last person to oppose it. The question was not, he
+apprehended, whether the trade was founded in injustice and oppression:
+he admitted it was. Nor was it, whether it was in itself abstractedly an
+evil: he admitted this also; but whether, under all the circumstances of
+the case, any considerable advantage would arise to a number of our
+fellow-creatures from the abolition of the trade in the manner in which
+it had been proposed.
+
+He was ready to admit, that the Africans at home were made miserable by
+the Slave Trade, and that, if it were universally abolished, great
+benefit would arise to them. No one, however, would assert, that these
+miseries arose from the trade as carried on by Great Britain only. Other
+countries occasioned as much of the evil as we did; and if the abolition
+of it by us should prove only the transferring of it to those countries,
+very little benefit would result from the measure.
+
+What then was the probability of our example being followed by foreign
+powers? Five years had now elapsed since the question was first started,
+and what had any of them done? The Portuguese continued the trade. The
+Spaniards still gave a bounty to encourage it. He believed there were
+agents from Holland in this country, who were then negotiating with
+persons concerned in it in order to secure its continuance. The
+abolition also had been proposed in the National Assembly of France, and
+had been rejected there. From these circumstances he had a right to
+infer, that if we gave up the trade, we should only transfer it to those
+countries: but this transfer would be entirely against the Africans. The
+mortality on board English ships, previously to the regulating bill, was
+four and an-eighth per cent. Since that time it had been reduced to
+little more than three per cent[A]. In French ships it was near ten, and
+in Dutch ships from five to seven, per cent. In Portuguese it was less
+than either in French or Dutch, but more than in English ships since the
+regulating bill. Thus the deaths of the Africans would be more than
+doubled, if we were to abolish the trade.
+
+[Footnote A: Mr. Wilberforce stated it on the same evening to be between
+ten and eleven per cent. for the last year. The number then exported
+from Africa to our islands was rather more than 22,000, of whom more
+than 2,300 died.]
+
+Perhaps it might be replied, that the importations being stopped in our
+own islands, fewer Africans would experience this misery, because fewer
+would be taken from their own country on this account. But he had a
+right to infer, that as the planters purchased slaves at present, they
+would still think it their interest to have them. The question then was,
+whether they could get them by smuggling. Now it appeared by the
+evidence, that many hundred slaves had been stolen from time to time
+from Jamaica, and carried into Cuba. But if persons could smuggle slaves
+out of our colonies, they could smuggle slaves into them; but
+particularly when the planters might think it to their interest to
+assist them.
+
+With respect to the slaves there, instances had been related of their
+oppression, which shocked the feelings of all who heard them: but was it
+fair to infer from these their general ill usage? Suppose a person were
+to make a collection of the different abuses, which had happened for a
+series of years under our own happy constitution, and use these as an
+argument of its worthlessness; should we not say to him, that in the
+most perfect system which the human intellect could form some defects
+would exist; and that it was unfair to draw inferences from such partial
+facts? In the same manner he would argue relative to the alleged
+treatment of the slaves. Evidence had been produced upon this point on
+both sides. He should not be afraid to oppose the authorities of Lord
+Rodney, and others, against any, however respectable, in favour of the
+abolition. But this was not necessary. There was another species of
+facts, which would answer the same end; Previously to the year 1730 the
+decrease of the slaves in our islands was very considerable. From 1730
+to 1755 the deaths were reduced to only two and a-half per cent, above
+the births; from 1755 to 1768 to only one and three-fourths; and from
+1768 to 1788 to only one per cent. This then, on the first view of the
+subject, would show, that whatever might have been the situation of
+slaves formerly, it had been gradually improved. But if, in addition to
+this, we considered the peculiar disadvanges under which they laboured;
+the small proportion of females to males; and the hurricanes, and
+famines, which had swept away thousands, we should find it physically
+impossible, that they could have increased as related, if they had been
+treated as cruelly as the friends of the abolition had described.
+
+This species of facts would enable him also to draw still more important
+conclusions; namely, that as the slaves in the West Indies had gradually
+increased, they would continue to increase; that very few years would
+pass, not only before the births were equal to the deaths, but before
+they were more numerous than the deaths; and that if this was likely to
+happen in the present state of things, how much more would it happen, if
+by certain regulations the increase of the slaves should be encouraged?
+
+The only question then was, whether it was more advantageous to breed or
+to import. He thought he should prove the former; and if so, then this
+increase was inevitable, and the importations would necessarily cease.
+
+In the first place, the gradual increase of the slaves of late years
+clearly proved, that such increase had been encouraged. But their price
+had been doubled in the last twenty years. The planter, therefore, must
+feel it his interest to desist from purchasing, if possible. But again,
+the greatest mortality was among the newly imported slaves. The diseases
+they contracted on the passage, and their deaths in the seasoning, all
+made for the same doctrine. Add to this, that slaves bred in the islands
+were more expert at colonial labour, more reconciled to their situation,
+and better disposed towards their masters than those who were brought
+from Africa.
+
+But it had been said, that the births and deaths in the islands were now
+equal; and that therefore no further supply was wanted. He denied the
+propriety of this inference. The slaves were subject to peculiar
+diseases. They were exposed also to hurricanes and consequent famines.
+That the day, however, would come, when the stock there would be
+sufficient, no person who attended to the former part of his argument
+could doubt. That they had gradually increased, were gradually
+increasing, and would, by certain regulations, increase more and more,
+must be equally obvious. But these were all considerations for
+continuing the traffic a little longer.
+
+He then desired the House to reflect upon the state of St. Domingo. Had
+not its calamities been imputed by its own deputies to the advocates for
+the abolition? Were ever any scenes of horror equal to those which had
+passed there? And should we, when principles of the same sort were
+lurking in our own islands, expose our fellow-subjects to the same
+miseries, who, if guilty of promoting this trade, had, at least, been
+encouraged in it by ourselves?
+
+That the Slave Trade was an evil, he admitted. That the state of slavery
+itself was likewise an evil, he admitted; and if the question was, not
+whether we should abolish, but whether we should establish these, he
+would be the first to oppose himself to their existence; but there were
+many evils, which we should have thought it our duty to prevent, yet
+which, when they had once arisen, it was more dangerous to oppose than
+to submit to,--The duty of a statesman was, not to consider abstractedly
+what was right or wrong, but to weigh the consequences which were likely
+to result from the abolition of an evil, against those which were likely
+to result from its continuance. Agreeing then most perfectly with the
+abolitionists in their end, he differed from them only in the means of
+accomplishing it. He was desirous of doing that gradually, which he
+conceived they were doing rashly. He had therefore drawn up two
+propositions. The first was, That an address be presented to His
+Majesty, that he would recommend to the colonial assemblies to grant
+premiums to such planters, and overseers, as should distinguish
+themselves by promoting the annual increase of the slaves by birth; and
+likewise freedom to every female slave, who had reared five children to
+the age of seven years. The second was, That a bounty of five pounds per
+head be given to the master of every slave-ship, who should import in
+any cargo a greater number of females than males, not exceeding the age
+of twenty-five years. To bring, forward these propositions, he would now
+move that the chairman leave the chair.
+
+Mr. Este wished the debate to be adjourned. He allowed there were many
+enormities in the trade, which called for regulation. There were two
+propositions before the House: the one for the immediate, and the other
+for the gradual, abolition of the trade. He thought that members should
+be allowed time to compare their respective merits. At present his own
+opinion was, that gradual abolition would answer the end proposed in the
+least exceptionable manner.
+
+Mr. Pitt rejoiced that the debate had taken a turn, which contracted the
+question into such narrow limits. The matter then in dispute was merely
+as to the time at which the abolition should take, place. He therefore
+congratulated the House, the country, and the world, that this great
+point had been gained; that we might now consider this trade as having
+received its condemnation; that this curse of mankind was seen in its
+true light; and that the greatest stigma on our national character,
+which ever yet existed, was about to be removed! Mankind, he trusted,
+were now likely to be delivered from the greatest practical evil that
+ever afflicted the human race--from the most severe and extensive
+calamity recorded in the history of the world.
+
+His honourable friend (Mr. Jenkinson) had insinuated, that any act for
+the abolition would be evaded. But if we were to enforce this act with
+all the powers of the country, how could it fail to be effectual? But
+his honourable friend had himself satisfied him, upon this point. He had
+acknowledged, that the trade would drop of itself, on account of the
+increasing dearness of the commodity imported. He would ask then, if we
+were to leave to the importer no means of importation but by smuggling;
+and if, besides all the present disadvantages, we were to load him with
+all the charges and hazards of the smuggler, would there be any danger
+of any considerable supply of fresh slaves being poured into the islands
+through this channel? The question under these circumstances, he
+pronounced, would not bear a dispute.
+
+His honourable friend had also maintained, that it would be inexpedient
+to stop the importations immediately, because the deaths and births in
+the islands were as yet not equal. But he (Mr. Pitt) had proved last
+year, from the most authentic documents, that an increase of the births
+above the deaths had already taken place. This then was the time for
+beginning the abolition. But he would now observe, that five years had
+elapsed since these documents were framed; and therefore the presumption
+was, that the black population was increasing at an extraordinary rate.
+He had not, to be sure, in his consideration of the subject, entered
+into the dreadful mortality arising from the clearing of new lands.
+Importations for this purpose were to be considered, not as carrying on
+the trade, but as setting on foot a Slave Trade, a measure which he
+believed no one present would then support. He therefore asked his
+honourable friend, whether the period he had looked to was now arrived?
+whether the West Indies, at this hour, were, not in a state in which
+they could maintain their population?
+
+It had been argued, that one or other of these two, assertions was
+false; that either the population of the slaves must be decreasing,
+(which the abolitionists denied,) or, if it was increasing, the slaves
+must have been well treated. That their population was rather increasing
+than otherwise, and also that their general treatment was by no means so
+good as it ought to have been, were both points which had been proved by
+different witnesses. Neither were they incompatible with each other. But
+he would see whether the explanation of this seeming contradiction would
+not refute the argument of expediency, as advanced by his honourable
+friend. Did the slaves decrease in numbers?--Yes. Then ill usage must
+have been the cause of it; but if so, the abolition was immediately
+necessary to, restrain it. Did they, on the other hand, increase?--Yes.
+But if so, no further importations, were wanted. Was their population
+(to take a middle course) nearly stationary, and their treatment neither
+so good nor so bad as it might be?--Yes. But if so, this was the proper
+period for stopping further supplies; for both the population and the
+treatment would be improved by such a measure.
+
+But he would show again the futility of the, argument of his honourable
+friend. He himself had admitted that it was in the power of the
+colonists to correct the various abuses, by which the Negro population
+was restrained. But, they could not do this without improving the
+condition of their slaves; without making them approximate towards the
+rank of citizens; without giving them some little interest in their
+labour, which would occasion them to work with the energy of men. But
+now the Assembly of Grenada had themselves stated, "that though the
+Negroes were allowed the afternoons of only one day in every week they
+would do as much work in that afternoon, when employed for their own
+benefit as in the whole day, when employed in their masters' service."
+Now, after, this, confession, the House might burn all his calculations
+relative to the Negro population; for, if it had not yet quite reached
+the desirable state which he had pointed out, this confession had
+proved, that further supplies were not wanted. A Negro, if he worked for
+himself, could do double work. By an improvement then in the mode of
+labour, the work in the islands could be doubled. But if so, what would
+become of the argument of his honourable friend? for then only half the
+number of the present labourers were necessary.
+
+He would now try this argument of expediency by other considerations.
+The best informed writers on the subject had told us, that the purchase
+of new Negroes was injurious to the, planters. But if this statement was
+just, would not the abolition be beneficial to them? That it would, was
+the opinion of Mr. Long, their own historian. "If the Slave Trade," says
+he, "was prohibited for four or five years, it would enable them to
+retrieve their affairs by preventing them from running into debt, either
+by renting or purchasing Negroes." To this acknowledgment he would add a
+fact from the evidence, which was, that a North American province, by
+such a prohibition alone for a few years from being deeply plunged in
+debt, had become independent, rich, and flourishing.
+
+The next consideration was the danger, to which the islands, were
+exposed from the newly imported slaves. Mr. Long, with a view of
+preventing insurrections, had advised, that a duty equal to a
+prohibition, might be laid on the importation of Coromantine slaves.
+After noticing one insurrection, which happened through their means, he
+speaks of another in the following year, in which thirty-three
+Coromantines, "most of whom had been newly imported, murdered and
+wounded no less than nineteen Whites in the, space of an hour." To the
+authority of Mr Long he would add the recorded opinion of a committee of
+the House of Assembly of Jamaica, which was appointed to inquire into
+the best means of preventing future insurrections. The committee
+reported, that "the rebellion had originated, like most others, with the
+Coromantines," and they proposed that a bill should he brought in for
+laying a higher duty on the importation of these particular Negroes,
+which should operate as a prohibition. But the danger was not confined
+to the introduction of Coromantines. Mr. Long accounts for the frequent
+insurrections in Jamaica from the greatness of its general importations.
+"In two years and a-half," says he, "twenty-seven thousand Negroes have
+been imported.--No wonder that we have rebellions!" Surely then, when
+his honourable friend spoke of the calamities of St. Domingo, and of
+similar dangers impending over our own islands, it ill became him to be
+the person to cry out for further importations! It ill became him to
+charge upon the abolitionists the crime of stirring up insurrections,
+who only recommended what the legislature of Jamaica itself had laid
+down in a time of danger with an avowed view to prevent them. It was,
+indeed, a great satisfaction to himself, that among the many arguments
+for prohibiting the Slave Trade, the security of our West Indian
+possessions against internal commotions, as well as foreign enemies, was
+among the most prominent and forcible. And here he would ask his
+honourable friend, whether in this part of the argument he did not see
+reason for immediate abolition. Why should we any longer persist in
+introducing those latent principles of conflagration, which, if they
+should once burst forth, might annihilate the industry of a hundred
+years? which might throw the planters back a whole century in their
+profits, in their cultivation, and in their progress towards the
+emancipation of their slaves? It was our duty to vote that the abolition
+of the Slave Trade should be immediate, and not to leave it to he knew
+not what future time or contingency.
+
+Having now done with the argument of expediency, he would consider the
+proposition of his right honourable friend Mr. Dundas; that, on account
+of some patrimonial rights of the West Indians, the prohibition of the
+Slave Trade would be an invasion of their legal inheritance. He would
+first observe, that, if this argument was worth anything, it applied
+just as much to gradual as to immediate abolition. He had no doubt,
+that, at whatever period we should say the trade should cease; it would
+be equally, set up; for it would certainly be just as good an argument
+against the measure in seventy years hence, as it was against it now. It
+implied also, that Parliament had no right to stop the importations: but
+had this detestable traffic received such a sanction, as placed it more
+out of the jurisdiction of the legislature for ever after, than any
+other branch of our trade? In what a situation did the proposition of
+his honourable friend place the legislature of Great Britain! It was
+scarcely possible to lay a duty on anyone article, which might not in
+someway affect the property of individuals. But if the laws respecting
+the Slave Trade implied a contract for its perpetual continuance, the
+House could never regulate any other of the branches of our national
+commerce.
+
+But any contract for the promotion of this trade must, in his opinion,
+have been void from the beginning: for if it was an outrage upon
+justice, and only another name for fraud, robbery, and murder, what
+pledge could devolve upon the legislature to incur the obligation of
+becoming principals in the commission of such enormities by sanctioning
+their continuance?
+
+But he would appeal to the acts themselves. That of 23 George II. c. 31,
+was the one upon which the greatest stress was laid. How would the House
+be surprised to hear that the very outrages committed in the prosecution
+of this trade had been forbidden by that act! "No master of a ship
+trading to Africa," says the act, "shall by fraud, force, or violence,
+or by any indirect practice whatever, take on board or carry away from
+that coast any Negro, or native of that country, or commit any violence
+on the natives, to the prejudice of the said trade; and every person so
+offending, shall for every such offence forfeit one hundred pounds." But
+the whole trade had been demonstrated to be a system of fraud, force,
+and violence; and therefore the contract was daily violated, under which
+the Parliament allowed it to continue.
+
+But why had the trade ever been permitted at all? The preamble of the
+act would show: "Whereas the trade to and from Africa is very
+advantageous to Great Britain, and necessary for supplying the
+Plantations and Colonies thereunto belonging with a sufficient number of
+Negroes at reasonable rates, and for that purpose the said trade should
+be carried on."--Here then we might see what the Parliament had in view,
+when it passed this act. But no one of the occasions, on which it
+grounded its proceedings, now existed. He would plead, then, the act
+itself as an argument for the abolition. If it had been proved that,
+instead of being very advantageous to Great Britain, it was the most
+destructive to her interests--that it was the ruin of her seamen--that
+it stopped the extension of her manufactures;--if it had been proved, in
+the second place, that it was not now necessary for the supply of our
+Plantations with Negroes;--if it had been further established, that it
+was from the beginning contrary to the first principles of justice, and
+consequently that a pledge for its continuance, had one been attempted
+to be given, must have been absolutely void--where in this act of
+parliament was the contract to be found, by which Britain was bound, as
+she was said to be, never to listen to her own true interests and to the
+cries of the natives of Africa? Was it not clear, that all argument,
+founded on the supposed pledge of Parliament, made against those who
+employed it?
+
+But if we were not bound by existing laws to the support of this trade,
+we were doubly criminal in pursuing it; for why ought it to be abolished
+at all? Because it was incurable injustice. Africa was the ground on
+which he chiefly rested; and there it was, that his two honourable
+friends, one of whom had proposed gradual abolition, and the other
+regulation, did not carry their principles, to their full extent. Both
+had confessed the trade to be a moral evil. How much stronger, then, was
+the argument, for immediate than for gradual abolition! If on the ground
+of a moral evil it was to be abolished at last, why ought it not now?
+Why was injustice to be suffered to remain for a single hour? He knew of
+no evil, which ever had existed, nor could he imagine any to exist,
+worse than the tearing of eighty thousand persons annually from their
+native land, by a combination of the most civilized nations, in the most
+enlightened quarter of the globe; but more, especially by that nation,
+which called herself the most free and the most happy of them all.
+
+He would now notice the objection, that other nations would not give up
+the Slave Trade, if we were to renounce it. But if the trade were
+stained, but by a thousandth part of the criminality which he and
+others, after a thorough investigation of the subject, charged upon it,
+the House ought immediately to vote for its abolition. This miserable
+argument, if persevered in, would be an eternal bar to the annihilation
+of the evil. How was it ever to be eradicated, if every nation was thus
+prudentially to wait till the concurrence of all the world should be
+obtained! But it applied a thousand times more strongly in a contrary
+way. How much more justly would other nations say, "Great Britain, free
+as she is, just and honourable as she is, not only has not abolished,
+but has refused to abolish, the Slave Trade. She has investigated it
+well. Her senate has deliberated upon it. It is plain, then, that she
+sees no guilt in it." With this argument we should furnish the other
+nations of Europe, if we were again to refuse to put an end to this
+cruel traffic; and we should have from henceforth not only to answer for
+our own, but for their crimes also. Already we have suffered one year to
+pass away; and now, when the question was renewed, not only had this
+wretched argument been revived, but a proposition had been made for the
+gradual abolition of the trade. He knew, indeed, the difficulty of
+reforming long established abuses; but in the present case, by proposing
+some other period than the present, by prescribing some condition, by
+waiting for some contingencies, perhaps till we obtained the general
+concurrence of Europe, (A concurrence which he believe never yet took
+place at the commencement of any one improvement in policy or morals,)
+he fared that this most enormous evil would never be redressed. Was it
+not folly to wait for the stream to run down before we crossed the bed
+of its channel? Alas! we might wait for ever. The river would still flow
+on. We should be no nearer the object which we had in view, so long as
+the step, which could alone bring us to it was not taken.
+
+He would now proceed to the civilization of Africa; and, as his eye had
+just glanced upon a West Indian law in the evidence upon the table, he
+would begin with an argument, which the sight of it had suggested to
+him. This argument had been ably answered in the course of the evening;
+but he would view it in yet another light. It had been said, that the
+savage disposition of the Africans rendered the prospect of their
+civilization almost hopeless. This argument was indeed of long standing;
+but, last year, it had been supported upon a new ground. Captain Frazer
+had stated in his evidence, that a boy had been put to death at Cabenda,
+because there were those who refused to purchase him as a slave. This
+single story was deemed by him, and had been considered by others, as a
+sufficient proof of the barbarity of the Africans, and of the inutility
+of abolishing the Slave Trade. But they, who had used this fact, had
+suppressed several circumstances relating to it. It appeared, on
+questioning Captain Frazer afterward, that this boy had previously run
+away from his master three several times; that the master had to pay his
+value, according to the custom of the country, every time he was brought
+back; and that partly from anger at the boy for running away so
+frequently, and partly to prevent a repetition of the same expense, he
+determined to destroy him. Such was the explanation of the signal
+instance, which was to fix barbarity on all Africa, as it came out in
+the cross-examination of Captain Frazer. That this African master was
+unenlightened and barbarous, he freely admitted; but what would an
+enlightened and civilized West Indian have done in a similar case? He
+would quote the law, passed in the West Indies in 1722, which he had
+just cast his eye upon in the book of evidence, by which law this very
+same crime of running away was by the legislature, of an island, by the
+grave and deliberate sentence of an enlightened legislature, punished
+with death; and this, not in the case only of the third offence, but
+even in the very first instance. It was enacted, "That, if any Negro or
+other slave should withdraw himself from his master for the term of six
+months, or any slave, who was absent, should not return within that
+time, every such person should suffer death." There was also another
+West Indian law, by which every Negro was armed against his fellow
+Negro, for he was authorized to kill every runaway slave; and he had
+even a reward held out to him for so doing. Let the House now contrast
+the two cases. Let them ask themselves which of the two exhibited the
+greater barbarity; and whether they could possibly vote for the
+continuance of the Slave Trade, upon the principle that the Africans had
+shown themselves to be a race of incorrigible barbarians?
+
+Something like an opposite argument, but with a like view, had been
+maintained by others on this subject. It had been said, in justification
+of the trade, that the Africans had derived some little civilization
+from their intercourse with us. Yes; we had given them just enough of
+the forms of justice to enable them to add the pretext of legal trials
+to their other modes of perpetrating the most atrocious crimes. We had
+given them just enough of European improvements, to enable them the more
+effectually to turn Africa into a ravaged wilderness. Alas! alas! we had
+carried on a trade with them from this civilized and enlightened
+country, which, instead of diffusing knowledge, had been a check to
+every laudable pursuit. We had carried a poison into their country,
+which spread its contagious effects from one end of it to the other, and
+which penetrated to its very centre, corrupting every part to which it
+reached. We had there subverted the whole order of nature; we had
+aggravated every natural barbarity, and furnished to every man motives
+for committing, under the name of trade, acts of perpetual hostility and
+perfidy against his neighbour. Thus had the perversion of British
+commerce carried misery instead of happiness to one whole quarter of the
+globe. False to the very principles of trade, misguided in our policy,
+unmindful of our duty, what almost irreparable mischief had we done to
+that continent! How should we hope to obtain forgiveness from heaven, if
+we refused to use those means which the mercy of Providence had still
+reserved to us for wiping away the guilt and shame, with which we were
+now covered? If we refused even this degree of compensation, how
+aggravated would be our guilt! Should we delay, then, to repair these
+incalculable injuries? We ought to count the days, nay the very hours,
+which intervened to delay the accomplishment of such a work.
+
+On this great subject, the civilization of Africa, which, he confessed,
+was near his heart, he would yet add a few observations. And first he
+would say, that the present deplorable state of that country, especially
+when we reflected that her chief calamities were to be ascribed to us,
+called for our generous aid, rather than justified any despair, on our
+part, of her recovery, and still less a repetition of our injuries. On
+what ground of theory or history did we act, when we supposed she was
+never to be reclaimed? There was a time, which it might be now fit to
+call to remembrance, when human sacrifices, and even this very practice
+of the Slave Trade existed in our own island. Slaves, as we may read in
+HENRY's _History of Great Britain_, were formerly an established article
+of our exports. "Great numbers," he says, "were exported like cattle
+from the British coast, and were to be seen exposed for sale in the
+Roman markets."--"Adultery, witchcraft, and debt," says the same
+historian, "were probably some of the chief sources of supplying the
+Roman market with British slaves--prisoners taken in war were added to
+the number--there might be also among them some unfortunate gamesters,
+who, after having lost all their goods, at length staked themselves,
+their wives, and their children." Now every one of these sources of
+slavery had been stated to be at this hour a source of slavery in
+Africa. If these practices, therefore, were to be admitted as proofs of
+the natural incapacity of its inhabitants, why might they not have been
+applied to ancient Britain? Why might not then some Roman senator,
+pointing to British barbarians, have predicted with equal boldness, that
+these were a people who were destined never to be free; who were without
+the understanding necessary for the attainment of useful arts; depressed
+by the hand of nature below the level of the human species, and created
+to form a supply of slaves for the rest of the world? But, happily,
+since that time, notwithstanding what would then have been the justness
+of these predictions, we had emerged from barbarism. We were now raised
+to a situation which exhibited a striking contrast to every circumstance
+by which a Roman might have characterized us, and by which we now
+characterized Africa. There was indeed one thing wanting to complete the
+contrast, and to clear us altogether from the imputation of acting even
+to this hour as barbarians; for we continued to this hour a barbarous
+traffic in slaves; we continued it even yet, in spite of all our great
+pretensions. We were once as obscure among the nations of the earth, as
+savage in our manners, as debased in our morals, as degraded in our
+understandings, as these unhappy Africans. But in the lapse of a long
+series of years, by a progression slow, and for a time almost
+imperceptible, we had become rich in a variety of acquirements. We were
+favoured above measure in the gifts of Providence, we were unrivalled in
+commerce, pre-eminent in arts, foremost in the pursuits of philosophy
+and science, and established in all the blessings of civil society; we
+were in the possession of peace, of liberty, and of happiness; we were
+under the guidance of a mild and a beneficent religion; and we were
+protected by impartial laws and the purest administration of justice; we
+were living under a system of government, which our own happy experience
+led us to pronounce the best and wisest, and which had become the
+admiration of the World. From all these blessings we must for ever have
+been excluded, had there been any truth in those principles, which some
+had not hesitated to lay down as applicable to the case of Africa; and
+we should have been at this moment little superior, either in morals,
+knowledge, or refinement, to the rude inhabitants of that continent.
+
+If then we felt that this perpetual confinement in the fetters of brutal
+ignorance would have been the greatest calamity which could have
+befallen us; if we viewed with gratitude the contrast between our
+present and our former situation; if we shuddered to think of the misery
+which would still have overwhelmed us, had our country continued to the
+present times, through some cruel policy, to be the mart for slaves to
+the more civilized nations of the World;--God forbid that we should any
+longer subject Africa to the same dreadful scourge, and exclude the
+sight of knowledge from her coasts, which had reached every other
+quarter of the globe!
+
+He trusted we should no longer continue this commerce, and that we
+should no longer consider ourselves as conferring too great a boon on
+the natives of Africa in restoring them to the rank of human beings, He
+trusted we should not think ourselves too liberal, if, by abolishing the
+Slave Trade, we gave them the same common chance of civilization with
+other parts of the World. If we listened to the voice of reason and duty
+this night, some of us might live to see a reverse of that picture, from
+which we how turned our eyes with shame. We might live to behold the
+natives engaged in the calm occupations of industry, and in the pursuit
+of a just commerce. We might behold the beams of science and philosophy
+breaking in upon their land, which at some happy period in still later
+times might blaze with full lustre; and joining their influence to that
+of pure religion, might illuminate and invigorate the most distant
+extremities of that immense continent. Then might we hope, that even
+Africa (though last of all the quarters of the globe) should enjoy at
+length, in the evening of her days, those blessings, which had descended
+so plentifully upon us in a much earlier period of the world. Then also
+would Europe, participating in her improvement and prosperity, receive
+an ample recompense for the tardy kindness (if kindness it could be
+called) of no longer hindering her from extricating herself out of the
+darkness, which, in other more fortunate regions, had been so much more
+speedily dispelled.
+
+
+      --------Nos primus equis Oriens afflavit anhelis;
+      Illìc sera rubens accendit lumina Vesper.
+
+
+Then might be applied to Africa those words, originally used indeed with
+a different view:
+
+
+      His demùm exactis------
+      Devenere locos laetos, et amoena vireta
+      Fortunatorum nemorum, sedesque beatas;
+      Largior hìc campos aether et lumine vestit
+      Purpureo.
+
+
+It was in this view--it was as an atonement for our long and cruel
+injustice towards Africa, that the measure proposed by his honourable
+friend Mr. Wilberforce most forcibly recommended itself to his mind. The
+great and happy change to be expected in the state of her inhabitants
+was, of all the various benefits of the abolition, in his estimation the
+most extensive and important. He should vote against the adjournment;
+and he should also oppose every proposition which tended either to
+prevent, or even to postpone for an hour, the total abolition of the
+Slave Trade.
+
+Mr. Pitt having concluded his speech (at about six in the morning), Sir
+William Dolben, the chairman, proposed the following questions:--The
+first was on the motion of Mr. Jenkinson, "that the chairman do now
+leave the chair." This was lost by a majority of two hundred and
+thirty-four to eighty-seven. The second was on the motion of Mr. Dundas,
+"that the abolition should be, gradual;" when the votes for gradual
+exceeded those for immediate by one hundred and ninety-three to one
+hundred and twenty-five. He then put the amended question, that "it was
+the opinion of the committee that the trade ought to be gradually
+abolished."  The committee having divided again, the votes for a gradual
+abolition were, two hundred and thirty, and those against any abolition
+were eighty-five.
+
+After this debate, the committee for the abolition of the Slave Trade
+held a meeting. They voted their thanks to Mr. Wilberforce for his
+motion, and to Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fox, and those other members of the House
+who had supported it. They resolved, also, that the House of Commons,
+having determined that the Slave Trade ought to be gradually abolished,
+had by that decision manifested their opinion, that it was cruel and
+unjust. They resolved, also, that a gradual abolition of it was not an
+adequate remedy for its injustice and cruelty; neither could it be
+deemed a compliance with the general wishes of the people, as expressed
+in their numerous and urgent petitions to Parliament; and they resolved
+lastly, that the interval in which the Slave Trade should be permitted
+to continue, afforded a prospect of redoubled cruelties and ravages on
+the coast of Africa; and that it imposed therefore an additional
+obligation on every friend to the cause to use all constitutional means
+to obtain its immediate abolition.
+
+At a subsequent meeting they voted their thanks to the right honourable
+Lord Muncaster, for the able support he had given to the great object of
+their institution by his _Historical Sketches of the Slave Trade, and of
+its Effects in Africa_; addressed to the people of Great Britain; and
+they elected the Rev. Richard Gifford, and the Rev. Thomas Gisborne,
+honorary and corresponding members; the first on account of his
+excellent sermon before-mentioned, and other services; and the latter on
+account of his truly Christian and seasonable pamphlet, entitled
+_Remarks on the Late Decision of the House of Commons, respecting the
+Abolition of the Slave Trade_.
+
+On the 23rd of April, the House of Commons resolved itself into a
+committee of the whole House, to consider the subject again; and Mr.
+Beaufoy was put into the chair.
+
+Mr. Dundas, upon whom the task of introducing a bill for the gradual
+abolition of the Slave Trade now devolved, rose to offer the outlines of
+a plan for that purpose. He intended, he said, immediately to abolish
+that part of the trade, by which we supplied foreigners with slaves. The
+other part of it was to be continued seven years from the 1st of January
+next. He grounded the necessity of its continuance till this time upon
+the documents of the Negro population in the different islands. In many
+of these, slaves were imported, but they were re-exported nearly in
+equal numbers. Now, all these he considered to be in a state to go on
+without future supplies from Africa. Jamaica and the ceded islands
+retained almost all the slaves imported into them. This he considered as
+a proof that these had not attained the same desirable state; and it was
+therefore necessary, that the trade should be continued longer on this
+account. It was his intention, however, to provide proper punishments,
+while it lasted, for abuses both in Africa and in the Middle Passage, He
+would take care, as far as he could, that none but young slaves should
+be brought from the Coast of Africa. He would encourage establishments
+there for a new species of traffic. Foreign nations should be invited to
+concur in the abolition. He should propose a praedial rather than a
+personal service for the West Indies, and institutions, by which the
+slaves there should be instructed in religious duties. He concluded by
+reading several resolutions, which he would leave to the future
+consideration of the House.
+
+Mr. Pitt then rose. He deprecated the resolutions altogether. He denied
+also the inferences which Mr. Dundas had drawn from the West Indian
+documents relative to the Negro population. He had looked aver his own
+calculations from the same documents again and again, and he would
+submit them, with all their data, if it should be necessary, to the
+House.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Fox held the same language. They contended also,
+that Mr. Dundas had now proved, a thousand times more strongly than
+ever, the necessity of immediate abolition. All the resolutions he had
+read were operative against his own reasoning. The latter observed, that
+the Slave-traders were in future only to be allowed to steal innocent
+children from their disconsolate parents.
+
+After a few observations by Lord Sheffield, Mr. Drake, Colonel Tarleton,
+and Mr. Rolle, the House adjourned.
+
+On the 25th of April it resumed the consideration of the subject. Mr.
+Dundas then went over his former resolutions, and concluded by moving,
+"that it should not be lawful to import any African Negroes into any
+British colonies, in ships owned or navigated by British subjects, at
+any time after the 1st of January, 1800."
+
+Lord Mornington (now Marquis Wellesley) rose to propose an amendment. He
+congratulated his countrymen, that the Slave Trade had received its
+death-wound. This traffic was founded in injustice; and between right
+and wrong there could be no compromise. Africa was not to be sacrificed
+to the apparent good of the West Indies. He would not repeat those
+enormities out of the evidence, which had made such a deep impression
+upon the House. It had been resolved, that the trade should be
+abolished. The question then was, how long they were to persevere in the
+crime of its continuance? One had said, that they might be unjust for
+ten years longer; another, only till the beginning of the next century.
+But this diversity of opinion had proceeded from an erroneous statement
+of Mr. Dundas against the clear and irrefragable calculations of Mr.
+Pitt. The former had argued, that, because Jamaica and the ceded islands
+had retained almost all the slaves which had been, imported into them,
+they were therefore not yet in a situation to support their population
+without further supplies from Africa. But the truth was, that the
+slaves, so retained, were kept, not to maintain the population there,
+but to clear new land. Now the House had determined, that the trade was
+not to be continued for this purpose. The population, therefore, in the
+islands was sufficient to continue the ordinary cultivation of them.
+
+He deprecated the idea, that the Slave Trade had been so sanctioned by
+the acts of former Parliaments, that the present could make no
+alteration in it. Had not the House altered the import of foreign sugar
+into our islands? a measure, which at the time affected the property of
+many. Had they not prohibited the exports of provisions from America to
+the same quarter; Again, as to compacts, had the Africans ever been
+parties to these? It was rather curious also, when King James the Second
+gave a charter to the slave-trader, that he should have given them a
+right to all the south of Africa, and authority over every person born
+therein! But, by doing this, it was clear that he gave them a right
+which he never possessed himself. After many other observations, he
+concluded by moving, "that the year 1793 be substituted in the place of
+the year 1800."
+
+In the course of the debate, which followed, Mr. Burdon stated his
+conviction of the necessity of immediate abolition; but he would support
+the amendment, as the shortest of the terms proposed.
+
+Mr. Robert Thornton would support it also, as the only choice left him.
+He dared not accede to a motion, by which we were to continue for seven
+years to imbrue our hands in innocent blood.
+
+Mr. Ryder (now Earl of Harrowby) would not support the trade for one
+moment, if he could avoid it. He could not hold a balance with gold in
+one scale, and blood in the other.
+
+Mr. William Smith exposed the wickedness of restricting the trade to
+certain ages. The original motion, he said, would only operate as a
+transfer of cruelty from the aged and the guilty to the young and the
+innocent. He entreated the House to consider, whether, if it related to
+their own children, any one of them would vote for it.
+
+Mr. Windham had hitherto felt a reluctance to speaking, not from the
+abstruseness, but from the simplicity, of the subject; but he could not
+longer be silent, when he observed those arguments of policy creeping
+again out of their lurking-places, which had fled before eloquence and
+truth. The House had clearly given up the policy of the question. They
+had been determined by the justice of it. Why were they then to be
+troubled again with arguments of this nature? These, if admitted, would
+go to the subversion of all public as well as private morality. Nations
+were as much bound as individuals to a system of morals, though a breach
+in the former could not be so easily punished. In private life morality
+took pretty good care of itself. It was a kind of retail article, in
+which the returns were speedy. If a man broke open his neighbour's
+house, he would feel the consequences.  There was an ally of virtue, who
+rendered it the interest of individuals to be moral, and he was called
+the executioner. But as such punishment did not always await us in our
+national concerns, we should substitute honour as the guardian of our
+national conduct. He hoped the West Indians would consider the character
+of the mother-country, and the obligations to national as well as
+individual justice. He hoped, also, they would consider the sufferings,
+which they occasioned both in Africa, in the passage, and in the West
+Indies. In the passage, indeed, no one was capable of describing them.
+The section of the slave-ship; however, made up the deficiency of
+language, and did away all necessity of argument, on this subject.
+Disease there had to struggle with the new affliction of chains and
+punishment. At one view were the irksomeness of a goal, and the miseries
+of an hospital; so that the holds of these vessels put him in mind of
+the regions of the damned. The trade, he said, ought immediately to be
+abolished. On a comparison of the probable consequences of the abolition
+of it, he saw on one side only doubtful contingencies, but on the other
+shame and disgrace.
+
+Sir James Johnstone contended for the immediate abolition of the trade.
+He had introduced the plough into his own plantation in the West Indies,
+and he found the land produced more sugar than when cultivated in the
+ordinary way by slaves. Even for the sake of the planters, he hoped the
+abolition would not be long delayed.
+
+Mr. Dundas replied: after which a division took place. The number of
+votes in favour of the original motion were one hundred and fifty-eight,
+and for the amendment one hundred and nine.
+
+On the 27th of April the House resumed the subject. Mr. Dundas moved, as
+before, that the Slave Trade should cease in the year 1800; upon which
+Lord Mornington moved, that the year 1795 should be substituted for the
+latter period.
+
+In the course of the debate, which followed, Mr. Hubbard said, that he
+had voted against the abolition, when the year 1793 was proposed; but he
+thought that, if it were not to take place till 1795, sufficient time
+would be allowed the planters. He would support this amendment; and he
+congratulated the House on the prospect of the final triumph of truth,
+humanity, and justice.
+
+Mr. Addington preferred the year 1796 to the year 1795.
+
+Mr. Alderman Watson considered the abolition in 1796, to be as
+destructive as if it were immediate.
+
+A division having taken place, the number of votes in favour of the
+original motion were one hundred and sixty-one, and in favour of Lord
+Mornington's amendment for the year 1795, one hundred and twenty-one.
+Sir Edward Knatchbull, however, seeing that there was a disposition in
+the House to bring the matter to a conclusion, and that a middle line
+would be preferred, moved that the year 1796 should be substituted for
+this year 1800. Upon this the House divided again; when there appeared
+for the original motion only one hundred and thirty-two, but for the
+amendment one hundred and fifty-one.
+
+The gradual abolition having been now finally agreed upon for the year
+1796, a committee was named, which carried the resolution to the Lords.
+
+On the 8th of May, the Lords were summoned to consider it; Lord
+Stormont, after having spoken for some time, moved, that they should
+hear evidence upon it. Lord Grenville opposed the motion on account of
+the delay, which would arise from an examination of the witnesses by the
+House at large: but he moved that such witnesses should be examined by a
+committee of the House. Upon this a debate ensued, and afterwards a
+division; when the original motion was carried by sixty-three against
+thirty-six.
+
+On the 15th of May, the Lords met again. Evidence was then ordered to be
+summoned in behalf of those interested in the continuance of the trade.
+At length it was introduced; but on the 5th of June, when only seven
+persons had been examined, a motion was made and carried, that the
+further examinations should be postponed to the next session.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+Continuation from July 1792 to July 1793.--Author travels round the
+kingdom again.--Motion to renew the resolution of the last year in the
+Commons; motion lost.--New motion in the Commons to abolish the
+foreign Slave Trade; motion lost.--Proceedings of the Lords.
+
+
+The resolution adopted by the Commons, that the trade should cease in
+1796, was a matter of great joy to many; and several, in consequence of
+it, returned to the use of sugar. The committee, however, for the
+abolition did not view it in the same favourable light. They considered
+it as a political manoeuvre to frustrate the accomplishment of the
+object. But the circumstance, which gave them the most concern, was the
+resolution of the Lords to hear evidence. It was impossible now to say,
+when the trade would cease, the witnesses in behalf of the merchants and
+planters, had obtained possession of the ground; and they might, keep
+it, if they chose, even till the year 1800, to throw light upon a
+measure which was to be adopted in 1796. The committee found too, that
+they had again the laborious task before them of finding out new persons
+to give testimony in behalf of their cause; for some of their former
+witnesses were dead, and others were out of the kingdom; and unless they
+replaced these, there would be no probability of making out that strong
+case in the Lords, which they had established in the Commons. It
+devolved therefore upon me once more to travel for this purpose: but as
+I was then in too weak a state to bear as much fatigue as formerly, Dr.
+Dickson relieved me, by taking one part of the tour, namely, that to
+Scotland, upon himself.
+
+These journeys we performed with considerable success; during which, the
+committee elected Mr. Joseph Townsend of Baltimore, in Maryland, an
+honorary and corresponding member.
+
+Parliament having met, Mr. Wilberforce, in February 1793, moved, that
+the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole House on Thursday
+next, to consider of the circumstances of the Slave Trade. This motion
+was opposed by Sir William Yonge, who moved, that this day six months
+should be substituted for Thursday next. A debate ensued: of this,
+however, as well as of several which followed. I shall give no account;
+as it would be tedious to the reader to hear a repetition of the same
+arguments. Suffice it to say, that the motion was lost by a majority of
+sixty-one to fifty-three.
+
+This sudden refusal of the House of Commons to renew their own vote of
+the former year, gave great uneasiness to the friends of the cause. Mr.
+Wilberforce, however, resolved that the session should not pass without
+an attempt to promote it in another form; and accordingly, on the 14th
+of May, he moved for leave to bring in a bill to abolish that part of
+the Slave Trade, by which the British merchants supplied foreigners with
+slaves. This motion was opposed like the former; but was carried by a
+majority of seven. The bill was then brought in; and it passed its first
+and second reading with little opposition; but on the 5th of June,
+notwithstanding the eloquence of Mr. Pitt and of Mr. Fox, and the very
+able speeches of Mr. Francis, Mr. Courtenay, and others, it was lost by
+a majority of thirty-one to twenty-nine.
+
+In the interval between these motions, the question experienced in the
+Lords considerable opposition. The Duke of Clarence moved that the House
+should not proceed in the consideration of the Slave Trade till after
+the Easter recess. The Earl of Abingdon was still more hostile
+afterwards. He deprecated the new philosophy. It was as full of mischief
+as the Box of Pandora. The doctrine of the abolition of the Slave Trade
+was a species of it; and he concluded by moving, that all further
+consideration of the subject be postponed. To the epithets, then
+bestowed upon the abolitionists by this nobleman, the Duke of Clarence
+added those of fanatics and hypocrites, among whom he included Mr.
+Wilberforce by name. All the other Lords, however, who were present,
+manifested such a dislike to the sentiments of the Earl of Abingdon,
+that he withdrew his motion.
+
+After this, the hearing of evidence on the resolution of the House of
+Commons was resumed; and seven persons were examined before the close of
+the session.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+--Continuation from July 1793 to July 1794.--Author travels round the
+kingdom again.--Motion to abolish the foreign Slave Trade renewed in
+the Commons; and carried; but lost in the Lords; further proceedings
+there.--Author, on account of his declining health, obliged to retire
+from the cause.
+
+
+The committee for the abolition could not view the proceedings of both
+Houses of Parliament on this subject during the year 1793, without being
+alarmed for the fate of their question. The only two sources of hope,
+which they could discover, were in the disposition then manifested by
+the Peers, as to the conduct of the Earl of Abingdon, and in their
+determination to proceed in the hearing of evidence. The latter
+circumstance indeed was the more favourable, as the resolution, upon
+which the witnesses were to be examined, had not been renewed by the
+Commons. These considerations, however, afforded no solid ground for the
+mind to rest upon. They only broke in upon it, like faint gleams of
+sunshine, for a moment, and then were gone. In this situation, the
+committee could only console themselves by the reflection, that they had
+done their duty. In looking, however, to their future services, one
+thing, and only one, seemed practicable; and this was necessary; namely,
+to complete the new body of evidence, which they had endeavoured to form
+in the preceding year. The determination to do this rendered another
+journey on my part indispensable; and I undertook it, broken down, as my
+constitution then was, beginning it in September 1793, and completing it
+in February 1794.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce, in this interval, had digested his plan of operations;
+and accordingly, early in the session of 1794, he asked leave to renew
+his former bill, to abolish that part of the trade, by means of which
+British merchants supplied foreigners with slaves. This request was
+opposed by Sir William Yonge; but it was granted; on a division of the
+House, by a majority of sixty-three to forty votes.
+
+When the bill was brought in, it was opposed by the same member; upon
+which the House divided; and there appeared for Sir William Yonge's
+amendment thirty-eight votes, but against it fifty-six.
+
+On a motion for the recommitment of the bill, Lord Sheffield divided the
+House, against whose motion there was a majority of forty-two. And, on
+the third reading of it, it was opposed again; but it was at length
+carried.
+
+The speakers against the bill were: Sir William Yonge, Lord Sheffield,
+Colonel Tarleton, Alderman Newnham and Messrs; Payne, Este, Lechaiere,
+Cawthorae, Jenkinson, and Dent. Those who spoke in favour of it were:
+Messrs. Pitt, Fox, William Smith, Whitbread, Francis, Burdon, Vaughan,
+Barham, and Serjeants Watson and Adair.
+
+While the foreign Slave-bill was thus passing through its stages in the
+Commons, Dr. Horsley, Bishop of Rochester, who saw no end to the
+examinations, while the witnesses were to be examined at the bar of the
+House of Lords, moved, that they should be taken in future before a
+committee above-stairs. Dr. Porteus, Bishop of London, and the Lords
+Guildford, Stanhope, and Grenville, supported this motion. But the Lord
+Chancellor Thurlow, aided by the Duke of Clarence, and by the Lords
+Mansfield, Hay, Abingdon, and others, negatived it by a majority of
+twenty-eight.
+
+At length the bill itself was ushered into the House of Lords. On
+reading it a second time, it was opposed by the Duke of Clarence, Lord
+Abingdon, and others. Lord Grenville and the Bishop of Rochester
+declined supporting it. They alleged as a reason, that they conceived
+the introduction of it to have been improper, pending the inquiry on the
+general subject of the Slave Trade. This declaration brought up the
+Lords Stanhope and Lauderdale, who charged them with inconsistency as
+professed friends of the cause. At length the bill was lost. During
+these discussions the examination of the witnesses was resumed by the
+Lords; but only two of them were heard in this session[A].
+
+[Footnote A: After this the examinations wholly dropped in the House of
+Lords.]
+
+After this decision the question was in a desperate state; for if the
+Commons would not renew their own resolution, and the Lords would not
+abolish the foreign part of the Slave-trade, what hope was there of
+success? It was obvious too, that in the former House, Mr. Pitt and Mr.
+Dundas voted against each other. In the latter, the Lord Chancellor
+Thurlow opposed every motion in favour of the cause. The committee
+therefore were reduced to this;--either they must exert themselves
+without hope, or they must wait till some change should take place in
+their favour. As far as I myself was concerned, all exertion was then
+over. The nervous system was almost shattered to pieces. Both my memory
+and my hearing failed me. Sudden dizzinesses seized my head. A confused
+singing in the ears followed me, wherever I went. On going to bed the
+very, stairs seemed to dance up and down under me, so that, misplacing
+my foot, I sometimes fell. Talking too, if it continued but half an
+hour, exhausted me, so that profuse perspirations followed; and the same
+effect was produced even by an active exertion of the mind for the like
+time. These disorders had been brought on by degrees in consequence of
+the severe labours necessarily attached to the promotion of the cause.
+For seven years I had a correspondence to maintain with four hundred
+persons with my own hand. I had some book or other annually to write in
+behalf of the cause. In this time I had travelled more than thirty-five
+thousand miles in search of evidence, and a great part of these journeys
+in the night. All this time my mind had been on the stretch. It had been
+bent too to this one subject; for I had not even leisure to attend to my
+own concerns. The various instances of barbarity, which had come
+successively to my knowledge within this period, had vexed, harassed,
+and afflicted it. The wound which these had produced, was rendered still
+deeper by those cruel disappointments before related, which arose from
+the reiterated refusal of persons to give their testimony, after I had
+travelled hundreds of miles in quest of them. But the severest stroke
+was that inflicted by the persecution, begun and pursued by persons
+interested in the continuance of the trade, of such witnesses as had
+been examined against them; and whom, on account of their dependent
+situation in life, it was most easy to oppress. As I had been the means
+of bringing these forward on these occasions, they naturally came to me,
+when thus persecuted, as the author of their miseries and their ruin.
+From their supplications and wants it would have been ungenerous and
+ungrateful to have fled[A]. These different circumstances, by acting
+together, had at length brought me into the situation just mentioned;
+and I was therefore obliged, though very reluctantly, to be borne out of
+the field, where I had placed the great honour and glory of my life.
+
+[Footnote A: The late Mr. Whitbread, to whom one day in deep affliction
+on this account I related accidentally a circumstance of this kind,
+generously undertook, in order to make my mind easy upon the subject, to
+make good all injuries, which should in future arise to individuals from
+such persecution; and he repaired these, at different times, at a
+considerable expense. I feel it a duty to divulge this circumstance, out
+of respect to the memory of one of the best of men, and of one, whom, if
+the history of his life were written, it would appear to have been an
+extraordinary honour to the country to have produced.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+Continuation from July 1794 to July 1799.--Various motions within this
+period.
+
+
+I purpose, though it may seem abrupt after the division which has
+hitherto been made of the contents of this volume, to throw the events
+of the next five years into one chapter.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce and the members of the committee, whose constitutions
+had not suffered like my own, were still left; and they determined to
+persevere in the promotion of their great object as long as their health
+and their faculties permitted them. The former, accordingly, in the
+month of February, 1795, moved in the House of Commons for leave to
+bring in a bill for the abolition of the Slave Trade. This motion was
+then necessary, if, according to the resolution of that House, the Slave
+Trade was to cease in 1796. It was opposed, however, by Sir William
+Yonge, and unfortunately lost by a majority of seventy-eight to
+fifty-seven.
+
+In the year 1796, Mr. Wilberforce renewed his efforts in the Commons. He
+asked leave to bring in a bill for the abolition of the Slave Trade, but
+in a limited time. The motion was opposed as before; but on a division,
+there were for it ninety-three, and against it only sixty-seven.
+
+The bill having been brought in, was opposed in its second reading; but
+it was carried through it by a majority of sixty-four to thirty-one.
+
+In a future stage it was opposed again; but it triumphed by a majority
+of seventy-six to thirty-one. Mr. Elliott was then put into the chair.
+Several clauses were adopted; and the first of March, 1797, was fixed
+for the abolition of the Trade: but in the next stage of it, after a
+long speech from Mr. Dundas, it was lost by a majority of seventy-four
+against seventy.
+
+Mr. Francis, who had made a brilliant speech in the last debate,
+considering that nothing effectual had been yet done on this great
+question, and wishing that a practical beginning might be made, brought
+forward soon afterwards, a motion relative to the improvement of the
+condition of the slaves in the West Indies. This, after a short debate,
+was negatived without a division. Mr. William Smith also moved an
+address to His Majesty, that he would be pleased to give directions to
+lay before the House copies of the several acts relative to regulations
+in behalf of the slaves, passed by the different colonial assemblies
+since the year 1788. This motion was adopted by the House. Thus passed
+away the session of 1796.
+
+In the year 1797, while Mr. Wilberforce was deliberating upon the best
+measure for the advancement of the cause, Mr. C. Ellis came forward with
+a new motion. He began by declaring, that he agreed with the
+abolitionists as to their object; but he differed with them as to the
+mode of attaining It. The Slave Trade he condemned as a cruel and
+pernicious system; but, as it had become an inveterate evil, he feared
+it could not be done away all at once, without injury to the interests
+of numerous individuals, and even to the Negroes themselves. He
+concluded by moving an address to His Majesty, humbly requesting, that
+he would give directions to the governors of the West Indian islands, to
+recommend it to the colonial assemblies to adopt such measures as might
+appear to them best calculated to ameliorate the condition of the
+Negroes, and thereby to remove gradually the Slave Trade; and likewise
+to assure His Majesty of the readiness of this House to concur in any
+measure to accelerate this desirable object; This motion was seconded by
+Mr. Barham, It was opposed, however, by Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Pitt, and
+others; but was at length carried by a majority of ninety-nine to
+sixty-three.
+
+In the year 1798, Mr. Wilberforce asked leave to renew his former bill,
+to abolish the Slave Trade within a limited time. He was supported by
+Mr. Canning, Mr. Hobhouse, Sir Robert Buxton, Mr. Bouverie, and others.
+Messrs. Sewell, Bryan Edwards, Henniker, and C. Ellis, took the opposite
+side of the question. Mr. Ellis, however, observed, that he had no
+objection to restricting the Slave Trade to plantations already begun in
+the colonies; and Mr. Barham professed; himself a friend to the
+abolition, if it; could be accomplished in a reasonable way. On a
+division, there appeared to be for Mr. Wilberforce's motion
+eighty-three, but against it eighty-seven.
+
+In the year 1799 Mr. Wilberforce, undismayed by these different
+disappointments, renewed his motion. Colonel M. Wood, Mr. Petrie, and
+others, among whom were Mr. Windham and Mr. Dundas, opposed it. Mr.
+Pitt, Mr. Fox, Mr. W. Smith, Sir William Dolben, Sir R. Milbank, Mr.
+Hobhouse, and Mr. Canning, supported it. Sir R. Milbank contended, that
+modifications of a system, fundamentally wrong, ought not to be
+tolerated by the legislature of a free nation, Mr. Hobhouse said, that
+nothing could be so nefarious as this traffic in blood. It was unjust in
+its principles it was cruel in its practice: it admitted of no
+regulation whatever. The abolition of it was called for equally, by
+morality and sound policy, Mr. Canning exposed the folly of Mr. Dundas,
+who bad said, that as Parliament had, in the year 1787, left the
+abolition to the colonial assemblies, it ought not to be taken out of
+their hands. This great event, he observed, could only be accomplished
+in two ways; either by these assemblies, or by the Parliament of
+England. Now the members of the Assembly of Jamaica had professed that
+they would never abolish the trade. Was it not, therefore, idle to rely
+upon them for the accomplishment of it? He then took a very
+comprehensive view of the arguments, which had been offered in the
+course of the debate, and was severe upon the planters in the House,
+who, he said, had brought into familiar use certain expressions, with no
+other view than to throw a veil over their odious system. Among these
+was, "their right to import labourers." But never was the word
+"labourers" so prostituted, as when it was used for slaves. Never was
+the word "right" so prostituted, not even when "the rights of man" were
+talked of; as when the right to trade in man's blood was asserted, by
+the members of an enlightened assembly. Never was the right of importing
+these labourers worse defended than when the antiquity, of the Slave
+Trade, and its foundation on the ancient acts of parliament, were
+brought forward in its support. We had been cautioned not to lay our
+unhallowed hands on the ancient institution of the Slave Trade; nor to
+subvert a fabric, raised by the wisdom of our ancestors, and consecrated
+by a lapse of ages. But on what principles did we usually respect the
+institutions of antiquity? We respected them, when we saw some shadow of
+departed worth and usefulness; or some memorial of what had been
+creditable to mankind. But was this the case with the Slave Trade? Had
+it begun in principles of justice or national honour, which the changes
+of the world alone had impaired? Had it to plead former services and
+glories in behalf of its present disgrace? In looking at it we saw
+nothing but crimes and sufferings from the beginning--nothing but what
+wounded and convulsed our feelings--nothing but what excited indignation
+and horror. It had not even to plead what could often be said in favour
+of the most unjustifiable wars. Though conquest had sometimes originated
+in ambition, and in the worst of motives, yet the conquerors and the
+conquered were sometimes blended afterwards into one people; so that a
+system of common interest arose out of former differences. But where was
+the analogy of the eases? Was it only at the outset that we could trace
+violence and injustice on the part of the Slave Trade? Were the
+oppressors and the oppressed so reconciled, that enmities ultimately
+ceased? No. Was it reasonable then to urge a prescriptive right, not to
+the fruits of an ancient and forgotten evil, but to a series of new
+violences; to a chain of fresh enormities; to cruelties continually
+repeated; and of which every instance inflicted a fresh calamity, and
+constituted a separate and substantial crime?
+
+The debate being over, the House divided; when it appeared that there
+were for Mr. Wilberforce's motion seventy-four, but against it
+eighty-two.
+
+The motion for the general abolition of the Slave Trade having been thus
+lost again in the Commons, a new motion was made there soon after, by
+Mr. Henry Thornton, on the same subject. The prosecution of this
+traffic, on certain parts of the coast of Africa, had become so
+injurious to the new settlement at Sierra Leone, that not only its
+commercial prospects were but its safety endangered. Mr. Thornton,
+therefore brought in a bill to confine the Slave Trade within certain
+limits. But even this bill, though it had for its object only to free a
+portion of the coast from the ravages of this traffic, was opposed by
+Mr. Gascoyne, Dent, and others. Petitions also were presented against
+it. At length, after two divisions, on the first of which there were
+thirty-two votes to twenty-seven, and on the second thirty-eight to
+twenty-two, it passed through all its stages.
+
+When it was introduced into the Lords the petitions were renewed against
+it. Delay also was interposed to its progress by the examination of
+witnesses. It was not till the fifth of July that the matter was brought
+to issue. The opponents of the bill, at that time, were the Duke of
+Clarence, Lord Westmoreland, Lord Thurlow, and the Lords Douglas and
+Hay, the two latter being Earls of Morton and Kinnoul, in Scotland. The
+supporters of it were Lord Grenville, who introduced it, Lord
+Loughborough, Lord Holland, and Dr. Horsley, Bishop of Rochester: the
+latter was peculiarly eloquent. He began his speech, by arraigning the
+injustice and impolicy of the trade:--"injustice," he said, "which no
+considerations of policy could extenuate; impolicy, equal in degree to
+its injustice."
+
+He well knew that the advocates for the Slave Trade had endeavoured to
+represent the project for abolition, as a branch of jacobinism; but they
+who supported it proceeded upon no visionary motives of equality, or of
+the imprescriptible rights of man. They strenuously upheld the
+gradations of civil society: but they did, indeed, affirm that these
+gradations were, both ways, both as they ascended and as they descended,
+limited. There was an existence of power, to which no good king would
+aspire; and there was an extreme condition of subjection, to which man
+could not be degraded without injustice; and this they would maintain,
+was the condition of the African, who was torn away into slavery.
+
+He then explained the limits of that portion of Africa, which the bill
+intended to set apart as sacred to peace and liberty. He showed that
+this was but one-third of the coast; and, therefore, that two-thirds
+were yet left for the diabolical speculations of the slave merchants. He
+expressed his surprise that such witnesses, as those against the bill,
+should have been introduced at all: he affirmed that their oaths were
+falsified by their own log-books; and that, from their own accounts, the
+very healthiest of their vessels were little better than pestilential
+gaols. Mr. Robert Hume, one of these witnesses, had made a certain
+voyage: he had made it in thirty-three days: he had shipped two hundred
+and sixty-five slaves, and he had lost twenty-three of them. If he had
+gone on losing his slaves, all of whom were under twenty-five years of
+age, at this rate, it was obvious, that he would have lost two hundred
+and fifty-three of them, if his passage had lasted for a year. Now, in
+London only, seventeen would have died of that age, out of one thousand
+within the latter period.
+
+After having exposed the other voyages of Mr. Hume in a similar manner,
+he entered into a commendation of the views of the Sierra Leone company,
+and then defended the character of the Africans in their own country, as
+exhibited in the Travels of Mr. Mungo Park. He made a judicious
+discrimination with respect to slavery, as it existed among them: he
+showed that this slavery was analogous to that of the heroic and
+patriarchal ages, and contrasted it with the West Indian in an able
+manner.
+
+He adverted, lastly, to what had fallen from the learned counsel, who
+had supported the petitions of the slave-merchants. One of them had put
+this question to their Lordships, "If the Slave Trade were as wicked as
+it had been represented, why was there no prohibition of it in the Holy
+Scriptures?" He then entered into a full defence of the Scriptures on
+this ground, which he concluded by declaring, that, as St. Paul had
+coupled men-stealers with murderers, he had condemned the Slave Trade in
+one of its most productive modes, and generally in all its modes. And
+here it is worthy of remark, that the word used by the apostle on this
+occasion, and which has been translated men-stealers, should have been
+rendered slave traders. This was obvious from the scholiast of
+Aristophanes, whom he quoted. It was clear, therefore, that the Slave
+Trade, if murder was forbidden, had been literally forbidden also.
+
+The learned counsel, too, had admonished their lordships, to beware how
+they adopted the visionary projects of fanatics. He did not know in what
+direction this shaft was shot; and he cared not. It did not concern him.
+With the highest reverence for the religion of the land, with the
+firmest conviction of its truth, and with the deepest sense of the
+importance Of its doctrines, he was proudly conscious, that the general
+shape and fashion of his life bore nothing of the stamp of fanaticism.
+But he begged leave, in his turn, to address a word of serious
+exhortation to their lordships. He exhorted them to beware how they were
+persuaded to bury, under the opprobrious name of fanaticism, the regard
+which they owed to the great duties of mercy and justice, for the
+neglect of which (if they should neglect them) they would be answerable
+at that tribunal, where no prevarication of witnesses could misinform
+the judge; and where no subtlety of an advocate, miscalling the names of
+things, putting evil for good and good for evil, could mislead his
+judgment.
+
+At length the debate ended: when the bill was lost by a majority of
+sixty-eight to sixty-one, including personal votes and proxies.
+
+I cannot conclude this chapter without offering a few remarks. And,
+first, I may observe, as the substance of the debates has not been given
+for the period which it contains, that Mr. Wilberforce, upon whom too
+much praise cannot be bestowed for his perseverance from year to year,
+amidst the disheartening circumstances which attended his efforts,
+brought every new argument to which either the discovery of new light,
+or the events of the times, produced. I may observe also, in justice to
+the memories of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox, that there was no debate within
+this period, in which they did not take a part; and in which they did
+not irradiate others from the profusion of their own light; and thirdly,
+that in consequence of the efforts of the three, conjoined with those of
+others, the great cause of the abolition was secretly gaining ground.
+Many members who were not connected with the trade, but who had yet
+hitherto supported it, were on the point of conversion. Though the
+question had oscillated backwards and forwards, so that an ordinary
+spectator could have discovered no gleam of hope at these times, nothing
+is more certain, than that the powerful eloquence then displayed had
+smoothed the resistance to it, had shortened its vibrations, and had
+prepared it for a state of rest.
+
+With respect to the West-Indians themselves, some of them began to see
+through the mists of prejudice, which had covered them. In the year
+1794, when the bill for the abolition of the foreign Slave Trade was
+introduced, Mr. Vaughan and Mr. Barham supported it. They called upon
+the planters in the House to give way to humanity, where their own
+interests could not be affected by their submission. This, indeed, may
+be said to have been no mighty thing; but it was a frank confession of
+the injustice of the Slave Trade, and the beginning of the change which
+followed, both with respect to themselves and others.
+
+With respect to the old friends of the cause, it is with regret I
+mention, that it lost the support of Mr. Windham within this period; and
+this regret is increased by the consideration, that he went off on the
+avowed plea of expediency against moral rectitude; a doctrine, which, at
+least upon this subject, he had reprobated for ten years. It was,
+however, some consolation, as far as talents were concerned, (for there
+can be none for the loss of virtuous feeling,) that Mr. Canning, a new
+member, should have so ably supplied his place.
+
+Of the gradual abolitionists, whom we have always considered as the most
+dangerous enemies of the cause, Mr. Jenkinson (afterwards Earl of
+Liverpool), Mr. Addington (subsequently Lord Sidmouth), and Mr. Dundas
+(afterwards Lord Melville), continued their opposition during all this
+time. Of the first two I shall say nothing at present; but I cannot pass
+over the conduct of the latter. He was the first person, as we have
+seen, to propose the gradual abolition of the Slave Trade; and he fixed
+a time for its cessation on the 1st of January, 1800. His sincerity on
+this occasion was doubted by Mr. Fox at the very outset; for he
+immediately rose and said, that "something so mischievous had come out,
+something so like a foundation had been laid for preserving, not only
+for years to come, but for anything he knew, for ever, this detestable
+traffic, that he felt it his duty immediately to deprecate all such
+delusions upon the country." Mr. Pitt, who spoke soon afterwards, in
+reply to an argument advanced by Mr. Dundas, maintained, that "at
+whatever period the House should say that the Slave Trade should
+actually cease, this defence would equally be set up; for it would be
+just as good an argument in seventy years hence, as it was against the
+abolition then." And these remarks Mr. Dundas verified in a singular
+manner within this period: for in the year 1796, when his own bill, as
+amended in the Commons, was to take place, he was one of the most
+strenuous opposers of it; and in the year 1799, when in point of
+consistency it devolved upon him to propose it to the House, in order
+that the trade might cease on the 1st of January, 1800, (which was the
+time of his own original choice, or a time unfettered by parliamentary
+amendment,) he was the chief instrument of throwing out Mr.
+Wilberforce's bill, which promised even a longer period to its
+continuance: so that it is obvious, that there was no time, within his
+own limits, when the abolition would have suited him, notwithstanding
+his profession, "that he had always been a warm advocate for the
+measure."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+Continuation from July 1799 to July 1805.--Various motions within this
+period.
+
+
+The question had now been brought forward in almost every possible way,
+and yet had been eventually lost. The total and immediate abolition had
+been attempted; and then the gradual. The gradual again had been tried
+for the year 1798, then for 1795, and then for 1796, at which period it
+was decreed, but never allowed to be executed. An Abolition of a part of
+the trade, as it related to the supply of foreigners with slaves, was
+the next measure proposed; and when this failed, the abolition of
+another part of it, as it related to the making of a certain portion of
+the coast of Africa sacred to liberty, was attempted; but this failed
+also. Mr. Wilberforce therefore thought it prudent, not to press the
+abolition as a mere annual measure, but to allow members time to digest
+the eloquence, which had been bestowed upon it for the last five years,
+and to wait till some new circumstances should favour its introduction.
+Accordingly he allowed the years 1800, 1801, 1802, and 1803, to pass
+over without any further parliamentary notice than the moving for
+certain papers; during which he took an opportunity of assuring the
+House, that he had not grown cool in the cause, but that he would
+agitate it in a future session.
+
+In the year 1804, which was fixed upon for renewed exertion, the
+committee for the abolition of the Slave Trade elected James Stephen,
+Zachary Macaulay, Henry Brougham, Esqrs., and William Phillips, into
+their own body. Four other members, also, Robert Grant, and John
+Thornton, Esqrs., and William Manser and William Allen, were afterwards
+added to the list. Among, the reasons for fixing upon this year, one may
+be assigned, namely, that the Irish members, in consequence of the union
+which had taken place between the two countries, had then all taken
+their seats in the House of Commons; and that most of them were friendly
+to the cause.
+
+This being the situation of things, Mr. Wilberforce, on the 30th of
+March, asked leave to renew his bill for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade within a limited time, Mr. Fuller opposed the motion. A debate
+ensued. Colonel Tarleton, Mr. Devaynes, Mr. Addington, and Mr. Manning
+spoke against it, however, notwithstanding his connection with the West
+Indies, said he would support it, if an indemnification were offered to
+the planters, in case any actual loss should accompany the measure.
+
+Sir William Geary questioned the propriety of immediate abolition.
+
+Sir Robert Buxton, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Barbara spoke in favour of
+the motion.
+
+Mr. William Smith rose, when the latter had seated himself, and
+complimented him on this change of sentiment, so honourable to him,
+inasmuch as he had espoused the cause of humanity against his supposed
+interest as a planter. Mr. Leigh said that he would not tolerate such a
+traffic for a moment. All the feelings of nature revolted at it. Lord de
+Blaquiere observed, "it was the first time the question had been
+proposed to Irishmen as legislators. He believed it would be supported
+by most of them. As to the people of Ireland, he could pledge himself
+that they were hostile to this barbarous traffic." An amendment having
+been proposed by Mr. Manning, a division took place upon it, when leave
+was given to bring in the bill, by a majority of one hundred and
+twenty-four to forty-nine.
+
+On the 7th of June, when the second reading of the bill was moved, it
+was opposed by Sir W. Yonge, Dr. Laurence, Mr. C. Brook, Mr. Dent, and
+others. Among these Lord Castlereagh professed himself a friend to the
+abolition of the trade, but he differed as to the mode. Sir J.
+Wrottesley approved of the principle of the bill, but would oppose it in
+some of its details. Mr. Windham allowed the justice, but differed as to
+the expediency, of the measure. Mr. Deverell professed himself to have
+been a friend to it; but he had then changed his mind. Sir Laurence
+Parsons wished to see a plan for the gradual extinction of the trade.
+Lord Temple affirmed that the bill would seal the death-warrant of every
+White inhabitant of the islands. The second reading was supported by Sir
+Ralph Milbank, Messrs. Pitt, Fox, William Smith, Whitbread, Francis,
+Barham, and Grenfell, and Sir John Newport. Mr. Grenfell observed, that
+he could not give a silent vote, when the character of the country was
+concerned. When the question of the abolition first came before the
+public, he was a warm friend to it; and from that day to this he had
+cherished the same feelings. He assured Mr. Wilberforce of his constant
+support. Sir John Newport stated that the Irish nation took a virtuous
+interest in this noble cause. He ridiculed the idea that the trade and
+manufactures of the country would suffer by the measure in
+contemplation; but, even if they should suffer, he would oppose it.
+"Fiat justitia, ruat coelura," Upon a division, there appeared for the
+second reading one hundred, and against it forty-two.
+
+On the 12th of June, when a motion was made to go into a committee upon
+the bill, it was opposed by Messrs. Fuller, C. Brook, C. Ellis, Dent,
+Deverell, and Manning: and it was supported by Sir Robert Buxton, Mr.
+Barham, and the Hon. J.S. Cocks. The latter condemned the imprudence of
+the planters. Instead of profiting by the discussions, which had taken
+place, and making wise provisions against the great event of the
+abolition, which would sooner or later take place, they had only thought
+of new stratagems to defeat it. He declared his abhorrence of the trade,
+which he considered to be a national disgrace. The House divided: when
+there were seventy-nine for the motion, and against it, twenty.
+
+On the 27th of June the bill was opposed in its last stage by Sir W.
+Young, Messrs. Dickenson, Mr. Rose, Addington, and Dent.; and supported
+by: Messrs. Pitt, W. Smith, Francis, and Barham; when it was carried by
+a majority of sixty-nine to thirty-six. It was then taken up to the
+Lords; but on a motion of Lord Hawkesbury, then a member of that House,
+the discussion of it was postponed to the next year.
+
+The session being ended, the committee for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade, increased its number, by the election of the Right Honourable
+Lord Teignmouth, Dr. Dickson, and Wilson Birkbeek, as members.
+
+In the year 1805, Mr. Wilberforce renewed his motion of the former year.
+Colonel Tarleton, Sir William Yonge, Mr. Puller, and Mr. Gascoyne
+opposed it. Leave, however, was given him to introduce his bill.
+
+On the second reading of it, a serious opposition took place; and an
+amendment was moved for postponing it till that day six months. The
+amendment was opposed by Mr. Fox and Mr. Huddlestone. The latter could
+not help lifting his voice against this monstrous traffic in the sinews
+and blood of man, the toleration of which had so long been the disgrace
+of the British legislature. He did not charge the enormous guilt
+resulting from it upon the nation at large; for the nation had washed
+its hands of it by the numerous petitions it had sent against it; and it
+had since been a matter of astonishment to all Christendom, how the
+constitutional guardians of British freedom should have sanctioned
+elsewhere the greatest system of cruelty and oppression in the world.
+
+He said that a curse attended this trade even in the mode of defending
+it. By a certain fatality, none but the vilest arguments were brought
+forward, which corrupted the very persons who used them. Every one of
+these was built on the narrow ground of interest--of pecuniary
+profit--of sordid gain--in opposition to every high consideration--to
+every motive that had reference to humanity, justice, and religion--or
+to that great principle which comprehended them all. Place only before
+the most determined advocate of this odious traffic the exact image of
+himself in the garb and harness of a slave, dragged and whipped about
+like a beast; place this image also before him, and paint it as that of
+one without a ray of hope to cheer him; and you would extort from him
+the reluctant confession, that he would not endure for an hour the
+misery to which he condemned his fellow-man for life. How dared he,
+then, to use this selfish plea of interest against the voice of the
+generous sympathies of his nature? But even upon this narrow ground, the
+advocates for the traffic had been defeated. If the unhallowed argument
+of expediency was worth anything when opposed to moral rectitude, or if
+it were to supercede precepts of Christianity, where was a man to stop,
+on what was he to draw? For anything he knew, it might be physically
+true, that human blood was the best manure for the land; but who ought
+to shed it on that account? True expediency, however, was, where it ever
+would be found, on the side of that system which was most merciful and
+just. He asked how it happened, that sugar could be imported cheaper
+from the East Indies than from the West, notwithstanding the vast
+difference of the length of the voyages, but on account of the impolicy
+of slavery; or that it was made in the former case by the industry of
+free men, and in the latter by the languid drudgery of slaves.
+
+As he had had occasion to advert to the Eastern part of the world, he
+would make an observation upon an argument, which had been collected
+from that quarter. The condition of the Negroes in the West Indies had
+been lately compared with that of the Hindoos. But he would observe that
+the Hindoo, miserable as his hovel was, had sources of pride and
+happiness, to which not only the West Indian slave, but even his master,
+was a stranger. He was to be sure a peasant; and his industry was
+subservient to the gratifications of an European lord; but he was, in
+his own belief, vastly superior to him. He viewed him as one of the
+lowest cast. He would not on any consideration eat from the same plate.
+He would not suffer his son to marry the daughter of his master, even if
+she could bring him all the West Indies as her portion. He would
+observe, too, that the Hindoo peasant drank his water from his native
+well; that, if his meal were scanty, he received it from the hand of
+her, who was most dear to him; that, when he laboured, he laboured for
+her and his offspring. His daily task being finished, he reposed with
+his family. No retrospect of the happiness of former days, compared with
+existing misery, disturbed his slumber, nor horrid dreams occasioned him
+to wake in agony at the dawn of day. No barbarous sounds of cracking
+whips reminded him, that with the form and image of a man his destiny
+was that of the beast of the field. Let the advocates for the bloody
+traffic state what they had to set off on their side of the question
+against the comforts and independence of the man, with whom they
+compared the slave.
+
+The amendment was supported by Sir William Yonge, Sir William Pulteney,
+Colonel Tarleton, Messrs. Gascoyne, C. Brook, and Hiley Addington. On
+dividing the House upon it, there appeared for it seventy-seven, but
+against it only seventy.
+
+This loss of the question, after it had been carried in the last year by
+so great a majority, being quite unexpected, was a matter of severe
+disappointment; and might have discouraged the friends of the cause in
+this infancy of their renewed efforts, if they had not discovered the
+reason of its failure. After due consideration it appeared, that no
+fewer than nine members, who had never been absent once in sixteen years
+when it was agitated, gave way to engagements on the day of the motion,
+from a belief that it was safe. It appeared also, that out of the great
+number of Irish members, who supported it in the former year, only nine
+were in the House, when it was lost. It appeared also that, previously
+to this event, a canvass, more importunate than had heard of on any
+former occasion, had been made among the latter by those interested in
+the continuance of the trade. Many of these, unacquainted with the
+detail of the subject, like the English members, admitted the dismal
+representations, which were then made to them. The desire, of doing good
+on the one hand, and the fear of doing injury on the other, perplexed
+them; and in this dubious state they absented themselves at the time
+mentioned.
+
+The causes of the failure having been found accidental, and capable of a
+remedy, it was resolved that an attempt should be made immediately in
+the House in a new form. Lord Henry Petty signified his intention of
+bringing in a bill for the abolition of the foreign part of the Slave
+Trade; but the impeachment of Lord Melville, and other weighty matters
+coming on, the notice was not acted upon in that session.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+--Continuation from July 1805 to July 1806--Author returns to his duty
+in the committee--Travels again round the kingdom--Death of Mr.
+Pitt--His character, as it related to the question--Motion for the
+abolition of the foreign Slave-Trade--Resolution to take measures for
+the total abolition of it--Address to the King to negotiate with
+foreign powers for their concurrence in it--Motion to prevent any new
+vessel going into the trade--these carried through both Houses of
+Parliament.
+
+
+It was now almost certain, to the inexpressible joy of the committee,
+that the cause, with proper vigilance, could be carried in the next
+session in the House of Commons. It became them therefore to prepare to
+support it. In adverting to measures for this purpose, it occurred to
+them, that the House of Lords, if the question should be then carried to
+them from the Commons, might insist upon hearing evidence on the general
+subject. But, alas, even the body of witnesses, which had been last
+collected, was broken by death or dispersion! It was therefore to be
+formed again. In this situation it devolved upon me, as I had now
+returned to the committee after an absence of nine years, to take
+another journey for this purpose.
+
+This journey I performed with extraordinary success. In the course of it
+I had also much satisfaction on another account. I found the old friends
+of the cause still faithful to it. It was remarkable, however, that the
+youth of the rising generation knew but little about the question. For
+the last eight or nine years the committee had not circulated any books;
+and the debates in the Commons during that time had not furnished them
+with the means of an adequate knowledge concerning it. When, however, I
+conversed with these, as I travelled along, I discovered a profound
+attention to what I said; an earnest desire to know more of the subject;
+and a generous warmth in favour of the injured Africans, which I foresaw
+could soon be turned into enthusiasm. Hence I perceived that the cause
+furnished us with endless sources of rallying: and that the ardour which
+we had seen with so much admiration in former years, could be easily
+renewed.
+
+I had scarcely finished my journey, when Mr. Pitt died. This event took
+place in January 1806, I shall stop therefore to make a few observations
+upon his character, as it related to this cause. This I feel myself
+bound in justice to do, because his sincerity towards it has been
+generally questioned.
+
+The way, in which Mr. Pitt became acquainted with this question, has
+already been explained. A few doubts having been removed, when it was
+first started, he professed himself a friend to the abolition. The first
+proof, which he gave of his friendship to it is known but to few; but it
+is, nevertheless, true, that so early as in 1788, he occasioned a
+communication to be made to the French government, in which he
+recommended an union of the two countries for the promotion of the great
+measure. This proposition seemed to be then new and strange to the Court
+of France; and the answer was not favourable.
+
+From this time his efforts were reduced within the boundaries of his own
+power. As far, however, as he had scope, he exerted them. If we look at
+him in his parliamentary capacity, it must be acknowledged by all, that
+he took an active, strenuous, and consistent part, and this year after
+year, by which he realized his professions. In my own private
+communications with him, which were frequent, he never failed to give
+proofs of a similar disposition. I had always free access to him. I had
+no previous note or letter to write for admission. Whatever papers I
+wanted, he ordered. He exhibited also in his conversation with me on
+these occasions marks of a more than ordinary interest in the welfare of
+the cause. Among the subjects, which were then started, there was one,
+which was always near his heart. This was the civilization of Africa. He
+looked upon this great work as a debt due to that continent for the many
+injuries we had inflicted upon it: and had the abolition succeeded
+sooner, as in the infancy of his exertions he had hoped, I know he had a
+plan, suited no doubt to the capaciousness of his own mind, for such
+establishments in Africa, as he conceived would promote in due time this
+important end.
+
+I believe it will be said, notwithstanding what I have advanced, that if
+Mr. Pitt had exerted himself as the Minister of this country in behalf
+of the abolition, he could have carried it. This brings the matter to an
+issue; for unquestionably the charge of insincerity, as it related to
+this great question, arose from the mistaken notion, that, as his
+measures in Parliament were supported by great majorities, he could do
+as he pleased there. But they who hold this opinion, must be informed,
+that there were great difficulties, against which he had to struggle on
+this subject! The Lord Chancellor Thurlow ran counter to his wishes
+almost at the very outset. Lord Liverpool, and Mr. Dundas, did the same.
+Thus, to go no further, three of the most powerful members of the
+cabinet were in direct opposition to him. The abolition then, amidst
+this difference of opinion, could never become a cabinet measure; but if
+so, then all his parliamentary efforts in this case wanted their usual
+authority, and he could only exert his influence as a private man[A].
+
+[Footnote A: This he did with great effect on one or two occasions. On
+the motion of Mr. Cawthorne in 1791, the cause hung as it were by a
+thread; and would have failed that day, to my knowledge, but for his
+seasonable exertions.]
+
+But a difficulty, still more insuperable, presented itself, in an
+occurrence which took place in the year 1791, but which is much too
+delicate to be mentioned. The explanation of it, however, would convince
+the reader, that all the efforts of Mr. Pitt from that day were rendered
+useless, I mean, as to bringing the question, as a Minister of State, to
+a favourable issue.
+
+But though Mr. Pitt did not carry this great question, he was yet one of
+the greatest supporters of it; He fostered it in its infancy. If, in his
+public situation, he had then set his face against it, where would have
+been our hope? He upheld it also in its childhood; and though in this
+state of its existence it did not gain from his protection all the
+strength Which it was expected it would have acquired, he yet kept it
+from falling, till his successors, in whose administration a greater
+number Of favourable circumstances concurred to give it vigour, brought
+it to triumphant maturity.
+
+Lord Grenville and Mr. Fox, having been called to the head of the
+executive government on the death of Mr. Pitt, the cause was ushered
+into Parliament under new auspices. In a former year His Majesty had
+issued a proclamation by which British merchants were forbidden (with
+certain defined exceptions) to import slaves into the colonies, which
+had been conquered by the British arms in the course of the war. This
+circumstance afforded an opportunity of trying the question in the House
+of Commons with the greatest hope of success. Accordingly Sir A. Pigott,
+the Attorney-General, as an officer of the crown, brought in a bill on
+the thirty-first of March 1806, the first object of which was, to give
+effect to the proclamation now mentioned. The second was, to prohibit
+British subjects from being engaged in importing slaves into the
+colonies of any foreign power whether hostile or neutral. And the third
+was, to prohibit British subjects and British capital from being
+employed in carrying on the Slave Trade in foreign ships; and also to
+prevent the outfit of foreign ships from British ports.
+
+Sir A. Pigott, on the introduction of this bill, made an appropriate
+speech. The bill was supported by Mr. Fox, Sir William Yonge, Mr. Brook,
+and Mr. Bagwell; but opposed by Generals Tarleton and Gascoyne, Mr.
+Rose, Sir Robert Peel, and Sir Charles Price. On the third reading, a
+division being called for, there appeared for it thirty-five, and
+against it only thirteen.
+
+On the 7th of May it was introduced into the Lords. The supporters of it
+there were, the Duke of Gloucester, Lord Grenville, the Bishops of
+London and St. Asaph, the Earl of Buckinghamshire and the Lords Holland,
+Lauderdale, Auckland, Sidmouth, and Ellenborough. The opposers were, the
+Dukes of Clarence and Sussex, the Marquis of Sligo, the Earl of
+Westmoreland, and the Lords Eldon and Sheffield. At length a division
+took place, when there appeared to be in favour of it thirty-three, and
+against it eighteen.
+
+During the discussions, to which this bill gave birth, Lord Grenville
+and Mr. Fox declared in substance, in their respective Houses of
+Parliament, that they felt the question of the Slave Trade to be one,
+which involved the dearest interests of humanity, and the most urgent
+claims of policy, justice, and religion; and that, should they succeed
+in affecting its abolition, they would regard that success as entailing
+more true glory on their administration, and more honour and advantage
+on their country, than any other measure, in which they could he
+engaged. The bill having passed, (the first, which dismembered this
+cruel trade,) it was thought proper to follow it up in a prudent manner;
+and, as there was not then time in the advanced period of the session to
+bring in another for the total extinction of it, to move a resolution,
+by which both Houses should record those principles, on which the
+propriety of the latter measure was founded. It was judged also
+expedient that Mr. Fox, as the Prime Minister in the House of Commons,
+should introduce it there.
+
+On the 10th of June Mr. Fox rose. He began by saying that the motion,
+with which he should conclude, would tend in its consequences to effect
+the total abolition of the Slave Trade; and he confessed that, since he
+had sat in that House (a period of between thirty and forty years), if
+he had done nothing else, but had only been instrumental in carrying
+through this measure, he should think his life well spent; and should
+retire quite satisfied, that he had not lived in vain.
+
+In adverting to the principle of the trade, he noticed some strong
+expressions of Mr. Burke concerning it. "To deal in human flesh and
+blood," said that great man, "or to deal, not in the labour of men, but
+in men themselves, was to devour the root, instead of enjoying the fruit
+of human diligence."
+
+Mr. Fox then took a view of the opinions of different members of the
+House on this great question; and showed that, though many had opposed
+the abolition, all but two or three, among whom were the members for
+Liverpool, had confessed, that the trade ought to be done away. He then
+went over the different resolutions of the House on the subject, and
+concluded from thence, that they were bound to support his motion.
+
+He combated the argument, that the abolition would ruin the West Indian
+islands. In doing this he paid a handsome compliment to the memory of
+Mr. Pitt, whose speech upon this particular point was, he said, the most
+powerful and convincing of any he had ever heard. Indeed they, who had
+not; heard it, could have no notion of it. It was a speech, of which he
+would say with the Roman author, reciting the words of the Athenian
+orator, "Quid esset, si ipsum audivissetis!" It was a speech no less
+remarkable for splendid eloquence, than for solid sense and convincing
+reason; supported by calculations founded on facts, and conclusions
+drawn from premises, as correctly as if they had been mathematical
+propositions; all tending to prove that, instead of the West Indian
+plantations suffering an injury, they would derive a material benefit by
+the abolition of the Slave Trade. He then called upon the friends of
+this great man to show their respect for his memory by their votes; and
+he concluded with moving, "that this House, considering the African
+Slave Trade to be contrary to the principles of justice, humanity, and
+policy, will, with all practicable expedition, take effectual measures
+for the abolition of the said trade, in such a manner, and at such a
+period, as may be deemed advisable."
+
+Sir Ralph Milbank rose, and seconded the motion.
+
+General Tarleton rose next. He deprecated the abolition, on account of
+the effect which it would have on the trade and revenue of the country.
+
+Mr. Francis said the merchants of Liverpool were at liberty to ask for
+compensation; but he, for one, would never grant it for the loss of a
+trade, which had been declared to be contrary to humanity and justice.
+As an uniform friend to this great cause, he wished Mr. Fox had not
+introduced a resolution, but a real bill for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He believed that both Houses were then disposed to do it away. He
+wished the golden opportunity might not be lost.
+
+Lord Castlereagh thought it a proposition, on which no one could
+entertain a doubt, that the Slave Trade was a great evil in itself; and
+that it was the duty and policy of Parliament to extirpate it; but he
+did not think the means offered were adequate to the end proposed. The
+abolition, as a political question, was a difficult one. The year 1796
+had been once fixed upon by the House, as the period when the trade was
+to cease; but, when the time arrived, the resolution was not executed.
+This was a proof, either that the House did not wish for the event, or
+that they judged it impracticable. It would be impossible, he said, to
+get other nations to concur in the measure; and even if they were to
+concur, it could not be effected. We might restrain the subjects of the
+parent-state from following the trade; but we could not those in our
+colonies. A hundred frauds would be committed by these, which we could
+not detect. He did not mean by this, that the evil was to go on for
+ever. Had a wise plan been proposed at first, it might have been
+half-cured by this time. The present resolution would do no good. It was
+vague, indefinite, and unintelligible. Such resolutions were only the
+slave-merchants' harvests. They would go for more slaves than usual in
+the interim. He should have advised a system of duties on fresh
+importations of slaves, progressively increasing to a certain extent;
+and that the amount of these duties should be given to the planters, as
+a bounty to encourage the Negro population upon their estates. Nothing
+could be done, unless we went hand in hand with the latter. But he
+should deliver himself more fully on this subject, when any thing
+specific should be brought forward in the shape of a bill.
+
+Sir S. Romilly, the Solicitor-General, differed from Lord Castlereagh;
+for he thought the resolution of Mr. Fox was very simple and
+intelligible. If there was a proposition vague and indefinite, it was
+that advanced by the noble lord, of a system of duties on fresh
+importations, rising progressively, and this under the patronage and
+co-operation of the planters. Who could measure the space between the
+present time and the abolition of the trade, if that measure were to
+depend upon the approbation of the colonies.
+
+The cruelty and injustice of the Slave Trade had been established by
+evidence beyond a doubt. It had been shown to be carried on by rapine,
+robbery, and murder; by fomenting and encouraging wars; by false
+accusations; and imaginary crimes. The unhappy victims were torn away
+not only in the time of war, but of profound peace. They were then
+carried across the Atlantic, in a manner too horrible to describe; and
+afterwards subjected to eternal slavery. In support of the continuance
+of such a traffic, he knew of nothing but assertions already disproved,
+and arguments already refuted. Since the year 1796, when it was to cease
+by a resolution of Parliament, no less than three hundred and sixty
+thousand Africans had been torn away from their native land. What an
+accumulation was this to our former guilt!
+
+General Gascoyne made two extraordinary assertions: First, that the
+trade was defensible on Scriptural ground.--"Both thy bondmen and thy
+bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen, that are
+round about thee; of them shall you have bondmen and bondmaids. And thou
+shalt take them as an heritance for thy children after thee to inherit
+them for a possession; they shall be thy bondmen for ever." Secondly,
+that the trade had been so advantageous to this country, that it would
+have been advisable even to institute a new one, if the old had not
+existed.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce replied to General Gascoyne. He then took a view of the
+speech of Lord Castlereagh, which he answered point by point. In the
+course of his observations he showed that the system of duties
+progressively increasing, as proposed by the noble lord, would be one of
+the most effectual modes of perpetuating the Slave Trade. He exposed,
+also, the false foundation of the hope of any reliance on the
+co-operation of the colonists. The House, he said, had, on the motion of
+Mr. Ellis, in the year 1797, prayed his Majesty to consult with the
+colonial legislatures to take such measures, as might conduce to the
+gradual abolition of the African Slave Trade. This address was
+transmitted to them by Lord Melville. It was received in some of the
+islands with a declaration, "that they possibly might, in some
+instances, endeavour to improve the condition of their slaves; but they
+should do this, not with any view to the abolition of the Slave Trade;
+for they considered that trade as their birth-right, which could not be
+taken from them; and that we should deceive ourselves by supposing, that
+they would agree to such a measure."
+
+He desired to add to this the declaration of General Prevost in his
+public letter from Dominica. Did he not say, when asked what steps had
+been taken there in consequence of the resolution of the House in 1797,
+"that the act of the legislature, entitled an act for the encouragement,
+protection, and better government of slaves, appeared to him to have
+been considered, from the day it was passed until this hour, as a
+political measure to avert the interference of the mother country in the
+management of the slaves."
+
+Sir William Yonge censured the harsh language of Sir Samuel Romilly, who
+had applied the terms rapine, robbery, and murder to those, who were
+connected with the Slave Trade. He considered the resolution of Mr. Fox
+as a prelude to a bill for the abolition of that traffic, and this bill
+as a prelude to emancipation, which would not only be dangerous in
+itself, but would change the state of property in the islands.
+
+Lord Henry Petty, after having commented on the speeches of Sir Samuel
+Romilly and Lord Castlereagh, proceeded to state his own opinion on the
+trade; which was, that it was contrary to justice, humanity, and sound
+policy, all of which he considered to be inseparable. On its
+commencement in Africa the wickedness began. It produced there fraud and
+violence, robbery and murder. It gave birth to false accusations, and a
+mockery of justice. It was the parent of every crime, which could at
+once degrade and afflict the human race. After spreading vice and misery
+all over this continent, it doomed its unhappy victims to hardships and
+cruelties which were worse than death. The first of these was
+conspicuous in their transportation. It was found there, that cruelty
+begat cruelty; that the system, wicked in its beginning, was equally so
+in its progress; and that it perpetuated its miseries wherever it was
+carried on. Nor was it baneful only to the objects, but to the promoters
+of it. The loss of British seamen in this traffic was enormous.
+One-fifth of all, who were employed in it, perished; that is, they
+became the victims of a system, which was founded on fraud, robbery, and
+murder; and which procured to the British nation nothing but the
+execration of mankind. Nor had we yet done with the evils which attended
+it; for it brought in its train the worst of all moral effects, not only
+as it respected the poor slaves, when transported to the colonies, but
+as it respected those who had concerns with them there. The arbitrary
+power, which it conferred, afforded men of bad dispositions full scope
+for the exercise of their passions; and it rendered men,
+constitutionally of good dispositions, callous to the misery of others.
+Thus it depraved the nature of all who were connected with it. These
+considerations had made him a friend to the abolition, from the time he
+was capable of reasoning upon it. They were considerations, also, which
+determined the House, in the year 1782, to adopt a measure of the same
+kind as the present. Had anything happened to change the opinion of
+members, since? On the contrary, they had now the clearest evidence,
+that all the arguments then used against the abolition were fallacious;
+being founded, not upon truth, but on assertions devoid of all truth,
+and derived from ignorance or prejudice.
+
+Having made these remarks, he proved, by a number of facts, the folly of
+the argument, that the Africans laboured under such a total degradation
+of mental and moral faculties, that they were made for slavery.
+
+He then entered into the great subject of population. He showed that in
+all countries, where there were no unnatural hardships, mankind would
+support themselves. He applied this reasoning to the Negro population in
+the West Indies; which he maintained could not only be kept up, but
+increased, without any further importations from Africa.
+
+He then noticed the observations of Sir William Yonge, on the words of
+Sir Samuel Romilly; and desired him to reserve his indignation for
+those, who were guilty of acts of rapine, robbery, and murder, instead
+of venting it on those, who only did their duty in describing them.
+Never were accounts more shocking than those lately sent to government
+from the West Indies. Lord Seaforth, and the Attorney-General, could not
+refrain, in explaining them, from the use of the words murder and
+torture. And did it become members of that House (in order to
+accommodate the nerves of the friends of the Slave Trade) to soften down
+their expressions, when they were speaking on that subject; and to
+desist from calling that murder and torture, for which a Governor, and
+the Attorney-General, of one of the islands could find no better name?
+
+After making observations relative to the co-operation of foreign powers
+in this great work, he hoped that the House would not suffer itself to
+be drawn, either by opposition or by ridicule, to the right or to the
+left; but that it would advance straight forward to the accomplishment
+of the most magnanimous act of justice, that was ever achieved by any
+legislature in the world.
+
+Mr. Rose declared, that on the very first promulgation of this question,
+he had proposed to the friends of it the very plan of his noble friend
+Lord Castlereagh; namely, a system of progressive duties, and of
+bounties for the promotion of the Negro population. This he said to show
+that he was friendly to the principle of the measure. He would now
+observe, that he did not wholly like the present resolution. It was too
+indefinite. He wished, also, that something had been said on the subject
+of compensation. He was fearful, also, lest the abolition should lead to
+the dangerous change of emancipation. The Negroes, he said, could not be
+in a better state, or more faithful to their masters, than they were. In
+three attacks made by the enemy on Dominica, where he had a large
+property, arms had been put into their hands; and every one of them had
+exerted himself faithfully. With respect to the cruel acts in Barbados,
+an account of which had been sent to government by Lord Seaforth and the
+Attorney-General of Barbados, he had read them; and never had he read
+anything on this subject with more horror. He would agree to the
+strongest measures for the prevention of such acts in future. He would
+even give up the colony, which should refuse to make the wilful murder
+of a slave felony. But as to the other, or common, evils complained of,
+he thought the remedy should be gradual; and such also as the planters
+would concur in. He, would nevertheless not oppose the present
+resolution.
+
+Mr. Barham considered compensation but reasonable, where losses were to
+accrue from the measure, when it should be put in execution; but he
+believed that the amount of it would be much less than was apprehended.
+He considered emancipation, though so many fears had been expressed
+about it, as forming no objection to the abolition, though he had
+estates in the West Indies himself. Such a measure, if it could be
+accomplished successfully, would be an honour to the country, and a
+blessing to the planters; but preparation must be made for it by
+rendering the slaves fit for freedom, and by creating in them an
+inclination to free labour. Such a change could only be the work of
+time.
+
+Sir John Newport said that the expressions of Sir S. Romilly, which had
+given such offence, had been used by others; and would be used with
+propriety, while the trade lasted. Some slave-dealers of Liverpool had
+lately attempted to prejudice certain merchants of Ireland in their
+favour. But none of their representations answered; and it was
+remarkable, that the reply made to them was in these words. "We will
+have no share in a traffic, consisting in rapine, blood, and murder." He
+then took a survey of a system of duties progressively increasing, and
+showed that it would be utterly inefficient; and that there was no real
+remedy for the different evils complained of, but in the immediate
+prohibition of the trade.
+
+Mr. Canning renewed his professions of friendship to the cause. He did
+not like the present resolution; yet he would vote for it. He should
+have been better pleased with a bill, which would strike at once at the
+root of this detestable commerce.
+
+Mr. Manning wished the question to be deferred to the next session. He
+hoped compensation would then be brought forward as connected with it.
+Nothing, however, effectual could be done without the concurrence of the
+planters.
+
+Mr. William Smith noticed, in a striking manner, the different
+inconsistencies in the arguments of those, who contended for the
+continuance of the trade.
+
+Mr. Windham deprecated not only the Slave Trade, but slavery also. They
+were essentially connected with each other. They were both evils, and
+ought both of them to be done away. Indeed, if emancipation would follow
+the abolition, he should like the latter measure the better. Rapine,
+robbery, and murder, were the true characteristics of this traffic. The
+same epithets had not indeed been applied to slavery, because this was a
+condition, in which some part of the human race had been at every period
+of the history of the world. It was, however, a state, which ought not
+to be allowed to exist. But, notwithstanding all these confessions, he
+should weigh well the consequences of the abolition before he gave it
+his support. It would be, on a balance between the evils themselves and
+the consequences of removing them, that he should decide for himself on
+this question.
+
+Mr. Fox took a view of all the arguments, which had been advanced by the
+opponents of the abolition; and having given an appropriate answer to
+each, the House divided, when there appeared for the resolution one
+hundred and fourteen, and against it but fifteen.
+
+Immediately after this division, Mr. Wilberforce moved an address to His
+Majesty, "praying that he would be graciously pleased to direct a
+negotiation to be entered into, by which foreign powers should be
+invited to co-operate with His Majesty in measures to be adopted for the
+abolition of the African Slave Trade."
+
+This address was carried without a division. It was also moved and
+carried, that "these resolutions be communicated to the Lords; and that
+their concurrence should be desired therein."
+
+On the 24th of June, the Lords met to consider of the resolution and
+address. The Earl of Westmoreland proposed that both counsel and
+evidence should be heard against them; but his proposition was
+overruled.
+
+Lord Grenville then read the resolution of the Commons. This resolution,
+he said, stated first, that the Slave Trade was contrary to humanity,
+justice, and sound policy. That it was contrary to humanity was obvious;
+for humanity might be said to be sympathy for the distress of others, or
+a desire to accomplish benevolent ends by good means. But did not the
+Slave Trade convey ideas the very reverse of this definition? It
+deprived men of all those comforts, in which it pleased the Creator to
+make the happiness of his creatures to consist,--of the blessings of
+society,--of the charities of the dear relationships of husband, wife,
+father, son, and kindred,--of the due discharge of the relative duties
+of these--and of that freedom, which in its pure and natural sense was
+one of the greatest gifts of God to man.
+
+It was impossible to read the evidence, as it related to this trade,
+without acknowledging the inhumanity of it, and our own disgrace. By
+what means was it kept up in Africa? By wars instigated, not by the
+passions of the natives, but by our avarice. He knew it would be said in
+reply to this, that the slaves, who were purchased by us, would be put
+to death, if we were not to buy them. But what should we say, if it
+should turn out, that we were the causes of those very cruelties, which
+we affected to prevent? But, if it were not so, ought the first nation
+in the world to condescend to be the executioner of savages?
+
+Another way of keeping up the Slave Trade was by the practice of
+man-stealing. The evidence was particularly clear upon this head. This
+practice included violence, and often bloodshed. The inhumanity of it
+therefore could not be doubted.
+
+The unhappy victims, being thus procured, were conveyed, he said, across
+the Atlantic in a manner which justified the charge of inhumanity again.
+Indeed the suffering here was so great, that neither the mind could
+conceive, nor the tongue describe, it. He had said on a former occasion,
+that in their transportation there was a greater portion of misery
+condensed within a smaller space, than had ever existed in the known
+world. He would repeat his words; for he did not know, how he could
+express himself better on the subject. And, after all these horrors,
+what was their destiny? It was such, as justified the charge in the
+resolution again: for, after having survived the sickness arising from
+the passage, they were doomed to interminable slavery.
+
+We had been, he said, so much accustomed to words, descriptive of the
+cruelty of this traffic, that we had almost forgotten their meaning. He
+wished that some person, educated as an Englishman, with suitable powers
+of eloquence, but now for the first time informed of all the horrors of
+it, were to address their lordships upon it, and he was sure, that they
+would instantly determine that it should cease. But the continuance of
+it had rendered cruelty familiar to us; and the recital of its horrors,
+had been so frequent, that we could now hear them stated without being
+affected as we ought to be. He intreated their lordships, however, to
+endeavour to conceive the hard case of the unhappy victims of it; and as
+he had led them to the last stage of their miserable existence, which
+was in the colonies, to contemplate it there. They were there under the
+arbitrary will of a cruel task-master from morning till night. When they
+went to rest, would not their dreams be frightful? When they awoke,
+would they not awake--
+
+
+  --only to discover sights of woe,
+  Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
+  And rest can never dwell, hope never comes
+  That comes to all; but torture without end
+  Still urges?--
+
+
+They knew no change, except in the humour of their masters, to whom
+their whole destiny was entrusted. We might, perhaps, flatter ourselves
+with saying, that they were subject to the will of Englishmen. But
+Englishmen were not better than others, when in possession of arbitrary
+power. The very fairest exercise of it was a never-failing corrupter of
+the heart. But suppose it were allowed that self-interest might operate
+some little against cruelty; yet where was the interest of the overseer
+or the driver? But he knew it would be said, that the evils complained
+of in the colonies had been mitigated. There might be instances of this;
+but they could never be cured, while slavery existed. Slavery took away
+more than half of the human character. Hence the practice, where it
+existed, of rejecting the testimony of the slave: but, if this testimony
+was rejected, where could be his redress against his oppressor?
+
+Having shown the inhumanity, he would proceed to the second point in the
+resolution, or the injustice of the trade. We had two ideas of justice,
+first, as it belonged to society by virtue of a social compact; and,
+secondly, as it belonged to men, not as citizens of a community, but as
+beings of one common nature. In a state of nature, man had a right to
+the fruit of his own labour absolutely to himself; and one of the main
+purposes, for which he entered into society, was that he might be better
+protected in the possession of his rights. In both cases therefore it
+was manifestly unjust, that a man should be made to labour during the
+whole of his life, and yet have no benefit from his labour. Hence the
+Slave Trade and the colonial slavery were a violation of the very
+principle, upon which all law for the protection of property was
+founded. Whatever benefit was derived from that trade, to an individual,
+it was derived from dishonour and dishonesty. He forced from the unhappy
+victim of it that, which the latter did not wish to give him; and he
+gave to the same victim that, which he in vain attempted to show was an
+equivalent to the thing he took,--it being a thing for which there was
+no equivalent; and which, if he had not obtained by force, he would not
+have possessed at all. Nor could there be any answer to this reasoning,
+unless it could be proved, that it had pleased God to give to the
+inhabitants of Britain a property in the liberty and life of the natives
+of Africa. But he would go further on this subject. The injustice
+complained of was not confined to the bare circumstance of robbing them
+of the right to their own labour. It was conspicuous throughout the
+system. They, who bought them, became guilty of all the crimes which had
+been committed in procuring them, and when they possessed them, of all
+the crimes which belonged to their inhuman treatment. The injustice in
+the latter case amounted frequently to murder. For what was it but
+murder to pursue a practice, which produced untimely death to thousands
+of innocent and helpless beings? It was a duty, which their lordships
+owed to their Creator, if they hoped for mercy, to do away this
+monstrous oppression.
+
+With respect to the impolicy of the trade, (the third point in the
+resolution,) he would say at once, that whatever was inhuman and unjust
+must be, impolitic. He had, however, no objection to argue the point
+upon its own particular merits: and, first, he would observe, that a
+great man, Mr. Pitt, now no more, had exerted his vast powers on many
+subjects, to the admiration of his hearers; but on none more
+successfully than on the subject of the abolition of the Slave Trade. He
+proved, after making an allowance for the price paid for the slaves in
+the West Indies, for the loss of them in the seasoning, and for the
+expense of maintaining them afterwards; and comparing these particulars
+with the amount in value of their labour there, that the evils endured
+by the victims of the traffic were no gain to the master, in whose
+service they took place. Indeed, Mr. Long had laid it down in his
+_History of Jamaica_, that the best way to secure the planters from ruin
+would be to do that which the resolution recommended. It was notorious,
+that when any planter was in distress, and sought to relieve himself by
+increasing the labour on his estate, by means of the purchase of new
+slaves, the measure invariably tended to his destruction. What then was
+the importation of fresh Africans, but a system tending to the general
+ruin of the islands?
+
+But it had often been said, that without fresh importations the
+population of the slaves could not be supported in the islands. This,
+however, was a mistake. It had arisen from reckoning the deaths of the
+imported Africans, of whom so many were lost in the seasoning, among the
+deaths of the Creole slaves. He did not mean to say that, under the
+existing degree of misery, the population would greatly increase; but,
+he would maintain, that if the deaths and the births were calculated
+upon those, who were either born, or who had been a long time in the
+islands, so as to be considered as natives, it would be found that the
+population had not only been kept up, but that it had been increased.
+
+If it was true, that the labour of a free-man was cheaper than that of a
+slave; and, also, that the labour of a long-imported slave was cheaper
+than that of a fresh-imported one; and, again, that the chances of
+mortality were much more numerous among the newly-imported slaves in the
+West Indies, than among those of old standing there, (propositions,
+which he took to be established,) we should see new arguments for the
+impolicy of the trade.
+
+It might be stated also, that the importation of vast bodies of men, who
+had been robbed of their rights, and grievously irritated on that
+account, into our colonies, (where their miserable condition opened new
+sources of anger and revenge,) was the importation only of the seeds of
+insurrection into them. And here he could not but view with astonishment
+the reasoning of the West Indian planters, who held up the example of
+St. Domingo as a warning against the abolition of the Slave Trade;
+because the continuance of it was one of the great causes of the
+insurrections and subsequent miseries in that devoted island. Let us but
+encourage importations in the same rapid progression of increase every
+year, which took place in St. Domingo, and we should witness the same
+effect in our own islands.
+
+To expose the impolicy of the trade further, he would observe, that it
+was an allowed axiom, that as the condition of man was improved, he
+became more useful. The history of our own country, in very early times,
+exhibited instances of internal slavery, and this to a considerable
+extent. But we should find that; precisely in proportion as that slavery
+was ameliorated, the power and prosperity of the country flourished.
+This was exactly applicable to the case in question. There could be no
+general amelioration of slavery in the West Indies, while the Slave
+Trade lasted: but if we were to abolish it, we should make it the
+interest of every owner of slaves to do that, which would improve their
+condition, and which, indeed, would lead ultimately to the annihilation
+of slavery itself. This great event, however, could not be accomplished
+at once; it could only be effected in a course of time.
+
+It would be endless, he said, to go into all the cases, which would
+manifest the impolicy of this odious traffic. Inhuman as it was, unjust
+as it was, he believed it to be equally impolitic; and if their
+Lordships should be of this opinion also, he hoped they would agree to
+that part of the resolution, in which these truths were expressed. With
+respect to the other part of it, or that they would proceed to abolish
+the trade, he observed, that neither the time, nor the manner of doing
+it, were specified. Hence, if any of them should differ as to these
+particulars, they, might yet vote for the resolution, as they were not
+pledged to anything definite in these respects, provided they thought
+that the trade should be abolished at some time or other: and he did not
+believe that there was any one of them, who would sanction its
+continuance for ever.
+
+Lord Hawkesbury said, that he did not mean to discuss the question, on
+the ground of justice and humanity, as contradistinguished from sound
+policy. If it could fairly be made out that the African Slave Trade was
+contrary to justice and humanity, it ought to be abolished. It did not,
+however, follow, because a great evil subsisted, that therefore it
+should be removed; for it might be comparatively a less evil, than that
+which would accompany the attempt to remove it. The noble lord, who had
+just spoken, had exemplified this; for though slavery was a great evil
+in itself, he was of opinion that it could not be done away, but in a
+course of time.
+
+A state of slavery, he said, had existed in Africa from the earliest
+time; and, unless other nations would concur with England in the measure
+of the abolition, we could not change it for the better.
+
+Slavery had existed also throughout all Europe. It had now happily, in a
+great measure, been done away. But how? Not by acts of parliament, for
+these might have retarded the event, but by the progress of
+civilization, which removed the evil in a gradual and rational manner.
+
+He then went over the same ground of argument, as when a member of the
+Commons in 1792. He said that the inhumanity of the abolition was
+visible in this, that not one slave less would be taken from Africa; and
+that such as were taken from it, would suffer more than they did now, in
+the hands of foreigners. He maintained also, as before, that the example
+of St. Domingo afforded one of the strongest arguments against the
+abolition of the trade. And he concluded by objecting to the resolution,
+inasmuch as it could do no good, for the substance of it would be to be
+discussed again in a future session.
+
+The Bishop of London, Dr. Porteus, began, by noticing the concession of
+the last speaker, namely, that if the trade was contrary to humanity and
+justice, it ought to be abolished. He expected, he said, that the noble
+lord would have proved that it was not contrary to these great
+principles, before he had supported its continuance; but not a word had
+he said to show that the basis of the resolution in these respects was
+false. It followed then, he thought, that as the noble lord had not
+disproved the premises; he was bound to abide by the conclusion.
+
+The ways, he said, in which the Africans were reduced to slavery in
+their own country, were by wars,--many of which were excited for the
+purpose,--by the breaking up of villages, by kidnapping and by
+conviction for a violation of their own laws. Of the latter class many
+were accused falsely, and of crimes which did not exist. He then read a
+number of extracts from the evidence examined before the privy council,
+and from the histories of those, who, having lived in Africa, had thrown
+light upon this subject before the question was agitated. All these, he
+said, (and similar instances could be multiplied,) proved the truth of
+the resolution, that the African Slave Trade was contrary to the
+principles of humanity, justice, and sound policy.
+
+It was moreover, he said, contrary to the principles of the religion we
+professed. It was not superfluous to say this, when it had been so
+frequently asserted that it was sanctioned both by the Jewish and the
+Christian dispensations. With respect to the Jews he would observe, that
+there was no such thing as perpetual slavery among them. Their slaves
+were of two kinds, those of their own nation, and those from the country
+round about them. The former were to be set free on the seventh year;
+and the rest, of whatever nation, on the fiftieth, or on the year of
+Jubilee. With respect to the Christian dispensation, it was a libel to
+say that it countenanced such a traffic. It opposed it both in its
+spirit and in its principle; nay, it opposed it positively, for it
+classed men-stealers, or slave traders, among the murderers of fathers
+and mothers, and the most profane criminals upon earth.
+
+The antiquity of slavery in Africa, which the noble lord had glanced at,
+afforded, he said, no argument for its continuance. Such a mode of
+defence would prevent for ever the removal of any evil; it would justify
+the practice of the Chinese, who exposed their infants in the streets to
+perish; it would also justify piracy, for that practice existed long
+before we knew anything of the African Slave Trade.
+
+He then combatted the argument, that we did a kindness to the Africans
+by taking them from their homes; and concluded, by stating to their
+lordships, that, if they refused to sanction the resolution, they would
+establish these principles, "that though individuals might not rob and
+murder, yet that nations might--that though individuals incurred the
+penalties of death by such practices, yet that bodies of men might
+commit them with impunity for the purposes of lucre;--and that for such
+purposes they were not only to be permitted, but encouraged."
+
+The Lord Chancellor (Erskine) confessed that he was not satisfied with
+his own conduct on this subject. He acknowledged, with deep contrition,
+that, during the time he was a member of the other House, he had not
+once attended when this great question was discussed.
+
+In the West Indies he could say, personally, that the slaves were well
+treated, where he had an opportunity of seeing them. But no judgment was
+to be formed there with respect to the evils complained of; they must be
+appreciated as they existed in the trade. Of these he had also been an
+eye-witness. It was on this account that he felt contrition for not
+having attended the House on this subject, for there were some cruelties
+in this traffic which the human imagination could not aggravate. He had
+witnessed such scenes over the whole coast of Africa; and he could say,
+that if their lordships could only have a sudden glimpse of them, they
+would be struck with horror, and would be astonished that they could
+ever have been permitted to exist. What then would they say to their
+continuance year after year, and from age to age?
+
+From information, which he could not dispute, he was warranted in
+saying, that, on this continent, husbands were fraudulently and forcibly
+severed from their wives, and parents from their children; and that all
+the ties of blood and affection were torn up by the roots. He had
+himself seen the unhappy natives put together in heaps in the hold of a
+ship, where, with every possible attention to them, their situation must
+have been intolerable. He had also heard proved, in courts of justice,
+facts still more dreadful than those which he had seen. One of these he
+would just mention. The slaves on board a certain ship rose in a mass to
+liberate themselves, and having advanced far in the pursuit of their
+object, it became necessary to repel them by force. Some of them
+yielded, some of them were killed in the scuffle, but many of them
+actually jumped into the sea and were drowned, thus preferring death to
+the misery of their situation; while others hung to the ship, repenting
+of their rashness, and bewailing with frightful noises their horrid
+fate. Thus the whole vessel exhibited but one hideous scene of
+wretchedness. They who were subdued and secured in chains were seized
+with the flux, which carried many of them off. These things were proved
+in a trial before a British jury, which had to consider whether this was
+a loss which fell within the policy of insurance, the slaves being
+regarded as if they had been only a cargo of dead matter. He could
+mention other instances, but they were much too shocking to be
+described. Surely their lordships could never consider such a traffic to
+be consistent with humanity or justice. It was impossible.
+
+That the trade had long subsisted there was no doubt, but this was no
+argument for its continuance. Many evils of much longer standing had
+been done away, and it was always our duty to attempt to remove them.
+Should we not exult in the consideration, that we, the inhabitants of a
+small island, at the extremity of the globe, almost at its north pole,
+were become the morningstar to enlighten the nations of the earth, and
+to conduct them out of the shades of darkness into the realms of light;
+thus exhibiting to an astonished and an admiring world the blessings of
+a free constitution? Let us then not allow such a glorious opportunity
+to escape us.
+
+It had been urged that we should suffer by the abolition of the Slave
+Trade; he believed that we should not suffer. He believed that our duty
+and our interest were inseparable; and he had no difficulty in saying,
+in the face of the world, that his own opinion was, that the interests
+of a nation would be best preserved by its adherence to the principles
+of humanity, justice, and religion.
+
+The Earl of Westmoreland said, that the African Slave Trade might be
+contrary to humanity and justice, and yet it might be politic; at least,
+it might be inconsistent with humanity, and yet not be inconsistent with
+justice; this was the case when we executed a criminal, or engaged in
+war.
+
+It was, however, not contrary to justice, for justice, in this case,
+must be measured by the law of nations. But the purchase of slaves was
+not contrary to this law. The Slave Trade was a trade with the consent
+of the inhabitants of two nations, and procured by no terror, nor by any
+act of violence whatever. Slavery had existed from the first ages of the
+world, not only in Africa, but throughout the habitable globe, among the
+Persians, Greeks, and Romans; and he would compare, with great advantage
+to his argument, the wretched condition of the slaves in these ancient
+states with that of those in our colonies. Slavery too had been allowed
+in a nation which was under the especial direction of Providence; the
+Jews were allowed to hold the heathen in bondage. He admitted that what
+the learned prelate had said relative to the emancipation of the latter
+in the year of jubilee was correct; but he denied that his quotation
+relative to the stealers of men referred to the Christian religion. It
+was a mere allusion to that which was done contrary to the law of
+nations, which was the only measure of justice between states.
+
+With respect to the inhumanity of the trade, he would observe, that if
+their lordships, sitting there as legislators, were to set their faces
+against everything which appeared to be inhuman, much of the security on
+which their lives and property depended might be shaken, if not totally
+destroyed. The question was, not whether there was not some evil
+attending the Slave Trade, but whether by the measure now before them
+they should increase or diminish the quantity of human misery in the
+world. He believed, for one, considering the internal state of Africa,
+and the impossibility of procuring the concurrence of foreign nations in
+the measure, that they would not be able to do any good by the adoption
+of it.
+
+As to the impolicy of the trade, the policy of it, on the other hand,
+was so great, that he trembled at the consequences of its abolition. The
+property connected with this question amounted to a hundred millions.
+The annual produce of the islands was eighteen millions, and it yielded
+a revenue of four millions annually. How was this immense property and
+income to be preserved? Some had said it would be preserved, because the
+black population in the islands could be kept up without further
+supplies; but the planters denied this assertion, and they were the best
+judges of the subject.
+
+He condemned the resolution as a libel upon the wisdom of the law of the
+land; and upon the conduct of their ancestors. He condemned it also,
+because, if followed up, it would lead to the abolition of the trade,
+and the abolition of the trade to the emancipation of the slaves in our
+colonies.
+
+The Bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. Horsley) said, that, allowing the slaves in
+the West Indies even to be pampered with delicacies, or to be put to
+rest on a bed of roses, they could not be happy, for--a slave would be
+still a slave. The question, however, was not concerning the alteration
+of their condition, but whether we should abolish the practice, by which
+they were put in that condition? Whether it was humane, just, and
+politic in us so to place them? This question was easily answered; for
+he found it difficult to form any one notion of humanity, which did not
+include a desire of promoting the happiness of others; and he knew of no
+other justice than that, which was founded on the principle of doing to
+others, as we should wish they should do to us. And these principles of
+humanity and justice were so clear, that he found it difficult to make
+them clearer. Perhaps no difficulty was greater than that of arguing a
+self-evident proposition, and such he took to be the character of the
+proposition, that the Slave Trade was inhuman and unjust.
+
+It had been said, that slavery had existed from the beginning of the
+world. He would allow it. But had such a trade as the Slave Trade ever
+existed before? Would the noble Earl, who had talked of the slavery of
+ancient Rome and Greece, assert, that in the course of his whole
+reading, however profound it might have been, he had found anything
+resembling such a traffic? Where did it appear in history, that ships
+were regularly fitted out to fetch away tens of thousands of persons
+annually, against their will, from their native land; that these were
+subject to personal indignities and arbitrary punishments during their
+transportation; and that a certain proportion of them, owing to
+suffocation and other cruel causes, uniformly perished? He averred, that
+nothing like the African Slave Trade was ever practised in any nation
+upon earth.
+
+If the trade then was repugnant, as he maintained it was, to justice and
+humanity, he did not see how, without aiding and abetting injustice and
+inhumanity, any man could sanction it: and he thought that the noble
+baron (Hawkesbury) was peculiarly bound to support the resolution; for
+he had admitted that if it could be shown, that the trade was contrary
+to these principles, the question would be at an end. Now this
+contrariety had been made apparent, and his lordship had not even
+attempted to refute it.
+
+He would say but little on the subject of revealed religion, as it
+related to this question, because the reverend prelate, near him, had
+spoken so fully upon it. He might observe, however, that at the end of
+the sixth year, when the Hebrew slave was emancipated, he was to be
+furnished liberally from the flock, the floor, and the wine-press of his
+master.
+
+Lord Holland lamented the unfaithfulness of the noble baron (Hawkesbury)
+to his own principles, and the inflexible opposition of the noble earl
+(Westmoreland), from both which circumstances he despaired for ever of
+any assistance from them to this glorious cause. The latter wished to
+hear evidence on the subject, for the purpose, doubtless, of delay. He
+was sure, that the noble earl did not care what the evidence would say
+on either side; for his mind was made up, that the trade ought not to be
+abolished.
+
+The noble earl had made a difference between humanity, justice, and
+sound policy. God forbid, that we should ever admit such distinctions in
+this country! But he had gone further, and said, that a thing might be
+inhuman, and yet not unjust; and he put the case of the execution of a
+criminal in support of it. Did he not by this position confound all
+notions of right and wrong in human institutions? When a criminal was
+justly executed, was not the execution justice to him who suffered, and
+humanity to the body of the people at large?
+
+The noble earl had said also, that we should do no good by the
+abolition, because other nations would not concur in it. He did not know
+what other nations would do; but this he knew, that we ourselves ought
+not to be unjust because they should refuse to be honest. It was,
+however, self-obvious, that, if we admitted no more slaves into our
+colonies, the evil would be considerably diminished.
+
+Another of his arguments did not appear to be more solid; for surely the
+Slave Trade ought not to be continued, merely because the effect of the
+abolition might ultimately be that of the emancipation of the slaves; an
+event, which would be highly desirable in its due time.
+
+The noble lord had also said, that the planters were against the
+abolition, and that without their consent it could never be
+accomplished. He differed from him in both these points: for, first, he
+was a considerable planter himself, and yet he was a friend to the
+measure: secondly, by cutting off all further supplies, the planters
+would be obliged to pay more attention to the treatment of their slaves,
+and this treatment would render the trade unnecessary.
+
+The noble earl had asserted also, that the population in the West Indies
+could not be kept up without further importations; and this was the
+opinion of the planters, who were the best judges of the subject. As a
+planter he differed from his lordship again. If, indeed, all the waste
+lands were to be brought into cultivation, the present population would
+be insufficient. But the government had already determined, that the
+trade should not be continued for such a purpose. We were no longer to
+continue pirates, or executioners for every petty tyrant in Africa, in
+order that every holder of a bit of land in our islands might cultivate
+the whole of his allotment; a work, which might require centuries.
+Making this exception, he would maintain, that no further importations
+were necessary. Few or no slaves had been imported into Antigua for many
+years; and he believed, that even some had been exported from it. As to
+Jamaica, although in one year fifteen thousand died in consequence of
+hurricane and famine, the excess of deaths over the births during the
+twenty years preceding 1788 was only one per cent. Deducting, however,
+the mortality of the newly imported slaves, and making the calculation
+upon the Negroes born in the island or upon those who had been long
+there, he believed the births and the deaths would be found equal. He
+had a right therefore to argue that the Negroes, with better treatment
+(which the abolition would secure), would not only maintain but increase
+their population, without any aid from Africa. He would add, that the
+newly imported Africans brought with them not only disorders which
+ravaged the plantations, but danger from the probability of
+insurrections. He wished most heartily for the total abolition of the
+trade. He was convinced, that it was both inhuman, unjust, and
+impolitic. This had always been his opinion as an individual since he
+was capable of forming one. It was his opinion then as a legislator. It
+was his opinion as a colonial proprietor; and it was his opinion as an
+Englishman, wishing for the prosperity of the British empire.
+
+The Earl of Suffolk contended, that the population of the slaves in the
+islands could be kept up by good treatment, so as to be sufficient for
+their cultivation. He entered into a detail of calculations from the
+year 1772 downwards in support of this statement. He believed all the
+miseries of St. Domingo arose from the vast importation of Africans. He
+had such a deep sense of the inhumanity and injustice of the Slave
+Trade, that, if ever he wished any action of his life to be recorded, it
+would be that of the vote he should then give in support of the
+resolution.
+
+Lord Sidmouth said, that he agreed to the substance of the resolution,
+but yet he could not support it. Could he be convinced that the trade
+would be injurious to the cause of humanity and justice, the question
+with him would be decided; for policy could not be opposed to humanity
+and justice. He had been of opinion for the last twenty years, that the
+interests of the country and those of numerous individuals were so
+deeply blended with this traffic, that we should be very cautious how we
+proceeded. With respect to the cultivation of new lands, he would not
+allow a single Negro to be imported for such a purpose; but he must have
+a regard to the old plantations. When he found a sufficient increase in
+the Black population to continue the cultivation already established
+there, then, but not till then, he would agree to an abolition of the
+trade.
+
+Earl Stanhope said he would not detain their lordships long. He could
+not, however, help expressing his astonishment at what had fallen from
+the last speaker; for he had evidently confessed that the Slave Trade
+was inhuman and unjust, and then he had insinuated, that it was neither
+inhuman nor unjust to continue it. A more paradoxical or whimsical
+opinion, he believed, was never entertained, or more whimsically
+expressed in that house. The noble viscount had talked of the interests
+of the planters; but this was but a part of the subject; for surely the
+people of Africa were not to be forgotten. He did not understand the
+practice of complimenting the planters with the lives of men, women, and
+helpless children by thousands, for the sake of their pecuniary
+advantage; and they, who adopted it, whatever they might think of the
+consistency of their own conduct, offered an insult to the sacred names
+of humanity and justice.
+
+The noble Earl (Westmoreland) had asked what would be the practical
+effect of the abolition of the Slave Trade. He would inform him. It
+would do away the infamous practices which took place in Africa; it
+would put an end to the horrors of the passage; it would save many
+thousands of our fellow-creatures from the miseries of eternal slavery;
+it would oblige the planters to treat those better, who were already in
+that unnatural state; it would increase the population of our islands;
+it would give a death-blow to the diabolical calculations, whether it
+was cheaper to work the Negroes to death and recruit the gangs by fresh
+importations, or to work them moderately and to treat them kindly. He
+knew of no event, which would be attended with so many blessings.
+
+There was but one other matter, which he would notice. The noble baron
+(Hawkesbury) had asserted, that all the horrors of St. Domingo were the
+consequence of the speculative opinions which were current in a
+neighbouring kingdom on the subject at liberty. They had, he said, no
+such origin. They were owing to two causes; first, to the vast number of
+Negroes recently imported into that island; and, secondly, to a
+scandalous breach of faith by the French legislature. This legislature
+held out the idea not only of the abolition of the Slave Trade, but also
+of all slavery; but it broke its word. It held forth the rights of man
+to the whole human race, and then, in practice, it most infamously
+abandoned every article in these rights; so that it became the scorn of
+all the enlightened and virtuous part of mankind. These were the great
+causes of the miseries of St. Domingo, and not the speculative opinions
+of France.
+
+Earl Grosvenor could not but express the joy he felt at the hope, after
+all his disappointments, that this wicked trade would be done away. He
+hoped that his Majesty's ministers were in earnest, and that they would,
+early in the next session, take this great question up with a
+determination to go through with it; so that another year should not
+pass before we extended the justice and humanity of the country to the
+helpless and unhappy inhabitants of Africa.
+
+Earl Fitzwilliam said he was fearful lest the calamities of St. Domingo
+should be brought home to our own islands. We ought not, he thought, too
+hastily to adopt the resolution on that account. He should therefore
+support the previous question.
+
+Lord Ellenborough said, he was sorry to differ from his noble friend
+(Lord Sidmouth), and yet he could not help saying that if after twenty
+years, during which this question had been discussed by both Houses of
+Parliament, their lordships' judgments were not ripe for its
+determination, he could not look with any confidence to a time when they
+would be ready to decide it.
+
+The question then before them was short and plain. It was, whether the
+African Slave Trade was inhuman, unjust, and impolitic. If the premises
+were true, we could not too speedily bring it to a conclusion.
+
+The subject had been frequently brought before him in a way which had
+enabled him to become acquainted with it; and he was the more anxious on
+that account to deliver his sentiments upon it as a peer of Parliament,
+without reference to anything he had been called upon to do in the
+discharge of his professional duty. When he looked at the mode in which
+this traffic commenced, by the spoliation of the rights of a whole
+quarter of the globe; by the misery of whole nations of helpless
+Africans; by tearing them from their homes, their families, and their
+friends; when he saw the unhappy victims carried away by force; thrust
+into a dungeon in the hold of a ship, in which the interval of their
+passage from their native to a foreign land was filled up with misery,
+under every degree of debasement, and in chains; and when he saw them
+afterwards consigned to an eternal slavery, he could not but contemplate
+the whole system with horror. It was inhuman in its beginning, inhuman
+in its progress, and inhuman to the very end.
+
+Nor was it more inhuman than it was unjust. The noble earl,
+(Westmoreland,) in adverting to this part of the question had considered
+it as a question of justice between two nations, but it was a moral
+question. Although the natives of Africa might be taken by persons
+authorized by their own laws to take and dispose of them, and the
+practice, therefore, might be said to be legal as it respected them, yet
+no man could doubt, whatever ordinances they might have to sanction it,
+that it was radically, essentially, and in principle, unjust; and
+therefore there could be no excuse for us in continuing it. On the
+general principle of natural justice, which was paramount to all
+ordinances of men, it was quite impossible to defend this traffic; and
+he agreed with the noble baron (Hawkesbury) that, having decided that it
+was inhuman and unjust, we should not inquire whether it was impolitic.
+Indeed, the inquiry itself would be impious; for it was the common
+ordinance of God, that that which was inhuman and unjust, should never
+be for the good of man. Its impolicy, therefore, was included in its
+injustice and its inhumanity. And he had no doubt, when the importations
+were stopped, that the planters would introduce a change of system among
+their slaves which would increase their population, so as to render any
+further supplies from Africa unnecessary. It had been proved, indeed,
+that the Negro population in some of the islands was already in this
+desirable state. Many other happy effects would follow. As to the losses
+which would arise from the abolition of the Slave Trade, they, who were
+interested in the continuance of it, had greatly over-rated them. When
+pleading formerly in his professional capacity for the merchants of
+Liverpool at their lordships' bar, he had often delivered statements,
+which he had received from them, and which he afterwards discovered to
+be grossly incorrect. He could say from his own knowledge, that the
+assertion of the noble earl (Westmoreland), that property to the amount
+of a hundred millions would be endangered, was wild and fanciful. He
+would not however deny, that some loss might accompany the abolition;
+but there could be no difficulty in providing for it. Such a
+consideration ought not to be allowed to impede their progress in
+getting rid of an horrible injustice.
+
+But it had been said that we should do but little in the cause of
+humanity by abolishing the Slave Trade; because other nations would
+continue it. He did not believe they would. He knew that America was
+about to give it up. He believed the states of Europe would give it up.
+But, supposing that they were all to continue it, would not our honour
+be the greater? Would not our virtue be the more signal? for then
+
+
+  --Faithful we
+  Among the faithless found:
+
+
+to which he would add, that undoubtedly we should diminish the evil, as
+far as the number of miserable beings was concerned, which was
+accustomed to be transported to our own colonies.
+
+Earl Spencer agreed with the noble viscount (Sidmouth), that the
+amelioration of the condition of the slaves was an object, which might
+be effected in the West Indies; but he was certain, that the most
+effectual way of improving it would be by the total and immediate
+abolition of the Slave Trade; and for that reason he would support the
+resolution. Had the resolution held out emancipation to them, it would
+not have had his assent; for it would have ill become the character of
+this country, if it had been once promised, to have withheld it from
+them. It was to such deception that the horrors of St. Domingo were to
+be attributed. He would not enter into the discussion of the general
+subject at present. He was convinced that the trade was what the
+resolution stated it to be, inhuman, unjust, and impolitic. He wished
+therefore, most earnestly indeed, for its abolition. As to the mode of
+effecting it, it should be such as would be attended with the least
+inconvenience to all parties. At the same time he would not allow small
+inconveniences to stand in the way of the great claims of humanity,
+justice, and religion.
+
+The question was then put on the resolution, and carried by a majority
+of forty-one to twenty. The same address also to His Majesty, which had
+been agreed upon by the Commons, was directly afterwards moved. This
+also was carried, but without the necessity of a division.
+
+The resolution and the motion having passed both Houses, one other
+parliamentary measure was yet necessary to complete the proceedings of
+this session. It was now almost universally believed, in consequence of
+what had already taken place there, that the Slave Trade had received
+its death-wound; and that it would not long survive it. It was supposed,
+therefore, that the slave-merchants would, in the interim, fit out not
+only all the vessels they had, but even buy others, to make what might
+be called their last harvest. Hence, extraordinary scenes of rapine and
+murder would be occasioned in Africa. To prevent these, a new bill was
+necessary. This was accordingly introduced into the Commons. It enacted,
+but with one exception, that from and after the first of August, 1806,
+no vessel should clear out for the Slave Trade, unless it should have
+been previously employed by the same owner or owners in the said trade,
+or should be proved to have been contracted for previously to the 10th
+of June, 1806, for the purpose of being employed in that trade. It may
+now be sufficient to say that this bill also passed both Houses of
+Parliament; soon after which the session ended.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+--Continuation from July 1806, to March 1807.--Death of Mr. Fox.--Bill
+for the total abolition of the Slave Trade carried in the House of
+Lords; sent from thence to the Commons; amended and passed there;
+carried back, and passed with its amendments by the Lords; receives
+the royal assent.--Reflections on this great event.
+
+
+It was impossible for the committee to look back to the proceedings of
+the last session, as they related to the great question under their
+care, without feeling a profusion of joy, as well as of gratitude to
+those, by whose virtuous endeavours they had taken place. But, alas, how
+few of our earthly pleasures come to us without alloy! a melancholy
+event succeeded. We had the painful intelligence, in the month of
+October 1806, that one of the oldest and warmest friends of the cause
+was then numbered with the dead.
+
+Of the character of Mr. Fox, as it related to this cause, I am bound to
+take notice. And, first, I may observe, that he professed an attachment
+to it almost as soon as it was ushered into the world. Early in the year
+1788, when he was waited upon by a deputation of the committee, his
+language was, as has appeared in the first volume, "that he would
+support their object to its fullest extent, being convinced that there
+was no remedy for the evil but in the total abolition of the trade."
+
+His subsequent conduct evinced the sincerity of his promises. He was
+constant in his attendance in Parliament whenever the question was
+brought forward; and he never failed to exert his powerful eloquence in
+its favour. The countenance, indeed, which he gave it, was of the
+greatest importance to its welfare; for most of his parliamentary
+friends, who followed his general political sentiments, patronized it
+also. By the aid of these, joined to that of the private friends of Mr.
+Pitt, and of other members, who espoused it without reference to party,
+it was always so upheld, that after the year 1791 no one of the defeats
+which it sustained, was disgraceful. The majority on the side of those
+interested in the continuance of the trade was always so trifling, that
+the abolitionists were preserved a formidable body, and their cause
+respectable.
+
+I never heard whether Mr. Fox, when he came into power, made any
+stipulations with His Majesty on the subject of the Slave Trade: but
+this I know, that he determined upon the abolition of it, if it were
+practicable, as the highest glory of his administration, and as the
+greatest earthly blessing which it was in the power of the Government to
+bestow; and that he took considerable pains to convince some of his
+colleagues in the cabinet of the propriety of the measure.
+
+When the resolution, which produced the debates in parliament, as
+detailed in the last chapter, was under contemplation, it was thought
+expedient that Mr. Fox, as the minister of state in the House of
+Commons, should introduce it himself. When applied to for this purpose
+he cheerfully undertook the office, thus acting in consistency with his
+public declaration in the year 1791, "that in whatever situation he
+might ever be, he would use his warmest efforts for the promotion of
+this righteous cause."
+
+Before the next measure, or the bill to prevent the sailing of any new
+vessel in the trade after the 1st of August, was publicly disclosed, it
+was suggested to him, that the session was nearly over; that he might
+possibly weary both Houses by another motion on the subject; and that,
+if he were to lose it, or to experience a diminution of his majorities
+in either, he might injure the cause, which was then in the road to
+triumph. To this objection he replied, "that he believed both Houses
+were disposed to get rid of the trade; that his own life was precarious;
+that if he omitted to serve the injured Africans on this occasion, he
+might have no other opportunity of doing it; and that he dared not,
+under these circumstances, neglect so great a duty."
+
+This prediction relative to himself became unfortunately verified; for
+his constitution, after this, began to decline, till at length his
+mortal destiny, in the eyes of his medical attendants, was sealed. But
+even then, when removed by pain and sickness from the discussion of
+political subjects, he never forgot this cause. In his own sufferings he
+was not unmindful of those of the injured Africans. "Two things," said
+he, on his death-bed, "I wish earnestly to see accomplished,--peace with
+Europe--and the abolition of the Slave Trade." But knowing well, that we
+could much better protect ourselves against our own external enemies,
+than this helpless people against their oppressors, he added, "but of
+the two I wish the latter." These sentiments he occasionally repeated,
+so that the subject was frequently in his thoughts in his last illness.
+Nay, "the very hope of the abolition (to use the expression of Lord
+Howick in the House of Commons) quivered on his lips in the last hour of
+it." Nor is it improbable, if earthly scenes ever rise to view at that
+awful crisis, and are perceptible, that it might have occupied his mind
+in the last moment of his existence. Then indeed would joy ineffable,
+from a conviction of having prepared the way for rescuing millions of
+human beings from misery, have attended the spirit on its departure from
+the body; and then also would this spirit, most of all purified when in
+the contemplation of peace, good-will, and charity upon earth, be in the
+fittest state, on gliding from its earthly cavern, to commix with the
+endless ocean of benevolence and love.
+
+At length the session of 1807 commenced. It was judged advisable by Lord
+Grenville, that the expected motion on this subject should, contrary to
+the practice hitherto adopted, be agitated first in the Lords.
+Accordingly, on the 2nd of January he presented a bill, called an act
+for the abolition of the Slave Trade; but he then proposed only to print
+it, and to let it lie on the table, that it might be maturely
+considered, before it should be discussed.
+
+On the 4th, no less than four counsel were heard against the bill.
+
+On the 5th the debate commenced. But of this I shall give no detailed
+account; nor, indeed, of any of those which followed it. The truth is,
+that the subject has been exhausted. They, who spoke in favour of the
+abolition, said very little that was new concerning it. They, who spoke
+against it, brought forward, as usual, nothing but negative assertions
+and fanciful conjectures. To give therefore what was said by both
+parties at these times, would be but useless repetition[A]. To give, on
+the other hand, that which was said on one side only would appear
+partial. Hence I shall offer to the reader little more than a narrative
+of facts upon these occasions.
+
+[Footnote A: The different debates in both Houses on this occasion would
+occupy the half of another volume. This is another circumstance, which
+reconciles me to the omission. But that, which reconciles me the most
+is, that they will be soon published. In these debates justice has been
+done to every individual concerned in them.]
+
+Lord Grenville opened the debate by a very luminous speech. He was
+supported by the Duke of Gloucester, the Bishop of Durham (Dr.
+Barrington), the Earls Moira, Selkirk, and Roslyn, and the Lords
+Holland, King, and Hood. The opponents of the bill were the Duke of
+Clarence, the Earls of Westmoreland and St. Vincent, and the Lords
+Sidmouth, Eldon, and Hawkesbury.
+
+The question being called for at four o'clock in the morning, it
+appeared that the personal votes and proxies in favour of Lord
+Grenville's motion amounted to one hundred, and those against it to
+thirty-six. Thus passed the first bill in England, which decreed, that
+the African Slave Trade should cease. And here I cannot omit paying to
+his Highness the Duke of Gloucester the tribute of respect, which is due
+to him, for having opposed the example of his royal relations on this
+subject in behalf of an helpless and oppressed people. The sentiments
+too, which he delivered on this occasion, ought not to be forgotten.
+"This trade," said he, "is contrary to the principles of the British
+constitution. It is, besides, a cruel and criminal traffic in the blood
+of my fellow-creatures. It is a foul stain on the national character. It
+is an offence to the Almighty. On every ground therefore on which a
+decision can be made; on the ground of policy, of liberty, of humanity,
+of justice, but, above all, on the ground of religion, I shall vote for
+its immediate extinction."
+
+On the 10th of February, the bill was carried to the House of Commons.
+On the 20th counsel were heard against it; after which, by agreement,
+the second reading of it took place. On the 23rd the question being put
+for the commitment of it, Lord Viscount Howick (now Earl Grey) began an
+eloquent speech. After he had proceeded in it some way, he begged leave
+to enter his protest against certain principles of relative justice,
+which had been laid down. "The merchants and planters," said he, "have
+an undoubted right, in common with other subjects of the realm, to
+demand justice at our hands. But that, which they denominate justice,
+does not correspond with the legitimate character of that virtue: for
+they call upon us to violate the rights of others, and to transgress our
+own moral duties. That, which they distinguish as justice, involves in
+itself the greatest injury to others. It is not, in fact, justice, which
+they demand, but--favour--and favour to themselves at the expense of the
+most grievous oppression of their fellow-creatures."
+
+He then argued the question on the ground of policy. He showed, by a
+number of official documents, how little this trade had contributed to
+the wealth of the nation, being but a fifty-fourth part of its export
+trade; and he contended that as four-sevenths of it had been cut off by
+His Majesty's proclamation, and the passing of the foreign slave bill in
+a former year, no detriment of any consequence would arise from the
+present measure.
+
+He entered into an account of the loss of seamen, and of the causes of
+the mortality, in this trade.
+
+He went largely into the subject of negro-population, in the islands
+from official documents, giving an account of it up to the latest date.
+He pointed out the former causes of its diminution, and stated how the
+remedies for these would follow.
+
+He showed how, even if the quantity of colonial produce should be
+diminished for a time, this disadvantage would, in a variety of
+instances, be more than counterbalanced by advantages, which would not
+only be great in themselves, but permanent.
+
+He then entered into a refutation of the various objections which had
+been made to the abolition, in an eloquent and perspicuous manner; and
+concluded by appealing to the great authorities of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox
+in behalf of the proposed measure. "These precious ornaments," he said,
+"of their age and country, had examined the subject with all the force
+of their capacious minds. On this question they had dismissed all
+animosity--all difference of opinion--and had proceeded in union; and he
+believed, that the best tribute of respect we could show, or the most
+splendid monument we could raise, to their memories, would be by the
+adoption of the glorious measure of the abolition of the Slave Trade."
+
+Lord Howick was supported by Mr. Roscoe, who was then one of the members
+for Liverpool; by Mr. Lushington, Mr. Fawkes, Lord Mahon, Lord Milton,
+Sir John Doyle, Sir Samuel Romilly, Mr. Wilberforce, and Earl Percy, the
+latter of whom wished that a clause might be put into the bill, by which
+all the children of slaves, born after January 1810, should be made
+free. General Gascoyne and Mr. Hibbert opposed the bill. Mr. Manning
+hoped that compensation would be made to the planters in case of loss.
+Mr. Bathurst and Mr. Hiley Addington preferred a plan for gradual
+abolition to the present mode. These having spoken, it appeared on a
+division, that there were for the question two hundred and eighty-three,
+and against it only sixteen.
+
+Of this majority I cannot but remark, that it was probably the largest
+that was ever announced on any occasion, where the House was called upon
+to divide. I must observe, also, that there was such an enthusiasm among
+the members at this time, that there appeared to be the same kind and
+degree of feeling, as manifested itself within the same walls in the
+year 1788, when the question was first started. This enthusiasm, too,
+which was of a moral nature, was so powerful, that it seemed even to
+extend to a conversion of the heart; for several of the old opponents of
+this righteous cause went away, unable to vote against it; while others
+of them staid in their places, and voted in its favour.
+
+On the 27th of February, Lord Howick moved, that the House resolve
+itself into a committee on the bill for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. Sir C. Pole, Messrs. Hughan, Brown, Bathurst, Windham, and Fuller
+opposed the motion; and Sir R. Milbank, and Messrs. Wynne, Barham,
+Courtenay, Montague, Jacob, Whitbread, and Herbert (of Kerry), supported
+it. At length the committee was allowed to sit _pro formâ_, and Mr.
+Hobhouse was put into the chair. The bill then went through it, and, the
+House being resumed, the report was received and read.
+
+On the 6th of March, when the committee sat again, Sir C. Pole moved,
+that the year 1812 be substituted for the year 1807, as the time when
+the trade should be abolished. This amendment produced a long debate,
+which was carried on by Sir C. Pole, Messrs. Fuller, Hiley Addington,
+Rose, Gascoyne, and Bathurst, on one side; and by Mr. Ward, Sir P.
+Francis; General Vyse, Sir T. Turton, Mr. Whitbread, Lord Henry Petty,
+Messrs. Canning, Stanhope, Perceval, and Wilberforce on the other. At
+length, on a division, there appeared to be one hundred and twenty-five
+against the amendment, and for it only seventeen. The chairman then read
+the bill, and it was agreed that he should report it with the amendments
+on Monday. The bill enacted, that no vessel should clear out for slaves
+from any port within the British dominions after the 1st of May, 1807,
+and that no slave should be landed in the colonies after the 1st of
+March, 1808.
+
+On the 16th of March, on the motion of Lord Henry Petty, the question
+was put, that the bill be read a third time. Mr. Hibbert, Captain
+Herbert, Mr. T.W. Plomer, Mr. Windham, and Lord Castlereagh, spoke
+against the motion. Sir P. Francis, Mr. Lyttleton, Mr. H. Thornton, and
+Messrs. Barham, Sheridan, and Wilberforce supported it. After this the
+bill was passed without a division[A].
+
+[Footnote A: S. Lushington, Esq., M.P. for Yarmouth, gave his voluntary
+attendance and assistance to the committee, during all these motions,
+and J. Bowdler, Esq., was elected a member of it.]
+
+On Wednesday, the 18th, Lord Howick, accompanied by Mr. Wilberforce and
+others, carried the bill to the Lords. Lord Grenville, on receiving it,
+moved that it should be printed, and that, if this process could be
+finished by Monday, it should be taken into consideration on that day.
+The reason of this extraordinary haste was, that His Majesty, displeased
+with the introduction of the Roman Catholic officers' bill into the
+Commons, had signified his intention to the members of the existing
+administration, that they were to be displaced.
+
+This uneasiness, which, a few days before, had sprung up among the
+friends of the abolition, on the report that this event was probable,
+began now to show itself throughout the kingdom. Letters were written
+from various parts, manifesting the greatest fear and anxiety on account
+of the state of the bill, and desiring answers of consolation. Nor was
+this state of the mind otherwise than what might have been expected upon
+such an occasion; for the bill was yet to be printed. Being an amended
+one, it was to be argued again in the Lords. It was then to receive the
+royal assent. All these operations implied time; and it was reported
+that the new ministry[A] was formed; among whom were several who had
+shown a hostile disposition to the cause.
+
+[Footnote A: The only circumstance, which afforded comfort at this time,
+was, that the Hon. Spencer Perceval and Mr. Canning were included in it,
+who were warm patrons of this great measure.]
+
+On Monday, the 23rd, the House of Lords met. Such extraordinary
+diligence had been used in printing the bill, that it was then ready.
+Lord Grenville immediately brought it forward. The Earl of Westmoreland
+and the Marquis of Sligo opposed it. The Duke of Norfolk and the Bishop
+of Llandaff (Dr. Watson) supported it. The latter said, that this great
+act of justice would be recorded in heaven. The amendments were
+severally adopted without a division. But here an omission of three
+words was discovered, namely, "country, territory, or place," which, if
+not rectified, might defeat the purposes of the bill. An amendment was
+immediately proposed and carried. Thus the bill received the last
+sanction of the Peers. Lord Grenville then congratulated the House on
+the completion, on its part, of the most glorious measure that had ever
+been adopted by any legislative body in the world.
+
+The amendment now mentioned occasioned the bill to be sent back to the
+Commons. On the 24th, on the motion of Lord Howick, it was immediately
+taken into consideration there, and agreed to; and it was carried back
+to the Lords, as approved of, on the same day.
+
+But though the bill had now passed both houses, there was an awful fear
+throughout the kingdom lest it should not receive the royal assent
+before the ministry was dissolved. This event took place the next day;
+for on Wednesday, the 25th, at half past eleven in the morning, His
+Majesty's message was delivered to the different members of it, that
+they were then to wait upon him to deliver up the seals of their
+offices. It then appeared that a commission for the royal assent to this
+bill, among others, had been obtained. This commission was instantly
+opened by the Lord Chancellor (Erskine), who was accompanied by the
+Lords Holland and Auckland; and as the clock struck twelve, just when
+the sun was in its meridian splendour to witness this august act, this
+establishment of a Magna Charta for Africa in Britain, and to sanction
+it by its most vivid and glorious beams, it was completed. The ceremony
+being over, the seals of the respective offices were delivered up; so
+that the execution of this commission was the last act of the
+administration of Lord Grenville; an administration, which, on account
+of its virtuous exertions in behalf of the oppressed African race, will
+pass to posterity, living through successive generations in the love and
+gratitude of the most virtuous of mankind.
+
+Thus ended one of the most glorious contests, after a continuance for
+twenty years, of any ever carried on in any age or country. A contest,
+not of brutal violence, but of reason. A contest between those who felt
+deeply for the happiness and the honour of their fellow-creatures, and
+those, who, through vicious custom and the impulse of avarice, had
+trampled under foot the sacred rights of their nature, and had even
+attempted to efface all title to the divine image from their minds.
+
+Of the immense advantages of this contest I know not how to speak;
+indeed, the very agitation of the question which it involved has been
+highly important. Never was the heart of man so expanded; never were its
+generous sympathies so generally and so perseveringly excited. These
+sympathies, thus called into existence, have been useful in the
+preservation of a national virtue. For anything we know, they may have
+contributed greatly to form a counteracting balance against the
+malignant spirit, generated by our almost incessant wars during this
+period, so as to have preserved us from barbarism.
+
+It has been useful also in the discrimination of moral character; in
+private life it has enabled us to distinguish the virtuous from the more
+vicious part of the community[A]. It has shown the general
+philanthropist; it has unmasked the vicious in spite of his pretension
+to virtue. It has afforded us the same knowledge in public life; it has
+separated the moral statesman from the wicked politician. It has shown
+us who, in the legislative and executive offices of our country, are fit
+to save, and who to destroy, a nation.
+
+[Footnote A: I have had occasion to know many thousand persons in the
+course of my travels on this subject, and I can truly say, that the part
+which these took on this great question was always a true criterion of
+their moral character. Some indeed opposed the abolition, who seemed to
+be so respectable, that it was difficult to account for their conduct;
+but it invariably turned out, in the course of time, either that they
+had been influenced by interested motives, or that they were not men of
+steady moral principle. In the year 1792, when the national enthusiasm
+was so great, the good were as distinguishable from the bad, according
+to their disposition to this great cause, as if the divine Being had
+marked them, or, as a friend of mine the other day observed, as we may
+suppose the sheep to be from the goats on the day of judgment.]
+
+It has furnished us also with important lessons. It has proved what a
+creature man is! how devoted he is to his own interest! to what a length
+of atrocity he can go, unless fortified by religious principle! But as
+if this part of the prospect would be too afflicting, it has proved to
+us, on the other hand, what a glorious instrument he may become in the
+hands of his Maker; and that a little virtue, when properly leavened, is
+made capable of counteracting the effects of a mass of vice!
+
+With respect to the end obtained by this contest, or the great measure
+of the abolition of the Slave Trade as it has now passed, I know not how
+to appreciate its importance; to our own country, indeed, it is
+invaluable. We have lived, in consequence of it, to see the day, when it
+has been recorded as a principle in our legislation, that commerce
+itself shall have its moral boundaries. We have lived to see the day
+when we are likely to be delivered from the contagion of the most
+barbarous opinions. They who supported this wicked traffic, virtually
+denied that man was a moral being; they substituted the law of force for
+the law of reason: but the great act now under our consideration has
+banished the impious doctrine, and restored the rational creature to his
+moral rights. Nor is it a matter of less pleasing consideration, that,
+at this awful crisis, when the constitutions of kingdoms are on the
+point of dissolution, the stain of the blood of Africa is no longer upon
+us, or that we have been freed (alas, if it be not too late!) from a
+load of guilt, which has long hung like a mill-stone about our necks,
+ready to sink us to perdition.
+
+In tracing the measure still further, or as it will affect other lands,
+we become only the more sensible of its importance; for can we pass over
+to Africa; can we pass over to the numerous islands, the receptacles of
+miserable beings from thence; and can we call to mind the scenes of
+misery which have been passing in each of these regions of the earth,
+without acknowledging that one of the greatest sources of suffering to
+the human race has, as far as our own power extends, been done way? Can
+we pass over to these regions again, and contemplate the multitude of
+crimes which the agency necessary for keeping up the barbarous system
+produced, without acknowledging that a source of the most monstrous and
+extensive wickedness has been removed also? But here, indeed, it becomes
+us peculiarly to rejoice; for though nature shrinks from pain, and
+compassion is engendered in us when we see it become the portion of
+others, yet what is physical suffering compared with moral guilt? The
+misery of the oppressed is, in the first place, not contagious like the
+crime of the oppressor; nor is the mischief which it generates either so
+frightful or so pernicious. The body, though under affliction, may
+retain its shape; and, if it even perish, what is the loss of it but of
+worthless dust? But when the moral springs of the mind are poisoned, we
+lose the most excellent part of the constitution of our nature, and the
+divine image is no longer perceptible in us; nor are the two evils of
+similar duration. By a decree of Providence, for which we cannot be too
+thankful, we are made mortal. Hence the torments of the oppressor are
+but temporary; whereas the immortal part of us, when once corrupted, may
+carry its pollutions with it into another world.
+
+But, independently of the quantity of physical suffering, and the
+innumerable avenues to vice, in more than a quarter of the globe, which
+this great measure will cut off, there are yet blessings, which we have
+reason to consider as likely to flow from it. Among these we cannot
+overlook the great probability that Africa, now freed from the vicious
+and barbarous effects of this traffic, may be in a better state to
+comprehend and receive the sublime truths of the Christian religion. Nor
+can we overlook the probability that, a new system of treatment
+necessarily springing up in our islands, the same bright sun of
+consolation may visit her children there. But here a new hope rises to
+our view. Who knows but that emancipation, like a beautiful plant, may,
+in its due season, rise out of the ashes of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade, and that, when its own intrinsic value shall be known, the seed
+of it may be planted in other lands? And looking at the subject in this
+point of view, we cannot but be struck with the wonderful concurrence of
+events as previously necessary for this purpose, namely, that two
+nations, England and America, the mother and the child, should, in the
+same month of the same year, have abolished this impious traffic;
+nations, which at this moment have more than a million of subjects
+within their jurisdiction to partake of the blessing; and one of which,
+on account of her local situation and increasing power, is likely in
+time to give, if not law, at least a tone to the manners and customs of
+the great continent on which she is situated.
+
+Reader! Thou art now acquainted with the history of this contest!
+Rejoice in the manner of its termination! And, if thou feelest grateful
+for the event, retire within thy closet, and pour out thy thanksgivings
+to the Almighty for this his unspeakable act of mercy to thy oppressed
+fellow-creatures.
+
+THE END.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+LONDON: JOHN W. PARKER, ST. MARTIN'S LANE
+
+A SELECT LIST OF BOOKS
+
+PUBLISHED BY
+
+JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND,
+
+LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE SLAVE-TRADE and SLAVERY.--HISTORY of the RISE, PROGRESS, and
+ACCOMPLISHMENT, of the ABOLITION of the AFRICAN SLAVE-TRADE by the
+British Parliament. By THOMAS CLARKSON, M.A. A NEW EDITION, with
+Prefatory Remarks on the subsequent ABOLITION of SLAVERY, and a Portrait
+from a highly-approved Picture, recently painted by HENRY ROOM.
+_Published under the Direction of the_ CENTRAL NEGRO-EMANCIPATION
+COMMITTEE. One large Volume. Octavo.
+
+THE SCRIPTURAL CHARACTER of the ENGLISH CHURCH CONSIDERED, in a SERIES
+of SERMONS, with Notes and Illustrations. By the Rev. DERWENT COLERIDGE,
+M.A.
+
+The series of Sermons, bearing the above title, were written exclusively
+for perusal, and are arranged as a connected whole. The author has
+adopted this form to avail himself of the devotional frame of mind,
+presupposed on the part of the reader, in this species of composition;
+but he has not deemed it as necessary to preserve with strictness the
+conventional style of the pulpit, for which these discourses were never
+intended: they may, consequently, be taken as a series of Essays, or as
+the successive chapters of a general work.
+
+THE CATHOLIC CHARACTER of CHRISTIANITY; in a SERIES of LETTERS to a
+FRIEND. By the Rev. FREDERICK NOLAN, LL.D., F.B.S., Vicar of
+Prittlewell, and Author of _The Evangelical Character of Christianity_,
+&c.
+
+The Profits arising from the First Edition of this Work, will be given
+to the Fund for erecting a Memorial to the Martyred Bishops at Oxford.
+
+A MANUAL of CHRISTIAN ANTIQUITIES; or an Account of the Constitution,
+Ministers, Worship, Discipline, and Customs of the Early Church; with an
+Introduction, containing a Complete and Chronological Analysis of the
+Works of the Antenicene Fathers. Compiled from the Works of Augusti, and
+other sources. By the Rev. J. E. RIDDLE, M.A., Author of an
+_English-Latin_ and _Latin-English Dictionary_, _Luther and his Times_,
+&c. _In the Press_.
+
+It has been the object of the writer, to construct a History of
+Christian Antiquities sufficiently copious and accurate for the use of
+the student in divinity, and at the same time instructive and acceptable
+to the general reader: a work popular in point of structure and style,
+but containing the substance of the more scholastic and expensive
+volumes of Bingham, and embodying information collected by modern
+divines, who have investigated the history and usages of the early
+church. Such a compendium was a desideratum in our theological
+literature. Our language has hitherto possessed no book fit to occupy
+the same place, in relation to the history of the church, as that which
+has long been maintained by the Antiquities of Potter and Adam, in
+connexion with the histories of Greece and Rome. And the author of the
+present volume hopes he may be permitted to say, that, in the absence of
+more able labourers in this department, he has endeavoured, by means
+especially of foreign aid, to remove the want which he has described.
+
+THE WORKS OF DOCTOR DONNE, Dean of Saint Paul's in 1619-1631; with a
+Memoir of his Life, and Critical Notices of his Writings. By HENRY
+ALFORD, M.A., Vicar of Wymeswold, and late Fellow of Trinity College,
+Cambridge. With a fine Portrait from an Original Picture by VANDYKE. Six
+Volumes Octavo.
+
+A HISTORY of the INDUCTIVE SCIENCES, from the Earliest Times to the
+Present. By the Rev. WILLIAM WHEWELL, B.D., F.R.S.; Pres. Geol. Society,
+and Professor of Casuistry in the University of Cambridge. Three
+Volumes, Octavo.
+
+THE NEW CRATYLUS; or, CONTRIBUTIONS towards a more ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE of
+the GREEK LANGUAGE. By JOHN WILLIAM DONALDSON, M.A., Fellow of Trinity
+College, Cambridge.
+
+A NEW SYSTEM OF LOGIC, and Developement of the Principles of Truth and
+Reasoning; in which a System of Logic, applicable to Moral and Practical
+Subjects, is for the first time proposed. By SAMUEL RICHARD BOSANQUET,
+A.M., of the Inner Temple.
+
+The RISE and PROGRESS of the ENGLISH CONSTITUTION; with an HISTORICAL
+and LEGAL INTRODUCTION and NOTES. By ARCHIBALD JOHN STEPHENS, M.A.,
+F.R.S., &c. Two Volumes, 30s.
+
+The Introduction is embodied in the first volume, and extends from the
+earliest period of authentic history up to the termination of the reign
+of William III.; and the Saxon institutions, tenure of lands, domesday,
+the royal prerogative, origin and progress of the legislative
+assemblies, privileges of Lords and Commons, pecuniary exactions,
+administration of justice, gradual improvements in the laws, judicial
+powers of the Peers, borough institutions, infamy of the Long
+Parliament, national dissensions, and the principles under which the
+executive power was intrusted to the Prince of Orange, have experienced
+every illustration.
+
+The doctrinal changes in the Anglican Church which were effected under
+the Tudors, are justified by a reference to the records and practice of
+the primitive Church, and the doctrinal schismatic points of Roman
+Catholic faith relating to the canons of Scripture, seven sacraments,
+sacrifice of the mass, private and solitary mass, communion in one kind,
+transubstantiation, image worship, purgatory, indulgences, confession
+and penance, absolution, &c., are clearly established as being in direct
+opposition to the opinions of the early fathers, and the fundamental
+doctrines of Christianity.
+
+The text of De Lolme is incorporated in the second volume, and the notes
+affixed extend to great length, and embody very valuable and diversified
+information relative to the rights, qualifications, and
+disqualifications of members of Parliament and their constituents; the
+unions of Scotland and Ireland with England; the origin, rise, and
+progress of the civil law under nine periods of the Roman history; civil
+process in the English courts of law; history of the courts of equity,
+and the principles under which they act; trial by jury, and an analysis
+of criminal offences, and the statutes under which they are punishable,
+with an analysis of crimes that were committed in 1837, and of the
+sentences passed. There are likewise tables of the public income and
+expenditure in the year ended January 5, 1837; of the church revenues,
+in which will be found information relative to the number of benefices
+in each diocese; total amount of incomes, gross and net, of the
+incumbents in each diocese, also the averages of each respectively;
+number of curates in each diocese; total amount of their stipends, and
+average thereof; also four scales of the incomes of the beneficed
+clergy; and genealogical tables from the Saxon and Danish kings, to
+Queen Victoria.
+
+FROM THE PRESS OF JOHN W. PARKER.
+
+MEMOIRS of the LIFE, CHARACTER, and WRITINGS, of BISHOP BUTLER, Author
+of _The Analogy_. By THOMAS BARTLETT, M.A., One of the Six Preachers of
+Canterbury Cathedral, and Rector of Kingstone, Kent. Dedicated, by
+Permission, to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. Octavo, with an
+original Portrait.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ELIZABETHAN RELIGIOUS HISTORY. By HENRY SOAMES, M.A., Author of _The
+History of the Reformation; The Anglo-Saxon Church_, &c.
+
+This Work is intended to fill a long-acknowledged chasm in English
+literature, and especially in that which peculiarly concerns the Church
+of England. Both Romanists and Protestant Dissenters have been attentive
+to the important reign of Elizabeth, and by saying very little of each
+other, have given an invidious colouring to both the Church and the
+Government. The present work is meant to give every leading fact in
+sufficient detail, but to avoid unnecessary particulars. It reaches from
+the establishment of the Thirty-nine Articles, in 1563, to the
+Hampton-Court Conference, in 1604.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE ANGLO-SAXON CHURCH; its HISTORY, REVENUES, and General Character. By
+the Rev. HENRY SOAMES, M.A., Author of the _Elizabethan Religious
+History_. A NEW EDITION.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH; from the Ascension of Jesus Christ to
+the Conversion of Constantine. By the late EDWARD BURTON, D.D.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HISTORY of the CHURCH of ENGLAND, to the REVOLUTION in 1688; embracing
+Copious Histories of the Thirty-Nine Articles, the Translation of the
+Bible, and the Compilation of the Book of Common Prayer. By THOMAS
+VOWLER SHORT, D.D. NEW EDITION, in One large Volume.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The EARLY CHRISTIANS; their MANNERS and CUSTOMS, TRIALS and SUFFERINGS.
+By the Rev. WILLIAM PRIDDEN, M.A. Second Edition.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HISTORY OF POPERY; the Origin, Growth, and Progress of the Papal Power;
+its Political Influence in the European States-System, and its Effects
+on the Progress of Civilization; an Examination of the Present State of
+the Romish Church in Ireland; a History of the Inquisition; and
+Specimens of Monkish Legends.
+
+LUTHER and HIS TIMES; History of the Rise and Progress of the German
+Reformation. By the Rev. J. E. RIDDLE, M.A., Author of _First Sundays at
+Church._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+POPULAR HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION, in Germany, Switzerland, and Great
+Britain; and of its chief Promoters, Opposers, and Victims. By THOMAS
+FOX.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* HISTORY OF MOHAMMEDANISM, and the PRINCIPAL MOHAMMEDAN SECTS. By W.C.
+TAYLOR, LL.D.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* The CRUSADERS; SCENES, EVENTS, and CHARACTERS, from the Times of the
+Crusades. By THOMAS KEIGHTLEY. Two Vols.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* READINGS IN BIOGRAPHY; a Selection of the Lives of Eminent Men of all
+Nations.
+
+The design of this work is to give an account of the lives of the
+Leaders in the most important revolutions which history records, from
+the age of Sesostris to that of Napoleon. Care has been taken to select
+those personages concerning whom information is most required by the
+historical student.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LIFE OF SIR WILLIAM JONES, by the late LORD TEIGNMOUTH. With Notes,
+Selections from his Works, and a Memoir of his Noble Biographer, by the
+Rev. SAMUEL CHARLES WILKS, M.A. 2 Vols., 10_s_. 6_d_.
+
+SIR WILLIAM JONES was not only the most eminent linguist, but in many
+respects one of the most remarkable men, of the last century; and LORD
+TEIGNMOUTH'S Memoir of him has been justly accounted one of the most
+interesting, instructive, and entertaining pieces of modern biography.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* LIVES OF BRITISH SACRED POETS. By R. A. WILLMOTT, Esq., Trin. Coll.
+Camb. Now complete, in Two Volumes, at 4_s_. 6_d_. each.
+
+The FIRST SERIES contains an Historical Sketch of Sacred Poetry, and the
+Lives of the English Sacred Poets preceding MILTON.
+
+The SECOND SERIES commences with MILTON, and brings down the Lives to
+that of BISHOP HEBER inclusive.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* LIVES OF EMINENT CHRISTIANS. By RICHARD B. HONE, M.A., Vicar of Hales
+Owen. Three Volumes, 4_s_. 6_d_. each.
+
+Vol. I. ARCHBISHOP USHER, DOCTOR HAMMOND, JOHN EVELYN, BISHOP WILSON.
+
+Vol. II.
+
+BERNARD GILPIN, PHILIP DE MORNAY, BISHOP BEDELL, DOCTOR HORNECK.
+
+Vol. III.
+
+BISHOP RIDLEY, BISHOP HALL, The HONORABLE ROBERT BOYLE.
+
+BIBLE BIOGRAPHY; HISTORIES OF THE LIVES AND CONDUCT OF THE PRINCIPAL
+CHARACTERS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. By E. FARR, _Author of a New
+Version of the Book of Psalms_. 4_s._ 6_d._
+
+BIBLE NARRATIVE chronologically arranged, in the words of the authorized
+Version; continued by an Historical Account of the Jewish Nation: and
+forming a Consecutive History from the Creation of the World to the
+Termination of the Jewish Polity. _Dedicated by permission to the Lord
+Bishop of Winchester_. 7_s._
+
+THE EVIDENCE OF PROFANE HISTORY TO THE TRUTH OF REVELATION. DEDICATED,
+BY SPECIAL PERMISSION, TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN. With numerous Graphic
+Illustrations. 10_s._ 6_d._
+
+It is the object of this Work to exhibit, from traces afforded in the
+records and monuments, both sacred and profane, of the ancient world, an
+unity of purpose maintained by the all-controlling providence of God.
+
+STUDENT'S MANUAL OF ANCIENT HISTORY; ACCOUNTS OF THE PRINCIPAL NATIONS
+OF ANTIQUITY. By W.C. TAYLOR, LL.D. 10_s._ 6_d._
+
+The design of this work is to supply the student with an outline of the
+principal events in the annals of the ancient world, and at the same
+time to lead him to the consideration of the causes that produced the
+principal revolutions recorded. The geographical position, natural
+productions, and progress of civilization, in all the great monarchies
+and republics, have been diligently investigated, and their effect on
+the fortunes of the state pointed out. Thus the philosophy of history is
+made to illustrate the narrative without interrupting it.
+
+STUDENT'S MANUAL OF MODERN HISTORY; THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE
+PRINCIPAL EUROPEAN NATIONS, THEIR POLITICAL HISTORY, AND THE CHANGES IN
+THEIR SOCIAL CONDITION; WITH A HISTORY OF THE COLONIES FOUNDED BY
+EUROPEANS, AND GENERAL PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION. By the same Author.
+10_s._ 6_d._
+
+*FAMILY HISTORY OF ENGLAND. By the Rev. G.R. GLEIG, M.A. With PICTORIAL
+ILLUSTRATIONS. 3 Vols., 6_s._ 6_d._ each.
+
+The main purpose of the FAMILY HISTORY OF ENGLAND has been to unite
+objects which in such undertakings are not always found to coincide;
+namely, to render the study of English History not merely instructive,
+but interesting and amusing. For this purpose, the greatest care has
+been taken to seize upon all those striking features in the detail of
+events, which not only convey to the mind of the reader a vivid picture
+of scenes past, but induce him to argue from effects to their causes.
+While the philosophy of history, therefore, is sedulously taught, it is
+taught in a manner calculated to gratify both young and old, by
+affording to the one class ample scope to reflection; to the other,
+matter that stirs and excites, while it conveys sound moral instruction.
+
+A HISTORY OF LONDON; THE PROGRESS OF ITS INSTITUTIONS; THE MANNERS AND
+CUSTOMS OF ITS PEOPLE. By CHARLES MACKAY. 7_s._
+
+Of the Histories of London which have hitherto appeared, some have been
+too voluminous and costly for the general reader, and others too
+exclusively addressed to the citizen, the antiquarian, or the traveller.
+The object of the present Volume is to furnish in a tangible form, and
+at a small price, a general and popular view of the progress of
+civilization, and of the origin and progress of those events which have
+raised London to its present importance. The work, however, is not
+confined to a history of events, but contains graphic pictures of the
+manners and customs of the people, their sports and pastimes, at
+different periods, and the characteristic incidents of their domestic
+history.
+
+GERMANY, BOHEMIA, AND HUNGARY, VISITED IN 1837. By the Rev. G.R. GLEIG,
+M.A., Chaplain to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. Three Volume's, Post
+Octavo. 1_l._ 11_s._ 6_d._
+
+The principal design of this work is to give some account of the state
+of society as it now exists in Bohemia and Hungary. In order to reach
+these countries, the Author was, of course, obliged to pass through a
+large portion of Germany, where the social condition of the people, as
+well as the civil, ecclesiastical, and military establishments,
+attracted his attention. Upon these he touches, more especially in
+reference to Prussia, towards which the eyes of the rest of Europe are
+at present anxiously turned. But his great design was to obtain and
+communicate information, respecting countries into which few Englishmen
+are accustomed to penetrate. Hence a large portion of his tour, both in
+Bohemia and Hungary, was performed on foot; and the acquaintance which
+he was thereby enabled to form with all ranks and conditions of the
+people, was at once more intimate and more familiar than could have
+taken place had he travelled by a more usual mode of conveyance. He
+looked into the cottage as well as the palace, and he has given some
+account of both.
+
+GERMANY; THE SPIRIT OF HER HISTORY, LITERATURE, SOCIAL CONDITION, AND
+NATIONAL ECONOMY; illustrated by Reference to her Physical, Moral, and
+Political Statistics, and by Comparison with other Countries. By BISSET
+HAWKINS, M.D., Oxon., F.R.S., &c. 10_s._ 6_d._
+
+TREVES; SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CITY OF TREVES, AND OF ITS ROMAN
+ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS. From the German of WYTTENBACH. Edited, with
+NOTES, by DAWSON TURNER, Esq., and illustrated from Drawings made on the
+spot. Octavo. _Nearly Ready._
+
+RESEARCHES IN BABYLONIA, ASSYRIA, AND CHALDAEA; forming part of the
+Labours of the Euphrates Expedition, and _published with the sanction of
+the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Control_, By WILLIAM
+AINSWORTH, F.G.S., F.R.G.S. With Illustrations, Maps, &c. 12_s._ 6_d._
+
+EGYPT AND SINAI. By M. DUMAS, with Notes by the Translator. Uniformly
+with _Three Weeks in Palestine and Lebanon_.
+
+THREE WEEKS IN PALESTINE AND LEBANON. With many Engravings.   3_s._
+
+A  little volume from the Traveller's notes. Descriptions of Baalbec,
+Beiroot, Damietta, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Ramiah, and other places, are
+blended with remarks upon the natives, the incidents of the journey, and
+the observations and reflections which naturally occur to a Clergyman in
+travelling through the Holy Land.
+
+NOTES ON INDIAN AFFAIRS; by the late Hon. F.J. SHORE, Judge of the Civil
+Court and Criminal Sessions of Furrukhabad. 2 Vols., 26s.
+
+The facts and opinions contained in this Work are the result of more
+than fifteen years' residence in India--during which period the Author
+held various situations in the Police, Revenue, and Judicial
+Departments, and was in habits of close communication, both Private and
+Official, with all classes of the Natives.
+
+SCOTLAND; SKETCHES OF ITS COASTS AND ISLANDS, AND OF THE ISLE OF MAN;
+descriptive of the Scenery, and illustrative of the progressive
+Revolution in the Condition of the Inhabitants of those Regions. By LORD
+TEIGNMOUTH, M.P.  2 Vols., with Maps, 21_s_.
+
+THE WEST INDIES; THE NATURAL AND PHYSICAL HISTORY OF THE COLONIES; AND
+THE MORAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL CONDITION OF THE INHABITANTS, BEFORE
+AND AFTER THE ABOLITION OF NEGRO SLAVERY. By SIR ANDREW HALLIDAY, K.H.,
+M.D., F.R.S.E., &c.  With Maps. 10_s_. 6_d_.
+
+NEW ZEALAND; AN ACCOUNT OF THE POSITION, EXTENT, SOIL AND CLIMATE,
+NATURAL PRODUCTIONS AND NATIVE INHABITANTS OF NEW ZEALAND, WITH
+REFERENCE TO BRITISH COLONIZATION. With Charts and Illustrations. 4_s_.
+6_d_.
+
+TWO YEARS AT SEA: NARRATIVE OF A VOYAGE TO THE SWAN RIVER AND VAN
+DIEMEN'S LAND; THENCE, TO VARIOUS PARTS OF INDIA. With Notes of a
+Residence in the Burman Empire, and of the Services and Sufferings of
+the Missionaries in that Country. By JANE ROBERTS. With Engravings,
+5_s_.
+
+MUNGO PARK; HIS LIFE AND TRAVELS: WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HIS DEATH, FROM THE
+JOURNAL OF ISAACO, THE SUBSTANCE OF LATER DISCOVERIES RELATIVE TO HIS
+LAMENTED FATE, AND THE TERMINATION OF THE NIGER. 2_s_. 6_d_.
+
+CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS; HIS LIFE, VOYAGES, AND DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD.
+With Engravings. 2_s_  6_d_.
+
+CAPTAIN COOK; HIS VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES: WITH AN ACCOUNT OF PITCAIRN'S
+ISLAND, AND THE MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. Engravings. 2_s_. 6_d_.
+
+NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION TO GREENLAND, SENT BY ORDER OF THE KING OF
+DENMARK, IN SEARCH OF THE LOST COLONIES; WITH THE CHART COMPLETED BY THE
+EXPEDITION. Published under the Direction of the _Royal Geographical
+Society_. 8_s_. 6_d_.
+
+NEW POCKET GUIDE TO LONDON AND ITS ENVIRONS; containing Descriptions,
+from personal knowledge, of everything worth seeing or knowing, within
+Twenty-five Miles of the Metropolis; enlivened with Biographical and
+other Anecdotes, connected by History of Tradition with the Places
+described. With a Map of the Environs. By JOHN H. BRADY, F.R.A.S.  7_s_.
+
+THE DOMESTIC GARDENER'S MANUAL; being an Introduction to Practical
+Gardening, on Philosophical Principles; to which is added, a
+NATURALIST'S KALENDAR, and an Appendix on the Operations of Forcing,
+including the Culture of Vines in Pots. By JOHN TOWERS, C.M.H.S. Second
+Edition, Enlarged and Improved. One large Volume, Octavo.
+
+Most of the works on gardening which have come under my observation, are
+not only expensive, but appear to have been written almost exclusively
+for the affluent;--for those who possess, or can afford to possess, all
+the luxuries of the garden. We read of the management of hot-houses,
+green-houses, forcing-houses; of nursery-grounds, shrubberies, and other
+concomitants of ornamental gardening. Now, although it is acknowledged
+that many useful ideas may be gathered from these works, still it is
+obvious that they are chiefly written for those whose rank in life
+enables them to employ a chief gardener and assistants, qualified for
+the performance of the many operations required in the various
+departments of large gardens. As I profess to have a very different
+object in view, I address this book to those, who, without aiming to
+become professional gardeners, wish, nevertheless, to acquire so much of
+the art of Gardening as shall enable them to conduct its more common and
+essential operations with facility and precision.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+MUSICAL HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, AND CRITICISM; being a General Survey of
+Music from the earliest Period to the Present Time. By GEORGE HOGARTH.
+_A new and enlarged edition, in Two Volumes.__10s. 6d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LECTURES on ASTRONOMY, delivered at KING'S COLLEGE, London, by the Rev.
+HENRY MOSELEY, M.A., F.R.S., Professor of Natural Philosophy and
+Astronomy in that Institution. With numerous Illustrations. 5_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+*MECHANICS APPLIED TO THE ARTS. By PROFESSOR MOSELEY, of King's College,
+London. A New Edition, corrected and improved. With numerous Engravings.
+_6s. 6d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A MANUAL OF CHEMISTRY, by W.T. BRANDE, F.R.S., Prof, Chem. R.I., and of
+Her Majesty's Mint. 30_s._
+
+Although Three Editions of the _Manual of Chemistry_ have already
+appeared, the present may be considered as a new work. It has been
+almost wholly re-written; everything new and important in the Science,
+both in English and Foreign Works, has been embodied; and it abounds in
+references to Authorities.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+AN INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF CHEMICAL PHILOSOPHY: being a preparatory
+View of the Forces which concur to the Production of Chemical Phenomena.
+By J. FREDERIC DANIELL, F.R.S. Professor of Chemistry in King's College,
+London; and Lecturer on Chemistry and Geology in the Hon. East India
+Company's Military Seminary at Addiscombe; and Author of _Meteorological
+Essays_. 16_s_.
+
+FROM THE PRESS OF JOHN W. PARKER.
+
+* A FAMILIAR HISTORY of BIRDS; their Nature, Habits, and Instincts. By
+EDWARD STANLEY, D.D., F.L.S., Lord Bishop of Norwich; President of the
+Linnaean Society. Two Vols., with Engravings. 7_s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+BRITISH SONG BIRDS; Popular Descriptions and Anecdotes of the Songsters
+of the Groves. By NEVILLE WOOD. _7s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OUTLINES OF GENERAL PATHOLOGY. By GEORGE FRECKLETON, M.D., Cantab.,
+Fellow of the Royal Coll. of Physicians. 7_s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* POPULAR PHYSIOLOGY; familiar Explanations of interesting Facts
+connected with the Structure and Functions of Animals, and particularly
+of Man. By PERCEVAL B. LORD, M.B. Many Engravings. 7_s._ 6_d._
+
+To trace the finger of God in the works of creation, to consider "the
+wonders that He doeth amongst the children of men," has ever been a
+source of the purest and noblest gratification,--that moral
+gratification which a well-framed mind naturally experiences in
+contemplating Infinite Power working out the dictates of Infinite
+Goodness,--that intellectual satisfaction which attends upon our being
+allowed, even imperfectly, to comprehend some small part of the designs
+of Infinite Wisdom.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE DOCTRINE OF LIMITS, with its Applications; namely, The First Three
+Sections of Newton--Conic Sections--The Differential Calculus. By the
+Rev. WILLIAM WHEWELL, B.D., &c. 9_s._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE MECHANICAL EUCLID. By the Rev. WILLIAM WHEWELL, B.D., Fellow and
+Tutor of Trin. Coll. Cambridge. 5_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+AN ELEMENTARY TREATISE on the DIFFERENTIAL and INTEGRAL CALCULUS. By the
+Rev. T.G. HALL, M.A., Professor of Mathematics, King's College, London.
+12_s_. 6_d_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LECTURES upon TRIGONOMETRY, and the APPLICATION of ALGEBRA to GEOMETRY.
+Second Edition, corrected. 7_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+DYNAMICS, or a TREATISE on MOTION; to which is added, a SHORT TREATISE
+on ATTRACTIONS. By SAMUEL EARNSHAW, M.A., of St. John's College,
+Cambridge. Octavo, with many Cuts. 14_s._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE MAGAZINE OF POPULAR SCIENCE; complete in Four large Volumes, Octavo.
+£2 15_s._
+
+This work furnishes the general reader with popular and connected views
+of the actual progress and condition of the Physical Sciences, both at
+home and abroad. The Mechanical Arts, Dietetic Chemistry, the Structure
+of the Earth, Electricity, Galvanism, Gas, Heat, Light, Magnetism, the
+Mathematical Sciences, Philosophical Instruments, Rain, Steam, the
+Cometary System, Tides, Volcanoes, &c., have, among many others, been
+developed in original communications and discussions, abounding in the
+freshest facts, the most recent discoveries; and the latest
+intelligence, which on indefatigable examination of the products of
+Scientific Research, at home and abroad, has been able to furnish.
+
+The Sciences of ASTRONOMY, CHEMISTRY, and GEOLOGY, are comprehensively,
+but popularly, treated in a series of papers, forming regular and
+complete Courses on those several Subjects.
+
+THE STUDENT'S MANUAL OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY; comprising Descriptions,
+Popular and Practical, of the most important Philosophical Instruments,
+their History, Nature and Uses; with complete elucidations of the
+Sciences to which they respectively appertain. Dedicated, by permission,
+to the Lord Bishop of Salisbury. By CHARLES TOMLINSON. 10_s._ 6_d._
+
+In this work certain prominent subjects have been selected with which it
+behoves every one to be acquainted: such, for example, as relate to what
+may be called our HOUSEHOLD INSTRUMENTS, namely, the Thermometer, the
+Barometer, and Vernier; the Hydrometer, the Hygrometer; the Tuning-Fork,
+Musical Glasses and Music generally; the Compass; the Prism, the
+Telescope, and the Sun-Dial. These subjects, and those in immediate
+connexion with them, are treated of extensively; as also their
+application to Science, Art, and, Industry.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* READINGS in SCIENCE; familiar EXPLANATIONS of Appearances and
+Principles in NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. With many Engravings. 5_s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* EASY LESSONS IN MECHANICS: with Familiar Illustrations of the
+Practical Application of Mechanical Principles. 3_s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HOUSE I LIVE IN; or Popular Illustrations of the Structure and Functions
+of the Human Body. Edited by T.C. GIRTIN. 2_s_. 6_d_.
+
+"I am fearfully and wonderfully made!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
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+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"
+"http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
+
+   <head>
+      <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
+
+      <title>THE HISTORY OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE-TRADE, BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT</title>
+      <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
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+         clear: both;
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+    .center   {text-align: center;}
+      .caption  {font-weight: bold;
+                   font-size: smaller;
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+          .dedication{ text-align:center; font-weight:bold; }
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Rise, Progress and
+Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the
+British Parliament (1839), by Thomas Clarkson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the
+Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the British Parliament (1839)
+
+Author: Thomas Clarkson
+
+Release Date: May 16, 2007 [EBook #10633]
+[This file was first posted on January 8, 2004]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ABOLITION OF SLAVE-TRADE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Carlo Traverso, Amy Overmyer, and PG Distributed
+Proofreaders from images generously made available by the Bibliotheque
+nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+
+               <h1>THE HISTORY OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE-TRADE, BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT</h1>
+
+             <h2>By THOMAS CLARKSON, M.A. &nbsp; 1839</h2>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <p class="center"><img src="images/clarkson.png" alt="Thomas Clarkson"><br>
+
+                <span class="caption">Figure 1. Thomas Clarkson</span></p>
+
+				<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+      <div class="dedication">
+
+         <p>
+            TO
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM, LORD GRENVILLE,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES, EARL GREY,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FRANCIS, EARL MOIRA,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE JOHN, EARL SPENCER,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY RICHARD, LORD HOLLAND,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS, LORD ERSKINE,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD, LORD ELLENBOROUGH,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HENRY PETTY,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS GRENVILLE,
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            NINE OUT OF TWELVE OF HIS MAJESTY'S LATE CABINET MINISTERS,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            TO WHOSE WISE AND VIRTUOUS ADMINISTRATION BELONGS
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE UNPARALLELED AND ETERNAL GLORY
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            OF THE ANNIHILATION,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            AS FAR AS THEIR POWER EXTENDED,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            OF ONE OF THE GREATEST SOURCES OF CRIMES AND SUFFERINGS,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            EVER RECORDED IN THE ANNALS OF MANKIND;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            AND TO THE MEMORIES OF
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM PITT,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            AND OF
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES JAMES FOX,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            UNDER WHOSE FOSTERING INFLUENCE
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE GREAT WORK WAS BEGUN AND PROMOTED;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THIS HISTORY
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            OF
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE
+            ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            IS RESPECTFULLY AND GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED.
+
+         </p>
+      </div>
+	  <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+            <h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+
+         <ol>
+            <li><a name="d0e108"></a><a href="#preface" >PREFATORY REMARKS ON THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY</a></li>
+            <li><a name="d0e111"></a><a href="#chap1" >CHAPTER I</a>
+               Introduction.&#8212;Estimate of the evil of the Slave Trade; and of the
+               blessing of the Abolition of it.&#8212;Usefulness of the contemplation
+               of this subject
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e115"></a><a href="#chap2" >CHAPTER II</a>
+               Those, who favoured the cause of the Africans previously to 1787,
+               were so many necessary forerunners in it.&#8212;Cardinal Ximenes;
+               and others
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e119"></a><a href="#chap3" >CHAPTER III</a>
+               Forerunners continued to 1787; divided now into four classes.&#8212;First
+               consists of persons in England of various descriptions, Godwyn,
+               Baxter, and others
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e123"></a><a href="#chap4" >CHAPTER IV</a>
+               Second, of the Quakers in England, George Fox, and his religious
+               descendants
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e127"></a><a href="#chap5" >CHAPTER V</a>
+               Third, of the Quakers in America.&#8212;Union of these with individuals
+               of other religious denominations in the same cause
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e131"></a><a href="#chap6" >CHAPTER VI</a>
+               Facility of junction between the members of these three different
+               classes
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e135"></a><a href="#chap7" >CHAPTER VII</a>
+               Fourth, consists of Dr. Peckard; then of the Author.&#8212;Author wishes
+               to embark in the cause; falls in with several of the members of
+               these classes
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e139"></a><a href="#chap8" >CHAPTER VIII</a>
+               Fourth class continued; Langton, Baker, and others.&#8212;Author now
+               embarks in the cause as a business of his life
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e143"></a><a href="#chap9" >CHAPTER IX</a>
+               Fourth class continued; Sheldon, Mackworth, and others.&#8212;Author
+               seeks for further information on the subject; and visits Members
+               of Parliament
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e148"></a><a href="#chap10" >CHAPTER X</a>
+               Fourth class continued.&#8212;Author enlarges his knowledge.&#8212;Meeting at
+               Mr. Wilberforce's.&#8212;Remarkable junction of all the four classes,
+               and a Committee formed out of them, in May, 1787, for the Abolition
+               of the Slave Trade.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e152"></a><a href="#chap11" >CHAPTER XI</a>
+               History of the preceding classes, and of their junction, shown by
+               means of a map.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e156"></a><a href="#chap12" >CHAPTER XII</a>
+               Author endeavours to do away the charge of ostentation in consequence
+               of becoming so conspicuous in this work.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e160"></a><a href="#chap13" >CHAPTER XIII</a>
+               Proceedings of the Committee; Emancipation declared to be no part
+               of its object.&#8212;Wrongs of Africa by Mr. Roscoe.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e164"></a><a href="#chap14" >CHAPTER XIV</a>
+               Author visits Bristol to collect information.&#8212;Ill-usage of seamen in
+               the Slave Trade.&#8212;Articles of African produce.&#8212;Massacre at
+               Calabar.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e168"></a><a href="#chap15" >CHAPTER XV</a>
+               Mode of procuring and paying seamen in that trade; their mortality
+               in it.&#8212;Construction and admeasurement of slave-ships.&#8212;Difficulty
+               of procuring evidence.&#8212;Cases of Gardiner and Arnold.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e172"></a><a href="#chap16" >CHAPTER XVI</a>
+               Author meets with Alexander Falconbridge; visits ill-treated and
+               disabled seamen; takes a mate out of one of the slave-vessels, and
+               puts another in prison for murder.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e176"></a><a href="#chap17" >CHAPTER XVII</a>
+               Visits Liverpool.&#8212;Specimens of African produce.&#8212;Dock duties.&#8212;Iron
+               instruments used in the traffic.&#8212;His introduction to Mr.
+               Norris.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e180"></a><a href="#chap18" >CHAPTER XVIII</a>
+               Manner of procuring and paying seamen at Liverpool in the Slave
+               Trade; their treatment and mortality.&#8212;Murder of Peter Green.&#8212;Dangerous
+               situation of the Author in consequence of his
+               inquiries.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e184"></a><a href="#chap19" >CHAPTER XIX</a>
+               Author proceeds to Manchester; delivers a discourse there on the
+               subject of the Slave Trade.&#8212;Revisits Bristol; new and difficult
+               situation there; suddenly crosses the Severn at night.&#8212;Returns
+               to London.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e189"></a><a href="#chap20" >CHAPTER XX</a>
+               Labours of the Committee during the Author's journey.&#8212;Mr. Sharp
+               elected chairman.&#8212;Seal engraved.&#8212;Letters from different correspondents
+               to the Committee.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e193"></a><a href="#chap21" >CHAPTER XXI</a>
+               Further labours of the Committee to February, 1788.&#8212;List of new
+               Correspondents.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e197"></a><a href="#chap22" >CHAPTER XXII</a>
+               Progress of the cause to the middle of May.&#8212;Petitions to
+               Parliament.&#8212;Author's interviews with Mr. Pitt and Mr. Grenville.&#8212;Privy
+               Council inquire into the subject; examine Liverpool delegates.&#8212;Proceedings
+               of the Committee for the Abolition.&#8212;Motion and
+               Debate in the House of Commons; discussion of the general
+               question postponed to the next Session.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e201"></a><a href="#chap23" >CHAPTER XXIII</a>
+               Progress to the middle of July.&#8212;Bill to diminish the horrors of the
+               Middle Passage; Evidence examined against it; Debates; Bill
+               passed through both Houses.&#8212;Proceedings of the Committee, and
+               effects of them.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e205"></a><a href="#chap24" >CHAPTER XXIV</a>
+               Continuation from June, 1788, to July, 1789.&#8212;Author travels in
+               search of fresh evidence.&#8212;Privy Council resume their examinations;
+               prepare their report.&#8212;Proceedings of the Committee for
+               the Abolition; and of the Planters and others.&#8212;Privy Council
+               report laid on the table of the House of Commons; debate upon
+               it.&#8212;Twelve propositions.&#8212;Opponents refuse to argue from the
+               report; examine new evidence of their own in the House of
+               Commons.&#8212;Renewal of the Middle Passage Bill.&#8212;Death and
+               character of Ramsay.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e209"></a><a href="#chap25" >CHAPTER XXV</a>
+               Continuation from July, 1789, to July, 1790.&#8212;Author travels to
+               Paris to promote the abolition in France; his proceedings there;
+               returns to England.&#8212;Examination of opponents' evidence resumed
+               in the Commons.&#8212;Author travels in quest of new evidence on the
+               side of the Abolition; this, after great opposition, introduced.&#8212;Renewal
+               of the Middle Passage Bill.&#8212;Section of the slave-ship.&#8212;Cowper's
+               <em>Negro's Complaint</em>.&#8212;Wedgewood's Cameos.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e216"></a><a href="#chap26" >CHAPTER XXVI</a>
+               Continuation from July, 1790, to July, 1791.&#8212;Author travels
+               again.&#8212;Examinations on the side of the Abolition resumed in the Commons;
+               list of those examined.&#8212;Cruel circumstances of the
+               times.&#8212;Motion for the Abolition of the Trade; debates; motion
+               lost.&#8212;Resolutions of the Committee.&#8212;Sierra Leone Company
+               established.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e221"></a><a href="#chap27" >CHAPTER XXVII</a>
+               Continuation from July, 1791, to July, 1792.&#8212;Author travels
+               again.&#8212;People begin to leave off sugar; petition Parliament.&#8212;Motion
+               renewed in the Commons; debates; abolition resolved upon,
+               but not to commence till 1796.&#8212;The Lords determine upon hearing
+               evidence on the resolution; this evidence introduced; further
+               hearing of it postponed to the next Session
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e225"></a><a href="#chap28" >CHAPTER XXVIII</a>
+               Continuation from July, 1792, to July, 1793.&#8212;Author travels
+               again.&#8212;Motion to renew the Resolution of the last year in the Commons;
+               motion lost.&#8212;New motion to abolish the foreign Slave
+               Trade; motion lost.&#8212;Proceeding of the Lords
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e229"></a><a href="#chap29" >CHAPTER XXIX</a>
+               Continuation from July, 1793, to July, 1794.&#8212;Author travels
+               again.&#8212;Motion to abolish the foreign Slave Trade renewed, and carried;
+               but lost in the Lords; further proceedings there.&#8212;Author, on
+               account of declining health, obliged to retire from the cause
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e233"></a><a href="#chap30" >CHAPTER XXX</a>
+               Continuation from July, 1794, to July, 1799.&#8212;Various motions within
+               this period
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e237"></a><a href="#chap31" >CHAPTER XXXI</a>
+               Continuation from July, 1799, to July, 1805.&#8212;Various motions within
+               this period
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e241"></a><a href="#chap32" >CHAPTER XXXII</a>
+               Continuation from July, 1805, to July, 1806.&#8212;Author, restored, joins
+               the Committee again.&#8212;Death of Mr. Pitt.&#8212;Foreign Slave Trade
+               abolished.&#8212;Resolution to take measures for the total abolition of
+               the trade.&#8212;Address to the King to negotiate with foreign powers
+               for their concurrence in it.&#8212;Motion to prevent new vessels going
+               into the trade.&#8212;All these carried through both Houses of Parliament
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e245"></a><a href="#chap33" >CHAPTER XXXIII</a>
+               Continuation from July, 1806, to July, 1807.&#8212;Death of Mr. Fox.&#8212;Bill
+               for the total abolition carried in the Lords; sent from thence
+               to the Commons; amended, and passed there, and sent back to
+               the Lords; receives the royal assent.&#8212;Reflections on this great
+               event
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e249"></a><a href="#coadj1" >Map</a></li>
+            <li><a name="d0e252"></a><a href="#slaveship" >Plan and Sections of a Slave Ship</a></li>
+         </ol>
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="preface"></a>
+         PREFATORY REMARKS<br>
+
+         TO<br>
+
+         THE PRESENT EDITION.
+         </h2>
+
+
+
+         <p>
+            The invaluable services rendered by Thomas Clarkson to
+            the great question of the Slave Trade in all its branches,
+            have been universally acknowledged both at home and
+            abroad, and have gained him a high place among the
+            greatest benefactors of mankind. The History of the
+            Abolition which this volume contains, affords some means
+            of appreciating the extent of his sacrifices and his labours
+            in this cause. But after these, with the unwearied exertions
+            of William Wilberforce, had conducted its friends
+            to their final triumph, in 1807, they did not then rest from
+            their labours. There remained four most important
+            objects, to which the anxious attention of all Abolitionists
+            was now directed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><em>First</em>,&#8212;The law had been passed, forced upon the
+            Planters, the Traders, and the Parliament, by the voice of
+            the people; and there was a necessity for keeping a
+            watchful eye over its execution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><em>Secondly</em>,&#8212;The statute, however rigorously it might be
+            enforced, left, of course, the whole amount of the Foreign
+            Slave traffic untouched, and it was infinitely to be desired
+            that means should be adopted for extending our Abolition
+            to other nations.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><em>Thirdly</em>,&#8212;Some compensation was due to Africa, for
+            the countless miseries which our criminal conduct had for
+
+            ages inflicted upon her, and strict justice, to say nothing
+            of common humanity and Christian charity, demanded
+            that every means should be used for aiding in the progress
+            of her civilization, and effacing as far as possible the
+            dreadful marks which had been left upon her by our
+            crimes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><em>Lastly,</em>&#8212;Many of those whom we had transported by
+            fraud and violence from their native country, and still
+            more of the descendants of others who had fallen a sacrifice
+            to our cruelties, and perished in the course of nature,
+            slaves in a foreign land, remained to suffer the dreadful
+            evils of West India bondage. It seemed to follow, that
+            the earliest opportunity consistent with their own condition,
+            should be taken to free those unhappy beings, the
+            victims of our sordid cruelty; and all the more to be
+            pitied, as we were all the more to be blamed, because one
+            result of our transgression was the having placed them in
+            so unnatural a position, that their enemies might seem to
+            be furnished with an argument more plausible than sound,
+            drawn from the Negro's supposed unfitness for immediate
+            emancipation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In order to promote these four great objects, a society
+            was formed in May 1807, called the African Institution,
+            and although, at first, its labours were chiefly directed to
+            the portion of the subject relating to Africa, by degrees,
+            as the extinction of the British Slave Trade was accomplished,
+            its care was chiefly bestowed on West India
+            matters, which were more within the power of this country
+            than the slave traffic, still carried on by foreign nations.
+            But it is necessary in the first place, to recite the measures
+            by which our own share in that enormous crime was
+            surrendered, and the stigma partially obliterated, which
+
+            it had brought upon our national character, Thomas
+            Clarkson bore a forward and important part in all these
+            useful and virtuous proceedings. His health was now, by
+            rest among the Lakes of Westmoreland for several years,
+            comparatively restored and his mind once more bent
+            itself to the accomplishment of the grand object; of his life,
+            we may he permitted reverently to suggest, the end of his
+            existence.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Stephen and others, at first, deemed the certainty
+            of the Act passed in March 1807, being evaded
+            under the stimulus, and the insurance against capture
+            afforded by the enormous profits of the traffic, so clear,
+            that they expected the law to become, almost from the
+            time of its being enacted, a dead letter. There soon
+            appeared the strongest reasons to concur in this opinion,
+            the result of long and close observation in the Islands
+            where Mr. Stephen had passed part of his life. The slave-dealers
+            knew the risk of penalty and forfeiture which they
+            ran; but they also knew that if one voyage in three or
+            four was successful, they were abundantly remunerated for
+            all their losses; and, therefore, they were no more restrained
+            by the Abolition Act, than by any moderate increase of
+            the cost or the risk attending their wicked adventures.
+            This was sure, to be the case, as long as the law only
+            treated slavetrading as a contraband commerce, subjecting
+            those who drove it to nothing but pecuniary penalties.
+            But it was equally evident that the same persons who
+            made these calculations of profit and risk, while they
+            only could lose the ship or the money by a seizure, would
+            hesitate before they encountered the hazard of being tried
+            as for a crime. And, surely, if ever these was an act
+            which deserved to be declared felony, and dealt with as
+
+            such, it was this of slave-trading. Accordingly, in 1810,
+            Mr. Brougham, then a member of the House of Commons,
+            in moving an address to the crown, (which was
+            unanimously agreed to,) for more vigorous measures
+            against the traffic, both British and Foreign, gave notice
+            of the Bill, which he next year carried through Parliament,
+            and which declared the traffic to be a felony,
+            punishable with transportation. Some years afterwards
+            it was by another Act made capital, under the name of
+            Piracy, but this has since been repealed. Several convictions
+            have taken place under the former Act, (of 1811,)
+            and there cannot be the least doubt that the law has
+            proved effectual, and that the Slave Trade has long ceased
+            to exist as far as the British dominions are concerned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That foreign states continue shamefully to carry it on,
+            is no less certain. There are yearly transported to Cuba
+            and Brazil, above 100,000 unhappy beings, by the two
+            weakest nations in Europe, and these two most entirely
+            subject to the influence and even direct control of
+            England. The inevitable consequence is, that more
+            misery is now inflicted on Africa by the criminals, gently
+            called Slave-traders, of these two guilty nations, than if
+            there were no treaties for the abolition of the traffic. The
+            number required is always carried over, and hence, as
+            many perish by a miserable death in escaping from the
+            cruisers, as reach their destination. The recitals of horror
+            which have been made to Parliament and the country on
+            this dreadful subject, are enough to curdle the blood in
+            the veins and heart of any one endued with the common
+            feelings of humanity. The whole system of prevention,
+            or rather of capture, after the crime has been committed,
+            seems framed with a view to exasperate the evils of the
+
+            infernal traffic, to scourge Africa with more intolerable
+            torments, and to make human blood be spilt like water.
+            Our cruisers, are excited to an active discharge of their
+            duty, by the benefit of sharing in the price fetched
+            when the captured ship is condemned and sold; but this is
+            a small sum, indeed, compared with the rich reward of
+            head-money held out, being so much for every slave taken
+            on board. It is thus made the direct interest of these
+            cruisers, that the vessels should have their human cargoes
+            on board, rather than be prevented from shipping them.
+            True, this vile policy may prove less mischievous where
+            no treaty exists, giving a right to seize when there are
+            no slaves in the vessel, because here a slave ship is suffered
+            to pass, how clear soever her destination might be;
+            yet, even here, the inducement to send in boats, and seize
+            as soon as a slave or two may be on board, is removed,
+            and the cruiser is told, "only let all these wretched
+            beings be torn from their country, and safely lodged in
+            the vessel's hold, and your reward is great and sure."
+            Then, whenever there is an outfit clause, that is a power
+            to seize vessels fitted for the traffic, this mischievous
+            plan tends directly to make the cruiser let the slaver
+            make ready and put to sea, or it has no tendency or
+            meaning at all. Accordingly, the course is for the cruiser
+            to stand out to sea, and not allow herself to be seen in
+            the offing&#8212;the crime is consummated&#8212;the slaves are
+            stowed away&#8212;the pirate&#8212;captain weighs anchor&#8212;the
+            pirate-vessel freighted with victims, and manned by
+            criminals fares forth&#8212;the cruiser, the British cruiser,
+            gives chace&#8212;and then begin those scenes of horror, surpassing
+            all that the poet ever conceived, whose theme
+            was the torments of the damned and the wickedness of
+
+            the fiends. Casks are filled with the slave, and in these
+            they are stowed away; or to lighten the vessel, they are
+            flung overboard by the score; sometimes they are flung
+            overboard in casks, that the chasing ship may be detained
+            by endeavours to pick them up; the dying and the dead
+            strew the deck; women giving birth to the fruit of the
+            womb, amidst the corpses of their husbands and their
+            children; and other, yet worse and nameless atrocities,
+            fill up the terrible picture, of impotent justice and
+            triumphant guilt. But the guilt is not all Spanish and
+            Portuguese. The English Government can enforce its
+            demands on the puny cabinets of Madrid and Lisbon,
+            scarce conscious of a substantive existence, in all that
+            concerns our petty interests: wherever justice and mercy
+            to mankind demand our interference, there our voice sinks
+            within us, and no sound is uttered. That any treaty
+            without an outfit clause should be suffered to exist between
+            powers so situated, is an outrage upon all justice,
+            all reason, all common sense. But one thing is certain,
+            that unless we are to go further, we have gone too far,
+            and must in mercy to hapless Africa retrace our steps.
+            Unless we really put the traffic down with a strong hand,
+            and instantly, we must instantly repeal the treaties that
+            pretended to abolish it, for these exacerbate the evil a
+            hundred fold, and are ineffectual to any one purpose but
+            putting money into the pockets of our men of war. The
+            fact is as unquestionable, as it is appalling, that all our
+            anxious endeavours to extinguish the Foreign Slave
+            Trade, have ended in making it incomparably worse than
+            it was before we pretended to put it down; that owing
+            to our efforts, there are thrice the number of slaves yearly
+            torn from Africa; and that wholly because of our efforts,
+
+            two thirds of these are murdered on the high seas and in
+            the holds of the pirate vessels.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is said, that when these scenes were described to an
+            indignant nation last session of Parliament, the actual
+            effects of this bad system were denied, though its tendency
+            could not be disputed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was averred that "no British seaman could be
+            capable of neglecting his duty for the sake of increasing
+            the gains of the station." But nothing could be more
+            absurd than this. Can the direct and inevitable tendency
+            of the head-money system be doubted? Are cruisers the
+            only men over whom motives have no influence? Then
+            why offer a reward at all? When they want no stimulus
+            to perform their duty, why tell them that if the ship is
+            empty, they get a hundred pounds: if laden, five thousand?
+            They know the rules of arithmetic;&#8212;they understand
+            the force of numbers. But, in truth, there is not an individual
+            on all the coast of Africa who will be misled by
+            such appeals, or suffer all this to divert them from their
+            purpose of denouncing the system. There are persons
+            high in rank among the best servants of the crown, who
+            know the facts from their own observations, and who are
+            ready to bear witness to the truth, in spite of all the
+            attempts that have been made to silence them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The other great object of the African Institution
+            regarded the West Indies. The preparation of the
+            negroes for that freedom which was their absolute right,
+            and could only be withheld for an hour, on the ground of
+            their not being prepared for it, and therefore being better
+            without it, was the first thing to be accomplished. Here
+            the friends of the abolition, all but Mr. Stephen, suffered
+            a great disappointment. He alone had uniformly-foretold
+
+            that the hopes held out, as it seemed very reasonably, of
+            better treatment resulting from the stoppage of the
+            supply of hands, were fallacious. All else had supposed
+            that interest might operate on men whom principle had
+            failed to sway; that they whom no feelings of compassion
+            for their fellow-creatures could move to do their duty,
+            might be touched by a feeling of their own advantage,
+            when interest coincided with duty. The Slave-mart is
+            now closed, it was said; surely the stock on hand will be
+            saved by all means, and not wasted when it can no longer
+            be replaced. The argument was purposely rested on the
+            low ground of regarding human beings as cattle, or even
+            as inanimate chattels, and it was conceived that human
+            life would be regarded of as much value as the wear and
+            tear of beasts, of furniture, or of tools. Hence it was
+            expected that a better system of treatment would follow,
+            from the law which closed the African market, and
+            warned every planter that his stock must be spared by
+            better treatment, and kept up by breeding, since it no
+            longer could be, as it hitherto had been, maintained by
+            new supplies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Two considerations were, in these arguments, kept out
+            of view, both of a practical nature, and both known to
+            Mr. Stephen,&#8212;the cultivation of the Islands by agents
+            having wholly different interests from their masters, and
+            the gambling spirit of trading and culture which long
+            habit had implanted in the West Indian nature. The
+            comforts of the slave depended infinitely more upon the
+            agent on the spot, than the owner generally resident in
+            the mother country; and though the interest of the latter
+            might lead to the saving of negro life, and care for negro
+            comforts, the agent had no such motives to influence his
+
+            conduct; besides, it was with the eyes of this agent that
+            the planter must see, and he gave no credence to any
+            accounts but his. Now the consequence of cruelty is to
+            make men at war with its objects. No one but a most
+            irritable person feels angry with his beast, and even the
+            anger of such a person is of a moment's duration. But
+            towards an inanimate chattel even the most irritable of
+            sane men can feel nothing like rage. Why? Because in
+            the one case there is little, in the other no conflict or resistance
+            at all. It is otherwise with a slave; he is human,
+            and can disobey&#8212;can even resist. This feeling always
+            rankles in his oppressor's bosom, and makes the tyrannical
+            superior hate, and the more oppress his slave. The agent
+            on the spot feels thus, and thus acts; nor can the voice
+            of the owner at a distance be heard, even if interest,
+            clearly proved, were to prompt another course. But the
+            chief cause of the evil is the spirit of speculation, and it
+            affects and rules resident owners even more than absentees.
+            Let sugar rise in price, and all cold calculations
+            of ultimate loss to the gang are lost in the vehement thirst
+            of great present gain. All, or nearly all, planters are in
+            distressed circumstances. They look to the next few
+            years as their time; and if the sun shines they must make
+            hay. They are in the mine, toiling for a season, with
+            every desire to escape and realize something to spend
+            elsewhere. Therefore they make haste to be rich, and
+            care little, should the speculation answer and much sugar
+            bring in great gain, what becomes of the gang ten years
+            hence. Add to all this, that any interference of the local
+            legislatures to discourage sordid or cruel management, to
+            clothe the slaves with rights, to prepare them for freedom
+            by better education, to pave the way for emancipation by
+
+            restraining the master's power, to create an intermediate
+            State of transition from slavery to freedom by partial
+            liberty, as by attaching them to the soil, and placing them
+            in the preparatory state through which our ancestors in
+            Europe passed from bondage in gross to entire independence&#8212;all
+            such measures were in the absolute discretion;
+            not of the planters, but of the resident agents, one
+            of the worst communities in the world, who had little
+            interest in preparing for an event which they deprecated,
+            and whose feelings of party, as well as individually, were
+            all ranged on the oppressor's side. All this Mr. Stephen,
+            enlightened by experience, and wise by long reflection,
+            clearly and alone foresaw; all this vision of the future
+            was too surely realized by the event. No improvement of
+            treatment took place; no additional liberality in the supplies
+            was shown; no abstinence in the exaction of labour
+            appeared; no interference of the Colonial Legislature to
+            check misconduct was witnessed; far less was the least
+            disposition perceived to give any rights to the slaves, any
+            security against oppression, any title independent of his
+            Master, any intermediate state or condition which might
+            prepare him for freedom. It is enough to say, that a
+            measure which every man, except Mr. Stephen, had regarded
+            as the natural, almost the necessary effect of the
+            abolition&#8212;attaching the slaves to the soil&#8212;was not so
+            much as propounded, far less adopted; it may be even
+            said, was never mentioned in any one local assembly of
+            any of our numerous colonies, during the thirty years
+            which elapsed between the abolition and the emancipation!
+            This is unquestionable, and it is decisive.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As soon as it began to be perceived that such was likely
+            to be the result of the abolition in regard to the emancipation,
+
+            Mr. Stephen's authority with his coadjutors, always
+            high, rose in proportion to the confirmations which the
+            event had lent his predictions; and his zealous endeavours
+            and unwearied labours for the subversion of the accursed
+            system became both more extensive and more effectual.
+            If, however, strict justice requires the tribute which we
+            have paid to this eminent person's distinguished services,
+            justice also renders it imperative on the historian of the
+            Abolition in all its branches, to record an error into which
+            he fell. Having originally maintained that the traffic
+            would survive the Act of 1807, in which he was right,
+            that Act only imposing pecuniary penalties, he persisted
+            in the same opinion after the Act of 1811 had made
+            slave-trading a felony; and long after it had been
+            effectually put down in the British dominions, he continued
+            to maintain that it was carried on nearly as much
+            as ever, reasoning upon calculations drawn from the
+            island returns. Hence he insisted upon a general Registry
+            Act, as essential to prevent the continuance of an importation
+            which had little or no real existence. The
+            importance of such a measure was undeniable, with a
+            view to secure the good treatment of the negroes in the
+            islands; but the extinction of the Slave Trade had long
+            before been effectually accomplished.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the efforts to obtain Negro Emancipation, all the
+            Abolitionists were now prepared to join. The conduct of
+            the Colonial Assemblies having long shown the fallacy of
+            those expectations which had been entertained of the
+            good work being done in the islands as soon as the
+            supply of new hands should be stopped by the Abolition,
+            there remained no longer any doubt whatever, that the
+            mother country alone could abate a nuisance hateful in
+
+            the sight of God and man. Constant opportunities were
+            therefore offered to agitate this great question, which was
+            taken up by the enlightened, the humane, and the religious,
+            all over the empire.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The magnitude of the subject was indeed worthy of
+            all the interest it excited. The destiny of nearly a million
+            of human beings&#8212;nay, the question whether they should
+            be treated as men with rational souls, or as the beasts
+            which perish&#8212;should enjoy the liberty to which all God's
+            creatures are entitled, as of right, or be harassed, oppressed,
+            tormented, and stinted, both as regarded bodily
+            food, and spiritual instruction&#8212;whether the colonies
+            should be peopled with tyrants and barbarians, or inhabited
+            by civilized and improving christian communities&#8212;was
+            one calculated to put in action all the best principles
+            of our nature, and to move all the noblest feelings of the
+            human heart.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Thomas Clarkson, as far as his means extended, aided
+            this great excitement. He renewed his committees of
+            correspondence all over the country; aided by the Society
+            of Friends, his early and steady coadjutors in this pious
+            work, he recommenced the epistolary intercourse with
+            the provinces, held for so many hopeless years on the
+            Slave Trade, but now made far more promising by the
+            victory which had been obtained, and by the unanimity
+            with which all Abolitionists now were resolved to procure
+            emancipation. He also recommenced his journeys through
+            the different parts of the island, and visited in succession
+            part of Scotland, almost all England, and the whole of
+            Wales, encouraging and interesting the friends of humanity
+            wherever he went, and forming local societies and
+            committees for furthering the common object.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it was, after all, in Parliament that the battle
+            must be fought; and Mr. Buxton, of whose invaluable
+            services in the House of Commons the cause has lately
+            been deprived, repeatedly, with the support of Messrs.
+            Wilberforce, William Smith, Brougham, Lushington,
+            and others, urged the necessity of interference upon the
+            representatives of a people unanimous in demanding it;
+            and he repeatedly urged it in vain. The Government
+            always leaned towards the planter, and the most flimsy
+            excuses were constantly given for preferring to the
+            effectual measures propounded by the Abolitionists, the
+            most flimsy of expedients, useless for any one purpose,
+            save that of making pretences and gaining time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length came the great case of the missionary
+            Smith's persecution, trial, and untimely death, when all
+            the forms of judicature had been prostituted, all the rules
+            of law broken, all the principles of justice outraged, by
+            men assuming to sit in judgment as a court of criminal
+            jurisprudence; and though assisted by legal functionaries,
+            exhibiting such a spectacle of daring violation of the most
+            received and best known canons of procedure, as no
+            civilized community ever before were called upon to
+            endure. This subject was immediately brought before
+            Parliament by Mr. Brougham, and his motion of censure,
+            which might have been an impeachment of the governor
+            and the court of Demerara, was powerfully supported by
+            Mr. Wilberforce, the amiable, eloquent, and venerable
+            leader of the party, Mr. Denman, Mr. Williams, and Dr.
+            Lushington, but rejected by a majority of the Commons,
+            whom Mr. Canning led, in a speech little worthy of his
+            former exertions against the Slave Trade, and far from
+            being creditable either to his judgment or to his principles.
+
+            Yet this memorable debate was of singular service
+            to the cause. The great speeches delivered were spread
+            through all parts of the country; the nakedness of the
+            horrid system was exposed; the corruptions as well as
+            cruelty of slavery were laid bare; the determination of
+            colonies to protect its worst abuses was demonstrated;
+            necessity of the mother-country interfering with a
+            strong hand was declared; and even the loss of the
+            motion showed the people of England how much their
+            own exertions were still required if they would see
+            slavery extirpated, by proving that upon them alone the
+            fate of the execrable system hung.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The effects of this great debate cannot be over estimated.
+            The case of the missionary became the universal
+            topic; The name of the martyred Smith, the general
+            rallying cry. The superior interest excited by individual
+            sufferings to any general misery inflicted upon masses of
+            the people, or any evil, however gigantic, which operates
+            over a large space, and in a course of time, has always
+            been observed. The remark was peculiarly applicable in
+            this instance. Although all reflecting men had, for many
+            long years, been well aware of the evils pervading our
+            colonial system, and though the iniquity and perverseness
+            of West Indian judicatures had long been the topic of
+            universal comment, yet this single case of a persecuted
+            individual falling a victim to those gross perversions of
+            law and justice which are familiar to the colonial people,
+            produced an impression far more general and more deep
+            than all that had ever been written or declaimed against
+            system of West India slavery; and looking back on
+            the consummation of all our hopes in 1833 and 1838, we
+            at once revert from this auspicious era to that ever
+
+            memorable occasion as having laid the solid foundation
+            of our ultimate triumph.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In this important day, which has thus by its effects
+            proved decisive of the Emancipation question, Mr. Stephen
+            bore no part. He had long ceased to adorn and enlighten
+            the House of Commons. His retirement was the result
+            of honest differences of opinion respecting West India
+            slavery with his political friends, then in the plenitude of
+            their power. Those differences caused him to take the
+            noble part, so rarely acted by politicians, of withdrawing
+            from Parliament rather than lend his great support to men
+            with whom he differed upon a question admitting no compromise;
+            and he devoted his exertions in private life to
+            the furtherance of the cause ever nearest his heart, the
+            publication of his able and elaborate work on the Colonial
+            Slave Laws was the fruit of his leisure; and had he never
+            lent any other aid to the Emancipation, this would alone
+            have placed him high among its most able and effective
+            supporters. In all the consultations which were held
+            before Mr. Brougham's motion in 1824, he bore an active
+            and useful part. In pushing the advantages gained by
+            the debate he was unwearied and successful. Unhappily
+            it pleased Providence that he should not receive here
+            below the final reward of his long and valued labours;
+            for he was called to his final repose some months before
+            the Emancipation Bill passed into a law.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There remains little to add, except that this measure,
+            which was carried with little opposition in 1833, owed
+            its success in Parliament to the ample bribe of twenty
+            millions, by which the acquiescence of the West Indians
+            was purchased. The measure had hardly come into
+            operation, when all men perceived that the intermediate
+
+            state of apprenticeship was anything rather than a
+            preparation for freedom, and anything rather than a
+            mitigation of slavery. It is due to some able and distinguished
+            friends of the negro race to state, that they all
+            along were averse to this plan of a transition state.
+            Lord Howick, then in the Colonial Office as Under-Secretary,
+            went so far as to leave the department, from
+            his dislike of this part of the measure. Mr. Buxton and
+            others protested against it. Even its friends intimated
+            that they wished the period of apprenticeship to end in
+            1838 instead of 1840; but there was a general belief of
+            the preparatory step being necessary,&#8212;a belief apparently
+            founded on experience of the negro character, and
+            indeed of the vicious tendency of all slavery, to extinguish
+            the power of voluntary labour, as well as to make the
+            sudden change to freedom unsafe for the peace of the
+            community. The fact soon dispersed these opinions.
+            Antigua in a minute emancipated all her slaves to the
+            number of thirty thousand and upwards. Not a complaint
+            was ever heard of idleness or indolence; and, far
+            from any breach of the peace being induced by the sudden
+            change in the condition of the people, the Christmas of
+            1833 was the first, for the last twenty years, that martial
+            law was not proclaimed, in order to preserve the public
+            peace. Similar evidence from Jamaica and other islands,
+            proving the industrious and peaceable habits of the
+            apprentices, showed that there was nothing peculiar in
+            the circumstances of Antigua.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An important occurrence is now to be recorded as
+            having exercised a powerful influence upon the question
+            of immediate emancipation. Joseph Sturge, of Birmingham,
+            a member of the Society of Friends, stricken with a
+
+            sense of the injustice perpetrated against the African
+            race, repaired to the West Indies, in order that he might
+            examine, with his own eyes, the real state of the question
+            between the two classes. He was accompanied by John
+            Scoble and Thomas Harvey; and these able, excellent,
+            and zealous men returned in a few months with such
+            ample evidence of the effects produced by apprenticeship,
+            and the fitness of the negroes for liberty, that the
+            attention of the community was soon awakened to the
+            subject, even more strenuously than it ever before had
+            been; and the walls of Parliament were soon made once
+            more to ring with the sufferings of the slave, only emancipated
+            in name, and the injustice of withholding from
+            him any longer the freedom which was his indefeasible
+            right, as soon as he was shown capable of enjoying it
+            beneficially for himself and safely for the rest of the
+            community.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In these transactions, both in Jamaica, where he is
+            one of the largest planters, and in Parliament, where he
+            is one of the most respected members, the Marquess of
+            Sligo bore an eminent and an honourable part. His
+            praise has been justly sounded by all who have supported
+            the cause of negro freedom, and his conduct was
+            by all admitted to be as much marked by the disinterested
+            virtue of a good citizen and amiable man, as it was
+            by the sagacity and ability of an enlightened statesman.
+            Both as governor of Jamaica, as the owner of slaves
+            whom he voluntarily liberated, and as a peer of Parliament,
+            his patriotism, his humanity, and his talents, shone
+            conspicuously through this severe and glorious struggle.
+            While such was the conduct of those eminent philanthropists,
+            some difference of opinion prevailed among the
+
+            other and older leaders of the cause, chiefly grounded
+            upon doubts whether the arrangement made by Parliament
+            in 1833, might not be regarded as a compact with
+            the planters which it would be unjust to violate by
+            terminating their right to the labour of the apprentices
+            at a period earlier than the one fixed in the Emancipation
+            Act. A little consideration of the question at issue soon
+            dispelled those doubts, and removed every obstacle to
+            united exertion, by restoring entire unanimity of opinion.
+            The slaves, it was triumphantly affirmed, were no party
+            to the compact. But moreover, the whole arrangement
+            of the apprenticeship was intended as a benefit to them,
+            by giving them the preparation thought to be required
+            before they could, safely for themselves, be admitted to
+            unrestricted freedom,&#8212;not as a benefit to the planters,
+            whose acquiescence was purchased with the grant of
+            twenty millions. Experience having shown that no
+            preparation at all was required, it was preposterous to
+            continue the restraint upon natural liberty an hour
+            longer, as regarded the negroes,&#8212;the only party whom
+            we had any right to consider in the question; and as for
+            the planters there was the grossest absurdity in further
+            regarding any interests or any claims of theirs. The
+            arrangement of 1833, as far as regards the transition or
+            intermediate state, had been made under an error in fact,
+            an error propagated by the representations of the masters.
+            That error was now at an end, and an immediate alteration
+            of the provisions to which it had given rise was thus a
+            matter of strict justice;&#8212;not to mention that the planters
+            had failed to perform their part of the contract. The
+            Colonial Assemblies had, except in Antigua, done nothing
+            for the slave in return for the large sum bestowed upon
+
+            the West India body. So that in any view there was an
+            end of all pretext for the further delay of right and
+            justice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The ground now taken by the whole Abolitionists;
+            therefore, both in and out of Parliament was, that the
+            two years which remained of the indentured apprenticeship
+            must immediately be cut off, and freedom
+            given to the slaves in August, 1838, instead of 1840;
+            The peace of the West Indian community, and the real
+            interests of the planters, were affirmed to be as much
+            concerned in this change as the rights of the negroes
+            themselves. Far from preparing them for becoming
+            peaceable subjects and contented members of society at
+            the end of their apprenticeship, those two years of compulsory
+            labour would, it was justly observed, be a period
+            of heart-burning and discontent between master and
+            servant, which must, in the mean while, be dangerous to
+            the peace of society, and must leave, at the end of the
+            time, a feeling of mutual ill-will and distrust. The
+            question could no longer be kept from the cognizance of
+            the negro people. Indeed, their most anxious expectations
+            were already pointed towards immediate liberty,
+            and their strongest feelings were roused to obtain it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of these sentiments the whole community partook;
+            meetings were everywhere held; petitions crowded the
+            tables of Parliament; the press poured forth innumerable
+            tracts which were eagerly received; the pulpit lent its
+            aid to this holy cause; and discussions upon petitions
+            and upon incidental motions shook the walls of Parliament,
+            while they stimulated the zeal of the people. The
+            Government adopted an unfortunate course, which contributed
+            greatly to weaken their hold on the confidence
+
+            and affections of the country; they resisted all the
+            motions that were made on behalf of the slaves, and
+            appeared to regard only the interests of the master,
+            turning a deaf ear to the arguments of right and of
+            justice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was found, during the course of these debates, that
+            a new Slave Trade had sprung up in the East Indies,
+            with the sanction of an English Order in Council. Under
+            pretence that hands were wanted to cultivate their estates,
+            the Demerara planters had obtained permission to import
+            what they termed, with a delicacy borrowed from the
+            vocabulary of the African Slave Trade, "labourers"
+            from Asia and from Africa east of the Cape, and to make
+            them Indentured Apprentices for a term of years. No
+            restrictions whatever were imposed by this unheard-of
+            Order. No tonnage was required in proportion to the
+            numbers shipped, no amount of provision, no medical
+            assistance; no precautions were taken, or so much as
+            thought of, to prevent kidnapping and fraud, nay, to
+            prevent main force being used in any part of Eastern
+            Africa, or of all Asia, in carrying on board the victims of
+            West Indian avarice; in short, a worse Slave Trade than
+            the African was established, and all the dominions of the
+            East India Company, with all the African and Asiatic
+            coasts, as yet independent, were given over to its ravages.
+            This was repeatedly denounced by Lord Brougham in the
+            House of Lords; and although his motion for rescinding
+            the order was supported by Lord Lyndhurst, Lord Ellenborough,
+            and Lord Wharncliffe, the influence of the
+            Government and the planters prevailed, and the House
+            rejected it. A bill was afterwards brought in to check
+            the enormities complained of; but no remedy at all effectual
+
+            is as yet applied. The official documents, however,
+            proved that already men had been inveigled on board,
+            by the agents of the Mauritius planters, in different parts
+            of the East, and that the mortality on that comparatively
+            short voyage exceeded even the dreadful waste of life
+            which had characterized, and impressed with marks of
+            horrid atrocity, the accursed Middle Passage.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This subject, as might well be expected, once more
+            roused the energies of Thomas Clarkson: he addressed an
+            able and convincing letter to Lord Brougham, his old
+            friend and coadjutor in the sacred cause; and it was
+            printed and universally circulated. The subject still
+            remains unsettled: and the labours of the enlightened
+            philanthropist cannot now be directed to one more
+            important, or more urgent.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Meanwhile, in the spring of 1838, the question of
+            Immediate Emancipation was agitated throughout the
+            country. The Government proved hostile. Immense
+            meetings were held at Exeter Hall, which were attended
+            by many members of Parliament, over which Lord
+            Brougham presided. Among others who were present
+            and bore a distinguished part, were certain representatives
+            of Ireland who promised their strenuous support.
+            It is a painful duty to add, that their fellow-members
+            from Ireland did not, on this great occasion, follow their
+            good example; for eleven only of those, on whose votes
+            reliance had been placed, opposed the Government, while
+            no less than twenty-seven gave them support.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The question was rejected by the House of Lords,
+            when brought forward by Lord Brougham; but in spite
+            of the efforts of the Government; the defalcation of the
+            Irish, of a still greater proportion of the Scotch representatives,
+
+            two hundred and seventeen members of the House
+            of Commons voted for Immediate Abolition, out of four
+            hundred and eighty-nine who were present on the occasion.
+            A second effort in the same session placed Ministers
+            in a minority; but they immediately gave notice, they
+            should strenuously oppose any attempt to carry into
+            practical effect this decision of the House; and in this
+            determination they were supported by a majority on a
+            third division.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The word, however, had gone forth all over England,
+            that the <em>Slave should be free</em>. It had not only pervaded
+            Europe, it had reached America; and the West Indians
+            at length perceived that they could no longer resist the
+            voice of the British people, when it spoke the accents of
+            humanity and of justice. The slaves would have met the
+            dawn of the first of August,&#8212;the day which all the
+            motions in Parliament and all the prayers of the petitions
+            had fixed,&#8212;with perfect quiet, but with a resolute determination
+            to do no work. The peace would not have
+            been broken, but no more would a clod have been turned
+            after that appointed sun had risen. A handful of whites
+            surrounded by myriads of negroes,&#8212;now substantially
+            free, and free without a blow,&#8212;must have been overwhelmed
+            in an hour after sunrise on that day, had they
+            resisted. The Colonial Legislatures, therefore, <em>now</em>
+            listened to the voice of reason, and they, one after
+            another, emancipated their slaves. The first of August
+            saw not a bondsman, under whatever appellation, in
+            any part of the Western Sea which owns the British
+            rule.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Mauritius, however, still held out, and on the
+            Mauritius the hand of the Imperial Parliament must and
+
+            will be laid, to enforce mercy and justice on those to whom
+            mercy and justice have so long called aloud in vain. In
+            truth, if the case for instant emancipation was strong everywhere,
+            it was in no quarter half so strong as in the Mauritius;
+            and the distribution of the grant by Parliament to
+            this Colony was the most unjustifiable, and even incomprehensible.
+            For, elsewhere, there existed at least a title to
+            the slave, over whom an unjust and unchristian law recognised
+            the right of property. But in the Mauritius there
+            was not, nor is there now, one negro to whom a good title
+            is clearly provable. The atrocious conduct of Governors
+            and other functionaries, in conniving at the Slave Trade
+            of Eastern Africa, had filled that Colony with thousands
+            of negroes, every one of whom was carried there by the
+            commission of felony, long after Slave Trading had been
+            declared a capital crime by the law of the land, as by the
+            law of nature it always was. Sir George Murray, when
+            Colonial Secretary of State, had admitted, that at least
+            thirty thousand of the negroes in the settlement were
+            nominally slaves, but in reality free, having been carried
+            thither contrary to law. He understated it by twenty
+            thousand or more: yet on all these negroes, in respect of
+            property, were two millions and more claimed: for all
+            these the compensation money was given and taken,
+            which Parliament had lavishly bestowed. How then
+            was it possible to doubt, that every slave in the Mauritius
+            should receive his freedom, when the only ground
+            alleged for not singling out and liberating this fifty
+            thousand, was the inability to distinguish them from
+            the rest? If ten men are tried for an offence, and it
+            is clear that five are innocent, though you cannot distinguish
+            them from their companions, what jury will hesitate
+
+            in acquitting the whole, on the ordinary principle
+            of its being better five guilty should escape than five
+            guiltless suffer? The same is still the state of the case
+            in that most criminal settlement, which, having far
+            surpassed all others in the enormity of its guilt, is now
+            the only one where no attempt has been made to evince
+            repentance by amendment of conduct. But the Government
+            which has the power of compelling justice will share
+            the crime which they refuse to prevent, and the Legislature
+            must compel the Government, if their guilty
+            reluctance shall continue, or it will take that guilt upon
+            itself<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIntro_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIntro_1"></a>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIntro_1"></a><a href="#FootIntro_1">A</a>: It is truly gratifying to state, that the late Secretary for the
+            Colonies, Lord Glenelg, has, since this was written, given the most
+            satisfactory assurances of orders having been sent over for immediate
+            emancipation, in case the former instructions to the Governor of
+            Mauritius should have failed, to make the Colonists themselves adopt
+            the measure. Lord Glenelg's conduct on this occasion is most creditable
+            to him.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The latest act of Thomas Clarkson's life has been one
+            which, or rather the occasion for which, it is truly painful
+            to contemplate; but this too must be recorded, or the
+            present historical sketch would be incomplete. He whose
+            days had all been spent in acts of kindness and of justice
+            to others, was at last forced to exert his powers, supposed,
+            by some, and erroneously supposed, to be enfeebled by
+            age, in obtaining redress for his own wrongs. He whose
+            thoughts had all been devoted to the service of his fellow-creatures,
+            was now obliged to think of himself. A life
+            spent in works of genuine philanthropy, alike standing
+            aloof from party, and retiring with genuine humility from
+            the public gaze, might have well hoped to escape that
+            detraction, which is the lot of those who assume the
+
+            leading stations among their contemporaries, and mingle
+            in the contentious scenes of worldly affairs. Or, at least,
+            it might have been expected that his traducers would
+            only be found among the oppressors of the New World,
+            or the slave-traders of the Old. This felicity has not
+            been his lot; and the evening of his days has been overcast
+            by an assault upon his character, proceeding from the
+            quarter of all others the most unexpected and the most
+            strange.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The sons of his old and dear friend William Wilberforce,&#8212;whose
+            incomparable merits he had ever been the
+            first to acknowledge, whom he loved as a brother, and
+            revered as the great leader of the cause to which his
+            whole life had been devoted,&#8212;in publishing a Life of
+            their illustrious parent, thought fit to charge Thomas
+            Clarkson with having suppressed his services while he
+            exaggerated his own; and not content with bringing a
+            charge utterly groundless, (as it was instantly proved,)
+            they deemed it worthy of their subject and of their name,
+            to drag forth into the light of day a private correspondence
+            of a delicate nature, with the purpose of proving
+            that their father and others had assisted him with money,
+            and that he had been pressing in his demands of a
+            subscription. Two extracts of Letters of his were
+            printed by these reverend gentlemen, upon which a
+            statement was afterwards grounded in the <em>Edinburgh
+               Review</em> of their book, that the subscription was raised to
+            remunerate him for his services in the Abolition. They
+            further asserted, that their father was in the field before
+            him, and that it was under their father's direction that he,
+            and the Abolition Committee of 1786, acted. In the
+            whole history of controversy, we venture to affirm, there
+
+            never was an instance of so triumphant a refutation as
+            that by which these slanderous aspersions were instantly
+            refuted, and their authors and their accomplices reduced
+            to a silence as prudent as discreditable.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The venerable philanthropist took up his pen, worn
+            down in the cause of humanity and of justice. <em>First</em>,
+            he showed, by incontrovertible evidence, the utter falsehood
+            of the charge, that he had underrated the merits of
+            others and exalted his own. These proofs were the references
+            to his volumes themselves, which it really seemed as
+            if the two reverend authors had never even looked into.
+            He then proved to demonstration that he had taken the
+            field earlier than William Wilberforce. This was shown,
+            first, by known dates, matter of history; next, by letters
+            from the friends of both parties, as Archdeacon Corbet
+            and William Smith; but, lastly, by the words of William
+            Wilberforce himself, as well privately as at public meetings,
+            asserting that he (William Wilberforce) came into
+            the field after his valued friend. But a striking fact may
+            be cited, as a sample at once of the course pursued by
+            the assailants, and the completeness of the defence.
+            The reverend authors in proof of their unqualified assertion,
+            that Thomas Clarkson and the Committee acted
+            from the first under William Wilberforce's directions,
+            refer to "MS. Minutes of the Committee" for their
+            authority. But the friend who so ably superintended the
+            publication of Thomas Clarkson's defence, and who added
+            to that tract an appendix of singular merit and great
+            interest (H.C. Robinson), showed that the parts referred
+            to by the reverend authors, in proof of their assertion,
+            completely disproved it; and that six months after the
+            Committee had been working, William Wilberforce
+
+            applied to them for any information of which they might
+            be possessed on the subject of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the publication of the letters and the colour
+            given to the transaction were far worse. The preservation
+            of that correspondence, at all, by the sons, could only be
+            justified by the belief of its being accidentally kept by the
+            father, but, of course, never intended to be made public;
+            least of all without the usual precaution of asking the
+            writer's leave, and giving him the opportunity of explaining
+            it. The biographers printed it without any kind of
+            communication with him, and he saw it for the first time
+            in print.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Then, the attempt was made to represent this pure,
+            and valuable, and disinterested man as a mendicant
+            philanthropist, who, for his exertions in the cause of
+            justice, stooped to the humiliating attitude of collecting
+            a remuneration from his friends. The words of William
+            Wilberforce, and other Abolition leaders, prove that he
+            had expended a very considerable portion of his own small
+            patrimony in the cause, and that the subscription was to
+            pay a debt,&#8212;a just and lawful debt; not to confer a
+            bounty, or reward, or remuneration for services performed.
+            It is also proved, that after being reimbursed to the
+            amount of the sum contributed, or rather levied on those
+            for whom the poorest of their body had advanced his
+            own money, he remained out of pocket far more than
+            others had ever given, after their share of the repayment
+            was credited to them, in this debtor and creditor
+            account.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But this is not all: Mr. Wilberforce himself, then a
+            man of ample fortune, and Member for Yorkshire, had in
+            1807, published a pamphlet in the cause. The Minutes
+
+            of the Committee for 6th June, 1811, contained an entry
+            of an order to pay 83<i>l</i>. out of the subscription funds to Mr.
+            Cadell, being Mr. Wilberforce's share of the loss sustained
+            by that publication. There had been no mention at all of
+            this in his life, by these reverend authors, who scrupled
+            not to print the garbled letters, with the manifest design
+            of lowering the character of their father's friend, by
+            ranking him among venal stipendiary pretenders to philanthropy,
+            and jobbing mendicant patriots.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Wherefore, it may be asked, was this matter at all
+            dragged forth to light, except to effect that unworthy
+            purpose, and to give pain to a man as eminently as
+            deservedly respected and beloved? The false pretext is,
+            the vindication of their father's memory.&#8212;But it had never
+            been attacked. They affect to suppose such an attack,
+            that they may have a pretext for inflicting a wound in a
+            fictitious and almost a fraudulent defence.&#8212;But if it had
+            been ever so rudely attacked, the letters are no defence.
+            For the only possible pretence of attack was the notion
+            of Thomas Clarkson having assumed the priority, and
+            these letters can have no earthly relation to that point.
+            Whether Wilberforce, or Clarkson, or neither of them,
+            first began the abolition struggle, is a question as utterly
+            wide of the subscription as any one private matter in the
+            life of either party can be of any one public transaction
+            in which both were engaged.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The indignation of mankind was awakened by this
+            disgraceful proceeding, and it was in vain that the friends
+            of the Wilberforces urged, as some extenuation of their
+            offence, the zeal which they naturally cherished for the
+            memory of their parent. Men of reflection felt that no
+            well-regulated mind can ever engage in slandering one
+
+            person for the purpose of elevating another. Men of
+            ordinary discernment perceived that the assaults on
+            Clarkson's reputation had no possible tendency to raise
+            Wilberforce's reputation. Men of observation saw at
+            once that there lurked behind the wish to praise the one
+            party, a desire to wound the other; and gave them far
+            less credit for over-anxiety to gratify their filial affections
+            than eagerness to indulge their hostile feelings. It
+            was plain, too, that they sought this gratification at the
+            hazard of bringing a stain upon the memory of their
+            father; for what could be more natural than the suspicion
+            that they had obtained from him the materials out of
+            which their web of detraction was woven? And what
+            more discreditable to the author of the affectionate and
+            familiar letters of Wilberforce to Clarkson than their
+            discrepancy with the charges now urged against him?
+            It is due to the memory of this venerable man, now gone
+            to his rest, to say that no one who knew him, ever so
+            slightly, could believe in the possibility of his holding one
+            language to his friend and another to his children: far less
+            of his bequeathing to them anything like materials for the
+            attack upon one to whom he professed the most warm and
+            steady attachment. But if such be the conclusion of all
+            who knew the man, assuredly in arriving at it they have
+            derived no help from the lights afforded by his family.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The vindication of Thomas Clarkson has been triumphant;
+            the punishment of his traducers has been
+            exemplary. His character stands higher than ever; his
+            name is lofty and it is unsullied; they have a character
+            to retrieve,&#8212;a name which they have tarnished since it
+            descended upon them, they have to restore by their own
+            future deserts.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The astonishment of the world was at its pitch when
+            the champion of Abolition, the steady ally of Thomas
+            Clarkson and Granville Sharpe, the <em>Edinburgh Review</em>,
+            was seen attempting to rescue these parties, and taking
+            part against the injured man, the patriarch of a cause defended
+            by that celebrated Journal during a brilliant period
+            of much above thirty years. The boldness displayed in
+            its pages on this occasion was excessive. As if feeling
+            that the weak and indefensible part in the assault was the
+            publishing of the letters, it had the confidence to affirm,
+            that this proceeding was called for in justice to Wilberforce's
+            memory. So daring an attempt upon the integrity
+            of facts has not often been witnessed. What! The publication
+            of these letters, which had no possible connexion
+            with Wilberforce's character, (a character, indeed, that no
+            one had assailed,) letters which were absolutely foreign
+            even to the question of priority in the abolition cause,&#8212;the
+            publication of these necessary to the defence of Wilberforce?
+            Then, upon what ground necessary? How
+            had he been attacked? Where was he to be defended?
+            But, if attacked, how did the letters aid,&#8212;how connect
+            themselves with,&#8212;how, in any manner of way, bear upon
+            the defence, or any defence, or any portion of Wilberforce's
+            character and life? They showed him to have
+            contributed towards the payment of a debt he had contracted
+            to Clarkson. But who had ever charged him with
+            refusing to pay his debts? With his merits as to the
+            Abolition, (if that be what is meant by his character,)&#8212;merits
+            which it was a mere fabrication to pretend that
+            Clarkson had ever been slow to acknowledge,&#8212;those
+            letters had absolutely no possible connexion; and whoever,
+            on this score, affects to defend this publication, is capable
+
+            of vindicating the printing any private letter upon the
+            most delicate subject, by any man who writes the history
+            of any other affair, or who writes on any subject from which
+            the correspondence is wholly foreign. It is proper to
+            add, that the editors of this Journal have most properly
+            published a retractation of the charges made, in their
+            ignorance of the whole facts of the case.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The acute and sagacious editor of T. Clarkson's vindication,
+            has given his reasons for suspecting that this criticism,
+            in the <em>Edinburgh Review</em>, must have proceeded from
+            some party directly concerned in the publication of Wilberforce's
+            life. We enter into no discussion of the circumstantial
+            evidence adduced in favour of this supposition.
+            The editors of the Journal are the parties to whom we
+            look; and as they, after being to all appearance misled
+            by some partial writer, have made the best reparation
+            for an involuntary error, by doing justice to the injured
+            party, we can have no further remark to make upon the
+            subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it is impossible to close these pages without
+            mentioning the extraordinary merit of this latest, and, in
+            all likelihood, this last production of Clarkson's pen. It
+            is indeed a most able performance, and has been admired
+            by some of the ablest controversial writers of the age, as
+            a model of excellence in controversial writing. Plain,
+            vigorous, convincing, perfectly calm and temperate, devoid
+            of all acrimony, barely saying enough to repel unjust
+            aggression without one word of retaliation, never losing
+            sight for a moment of its purely defensive object, and
+            accordingly, from the singleness of purpose with which
+            that object is pursued, attaining it with the most triumphant
+            success,&#8212;no wonder that the public judgment
+
+            has been loudly and universally pronounced in its favour,
+            that its adversaries have been reduced to absolute silence,
+            that its author's name has been exalted even higher than
+            before it stood. But the wonder is to see such unimpaired
+            vigour at four-score years of age, after a life of unwearied
+            labour, latterly clouded by domestic calamity, and
+            a spirit as young as ever in zeal for justice, tempered only
+            by the mellowness which the kindly heart spreads over
+            the fruits of the manly understanding.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There wanted no testimonials of esteem from his
+            country to consummate the venerable philanthropist's
+            renown; yet these too have been added. Various meetings
+            have addressed their gratulations to him. Of these
+            the great corporation of London claims the first regard,
+            and after presenting him with the freedom of the city,
+            they have ordered to be erected in their hall, as a memorial
+            of his extraordinary virtue, a likeness of the mortal
+            form of Thomas Clarkson.
+
+         </p>
+       <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap1"></a>CHAPTER I.
+         </h2>
+         <h3>HISTORY OF THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE.</h3>
+
+
+         <p><b>No subject more pleasing than that of the removal of evils.&#8212;Evils have existed
+         almost from the beginning of the world; but there is a power in our
+         nature to counteract them&#8212;this power increased by Christianity.&#8212;Of the
+         evils removed by Christianity one of the greatest is the Slave Trade.&#8212;The
+         joy we ought to feel on its abolition from a contemplation of the nature of
+         it; and of the extent of it; and of the difficulty of subduing it.&#8212;Usefulness
+         also of the contemplation of this subject.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            I scarcely know of any subject, the contemplation of which is
+            more pleasing, than that of the correction or of the removal of
+            any of the acknowledged evils of life; for while we rejoice to
+            think that the sufferings of our fellow-creatures have been thus, in
+            any instance, relieved, we must rejoice equally to think, that our
+            own moral condition must have been necessarily improved by
+            the change.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That evils, both physical and moral, have existed long upon
+            earth there can be no doubt. One of the sacred writers, to whom
+            we more immediately appeal for the early history of mankind, informs
+            us that the state of our first parents was a state of innocence
+            and happiness; but that, soon after their creation, sin and misery
+            entered into the world. The poets in their fables, most of which,
+            however extravagant they may seem, had their origin in truth,
+            speak the same language. Some of these represent the first
+            condition of man by the figure of the golden, and his subsequent
+            degeneracy and subjection to suffering by that of the silver, and
+            afterwards of the iron age. Others tell us that the first female
+            was made of clay; that she was called Pandora, because every
+
+            necessary gift, qualification, or endowment, was given to her by
+            the gods, but that she received from Jupiter, at the same time, a
+            box from which, when opened, a multitude of disorders sprung,
+            and that these spread themselves immediately afterwards among
+            all of the human race. Thus it appears, whatever authorities we
+            consult, that those which may be termed the evils of life existed
+            in the earliest times. And what does subsequent history, combined
+            with our own experience, tell us, but that these have been
+            continued, or that they have come down in different degrees
+            through successive generations of men, in all the known countries
+            of the universe, to the present day?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But though the inequality visible in the different conditions
+            of life, and the passions interwoven into our nature, (both which
+            have been allotted to us for wise purposes, and without which we
+            could not easily afford a proof of the existence of that, which is
+            denominated virtue,) have a tendency to produce vice and wretchedness
+            among us, yet we see, in this our constitution, what may
+            operate partially as preventives and corrective of them. If
+            there be a radical propensity in our nature to do that which is
+            wrong, there is, on the other hand, a counteracting power within
+            it, or an impulse by means of the action of the divine Spirit upon
+            our minds, which urges us to do that which is right. If the voice
+            of temptation, clothed in musical and seducing accents, charms us
+            one way, the voice of holiness, speaking to us from within, in a
+            solemn and powerful manner, commands us another. Does one
+            man obtain a victory over his corrupt affections? an immediate
+            perception of pleasure, like the feeling of a reward divinely
+            conferred upon him, is noticed. Does another fall prostrate
+            beneath their power? a painful feeling, and such as pronounces
+            to him the sentence of reproof and punishment is found to follow.
+            If one, by suffering his heart to become hardened, oppresses a
+            fellow-creature, the tear of sympathy starts up in the eye of
+            another, and the latter instantly feels a desire, involuntarily
+            generated, of flying to his relief. Thus impulses, feelings, and
+            dispositions have been implanted in our nature, for the purpose
+            of preventing and rectifying the evils of life. And as these have
+            operated, so as to stimulate some men to lessen them by the
+
+            exercise of an amiable charity, so they have operated to stimulate
+            others in various other ways to the same end. Hence the philosopher
+            has left moral precepts behind him in favour of benevolence,
+            and the legislator has endeavoured to prevent barbarous practices
+            by the introduction of laws.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In consequence then of these impulses and feelings, by which
+            the pure power in our nature is thus made to act as a check upon
+            the evil part of it, and in consequence of the influence which
+            philosophy and legislative wisdom have had in their respective
+            provinces, there has been always, in all times and countries, a
+            counteracting energy, which has opposed itself, more or less, to
+            the crimes and miseries of mankind. But it seems to have been
+            reserved for Christianity to increase this energy, and to give it
+            the widest possible domain. It was reserved for her, under the
+            same divine influence, to give the best views of the nature and
+            of the present and future condition of man; to afford the best
+            moral precepts, to communicate the most benign stimulus to the
+            heart, to produce the most blameless conduct, and thus to cut off
+            many of the causes of wretchedness, and to heal it wherever it
+            was found. At her command, wherever she has been duly
+            acknowledged, many of the evils of life have already fled. The
+            prisoner of war is no longer led into the amphitheatre to become
+            a gladiator, and to imbrue his hands in the blood of his fellow-captive
+            for the sport of a thoughtless multitude. The stern
+            priest, cruel through fanaticism and custom, no longer leads his
+            fellow-creature to the altar to sacrifice him to fictitious gods.
+            The venerable martyr, courageous through faith and the sanctity
+            of his life, is no longer hurried to the flames. The haggard
+            witch, poring over her incantations by moon-light, no longer
+            scatters her superstitious poison among her miserable neighbours,
+            nor suffers for her crime.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But in whatever way Christianity may have operated towards
+            the increase of this energy, or towards a diminution of human
+            misery, it has operated in none more powerfully than by the new
+            views and consequent duties, which it introduced on the subject
+            of charity, or practical benevolence and love. Men in ancient
+            times looked upon their talents, of whatever description, as, their
+
+            own, which they might use, or cease to use at their discretion.
+            But the Author of our religion was the first who taught that,
+            however in a legal point of view, the talent of individuals might
+            belong exclusively to themselves, so that no other person had a
+            right to demand the use of it by force, yet in the Christian dispensation
+            they were but the stewards of it for good; that so
+            much was expected from this stewardship, that it was difficult
+            for those who were intrusted with it to enter into his spiritual
+            kingdom; that these had no right to conceal their talent in a
+            napkin, but that they were bound to dispense a portion of it to
+            the relief of their fellow-creatures; and that, in proportion to the
+            magnitude of it, they were accountable for the extensiveness of its
+            use. He was the first who pronounced the misapplication of it
+            to be a crime, and to be a crime of no ordinary dimensions. He
+            was the first who broke down the boundary between Jew and
+            Gentile, and, therefore, the first who pointed out to men the inhabitants
+            of other countries, for the exercise of their philanthropy and
+            love. Hence a distinction is to be made both in the principle
+            and practice of charity, as existing in ancient or in modern times.
+            Though the old philosophers, historians, and poets, frequently
+            inculcated benevolence, we have no reason to conclude from any
+            facts they have left us, that persons in their days did anything
+            more than occasionally relieve an unfortunate object, who might
+            present himself before them, or that, however they might deplore
+            the existence of public evils among them, they joined in associations
+            for their suppression, or that they carried their charity, as
+            bodies of men, into other kingdoms. To Christianity alone we
+            are indebted for the new and sublime spectacle, of seeing men
+            going beyond the bounds of individual usefulness to each other;
+            of seeing them associate for the extirpation of private and public
+            misery; and of seeing them carry their charity, as a united
+            brotherhood, into distant lands. And in this wider field of
+            benevolence it would be unjust not to confess, that no country
+            has shone with more true lustre than our own, there being
+            scarcely any case of acknowledged affliction, for which some of
+            her Christian children have not united in an attempt to provide
+            relief.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Among the evils corrected or subdued, either by the general
+            influence of Christianity on the minds of men, or by particular
+            associations of Christians, the African<a class="notelink" href="#NoteI_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootI_1"></a>. Slave Trade appears to
+            me to have occupied the foremost place. The abolition of it,
+            therefore, of which it has devolved upon me to write the history,
+            should be accounted as one of the greatest blessings, and as such
+            should be one of the most copious sources of our joy: indeed, I
+            know of no evil, the removal of which should excite in us a
+            higher degree of pleasure. For, in considerations of this kind,
+            are we not usually influenced by circumstances? Are not our
+            feelings usually affected according to the situation, or the magnitude,
+            or the importance of these? Are they not more or less
+            elevated, as the evil under our contemplation has been more or
+            less productive of misery, or more or less productive of guilt?
+            Are they not more or less elevated again, as we have found it
+            more or less considerable in extent? Our sensations will undoubtedly
+            be in proportion to such circumstances, or our joy to
+            the appreciation or mensuration of the evil which has been
+            removed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteI_1"></a><a href="#FootI_1">A</a>: Slavery had been before annihilated by Christianity; I mean in the West of
+            Europe, at the close of the twelfth century
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To value the blessing of the abolition as we ought, or to
+            appreciate the joy and gratitude which we ought to feel concerning
+            it, we must enter a little into the circumstances of the trade.
+            Our statement, however, of these needs not be long: a few pages
+            will do all that is necessary! A glance only into such a subject
+            as this will be sufficient to affect the heart,&#8212;to arouse our indignation
+            and our pity,&#8212;and to teach us the importance of the
+            victory obtained.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first subject for consideration, towards enabling us to
+            make the estimate in question, will be that of the nature of the
+            evil belonging to the Slave Trade. This may be seen by examining
+            it in three points of view. First, as it has been proved
+            to arise on the Continent of Africa, in the course of reducing the
+            inhabitants of it to slavery. Secondly, in the course of conveying
+            them from thence to the lands or colonies of other nations. And,
+            thirdly, in continuing them there as slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To see it, as it has been shown, to arise in the first case, let
+            us suppose ourselves on the Continent just mentioned. Well
+            then, We are landed,&#8212;We are already upon our travels,&#8212;We
+            have just passed through one forest,&#8212;We are now come to a
+            more open place, which indicates an approach to habitation.
+            And what object is that which first obtrudes itself upon our
+            sight? Who is that wretched woman whom we discover under
+            that noble tree, wringing her hands, and beating her breast, as
+            if in the agonies of despair? Three days has she been there, at
+            intervals, to look and to watch; and this is the fourth morning,
+            and no tidings of her children yet. Beneath its spreading boughs
+            they were accustomed to play: but, alas! the savage man-stealer
+            interrupted their playful mirth, and has taken them for ever from
+            her sight.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But let us leave the cries of this unfortunate woman, and
+            hasten into another district. And what do we first see here?
+            Who is he that just now started across the narrow pathway, as
+            if afraid of a human face? What is that sudden rustling among
+            the leaves? Why are those persons flying from our approach,
+            and hiding themselves in yon darkest thicket? Behold, as we
+            get into the plain, a deserted village! The rice-field has been
+            just trodden down around it; an aged man,&#8212;venerable by his
+            silver beard,&#8212;lies wounded and dying near the threshold of his
+            hut. War, suddenly instigated by avarice, has just visited the
+            dwellings which we see. The old have been butchered, because
+            unfit for slavery, and the young have been carried off, except such
+            as have fallen in the conflict, or have escaped among the woods
+            behind us.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But let us hasten from this cruel scene, which gives rise to so
+            many melancholy reflections. Let us cross yon distant river, and
+            enter into some new domain. But are we relieved even here
+            from afflicting spectacles? Look at that immense crowd which
+            appears to be gathered in a ring. See the accused innocent in
+            the middle! The ordeal of poisonous water has been administered
+            to him, as a test of his innocence or his guilt: he begins
+            to be sick and pale. Alas! yon mournful shriek of his relatives
+            confirms that the loss of his freedom is now sealed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And whither shall we go now? the night is approaching fast.
+            Let us find some friendly hut, where sleep may make us forget
+            for a while the sorrows of the day. Behold a hospitable native
+            ready to receive us at his door! let us avail ourselves of his
+            kindness. And now let its give ourselves to repose. But why,
+            when our eyelids are but just closed, do we find ourselves thus
+            suddenly awakened? What is the meaning of the noise around
+            us, of the trampling of people's feet, of the rustling of the bow,
+            the quiver, and the lance? Let us rise up and inquire. Behold!
+            the inhabitants are all alarmed! a wakeful woman has shown
+            them yon distant column of smoke and blaze. The neighbouring
+            village is on fire: the prince, unfaithful to the sacred duty of the
+            protection of his subjects, has surrounded them. He is now
+            burning their habitations, and seizing, as saleable booty, the
+            fugitives from the flames.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Such then are some of the scenes that have been passing in
+            Africa, in consequence, of the existence of the Slave Trade; or
+            such is the nature of the evil, as it has shown itself in the first of
+            the cases we have noticed. Let us now estimate it as it has been
+            proved to exist in the second; or let us examine the state of the
+            unhappy Africans reduced to slavery in this manner, while on
+            board the vessels, which are to convey them across the ocean to
+            other lands. And here I must observe at once, that, as far as
+            this part of the evil is concerned, I am at a loss to describe it.
+            Where shall I find words to express properly their sorrow, as
+            arising from the reflection of being parted for ever from their
+            friends, their relatives, and their country? Where shall I find
+            language to paint, in appropriate colours, the horror of mind
+            brought on by thoughts of their future unknown destination, of
+            which they can augur nothing but misery from all that they have
+            yet seen? How shall I make known their situation, while
+            labouring, under painful disease, or while struggling in the
+            suffocating holds of their prisons, like animals enclosed in an
+            exhausted receiver? How shall I describe their feelings as
+            exposed to all the personal indignities, which lawless appetite or
+            brutal passion may suggest? How shall I exhibit their sufferings
+            as determining to refuse sustenance and die, or as resolving to
+
+            break their chains, and, disdaining to live as slaves, to punish
+            their oppressors? How shall I give an idea of their agony when
+            under various punishments and tortures for their reputed crimes?
+            Indeed, every part of this subject defies my powers, and I must,
+            therefore, satisfy myself and the reader with a general representation,
+            or in the words of a celebrated member of Parliament,
+            that "Never was so much human suffering condensed in so small
+            a space."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I come now to the evil, as it has been proved to arise in the
+            third case; or to consider the situation of the unhappy victims
+            of the trade, when their painful voyages are over, or after they
+            have been landed upon their destined shores. And here we are
+            to view them, first under the degrading light of cattle: we are to
+            see them examined, handled, selected, separated, and sold. Alas!
+            relatives are separated from relatives, as if, like cattle, they had no
+            rational intellect, no power of feeling the nearness of relationship,
+            nor sense of the duties belonging to the ties of life! We
+            are next to see them labouring; and this for the benefit of those
+            to whom they are under no obligation, by any law either natural
+            or divine, to obey. We are to see them, if refusing the commands
+            of their purchasers, however weary, or feeble, or indisposed,
+            subject to corporal punishments, and if forcibly resisting them to
+            death: we are to see them in a state of general degradation and
+            misery. The knowledge which their oppressors have of their
+            own crime, in having violated the rights of nature, and of the
+            disposition of the injured to seek all opportunities of revenge,
+            produces a fear which dictates to them the necessity of a system
+            of treatment, by which they shall keep up a wide distinction
+            between the two, and by which the noble feelings of the latter
+            shall be kept down, and their spirits broken. We are to see them
+            again subject to individual persecution, as anger, or malice, or
+            any bad passion may suggest: hence the whip, the chain, the
+            iron-collar! hence the various modes of private torture, of which
+            so many accounts have been truly given. Nor can such horrible
+            cruelties be discovered so as to be made punishable, while the
+            testimony of any number of the oppressed is invalid against the
+            oppressors, however they may be offences against the laws. And,
+
+            lastly, we are to see their innocent offspring, against whose
+            personal liberty the shadow of an argument cannot be advanced,
+            inheriting all the miseries of their parents' lot.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The evil then, as far as it has been hitherto viewed, presents
+            to us, in its three several departments, a measure of human suffering
+            not to be equalled&#8212;not to be calculated&#8212;not to be described.
+            But would that we could consider this part of the subject as
+            dismissed! would that in each of the departments now examined
+            there was no counterpart left us to contemplate! But this
+            cannot be; for if there be persons who suffer unjustly there must
+            be others who oppress: and if there be those who oppress, there
+            must be to the suffering, which has been occasioned, a corresponding
+            portion of immorality or guilt.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We are obliged then to view the counterpart of the evil in
+            question, before we can make a proper estimate of the nature of
+            it. And, in examining this part of it, we shall find that we have
+            a no less frightful picture to behold than in the former cases; or
+            that, while the miseries endured by the unfortunate Africans excite
+            our pity on the one hand, the vices, which are connected with
+            them, provoke our indignation and abhorrence on the other. The
+            Slave Trade, in this point of view, must strike us as an immense
+            mass of evil on account of the criminality attached to it, as displayed
+            in the various branches of it, which have already been
+            examined. For, to take the counterpart of the evil in the first of
+            these, can we say that no moral turpitude is to be placed to the
+            account of those, who, living on the continent of Africa, give
+            birth to the enormities, which take place in consequence of the
+            prosecution of this trade? Is not that man made morally worse,
+            who is induced to become a tiger to his species, or who, instigated
+            by avarice, lies in wait in the thicket to get possession of his fellow-man?
+            Is no injustice manifest in the land, where the prince,
+            unfaithful to his duty, seizes his innocent subjects, and sells them
+            for slaves? Are no moral evils produced among those communities,
+            which make war upon other communities for the sake of
+            plunder, and without any previous provocation or offence? Does
+            no crime attach to those, who accuse others falsely, or who multiply
+            and divide crimes for the sake of the profit of the punishment,
+
+            and who for the same reason continue the use of barbarous
+            and absurd ordeals as a test of innocence or guilt?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the second of these branches, the counterpart of the evil is
+            to be seen in the conduct of those who purchase the miserable
+            natives in their own country, and convey them to distant lands.
+            And here questions, similar to the former, may be asked. Do
+            they experience no corruption of their nature, or become chargeable
+            with no violation of right, who, when they go with their
+            ships to this continent, know the enormities which their visits
+            there will occasion, who buy their fellow-creature man, and this,
+            knowing the way in which he comes into their hands, and who
+            chain, and imprison, and scourge him? Do the moral feelings of
+            those persons escape without injury, whose hearts are hardened?
+            And can the hearts of those be otherwise than hardened, who are
+            familiar with the tears and groans of innocent strangers forcibly
+            torn away from every thing that is dear to them in life, who are
+            accustomed to see them on board their vessels in a state of suffocation
+            and in the agonies of despair, and who are themselves in
+            the habit of the cruel use of arbitrary power?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The counterpart of the evil in its third branch is to be seen in
+            the conduct of those, who, when these miserable people have been
+            landed, purchase and carry them to their respective homes. And
+            let us see whether a mass of wickedness is not generated also in
+            the present case. Can those have nothing to answer for, who separate
+            the faithful ties which nature and religion have created?
+            Can their feelings be otherwise than corrupted, who consider their
+            fellow-creatures as brutes, or treat those as cattle, who may become
+            the temples of the Holy Spirit, and in whom the Divinity
+            disdains not himself to dwell? Is there no injustice in forcing
+            men to labour without wages? Is there no breach of duty, when
+            we are commanded to clothe the naked, and feed the hungry, and
+            visit the sick and in prison, in exposing them to want, in torturing
+            them by cruel punishment, and in grinding them down by
+            hard labour, so as to shorten their days? Is there no crime in
+            adopting a system, which keeps down all the noble faculties of
+            their souls, and which positively debases and corrupts their nature?
+            Is there no crime in perpetuating these evils among their
+
+            innocent offspring? And finally, besides all these crimes, is there
+            not naturally in the familiar sight of the exercise, but more especially
+            in the exercise itself, of uncontrolled power, that which vitiates
+            the internal man? In seeing misery stalk daily over the land,
+            do not all become insensibly hardened? By giving birth to that
+            misery themselves, do they not become abandoned? In what
+            state of society are the corrupt appetites so easily, so quickly, and
+            so frequently indulged, and where else, by means of frequent indulgence,
+            do these experience such a monstrous growth? Where
+            else is the temper subject to such frequent irritation, or passion to
+            such little control? Yes&#8212;if the unhappy slave is in an unfortunate
+            situation, so is the tyrant who holds him. Action and reaction
+            are equal to each other, as well in the moral as in the
+            natural world. You cannot exercise an improper dominion over
+            a fellow-creature, but by a wise ordering of Providence you must
+            necessarily injure yourself.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having now considered the nature of the evil of the Slave
+            Trade in its three separate departments of suffering, and in its
+            corresponding counterparts of guilt, I shall make a few observations
+            on the extent of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On this subject it must strike us, that the misery and the
+            crimes included in the evil, as it has been found in Africa, were
+            not like common maladies, which make a short or periodical
+            visit and then are gone, but that they were continued daily. Nor
+            were they like diseases, which from local causes attack a village
+            or a town, and by the skill of the physician, under the blessing of
+            Providence, are removed; but they affected a whole continent. The
+            trade with all its horrors began at the river Senegal, and continued,
+            winding with the coast, through its several geographical divisions
+            to Cape Negro; a distance of more than three thousand miles.
+            In various lines or paths formed at right angles from the shore, and
+            passing into the heart of the country, slaves were procured and
+            brought down. The distance, which many of them travelled, was
+            immense. Those, who have been in Africa, have assured us, that
+            they came as far as from the sources of their largest rivers, which
+            we know to be many hundred miles inland, and the natives have
+            told us, in their way of computation, that they came a journey of
+            many moons.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It must strike us again, that the misery and the crimes, included
+            in the evil, as it has been shown in the transportation, had
+            no ordinary bounds. They were not to be seen in the crossing of
+            a river, but of an ocean. They did not begin in the morning and
+            end at night, but were continued for many weeks, and sometimes
+            by casualties for a quarter of the year. They were not limited
+            to the precincts of a solitary ship, but were spread among many
+            vessels; and these were so constantly passing, that the ocean
+            itself never ceased to be a witness of their existence.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And it must strike us, finally, that the misery and crimes, included
+            in the evil as it has been found in foreign lands, were not
+            confined within the shores of a little island. Most of the islands
+            of a continent, and many of these of considerable population and
+            extent, were filled with them. And the continent itself, to which
+            these geographically belong, was widely polluted by their domain.
+            Hence, if we were to take the vast extent of space occupied by these
+            crimes and sufferings from the heart of Africa to its shores, and that
+            which they filled on the continent of America and the islands adjacent,
+            and were to join the crimes and sufferings in one to those in
+            the other, by the crimes and sufferings which took place in the track
+            of the vessels successively crossing the Atlantic, we should behold
+            a vast belt as it were of physical and moral evil, reaching through
+            land and ocean to the length of nearly half the circle of the globe.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next view which I shall take of this evil will be as it
+            relates to the difficulty of subduing it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This difficulty may be supposed to have been more than ordinarily
+            great. Many evils of a public nature, which existed in
+            former times, were the offspring of ignorance and superstition,
+            and they were subdued of course by the progress of light and
+            knowledge. But the evil in question began in avarice. It
+            was nursed also by worldly interest. It did not therefore so
+            easily yield to the usual correctives of disorders in the world.
+            We may observe also, that the interest by which it was thus
+            supported, was not that of a few individuals, nor of one body,
+            but of many bodies of men. It was interwoven again into the
+            system of the commerce and of the revenue of nations. Hence
+            the merchant&#8212;the planter&#8212;the mortgagee&#8212;the
+            manufacturer&#8212;the
+
+            politician&#8212;the legislator&#8212;the cabinet-minister&#8212;lifted up
+            their voices against the annihilation of it. For these reasons,
+            the Slave Trade may be considered like the fabulous hydra, to
+            have a hundred heads, every one of which it was necessary to cut
+            off before it could be subdued. And as none but Hercules was
+            fitted to conquer the one, so nothing less than extraordinary
+            prudence, courage, labour, and patience, could overcome the
+            other. To protection in this manner by his hundred interests, it
+            was owing, that the monster stalked in security for so long a
+            time. He stalked too in the open day, committing his mighty
+            depredations. And when good men, whose duty it was to mark
+            him as the object of their destruction, began to assail him, he did
+            not fly, but gnashed his teeth at them, growling savagely at the
+            same time, and putting himself into a posture of defiance.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We see then, in whatever light we consider the Slave Trade,
+            whether we examine into the nature of it, or whether we look
+            into the extent of it, or whether we estimate the difficulty of subduing
+            it, we must conclude that no evil more monstrous has ever
+            existed upon earth. But if so, then we have proved the truth of
+            the position, that the abolition of it ought to be accounted by us
+            as one of the greatest blessings, and that it ought to be one of the
+            most copious sources of our joy. Indeed, I do not know, how we
+            can sufficiently express what we ought to feel upon this occasion.
+            It becomes us, as individuals, to rejoice. It becomes us, as a
+            nation, to rejoice. It becomes us even to perpetuate our joy to
+            our posterity. I do not mean, however, by anniversaries, which
+            are to be celebrated by the ringing of bells and convivial meetings,
+            but by handing down this great event so impressively to our
+            children, as to raise in them, if not continual, yet frequently
+            renewed thanksgivings, to the great Creator of the universe, for
+            the manifestation of this his favour, in having disposed our legislators
+            to take away such a portion of suffering from our fellow-creatures,
+            and such a load of guilt from our native land.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And as the contemplation of the removal of this monstrous
+            evil should excite in us the most pleasing and grateful sensations,
+            so the perusal of the history of it should afford us lessons, which it
+            must be useful to us to know or to be reminded of. For it cannot
+
+            be otherwise than useful to us to know the means which have been
+            used, and the different persons who have moved in so great a cause.
+            It cannot be otherwise than useful to us to be impressively reminded
+            of the simple axiom which the perusal of this history will particularly
+            suggest to us, that "the greatest works must have a beginning;" because
+            the fostering of such an idea in our minds cannot
+            but encourage us to undertake the removal of evils, however vast
+            they may appear in their size, or however difficult to overcome. It
+            cannot, again, be otherwise than useful to us to be assured, (and
+            this history will assure us of it,) that in any work, which is a
+            work of righteousness, however small the beginning may be, or
+            however small the progress may be that we may make in it, we
+            ought never to despair; for that, whatever checks and discouragements
+            we may meet with, "no virtuous effort is ever ultimately
+            lost." And finally, it cannot be otherwise than useful to us, to form
+            the opinion, which the contemplation of this subject must always
+            produce, namely, that many of the evils which are still left among
+            us, may, by an union of wise and virtuous individuals, be greatly
+            alleviated, if not entirely done away; for if the great evil of the
+            Slave Trade, so deeply entrenched by its hundred interests, has
+            fallen prostrate before the efforts of those who attacked it, what
+            evil of a less magnitude shall not be more easily subdued? O
+            may reflections of this sort always enliven us, always encourage
+            us, always stimulate us to our duty! May we never cease to
+            believe, that many of the miseries of life are still to be remedied,
+            or to rejoice that we may be permitted, if we will only make
+            ourselves worthy by our endeavours, to heal them! May we
+            encourage for this purpose every generous sympathy that arises
+            in our hearts, as the offspring of the Divine influence for our
+            good, convinced that we are not born for ourselves alone, and
+            that the Divinity never so fully dwells in us, as when we do his
+            will, and that we never do his will more agreeably, as far as it
+            has been revealed to us, than when we employ our time in works
+            of charity towards the rest of our fellow-creatures!
+
+         </p>
+       <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap2"></a>CHAPTER II.
+         </h2>
+        <p><b> As it is desirable to know the true sources of events in history,
+         so this will be realized in that of the abolition of the Slave Trade.&#8212;Inquiry
+         as to those who favoured the cause of the Africans previously to the year
+         1787.&#8212;All these to be considered as necessary forerunners in that
+         cause.&#8212;First forerunners
+         were Cardinal Ximenes; the Emperor Charles the Fifth; Pope
+         Leo the Tenth; Elizabeth, queen of England; Louis the Thirteenth, of
+         France.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            It would be considered by many, who have stood at the mouth
+            of a river, and witnessed its torrent there, to be both an
+            interesting and a pleasing journey to go to the fountain head,
+            and then to travel on its banks downwards, and to mark the
+            different streams in each side, which should run into it
+            and feed it. So I presume the reader will not be a little
+            interested and entertained, in viewing with me the course of
+            the abolition of the Slave Trade, in
+            first finding its source, and then in tracing the different springs
+            which have contributed to its increase. And here I may observe
+            that, in doing this, we shall have advantages, which historians
+            have not always had in developing the causes of things. Many
+            have handed down to us, events, for the production of which they
+            have given us but their own conjectures. There has been often,
+            indeed, such a distance between the events themselves, and the
+            lives of those who have recorded them, that the different means
+            and motives belonging to them have been lost through time. On
+            the present occasion, however, we shall have the peculiar
+            satisfaction of knowing, that we communicate the truth, or that
+            those which we unfold, are the true causes and means; for the
+            most remote of all the human springs, which can be traced as having
+            any bearing upon the great event in question, will fall within the
+            period of three centuries, and the most powerful of them within
+            the last twenty years. These circumstances indeed have had
+            their share in inducing me to engage in the present history.
+            Had I measured it by the importance of the subject, I had been
+            deterred; but believing that most readers love the truth, and that
+
+            it ought to be the object of all writers to promote it, and believing,
+            moreover, that I was in possession of more facts on this subject than
+            any other person, I thought I was peculiarly called to undertake it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In tracing the different streams from whence the torrent
+            arose, which has now happily swept away the Slave Trade, I
+            must begin with an inquiry as to those who favoured the cause of
+            the injured Africans, from the year 1516, to the year 1787, at
+            which latter period, a number of persons associated themselves,
+            in England, for its abolition. For though they, who belonged to
+            this association, may, in consequence of having pursued a regular
+            system, be called the principal actors, yet it must be acknowledged,
+            that their efforts would never have been so effectual, if
+            the minds of men had not been prepared by others, who had
+            moved before them. Great events have never taken place without
+            previously disposing causes. So it is in the case before us.
+            Hence they, who lived even in early times, and favoured this
+            great cause, may be said to have been necessary precursors in it.
+            And here it may be proper to observe, that it is by no means
+            necessary that all these should have been themselves actors in the
+            production of this great event. Persons have contributed towards
+            it in different ways:&#8212;Some have written expressly on the subject,
+            who have had no opportunity of promoting it by personal exertions.
+            Others have only mentioned it incidentally in their writings.
+            Others, in an elevated rank and station, have cried out
+            publicly concerning it, whose sayings have been recorded.
+            All these, however,
+            may be considered as necessary forerunners in their day; for all
+            of them have brought the subject more or less into notice. They
+            have more or less enlightened the mind upon it; they have more
+            or less impressed it; and therefore each may be said to have had
+            his share in diffusing and keeping up a certain portion of knowledge
+            and feeling concerning it, which has been eminently useful
+            in the promotion of the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is rather remarkable, that the first forerunners and coadjutors
+            should have been men in power.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            So early as in the year 1503, a few slaves had been sent from
+            the Portuguese settlements in Africa into the Spanish colonies
+
+            in America. In 1511, Ferdinand the Fifth, king of Spain,
+            permitted them to be carried in great numbers. Ferdinand,
+            however, must have been ignorant in these early times of the
+            piratical manner in which the Portuguese had procured them.
+            He could have known nothing of their treatment when in
+            bondage, nor could he have viewed the few uncertain adventurous
+            transportations of them into his dominions in the western world,
+            in the light of a regular trade. After his death, however; a
+            proposal was made by Bartholomew de las Casas, the bishop of
+            Chiapa, to Cardinal Ximenes, who held the reigns of the government
+            of Spain till Charles the Fifth came to the throne, for the
+            establishment of a regular system of commerce in the persons of
+            the native Africans. The object of Bartholomew de las Casas
+            was undoubtedly to save the American Indians, whose cruel
+            treatment and almost extirpation he had witnessed during his
+            residence among them, and in whose behalf he had undertaken a
+            voyage to the court of Spain. It is difficult to reconcile this
+            proposal with the humane and charitable spirit of the bishop of
+            Chiapa. But it is probable he believed that a code of laws would
+            soon be established in favour both of Africans and of the natives
+            in the Spanish settlements, and that he flattered himself that,
+            being about to return and to live in the country of their slavery,
+            he could look to the execution of it. The cardinal, however,
+            with a foresight, a benevolence, and a justice which will always
+            do honour to his memory, refused the proposal, not only judging
+            it to be unlawful to consign innocent people to slavery at all, but
+            to be very inconsistent to deliver the inhabitants of one country
+            from a state of misery by consigning to it those of another.
+            Ximenes, therefore, may be considered as one of the first great
+            friends of the Africans after the partial beginning of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This answer of the cardinal, as it showed his virtue as an
+            individual, so was it peculiarly honourable to him as a public
+            man, and ought to operate as a lesson to other statesmen, how
+            they admit any thing new among political regulations and establishments,
+            which is connected in the smallest degree with injustice; for evil,
+            when once sanctioned by governments, spreads in
+            a tenfold degree, and may, unless seasonably checked, become so
+
+            ramified as to effect the reputation of a country, and to render its
+            own removal scarcely possible without detriment to the political
+            concerns of the state. In no instance has this been verified more
+            than in the case of the Slave Trade. Never was our national
+            character more tarnished, and our prosperity more clouded by
+            guilt. Never was there a monster more difficult to subdue.
+            Even they, who heard as it were the shrieks of oppression, and
+            wished to assist the sufferers, were fearful of joining in their
+            behalf. While they acknowledged the necessity of removing
+            one evil, they were terrified by the prospect of introducing another;
+            and were, therefore, only able to relieve their feelings by,
+            lamenting, in the bitterness of their hearts, that this traffic had
+            ever been begun at all.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After the death of Cardinal Ximenes, the emperor Charles the
+            Fifth, who had come into power, encouraged the Slave Trade.
+            In 1517, he granted a patent to one of his Flemish favourites,
+            containing an exclusive right of importing four thousand
+            Africans into America. But he lived long enough to repent of
+            what he had thus inconsiderately done; for in the year 1542, he
+            made a code of laws for the better protection of the unfortunate
+            Indians in his foreign dominions, and he stopped the progress of
+            African slavery by an order that all slaves in his American
+            islands should he made free. This order was executed by Pedro
+            de la Gasca. Manumission took place as well in Hispaniola as
+            on the Continent; but on the return of Gasca to Spain, and the
+            retirement of Charles into a monastery, slavery was revived.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is impossible to pass over this instance of the abolition of
+            slavery by Charles, in all his foreign dominions, without some
+            comments. It shows him, first, to have been a friend both to the
+            Indians and the Africans, as a part of the human race; it shows
+            he was ignorant of what he was doing when he gave his sanction
+            to this cruel trade; it shows when legislators give one set of
+            men undue power over another, how quickly they abuse it, or he
+            never would have found himself obliged, in the short space
+            of twenty-five years, to undo that which he had countenanced as
+            a great state measure; and while it confirms the former lesson to
+            statesmen of watching the beginnings or principles of things in
+
+            their political movements, it should teach them never to persist
+            in the support of evils, through the false shame of being obliged
+            to confess that they had once given them their sanction, nor to
+            delay the cure of them because, politically speaking, neither this
+            nor that is the proper season; but to do them away instantly, as
+            there can only be one fit or proper time in the eye of religion,
+            namely, on the conviction of their existence.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From the opinions of Cardinal Ximenes and of the emperor
+            Charles the Fifth, I hasten to that which was expressed much
+            about the same time, in a public capacity, by Pope Leo the
+            Tenth. The Dominicans in Spanish America, witnessing the
+            cruel treatment which the slaves underwent there, considered
+            slavery as utterly repugnant to the principles of the gospel, and
+            recommended the abolition of it. The Franciscans did not
+            favour the former in this their scheme of benevolence; and the
+            consequence was, that a controversy on this subject sprung up
+            between them, which was carried to this pope for his decision.
+            Leo exerted himself, much to his honour, in behalf of the poor
+            sufferers, and declared "That not only the Christian religion, but
+            that Nature herself cried out against a state of slavery." This
+            answer was certainly worthy of one who was deemed the head of
+            the Christian Church. It must, however, be confessed that
+            it would have been strange if Leo, in his situation as pontiff,
+            had made a different reply. He could never have denied that
+            God was no respecter of persons. He must have acknowledged
+            that men were bound to love each other as brethren; and, if he
+            admitted the doctrine that all men were accountable for their
+            actions hereafter, he could never have prevented the deduction
+            that it was necessary they should be free. Nor could he, as a
+            man of high attainments, living early in the sixteenth century,
+            have been ignorant of what had taken place in the twelfth; or
+            that, by the latter end of this latter century, christianity had obtained
+            the undisputed honour of having extirpated slavery from
+            the western part of the European world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From Spain and Italy I come to England. The first importation
+            of slaves from Africa, by our countrymen, was in the reign
+            of Elizabeth, in the year 1562. This great princess seems on
+
+            the very commencement of the trade to have questioned its
+            lawfulness. She seems to have entertained a religious scruple
+            concerning it; and, indeed, to have revolted at the very thought
+            of it. She seems to have been aware of the evils to which its
+            continuance might lead, or that, if it were sanctioned, the most
+            unjustifiable means might be made use of to procure the persons
+            of the natives of Africa. And in what light she would have
+            viewed any acts of this kind, had they taken place, we may conjecture
+            from this fact,&#8212;that when Captain (afterwards Sir John)
+            Hawkins returned from his first voyage to Africa and Hispaniola,
+            whither he had carried slaves, she sent for him, and, as we learn
+            from Hill's <em>Naval History</em> expressed her
+            concern lest any of the
+            Africans should be carried off without their free consent, declaring
+            that "it would be detestable, and call down the vengeance
+            of heaven upon the undertakers." Captain Hawkins promised
+            to comply with the injunctions of Elizabeth in this respect, but
+            he did not keep his word; for when he went to Africa again, he
+            seized many of the inhabitants and carried them off as slaves,
+            which occasioned Hill, in the account he gives of his second
+            voyage, to use these remarkable words:&#8212;"Here began the horrid
+            practice of forcing the Africans into slavery, an injustice and
+            barbarity which, so sure as there is vengeance in heaven for the
+            worst of crimes, will some time be the destruction of all who
+            allow or encourage it." That the trade should have been suffered
+            to continue under such a princess, and after such solemn expressions
+            as those which she has been described to have uttered, can
+            be only attributed to the pains taken by those concerned in it to
+            keep her ignorant of the truth.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From England I now pass over to France. Labat, a Roman
+            missionary, in his account of the isles of America, mentions that
+            Louis the Thirteenth was very uneasy when he was about to issue
+            the edict by which all Africans coming into his colonies were
+            to be made slaves, and that this uneasiness continued till he was
+            assured that the introduction of them in this capacity into his
+            foreign dominions was the readiest way of converting them to the
+            principles of the Christian religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These, then, were the first forerunners in the great cause of
+
+            the abolition of the Slave Trade: nor have their services towards
+            it been of small moment; for, in the first place, they have enabled
+            those who came after them, and who took an active interest
+            in the same cause, to state the great authority of their opinions
+            and of their example. They have enabled them, again, to detail
+            the history connected with these, in consequence of which circumstances
+            have been laid open which it is of great importance
+            to know; for have they not enabled them to state that the
+            African Slave Trade never would have been permitted to exist
+            but for the ignorance of those in authority concerning it&#8212;that at
+            its commencement there was a revolting of nature against it&#8212;a
+            suspicion, a caution, a fear, both as to its unlawfulness and its
+            effects? Have they not enabled them to state that falsehoods
+            were advanced, and these concealed under the mask of religion,
+            to deceive those who had the power to suppress it? Have they
+            not enabled them to state that this trade began in piracy, and
+            that it was continued upon the principles of force? And, finally,
+            have not they who have been enabled to make these statements,
+            knowing all the circumstances connected with them, found their
+            own zeal increased, and their own courage and perseverance
+            strengthened; and have they not, by the communication of them
+            to others, produced many friends and even labourers in the
+            cause?
+
+         </p>
+       <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap3"></a>CHAPTER III.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Forerunners continued to 1787; divided from
+         this time into four classes.&#8212;First
+         class consists principally of persons in Great Britain
+         of various descriptions:
+         Godwyn; Baxter; Tryon; Southern; Primatt; Montesquieu;
+         Hutcheson; Sharp; Ramsay; and a multitude of others,
+         whose names and services follow.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            I have hitherto traced the history of the forerunners in this great
+            cause only up to about the year 1640. If I am to pursue my plan,
+            I am to trace it to the year 1787. But in order to show what I
+            intend in a clearer point of view, I shall divide those who have
+            lived within this period, and who will now consist of persons in
+            a less elevated station, into four classes: and I shall give to each
+            class a distinct consideration by itself.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Several of our old English writers, though they have not mentioned
+            the African Slave Trade, or the slavery consequent upon it,
+            in their respective works, have yet given their testimony of condemnation
+            against both. Thus our great Milton:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">O execrable son, so to aspire,<br>Above his brethren, to himself assuming<br>Authority usurpt, from God not given;<br>He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl,<br>Dominion absolute; that right we hold<br>By his donation; but man over men<br>He made not lord, such title to himself<br>Reserving, human left from human free.<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            I might mention Bishop Saunderson and others, who bore a
+            testimony equally strong against the lawfulness of trading in the
+            persons of men, and of holding them in bondage; but as I mean
+            to confine myself to those who have favoured the cause of the
+            Africans specifically, I cannot admit their names into any of the
+            classes which have been announced.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of those, who compose the first class, defined as it has now
+            been, I cannot name any individual who took a part in this cause
+            till between the years 1670 and 1680; for in the year 1640,
+            and for a few years afterwards, the nature of the trade and of the
+
+            slavery was but little known, except to a few individuals, who
+            were concerned in them; and it is obvious that these would
+            neither endanger their own interest nor proclaim their own guilt
+            by exposing it. The first, whom I shall mention is Morgan
+            Godwyn, a clergyman of the established church. This pious
+            divine wrote a treatise upon the subject, which he dedicated to
+            the then archbishop of Canterbury. He gave it to the world, at
+            the time mentioned, under the title of "<em>The Negroes' and Indians'
+               Advocate.</em>" In this treatise he lays open the situation of these
+            oppressed people, of whose sufferings he had been an eye-witness
+            in the island of Barbados. He calls forth the pity of the reader
+            in an affecting manner, and exposes with a nervous eloquence the
+            brutal sentiments and conduct of their oppressors. This seems to
+            have been the first work undertaken in England expressly in
+            favour of the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next person, whom I shall mention, is Richard Baxter,
+            the celebrated divine among the nonconformists. In his <em>Christian
+               Directory</em>, published about the same time as <em>The Negroes' and
+               Indians' Advocate</em>, he gives advice to those masters in foreign
+            plantations, who have negroes and other slaves. In this he protests
+            loudly against this trade. He says expressly that they, who
+            go out as pirates, and take away poor Africans, or people of
+            another land, who never forfeited life or liberty, and make them
+            slaves and sell them, are the worst of robbers, and ought to be
+            considered as the common enemies of mankind; and that they who
+            buy them, and use them as mere beasts for their own convenience,
+            regardless of their spiritual welfare, are fitter to be called demons
+            than christians. He then proposes several queries, which he
+            answers in a clear and forcible manner, showing the great inconsistency
+            of this traffic, and the necessity of treating those then in
+            bondage with tenderness and a due regard to their spiritual
+            concerns.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The <em>Directory</em> of Baxter was succeeded by a publication called
+            <em>Friendly Advice to the Planters</em> in three parts. The first of
+            these was, <em>A brief Treatise of the principal Fruits and Herbs
+               that grow in Barbados, Jamaica, and other Plantations in the
+               West Indies</em>. The second was, <em>The Negroes' Complaint, or their
+
+               hard Servitude, and the Cruelties practised upon them by divers of
+               their Masters professing Christianity</em>. And the third was, <em>A
+               Dialogue between an Ethiopian and a Christian, his Master, in
+               America</em>. In the last of these, Thomas Tryon, who was the
+            author, inveighs both against the commerce and the slavery of
+            the Africans, and in a striking manner examines each by the
+            touchstone of reason, humanity, justice, and religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1696, Southern brought forward his celebrated
+            tragedy of <em>Oronooko</em>, by means of which many became enlightened
+            upon the subject, and interested in it. For this tragedy was
+            not a representation of fictitious circumstances, but of such as
+            had occurred in the colonies, and as had been communicated in a
+            publication by Mrs. Behn.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The person who seems to have noticed the subject next was
+            Dr. Primatt. In his <em>Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy, and on
+               the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals</em>, he takes occasion to advert to
+            the subject of the African Slave Trade. "It has pleased God,"
+            says he, "to cover some men with white skins and others with
+            black; but as there is neither merit nor demerit in complexion,
+            the white man, notwithstanding the barbarity of custom and prejudice,
+            can have no right by virtue of his colour to enslave and
+            tyrannize over the black man. For whether a man be white or
+            black, such he is by God's appointment, and, abstractly considered,
+            is neither a subject for pride, nor an object of contempt."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After Dr. Primatt, we come to Baron Montesquieu, "Slavery,"
+            says he, "is not good in itself. It is neither useful to the
+            master nor to the slave; not to the slave, because he can do
+            nothing from virtuous motives; not to the master, because he
+            contracts among his slaves all sorts of bad habits, and accustoms
+            himself to the neglect of all the moral virtues. He becomes
+            haughty, passionate, obdurate, vindictive, voluptuous, and cruel."
+            And with respect to this particular species of slavery, he proceeds
+            to say, "It is impossible to allow the negroes are men, because,
+            if we allow them to be men, it will begin to be believed that we
+            ourselves are not Christians."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Hutcheson, in his <em>System of Moral Philosophy</em>, endeavours to
+            show, that he who detains another by force in slavery, can make
+
+            no good title to him, and adds, "Strange that in any nation
+            where a sense of liberty prevails, and where the Christian religion
+            is professed, custom and high prospect of gain can so stupify the
+            consciences of men, and all sense of natural justice, that they can
+            hear such computations made about the value of their fellow-men
+            and their liberty, without abhorrence and indignation!"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Foster, in his <em>Discourses on Natural Religion and Social
+               Virtue</em>, calls the slavery under our consideration "a criminal
+            and outrageous violation of the natural rights of mankind." I am
+            sorry that I have not room to say all that he says on this subject.
+            Perhaps the following beautiful extracts may suffice:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <blockquote>
+            <p>
+               "But notwithstanding this, we ourselves, who profess to be
+               Christians, and boast of the peculiar advantages we enjoy by
+               means of an express revelation of our duty from heaven, are in
+               effect these very untaught and rude heathen countries. With
+               all our superior light, we instil into those whom we call savage
+               and barbarous, the most despicable opinion of human nature.
+               We, to the utmost of our power, weaken and dissolve the
+               universal tie that binds and unites mankind. We practise what
+               we should exclaim against as the utmost excess of cruelty and
+               tyranny, if nations of the world, differing in colour and form of
+               government from ourselves, were so possessed of empire as to be
+               able to reduce us to a state of unmerited and brutish servitude.
+               Of consequence, we sacrifice our reason, our humanity, our
+               Christianity, to an unnatural sordid gain. We teach other
+               nations to despise and trample under foot all the obligations of
+               social virtue. We take the most effectual method to prevent
+               the propagation of the Gospel, by representing it as a scheme of
+               power and barbarous oppression, and an enemy to the natural
+               privileges and rights of man."
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               "Perhaps all that I have now offered may be of very little
+               weight to restrain this enormity, this aggravated iniquity. However,
+               I shall still have the satisfaction of having entered my
+               private protest against a practice which, in my opinion, bids that
+               God, who is the God and Father of the Gentiles unconverted to
+               Christianity, most daring and bold defiance, and spurns at all the
+               principles both of natural and revealed religion."
+
+            </p>
+         </blockquote>
+         <p>
+            The next author is Sir Richard Steele, who, by means of the
+            affecting story of Inkle and Yarico, holds up this trade again to
+            our abhorrence.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1735, Atkins, who was a surgeon in the navy,
+            published his <em>Voyage to Guinea, Brazil, and the West Indies, in
+               his Majesty's ships Swallow and Weymouth</em>. In this work he
+            describes openly the manner of making the natives slaves, such
+            as by kidnapping, by unjust accusations and trials, and by other
+            nefarious means. He states also the cruelties practised upon
+            them by the white people, and the iniquitous ways and dealings
+            of the latter, and answers their argument, by which they insinuated
+            that the condition of the Africans was improved by their
+            transportation to other countries.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From this time, the trade beginning to be better known, a
+            multitude of persons of various stations and characters sprung up,
+            who by exposing it, are to be mentioned among the forerunners
+            and coadjutors in the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Pope, in his <em>Essay on Man</em>, where he endeavours to show
+            that happiness in the present depends, among other things, upon
+            the hope of a future state, takes an opportunity of exciting compassion
+            in behalf of the poor African, while he censures the
+            avarice and cruelty of his master:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">Lo, the poor Indian! whose untutored mind<br>Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind;<br>His soul proud Science never taught to stray<br>Far as the solar walk, or milky-way;<br>Yet simple Nature to his hope was given<br>Behind the cloud-topt hill an humbler heaven;<br>Some safer world in depth of woods embraced,<br>Some happier island in the watery waste,<br>Where slaves once more their native land behold,<br>No fiends torment, no Christians thirst for gold.<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            Thomson also, in his <em>Seasons</em>, marks this traffic as destructive
+            and cruel, introducing the well-known fact of sharks following
+            the vessels employed in it:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">Increasing still the sorrows of those storms,<br>His jaws horrific arm'd with three-fold fate,<br>Here dwells the direful shark. Lured by the scent<br>Of steaming crowds, of rank disease, and death;<br>Behold! he rushing cuts the briny flood,<br>Swift as the gale can bear the ship along,<br>And from the partners of that cruel trade;<br>Which spoils unhappy Guinea of her sons,<br>Demands his share of prey, demands themselves.<br>The stormy fates descend: one death involves<br>Tyrants and slaves; when straight their mangled limbs<br>Crashing at once, he dyes the purple seas<br>With gore, and riots in the vengeful meal.<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            Neither was Richard Savage forgetful in his poems of the
+            <em>Injured Africans</em>: he warns their oppressors of a day of retribution
+            for their barbarous conduct. Having personified Public
+            Spirit, he makes her speak on the subject in the following
+            manner:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">Let by my specious name no tyrants rise,<br>And cry, while they enslave, they civilize!<br>Know, Liberty and I are still the same<br>Congenial&#8212;ever mingling flame with flame!<br>Why must I Afric's sable children see<br>Vended for slaves, though born by nature free,<br>The nameless tortures cruel minds invent<br>Those to subject whom Nature equal meant?<br>If these you dare (although unjust success<br>Empowers you now unpunished, to oppress),<br>Revolving empire you and yours may doom&#8212;<br>(Rome all subdu'd&#8212;yet Vandals vanquish'd Rome)<br>Yes&#8212;Empire may revolt&#8212;give them the day,<br>And yoke may yoke, and blood may blood repay.<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            Wallis, in his <em>System of the Laws of Scotland</em>, maintains, that
+            "neither men nor governments have a right to sell those of
+            their own species. Men and their liberty are neither purchaseable
+            nor saleable." And, after arguing the case, he says, "This
+            is the law of nature, which is obligatory on all men, at all times,
+            and in all places.&#8212;Would not any of us, who should be snatched
+            by pirates from his native land, think himself cruelly abused,
+            and at all times entitled to be free? Have not these unfortunate
+            Africans, who meet with the same cruel fate, the same right?
+            Are they not men as well as we? And have they not the same
+            sensibility? Let us not, therefore, defend or support an usage,
+            which is contrary to all the laws of humanity."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1750, the reverend Griffith Hughes, rector of
+            St. Lucy, in Barbados, published his Natural History of that
+
+            island. He took an opportunity, in the course of it, of laying
+            open to the world the miserable situation of the poor Africans,
+            and the waste of them by hard labour and other cruel means, and
+            he had the generosity to vindicate their capacities from the
+            charge, which they who held them in bondage brought against
+            them, as a justification of their own wickedness in continuing to
+            deprive them of the rights of men.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Edmund Burke, in his account of the European settlements,
+            (for this work is usually attributed to him,) complains "that the
+            Negroes in our colonies endure a slavery more complete, and
+            attended with far worse circumstances, than what any people in
+            their condition suffer, in any other part of the world, or have
+            suffered in any other period of time. Proofs of this are not
+            wanting. The prodigious waste, which we experience in this
+            unhappy part of our species, is a full and melancholy evidence of
+            this truth." And he goes on to advise the planters, for the sake
+            of their own interest, to behave like good men, good masters, and
+            good Christians, and to impose less labour upon their slaves, and
+            to give them recreation on some of the grand festivals, and to
+            instruct them in religion, as certain preventives of their decrease.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An anonymous author of a pamphlet, entitled, <em>An Essay in
+               Vindication of the Continental Colonies of America</em>, seems to have
+            come forward next. Speaking of slavery there, he says, "It is
+            shocking to humanity, violative of every generous sentiment,
+            abhorrent utterly from the Christian religion.&#8212;There cannot be a
+            more dangerous maxim than that necessity is a plea for injustice,
+            for who shall fix the degree of this necessity? What villain so
+            atrocious, who may not urge this excuse, or, as Milton has happily
+            expressed it,
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="lg">And with necessity,<br>The tyrant's plea, excuse his devilish deed?<br><br></div>
+         <p>
+            "That our colonies," he continues, "want people, is a very
+            weak argument for so inhuman a violation of justice.&#8212;Shall a
+            civilized, a Christian nation encourage slavery,
+            because the barbarous,
+            savage, lawless African hath done it? To what end do
+            we profess a religion whose dictates we so flagrantly violate?
+            Wherefore have we that pattern of goodness and humanity, if we
+
+            refuse to follow it? How long shall we continue a practice
+            which policy rejects, justice condemns, and piety revolts at?"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The poet Shenstone, who comes next in order, seems to have
+            written an elegy on purpose to stigmatize this trade. Of this
+            elegy I shall copy only the following parts:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">See the poor native quit the Libyan shores,<br>Ah! not in love's delightful fetters bound!<br>No radiant smile his dying peace restores,<br>No love, nor fame, nor friendship, heals his wound.<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Let vacant bards display their boasted woes;<br>Shall I the mockery of grief display?<br>No; let the muse his piercing pangs disclose,<br>Who bleeds and weeps his sum of life away!<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">On the wild heath in mournful guise he stood,<br>Ere the shrill boatswain gave the hated sign;<br>He dropt a tear unseen into the flood,<br>He stole one secret moment to repine&#8212;<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">"Why am I ravish'd from my native strand?<br>What savage race protects this impious gain?<br>Shall foreign plagues infest this teeming land,<br>And more than sea-born monsters plough the main?<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Here the dire locusts' horrid swarms prevail;<br>Here the blue asps with livid poison swell;<br>Here the dry dipsa writhes his sinuous mail;<br>Can we not here secure from envy dwell?<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">When the grim lion urged his cruel chase,<br>When the stern panther sought his midnight prey;<br>What fate reserved me for this Christian race?<br>O race more polished, more severe than they!<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Yet shores there are, bless'd shores for us remain,<br>And favour'd isles, with golden fruitage crown'd,<br>Where tufted flow'rets paint the verdant plain,<br>And every breeze shall medicine every wound."<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1755, Dr. Hayter, bishop of Norwich, preached a
+            sermon before the <em>Society for the Propagation of the Gospel</em>, in
+            which he bore his testimony against the continuance of this
+            trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Dyer, in his poem called <em>The Fleece</em>, expresses his sorrow on
+            account of this barbarous trade, and looks forward to a day
+
+            of retributive justice on account of the introduction of such
+            an evil.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1760, a pamphlet appeared, entitled, <em>Two Dialogues
+               on the Man-trade</em>, by John Philmore. This name is supposed
+            to be an assumed one. The author, however, discovers
+            himself to have been both an able and a zealous advocate in
+            favour of the African race.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Malachi Postlethwaite, in his <em>Universal Dictionary of Trade
+               and Commerce</em>, proposes a number of queries on the subject of the
+            Slave Trade. I have not room to insert them at full length,
+            but I shall give the following as the substance of some of them
+            to the reader: "Whether this commerce be not the cause of
+            incessant wars among the Africans&#8212;Whether the Africans, if it
+            were abolished, might not become as ingenious, as humane, as
+            industrious, and as capable of arts, manufactures, and trades, as
+            even the bulk of Europeans&#8212;Whether, if it were abolished, a
+            much more profitable trade might not be substituted, and this to
+            the very centre of their extended country, instead of the trifling
+            portion which now subsists upon their coasts&#8212;And whether the
+            great hindrance to such a new and advantageous commerce has
+            not wholly proceeded from that unjust, inhuman, unchristianlike
+            traffic, called the Slave Trade, which is carried on by the
+            Europeans." The public proposal of these and other queries by
+            a man of so great commercial knowledge as Postlethwaite, and
+            by one who was himself a member of the African Committee,
+            was of great service in exposing the impolicy as well as immorality
+            of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1761, Thomas Jeffery published an account of a
+            part of North America, in which he lays open the miserable state
+            of the slaves in the West Indies, both as to their clothing, their
+            food, their labour, and their punishments. But, without going
+            into particulars, the general account be gives of them is affecting:
+            "It is impossible," he says, "for a human heart to reflect upon
+            the slavery of these dregs of mankind, without in some measure
+            feeling for their misery, which ends but with their lives&#8212;nothing
+            can be more wretched than the condition of this people."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sterne, in his account of the Negro girl in his <em>Life of Tristram
+
+               Shandy</em>, took decidedly the part of the oppressed Africans. The
+            pathetic, witty, and sentimental manner, in which he handled
+            this subject, occasioned many to remember it, and procured a
+            certain portion of feeling in their favour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Rousseau contributed not a little in his day to the same
+            end.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Bishop Warburton, preached a sermon in the year 1766,
+            before the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, in which
+            he took up the cause of the miserable Africans, and in which he
+            severely reprobated their oppressors. The language in this
+            sermon is so striking, that I shall make an extract from it.
+            "From the free savages," says he, "I now come to the savages
+            in bonds. By these I mean the vast multitudes yearly stolen
+            from the opposite continent, and sacrificed by the colonists to
+            their great idol, the god of gain. But what then say these
+            sincere worshippers of Mammon? They are our own property
+            which we offer up,&#8212;Gracious God! to talk, as of herds of
+            cattle, of property in rational creatures, creatures endued with all
+            our faculties, possessing all our qualities but that of colour, our
+            brethren both by nature and grace, shocks all the feelings of
+            humanity, and the dictates of common sense? But, alas! what
+            is there, in the infinite abuses of society, which does not shock
+            them! Yet nothing is more certain in itself and apparent to
+            all, than that the infamous traffic for slaves directly infringes
+            both divine and human law. Nature created man free, and grace
+            invites him to assert his freedom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "In excuse of this violation it hath been pretended, that
+            though, indeed, these miserable outcasts of humanity be torn
+            from their homes and native country by fraud and violence, yet
+            they thereby become the happier, and their condition the more
+            eligible. But who are you, who pretend to judge of another
+            man's happiness; that state which each man under the guidance
+            of his Maker forms for himself, and not one man for another?
+            To know what constitutes mine or your happiness is the sole
+            prerogative of him who created us, and cast us in so various and
+            different moulds. Did your slaves ever complain to you of their
+            unhappiness amidst their native woods and deserts? or rather let
+
+            me ask, did they ever cease complaining of their condition under
+            you their lordly masters, where they see, indeed, the accommodations
+            of civil life, but see them all pass to others, themselves
+            unbenefited by them? Be so gracious then, ye petty tyrants over
+            human freedom, to let your slaves judge for themselves, what it
+            is which makes their own happiness, and then see whether they
+            do not place it in the return to their own country, rather than in
+            the contemplation of your grandeur, of which their misery makes
+            so large a part; a return so passionately longed for, that, despairing
+            of happiness here, that is, of escaping the chains of their
+            cruel task-masters, they console themselves with feigning it to be
+            the gracious reward of heaven in their future state."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            About this time certain cruel and wicked practices, which
+            must now be mentioned, had arrived at such a height, and had
+            become so frequent in the metropolis, as to produce of themselves
+            other coadjutors to the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Before the year 1700, planters, merchants, and others, resident
+            in the West Indies, but coming to England, were accustomed
+            to bring with them certain slaves to act as servants with
+            them during their stay. The latter, seeing the freedom and the
+            happiness of servants in this country, and considering what
+            would be their own hard fate on their return to the islands,
+            frequently absconded. Their masters of course made search after
+            them, and often had them seized and carried away by force. It
+            was, however, thrown out by many on these occasions, that the
+            English laws did not sanction such proceedings, for that all
+            persons who were baptized became free. The consequence of this
+            was, that most of the slaves, who came over with their masters,
+            prevailed upon some pious clergyman to baptize them. They
+            took of course godfathers of such citizens as had the generosity
+            to espouse their cause. When they were seized they usually
+            sent to these, if they had an opportunity, for their protection.
+            And in the result, their godfathers, maintaining that they had
+            been baptized, and that they were free on this account as well as
+            by the general tenour of the law of England, dared those who
+            had taken possession of them to send them out of the kingdom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The planters, merchants, and others, being thus circumstanced,
+
+            knew not what to do. They were afraid of taking their
+            slaves away by force, and they were equally afraid of bringing
+            any of the cases before a public court. In this dilemma, in 1729,
+            they applied to York and Talbot, the attorney and solicitor-general
+            for the time being, and obtained the following strange
+            opinion from them:&#8212;"We are of opinion, that a slave by
+            coming from the West Indies into Great Britain or Ireland,
+            either with or without his master, does not become free, and that
+            his master's right and property in him is not thereby determined
+            or varied, and that baptism doth not bestow freedom on him, nor
+            make any alteration in his temporal condition in these kingdoms.
+            We are also of opinion, that the master may legally compel him
+            to return again to the plantations."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This cruel and illegal opinion was delivered in the year 1729.
+            The planters, merchants, and others, gave it of course all the
+            publicity in their power. And the consequences were as might
+            easily have been apprehended. In a little time slaves absconding
+            were advertised in the London papers as runaways, and rewards
+            offered for the apprehension of them, in the same brutal manner
+            as we find them advertised in the land of slavery. They were
+            advertised also, in the same papers, to be sold by auction, sometimes
+            by themselves, and at others with horses, chaises, and
+            harness? They were seized also by their masters, or by persons
+            employed by them, in the very streets, and dragged from thence
+            to the ships; and so unprotected now were these poor slaves, that
+            persons in nowise concerned with them began to institute a trade
+            in their persons, making agreements with captains of ships going
+            to the West Indies to put them on board at a certain price.
+            This last instance shows how far human nature is capable of
+            going, and is an answer to those persons who have denied that
+            kidnapping in Africa was a source of supplying the Slave Trade.
+            It shows, as all history does from the time of Joseph, that where
+            there is a market for the persons of human beings, all kinds of
+            enormities will be practised to obtain them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These circumstances then, as I observed before, did not fail of
+            producing new coadjutors in the cause. And first they produced
+            that able and indefatigable advocate, Mr. Granville Sharp. This
+
+            gentleman is to be distinguished from those who preceded him
+            by this particular, that, whereas these were only writers, he was
+            both a writer and an actor in the cause. In fact, he was the first
+            labourer in it in England. By the words "actor" and "labourer,"
+            I mean that he determined upon a plan of action in behalf of the
+            oppressed Africans, to the accomplishment of which he devoted
+            a considerable portion of his time, talents, and substance. What
+            Mr. Sharp has done to merit the title of coadjutor in this high
+            sense, I shall now explain. The following is a short history of
+            the beginning and of the course of his labours:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1765, Mr. David Lisle had brought over from
+            Barbados Jonathan Strong, an African slave, as his servant.
+            He used the latter in a barbarous manner at his lodgings in
+            Wapping, but particularly by beating him over the head with a
+            pistol, which occasioned his head to swell. When the swelling
+            went down, a disorder fell into his eyes, which threatened the
+            loss of them. To this an ague and fever succeeded, and a lameness
+            in both his legs.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Jonathan Strong, having been brought into this deplorable
+            situation, and being therefore wholly useless, was left by his
+            master to go whither he pleased. He applied accordingly to Mr.
+            William Sharp, the surgeon, for his advice, as to one who gave
+            up a portion of his time to the healing of the diseases of the
+            poor. It was here that Mr. Granville Sharp, the brother of the
+            former, saw him. Suffice it to say, that in process of time he
+            was cured. During this time Mr. Granville Sharp, pitying his
+            hard case, supplied him with money, and he afterwards got him
+            a situation in the family of Mr. Brown, an apothecary, to carry
+            out medicines.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In this new situation, when Strong had become healthy and
+            robust in his appearance, his master happened to see him. The
+            latter immediately formed the design of possessing him again.
+            According, when he had found out his residence, he procured
+            John Ross, keeper of the Poultry-counter, and William Miller,
+            an officer under the Lord Mayor, to kidnap him. This was done
+            by sending for him to a public-house in Fenchurch-street, and
+            then seizing him. By these he was conveyed, without any
+
+            warrant, to the Poultry-counter, where he was sold by his master,
+            to John Kerr, for thirty pounds.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Strong, in this situation, sent, as was usual, to his godfathers,
+            John London and Stephen Nail, for their protections. They went,
+            but were refused admittance to him. At length he sent for Mr.
+            Granville Sharp: the latter went, but they still refused access to
+            the prisoner. He insisted, however, upon seeing him, and
+            charged the keeper of the prison at his peril to deliver him up,
+            till he had been carried before a magistrate.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Sharp, immediately upon this, waited upon Sir Robert
+            Kite, the then lord mayor, and entreated him to send for Strong
+            and to hear his case. A day was accordingly appointed. Mr.
+            Sharp attended, and also William McBean, a notary public, and
+            David Laird, captain of the ship Thames, which was to have
+            conveyed Strong to Jamaica, in behalf of the purchaser, John
+            Kerr. A long conversation ensued, in which the opinion of
+            York and Talbot was quoted. Mr. Sharp made his observations.
+            Certain lawyers who were present seemed to be staggered at the
+            case, but inclined rather to recommit the prisoner: the lord
+            mayor, however, discharged Strong, as he had been taken up
+            without a warrant.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As soon as this determination was made known, the parties
+            began to move off. Captain Laird, however, who kept close to
+            Strong, laid hold of him before he had quitted the room, and
+            said aloud, "Then I now seize him as my slave." Upon this
+            Mr. Sharp put his hand upon Laird's shoulder, and pronounced
+            these words: "I charge you, in the name of the king, with an
+            assault upon the person of Jonathan Strong, and all these are my
+            witnesses." Laird was greatly intimidated by this charge, made
+            in the presence of the lord mayor and others, and, fearing a
+            prosecution, let his prisoner go, leaving him to be conveyed away
+            by Mr. Sharp.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Sharp having been greatly affected by this case, and
+            foreseeing how much he might be engaged in others of a similar
+            nature, thought it time that the law of the land should be known
+            upon this subject: he applied, therefore, to Dr. Blackstone,
+            afterwards Judge Blackstone, for his opinion upon it. He was,
+
+            however, not satisfied with it when he received it; nor could he
+            obtain any satisfactory answer from several other lawyers, to
+            whom he afterwards applied. The truth is that the opinion of
+            York and Talbot, which had been made public and acted upon
+            by the planters, merchants, and others, was considered of high
+            authority, and scarcely any one dared to question the legality of
+            it. In this situation Mr. Sharp saw no means of help but in his
+            own industry, and he determined immediately to give up two or
+            three years to the study of the English law, that he might the
+            better advocate the cause of these miserable people. The result
+            of these studies was the publication of a book in the year 1769,
+            which he called, <em>A Representation of the Injustice and Dangerous
+               Tendency of Tolerating Slavery in England</em>. In this work he
+            refuted, in the clearest manner, the opinion of York and Talbot:
+            he produced against it the opinion of the Lord Chief Justice Holt,
+            who, many years before, had determined that every slave coming
+            into England became free: he attacked and refuted it again by a
+            learned and laborious inquiry into all the principles of Villenage.
+            He refuted it again by showing it to be an axiom in the British
+            constitution, "That every man in England was free to sue for
+            and defend his rights, and that force could not be used without a
+            legal process," leaving it to the judges to determine whether an
+            African was a man. He attacked also the opinion of Judge
+            Blackstone, and showed where his error lay. This valuable book,
+            containing these and other kinds of arguments on the subject, he
+            distributed, but particularly among the lawyers, giving them an
+            opportunity of refuting or acknowledging the doctrines it contained.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While Mr. Sharp was engaged in this work, another case
+            offered, in which he took a part: this was in the year 1768.
+            Hylas, an African slave, prosecuted a person of the name of
+            Newton for having kidnapped his wife, and sent her to the West
+            Indies. The result of the trial was, that damages to the amount
+            of a shilling were given, and the defendant was bound to bring
+            back the woman, either by the first ship, or in six months from
+            this decision of the court.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But soon after the work just mentioned was out, and when
+
+            Mr. Sharp was better prepared, a third case occurred: this happened
+            in the year 1770. Robert Stapylton, who lived at Chelsea,
+            in conjunction with John Malony and Edward Armstrong, two
+            watermen, seized the person of Thomas Lewis, an African slave,
+            in a dark night, and dragged him to a boat lying in the Thames;
+            they then gagged him and tied him with a cord, and rowed him
+            down to a ship, and put him on board to be sold as a slave in
+            Jamaica. This base action took place near the garden of Mrs.
+            Banks, the mother of the late Sir Joseph Banks. Lewis, it
+            appears, on being seized, screamed violently. The servants of
+            Mrs. Banks, who heard his cries, ran to his assistance, but the
+            boat was gone. On informing their mistress of what had happened,
+            she sent for Mr. Sharp, who began now to be known as
+            the friend of the helpless Africans, and professed her willingness
+            to incur the expense of bringing the delinquents to justice. Mr.
+            Sharp, with some difficulty, procured a <em>habeas corpus</em>, in consequence
+            of which Lewis was brought from Gravesend just as the
+            vessel was on the point of sailing. An action was then commenced
+            against Stapylton, who defended himself on the plea,
+            "That Lewis belonged to him as his slave." In the course
+            of the trial, Mr. Dunning, who was counsel for Lewis, paid
+            Mr. Sharp a handsome compliment; for he held in his hand
+            Mr. Sharp's book, on the <em>Injustice and Dangerous Tendency of
+               Tolerating Slavery in England</em>, while he was pleading; and in
+            his address to the jury he spoke and acted thus:&#8212;"I shall
+            submit to you," says Mr. Dunning, "what my ideas are upon
+            such evidence, reserving to myself an opportunity of discussing it
+            more particularly, and reserving to myself a right to insist upon
+            a position, which I will maintain (and here he held up the book
+            to the notice of those present,) in any place and in any court of
+            the kingdom, that our laws admit of no such property<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_1"></a>." The
+            result of the trial was, that the jury pronounced the plaintiff not
+            to have been the property of the defendant, several of them
+            crying out, "No property, no property."
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_1"></a><a href="#FootIII_1">A</a>: It is lamentable to think that the same Mr. Dunning,
+            in a cause of this
+            kind, which came on afterwards, took the opposite side of the
+            question.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After this one or two other trials came on, in which the
+
+            oppressor was defeated, and several cases occurred in which poor
+            slaves were liberated from the holds of vessels and other places of
+            confinement, by the exertions of Mr. Sharp. One of these cases
+            was singular. The vessels on board which a poor African had
+            been dragged and confined, had reached the Downs, and had
+            actually got under weigh for the West Indies: in two or three
+            hours she would have been out of sight; but just at this critical
+            moment the writ of <em>habeas corpus</em> was carried on board. The
+            officer who served it on the captain saw the miserable African
+            chained to the mainmast, bathed in tears, and casting a last
+            mournful look on the land of freedom, which was fast receding
+            from his sight. The captain, on receiving the writ, became outrageous;
+            but knowing the serious consequences of resisting the
+            law of the land, he gave up his prisoner, whom the officer carried
+            safe, but now crying for joy, to the shore.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But though the injured Africans, whose causes had been
+            tried, escaped slavery, and though many who had been forcibly
+            carried into dungeons, ready to be transported into the Colonies,
+            had been delivered out of them, Mr. Sharp was not easy in his
+            mind: not one of the cases had yet been pleaded on the broad
+            ground, "Whether an African slave, coming into England,
+            became free?" This great question had been hitherto studiously
+            avoided; it was still, therefore, left in doubt. Mr. Sharp was
+            almost daily acting as if it had been determined, and as if he had
+            been following the known law of the land: he wished, therefore,
+            that the next cause might be argued upon this principle. Lord
+            Mansfield too, who had been biassed by the opinion of York and
+            Talbot, began to waver in consequence of the different pleadings
+            he had heard on this subject: he saw also no end of trials like
+            these, till the law should be ascertained, and he was anxious for
+            a decision on the same basis as Mr. Sharp. In this situation the
+            following case offered, which was agreed upon for the determination
+            of this important question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            James Somerset, an African slave, had been brought to
+            England by his master, Charles Stewart, in November 1769.
+            Somerset in process of time left him. Stewart took an opportunity
+            of seizing him, and had him conveyed on board the Ann
+
+            and Mary, Captain Knowles, to be carried out of the kingdom
+            and sold as a slave in Jamaica: the question was, "Whether a
+            slave, by coming into England, became free?"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In order that time might be given for ascertaining the law
+            fully on this head, the case was argued at three different sittings.
+            First, in January, 1772; secondly, in February, 1772; and
+            thirdly, in May, 1772. And that no decision otherwise than
+            what the law warranted might be given, the opinion of the judges
+            was taken upon the pleadings. The great and glorious result of
+            the trial was, "That as soon as ever any slave set his foot upon
+            English territory, he became free."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Thus ended the great case of Somerset, which, having, been
+            determined after so deliberate an investigation of the law, can
+            never be reversed while the British Constitution remains. The
+            eloquence displayed in it by those who were engaged on the side of
+            liberty, was perhaps never exceeded on any occasion; and the
+            names of the counsellors Davy, Glynn, Hargrave, Mansfield, and
+            Alleyne, ought always to be remembered with gratitude by the
+            friends of this great cause. For when we consider in how many
+            crowded courts they pleaded, and the number of individuals in
+            these, whose minds they enlightened, and whose hearts they interested
+            in the subject, they are certainly to be put down as no
+            small instruments in the promotion of it; but chiefly to him, under
+            Divine Providence, are we to give the praise, who became
+            the first great actor in it, who devoted his time, his talents, and
+            his substance to this Christian undertaking, and by whose laborious
+            researches the very pleaders themselves were instructed and
+            benefited. By means of his almost incessant vigilance and attention,
+            and unwearied efforts, the poor African ceased to be hunted
+            in our streets as a beast of prey. Miserable as the roof might be,
+            under which he slept, he slept in security. He walked by the
+            side of the stately ship, and he feared no dungeon in her hold.
+            Nor ought we, as Englishmen, to be less grateful to this distinguished
+            individual than the African ought to be upon this occasion.
+            To him we owe it, that we no longer see our public papers
+            polluted by hateful advertisements of the sale of the human species,
+            or that we are no longer distressed by the perusal of impious
+
+            rewards for bringing back the poor and the helpless into slavery,
+            or that we are prohibited the disgusting spectacle of seeing man
+            bought by his fellow-man. To him, in short, we owe this restoration
+            of the beauty of our constitution&#8212;this prevention of the continuance
+            of our national disgrace.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I shall say but little more of Mr. Sharp at present, than that
+            he felt it his duty, immediately after the trial, to write to Lord
+            North, then principal minister of state, warning him in the most
+            earnest manner, to abolish immediately both the trade and the
+            slavery of the human species in all the British dominions, as
+            utterly irreconcileable with the principles of the British
+            constitution,
+            and the established religion of the land.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Among other coadjutors, whom the cruel and wicked practices
+            which have now been so amply detailed brought forward,
+            was a worthy clergyman, whose name I have not yet been able
+            to learn. He endeavoured to interest the public feeling in behalf
+            of the injured Africans, by writing an epilogue to the <em>Padlock</em>, in
+            which Mungo appeared as a black servant. This epilogue is so
+            appropriate to the case, that I cannot but give it to the reader.
+            Mungo enters, and thus addresses the audience:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">Thank you, my massas! have you laugh your fill?<br>Then let me speak, nor take that freedom ill.<br>E'en from <em>my</em> tongue some heart-felt truths may fall,<br>And outraged Nature claims the care of all.<br>My tale in <em>any</em> place would force a tear,<br>But calls for stronger, deeper feelings here;<br>For whilst I tread the free-born British land,<br>Whilst now before me crowded Britons stand,&#8212;<br>Vain, vain that glorious privilege to me,<br>I am a slave, where all things else are free.<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Yet was I born, as you are, no man's slave,<br>An heir to all that liberal Nature gave;<br>My mind can reason, and my limbs can move<br>The same as yours; like yours my heart can love;<br>Alike my body food and sleep sustain;<br>And e'en like yours&#8212;feels pleasure, want, and pain.<br>One sun rolls o'er us, common skies surround;<br>One globe supports us, and one grave must bound.<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Why then am I devoid of all to live<br>That manly comforts to a man can give?<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">To live&#8212;untaught religion's soothing balm,<br>Or life's choice arts; to live&#8212;unknown the calm,<br>Of soft domestic ease; those sweets of life,<br>The duteous offspring, and th' endearing wife?<br>To live&#8212;to property and rights unknown,<br>Not e'en the common benefits my own!<br>No arm to guard me from Oppression's rod,<br>My will subservient to a tyrant's nod!<br>No gentle hand, when life is in decay,<br>To soothe my pains, and charm my cares away;<br>But helpless left to quit the horrid stage,<br>Harassed in youth, and desolate in age!<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">But I was born in Afric's tawny strand,<br>And you in fair Britannia's fairer land;<br>Comes freedom, then, from colour?&#8212;Blush with shame!<br>And let strong Nature's crimson mark your blame.<br>I speak to Britons.&#8212;Britons&#8212;then behold<br>A man by, Britons <em>snared</em>, and <em>seized</em>, and <em>sold!</em><br>And yet no British statute damns the deed,<br>Nor do the more than murderous villains bleed.<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">O sons of Freedom! equalize your laws,<br>Be all consistent, plead the negro's cause;<br>That all the nations in your code may see<br>The British negro, like the Briton, free.<br>But, should he supplicate your laws in vain,<br>To break, for ever, this disgraceful chain,<br>At least, let gentle usage so abate<br>The galling terrors of its passing state,<br>That he may share kind Heaven's all social plan;<br>For, though no Briton, Mungo is&#8212;a man.<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            I may now add, that few theatrical pieces had a greater run
+            than the <em>Padlock</em>; and that this epilogue, which
+            was attached to it soon after it came out, procured a good deal of
+            feeling for the
+            unfortunate sufferers, whose cause it was intended to serve.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another coadjutor, to whom these cruel and wicked practices
+            gave birth, was Thomas Day, the celebrated author of <em>Sandford
+               and Merton</em>, and whose virtues were well known among those
+            who had the happiness of his friendship. In the year 1773 he
+            published a poem, which he wrote expressly in behalf of the
+            oppressed Africans. He gave it the name of <em>The Dying Negro.</em>
+            The preface to it was written in an able manner by his friend
+            Counsellor Bicknell, who is therefore to be ranked among the
+            coadjutors in this great cause. The poem was founded on a
+
+            simple fact, which had taken place a year or two before. A poor
+            negro had been seized in London, and forcibly put on board a
+            ship, where he destroyed himself, rather than return to the land
+            of slavery. To the poem is affixed a frontispiece, in which the
+            negro is represented. He is made to stand in an attitude of the
+            most earnest address to heaven, in the course of which, with the
+            fatal dagger in his hand, he breaks forth in the following words:
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="lg">To you this unpolluted blood I pour,<br>To you that spirit, which ye gave, restore.<br><br></div>
+         <p>
+            This poem, which was the first ever written expressly on the
+            subject, was read extensively; and it added to the sympathy in
+            favour of suffering humanity, which was now beginning to show
+            itself in the kingdom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            About this time the first edition of the <em>Essay an Truth</em> made
+            its appearance in the world. Dr. Beattie took an opportunity, in
+            this work, of vindicating the intellectual powers of the Africans
+            from the aspersions of Hume, and of condemning their slavery as
+            a barbarous piece of policy, and as inconsistent with the free and
+            generous spirit of the British nation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1774, John Wesley, the celebrated divine, to
+            whose pious labours the religious world will long be indebted,
+            undertook the cause of the poor Africans. He had been in America,
+            and had seen and pitied their hard condition. The work
+            which he gave to the world in consequence, was entitled <em>Thoughts
+               on Slavery</em>. Mr. Wesley had this great cause much at heart, and
+            frequently recommended it to the support of those who attended
+            his useful ministry.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1776, the Abb&eacute; Proyart brought out, at Paris, his
+            <em>History of Loango</em>, and other kingdoms in Africa, in which he
+            did ample justice to the moral and intellectual character of the
+            natives there.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The same year produced two new friends in England, in the
+            same cause, but in a line in which no one had yet moved. David
+            Hartley, then a member of parliament for Hull, and the son of
+            Dr. Hartley who wrote the <em>Essay on Man</em>, found it impossible
+            any longer to pass over without notice the case of the oppressed
+
+            Africans. He had long felt for their wretched condition, and,
+            availing himself of his legislative situation, he made a motion in
+            the House of Commons, "That the Slave Trade was contrary to
+            the laws of God, and the rights of men." In order that he might
+            interest the members as much as possible in his motion, he had
+            previously obtained some of the chains in use in this cruel traffic,
+            and had laid them upon the table of the House of Commons.
+            His motion was seconded by that great patriot and philanthropist,
+            Sir George Saville. But though I am now to state that it failed,
+            I cannot but consider it as a matter of pleasing reflection, that
+            this great subject was first introduced into parliament by those
+            who were worthy of it; by those who had clean hands and an
+            irreproachable character, and to whom no motive of party or faction
+            could be imputed, but only such as must have arisen from a
+            love of justice, a true feeling of humanity, and a proper sense of
+            religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            About this time two others, men of great talents and learning,
+            promoted the cause of the injured Africans, by the manner
+            in which they introduced them to notice in their respective
+            works.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Dr. Adam Smith, in his <em>Theory of Moral Sentiments</em>, had, so
+            early as the year 1759, held them up in an honourable, and their
+            tyrants in a degrading light. "There is not a Negro from the
+            coast of Africa, who does not, in this respect, possess a degree of
+            magnanimity which the soul of his sordid master is too often
+            scarce capable of conceiving. Fortune never exerted more cruelly
+            her empire over mankind, than when she subjected those nations
+            of heroes to the refuse of the gaols of Europe, to wretches
+            who possess the virtue neither of the countries they came from,
+            nor of those they go to, and whose levity, brutality, and baseness
+            so justly expose them to the contempt of the vanquished." And
+            now, in 1776, in his <em>Wealth of Nations</em> he showed in a forcible
+            manner (for he appealed to the interest of those concerned,) the
+            dearness of African labour; or the impolicy of employing slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Professor Millar, in his <em>Origin of Ranks</em>, followed Dr. Smith
+            on the same ground. He explained the impolicy of slavery in
+            general, by its bad effects upon industry, population, and morals.
+
+            These effects he attached to the system of agriculture as followed
+            in our islands. He showed, besides, how little pains were taken,
+            or how few contrivances were thought of, to ease the labourers
+            there. He contended that the Africans ought to be better
+            treated, and to be raised to a better condition; and he ridiculed
+            the inconsistency of those who held them in bondage. "It
+            affords," says he, "a curious spectacle to observe that the same
+            people, who talk in a high strain of political liberty, and who
+            consider the privilege of imposing their own taxes as one of the
+            unalienable rights of mankind, should make no scruple of reducing
+            a great proportion of their fellow-creatures into circumstances
+            by which they are not only deprived of property, but almost of
+            every species of right. Fortune, perhaps, never produced a situation
+            more calculated to ridicule a liberal hypothesis, or to show
+            how little the conduct of men is at the bottom directed by any
+            philosophical principles." It is a great honour to the University
+            of Glasgow, that it should have produced, before any public agitation
+            of this question, three professors<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_2"></a>, all of whom bore their
+            public testimony against the continuance of the cruel trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_2"></a><a href="#FootIII_2">A</a>: The other was Professor Hutcheson, before mentioned in <a href="#chap2" >p. 56</a>.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From this time, or from about the year 1776, to about the
+            year 1782, I am to put down three other coadjutors, whose labours
+            seem to have come in a right season for the promotion of the
+            cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first of these was Dr. ROBERTSON. In his <em>History of
+               America</em> he laid open many facts relative to this subject. He
+            showed himself a warm friend both of the Indians and Africans.
+            He lost no opportunity of condemning that trade, which brought
+            the latter into bondage: "a trade," says he, "which is no less
+            repugnant to the feelings of humanity than to the principles of
+            religion." And in his <em>Charles the Fifth</em>, he showed in a manner
+            that was clear, and never to be controverted, that Christianity
+            was the great cause in the twelfth century of extirpating slavery
+            from the west of Europe. By the establishment of this fact, he
+            rendered important services to the oppressed Africans. For if
+            Christianity, when it began to be felt in the heart, dictated the
+            abolition of slavery, it certainly became those who lived in a
+
+            Christian country, and who professed the Christian religion, to
+            put an end to this cruel trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The second was the Abb&eacute; Raynal. This author gave an
+            account of the laws, government, and religion of Africa, of the
+            produce of it, of the manners of its inhabitants, of the trade in
+            slaves, of the manner of procuring these, with
+            several other particulars
+            relating to the subject. And at the end of his account,
+            fearing lest the good advice he had given for making the condition
+            of the slaves more comfortable should be construed into an
+            approbation of such a traffic, he employed several pages in showing
+            its utter inconsistency with sound policy, justice, reason, humanity,
+            and religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "I will not here," says he, "so far debase myself as to enlarge
+            the ignominious list of those writers who devote their abilities
+            to justify by policy what morality condemns. In an age
+            where so many errors are boldly laid open, it would be unpardonable
+            to conceal any truth that is interesting to humanity. If
+            whatever I have hitherto advanced hath seemingly tended only
+            to alleviate the burden of slavery, the reason is, that it was
+            first necessary to give some comfort to those unhappy beings whom
+            we cannot set free, and convince their oppressors that they were
+            cruel, to the prejudice of their real interests. But, in the mean
+            time, till some considerable revolution shall make the evidence
+            of this great truth felt, it may not be improper to pursue this
+            subject further. I shall then first prove that there is no reason
+            of state which can authorize slavery. I shall not be afraid to
+            cite to the tribunal of reason and justice those governments
+            which tolerate this cruelty, or which even are not ashamed to
+            make it the basis of their power."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And a little further on he observes&#8212;"Will it be said that he,
+            who wants to make me a slave, does me no injury; but that he
+            only makes use of his rights? Where are those rights? Who
+            hath stamped upon them so sacred a character as to silence mine?"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the beginning of the next paragraph he speaks thus:&#8212;"He
+            who supports the system of slavery is the enemy of the
+            whole human race. He divides it into two
+            societies of legal assassins;
+
+            the oppressors, and the oppressed. It is the same thing
+            as proclaiming to the world, if you would preserve your life,
+            instantly take away mine, for I want to have yours."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Going on two pages further, we find these words:&#8212;"But the
+            Negroes, they say, are a race born for slavery; their dispositions
+            are narrow, treacherous, and wicked; they themselves allow the
+            superiority of our understandings, and almost acknowledge the
+            justice of our authority. Yes; the minds of the Negroes are
+            contracted, because slavery destroys all the springs of the soul.
+            They are wicked, but not equally so with you. They are treacherous,
+            because they are under no obligation to speak truth to their
+            tyrants. They acknowledge the superiority of our understanding,
+            because we have abused their ignorance. They allow the
+            justice of our authority, because we have abused their weakness."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "But these Negroes, it is further urged, were born slaves.
+            Barbarians! will you persuade me that a man can be the property
+            of a sovereign, a son the property of a father, a wife the
+            property of a husband, a domestic the property of a master, a
+            Negro the property of a planter?"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But I have no time to follow this animated author, even by
+            short extracts, through the varied strains of eloquence which he
+            displays upon this occasion. I can only say that his labours entitle
+            him to a high station among the benefactors to the African
+            race.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The third was Dr. PALEY, whose genius, talents, and learning
+            have been so eminently displayed in his writings in the cause of
+            natural and revealed religion. Dr. Paley did not write any essay
+            expressly in favour of the Africans. But in his <em>Moral Philosophy</em>,
+            where he treated on slavery, he took an opportunity of
+            condemning, in very severe terms, the continuance of it. In this
+            work he defined what slavery was, and how it might arise consistently
+            with the law of nature; but he made an exception
+            against that which arose from the African trade.
+            "The Slave Trade," says he, "upon the coast of Africa, is not
+            excused by these principles. When slaves in that country are
+            brought to market, no questions, I believe, are asked about the
+
+            origin or justice of the vendor's title. It may be presumed,
+            therefore, that this title is not always, if it be ever, founded in
+            any of the causes above assigned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "But defect of right in the first purchase is the least crime
+            with which this traffic is chargeable. The natives are excited to
+            war and mutual depredation, for the sake of supplying their
+            contracts, or furnishing the markets with slaves. With this the
+            wickedness begins. The slaves, torn away from their parents,
+            wives, and children, from their friends and companions, from
+            their fields and flocks, from their home and country, are
+            transported to the European settlements in America, with no other
+            accommodation on ship-board than what is provided for brutes.
+            This is the second stage of the cruelty, from which the miserable
+            exiles are delivered, only to be placed, and that for life,
+            in subjection to a dominion add system of laws, the most
+            merciless and
+            tyrannical that ever were tolerated upon the face of the earth:
+            and from all that can be learned by the accounts of people upon
+            the spot, the inordinate authority which the plantation-laws confer
+            upon the slaveholder is exercised, by the English slaveholder
+            especially, with rigour and brutality.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "But necessity is pretended, the name under which every
+            enormity is attempted to be justified; and after all, what is the
+            necessity? It has never been proved that the land could not be
+            cultivated there, as it is here, by hired servants. It is said, that
+            it could not be cultivated with quite the same conveniency and
+            cheapness, as by the labour of slaves; by which means, a pound
+            of sugar, which the planter now sells for sixpence, could not be
+            afforded under sixpence-halfpenny&#8212;and this is the necessity!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "The great revolution which has taken place in the western
+            world, may, probably, conduce (and who knows but that it was
+            designed) to accelerate the fall of this abominable tyranny: and
+            now that this contest and the passions which attend it are no
+            more, there may succeed, perhaps, a season for reflecting, whether
+            a legislature, which had so long lent its assistance to the support
+            of an institution replete with human misery, was fit to be trusted
+            with an empire, the most extensive that ever obtained in any age
+            or quarter of the world."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The publication of these sentiments may be supposed to have
+            produced an extensive effect. For <em>The Moral Philosophy</em> was
+            adopted early by some of the colleges in our universities into the
+            system of their education. It soon found its way also into most
+            of the private libraries of the kingdom; and it was, besides,
+            generally read and approved. Dr. Paley, therefore, must be
+            considered, as having been a considerable coadjutor in
+            interesting the mind of the public in favour of the
+            oppressed Africans.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1783, we find Mr. Sharp coming again into
+            notice. We find him at this time taking a part in a cause, the
+            knowledge of which, in proportion as it was disseminated, produced
+            an earnest desire among all disinterested persons for the
+            abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In this year, certain underwriters desired to be heard against
+            Gregson and others of Liverpool, in the case of the ship Zong,
+            Captain Collingwood, alleging that the captain and officers of the
+            said vessel threw overboard one hundred and thirty-two slaves
+            alive into the seas in order to defraud them, by claiming the
+            value of the said slaves, as if they had been lost in a natural way.
+            In the course of the trial which afterwards came on, it appeared,
+            that the slaves on board the Zong were very sickly; that sixty of
+            them had already died; and several were ill and likely to die,
+            when the captain proposed to James Kelsall, the mate, and
+            others, to throw several of them overboard, stating, "that if
+            they died a natural death, the loss would fall upon the owners of
+            the ship; but that if they were thrown into the sea, it would fall
+            upon the underwriters." He selected, accordingly, one hundred
+            and thirty-two of the most sickly of the slaves. Fifty-four of
+            these were immediately thrown overboard, and forty-two were
+            made to be partakers of their fate on the succeeding day. In the
+            course of three days afterwards the remaining twenty-six were
+            brought upon deck to complete the number of victims. The
+            first sixteen submitted to be thrown into the sea; but the rest,
+            with a noble resolution, would not suffer the officers to touch
+            them, but leaped after their companions and shared their fate.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The plea which was set up in behalf of this atrocious and
+            unparalleled act of wickedness was, that the captain discovered,
+
+            when he made the proposal, that he had only two hundred gallons
+            of water on board, and that he had missed his port. It was
+            proved, however, in answer to this, that no one had been put
+            upon short allowance; and that, as if Providence had determined
+            to afford an unequivocal proof of the guilt, a shower of rain fell
+            and continued for three days immediately after the second lot of
+            slaves had been destroyed, by means of which they might have
+            filled many of their vessels<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_3"></a> with water, and thus have prevented
+            all necessity for the destruction of the third.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIII_3"></a><a href="#FootIII_3">A</a>: It appeared that they filled six.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Sharp was present at this trial, and procured the attendance
+            of a short-hand writer to take down the facts, which should
+            come out in the course of it. These he gave to the public afterwards.
+            He communicated them also, with a copy of the trial,
+            to the Lords of the Admiralty, as the guardians of justice upon
+            the seas, and to the Duke of Portland, as principal minister of
+            state. No notice, however, was taken by any of these, of the
+            information which had been thus sent them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But though nothing was done by the persons then in power,
+            in consequence of the murder of so many innocent individuals,
+            yet the publication of an account of it by Mr. Sharp, in the
+            newspapers, made such an impression upon others, that; new
+            coadjutors rose up. For, soon after this, we find Thomas Day
+            entering the lists again as the champion of the injured Africans.
+            He had lived to see his poem of <em>The Dying Negro</em>, which had
+            been published in 1773, make a considerable impression. In 1776,
+            he had written a letter to a friend in America, who was the
+            possessor of slaves, to dissuade him by a number of arguments
+            from holding such property; and now, when the knowledge of
+            the case of the ship Zong was spreading, he published that letter
+            under the title of Fragment of an Original Letter on the Slavery
+            of the Negroes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In this same year, Dr. Porteus, Bishop of Chester, but now
+            Bishop of London, came forward as a new advocate for the natives
+            of Africa. The way in which he rendered them service, was by
+            preaching a sermon in their behalf, before the Society for the
+            Propagation of the Gospel. Of the wide circulation of this
+
+            sermon, I shall say something in another place, but much more
+            of the enlightened and pious author of it, who from this time
+            never failed to aid, at every opportunity, the cause which he had
+            so ably undertaken.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1784, Dr. GREGORY produced his <em>Essays, Historical
+               and Moral</em>. He took an opportunity of disseminating in
+            these a circumstantial knowledge of the Slave Trade, and an equal
+            abhorrence of it at the same time. He explained the manner of
+            procuring slaves in Africa; the treatment of them on the passage,
+            (in which he mentioned the case of the ship Zong) and the
+            wicked and cruel treatment of them in the colonies. He recited
+            and refuted also the various arguments adduced in defence of the
+            trade. He showed that it was destructive to our seamen. He
+            produced many weighty arguments also against the slavery itself.
+            He proposed clauses for an Act of Parliament for the abolition of
+            both; showing the good both to England and her colonies from
+            such a measure, and that a trade might be substituted in Africa,
+            in various articles, for that which he proposed to suppress. By
+            means of the diffusion of light like this, both of a moral and
+            political nature; Dr. Gregory is entitled to be ranked among the
+            benefactors to the African race.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the same year, Gilbert Wakefield preached a sermon at
+            Richmond, in Surrey, where, speaking of the people of this
+            nation, he says, "Have we been as renowned for a liberal
+            communication of our religion and our laws as for the possession of
+            them! Have we navigated and conquered to save, to civilize,
+            and to instruct; or to oppress, to plunder, and to destroy? Let
+            India and Africa give the answer to these questions. The one
+            we have exhausted of her wealth and her inhabitants by violence,
+            by famine, and by every species of tyranny and murder. The
+            children of the other we daily carry from off the land of their
+            nativity; like sheep to the slaughter, to return no more. We
+            tear them from every object of their affection, or, sad alternative,
+            drag them together to the horrors of a mutual servitude! We
+            keep them in the profoundest ignorance. We gall them in a
+            tenfold chain, with an unrelenting spirit of barbarity, inconceivable
+            to all but the spectators of it, unexampled among former
+
+            and other nations, and unrecorded even in the bloody registers
+            of heathen persecution. Such is the conduct of us enlightened
+            Englishmen, reformed Christians! Thus have we
+            profited by our superior advantages, by the favour of God, by the
+            doctrines and example of a meek and lowly Savior. Will not
+            the blessings which we have abused loudly testify against us?
+            Will not the blood which we have shed cry from the ground
+            for vengeance upon our sins?"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the same year, James Ramsay, vicar of Teston in Kent,
+            became also an able, zealous, and indefatigable patron of the
+            African cause. This gentleman had resided nineteen years in
+            the island of St. Christopher, where he had observed the treatment
+            of the slaves, and had studied the laws relating to them.
+            On his return to England, yielding to his own feelings of duty
+            and the solicitations of some amiable friends, he published a
+            work, which he called <em>An Essay on the Treatment and Conversion
+               of the African Slaves in the British Sugar Colonies</em>.
+            After having given an account of the relative situation of master
+            and slave in various parts of the world, he explained the low and
+            degrading situation which the Africans held in society in our own
+            islands. He showed that their importance would be increased;
+            and the temporal interest of their masters promoted, by giving
+            them freedom, and by granting them other privileges. He
+            showed the great difficulty of instructing them in the state in
+            which they then were, and such as he himself had experienced,
+            both in his private and public attempts, and such as others had
+            experienced also. He stated the way in which private attempts
+            of this nature might probably be successful. He then answered
+            all objections against their capacities, as drawn from philosophy,
+            form, anatomy, and observation; and vindicated these from his
+            own experience. And lastly, he threw out ideas for the improvement
+            of their condition, by an establishment of a greater number
+            of spiritual pastors among them; by giving them more privileges
+            than they then possessed; and by extending towards them the
+            benefits of a proper police. Mr. Ramsay had no other motive
+            for giving this work to the public, than that of humanity, of a
+            wish to serve this much-injured part of the human species. For
+
+            he compiled it at the hazard of forfeiting that friendship, which
+            he had contracted with many during his residence in the islands,
+            and of suffering much in his private property, as well as subjecting
+            himself to the ill-will and persecution of numerous individuals.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The publication of this book by one who professed to have
+            been so long resident in the islands, and to have been an eyewitness
+            of facts, produced, as may easily be supposed, a good
+            deal of conversation, and made a considerable impression,
+            but particularly at this time, when a storm was visibly
+            gathering over
+            the heads of the oppressors of the African race. These circumstances
+            occasioned one or two persons to attempt to answer it,
+            and these answers brought Mr. Ramsay into the first controversy
+            ever entered into on this subject, during which, as is the case in
+            most controversies, the cause of truth was spread.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The works which Mr. Ramsay wrote upon this subject were,
+            the essay just mentioned, in 1784. <em>An
+               Inquiry</em>, also, <em>into the Effects
+               of the Abolition of the Slave Trade</em>, in 1784; <em>A
+               Reply to Personal Invectives and Objections</em>, in
+            1785; <em>A Letter to James Tobin, Esq.</em>,
+            in 1787; <em>Objections to the Abolition of
+               the Slave Trade, with Answers</em>; and <em>An
+               Examination of Harris's Scriptural Researches on the
+               Licitness of the Slave Trade</em>, in 1788;
+            and <em>An Address on the proposed Bill for
+               the Abolition of the Slave Trade</em>, in 1789. In short,
+            from the time when he first took up the cause, he was
+            engaged in it till his death, which was not a little
+            accelerated by his exertions. He lived, however, to see
+            this cause in a train of parliamentary inquiry, and he died
+            satisfied; being convinced, as he often expressed, that the
+            investigation must inevitably lead to the total abolition
+            of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the next year, that is, in the year 1785, another advocate
+            was seen in Monsieur Necker, in his celebrated work on the
+            <em>French Finances</em>, which had just been
+            translated into the English language from the original work,
+            in 1784. This virtuous statesman, after having given his
+            estimate of the population and revenue of the French West
+            Indian colonies, proceeds thus:&#8212;"The
+            colonies of France contain, as we have seen, near five hundred
+            thousand slaves, and it is from the number of these poor wretches
+            that the inhabitants set a value on their plantations. What a
+
+            dreadful prospect! and how profound a subject for reflection!
+            Alas! how little are we both in our morality and our principles!
+            We preach up humanity, and yet go every year to bind in chains
+            twenty thousand natives of Africa! We call the Moors barbarians
+            and ruffians, because they attack the liberty of Europeans
+            at the risk of their own; yet these Europeans go, without
+            danger, and as mere speculators, to purchase slaves by gratifying
+            the avarice of their masters, and excite all those bloody scenes
+            which are the usual preliminaries of this traffic!" He goes on
+            still further in the same strain. He then shows the kind of
+            power which has supported this execrable trade. He throws out
+            the idea of a general compact, by which all the European nations
+            should agree to abolish it; and he indulges the pleasing hope that
+            it may take place even in the present generation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the same year we find other coadjutors coming before our
+            view, but these in a line different from that in which any other
+            belonging to this class had yet moved. Mr. George White, a
+            clergyman of the established church, and Mr. John Chubb, suggested
+            to Mr. William Tucket, the mayor of Bridgewater, where
+            they resided, and to others of that town, the propriety of
+            petitioning parliament for the abolition of the Slave Trade. This
+            petition was agreed upon, and, when drawn up, was as follows:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "The humble petition of the inhabitants of Bridgewater
+            showeth,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "That your petitioners, reflecting with the deepest sensibility
+            on the deplorable condition of that part of the human species, the
+            African Negroes, who, by the most flagitious means, are reduced
+            to slavery and misery in the British colonies, beg leave to address
+            this honourable house in their behalf, and to express a just
+            abhorrence of a system of oppression, which no prospect of private
+            gain, no consideration of public advantage, no plea of political
+            expediency, can sufficiently justify or excuse.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "That, satisfied as your petitioners are that this inhuman system
+            meets with the general execration of mankind, they flatter
+            themselves the day is not far distant when it will be universally
+            abolished. And they most ardently hope to see a British parliament,
+            by the extinction of that sanguinary traffic, extend the
+
+            blessings of liberty to millions beyond this realm, held up to an
+            enlightened world a glorious and merciful example, and stand
+            in the defence of the violated rights of human nature."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This petition was presented by the Honourable Ann Poulet,
+            and Alexander Hood, Esq., (afterwards Lord Bridport,) who were
+            the members for the town of Bridgewater. It was ordered to lie on
+            the table. The answer which these gentlemen gave to their
+            constituents relative to the reception of it in the House of Commons
+            is worthy of notice:&#8212;"There did not appear," say they in their
+            common letter, "the least disposition to pay any further attention
+            to it. Every one almost says that the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade must immediately throw the West Indian islands into
+            convulsions, and soon complete their utter ruin. Thus they will
+            not trust Providence for its protection for so pious an undertaking."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1786, Captain J.S. Smith, of the royal navy,
+            offered himself to the notice of the public in behalf of the African
+            cause. Mr. Ramsay, as I have observed before, had become
+            involved in a controversy in consequence of his support of it.
+            His opponents not only attacked his reputation, but had the
+            effrontery to deny his facts. This circumstance occasioned
+            Captain Smith to come forward. He wrote a letter to his friend Mr.
+            Hill, in which he stated that he had seen those things, while in
+            the West Indies, which Mr. Ramsay had asserted to exist, but
+            which had been so boldly denied. He gave, also, permission to
+            Mr. Hill to publish this letter. Too much praise cannot be
+            bestowed on Captain Smith, for thus standing forth in a noble
+            cause, and in behalf of an injured character.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The last of the necessary forerunners and coadjutors of this
+            class, whom I am to mention, was our much-admired poet,
+            Cowper; and a great coadjutor he was, when we consider what
+            value was put upon his sentiments, and the extraordinary
+            circulation of his works. There are few persons who have not been
+            properly impressed by the following lines:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;My ear is pain'd,<br>My soul is sick with every day's report,<br>Of wrong and outrage with which earth is fill'd.<br>There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart,<br>It does not feel for man. The natural bond<br>Of brotherhood is sever'd as the flax<br>That falls asunder at the touch of fire.<br>He finds his fellow guilty of a skin<br>Not colour'd like his own, and having power<br>To inforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause<br>Dooms and devotes him as his lawful prey.<br>Lands intersected by a narrow frith<br>Abhor each other. Mountains interpos'd,<br>Make enemies of nations, who had else,<br>Like kindred drops been mingled into one.<br>Thus man devotes his brother, and destroys;<br>And, worse than all, and most to be deplored<br>As human Nature's broadest, foulest blot,&#8212;<br>Chains him, and tasks him, and exacts his sweat<br>With stripes, that Mercy with a bleeding heart<br>Weeps, when she sees inflicted on a beast.<br>Then what is man? And what man, seeing this,<br>And having human feelings, does not blush<br>And hang his head to think himself a man?<br>I would not have a slave to till my ground,<br>To carry me, to fan me while I sleep,<br>And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth<br>That sinews bought and sold have ever earn'd.<br>No: dear as freedom is,&#8212;and in my heart's<br>Just estimation prized above all price,&#8212;<br>I had much rather be myself the slave,<br>And wear the bonds, than fasten them on him.<br>We have no slaves at home&#8212;then why abroad?<br>And they themselves once ferried o'er the wave<br>That parts us, are emancipate and loos'd.<br>Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their lungs<br>Receive our air, that moment they are free;<br>They touch our country, and their shackles fall<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIII_4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIII_4"></a>.<br>That's noble, and bespeaks a nation proud<br>And jealous of the blessing. Spread it, then,<br>And let it circulate through every vein<br>Of all your empire&#8212;that where Britain's power<br>Is felt, mankind may feel her mercy too.<br><br></div>
+            <p><a name="NoteIII_4"></a><a href="#FootIII_4">A</a>: Expressions used in the great trial, when Mr. Sharp
+               obtained the verdict in favour of Somerset.
+            </p>
+         </div>
+
+       <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap4"></a>CHAPTER IV.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>&#8212;Second class of forerunners and coadjutors, up to
+         May 1787, consists of the Quakers in England.&#8212;Of George Fox
+         and others.&#8212;Of the body of the Quakers assembled at the
+         yearly meeting in 1727; and at various other times.&#8212;Quakers,
+         as a body, petition Parliament; and circulate
+         books on the subject.&#8212;Individuals among them become
+         labourers and associate in behalf of the Africans;
+         Dilwyn, Harrison, and others.&#8212;This the first association
+         ever formed in England for the purpose.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            The second class of the forerunners and coadjutors in this great
+            cause, up to May 1787, will consist of the Quakers in England.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first of this class was George Fox, the venerable founder
+            of this benevolent society.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            George Fox was contemporary with Richard Baxter, being
+            born not long after him, and dying much about the same time.
+            Like him, he left his testimony against this wicked trade. When
+            he was in the island of Barbados, in the year 1671, he delivered
+            himself to those who attended his religious meetings in the following
+            manner:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "Consider with yourselves," says he, "if you were in the
+            same condition as the poor Africans are&#8212;who came strangers to
+            you, and were sold to you as slaves&#8212;I say, if this should be the
+            condition of you or yours, you would think it a hard measure;
+            yea, and very great bondage and cruelty. And, therefore, consider
+            seriously of this; and do you for them and to them, as you
+            would willingly have them, or any others, do unto you, were you
+            in the like slavish condition, and bring them to know the Lord
+            Christ." And in his Journal, speaking of the advice which he
+            gave his friends at Barbados, he says, "I desired also that they
+            would cause their overseers to deal mildly and gently with their
+            negroes, and not to use cruelty towards them, as the manner of
+            some had been, and that after certain years of servitude they
+            should make them free."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            William Edmundson, who was a minister of the society, and,
+            indeed, a fellow-traveller with George Fox, had the boldness in
+
+            the same island to deliver his sentiments to the governor on the
+            same subject. Having been brought before him and accused of
+            making the Africans Christians, or, in other words, of making
+            them rebel and destroy their owners, he replied, "That it was a
+            good thing to bring them to the knowledge of God and Christ
+            Jesus, and to believe in him who died for them and all men, and
+            that this would keep them from rebelling, or cutting any person's
+            throat; but if they did rebel and cut their throats, as the governor
+            insinuated they would, it would be their own doing, in keeping
+            them in ignorance and under oppression, in giving them liberty
+            to be common with women like brutes, and, on the other hand,
+            in starving them for want of meat and clothes convenient; thus,
+            giving them liberty in that which God restrained, and restraining
+            them in that which was meat and clothing."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I do not find any individual of this society moving in this
+            cause, for some time after the death of George Fox and William
+            Edmundson. The first circumstance of moment which I discover,
+            is a resolution of the whole Society on the subject, at their yearly
+            meeting, held in London in the year 1727. The resolution was
+            contained in the following words:&#8212;"It is the sense of this
+            meeting, that the importing of negroes from their native country
+            and relations by Friends is not a commendable nor allowed
+            practice, and is, therefore, censured by this meeting."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1758, the Quakers thought it their duty, as
+            a body, to pass another resolution upon this subject. At this,
+            time the nature of the trade beginning to be better known, we
+            find them more animated upon it, as the following extract will
+            show:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "We fervently warn all in profession with us, that they
+            carefully avoid being any way concerned in reaping the unrighteous
+            profits, arising from the iniquitous practice of dealing in
+            negro or other slaves; whereby, in the original purchase, one man
+            selleth another, as he doth the beasts that perish, without any
+            better pretension to a property in him than that of superior force;
+            in direct violation of the Gospel rule, which teacheth all to do as
+            they would be done by, and to do good to all; being the reverse
+            of that covetous disposition, which furnisheth encouragement to
+
+            those poor ignorant people to perpetuate their savage wars, in
+            order to supply the demands of this most unnatural traffic, by
+            which great numbers of mankind, free by nature, are subject to
+            inextricable bondage, and which hath often been observed to fill
+            their possessors with haughtiness, tyranny, luxury, and barbarity,
+            corrupting the minds and debasing the morals of their children,
+            to the unspeakable prejudice of religion and virtue, and the
+            exclusion of that holy spirit of universal love, meekness, and
+            charity, which is the unchangeable nature and the glory of true
+            Christianity. We, therefore, can do no less, than, with the
+            greatest earnestness, impress it upon Friends everywhere, that
+            they endeavour to keep their hands clear of this unrighteous gain
+            of oppression."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Quakers hitherto, as appears by the two resolutions
+            which have been quoted, did nothing more than seriously warn
+            all those in religious profession with them against being concerned
+            in this trade. But in three years afterwards, or at the yearly
+            meeting in 1761, they came to a resolution, as we find by the
+            following extract from their minutes, that any of their members
+            haying a concern in it should be disowned:&#8212;"This meeting
+            having reason to apprehend that divers under our name, are
+            concerned in the unchristian traffic in negroes, doth recommend
+            it earnestly to the care of Friends everywhere, to discourage, as
+            much as in them lies, a practice so repugnant to our Christian
+            profession; and to deal with all such as shall persevere in a
+            conduct so reproachful to Christianity; and to disown them, if
+            they desist not therefrom."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The yearly meeting of 1761, having thus agreed to exclude
+            from membership such as should be found concerned in this trade,
+            that of 1763 endeavoured to draw the cords, still tighter, by
+            attaching criminality to those who should aid and abet the trade
+            in any manner. By the minute, which was made on this occasion,
+            I apprehend that no one belonging to the Society could
+            furnish even materials for such voyages. "We renew our
+            exhortation, that Friends everywhere be especially careful to
+            keep their hands clear of giving encouragement in any shape to
+            the Slave Trade, it being evidently destructive of the natural
+
+            rights of mankind, who are all ransomed by one Saviour, and
+            visited by one divine light, in order to salvation; a
+            traffic calculated to enrich and aggrandize some upon
+            the misery of others;
+            in its nature abhorrent to every just and tender sentiment, and
+            contrary to the whole tenour of the Gospel."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Some pleasing intelligence having been sent on this subject,
+            by the Society in America to the Society in England, the yearly
+            meeting of 1772 thought it their duty to notice it, and to keep
+            their former resolutions alive by the following minute:&#8212;"It
+            appears that the practice of holding negroes in oppressive and
+            unnatural bondage hath been so successfully discouraged by
+            Friends in some of the colonies, as to be considerably lessened.
+            We cannot but approve of these salutary endeavours, and earnestly
+            intreat that they may be continued, that through the favour of divine
+            Providence a traffic, so unmerciful and unjust in its nature to a
+            part of our own species made, equally with ourselves, for
+            immortality, may come to be considered by all in its proper
+            light, and be utterly abolished as a reproach to the
+            Christian name."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I must beg leave to stop here for a moment, just to pay the
+            Quakers a due tribute of respect for the proper estimation, in
+            which they have uniformly held the miserable outcasts of society,
+            who have been the subject of these minutes. What a contrast
+            does it afford to the sentiments of many others concerning them!
+            How have we been compelled to prove by a long chain of evidence,
+            that they had the same feelings and capacities as ourselves!
+            How many, professing themselves enlightened, even now view
+            them as of a different species! But in the minutes which have
+            been cited we have seen them uniformly represented, as persons
+            "ransomed by one and the same Saviour," "as visited by one
+            and the same light for salvation," and "as made equally for
+            immortality as others." These practical views of mankind, as
+            they are highly honourable to the members of this Society, so
+            they afford a proof both of the reality and of the consistency of
+            their religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But to return:&#8212;From this time, there appears to have been
+            a growing desire in this benevolent society to step
+            out of its ordinary course in behalf of this injured
+            people. It had hitherto confined
+
+            itself to the keeping of its own members unpolluted by any
+            gain from their oppression. But it was now ready to make an
+            appeal to others, and to bear a more public testimony in their
+            favour. Accordingly, in the month of June, 1783, when a bill
+            had been brought into the House of Commons for certain regulations
+            to be made with respect to the African Trade, the society
+            sent the following petition to that branch of the legislature:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "Your petitioners, met in this their annual assembly, having
+            solemnly considered the state of the enslaved negroes, conceive
+            themselves engaged, in religious duty, to lay the suffering situation
+            of that unhappy people before you, as a subject loudly calling for
+            the humane interposition of the legislature,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "Your petitioners regret that a nation, professing the Christian
+            faith, should so far counteract the principles of humanity and
+            justice, as by the cruel treatment of this oppressed race to fill
+            their minds with prejudices against the mild and beneficent
+            doctrines of the gospel.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "Under the countenance of the laws of this country, many
+            thousand of these our fellow-creatures, entitled to the natural
+            rights of mankind, are held as personal property in cruel bondage;
+            and your petitioners being informed that a Bill for the Regulation
+            of the African Trade is now before the House, containing a
+            clause which restrains the officers of the African Company from
+            exporting negroes, your petitioners, deeply affected with
+            a consideration of the rapine, oppression, and bloodshed,
+            attending this traffic, humbly request that this
+            restriction may be extended to
+            all persons whomsoever, or that the House would grant such other
+            relief in the premises as in its wisdom may seem meet."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This petition was presented by Sir Cecil Wray, who, on introducing
+            it, spoke very respectfully of the society. He declared
+            his hearty approbation of their application, and said he hoped he
+            should see the day when not a slave would remain within the
+            dominions of this realm. Lord North seconded the motion, saying
+            he could have no objection to the petition, and that its object
+            ought to recommend it to every humane breast; that it did credit
+            to the most benevolent society in the world; but that, the session,
+            being so far advanced, the subject, could not then be taken into
+
+            consideration; and he regretted that the Slave Trade, against
+            which the petition was so justly directed, was in a commercial
+            view become necessary to almost every nation of Europe. The
+            petition was then brought up and read, after which it was ordered
+            to lie on the table. This was the first petition (being two years
+            earlier than that from the inhabitants of Bridgewater), which was
+            ever presented to parliament for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the society did not stop here; for having at the yearly
+            meeting of 1783 particularly recommended the cause to a standing
+            committee, appointed to act at intervals, called the Meeting for
+            Sufferings, the latter in this same year resolved upon an address
+            to the public, entitled, <em>The Case of our Fellow-creatures, the
+               oppressed Africans, respectfully recommended to the serious Consideration of the Legislature of Great Britain, by the People
+               called Quakers</em>: in which they endeavoured, in the most pathetic
+            manner, to make the reader acquainted with the cruel nature of
+            this trade; and they ordered 2000 copies of it to be printed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1784, they began the distribution of this case. The
+            first copy was sent to the king through Lord Carmarthen, and the
+            second and the third, through proper officers, to the queen and
+            the Prince of Wales. Others were sent by a deputation of two
+            members of the society to Mr. Pitt, as prime-minister; to the
+            Lord Chancellor Thurlow; to Lord Gower, as president of the
+            council; to Lords Carmarthen and Sidney, as secretaries of state;
+            to Lord Chief-Justice Mansfield; to Lord Howe, as first lord of
+            the Admiralty; and to C.F. Cornwall, Esq., as speaker of the
+            House of Commons. Copies were sent also to every member of
+            both houses of parliament.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The society, in the same year, anxious that the conduct of its
+            members should be consistent with its public profession on this
+            great subject, recommended it to the quarterly and monthly
+            meetings to inquire through their respective districts, whether
+            any, bearing its name, were in any way concerned in the traffic,
+            and to deal with such, and to report the success of their labours
+            in the ensuing year. Orders were also given for the reprinting
+            and circulation of 10,000 other copies of <em>The Case</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1785, the society interested itself again in a
+
+            similar manner. For the Meeting for Sufferings, as representing
+            it, recommended to the quarterly meetings to distribute a work,
+            written by Anthony Benezet, in America, called <em>A Caution to
+               Great Britain and her Colonies, in a short Representation of the
+               calamitous State of the enslaved Negroes in the British
+               Dominions.</em> This book was accordingly forwarded to
+            them for this purpose. On receiving it, they sent it
+            among several public bodies, the regular and dissenting
+            clergy, justices of the peace, and particularly among
+            the great Schools of the kingdom, that the rising
+            youth might acquire a knowledge, and at the same time a
+            detestation, of this cruel traffic. In this latter base,
+            a deputation of the
+            society waited, upon the masters, to know if they would allow
+            their scholars to receive it. The schools of Westminster, the
+            Charter-house, St. Paul, Merchant-Taylors, Eton, Winchester,
+            and Harrow, were among those visited. Several academies also
+            were visited for this purpose.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But I must now take my leave of the Quakers as a public
+            body<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIV_1"></a> and go back to the year 1783, to record an event, which
+            will be found of great importance in the present history, and in
+            which only individuals belonging to the society were concerned.
+            This event seems to have arisen naturally out of existing or past
+            circumstances. For the society, as I have before stated, had sent
+            a petition to parliament in this year, praying for the abolition, of
+            the Slave Trade. It had also laid the foundation for a public
+            distribution of the books as just mentioned, with a view of
+            enlightening others on this great subject. The case of the
+            ship Zong,
+            which I have before had occasion to explain, had occurred this
+            same year. A letter also had been presented, much about the
+            same time, by Benjamin West, from Anthony Benezet, before
+            mentioned, to our queen, in behalf of the injured Africans, which
+            she had received graciously. These subjects occupied at this
+            time the attention of many Quaker families, and among others,
+            that of a few individuals, who were in close intimacy with each
+            other. These, when they met together, frequently conversed
+            upon them. They perceived, as facts came out in conversation,
+
+            that there was a growing knowledge and hatred of the Slave Trade,
+            and that the temper of the times was ripening towards its abolition.
+            Hence a disposition manifested itself among these, to
+            unite as labourers for the furtherance of so desirable an object.
+            An union was at length proposed and approved of, and the
+            following persons (placed in alphabetical order) came together to
+            execute the offices growing out of it:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_1"></a><a href="#FootIV_1">A</a>: The Quakers, as a public body, kept the subject alive
+            at their yearly meeting in 1784, 1785, 1787, &amp;c.
+         </p>
+         <table>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">WILLIAM DILLWYN,</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">THOMAS KNOWLES, M.D.</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">GEORGE HARRISON,</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">JOHN LLOYD,</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">SAMUEL HOARE,</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">JOSEPH WOODS.</td>
+            </tr>
+         </table>
+         <p>
+            The first meeting was held on the seventh of July, 1783. At
+            this "they assembled to consider what steps they should take for
+            the relief and liberation of the negro slaves in the West Indies,
+            and for the discouragement of the Slave Trade on the coast of
+            Africa."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To promote this object; they conceived it necessary that the
+            public mind should be enlightened respecting it. They had recourse;
+            therefore, to the public papers, and they appointed their
+            members in turn to write in these, and to see that their productions
+            were inserted. They kept regular minutes for this purpose.
+            It was not however known to the world that such an association
+            existed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It appears that they had several meetings in the course of
+            this year. Before the close of it they had secured a place in the
+            <em>General Evening Post</em>, in <em>Lloyd's Evening Post</em>,
+            in the Norwich, Bath, York, Bristol, Sherborne, Liverpool, Newcastle, and
+            other provincial papers, for such articles as they chose to send to them.
+            These consisted principally of extracts from such authors, both in prose
+            and verse, as they thought would most enlighten and interest the mind
+            upon the subject of their institution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1784 they pursued the same plan; but they began
+            now to print books. The first was from a manuscript composed
+            by Joseph Woods, one of the committee; It was entitled,
+            <em>Thoughts on the Slavery of the Negroes</em>. This
+            manuscript was well put together. It was a manly and yet
+            feeling address in behalf
+            of the oppressed Africans. It contained a sober and dispassionate
+
+            appeal to the reason of all, without offending the prejudices of any.
+            It was distributed at the expense of the association, and proved to
+            be highly useful to the cause which it was intended to promote.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A communication having been made to the committee, that
+            Dr. Porteus, then Bishop of Chester, had preached a sermon before
+            the society for the propagation of the gospel, in behalf of the
+            injured Africans, (which sermon was noticed in the last chapter,)
+            Samuel Hoare was deputed to obtain permission to publish it.
+            This led him to a correspondence with Mr. Ramsay before mentioned.
+            The latter applied in consequence to the bishop, and
+            obtained his consent. Thus this valuable sermon was also given
+            to the world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1785, the association continued their exertions as
+            before; but I have no room to specify them. I may observe, however,
+            that David Barclay, a grandson of the great apologist of that
+            name, assisted at one of their meetings, and (what is singular)
+            that he was in a few years afterwards unexpectedly called to a
+            trial of his principles on this very subject. For he and his
+            brother John became, in consequence of a debt due to them, possessed
+            of a large grazing farm, or pen, in Jamaica, which had
+            thirty-two slaves upon it. Convinced, however, that the retaining
+            of their fellow-creatures in bondage was not only irreconcilable
+            with the principles of Christianity, but subversive of the rights of
+            human nature, they determined upon the emancipation of these.
+            And they<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootIV_2"></a> performed
+            this generous office to the satisfaction of
+            their minds, to the honour of their characters, to the benefit of
+            the public, and to the happiness of the slave<a class="notelink" href="#NoteIV_3"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootIV_3"></a>. I
+            mention this
+
+            anecdote, not only to gratify myself, by paying a proper respect to
+            those generous persons who sacrificed their interest to principle,
+            but also to show the sincerity of David Barclay, (who is now the
+            only surviving brother,) as he actually put in practice what at
+            one of these meetings he was desirous of recommending to others.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_2"></a><a href="#FootIV_2">A</a>: They engaged an agent to embark for Jamaica in 1796 to
+            effect this business, and had the slaves conveyed to Philadelphia,
+            where they were kindly received by the Society for improving the
+            Condition of free Black people. Suitable situations were found
+            for the adults, and the young ones were bound out apprentices to
+            handicraft trades, and to receive school learning.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteIV_3"></a><a href="#FootIV_3">B</a>: James
+            Pemberton, of Philadelphia, made the following
+            observation in a letter to a Friend in England:&#8212;"David Barclay's
+            humane views towards the Blacks from Jamaica have been so far
+            realized, that these objects of his concern enjoy their freedom
+            with comfort to themselves, and are respectable in their
+            characters, keeping up a friendly intercourse with each other,
+            and avoiding to
+            intermix with the common Blacks of this city, being sober in
+            their conduct and industrious in their business."
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having now brought up the proceedings of this little association
+            towards the year 1786, I shall take my leave of it, remarking,
+            that it was the first ever formed in England for the promotion
+            of the abolition of the Slave Trade. That Quakers have had this
+            honour is unquestionable. Nor is it extraordinary that they
+            should have taken the lead on this occasion, when we consider
+            how advantageously they have been situated for so doing. For
+            the Slave Trade, as we have not long ago seen, came within the
+            discipline of the society in the year 1727. From thence it continued
+            to be an object of it till 1783. In 1783 the society
+            petitioned parliament, and in 1784 it distributed books to enlighten
+            the public concerning it. Thus we see that every Quaker,
+            born since the year 1727, was nourished as it were in a fixed
+            hatred against it. He was taught, that any concern in it was a
+            crime of the deepest dye. He was taught, that the bearing of his
+            testimony against it was a test of unity with those of the same
+            religious profession. The discipline of the Quakers was therefore
+            a school for bringing them up as advocates for the abolition of
+            this trade. To this it may be added, that the Quakers knew
+            more about the trade and the slavery of the Africans, than any
+            other religious body of men, who had not been in the land of their
+            sufferings. For there had been a correspondence between the
+            society in America and that in England on the subject, the contents
+            of which must have been known to the members of each.
+            American ministers also were frequently crossing the Atlantic on
+            religious missions to England. These, when they travelled
+            through various parts of our island, frequently related to the
+            Quaker families in their way the cruelties they had seen and
+            heard of in their own country. English ministers were also frequently
+            going over to America on the same religious errand.
+            These, on their return, seldom failed to communicate what they
+            had learned or observed, but more particularly relative to the
+
+            oppressed Africans, in their travels. The journals also of these,
+            which gave occasional accounts of the sufferings of the slaves,
+            were frequently published. Thus situated in point of knowledge,
+            and brought up moreover from their youth in a detestation of the
+            trade, the Quakers were ready to act whenever a favourable
+            opportunity should present itself.
+
+         </p>
+       <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap5"></a>CHAPTER V.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Third class of forerunners and coadjutors, up to 1787, consists of the Quakers
+         and others in America.&#8212;Yearly meeting for Pennsylvania and the Jerseys
+         takes up the subject in 1696; and continue it till 1787.&#8212;Other five yearly
+         meetings take similar measures.&#8212;Quakers, as individuals, also become
+         labourers; William Burling and others.&#8212;Individuals of other religious
+         denominations take up the cause also; Judge Sewell and others.&#8212;Union
+         of the Quakers with others in a society for Pennsylvania, in 1774; James
+         Pemberton; Dr. Rush.&#8212;Similar union of the Quakers with others for New
+         York and other provinces.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            The next class of the forerunners and coadjutors, up to the
+            year 1787, will consist, first, of the Quakers in America; and
+            then of others, as they were united to these for the same object.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It may be asked, How the Quakers living there should have
+            become forerunners and coadjutors in the great work now under
+            our consideration. I reply, first, that it was an object for many
+            years with these to do away the Slave Trade as it was carried on
+            in their own ports. But this trade was conducted in part, both
+            before and after the independence of America, by our own
+            countrymen. It was, secondly, an object with these to annihilate
+            slavery in America; and this they have been instruments in
+            accomplishing to a considerable extent. But any abolition of
+            slavery within given boundaries must be a blow to the Slave
+            Trade there. The American Quakers, lastly, living in a land
+            where both the commerce and slavery existed, were in the way
+            of obtaining a number of important facts relative to both, which
+            made for their annihilation; and communicating many of these
+            facts to those in England, who espoused the same cause, they
+            became fellow-labourers with these in producing the event in
+            question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Quakers in America, it must be owned, did most of them
+            originally as other settlers there with respect to the purchase of
+            slaves. They had lands without a sufficient number of labourers,
+            and families without a sufficient number of servants, for their
+
+            work. Africans were poured in to obviate these difficulties, and
+            these were bought promiscuously by all. In these days, indeed,
+            the purchase of them was deemed favourable to both parties, for
+            there was little or no knowledge of the manner in which they
+            had been procured as slaves. There was no charge of inconsistency
+            on this account, as in later times. But though many of
+            the Quakers engaged, without their usual consideration, in purchases
+            of this kind, yet those constitutional principles, which
+            belong to the society, occasioned the members of it in general to
+            treat those whom they purchased with great tenderness, considering
+            them, though of a different colour, as brethren, and as
+            persons for whose spiritual welfare it became them to be concerned;
+            so that slavery, except as to the power legally belonging
+            to it, was in general little more than servitude in their hands.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This treatment, as it was thus mild on the continent of
+            America where the members of this society were the owners of
+            slaves, so it was equally mild in The West India Islands where
+            they had a similar property. In the latter countries, however,
+            where only a few of them lived, it began soon to be productive of
+            serious consequences; for it was so different from that which the
+            rest of the inhabitants considered to be proper, that the latter
+            became alarmed at it. Hence in Barbados an act was passed
+            in 1676, under Governor Atkins, which was entitled, An Act
+            to prevent the people called Quakers from bringing their Negroes
+            into their meetings for worship, though they held these in their
+            own houses. This act was founded on the pretence, that the
+            safety of the island might be endangered, if the slaves were to
+            imbibe the religious principles of their masters. Under this
+            act Ralph Fretwell and Richard Sutton were fined in the
+            different sums of eight hundred and of three hundred pounds,
+            because each of them had suffered a meeting of the Quakers
+            at his own house, at the first of which eighty negroes, and
+            at the second of which thirty of them were present. But
+            this matter was carried still further; for in 1680, Sir Richard
+            Dutton, then governor of the island, issued an order to the
+            Deputy Provost Marshal and others, to prohibit all meetings of
+            this society. In the island of Nevis the same bad spirit manifested
+
+            itself. So early as in 1661, a law was made there prohibiting
+            members of this society from coming on shore. Negroes were
+            put in irons for being present at their meetings, and they themselves
+            were fined also. At length, in 1677, another act was
+            passed, laying a heavy penalty on every master of a vessel
+            who should even bring a Quaker to the island. In Antigua and
+            Bermudas similar proceedings took place, so that the
+            Quakers were in time expelled from this part of the world. By
+            these means a valuable body of men were lost to the community
+            in these islands, whose example might have been highly useful;
+            and the poor slave, who saw nothing but misery in his temporal
+            prospects, was deprived of the only balm which could have
+            soothed his sorrow&#8212;the comfort of religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But to return to the continent of America. Though the
+            treatment which the Quakers adopted there towards those Africans
+            who fell into their hands, was so highly commendable, it
+            did not prevent individuals among them from becoming uneasy
+            about holding them in slavery at all. Some of these bore their
+            private testimony against it from the beginning as a wrong practice,
+            and in process of time brought it before the notice of their
+            brethren as a religious body. So early as in the year 1688, some
+            emigrants from Krieshiem in Germany, who had adopted the
+            principles of William Penn, and followed him into Pennsylvania,
+            urged, in the yearly meeting of the society there, the inconsistency
+            of buying, selling, and holding men in slavery, with the
+            principles of the Christian religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1696, the yearly meeting for that province took
+            up the subject as a public concern, and the result was, advice to
+            the members of it to guard against future-importations of African
+            slaves, and to be particularly attentive to the treatment of those
+            who were then in their possession.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1711, the same yearly meeting resumed the important
+            subject, and confirmed and renewed the advice which had
+            been before given.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From this time it continued to keep the subject alive; but
+            finding at length, that though individuals refused to purchase
+            slaves, yet others continued the custom, and in greater numbers
+
+            than it was apprehended would have been the case after the
+            public declarations which had been made, it determined, in the
+            year 1754, upon a fuller and more serious publication of its sentiments;
+            and therefore it issued, in the same year, the following
+            pertinent letter to all the members within its jurisdiction:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <blockquote>
+            <p>
+               Dear Friends,
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               It hath frequently been the concern of our yearly meeting
+               to testify their uneasiness and disunity with the importation
+               and purchasing of negroes and other slaves, and to direct the
+               overseers of the several meetings to advise and deal with such as
+               engage therein. And it hath likewise been the continual care of
+               many weighty friends to press those who bear our name, to guard,
+               as much as possible, against being in any respect concerned in
+               promoting the bondage of such unhappy people. Yet, as we
+               have with sorrow to observe, that their number is of late increased
+               among us, we have thought it proper to make our advice
+               and judgment more public, that none may plead ignorance of our
+               principles therein; and also again earnestly to exhort all to avoid,
+               in any manner, encouraging that practice of making slaves of our
+               fellow-creatures.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Now, dear friends, if we continually bear in mind the royal
+               law of doing to others as we would be done by, we should never
+               think of bereaving our fellow-creatures of that valuable
+               blessing&#8212;liberty, nor endure to grow rich by their bondage. To live in
+               ease and plenty by the toil of those whom violence and cruelty
+               have put in our power, is neither consistent with Christianity nor
+               common justice; and, we have good reason to believe, draws
+               down the displeasure of Heaven; it being a melancholy but true
+               reflection, that, where slave-keeping prevails, pure religion and
+               sobriety decline, as it evidently tends to harden the heart, and
+               render the soul less susceptible of that holy spirit of love,
+               meekness and charity, which is the peculiar characteristic of a true
+               Christian.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               How then can we, who have been concerned to publish the
+               Gospel of universal love and peace among mankind, be so inconsistent with
+               ourselves, as to purchase such as are prisoners of war,
+
+               and thereby encourage, this anti-Christian practice; and more
+               especially as many of these poor creatures are stolen away,
+               parents from children, and children from parents; and others,
+               who were in good circumstances in their native country, inhumanly torn
+               from what they esteemed a happy situation, and
+               compelled to toil in a state of slavery, too often extremely cruel!
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               What dreadful scenes of murder and cruelty those barbarous
+               ravages must occasion in these unhappy people's country are too
+               obvious to mention. Let us make their case our own, and consider
+               what we should think, and how we should feel, were we in
+               their circumstances. Remember our blessed Redeemer's positive
+               command&#8212;to do unto others as we would have them do unto
+               us;&#8212;and that with what measure we mete, it shall be measured
+               to us again. And we intreat you to examine, whether the purchasing
+               of a negro, either born here or imported, doth not contribute to a
+               further importation, and, consequently, to the upholding of all
+               the evils above mentioned, and to the promoting of
+               man-stealing, the, only theft which by the Mosaic law was
+               punished with death;&#8212;He that stealeth a man and selleth him
+               or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.'
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               The characteristic and badge of a true Christian is love and
+               continual exercise of them: 'Love one, another,' says he, 'as I have
+               loved you.' But how can we be said to love our brethren who
+               bring, or, for selfish ends, keep them in bondage? Do we act
+               consistently with this noble principle, who lay such heavy burdens
+               on our fellow creatures? Do we consider that they are called
+               and do we sincerely desire that they may become heirs with us
+               in glory, and that they may rejoice in the liberty of the sons of
+               God, whilst we are withholding from them the common liberties
+               of mankind? Or can the spirit of God, by which we have
+               always professed to be led, be the author of these oppressive and
+               unrighteous measures? Or do we not thereby manifest, that
+               temporal interest hath more influence on our conduct herein, than
+               the dictates of that merciful, holy, and unerring Guide?
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               And we, likewise, earnestly recommend to all who have slaves,
+               to be careful to come up in the performance of their duty
+
+               towards them, and to be particularly watchful over their own
+               hearts, it being, by sorrowful experience, remarkable that custom
+               and a familiarity with evil of any kind, have a tendency to bias
+               the judgment and to deprave the mind; and it is obvious, that
+               the future welfare of these poor slaves, who are now in bondage,
+               is generally too much disregarded by those who keep them. If
+               their daily task of labour be but fulfilled, little else, perhaps, is
+               thought of: nay, even that which in others would be looked
+               upon with horror and detestation, is little regarded in them by
+               their masters; such as the frequent separation of husbands from
+               wives, and wives from husbands, whereby they are tempted to
+               break their marriage covenants, and live in adultery, in direct
+               opposition to the laws of God and men, although we believe that
+               Christ died for all men without respect of persons. How fearful
+               then ought we to be of engaging in what hath so natural a
+               tendency to lesson our humanity, and of suffering ourselves to be
+               inured to the exercise of hard and cruel measures, lest thereby,
+               in any degree, we lose our tender and feeling sense of the miseries
+               of our fellow-creatures, and become worse than those who
+               have not believed.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               And, dear friends, you, who by inheritance have slaves
+               born in your families, we beseech you to consider them as souls
+               committed to your trust, whom the Lord will require at your
+               hand, and who, as well as you, are made partakers of the Spirit
+               of grace, and called to be heirs of salvation. And let it be your
+               constant care to watch over them for good, instructing them in
+               the fear of God and the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ, that
+               they may answer the end of their creation, and that God may be
+               glorified and honoured by them, as well as by us. And so train
+               them up, that if you should come to behold their unhappy situation,
+               in the same light that many worthy men who are at rest
+               have done, and many of your brethren now do, and should think
+               it your duty to set them free, they may be the more capable of
+               making proper use of their liberty.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Finally, brethren, we intreat you, in the bowels of Gospel-love,
+               seriously to weigh the Cause of detaining them in bondage.
+               If it be for your own private gain, or any other motive than their
+
+               good, it is much to be feared that the love of God, and the influence
+               of the Holy Spirit, are not the prevailing principles in you,
+               and that your hearts are not sufficiently redeemed from the
+               world, which, that you with ourselves may more and more come
+               to witness, through the cleansing virtue of the Holy Spirit of
+               Jesus Christ, is our earnest desire. With the salutation of our
+               love we are your friends and brethren:&#8212;
+
+            </p>
+            <p><i>"Signed, in behalf of the yearly
+                  meeting, by</i></p>
+            <table>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">JOHN EVANS,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">ABRAHAM FARRINGDON,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">JOHN SMITH,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">JOSEPH NOBLE,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">THOMAS CARLETON,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">JAMES DANIEL,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">WILLIAM TRIMBLE,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">JOSEPH GIBSON,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">JOHN SCARBOROUGH,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">JOHN SHOTWELL,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">JOSEPH HAMPTON,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">JOSEPH PARKER."</td>
+               </tr>
+            </table>
+         </blockquote>
+         <p>
+            This truly Christian letter, which was written in the year
+            1754, was designed, as we collect from the contents of it, to make
+            the sentiments of the society better known and attended to on
+            the subject of the Slave Trade. It contains, as we see, exhortations
+            to all the members within the yearly meeting of Pennsylvania
+            and the Jerseys, to desist from purchasing and importing
+            slaves, and, where they possessed them, to have a tender consideration
+            of their condition. But that the first part of the subject of this
+            exhortation might be enforced, the yearly meeting for the same provinces
+            came to a resolution in 1755, That if any of the members belonging to
+            it bought or imported slaves, the overseers
+            were to inform their respective monthly meetings of it, that
+            "these might treat with them, as they might be directed in the
+            wisdom of truth."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1774, we find the same yearly meeting legislating
+            again on the same subject. By the preceding resolution they
+            who became offenders, were subjected only to exclusion from the
+            meetings for discipline, and from the privilege of contributing to
+            the pecuniary occasions of the Society; but, by the resolution of
+            the present year, all members concerned in importing, selling,
+            purchasing, giving, or transferring negro or other slaves, or otherwise
+
+            acting in such manner as to continue them in slavery
+            beyond the term limited by law<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_1"></a> or custom,
+            were directed to be
+            excluded from membership or disowned. At this meeting also
+            all the members of it were cautioned and advised against acting
+            as executors or administrators to estates, where slaves were
+            bequeathed, or likely to be detained in bondage.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_1"></a><a href="#FootV_1">A</a>: This alludes to the
+            term of servitude for white persons in these provinces.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1776, the same yearly meeting carried the matter
+            still further. It was enacted, That the owners of slaves, who
+            refused to execute proper instruments for giving them their
+            freedom, were to be disowned likewise.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In 1778 it was enacted by the same meeting, that the
+            children of those who had been set free by members, should be
+            tenderly advised, and have a suitable education given them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is not necessary to proceed further on this subject. It
+            may be sufficient to say, that from this time the minutes of the
+            yearly meeting for Pennsylvania and the Jerseys exhibit proofs
+            of an almost incessant attention, year after year<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_2"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_2"></a>, to
+            the means not only of wiping away the stain of slavery from their religious
+            community, but of promoting the happiness of those restored to
+            freedom, and of their posterity also; and as the yearly meeting
+            of Pennsylvania and the Jerseys set this bright example, so those
+            of New England, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and of the
+            Carolinas and Georgia, in process of time followed it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_2"></a><a href="#FootV_2">B</a>: Thus
+            in 1778-1782, 1784-1786. The members also of this meeting petitioned
+            their own legislature on this subject, both in 1783 and in 1786.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But, whilst the Quakers were making these exertions at their
+            different yearly meetings in America, as a religious body, to get
+            rid both of the commerce and slavery of their fellow-creatures,
+            others, in the same profession; were acting as individuals, (that
+            is, on their own grounds, and independently of any influence from
+            their religious communion,) in the same cause, whose labours it
+            will now be proper, in a separate narrative, to detail.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first person of this description in the Society, was
+            William Burling, of Long Island. He had conceived an abhorrence
+            of slavery from early youth. In process of time he began
+
+            to bear his testimony against it, by representing the unlawfulness
+            of it to those of his own Society, when assembled at one of their
+            yearly meetings. This expression of his public testimony, he
+            continued annually on the same occasion. He wrote also
+            several Tracts with the same design, one of which, published in
+            the year 1718, he addressed to the elders of his own church, on
+            the inconsistency of compelling people and their posterity to
+            serve them continually and arbitrarily, and without any proper
+            recompense for their services.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next was Ralph Sandiford, a merchant in Philadelphia.
+            This worthy person had many offers of pecuniary assistance,
+            which would have advanced him in life, but he declined them all
+            because they came from persons who had acquired their independence
+            by the oppression of their slaves. He was very earnest
+            in endeavouring to prevail upon his friends, both, in and out of
+            the society, to liberate those whom they held in bondage. At
+            length he determined upon a work called the <em>Mystery of Iniquity</em>,
+            in a brief examination of the practice of the times. This he
+            published in the year 1780, though the chief judge had threatened
+            him if he should give it to the world, and he circulated it free
+            of expense wherever he believed it would be useful. The above
+            work was excellent as a composition; the language of it was
+            correct; the style manly and energetic; and it abounded with
+            facts, sentiments, and quotations, which, while, they showed the
+            virtue and talents of the author, rendered it a valuable appeal in
+            behalf of the African cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next public advocate was Benjamin Lay<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_3"></a>, who lived at
+            Abington, at the distance of twelve or fourteen miles from
+            Philadelphia. Benjamin Lay was known, when in England, to the
+            royal family of that day, into whose private presence he was
+            admitted. On his return to America, he took an active part in
+            behalf of the oppressed Africans. In the year 1737, he published
+            a <em>Treatise on Slave-Keeping</em>. This he gave away among his
+
+            neighbours and others, but more particularly among the rising
+            youth, many of whom he visited in their respective schools. He
+            applied also to several of the governors for interviews, with whom
+            he held conferences on the subject. Benjamin Lay was a man of
+            strong understanding and of great integrity, but of warm and
+            irritable feelings, and more particularly so when he was called
+            forth on any occasion in which the oppressed Africans were concerned;
+            for he had lived in the island of Barbados, and he had
+            witnessed there scenes of cruelty towards them which had greatly
+            disturbed his mind, and which unhinged it, as it were, whenever
+            the subject of their sufferings was brought before him. Hence, if
+            others did not think precisely as he did, when he conversed with
+            them on the subject, he was apt to go out of due bounds. In
+            bearing what he believed to be his testimony against this system
+            of oppression, he adopted sometimes a singularity of manner, by
+            which, as conveying demonstration of a certain eccentricity of
+            character, he diminished in some degree his usefulness to the
+            cause which he had undertaken; as far, indeed, as this eccentricity
+            might have the effect of preventing others from joining
+            him in his pursuit, lest they should be thought singular also, so
+            far it must be allowed that he ceased to become beneficial. But
+            there can be no question, on the other hand, that his warm and
+            enthusiastic manners awakened the attention of many to the
+            cause, and gave them first impressions concerning it, which they
+            never afterwards forgot, and which rendered them useful to it in
+            the subsequent part of their lives.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_3"></a><a href="#FootV_3">A</a>: Benjamin
+            Lay attended the meetings for worship, or associated
+            himself with the religious society of the Quakers. His wife, too, was an
+            approved minister of the Gospel in that society; but I believe he was not
+            long an acknowledged member of it himself.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The person who laboured next in the society, in behalf of the
+            oppressed Africans, was John Woolman.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            John Woolman was born at Northampton, in the county of
+            Burlington and province of Western New Jersey, in the year
+            1720. In his very early youth he attended, in an extraordinary
+            manner, to the religious impressions which he perceived upon his
+            mind, and began to have an earnest solicitude about treading in
+            the right path. "From what I had read and heard," says he, in
+            his Journal<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_4"></a>, "I
+            believed there had been in past ages, people
+
+            who walked in uprightness before God in a degree exceeding any,
+            that I knew or heard of, now living. And the apprehension of
+            there being less steadiness and firmness among people of this age,
+            than in past ages, often troubled me while I was a child." An
+            anxious desire to do away, as far as himself was concerned,
+            this merited reproach, operated as one among other causes to
+            induce him to be particularly watchful over his thoughts and
+            actions, and to endeavour to attain that purity of heart, without
+            which he conceived there could be no perfection of the Christian
+            character. Accordingly, in the twenty-second year of his age, he
+            had given such proof of the integrity of his life, and of his religious
+            qualifications, that he became an acknowledged minister of
+            the Gospel in his own society.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_4"></a><a href="#FootV_4">A</a>: This short sketch of the life and
+            labours of John Woolman, is made up from his Journal.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At a time prior to his entering upon the ministry, being in
+            low circumstances, he agreed for wages to "attend shop for a
+            person at Mount Holly, and to keep his books." In this situation
+            we discover, by an occurrence that happened, that he had
+            thought seriously on the subject, and that he had conceived
+            proper views of the Christian unlawfulness of slavery. "My
+            employer," says he, "having a Negro woman, sold her, and
+            desired me to write a bill of sale, the man being waiting who
+            bought her. The thing was sudden, and though the thought of
+            writing an instrument of slavery for one of my fellow-creatures
+            made me feel uneasy, yet I remembered I was hired by the year,
+            that it was my master who directed me to do it, and that it was
+            an elderly man, a member of our society, who bought her. So
+            through weakness I gave way and wrote, but, at executing it, I
+            was so afflicted in my mind, that I said before my master and the
+            friend, that I believed slave-keeping to be a practice inconsistent
+            with the Christian religion. This in some degree abated my
+            uneasiness; yet, as often as I reflected seriously upon it, I
+            thought I should have been clearer, if I had desired to have been
+            excused from it, as a thing against my conscience; for such it
+            was. And some time after this, a young man of our society
+            spoke to me to write a conveyance of a slave to him, he having
+            lately taken a Negro into his house. I told him I was not easy
+            to write it; for though many of our meeting, and in other places,
+
+            kept slaves, I still believed the practice was not right, and desired
+            to be excused from the writing. I spoke to him in good-will;
+            and he told me that keeping slaves was not altogether agreeable
+            to his mind, but that the slave being a gift to his wife he had
+            accepted of her."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We may easily conceive that a person so scrupulous and
+            tender on this subject, (as indeed John Woolman was on all
+            others,) was in the way of becoming in time more eminently
+            serviceable to his oppressed fellow-creatures. We have seen
+            already the good seed sown in his heart, and it seems to have
+            wanted only providential seasons and occurrences to be brought
+            into productive fruit. Accordingly we find that a journey,
+            which he took as a minister of the Gospel in 1746 through the
+            provinces of Maryland, Virginia, and, North Carolina, which
+            were then more noted than others for the number of slaves in
+            them, contributed to prepare him as an instrument for the
+            advancement of this great cause. The following are his own
+            observations upon this journey:&#8212;"Two things were remarkable
+            to me in this journey; first, in regard to my entertainment.
+            When I ate, drank, and lodged free-cost, with people who lived
+            in ease on the hard labour of their slaves, I felt uneasy; and, as
+            my mind was inward to the Lord, I found, from place to place,
+            this uneasiness return upon me at times through the whole visit.
+            Where the masters bore a good share of the burden and lived
+            frugally, so that their servants were well provided for; and their
+            labour moderate, I felt more easy; but where they lived in a
+            costly way, and laid heavy burdens on their slaves, my exercise
+            was often great, and I frequently had conversations with them in
+            private concerning it. Secondly, this trade of importing slaves
+            from their native country being much encouraged among them,
+            and the white people and their children so generally living without
+            much labour, was frequently the subject of my serious
+            thoughts: and I saw in these southern provinces so many vices
+            and corruptions, increased by this trade and this way of life, that
+            it appeared to me as a gloom over the land."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From the year 1747 to the year 1758, he seems to have been
+            occupied chiefly as a minister of religion, but in the latter year
+
+            he published a work upon slave-keeping; and in the same year,
+            while travelling within the compass of his own monthly meeting,
+            a circumstance happened which kept alive his attention to the
+            same Subjects.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "About this time" says he, "a person at some
+            distance lying sick, his brother came to me to write his will. I
+            knew he had slaves, and asking his brother was told he intended
+            to leave them as slaves to his children. As writing was a profitable
+            employ, and as offending sober people was disagreeable to
+            my inclination, I was straitened in my mind, but as I looked to
+            the Lord he inclined my heart to his testimony; and I told the
+            man that I believed the practice of continuing slavery to this
+            people was not right, and that I had a scruple in my mind against
+            doing writings of that kind; that, though many in our society
+            kept them as slaves, still I was not easy to be concerned in it, and
+            desired to be excused from going to write the will. I spoke to
+            him in the fear of the Lord; and he made no reply to what I said, but
+            went away: he also had some concerns in the practice, and
+            I thought he was displeased with me. In this case I had a
+            confirmation, that acting contrary to present outward interest
+            from a motive of Divine love, and in regard to truth and
+            righteousness, opens the way to a treasure better than silver, and
+            to a friendship exceeding the friendship of men."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From 1753 to 1755, two circumstances of a similar kind took
+            place, which contributed greatly to strengthen him in the path he
+            had taken; for in both these cases the persons who requested him
+            to make their wills were so impressed by the principle upon
+            which he refused them, and by his manner of doing it, that they
+            bequeathed liberty to their slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1756, he made a religious visit to several of
+            the society in Long Island. Here it was that the seed, now
+            long fostered by the genial influences of Heaven, began to burst
+            forth into fruit; Till this time he seems to have been a passive
+            instrument, attending only to such circumstances as came in his
+            way on this subject. But now he became an active one, looking
+            out for circumstances for the exercise of his labours.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "My mind," says he; "was deeply engaged in this visit, both in
+            public and private; and at several places, observing that members
+
+            kept slaves, I found myself under a necessity, in a friendly way,
+            to labour with them, on that subject, expressing, as the way
+            opened, the inconsistency of that practice with the parity of
+            the Christian religion, and the ill effects of it as manifested
+            amongst us."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1757, he felt, his mind so deeply interested on the
+            same subject, that he resolved to travel over Maryland, Virginia,
+            and North Carolina, in order to try to convince persons, principally
+            in his own society, of the inconsistency of holding slaves.
+            He joined his brother with him in this arduous service. Having
+            passed the Susquehanna into Maryland, he began to experience
+            great agitation of mind. "Soon after I entered this province,"
+            says he, "a deep and painful exercise came upon me, which I
+            often had some feeling of since my mind was drawn towards
+            these parts, and with which I had acquainted my brother, before
+            we agreed to join as companions."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "As the people in this and the southern provinces live much
+            on the labour of slaves, many of whom are used hardly, my concern
+            was that I might attend with singleness of heart to the voice
+            of the true Shepherd, and be so supported, as to remain unmoved
+            at the faces of men."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is impossible for me to follow him in detail, through this
+            long and interesting journey, when I consider the bounds I have
+            prescribed to myself in this work. I shall say, therefore, what I
+            propose to offer generally, and in a few words.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It appears that he conversed with persons occasionally, who
+            were not of his own society, with a view of answering their
+            arguments, and of endeavouring to evince the wickedness and impolicy
+            of slavery. In discoursing with these, however strenuous he
+            might appear, he seems never to have departed from a calm,
+            modest, and yet dignified and even friendly demeanour. At the
+            public meetings for discipline, held by his own society in these
+            provinces, he endeavoured to display the same truths, and in the
+            same manner, but particularly to the elders of his own society,
+            exhorting them, as the most conspicuous rank, to be careful of
+            their conduct, and to give a bright example in the liberation of
+            their slaves. He visited, also, families for the same purpose: and
+
+            he had the well-earned satisfaction of finding his admonitions
+            kindly received by some, and of seeing a disposition in others to
+            follow the advice he had given them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1758, he attended the yearly meeting at Philadelphia,
+            where he addressed his brethren on the propriety of
+            dealing with such members as should hereafter purchase slaves.
+            On the discussion of this point he spoke a second time, and this
+            to such effect that, he had the satisfaction at this meeting to see
+            minutes made more fully than any before, and a committee appointed
+            for the advancement of the great object, to which he had
+            now been instrumental in turning the attention of many, and to
+            witness a considerable spreading of the cause. In the same year,
+            also, he joined himself with two others of the society to visit
+            such members of it as possessed slaves in Chester county. In
+            this journey he describes himself to have met with several who
+            were pleased with his visit, but to have found difficulties with
+            others, towards whom, however, he felt a sympathy and tenderness,
+            on account of their being entangled by the spirit of the
+            world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1759, he visited several of the society who held
+            slaves in Philadelphia. In about three months afterwards, he
+            travelled there again, in company with John Churchman, to see
+            others under similar circumstances. He then went to different
+            places on the same errand. In this last journey he went alone.
+            After this he joined himself to John Churchman again, but he
+            confined his labours to his own province. Here he had the pleasure
+            of finding that the work prospered. Soon after this he took
+            Samuel Eastburne as a coadjutor, and pleaded the cause of the
+            poor Africans with many of the society in Bucks county, who
+            held them in bondage there.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1760, he travelled, in company with his friend
+            Samuel Eastburne, to Rhode Island, to promote the same object.
+            This island had been long noted for its trade to Africa for slaves.
+            He found at Newport, the great sea-port town belonging to it,
+            that a number of them had been lately imported. He felt his
+            mind deeply impressed on this account. He was almost over-powered
+
+            in consequence of it, and became ill. He thought once
+            of prompting a petition to the legislature, to discourage all such
+            importations in future. He then thought of going and speaking
+            to the House of Assembly, which was then sitting; but he was
+            discouraged from both these proceedings. He held, however,
+            conference with many of his own society in the meeting-house
+            chamber, where the subject of his visit was discussed on both
+            sides with a calm and peaceable spirit. Many of those present
+            manifested the concern they felt at their former practices, and
+            others a desire of taking suitable care of their slaves at their
+            decease. From Newport he proceeded to Nantucket; but observing
+            the members of the society there to have few or no
+            slaves, he exhorted them to persevere in abstaining from the use
+            of them, and returned home.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1761, he visited several families in Pennsylvania,
+            and, in about three months afterwards, others about Shrewsbury
+            and Squan in New Jersey. On his return he added a
+            part to the treatise before published on the keeping of
+            care which had been growing upon him for some years.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1762, he printed, published, and distributed this
+            treatise.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In 1767, he went on foot to the western shores of the same
+            province on a religious visit. After having crossed the Susquehanna,
+            his old feelings returned to him; for coming amongst
+            people living in outward ease and greatness, chiefly on the labour
+            of slaves, his heart was much affected, and he waited with humble
+            resignation to learn how he should further perform his duty to
+            this injured people. The travelling on foot, though it was agreeable
+            to the state of his mind, he describes to have been wearisome
+            to his body. He felt himself weakly at times, in consequence of
+            it, but yet continued to travel on. At one of the quarterly meetings
+            of the society, being in great sorrow and heaviness, and under
+            deep exercise on account of the miseries of the poor Africans, he
+            expressed himself freely to those present, who held them in bondage.
+            He expatiated on the tenderness and loving-kindness of the
+            apostles, as manifested in labours, perils, and sufferings, towards
+
+            the poor Gentiles, and contracted their treatment of the Gentiles
+            with it, whom he described in the persons of their slaves; and
+            was much satisfied with the result of his discourse.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From this time we collect little more, from his journal
+            concerning him, than that, in 1772, he embarked for England on a
+            religious visit. After his arrival there, he travelled through many
+            counties, preaching in different meetings of the society, till he
+            came to the city of York. But even here, though he was far
+            removed from the sight of those whose interests he had so warmly
+            espoused, he was not forgetful of their wretched condition. At
+            the quarterly meeting for that county, he brought their case before,
+            those present in an affecting manner. He exhorted these to
+            befriend their cause. He remarked that as they, the society, when
+            under outward sufferings, had often found a concern to lay them
+            before the legislature, and thereby, in the Lord's time, had obtained
+            relief; so he recommended this oppressed part of the creation
+            to their notice, that they might, as, the way opened, represent
+            their sufferings as individuals, if not as a religious society,
+            to those in authority in this land. This was the last opportunity
+            that he had of interesting himself in behalf of this injured people
+            for soon afterwards he was seized with the small-pox at the
+            house of a friend in the city of York, where he died.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next person belonging to the society of the Quakers, who
+            laboured in behalf of the oppressed Africans, was Anthony
+            Benezet. He was born before, and he lived after, John
+            Woolman; of course he was contemporary with him. I place him
+            after John Woolman, because he was not so much known as a
+            labourer, till two or three years after the other had begin to move
+            in the same cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Anthony Benezet was born at St. Quintin, in Picardy, of a
+            respectable family, in the year 1713. His father was one of the
+            many Protestants who, in consequence of the persecutions which
+            followed the revocation of the edict of Nantz, sought an asylum
+            in foreign countries. After a short stay in Holland, he settled,
+            with his wife and children, in London, in 1715.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Anthony Benezet having received from his father a liberal
+            education, served an apprenticeship in an eminent mercantile
+
+            house in London. In 1731, however, he removed with his family
+            to Philadelphia, where he joined in profession with the Quakers.
+            His three brothers then engaged in trade, and made considerable
+            pecuniary acquisitions in it. He himself might have partaken
+            both of their concerns and of their prosperity; but he did not
+            feel himself at liberty to embark in their undertakings. He
+            considered the accumulation of wealth as of no importance, when
+            compared with the enjoyment of doing good; and he chose the
+            humble situation of a schoolmaster, as according best with this
+            notion, believing, that by endeavouring to train up youth in
+            knowledge and virtue, he should become more extensively useful
+            than in any other way to his fellow-creatures.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He had not been long in his new situation, before he manifested
+            such an uprightness of conduct, such a courtesy of manners,
+            such a purity of intention, and such a spirit of benevolence, that
+            he attracted the notice, and gained the good opinion, of the
+            inhabitants among whom he lived. He had ready access to them, in
+            consequence, upon all occasions; and, if there were any whom
+            he failed to influence at any of these times, he never went away
+            without the possession of their respect.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1756, when a considerable number of French families
+            were removed from Acadia into Pennsylvania, on account of
+            some political suspicions, he felt deeply interested about them.
+            In a country where few understood their language, they were
+            wretched and helpless; but Anthony Benezet endeavoured to
+            soften the rigour of their situation, by his kind attention towards
+            them. He exerted himself, also, in their behalf, by procuring
+            many contributions for them, which, by the consent of his
+            fellow-citizens, were intrusted to his care.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As the principle of benevolence, when duly cultivated, brings
+            forth fresh shoots, and becomes enlarged, so we find this amiable
+            person extending the sphere of his usefulness by becoming an
+            advocate for the oppressed African race. For this service he
+            seems to have been peculiarly qualified. Indeed, as in all great
+            works, a variety of talents is necessary to bring them to perfection,
+            so Providence seems to prepare different men as instruments,
+            with dispositions and qualifications so various, that each, in pursuing
+
+            that line which seems to suit him best, contributes to furnish
+            those parts which, when put together, make up a complete
+            whole. In this point of view, John Woolman found in Anthony
+            Benezet the coadjutor whom, of all others, the cause required.
+            The former had occupied himself principally on the subject of
+            slavery. The latter went to the root of the evil, and more frequently
+            attacked the trade. The former chiefly confined his
+            labours to America, and chiefly to those of his own society there.
+            The latter, when he wrote, did not write for America only, but
+            for Europe also, and endeavoured to spread a knowledge and
+            hatred of the traffic through the great society of the world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            One of the means which Anthony Benezet took to promote
+            the cause in question, (and an effectual one it proved, as far as it
+            went,) was to give his scholars a due knowledge and proper
+            impressions concerning it. Situated as they were likely to be in
+            after-life, in a country where, slavery, was a custom,
+            he thus prepared many, and this annually, for the promotion of his plans.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To enlighten others, and to give them a similar bias, he had
+            recourse to different measures from time to time. In the almanacs
+            published annually in Philadelphia, he procured articles to
+            be inserted, which he believed would attract the notice of the
+            reader, and make him pause, at least for a while, as to the licitness
+            of, the Slave Trade. He wrote also, as he saw occasion, in
+            the public papers of the day. From small things he proceeded
+            to greater. He collected, at length, further information on the
+            subject, and, winding it up with observations and reflections, he
+            produced several little tracts, which he circulated successively
+            (but generally at his, own expense), as he considered them
+            adapted to the temper and circumstances of the times.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the course of this his employment, having found some who
+            had approved his tracts, and, to whom, on that account, he wished
+            to write, and sending his tracts to others, to whom he thought
+            it proper to introduce them by letter, he found himself engaged
+            in a correspondence which much engrossed his time, but which
+            proved of great importance in procuring many advocates for his
+            cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1762, when he had obtained a still greater store
+
+            of information, he published a larger work. This, however, he
+            entitle <em>A short Account of that part of Africa inhabited by the
+               Negroes</em> In 1767 he published <em>A Caution and Warning to Great
+               Britain and her colonies on the calamitous state of the enslaved
+               Negroes in the British Dominions</em>; and soon after this appeared,
+            <em>An Historical Account of Guinea, its Situation, Produce, and the
+               general Disposition of its Inhabitants: with an Inquiry into the
+               Rise and Progress of the Slave Trade, its Nature, and Calamitous
+               Effects.</em> This pamphlet contained a clear and distinct development
+            of the subject, from the best authorities. It contained also,
+            the sentiments of many enlightened upon it; and it became
+            instrumental beyond any other book ever before published, in
+            disseminating a proper knowledge and detestation of this trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Anthony Benezet may be considered as one of the most zealous,
+            vigilant, and active advocates which the cause of the
+            oppressed Africans ever had. He seemed to have been born and
+            to have lived for the promotion of it and therefore he never
+            omitted any the least opportunity of serving it. If a person
+            called upon him who was going a journey his first thoughts
+            usually were how he could make him an instrument in its favour;
+            he either gave him tracts to distribute or he sent letters by
+            him, or he gave him some commission on the subject; so that he
+            was the means of employing several persons at the same time, in
+            various parts of America; in advancing the work he had undertaken.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the same manner he availed himself of every other circumstance,
+            as far as he could, to the same end. When he heard that
+            Mr. Granville Sharp had obtained; in the year 1772, the noble
+            verdict in the cause of Somerset the slave, he opened a correspondence
+            with him which he kept up, that there might be an
+            union of action between them for the future, as far as it could
+            be effected, and that they might each give encouragement to the
+            other to proceed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He opened also a correspondence with George Whitfield and
+            John Wesley that these might assist him in promoting the cause
+            of the oppressed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He wrote also a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon on the
+
+            following subject:&#8212;She had founded a college, at the
+            recommendation of George Whitfield, called the Orphan-house near
+            Savannah, in Georgia, and had endowed it. The object of this
+            institution was to furnish scholastic instruction to the poor, and
+            to prepare some of them for the ministry. George Whitfield,
+            ever attentive to the cause of the poor Africans, thought that this
+            institution might have been useful to them also; but soon after
+            his death, they who succeeded him bought slaves, and these in
+            unusual numbers to extend the rice and indigo plantations belonging
+            to the college. The letter then in question was written
+            by Anthony Benezet, in order to lay before the Countess, as a
+            religious woman, the misery she was occasioning in Africa, by
+            allowing the managers of her college in Georgia to give encouragement
+            to the Slave Trade. The Countess replied, that
+            such a measure should never have her countenance, and that she
+            would take care to prevent it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On discovering that the Abb&eacute; Raynal had brought out his
+            celebrated work, in which he manifested a tender feeling in
+            behalf of the injured Africans, he entered into a correspondence
+            with him, hoping to make him yet more useful to their cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Finding, also, in the year 1783 that the Slave Trade, which
+            had greatly declined during the American war, was reviving, he
+            addressed a pathetic letter to our Queen, (as I mentioned in the
+            last chapter,) who, on hearing the high character of the writer of
+            it from Benjamin West, received it with marks of peculiar condescension
+            and attention. The following is a copy of it:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <blockquote>
+            <p>
+               TO CHARLOTTE, QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               Impressed with a sense of religious duty, and encouraged
+               by the opinion generally entertained of thy benevolent disposition
+               to succor the distressed, I take the liberty; very respectfully,
+               to offer to thy perusal some tracts, which, I believe,
+               faithfully describe the suffering condition of many hundred
+               thousands of our fellow-creatures of the African race, great
+               numbers of whom, rent from every tender connexion in life, are
+               annually taken from their native land; to endure, in the American
+
+               islands and plantations, a most rigorous and cruel slavery;
+               whereby many, very many of them, are brought to a melancholy
+               and untimely end.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               When it is considered that the inhabitants of Great Britain,
+               who are themselves so eminently blessed in the enjoyment of
+               religious and civil liberty, have long been, and yet are, very
+               deeply concerned in this flagrant violation of the common rights
+               of mankind, and that even its national authority is exerted in
+               support of the African Slave Trade, there is much reason to
+               apprehend that this has been, and, as long as the evil exists, will
+               continue to be, an occasion of drawing down the Divine displeasure
+               on the nation and its dependencies. May these considerations
+               induce thee to interpose thy kind endeavours in behalf of
+               this greatly injured people, whose abject situation gives them an
+               additional claim to the pity and assistance of the generous mind,
+               inasmuch as they are altogether deprived of the means of soliciting
+               effectual relief for themselves; that so thou mayest not
+               only be a blessed instrument in the hand of him 'by whom
+               kings reign and princes decree justice,' to avert the awful judgments
+               by which the empire has already been so remarkably
+               shaken, but that the blessings of thousands ready to perish may
+               come upon thee, at a time when the superior advantages attendant
+               on thy situation in this world will no longer be of any avail to
+               thy consolation and support.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               To the tracts on this subject to which I have thus ventured
+               to crave thy particular attention, I have added some which at
+               different times I have believed it my duty to publish<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_5"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_5"></a>, and
+               which, I trust, will afford thee some satisfaction, their design
+               being for the furtherance of that universal peace and good-will
+               amongst men, which the Gospel was intended to introduce.
+
+            </p>
+            <p><a name="NoteV_5"></a><a href="#FootV_5">A</a>: These
+               related to the principles of the religious society of the Quakers.
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               "I hope thou wilt kindly excuse the freedom used on this
+               occasion by an ancient man, whose mind, for more than forty
+               years past, has been much separated from the common intercourse
+               of the world, and long painfully exercised in the consideration of
+               the miseries under which so large a part of mankind, equally
+
+               with us the objects of redeeming love, are suffering the most
+               unjust and grievous oppression, and who sincerely desires thy
+               temporal and eternal felicity, and that of thy royal consort.
+
+            </p>
+            <p>
+               "ANTHONY BENEZET."
+
+            </p>
+         </blockquote>
+         <p>
+            Anthony Benezet, besides the care he bestowed upon forwarding
+            the cause of the oppressed Africans in different parts of the
+            world, found time to promote the comforts, and improve the
+            condition of those, in the state in which he lived. Apprehending
+            that much advantage would arise both to them and the public
+            from instructing them in common learning, he zealously promoted
+            the establishment of a school for that purpose. Much of the
+            two last years of his life he devoted to a personal attendance on
+            this school, being earnestly desirous that they who came to it
+            might be better qualified for the enjoyment of that freedom to
+            which great numbers of them had been then restored. To this
+            he sacrificed the superior emoluments of his former school, and
+            his bodily ease also, although the weakness of his constitution
+            seemed to demand indulgence. By his last will he directed,
+            that, after the decease of his widow, his whole little fortune (the
+            savings of the industry of fifty years) should, except a few very
+            small legacies, be applied to the support of it. During his
+            attendance upon it he had the happiness to find, (and his situation
+            enabled him to make the comparison,) that Providence had
+            been equally liberal to the Africans in genius and talents as to
+            other people.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After a few days' illness, this excellent man died at Philadelphia,
+            in the spring of 1784. The interment of his remains
+            was attended by several thousands of all ranks, professions, and
+            parties, who united in deploring their loss. The mournful procession
+            was closed by some hundreds of those poor Africans
+            who had been personally benefited by his labours, and whose
+            behaviour on the occasion showed the gratitude and affection they
+            considered to be due to him as their own private benefactor, as
+            well as the benefactor of their whole race.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Such, then, were the labours of the Quakers in America; of
+            individuals, from 1718 to 1784, and of the body at large, from
+
+            1696 to 1787, in this great cause of humanity and religion. Nor
+            were the effects produced from these otherwise than corresponding
+            with what might have been expected from such an union of
+            exertion in such a cause; for both the evils, that is, the evil of
+            buying and selling, and the evil of using slaves, ceased at length
+            with the members of this benevolent society. The leaving off all
+            concern with the Slave Trade took place first. The abolition of
+            slavery, though it followed, was not so speedily accomplished;
+            for, besides the loss of property, when slaves were manumitted,
+            without any pecuniary consideration in return, their owners had
+            to struggle, in making them free, against the laws and customs
+            of the times. In Pennsylvania, where the law in this respect was
+            the most favourable, the parties wishing to give freedom to a
+            slave were obliged to enter into a bond for the payment of thirty
+            pounds currency, in case the said slave should become chargeable
+            for maintenance. In New Jersey the terms were far less favorable,
+            as the estate of the owner remained liable to the consequences
+            of misconduct in the slave, or even in his posterity. In
+            the southern parts of America manumission was not permitted
+            but on terms amounting nearly to a prohibition. But, notwithstanding
+            these difficulties, the Quakers could not be deterred, as
+            they became convinced of the unlawfulness of holding men in
+            bondage, from doing that which they believed to be right. Many
+            liberated their slaves, whatever the consequences were; and some
+            gave the most splendid example in doing it, not only by consenting,
+            as others did, thus to give up their property, and to incur
+            the penalties of manumission, but by calculating and giving what
+            was due to them, over and above their food and clothing, for
+            wages<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_6"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_6"></a> from
+            the beginning of their slavery to the day when
+            their liberation commenced. Thus manumission went on, some
+            sacrificing more; and others less; some granting it sooner, and
+            others later; till, in the year 1787<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_7"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_7"></a> there was not a slave in the
+            possession of an acknowledged Quaker.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_6"></a><a href="#FootV_6">A</a>: One of the brightest instances was that
+            afforded by Warner Mifflin. He gave unconditional liberty to his
+            slaves. He paid all the adults, on their discharge, the sum, which
+            arbitrators, mutually chosen, awarded them.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_7"></a><a href="#FootV_7">B</a>: Previously to
+            the year 1787, several of the states had made the terms of manumission
+            more easy.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having given to the reader the history of the third class
+            of forerunners and coadjutors, as it consisted of the Quakers
+            in America, I am now to continue it, as it consisted of an union
+            of these with others on the same continent, in the year 1774, in
+            behalf of the African race. To do this, I shall begin with the
+            causes which led to the production of this great event.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And, in the first place, as example is more powerful than
+            precept, we cannot suppose that the Quakers could have shown
+            these noble instances of religious principle, without supposing
+            also that individuals of other religious denominations would be
+            morally instructed by them. They who lived in the neighborhood
+            where they took place, must have become acquainted with
+            the motives which led to them. Some of them must at least
+            have praised the action, though they might not themselves have
+            been ripe to follow the example: nor is it at all improbable that
+            these might be led, in the course of the workings of their own
+            minds, to a comparison between their own conduct and that of
+            the Quakers on this subject, in which they themselves might
+            appear to be less worthy in their own eyes. And as there is
+            sometimes a spirit of rivalship among the individuals of religious
+            sects, where the character of one is sounded forth as higher than
+            that of another; this, if excited by such a circumstance, would
+            probably operate for good. It must have been manifest also to
+            many, after a lapse of time, that there was no danger in what
+            the Quakers had done, and that there was even sound policy in
+            the measure. But, whatever were the several causes, certain it
+            is, that the example of the Quakers in leaving off all concern
+            with the Slave Trade, and in liberating their slaves, (scattered,
+            as they were, over various parts of America,) contributed to
+            produce in many of a different religious denomination from
+            themselves, a more tender disposition than had been usual
+            towards the African race.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But a similar disposition towards these oppressed people was
+            created in others, by means of other circumstances or causes. In
+            the early part of the eighteenth century, Judge Sewell of New
+            England came forward as a zealous advocate for them: he
+            addressed a memorial to the legislature, which he called, <em>The
+
+               Selling of Joseph</em>, and in which he pleaded their cause both as
+            a lawyer and, a Christian. This memorial produced an effect
+            upon many, but particularly upon those of his own persuasion;
+            and from this time the Presbyterians appear to have encouraged
+            a sympathy in their favour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1739, the celebrated George Whitfield became an
+            instrument in turning the attention of many others to their hard
+            case, and of begetting in these a fellow sympathy towards them.
+            This laborious minister, having been deeply affected with what
+            he had seen in the course of his religious travels in America,
+            thought it his duty, to address a letter from Georgia to the inhabitants
+            of Maryland, Virginia, and North and South Carolina.
+            This letter was printed in the year above mentioned, and is in
+            part as follows:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <blockquote>
+            <p>
+               As I lately passed through your provinces in my way hither,
+               I was sensibly touched with a fellow-feeling for the miseries of
+               the poor negroes. Whether it be lawful for Christians to buy
+               slaves, and thereby encourage the nations, from whom they are
+               bought, to be at perpetual war with each other, I shall not take
+               upon me to determine. Sure I am, it is sinful, when they have
+               bought them to use them as bad as though they were brutes, nay,
+               worse; and whatever particular exceptions there may be, (as I
+               would charitably hope there are some,) I fear the generality of
+               you who own negroes are liable to such a charge; for your slaves,
+               I believe, work as hard, if not harder, than the horses whereon
+               you ride. These, after they have done their work, are fed and
+               taken proper care of; but many negroes when wearied with
+               labour, in your plantations, have been obliged to grind their corn
+               after their return home: your dogs are caressed and fondled at
+               your table, but your slaves, who are frequently styled dogs or
+               beasts, have not an equal privilege; they are scarce permitted to
+               pick up the crumbs which fall from their master's table: not to
+               mention what numbers have been given up to the inhuman usage
+               of cruel taskmasters, who, by their unrelenting scourges have
+               ploughed their backs and made long furrows, and at length
+               brought them even unto death. When, passing along, I have
+               viewed your plantations cleared and cultivated, many spacious
+
+               houses built and the owners of them faring sumptuously every
+               day, my blood has frequently almost run cold within me, to
+               consider how many of your slaves had neither convenient food to
+               eat, nor proper raiment to put on, notwithstanding most of the
+               comforts you enjoy were solely owing to their indefatigable
+               labours.
+
+            </p>
+         </blockquote>
+         <p>
+            The letter, from which this is an extract, produced a desirable
+            effect upon many of those who perused it, but particularly upon
+            such as began to be seriously disposed in these times. And as
+            George Whitfield continued a firm friend to the poor Africans,
+            never losing an opportunity of serving them, he interested, in the
+            course of his useful life, many thousands of his followers in their
+            favour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To this account it may be added, that from the year 1762
+            ministers, who were in the connection of John Wesley, began to
+            be settled in America, and that as these were friends to the
+            oppressed Africans also, so they contributed in their
+            turn<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_8"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_8"></a> to promote a softness of feeling towards them among those of
+            their own persuasion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_8"></a><a href="#FootV_8">A</a>: It must not be forgotten, that the example of the
+            Moravians had its influence also in directing men to their duty towards these
+            oppressed people; for though, when they visited this part of the world
+            for their conversion, they never meddled with the political state of things,
+            by recommending it to masters to alter the condition of their slaves, as
+            believing religion could give comfort in the most abject situations in
+            life, yet they uniformly freed those slaves who came into their own
+            possession.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In consequence then of these and other causes, a considerable
+            number of persons of various religious denominations, had
+            appeared at different times in America, besides the Quakers,
+            who, though they had not distinguished themselves by resolutions
+            and manumissions as religious bodies, were yet highly
+            friendly to the African cause. This friendly disposition began to
+            manifest itself about the year 1770; for when a few Quakers, as
+            individuals, began at that time to form little associations in the
+            middle provinces of North America, to discourage the introduction
+            of slaves among people in their own neighbourhoods, who
+            were not of their own Society, and to encourage the manumission
+            of those already in bondage, they, were joined as colleagues by
+
+            several persons of this description<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_9"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_9"></a>, who
+            co-operated with them in the promotion of their design.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_9"></a><a href="#FootV_9">A</a>: It then
+            appeared that individuals among those of the
+            Church of England, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists,
+            and others had begun in a few instances to liberate their slaves.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This disposition, however, became more manifest in the year
+            1772; for the house of burgesses of Virginia presented a petition
+            to the king, beseeching his majesty to remove all those restraints
+            on his governors of that colony, which inhibited their assent to
+            such laws as might check that inhuman and impolitic commerce,
+            the Slave Trade: and it is remarkable, that the refusal of the
+            British government to permit the Virginians to exclude slaves
+            from among them by law, was enumerated afterwards among the
+            public reasons for separating from the mother country.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But this friendly disposition was greatly increased in the year
+            1773, by the literary labours of Dr. Benjamin Rush, of
+            Philadelphia<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_10"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootV_10"></a>, who, I believe, is a member
+            of the Presbyterian Church: for in this year, at the instigation of
+            Anthony Benezet, he took up the cause of the oppressed Africans in a
+            little work, which he entitled,
+            <em>An Address to the Inhabitants of the British
+               Settlements, on the Slavery of the Negroes</em>; and soon afterwards in
+            another, which was a vindication of the first, in answer to an
+            acrimonious attach by a West Indian planter. These publications
+            contained many new observations; they were written in a
+            polished style; and while they exhibited the erudition and
+            talents, they showed the liberality and benevolence of the author.
+            Having had a considerable circulation, they spread conviction
+            among many, and promoted the cause for which they had been so
+            laudably undertaken. Of the great increase of friendly disposition
+            towards the African cause in this very year, we have this remarkable
+            proof: that when the Quakers, living in East and West
+            Jersey, wished to petition the legislature to obtain an act of
+            assembly for the more equitable manumission of slaves in that
+            province, so many others of different persuasions joined them,
+
+            that the petition was signed by upwards of three thousand
+            persons.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_10"></a><a href="#FootV_10">B</a>: Dr. Rush has been better known
+            since for his other literary works, such as his
+            <em>Medical Dissertations</em>, his
+            <em>Treatises on the Discipline of Schools</em>,
+            <em>Criminal Law</em>, &amp;c.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            	But in the next year, or in the year 1774<a class="notelink" href="#NoteV_11"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootV_11"></a>, the increased
+            good-will towards the Africans became so apparent, but more
+            particularly in Pennsylvania, where the Quakers were more
+            numerous than in any other state, that they, who considered
+            themselves more immediately as the friends of these injured
+            people, thought it right to avail themselves of it: and accordingly
+            James Pemberton, one of the most conspicuous of the Quakers
+            in Pennsylvania, and Dr. Rush, one of the most conspicuous of
+            those belonging to the various other religious communities in
+            that province, undertook, in conjunction with others, the important
+            task of bringing those into a society who were friendly
+            to this cause. In this undertaking they succeeded. And hence
+            arose that union of the Quakers with others, to which I have
+            been directing the attention of the reader, and by which the third
+            class of forerunners and coadjutors becomes now complete. This
+            society, which was confined to Pennsylvania, was the first ever
+            formed in America, in which there was an union of persons of
+            different religious denominations in behalf of the African race.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteV_11"></a><a href="#FootV_11">A</a>: In this
+            year, Elhanan Winchester, a supporter of
+            the doctrine of universal redemption, turned the attention of
+            many of his hearers to this subject, both by private interference,
+            and by preaching expressly upon it.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But this society had scarcely begun to act, when the war
+            broke out between England and America, which had the effect
+            of checking its operations. This was considered as a severe blow
+            upon it. But as those things which appear most to our disadvantage,
+            turn out often the most to our benefit, so the war, by
+            giving birth to the independence of America, was ultimately
+            favourable to its progress. For as this contrast had produced
+            during its continuance, so it left, when it was over, a general
+            enthusiasm for liberty. Many talked of little else but of the
+            freedom they had gained. These were naturally led to the consideration
+            of those among them who were groaning in bondage.
+            They began to feel for their hard case. They began to think
+            that they should not deserve the new blessing which they
+            had acquired if they denied it to others. Thus the discussions,
+
+            which originated in this contest, became the occasion of turning
+            the attention of many, who might not otherwise have thought of
+            it, towards the miserable condition of the slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Nor were writers wanting, who, influenced by considerations
+            on the war, and the independence resulting from it, made their
+            works subservient to the same benevolent end. A work, entitled
+            <em>A Serious Address to the Rulers of America on the Inconsistency
+               of their Conduct respecting Slavery, forming a Contrast between the
+               Encroachments of England on American Liberty and American
+               Injustice in tolerating Slavery</em>; which appeared in 1783, was particularly
+            instrumental in producing this effect. This excited a
+            more than usual attention to the case of these oppressed people,
+            and where most of all it could be useful; for the author compared in
+            two opposite columns the animated speeches and resolutions
+            of the members of congress in behalf of their own liberty
+            with their conduct in continuing slavery to others. Hence the
+            legislature began to feel the inconsistency of the practice; and so
+            far had the sense of this inconsistency spread there, that when
+            the delegates met from each state to consider of a federal union,
+            there was a desire that the abolition of the Slave Trade should be
+            one of the articles in it. This was, however, opposed by the
+            delegates from North and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland,
+            and Georgia, the five states which had the greatest concern in
+            slaves. But even these offered to agree to the article, provided a
+            condition was annexed to it, (which was afterwards done,) that
+            the power of such abolition should not commence in the legislature
+            till the 1st of January, 1808.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In consequence then of these different circumstances, the
+            Society of Pennsylvania, the object of which was "for promoting
+            the abolition of slavery and the relief of free negroes unlawfully
+            held in bondage," became so popular, that in the year 1787 it
+            was thought desirable to enlarge it. Accordingly several new
+            members were admitted into it. The celebrated Dr. Franklin,
+            who had long warmly espoused the cause of the injured Africans,
+            was appointed president; James Pemberton and Jonathan Penrose
+            were appointed vice-presidents; Dr. Benjamin Rush and Tench
+            Coxe, secretaries; James Star, treasurer; William Lewis, John
+
+            D. Coxe, Miers Fisher, and William Rawle, counsellors; Thomas
+            Harrison, Nathan Boys, James Whiteall, James Reed, John
+            Todd, Thomas Armatt, Norris Jones, Samuel Richards, Francis
+            Bayley, Andrew Carson, John Warner, and Jacob Shoemaker,
+            junior, an electing committee; and Thomas Shields, Thomas
+            Parker, John Oldden, William Zane, John Warner, and William
+            McElhenny, an acting committee for carrying on the purposes
+            of the institution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I shall now only observe further upon this subject, that as a
+            society, consisting of an union of the Quakers, with others of
+            other religious denominations, was established for Pennsylvania
+            in behalf of the oppressed Africans; so different societies, consisting
+            each of a similar union of persons, were established in New
+            York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and other
+            states for the same object, and that these afterwards held a correspondence
+            and personal communion with each other for the
+            promotion of it.
+
+         </p>
+
+       <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap6"></a>CHAPTER VI.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Observations on the three classes already
+         introduced.&#8212;Coincidence of extraordinary
+         circumstances.&#8212;Individuals in each of these classes, who seem to
+         have had an education as it were to qualify them for promoting the cause
+         of the abolition; Sharp and Ramsay in the first; Dillwyn in the second;
+         Pemberton and Rush in the third.&#8212;These, with their respective classes,
+         acted on motives of their own, and independently of each other; and yet,
+         from circumstances neither foreseen nor known by them, they were in the
+         way of being easily united in 1787.&#8212;William Dillwyn, the great medium
+         of connexion between them all.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            If the reader will refer to his recollection, he will find that I
+            have given the history of three of the classes of the forerunners
+            and coadjutors in the great cause of the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade up to the time proposed. He will of course expect that I
+            should proceed with the history of the fourth. But, as I foresee
+            that, by making certain observations upon the classes already
+            introduced in the present, rather than in any future, place, I shall
+            be able to give him clearer views on the subject, I shall postpone
+            the history of the remaining class to the next chapter.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The account which I shall now give, will exhibit a concurrence
+            of extraordinary and important circumstances. It will
+            show, first, that in each of the three classes now introduced,
+            there were individuals, in the year 1787, who had been educated
+            as it were for the purpose of becoming peculiarly qualified to act
+            together for the promotion of the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+            It will show, secondly, that these, with their respective classes,
+            acted upon their own principles, distinctly and independently of
+            each other. And lastly, that by means of circumstances, which
+            they themselves had neither foreseen nor contrived, a junction
+            between them was rendered easily practicable, and that it was
+            beginning to take place at the period assigned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first class of forerunners and coadjutors consisted principally,
+            as it has appeared, of persons in England of various
+            descriptions. These, I may observe, had no communication with
+            each other as to any plan for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+            There were two individuals, however, among them who were
+            more conspicuous than the rest, namely, Granville Sharp, the
+            first labourer, and Mr. Ramsay, the first controversial writer, in
+            the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That Granville Sharp received an education as if to become
+            qualified to unite with others, in the year 1787, for this important
+            object, must have, appeared from the history of his labours,
+            as detailed in several of the preceding pages. The same may be
+            said of Mr. Ramsay; for it has already appeared that he lived in
+            the island of St. Christopher, where he made his observations,
+            and studied the laws, relative to the treatment of slaves, for nineteen years.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That Granville Sharp acted on grounds distinct from those in
+            any of the other classes is certain. For he knew nothing at this
+            time either of the Quakers in England or of those in America,
+            any more than that they existed by name. Had it not been for
+            the case of Jonathan Strong, he might never have attached himself
+            to the cause. A similar account may be given of Mr.
+            Ramsay; for, if it had not been for what he had seen in the
+            island of St. Christopher, he had never embarked in it. It was
+            from scenes, which he had witnessed there, that he began to feel
+            on the subject. These feelings he communicated to others on his
+            return to England, and these urged him into action.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the second class, the reader will recollect that
+            it consisted of the Quakers in England: first, of George Fox; then
+            of the Quakers as a body; then of individuals belonging to that
+            body, who formed themselves into a committee, independently
+            of it, for the promotion of the object in question. This committee,
+            it may he remembered, consisted of six persons, of whom
+            one was William Dillwyn.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That William Dillwyn became fitted for the station, which
+            he was afterwards to take, will be seen shortly. He was born in
+            America, and was a pupil of the venerable Benezet, who took pains
+            very early to interest his feelings on this great subject. Benezet
+            employed him occasionally, I mean in a friendly manner, as his
+            amanuensis, to copy his manuscripts for publication, as well as
+            several of his letters written in behalf of the cause. This gave
+
+            his scholar an insight into the subject; who, living besides in the
+            land where both the Slave Trade and slavery were established,
+            obtained an additional knowledge of them, so as to be able to
+            refute many of those objections, to which others, for want of local
+            observation, could never have replied.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1772, Anthony Benezet introduced William Dillwyn
+            by letter to several of the principal people of Carolina, with
+            whom he had himself corresponded on the sufferings of the poor
+            Africans, and desired him to have interviews with them on the
+            subject. He charged him also to be very particular in making
+            observations as to what he should see there. This journey was
+            of great use to the latter, in fixing him as the friend of these oppressed
+            people; for he saw so much of their cruel treatment in
+            the course of it, that he felt an anxiety ever afterwards, amounting
+            to a duty, to do every thing in his power for their relief.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1773, William Dillwyn, in conjunction with
+            Richard Smith and Daniel Wells, two of his own society, wrote
+            a pamphlet in answer to arguments then prevailing, that the
+            manumission of slaves would be injurious. This pamphlet&#8212;which
+            was entitled, <em>Brief Considerations on Slavery, and the Expediency
+               of its Abolition; with some Hints on the Means whereby it may be
+               gradually effected</em>,&#8212;proved that in lieu of the usual security required,
+            certain sums paid at the several periods of manumission
+            would amply secure the public, as well as the owners of the
+            slaves, from any future burdens. In the same year also, when
+            the society, joined by several hundreds of others in New Jersey,
+            presented a petition to the legislature, (as mentioned in the former chapter,)
+            to obtain an act of assembly for the more equitable
+            manumission of slaves in that province, William Dillwyn was
+            one of a deputation, which was heard at the bar of the assembly
+            for that purpose.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In 1774, he came to England, but his attention was still kept
+            alive to the subject; for he was the person by whom Anthony
+            Benezet sent his letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, as before
+            related. He was also the person to whom the same venerable
+            defender of the African race sent his letter, before spoken of, to
+            be forwarded to the Queen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That William Dillwyn, and those of his own class in England,
+            acted upon motives very distinct from those of the former
+            class, may be said with truth; for they acted upon the constitutional
+            principles of their own society, as incorporated into its
+            discipline: which principles would always have incited them to
+            the subversion of slavery, as far as they themselves were concerned,
+            whether any other person had abolished it or not. To
+            which it may be added, as a further proof of the originality of
+            their motives, that the Quakers have had, ever since their institution
+            as a religious body, but little intercourse with the world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The third class, to which I now come, consisted, as we have
+            seen, first of the Quakers in America; and secondly, of an union,
+            of these with others on the same continent. The principal individuals
+            concerned in this union were James Pemberton and Dr.
+            Rush. The former of these, having taken an active part in several
+            of the yearly meetings of his own society relative to the oppressed
+            Africans, and having been in habits of intimacy and friendship
+            with John Woolman and Anthony Benezet, with the result of
+            whose labours he was acquainted, may be supposed to have become
+            qualified to take a leading station in the promotion of their
+            cause. Dr. Rush also had shown himself, as has appeared, an
+            able advocate, and had even sustained a controversy in their
+            favour. That the two last mentioned acted also on motives of
+            their own, or independently of those belonging to the other two
+            classes, when they formed their association in Pennsylvania, will
+            be obvious from these circumstances; first, that most of those of
+            the first class, who contributed to throw the greatest light and
+            odium upon the Slave Trade, had not then made their public
+            appearance in the world. And, with respect to the second class,
+            the little committee belonging to it had neither been formed nor
+            thought of.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And as the individuals in each of the three classes, who have
+            now been mentioned, had an education as it were to qualify them
+            for acting together in this great cause, and had moved independently
+            of each other; so it will appear that, by means of circumstances,
+            which they themselves had neither foreseen nor contrived,
+
+            a junction between them was rendered easily practicable, and
+            that it was beginning to take place at the period assigned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To show this, I must first remind the reader, that Anthony
+            Benezet, as soon as he heard of the result of the case of Somerset,
+            opened a correspondence with Granville Sharp, which was kept
+            up to the encouragement of both. In the year 1774, when he
+            learned that William Dillwyn was going to England, he gave
+            him letters to that gentleman. Thus one of the most conspicuous
+            of the second class was introduced, accidentally as it were, to one
+            of the most conspicuous of the first. In the year 1775, William
+            Dillwyn went back to America, but, on his return to England to
+            settle, he renewed his visits to Granville Sharp. Thus the connexion
+            was continued. To these observations I may now add,
+            that Samuel Hoare, of the same class as William Dillwyn, had,
+            in consequence of the Bishop of Chester's sermon, begun a correspondence
+            in 1784, as before mentioned, with Mr. Ramsay,
+            who was of the same class as Mr. Sharp. Thus four individuals
+            of the two first classes were in the way of an union with one
+            another.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But circumstances equally natural contributed to render an
+            union between the members of the second and the third classes
+            easily practicable also. For what was more natural than that
+            William Dillwyn, who was born and who had resided long in
+            America, should have connexions there? He had long cultivated
+            a friendship (not then knowing to what it would lead) with
+            James Pemberton. His intimacy with him was like that of a
+            family connexion. They corresponded together; they corresponded
+            also as kindred hearts, relative to the Slave Trade.
+            Thus two members of the second and third classes had opened an
+            intercourse on the subject and thus was William Dillwyn the
+            great medium, through whom the members of the two classes
+            now mentioned, as well as the members of all the three, might be
+            easily united also, if a fit occasion should offer.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap7"></a>CHAPTER VII.
+         </h2>
+        <p><b> Fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors
+         up to 1787.&#8212;Dr. Peckard, vice-chancellor
+         of the University of Cambridge, the first of these; gives out
+         the Slave Trade as the subject for one of the annual prizes.&#8212;Author writes
+         and obtains the first of these; reads his Dissertation in the Senate-house in
+         the summer of 1785; his feelings on the subject during his return home; is
+         desirous of aiding the cause of the Africans, but sees great difficulties;
+         determines to publish his prize essay for this purpose; is accidentally
+         thrown into the way of James Phillips, who introduces him to W. Dillwyn,
+         the connecting medium of the three classes before mentioned; and
+         to G. Sharp and Mr. Ramsay, and to R. Phillips.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            I proceed now to the fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors
+            up to the year 1787 in the great cause of the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first of these was Dr. Peckard. This gentleman had
+            distinguished himself in the earlier part of his life by certain
+            publications on the intermediate state of the soul, and by others
+            in favour of civil and religious liberty. To the latter cause he
+            was a warm friend, seldom omitting any opportunity of declaring
+            his sentiments in its favour. In the course of his preferment he
+            was appointed by Sir John Griffin, afterwards Lord Howard of
+            Walden, to the mastership of Magdalen College in the University
+            of Cambridge. In this high office he considered it to be
+            his duty to support those doctrines which he had espoused when
+            in an inferior station; and accordingly, when in the year 1784 it
+            devolved upon him to preach a sermon, before the University of
+            Cambridge, he chose his favourite subject: in the handling of
+            which he took an opportunity of speaking of the Slave Trade in
+            the following nervous manner:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <blockquote>
+            <p>
+               "Now, whether we consider the crime with respect to the
+               individuals concerned in this most barbarous and cruel traffic, or
+               whether we consider it as patronized and encouraged by the laws
+               of the land, it presents to our view an equal degree of enormity.
+               A crime, founded on a dreadful pre-eminence in wickedness&#8212;a
+               crime, which being both of individuals and the nation, must
+
+               sometime draw down upon us the heaviest judgment of Almighty
+               God, who made of one blood all the sons of men, and who gave
+               to all equally a natural right to liberty; and who, ruling all the
+               kingdoms of the earth with equal providential justice, cannot
+               suffer such deliberate, such monstrous iniquity, to pass long
+               unpunished."
+
+            </p>
+         </blockquote>
+         <p>
+            But Dr. Peckard did not consider this delivery of his testimony,
+            though it was given before a learned and religious body, as
+            a sufficient discharge of his duty, while any opportunity remained
+            of renewing it with effect. And, as such an one offered in the
+            year 1785, when he was vice-chancellor of the University, he
+            embraced it. In consequence of his office, it devolved upon him
+            to give out two subjects for Latin dissertations, one to the middle
+            bachelors, and the other to the senior bachelors of arts. They
+            who produced the best were to obtain the prizes. To the latter
+            he proposed the following: <em>Anne liceat Invitos in Servitutem
+               dare?</em> or, <em>Is it right to make slaves of others against their will?</em></p>
+         <p>
+            This circumstance of giving out subjects for the prizes, though
+            only an ordinary measure, became the occasion of my own
+            labours, or of the real honour which I feel in being able to
+            consider myself as the next coadjutor of this class in the cause of
+            the injured Africans. For it happened in this year that, being
+            of the order of senior bachelors, I became qualified to write. I
+            had gained a prize for the best Latin dissertation in the former
+            year, and, therefore, it was expected that I should obtain one in
+            the present, or I should be considered as having lost my reputation
+            both in the eyes of the University and of my own College. It
+            had happened also, that I had been honoured with the first of the
+            prizes<a class="notelink" href="#NoteVII_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootVII_1"></a>, in that year, and therefore it was expected again, that I
+            should obtain the first on this occasion. The acquisition of the
+            second, however honourable, would have been considered as a
+            falling off, or as a loss of former fame. I felt myself, therefore,
+            particularly called upon to maintain my post. And, with feelings
+            of this kind, I began to prepare myself for the question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteVII_1"></a><a href="#FootVII_1">A</a>: There are two prizes on each
+            subject, one for the best and the other for the second-best
+            essays.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In studying the thesis, I conceived it to point directly to the
+
+            African Slave Trade, and more particularly as I knew that Dr.
+            Peckard, in the sermon which I have mentioned, had pronounced
+            so warmly against it. At any rate, I determined to give it this
+            construction. But, alas! I was wholly ignorant of this subject;
+            and, what was unfortunate, a few weeks only were allowed for
+            the composition. I was determined, however, to make the best
+            use of my time. I got access to the manuscript papers of a
+            deceased friend, who had been in the trade. I was acquainted
+            also with several officers who had been in the West Indies, and
+            from these I gained something. But I still felt myself at a loss for
+            materials, and I did not know where to get them; when going by
+            accident into a friend's house, I took up a newspaper then lying
+            on his table. One of the articles which attracted my notice, was
+            an advertisement of ANTHONY BENEZET'S <em>Historical Account of
+               Guinea</em>. I soon left my friend and his paper, and, to lose no
+            time, hastened to London to buy it. In this precious book I
+            found almost all I wanted. I obtained, by means of it, a knowledge
+            of, and access to, the great authorities of Adanson, Moore, Barbot,
+            Smith, Bosman, and others. It was of great consequence to know
+            what these persons had said upon this subject. For, having been
+            themselves either long resident in Africa, or very frequently there,
+            their knowledge of it could not be questioned. Having been
+            concerned also in the trade, it was not likely that they would
+            criminate themselves more than they could avoid. Writing too
+            at a time when the abolition was not even thought of, they could
+            not have been biassed with any view to that event. And, lastly,
+            having been dead many years, they could not have been influenced,
+            as living evidences may be supposed to have been, either
+            to conceal or exaggerate, as their own interest might lead them,
+            either by being concerned in the continuance of the trade, or by
+            supporting the opinions of those of their patrons in power, who
+            were on the different sides of this question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Furnished then in this manner, I began my work. But no
+            person can tell the severe trial which the writing of it proved to
+            me. I had expected pleasure from the invention of the arguments,
+            from the arrangement of them, from the putting of them
+            together, and from the thought in the interim that I was engaged
+
+            in an innocent contest for literary honour. But, all my pleasure
+            was damped by the facts which were now continually before me.
+            It was but one gloomy subject from morning to night. In the
+            day-time I was uneasy. In the night I had little rest. I sometimes
+            never closed my eye-lids for grief. It became now not so
+            much a trial for academical reputation, as for the production of a
+            work, which might be useful to injured Africa. And keeping
+            this idea in my mind ever after the perusal of Benezet, I always
+            slept with a candle in my room, that I might rise out of my bed
+            and put down such thoughts as might occur to me in the night,
+            if I judged them valuable, conceiving that no arguments of any
+            moment should be lost in so great a cause. Having at length
+            finished this painful task, I sent my Essay to the vice-chancellor,
+            and soon afterwards found myself honoured as before with the
+            first prize.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As it is usual to read these Essays publicly in the senate-house
+            soon after the prize is adjudged, I was called to Cambridge
+            for this purpose. I went and performed my office. On returning
+            however to London, the subject of it almost wholly engrossed
+            my thoughts. I became at times very seriously affected while
+            upon the road. I stopped my horse occasionally, and dismounted
+            and walked. I frequently tried to persuade myself in these intervals
+            that the contents of my Essay could not be true. The more,
+            however, I reflected upon them, or rather upon the authorities on
+            which they were founded, the more I gave them credit. Coming
+            in sight of Wades Mill, in Hertfordshire, I sat down disconsolate
+            on the turf by the roadside and held my horse. Here a thought
+            came into my mind, that if the contents of the Essay were true,
+            it was time some person should see these calamities to their end.
+            Agitated in this manner, I reached home. This was in the
+            summer of 1785.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the course of the autumn of the same year I experienced
+            similar impressions. I walked frequently into the woods, that I
+            might think on the subject in solitude, and find relief to my mind
+            there. But there the question still recurred, "Are these things
+            true?" Still the answer followed as instantaneously "They are."
+            Still the result accompanied it, "Then surely some person should
+
+            interfere." I then began to envy those who had seats in parliament,
+            and who had great riches, and widely extended connexions,
+            which would enable them to take up this cause. Finding scarcely
+            any one at that time who thought of it, I was turned frequently
+            to myself. But here many difficulties arose. It struck me, among
+            others, that a young man of only twenty-four years of age could
+            not have that solid judgment or knowledge of men, manners, and
+            things, which were requisite to qualify him to undertake a task
+            of such magnitude and importance;&#8212;and with whom was I to
+            unite? I believed also, that it looked so much like one of the
+            feigned labours of Hercules, that my understanding would be
+            suspected if I proposed it. On ruminating, however, on the
+            subject, I found one thing at least practicable, and that this also
+            was in my power. I could translate my Latin dissertation. I
+            could enlarge it usefully. I could see how the public received it,
+            or how far they were likely to favour any serious measures, which
+            should have a tendency to produce the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade. Upon this then I determined; and in the middle of the
+            month of November 1785, I began my work.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By the middle of January, I had finished half of it, though
+            I had made considerable additions. I now thought of engaging
+            with some bookseller to print it when finished. For this purpose
+            I called upon Mr. Cadell, in the Strand, and consulted him
+            about it. He said that as the original essay had been honoured
+            by the University of Cambridge with the first prize, this circumstance
+            would insure it a respectable circulation among persons of
+            taste. I own I was not much pleased with his opinion. I wished
+            the essay to find its way among useful people, and among such as
+            would act and think with me. Accordingly I left Mr. Cadell,
+            after having thanked him for his civility, and determined, as I
+            thought I had time sufficient before dinner, to call upon a friend
+            in the city. In going past the Royal Exchange, Mr. Joseph
+            Hancock, one of the religious society of the Quakers, and with
+            whose family my own had been long united in friendship, suddenly
+            met me. He first accosted me by saying that I was the
+            person whom he was wishing to see. He then asked me why I
+            had not published my prize essay. I asked him in return what
+
+            had made him think of that subject in particular. He replied
+            that his own society had long taken it up as a religious body, and
+            individuals among them were wishing to find me out. I asked
+            him who. He answered, James Phillips, a bookseller, in Georgeyard,
+            Lombard-street, and William Dillwyn, of Walthamstow,
+            and others. Having but little time to spare, I desired
+            him to introduce me to one of them. In a few minutes he took me to
+            James Phillips, who was then the only one of them in town;
+            by whose conversation I was so much interested and encouraged,
+            that without any further hesitation I offered him the publication
+            of my work. This accidental introduction of me to James Phillips
+            was, I found afterwards, a most happy circumstance for the
+            promotion of the cause which I had then so deeply at heart, as it
+            led me to the knowledge of several of those, who became afterwards
+            material coadjutors in it. It was also of great importance
+            to me with respect to the work itself: for he possessed an acute
+            penetration, a solid judgment, and a literary knowledge, which he
+            proved by the many alterations and additions he proposed; and
+            which I believe I uniformly adopted, after mature consideration,
+            from a sense of their real value. It was advantageous to me also,
+            inasmuch as it led me to his friendship, which was never interrupted
+            but by his death.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On my second visit to James Phillips, at which time I
+            brought him about half my manuscript for the press, I desired
+            him to introduce me to William Dillwyn, as he also had mentioned
+            him to me on my first visit, and as I had not seen Mr.
+            Hancock since. Matters were accordingly arranged, and a day
+            appointed before I left him. On this day I had my first interview
+            with my new friend. Two or three others of his own religious
+            society were present, but who they were, I do not now recollect.
+            There seemed to be a great desire among them to know
+            the motive, by which I had been actuated in contending for the
+            prize. I told them frankly that I had no motive but that which,
+            other young men in the University had on such occasions;
+            namely, the wish of being distinguished, or of obtaining literary
+            honour; but that I had felt so deeply on the subject of it, that
+            I had lately interested myself in it from a motive of duty. My
+
+            conduct seemed to be highly approved by those present, and much
+            conversation ensued, but it was of a general nature.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As William Dillwyn wished very much to see me at his
+            house at Walthamstow, I appointed the 13th of March to
+            spend the day with them there. We talked for the most part,
+            during my stay, on the subject of my essay. I soon discovered
+            the treasure I had met with in his local knowledge, both of the
+            Slave Trade and of slavery, as they existed in the United States;
+            and I gained from him several facts, which, with his permission,
+            I afterwards inserted in my work. But how surprised was I to
+            hear, in the course of our conversation, of the labours of
+            Granville Sharp, of the writings of Ramsay, and of the controversy
+            in which the latter was engaged, of all which I had hitherto
+            known nothing! How surprised was I to learn that William
+            Dillwyn himself had, two years before, associated himself with
+            five others for the purpose of enlightening the public mind upon
+            this great subject! How astonished was I to find that a society
+            had been formed in America for the same object, with some of
+            the principal members of which he was intimately acquainted!
+            And how still more astonished at the inference which instantly
+            rushed upon my mind, that he was capable of being made the
+            great medium of connexion between them all. These thoughts
+            almost overpowered me. I believe that after this I talked but
+            little more to my friend. My mind was overwhelmed with the
+            thought that I had been providentially directed to his house; that
+            the finger of Providence was beginning to be discernible; that
+            the day-star of African liberty was rising, and that probably
+            I might be permitted to become an humble instrument in
+            promoting it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the course of attending to my work, as now in the press,
+            James Phillips introduced me also to Granville Sharp, with
+            whom I had afterwards many interesting interviews from time to
+            time, and whom I discovered to be a distant relation by my
+            father's side.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He introduced me also by letter to a correspondence with Mr.
+            Ramsay, who in a short time afterwards came to London to
+            see me.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He introduced me also to his cousin, Richard Phillips, of
+            Lincoln's Inn, who was at that time, on the point of joining the
+            religious society of Quakers. In him I found much sympathy,
+            and a willingness to co-operate with me. When dull
+            and disconsolate, he encouraged me. When in spirits, he stimulated me
+            further. Him I am now to mention as a new, but soon afterwards
+            as an active and indefatigable, coadjutor in the cause. But
+            I shall say more concerning him in a future chapter. I shall
+            only now add that my work was at length printed; that it was
+            entitled <em>An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human
+               Species, particularly the African, translated
+               from a Latin Dissertation, which was honoured
+               with the first Prize in the University
+               of Cambridge, for the year 1785; with Additions</em>; and that it
+            was ushered into the world in the month of June, 1786, or in
+            about a year after it had been read in the Senate-house in its first
+            form.
+
+         </p>
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap8"></a>CHAPTER VIII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Continuation of the fourth class
+         of forerunners and coadjutors up to 1787;
+         Bennet Langton; Dr. Baker; Lord and Lady Scarsdale.&#8212;Author visits
+         Ramsay at Teston.&#8212;Lady Middleton and Sir Charles (afterward Lord
+         Barham).&#8212;Author declares himself at the house of the latter ready now
+         to devote himself to the cause; reconsiders this declaration or pledge;
+         his reasoning and struggle upon it; persists in it; returns to London; and
+         pursues the work as now a business of his life.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            I had purposed, as I said before, when I determined to publish
+            my essay, to wait to see how the world would receive it, or what
+            disposition there would be in the public to favour my measures
+            for the abolition of the Slave Trade. But the conversation which
+            I had held on the 13th of March with William Dillwyn, continued
+            to make such an impression upon me, that I thought now
+            there could be no occasion for waiting for such a purpose. It
+            seemed now only necessary to go forward. Others I found had
+            already begun the work. I had been thrown suddenly among
+            these, as into a new world of friends. I believed, also, that a
+            way was opening under Providence for support; and I now
+            thought that nothing remained for me but to procure as many
+            coadjutors as I could.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I had long had the honour of the friendship of Mr. Bennet
+            Langton, and I determined to carry him one of my books, and to
+            interest his feelings in it, with a view of procuring his assistance
+            in the cause. Mr. Langton was a gentleman of an ancient
+            family and respectable fortune in Lincolnshire, but resided then
+            in Queen Square, Westminster. He was known as the friend
+            of Dr. Johnson, Jonas Hanway, Edmund Burke, Sir Joshua
+            Reynolds, and others. Among his acquaintance, indeed, were
+            most of the literary, and eminent professional, and public-spirited
+            men of the times. At court, also, he was well known, and had
+            the esteem of his majesty (George III.), with whom he frequently
+            conversed. His friends were numerous also, in both houses of
+            the legislature. As to himself, he was much noted for his
+
+            learning, but most of all for the great example he gave, with
+            respect to the usefulness and integrity of his life.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By introducing my work to the sanction of a friend of such
+            high character and extensive connexions, I thought I should be
+            doing great things. And so the event proved. For when I
+            went to him after he had read it, I found that it had made a
+            deep impression upon his mind. As a friend to humanity, he
+            lamented over the miseries of the oppressed Africans; and over
+            the crimes of their tyrants, as a friend to morality and religion.
+            He cautioned me, however, against being too sanguine in my
+            expectations, as so many thousands were interested in continuing
+            the trade. Justice, however, which he said weighed with him
+            beyond all private or political interest, demanded a public
+            inquiry, and he would assist me to the utmost of his power in my
+            attempts towards it. From this time he became a zealous and
+            active coadjutor in the cause, and continued so to the end of his
+            valuable life.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next person, to whom I gave my work with a like view,
+            was Dr. Baker, a clergyman of the Establishment, and with
+            whom I had been in habits of intimacy for some time. Dr.
+            Baker was a learned and pious man. He had performed the
+            duties of his profession, from the time of his initiation into the
+            church, in an exemplary manner; not only by paying a proper
+            attention to the customary services, but by the frequent visitation
+            of the sick and the instruction of the poor. This he had done,
+            too, to admiration in a particularly extensive parish. At the
+            time I knew him, he had May-Fair Chapel, of which an unusual
+            portion of the congregation consisted then of persons of rank and
+            fortune. With most of these he had a personal acquaintance.
+            This was of great importance to me in the promotion of my
+            views.  Having left him my book for a month, I called upon
+            him. The result was that which I expected from so good a man.
+            He, did not wait for me to ask him for his co-operation, but he
+            offered his services in any way which I might think most eligible;
+            feeling it his duty, as he expressed it, to become an instrument
+            in exposing such a complication of guilt and misery to the world.
+            Dr. Baker became from this time an active coadjutor also, and
+            continued so to his death.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The person to whom I sent my work next, was the late Lord
+            Scarsdale, whose family I had known for about two years. Both
+            he and his lady read it with attention. They informed me, after
+            the perusal of it, that both of them were desirous of assisting me
+            in promoting the cause of the poor Africans. Lady Scarsdale
+            lamented that she might possibly offend near and dear connexions,
+            who had interests in, the West Indies, by so doing; but that,
+            conscious of no intention to offend these, and considering the
+            duties of religion to be the first to be attended to, she should be
+            pleased to become useful in so good a cause. Lord Scarsdale also
+            assured me, that, if the subject should ever come before the
+            House of Lords, it should have his constant support.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While attempting to make friends in this manner, I received
+            a letter from Mr. Ramsay, with an invitation to spend a month
+            at his house at Teston, near Maidstone, in Kent. This I accepted,
+            that I might communicate to him the progress I had made,
+            that I might gain more knowledge from him on the subject, and
+            that I might acquire new strength and encouragement to proceed.
+            On hearing my account of my proceedings, which I detailed to
+            him on the first evening of our meeting, he seemed almost overpowered
+            with joy. He said he had been long of opinion that the
+            release of the Africans from the scourges of this cruel trade was
+            within the determined views of Providence, and that by turning
+            the public attention to their misery, we should be the instruments
+            of beginning the good work. He then informed me how long
+            he himself had had their cause at heart; that communicating his
+            feelings to Sir Charles Middleton (afterwards Lord Barham) and
+            his lady, the latter had urged him to undertake a work in their
+            behalf; that her importunities were great respecting it; and that
+            he had on this account, and in obedience also to his own feelings,
+            as has been before mentioned, begun it; but that, foreseeing the
+            censure and abuse which such a subject, treated in any possible
+            manner, must bring upon the author, he had laid it aside for
+            some time. He had, however, resumed it at the solicitation of
+            Dr. Porteus, then Bishop of Chester; after which, in the year
+            1784, it made its appearance in the world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I was delighted with this account on the first evening of my
+
+            arrival; but more particularly, as I collected from it that I might
+            expect in the Bishop of Chester and Sir Charles Middleton two
+            new friends to the cause. This expectation was afterwards fully
+            realized, as the reader will see in its proper place. But I was
+            still more delighted, when I was informed that Sir Charles and
+            Lady Middleton, with Mrs. Bouverie, lived at Teston Hall, in a
+            park which was but a few yards from the house in which I then
+            was. In the morning I desired an introduction to them, which
+            accordingly took place, and I found myself much encouraged and
+            supported by this visit.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is not necessary, nor indeed is there room, to detail my
+            employments in this village, or the lonely walks I took there, or
+            the meditations of my mind at such seasons. I will therefore
+            come at once to a particular occurrence. When at dinner one
+            day with the family at Teston Hall, I was much pleased with
+            the turn which the conversation had taken on the subject, and in
+            the joy of my heart I exclaimed, that "I was ready to devote
+            myself to the cause." This brought great commendation from
+            those present; and Sir Charles Middleton added, that if I wanted
+            any information in the course of my future inquiries relative to
+            Africa, which he could procure me as comptroller of the navy,
+            such as extracts from the journals of the ships of war to
+            that continent, or from other papers, I should have free access to his
+            office. This offer I received with thankfulness, and it operated
+            as a new encouragement to me to proceed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next morning, when I awoke, one of the first things that
+            struck me was, that I had given a pledge to the company the day
+            before that I would devote myself to the cause of the oppressed
+            Africans. I became a little uneasy at this. I questioned whether
+            I had considered matters sufficiently to be able to go so far with
+            propriety. I determined therefore to give the subject a full
+            consideration, and accordingly I walked to the place of my usual
+            meditations,&#8212;the woods.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having now reached a place of solitude, I began to balance
+            everything on both sides of the question. I considered first, that
+            I had not yet obtained information sufficient on the subject to
+            qualify me for the undertaking of such a work. But I reflected,
+
+            on the other hand, that Sir Charles Middleton had just opened
+            to me a new source of knowledge; that I should be backed by
+            the local information of Dillwyn and Ramsay; and that surely,
+            by taking pains, I could acquire more.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I then considered that I had not yet a sufficient number of
+            friends to support me. This occasioned me to review them. I
+            had now Sir Charles Middleton, who was in the House of Commons.
+            I was sure of Dr. Porteus, who was in the House of
+            Lords. I could count upon Lord Scarsdale, who was a peer also.
+            I had secured Mr. Langton, who had a most extensive acquaintance
+            with members of both houses of the legislature. I had also
+            secured Dr. Baker, who had similar connexions. I could depend
+            upon Granville Sharp, James Phillips, Richard Phillips, Ramsay,
+            Dillwyn, and the little committee to which he belonged, as well
+            as the whole society of the Quakers. I thought, therefore, upon
+            the whole, that, considering the short time I had been at work,
+            I was well off with respect to support. I believed, also, that
+            there were still several of my own acquaintance whom I could
+            interest in the question, and I did not doubt that, by exerting
+            myself diligently, persons, who were then strangers to me, would
+            be raised up in time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I considered next, that it was impossible for a great cause like
+            this to be forwarded without large pecuniary funds. I questioned
+            whether some thousand pounds would not be necessary, and from
+            whence was such a sum to come! In answer to this, I persuaded
+            myself that generous people would be found who would unite
+            with me in contributing their mite towards the undertaking,
+            and I seemed confident that, as the Quakers had taken up the
+            cause as a religious body, they would not be behind-hand in
+            supporting it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I considered lastly, that if I took up the question, I must
+            devote myself wholly to it. I was sensible that a little labour
+            now and then would be inadequate to the purpose, or that, where
+            the interests of so many thousand persons were likely to be
+            affected, constant exertion would be necessary. I felt certain
+            that if ever the matter were to be taken up, there could be no
+            hope of success, except it should be taken up by some one who
+
+            would make it an object or business of his life. I thought too
+            that a man's life might not be more than adequate to the accomplishment
+            of the end. But I knew of no one who could devote
+            such a portion of time to it. Sir Charles Middleton, though he
+            was so warm and zealous, was greatly occupied in the discharge
+            of his office. Mr. Langton spent a great portion of his time in
+            the education of his children. Dr. Baker had a great deal to do
+            in the performance of his parochial duty. The Quakers were
+            almost all of them in trade. I could look therefore to no person
+            but myself; and the question was, whether I was prepared to
+            make the sacrifice. In favour of the undertaking, I urged to
+            myself, that never was any cause, which had been taken up by
+            man in any country or in any age, so great and important; that
+            never was there one in which so much misery was heard to cry
+            for redress; that never was there one in which so much good
+            could be done; never one in which the duty of Christian charity
+            could be so extensively exercised; never one more worthy of the
+            devotion of a whole life towards it; and that, if a man thought
+            properly, he ought to rejoice to have been called into existence, if
+            he were only permitted to become an instrument in forwarding
+            it in any part of its progress. Against these sentiments, on the
+            other hand, I had to urge, that I had been designed for the
+            church; that I had already advanced as far as deacon's orders in
+            it; that my prospects there on account of my connexions were
+            then brilliant, that, by appearing to desert my profession, my
+            family would be dissatisfied, if not unhappy. These thoughts
+            pressed upon me, and rendered the conflict difficult. But the
+            sacrifice of my prospects staggered me, I own, the most. When
+            the other objections, which I have related, occurred to me, my
+            enthusiasm instantly, like a flash of lightning, consumed them;
+            but this stuck to me, and troubled me. I had ambition. I had
+            a thirst after worldly interest and honours, and I could not
+            extinguish it at once. I was more than two hours in solitude
+            under this painful conflict. At length I yielded, not because I
+            saw any reasonable prospect of success in my new undertaking
+            (for all cool-headed and cool-hearted men would have pronounced
+            against it), but in obedience, I believe, to a higher Power. And
+
+            I can say, that both on the moment of this resolution, and
+            for some time afterwards, I had more sublime and happy feelings
+            than at any former period of my life.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having now made up my mind on the subject, I informed
+            Mr. Ramsay, that in a few days I should be leaving Teston, that
+            I might begin my labours, according to the pledge I had given
+            him.
+
+         </p>
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap9"></a>CHAPTER IX.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Continuation of the fourth Class of forerunners and
+         coadjutors Up to 1787.&#8212;Author resolves upon the distribution
+         of his book.&#8212;Mr. Sheldon; Sir Herbert Mackworth; Lord Newhaven;
+         Lord Balgonie (afterwards Leven); Lord Hawke; Bishop
+         Porteus.&#8212;Author visits African vessels in the Thames; and
+         various persons, for further information.&#8212;Visits also Members
+         of Parliament; Sir Richard Hill; Mr. Powys (late Lord Lilford);
+         Mr. Wilberforce and others; conduct of the latter on this occasion.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            On my return to London, I called upon William Dillwyn, to
+            inform him of the resolution I had made at Teston, and found
+            him at his town lodgings in the Poultry. I informed him also,
+            that I had a letter of introduction in my pocket from Sir Charles
+            Middleton to Samuel Hoare, with whom I was to converse on
+            the subject. The latter gentleman had interested himself the
+            year before as one of the committee for the Black poor in
+            London, whom Mr. Sharp was sending under the auspices of
+            government to Sierra Leone. He was also, as the reader
+            may see by looking back, a member of the second class
+            of coadjutors, or of the little committee which had branched
+            out of the Quakers in England as before described. William
+            Dillwyn said he would go with me and introduce me
+            himself. On our arrival in Lombard-street, I saw my new
+            friend, with whom we conversed for some time. From thence I
+            proceeded, accompanied by both, to the house of James Phillips
+            in George-yard, to whom I was desirous of communicating my
+            resolution also. We found him at home, conversing with a
+            friend of the same religious society, whose name was Joseph
+            Gurney Bevan. I then repeated my resolution before them all.
+            We had much friendly and satisfactory conversation together.
+            I received much encouragement on every side, and I fixed to
+            meet them again at the place where we then were in three days.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the evening of the same day, I waited upon Granville
+            Sharp to make the same communication to him. He received it
+            with great pleasure, and he hoped I should have strength to proceed.
+            From thence I went to the Baptist-head coffee-house, in
+
+            Chancery-lane, and having engaged with the master of the house
+            that I should always have one private room to myself when I
+            wanted it, I took up my abode there, in order to be near my
+            friend Richard Phillips of Lincoln's Inn, from whose advice and
+            assistance I had formed considerable expectations.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first matter for our deliberation, after we had thus become
+            neighbours, was, what plan I ought to pursue to give effect to the
+            resolution I had taken.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After having discussed the matter two or three times at his
+            chambers, it seemed to be our opinion, that, as members of the
+            legislature could do more to the purpose in this question, than any
+            other persons, it would be proper to circulate all the remaining
+            copies of my work among these, in order that they might thus
+            obtain information upon the subject. Secondly, that it would be
+            proper that I should wait personally upon several of these also.
+            And thirdly, that I should be endeavouring in the interim to
+            enlarge my own knowledge, that I might thus be enabled to
+            answer the various objections which might be advanced on the
+            other side of the question, as well as become qualified to be a
+            manager of the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the third day, or at the time appointed, I went with
+            Richard Phillips to George-yard, Lombard-street, where I met
+            all my friends as before. I communicated to them the opinion
+            we had formed at Lincoln's Inn, relative to my future proceedings
+            in the three different branches as now detailed. They approved
+            the plan. On desiring a number of my books to be sent
+            to me at my new lodgings for the purpose of distribution, Joseph
+            Gurney Bevan, who was stated to have been present at the
+            former interview, seemed uneasy, and at length asked me if I was
+            going to distribute these at my own expense. I replied, I was.
+            He appealed immediately to those present whether it ought to be
+            allowed. He asked whether, when a young man was giving up
+            his time from morning till night, they who applauded his pursuit
+            and seemed desirous of co-operating with him, should allow him
+            to make such a sacrifice, or whether they should not at least
+            secure him from loss; and he proposed directly that the remaining
+            part of the edition should be taken off by subscription,
+
+            and, in order that my feelings might not be hurt from any supposed
+            stain arising from the thought of gaining any thing by
+            such a proposal, they should be paid for only at the prime cost.
+            I felt myself much obliged to him for this tender consideration
+            about me, and particularly for the latter part of it, under which
+            alone I accepted the offer. Samuel Hoare was charged with the
+            management of the subscription, and the books were to be distributed
+            as I had proposed, and in any way which I myself might
+            prescribe.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This matter having been determined upon, my first care was
+            that the books should be put into proper hands. Accordingly I
+            went round among my friends from day to day, wishing to secure
+            this before I attended to any of the other objects. In this I was
+            much assisted by my friend Richard Phillips. Mr. Langton began
+            the distribution of them. He made a point either of writing
+            to or of calling upon those to whom he sent them. Dr. Baker
+            took the charge of several for the same purpose; Lord and Lady
+            Scarsdale of others; Sir Charles and Lady Middleton of others.
+            Mr. Sheldon, at the request of Richard Phillips, introduced me
+            by letter to several members of parliament, to whom I wished to
+            deliver them myself. Sir Herbert Mackworth, when spoken to
+            by the latter, offered his services also. He seemed to be particularly
+            interested in the cause. He went about to many of his
+            friends in the House of Commons, and this from day to day, to
+            procure their favour towards it. Lord Newhaven was applied to,
+            and distributed some. Lord Balgonie took a similar charge.
+            The late Lord Hawke, who told me that he had long felt for
+            the sufferings of the injured Africans, desired to be permitted
+            to take his share of the distribution among members of the
+            House of Lords, and Dr. Porteus, now Bishop of London,
+            became another coadjutor in the same work.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This distribution of my books having been consigned to proper
+            hands, I began to qualify myself, by obtaining further knowledge,
+            for the management of this great cause. As I had obtained the
+            principal part of it from reading, I thought I ought now to see
+            what could be seen, and to know from living persons what could
+            be known on the subject.  With respect to the first of these
+
+            points, the river Thames presented itself as at hand. Ships were
+            going occasionally from the port of London to Africa, and why
+            could I not get on board them and examine for myself? After
+            diligent inquiry, I heard of one which had just arrived. I
+            found her to be a little wood-vessel, called the Lively, Captain
+            Williamson, or one which traded to Africa in the natural productions
+            of the country, such as ivory, bees'-wax, Malaguetta pepper,
+            palm-oil, and dye-woods. I obtained specimens of some of these,
+            so that I now became possessed of some of those things of which
+            I had only read before. On conversing with the mate, he showed
+            me one or two pieces of the cloth made by the natives, and from
+            their own cotton. I prevailed upon him to sell me a piece of
+            each. Here new feelings arose, and particularly when I considered
+            that persons of so much apparent ingenuity, and capable of
+            such beautiful work as the Africans, should be made slaves, and
+            reduced to a level with the brute creation. My reflections here
+            on the better use which might be made of Africa by the substitution
+            of another trade, and on the better use which might be made
+            of her inhabitants, served greatly to animate and to sustain me
+            amidst the labour of my pursuits.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next vessel I boarded was the Fly, Captain Colley.
+            Here I found myself for the first time on the deck of a slave-vessel.
+            The sight of the rooms below and of the gratings above,
+            and of the barricado across the deck, and the explanation of the
+            uses of all these, filled me both with melancholy and horror. I
+            found soon afterwards a fire of indignation kindling within me.
+            I had now scarce patience to talk with those on board. I had not
+            the coolness this first time to go leisurely over the places that
+            were open to me. I got away quickly. But that which I
+            thought I saw horrible in this vessel had the same effect upon me
+            as that which I thought I had seen agreeable in the other,
+            namely, to animate and to invigorate me in my pursuit.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But I will not trouble the reader with any further account of
+            my water-expeditions, while attempting to perfect my knowledge
+            on this subject. I was equally assiduous in obtaining intelligence
+            wherever it could be had; and being now always on the watch, I
+            was frequently falling in with individuals, from whom I gained
+
+            something. My object was to see all who had been in Africa,
+            but more particularly those who had never been interested, or
+            who at any rate were not then interested, in the trade. I gained
+            accordingly access very early to General Rooke; to Lieutenant
+            Dalrymple, of the army; to Captain Fiddes, of the engineers; to
+            the reverend Mr. Newton; to Mr. Nisbett, a surgeon in the
+            Minories; to Mr. Devaynes, who was then in parliament, and to
+            many others; and I made it a rule to put down in writing, after
+            every conversation, what had taken place in the course of it. By
+            these means, things began to unfold themselves to me more and
+            more, and I found my stock of knowledge almost daily on the
+            increase.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While, however, I was forwarding this, I was not inattentive
+            to the other object of my pursuit, which was that of waiting
+            upon members personally. The first I called upon was Sir
+            Richard Hill. At the first interview he espoused the cause. I
+            waited then upon others, and they professed themselves friendly;
+            but they seemed to make this profession more from the emotion
+            of good hearts, revolting at the bare mention of the Slave Trade,
+            than from any knowledge concerning it. One, however, whom I
+            visited, Mr. Powys, (the late Lord Lilford,) with whom I had
+            been before acquainted in Northamptonshire, seemed to doubt
+            some of the facts in my book, from a belief that human nature
+            was not capable of proceeding to such a pitch of wickedness. I
+            asked him to name his facts. He selected the case of the hundred
+            and thirty-two slaves who were thrown alive into the sea to
+            defraud the underwriters. I promised to satisfy him fully upon
+            this point, and went immediately to Granville Sharp, who lent me
+            his account of the trial, as reported at large from the notes of the
+            short-hand writer, whom he had employed on the occasion. Mr.
+            Powys read the account. He became, in consequence of it, convinced,
+            as, indeed, he could not otherwise be, of the truth of
+            what I had asserted, and he declared at the same time that, if
+            this were true, there was nothing so horrible related of this trade,
+            which might not immediately be believed. Mr. Powys had been
+            always friendly to this question, but now he took a part in the
+            distribution of my books.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Among those whom I visited was Mr. Wilberforce. On my
+            first interview with him, he stated frankly, that the subject had
+            often employed his thoughts, and that it was near his heart.
+            He seemed earnest about it, and also very desirous of taking the
+            trouble of inquiring further into it. Having read my book, which
+            I had delivered to him, in person, he sent, for me. He expressed
+            a wish that I would make him acquainted with some of my
+            authorities for the assertions in it, which I did afterwards to his
+            satisfaction. He asked me if I could support it by any other evidence.
+            I told him I could. I mentioned Mr. Newton, Mr.
+            Nisbett, and several others to him. He took the trouble of sending
+            for all these. He made memorandums of their conversation,
+            and, sending for me afterwards, showed them to me. On learning
+            my intention to devote myself to the cause, he paid me many handsome
+            compliments. He then desired me to call upon him
+            often, and to acquaint him with my progress from time to time.
+            He expressed also his willingness to afford me any assistance in
+            his power in the prosecution of my pursuits.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The carrying on of these different objects, together with the
+            writing which was connected with them, proved very laborious,
+            and occupied almost all my time. I was seldom engaged less
+            than sixteen hours in the day. When I left Teston to begin the
+            pursuit as an object of my life, I promised my friend Mr. Ramsay
+            a weekly account of my progress. At the end of the first week
+            my letter to him contained little more than a sheet of paper. At
+            the end of the second it contained three; at the end of the third,
+            six; and at the end of the fourth I found it would be so
+            voluminous, that I was obliged to decline writing it.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap10"></a>CHAPTER X.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Continuation of the fourth class of forerunners and
+         coadjutors up to 1787.&#8212;Author goes on to enlarge his knowledge
+         in the different departments of the subject; communicates more
+         frequently with Mr. Wilberforce.&#8212;Meetings now appointed at
+         the house of the latter.&#8212;Dinner at Mr. Langton's.&#8212;Mr. Wilberforce
+         pledges himself there to take up the subject in Parliament;
+         remarkable junction, in consequence, of all the four classes
+         of forerunners and coadjutors before-mentioned.&#8212;Committee formed
+         out of these on the 22nd of May, 1787, for the abolition of the
+         Slave Trade.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            The manner in which Mr. Wilberforce had received me, and the
+            pains which he had taken, and was still taking, to satisfy himself
+            of the truth of those enormities which had been charged upon the
+            Slave Trade, tended much to enlarge my hope, that they might
+            become at length the subject of a parliamentary inquiry. Richard
+            Phillips, also, to whom I made a report at his chambers almost
+            every evening of the proceedings of the day, had begun to entertain
+            a similar expectation. Of course we unfolded our thoughts
+            to one another; from hence a desire naturally sprung up in each
+            of us to inquire whether any alteration in consequence of this new
+            prospect should be made in my pursuits. On deliberating upon
+            this point, it seemed proper to both of us that the distribution of
+            the books should be continued; that I should still proceed in
+            enlarging my own knowledge; and that I should still wait upon
+            members of the legislature, but with this difference, that I should
+            never lose sight of Mr. Wilberforce, but, on the other hand, that
+            I should rather omit visiting some others than paying a proper
+            attention to him.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            One thing however appeared now to be necessary, which had
+            not yet been done. This was to inform our friends in the city,
+            upon whom I had all along occasionally called, that we believed
+            the time was approaching when it would be desirable that we
+            should unite our labours, if they saw no objection to such a
+            measure; for, if the Slave Trade were to
+            become a subject of parliamentary inquiry with
+            a view to the annihilation of it, no individual
+
+            could perform the work which would be necessary for such
+            a purpose. This work must be a work of many; and who so
+            proper to assist in it as they, who had before so honourably
+            laboured in it? In the case of such an event large funds also
+            would be wanted, and who so proper to procure and manage them
+            as these? A meeting was accordingly called at the house of James
+            Phillips, when these our views were laid open. When I stated
+            that from the very time of my hopes beginning to rise I had
+            always had those present in my eye as one day to be fellow-labourers,
+            William Dillwyn replied, that from the time they had
+            first heard of the <em>Prize Essay</em>, they also had had their eyes
+            upon me, and, from the time they had first seen me, had conceived: a
+            desire of making the same use of me as I had now expressed a
+            wish of making of them, but that matters did not appear ripe at
+            our first interview. Our proposal, however, was approved, and
+            an assurance was given, that an union should take place as soon
+            as it was judged to be seasonable. It was resolved also, that one
+            day in the week<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootX_1"></a> should be
+            appointed for a meeting at the house
+            of James Phillips, where as many might attend as had leisure,
+            and that I should be there to make a report of my progress, by
+            which we might all judge of the fitness of the time of calling ourselves
+            an united body. Pleased now with the thought that
+            matters were put into such a train, I returned to my former
+            objects.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_1"></a><a href="#FootX_1">A</a>: At these weekly meetings I met
+            occasionally Joseph Woods, George Harrison, and John Lloyd, three of the other
+            members, who belonged to the committee of the second class of forerunners
+            and coadjutors as before described. I had seen all of them before,
+            but I do not recollect the time when I first met them.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is not necessary to say anything more of the first of these
+            objects, which was that of the further distribution of my book,
+            than that it was continued, and chiefly by the same hands.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the enlargement of my knowledge, it was
+            promoted likewise. I now gained access to the Custom-House
+            in London, where I picked up much valuable information for my
+            purpose.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having had reason to believe that the Slave Trade was peculiarly
+            fatal to those employed in it, I wished much to get copies
+
+            of many of the muster-rolls from the Custom-House at Liverpool
+            for a given time. James Phillips wrote to his friend William
+            Rathbone, who was one of his own religious society, and who
+            resided there, to procure them. They were accordingly sent up.
+            The examination of these, which took place at the chambers of
+            Richard Phillips, was long and tedious. We looked over them
+            together. We usually met for this purpose at nine in the evening,
+            and we seldom parted till one, and sometimes not till three
+            in the morning. When our eyes were inflamed by the candle, or
+            tired by fatigue, we used to relieve ourselves by walking out
+            within the precincts of Lincoln's Inn, when all seemed to be fast
+            asleep, and thus, as it were, in solitude and in stillness to converse
+            upon them, as well as upon the best means of the further promotion
+            of our cause. These scenes of our early friendship and exertions
+            I shall never forget. I often think of them both with
+            astonishment and with pleasure. Having recruited ourselves in
+            this manner, we used to return to our work. From these muster-rolls,
+            I may now observe that we gained the most important
+            information: we ascertained, beyond the power of contradiction, that
+            more than half of the seamen who went out with the ships in the
+            Slave Trade did not return with them, and that of these so many
+            perished, as amounted to one-fifth of all employed. As to what
+            became of the remainder, the muster-rolls did not inform us;
+            this, therefore, was left to us as a subject for our future inquiry.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In endeavouring to enlarge my knowledge, my thoughts were
+            frequently turned to the West Indian part of the question, and
+            in this department my friend Richard Phillips gained me important
+            intelligence. He put into my hands several documents
+            concerning estates in the West Indies, which he had mostly from
+            the proprietors themselves, where the slaves by mild and prudent
+            usage had so increased in population, as to supersede the necessity
+            of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By attending to these and to various other parts of the subject,
+            I began to see as it were with new eyes; I was enabled to make
+            several necessary discriminations, to reconcile things before
+            seemingly contradictory, and to answer many objections which had
+            hitherto put on a formidable shape. But most of all was I
+
+            rejoiced at the thought that I should soon be able to prove that
+            which I had never doubted, but which had hitherto been beyond
+            my power in this case, that Providence, in ordaining laws relative
+            to the agency of man, had never made that to be wise which was
+            immoral, and that the Slave Trade would be found as impolitic
+            as it was inhuman and unjust.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In keeping up my visits to members of parliament, I was
+            particularly attentive to Mr. Wilberforce, whom I found daily
+            becoming more interested in the fate of Africa. I now made to
+            him a regular report of my progress, of the sentiments of those in
+            parliament whom I had visited, of the disposition of my friends
+            in the city, of whom he had often heard me speak, of my discoveries
+            from the Custom-Houses of London and Liverpool, of
+            my documents concerning West India estates, and of all, indeed,
+            that had occurred to me worth mentioning. He had himself also
+            been making his inquiries, which he communicated to me in
+            return. Our intercourse had now become frequent, no one week
+            elapsing without an interview: at one of these, I suggested to him
+            the propriety of having occasional meetings at his own house,
+            consisting of a few friends in parliament, who might converse on
+            the subject: of this he approved. The persons present at the
+            first meeting were Mr. Wilberforce, the Honourable John Villiers,
+            Mr. Powys, Sir Charles Middleton, Sir Richard Hill, Mr.
+            Granville Sharp, Mr. Ramsay, Dr. Gregory, (who had written
+            on the subject, as before mentioned,) and myself. At this meeting
+            I read a paper, giving an account of the light I had collected
+            in the course of my inquiries, with observations as well on the
+            impolicy as on the wickedness of the trade. Many questions
+            arose out of the reading of this little essay; many answers followed.
+            Objections were started and canvassed. In short, this
+            measure was found so useful, that certain other evenings as well
+            as mornings were fixed upon for the same purpose.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On reporting my progress to my friends in the city, several of
+            whom now assembled once in the week, as I mentioned before to
+            have been agreed upon, and particularly on reporting the different
+            meetings which had taken place at the house of Mr. Wilberforce
+            on the subject, they were of opinion that the time was approaching
+
+            when we might unite, and that this union might prudently
+            commence as soon as ever Mr. Wilberforce would give his word
+            that he would take up the question in Parliament. Upon this I
+            desired to observe, that though the latter gentleman had pursued
+            the subject with much earnestness, he had never yet dropped the
+            least hint that he would proceed so far in the matter, but I would
+            take care that the question should be put to him, and I would
+            bring them his answer.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In consequence of the promise I had now made, I went to
+            Mr. Wilberforce. But when I saw him, I seemed unable to
+            inform him of the object of my visit. Whether this inability
+            arose from any sudden fear that his answer might not be favourable,
+            or from a fear that I might possibly involve him in a long
+            and arduous contest upon this subject, or whether it arose from
+            an awful sense of the importance of the mission, as it related to
+            the happiness of hundreds of thousands then alive, and of millions
+            then unborn, I cannot say. But I had a feeling within me for
+            which I could not account, and which seemed to hinder me from
+            proceeding; and I actually went away without informing him
+            of my errand.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In this situation I began to consider what to do, when I
+            thought I would call upon Mr. Langton, tell him what had happened,
+            and ask his advice. I found him at home. We consulted
+            together. The result was, that he was to invite Mr. Wilberforce
+            and some others to meet me at a dinner at his own house
+            in two or three days, when he said he had no doubt of being able
+            to procure an answer, by some means or other, to the question
+            which I wished to have resolved.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On receiving a card from Mr. Langton, I went to dine with
+            him. I found the party consist of Sir Charles Middleton, Mr.
+            Wilberforce, Mr. Hawkins Browne, Mr. Windham, Sir Joshua
+            Reynolds, and Mr. Boswell. The latter was then known as the
+            friend of Dr. Johnson, and afterwards as the writer of
+            his <em>Tour to the Hebrides</em>. After dinner
+            the subject of the Slave Trade
+            was purposely introduced. Many questions were put to me, and
+            I dilated upon each in my answers, that I might inform and
+            interest those present as much as I could. They seemed to be
+
+            greatly impressed with my account of the loss of seamen in the
+            trade, and with the little samples of African cloth which I had
+            procured for their inspection. Sir Joshua Reynolds gave his
+            unqualified approbation of the abolition of this cruel traffic.
+            Mr. Hawkins Browne joined heartily with him in sentiment;
+            he spoke with much feeling upon it, and pronounced it to be
+            barbarous, and contrary to every principle of morality and religion.
+            Mr. Boswell, after saying the planters would urge that the
+            Africans were made happier by being carried from their own
+            country to the West Indies, observed, "Be it so. But we have
+            no right to make people happy against their will." Mr. Windham,
+            when it was suggested that the great importance of our
+            West Indian islands, and the grandeur of Liverpool, would be
+            brought against those who should propose the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade, replied, "We have nothing to do with the policy
+            of the measure. Rather let Liverpool and the islands be swallowed
+            up in the sea, than this monstrous system of iniquity be
+            carried on.<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootX_2"></a>" While such conversation was passing, and when
+            all appeared to be interested in the cause, Mr. Langton put the
+            question, about the proposal of which I had been so diffident, to
+            Mr. Wilberforce, in the shape of a delicate compliment. The
+            latter replied, that he had no objection to bring forward the
+            measure in parliament when he was better prepared for it, and
+            provided no person more proper could be found. Upon this,
+            Mr. Hawkins Browne and Mr. Windham both said they would
+            support him there. Before I left the company, I took Mr. Wilberforce
+            aside, and asked him if I might mention this his resolution
+            to those of my friends in the city, of whom he had often
+            heard me speak, as desirous of aiding him by becoming a committee
+            for the purpose. He replied, I might. I then asked
+            Mr. Langton, privately, if he had any objection to belong to a
+            society of which there might be a committee for the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade. He said he should be pleased to become a
+
+            member of it. Having received these satisfactory answers, I
+            returned home.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_2"></a><a href="#FootX_2">A</a>: I do not know upon what grounds, after
+            such strong expressions, Mr. Boswell, in the next year, and Mr. Windham,
+            after having supported the cause for three or four years, became
+            inimical to it.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next day, having previously taken down the substance of
+            the conversation at the dinner, I went to James Phillips, and
+            desired that our friends might be called together as soon as they
+            conveniently could to hear my report. In the interim I wrote
+            to Dr. Peckard, and waited upon Lord Scarsdale, Dr. Baker,
+            and others, to know (supposing a society were formed for the
+            abolition of the Slave Trade) if I might say they would belong
+            to it. All of them replied in the affirmative, and desired me to
+            represent them, if there should be any meeting for this purpose.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At the time appointed I met my friends. I read over the
+            substance of the conversation which had taken place at Mr.
+            Langton's. No difficulty occurred. All were unanimous for the
+            formation of a committee. On the next day we met by agreement
+            for this purpose. It was then resolved unanimously, among
+            other things,&#8212;That the Slave Trade was both impolitic and
+            unjust. It was resolved, also,&#8212;That the following persons be a
+            committee for procuring such information and evidence, and publishing
+            the same, as may tend to the abolition of the Slave Trade,
+            and for directing the application of such moneys as have been
+            already, and may hereafter be collected for the above purpose:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <ul>
+            <li><a name="d0e2128"></a>Granville Sharp
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2130"></a>Thomas Clarkson
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2132"></a>Richard Phillips
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2134"></a>William Dillwyn
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2136"></a>Samual Hoare
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2138"></a>John Barton
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2140"></a>George Harrison
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2142"></a>Joseph Hooper
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2144"></a>John Lloyd
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2146"></a>James Phillips
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2148"></a>Joseph Woods
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e2150"></a>Philip Sansom
+            </li>
+         </ul>
+         <p>
+            All these were present. Granville Sharp, who stands at the
+            head of the list, and who, as the father of the cause in England,
+            was called to the chair, maybe considered as representing the
+            first class of forerunners and coadjutors, as it has been before
+            described. The five next, of whom Samuel Hoare was chosen
+            as the treasurer, were they who had been the committee of the
+            second class, or of the Quakers in England, with the exception
+
+            of Dr. Knowles, who was then dying, but who, having heard of
+            our meeting, sent a message to us to exhort us to proceed. The
+            third class, or that of the Quakers in America, may be considered
+            as represented by William Dillwyn, by whom they were
+            afterwards joined to us in correspondence. The two who stand
+            next, and in which I am included, may be considered as representing
+            the fourth, most of the members of which we had been
+            the means of raising. Thus, on the 22nd of May, 1787, the
+            representatives of all the four classes, of which I have been giving
+            a history from the year 1516, met together, and were united in
+            that committee, to which I have been all along directing the
+            attention of the reader; a committee, which, labouring afterwards
+            with Mr. Wilberforce as a parliamentary head, did, under
+            Providence, in the space of twenty years, contribute to put an
+            end to a trade, which, measuring its magnitude by its crimes and
+            sufferings, was the greatest practical evil that ever afflicted the
+            human race.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After the formation of the committee<a class="notelink" href="#NoteX_3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootX_3"></a>, notice was sent to
+            Mr. Wilberforce of the event, and a friendship began, which has
+            continued uninterruptedly between them, from that to the present
+            day.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteX_3"></a><a href="#FootX_3">A</a>: All the members
+            were of the society of the Quakers, except Mr. Sharp,
+            Sansom, and myself. Joseph Gurney Bevan was present on the day before this
+            meeting. He desired to belong to the society, but to be excused from belonging
+            to the committee.
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap11"></a>CHAPTER XI.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>The preceding history of the different classes of the
+         forerunners and coadjutors, to the time of the formation of the committee,
+         collected into one view by means of a map.&#8212;Explanation of this map,
+         and observations upon it.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            As the preceding history of the different classes of the forerunners
+            and coadjutors, to the time of their junction, or to the
+            formation of the committee, as just explained, may be thought
+            interesting by many, I have endeavoured, by means of the
+            annexed map, so to bring it before the reader, that he may comprehend
+            the whole of it at a single view.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The figure beginning at A and reaching down to X represents
+            the first class of forerunners and coadjutors up to the year 1787,
+            as consisting of so many springs or rivulets, which assisted in
+            making and swelling the torrent which swept away the Slave
+            Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The figure from B to C and from C to X represents the second
+            class, or that of the Quakers in England, up to the same time.
+            The stream on the right-hand represents them as a body, and
+            that on the left the six individuals belonging to them, who formed
+            the committee in 1783.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The figure from B to D represents the third class, or that of
+            the Quakers in America when joined with others in 1774. The
+            stream passing from D through E to X shows how this class
+            was conveyed down, as it were, so as to unite with the second.
+            That passing from D to Y shows its course in its own country,
+            to its enlargement in 1787. And here I may observe, that as the
+            different streams which formed a junction at X, were instrumental
+            in producing the abolition of the Slave Trade in England,
+            in the month of March, 1807, so those, whose effects are found
+            united at Y, contributed to produce the same event in America,
+            in the same month of the same year.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The figure from F to X represents the fourth class up to
+            1787.
+
+         </p><a name="coadj1"></a><span class="center"><img src="images/174-1.png" alt="First Class of Forerunners and Coadjutors"></span><span class="center"><img src="images/175-1.png" alt="Second Class of Forerunners and Coadjutors"></span><span class="center"><img src="images/176-1.png" alt="Third Class of Forerunners and Coadjutors"></span><p>
+            X represents the junction of all the four classes in the
+            committee instituted in London on the twenty-second day of
+            May, 1787.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The parallel lines G, H, I, K, represent different periods of
+            time, showing when the forerunners and coadjutors lived. The
+            space between G and H includes the space of fifty years, in which
+            we find but few labourers in this cause. That between H and I
+            includes the same portion of time, in which we find them considerably
+            increased, or nearly doubled. That between I and K
+            represents the next thirty-seven years; but here we find their
+            increase beyond all expectation, for we find four times more
+            labourers in this short term, than in the whole of the preceding
+            century.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In looking over the map, as thus explained, a number of
+            thoughts suggested themselves, some of which it may not be
+            improper to detail. And first, in looking between the first and
+            second parallel, we perceive, that Morgan Godwyn, Richard
+            Baxter, and George Fox, the first a clergyman of the established
+            church, the second a divine at the head of the nonconformists,
+            and the third the founder of the religious society of the Quakers,
+            appeared each of them the first in his own class, and all of them,
+            about the same time, in behalf of the oppressed Africans. We
+            see then this great truth first apparent, that the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade took its rise, not from persons who set up a cry for
+            liberty, when they were oppressors themselves, nor from persons
+            who were led to it by ambition, or a love of reputation among
+            men, but where it was most desirable, namely, from the teachers
+            of Christianity in those times.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This account of its rise will furnish us with some important
+            lessons. And first, it shows us the great value of religion. We
+            see, when moral disorders become known, that the virtuous are
+            they who rise up for the removal of them. Thus Providence
+            seems to have appointed those who devote themselves most to his
+            service, to the honourable office of becoming so many agents,
+            under his influence, for the correction of the evils of life. And
+            as this account of the rise of the abolition of the Slave Trade
+            teaches us the necessity of a due cultivation of religion; so it
+
+            should teach us to have a brotherly affection for those, who,
+            though they may differ from us in speculative opinions concerning
+            it, do yet show by their conduct that they have a high reward
+            for it. For though Godwyn, and Baxter, and Fox, differed as to
+            the articles of their faith, we find them impelled by the spirit of
+            Christianity, which is of infinitely more importance than a mere
+            agreement in creeds, to the same good end.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In looking over the different streams in the map, as they are
+            discoverable both in Europe and America, we are impressed with
+            another truth on the same subject, which is, that the Christian
+            religion is capable of producing the same good fruit in all lands.
+            However men may differ on account of climate, or language, or
+            government, or laws, or however they may be situated in different
+            quarters of the globe, it will produce in them the same virtuous
+            disposition, and make them instruments for the promotion of
+            happiness in the world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In looking between the two first parallels, where we see so
+            few labourers, and in contemplating the great increase of these
+            between the others, we are taught the consoling lesson, that however
+            small the beginning and slow the progress may appear in any
+            good work which we may undertake, we need not be discouraged
+            as to the ultimate result of our labours; for though our cause may
+            appear stationary, it may only become so, in order that it may
+            take a deeper root, and thus be enabled to stand better against
+            the storms which may afterwards beat about it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In taking the same view again, we discover the manner in
+            which light and information proceed under a free government in
+            a good cause. An individual, for example, begins; he communicates
+            his sentiments to others. Thus, while alive, he enlightens;
+            when dead, he leaves his works, behind him. Thus, though departed,
+            he yet speaks, and his influence is not lost. Of those
+            enlightened by him, some become authors, and others actors in
+            their turn. While living, they instruct, like their predecessors;
+            when dead, they speak also. Thus a number of dead persons are
+            encouraging us in libraries, and a number of living are conversing
+            and diffusing zeal among us at the same time. This, however, is
+            not true in any free and enlightened country, with respect to the
+
+            propagation of evil. The living find no permanent encouragement,
+            and the dead speak to no purpose in such a case.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This account of the manner in which light and information
+            proceed in a free country, furnishes us with some valuable knowledge.
+            It shows us, first, the great importance of education; for
+            all they who can read may become enlightened. They may gain
+            as much from the dead as from the living. They may see the sentiments
+            of former ages. Thus they may contract, by degrees,
+            habits of virtuous inclination, and become fitted to join with
+            others in the removal of any of the evils of life.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It shows us, secondly, how that encouraging maxim may become
+            true, That no good effort is ever lost. For if he, who
+            makes the virtuous attempt, should be prevented by death from
+            succeeding in it, can he not speak, though in the tomb? Will not
+            his works still breathe his sentiments upon it? May not the
+            opinions, and the facts, which he has recorded, meet the approbation
+            of ten thousand readers, of whom it is probable, in the
+            common course of things, that some will branch out of him as
+            authors, and others as actors or labourers, in the same cause?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And, lastly, it will show us the difficulty (if any attempt
+            should be made) of reversing permanently the late noble act of
+            the legislature for the abolition of the Slave Trade. For let us
+            consider how many, both of the living and the dead, could be,
+            made to animate us. Let us consider, too, that this is the cause
+            of mercy, justice, and religion; that as such, it will always afford
+            renewed means of rallying; and that the dead will always be
+            heard with interest, and the living with enthusiasm upon it.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap12"></a>CHAPTER XII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Author devotes this chapter to considerations relative to himself;
+         fears that by the frequent introduction of himself to the notice of the reader he
+         may incur the charge of ostentation.&#8212;Observations on such a charge.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            Having brought my history of the abolition of the Slave Trade
+            up to the month of May 1787, I purpose taking the liberty,
+            before I proceed with it, to devote this chapter to considerations
+            relative to myself. This, indeed, seems to be now necessary; for
+            I have been fearful for some pages past, and, indeed, from the
+            time when I began to introduce myself to the notice of the reader,
+            as one of the forerunners and coadjutors in this great cause, that
+            I might appear to have put myself into a situation too prominent,
+            so as even to have incurred the charge of ostentation. But if
+            there should be some who, in consequence of what they have
+            already read of this history, should think thus unfavourably of
+            me, what must their opinion ultimately be, when, unfortunately,
+            I must become still more prominent in it!  Nor do I know in
+            what manner I shall escape their censure: for if, to avoid egotism,
+            I should write, as many have done, in the third person, what
+            would this profit me? The delicate situation, therefore, in which
+            I feel myself to be placed, makes me desirous of saying a few
+            words to the reader on this subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And first, I may observe, that several of my friends urged me
+            from time to time, and this long before the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade had been effected, to give a history of the rise and progress
+            of the attempt, as far as it had been then made; but I uniformly
+            resisted their application.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When the question was decided last year, they renewed
+            their request. They represented to me, that no person knew the
+            beginning and progress of this great work so well as myself; that it
+            was a pity that such knowledge should die with me; that such a
+            history would be useful; that it would promote good feelings
+            among men; that it would urge them to benevolent exertions;
+            that it would supply them with hope in the midst of these; that
+            it would teach them many valuable lessons;&#8212;these and other
+            things were said to me. But, encouraging as they were, I never
+
+            lost sight of the objection; which is the subject of this chapter;
+            nor did I ever fail to declare, that though, considering the part I
+            had taken in this great cause, I might be qualified better than
+            some others, yet it was a task too delicate for me to perform. I
+            always foresaw that I could not avoid making myself too prominent
+            an object in such a history, and that I should be liable, on
+            that account, to the suspicion of writing it for the purpose of
+            sounding my own praise.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With this objection my friends were not satisfied. They
+            answered, that I might treat the History of the Abolition of the
+            Slave Trade as a species of biography, or as the history of a part of
+            my own life: that people, who had much less weighty matters to
+            communicate, wrote their own histories; and that no one charged
+            them with vanity for so doing.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I own I was not convinced by this answer. I determined,
+            however, in compliance with their wishes, to examine the objection
+            more minutely, and to see if I could overcome it more satisfactorily
+            to my own mind. With this view, I endeavoured to
+            anticipate the course which such a history would take. I saw
+            clearly, in the first place, that there were times, for months together,
+            when the committee for the abolition of the Slave Trade
+            was labouring without me, and when I myself for an equal space
+            of time was labouring in distant parts of the kingdom without
+            them. Hence I perceived that, if my own exertions were left
+            out, there would be repeated chasms in this history; and, indeed,
+            that it could not be completed without the frequent mention of
+            myself. And I was willing to hope that this would be so obvious
+            to the good sense of the reader, that if he should think me vain-glorious
+            in the early part of it, he would afterwards, when he
+            advanced in the perusal of it, acquit me of such a charge. This
+            consideration was the first which removed my objection on this
+            head. That there can be no ground for any charge of ostentation,
+            as far as the origin of this history is concerned, so I hope to
+            convince him there, can be none, by showing him in what light I
+            have always viewed myself in connexion with the committee, to
+            which I have had the honour to belong.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I have uniformly considered our committee for the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade; as we usually consider the human body,
+
+            that is, as made up of a head and of various members
+            which had different offices to perform. Thus, if one man was
+            an eye, another was an ear, another an arm, and another a
+            foot. And here I may say, with great truth, that I believe no
+            committee was ever made up of persons, whose varied talents
+            were better adapted to the work before them. Viewing then the
+            committee in this light, and myself as in connexion with it, I
+            may deduce those truths, with which the analogy will furnish me.
+            And first, it will follow, that if every member has performed his
+            office faithfully, though one may have done something more than
+            another, yet no one of them in particular has any reason to boast.
+            With what propriety could the foot, though in the execution of
+            its duty it had become weary, say to the finger, "Thou hast done
+            less than I;" when the finger could reply with truth, "I have
+            done all that has been given me to do?". It will follow, also, that
+            as every limb is essentially necessary for the completion of a perfect
+            work; so in the case before us, every one was as necessary
+            in his own office, or department, as another. For what, for example,
+            could I myself have done if I had not derived so much
+            assistance from the committee? What could Mr. Wilberforce
+            have done in Parliament, if I, on the other hand, had not collected
+            that great body of evidence, to which there was such a
+            constant appeal? And what could the committee have done
+            without the parliamentary aid of Mr. Wilberforce? And in
+            mentioning this necessity of distinct offices and talents for the
+            accomplishment of the great work, in which we have been all of
+            us engaged, I feel myself bound by the feelings of justice to deliver
+            it as my opinion in this place, (for, perhaps, I may have no
+            other opportunity,)
+            that knowing, as I have done, so many members of
+            both houses of our legislature, for many of whom I have had a
+            sincere respect, there was never yet one, who appeared to me to
+            be so properly qualified, in all respects, for the management of
+            the great cause of the abolition of the Slave Trade, as he, whose
+            name I have just mentioned. His connexions, but more particularly
+            his acquaintance with the first minister of state, were of
+            more service in the promotion of it, than they, who are but little
+            acquainted with political movements, can well appreciate. His
+            habits also of diligent and persevering inquiry made him master
+
+            of all the knowledge that was requisite for conducting it. His
+            talents both in and out of parliament made him a powerful advocate
+            in its favour. His character, free from the usual spots of
+            human imperfection, gave an appropriate lustre to the cause,
+            making it look yet more lovely, and enticing others to its support.
+            But most of all the motive, on which he undertook it, insured its
+            progress. For this did not originate in views of selfishness, or of
+            party or of popular applause, but in an awful sense of his duty as
+            a Christian. It was this which gave him alacrity and courage
+            in his pursuit. It was this which made him continue in his elevated
+            situation of a legislator, though it was unfavourable, if not
+            to his health, at least to his ease and comfort. It was this which
+            made him incorporate this great object among the pursuits of his
+            life, so that it was daily in his thoughts. It was this which
+            when year after year of unsuccessful exertion returned, occasioned
+            him to be yet fresh and vigorous in spirit, and to persevere till
+            the day of triumph.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But to return:&#8212;There is yet another consideration, which I
+            shall offer to the reader on this subject, and with which I shall
+            conclude it. It is this; that no one ought to be accused of vanity
+            until he has been found to assume to himself some extraordinary
+            merit. This being admitted, I shall now freely disclose the views
+            which I have always been desirous of taking of my own conduct
+            on this occasion, in the following words:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As Robert Barclay, the apologist for the Quakers, when
+            he dedicated his work to Charles the Second, intimated to this
+            prince, that any merit which the work might have, would not be
+            derived from his patronage of it, but from the Author of all
+            spiritual good; so I say to the reader, with respect to myself, that
+            I disclaim all praise on account of any part I may have taken
+            in the promotion of this great cause, for that I am desirious
+            above all things to attribute my best endeavours in it to the influence
+            of a superior Power; of Him, I mean, who gave me a
+            heart to feel&#8212;who gave me courage to begin&#8212;and perseverance
+            to proceed&#8212;and that I am thankful to Him, and this with the
+            deepest feeling of gratitude and humility, for having permitted
+            me to become useful, in any degree, to my fellow-creatures.
+
+         </p>
+     <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap13"></a>
+            CHAPTER XIII
+
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Author returns to his History.&#8212;Committee formed as before-mentioned; its
+         proceedings.&#8212;Author produces a summary view of the Slave Trade, and
+         of the probable consequences of its abolition.&#8212;Wrongs of Africa, by Mr.
+         Roscoe, generously presented to the committee.&#8212;Important discussion as
+         to the object of the committee.&#8212;Emancipation declared to be no part of
+         it.&#8212;Committee decides on its public title.&#8212;Author requested to go to
+         Bristol, Liverpool, and Lancaster, to collect further information on the
+         subject of the trade.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            I return now, after this long digression, to the continuation of
+            my history.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was shown in the latter part of the tenth chapter, that
+            twelve individuals, all of whom were then named, met together
+            by means which no one could have foreseen, on the 22d of May,
+            1787; and that, after having voted the Slave Trade to be both
+            unjust and impolitic, they formed themselves into a committee
+            for procuring such information and evidence, and for publishing
+            the same, as might tend to the abolition of it, and for directing
+            the application of such money as had been already, and might
+            hereafter be collected for that purpose. At this meeting it was
+            resolved also, that no less than three members should form a
+            quorum; that Samuel Hoare should be the treasurer; that the
+            treasurer should pay no money but by order of the committee;
+            and that copies of these resolutions should be printed and circulated,
+            in which it should be inserted that the subscriptions of all
+            such as were willing to forward the plans of the committee should
+            be received by the treasurer or any member of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 24th of May the committee met again to promote the
+            object of its institution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The treasurer reported at this meeting, that the subscriptions
+            already received amounted to one hundred and thirty-six pounds.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As I had foreseen long before this time that my <em>Essay on the
+               Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species</em> was too large for
+            general circulation, and yet that a general circulation of knowledge
+
+            on this subject was absolutely necessary, I determined
+            directly after the formation of the committee to write a short
+            pamphlet consisting only of eight or ten pages for this purpose.
+            I called it <em>A Summary View of the Slave Trade, and of the probable
+               consequences of its Abolition</em>. It began by exhibiting to the
+            reader the various unjustifiable ways in which persons living on
+            the coast of Africa became slaves. It then explained the treatment
+            which these experienced on their passage, the number dying
+            in the course of it, and the treatment of the survivors in the
+            colonies of those nations to which they were carried. It then
+            announced the speedy publication of a work on the impolicy of
+            the trade, the contents of which, as far as I could then see, I gave
+            generally under the following heads:&#8212;Part the first, it was said,
+            would show that Africa was capable of offering to us a trade in
+            its own natural productions as well as in the persons of men;
+            that the trade in the persons of men was profitable but to a few;
+            that its value was diminished from many commercial considerations;
+            that it was also highly destructive to our seamen; and
+            that the branch of it, by which we supplied the island of St.
+            Domingo with slaves, was peculiarly impolitic on that account.
+            Part the second, it was said, would show that if the slaves were
+            kindly treated in our colonies, they would increase; that the
+            abolition of the trade would necessarily secure such a treatment
+            to them, and that it would produce many other advantages which
+            would be then detailed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This little piece I presented to the committee at this their
+            second meeting. It was then duly read and examined; and the
+            result was, that after some little correction it was approved, and
+            that two thousand copies of it were ordered to be printed, with
+            lists of the subscribers and of the committee, and to be sent to
+            various parts of the kingdom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On June the 7th, the committee met again for the despatch
+            of business, when, among other things, they voted their thanks
+            to Dr. Baker, of Lower Grosvenor-street, who had been one of
+            my first assistants, for his services to the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At this committee John Barton, one of the members of it,
+            stated that he was commissioned by the author of a poem,
+
+            entitled <em>The Wrongs of Africa</em>, to offer the profits which might
+            arise from the sale of that work, to the committee, for the purpose
+            of enabling them to pursue the object of their institution. This
+            circumstance was not only agreeable, inasmuch as it showed us
+            that there were others who felt with us for the injured Africans,
+            and who were willing to aid us in our designs, but it was
+            rendered still more so when we were given to understand that
+            the poem was written by Mr. Roscoe, of Liverpool, and the preface
+            to it by the late Dr. Currie, who then lived in the same
+            place. To find friends to our cause rising up from a quarter
+            where we expected scarcely anything but opposition, was very
+            consolatory and encouraging. As this poem was well written,
+            but cannot now be had, I shall give the introductory part of it,
+            which is particularly beautiful, to the perusal of the reader. It
+            begins thus:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">Offspring of Love divine, Humanity!<br>To whom, his eldest born, th' Eternal gave<br>Dominion o'er the heart; and taught to touch<br>Its varied stops in sweetest unison;<br>And strike the string that from a kindred breast<br>Responsive vibrates! from the noisy haunts<br>Of mercantile confusion, where thy voice<br>Is heard not; from the meretricious glare<br>Of crowded theatres, where in thy place<br>Sits Sensibility, with wat'ry eye,<br>Dropping o'er fancied woes her useless tear;<br>Come thou, and weep with me substantial ills;<br>And execrate the wrongs that Afric's sons,<br>Torn from their natal shore, and doom'd to bear<br>The yoke of servitude in foreign climes,<br>Sustain. Nor vainly let our sorrows flow,<br>Nor let the strong emotion rise in vain;<br>But may the land contagion widely spread,<br>Till in its flame the unrelenting heart<br>Of avarice melt in softest sympathy&#8212;<br>And one bright blaze of universal love<br>In grateful incense rises up to Heaven!<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Form'd with the same capacity of pain,<br>The same desire of pleasure and of ease,<br>Why feels not man for man! When nature shrinks<br>From the slight puncture of an insect's sting,<br>Faints, if not screen'd from sultry suns, und pines<br>Beneath the hardship of an hour's delay<br>Of needful nutriment;&#8212;when liberty<br>Is priz'd so dearly, that the slightest breath<br>That ruffles but her mantle, can awake<br>To arms unwarlike nations, and can rouse<br>Confed'rate states to vindicate her claims:&#8212;<br>How shall the suff'rer man his fellow doom<br>To ills he mourns and spurns at; tear with stripes<br>His quiv'ring flesh; with hunger and with thirst<br>Waste his emaciate frame; in ceaseless toils<br>Exhaust his vital powers; and bind his limbs<br>In galling chains? Shall he, whose fragile form<br>Demands continual blessings to support<br>Its complicated texture, air, and food,<br>Raiment, alternate rest, and kindly skies,<br>And healthful seasons, dare with impious voice<br>To ask those mercies, whilst his selfish aim<br>Arrests the general freedom of their course;<br>And, gratified beyond his utmost wish,<br>Debars another from the bounteous store?<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            In this manner was the subject of this beautiful poem introduced
+            to the notice of the public. But I have no room for any
+            further extracts, nor time to make any further comment upon it.
+            I can only add, that the committee were duly sensible as well of
+            its merits, as of the virtuous and generous disposition of the
+            author, and that they requested John Barton to thank him in an
+            appropriate manner for his offer, which he was to say they
+            accepted gratefully.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At this sitting, at which ten members were present out of the
+            twelve, a discussion unexpectedly arose on a most important subject.
+            The committee, finding that their meetings began to be
+            approved by many, and that the cause under their care was likely
+            to spread, and foreseeing, also, the necessity there would soon be
+            of making themselves known as a public body throughout the
+            kingdom, thought it right that they should assume some title,
+            which should be a permanent one, and which should be expressive
+            of their future views. This gave occasion to them to reconsider
+            the object for which they had associated, and to fix and
+            define it in such a manner that there should be no misunderstanding
+            about it in the public mind. In looking into the subject,
+            it appeared to them that there were two evils quite distinct
+            from each other, which it might become their duty to endeavour
+
+            to remove. The first was the evil of the Slave Trade, in consequence
+            of which many thousand persons were every year fraudulently
+            and forcibly taken from their country, their relations and
+            friends, and from all that they esteemed valuable in life. The
+            second was the evil of slavery itself, in consequence of which the
+            same persons were forced into a situation where they were
+            deprived of the rights of men, where they were obliged to linger
+            out their days subject to excessive labour and cruel punishments,
+            and where their children were to inherit the same hard lot. Now
+            the question was, which of the two evils the committee should
+            select as that to which they should direct their attention with a
+            view of the removal of it; or whether, with the same view, it
+            should direct its attention to both of them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It appeared soon to be the sense of the committee, that to
+            aim at the removal of both, would be to aim at too much, and
+            that by doing this we might lose all.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The question then was, which of the two they were to take
+            as their object? Now, in considering this question, it appeared
+            that it did not matter where they began, or which of them they
+            took, as far as the end to be produced was the thing desired. For
+            first, if the Slave Trade should be really abolished, the bad usage
+            of the slaves in the colonies, that is, the hard part of their slavery,
+            if not the slavery itself, would fall. For the planters and others
+            being unable to procure more slaves from the coast of Africa, it
+            would follow directly, whenever this great event should take
+            place, that they must treat those better whom they might then
+            have. They must render marriage honourable among them.
+            They must establish the union of one man with one wife. They
+            must give the pregnant women more indulgences. They must
+            pay more attention to the rearing of their offspring. They must
+            work and punish the adults with less rigour. Now it was to be
+            apprehended that they could not do these things, without seeing
+            the political advantages which would arise to themselves from so
+            doing; and that, reasoning upon this, they might be induced to
+            go on to give them greater indulgences, rights, and privileges, in
+            time. But how would every such successive improvement of
+            their condition operate, but to bring them nearer to the state of
+
+            freemen? In the same manner it was contended, that the better
+            treatment of the slaves in the colonies, or that the emancipation
+            of them there, when fit for it, would of itself lay the foundation
+            for the abolition of the Slave Trade. For if the slaves were
+            kindly treated, that is, if marriage were encouraged among them;
+            if the infants who should be born were brought up with care; if
+            the sick were properly attended to; if the young and the adult
+            were well fed and properly clothed, and not over-worked, and not
+            worn down by the weight of severe punishments, they would
+            necessarily increase, and this on an extensive scale. But if the
+            planters were thus to get their labourers from the births on their
+            own estates, then the Slave Trade would in time be no longer
+            necessary to them, and it would die away as an useless and a
+            noxious plant. Thus it was of no consequence, which of the two
+            evils the committee were to select as the object for their labours;
+            for, as far as the end in view only was concerned, that the same
+            end would be produced in either case.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But in looking further into this question, it seemed to make
+            a material difference which of the two they selected, as far as
+            they had in view the due execution of any laws, which might
+            be made respecting them, and their own prospect of success in
+            the undertaking. For, by aiming at the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade, they were laying the axe at the very root. By doing this,
+            and this only, they would not incur the objection, that they were
+            meddling with the property of the planters, and letting loose an
+            irritated race of beings, who, in consequence of all the vices
+            and infirmities which a state of slavery entails upon those who
+            undergo it, were unfit for their freedom. By asking the government
+            of the country to do this, and this only, they were asking
+            for that which it had an indisputable right to do; namely, to
+            regulate or abolish any of its branches of commerce: whereas it
+            was doubtful, whether it could interfere with the management of
+            the internal affairs of the colonies, or whether this was not wholly
+            the province of the legislatures established there. By asking the
+            government, again, to do this, and this only, they were asking
+            what it could really enforce. It could station its ships of war,
+            and command its custom-houses, so as to carry any act of this
+
+            kind into effect. But it could not insure that an act to be
+            observed in the heart of the islands should be
+            enforced<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXI_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXI_1"></a>.
+            To this it was added, that if the committee were to fix upon the
+            annihilation of slavery as the object for their labours, the Slave
+            Trade would not fall so speedily as it would by a positive law for
+            the abolition; because, though the increase from the births might
+            soon supply all the estates now in cultivation with labourers,
+            yet new plantations might be opened from time to time in different
+            islands, so that no period could be fixed upon, when it could be
+            said that it would cease.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXI_1"></a><a href="#FootXI_1">A</a>: The late correspondence of the governors of our
+            colonies with Lord Camden in his official situation, but particularly
+            the statements made by Lord Seaforth and General Prevost, have shown
+            the wisdom of this remark, and that no dependence was to be had for the
+            better usage of the slaves but upon the total abolition of the trade.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Impressed by these arguments, the committee were clearly of
+            opinion, that they should define their object to be the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade, and not of the slavery which sprung from it.
+            Hence from this time, and in allusion to the month when this
+            discussion took place, they styled themselves in their different
+            advertisements, and reports, though they were first associated in
+            the month of May, The Committee instituted in June, 1787, for
+            effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Thus, at the very
+            outset, they took a ground which was for ever tenable. Thus
+            they were enabled also to answer the objection, which was afterwards
+            so constantly and so industriously circulated against them,
+            that they were going to emancipate the slaves. And I have no
+            doubt that this wise decision contributed greatly to their success;
+            for I am persuaded that, if they had adopted the other object,
+            they could not for years to come, if ever, have succeeded in their
+            attempt.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Before the committee broke up, I represented to them the
+            necessity there was of obtaining further knowledge on all those
+            individual points which might be said to belong to the great
+            subject of the abolition of the Slave Trade. In the first place,
+            this knowledge was necessary for me, if I were to complete my
+            work on <em>The Impolicy of this Trade</em>, which work, the <em>Summary
+               View</em>, just printed, had announced to the world. It would be
+
+            necessary, also, in case the Slave Trade should become a subject
+            of parliamentary inquiry; for this inquiry could not proceed
+            without evidence. And if any time was peculiarly fit for the
+            procuring of such information or evidence, it was the present.
+            At this time the passions of men had not been heated by any
+            public agitation of the question, nor had interest felt itself biassed
+            to conceal the truth. But as soon as ever it should be publicly
+            understood, that a parliamentary inquiry was certain, (which we
+            ourselves believed would be the case, but which interested men
+            did not then know,) we should find many of the avenues to
+            information closed against us. I proposed, therefore, that some
+            one of the committee should undertake a journey to Bristol,
+            Liverpool, and Lancaster, where he should reside for a time to
+            collect further light upon this subject; and that if others should
+            feel their occupations or engagements to be such as would make
+            such a journey unsuitable, I would undertake it myself. I
+            begged, therefore, the favour of the different members of the
+            committee, to turn the matter over in their minds by the next
+            meeting, that we might then talk over and decide upon the
+            propriety of the measure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee held its fourth meeting on the 12th of June.
+            Among the subjects which were then brought forward, was that
+            of the journey before mentioned. The propriety, and indeed,
+            even the necessity, of it was so apparent, that I was requested
+            by all present to undertake it, and a minute for that purpose was
+            entered upon our records. Of this journey, as gradually unfolding
+            light on the subject, and as peculiarly connected with the promotion
+            of our object, I shall now give an account; after which I
+            shall return to the proceedings of the committee.
+
+         </p>
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap14"></a>CHAPTER XIV.
+         </h2>
+        <p><b> Author arrives at Bristol; introduction to Quaker families there.&#8212;Objects of
+         his inquiry.&#8212;Ill usage of seamen on board the ship Brothers.&#8212;Obtains a
+         knowledge of several articles of African produce.&#8212;Dr. Caniplin; Dean
+         Tucker; Mr. Henry Sulgar.&#8212;Procures an authenticated account of the
+         treacherous massacre at Calabar.&#8212;Ill usage of the seamen of the ship
+         Alfred.&#8212;Painful feelings of the author on this occasion.</b></p>
+         <p>
+            Having made preparations for my journey, I took my leave of
+            the different individuals of the committee. I called upon Mr.
+            Wilberforce, also, with the same design. He was then very ill,
+            and in bed; Sir Richard Hill and others were sitting by his bedside.
+            After conversing as much as he well could in his weak
+            state, he held out his hand to me and wished me success. When
+            I left him I felt much dejected; it appeared to me as if it would
+            be in this case, as it is often in that of other earthly things, that
+            we scarcely possess what we repute a treasure when it is taken
+            from us.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I determined to take this journey on horseback, not only on
+            account of the relaxed state in which I found myself, after such
+            close and constant application, but because I wished to have all
+            my time to myself upon the road, in order the better to reflect
+            upon the proper means of promoting this great cause. The first
+            place I resolved to visit was Bristol; accordingly I directed my
+            course thither. On turning a corner, within about a mile of that
+            city, at about eight in the evening, I came within sight of it.
+            The weather was rather hazy, which occasioned it to look of
+            unusual dimensions. The bells of some of the churches were
+            then ringing; the sound of them did not strike me till I had
+            turned the corner before mentioned, when it came upon me at
+            once; it filled me, almost directly, with a melancholy for which I
+            could not account. I began now to tremble, for the first time, at
+            the arduous task I had undertaken, of attempting to subvert one
+            of the branches of the commerce of the great place which was
+            then before me. I began to think of the host of people I should
+
+            have to encounter in it; I anticipated much persecution in it
+            also; and I questioned whether I should even get out of it alive.
+            But in journeying on I became more calm and composed; my
+            spirits began to return. In these latter moments I considered
+            my first feelings as useful, inasmuch as they impressed upon me
+            the necessity of extraordinary courage, and activity, and perseverance,
+            and of watchfulness, also, over my own conduct, that I
+            might not throw any stain upon the cause I had undertaken.
+            When, therefore, I entered the city, I entered it with an undaunted
+            spirit, determining that no labour should make me
+            shrink, nor danger, nor even persecution, deter me from my
+            pursuit.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            My first introduction was by means of a letter to Harry
+            Gandy, who had then become one of the religious society of the
+            Quakers. This introduction to him was particularly useful to
+            me; for he had been a seafaring man. In his early youth he had
+            been of a roving disposition; and, in order to see the world, had
+            been two voyages in the Slave Trade, so that he had known the
+            nature and practices of it. This enabled him to give me much
+            useful information on the subject; and as he had frequently felt,
+            as he grew up, deep affliction of mind for having been concerned
+            in it, he was impelled to forward my views as much as possible,
+            under an idea that he should be thus making some reparation
+            for the indiscreet and profane occupations of his youth.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I was also introduced to the families of James Harford, John
+            Lury, Matthew Wright, Philip, Debell Tucket, Thomas Bonville,
+            and John Waring; all of whom were of the same religious
+            society. I gained an introduction, also, soon afterwards, to George
+            Fisher. These were my first and only acquaintance at Bristol
+            for some time; I derived assistance in the promotion of my object
+            from all of them; and it is a matter of pleasing reflection, that the
+            friendships then formed have been kept alive to the present time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The objects I had marked down as those to be attended to,
+            were&#8212;to ascertain what were the natural productions of Africa,
+            and, if possible, to obtain specimens of them, with the view of
+            forming a cabinet or collection&#8212;to procure as much information
+            as I could relative to the manner of obtaining slaves on continent
+
+            of Africa, of transporting them to the West Indies, and of
+            treating them there&#8212;to prevail upon persons, having a knowledge
+            of any or all of these circumstances, to come forward to be examined
+            as evidences before parliament, if such an examination
+            should take place&#8212;to make myself still better acquainted with
+            the loss of seamen in the Slave Trade&#8212;also with the loss of
+            those who were employed in the other trades from the same port&#8212;to
+            know the nature, and quantity, and value of the imports and
+            exports of goods in the former case:&#8212;there were some other
+            objects which I classed under the head of miscellaneous.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In my first movements about this city, I found that people
+            talked very openly on the subject of the Slave Trade. They
+            seemed to be well acquainted with the various circumstances
+            belonging to it. There were facts, in short, in every body's
+            mouth concerning it; and every body seemed to execrate it,
+            though no one thought of its abolition. In this state of things I
+            perceived that my course was obvious; for I had little else to do,
+            in pursuing two or three of my objects, than to trace the foundation
+            of those reports which were in circulation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the third of July I heard that the ship
+            Brothers<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIV_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIV_1"></a>, then lying in King's Road for Africa, could not get her
+            seamen, and that a party which had been put on board, becoming terrified by
+            the prospect of their situation, had left her on Sunday morning.
+            On inquiring further, I found that those who had navigated her
+            on her last voyage, thirty-two of whom had died, had been so
+            dreadfully used by the captain, that he could not get hands in
+            the present. It was added, that the treatment of seamen was a
+            crying evil in this trade, and that consequently few would enter
+            into it, so that there was at all times a great difficulty in procuring
+            them, though they were ready enough to enter into
+            other trades.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIV_1"></a><a href="#FootXIV_1">A</a>: I abstain from mentioning the names
+            of the captain of this or of other vessels, lest the recording of them
+            should give pain to relatives who can have had no share in their
+            guilt.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The relation of these circumstances made me acquainted with
+            two things, of which I had not before heard; namely, the aversion
+            of seamen to engage, and the bad usage of them when engaged in
+
+            this cruel trade; into both which I determined immediately to
+            inquire.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I conceived that it became me to be very cautious about giving
+            ear too readily to reports; and therefore, as I could easily learn
+            the truth of one of the assertions which had been made to me, I
+            thought it prudent to ascertain this, and to judge, by the discovery
+            I should make concerning it, what degree of credit might
+            be due to the rest. Accordingly, by means of my late friend,
+            Truman Harford, the eldest son of the respectable family of that
+            name, to which I have already mentioned myself to have been
+            introduced, I gained access to the muster-roll of the ship Brothers.
+            On looking over the names of her last crew, I found the melancholy
+            truth confirmed, that thirty-two of them had been placed
+            among the dead.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having ascertained this circumstance, I became eager to
+            inquire into the truth of the others, but more particularly of the
+            treatment of one of the seamen, which, as it was reported to me,
+            exceeded all belief. His name was John Dean; he was a black
+            man, but free. The report was, that for a trifling circumstance,
+            for which he was in no-wise to blame, the captain had fastened
+            him with his belly to the deck, and that, in this situation, he had
+            poured hot pitch upon his back, and made incisions in it with
+            hot tongs.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Before however I attempted to learn the truth of this barbarous
+            proceeding, I thought I would look into the ship's muster-roll,
+            to see if I could find the name of such a man. On examination
+            I found it to be the last on the list. John Dean, it appeared,
+            had been one of the original crew, having gone on board, from
+            Bristol, on the twenty-second day of July, 1785.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On inquiring where Dean was to be found, my informant told
+            me that he had lately left Bristol for London. I was shown,
+            however, to the house where he had lodged. The name of his
+            landlord was Donovan. On talking with him on the subject, he
+            assured me that the report I had heard was true; for that while
+            he resided with him he had heard an account of his usage from
+            some of his ship-mates, and that he had often looked at his
+            scarred and mutilated back.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On inquiring of Donovan if any other person in Bristol could
+            corroborate this account, he referred me to a reputable tradesman
+            living, in the Market-place. Having been introduced to him, he
+            told me that he had long known John Dean to be a sober and
+            industrious man; that he had seen the terrible indentures on his
+            back; and that they were said to have been made by the captain,
+            in the manner related, during his last voyage.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While I was investigating this matter further, I was introduced
+            to Mr. Sydenham Teast, a respectable ship-builder in
+            Bristol, and the owner of vessels trading to Africa in the natural
+            productions of that country. I mentioned to him by accident
+            what I had heard relative to the treatment of John Dean. He
+            said it was true. An attorney<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIV_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIV_2"></a> in London had then taken up
+            his cause, in consequence of which the captain had been prevented
+            from sailing till he could find persons who would be
+            answerable for the damages which might be awarded against him
+            in a court of law. Mr. Teast further said, that, not knowing at
+            that time the cruelty of the transaction to its full extent, he himself
+            had been one of the securities for the captain at the request
+            of the purser<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIV_3"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootXIV_3"></a> of the ship. Finding, however, afterwards,
+            that it was as the public had stated, he was sorry that he had ever
+            interfered, in such a barbarous case.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIV_2"></a><a href="#FootXIV_2">A</a>: I afterwards found out
+            this attorney. He described the transaction to me, as, by report, it had
+            taken place, and informed me that he had made the captain of the Brothers
+            pay for his barbarity.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIV_3"></a><a href="#FootXIV_3">B</a>: The purser of a ship, at Bristol,
+            is the person who manages the outfit, as well as the trade, and who is
+            often in part owner of her.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This transaction, which I now believed to be true, had the
+            effect of preparing me for crediting whatever I might hear concerning
+            the barbarities said to be practised in this trade. It
+            kindled also a fire of indignation within me, and produced in me
+            both anxiety and spirit, to proceed. But that which excited these
+            feelings the most, was the consideration that the purser of this
+            ship, knowing, as he did, of this act of cruelty, should have sent
+            out this monster again. This, I own, made me think that there
+            was a system of bad usage to be deliberately practised upon the
+
+            seamen in this employment, for some purpose or other which I
+            could then neither comprehend nor ascertain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But while I was in pursuit of this one object, I was not
+            unmindful of the others which I had marked out for myself. I
+            had already procured an interview, as I have mentioned, with
+            Mr. Sydenham Teast. I had done this with a view of learning
+            from him what were the different productions of the continent of
+            Africa, as far as he had been able to ascertain from the imports
+            by his own vessels. He was very open and communicative.
+            He had imported ivory, red-wood, cam-wood, and gum-copal.
+            He purposed to import palm-oil. He observed that bees'-wax
+            might be collected, also, upon the coast. Of his gum-copal he
+            gave me a specimen. He furnished me, also, with two different
+            specimens of unknown woods, which had the appearance of being
+            useful. One of his captains, he informed me, had been told by
+            the natives, that cotton, pink in the pod, grew in their country.
+            He was of opinion, that many valuable productions might be
+            found upon this continent.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Biggs, to whom I gained an introduction also, was in a
+            similar trade with Mr. Teast; that is, he had one or two vessels
+            which skimmed, as it were, the coast and rivers for what they
+            could get of the produce of Africa, without having any concern
+            in the trade for slaves. Mr. Biggs gave me a specimen of gum
+            Senegal, of yellow-wood, and of Malaguetta and Cayenne pepper.
+            He gave me, also, small pieces of cloth made and dyed by the
+            natives, the colours of which they could only have obtained from
+            materials in their own country. Mr. Biggs seemed to be assured
+            that, if proper persons were sent to Africa on discovery, they
+            would fine a rich mine of wealth in the natural productions of it,
+            and in none more advantageous to this as a manufacturing nation,
+            than in the many beautiful dyes which it might furnish.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From Thomas Bonville I collected two specimens of cloth
+            made by the natives; and from others a beautiful piece of tulipwood,
+            a small piece of wood similar to mahogany, and a sample
+            of fine rice, all of which had been brought from the same continent.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Among the persons whom I found out at Bristol, and from
+
+            whom I derived assistance, were Dr. Camplin and the celebrated
+            Dean Tucker. The former was my warm defender; for the
+            West Indian and African merchants, as soon as they discovered
+            my errand, began to calumniate me. The dean, though in a
+            very advanced age, felt himself much interested in my pursuit.
+            He had long moved in the political world himself, and was
+            desirous of hearing of what was going forward that was new in it,
+            but particularly about so desirable a measure as that of the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIV_4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIV_4"></a>. He introduced me to the
+            Custom House at Bristol. He used to call upon me at the Merchants'
+            Hall, while I was transcribing the muster-rolls of the seamen
+            there. In short, he seemed to be interested in all my movements.
+            He became, also, a warm supporter both of me and of my cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIV_4"></a><a href="#FootXIV_4">A</a>: Dean Tucker, in his
+            <em>Reflections on the Disputes between Great Britain and Ireland</em>,
+            published in 1785, had passed a severe censure on the British planters
+            for the inhuman treatment of their slaves.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Among others who were useful to me in my pursuit, was
+            Mr. Henry Sulgar, an amiable minister of the gospel, belonging
+            to the religious society of the Moravians in the same city. From
+            him I first procured authentic documents relative to the treacherous
+            massacre at Calabar. This cruel transaction had been frequently
+            mentioned to me; but as it had taken place twenty
+            years before, I could not find one person who had been engaged
+            in it, nor could I come, in a satisfactory manner, at the various
+            particulars belonging to it. My friend, however, put me in possession
+            of copies of the real depositions which had been taken in
+            the case of the king against Lippincott and others relative to this
+            event; namely, of Captain Floyd, of the city of Bristol, who had
+            been a witness to the scene, and of Ephraim Robin John, and of
+            Ancona Robin Robin John, two African chiefs, who had been
+            sufferers by it. These depositions had been taken before Jacob
+            Kirby and Thomas Symons, esquires, commissioners at Bristol
+            for taking affidavits in the Court of King's Bench. The tragedy,
+            of which they gave a circumstantial account, I shall present to
+            the reader in as concise a manner as I can.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year, 1767, the ships Indian Queen, Duke of York,
+
+            Nancy, and Concord, of Bristol; the Edgar, of Liverpool; and
+            the Canterbury, of London; lay in Old Calabar river.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It happened, at this time, that a quarrel subsisted between
+            the principal inhabitants of Old Town and those of New Town,
+            Old Calabar, which had originated in a jealousy respecting slaves.
+            The captains of the vessels now mentioned, joined in sending
+            several letters to the inhabitants of Old Town, but particularly
+            to Ephraim Robin John, who was at that time a grandee, or
+            principal inhabitant of the place. The tenor of these letters was,
+            that they were sorry that any jealousy or quarrel should subsist
+            between the two parties; that if the inhabitants of Old Town
+            would come on board, they would afford them security and protection;
+            adding, at the same time, that their intention in inviting
+            them was, that they might become mediators, and thus heal
+            their disputes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The inhabitants of Old Town, happy to find that their differences
+            were likely to be accommodated, joyfully accepted the
+            invitation. The three brothers of the grandee just mentioned,
+            the eldest of whom was Amboe Robin John, first entered their
+            canoe, attended by twenty-seven others, and, being followed by
+            nine canoes, directed their course to the Indian Queen. They
+            were despatched from thence the next morning to the Edgar, and
+            afterwards to the Duke of York, on board of which they went,
+            leaving their canoe and attendants by the side of the same vessel.
+            In the mean time, the people on board the other canoes were
+            either distributed on board, or lying close to, the other ships.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This being the situation of the three brothers, and of the
+            principal inhabitants of the place, the treachery now began to
+            appear. The crew of the Duke of York, aided by the captain
+            and mates, and armed with pistols and cutlasses, rushed into the
+            cabin, with an intent to seize the persons of their three innocent
+            and unsuspicious guests. The unhappy men, alarmed at this
+            violation of the rights of hospitality, and struck with astonishment
+            at the behaviour of their supposed friends, attempted to
+            escape through the cabin windows; but, being wounded, were
+            obliged to desist, and to submit to be put in irons.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the same moment in which this atrocious attempt had
+
+            been made, an order had been given to fire upon the canoe,
+            which was then lying by the side of the Duke of York. The
+            canoe soon filled and sunk, and the wretched attendants were
+            either seized, killed, or drowned. Most of the other ships followed
+            the example. Great numbers were additionally killed and
+            drowned on the occasion, and others were swimming to the shore.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At this juncture, the inhabitants of New Town, who had concealed
+            themselves in the bushes by the water-side, and between
+            whom and the commanders of the vessels the plan had been previously
+            concerted, came out from their hiding-places, and,
+            embarking in their canoes, made for such as were swimming
+            from the fire of the ships. The ships' boats, also, were manned,
+            and joined in the pursuit. They butchered the greatest part of
+            those whom they caught. Many dead bodies were soon seen
+            upon the sands, and others were floating upon the water; and
+            including those who were seized and carried off, and those who
+            were drowned and killed, either by the firing of the ships or by
+            the people of New Town, three hundred were lost to the inhabitants
+            of Old Town on that day.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The carnage which I have been now describing was scarcely
+            over, when a canoe, full of the principal people of New Town,
+            who had been the promoters of the scheme, dropped along-side of
+            the Duke of York. They demanded the person of Amboe Robin
+            John, the brother of the grandee of Old Town, and the eldest of
+            the three on board. The unfortunate man put the palms of his
+            hands together, and beseeched the commander of the vessel that
+            he would not violate the rights of hospitality, by giving up an
+            unoffending stranger to his enemies. But no entreaties could
+            avail. The commander received from the New Town people a
+            slave of the name of Econg in his stead, and then forced him
+            into the canoe, where his head was immediately struck off in the
+            sight of the crew, and of his afflicted and disconsolate brothers.
+            As for them, they escaped his fate; but they were carried off
+            with their attendants to the West Indies, and sold for slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The knowledge of this tragical event now fully confirmed me
+            in the sentiment, that the hearts of those who were concerned
+            in this traffic became unusually hardened, and that I might
+
+            readily believe any atrocities, however great, which might be
+            related of them. It made also my blood boil, as it were, within
+            me: it gave anew spring to my exertions; and I rejoiced, sorrowful
+            as I otherwise was, that I had visited Bristol, if it had
+            been only to gain an accurate statement of this one fact.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In pursuing my objects, I found that reports were current,
+            that the crew of the Alfred slave-vessel, which had just returned,
+            had been barbarously used, but particularly a young man of the
+            name of Thomas, who had served as the surgeon's mate on board
+            her. The report was, that he had been repeatedly knocked down
+            by the captain; that he had become in consequence of his ill
+            usage so weary of his life, that he had three times jumped over
+            board to destroy it; that on being taken up the last time he had
+            been chained to the deck of the ship, in which situation he had
+            remained night and day for some time; that in consequence of
+            this his health had been greatly impaired; and that it was supposed
+            he could not long survive this treatment.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was with great difficulty, notwithstanding all my inquiries,
+            that I could trace this person. I discovered him, however, at
+            last. He was confined to his bed when I saw him, and appeared
+            to me to be delirious. I could collect nothing from himself
+            relative to the particulars of his treatment. In his intervals of
+            sense, he exclaimed against the cruelty both of the captain and of
+            the chief mate, and pointing to his legs, thighs, and body, which
+            were all wrapped up in flannel, he endeavoured to convince me
+            how much he had suffered there. At one time he said he forgave
+            them. At another, he asked if I came to befriend him. At
+            another, he looked wildly, and asked if I meant to take the
+            captain's part, and to kill him.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I was greatly affected by the situation of this poor man,
+            whose image haunted me both night and day, and I was meditating
+            how most effectually to assist him, when I heard that he
+            was dead.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I was very desirous of tracing something further on this
+            subject, when Walter Chandler, of the society of the Quakers,
+            who had been daily looking out for intelligence for me, brought a
+            young man to me of the name of Dixon. He had been one of
+
+            the crew of the same ship. He told me the particulars of the
+            treatment of Thomas, with very little variation from those contained
+            in the public report. After cross-examining him in the
+            best manner I was able, I could find no inconsistency in his
+            account.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I asked Dixon how the captain came to treat the surgeon's
+            mate in particular so ill. He said he had treated them all much
+            alike. A person of the name of Bulpin, he believed, was the
+            only one who had escaped bad usage in the ship. With respect
+            to himself, he had been cruelly used so early as in the outward
+            bound passage, which had occasioned him to jump overboard.
+            When taken up, he was put into irons, and kept in these for a
+            considerable time. He was afterwards ill used at different times,
+            and even so late as within three or four days of his return to
+            port. For just before the Alfred made the island of Lundy, he
+            was struck by the captain, who cut his under lip into two. He
+            said that it had bled so much, that the captain expressed himself
+            as if much alarmed; and having the expectation of arriving soon
+            at Bristol, he had promised to make him amends, if he would
+            hold his peace. This he said he had hitherto done, but he had
+            received no recompense. In confirmation of his own usage, he
+            desired me to examine his lip, which I had no occasion to do,
+            having already perceived it, for the wound was apparently almost
+            fresh.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I asked Dixon if there was any person in Bristol beside
+            himself, who could confirm to me this his own treatment, as well
+            as that of the other unfortunate man who was now dead. He
+            referred me to a seaman of the name of Matthew Pyke. This
+            person, when brought to me, not only related readily the particulars
+            of the usage in both cases, as I have now stated them, but
+            that which he received himself. He said that his own arm had
+            been broken by the chief mate in Black River, Jamaica, and
+            that he had also by the captain's orders, though contrary to the
+            practice in merchant-vessels, been severely flogged. His arm
+            appeared to be then in pain; and I had a proof of the punishment
+            by an inspection of his back.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I asked Matthew Pyke if the crew in general had been
+
+            treated in a cruel manner. He replied they had, except James
+            Bulpin. I then asked where James Bulpin was to be found.
+            He told me where he had lodged; but feared he had gone home
+            to his friends in Somersetshire, I think, somewhere in the neighbourhood
+            of Bridgewater.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I thought it prudent to institute an inquiry into the characters
+            of Thomas, Dixon, and Matthew Pyke, before I went further.
+            The two former I found were strangers in Bristol, and I could
+            collect nothing about them. The latter was a native of the place,
+            had served his time as a seaman from the port, and was reputed
+            of fair character.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            My next business was to see James Bulpin. I found him
+            just setting off for the country. He stopped, however, to converse
+            with me. He was a young man of very respectable appearance,
+            and of mild manners. His appearance, indeed, gave me reason
+            to hope that I might depend upon his statements; but I was
+            most of all influenced by the consideration that, never having
+            been ill-used himself, he could have no inducement to go beyond
+            the bounds of truth on this occasion. He gave me a melancholy
+            confirmation of all the three cases. He told me, also, that one
+            Joseph Cunningham had been a severe sufferer, and that there
+            was reason to fear that Charles Horseler, another of the crew,
+            had been so severely beaten over the breast with a knotted end
+            of a rope, (which end was of the size of a large ball, and had
+            been made on purpose,) that he died of it. To this he added,
+            that it was now a notorious fact, that the captain of the Alfred,
+            when mate of a slave-ship, had been tried at Barbados for the
+            murder of one of the crew with whom he had sailed, but that he
+            escaped by bribing the principal witness to
+            disappear<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIV_5"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIV_5"></a>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIV_5"></a><a href="#FootXIV_5">A</a>: Mr. Sampson, who was surgeon's mate
+            of the ship in which the captain had thus served as a mate,
+            confirmed to me afterwards this assertion, having
+            often heard him boast in the cabin, "how he had tricked the law on that
+            occasion."
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The reader will see, the further I went into the history of
+            this voyage, the more dismal it became. One miserable account,
+            when examined, only brought up another. I saw no end to
+            inquiry. The great question was, what was I to do? I thought
+
+            the best thing would be to get the captain apprehended, and
+            make him stand his trial either for the murder of Thomas or of
+            Charles Horseler. I communicated with the late Mr. Burges,
+            an eminent attorney, and the deputy town-clerk, on this occasion.
+            He had shown an attachment to me on account of the cause I
+            had undertaken, and had given me privately assistance in it. I
+            say privately; because, knowing the sentiments of many of the
+            corporate body at Bristol, under whom he acted, he was fearful
+            of coming forward in an open manner. His advice to me was,
+            to take notes of the case for my own private conviction, but to
+            take no public cognizance of it. He said that seamen, as soon as
+            their wages were expended, must be off to sea again. They
+            could not generally, as landsmen do, maintain themselves on
+            shore. Hence I should be obliged to keep the whole crew at my
+            own expense till the day of trial, which might not be for months
+            to come. He doubted not that, in the interim, the merchants
+            and others would inveigle many of them away by making them
+            boatswains and other inferior officers in some of their ships; so
+            that, when the day of trial should come, I should find my witnesses
+            dispersed and gone. He observed, moreover, that if any
+            of the officers of the ship had any notion of going out again
+            under the same owners<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIV_6"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIV_6"></a>, I should
+            have all these against me. To which he added, that if I were to make a point
+            of taking up the cause of those whom I found complaining of hard usage in this
+            trade, I must take up that of nearly all who sailed in it; for that
+            he only knew of one captain from the port in the Slave Trade,
+            who did not deserve long ago to be hanged. Hence I should get
+            into a labyrinth of expense, and difficulty, and uneasiness of mind,
+            from whence I should not easily find a clew to guide me.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIV_6"></a><a href="#FootXIV_6">A</a>: The seamen of the Alfred
+            informed the purser of their ill usage,
+            Matthew Pyke not only showed him his arm and his back, but acquainted him
+            with the murder of Charles Horseler, stating that he had the instrument of
+            his death in his possession. The purser seemed more alive to this than to
+            any other circumstance, and wished to get it from him. Pyke, however, had
+            given it to me. Now what will the reader think, when he is informed that the
+            purser, after all this knowledge of the captain's cruelty, sent him out
+            again, and that he was the same person who was purser of the Brothers, and
+            who had also sent out the captain of that ship a second time, as has been
+            related, notwithstanding his barbarities in former voyages!
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This advice, though it was judicious, and founded on a
+            knowledge of law proceedings, I found it very difficult to adopt.
+            My own disposition was naturally such, that whatever I engaged
+            in I followed with more than ordinary warmth. I could not be
+            supposed, therefore, affected and interested as I then was, to be
+            cool and tranquil on this occasion. And yet what would my
+            worthy friend have said, if in this first instance I had opposed
+            him? I had a very severe struggle in my own feelings on this
+            account. At length, though reluctantly, I obeyed; but as the
+            passions which agitate the human mind, when it is greatly
+            inflamed, must have a vent somewhere, or must work off, as it
+            were, or in working together must produce some new passion or
+            effect, so I found the rage which had been kindling within me
+            subsiding into the most determined resolutions of future increased
+            activity and perseverance. I began now to think that the day
+            was not long enough for me to labour in. I regretted often the
+            approach of night, which suspended my work, and I often welcomed
+            that of the morning, which restored me to it. When I
+            felt myself weary, I became refreshed by the thought of what I
+            was doing; when disconsolate, I was comforted by it. I lived
+            in hope that every day's labour would furnish me with that
+            knowledge which would bring this evil nearer to its end; and I
+            worked on under these feelings, regarding neither trouble nor
+            danger in the pursuit.
+
+         </p>
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap15"></a>
+
+         CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+
+         <p><b>Author confers with the inhabitants of Bridgewater relative to a petition to
+         parliament in behalf of the abolition; returns to Bristol; discovers a
+         scandalous mode of procuring seamen for the Slave Trade, and of paying
+         them; makes a comparative view of their loss in this and in other
+         trades; procures imports and exports.&#8212;Examines the construction and
+         admeasurement of slave ships; of the Fly and Neptune.&#8212;Difficulty of
+         procuring evidence.&#8212;Case of Gardiner, of the Pilgrim; of Arnold, of the
+         Ruby; some particulars of the latter in his former voyages.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            Having heard by accident that the inhabitants of the town of
+            Bridgewater had sent a petition to the House of Commons, in the
+            year 1785, for the abolition of the Slave Trade, as has been
+            related in a former part of the work, I determined, while my
+            feelings were warm, to go there, and to try to find out those who
+            had been concerned in it, and to confer with them as the tried
+            friends of the cause. The time seemed to me to be approaching
+            when the public voice should be raised against this enormous evil.
+            I was sure that it was only necessary for the inhabitants of this
+            favoured island to know it to feel a just indignation against it.
+            Accordingly I set off. My friend George Fisher, who was before
+            mentioned to have been of the religious Society of the Quakers,
+            gave me an introduction to the respectable family of Ball, which
+            was of the same religious persuasion. I called upon Mr. Sealey,
+            Anstice, Crandon, Chubb, and others. I laid open to those
+            whom I saw, the discoveries I had made relative to the loss and
+            ill treatment of seamen; at which they seemed to be much
+            moved; and it was agreed that if it should be thought a proper
+            measure, (of which I would inform them when I had consulted
+            the committee,) a second petition should be sent to Parliament
+            from the inhabitants, praying for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+            With this view I left them several of my <em>Summary View</em>, before
+            mentioned, to distribute, that the inhabitants might know more
+            particularly the nature of the evil, against which they were going
+            to complain. On my return to Bristol, I determined to inquire
+            into the truth of the reports that seamen had an aversion to enter,
+
+            and that they were inveigled, if not often forced, into this hateful
+            employment. For this purpose I was introduced to a landlord
+            of the name of Thompson, who kept a public-house called
+            the Seven Stars. He was a very intelligent man, was accustomed
+            to receive sailors when discharged at the end of their voyages,
+            and to board them till their vessels went out again, or to find
+            them births in others. He avoided, however, all connexion with
+            the Slave Trade, declaring that the credit of his house would be
+            ruined if he were known to send those, who put themselves under
+            his care, into it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From him I collected the truth of all that had been stated to
+            me on this subject. But I told him I should not be satisfied
+            until I had beheld those scenes myself which he had described
+            to me; and I entreated him to take me into them, saying that I
+            would reward him for all his time and trouble, and that I would
+            never forget him while I lived. To this he consented; and as three
+            or four slave-vessels at this time were preparing for their voyages, it
+            was time that we should begin our rounds. At about twelve at
+            night we generally set out, and were employed till two and sometimes
+            three in the morning. He led me from one of these public-houses
+            to another which the mates of the slave-vessels used
+            to frequent to pick up their hands. These houses were in Marsh-street,
+            and most of them were then kept by Irishmen. The
+            scenes witnessed in these houses were truly distressing to me;
+            and yet, if I wished to know practically what I had purposed, I
+            could not avoid them. Music, dancing, rioting, drunkenness,
+            and profane swearing, were kept up from night to night. The
+            young mariner, if a stranger to the port, and unacquainted with
+            the nature of the Slave Trade, was sure to be picked up. The
+            novelty of the voyages, the superiority of the wages in this over
+            any other trades, and the privileges of various kinds, were set
+            before him. Gulled in this manner, he was frequently enticed
+            to the boat, which was waiting to carry him away. If these
+            prospects did not attract him, he was plied with liquor till he
+            became intoxicated, when a bargain was made over him between
+            the landlord and the mate. After this his senses were kept in
+            such a constant state of stupefaction by the liquor, that in time
+
+            the former might do with him what he pleased. Seamen, also,
+            were boarded in these houses, who, when the slave-ships were
+            going out, but at no other time, were encouraged to spend more
+            than they had money to pay for; and to these, when they had
+            thus exceeded, but one alternative was given, namely, a slave-vessel
+            or a gaol. These distressing scenes I found myself obliged
+            frequently to witness, for I was no less than nineteen times occupied
+            in making these hateful rounds; and I can say from my
+            own experience, and all the information I could collect from
+            Thompson and others, that no such practices were in use to obtain
+            seamen for other trades.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The treatment of the seamen employed in the Slave Trade
+            had so deeply interested me, and now the manner of procuring
+            them, that I was determined to make myself acquainted with
+            their whole history; for I found by report that they were not
+            only personally ill-treated, as I have already painfully described,
+            but that they were robbed by artifice of those wages, which had
+            been held up to them as so superior in this service. All persons
+            were obliged to sign articles that, in case they should die or be
+            discharged during the voyage, the wages then due to them should
+            be paid in the currency where the vessel carried her slaves, and
+            that half of the wages due to them on their arrival there should
+            be paid in the same manner, and that they were never permitted
+            to read over the articles they had signed. By means of this
+            iniquitous practice the wages in the Slave Trade, though nominally
+            higher in order to induce seamen to engage in it, were
+            actually lower than in other trades. All these usages I ascertained
+            in such a manner, that no person could doubt the truth of them.
+            I actually obtained possession of articles of agreement belonging
+            to these vessels, which had been signed and executed in former
+            voyages. I made the merchants themselves, by sending those
+            seamen who had claims upon them to ask for their accounts current
+            with their respective ships, furnish me with such documents
+            as would have been evidence against them in any court of law.
+            On whatever branch of the system I turned my eyes, I found it
+            equally barbarous. The trade was, in short, one mass of iniquity
+            from the beginning to the end.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I employed myself occasionally in the Merchant's-hall, in
+            making copies of the muster-rolls of ships sailing to different
+            parts of the world, that I might make a comparative view of the
+            loss of seamen in the Slave Trade, with that of those in the other
+            trades from the same port. The result of this employment
+            showed me the importance of it: for, when I considered how
+            partial the inhabitants of this country were to their fellow-citizens,
+            the seamen belonging to it, and in what estimation the
+            members of the legislature held them, by enforcing the Navigation
+            Act, which they considered to be the bulwark of the nation,
+            and by giving bounties to certain trades, that these might become
+            so many nurseries for the marine, I thought it of great importance,
+            to be able to prove, as I was then capable of doing, that
+            more persons would be found dead in three slave-vessels from
+            Bristol, in a given time, than in all the other vessels put together,
+            numerous as they were, belonging to the same port.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I procured also an account of the exports and imports for the
+            year 1786, by means of which I was enabled to judge of the
+            comparative value of this and the other trades.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In pursuing another object, which was that of going on board
+            the slave-ships, and learning their construction and dimensions, I
+            was greatly struck, and indeed affected, by the appearance of two
+            little sloops, which were fitting out for Africa, the one of only
+            twenty-five tons, which was said to be destined to carry seventy
+            and the other of only eleven, which was said to be destined to
+            carry thirty slaves. I was told also that which was more affecting,
+            namely, that these were not to act as tenders on the coast,
+            by going up and down the rivers, and receiving three or four
+            slaves at a time, and then carrying them to a large ship, which
+            was to take them to the West Indies; but that it was actually
+            intended, that they should transport their own slaves themselves;
+            that one if not both of them were, on their arrival in the West
+            Indies, to be sold as pleasure-vessels, and that the seamen belonging
+            to them were to be permitted to come home by what is
+            usually called the run.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This account of the destination of these little vessels, though
+            it was distressing at first, appeared to me afterwards, on cool
+
+            reasoning, to be incredible. I thought that my informants
+            wished to impose upon me, in order that I might make statements
+            which would carry their own refutation with them, and that thus
+            I might injure the great cause which I had undertaken. And I
+            was much inclined to be of this opinion, when I looked again at
+            the least of the two; for any person, who was tall, standing upon
+            dry ground by the side of her, might have overlooked every thing
+            upon her deck. I knew also that she had been built as a pleasure-boat
+            for the accommodation of only six persons upon the
+            Severn. I determined, therefore, to suspend my belief till I
+            could take the admeasurement of each vessel. This I did; but
+            lest, in the agitation of my mind on this occasion, I should have
+            made any mistake, I desired my friend George Fisher to apply
+            to the builder for his admeasurement also. With this he kindly
+            complied. When he obtained it he brought it me. This account,
+            which nearly corresponded with my own, was as follows:&#8212;In
+            the vessel of twenty-five tons, the length of the upper part of
+            the hold, or roof of the room, where the seventy slaves were to be
+            stowed, was but little better than ten yards, or thirty-one feet.
+            The greatest breadth of the bottom, or floor, was ten feet four
+            inches; and the least five. Hence, a grown person must sit down
+            all the voyage, and contract his limbs within the narrow limits of
+            three square feet. In the vessel of eleven tons, the length of the
+            room for the thirty slaves was twenty-two feet. The greatest
+            breadth of the floor was eight, and the least four. The whole
+            height from the keel to the beam was but five feet eight inches,
+            three feet of which were occupied by ballast, cargo, and provisions,
+            so that two feet eight inches remained only as the height
+            between the decks. Hence, each slave would have only four
+            square feet to sit in, and, when in this posture, his head, if he
+            were a full-grown person, would touch the ceiling, or upper deck.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having now received this admeasurement from the builder,
+            which was rather more favourable than my own, I looked upon
+            the destination of these little vessels as yet more incredible than
+            before. Still the different persons, whom I occasionally saw on
+            board them, persisted in it that they were going to Africa for
+            slaves, and also for the numbers mentioned, which they were
+
+            afterwards to carry to the West Indies themselves. I desired,
+            however, my friends, George Fisher, Truman Harford, Harry
+            Gandy, Walter Chandler, and others, each to make a separate
+            inquiry for me on this subject; and they all agreed that, improbable
+            as the account both of their destination, and of the number
+            they were to take, might appear, they had found it to be too true.
+            I had soon afterwards the sorrow to learn from official documents
+            from the Custom-house, that these little vessels actually
+            cleared out for Africa, and that now nothing could be related
+            so barbarous of this traffic, which might not instantly be
+            believed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In pursuing my different objects there was one, which, to my
+            great vexation, I found it extremely difficult to attain. This was
+            the procuring of any assurance from those who had been personally
+            acquainted with the horrors of this trade, that they would
+            appear, if called upon, as evidence against it. My friend Harry
+            Gandy, to whom I had been first introduced, had been two
+            voyages, as I before mentioned; and he was willing, though at an
+            advanced age, to go to London, to state publicly all he knew concerning
+            them. But with respect to the many others in Bristol,
+            who had been to the coast of Africa, I had not yet found one
+            who would come forward for this purpose. There were several
+            old Slave Captains living there, who had a great knowledge of the
+            subject. I thought it not unreasonable that I might gain one or
+            two good evidences out of these, as they had probably long ago
+            left the concern, and were not now interested in the continuance
+            of it; but all my endeavours were fruitless. I sent messages to
+            them by different persons. I met them in all ways. I stated to
+            them, that if there was nothing objectionable in the trade, seeing
+            it laboured under such a stigma, they had an opportunity of
+            coming forward and of wiping away the stain. If, on the other
+            hand, it was as bad as represented, then they had it in their
+            power, by detailing the crimes which attached to it, of making
+            some reparation or atonement, for the part they had taken in it.
+            But no representations would do. All intercourse was positively
+            forbidden between us; and whenever they met me in the street,
+            they shunned me as if I had been a mad dog. I could not for
+
+            some time account, for the strange disposition which they thus
+            manifested towards me; but my friends helped me to unravel it,
+            for I was assured that one or two of them, though they went no
+            longer to Africa as captains, were in part owners of vessels
+            trading there; and, with respect to all of them, it might be
+            generally said, that they had been guilty of such enormities, that
+            they would be afraid of coming forward in the way I proposed,
+            lest any thing should come out by which they might criminate
+            themselves. I was obliged then to give up all hope of getting
+            any evidence from this quarter, and I saw but little prospect of
+            getting it from those, who were then actually deriving their livelihood
+            from the trade: and yet I was determined to persevere;
+            for I thought that some might be found in it who were not yet
+            so hardened as to be incapable of being awakened on this subject.
+            I thought that others might be found in it who wished to leave it
+            upon principle, and that these would unbosom themselves to me:
+            and I thought it not improbable that I might fall in with others,
+            who had come unexpectedly into a state of independence, and
+            that these might be induced, as their livelihood would be no
+            longer affected by giving me information, to speak the truth.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I persevered for weeks together under this hope, but could
+            find no one of all those, who had been applied to, who would
+            have any thing to say to me. At length, Walter Chandler had
+            prevailed upon a young gentleman, of the name of Gardiner, who
+            was going out as surgeon of the Pilgrim, to meet me. The condition
+            was, that we were to meet at the house of the former, but
+            that we were to enter in and go out at different times, that is, we
+            were not to be seen together.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Gardiner, on being introduced to me, said at once, that he had
+            often wished to see me on the subject of my errand, but that the
+            owner of the Pilgrim had pointed me out to him as a person
+            whom he would wish him to avoid. He then laid open to me
+            the different methods of obtaining slaves in Africa, as he had
+            learned from those on board his own vessel in his first, or former,
+            voyage. He unfolded also the manner of their treatment in the
+            Middle passage, with the various distressing scenes which had
+            occurred in it.  He stated the barbarous usuage of the seamen as
+
+            he had witnessed it, and concluded by saying, that there never
+            was a subject which demanded so loudly the interference of the
+            legislature as that of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When he had finished his narrative, and answered the different
+            questions which I had proposed to him concerning it, I asked
+            him, in as delicate a manner as I could, how it happened, that,
+            seeing the trade in this horrible light, he had consented to follow
+            it again? He told me frankly, that he had received a regular
+            medical education, but that his relations, being poor, had not been
+            able to set him up in his profession. He had saved a little money
+            in his last voyage. In that, which he was now to perform, he
+            hoped to save a little more. With the profits of both voyages
+            together, he expected he should be able to furnish a shop in the
+            line of his profession, when he would wipe his hands of this
+            detestable trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I then asked him, whether, upon the whole, he thought he
+            had judged prudently, or whether the prospect of thus enabling
+            himself to become independent, would counterbalance the uneasiness
+            which might arise in future? He replied, that he had not
+            so much to fear upon this account. The trade, while it continued,
+            must have surgeons. But it made a great difference both to the
+            crew and to the slaves, whether these discharged their duty
+            towards them in a feeling manner, or not. With respect to himself,
+            he was sure that he should pay every attention to the
+            wants of each. This thought made his continuance in the trade
+            for one voyage longer more reconcilable. But he added, as if
+            not quite satisfied, "Cruel necessity!" and he fetched a deep
+            sigh.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We took our leave, and departed, the one a few minutes after
+            the other. The conversation of this young man was very interesting.
+            I was much impressed both by the nature and the manner
+            of it. I wished to secure him, if possible, as an evidence for
+            parliament, and thus save him from his approaching voyage: but
+            I knew not what to do. At first, I thought it would be easy to
+            raise a subscription to set him up. But then, I was aware that
+            this might be considered as bribery, and make his testimony
+            worth nothing. I then thought that the committee might detain
+
+            him as an evidence, and pay him, in a reasonable manner, for his
+            sustenance, till his testimony should be called for. But I did not
+            know how long it would be before his examination might take
+            place. It might be a year or two. I foresaw other difficulties
+            also and I was obliged to relinquish what otherwise I should
+            have deemed a prize.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On reviewing the conversation which had passed between us
+            after my return home, I thought, considering the friendly disposition
+            of Gardiner towards us, I had not done all I could for the
+            cause; and, communicating my feelings to Walter Chandler, he
+            procured me another interview. At this, I asked him, if he
+            would become an evidence if he lived to return. He replied,
+            very heartily, that he would. I then asked him, if he would
+            keep a journal of facts during his voyage, as it would enable
+            him to speak more correctly, in case he should be called upon
+            for his testimony. He assured me he would, and that he would
+            make up a little book for that purpose. I asked him, lastly,
+            when he meant to sail. He said, as soon as the ship could get
+            all her hands. It was their intention to sail to-morrow, but that
+            seven men, whom the mates had brought drunk out of Marsh-street
+            the evening before, were so terrified when they found they
+            were going to Africa, that they had seized the boat that morning,
+            and had put themselves on shore. I took my leave of him,
+            entreating him to follow his resolutions of kindness both to the
+            sailors and the slaves, and wished him a speedy and a safe
+            return.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On going one day by the Exchange, after this interview with
+            Gardiner, I overheard a young gentleman say to another, "that
+            it happened on the coast, last year, and that he saw it." I
+            wished to know who he was, and to get at him if I could. I
+            watched him at a distance for more than half an hour, when I
+            saw him leave his companion. I followed him till he entered a
+            house. I then considered whether it would be proper, and in
+            what manner, to address him when he should come out of it.
+            But I waited three hours, and I never saw him. I then concluded
+            that he either lodged where I saw him enter, or that he
+            had gone to dine with some friend. I therefore took notice of
+
+            the house, and, showing it afterwards to several of my friends,
+            desired them to make him out for me. In a day or two I had an
+            interview with him. His name was James Arnold. He had
+            been two voyages to the coast of Africa for slaves; one as a surgeon's
+            mate in the Alexander, in the year 1785, and the other as
+            surgeon in the Little Pearl, in the year 1786, from which he had
+            not then very long returned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I asked him if he was willing to give me any account of these
+            voyages, for that I was making an inquiry into the nature of the
+            Slave Trade. He replied, he knew that I was. He had been
+            cautioned about falling in with me; he had, however, taken no
+            pains to avoid me. It was a bad trade, and ought to be exposed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I went over the same ground as I had gone with Gardiner
+            relative to the first of these voyages; or that in the Alexander.
+            It is not necessary to detail the particulars. It is impossible,
+            however, not to mention, that the treatment of the seamen on
+            board this vessel was worse than I had ever before heard of.
+            No less than eleven of them; unable to bear their lives; had deserted
+            at Bonny, on the coast of Africa,&#8212;which is a most unusual
+            thing,&#8212;choosing all that could be endured, though in a
+            most inhospitable climate, and in the power of the natives,
+            rather than to continue in their own ship. Nine others also, in
+            addition to the loss of these, had died in the same voyage. As
+            to the rest; he believed, without any exception, that they had
+            been badly used.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In examining him with respect to his second voyage, or that
+            in the Little Pearl, two circumstances came out with respect to
+            the slaves, which I shall relate in few words.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The chief mate used to beat the men-slaves on very trifling
+            occasions. About eleven one evening, the ship then lying off the
+            coast, he heard a noise in their room. He jumped down among
+            them with the lanthorn in his hand. Two of those who had
+            been ill-used by him, forced themselves out of their irons, and,
+            seizing him, struck him with the bolt of them, and it was with
+            some difficulty that he was extricated from them by the crew.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The men-slaves, unable now to punish him, and finding they
+            had created an alarm, began to proceed to extremities. They
+
+            endeavoured to force themselves up the gratings, and to pull down
+            a partition which had been made for a sick-birth; when they
+            were fired upon and repressed. The next morning they were
+            brought up one by one; when it appeared that a boy had been
+            killed, who was afterwards thrown into the sea.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The two men, however, who had forced themselves out of
+            irons, did not come up with the rest, but found their way into
+            the hold, and armed themselves with knives from a cask, which
+            had been opened for trade. One of them being called to in the
+            African tongue by a black trader, who was then on board, came
+            up, but with a knife in each hand; when one of the crew, supposing
+            him yet hostile, shot him in the right side and killed him
+            on the spot.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The other remained in the hold for twelve hours. Scalding
+            water mixed with fat was poured down upon him, to make him
+            come up. Though his flesh was painfully blistered by these
+            means, he kept below. A promise was then made to him in the
+            African tongue by the same trader, that no injury should be done
+            him if he would come among them. To this at length he consented;
+            but on observing, when he was about half way up, that a
+            sailor was armed between decks, he flew to him, and clasped him,
+            and threw him down. The sailor fired his pistol in the scuffle,
+            but without effect; he contrived, however, to fracture his skull
+            with the butt end of it, so that the slave died on the third day.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The second circumstance took place after the arrival of the
+            same vessel at St. Vincent's. There was a boy-slave on board,
+            who was very ill and emaciated. The mate, who, by his cruelty,
+            had been the author of the former mischief, did not choose to
+            expose him to sale with the rest, lest the small sum he would
+            fetch in that situation should lower the average price, and thus
+            bring down<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXV_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXV_1"></a> the
+            value of the privileges of the officers of the ship.
+            This boy was kept on board, and no provisions allowed him.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXV_1"></a><a href="#FootXV_1">A</a>: Officers are said to be allowed
+            the privilege of one or more slaves, according to their rank. When
+            the cargo is sold, the sum total fetched is put down, and this being
+            divided by the number of slaves sold, gives the average price of
+            each. Such officers, then, receive this average price for one or more slaves,
+            according to their privileges, but never the slaves themselves.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The mate had suggested the propriety of throwing him overboard,
+            but no one would do it. On the ninth day he expired, having
+            never been allowed any sustenance during that time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I asked Mr. Arnold if he was willing to give evidence of
+            these facts in both cases. He said he had only one objection,
+            which was, that in two or three days he was to go in the Ruby
+            on his third voyage: but on leaving me, he said, that he would
+            take an affidavit before the mayor of the truth of any of those
+            things which he had related to me, if that would do; but, from
+            motives of safety, he should not choose to do this till within a few
+            hours before he sailed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In two or three days after this he sent for me; he said the
+            Ruby would leave King-road the next day, and that he was
+            ready to do as he had promised. Depositions were accordingly
+            made out from his own words. I went with him to the residence
+            of George Daubeny, Esq., who was then chief magistrate of the
+            city, and they were sworn to in his presence, and witnessed as
+            the law requires.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On taking my leave of him, I asked him how he could go a
+            third time in such a barbarous employ; he said he had been distressed.
+            In his voyage in the Alexander he had made nothing;
+            for he had been so ill-used, that he had solicited his discharge in
+            Grenada, where, being paid in currency, he had but little to
+            receive. When he arrived in Bristol from that island, he was
+            quite penniless; and finding the Little Pearl going out, he was
+            glad to get on board her as her surgeon, which he then did
+            entirely for the sake of bread. He said, moreover, that she was
+            but a small vessel, and that his savings had been but small in
+            her. This occasioned him to apply for the Ruby, his present
+            ship; but if he survived this voyage he would never go another.
+            I then put the same question to him as to Gardiner, and he promised
+            to keep a journal of facts, and to give his evidence, if
+            called upon, on his return.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The reader will see, from this account, the difficulty I had in
+            procuring evidence from this port. The owners of vessels employed
+            in the trade there forbade all intercourse with me; the old
+            captains, who had made their fortunes in it, would not see me;
+
+            the young, who were making them, could not be supposed to
+            espouse my cause, to the detriment of their own interest. Of
+            those whose necessities made them go into it for a livelihood, I
+            could not get one to come forward, without doing so much for
+            him as would have amounted to bribery. Thus, when I got one
+            of these into my possession, I was obliged to let him go again. I
+            was, however, greatly consoled by the consideration, that I had
+            procured two sentinels to be stationed in the enemy's camp, who
+            keeping a journal of different facts, would bring me some important
+            intelligence at a future period.
+
+         </p>
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap16"></a>CHAPTER XVI.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Author goes to Monmouth; confers relative to a petition from that place;
+         returns to Bristol; is introduced to Alexander Falconbridge; takes one of
+         the mates of the Africa out of that ship; visits disabled seamen from the
+         ship Thomas; puts a chief mate into prison for the murder of William
+         Lines.&#8212;Ill-usage of seamen in various other slave-vessels; secures Crutwell's
+         Bath paper in favour of the abolition; lays the foundation of a committee
+         at Bristol; and of a petition from thence also; takes his leave of
+         that city.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            By this time I began to feel the effect of my labours upon my
+            constitution. It had been my practice to go home in the evening
+            to my lodgings, about twelve o'clock, and then to put down
+            the occurrences of the day. This usually kept me up till one, and
+            sometimes till nearly two in the morning. When I went my
+            rounds in Marsh-street, I seldom got home till two, and into bed
+            till three. My clothes, also, were frequently wet through with
+            the rains. The cruel accounts I was daily in the habit of hearing,
+            both with respect to the slaves, and to the seamen employed
+            in this wicked trade, from which, indeed, my mind had no
+            respite, often broke my sleep in the night, and occasioned me to
+            awake in an agitated state. All these circumstances concurred
+            in affecting my health; I looked thin; my countenance became
+            yellow; I had also rheumatic feelings. My friends, seeing this,
+            prevailed upon me to give myself two or three days' relaxation;
+            and as a gentleman, of whom I had some knowledge, was going
+            into Carmarthenshire, I accompanied him as far as Monmouth.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After our parting at this place, I became restless and uneasy,
+            and longed to get back to my work. I thought, however,
+            my journey ought not to be wholly useless to the cause; and
+            hearing that Dr. Davis, a clergyman at Monmouth, was a man
+            of considerable weight among the inhabitants, I took the liberty
+            of writing him a letter, in which I stated who I was and the
+            way in which I had lately employed myself, and the great wish I
+            had to be favoured with an interview with him; and I did not
+
+            conceal that it would be very desirable, if the inhabitants of the
+            place could have that information on the subject which would
+            warrant them in so doing, that they should petition the legislature
+            for the abolition of the Slave Trade. Dr. Davis returned
+            me an answer, and received me. The questions which he put to
+            me were judicious. He asked me, first, whether, if the slaves
+            were emancipated, there would not be much confusion in the
+            islands? I told him that the emancipation of them was no part
+            of our plan; we solicited nothing but the stopping of all future
+            importations of them into the islands. He then asked what the
+            planters would do for labourers? I replied, they would find sufficient
+            from an increase of the native population, if they were
+            obliged to pay attention to the latter means. We discoursed a
+            long time upon this last topic. I have not room to give the many
+            other questions he proposed to me: no one was ever more judiciously
+            questioned. In my turn, I put him into possession of
+            all the discoveries I had made. He acknowledged the injustice
+            of the trade; he confessed, also, that my conversation had
+            enlightened him as to the impolicy of it; and, taking some of my
+            <em>Summary View</em> to distribute, he said he hoped that the inhabitants
+            would, after the perusal of them, accede to my request.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On my return to Bristol, my friends had procured for me an
+            interview with Mr. Alexander Falconbridge, who had been to
+            the coast of Africa, as a surgeon, for four voyages; one in the
+            Tartar, another in the Alexander, and two in the Emilia slave-vessels.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On my introduction to him, I asked him if he had any objection
+            to give me an account of the cruelties which were said to be
+            connected with the Slave Trade; he answered, without any reserve,
+            that he had not; for that he had now done with it. Never were
+            any words more welcome to my ears than these: "Yes&#8212;I have
+            done with the trade;"&#8212;and he said, also, that he was free to give
+            me information concerning it. Was he not then one of the very
+            persons, whom I had so long been seeking, but in vain?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To detail the accounts which he gave me at this and at subsequent
+            interviews, relative to the different branches of this trade,
+            would fill no ordinary volume. Suffice it to say, in general terms,
+
+            as far as relates to the slaves, that he confirmed the various violent
+            and treacherous methods of procuring them in their own country;
+            their wretched condition, in consequence of being crowded together
+            in the passage; their attempts to rise in defence of their own
+            freedom, and, when this was impracticable, to destroy themselves
+            by the refusal of sustenance, by jumping overboard into the sea,
+            and in other ways; the effect also of their situation upon their
+            minds, by producing insanity and various diseases; and the cruel
+            manner of disposing of them in the West Indies, and of separating
+            relatives and friends.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the seamen employed in this trade, he commended
+            Captain Frazer for his kind usage to them, under whom
+            he had so long served. The handsome way in which he spoke
+            of the latter pleased me much, because I was willing to deduce
+            from it his own impartiality, and because I thought I might
+            infer from it, also, his regard to truth as to other parts of his narrative.
+            Indeed I had been before acquainted with this circumstance.
+            Thompson, of the Seven Stars, had informed me that
+            Frazer was the only man sailing out of that port for slaves who
+            had not been guilty of cruelty to his seamen: and Mr. Burges
+            alluded to it, when he gave me advice not to proceed against the
+            captain of the Alfred; for he then said, as I mentioned in a
+            former chapter, "that he knew but one captain in the trade,
+            who did not deserve long ago to be hanged." Mr. Falconbridge,
+            however, stated, that though he had been thus fortunate in the
+            Tartar and Emilia, he had been as unfortunate in the Alexander;
+            for he believed there were no instances upon naval record, taken
+            altogether, of greater barbarity, than of that which had been
+            exercised towards the seamen in this voyage. In running over
+            these, it struck me that I had heard of the same from some other
+            quarter, or at least that these were so like the others, that I was
+            surprised at their coincidence. On taking out my notes, I looked
+            for the names of those whom I recollected to have been used in
+            this manner; and on desiring Mr. Falconbridge to mention the
+            names of those, also, to whom he alluded, they turned out to be
+            the same. The mystery, however, was soon cleared up, when I
+            told him from whom I had received my intelligence: for Mr.
+
+            Arnold, the last-mentioned person in the last chapter, had been
+            surgeon's mate under Mr. Falconbridge in the same vessel.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There was one circumstance of peculiar importance, but quite
+            new to me, which I collected from the information which Mr.
+            Falconbridge had given me. This was, that many of the seamen,
+            who left the slave-ships in the West Indies, were in such a weak,
+            ulcerated, and otherwise diseased state, that they perished there.
+            Several, also, of those who came home with the vessels were in
+            the same deplorable condition. This was the case, Mr. Falconbridge
+            said, with some who returned in the Alexander. It was
+            the case, also, with many others; for he had been a pupil for
+            twelve months in the Bristol Infirmary, and had had ample
+            means of knowing the fact. The greatest number of seamen, at
+            almost all times, who were there, were from the slave-vessels.
+            These, too, were usually there on account of disease, whereas
+            those from other ships were usually there on account of accidents.
+            The health of some of the former was so far destroyed, that they
+            were never wholly to be restored. This information was of
+            great importance; for it showed that they who were reported
+            dead upon the muster-rolls, were not all that were lost to the
+            country by the prosecution of this wicked trade. Indeed, it was
+            of so much importance, that in all my future interviews with
+            others, which were for the purpose of collecting evidence, I never
+            forgot to make it a subject of inquiry.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I can hardly say how precious I considered the facts with
+            which Mr. Falconbridge had furnished me from his own experience,
+            relative to the different branches of this commerce. They
+            were so precious, that I began now to be troubled lest I should
+            lose them. For, though he had thus privately unbosomed himself
+            to me, it did not follow that he would come forward as a
+            public evidence. I was not a little uneasy on this account. I
+            was fearful lest, when I should put this question to him, his
+            future plan of life, or some little narrow consideration of future
+            interest, would prevent him from giving his testimony, and I
+            delayed asking him for many days. During this time, however,
+            I frequently visited him; and at length, when I thought I was
+            better acquainted, and probably in some little estimation, with
+
+            him, I ventured to open my wishes on this subject. He answered
+            me boldly, and at once, that he had left the trade upon principle,
+            and that he would state all he knew concerning it, either publicly
+            or privately, and at any time when he should be called upon to
+            do it. This answer produced such an effect upon me, after all
+            my former disappointments, that I felt it all over my frame. It
+            operated like a sudden shock, which often disables the impressed
+            person for a time. So the joy I felt rendered me quite useless,
+            as to business, for the remainder of the day.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I began to perceive in a little time the advantage of having
+            cultivated an acquaintance with Thompson of the Seven Stars.
+            For nothing could now pass in Bristol, relative to the seamen
+            employed in this trade, but it was soon brought to me. If there
+            was anything amiss, I had so arranged matters that I was sure
+            to hear of it. He sent for me one day to inform me that several
+            of the seamen, who had been sent out of Marsh Street into the
+            Prince, which was then at Kingroad, and on the point of sailing
+            to Africa for slaves, had, through fear of ill usage on the voyage,
+            taken the boat and put themselves on shore. He informed me,
+            at the same time, that the seamen of the Africa, which was lying
+            there also, and ready to sail on a like voyage, were not satisfied,
+            for that they had been made to sign their articles of agreement
+            without being permitted to see them. To this he added, that
+            Mr. Sheriff, one of the mates of the latter vessel, was unhappy,
+            also, on this account. Sheriff had been a mate in the West India
+            trade, and was a respectable man in his line. He had been
+            enticed by the captain of the Africa, under the promise of peculiar
+            advantages, to change his voyage. Having a wife and family at
+            Bristol, he was willing to make a sacrifice on their account: but
+            when he himself was not permitted to read the articles, he began
+            to suspect bad work, and that there would be nothing but misery
+            in the approaching voyage. Thompson entreated me to extricate
+            him if I could. He was sure, he said, if he went to the coast
+            with that man, meaning the captain, that he would never return
+            alive.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I was very unwilling to refuse anything to Thompson. I was
+            deeply bound to him in gratitude for the many services he had
+
+            rendered me, but I scarcely saw how I could serve him on this
+            occasion. I promised, however, to speak to him in an hour's
+            time. I consulted my friend Truman Harford in the interim;
+            and the result was, that he and I should proceed to Kingroad in
+            a boat, go on board the Africa, and charge the captain in person
+            with what he had done, and desire him to discharge Sheriff, as
+            no agreement, where fraud or force was used in the signatures,
+            could be deemed valid. If we were not able to extricate Sheriff
+            by these means, we thought that at least we should know, by
+            inquiring of those whom we should see on board, whether the
+            measure of hindering the men from seeing their articles on signing
+            them had been adopted. It would be useful to ascertain this
+            because such a measure had been long reported to be usual in
+            this, but was said to be unknown in any other trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having passed the river's mouth, and rowed towards the sea,
+            we came near the Prince first, but pursued our destination to the
+            Africa. Mr. Sheriff was the person who received us on board.
+            I did not know him till I asked his name. I then told him my
+            errand, with which he seemed to be much pleased. On asking
+            him to tell the captain that I wished to speak with him, he
+            replied that he was on shore. This put me to great difficulty,
+            as I did not know then what to do. I consulted with Truman
+            Harford, and it was our opinion that we should inquire of the
+            seamen, but in a very quiet manner, by going individually to
+            each, if they had ever demanded to see the articles on signing
+            them, and if they had been refused. We proposed this question
+            to them. They replied, that the captain had refused them in a
+            savage manner, making use of threats and oaths. There was not
+            one contradictory voice on this occasion. We then asked Mr.
+            Sheriff what we were to do. He entreated us by all means to
+            take him on shore. He was sure that under such a man as the
+            captain, and particularly after the circumstance of our coming on
+            board should be made known to him, he would never come from
+            the coast of Africa alive. Upon this, Truman Harford called me
+            aside, and told me the danger of taking an officer from the ship;
+            for that, if any accident should happen to her, the damage might
+            all fall upon me. I then inquired of Mr. Sheriff if there was any
+
+            officer on board who could manage the ship. He pointed one
+            out to me, and I spoke to him in the cabin. This person told
+            me I need be under no apprehension about the vessel, but that
+            every one would be sorry to lose Mr. Sheriff. Upon this ground,
+            Truman Harford, who had felt more for me than for himself,
+            became now easy. We had before concluded, that the obtaining
+            any signature by fraud or force would render the agreement
+            illegal. We therefore joined in opinion, that we might take
+            away the man. His chest was accordingly put into our boat.
+            We jumped into it with our rowers, and he followed us, surrounded
+            by the seamen, all of whom took an affectionate leave
+            of him, and expressed their regret at parting. Soon after this
+            there was a general cry of "Will you take me, too?" from the
+            deck; and such a sudden movement appeared there, that we
+            were obliged to push off directly from the side, fearing that many
+            would jump into our boat and go with us.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After having left the ship, Sheriff corroborated the desertion
+            of the seamen from the Prince, as before related to me by Thompson.
+            He spoke also of the savage disposition of his late captain,
+            which he had even dared to manifest through lying in an English
+            port. I was impressed by this account of his rough manners;
+            and the wind having risen before and the surf now rolling heavily,
+            I began to think what an escape I might have had; how easy it
+            would have been for the savage captain, if he had been on board,
+            or for any one at his instigation, to have pushed me over the
+            ship's side. This was the first time I had ever considered the
+            peril of the undertaking. But we arrived safe; and though on
+            the same evening I left my name at the captain's house, as that
+            of the person who had taken away his mate, I never heard more
+            about it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In pursuing my inquiries into the new topic suggested by
+            Mr. Falconbridge, I learnt that two or three of the seamen of the
+            ship Thomas, which had arrived now nearly a year from the
+            Coast, were in a very crippled and deplorable state; I accordingly
+            went to see them. One of them had been attacked by a fever,
+            arising from circumstances connected with these voyages. The
+            inflammation, which had proceeded from it, had reached his eyes;
+
+            it could not be dispersed; and the consequence was, that he was
+            then blind. The second was lame; he had badly ulcerated legs,
+            and appeared to be very weak. The third was a mere spectre; I
+            think he was the most pitiable object I ever saw. I considered
+            him as irrecoverably gone. They all complained to me of their
+            bad usage on board the Thomas. They said they had heard, of
+            my being in Bristol, and they hoped I would not leave it without
+            inquiring into the murder of William Lines.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On inquiring who William Lines was, they informed me that
+            he had been one of the crew of the same ship, and that all on
+            board believed that he had been killed by the chief mate; but
+            they themselves had not been present when the blows were given
+            him; they had not seen him till afterwards; but their shipmates
+            had told them of his cruel treatment, and they knew that soon
+            afterwards he had died.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the course of the next day, the mother of Lines, who lived
+            in Bristol, came to me and related the case. I told her there was
+            no evidence as to the fact, for that I had seen three seamen, who
+            could not speak to it from their own knowledge. She said, there
+            were four others then in Bristol who could; I desired her to fetch
+            them. When they arrived I examined each separately, and
+            cross-examined them in the best manner I was able; I could find
+            no variation in their account, and I was quite convinced that the
+            murder had taken place. The mother was then importunate that
+            I should take up the case. I was too much affected by the narration
+            I had heard to refuse her wholly, and yet I did not promise
+            that I would; I begged a little time to consider of it. During
+            this I thought of consulting my friend Burges, but I feared he
+            would throw cold water upon it, as he had done in the case of
+            the captain of the Alfred. I remembered well what he had then
+            said to me, and yet I felt a strong disposition to proceed, for the
+            trade was still going on. Every day, perhaps, some new act of
+            barbarity was taking place; and one example, if made, might
+            counteract the evil for a time. I seemed therefore to incline to
+            stir in this matter, and thought, if I should get into any difficulty
+            about it, it would be better to do it without consulting
+            Mr. Burges, than, after having done it, to fly as it were in his
+
+            face. I then sent for the woman, and told her that she might
+            appear with the witnesses at the Common Hall, where the
+            magistrates usually sat on a certain day.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We all met at the time appointed, and I determined to sit as
+            near to the mayor as I could get. The hall was unusually crowded.
+            One or two slave-merchants, and two or three others, who were
+            largely concerned in the West India trade, were upon the bench;
+            for I had informed the mayor the day before of my intention,
+            and he, it appeared, had informed them. I shall never forget the
+            savage looks which these people gave me; which indeed were so
+            remarkable, as to occasion the eyes of the whole court to be turned
+            upon me. They looked as if they were going to speak to me, and
+            the people looked as if they expected me to say something in
+            return. They then got round the mayor, and began to whisper
+            to him, as I supposed, on the business before it should come on.
+            One of them, however, said aloud to the former, but fixing his
+            eyes upon me, and wishing me to overhear him, "Scandalous
+            reports had lately been spread, but sailors were not used worse
+            in Guineamen than in other vessels." This brought the people's
+            eyes upon me again; I was very much irritated, but I thought it
+            improper to say anything. Another, looking savagely at me,
+            said to the mayor, "that he had known Captain Vicars a long
+            time; that he was an honourable man<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXVI_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXVI_1"></a>, and would not allow
+            such usage in his ship. There were always vagabonds to hatch
+            up things;" and he made a dead point at me, by putting himself
+            into a posture which attracted the notice of those present, and by
+            staring me in the face. I could now no longer restrain myself,
+            and I said aloud, in as modest manner as I could, "You, sir,
+            may know many things which I do not; but this I know, that if
+            you do not do your duty, you are amenable to a higher court."
+            The mayor upon this looked at me, and directly my friend
+
+            Mr. Burges, who was sitting as the clerk to the magistrates, went
+            to him and whispered something in his ear; after which all private
+            conversation between the mayor and others ceased, and the
+            hearing was ordered to come on.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXVI_1"></a><a href="#FootXVI_1">A</a>: We may well
+            imagine what this person's notion of another man's honour
+            was; for he was the purser of the Brothers and of the Alfred, who, as before
+            mentioned, sent the captains of those ships out a second voyage; after knowing
+            their barbarities in the former; and he was also the purser of this very ship
+            Thomas, where the murder had been committed. I by no means, however, wish
+            by these observations to detract from the character of Captain Vicars, as he
+            had no concern in the cruel deed.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I shall not detain the reader by giving an account of the
+            evidence which then transpired. The four witnesses were examined,
+            and the case was so far clear; Captain Vicars, however,
+            was sent for. On being questioned, he did not deny that there
+            had been bad usage, but said that the young man had died of the
+            flux. But this assertion went for nothing when balanced against
+            the facts which had come out; and this was so evident, that an
+            order was made out for the apprehension of the chief mate. He
+            was accordingly taken up. The next day, however, there was a
+            rehearing of the case, when he was returned to the gaol, where
+            he was to lie till the Lords of the Admiralty should order a
+            sessions to be held for the trial of offences committed on the
+            high seas.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This public examination of the case of William Lines, and
+            the way in which it ended, produced an extraordinary result; for
+            after this time the slave-captains and mates who used to meet
+            me suddenly, used as suddenly to start from me, indeed to the
+            other side of the pavement, as if I had been a wolf, or tiger,
+            or some dangerous beast of prey. Such of them as saw me
+            beforehand used to run up the cross streets or lanes, which were
+            nearest to them, to get away. Seamen, too, came from various
+            quarters to apply to me for redress. One came to me who had
+            been treated ill in the Alexander, when Mr. Falconbridge had
+            been the surgeon of her. Three came to me who had been ill-used
+            in the voyage which followed, though she had then sailed
+            under a new captain. Two applied to me from the Africa, who
+            had been of her crew in the last voyage. Two from the Fly.
+            Two from the Wasp. One from the Little Pearl, and three
+            from the Pilgrim or Princess, when she was last upon the coast.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The different scenes of barbarity which these represented to
+            me, greatly added to the affliction of my mind. My feelings became
+            now almost insupportable. I was agonized to think that this
+            trade should last another day. I was in a state of agitation from
+
+            morning till night. I determined I would soon leave Bristol. I
+            saw nothing but misery in the place. I had collected now, I
+            believed, all the evidence it would afford; and to stay in it a day
+            longer than was necessary, would be only an interruption for so
+            much time both of my happiness and of my health. I determined
+            therefore to do only two or three things, which I thought
+            to be proper, and to depart in a few days.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And first I went to Bath, where I endeavoured to secure the
+            respectable paper belonging to that city in favour of the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade. This I did entirely to my satisfaction, by
+            relating to the worthy editor all the discoveries I had made, and
+            by impressing his mind in a forcible manner on the subject. And
+            it is highly to the honour of Mr. Crutwell, that from that day he
+            never ceased to defend our cause; that he never made a charge
+            for insertions of any kind; but that he considered all he did
+            upon this occasion in the light of a duty, or as his mite given in
+            charity to a poor and oppressed people.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next attempt was to lay the foundation of a committee
+            in Bristol, and of a petition to Parliament from it for the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade. I had now made many friends. A
+            gentleman of the name of Paynter had felt himself much interested
+            in my labours. Mr. Joseph Harford, a man of fortune,
+            of great respectability of character, and of considerable influence,
+            had attached himself to the cause. Dr. Fox had assisted me in
+            it. Mr. Hughes, a clergyman of the baptist church, was anxious
+            and ready to serve it. Dr. Camplin, of the establishment, with
+            several of his friends, continued steady. Matthew Wright, James
+            Harford, Truman Harford, and all the Quakers to a man, were
+            strenuous, and this on the best of principles, in its support. To
+            all these I spoke, and I had the pleasure of seeing that my
+            wishes were likely in a short time to be gratified in both these
+            cases.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was now necessary that I should write to the committee in
+            London. I had written to them only two letters during my
+            absence; for I had devoted myself so much to the great object I
+            had undertaken, that I could think of little else. Hence some of
+            my friends among them were obliged to write to different persons
+
+            at Bristol, to inquire if I was alive, I gave up a day or two
+            therefore, to this purpose. I informed the committee of all my
+            discoveries in the various branches to which my attention had
+            been directed, and desired them in return to procure me various
+            official documents for the port of London, which I then specified.
+            Having done this, I conferred with Mr. Falconbridge, relative to
+            being with me at Liverpool. I thought it right to make him
+            no other offer than that his expenses should be paid. He acceded
+            to my request on these disinterested terms; and I took my
+            departure from Bristol, leaving him to follow me in a few days.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap17"></a>CHAPTER XVII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Author secures the Gloucester paper, and lays the foundation of a petition from
+         that city; does the same at Worcester, and at Chester.&#8212;Arrives at
+         Liverpool.&#8212;Collects specimens of African produce; also imports and
+         exports, and muster-rolls, and accounts of dock duties, and iron instruments
+         used in the Slave Trade.&#8212;His introduction to Mr. Norris, and
+         others.&#8212;Author and his errand become known.&#8212;People visit him out of
+         curiosity.&#8212;Frequent controversies on the subject of the Slave Trade.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            On my arrival at Gloucester, I waited upon my friend Dean
+            Tucker. He was pleased to hear of the great progress I had
+            made since he left me. On communicating to him my intention
+            of making interest with the editors of some provincial papers, to
+            enlighten the public mind, and with the inhabitants of some
+            respectable places, for petitions to Parliament, relative to the
+            abolition of the Slave Trade, he approved of it, and introduced
+            me to Mr. Raikes, the proprietor of the respectable paper belonging
+            to that city. Mr. Raikes acknowledged, without any hesitation,
+            the pleasure he should have in serving such a noble cause;
+            and he promised to grant me, from time to time, a corner in his
+            paper, for such things as I might point out to him for insertion.
+            This promise he performed afterwards, without any pecuniary
+            consideration, and solely on the ground of benevolence. He promised
+            also his assistance as to the other object, for the promotion
+            of which I left him several of my <em>Summary View</em> to distribute.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At Worcester I trod over the same ground, and with the
+            same success. Timothy Bevington, of the religious society of
+            the Quakers, was the only person to whom I had an introduction
+            there: he accompanied me to the mayor, to the editor of the
+            Worcester paper, and to several others, before each of whom
+            I pleaded the cause of the oppressed Africans in the best manner
+            I was able. I dilated both on the inhumanity and on the
+            impolicy of the trade, which I supported by the various facts
+            recently obtained at Bristol. I desired, however, as far as
+            petitions were concerned, (and this desire I expressed on all other
+
+            similar occasions,) that no attempt should be made to obtain
+            these, till such information had been circulated on the subject,
+            that every one, when called upon, might judge, from his knowledge
+            of it, how far he would feel it right to join in it. For this
+            purpose I left also here several of my <em>Summary View</em> for
+            distribution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After my arrival at Chester, I went to the bishop's residence,
+            but I found he was not there. Knowing no other person in the
+            place, I wrote a note to Mr. Cowdroy, whom I understood to be
+            the editor of the Chester paper, soliciting an interview with him,
+            I explained my wishes to him on both subjects. He seemed to
+            be greatly rejoiced, when we met, that such a measure as that of
+            the abolition of the Slave Trade was in contemplation. Living
+            at so short a distance from Liverpool, and in a country from
+            which so many persons were constantly going to Africa, he was
+            by no means ignorant, as some were, of the nature of this cruel
+            traffic; but yet he had no notion that I had probed it so deeply,
+            or that I had brought to light such important circumstances
+            concerning it, as he found by my conversation. He made me a
+            hearty offer of his services on this occasion, and this expressly
+            without fee or reward. I accepted them most joyfully and
+            gratefully. It was, indeed, a most important thing, to have a
+            station so near the enemy's camp, where we could watch their
+            motions, and meet any attack which might be made from it.
+            And this office of a sentinel Mr. Cowdroy performed with great
+            vigilance; and when he afterwards left Chester for Manchester,
+            to establish a paper there, he carried with him the same friendly
+            disposition towards our cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            My first introduction at Liverpool was to William Rathbone,
+            a member of the religious society of the Quakers. He was the same
+            person who, before the formation of our committee, had procured
+            me copies of several of the muster-rolls of the slave-vessels
+            belonging to that port, so that, though we were not personally
+            known, yet we were not strangers to each other. Isaac Hadwen,
+            a respectable member of the same society, was the person whom
+            I saw next. I had been introduced to him, previously to my
+            journey, when he was at London, at the yearly meeting of the
+
+            Quakers, so that no letter to him was necessary. As Mr. Roscoe
+            had generally given the profits of <em>The Wrongs of Africa</em> to our
+            committee, I made no scruple of calling upon him. His reception
+            of me was very friendly, and he introduced me afterwards to Dr.
+            Currie, who had written the preface to that poem. There was
+            also a fourth upon whom I called, though I did not know him.
+            His name was Edward Rushton: he had been an officer in a
+            slave-ship, but had lost his sight, and had become an enemy to
+            that trade. On passing through Chester, I had heard, for the
+            first time, that he had published a poem called <em>West Indian
+               Eclogues</em>, with a view of making the public better acquainted
+            with the evil of the Slave Trade, and of exciting their indignation
+            against it. Of the three last it may be observed, that,
+            having come forward thus early, as labourers, they deserve to be
+            put down, as I have placed them in the map, among the forerunners
+            and coadjutors in this great cause, for each published his
+            work before any efforts were made publicly, or without knowing
+            that any were intended. Rushton, also, had the boldness, though
+            then living in Liverpool, to affix his name to his work. These
+            were the only persons whom I knew for some time after my
+            arrival in that place.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It may not, perhaps, be necessary to enter so largely into
+            my proceedings at Liverpool as at Bristol. The following
+            account, therefore, may suffice:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In my attempts to add to my collection of specimens of African
+            produce, I was favoured with a sample of gum ruber
+            astringents, of cotton from the Gambia, of indigo and musk, of
+            long pepper, of black pepper from Whid&agrave;h, of mahogany from
+            Calabar, and of cloths of different colours, made by the natives,
+            which, while they gave other proofs of the quality of their own
+            cotton, gave proofs, also, of the variety of their dyes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I made interest at the Custom-house for various exports and
+            imports, and for copies of the muster-rolls of several slave-vessels,
+            besides those of vessels employed in other trades.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By looking out constantly for information on this great subject,
+            I was led to the examination of a printed card or table of
+            the dock duties of Liverpool, which was published annually.
+
+            The town of Liverpool had so risen in opulence and importance
+            from only a fishing-village, that the corporation seemed to have a
+            pride in giving a public view of this increase. Hence they
+            published and circulated this card. Now the card contained one,
+            among other facts, which was almost as precious, in a political
+            point of view, as any I had yet obtained. It stated that in the
+            year 1772, when I knew that a hundred vessels sailed out of
+            Liverpool for the coast of Africa, the dock-duties amounted to
+            4552<i>l.</i>, and that in 1779, when I knew that, in consequence of
+            the war, only eleven went from thence to the same coast, they
+            amounted to 4957<i>l</i>. From these facts put together, two conclusions
+            were obvious. The first was, that the opulence of Liverpool,
+            as far as the entry of vessels into its ports, and the dock-duties
+            arising from thence, were concerned, was not indebted to
+            the Slave Trade; for these duties were highest when it had only
+            eleven ships in that employ. The second was, that there had
+            been almost a practical experiment with respect to the abolition
+            of it; for the vessels in it had been gradually reduced from one
+            hundred to eleven, and yet the West Indians had not complained
+            of their ruin, nor had the merchants or manufacturers suffered,
+            nor had Liverpool been affected by the change.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There were specimens of articles in Liverpool, which I entirely
+            overlooked at Bristol, and which I believed I should have overlooked
+            here also, had it not been for seeing them at a window in
+            a shop; I mean those of different iron instruments used in this
+            cruel traffic. I bought a pair of the iron hand-cuffs with which
+            the men-slaves are confined. The right-hand wrist of one, and
+            the left of another, are almost brought into contact by these, and
+            fastened together, as the figure A in the annexed plate represents,
+            by a little bolt with a small padlock at the end of it.
+
+         </p><span class="center"><img src="images/234-1.png" alt="Handcuffs"></span><p>
+                Figure 5. HANDCUFFS
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I bought also a pair of shackles for the legs. These are
+            represented by the figure B.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The right ancle of one man is fastened to the left of another,
+            as the reader will observe, by similar means. I bought these,
+            not because it was difficult to conceive how the unhappy victims
+            of this execrable trade were confined, but to show the fact that
+            they were so. For what was the inference from it, but that they
+            did not leave their own country willingly; that, when they were
+            in the holds of the slave-vessels, they were not in the Elysium
+            which had been represented; and that there was a fear either
+            that they would make their escape, or punish their oppressors?
+
+         </p><span class="center"><img src="images/235-1.png" alt="Shackles for the legs"></span><p>
+                Figure 6. SHACKLES FOR THE LEGS
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I bought also a thumb-screw at this shop. The thumbs are put
+            into this instrument through the two circular holes at the top of
+            it. By turning a key, a bar rises up by means of a screw from C
+            to D, and the pressure upon them becomes painful. By turning
+            it further you may make the blood start from the ends of them.
+            By taking the key away, as at E, you leave the tortured person
+            in agony, without any means of extricating himself, or of being
+            extricated by others. This screw, as I was then informed, was
+            applied by way of punishment, in case of obstinacy in the slaves,
+            or for any other reputed offence, at the discretion of the captain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At the same place I bought another instrument which I saw.
+            It was called a speculum oris. The dotted lines in the figure on
+            the right hand of the screw represent it when shut, the black
+            lines when open. It is opened, as at G H, by a screw below with
+
+            a nob at the end of it. This instrument is known among surgeons,
+            having been invented to assist them in wrenching open the
+            mouth as in the case of a locked jaw; but it had got into use in
+            this trade.
+
+         </p><span class="center"><img src="images/236-1.png" alt="Thumb screw"></span><p>
+                Figure 7. THUMB SCREW
+         </p><span class="center"><img src="images/236-2.png" alt="Speculum oris"></span><p>
+                Figure 8. SPECULUM ORIS
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On asking the seller of the instruments on what occasion it
+            was used there, he replied that the slaves were frequently so
+            sulky as to shut their mouths against all sustenance, and this with
+            a determination to die; and that it was necessary their mouths
+            should be forced open to throw in nutriment, that they who had
+            purchased them might incur no loss by their death.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The town-talk of Liverpool was much of the same nature
+            as that at Bristol on the subject of this trade. Horrible facts
+            concerning it were in everybody's mouth; but they were more
+            numerous, as was likely to be the case where eighty vessels were
+            employed from one port, and only eighteen from the other. The
+            people, too, at Liverpool seemed to be more hardened, or they
+            related them with more coldness or less feeling. This may be
+            accounted for from the greater number of those facts, as just
+            related, the mention of which, as it was of course more frequent,
+            occasioned them to lose their power of exciting surprise. All
+            this I thought in my favour, as I should more easily, or with less
+            obnoxiousness, come to the knowledge of what I wanted to
+            obtain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            My friend William Rathbone, who had been looking out to
+            supply me with intelligence, but who was desirous that I should
+
+            not be imposed upon, and that I should get it from the fountainhead,
+            introduced me to Mr. Norris for this purpose. Norris had
+            been formerly a slave-captain, but had quitted the trade, and
+            settled as a merchant in a different line of business. He was a
+            man of quick penetration, and of good talents, which he had
+            cultivated to advantage, and he had a pleasing address both as to
+            speech and manners. He received me with great politeness, and
+            offered me all the information I desired. I was with him five or
+            six times at his own house for this purpose. The substance of
+            his communications on these occasions I shall now put down, and
+            I beg the reader's particular attention to it, as he will be referred
+            to it in other parts of this work.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the produce of Africa, Mr. Norris enumerated
+            many articles in which a new and valuable trade might be
+            opened, of which he gave me one, namely, the black pepper from
+            Whid&agrave;h before mentioned. This he gave me, to use his own
+            expressions, as one argument among many others of the impolicy
+            of the Slave Trade, which, by turning the attention of the inhabitants
+            to the persons of one another for sale, hindered foreigners
+            from discovering, and themselves from cultivating, many of the
+            valuable productions of their own soil.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the subject of procuring slaves, he gave it as his decided
+            opinion that many of the inhabitants of Africa were kidnapped
+            by each other, as they were travelling on the roads, or fishing in
+            the creeks, or cultivating their little spots. Having learned
+            their language, he had collected the fact from various quarters,
+            but more particularly from the accounts of slaves whom he had
+            transported in his own vessels. With respect, however, to
+            Whid&agrave;h, many came from thence who were reduced to slavery
+            in a different manner. The king of Dahomey, whose life (with
+            the wars and customs of the Dahomans) he said he was then
+            writing, and who was a very despotic prince, made no scruple of
+            seizing his own subjects, and of selling them, if he was in want
+            of any of the articles which the slave-vessels would afford him.
+            The history of this prince's life he lent me afterwards to read,
+            while it was yet in manuscript, in which I observed that he had
+            recorded all the facts now mentioned. Indeed he made no hesitation
+
+            to state them, either when we were by ourselves, or when
+            others were in company with us. He repeated them at one time
+            in the presence both of Mr. Cruden and Mr. Coupland. The
+            latter was then a slave-merchant at Liverpool. He seemed to be
+            fired at the relation of these circumstances. Unable to restrain
+            himself longer, he entered into a defence of the trade, both as to
+            the humanity and the policy of it; but Mr. Norris took up his
+            arguments in both these cases, and answered them in a solid
+            manner.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the Slave Trade as it affected the health of
+            our seamen, Mr. Norris admitted it to be destructive; but I did
+            not stand in need of this information, as I knew this part of the
+            subject, in consequence of my familiarity with the muster-rolls,
+            better than himself.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He admitted it also to be true, that they were too frequently
+            ill-treated in this trade. A day or two after our conversation on
+            this latter subject he brought me the manuscript journal of a voyage
+            to Africa, which had been kept by a mate, with whom he
+            was then acquainted. He brought it to me to read, as it might
+            throw some light upon the subject on which we had talked last.
+            In this manuscript various instances of cruel usage towards seamen
+            were put down, from which it appeared that the mate, who
+            wrote it, had not escaped himself.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At the last interview we had, he seemed to be so satisfied of
+            the inhumanity, injustice, and impolicy of the trade, that he
+            made me a voluntary offer of certain clauses, which he had been
+            thinking of, and which, he believed, if put into an Act of Parliament,
+            would judiciously effect its abolition. The offer of these
+            clauses I embraced eagerly. He dictated them, and I wrote. I
+            wrote them in a small book which I had then in my pocket.
+            They were these:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            No vessel, under a heavy penalty, to supply foreigners with
+            slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Every vessel to pay to government a tax for a register on
+            clearing out to supply our own islands with slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Every such vessel to be prohibited from purchasing or bringing
+            home any of the productions of Africa.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Every such vessel to be prohibited from bringing home a passenger,
+            or any article of produce, from the West Indies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A bounty to be given to every vessel trading in the natural
+            productions of Africa. This bounty to be paid in part out of the
+            tax arising from the registers of the slave-vessels.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Certain establishments to be made by government in Africa,
+            in the Bananas, in the Isles de Los, on the banks of the Camaranca,
+            and in other places, for the encouragement and support of
+            the new trade to be substituted there.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Such then were the services, which Mr. Norris, at the
+            request of William Rathbone, rendered me at Liverpool, during
+            my stay there; and I have been very particular in detailing
+            them, because I shall be obliged to allude to them, as I have
+            before observed, on some important occasions in a future part of
+            the work.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On going my rounds one day, I met accidentally with Captain
+            Chaffers. This gentleman either was or had been in the West
+            India employ. His heart had beaten in sympathy with mine,
+            and he had greatly favoured our cause. He had seen me at Mr.
+            Norris's, and learned my errand there. He told me he could
+            introduce me in a few minutes, as we were then near at hand, to
+            Captain Lace, if I chose it. Captain Lace, he said, had been
+            long in the Slave Trade, and could give me very accurate information
+            about it. I accepted his offer. On talking to Captain
+            Lace, relative to the productions of Africa, he told me that mahogany
+            grew at Calabar. He began to describe a tree of that
+            kind, which he had seen there. This tree was from about
+            eighteen inches to two feet in diameter, and about sixty feet high,
+            or, as he expressed it, of the height of a tall chimney. As soon
+            as he mentioned Calabar, a kind of horror came over me. His
+            name became directly associated in my mind with the place. It
+            almost instantly occurred to me, that he commanded the Edgar
+            out of Liverpool, when the dreadful massacre there, as has been
+            related, took place. Indeed I seemed to be so confident of it,
+            that, attending more to my feelings than to my reason at this
+            moment, I accused him with being concerned in it. This produced
+            great confusion among us. For he looked incensed at
+
+            Captain Chaffers, as if he had introduced me to him for this purpose.
+            Captain Chaffers again seemed to be all astonishment that
+            I should have known of this circumstance, and to be vexed that
+            I should have mentioned it in such a manner. I was also in a
+            state of trembling myself. Captain Lace could only say it was a
+            bad business. But he never defended himself, nor those concerned
+            in it. And we soon parted, to the great joy of us all.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Soon after this interview, I began to perceive that I was
+            known in Liverpool, as well as the object for which I came. Mr.
+            Coupland, the slave-merchant, with whom I had disputed at
+            Mr. Norris's house, had given the alarm to those who were concerned
+            in the trade, and Captain Lace, as may be now easily
+            imagined, had spread it. This knowledge of me and of my errand
+            was almost immediately productive of two effects, the first of
+            which I shall now mention.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I had a private room at the King's Arms tavern, besides my
+            bed-room, where I used to meditate and to write; but I generally
+            dined in public. The company at dinner had hitherto varied but
+            little as to number, and consisted of those, both from the town
+            and country, who had been accustomed to keep up a connexion
+            with the house. But now things were altered, and many people
+            came to dine there daily with a view of seeing me, as if I had
+            been some curious creature imported from foreign parts. They
+            thought, also, they could thus have an opportunity of conversing
+            with me. Slave-merchants and slave-captains came in among
+            others for this purpose. I had observed this difference in the
+            number of our company for two or three days. Dale, the master
+            of the tavern, had observed it also, and told me in a good-natured
+            manner, that many of these were my visitors, and that I was
+            likely to bring him a great deal of custom. In a little time, however,
+            things became serious; for they, who came to see me,
+            always started the abolition of the Slave Trade as the subject for
+            conversation. Many entered into the justification of this trade
+            with great warmth, as if to ruffle my temper, or at any rate to
+            provoke me to talk. Others threw out, with the same view, that
+            men were going about to abolish it, who would have done much
+            better if they had stayed at home. Others said they had heard
+
+            of a person turned mad, who had conceived the thought of
+            destroying Liverpool, and all its glory. Some gave as a toast,
+            Success to the trade, and then laughed immoderately, and
+            watched me when I took my glass to see if I would drink it. I
+            saw the way in which things were now going, and I believed it
+            would be proper that I should come to some fixed resolutions;
+            such as, whether I should change my lodgings, and whether I
+            should dine in private; and if not, what line of conduct it would
+            become me to pursue on such occasions. With respect to changing
+            my lodgings and dining in private, I conceived, if I were to
+            do either of these things, that I should be showing an unmanly
+            fear of my visiters, which they would turn to their own advantage.
+            I conceived too, that, if I chose to go on as before, and to
+            enter into conversation with them on the subject of the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade, I might be able, by having such an assemblage
+            of persons daily, to gather all the arguments which they
+            could collect on the other side of our question, an advantage
+            which I should one day feel in the future management of the
+            cause. With respect to the line, which I should pursue in the
+            case of remaining in the place of my abode and in my former
+            habits, I determined never to start the subject of the abolition
+            myself&#8212;never to abandon it when started&#8212;never to defend it but
+            in a serious and dignified manner&#8212;and never to discover any
+            signs of irritation, whatever provocation might be given me. By
+            this determination I abided rigidly. The King's Arms became
+            now daily the place for discussion on this subject. Many tried to
+            insult me, but to no purpose. In all these discussions I found
+            the great advantage of having brought Mr. Falconbridge with
+            me from Bristol; for he was always at the table; and when my
+            opponents, with a disdainful look, tried to ridicule my knowledge,
+            among those present, by asking me if I had ever been on the
+            coast of Africa myself, he used generally to reply, "But I have.
+            I know all your proceedings there, and that his statements are
+            true." These and other words put in by him, who was an athletic
+            and resolute-looking man, were of great service to me. All
+            disinterested persons, of whom there were four or five daily in the
+            room, were uniformly convinced by our arguments, and took our
+
+            part, and some of them very warmly. Day after day we beat
+            our opponents out of the field, as many of the company acknowledged,
+            to their no small notification, in their presence. Thus,
+            while we served the cause by discovering all that could be said
+            against it, we served it by giving numerous individuals proper
+            ideas concerning it, and of interesting them in our favour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The second effect which I experienced was, that from this
+            time I could never get any one to come forward as an evidence to
+            serve the cause. There were, I believe, hundreds of persons in
+            Liverpool, and in the neighbourhood of it, who had been concerned
+            in this traffic, and who had left it, all of whom could have
+            given such testimony concerning it as would have insured its
+            abolition. But none of them would now speak out. Of these,
+            indeed, there were some, who were alive to the horrors of it, and
+            who lamented that it should still continue. But yet even these were
+            backward in supporting me. All that they did was just privately
+            to see me, to tell me that I was right, and to exhort me to persevere:
+            but as to coming forward to be examined publicly, my
+            object was so unpopular, and would become so much more so
+            when brought into parliament, that they would have their houses
+            pulled down, if they should then appear as public instruments in
+            the annihilation of the trade. With this account I was obliged
+            to rest satisfied; nor could I deny, when I considered the spirit,
+            which had manifested itself, and the extraordinary number of
+            interested persons in the place, that they had some reason for
+            their fears; and that these fears were not groundless, appeared
+            afterwards; for Dr. Binns, a respectable physician belonging to
+            the religious society of the Quakers, and to whom Isaac Hadwen
+            had introduced me, was near falling into a mischievous plot,
+            which had been laid against him, because he was one of the
+            subscribers to the institution for the abolition of the Slave Trade,
+            and because he was suspected of having aided me in promoting
+            that object.
+
+         </p>
+     <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap18"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Hostile disposition towards the author increases, on account of his known
+         patronage of the seamen employed in the Slave Trade; manner of procuring
+         and paying them at Liverpool; their treatment and mortality.&#8212;Account
+         of the murder of Peter Green; trouble taken by the author to trace it;
+         his narrow escape.&#8212;Goes to Lancaster, but returns to Liverpool; leaves
+         the latter place.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            It has appeared that a number of persons used to come and see
+            me, out of curiosity, at the King's Arms tavern; and that these
+            manifested a bad disposition towards me, which was near breaking
+            out into open insult. Now the cause of all this was, as I have
+            observed, the knowledge which people had obtained relative to
+            my errand at this place. But this hostile disposition was increased
+            by another circumstance, which I am now to mention. I had
+            been so shocked at the treatment of the seamen belonging to the
+            slave-vessels at Bristol, that I determined, on my arrival at
+            Liverpool, to institute an inquiry concerning it there also. I
+            had made considerable progress in it, so that few seamen were
+            landed from such vessels, but I had some communication with
+            them; and though no one else would come near me, to give me
+            any information about the trade, these were always forward to
+            speak to me, and to tell me their grievances, if it were only with
+            the hope of being able to get redress. The consequence of this
+            was, that they used to come to the King's Arms tavern to see
+            me. Hence, one, two, and three, were almost daily to be found
+            about the door; and this happened quite as frequently after the
+            hostility just mentioned had shown itself, as before. They,
+            therefore, who came to visit me out of curiosity, could not help
+            seeing my sailor visiters; and on inquiring into their errand,
+            they became more than ever incensed against me.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first result of this increased hostility towards me was an
+            application from some of them to the master of the tavern, that
+            he would not harbour me. This he communicated to me in a
+            friendly manner, but he was by no means desirous that I should
+
+            leave him. On the other hand, he hoped I would stay long
+            enough to accomplish my object. I thought it right, however,
+            to take the matter into consideration; and having canvassed it,
+            I resolved to remain with him, for the reasons mentioned in the
+            former chapter. But, that I might avoid doing anything that
+            would be injurious to his interest, as well as in some measure
+            avoid giving unnecessary offence to others, I took lodgings in
+            Williamson Square, where I retired to write, and occasionally to
+            sleep, and to which place all seamen, desirous of seeing me, were
+            referred. Hence I continued to get the same information as
+            before, but in a less obnoxious and injurious manner.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The history of the seamen employed in the slave-vessels
+            belonging to the port of Liverpool, I found to be similar to that
+            of those from Bristol.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They who went into this trade were of two classes. The first
+            consisted of those who were ignorant of it, and to whom generally
+            improper representations of advantage had been made, for the
+            purpose of enticing them into it. The second consisted of those
+            who, by means of a regular system, kept up by the mates and
+            captains, had been purposely brought by their landlords into
+            distress, from which they could only be extricated by going into
+            this hateful employ. How many have I seen, with tears in
+            their eyes, put into boats, and conveyed to vessels, which were
+            then lying at the Black Rock, and which were only waiting to
+            receive them to sail away!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The manner of paying them in the currency of the islands
+            was the same as at Bristol. But this practice was not concealed
+            at Liverpool, as it was at the former place. The articles of
+            agreement were printed, so that all who chose to buy might read
+            them. At the same time it must be observed, that seamen were
+            never paid in this manner in any other employ; and that the
+            African wages, though nominally higher for the sake of procuring
+            hands, were thus made to be actually lower than in other trades.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The loss by death was so similar, that it did not signify
+            whether the calculation on a given number was made either at
+            this or the other port. I had, however, a better opportunity at
+            this than I had at the other, of knowing the loss, as it related to
+
+            those whose constitutions had been ruined, or who had been
+            rendered incapable by disease, of continuing their occupation at
+            sea. For the slave-vessels which returned to Liverpool, sailed
+            immediately into the docks, so that I saw at once their sickly
+            and ulcerated crews. The number of vessels, too, was so much
+            greater from this, than from any other port, that their sick made
+            a more conspicuous figure in the infirmary; and they were seen
+            also more frequently in the streets.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to their treatment, nothing could be worse. It
+            seemed to me to be but one barbarous system from the beginning
+            to the end. I do not say barbarous, as if premeditated, but it
+            became so in consequence of the savage habits gradually formed
+            by a familiarity with miserable sights, and with a course of action
+            inseparable from the trade. Men in their first voyages usually
+            disliked the traffic; and if they were happy enough then to
+            abandon it, they usually escaped the disease of a hardened heart.
+            But if they went a second and a third time, their disposition
+            became gradually changed. It was impossible for them to be
+            accustomed to carry away men and women by force, to keep
+            them in chains, to see their tears, to hear their mournful lamentations,
+            to behold the dead and the dying, to be obliged to keep up
+            a system of severity amidst all this affliction,&#8212;in short, it was
+            impossible for them to be witnesses, and this for successive
+            voyages, to the complicated mass of misery passing in a slave-ship,
+            without losing their finer feelings, or without contracting those
+            habits of moroseness and cruelty which would brutalize their
+            nature. Now, if we consider that persons could not easily become
+            captains (and to these the barbarities were generally chargeable
+            by actual perpetration, or by consent) till they had been two or
+            three voyages in this employ, we shall see the reason why it
+            would be almost a miracle, if they, who were thus employed in
+            it, were not rather to become monsters, than to continue to be
+            men.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While I was at Bristol, I heard from an officer of the Alfred,
+            who gave me the intelligence privately, that the steward of a
+            Liverpool ship, whose name was Green, had been murdered in
+            that ship. The Alfred was in Bonny river at the same time, and
+
+            his own captain, (so infamous for his cruelty, as has been before
+            shown,) was on board when it happened. The circumstances,
+            he said, belonging to this murder, were, if report were true, of a
+            most atrocious nature, and deserved to be made the subject of
+            inquiry. As to the murder itself, he observed, it had passed as a
+            notorious and uncontradicted fact.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This account was given me just as I had made an acquaintance
+            with Mr. Falconbridge, and I informed him of it; he said
+            he had no doubt of its truth; for in his last voyage he went to
+            Bonny himself, where the ship was then lying, in which the transaction
+            happened: the king and several of the black traders told him
+            of it. The report then current was simply this, that the steward
+            had been barbarously beaten one evening; that after this he was
+            let down with chains upon him into a boat, which was alongside
+            of the ship, and that the next morning he was found dead.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On my arrival at Liverpool, I resolved to inquire into the
+            truth of this report. On looking into one of the wet docks, I saw
+            the name of the vessel alluded to; I walked over the decks of
+            several others, and got on board her. Two people were walking
+            up and down her, and one was leaning upon a rail by the side.
+            I asked the latter how many slaves this ship had carried in her
+            last voyage; he replied he could not tell; but one of the two persons
+            walking about could answer me, as he had sailed out and
+            returned in her. This man came up to us, and joined in conversation.
+            He answered my questions and many others, and would
+            have shown me the ship, but on asking him how many seamen
+            had died on the voyage, he changed his manner, and said, with
+            apparent hesitation, that he could not tell. I asked him next,
+            what had become, of the steward Green. He said he believed he
+            was dead. I asked how the seamen had been used. He said,
+            not worse than others. I then asked whether Green had been
+            used worse than others. He replied, he did not then recollect.
+            I found that he was now quite upon his guard, and as I could
+            get no satisfactory answer from him I left the ship.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the next day I looked over the muster-roll of this vessel;
+            on examining it, I found that sixteen of the crew had died; I
+            found also the name of Peter Green; I found, again, that the
+
+            latter had been put down among the dead. I observed, also,
+            that the ship had left Liverpool on the 5th of June, 1786, and
+            had returned on the 5th of June, 1787, and that Peter Green
+            was put down as having died on the 19th of September; from all
+            which circumstances it was evident that he must, as
+            my Bristol informant asserted, have died upon the Coast.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Notwithstanding this extraordinary coincidence of name, mortality, time,
+            and place, I could gain no further intelligence about the affair till
+            within about ten days before I left Liverpool; when among the seamen,
+            who came to apply to me in Williamson Square was George Ormond. He
+            came to inform me of his own ill-usage; from which circumstance I found
+            that he had sailed in the same ship with Peter Green. This led me to
+            inquire into the transaction in question, and I received from him the
+            following account.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Peter Green had been shipped as steward. A black woman,
+            of the name of Rodney, went out in the same vessel; she belonged
+            to the owners of it, and was to be an interpretess to the slaves
+            who should be purchased. About five in the evening, some time
+            in the month of September, the vessel then lying in Bonny river,
+            the captain, as was his custom, went on shore. In his absence,
+            Rodney, the black woman, asked Green for the keys of the pantry,
+            which he refused her, alleging that the captain had already beaten
+            him for having given them to her on a former occasion, when she
+            drank the wine. The woman, being passionate, struck him, and
+            a scuffle ensued, out of which Green extricated himself as well as
+            he could.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When the scuffle was over the woman retired to the cabin,
+            and appeared pensive. Between eight and nine in the evening,
+            the captain, who was attended by the captain of the Alfred, came
+            on board; Rodney immediately ran to him, and informed him
+            that Green had made an assault upon her. The captain, without
+            any inquiry, beat him severely, and ordered his hands to be made
+            fast to some bolts on the starboard side of the ship and under the
+            half deck, and then flogged him himself, using the lashes of the
+            cat-of-nine-tails upon his back at one time, and the double walled
+            knot at the end of it upon his head at another; and stopping to
+
+            rest at intervals, and using each hand alternately, that he might
+            strike with the greater severity.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The pain had now become so very severe, that Green cried
+            out, and entreated the captain of the Alfred, who was standing
+            by, to pity his hard case, and to intercede for him. But the
+            latter replied, that he would have served me in the same manner.
+            Unable to find a friend here, he called upon the chief mate; but
+            this only made matters worse, for the captain then ordered
+            the latter to flog him also; which he did for some time, using
+            however only the lashes of the instrument. Green then called in
+            his distress upon the second mate to speak for him; but the
+            second mate was immediately ordered to perform the same cruel
+            office, and was made to persevere in it till the lashes were all
+            worn into threads. But the barbarity did not close here; for the
+            captain, on seeing the instrument now become useless, ordered
+            another, with which he flogged him as before, beating him at
+            times over the head with the double-walled knot, and changing
+            his hands, and cursing his own left hand for not being able to
+            strike so severe a blow as his right.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The punishment, as inflicted by all parties, had now lasted
+            two hours and a half, when George Ormond was ordered to cut
+            down one of the arms, and the boatswain the other, from the
+            places of their confinement; this being done, Green lay motionless
+            on the deck. He attempted to utter something, Ormond understood
+            it to be the word water; but no water was allowed him. The
+            captain, on the other hand, said he had not yet done with him,
+            and ordered him to be confined with his arms across, his right
+            hand to his left foot, and his left hand to his right foot. For this
+            purpose the carpenter brought shackles, and George Ormond was
+            compelled to put them on. The captain then ordered some
+            tackle to be made fast to the limbs of the said Peter Green, in
+            which situation he was then hoisted up, and afterwards let down
+            into a boat, which was lying alongside the ship. Michael
+            Cunningham was then sent to loose the tackle, and to leave
+            him there.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the middle watch, or between one and two next morning,
+            George Ormond looked out of one of the port-holes, and called to
+
+            Green, but received no answer. Between two and three, Paul
+            Berry, a seaman, was sent down into the boat, and found him
+            dead. He made his report to one of the officers of the ship.
+            About five in the morning the body was brought up, and laid on
+            the waist near the half-deck door. The captain on seeing the body
+            when he rose, expressed no concern, but ordered it to be knocked out
+            of irons, and to be buried at the usual place of interment for
+            seamen, or Bonny Point. I may now observe, that the deceased
+            was in good health before the punishment took place, and in high
+            spirits; for he played upon the flute only a short time before
+            Rodney asked him for the keys, while those seamen, who were in
+            health, danced.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On hearing this cruel relation from George Ormond, who was
+            throughout a material witness to the scene, I had no doubt in my own
+            mind of the truth of it; but I thought it right to tell him at
+            once that I had seen a person, about four weeks ago, who had
+            been the same voyage with him and Peter Green, but yet who
+            had no recollection of these circumstances. Upon this he looked
+            quite astonished, and began to grow angry; he maintained he had
+            seen the whole; he had also held the candle himself during the
+            whole punishment. He asserted that one candle and half of
+            another were burnt out while it lasted. He said also that, while
+            the body lay in the waist, he had handled the abused parts, and
+            had put three of his fingers into a hole, made by the double walled
+            knot, in the head, from whence a quantity of blood and, he
+            believed, brains issued. He then challenged me to bring the man,
+            before him; I desired him upon this to be cool, and to come to
+            me the next day, and I would then talk with him again upon the
+            subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the interim I consulted the muster-roll of the vessel again;
+            I found the name of George Ormond; he had sailed in her out of
+            Liverpool, and had been discharged at the latter end of January
+            in the West Indies, as he had told me. I found also the names
+            of Michael Cunningham and of Paul Berry, whom he had mentioned.
+            It was obvious also that Ormond's account of the captain
+            of the Alfred being on board at the time of the punishment tallied
+            with that given me at Bristol by an officer of that vessel, and that
+
+            his account of letting down Peter Green into the boat tallied with
+            that which Mr. Falconbridge, as I mentioned before, had heard
+            from the king and the black traders in Bonny river.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When he came to me next day, he came in high spirits. He
+            said he had found out the man whom I had seen. The man,
+            however, when he talked to him about the murder of Peter
+            Green, acknowledged every thing concerning it. Ormond intimated
+            that this man was to sail again in the same ship under the
+            promise of being an officer, and that he had been kept on board,
+            and had been enticed to a second voyage, for no other purpose
+            than that he might be prevented from divulging the matter. I
+            then asked Ormond, whether he thought the man would acknowledge
+            the murder in my hearing. He replied, "that, if I were
+            present, he thought he would not say much about it, as he
+            was soon to be under the same captain, but that he would not
+            deny it. If, however, I were out of sight, though I might be in
+            hearing, he believed he would acknowledge the facts."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By the assistance of Mr. Falconbridge, I found a public-house,
+            which had two rooms in it: nearly at the top of the partition
+            between them was a small window, which a person might
+            look through by standing upon a chair. I desired Ormond, one
+            evening, to invite the man into the larger room, in which he was
+            to have a candle, and, to talk with him on the subject. I proposed
+            to station myself in the smallest in the dark, so that by
+            looking through the window I could both see and hear him, and
+            yet be unperceived myself. The room, in which I was to be, was
+            one where the dead were frequently carried to be owned. We
+            were all in our places at the time appointed. I directly discovered
+            that it was the same man with whom I had conversed on
+            board the ship in the wet docks. I heard him distinctly relate many
+            of the particulars of the murder, and acknowledge them all.
+            Ormond, after having talked with him some time, said, "Well,
+            then, you believe Peter Green was actually murdered?" He
+            replied, "If Peter Green was not murdered, no man ever was."
+            What followed I do not know. I had heard quite enough; and
+            the room was so disagreeable in smell, that I did not choose to
+            stay in it longer than was absolutely necessary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I own I was now quite satisfied that the murder had taken
+            place, and my first thought was to bring the matter before the
+            mayor, and to take up three of the officers of the ship. But, in
+            mentioning my intention to my friends, I was dissuaded from it.
+            They had no doubt but that in Liverpool, as there was now a
+            notion that the Slave Trade would become a subject of parliamentary
+            inquiry, every, effort would be made to overthrow me.
+            They were of opinion also that such of the magistrates, as were
+            interested in the trade, when applied to for warrants of apprehension,
+            would contrive to give notice to the officers to escape.
+            In addition to this they believed, that so many in the town were
+            already incensed against me, that I should be torn to pieces, and
+            the house where I lodged burnt down, if I were to make the
+            attempt. I thought it right therefore to do nothing for the
+            present; but I sent Ormond to London, to keep him out of the
+            way of corruption, till I should make up my mind as to further
+            proceedings on the subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is impossible, if I observe the bounds I have prescribed
+            myself, and I believe the reader will be glad of it on account of
+            his own feelings, that I should lay open the numerous cases,
+            which came before me at Liverpool, relative to the ill-treatment
+            of the seamen in this wicked trade. It may be sufficient to say,
+            that they harassed my constitution, and affected my spirits daily.
+            They were in my thoughts on my pillow after I retired to rest,
+            and I found them before my eyes when I awoke. Afflicting,
+            however, as they were, they were of great use in the promotion
+            of our cause: for they served, whatever else failed, as a stimulus to
+            perpetual energy: they made me think light of former labours,
+            and they urged me imperiously to new. And here I may observe,
+            that among the many circumstances which ought to excite our
+            joy on considering the great event of the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade, which has now happily taken place, there are few for
+            which we ought to be more grateful, than that from this time our
+            commerce ceases to breed such abandoned wretches: while those,
+            who have thus been bred in it, and who may yet find employment
+            in other trades, will, in the common course of nature, be taken
+            off in a given time, so that our marine will at length be purified
+
+            from a race of monsters, which have helped to cripple its strength,
+            and to disgrace its character.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The temper of many of the interested people of Liverpool
+            had now become still more irritable, and their hostility more
+            apparent than before. I received anonymous letters, entreating
+            me to leave it, or I should otherwise never leave it alive. The
+            only effect which this advice had upon me, was to make me more
+            vigilant when I went out at night. I never stirred out at this
+            time without Mr. Falconbridge; and he never accompanied me
+            without being well armed. Of this, however, I knew nothing
+            until we had left the place. There was certainly a time when I
+            had reason to believe that I had a narrow escape. I was one day
+            on the pier-head with many others looking at some little boats
+            below at the time of a heavy gale. Several persons, probably
+            out of curiosity, were hastening thither. I had seen all I
+            intended to see, and was departing, when I noticed eight or nine
+            persons making towards me. I was then only about eight or
+            nine yards from the precipice of the pier, but going from it. I
+            expected that they would have divided to let me through them;
+            instead of which they closed upon me and bore me back. I was
+            borne within a yard of the precipice, when I discovered my
+            danger; and perceiving among them the murderer of Peter
+            Green, and two others who had insulted me at the King's Arms,
+            it instantly struck me that they had a design to throw me over
+            the pier-head; which they might have done at this time, and yet
+            have pleaded that I had been killed by accident. There was not
+            a moment to lose. Vigorous on account of the danger, I darted
+            forward. One of them, against whom I pushed myself, fell
+            down: their ranks were broken; and I escaped, not without
+            blows, amidst their imprecations and abuse.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I determined now to go to Lancaster, to make some inquiries
+            about the Slave Trade there. I had a letter of introduction to
+            William Jepson, one of the religious society of the Quakers, for
+            this purpose. I found from him, that, though there were slave-merchants
+            at Lancaster, they made their outfits at Liverpool, as
+            a more convenient port. I learnt too from others, that the
+            captain of the last vessel, which had sailed out of Lancaster to
+
+            the coast of Africa for slaves, had taken off so many of the
+            natives treacherously, that any other vessel known to come from
+            it would be cut off. There were only now one or two superannuated
+            captains living in the place. Finding I could get no oral
+            testimony, I was introduced into the Custom-house. Here I just
+            looked over the muster-rolls of such slave-vessels as had formerly
+            sailed from this port; and having found that the loss of seamen
+            was precisely in the same proportion as elsewhere, I gave myself
+            no further trouble, but left the place.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On my return to Liverpool, I was informed by Mr. Falconbridge,
+            that a ship-mate of Ormond, of the name of Patrick
+            Murray, who had been discharged in the West Indies, had
+            arrived there. This man, he said, had been to call upon me in
+            my absence, to seek redress for his own bad usage; but in the
+            course of conversation he had confirmed all the particulars as
+            stated by Ormond, relative to the murder of Peter Green. On
+            consulting the muster-roll of the ship, I found his name, and that
+            he had been discharged in the West Indies on the 2nd of
+            February. I determined, therefore, to see him. I cross-examined
+            him in the best manner I could. I could neither make
+            him contradict himself, nor say anything that militated against
+            the testimony of Ormond. I was convinced, therefore, of the
+            truth of the transaction; and, having obtained his consent, I
+            sent him to London to stay with the latter, till he should hear
+            further from me. I learnt also from Mr. Falconbridge, that
+            visitors had continued to come to the King's Arms during
+            my absence; that they had been very liberal of their abuse
+            of me; and that one of them did not hesitate to say (which
+            is remarkable) that "I deserved to be thrown over the pierhead."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Finding now that I could get no further evidence; that the
+            information which I had already obtained was
+            considerable<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXVIII_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXVIII_1"></a>; and that
+            the committee had expressed an earnest desire, in a
+            letter which I had received, that I would take into consideration
+
+            the propriety of writing my Essay on the <em>Impolicy of the Slave
+               Trade</em> as soon as possible, I determined upon leaving Liverpool.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXVIII_1"></a><a href="#FootXVIII_1">A</a>: In London, Bristol, and Liverpool,
+            I had already obtained the names of more than 20,000 seamen, in different
+            voyages, knowing what had become of each.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I went round accordingly and took leave of my friends. The
+            last of these was William Rathbone, and I have to regret, that
+            it was also the last time I ever saw him. Independently of the
+            gratitude I owed him for assisting me in this great cause, I
+            respected him highly as a man: he possessed a fine understanding
+            with a solid judgment: he was a person of extraordinary simplicity
+            of manners. Though he lived in a state of pecuniary
+            independence, he gave an example of great temperance, as well
+            as of great humility of mind: but however humble he appeared,
+            he had always the courage to dare to do that which was right,
+            however it might resist the customs or the prejudices of men.
+            In his own line of trade, which was that of a timber-merchant on
+            an extensive scale, he would not allow any article to be sold for
+            the use of a slave-ship, and he always refused those, who applied
+            to him for materials for such purposes. But it is evident that it
+            was his intention, if he had lived, to bear his testimony still
+            more publicly upon this subject; for an advertisement, stating
+            the ground of his refusal to furnish anything for this traffic upon
+            Christian principles, with a memorandum for two advertisements
+            in the Liverpool papers, was found among his papers at his
+            decease.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap19"></a>CHAPTER XIX
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Author proceeds to Manchester; finds a spirit rising among the people there
+         for the abolition of the Slave Trade; is requested to deliver a discourse
+         on the subject of the Slave Trade; heads of it, and extracts.&#8212;Proceeds
+         to Keddleston, and Birmingham; finds a similar spirit at the latter
+         place.&#8212;Revisits Bristol; new and difficult situation there.&#8212;Author
+         crosses the Severn at night; unsuccessful termination of his journey;
+         returns to London.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            I now took my departure from Liverpool, and proceeded to Manchester, where
+            I arrived on the Friday evening. On the Saturday
+            morning, Mr. Thomas Walker, attended by Mr. Cooper and
+            Mr. Bayley of Hope, called upon me. They were then strangers
+            to me. They came, they said, having heard of my arrival, to
+            congratulate me on the spirit which was then beginning to show
+            itself among the people of Manchester, and of other places, on
+            the subject of the Slave Trade, and which would unquestionably
+            manifest itself further by breaking out into petitions to parliament
+            for its abolition. I was much surprised at this information.
+            I had devoted myself so entirely to my object, that I had never
+            had time to read a newspaper since I left London. I never
+            knew, therefore, till now, that the attention of the public had
+            been drawn to the subject in such a manner. And as to petitions,
+            though I myself had suggested the idea at Bridgewater,
+            Bristol, Gloucester, and two, or three other places, I had only
+            done it provisionally, and this without either the knowledge or
+            the consent of the committee. The news, however, as it astonished,
+            so it almost overpowered me with joy. I rejoiced in it,
+            because it was a proof of the general good disposition of my
+            countrymen; because it showed me that the cause was such as
+            needed only to be known, to be patronized; and because the
+            manifestation of this spirit seemed to me to be an earnest, that
+            success would ultimately follow.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The gentleman now mentioned took me away with them, and
+            introduced me to Mr. Thomas Phillips. We conversed, at first,
+
+            upon the discoveries made in my journey; but in a little time,
+            understanding that I had been educated as a clergyman, they
+            came upon me with one voice, as if it had been before agreed
+            upon, to deliver a discourse the next day, which was Sunday, on
+            the subject of the Slave Trade. I was always aware that it was
+            my duty to do all that I could with propriety to serve the cause
+            I had undertaken, and yet I found myself embarrassed at their
+            request. Foreseeing, as I have before related, that this cause
+            might demand my attention to it for the greatest part of my life,
+            I had given up all thoughts of my profession. I had hitherto
+            but seldom exercised it, and then only to oblige some friend. I
+            doubted, too, at the first view of the thing, whether the pulpit
+            ought to be made an engine for political purposes, though I could
+            not but consider the Slave Trade as a mass of crimes, and therefore
+            the effort to get rid of it as a Christian duty. I had an idea,
+            too, that sacred matters should not be entered upon without due
+            consideration, nor prosecuted in a hasty, but in a decorous and
+            solemn manner. I saw besides that, as it was then two o'clock
+            in the afternoon, and this sermon was to be forthcoming the
+            next day, there was not sufficient time to compose it properly.
+            All these difficulties I suggested to my new friends without any
+            reserve. But nothing that I could urge would satisfy them.
+            They would not hear of a refusal, and I was obliged to give my
+            consent, though I was not reconciled to the measure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When I went into the church it was so full that I could
+            scarcely get to my place; for notice had been publicly given,
+            though I knew nothing of it, that such a discourse would be
+            delivered. I was surprised, also, to find a great crowd of black
+            people standing round the pulpit. There might be forty or fifty
+            of them. The text that I took, as the best to be found in such a
+            hurry, was the following:&#8212;"Thou shalt not oppress a stranger,
+            for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in
+            the land of Egypt."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I took an opportunity of showing, from these words, that
+            Moses, in endeavouring to promote among the children of Israel
+            a tender disposition towards those unfortunate strangers who had
+            come under their dominion, reminded them of their own state
+
+            when strangers in Egypt, as one of the most forcible arguments
+            which could be used on such an occasion. For they could not
+            have forgotten that the Egyptians "had made them serve with
+            rigour; that they had made their lives bitter with hard bondage,
+            in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field;
+            and that all the service, wherein they made them serve, was with
+            rigour." The argument, therefore, of Moses was simply this:&#8212;"Ye
+            knew well, when ye were strangers in Egypt, the nature of
+            your own feelings. Were you not made miserable by your
+            debased situation there? But if so, you must be sensible that
+            the stranger, who has the same heart, or the same feelings with
+            yourselves, must experience similar suffering, if treated in a similar
+            manner. I charge you, then, knowing this, to stand clear of
+            the crime of his oppression."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The law, then, by which Moses commanded the children of
+            Israel to regulate their conduct with respect to the usage of the
+            stranger, I showed to be a law of universal and eternal obligation,
+            and for this, among other reasons, that it was neither more nor
+            less than the Christian law, which appeared afterwards, that we
+            should not do that to others which we should be unwilling to
+            have done unto ourselves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having gone into these statements at some length, I made an
+            application of them in the following words:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "This being the case, and this law of Moses being afterwards
+            established into a fundamental precept of Christianity, I must
+            apply it to facts of the present day, and I am sorry that I must
+            apply it to&#8212;ourselves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "And first,&#8212;Are there no strangers whom we oppress? I
+            fear the wretched African will say, that he drinks the cup of
+            sorrow, and that he drinks it at our hands. Torn from his Native
+            soil, and from his family and friends, he is immediately forced
+            into a situation, of all others the most degrading, where he and
+            his progeny are considered as cattle, as possessions, and as the
+            possessions of a man to whom he never gave offence.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "It is a melancholy fact, but it can be abundantly proved,
+            that great numbers of the unfortunate strangers, who are carried
+            from Africa to our colonies, are fraudulently and forcibly taken
+
+            from their native soil. To descant but upon a single instance of
+            the kind must be productive of pain to the ear of sensibility and
+            freedom. Consider the sensations of the person, who is thus
+            carried off by the ruffians, who have been lurking to intercept
+            him. Separated from everything which he esteems in life, without
+            the possibility even of bidding his friends adieu, beheld him
+            overwhelmed in tears&#8212;wringing his hands in despair&#8212;looking
+            backwards upon the spot where all his hopes and wishes lay;&#8212;while
+            his family at home are waiting for him with anxiety and
+            suspense&#8212;are waiting, perhaps, for sustenance&#8212;are agitated
+            between hope and fear&#8212;till length of absence confirms the latter,
+            and they are immediately plunged into inconceivable misery and
+            distress.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "If this instance, then, is sufficiently melancholy of itself,
+            and is at all an act of oppression, how complicated will our guilt
+            appear who are the means of snatching away thousands annually
+            in the same manner, and who force them and their families into
+            the same unhappy situation, without either remorse or shame!"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having proceeded to show, in a more particular manner than
+            I can detail here, how, by means of the Slave Trade, we oppressed
+            the stranger, I made an inquiry into the other branch of the subject,
+            or how far we had a knowledge of his heart.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To elucidate this point, I mentioned several specific instances
+            out of those which I had collected in my journey, and which I
+            could depend upon as authentic, of honour&#8212;gratitude&#8212;fidelity&#8212;filial,
+            fraternal, and conjugal affection&#8212;and of the finest sensibility
+            on the part of those who had been brought into our colonies
+            from Africa in the character of slaves; and then I proceeded for
+            a while in the following words:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "If, then, we oppress the stranger, as I have shown, and if,
+            by a knowledge of his heart, we find that he is a person of the
+            same passions and feelings as ourselves, we are certainly breaking,
+            by means of the prosecution of the Slave Trade, that fundamental
+            principle of Christianity, which says, that we shall not do that
+            unto another which we wish should not be done unto ourselves,
+            and, I fear, cutting ourselves off from all expectation of the
+            Divine blessing. For how inconsistent is our conduct! We
+
+            come into the temple of God; we fall prostrate before Him; we
+            pray to Him, that He will have mercy upon us. But how shall
+            He have mercy upon us, who have had no mercy upon others!
+            We pray to Him, again, that He will deliver us from evil. But
+            how shall He deliver us from evil, who are daily invading the
+            rights of the injured African, and heaping misery on his head!"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I attempted, lastly, to show, that, though the sin of the Slave
+            Trade had been hitherto a sin of ignorance, and might, therefore,
+            have so far been winked at, yet as the crimes and miseries belonging
+            to it became known, it would attach even to those who had no
+            concern in it, if they suffered it to continue either without notice
+            or reproach, or if they did not exert themselves in a reasonable
+            manner for its suppression. I noticed particularly, the case of
+            Tyre and Sidon, which were the Bristol and the Liverpool of those
+            times. A direct judgment had been pronounced by the prophet
+            Joel against these cities, and, what is remarkable, for the prosecution
+            of this same barbarous traffic. Thus, "And what have
+            ye to do with me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?
+            Ye have cast lots for my people. Ye have sold a girl for
+            wine. The children of Judah, and the children of Jerusalem,
+            have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far
+            from their own border. Behold! I will raise them out of the
+            place whither ye have sold them, and will recompense your wickedness
+            on your own heads." Such was the language of the prophet;
+            and Tyre and Sidon fell, as he had pointed out, when the
+            inhabitants were either cut off, or carried into slavery.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having thrown out these ideas to the notice of the audience,
+            I concluded in the following words:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "If, then, we wish to avert the heavy national judgment which
+            is hanging over our heads, (for must we not believe that our
+            crimes towards the innocent Africans lie recorded against us in
+            heaven?) let us endeavour to assert their cause. Let us nobly
+            withstand the torrent of the evil, however inveterately it may be
+            fixed among the customs of the times; not, however, using our
+            liberty as a cloak of maliciousness against those, who, perhaps,
+            without due consideration, have the misfortune to be concerned
+            in it, but upon proper motives, and in a proper spirit, as the servants
+
+            of God; so that if the sun should be turned into darkness,
+            and the moon into blood, and the very heaven should fall upon
+            us, we may fall in the general convulsion without dismay, conscious
+            that we have done our duty in endeavouring to succour
+            the distressed, and that the stain of the blood of Africa is not
+            upon us."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From Manchester I proceeded to Keddleston in Derbyshire, to
+            spend a day with Lord Scarsdale, and to show him my little collection
+            of African productions, and to inform him of my progress
+            since I last saw him. Here a letter was forwarded to me from
+            the Reverend John Toogood, of Keington Magna in Dorsetshire,
+            though I was then unknown to him. He informed me that he
+            had addressed several letters to the inhabitants of his own
+            county, through their provincial paper, on the subject of the
+            Slave Trade, which letters had produced a considerable effect. It
+            appeared, however, that, when he began them, he did not know
+            of the formation of our committee, or that he had a single coadjutor
+            in the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From Keddleston I turned off to Birmingham, being desirous
+            of visiting Bristol in my way to London, to see if anything new
+            had occurred since I was there. I was introduced by letter, at
+            Birmingham, to Sampson and Charles Lloyd, the brothers of
+            John Lloyd, belonging to our committee, and members of the
+            religious society of the Quakers. I was highly gratified in finding
+            that these, in conjunction with Mr. Russell, had been attempting
+            to awaken the attention of the inhabitants to this great subject,
+            and that in consequence of their laudable efforts, a spirit was
+            beginning to show itself there, as at Manchester, in favour of the
+            abolition of the Slave Trade. The kind manner in which these
+            received me, and the deep interest which they appeared to take
+            in our cause, led me to an esteem for them, which, by means of
+            subsequent visits, grew into a solid friendship.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length I arrived at Bristol about ten o'clock on Friday
+            morning. But what was my surprise, when almost the first
+            thing I heard from my friend Harry Gandy was, that a letter
+            had been despatched to me to Liverpool, nearly a week ago,
+            requesting me immediately to repair to this place; for that in
+
+            consequence of notice from the lords of the Admiralty, advertised
+            in the public papers, the trial of the chief mate, whom I
+            had occasioned to be taken up at Bristol, for the murder of
+            William Lines, was coming on at the Old Bailey, and that
+            not an evidence was to be found. This intelligence almost paralyzed
+            me. I cannot describe my feelings on receiving it. I
+            reproached myself with my own obstinacy for having resisted the
+            advice of Mr. Burges, as has been before explained. All his
+            words now came fresh into my mind. I was terrified, too, with
+            the apprehension that my own reputation was now at stake. I
+            foresaw all the calumnies which would  be spread, if the evidences
+            were not forthcoming on this occasion. I anticipated, also, the
+            injury which the cause itself might sustain, if, at our outset, as it
+            were, I should not be able to substantiate what I had publicly
+            advanced; and yet the mayor of Bristol had heard and determined
+            the case,&#8212;he had not only examined, but re-examined, the
+            evidences,&#8212;he had not only committed, but re-committed, the
+            accused: this was the only consolation I had. I was sensible,
+            however, amidst all these workings of my mind, that not a moment
+            was to be lost, and I began, therefore, to set on foot an
+            inquiry as to the absent persons.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On waiting upon the mother of William Lines, I learnt from
+            her, that two out of four of the witnesses had been bribed by the
+            slave-merchants, and sent to sea, that they might not be forthcoming
+            at the time of the trial; that the two others had been
+            tempted also, but that they had been enabled to resist the temptation;
+            that, desirous of giving their testimony in this cause, they
+            had gone into some coal-mine between Neath and Swansea, where
+            they might support themselves till they should be called for; and
+            that she had addressed a letter to them, at the request of Mr.
+            Gandy, above a week ago, in which she had desired them to come
+            to Bristol immediately, but that she had received no answer from
+            them. She then concluded, either that her letter had miscarried,
+            or that they had left the place.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I determined to lose no time, after the receipt of this intelligence;
+            and I prevailed upon a young man, whom my friend
+            Harry Gandy had recommended to me, to set off directly, and to
+
+            go in search of them. He was to travel all night, and to bring
+            them, or, if weary himself with his journey, to send them up,
+            without ever sleeping on the road. It was now between twelve
+            and one in the afternoon. I saw him depart. In the interim I
+            went to Thompson's, and other places, to inquire if any other of
+            the seamen, belonging to the Thomas, were to be found; but,
+            though I hunted diligently till four o'clock, I could learn nothing
+            satisfactory. I then went to dinner, but I grew uneasy. I was
+            fearful that my messenger might be at a loss, or that he might
+            want assistance on some occasion or other. I now judged that it
+            would have been more prudent if two persons had been sent,
+            who might have conferred with each other, and who might have
+            divided, when they had reached Neath, and gone to different
+            mines, to inquire for the witnesses. These thoughts disturbed
+            me. Those, also, which had occurred when I first heard of the
+            vexatious way in which things were situated, renewed themselves
+            painfully to my mind. My own obstinacy in resisting the advice
+            of Mr. Burges, and the fear of injury to my own reputation, and
+            to that of the cause I had undertaken, were again before my
+            eyes. I became still more uneasy: and I had no way of relieving
+            my feelings, but by resolving to follow the young man, and to
+            give him all the aid in my power.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was now near six o'clock. The night was cold and rainy
+            and almost dark. I got down, however, safe to the passage-house,
+            and desired to be conveyed across the Severn. The people in
+            the house tried to dissuade me from my design. They said no
+            one would accompany me, for it was quite a tempest. I replied
+            that I would pay those handsomely who would go with me. A
+            person present asked me if I would give him three guineas for a
+            boat. I replied I would. He could not for shame retract. He
+            went out, and in about half an hour brought a person with him.
+            We were obliged to have a lanthorn as far as the boat. We got
+            on board, and went off. But such a passage I had never before
+            witnessed. The wind was furious. The waves ran high. I
+            could see nothing but white foam. The boat, also, was tossed up
+            and down in such a manner that it was with great difficulty I
+            could keep my seat. The rain, too, poured down in such torrents
+
+            that we were all of us presently wet through. We had been, I
+            apprehend, more than an hour in this situation, when the
+            boatmen began to complain of cold and weariness. I saw, also, that
+            they began to be uneasy, for they did not know where they were.
+            They had no way of forming any judgment about their course,
+            but by knowing the point from whence the wind blew, and by
+            keeping the boat in a relative position towards it. I encouraged
+            them as well as I could, though I was beginning to be uneasy
+            myself, and also sick. In about a quarter of an hour they began
+            to complain again. They said they could pull no longer. They
+            acknowledged, however, that they were getting nearer to the
+            shore, though on what part of it they could not tell. I could do
+            nothing but bid them hope. They then began to reproach themselves
+            for having come out with me. I told them I had not
+            forced them, but that it was a matter of their own choice. In the
+            midst of this conversation I informed them that I thought I saw
+            either a star or a light straight forward. They both looked at it
+            and pronounced it to be a light, and added with great joy that it
+            must be a light in the Passage-house; and so we found it; for
+            in about ten minutes afterwards we landed, and, on reaching the
+            house, learnt that a servant maid had been accidentally talking
+            to some other person on the stair-case, near a window, with a
+            candle in her hand, and that the light had appeared to us from
+            that circumstance.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was now near eleven o'clock. My messenger, it appeared,
+            had arrived safe about five in the evening, and had proceeded on his
+            route. I was very cold on my arrival, and sick also. There
+            seemed to be a chilliness all over me, both within and without.
+            Indeed I had not a dry thread about me. I took some hot
+            brandy and water, and went to bed; but desired, as soon as my
+            clothes were thoroughly dried, to be called up, that I might go
+            forward. This happened at about two in the morning, when I
+            got up. I took my breakfast by the fire-side. I then desired the
+            post-boy, if he should meet any persons on the road, to stop and
+            inform me, as I did not know whether the witnesses might not
+            be coming up by themselves, and whether they might not have
+            passed my messenger without knowing his errand. Having
+
+            taken these precautions, I departed. I travelled on, but we met
+            no one. I traced, however, my messenger through Newport,
+            Cardiff, and Cowbridge. I was assured, also, that he had not
+            passed me on his return; nor had any of those passed me whom
+            he was seeking. At length, when I was within about two miles
+            of Neath I met him. He had both the witnesses under his care.
+            This was a matter of great joy to me. I determined to return
+            with them. It was now nearly two in the afternoon. I accordingly
+            went back, but we did not reach the Passage-house again
+            till nearly two the next morning.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            During our journey, neither the wind nor the rain had much
+            abated. It was quite dark on our arrival. We found only one
+            person, and he had been sitting up in expectation of us. It was
+            in vain that I asked him for a boat to put us across the water.
+            He said all the boatmen were in bed; and, if they were up, he
+            was sure that none of them would venture out. It was thought
+            a mercy by all of them that we were not lost last night. Difficulties
+            were also started about horses to take us another way.
+            Unable, therefore, to proceed, we took refreshment and went
+            to bed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We arrived at Bristol between nine and ten the next morning;
+            but I was so ill that I could go no further; I had been cold
+            and shivering ever since my first passage across the Severn; and
+            I had now a violent sore throat and a fever with it. All I could
+            do was to see the witnesses off for London, and to assign them to
+            the care of an attorney, who should conduct them to the trial.
+            For this purpose I gave them a letter to a friend of the name of
+            Langdale. I saw them depart. The mother of William Lines
+            accompanied them. By a letter received on Tuesday, I learnt
+            that they had not arrived in town till Monday morning at three
+            o'clock; that at about nine or ten they found out the office of
+            Mr. Langdale; that, on inquiring for him, they heard he was in
+            the country, but that he would be home at noon; that, finding
+            he had not then arrived, they acquainted his clerk with the
+            nature of their business, and opened my letter to show him the
+            contents of it; that the clerk went with them to consult some other
+            person on the subject, when he conveyed them to the Old Bailey;
+
+            but that, on inquiring at the proper place about the introduction
+            of the witnesses, he learnt that the chief mate had been brought
+            to the bar in the morning, and, no person then appearing against
+            him, that he had been discharged by proclamation. Such was
+            the end of all my anxiety and labour in this affair. I was very
+            ill when I received the letter; but I saw the necessity of bearing
+            up against the disappointment, and I endeavoured to discharge
+            the subject from my mind with the following wish, that the narrow
+            escape which the chief mate had experienced, and which was
+            entirely owing to the accidental circumstances now explained,
+            might have the effect, under Providence, of producing in him a
+            deep contrition for his offence, and of awakening him to a serious
+            attention to his future life<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIX_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIX_1"></a>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIX_1"></a><a href="#FootXIX_1">A</a>: He had undoubtedly
+            a narrow escape; for Mr. Langdale's clerk
+            had learnt that he had no evidence to produce in his favour. The
+            slave-merchants, it seems, had counted most upon bribing those who were
+            to come against him, to disappear.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I was obliged to remain in Bristol a few days longer in consequence
+            of my illness; but as soon as I was able I reached
+            London, when I attended a sitting of the committee after an
+            absence of more than five months. At this committee it was
+            strongly recommended to me to publish a second edition of my
+            <em>Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species</em>, and to
+            insert such of the facts in it in their proper places, out of those
+            collected in my late travels, as I might judge to be productive of
+            an interesting effect. There appeared, also, an earnest desire in
+            the committee, that, directly after this, I should begin my <em>Essay
+               on the Impolicy of the Slave Trade</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In compliance with their wishes, I determined upon both these
+            works; but I resolved to retire into the country, that, by being
+            subject to less interruption there, I might the sooner finish them.
+            It was proper, however, that I should settle many things in London
+            before I took my departure from it; and, among these, that
+            I should find out George Ormond and Patrick Murray, whom I
+            had sent from Liverpool on account of the information they had
+            given me relative to the murder of Peter Green. I saw no better
+            way than to take them before Sir Sampson Wright, who was
+
+            then at the head of the police of the metropolis. He examined
+            and cross-examined them several times, and apart from each
+            other. He then desired their evidence to be drawn up in the
+            form of depositions, copies of which he gave to me. He had no
+            doubt that the murder would be proved. The circumstances of
+            the deceased being in good health at nine o'clock in the evening,
+            and of his severe sufferings till eleven, and of the nature of the
+            wounds discovered to have been made on his person, and of his
+            death by one in the morning, could never, he said, be done away
+            by any evidence who should state that he had been subject to
+            other disorders which might have occasioned his decease. He
+            found himself, therefore, compelled to apply to the magistrates of
+            Liverpool, for the apprehension of three of the principal officers
+            of the ship; but the answer was that the ship had sailed, and
+            that they whose names had been specified were then, none of
+            them, to be found in Liverpool.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was now for me to consider whether I would keep the two
+            witnesses, Ormond and Murray, for a year, or perhaps longer, at
+            my own expense, and run the hazard of the death of the officers
+            in the interim, and of other calculable events. I had felt so
+            deeply for the usage of the seamen in this cruel traffic, which
+            indeed had embittered all my journey, that I had no less than
+            nine prosecutions at law upon my hands on their account, and
+            nineteen witnesses detained at my own cost. The committee in
+            London could give me no assistance in these cases. They were
+            the managers of the public purse for the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade, and any expenses of this kind were neither within the
+            limits of their object, nor within the pale of their duty. From
+            the individuals belonging to it, I picked up a few guineas by way
+            of private subscription, and this was all. But a vast load still
+            remained upon me, and such as had occasioned uneasiness to my
+            mind. I thought it, therefore, imprudent to detain the evidences
+            for this purpose for so long a time, and I sent them back to
+            Liverpool. I commenced, however, a prosecution against the
+            captain at common law for his barbarous usage of them, and
+            desired that it might be pushed on as vigorously as possible; and
+            the result was, that his attorney was so alarmed, particularly after
+
+            knowing what had been done by Sir Sampson Wright, that he
+            entered into a compromise to pay all the expenses of the suit
+            hitherto incurred, and to give Ormond and Murray a sum of
+            money as damages for the injury which they themselves had
+            sustained. This compromise was acceded to. The men received
+            the money, and signed the release, (of which I insisted upon a
+            copy,) and went to sea again in another trade, thanking me for
+            my interference in their behalf. But by this copy, which I have
+            now in my possession, it appears that care was taken by the
+            captain's attorney to render their future evidence in the case of
+            Peter Green almost impracticable; for it was there wickedly
+            stated, "that George Ormond and Patrick Murray did then and
+            there bind themselves in certain penalties that they would neither
+            encourage nor support any action at law against the said captain,
+            by or at the suit or prosecution of any other of the seamen now
+            or late on board the said ship, and that they released the said
+            captain also from all manner of actions, suits, and cause and
+            causes of action, informations, prosecutions, and other proceedings
+            which they then had, or ever had, or could or might have,
+            by reason of the said assaults upon their own persons, or <em>other
+               wrongs or injuries done by the said captain heretofore and to the
+               date of this release</em><a class="notelink" href="#NoteXIX_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXIX_2"></a>."
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXIX_2"></a><a href="#FootXIX_2">A</a>: None of the nine
+            actions before mentioned ever came to a trial; but they were all
+            compromised by paying sums to the injured parties.
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap20"></a>CHAPTER XX
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Labours of the committee during the author's journey; Quakers the first to
+         notice its institution; General Baptists the next.&#8212;Correspondence opened
+         with American societies for Abolition.&#8212;First individual who addressed
+         the committee was Mr. William Smith.&#8212;Thanks voted to Ramsay.&#8212;Committee
+         prepares lists of persons to whom to send its publications;
+         Barclay, Taylor, and Wedgewood, elected members of the committee.&#8212;Letters
+         from Brissot and others.&#8212;Granville Sharp elected chairman,&#8212;Seal
+         ordered to be engraved.&#8212;Letters from different correspondents, as
+         they offered their services to the committee.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            The committee, during my absence, had attended regularly at
+            their posts; they had been both vigilant and industrious; they
+            were, in short, the persons who had been the means of raising
+            the public spirit which I had observed first at Manchester, and
+            afterwards as I journeyed on. It will be proper, therefore, that
+            I should now say something of their labours, and of the fruits of
+            them: and if, in doing this, I should be more minute for a few
+            pages than some would wish, I must apologize for myself by
+            saying, that there are others who would be sorry to lose the
+            knowledge of the particular manner in which the foundation was
+            laid, and the superstructure advanced, of a work which will make
+            so brilliant an appearance in our history, as that of the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee having dispersed five hundred circular letters,
+            giving an account of their institution in London and its neighbourhood,
+            the Quakers were the first to notice it. This they did
+            in their yearly epistle, of which the following is an extract:&#8212;"We
+            have also thankfully to believe there is a growing attention
+            in many, not of our religious society, to the subject of negro
+            slavery; and that the minds of the people are more and more
+            enlarged to consider it as an aggregate of every species of evil,
+            and to see the utter inconsistency of upholding it by the authority
+            of any nation whatever, especially of such as punish, with loss of
+            life, crimes whose magnitude bears scarce any proportion to this
+            complicated iniquity."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The General Baptists were the next; for on the 22nd of
+            June, Stephen Lowdell and Dan Taylor attended as a deputation
+            from the annual meeting of that religious body, to inform the
+            committee, that those whom they represented approved their
+            proceedings, and that they would countenance the object of their
+            institution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first individual who addressed the committee was Mr.
+            William Smith, the late member for Norwich. In his letter, he
+            expressed the pleasure he had received in finding persons associated
+            in the support of a cause in which he himself had taken a
+            deep interest. He gave them advice as to their future plans.
+            He promised them all the co-operation in his power: and he
+            exhorted them not to despair, even if their first attempt should
+            be unsuccessful; "for consolation," says he, "will not be wanting.
+            You may rest satisfied that the attempt will be productive
+            of some good; that the fervent wishes of the righteous will
+            be on your side, and that the blessing of those who are ready
+            to perish will fall upon you." And as Mr. Smith was the first
+            person to address the committee as an individual after its
+            formation, so, next to Mr. Wilberforce and the members of it,
+            he gave the most time and attention to the promotion of the
+            cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 5th of July, the committee opened a correspondence,
+            by means of William Dillwyn, with the societies of Philadelphia
+            and New York, of whose institution an account has been given.
+            At this sitting a due sense was signified of the services of Mr.
+            Ramsay, and a desire of his friendly communications when
+            convenient.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The two next meetings were principally occupied in making
+            out lists of the names of persons in the country, to whom the
+            committee should send their publications for distribution. For
+            this purpose, every member was to bring in an account of those
+            whom he knew personally, and whom he believed not only to be
+            willing, but qualified on account of their judgment and the
+            weight of their character, to take an useful part in the work
+            which was to be assigned to them. It is a remarkable circumstance,
+            that when the lists were arranged, the committee, few as
+
+            they were, found they had friends in no less than thirty-nine
+            counties<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXX_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXX_1"></a>, in each of which there were several, so that a knowledge
+            of their institution could now be soon diffusively spread.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXX_1"></a><a href="#FootXX_1">A</a>: The Quakers, by means of their
+            discipline, have a greater personal knowledge
+            of each other, than the members of any other religious society. But
+            two-thirds of the committee were Quakers, and hence the circumstance is
+            explained. Hence also nine-tenths of our first coadjutors were
+            Quakers.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee having now fixed upon their correspondents,
+            ordered five hundred of the circular letters which have been before
+            mentioned, and five thousand of the <em>Summary View</em>, an account
+            of which has been given also, to be printed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On account of the increase of business, which was expected
+            in consequence of the circulation of the preceding publications,
+            Robert Barclay, John Vickris Taylor, and Josiah Wedgewood,
+            Esq., were added to the committee; and it was then resolved,
+            that any three members might call a meeting when necessary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 27th of August, the new correspondents began to
+            make their appearance. This sitting was distinguished by the
+            receipt of letters from two celebrated persons. The first was
+            from Brissot, dated Paris, August the 18th, who, it may be recollected,
+            was an active member of the National Convention of
+            France, and who suffered in the persecution of Robespierre. The
+            second was from Mr. John Wesley, whose useful labours as a
+            minister of the Gospel, are so well known to our countrymen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Brissot, in his letter, congratulated the members of the committee,
+            on having come together for so laudable an object. He
+            offered his own assistance towards the promotion of it. He
+            desired, also, that his valuable friend Claviere (who suffered also
+            under Robespierre) might be joined to him, and that both might
+            be acknowledged by the committee, as associates in what he
+            called this heavenly work. He purposed to translate and circulate
+            through France such publications as they might send him from
+            time to time; and to appoint bankers in Paris, who might receive
+            subscriptions, and remit them to London, for the good of their
+            common cause. In the mean time, if his own countrymen should
+            be found to take an interest in this great cause, it was not improbable
+            that a committee might be formed in Paris, to endeavour
+
+            to secure the attainment of the same object from the government
+            in France.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The thanks of the committee were voted to Brissot for this
+            disinterested offer of his services, and he was elected an honorary
+            and corresponding member. In reply, however, to his letter, it
+            was stated that, as the committee had no doubt of procuring from
+            the generosity of their own nation sufficient funds for effecting
+            the object of their institution, they declined the acceptance of
+            any pecuniary aid from the people of France; but recommended
+            him to attempt the formation of a committee in his own country,
+            and to inform them of his progress, and to make to them such
+            other communications as he might deem necessary upon the
+            subject from time to time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Wesley, whose letter was read next, informed the committee
+            of the great satisfaction which he also had experienced,
+            when he heard of their formation. He conceived that their
+            design, while it would destroy the Slave Trade, would also strike
+            at the root of the shocking abomination of slavery also. He
+            desired to forewarn them that they must expect difficulties and
+            great opposition from those who were interested in the system;
+            that these were a powerful body; and that they would raise all
+            their forces, when they perceived their craft to be in danger.
+            They would employ hireling writers, who would have neither
+            justice nor mercy. But the committee were not to be dismayed
+            by such treatment, nor even if some of those who professed goodwill
+            towards them, should turn against them. As for himself,
+            he would do all he could to promote the object of their institution.
+            He would reprint a new and large edition of his <em>Thought on
+               Slavery</em>, and circulate it among his friends in England and Ireland,
+            to whom he would add a few words in favour of their design.
+            And then he concluded in these words: "I commend you to
+            Him who is able to carry you through all opposition, and support
+            you under all discouragements."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 4th, 11th, and 18th of September, the committee
+            were employed variously. Among other things, they voted their
+            thanks to Mr. Leigh, a clergyman of the Established Church,
+            for the offer of his services for the county of Norfolk. They
+
+            ordered, also, one thousand of the circular letters to be additionally
+            printed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At one of these meetings a resolution was made, that Granville
+            Sharp, Esq. be appointed chairman. This appointment,
+            though now first formally made in the minute book, was always
+            understood to have taken place; but the modesty of Mr. Sharp
+            was such that, though repeatedly pressed, he would never consent
+            to take the chair; and he generally refrained from coming into
+            the room till after he knew it to be taken. Nor could he be
+            prevailed upon, even after this resolution, to alter his conduct:
+            for though he continued to sign the papers, which were handed
+            to him by virtue of holding this office, he never was once seated
+            as the chairman, during the twenty years in which he attended
+            at these meetings. I thought it not improper to mention this
+            trait in his character. Conscious that he engaged in the cause of
+            his fellow-creatures, solely upon the sense of his duty as a Christian,
+            he seems to have supposed either that he had done nothing
+            extraordinary to merit such a distinction, or to have been fearful
+            lest the acceptance of it should bring a stain upon the motive, on
+            which alone he undertook it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>On the 2nd and 16th of October two sittings took place; at
+            the latter of which a sub-committee, which had been appointed
+            for the purpose, brought in a design for a seal. An African was
+            seen, (as in the figure<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXX_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXX_2"></a>,) in chains, in a
+            supplicating posture,<span class="center"><img src="images/272-1.png" alt="Seal"></span>
+            kneeling with one knee upon the ground, and with both his hands
+            lifted up to heaven, and round the seal was observed the
+
+            following motto, as if he was uttering the words himself,&#8212;"Am
+            I not a Man and a Brother?" The design having been approved
+            of, a seal was ordered to be engraved from it. I may mention
+            here that this seal, simple as the design was, was made to
+            contribute largely, as will be shown in its proper place, towards
+            turning the attention of our countrymen to the case of the injured
+            Africans, and of procuring a warm interest in their favour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXX_2"></a><a href="#FootXX_2">A</a>: The figure is rather
+            larger than that in the seal.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 30th of October several letters were read: one of
+            these was from Brissot and Claviere conjointly; in this they
+            acknowledged the satisfaction they had received on being considered
+            as associates in the humane work of the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade, and correspondents in France for the promotion
+            of it. They declared it to be their intention to attempt
+            the establishment of a committee there, on the same principles
+            as that in England; but, in consequence of the different constitutions
+            of the two governments, they gave the committee reason
+            to suppose, that their proceedings must be different, as well as
+            slower than those in England, for the same object.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A second letter was read from Mr. John Wesley. He said
+            that he had now read the publications which the committee had
+            sent him, and that he took, if possible, a still deeper interest in
+            their cause. He exhorted them to more than ordinary diligence
+            and perseverance; to be prepared for opposition; to be cautious
+            about the manner of procuring information and evidence, that
+            no stain might fall upon their character; and to take care that
+            the question should be argued, as well upon the consideration of
+            interest as of humanity and justice, the former of which he feared
+            would have more weight than the latter; and he recommended
+            them and their glorious concern, as before, to the protection of
+            Him who was able to support them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Letters were read from Dr. Price, approving the institution
+            of the committee; from Charles Lloyd of Birmingham, stating
+            the interest which the inhabitants of that town were taking in
+            it; and from William Russell, Esq. of the same place, stating
+            the same circumstance, and that he would co-operate with the
+            former in calling a public meeting, and in doing whatever else
+
+            was necessary for the promotion of so good a cause. A letter was
+            read also from Manchester, signed conjointly by George Barton
+            Thomas Cooper, John Ferriar, Thomas Walker, Thomas Phillips,
+            Thomas Butterworth Bayley, and George Lloyd, Esqrs.,
+            promising their assistance from that place. Two others were
+            read from John Kerrich, Esq., of Harleston, and from Joshua
+            Grigby, Esq., of Drinkston, each tendering their services, one for
+            the county Of Norfolk, and the other for the county of Suffolk.
+            The latter concluded by saying, "With respect to myself, in no
+            possible instance of my public conduct can I receive so much
+            sincere satisfaction, as I shall, by the vote I will most assuredly
+            give in parliament, in support of this most worthy effort to
+            suppress a traffic, which is contrary to all the feelings of humanity,
+            and the laws of our religion."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A letter was read also at this sitting from Major Cartwright,
+            of Marnham, in which he offered his own services, in conjunction
+            with those of the Rev. John Charlesworth, of Ossington, for the
+            county of Nottingham.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "I congratulate you," says he, in this letter, "on the happy
+            prospect of some considerable step at least being taken, towards
+            the abolition of a traffic, which is not only impious in itself, but
+            of all others tends most to vitiate the human mind.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "Although procrastination is generally pernicious in cases
+            depending upon the feelings of the heart, I should almost fear
+            that, without very uncommon exertions, you will scarcely be
+            prepared early in the next sessions, for bringing the business into
+            parliament with the greatest advantage. But, be that as it may,
+            let the best use be made of the intermediate time; and then, if
+            there be a superintending Providence, which governs everything
+            in the moral world, there is every reason to hope for a blessing
+            on this particular work."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The last letter was from Robert Boucher Nickolls, dean of
+            Middleham, in Yorkshire. In this he stated that he was a native
+            of the West Indies, and had travelled on the continent of
+            America. He then offered some important information to the
+            committee as his mite, towards the abolition of the Slave Trade,
+
+            and as an encouragement to them to persevere. He attempted
+            to prove, that the natural increase of the negroes already in the
+            West Indian islands would be fully adequate to the cultivation
+            of them, without any fresh supplies from Africa; and that such
+            natural increase would be secured by humane treatment. With
+            this view, he instanced the two estates of Mr. MacMahon and
+            of Dr. Mapp, in the island of Barbados. The first required
+            continual supplies of new slaves, in consequence of the severe and
+            cruel usage adopted upon it. The latter overflowed with labourers
+            in consequence of a system of kindness, so that it almost peopled
+            another estate. Having related these instances, he cited others
+            in North America, where, though the climate was less favourable
+            to the constitution of the Africans, but their treatment better,
+            they increased also. He combated, from his own personal
+            knowledge, the argument, that self-interest was always sufficient
+            to insure good usage, and maintained that there was only one
+            way of securing it, which was the entire abolition of the Slave
+            Trade. He showed in what manner the latter measure would
+            operate to the desired end: he then dilated on the injustice and
+            inconsistency of this trade, and supported the policy of the abolition
+            of it, both to the planter, the merchant, and the nation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This letter of the Dean of Middleham, which was a little
+            Essay of itself, was deemed of so much importance by the
+            committee, but particularly as it was the result of local knowledge,
+            that they not only passed a resolution of thanks to him for
+            it, but desired his permission to print it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee sat again on the 13th and 22nd of November.
+            At the first of these sittings, a letter was read from Henry
+            Grimston, Esq., of Whitwell Hall, near York, offering his services
+            for the promotion of the cause in his own county. At the second,
+            the Dean of Middleham's answer was received. He acquiesced
+            in the request of the committee; when five thousand of his
+            letters were ordered immediately to be printed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 22nd a letter was read from Mr. James Mackenzie,
+            of the town of Cambridge, desiring to forward the object of the
+            institution there. Two letters were read also, one from the late Mr.
+
+            Jones, tutor of Trinity College, and the other from Mr. William
+            Frend, fellow of Jesus College. It appeared from these, that the
+            gentlemen of the University of Cambridge were beginning to
+            take a lively interest in the abolition of the Slave Trade, among
+            whom Dr. Watson, the bishop of Llandaff, was particularly
+            conspicuous. At this committee two thousand new <em>Summary
+               View</em> were ordered to be printed, and the circular letter to be
+            prefixed to each.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap21"></a>CHAPTER XXI.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Labours of the committee continued to February, 1788.&#8212;Committee elect new
+         members; vote thanks to Falconbridge and others; receive letters from
+         Grove and others; circulate numerous publications; make a report; send
+         circular letters to corporate bodies; release negroes unjustly detained;
+         find new correspondents in Archdeacon Paley, the Marquis de la Fayette,
+         Bishop of Cloyne, Bishop of Peterborough, and in many others.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            The labours of the committee, during my absence, were as I have
+            now explained them; but as I was obliged, almost immediately,
+            on joining them, to retire into the country to begin my new work,
+            I must give an account of their further services till I joined them
+            again, or till the middle of February, 1788.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            During sittings which were held from the middle of December,
+            1787, to the 18th of January, 1788, the business of the committee
+            had so increased, that it was found proper to make an
+            addition to their number. Accordingly James Martin and William
+            Morton Pitt, Esquires, members of parliament, and Robert Hunter,
+            and Joseph Smith, Esquires, were chosen members of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The knowledge also of the institution of the society had
+            spread to such an extent, and the eagerness among individuals to
+            see the publications of the committee had been so great, that the
+            press was kept almost constantly going during the time now
+            mentioned. No fewer than three thousand lists of the subscribers,
+            with a circular letter prefixed to them, explaining the object of
+            the institution, were ordered to be printed within this period,
+            to which are to be added fifteen hundred of BENEZET'S <em>Account of
+               Guinea</em>, three thousand of the DEAN of MIDDLEHAM'S <em>Letters</em>,
+            five thousand <em>Summary View,</em> and two thousand of a new edition of
+            the <em>Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species</em>, which I had
+            enlarged before the last of these sittings from materials collected
+            in my late tour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The thanks of the committee were voted during this period to
+            Mr. Alexander Falconbridge, for the assistance he had given me
+            in my inquiries into the nature of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As Mr. Falconbridge had but lately returned from Africa,
+            and as facts and circumstances, which had taken place but a
+            little time ago, were less liable to objections (inasmuch as they
+            proved the present state of things) than those which happened in
+            earlier times, he was prevailed upon to write an account of what
+            he had seen during the four voyages he had made to that continent;
+            and accordingly, within the period which has been mentioned,
+            he began his work.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee, during these sittings, kept up a correspondence
+            with those gentlemen who were mentioned in the last
+            chapter to have addressed them. But, besides these, they found
+            other voluntary correspondents in the following persons, Capell
+            Lofft, Esq., of Troston, and the Reverend B. Brome, of Ipswich,
+            both in the county of Suffolk. These made an earnest tender of
+            their services for those parts of the county in which they resided.
+            Similar offers were made by Mr. Hammond, of Stanton, near
+            St. Ives, in the county of Huntingdon, by Thomas Parker, Esq.,
+            of Beverly, and by William Grove, Esq., of Litchfield, for their
+            respective towns and neighbourhoods.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A letter was received also within this period from the society
+            established at Philadelphia, accompanied with documents in
+            proof of the good effects of the manumission of slaves, and with
+            specimens of writing and drawing by the same. In this letter
+            the society congratulated the committee in London on its formation,
+            and professed its readiness to co-operate in any way in which
+            it could me made useful.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            During these sittings, a letter was also read from Dr. Bathurst,
+            afterwards bishop of Norwich, dated Oxford, December 17th, in
+            which he offered his services in the promotion of the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another was read, which stated that Dr. Home, president
+            of Magdalen College in the same university, and afterwards bishop
+            of the same see as the former, highly favoured it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another was read from Mr. Lambert, fellow of Trinity College,
+            Cambridge, in which he signified to the committee the great
+            desire he had to promote the object of their institution. He had
+            drawn up a number of queries relative to the state of the unhappy
+            slaves in the islands, which he had transmitted to a friend, who
+
+            had resided in them, to answer. These answers he purposed to
+            forward to the committee on their arrival.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another was read from Dr. Hinchliffe, bishop of Peterborough,
+            in which he testified his hearty approbation of the institution,
+            and of the design of it, and his determination to support the
+            object of it in parliament. He gave in at the same time a plan,
+            which he called <em>Thoughts on the Means of Abolishing the Slave
+               Trade in Great Britain and in our West Indian Islands</em>, for the
+            consideration of the committee.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At the last of these sittings, the committee thought it right
+            to make a report to the public relative to the state and progress
+            of their cause; but as this was composed from materials which
+            the reader has now in his possession, it may not be necessary to
+            produce it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 22nd and 29th of January, and on the 5th and 12th
+            of February, 1788, sittings were also held. During these, the
+            business still increasing, John Maitland, Esq., was elected a
+            member of the committee.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As the correspondents of the committee were now numerous,
+            and as these solicited publications for the use of those who applied
+            to them, as well as of those to whom they wished to give a knowledge
+            of the subject, the press was kept in constant employ during
+            this period also. Five thousand two hundred and fifty additional
+            <em>Reports</em> were ordered to be printed, and also three thousand of
+            FALCONBRIDGE'S <em>Account of the Slave Trade</em>, the manuscript of
+            which was now finished. At this time, Mr. Newton, rector of
+            St. Mary Woolnoth in London, who had been in his youth
+            to the coast of Africa, but who had now become a serious and
+            useful divine, felt it his duty to write his <em>Thoughts on the African
+               Slave Trade</em>. The committee, having obtained permission,
+            printed three thousand copies of these also.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            During these sittings, the chairman was requested to have
+            frequent communication with Dr. Porteus, bishop of London, as
+            he had expressed his desire of becoming useful to the institution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A circular letter also, with the report before mentioned, was
+            ordered to be sent to the majors of several corporate towns.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A case also occurred, which it may not be improper to notice.
+
+            The treasurer reported that he had been informed by the chairman,
+            that the captain of the Albion, merchant ship, trading to
+            the Bay of Honduras, had picked up at sea, from a Spanish ship,
+            which had been wrecked, two black men, one named Henry
+            Martin Burrowes, a free native of Antigua, who had served in
+            the royal navy, and the other named Antonio Berrat, a Spanish
+            negro; that the said captain detained these men on board his
+            ship, then lying in the river Thames, against their will; and that,
+            he would not give them up. Upon this report, it was resolved
+            that the cause of these unfortunate captives should be espoused
+            by the committee. Mr. Sharp accordingly caused a writ of
+            habeas-corpus to be served upon them; soon after which he had
+            the satisfaction of reporting, that they had been delivered from
+            the place of their confinement.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            During these sittings the following letters were read also:
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            One from Richard How, of Apsley, offering his services to
+            the committee.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from the Reverend Christopher Wyvill, of Burton
+            Hall, in Yorkshire, to the same effect.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from Archdeacon Plymley, (afterwards Corbett,) in
+            which he expressed the deep interest he took in this cause of
+            humanity and freedom, and the desire he had of making himself
+            useful as far as he could towards the support of it; and he wished
+            to know, as the Clergy of the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry
+            were anxious to espouse it also, whether a petition to parliament
+            from them, as a part of the Established Church, would not be
+            desirable at the present season.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from Archdeacon Paley, containing his sentiments
+            on a plan for the abolition of the Slave Trade, and the manumission
+            of slaves in our islands, and offering his future services,
+            and wishing success to the undertaking.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from Dr. Sharp, prebendary of Durham, inquiring
+            into the probable amount of the subscriptions which might be
+            wanted, and for what purposes, with a view of serving the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from Dr. Woodward, bishop of Cloyne, in which he
+            approved of the institution of the committee. He conceived the
+            Slave Trade to be no less disgraceful to the legislature and injurious
+
+            to the true commercial interests of the country, than it was
+            productive of unmerited misery to the unhappy objects of it, and
+            repugnant both to the principles and the spirit of the Christian
+            religion. He wished to be placed among the assertors of the
+            liberty of his fellow-creatures, and he was therefore desirous of
+            subscribing largely, as well as of doing all he could, both in England
+            and Ireland, for the promotion of such a charitable work.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A communication was made, soon after the reading of the
+            last letter, through the medium of the Chevalier de Ternant,
+            from the celebrated Marquis de la Fayette of France. The Marquis
+            signified the singular pleasure he had received on hearing of
+            the formation of a committee in England for the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade, and the earnest desire he had to promote the object
+            of it. With this view, he informed the committee that he should
+            attempt the formation of a similar society in France. This he
+            conceived to be one of the most effectual measures he could devise
+            for securing the object in question; for he was of opinion, that if
+            the two great nations of France and England were to unite in
+            this humane and Christian work, the other European nations
+            might be induced to follow the example.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee, on receiving the two latter communications,
+            resolved, that the chairman should return their thanks to the
+            Bishop of Cloyne, and the Marquis de la Fayette, and the Chevalier
+            de Ternant, and that he should inform them, that they were
+            enrolled among the honorary and corresponding members of the
+            society.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The other letters read during these sittings were to convey
+            information to the committee, that people in various parts of the
+            kingdom had then felt themselves so deeply interested in behalf
+            of the injured Africans, that they had determined either on public
+            meetings, or had come to resolutions, or had it in contemplation
+            to petition parliament, for the abolition of the Slave Trade. Information
+            was signified to this effect by Thomas Walker, Esquire,
+            for Manchester; by John Hoyland, William Hoyles, Esquire, and
+            the Reverend James Wilkinson, for Sheffield; by William Tuke,
+            and William Burgh, Esquire, for York; by the Reverend Mr.
+            Foster, for Colchester; by Joseph Harford and Edmund Griffith,
+
+            Esquires, for Bristol; by William Bishop, Esquire, the mayor, for
+            Maidstone; by the Reverend R. Brome and the Reverend J.
+            Wright, for Ipswich; by James Clarke, Esquire, the mayor, for
+            Coventry; by Mr. Jones, of Trinity College, for the University
+            of Cambridge; by Dr. Schomberg, of Magdalen College, for the
+            University of Oxford; by Henry Bullen, Esquire, for Bury St.
+            Edmunds; by Archdeacon Travis, for Chester; by Mr. Hammond,
+            for the county of Huntingdon; by John Flint, Esquire,
+            (afterwards Corbett,) for the town of Shrewsbury and county of
+            Salop; by the Reverend Robert Lucas, for the town and also for
+            the county of Northampton; by Mr. Winchester, for the county
+            of Stafford; by the Reverend William Leigh, for the county of
+            Norfolk; by David Barclay, for the county of Hertford; and by
+            Thomas Babington, Esquire, for the county of Leicester.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap22"></a>CHAPTER XXII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Further progress to the middle of May.&#8212;Petitions begin to be sent to
+         parliament.&#8212;The king orders the privy council to inquire into the Slave
+         Trade.&#8212;Author called up to town; his interviews with Mr. Pitt, and with
+         Mr.(afterwards Lord) Grenville.&#8212;Liverpool delegates examined first; these
+         prejudice the council; this prejudice at length counteracted.&#8212;Labours of
+         the committee in the interim.&#8212;Public anxious for the introduction of the
+         question into parliament.&#8212;Message of Mr. Pitt to the committee concerning
+         it.&#8212;Day fixed for the motion.&#8212;Substance of the debate which
+         followed.&#8212;Discussion of the general question deferred till the next sessions.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            By this time the nature of the Slave Trade had, in consequence
+            of the labours of the committee and of their several correspondents,
+            become generally known throughout the kingdom. It
+            had excited a general attention, and there was among the people
+            a general feeling in behalf of the wrongs of Africa. This feeling
+            had also, as may be collected from what has been already mentioned,
+            broken out into language: for not only had the traffic
+            become the general subject of conversation, but public meetings
+            had taken place, in which it had been discussed, and of which the
+            result was, that an application to parliament had been resolved
+            upon in many places concerning it. By the middle of February
+            not fewer than thirty-five petitions had been delivered to the
+            Commons, and it was known that others were on their way to the
+            same house.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This ferment in the public mind, which had shown itself in
+            the public prints even before the petitions had been resolved upon,
+            had excited the attention of government. To coincide with the
+            wishes of the people on this subject, appeared to those in authority
+            to be a desirable thing. To abolish the trade, replete as it
+            was with misery, was desirable also; but it was so connected
+            with the interest of individuals, and so interwoven with the commerce
+            and revenue of the country, that a hasty abolition of it
+            without a previous inquiry appeared to them to be likely to be
+            productive of as much misery as good. The king, therefore, by
+            an order of council dated February the eleventh, 1788, directed
+
+            that a committee of Privy Council should sit as a board of trade,
+            "to take into their consideration the present state of the African
+            Trade, particularly as far as related to the practice and manner of
+            purchasing or obtaining slaves on the coast of Africa, and the importation
+            and sale thereof, either in the British colonies and
+            settlements, or in the foreign colonies and settlements in America
+            or the West-Indies; and also as far as related to the effects and
+            consequences of the trade both in Africa and in the said colonies
+            and settlements, and to the general commerce of this kingdom;
+            and that they should report to him in council the result of their
+            inquiries, with such observations as they might have to offer
+            thereupon."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of this order of council Mr. Wilberforce, who had attended
+            to this great subject, as far as his health would permit, since I left
+            him, had received notice; but he was then too ill himself to take
+            any measures concerning it. He therefore wrote to me, and
+            begged of me to repair to London immediately, in order to get
+            such evidence ready as we might think it eligible to introduce
+            when the council sat. At that time, as appears from the former
+            chapter, I had finished the additions to my <em>Essay on the Slavery
+               and Commerce of the Human Species</em>, and I had now proceeded
+            about half way in that of the Impolicy of it. This summons,
+            however, I obeyed, and returned to town on the fourteenth of
+            February, from which day to the twenty-fourth of May I shall
+            now give the history of our proceedings.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            My first business in London was to hold a conversation with
+            Mr. Pitt previously to the meeting of the council, and to try to
+            interest him, as the first minister of state, in our favour. For
+            this purpose Mr. Wilberforce had opened the way for me, and an
+            interview took place. We were in free conversation together for
+            a considerable time, during which we went through most of the
+            branches of the subject. Mr. Pitt appeared to me to have
+            but little knowledge of it. He had also his doubts, which he
+            expressed openly, on many points. He was at a loss to conceive
+            how private interest should not always restrain the master of the
+            slave from abusing him. This matter I explained to him as well
+            as I could; and if he was not entirely satisfied with my interpretation
+
+            of it, he was at least induced to believe that cruel
+            practices were more probable than he had imagined. A second
+            circumstance, of the truth of which he doubted, was the mortality
+            and usage of seamen in this trade; and a third was the statement
+            by which so much had been made of the riches of Africa, and of
+            the genius and abilities of her people; for he seemed at a loss to
+            comprehend, if these things were so, how it happened that they
+            should not have been more generally noticed before. I promised
+            to satisfy him upon these points, and an interview was fixed for
+            this purpose the next day.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At the time appointed, I went with my books, papers, and
+            African productions. Mr. Pitt examined the former himself.
+            He turned over leaf after leaf, in which the copies of the muster-rolls
+            were contained, with great patience; and when he had
+            looked over above a hundred pages accurately, and found the
+            name of every seaman inserted, his former abode or service, the
+            time of his entry, and what had become of him, either by death,
+            discharge, or desertion, he expressed his surprise at the great
+            pains which had been taken in this branch of the inquiry; and
+            confessed, with some emotion, that his doubts were wholly
+            removed with respect to the destructive nature of this employ;
+            and he said, moreover, that the facts contained in these documents,
+            if they had been but fairly copied, could never be disproved.
+            He was equally astonished at the various woods and
+            other productions of Africa, but most of all at the manufactures
+            of the natives in cotton, leather, gold, and iron, which were laid
+            before him. These he handled and examined over and over
+            again. Many sublime thoughts seemed to rush in upon him at
+            once at the sight of these, some of which he expressed with
+            observations becoming a great and a dignified mind. He thanked
+            me for the light I had given him on many of the branches of this
+            great question. And I went away under a certain conviction
+            that I had left him much impressed in our favour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            My next visit was to Mr. (afterwards Lord) Grenville. I
+            called upon him at the request of Mr. Wilberforce, who had previously
+            written to him from Bath, as he had promised to attend
+            the meetings of the privy council during the examinations which
+
+            were to take place. I found, in the course of our conversation,
+            that Mr. Grenville had not then more knowledge of the subject
+            than Mr. Pitt; but I found him differently circumstanced in
+            other respects, for I perceived in him a warm feeling in behalf of
+            the injured Africans, and that he had no doubt of the possibility
+            of all the barbarities which had been alleged against this traffic.
+            I showed him all my papers and some of my natural productions,
+            which he examined. I was with him the next day, and once
+            again afterwards, so that the subject was considered in all its
+            parts. The effect of this interview with him was of course different
+            from that upon the minister. In the former case I had
+            removed doubts, and given birth to an interest in favour of our
+            cause. But I had here only increased an interest, which had
+            already been excited, I had only enlarged the mass of feeling,
+            or added zeal to zeal, or confirmed resolutions and reasonings.
+            Disposed in this manner originally himself, and strengthened
+            by the documents with which I had furnished him, Mr. Grenville
+            contracted an enmity to the Slave Trade, which was never afterwards
+            diminished<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXII_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXII_1"></a>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXII_1"></a><a href="#FootXXII_1">A</a>: I have not mentioned the difference
+            between these two eminent persons, with a view of drawing any invidious
+            comparisons, but because, as these statements
+            are true, such persons as have a high opinion of the late Mr. Pitt's
+            judgment, may see that this great man did not espouse the cause hastily, or
+            merely as a matter of feeling, but upon the conviction of his own
+            mind.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A report having gone abroad that the committee of privy
+            council would only examine those who were interested in the
+            continuance of the trade, I found it necessary to call upon Mr. Pitt
+            again, and to inform him of it, when I received an assurance
+            that every person whom I chose to send to the council in behalf
+            of the committee should be heard. This gave rise to a conversation
+            relative to those witnesses whom we had to produce on the
+            side of the abolition. And here I was obliged to disclose our
+            weakness in this respect. I owned with sorrow that, though I
+            had obtained specimens and official documents in abundance to
+            prove many important points, yet I had found it difficult to prevail
+            upon persons to be publicly examined on this subject. The
+            only persons we could then count upon, were Mr. Ramsay, Mr.
+
+            H. Gandy, Mr. Falconbridge, Mr. Newton, and the Dean of
+            Middleham. There was one, however, who would be a host of
+            himself, if we could but gain him. I then mentioned Mr. Norris.
+            I told Mr. Pitt the nature<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXII_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXII_2"></a> and value of the testimony which he
+            had given me at Liverpool, and the great zeal he had discovered
+            to serve the cause. I doubted, however, if he would come to
+            London for this purpose, even if I wrote to him; for he was
+            intimate with almost all the owners of slave-vessels in Liverpool,
+            and, living among these, he would not like to incur their resentment
+            by taking a prominent part against them. I therefore
+            entreated Mr. Pitt to send him a summons of council to attend,
+            hoping that Mr. Norris would then be pleased to come up, as he
+            would be enabled to reply to his friends that his appearance had
+            not been voluntary. Mr. Pitt, however, informed me, that a
+            summons from a committee of privy council, sitting as a board,
+            was not binding upon the subject; and therefore that I had no
+            other means left, but of writing to him, and he desired me to do
+            this by the first post.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXII_2"></a><a href="#FootXXII_2">A</a>: See his evidence,
+            <a href="#chap17" >Chap. XVII</a>.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This letter I accordingly wrote, and sent it to my friend
+            William Rathbone, who was to deliver it in person, and to use
+            his own influence at the same time; but I received for answer,
+            that Mr. Norris was then in London. Upon this I tried to find
+            him out, to entreat him to consent to an examination before the
+            council. At length I found his address; but before I could see
+            him, I was told by the Bishop of London that he had come up
+            as a Liverpool delegate in support of the Slave Trade. Astonished
+            at this information, I made the bishop acquainted with
+            the case, and asked him how it became me to act; for I was
+            fearful lest, by exposing Mr. Norris, I should violate the rights
+            of hospitality on the one hand, and by not exposing him that I
+            should not do my duty to the cause I had undertaken on the
+            other. His advice was, that I should see him, and ask him to
+            explain the reasons of his conduct. I called upon him for this
+            purpose, but he was out. He sent me, however, a letter soon
+            afterwards, which was full of flattery; and in which, after having
+            paid high compliments to the general force of my arguments, and
+
+            the general justice and humanity of my sentiments on this great
+            question, which had made a deep impression upon his mind, he
+            had found occasion to differ from me, since we had last parted, on
+            particular points, and that he had therefore less reluctantly yielded
+            to the call of becoming a delegate,&#8212;though notwithstanding he
+            would gladly have declined the office if he could have done it
+            with propriety.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length the council began their examinations. Mr. Norris,
+            Lieutenant Matthews, of the navy, who had just left a slave
+            employ in Africa, and Mr. James Penny, formerly a slave captain,
+            and then interested as a merchant in the trade, (which three
+            were the delegates from Liverpool,) took possession of the ground
+            first. Mr. Miles, Mr. Weuves, and others, followed them on the
+            same side. The evidence which they gave, as previously concerted
+            between themselves, may be shortly represented thus:&#8212;They
+            denied that kidnapping either did or could take place in
+            Africa, or that wars were made there for the purpose of procuring
+            slaves. Having done away these wicked practices from their
+            system, they maintained positions which were less exceptionable,
+            as that the natives of Africa generally became slaves in consequence
+            of having been made prisoners in just wars, or in consequence
+            of their various crimes. They then gave a melancholy
+            picture of the despotism and barbarity of some of the African
+            princes, among whom the custom of sacrificing their own subjects
+            prevailed. But, of all others, that which was afforded by Mr.
+            Norris on this ground was the most frightful. The King of
+            Dahomey, he said, sported with the lives of his people in the
+            most wanton manner. He had seen at the gates of his palace
+            two piles of heads, like those of shot in an arsenal. Within the
+            palace, the heads of persons, newly put to death, were strewed at
+            the distance of a few yards in the passage, which led to his
+            apartment. This custom of human sacrifice by the King of Dahomey
+            was not on one occasion only, but on many; such as on the
+            reception of messengers from neighbouring states, or of white
+            merchants, or on days of ceremonial. But the great carnage was
+            once a year, when the poll-tax was paid by his subjects. A thousand
+            persons, at least, were sacrificed annually on these different
+
+            occasions. The great men, too, of the country, cut off a few
+            heads on festival-days. From all these particulars the humanity
+            of the Slave Trade was inferred, because it took away the inhabitants
+            of Africa into lands where no such barbarities were known.
+            But the humanity of it was insisted upon by positive circumstances
+            also; namely, that a great number of the slaves were prisoners
+            of war, and that in former times all such were put to
+            death, whereas now they were saved: so that there was a great
+            accession of happiness to Africa since the introduction of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These statements, and those of others on the same side of the
+            question, had a great effect, as may easily be conceived, upon the
+            feelings of those of the council who were present. Some of them
+            began immediately to be prejudiced against us. There were
+            others who even thought that it was almost unnecessary to proceed
+            in the inquiry, for that the trade was actually a blessing.
+            They had little doubt that all our assertions concerning it would
+            be found false. The Bishop of London himself was so impressed
+            by these unexpected accounts, that he asked me if Falconbridge,
+            whose pamphlet had been previously sent by the committee to
+            every member of the council, was worthy of belief, and if he
+            would substantiate publicly what he had thus written: but these
+            impressions unfortunately were not confined to those who had
+            been present at the examinations. These could not help communicating
+            them to others. Hence, in all the higher circles
+            (some of which I sometimes used to frequent) I had the mortification
+            to hear of nothing but the Liverpool evidence, and of our
+            own credulity, and of the impositions which had been practised
+            upon us: of these reports the planters and merchants did not fail
+            to avail themselves. They boasted that they would soon do away
+            all the idle tales which had been invented against them. They
+            desired the public only to suspend their judgment till the privy
+            council report should be out, when they would see the folly and
+            wickedness of all our allegations. A little more evidence, and all
+            would be over. On the 22nd of March, though the committee
+            council had not then held its sittings more than a month, and
+            these only twice or thrice a week, the following paragraph was
+            seen in a morning paper:&#8212;"The report of the committee of
+
+            privy council will be ready in a few days. After due examination
+            it appears that the major part of the complaints against this trade
+            are ill-founded. Some regulations, however, are expected to take
+            place, which may serve in a certain degree to appease the cause of
+            humanity."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But while they, who were interested, had produced this outcry
+            against us, in consequence of what had fallen from their own
+            witnesses in the course of their examinations, they had increased
+            it considerably by the industrious circulation of a most artful
+            pamphlet among persons of rank and fortune at the west end of
+            the metropolis, which was called, <em>Scriptural Researches on the
+               Licitness of the Slave Trade</em>. This they had procured to be
+            written by R. Harris, who was then clerk in a slave-house in
+            Liverpool, but had been formerly a clergyman and a Jesuit. As
+            they had maintained in the first instance, as has been already
+            shown, the humanity of the traffic, so, by means of this pamphlet
+            they asserted its consistency with revealed religion. That
+            such a book should have made converts in such an age is surprising;
+            and yet many, who ought to have known better, were
+            carried away by it; and we had now absolutely to contend, and
+            almost degrade ourselves by doing so, against the double argument
+            of the humanity and the holiness of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By these means, but particularly by the former, the current of
+            opinion in particular circles ran against us for the first month,
+            and so strong, that it was impossible for us to stem it at once;
+            but as some of the council recovered from their panic, and their
+            good sense became less biassed by their feelings, and they were
+            in a state to hear reason, their prejudices began to subside. It
+            began now to be understood among them, that almost all the
+            witnesses were concerned in the continuance of the trade. It
+            began to be known also, (for Mr. Pitt and the Bishop of London
+            took care that it should be circulated,) that Mr. Norris had but
+            a short time before furnished me at Liverpool with information,
+            all of which he had concealed<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXII_3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXII_3"></a> from the council, but all of which
+
+            made for the abolition of it. Mr. Devaynes also, a respectable
+            member of parliament, who had been in Africa, and who had
+            been appealed to by Mr. Norris, when examined before the privy
+            council, in behalf of his extraordinary facts, was unable, when
+            summoned, to confirm them to the desired extent. From this
+            evidence the council collected, that human sacrifices were not
+            made on the arrival of White traders, as had been asserted; that
+            there was no poll-tax in Dahomey at all; and that Mr. Norris
+            must have been mistaken on these points, for he must have been
+            there at the time of the ceremony of watering the graves, when
+            about sixty persons suffered. This latter custom moreover appeared
+            to have been a religious superstition of the country, such
+            as at Otaheite, or in Britain in the time of the Druids, and to
+            have had nothing to do with the Slave
+            Trade<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXII_4"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="FootXXII_4"></a>. With respect to
+            prisoners of war, Mr. Devaynes allowed that the old, the lame,
+            and the wounded, were often put to death on the spot; but this
+            was to save the trouble of bringing them away. The young and
+            the healthy were driven off for sale; but if they were not sold when
+            offered, they were not killed, but reserved for another market, or
+            became house-slaves to the conquerors. Mr. Devaynes also maintained,
+            contrary to the allegations of the others, that a great
+            number of persons were kidnapped in order to be sold to the
+            ships; and that the government, where this happened, was not
+            strong enough to prevent it. But besides these drawbacks from
+            the weight of the testimony which had been given, it began to be
+            perceived by some of the lords of the council, that the cruel
+            superstitions which had been described, obtained only in one or
+            two countries in Africa, and these of insignificant extent; whereas
+            at the time, when their minds were carried away, as it were by
+            their feelings, they had supposed them to attach to the whole of
+            that vast continent. They perceived also, that there were circumstances
+            related in the evidence by the delegates themselves,
+            by means of which, if they were true, the inhumanity of the
+            trade might be established, and this to their own disgrace. They
+
+            had all confessed that such slaves, as the White traders refused to
+            buy, were put to death; and yet that these traders, knowing that
+            this would be the case, had the barbarity uniformly to reject those
+            whom it did not suit them to purchase. Mr. Matthews had
+            rejected one of this description himself, whom he saw afterwards
+            destroyed. Mr. Penny had known the refuse thrown down
+            Melimba rock. Mr. Norris himself, when certain prisoners of
+            war were offered to him for sale, declined buying them because
+            they appeared unhealthy; and though the king then told him
+            that he would put them to death, he could not be prevailed upon
+            to take them but left them to their hard fate; and he had the
+            boldness to state afterwards, that it was his belief that many of
+            them actually suffered.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXII_3"></a><a href="#FootXXII_3">A</a>: This was also
+            the case with another witness,
+            Mr. Weuves. He had given me accounts, before any stir was made
+            about the Slave Trade, relative to it, all of which he kept back
+            when he was examined there.
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXII_4"></a><a href="#FootXXII_4">B</a>: Being a religion custom, it would still
+            have gone on, though the Slave Trade had been abolished: nor could the
+            merchants at any time have bought off a single victim.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These considerations had the effect of diminishing the prejudices
+            of some of the council on this great question: and when
+            this was perceived to be the case, it was the opinion of Mr. Pitt,
+            Mr. Grenville, and the Bishop of London, that we should send
+            three or four of our own evidences for examination, who might
+            help to restore matters to an equilibrium. Accordingly, Mr.
+            Falconbridge, and some others, all of whom were to speak to the
+            African part of the subject, were introduced. These produced a
+            certain weight in the opposite scale. But soon after these had
+            been examined, Dr. Andrew Spaarman, professor of physic, and
+            inspector of the museum of the royal academy at Stockholm,
+            and his companion, C.B. Wadstrom, chief director of the assay-office
+            there, arrived in England. These gentlemen had been
+            lately sent to Africa by the late king of Sweden, to make discoveries
+            in botany, mineralogy, and other departments of science.
+            For this purpose the Swedish ambassador at Paris had procured
+            them permission from the French government to visit the countries
+            bordering on the Senegal, and had insured them protection
+            there. They had been conveyed to the place of their destination,
+            where they had remained from August 1787, to the end of
+            January 1788; but meeting with obstacles which they had not
+            foreseen, they had left it, and had returned to Havre de Grace,
+            from whence they had just arrived in London, on their way home.
+            It so happened, that by means of George Harrison, one of our
+
+            committee, I fell in unexpectedly with these gentlemen. I had
+            not long been with them, before I perceived the great treasure
+            I had found. They gave me many beautiful specimens of African
+            produce. They showed me their journals, which they had regularly
+            kept from day to day. In these I had the pleasure of seeing
+            a number of circumstances minuted down, all relating to the
+            Slave Trade, and even drawings on the same subject. I obtained
+            a more accurate and satisfactory knowledge of the manners and
+            customs of the Africans from these, than from all the persons put
+            together whom I had yet seen. I was anxious, therefore, to take
+            them before the committee of council, to which they were pleased
+            to consent; and as Dr. Spaarman was to leave London in a few
+            days, I procured him an introduction first. His evidence went
+            to show, that the natives of Africa lived in a fruitful and
+            luxuriant country, which supplied all their wants, and that they
+            would be a happy people, if it were not for the existence of the
+            Slave Trade. He instanced wars which he knew to have been
+            made by the Moors upon the Negroes, (for they were entered
+            upon wholly at the instigation of the White traders,) for the
+            purpose of getting slaves, and he had the pain of seeing the
+            unhappy captives brought in on such occasions, and some of them
+            in a wounded state. Among them, were many women and
+            children, and the women were in great affliction. He saw also
+            the king of Barbesin send out his parties on expeditions of
+            a similar kind, and he saw them return with slaves. The king
+            had been made intoxicated on purpose, by the French agents, or
+            he would never have consented to the measure. He stated also,
+            that in consequence of the temptations held out by slave-vessels
+            coming upon the coast, the natives seized one another in the
+            night, when they found opportunity; and even invited others to
+            their houses, whom they treacherously detained, and sold at these
+            times; so that every enormity was practised in Africa, in consequence
+            of the existence of the trade. These specific instances
+            made a proper impression upon the lords of the council in their
+            turn; for Dr. Spaarman was a man of high character; he
+            possessed the confidence of his sovereign; he had no interest
+            whatever in giving his evidence on this subject, either on one or
+
+            the other side; his means of information too had been large; he
+            had also recorded the facts which had come before him, and he
+            had his journal, written in the French language, to produce.
+            The tide, therefore, which had run so strongly against us, began
+            now to turn a little in our favour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While these examinations were going on, petitions continued
+            to be sent to the House of Commons, from various parts of the
+            kingdom. No less than one hundred and three were presented
+            in this session. The city of London, though she was drawn the
+            other way by the cries of commercial interest, made a sacrifice to
+            humanity and justice: the two universities applauded her conduct
+            by their own example. Large manufacturing towns, and whole
+            counties, expressed their sentiments and wishes in a similar
+            manner. The Established Church in separate dioceses, and the
+            Quakers and other dissenters, as separate religious bodies, joined
+            in one voice upon this occasion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee, in the interim, were not unmindful of the
+            great work they had undertaken, and they continued to forward
+            it in its different departments. They kept up a communication
+            by letter with most of the worthy persons, who have been
+            mentioned to have written to them, but particularly with Brissot
+            and Claviere; from whom they had the satisfaction of learning,
+            that a society had at length been established at Paris, for the
+            abolition of the Slave Trade in France. The learned Marquis de
+            Condorcet had become the president of it. The virtuous Duc de
+            la Rochefoucauld and the Marquis de la Fayette had sanctioned
+            it by enrolling their names as the two first members. Petion,
+            who was placed afterwards among the mayors of Paris, followed.
+            Women also were not thought unworthy of being honorary and
+            assistant members of this humane institution; and among these
+            were found the amiable Marchioness of la Fayette, Madame de
+            Poivre, widow of the late intendant of the Isle of France, and
+            Madame Necker, wife of the first minister of state.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The new correspondents, who voluntarily offered their services
+            to the committee, during the first part of the period now under
+            consideration, were S. Whitcomb, Esq., of Gloucester; the Rev.
+            D. Watson, of Middleton Tyas, Yorkshire; John Murlin, Esq.,
+
+            of High Wycomb; Charles Collins, Esq., of Swansea; Henry
+            Tudor, Esq., of Sheffield; the Rev. John Hare, of Lincoln;
+            Samuel Tooker, Esq., of Moorgate, near Rotherham; the Rev.
+            G. Walker, and Francis Wakefield, Esq., of Nottingham; the
+            Rev. Mr. Hepworth, of Burton-upon-Trent; the Rev. H.
+            Dannett, of St. John's, Liverpool; the Rev. Dr. Oglander, of
+            New College, Oxford; the Rev. H. Coulthurst, of Sidney
+            College, Cambridge; R. Selfe, Esq., of Cirencester; Morris
+            Birkbeck, of Hanford, Dorsetshire; William Jepson, of Lancaster;
+            B. Kaye, of Leeds: John Patison, Esq., of Paisley;
+            J.E. Dolben, Esq., of Northamptonshire; the Rev. Mr. Smith,
+            of Wendover; John Wilkinson, Esq., of Woodford; Samuel
+            Milford, Esq., of Exeter; Peter Lunel, Esq., treasurer of the
+            committee at Bristol; James Pemberton, of Philadelphia; and
+            the president of the Society at New York.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The letters from new correspondents during the latter part of
+            this period, were the following:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            One from Alexander Alison, Esq., of Edinburgh, in which
+            he expressed it to be his duty to attempt to awaken the inhabitants
+            of Scotland to a knowledge of the monstrous evil of the
+            Slave Trade, and to form a committee there, to act in union with
+            that of London, in carrying the great object of their institution
+            into effect.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from Elhanan Winchester, offering the committee
+            one hundred of his sermons, which he had preached against the
+            Slave Trade, in Fairfax county, in Virginia, so early as in the
+            year 1774.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from Dr. Frossard, of Lyons, in which he offered
+            his services for the South of France, and desired different publications
+            to be sent him, that he might be better qualified to take
+            a part in the promotion of the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from Professor Bruns, of Helmstadt, in Germany, in
+            which he desired to know the particulars relative to the institution
+            of the committee, as many thousands upon the continent
+            were then beginning to feel for the sufferings of the oppressed
+            African race.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from Rev. James Manning, of Exeter, in which
+
+            he stated himself to be authorized by the dissenting ministers of
+            Devon and Cornwall, to express their high approbation of the
+            conduct of the committee, and to offer their services in the
+            promotion of this great work of humanity and religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from William Senhouse, Esq., of the island of
+            Barbados. In this he gave the particulars of two estates, one of
+            them his own, and the other belonging to a nobleman, upon each
+            of which the slaves, in consequence of humane treatment, had
+            increased by natural population only. Another effect of this
+            humane treatment had been, that these slaves were among the
+            most orderly and tractable in that island. From these and other
+            instances he argued, that if the planters would, all of them, take
+            proper care of their slaves, their humanity would be repaid in a
+            few years, by a valuable increase in their property, and they
+            would never want supplies from a traffic, which had been so
+            justly condemned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Two others, the one from Travers Hartley, and the other
+            from Alexander Jaffray, Esqrs., both of Dublin, were read.
+            These gentlemen sent certain resolutions, which had been agreed
+            upon by the chamber of commerce and by the guild of merchants
+            there, relative to the abolition of the Slave Trade. They rejoiced,
+            in the name of those whom they represented, that Ireland had
+            been unspotted by a traffic, which they held in such deep abhorrence;
+            and promised, if it should be abolished in England, to take
+            the post active measures to prevent it from finding an asylum in
+            the ports of that kingdom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The letters of William Senhouse, and of Travers Hartley,
+            and of Alexander Jaffray, Esqrs., were ordered to be presented to
+            the committee of privy council, and copies of them to be left
+            there.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The business of the committee having almost daily increased
+            within this period, Dr. Baker and Bennet Langton, Esq., who
+            were the two first to assist me in my early labours, and who have
+            been mentioned among the forerunners and coadjutors of the
+            cause, were elected members of it. Dr. Kippis also was added
+            to the list.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The honorary and corresponding members, elected within the
+
+            same period, were the Dean of Middleham; T.W. Coke, Esq.,
+            member of parliament, of Holkham, in Norfolk; and the Rev.
+            William Leigh, who has been before mentioned, of Little
+            Plumstead, in the same county. The latter had published several
+            valuable letters in the public papers, under the signature of
+            Africanus: these had excited great notice, and done much good.
+            The worthy author had now collected them into a publication,
+            and had offered the profits of it to the committee. Hence this
+            mark of their respect was conferred upon him.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee ordered a new edition of three thousand of the
+            Dean of Middleham's Letters to be printed. Having approved of
+            a manuscript, written by James Field Stanfield, a mariner,
+            containing observations upon a voyage which he had lately made
+            to the coast of Africa for slaves, they ordered three thousand of
+            these to be printed also. By this time, the subject having been
+            much talked of, and many doubts and difficulties having been
+            thrown in the way of the abolition, by persons interested in the
+            continuance of the trade, Mr. Ramsay, who has been often so
+            honourably mentioned, put down upon paper all the objections
+            which were then handed about, and also those answers to each,
+            which he was qualified, from his superior knowledge of the subject,
+            to suggest. This he did, that the members of the legislature
+            might see the more intricate parts of the question unravelled, and
+            that they might not be imposed upon by the spurious arguments
+            which were then in circulation concerning it. Observing also
+            the poisonous effect which <em>The Scriptural Researches on the
+               Licitness of the Slave Trade</em> had produced upon the minds of
+            many, he wrote an answer on scriptural grounds to that pamphlet.
+            These works were sent to the press, and three thousand copies of
+            each of them were ordered to be struck off.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee, in their arrangement of the distribution of
+            their books, ordered NEWTON'S <em>Thoughts</em>, and RAMSAY'S <em>Objections
+               and Answers</em>, to be sent to each member of both houses of parliament.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They appointed also three sub-committees for different purposes:
+            one to draw up such facts and arguments respecting the
+            Slave Trade, with a view of being translated into other languages,
+
+            as should give foreigners a suitable knowledge of the subject;
+            another to prepare an answer to certain false reports which had
+            been spread relative to the object of their institution, and to
+            procure an insertion of it in the daily papers; and a third to draw
+            up rules for the government of the society.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By the latter end of the month of March, there was an
+            anxious expectation in the public, notwithstanding the privy
+            council had taken up the subject, that some notice should be
+            taken, in the lower house of parliament, of the numerous petitions
+            which had been presented there. There was the same expectation
+            in many of the members of it themselves. Lord Penrhyn, one
+            of the representatives for Liverpool, and a planter also, had anticipated
+            this notice, by moving for such papers relative to ships
+            employed, goods exported, produce imported, and duties upon the
+            same, as would show the vast value of the trade, which it was in
+            contemplation to abolish. But at this time Mr. Wilberforce was
+            ill, and unable to gratify the expectations which had been thus
+            apparent. The committee, therefore, who partook of the anxiety
+            of the public, knew not what to do. They saw that two-thirds
+            of the session had already passed. They saw no hope of Mr.
+            Wilberforce's recovery for some time. Rumours too were afloat,
+            that other members, of whose plans they knew nothing, and who
+            might even make emancipation their object, would introduce the
+            business into the house. Thus situated, they waited, as patiently
+            as they could, till the 8th of
+            April<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXII_5"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXII_5"></a>, when they resolved to write
+            to Mr. Wilberforce, to explain to him their fears and wishes, and
+            to submit it to his consideration, whether, if he were unable
+            himself, he would appoint some one in whom he could confide, to
+            make some motion in parliament on the subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXII_5"></a><a href="#FootXXII_5">A</a>: Brissot attended in person at this
+            committee in his way to America, which it was then an object with
+            him to visit.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the public expectation became now daily more visible.
+            The inhabitants of Manchester, many of whom had signed the
+            petition for that place, became impatient, and they appointed
+            Thomas Walker and Thomas Cooper, Esquires, as their delegates,
+            to proceed to London to communicate with the committee on this
+            subject, to assist them in their deliberations upon it, and to
+
+            give their attendance while it was under discussion by the legislature.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At the time of the arrival of the delegates, who were received
+            as such by the committee, a letter came from Bath, in which it
+            was stated that Mr. Wilberforce's health was in such a precarious
+            state, that his physicians dared not allow him to read any letter
+            which related to the subject of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee were now again at a loss how to act, when
+            they were relieved from this doubtful situation by a message from
+            Mr. Pitt, who desired a conference with their chairman. Mr.
+            Sharp accordingly went, and on his return made the following
+            report: "He had a full opportunity," he said, "of explaining to
+            Mr. Pitt that the desire of the committee went to the entire
+            abolition of the Slave Trade. Mr. Pitt assured him that his
+            heart was with the committee as to this object, and that he
+            considered himself pledged to Mr. Wilberforce, that the cause
+            should not sustain any injury from his indisposition; but at the
+            same time observed, that the subject was of great political
+            importance, and it was requisite to proceed in it with temper and
+            prudence. He did not apprehend, as the examinations before the
+            privy council would yet take up some time, that the subject
+            could be fully investigated in the present session of parliament;
+            but said he would consider whether the forms of the house would
+            admit of any measures that would be obligatory on them to take
+            it up early in the ensuing session."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In about a week after this conference, Mr. Morton Pitt was
+            deputed by the minister to write to the committee, to say that
+            he had found precedents for such a motion as he conceived to be
+            proper, and that he would submit it to the House of Commons in
+            a few days.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At the next meeting, which was on the 6th of May, and at
+            which Major Cartwright and the Manchester delegates assisted,
+            Mr. Morton Pitt attended as a member of the committee, and
+            said that the minister had fixed his motion for the 9th. It was
+            then resolved, that deputations should be sent to some of the
+            leading members of parliament, to request their support of the
+            approaching motion. I was included in one of these, and in that
+
+            which was to wait upon Mr. Fox. We were received by him in
+            a friendly manner. On putting the question to him, which
+            related to the object of our mission, Mr. Fox paused for a little
+            while, as if in the act of deliberation; when he assured us unequivocally,
+            and in language which could not be misunderstood,
+            that he would support the object of the committee to its fullest
+            extent, being convinced that there was no remedy for the evil, but
+            in the total abolition of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length, the 9th, or the day fixed upon, arrived, when this
+            important subject was to be mentioned in the House of Commons
+            for the first time<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXII_6"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXII_6"></a>, with a view to the public
+            discussion of it. It is impossible for me to give, within the narrow limits
+            of this work, all that was then said upon it; and yet as the debate
+            which ensued was the first which took place upon it, I should
+            feel inexcusable if I were not to take some notice of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXII_6"></a><a href="#FootXXII_6">A</a>: David Hartley made a
+            motion some years before in the same
+            house, as has been shown in a former part of this work; but this was only
+            to establish a proposition, That the Slave Trade was contrary to the Laws
+            of God and the Rights of Man.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Pitt rose. He said he intended to move a resolution
+            relative to a subject which was of more importance than any
+            which had ever been agitated in that house. This honour he
+            should not have had, but for a circumstance which he could not
+            but deeply regret, the severe indisposition of his friend Mr. Wilberforce,
+            in whose hands every measure which belonged to justice,
+            humanity, and the national interest, was peculiarly well placed.
+            The subject in question was no less than that of the Slave Trade.
+            It was obvious from the great number of petitions which had
+            been presented concerning it, how much it had engaged the
+            public attention, and consequently how much it deserved the
+            serious notice of that house, and how much it became their duty
+            to take some measure concerning it. But whatever was done on
+            such a subject, every one would agree, ought to be done with
+            the maturest deliberation. Two opinions had prevailed without
+            doors, as appeared from the language of the different petitions.
+            It had been pretty generally thought that the African Slave
+            Trade ought to be abolished. There were others, however, who
+
+            thought that it only stood in need of regulations. But all had
+            agreed that it ought not to remain as it stood at present. But
+            that measure which it might be the most proper to take, could
+            only be discovered by a cool, patient, and diligent examination of
+            the subject in all its circumstances, relations, and consequences.
+            This had induced him to form an opinion that the present was
+            not the proper time for discussing it; for the session was now far
+            advanced, and there was also a want of proper materials for the
+            full information of the house. It would, he thought, be better
+            discussed, when it might produce some useful debate, and when
+            that inquiry which had been instituted by His Majesty's Ministers,
+            (he meant the examination by a committee of privy council,)
+            should be brought to such a state of maturity as to make it fit
+            that the result of it should be laid before the house. That
+            inquiry, he trusted, would facilitate their investigation, and
+            enable them the better to proceed to a decision which should be
+            equally founded on principles of humanity, justice, and sound
+            policy. As there was not a probability of reaching so desirable
+            an end in the present state of the business, he meant to move a
+            resolution to pledge the house to the discussion of the question
+            early in the next  session. If by that time his honourable friend
+            should be recovered, which he hoped would be the case, then he
+            (Mr. Wilberforce) would take the lead in it; but should it
+            unfortunately happen otherwise, then he (the Chancellor of the
+            Exchequer) pledged himself to bring forward some proposition
+            concerning it. The house, however, would observe, that he had
+            studiously avoided giving any opinion of his own on this great
+            subject. He thought it wiser to defer this till the time of the
+            discussion should arrive. He concluded with moving, after having
+            read the names of the places from whence the different petitions
+            had come, "That this house will, early in the next session of
+            parliament, proceed to take into consideration the circumstances
+            of the Slave Trade complained of in the said petitions, and what
+            may be fit to be done thereupon."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Fox began by observing, that he had long taken an interest
+            in this great subject, which he had also minutely examined,
+            and that it was his intention to have brought something forward
+
+            himself in parliament respecting it; but when he heard that
+            Mr. Wilberforce had resolved to take it up, he was unaffectedly
+            rejoiced, not only knowing the purity of his principles and character,
+            but because, from a variety of considerations as to the
+            situations in which different men stood in the house, there was
+            something that made him honestly think it was better that the
+            business should be in the hands of that gentleman than in his
+            own. Having premised this, he said that, as so many petitions,
+            and these signed by such numbers of persons of the most respectable
+            character, had been presented, he was sorry that it had been
+            found impossible that the subject of them could be taken up this
+            year, and more particularly as he was not able to see, as the
+            Chancellor of the Exchequer had done, that there were circumstances,
+            which might happen by the next year, which would
+            make it more advisable and advantageous to take it up then, than
+            it would have been to enter upon it in the present session. For
+            certainly there could be no information laid before the house,
+            through the medium of the lords of the council, which could not
+            more advantageously have been obtained by themselves, had they
+            instituted a similar inquiry. It was their duty to advise the king,
+            and not to ask his advice. This the constitution had laid down
+            as one of its most essential principles; and though in the present
+            instance he saw no cause for blame, because he was persuaded His
+            Majesty's Ministers had not acted with any ill intention, it was still
+            a principle never to be departed from, because it never could be
+            departed from without establishing a precedent which might lead
+            to very serious abuses. He lamented that the privy council, who
+            had received no petitions from the people on the subject, should
+            have instituted an inquiry, and that the House of Commons, the
+            table of which had been loaded with petitions from various parts of
+            the kingdom, should not have instituted any inquiry at all. He
+            hoped these petitions would have a fair discussion in that house,
+            independently of any information that could be given to it by His
+            Majesty's Ministers. He urged again the superior advantage of an
+            inquiry into such a subject carried on within those walls over any
+            inquiry carried on by the lords of the council. In inquiries carried
+            on in that house, they had the benefit of every circumstance of publicity;
+
+            which was a most material benefit indeed, and that which
+            of all others made the manner of conducting the parliamentary
+            proceedings of Great Britain the envy and the admiration of the
+            world. An inquiry there was better than an inquiry in any other
+            place, however respectable the persons before and by whom it
+            was carried on. There, all that could be said for the abolition or
+            against it might be said. In that house every relative fact would
+            have been produced, no information would have been withheld,
+            no circumstance would have been omitted, which was necessary
+            for elucidation; nothing would have been kept back. He was
+            sorry, therefore, that the consideration of the question, but more
+            particularly where so much human suffering was concerned,
+            should be put off to another session, when it was obvious that no
+            advantage could be gained by the delay.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then adverted to the secrecy which the Chancellor of the
+            Exchequer had observed relative to his own opinion on this important
+            subject. Why did he refuse to give it? Had Mr. Wilberforce
+            been present, the house would have had a great advantage
+            in this respect, because doubtless he would have stated in
+            what view he saw the subject, and in a general way described the
+            nature of the project he meant to propose. But now they were
+            kept in the dark as to the nature of any plan, till the next
+            session. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had indeed said, that
+            it had been a very general opinion that the African Slave Trade
+            should be abolished. He had said again, that others had not
+            gone so far, but had given it as their opinion, that it required to
+            be revised and regulated. But why did he not give his own
+            sentiments boldly to the world on this great question? As for
+            himself, he (Mr. Fox) had no scruple to declare at the outset,
+            that the Slave Trade ought not to be regulated, but destroyed.
+            To this opinion his mind was made up; and he was persuaded
+            that, the more the subject was considered, the more his opinion
+            would gain ground; and it would be admitted, that to consider it
+            in any other manner, or on any other principles than those of
+            humanity and justice, would be idle and absurd. If there were
+            any such men, and he did not know but that there were those,
+            who, led away by local and interested considerations, thought the
+
+            Slave Trade might still continue under certain modifications,
+            these were the dupes of error, and mistook what they thought
+            their interest, for what he would undertake to convince them was
+            their loss. Let such men only hear the case further, and they
+            would find the result to be, that a cold-hearted policy was folly
+            when it opposed the great principles of humanity and justice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He concluded by saying that he would not oppose the resolution,
+            if other members thought it best to postpone the consideration
+            of the subject; but he should have been better pleased if it had
+            been discussed sooner; and he certainly reserved to himself the
+            right of voting for any question upon it that should be brought
+            forward by any other member in the course of the present session.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that nothing he had
+            heard had satisfied him of the propriety of departing from the rule
+            he had laid down for himself, of not offering, but of studiously
+            avoiding to offer, any opinion upon the subject till the time should
+            arrive when it could be fully argued. He thought that no discussion
+            which could take place that session, could lead to any
+            useful measure, and therefore, he had wished not to argue it till
+            the whole of it could be argued. A day would come, when
+            every member would have an opportunity of stating his opinion;
+            and he wished it might be discussed with a proper spirit on all
+            sides, on fair and liberal principles, and without any shackles
+            from local and interested considerations.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With regard to the inquiries instituted before the committee
+            of privy council, he was sure, as soon as it became obvious that
+            the subject must undergo a discussion, it was the duty of His
+            Majesty's Ministers to set those inquiries on foot, which should
+            best enable them to judge in what manner they could meet or
+            offer any proposition respecting the Slave Trade. And although
+            such previous examinations by no means went to deprive that
+            house of its undoubted right to institute those inquiries; or to
+            preclude them, they would be found greatly to facilitate them.
+            But, exclusive of this consideration, it would have been utterly
+            impossible to have come to any discussion of the subject, that
+            could have been brought to a conclusion in the course of the
+            present session. Did the inquiry then before the privy council
+
+            prove a loss of time? So far from it, that, upon the whole, time
+            had been gained by it. He had moved the resolution, therefore,
+            to pledge the house to bring on the discussion early in the next
+            session, when they would have a full opportunity of considering
+            every part of the subject: first, whether the whole of the trade
+            ought to be abolished; and, if so, how and when. If it should be
+            thought that the trade should only be put under certain regulations,
+            what those regulations ought to be, and when they should
+            take place. These were questions which must be considered;
+            and therefore he had made his resolution as wide as possible, that
+            there might be room for all necessary considerations to be taken
+            in. He repeated his declaration, that he would reserve his sentiments
+            till the day of discussion should arrive; and again declared,
+            that he earnestly wished to avoid an anticipation of the debate
+            upon the subject. But if such debate was likely to take place,
+            he would withdraw his motion, and offer it another day.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A few words then passed between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox in
+            reply to each other; after which Lord Penrhyn rose. He said
+            there were two classes of men, the African merchants, and the
+            planters, both of whose characters had been grossly calumniated.
+            These wished that an inquiry might be instituted, and this immediately,
+            conscious that the more their conduct was examined the
+            less they would be found to merit the opprobrium with which
+            they had been loaded. The charges against the Slave Trade
+            were either true or false. If they were true, it ought to be
+            abolished; but if upon inquiry they were found to be without
+            foundation, justice ought to be done to the reputation of those
+            who were concerned in it. He then said a few words, by which
+            he signified, that, after all, it might not be an improper measure
+            to make regulations in the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Burke said, the noble lord, who was a man of honour
+            himself, had reasoned from his own conduct, and, being conscious
+            of his own integrity, was naturally led to imagine that other men
+            were equally just and honourable. Undoubtedly the merchants
+            and planters had a right to call for an investigation of their
+            conduct, and their doing so did them great credit. The Slave
+            Trade also ought equally to be inquired into. Neither did he
+
+            deny that it was right his Majesty's ministers should inquire into
+            its merits for themselves. They had done their duty; but that
+            House, who had the petitions of the people on their table,
+            neglected it, by having so long deferred an inquiry of their own.
+            If that House wished to preserve their functions, their understandings,
+            their honour, and their dignity, he advised them to
+            beware of committees of privy council. If they suffered their
+            business to be done by such means, they were abdicating their
+            trust and character, and making way for an entire abolition of
+            their functions, which they were parting with one after another,
+            Thus:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">Star after star goes out, and all is night.<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            If they neglected the petitions of their constituents, they must
+            fall, and the privy-counsel be instituted in their stead. What
+            would be the consequence? His Majesty's Ministers, instead of
+            consulting them, and giving them the opportunity of exercising
+            their functions of deliberation and legislation, would modify the
+            measures of government elsewhere, and bring down the edicts of
+            the privy council to them to register. Mr. Burke said, he was
+            one of those who wished for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+            He thought it ought to be abolished, on principles of humanity
+            and justice. If, however, opposition of interests should render
+            its total abolition impossible, it ought to be regulated, and that
+            immediately. They need not send to the West Indies to know
+            the opinions of the planters on the subject. They were to consider
+            first of all, and abstractedly from all political, personal, and
+            local considerations, that the Slave Trade was directly contrary
+            to the principles of humanity and justice, and to the spirit of the
+            British constitution; and that the state of slavery, which followed
+            it, however mitigated, was a state so improper, so degrading,
+            and so ruinous to the feelings and capacities of human nature, that
+            it ought not to be suffered to exist. He deprecated delay in this
+            business, as well for the sake of planters as of the slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Gascoyne, the other member for Liverpool, said he had
+            no objection that the discussion should stand over to the next
+            session of parliament, provided it could not come on in the
+            present, because he was persuaded it would ultimately be found
+
+            that his constituents, who were more immediately concerned in
+            the trade, and who had been so shamefully calumniated, were
+            men of respectable character. He hoped the privy council would
+            print their Report when they had brought their inquiries to a
+            conclusion, and that they would lay it before the House and the
+            public, in order to enable all concerned to form a judgment of
+            what was proper to be done relative to the subject next session.
+            With respect, however, to the total abolition of the Slave Trade,
+            he must confess that such a measure was both unnecessary,
+            visionary, and impracticable; but he wished some alterations or
+            modifications to be adopted. He hoped that, when the House
+            came to go into the general question, they would not forget the
+            trade, commerce, and navigation of the country.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Rolle said, he had received instruction from his constituents
+            to inquire if the grievances, which had been alleged to result
+            from the Slave Trade, were well founded; and, if it
+            appear that they were, to assist in applying a remedy. He was
+            glad the discussion had been put off till next session, as it would
+            give all of them an opportunity of considering the subject with
+            more mature deliberation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Martin desired to say a few words only. He put the
+            case, that, supposing the slaves were treated ever so humanely,
+            when they were carried to the West Indies, what compensation
+            could be made them for being torn from their nearest relations,
+            and from everything that was dear to them in life? He hoped
+            no political advantage, no national expediency, would be allowed
+            to weigh in the scale against the eternal rules of moral rectitude.
+            As for himself, he had no hesitation to declare, in this early stage
+            of the business, that he should think himself a wicked wretch if
+            he did not do everything in his power to put a stop to the Slave
+            Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir William Dolben said, that he did not then wish to enter
+            into the discussion of the general question of the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade, which the Chancellor of the Exchequer was so
+            desirous of postponing; but he wished to say a few words on
+            what he conceived to be a most crying evil, and which might be
+            immediately remedied, without infringing upon the limits of that
+
+            question. He did not allude to the sufferings of the poor Africans
+            in their own country, nor afterwards in the West India islands,
+            but to that intermediate state of tenfold misery which they
+            underwent in their transportation. When put on board the
+            ships, the poor unhappy wretches were chained to each other,
+            hand and foot, and stowed so close, that they were not allowed
+            above a foot and a half for each individual in breadth. Thus
+            crammed together like herrings in a barrel, they contracted putrid
+            and fatal disorders; so that they who came to inspect them in a
+            morning had occasionally to pick dead slaves out of their rows,
+            and to unchain their carcasses from the bodies of their wretched
+            fellow-sufferers, to whom they had been fastened. Nor was it
+            merely to the slaves that the baneful effects of the contagion thus
+            created were confined. This contagion affected the ships' crews,
+            and numbers of the seamen employed in the horrid traffic perished.
+            This evil, he said, called aloud for a remedy, and that remedy
+            ought to be applied soon; otherwise no less than ten thousand
+            lives might be lost between this and next session. He wished
+            therefore this grievance to be taken into consideration, independently
+            of the general question; and that some regulations, such
+            as restraining the captains from taking above a certain number of
+            slaves on board, according to the size of their vessels, and obliging
+            them to let in fresh air, and provide better accommodation for
+            the slaves during their passage, should be adopted.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Young wished the consideration of the whole subject to
+            stand over to the next session.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir James Johnstone, though a planter, professed himself a
+            friend to the abolition of the Slave Trade. He said it was highly
+            necessary that the House should do something respecting it; but
+            whatever was to be done should be done soon, as delay might be
+            productive of bad consequences in the islands.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. L. Smith stood up a zealous advocate for the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade. He said that even Lord Penrhyn and Mr.
+            Gascoyne, the members for Liverpool, had admitted the evil of
+            it to a certain extent; for regulations or modifications, in which
+            they seemed to acquiesce, were unnecessary where abuses did not
+            really exist.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Grigby thought it his duty to declare, that no privy
+            council report, or other mode of examination, could influence
+            him. A traffic in the persons of men was so odious, that it
+            ought everywhere, as soon as ever it was discovered, to be
+            abolished.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Bastard was anxious that the House should proceed to
+            the discussion of the subject in the present session. The whole
+            country, he said, had petitioned; and was it any satisfaction to
+            the country to be told, that the committee of privy council were
+            inquiring? Who knew anything of what was doing by the committee
+            of privy council, or what progress they were making?
+            The inquiry ought to have been instituted in that House, and in
+            the face of the public, that everybody concerned might know
+            what was going on. The numerous petitions of the people ought
+            immediately to be attended to. He reprobated delay on this
+            occasion; and as the honourable baronet, Sir William Dolben,
+            had stated facts which were shocking to humanity, he hoped he
+            would move that a committee might be appointed to inquire into
+            their existence, that a remedy might be applied, if possible, before
+            the sailing of the next ships for Africa.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Whitbread professed himself a strenuous advocate for the
+            total and immediate abolition of the Slave Trade. It was contrary
+            to nature, and to every principle of justice, humanity, and
+            religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Pelham stated, that he had very maturely considered the
+            subject of the Slave Trade; and had he not known that the
+            business was in the hands of an honourable member, (whose absence
+            from the house, and the cause of it, no man lamented more
+            sincerely than he did,) he should have ventured to propose something
+            concerning it himself. If it should be thought that the
+            trade ought not to be entirely done away, the sooner it was regulated
+            the better. He had a plan for this purpose, which appeared
+            to him to be likely to produce some salutary effects. He wished
+            to know if any such thing would be permitted to be proposed in
+            the course of the present session.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he should be happy, if
+            he thought the circumstances of the house were such as to enable
+
+            them to proceed to an immediate discussion of the question; but
+            as that did not appear, from the reasons he had before stated, to
+            be the case, he could only assure the honourable gentleman, that
+            the same motives which had induced him to propose an inquiry
+            into the subject early in the next session of parliament, would
+            make him desirous of receiving any other light which could be
+            thrown upon it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The question having been then put, the resolution was agreed
+            to unanimously. Thus ended the first debate that ever took place
+            in the Commons, on this important subject. This debate, though
+            many of the persons concerned in it abstained cautiously from
+            entering into the merits of the general question, became interesting,
+            in consequence of circumstances attending it. Several rose
+            up at once to give relief, as it were, to their feelings by utterance;
+            but by so doing they were prevented, many of them, from being
+            heard. They who were heard, spoke with peculiar energy, as if
+            warmed in an extraordinary manner by the subject. There was
+            an apparent enthusiasm in behalf of the injured Africans. It was
+            supposed by some, that there was a moment, in which, if the
+            Chancellor of the Exchequer had moved for an immediate abolition
+            of the trade, he would have carried it that night; and both
+            he and others, who professed an attachment to the cause, were
+            censured for not having taken a due advantage of the disposition
+            which was so apparent. But independently of the inconsistency
+            of doing this on the part of the ministry, while the privy council
+            were in the midst of their inquiries, and of the improbability that
+            the other branches of the legislature would have concurred in so
+            hasty a measure; what good would have accrued to the cause, if
+            the abolition had been then carried? Those concerned in the
+            cruel system would never have rested quietly under the stigma
+            under which they then laboured. They would have urged, that
+            they had been condemned unheard. The merchants would have
+            said, that they had had no notice of such an event, that they
+            might prepare, a way for their vessels in other trades. The planters
+            would have said, that they had had no time allowed them to provide
+            such supplies from Africa as might enable them to keep up
+            their respective stocks. They would, both of them, have called
+
+            aloud for immediate indemnification. They would have decried
+            the policy of the measure of the abolition; and where had it been
+            proved? They would have demanded a reverse of it; and might
+            they not in cooler moments have succeeded? Whereas, by entering
+            into a patient discussion of the merits of the question; by
+            bringing evidence upon it; by reasoning upon that evidence night
+            after night, and year after year, and thus by disputing the ground
+            inch as it were by inch, the abolition of the Slave Trade stands
+            upon a rock, upon which it never can be shaken. Many of those
+            who were concerned in the cruel system have now given up their
+            prejudices, because they became convinced in the contest. A
+            stigma too has been fixed upon it, which can never be erased: and
+            in a large record, in which the cruelty and injustice of it have
+            been recognised in indelible characters, its impolicy also has been
+            eternally enrolled.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap23"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Continuation to the middle of July.&#8212;Anxiety of Sir William Dolben to
+         lessen the horrors of the Middle Passage till the great question should
+         be discussed; brings in a bill for that purpose; debate upon it.&#8212;Evidence
+         examined against it; its inconsistency and falsehoods.&#8212;Further debate
+         upon it.&#8212;Bill passed, and carried to the Lords; vexatious delays and
+         opposition there; carried backwards and forwards to both houses.&#8212;At
+         length finally passed.&#8212;Proceedings of the committee in the interim;
+         effects of them.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            It was supposed, after the debate, of which the substance has been
+            just given, that there would have been no further discussion of
+            the subject till the next year; but Sir William Dolben became
+            more and more affected by those considerations which he had
+            offered to the house on the ninth of May. The trade, he found,
+            was still to go on. The horrors of the transportation, or Middle
+            Passage, as it was called, which he conceived to be the worst in
+            the long catalogue of evils belonging to the system, would of
+            course accompany it. The partial discussion of these, he believed,
+            would be no infringement of the late resolution of the house. He
+            was desirous, therefore, of doing something in the course of the
+            present session, by which the miseries of the trade might be
+            diminished as much as possible, while it lasted, or till the
+            legislature could take up the whole of the question. This desire he
+            mentioned to several of his friends; and as these approved of his
+            design, he made it known on the twenty-first of May in the
+            House of Commons.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He began by observing, that he would take up but little of
+            their time. He rose to move for leave to bring in a bill for the
+            relief of those unhappy persons, the natives of Africa, from the
+            hardships to which they were usually exposed in their passage
+            from the coast of Africa to the colonies. He did not mean, by
+            any regulations he might introduce for this purpose, to countenance
+            or sanction the Slave Trade, which, however modified,
+            would be always wicked and unjustifiable. Nor did he mean, by
+
+            introducing these, to go into the general question which the house
+            had prohibited. The bill which he had in contemplation, went
+            only to limit the number of persons to be put on board to the
+            tonnage of the vessel which was to carry them, in order to prevent
+            them from being crowded too closely together; to secure to them
+            good and sufficient provisions; and to take cognizance of other
+            matters, which related to their health and accommodation; and
+            this only till parliament could enter into the general merits of the
+            question. This humane interference he thought no member
+            would object to. Indeed, those for Liverpool had both of them
+            admitted, on the ninth of May, that regulations were desirable;
+            and he had since conversed with them, and was happy to learn
+            that they would not oppose him on this occasion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Whitbread highly approved of the object of the worthy
+            baronet, which was to diminish the sufferings of an unoffending
+            people. Whatever could be done to relieve them in their hard
+            situation, till parliament could take up the whole of their case,
+            ought to be done by men living in a civilized country, and professing
+            the Christian religion: he therefore begged leave to second
+            the motion which had been made.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            General Norton was sorry that he had not risen up sooner.
+            He wished to have seconded this humane motion himself. It
+            had his most cordial approbation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Burgess complimented the worthy baronet on the honour
+            he had done himself on this occasion, and congratulated the house
+            on the good, which they were likely to do by acceding, as he was
+            sure they would, to his proposition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Joliffe rose, and said that the motion in question should
+            have his strenuous support.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Gascoyne stated, that having understood from the
+            honourable baronet that he meant only to remedy the evils, which
+            were stated to exist in transporting the inhabitants of Africa to
+            the West Indies, he had told them that he would not object to
+            the introduction of such a bill. Should it however interfere with
+            the general question, the discussion of which had been prohibited,
+            he would then oppose it. He must also reserve another case for
+            his opposition; and this would be, if the evils of which it took
+
+            cognizance should appear not to have been well founded. He
+            had written to his constituents to be made acquainted with this
+            circumstance, and he must be guided by them on the subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Martin was surprised how any person could give an
+            opposition to such a bill. Whatever were the merits of the
+            great question, all would allow, that if human beings were to be
+            transported across the ocean, they should be carried over with as
+            little suffering as possible to themselves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Hamilton deprecated the subdivision of this great and
+            important question, which the house had reserved for another
+            session. Every endeavour to meddle with one part of it, before
+            the whole of it could be taken into consideration, looked rather
+            as if it came from an enemy than from a friend. He was fearful
+            that such a bill as this would sanction a traffic, which should
+            never be viewed but in a hostile light, or as repugnant to the
+            feelings of our nature, and to the voice of our religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Frederic Campbell was convinced that the postponing of
+            all consideration of the subject till the next session was a wise
+            measure. He was sure that neither the house nor the public
+            were in a temper sufficiently cool to discuss it properly. There
+            was a general warmth of feeling, or an enthusiasm about it,
+            which ran away with the understandings of men, and disqualified
+            them from judging soberly concerning it. He wished, therefore,
+            that the present motion might be deferred.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. William Smith said, that if the motion of the honourable
+            Baronet had trespassed upon the great question reserved for
+            consideration, he would have opposed it himself; but he conceived
+            the subject which it comprehended might with propriety
+            be separately considered; and if it were likely that a hundred,
+            but much more a thousand, lives would be saved by this bill, it
+            was the duty of that house to adopt it without delay.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Chancellor of the Exchequer, though he meant still to
+            conceal his opinion as to the general merits of the question, could
+            not be silent, here. He was of opinion that he could very consistently
+            give this motion his support. There was a possibility
+            (and a bare possibility was a sufficient ground with him) that in
+            consequence of the resolution lately come to by the house, and
+
+            the temper then manifested in it, those persons who were concerned
+            in the Slave Trade might put the natives of Africa in a
+            worse situation, during their transportation to the colonies, even
+            than they were in before, by cramming additional numbers on
+            board their vessels, in order to convey as many as possible to the
+            West Indies before parliament ultimately decided on the subject.
+            The possibility, therefore, that such a consequence might grow
+            out of their late resolution during the intervening months between
+            the end of the present and the commencement of the next
+            session, was a good and sufficient parliamentary ground for them
+            to provide immediate means to prevent the existence of such an
+            evil. He considered this as an act of indispensable duty, and
+            on that ground the bill should have his support.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Soon after this the question was put, and leave was given for
+            the introduction of the bill.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An account of these proceedings of the house having been
+            sent to the merchants of Liverpool, they held a meeting, and
+            came to resolutions on the subject. They determined to oppose
+            the bill in every stage in which it should be brought forward,
+            and, what was extraordinary, even the principle of it. Accordingly,
+            between the 21st of May and the 2nd of June, on which
+            latter day the bill having been previously read a second time
+            was to be committed, petitions from interested persons had been
+            brought against it, and consent had been obtained, that both
+            council and evidence should be heard.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The order of the day having been read on the 2nd of June
+            for the house to resolve itself into a committee of the whole
+            house, a discussion took place relative to the manner in which
+            the business was to be conducted. This being over, the counsel
+            began their observations; and, as soon as they had finished,
+            evidence was called to the bar in behalf of the petitions which
+            had been delivered.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From the 2nd of June to the 17th the house continued to
+            hear the evidence at intervals, but the members for Liverpool
+            took every opportunity of occasioning delay. They had recourse
+            twice to counting out the house; and at another time, though
+            complaint had been made of their attempts to procrastinate, they
+
+            opposed the resuming of their own evidence with the same view;
+            and this merely for the frivolous reason, that, though there was
+            then a suitable opportunity, notice had not been previously given.
+            But in this proceeding, other members feeling indignant at their
+            conduct, they were overruled.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The witnesses brought by the Liverpool merchants against
+            this humane bill were the same as they had before sent for examination
+            to the privy council, namely, Mr. Norris, Lieutenant
+            Matthews, and others. On the other side of the question it was
+            not deemed expedient to bring any. It was soon perceived that
+            it would be possible to refute the former out of their own mouths,
+            and to do this seemed more eligible than to proceed in the other
+            way. Mr. Pitt, however, took care to send Captain Parrey, of
+            the Royal Navy, to Liverpool, that he might take the tonnage
+            and internal dimensions of several slave-vessels, which were then
+            there, supposing that these, when known, would enable the house
+            to detect any misrepresentations, which the delegates from that
+            town might be disposed to make upon this subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was the object of the witnesses, when examined, to prove
+            two things: first, that regulations were unnecessary, because the
+            present mode of the transportation was sufficiently convenient for
+            the objects of it, and was well adapted to preserve their comfort
+            and their health. They had sufficient room, sufficient air, and
+            sufficient provisions. When upon deck, they made merry and
+            amused themselves with dancing. As to the mortality, or the loss
+            of them by death in the course of their passage, it was trifling.
+            In short, the voyage from Africa to the West Indies "was one
+            of the happiest periods of a Negro's life."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Secondly, that if the merchants were hindered from taking
+            less that two full sized, or three smaller Africans, to a ton, then
+            the restrictions would operate not as the regulation, but as the
+            utter ruin of the trade. Hence the present bill, under the
+            specious mask of a temporary interference, sought nothing less
+            than its abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These assertions having been severally made, by the former of
+            which it was insinuated that the African, unhappy in his own
+            country, found in the middle passage, under the care of the
+
+            merchants, little less than an Elysian retreat, it was now proper
+            to institute a severe inquiry into the truth of them. Mr.
+            Pitt, Sir Charles Middleton, Mr. William Smith, and Mr.
+            Beaufoy, took a conspicuous part on this occasion, but particularly
+            the two latter, to whom much praise was due for the
+            constant attention they bestowed upon this subject. Question
+            after question was put by these to the witnesses; and from their
+            own mouths they dragged out, by means of a cross-examination
+            as severe as could be well instituted, the following melancholy
+            account:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Every slave, whatever his size might be, was found to have
+            only five feet and six inches in length, and sixteen inches in
+            breadth, to lie in. The floor was covered with bodies stowed or
+            packed according to this allowance: but between the floor and
+            the deck or ceiling were often platforms or broad shelves in the
+            mid-way, which were covered with bodies also. The height from
+            the floor to the ceiling, within which space the bodies on the floor
+            and those on the platforms lay, seldom exceeded five feet eight
+            inches, and in some cases it did not exceed four feet.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The men were chained two and two together by their hands
+            and feet, and were chained also by means of ring-bolts, which
+            were fastened to the deck. They were confined in this manner
+            at least all the time they remained upon the coast, which was
+            from six weeks to six months as it might happen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Their allowance consisted of one pint of water a day to each
+            person, and they were fed twice a day with yams and horsebeans.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After meals they jumped up in their irons for exercise. This
+            was so necessary for their health, that they were whipped if they
+            refused to do it; and this jumping had been termed dancing.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They were usually fifteen and sixteen hours below deck out
+            of the twenty-four. In rainy weather they could not be brought
+            up for two or three days together. If the ship was full, their
+            situation was then distressing. They sometimes drew their
+            breath with anxious and laborious efforts, and some died of
+            suffocation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to their health in these voyages, the mortality,
+
+            where the African constitution was the strongest, or on the windward
+            coast, was only about five in a hundred. In thirty-five
+            voyages, an account of which was produced, about six in a hundred
+            was the average number lost. But this loss was still greater at
+            Calabar and Bonny, which were the greatest markets for slaves.
+            This loss, too, did not include those who died, either while the
+            vessels were lying upon the Coast, or after their arrival in the
+            West Indies, of the disorders which they had contracted upon
+            the voyage. Three and four in a hundred had been known to
+            die in this latter case.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But besides these facts, which were forced out of the witnesses
+            by means of the cross-examination which took place, they were
+            detected in various falsehoods.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They had asserted that the ships in this trade were peculiarly
+            constructed, or differently from others, in order that they might
+            carry a great number of persons with convenience; whereas Captain
+            Parrey asserted, that out of the twenty-six, which he had
+            seen, ten only had been built expressly for this employ.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They had stated the average height between decks at about
+            five feet and four inches. But Captain Parrey showed, that out
+            of the nine he measured, the height in four of the smallest was
+            only four feet eight inches, and the average height in all of them
+            was but five feet two.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They had asserted that vessels under two hundred tons had
+            no platforms. But by his account the four just mentioned were
+            of this tonnage, and yet all of them had platforms either wholly
+            or in part.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On other points they were found both to contradict themselves
+            and one another. They had asserted, as before mentioned, that
+            if they were restricted to less than two full-grown slaves to a ton,
+            the trade would be ruined. But in examining into the particulars
+            of nineteen vessels, which they produced themselves, five
+            of them only had cargoes equal to the proportion which they
+            stated to be necessary to the existence of the trade. The other
+            fourteen carried a less number of slaves (and they might have
+            taken more on board if they had pleased); so that the average
+            number in the nineteen was but one man and four-fifths to a ton,
+
+            or ten in a hundred below their lowest
+            standard<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXIII_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXIII_1"></a>. One again
+            said, that no inconvenience arose in consequence of the narrow
+            space allowed to each individual in these voyages. Another
+            said, that smaller vessels were more healthy than larger, because,
+            among other reasons, they had a less proportion of slaves as to
+            number on board.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXIII_1"></a><a href="#FootXXIII_1">A</a>: The falsehood of their statements in
+            this respect was proved again afterwards by facts. For, after the regulation
+            had taken place, they lost fewer slaves and made greater
+            profits.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They were found also guilty of a wilful concealment of such
+            facts, as they knew, if communicated, would have invalidated
+            their own testimony. I was instrumental in detecting them on
+            one of these occasions myself. When Mr. Dalzell was examined,
+            he was not wholly unknown to me; my Liverpool muster-rolls
+            told me that he had lost fifteen seamen out of forty in his last
+            voyage. This was a sufficient ground to go upon; for generally,
+            where the mortality of the seamen has been great, it may be laid
+            down that the mortality of the slaves has been considerable also.
+            I waited patiently till his evidence was nearly closed, but he had
+            then made no unfavourable statements to the house. I desired,
+            therefore, that a question might be put to him, and in such a
+            manner, that he might know that they, who put it, had got a
+            clue to his secrets. He became immediately embarrassed; his
+            voice faltered; he confessed with trembling that he had lost a
+            third of his sailors in his last voyage. Pressed hard immediately
+            by other questions, he then acknowledged that he had lost one
+            hundred and twenty, or a third of his slaves, also. But would he
+            say that these were all he had lost in that voyage? No; twelve
+            others had perished by an accident, for they were drowned. But
+            were no others lost beside the one hundred and twenty and the
+            twelve? None, he said, upon the voyage, but between twenty
+            and thirty before he left the Coast. Thus this champion of the
+            merchants, this advocate for the health and happiness of
+            slaves in the middle passage, lost nearly a hundred and sixty of
+            the unhappy persons committed to his superior care, in a single
+            voyage!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The evidence, on which I have now commented, having been
+
+            delivered, the counsel summed up on the 17th of June, when the
+            committee proceeded to fill up the blanks in the bill. Mr. Pitt
+            moved that the operation of it be retrospective, and that it commence
+            from the 10th instant. This was violently opposed by
+            Lord Penrhyn, Mr. Gascoyne, and Mr. Brickdale, but was at
+            length acceded to.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir William Dolben then proposed to apportion five men to
+            every three tons in every ship under one hundred and fifty tons
+            burden, which had the space of five feet between the decks, and
+            three men to two tons in every vessel beyond one hundred and
+            fifty tons burden, which had equal accommodation in point of
+            height between the decks. This occasioned a very warm dispute,
+            which was not settled for some time, and which gave rise
+            to some beautiful and interesting speeches on the subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. William Smith pointed out in the clearest manner many
+            of the contradictions, which I have just stated in commenting
+            upon the evidence; indeed he had been a principal means of
+            detecting them. He proved how little worthy of belief the witnesses
+            had shown themselves, and how necessary they had made
+            the present bill by their own confession. The worthy baronet,
+            indeed, had been too indulgent to the merchants, in the proportion
+            he had fixed of the number of persons to be carried to the tonnage
+            of their vessels. He then took a feeling view of what would be
+            the wretched state of the poor Africans on board, even if the bill
+            passed as it now stood; and conjured the house, if they would not
+            allow them more room, at least not to infringe upon that which
+            had been proposed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Belgrave (afterwards Grosvenor) animadverted with
+            great ability upon the cruelties of the trade, which he said had
+            been fully proved at the bar. He took notice of the extraordinary
+            opposition which had been made to the bill then before them,
+            and which he believed every gentleman, who had a proper feeling
+            of humanity, would condemn. If the present mode of carrying
+            on the trade received the countenance of that house, the poor
+            unfortunate African would have occasion doubly to curse his fate.
+            He would not only curse the womb that brought him forth, but
+            the British nation also, whose diabolical avarice had made his
+
+            cup of misery still more bitter. He hoped that the members for
+            Liverpool would urge no further opposition to the bill, but that
+            they would join with the house in an effort to enlarge the empire
+            of humanity; and that, while they were stretching out the strong
+            arm of justice to punish the degraders of British honour and
+            humanity in the East, they would with equal spirit exert their
+            powers to dispense the blessings of their protection to those
+            unhappy Africans, who were to serve them in the West.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Beaufoy entered minutely into an examination of the
+            information, which had been given by the witnesses, and which
+            afforded unanswerable arguments for the passing of the bill. He
+            showed the narrow space which they themselves had been made
+            to allow for the package of a human body, and the ingenious
+            measures they were obliged to resort to for stowing this living
+            cargo within the limits of the ship. He adverted next to the
+            case of Mr. Dalzell, and showed how one dismal fact after another,
+            each making against their own testimony, was extorted from him.
+            He then went to the trifling mortality said to be experienced in
+            these voyages, upon which subject he spoke in the following
+            words: "Though the witnesses are some of them interested in
+            the trade, and all of them parties against the bill, their confession
+            is, that of the negroes of the windward coast, who are men of the
+            strongest constitution which Africa affords, no less on an average
+            than five in each hundred perish in the voyage,&#8212;a voyage, it must
+            be remembered but of six weeks. In a twelvemonth, then, what
+            must be the proportion of the dead? No less than forty-three in
+            a hundred, which is seventeen times the usual rate of mortality;
+            for all the estimates of life suppose no more than a fortieth of the
+            people, or two and a half in the hundred, to die within the space
+            of a year. Such then is the comparison. In the ordinary course
+            of nature the number of persons, (including those in age and
+            infancy, the weakest periods of existence,) who perish in the
+            space of a twelvemonth, is at the rate of but two and a half in a
+            hundred; but in an African voyage, notwithstanding the old are
+            excluded and few infants admitted, so that those who are shipped
+            are in the firmest period of life, the list of deaths, presents an
+            annual mortality of forty-three in a hundred. It presents this
+
+            mortality even in vessels from the windward coast of Africa; but
+            in those which sail to Bonny, Benin, and the Calabars, from
+            whence the greatest proportion of the slaves are brought, this
+            mortality is increased by a variety of causes, (of which the greater
+            length of the voyage is one,) and is said to be twice as large
+            which supposes that in every hundred the deaths annually amount
+            to no less than eighty-six. Yet even the former comparatively
+            low mortality; of which the counsel speaks with so much satisfaction,
+            as a proof of the kind and compassionate treatment of the
+            slaves, even this indolent and lethargic destruction gives to the
+            march of death seventeen times its usual speed. It is a destruction,
+            which, if general but for ten years, would depopulate the world,
+            blast the purposes of its creation, and extinguish the human race."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After having gone with great ability through the other
+            branches of the subject, he concluded in the following manner:&#8212;"Thus
+            I have considered the various objections which have been
+            stated to the bill, and am ashamed to reflect that it could be
+            necessary to speak so long in defence of such a cause; for what,
+            after all, is asked by the proposed regulations? On the part of
+            the Africans, the whole of their purport is, that they whom you
+            allow to be robbed of all things but life, may not unnecessarily
+            and wantonly be deprived of life also. To the honour; to the
+            wisdom, to the feelings of the house, I now make my appeal, perfectly
+            confident that you will not tolerate, as senators, a traffic
+            which, as men, you shudder to contemplate, and that you will
+            not take upon yourselves the responsibility of this waste of
+            existence. To the memory of former parliaments the horrors of this
+            traffic will be an eternal reproach; yet former parliaments have
+            not known, as you on the clearest evidence now know, the dreadful
+            nature of this trade. Should you reject this bill, no exertions
+            of yours to rescue from oppression the suffering inhabitants of
+            your eastern empire; no records of the prosperous state to which,
+            after a long and unsuccessful war, you have restored your native
+            land; no proofs; however splendid, that under your guidance
+            Great Britain has recovered her rank, and is again the arbitress
+            of nations, will save your names from the stigma of everlasting
+            dishonour. The broad mantle of this one infamy will cover with
+
+            substantial blackness the radiance of your glory, and change to
+            feelings of abhorrence the present admiration of the world. But
+            pardon the supposition of so impossible an event. I believe that
+            justice and mercy may be considered as the attributes of your
+            character, and that you will not tarnish their lustre on this occasion."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose next; and after having
+            made some important observations on the evidence (which took
+            up much time), he declared himself most unequivocally in favour
+            of the motion made by the honourable baronet. He was convinced
+            that the regulation proposed would not tend to the abolition
+            of the trade; but if it even went so far, he had no hesitation
+            openly and boldly to declare, that if it could not be carried on in
+            a manner different from that stated by the members for Liverpool,
+            he would retract what he had said on a former day against
+            going into the general question; and, waving every other discussion
+            than what had that day taken place, he would give his vote
+            for the utter annihilation of it at once. It was a trade, which it
+            was shocking to humanity to hear detailed. If it were to be carried,
+            on as proposed by the petitioners, it would, besides its own
+            intrinsic baseness, be contrary to every humane and Christian
+            principle, and to every sentiment that ought to inspire the breast of man;
+            and would reflect the greatest dishonour on the British
+            senate and the British nation. He, therefore, hoped that the
+            house, being now in possession of such information as never
+            hitherto had been brought before them, would in some measure
+            endeavour to extricate themselves from that guilt, and from that
+            remorse, which every one of them ought to feel for having
+            suffered such monstrous cruelties to be practised upon an helpless
+            and unoffending part of the human race.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Martin complimented Mr. Pitt in terms of the warmest
+            panegyric on his noble sentiments, declaring that they reflected
+            the greatest honour upon him both as an Englishman and as a man.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Soon after this the house divided upon the motion of Sir
+            William Dolben. Fifty-six appeared to be in favour of it, and
+            only five against it. The latter consisted of the two members
+            for Liverpool and three other interested persons. This was the
+            first division which ever took place on this important subject.
+
+            The other blanks were then filled up, and the bill was passed
+            without further delay.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next day, or on the 18th of June, it was carried up to
+            the House of Lords. The slave-merchants of London, Liverpool,
+            and Bristol, immediately presented petitions against it, as they
+            had done in the lower house. They prayed that counsel might
+            open their case; and though they had been driven from the Commons
+            on account of their evidence, with disgrace, they had the
+            effrontery to ask that they might call witnesses here also.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Counsel and evidence having been respectively heard, the bill
+            was ordered to be committed the next day. The Lords attended
+            according to summons. But on a motion by Dr. Warren, the
+            Bishop of Bangor, who stated that the Lord Chancellor Thurlow
+            was much indisposed, and that he wished to be present when the
+            question was discussed, the committee was postponed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was generally thought that the reason for this postponement,
+            and particularly as it was recommended by a prelate, was
+            that the Chancellor might have an opportunity of forwarding
+            this humane bill. But it was found to be quite otherwise. It
+            appeared that the motive was, that he might give to it, by his
+            official appearance as the chief servant of the crown in that
+            house, all the opposition in his power. For when the day arrived
+            which had been appointed for the discussion, and when the Lords
+            Bathurst and Hawkesbury (afterwards Liverpool) had expressed
+            their opinions, which were different, relative to the time when
+            the bill should take place, he rose up and pronounced a bitter and
+            vehement oration against it. He said, among other things, that
+            it was full of inconsistency and nonsense from the beginning to
+            the end. The French had lately offered large premiums for the
+            encouragement of this trade. They were a politic people, and
+            the presumption was, that we were doing politically wrong by
+            abandoning it. The bill ought not to have been brought forward
+            in this session. The introduction of it was a direct violation of
+            the faith of the other house. It was unjust, when an assurance
+            had been given that the question should not be agitated till next
+            year, that this sudden fit of philanthropy, which was but a few
+            days old, should be allowed to disturb the public mind, and
+
+            to become the occasion of bringing men to the metropolis with
+            tears in their eyes and horror in their countenances, to deprecate
+            the ruin of their property, which they had embarked on the
+            faith of parliament.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The extraordinary part which the Lord Chancellor Thurlow
+            took upon this occasion, was ascribed at the time by many who
+            moved in the higher circles, to a shyness or misunderstanding
+            which had taken place between him and Mr. Pitt on other
+            matters; when, believing this bill to have been a favourite measure
+            with the latter, he determined to oppose it. But whatever
+            were his motives (and let us hope that he could never have been
+            actuated by so malignant a spirit as that of sacrificing the happiness
+            of forty thousand persons for the next year to spite the
+            gratification of an individual), his opposition had a mischievous
+            effect, on account of the high situation in which he stood; for he
+            not only influenced some of the Lords themselves, but, by taking
+            the cause of the slave-merchants so conspicuously under his wing,
+            he gave them boldness to look up again under the stigma of their
+            iniquitous calling, and courage even to resume vigorous operations
+            after their disgraceful defeat. Hence arose those obstacles which
+            will be found to have been thrown in the way of the passing of
+            the bill from this period.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Among the Lords who are to be particularly noticed as having
+            taken the same side as the Lord Chancellor in this debate, were
+            the Duke of Chandos and the Earl of Sandwich. The former
+            foresaw nothing but insurrections of the slaves in our islands, and
+            the massacre of their masters there, in consequence of the agitation
+            of this question. The latter expected nothing less than the
+            ruin of our marine. He begged the house to consider how, by
+            doing that which might bring about the abolition of this traffic,
+            they might lessen the number of British sailors; how, by throwing
+            it into the hands of France they might increase those of a
+            rival nation; and how, in consequence, the flag of the latter
+            might ride triumphant on the ocean. The Slave Trade was
+            undoubtedly a nursery for our seamen. All objections against it
+            in this respect were ill-founded. It was as healthy as the
+            Newfoundland and many other trades.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The debate having closed, during which nothing more was
+            done than filling up the blanks with the time when the bill was
+            to begin to operate, the committee was adjourned. But the bill
+            after this dragged on so heavily, that it would be tedious to
+            detail the proceedings upon it from day to day. I shall, therefore,
+            satisfy myself with the following observations concerning them:&#8212;The
+            committee sat not less than five different times, which consumed
+            the space of eight days, before a final decision took place.
+            During this time, so much was it an object to throw in obstacles
+            which might occupy the little remaining time of the session, that
+            other petitions were presented against the bill, and leave was
+            asked, on new pretences contained in these, that counsel might
+            be heard again. Letters also were read from Jamaica, about the
+            mutinous disposition of the slaves there, in consequence of the
+            stir which had been made about the abolition; and also from
+            merchants in France, by which large offers were made to the
+            British merchants to furnish them with slaves. Several regulations
+            also were proposed in this interval, some of which were
+            negatived by majorities of only one or two voices. Of the regulations
+            which were carried, the most remarkable were those
+            proposed by Lord Hawkesbury (afterwards Liverpool); namely,
+            that no insurance should be made on the slaves, except against
+            accidents by fire and water; that persons should not be appointed
+            as officers of vessels transporting them, who had not been a certain
+            number of such voyages before; that a regular surgeon only
+            should be capable of being employed in them; and that both the
+            captain and surgeon should have bounties, if, in the course of the
+            transportation, they had lost only two in a hundred slaves. The
+            Duke of Chandos again, and Lord Sydney, were the more conspicuous
+            among the opposers of the humane bill; and the Duke of
+            Richmond, the Marquis Townshend, the Earl of Carlisle, the
+            Bishop of London, and Earl Stanhope, among the most strenuous
+            supporters of it. At length it passed by a majority of nineteen
+            to eleven votes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 4th of July, when the bill had been returned to the
+            Commons, it was moved, that the amendments made in it by the
+            Lords should be read; but as it had become a money-bill in
+
+            consequence of the bounties to be granted, and as new regulations
+            were to be incorporated in it, it was thought proper that it should
+            be wholly done away. Accordingly Sir William Dolben moved,
+            that the further consideration of it should be put off till that day
+            three months. This having been agreed upon, he then moved
+            for leave to bring in a new bill. This was accordingly introduced,
+            and an additional clause was inserted in it, relative to
+            bounties, by Mr. Pitt. But on the second reading, that no
+            obstacle might be omitted which could legally be thrown in the
+            way of its progress, petitions were presented against it, both by
+            the Liverpool merchants and the agent for the island of Jamaica,
+            under the pretence that it was a new bill. Their petitions,
+            however, were rejected, and it was committed and passed through
+            its regular stages, and sent up to the Lords.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On its arrival there on the 5th of July, petitions from London
+            and Liverpool still followed it. The prayer of these was against
+            the general tendency of it, but it was solicited also that counsel
+            might be heard in a particular case; the solicitation was complied
+            with; after which the bill was read a second time, and
+            ordered to be committed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 7th, when it was taken next into consideration, two
+            other petitions were presented against it. But here so many
+            objections were made to the clauses of it as they then stood, and
+            such new matter suggested that the Duke of Richmond, who
+            was a strenuous supporter of it, thought it best to move that the
+            committee then sitting should be deferred till that day seven-night,
+            in order to give time for another more perfect to originate
+            in the lower house.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This motion having been acceded to, Sir William Dolben
+            introduced a new one for the third time into the Commons.
+            This included the suggestions which had been made in the
+            Lords. It included also a regulation, on the motion of Mr.
+            Sheridan, that no surgeon should be employed as such in the
+            slave-vessels, except he had a testimonial that he had passed a
+            proper examination at Surgeon's Hall. The amendments were
+            all then agreed to, and the bill was passed through its several
+            stages.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 10th of July, being now fully amended it came for
+            a third time before the Lords; but it was no sooner brought
+            forward than it met with the same opposition as it had experienced
+            before. Two new petitions appeared against it; one
+            from a certain class of persons in Liverpool, and another from
+            Miles Peter Andrews, Esq., stating that if it passed into a law
+            it would injure the sale of his gunpowder, and that he had rendered
+            great services to the government during the last war, by
+            his provision of that article. But here the Lord Chancellor
+            Thurlow reserved himself for an effort, which, by occasioning
+            only a day's delay, would, in that particular period of the session
+            have totally prevented the passing of the bill. He suggested
+            certain amendments for consideration and discussion which, if
+            they had agreed upon, must have been carried again to the lower
+            House, and sanctioned there before the bill could have been
+            complete. But it appeared afterwards, that there would have
+            been no time for the latter proceeding. Earl Stanhope, therefore,
+            pressed this circumstance peculiarly upon the lords who were
+            present. He observed that the king was to dismiss the parliament
+            next day, and therefore they must adopt the bill as it stood,
+            or reject it altogether. There was no alternative, and no time
+            was to be lost: accordingly, he moved for an immediate division
+            on the first of the amendments proposed by Lord Thurlow. This
+            having taken place, it was negatived. The other amendments
+            shared the same fate; and thus, at length, passed through the
+            Upper House, as through an ordeal as it were of fire, the first bill
+            that ever put fetters upon that barbarous and destructive monster,
+            the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next day, or on Friday, July the 11th, the king gave
+            his assent to it, and, as Lord Stanhope had previously asserted in
+            the House of Lords, concluded the session.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While the legislature was occupied in the consideration of
+            this bill, the lords of the council continued their examinations,
+            that they might collect as much light as possible previously to
+            the general agitation of the question in the next session of parliament.
+            Among others I underwent an examination: I gave my
+            testimony first, relative to many of the natural productions of
+
+            Africa, of which I produced the specimens. These were such as
+            I had collected in the course of my journey to Bristol and Liverpool,
+            and elsewhere. I explained, secondly, the loss and usage
+            of seamen in the Slave Trade. To substantiate certain points,
+            which belonged to this branch of the subject, I left several
+            depositions and articles of agreement for the examination of the
+            council. With respect to others, as it would take a long time to
+            give all the data upon which calculations had been made, and
+            the manner of making them, I was desired to draw up a statement
+            of particulars, and to send it to the council at a future
+            time. I left also depositions with them, relative to certain
+            instances of the mode of procuring and treating slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee also for effecting the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade continued their attention, during this period, towards the
+            promotion of the different objects which came within the range
+            of the institution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They added the Rev. Dr. Coombe, in consequence of the great
+            increase of their business, to the list of their members.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They voted thanks to Mr. Hughes, vicar of Ware, in Hertfordshire,
+            for his excellent answer to Harris's <em>Scriptural
+               Researches on the Licitness of the Slave Trade</em>, and they enrolled
+            him among their honorary and corresponding members. Also
+            thanks to William Roscoe, Esq., for his Answer to the same.
+            Mr. Roscoe had not affixed his name to this pamphlet any more
+            than to his poem of <em>The Wrongs of Africa</em>; but he made himself
+            known to the committee as the author of both. Also thanks to
+            William Smith and Henry Beaufoy, Esqrs., for having so successfully
+            exposed the evidence offered by the slave merchants against
+            the bill of Sir William Dolben, and for having drawn out of it
+            so many facts, all making for their great object the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As the great question was to be discussed in the approaching
+            sessions, it was moved in the committee to consider of the propriety
+            of sending persons to Africa and the West Indies, who
+            should obtain information relative to the different branches of the
+            system as they existed in each of these countries, in order that
+            they might be able to give their testimony, from their own experience,
+
+            before one or both of the houses of parliament, as it might
+            be judged proper. This proposition was discussed at two or
+            three several meetings. It was, however, finally rejected, and
+            principally on the following grounds&#8212;First, It was obvious that
+            persons sent out upon such an errand would be exposed to such
+            dangers from varying causes, that it was not improbably that
+            both they and their testimony might be lost. Secondly, Such
+            persons would be obliged to have recourse to falsehoods, that is,
+            to conceal or misrepresent the objects of their destination, that
+            they might get their intelligence with safety; which falsehoods
+            the committee could not countenance. To which it was added,
+            that few persons would go to these places, except they were
+            handsomely rewarded for their trouble; but this reward would
+            lessen the value of their evidence, as it would afford a handle
+            to the planters and slave-merchants to say that they had been
+            bribed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another circumstance which came before the committee was the
+            following:&#8212;Many arguments were afloat at this time relative
+            to the great impolicy of abolishing the Slave Trade, the principal
+            of which was, that, if the English abandoned it, other foreign
+            nations would take it up; and thus, while they gave up certain
+            national profits themselves, the great cause of humanity would
+            not be benefited, nor would any moral good be done by the
+            measure. Now there was a presumption that, by means of the
+            society instituted in Paris, the French nation might be awakened
+            to this great subject; and that the French government might in
+            consequence, as well as upon other considerations, be induced to
+            favour the general feeling upon this occasion. But there was no
+            reason to conclude, either than any other maritime people, who
+            had been engaged in the Slave Trade, would relinquish it, or
+            that any other, who had not yet been engaged in it, would not
+            begin it when our countrymen should give it up. The consideration
+            of these circumstances occupied the attention of the
+            committee; and as Dr. Spaarman, who was said to have been
+            examined by the privy council, was returning home, it was
+            thought advisable to consider whether it would not be proper
+            for the committee to select certain of their own books on the
+
+            subject of the Slave Trade, and send them by him, accompanied
+            by a letter, to the King of Sweden, in which they should entreat
+            his consideration of this powerful argument which now stood in
+            the way of the cause of humanity, with a view that, as one of
+            the princes of Europe, he might contribute to obviate it, by preventing
+            his own subjects, in case of the dereliction of this commerce
+            by ourselves, from embarking in it. The matter having
+            been fully considered, it was resolved that the proposed measure
+            would be proper, and it was accordingly adapted. By a letter
+            received afterwards from Dr. Spaarman, it appeared that both
+            the letter and the books had been delivered, and received graciously;
+            and that he was authorized to say, that, unfortunately,
+            in consequence of those hereditary possessions which had devolved
+            upon His Majesty, he was obliged to confess that he was the sovereign
+            of an island which had been principally peopled by African
+            slaves, but that he had been frequently mindful of their hard case.
+            With respect to the Slave Trade, he never heard of an instance
+            in which the merchants of his own native realm had embarked
+            in it; and as they had preserved their character pure in this
+            respect, he would do all he could that it should not be sullied
+            in the eyes of the generous English nation, by taking up, in the
+            case which had been pointed out to him, such an odious concern.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By this time I had finished my <em>Essay on the Impolicy of the
+               Slave Trade</em>, which I composed from materials collected chiefly
+            during my journey to Bristol, Liverpool, and Lancaster. These
+            materials I had admitted with great caution and circumspection;
+            indeed I admitted none for which I could not bring official and
+            other authentic documents, or living evidences if necessary, whose
+            testimony could not reasonably be denied; and when I gave
+            them to the world, I did it under the impression that I ought to
+            give them as scrupulously as if I were to be called upon to substantiate
+            them upon oath. It was of peculiar moment that this
+            book should make its appearance at this time. First, Because
+            it would give the lords of the council, who were then sitting, an
+            opportunity of seeing many important facts, and of inquiring into
+            their authenticity; and it might suggest to them, also, some new
+            points, or such as had not fallen within the limits of the arrangement
+
+            they had agreed upon for their examinations on this subject:
+            and secondly, Because, as the members of the House of
+            Commons were to take the question into consideration early in
+            the next sessions, it would give them, also, new light and information
+            upon it before this period. Accordingly the committee
+            ordered two thousand copies of it to be struck off, for these and
+            other objects; and though the contents of it were most diligently
+            sifted by the different opponents of the cause, they never even
+            made an attempt to answer it. It continued, on the other hand,
+            during the inquiry of the legislature, to afford the basis or grounds
+            upon which to examine evidences on the political part of the
+            subject; and evidences thus examined continued in their turn to
+            establish it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Among the other books ordered to be printed by the committee
+            within the period now under our consideration, were a
+            new edition of two thousand of the DEAN OF MIDDLEHAM'S <em>Letter</em>,
+            and another of three thousand of FALCONBBIDGE'S <em>Account of the
+               Slave Trade</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee continued to keep ups, during the same period,
+            a communication with many of their old correspondents, whose
+            names have been already mentioned. But they received, also,
+            letters from others, who had not hitherto addressed them: namely,
+            from Ellington Wright, of Erith; Dr. Franklin, of Philadelphia;
+            Eustace Kentish, Esq., high sheriff for the county of Huntingdon;
+            Governor Bouchier; the Reverend Charles Symmons, of Haverfordwest;
+            and from John York and William Downes, Esquires,
+            high sheriffs for the counties of York and Hereford.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A letter, also, was read in this interval from Mr. Evans, a
+            dissenting clergyman, of Bristol, stating that the elders of several
+            Baptist churches, forming the western Baptist association, who
+            had met at, Portsmouth Common, had resolved to recommend it
+            to the ministers and members of the same, to unite with the
+            committee in the promotion of the great object of their institution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from Mr. Andrew Irvin, of the Island of Grenada,
+            in which he confirmed the wretched situation of many of the
+            slaves there, and in which he gave the outlines of a plan for
+
+            bettering their condition, as well as that of those in the other
+            islands.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another from I.L. Wynne, Esq., of Jamaica. In this he
+            gave an afflicting account of the suffering and unprotected state
+            of the slaves there, which it was high time to rectify. He congratulated
+            the committee on their institution, which he thought
+            would tend to promote so desirable an end; but desired them not
+            to stop short of the total abolition of the Slave Trade, as no other
+            measure would prove effectual against the evils of which he complained.
+            This trade, he said, was utterly unnecessary, as his
+            own plantation, on which his slaves had increased rapidly by
+            population, and others which he knew to be similarly circumstanced,
+            would abundantly testify. He concluded by promising
+            to give the committee such information from time to time as
+            might be useful on this important subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The session of parliament having closed, the committee
+            thought it right to make a report to the public: in which they
+            gave an account of the great progress of their cause since the last;
+            of the state in which they then were; and of the unjustifiable
+            conduct of their opponents, who industriously misrepresented
+            their views, but particularly by attributing to them the design
+            of abolishing slavery: and they concluded by exhorting their
+            friends not to relax their endeavours on account of favourable
+            appearances; but to persevere, as if nothing had been done, under
+            the pleasing hope of an honourable triumph.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And now having given the substance of the labours of the
+            committee from its formation to the present time, I cannot conclude
+            this chapter without giving to the worthy members of it
+            that tribute of affectionate and grateful praise, which is due to
+            them for their exertions in having forwarded the great cause
+            which was intrusted to their care. And this I can do with more
+            propriety, because, having been so frequently absent from them
+            when they were engaged in the pursuit of this their duty, I cannot
+            be liable to the suspicion, that in bestowing commendation
+            upon them I am bestowing it upon myself. From about the end
+            of May, 1787, to the middle of July, 1788, they had no less than
+            fifty-one committees. These generally occupied them from about
+
+            six in the evening till about eleven at night. In the intervals
+            between the committees they were often occupied, having each
+            of them some object committed to his charge. It is remarkable,
+            too, that though they were all, except one, engaged in, business or
+            trade, and though they had the same calls as other men for innocent
+            recreation, and the same interruptions of their health, there
+            were individuals who were not absent more than five or six times
+            within this period. In the course of the thirteen months, during
+            which they had exercised this public trust, they had printed, and
+            afterwards distributed, not at random, but judiciously, and
+            through, respectable channels, (besides 26,526 reports, accounts
+            of debates in parliament, and other small papers,) no less than
+            51,432 pamphlets, or books.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Nor, was the effect, produced within this short period otherwise
+            than commensurate with the efforts used. In May, 1787, the
+            only public notice taken of this great cause was by this committee
+            of twelve individuals, of whom all were little known to the world
+            except Mr. Granville Sharp. But in July, 1788, it had attracted
+            the notice of several distinguished individuals in France and
+            Germany; and in our own country it had come within the notice
+            of the government, and a branch of it had undergone a parliamentary
+            discussion and restraint. It had arrested, also, the
+            attention of the nation, and it had produced a kind of holy flame,
+            or enthusiasm, and this to a degree and to an extent never before
+            witnessed. Of the purity of this flame no better proof can be
+            offered, than that even Bishops deigned to address an obscure
+            committee, consisting principally of Quakers; and that Churchmen
+            and Dissenters forgot their difference of religious opinions,
+            and joined their hands, all over the kingdom, in its support.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap24"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Continuation from June 1788 to July 1789.&#8212;Author travels to
+         collect further evidence; great difficulties in obtaining it;
+         forms committees on his tour.&#8212;Privy council resume the
+         examinations; inspect cabinet of African productions; obliged
+         to leave many of the witnesses in behalf of the abolition
+         unexamined; prepare their report&#8212;Labours of the committee
+         in the interim.&#8212;Proceedings of the planters and others.&#8212;Report
+         laid on the table of the House of Commons.&#8212;Introduction of the
+         question, and debate there; twelve propositions deduced from the
+         report and reserved for future discussion; day of discussion arrives;
+         opponents refuse to argue from the report; require new evidence; this
+         granted and introduced; further consideration of the subject
+         deferred to the next session.&#8212;Renewal of Sir William Dolben's
+         bill.&#8212;Death and character of Ramsay.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            Matters had now become serious. The gauntlet had been
+            thrown down and accepted. The combatants had taken their
+            stations, and the contest was to be renewed, which was to be
+            decided soon on the great theatre of the nation. The committee
+            by the very act of their institution had pronounced the Slave
+            Trade to be criminal. They, on the other hand, who were concerned
+            in it, had denied the charge. It became the one to prove,
+            and the other to refute it, or to fall in the ensuing session.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee, in this perilous situation, were anxious to
+            find out such other persons as might become proper evidences
+            before the privy council. They had hitherto sent there only nine
+            or ten, and they had then only another, whom they could count
+            upon for this purpose, in their view. The proposal of sending
+            persons to Africa, and the West Indies, who might come back
+            and report what they had witnessed, had already been negatived.
+            The question then was, what they were to do. Upon this they
+            deliberated, and the result was an application to me to undertake
+            a journey to different parts of the kingdom for this purpose.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When this determination was made, I was at Teston, writing
+            a long letter to the privy council on the ill usage and mortality of
+            the seamen employed in the Slave Trade, which it had been previously
+            agreed should be received as evidence there. I thought it
+
+            proper, however, before I took my departure, to form a system of
+            questions upon the general subject. These I divided into six
+            tables. The first related to the productions of Africa, and the
+            dispositions and manners of the natives. The second, to the
+            methods of reducing them to slavery. The third, to the manner
+            of bringing them to the ships, their value, the medium of
+            exchange, and other circumstances. The fourth, to their transportation.
+            The fifth, to their treatment in the colonies. The
+            sixth, to the seamen employed in the trade. These tables contained
+            together one hundred and forty-five questions. My idea
+            was that they should be printed on a small sheet of paper, which
+            should be folded up in seven or eight leaves, of the length and
+            breadth of a small almanac, and then be sent in franks to our
+            different correspondents. These, when they had them, might
+            examine persons capable of giving evidence, who might live in
+            their neighbourhoods, or fall in their way, and return us their
+            examinations by letter.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee having approved and printed the tables of
+            questions, I began my tour. I had selected the southern counties
+            from Kent to Cornwall for it. I had done this, because these
+            included the great stations of the ships of war in ordinary; and
+            as these were all under the superintendence of Sir Charles
+            Middleton, as comptroller of the navy, I could get an introduction
+            to those on board them. Secondly, because sea-faring people,
+            when they retire from a marine life, usually settle in some town
+            or village upon the coast.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of this tour I shall not give the reader any very particular
+            account. I shall mention only those things which are most
+            worthy of his notice in it. At Poole, in Dorsetshire, I laid the
+            foundation of a committee, to act in harmony with that of
+            London for the promotion of the cause. Moses Neave, of the
+            respectable society of the Quakers, was the chairman; Thomas
+            Bell, the secretary; and Ellis B. Metford and the Reverend Mr.
+            Davis and others the committee. This was the third committee
+            which had been instituted in the country for this purpose. That
+            at Bristol, under Mr. Joseph Harford as chairman, and Mr.
+            Lunell as secretary, had been the first: and that at Manchester,
+
+            under Mr. Thomas Walker as chairman, and Mr. Samuel
+            Jackson as secretary, had been the second.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As Poole was a great place for carrying on the trade to Newfoundland,
+            I determined to examine the assertion of the Earl of
+            Sandwich in the House of Lords, when he said, in the debate on
+            Sir William Dolben's bill, that the Slave Trade was not more
+            fatal to seamen than the Newfoundland and some others. This
+            assertion I knew at the time to be erroneous, as far as my own
+            researches had been concerned: for out of twenty-four vessels,
+            which had sailed out of the port of Bristol in that employ, only
+            two sailors were upon the dead list. In sixty vessels from Poole,
+            I found but four lost. At Dartmouth, where I went afterwards
+            on purpose, I found almost a similar result. On conversing,
+            however, with Governor Holdsworth, I learnt that the year 1786
+            had been more fatal than any other in this trade. I learnt that in
+            consequence of extraordinary storms and hurricanes, no less than
+            five sailors had died and twenty-one had been drowned in eighty-three
+            vessels from that port. Upon this statement I determined
+            to look into the muster-rolls of the trade there for two or three
+            years together. I began by accident with the year 1769, and I
+            went on to the end of 1772. About eighty vessels on an average
+            had sailed thence in each of these years. Taking the loss in
+            these years, and compounding it with that in the fatal year, three
+            sailors had been lost; but taking it in these four years by themselves,
+            only two had been lost in twenty-four vessels so employed.
+            On comparison with the Slave Trade, the result would be, that
+            two vessels to Africa would destroy more seamen than eighty-three
+            sailing to Newfoundland. There was this difference also to
+            be noted, that the loss in the one trade was generally by the
+            weather or by accident, but in the other by cruel treatment or
+            disease; and that they who went out in a declining state of
+            health in the one, came home generally recovered; whereas they,
+            who went out robust in the other, came home in a shattered
+            condition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At Plymouth I laid the foundation of another committee.
+            The late William Cookworthy, the late John Prideaux, and
+            James Fox, all of the society of the Quakers, and Mr. George
+
+            Leach, Samuel Northcote and John Saunders, had a principal
+            share in forming it. Sir William Ellford was chosen chairman.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From Plymouth I journeyed on to Falmouth, and from thence
+            to Exeter, where having meetings with the late Mr. Samuel
+            Milford, the late Mr. George Manning, the Reverend James
+            Manning, Thomas Sparkes, and others, a desire became manifest
+            among them of establishing a committee there. This was afterwards
+            effected; and Mr. Milford, who at a general meeting of
+            the inhabitants of Exeter, on the 10th of June, on this great
+            subject, had been called by those present to the chair, was
+            appointed the chairman of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to evidence, which was the great object of this
+            tour, I found myself often very unpleasantly situated in collecting
+            it. I heard of many persons capable of giving it to our advantage,
+            to whom I could get no introduction. I had to go after
+            these many miles out of my established route. Not knowing me,
+            they received me coldly, and even suspiciously; while I fell in
+            with others, who, considering themselves, on account of their
+            concerns and connexions, as our opponents, treated me in an
+            uncivil manner.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the difficulties and disappointments in other respects
+            which I experienced in this tour,&#8212;even where I had an introduction,
+            and where the parties were not interested in the continuance
+            of the Slave Trade,&#8212;were greater than people in general would
+            have imagined. One would have thought, considering the great
+            enthusiasm of the nation on this important subject, that they
+            who could have given satisfactory information upon it, would
+            have rejoiced to do it. But I found it otherwise; and this frequently
+            to my sorrow. There was an aversion in persons to
+            appear before such a tribunal as they conceived the privy council
+            to be. With men of shy or timid character this operated as an
+            insuperable barrier in their way. But it operated more or less
+            upon all. It was surprising to see what little circumstances
+            affected many. When I took out my pen and ink to put down
+            the information which a person was giving me, he became
+            evidently embarrassed and frightened. He began to excuse
+            himself from staying, by alleging that he had nothing more to
+
+            communicate, and he took himself away as quickly as he could
+            with decency. The sight of the pen and ink had lost me so many
+            good evidences, that I was obliged wholly to abandon the use of
+            them, and to betake myself to other means. I was obliged for
+            the future to commit my tables of questions to memory; and
+            endeavour by practice to put down, after the examination of a
+            person, such answers as he had given me to each of them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Others went off, because it happened that immediately on my
+            interview, I acquainted them with the nature of my errand and
+            solicited their attendance in London. Conceiving that I had no
+            right to ask them such a favour, or terrified at the abruptness and
+            apparent awfulness of my request some of them gave me an
+            immediate denial, which they would never afterwards retract. I
+            began to perceive in time that it was only by the most delicate
+            management that I could get forward on these occasions. I
+            resolved, therefore, for the future, except in particular cases, that
+            when I should be introduced to persons who had a competent
+            knowledge of this trade, I would talk with them upon it as upon
+            any ordinary subject, and then leave them without saying anything
+            about their becoming evidences. I would take care, however,
+            to commit all their conversation to writing when it was
+            over; and I would then try to find out that person among their
+            relations or friends, who could apply to them for this purpose,
+            with the least hazard of a refusal.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There were others, also, who, though they were not so much
+            impressed by the considerations mentioned, yet objected to give
+            their public testimony. Those whose livelihood, or promotion,
+            or expectations, were dependent upon the government of the
+            country, were generally backward on these occasions. Though
+            they thought they discovered in the parliamentary conduct of
+            Mr. Pitt, a bias in favour of the cause, they knew to a certainty
+            that the Lord Chancellor Thurlow was against it. They conceived,
+            therefore, that the administration was at least divided
+            upon the question, and they were fearful of being called upon,
+            lest they should give offence, and thus injure their prospects in
+            life. This objection was very prevalent in that part of the
+            kingdom which I had selected for my tour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The reader can hardly conceive how my mind was agitated
+            and distressed on these different accounts. To have travelled
+            more than two months,&#8212;to have seen many who could have
+            materially served our cause,&#8212;and to have lost most of them,&#8212;was
+            very trying. And though it is true that I applied a remedy, I
+            was not driven to the adoption of it, till I had performed more
+            than half my tour. Suffice it to say, that after having travelled
+            upwards of sixteen hundred miles backwards and forwards, and
+            having conversed with forty-seven persons, who were capable of
+            promoting the cause by their evidence, I could only prevail upon
+            nine, by all the interest I could make, to be examined.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On my return to London, whither I had been called up by
+            the committee, to take upon me the superintendence of the
+            evidence, which the privy council was now ready again to hear,
+            I found my brother: he was then a young officer in the navy;
+            and as I knew he felt as warmly as I did in this great cause, I
+            prevailed upon him to go to Havre de Grace, the great slave-port
+            in France, where he might make his observations for two or
+            three months, and then report what he had seen and heard; so
+            that we might have some one to counteract any false statement
+            of things, which might be made relative to the subject in that
+            quarter.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length the examinations were resumed, and with them
+            the contest, in which our own reputation and the fate of our
+            cause were involved. The committee for the abolition had discovered,
+            one or two willing evidences during my absence; and Mr.
+            Wilberforce, who was now recovered from his severe indisposition,
+            had found one or two others. These, added to my own,
+            made a respectable body; but we had sent no more than four or
+            five of these to the council, when the king's illness unfortunately
+            stopped our career. For nearly five weeks between the middle
+            of November and January, the examinations were interrupted or
+            put off, so that at the latter period we began to fear, that there
+            would be scarcely time to hear the rest; for not only the
+            privy council report was to be printed, but the contest itself was
+            to be decided by  the evidence contained in it, in the existing
+            session.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The examinations, however, went on; but they went on only
+            slowly, being still subject to interruption from the same unfortunate
+            cause. Among others I offered my mite of information
+            again. I wished the council to see more of my African productions
+            and manufactures, that they might really know what
+            Africa was capable of affording, instead of the Slave Trade; and
+            that they might make a proper estimate of the genius and talents
+            of the natives. The samples which I had collected, had been
+            obtained by great labour, and at no inconsiderable expense: for
+            whenever I had notice that a vessel had arrived immediately from
+            that continent, I never hesitated to go, unless under the most
+            pressing engagements elsewhere, even as far as Bristol, if I could
+            pick up but a single new article. The lords having consented, I
+            selected several things for their inspection out of my box,&#8212;of the
+            contents of which the following account may not be unacceptable
+            to the reader:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first division of the box consisted of woods of about four
+            inches square, all polished. Among these were mahogany of
+            five different sorts, tulip-wood, satin-wood, cam-wood, bar-wood,
+            fustic, black and yellow ebony, palm-tree, mangrove, calabash,
+            and date. There were seven woods, of which the native names
+            were remembered; three of these, Tumiah, Samain, and Jimlake,
+            were of a yellow colour; Acajo&uacute; was of a beautiful deep crimson;
+            Bork and Quell&eacute; were apparently fit for cabinet work; and
+            Benten was the wood of which the natives made their canoes.
+            Of the, various other woods the names had been forgotten, nor
+            were they known in England at all. One of them was of a fine
+            purple; and from two others, upon which the privy council had
+            caused experiments to be made, a strong yellow, a deep orange,
+            and a flesh-colour were extracted.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The second, division included ivory and musk; four species of
+            pepper, the long, the black, the Cayenne, and the Malaguetta;
+            three species of gum, namely, Senegal, Copal, and ruber astringens;
+            cinnamon, rice, tobacco, indigo, white and Nankin cotton,
+            Guinea corn, and millet; three species of beans, of which two
+            were used for food, and the other for dyeing orange; two species
+            of tamarinds, one for food, and the other to give whiteness to the
+
+            teeth; pulse, seeds, and fruits of various kinds, some of the latter
+            of which Dr. Spaarman had pronounced; from a trial during his
+            residence in Africa, to be peculiarly valuable as drugs.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The third division contained an African loom, and an African
+            spindle with spun cotton round it; cloths of cotton of various
+            kinds made by the natives, some white, but others dyed by them
+            of different colours, and others in which they had interwoven
+            European silk; cloths and bags made of grass, and fancifully
+            coloured; ornaments made of the same materials; ropes made
+            from a species of aloes and others, remarkably strong, from glass and
+            straw; fine string made from the fibres of the roots of trees; soap
+            of two kinds; one of which was formed from an earthy substance;
+            pipe-bowls made of clay, and of a brown red; one of these, which
+            came from the village of Dakard, was beautifully ornamented by
+            black devices burnt in, and was besides highly glazed; another
+            brought from Galam, was made of earth, which was richly
+            impregnated with little particles of gold; trinkets made by the
+            natives from their own gold; knives and daggers made by them from
+            our bar-iron; and various other articles, such as bags,
+            sandals, dagger-cases, quivers, grisgris, all made of leather of their
+            own manufacture, and dyed of various colours, and ingeniously
+            sewed together.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The fourth division consisted of the thumb-screw, speculum oris, and
+            chains and shackles of different kinds, collected at
+            Liverpool. To these were added, iron neck-collars, and other
+            instruments of punishment and confinement used in the West
+            Indies, and collected at other places. The instrument also, by
+            which Charles Horseler was mentioned to have been killed, in
+            a former chapter, was to be seen among these.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We were now advanced far into February, when we were
+            alarmed by the intelligence that the lords of the council were
+            going to prepare their report: At this time we had sent but few
+            persons to them to examine, in comparison with our opponents,
+            and we had yet eighteen to introduce: for answers had come into
+            my tables of questions from several places, and persons had been
+            pointed out to us by our correspondents, who had increased our
+            list of evidences to this number. I wrote therefore to them, at
+
+            the desire of the committee for the abolition, and gave them the
+            names of the eighteen, and requested also, that they would order, for
+            their own inspection; certain muster-rolls of vessels from Poole and
+            Dartmouth, that they might be convinced that the objection which the Earl
+            of Sandwich had made in the House of Lords, against the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade, had no solid foundation. In reply to my first
+            request they informed me, that it was impossible, in the advanced
+            state of the session, (it being then the middle of March,) that
+            the examinations of so many could be taken; but I was at liberty,
+            in conjunction with the Bishop of London, to select eight for
+            this purpose. This occasioned me to address them again; and I
+            then found, to my surprise and sorrow, that even this last number
+            was to be diminished; for I was informed in writing, "that the
+            Bishop of London having laid my last letter before their lordships,
+            they had agreed to meet on the Saturday next, and on the Tuesday
+            following, for the purposes of receiving the evidence of some of
+            the gentlemen named in it. And it was their lordships' desire
+            that I would give notice to any three of them (whose information
+            I might consider the most material) of the above determination,
+            that they might attend the committee accordingly."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This answer, considering the difficulties we had found in collecting
+            a body of evidence, and the critical situation in which we were,
+            was peculiarly distressing; but we had no remedy left us, nor could
+            we reasonably complain. Three therefore were selected, and they
+            were sent to deliver their testimony on their arrival in town.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But before the last of these had left the council room, who should come
+            up to me but Dr. Arnold? He had but lately arrived at Bristol from
+            Africa; and having heard from our friends there that we had been daily
+            looking for him, he had come to us in London. He and Mr. Gardiner were
+            the two surgeons, as mentioned in the former chapter, who had promised
+            me, when I was in Bristol, in the year 1787, that they would keep a
+            journal of facts during the voyages they were then going to perform.
+            They had both kept this promise. Gardiner, I found, had died upon the
+            coast; and his journal, having been discovered
+
+            at his death, had been buried with him in great triumph.
+            But Arnold had survived, and he came now to offer us his
+            services in the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As it was a pity that such correct information as that taken
+            down in writing upon the spot should be lost (for all the other
+            evidences, except Dr. Spaarman and Mr. Wadstrom, had spoken
+            from their memory only), I made all the interest I could to procure
+            a hearing for Mr. Arnold. Pleading now for the examination
+            of him only, and under these particular circumstances, I was
+            attended to. It was consented, in consequence of the little time
+            which was now left for preparing and printing the report, that I
+            should make out his evidence from his journal under certain heads.
+            This I did. Mr. Arnold swore to the truth of it, when so drawn
+            up, before Edward Montague, Esquire, a master in Chancery. He
+            then delivered the paper in which it was contained to the lords
+            of the council, who, on receiving it, read it throughout, and then
+            questioned him upon it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At this time, also, my brother returned with accounts and
+            papers relative to the Slave Trade from Havre de Grace; but as I
+            had pledged myself to offer no other person to be examined, his
+            evidence was lost. Thus, after all the pains we had taken, and
+            in a contest, too, on the success of which our own reputation and
+            the fate of Africa depended, we were obliged to fight the battle
+            with sixteen less than we could have brought into the field; while
+            our opponents, on the other hand, on account of their superior
+            advantages, had mustered all their forces, not having omitted a
+            single man.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I do not know of any period of my life in which I suffered so
+            much, both in body and mind, as from the time of resuming these
+            public inquiries by the privy council, to the time when they
+            were closed. For I had my weekly duty to attend at the committee
+            for the abolition during this interval. I had to take down
+            the examinations of all the evidences who came to London, and
+            to make certain copies of these. I had to summon these to town,
+            and to make provision against all accidents; and here I was often
+            troubled, by means of circumstances, which unexpectedly occurred,
+            lest, when committees of the council had been purposely appointed
+
+            to hear them, they should not be forthcoming at the time. I had
+            also a new and extensive correspondence to keep up; for the
+            tables of questions which had been sent down to our correspondents,
+            brought letters almost innumerable on this subject, and they
+            were always addressed to me. These not only required answers
+            of themselves, but as they usually related to persons capable of
+            giving their testimony, and contained the particulars of what they
+            could state, they occasioned fresh letters to be written to others.
+            Hence the writing often of ten or twelve daily became necessary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the contents of these letters afforded the circumstances,
+            which gave birth to so much suffering. They contained usually
+            some affecting tale of woe. At Bristol my feelings had been
+            harassed by the cruel treatment of the seamen, which had come
+            to my knowledge there: but now I was doomed to see this treatment
+            over again in many other melancholy instances; and, additionally,
+            to take in the various sufferings of the unhappy slaves.
+            These accounts I could seldom get time to read till late in the
+            evening, and sometimes not till midnight, when the letters containing
+            them were to be answered. The effect of these accounts
+            was in some instances to overwhelm me for a time in tears, and
+            in others to produce a vivid indignation, which affected my whole
+            frame. Recovering from these, I walked up and down the room:
+            I felt fresh vigour, and made new determinations of perpetual
+            warfare against this impious trade. I implored strength that I
+            might succeed. I then sat down, and continued my work as
+            long as my wearied eyes would permit me to see. Having been
+            agitated in this manner, I went to bed; but my rest was frequently
+            broken by the visions which floated before me. When I awoke,
+            these renewed themselves to me, and they flitted about with me
+            for the remainder of the day. Thus I was kept continually
+            harassed: my mind was confined to one gloomy and heart-breaking
+            subject for months. It had no respite, and my health began
+            now materially to suffer.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the contents of these letters were particularly grievous,
+            on account of the severe labours which they necessarily entailed
+            upon me in other ways than those which have been mentioned.
+            It was my duty, while the privy council examinations went on,
+
+            not only to attend to all the evidence which was presented to us
+            by our correspondents, but to find out and select the best. The
+            happiness of millions depended upon it. Hence I was often
+            obliged to travel during these examinations, in order to converse
+            with those who had been pointed out to us as capable of giving
+            their testimony; and, that no time might be lost, to do this in the
+            night. More than two hundred miles in a week were sometimes
+            passed over on these occasions.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The disappointments too, which I frequently experienced in
+            journeys, increased the poignancy of the, suffering, which
+            arose from a contemplation of the melancholy cases which I had
+            thus travelled to bring forward to the public view. The reader
+            at present can have no idea of these. I have been sixty miles to
+            visit a person, of whom I had heard, not only as possessing important
+            knowledge, but as espousing our opinions on this subject. I
+            have at length seen him. He has applauded my pursuit at our
+            first interview. He has told me, in the course of our conversation,
+            that neither my own pen, nor that of any other man, could
+            describe adequately the horrors, of the Slave Trade, horrors which
+            he himself had witnessed. He has exhorted me to perseverance
+            in this noble cause. Could I have wished for a more favourable
+            reception!&#8212;But mark the issue. He was the nearest relation of
+            a rich person concerned in the traffic; and if he were to come
+            forward with his evidence publicly, he should ruin all his expectations
+            from that Quarter. In the same week I have visited
+            another at a still greater distance. I have met with similar
+            applause. I have heard him describe scenes of misery which he
+            had witnessed, and on the relation of which he himself almost
+            wept. But mark the issue again.&#8212;"I am a surgeon," says he;
+            "through that window you see a spacious house; it is occupied
+            by a West Indian. The medical attendance upon his family is
+            of considerable importance to the temporal interests of mine. If
+            I give you my evidence I lose his patronage. At the house above
+            him lives a East Indian. The two families are connected: I
+            fear, if I lose the support of one, I shall lose that of the other also:
+            but I will give you privately all the intelligence in my power."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The reader may now conceive the many miserable hours I
+
+            must have spent, after such visits, in returning home; and how
+            grievously my heart must have been afflicted by these cruel
+            disappointments, but more particularly where they arose from causes
+            inferior to those which have been now mentioned, or from little
+            frivolous excuses, or idle and unfounded conjectures, unworthy of
+            beings expected to fill a moral station in life. Yes, O man! often
+            in these solitary journeyings have I exclaimed against the baseness
+            of thy nature, when reflecting on the little paltry considerations
+            which have smothered thy benevolence, and hindered thee
+            from succouring an oppressed brother. And yet, on a further
+            view of things, I have reasoned myself into a kinder feeling
+            towards thee. For I have been obliged to consider ultimately,
+            that there were both lights and shades in the human character;
+            and that, if the bad part of our nature was visible on these occasions,
+            the nobler part of it ought not to be forgotten. While I
+            passed a censure upon those, who were backward in serving this
+            great cause of humanity and justice, how many did I know, who
+            were toiling in the support of it! I drew also this consolation
+            from my reflections, that I had done my duty; that I had left
+            nothing untried or undone; that amidst all these disappointments
+            I had collected information, which might be useful at a future
+            time; and that such disappointments were almost inseparable from
+            the prosecution of a cause of such magnitude, and where the
+            interests of so many were concerned:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having now given a general account of my own proceedings,
+            I shall state those of the committee; or show how they contributed,
+            by fulfilling the duties of their several departments, to
+            promote the cause in the interim.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the first place they completed the rules, or code of laws,
+            for their own government.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They continued to adopt and circulate books, that they might
+            still enlighten the public mind on the subject, and preserve
+            it interested in favour of their institution. They kept the press indeed
+            almost constantly going for this purpose. They printed, within the
+            period mentioned, RAMSAY'S, <em>Address on the proposed Bill for the
+               Abolition; The Speech of Henry Beaufoy, Esq., on Sir William
+               Dolben's Bill</em>, of which an extract is given in <a href="#chap23" >Chap. xxiii.</a>; <em>Notes by
+
+               a Planter on the two Reports from the Committee of the Honourable
+               House of Assembly of Jamaica</em>; <em>Observations on the Slave Trade</em>
+            by Mr. Wadstrom; and DICKSON'S <em>Letters on Slavery.</em> These
+            were all new publications. To those they added others of less
+            note, with new editions of the old.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They voted their thanks to the Rev. Mr. Clifford, for his
+            excellent Sermon on the Slave Trade; to the pastor and congregation
+            of the Baptist church at Maze Pond, Southwark, for their
+            liberal subscription; and to John Barton, one of their own members,
+            for the services he had rendered them. The latter, having
+            left his residence in town for one in the country, solicited permission
+            to resign, and hence this mark of approbation was given to
+            him. He was continued also as an honorary and corresponding
+            member.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They elected David Hartley and Richard Sharpe, Esqs., into
+            their own body, and Alexander Jaffray, Esq., the Rev. Charles
+            Symmons, of Haverfordwest, and the Rev. T. Burgess (afterwards
+            bishop of Salisbury), as honorary and corresponding
+            members. The latter had written <em>Considerations on the Abolition
+               of Slavery and the Slave Trade, upon grounds of natural,
+               religious, and political Duty</em>, which had been of great service to
+            the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of the new correspondents of the committee within this
+            period I may first mention Henry Taylor, of North Shields;
+            William Proud, of Hull; the Rev. T. Gisborne, of Yoxall
+            Lodge; and William Ellford, Esq., of Plymouth. The latter as
+            chairman of the Plymouth committee, sent up for inspection an
+            engraving of a plan and section of a slave-ship, in which the
+            bodies of the slaves were seen stowed in the proportion of rather
+            less than one to a ton. This happy invention gave all those who
+            saw it a much better idea, than they could otherwise have had, of
+            the horrors of their transportation, and contributed greatly, as will
+            appear, afterwards, to impress the public in favour of our cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next, whom I shall mention, was C.L. Evans, Esq., of
+            West Bromwich; the Rev. T. Clarke, of Hull; S.P. Wolferstan,
+            of Stratford, near Tamworth; Edmund Lodge, Esq., of Halifax;
+            the Rev. Caleb Rotheram, of Kendal; and Mr. Campbell Haliburton,
+
+            of Edinburgh. The news which Mr. Haliburton sent
+            was very agreeable. He informed us that, in consequence
+            of the great exertions of Mr. Alison, an institution had been
+            formed in Edinburgh, similar to that in London, which would
+            take all Scotland under its care and management, as far as
+            related to this great subject. He mentioned Lord Gardenston as
+            the chairman; Sir William Forbes as the deputy-chairman; himself
+            as the secretary; and Lord Napier, Professor Andrew Hunter,
+            Professor Greenfield, and William Creech, Adam Rolland, Alexander
+            Ferguson, John Dickson, John Erskine, John Campbell,
+            Archibald Gibson, Archibald Fletcher, and Horatius Canning,
+            Esqrs., as the committee.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The others were, the Rev. J. Bidlake, of Plymouth; Joseph
+            Storrs, of Chesterfield; William Fothergill, of Carr End, Yorkshire;
+            J. Seymour, of Coventry; Moses Neave, of Poole;
+            Joseph Taylor, of Scarborough; Timothy Clark, of Doncaster;
+            Thomas Davis, of Milverton; George Croker Fox, of Falmouth;
+            Benjamin Grubb, of Clonmell in Ireland; Sir William Forbes, of
+            Edinburgh; the Rev. J. Jamieson, of Forfar; and Joseph Gurney,
+            of Norwich; the latter of whom sent up a remittance, and intelligence
+            at the same time, that a committee, under Mr. Leigh, so
+            often before mentioned, had been formed in that
+            city<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXIV_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXIV_1"></a>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXIV_1"></a><a href="#FootXXIV_1">A</a>: On the removal of Mr. Leigh from Norwich,
+            Dr. Pretyman, precentor of Lincoln and a prebend of Norwich, succeeded
+            him.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the committee in London, while they were endeavouring
+            to promote the object of their institution at home, continued their
+            exertions for the same purpose abroad within this period.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They kept up a communication with the different societies
+            established in America.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They directed their attention also to the continent of Europe.
+            They had already applied, as I mentioned before, to the king of
+            Sweden in favour of their cause, and had received a gracious answer.
+            They now attempted to interest other Potentates in it. For this
+            purpose they bound up in an elegant manner two sets of the
+            <em>Essays on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, and
+               on the Impolicy of the Slave Trade</em>, and sent them to the Chevalier
+            de Pinto, in Portugal. They bound up in a similar manner
+
+            three sets of the same, and sent them to Mr. Eden (afterwards
+            Lord Aukland), at Madrid, to be given to the king of Spain, the
+            Count d'Aranda, and the Marquis del Campomanes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They kept up their correspondence with the committee at
+            Paris, which had greatly advanced itself in the eyes of the French
+            nation; so that, when the different bailliages sent deputies to the
+            states-general, they instructed them to take the Slave Trade into
+            their consideration as a national object, and with a view to its
+            abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They kept up their correspondence with Dr. Frossard of
+            Lyons. He had already published in France on the subject of the
+            Slave Trade; and now he offered the committee to undertake the
+            task, so long projected by them, of collecting such arguments and
+            facts concerning it, and translating them into different languages,
+            as might be useful in forwarding their views in foreign parts.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They addressed letters also to various individuals, to Monsieur
+            Snetlage, doctor of laws at Halle in Saxony; to Monsieur Ladebat,
+            of Bordeaux; to the Marquis de Feuillade d'Aubusson, at
+            Paris; and to Monsieur Necker. The latter in his answer replied
+            in part as follows: "As this great question," says he, "is not
+            in my department, but in that of the minister for the colonies, I
+            cannot interfere in it directly, but I will give indirectly all the
+            assistance in my power. I have for a long time taken an interest
+            in the general alarm on this occasion, and in the noble alliance of
+            the friends of humanity in favour of the injured Africans. Such
+            an attempt throws a new lustre over your nation. It is not yet,
+            however, a national object in France; but the moment may perhaps
+            come, and I shall think myself happy in preparing the way
+            for it. You must be aware, however, of the difficulties which we
+            shall have to encounter on our side of the water; for our colonies
+            are much more considerable than yours; so that in the view of
+            political interest we are not on an equal footing. It will therefore
+            be necessary to find some middle line at first, as it cannot be
+            expected that humanity alone will be the governing principle of
+            mankind."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the day was now drawing near, when it was expected
+            that this great contest would be decided. Mr. Wilberforce, on
+
+            the 19th of March, rose up in the House of Commons and
+            desired the resolution to be read, by which the house stood
+            pledged to take the Slave Trade into their consideration in the
+            then session; He then moved that the house should resolve itself
+            into a committee of the whole house on Thursday the 23rd of
+            April, for this purpose. This motion was agreed to; after which
+            he moved for certain official documents necessary to throw light
+            upon the subject in the course of its discussion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This motion, by means of which the great day of trial was
+            now fixed, seemed to be the signal for the planters, merchants,
+            and other interested persons to begin a furious opposition.
+            Meetings were accordingly called by advertisement. At these
+            meetings much warmth and virulence were manifested in debate,
+            and propositions breathing a spirit of anger were adopted. It was
+            suggested there, in the vehemence of passion, that the islands
+            could exist independently of the mother country; nor were even
+            threats withheld to intimidate government from effecting the
+            abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From this time, also, the public papers began to be filled
+            with such statements as were thought most likely to influence
+            the members of the House of Commons, previously to the discussion
+            of the question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first impression attempted to be made upon them was
+            with respect to the slaves themselves. It was contended, and
+            attempted to be shown by the revival of the old argument of
+            human sacrifices in Africa, that these were better off in the
+            islands than in their own country. It was contended, also, that
+            they were people of very inferior capacities, and but little removed
+            from the brute creation; whence an inference was drawn that
+            their treatment, against which so much clamour had arisen, was
+            adapted to their intellect and feelings.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next attempt was to degrade the abolitionists in the opinion
+            of the house, by showing the wildness and absurdity of their
+            schemes. It was again insisted upon that emancipation was the
+            real, object of the former; so that thousands of slaves would
+            be let loose in the islands to rob or perish, and who could never
+            be brought back again into habits of useful industry.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An attempt was then made to excite their pity in behalf of
+            the planters. The abolition, it was said, would produce insurrections
+            among the slaves. But insurrections would produce the
+            massacre of their masters; and, if any of these should happily
+            escape from butchery, they would be reserved only for ruin.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An appeal was then made to them on the ground of their
+            own interest and of that of the people whom they represented.
+            It was stated that the ruin of the islands would be the ruin of
+            themselves and of the country. Its revenue would be half annihilated;
+            its naval strength would decay. Merchants, manufacturers
+            and others would come to beggary. But in this deplorable
+            situation they would expect to be indemnified for their losses.
+            Compensation, indeed, must follow: it could not be withheld.
+            But what would be the amount of it? The country would have
+            no less than from eighty to a hundred millions to pay the
+            sufferers; and it would be driven to such distress in paying this
+            sum as it had never before experienced.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The last attempt was to show them that a regulation of the
+            trade was all that was now wanted. While this would remedy
+            the evils complained of, it would prevent the mischief which
+            would assuredly follow the abolition. The planters had already
+            done their part. The assemblies of the different islands had most
+            of them made wholesome laws upon the subject. The very bills
+            passed for this purpose in Jamaica and Grenada had arrived in
+            England, and might be seen by the public; the great grievances
+            had been redressed; no slave could now be mutilated or wantonly
+            killed by his owner; one man could not now maltreat, or bruise,
+            or wound the slave of another; the aged could not now be turned
+            off to perish by hunger. There were laws, also, relative to the
+            better feeding and clothing of the slaves. It remained only that
+            the trade to Africa should be put under as wise and humane
+            regulations as the slavery in the islands had undergone.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These different statements, appearing now in the public papers
+            from day to day, began, in this early stage of the question, when
+            the subject in all its bearings was known but to few, to make a
+            considerable impression upon those, who were soon to be called
+            to the decision of it. But that which had the greatest effect
+
+            upon them, was the enormous amount of the compensation,
+            which, it was said, must be made. This statement against the
+            abolition was making its way so powerfully, that Archdeacon
+            Paley thought it his duty to write, and to send to the committee,
+            a little treatise called <em>Arguments against the unjust
+               Pretensions of Slave Dealers and Holders, to be indemnified by pecuniary
+               Allowances at the public expense, in case the Slave Trade should be
+               abolished</em>. This treatise, when the substance of it was detailed
+            in the public papers, had its influence upon several members of
+            the House of Commons; but there were others who had been,
+            as it were, panic-struck by the statement. These in their fright
+            seemed to have lost the right use of their eyes, or to have looked
+            through a magnifying glass. With these the argument of emancipation,
+            which they would have rejected at another time as ridiculous,
+            obtained now easy credit. The massacres too, and the
+            ruin, though only conjectural, they admitted also. Hence some
+            of them deserted our cause wholly, while others, wishing to do
+            justice as far as they could to the slaves on the one hand, and to
+            their own countrymen on the other, adopted a middle line of
+            conduct, and would go no further than the regulation of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While these preparations were making by our opponents to
+            prejudice the minds of those who were to be the judges in this
+            contest, Mr. Pitt presented the privy council report at the bar of
+            the House of Commons; and as it was a large folio volume, and
+            contained the evidence upon which the question was to be
+            decided, it was necessary that time should be given to the members
+            to peruse it. Accordingly, the 12th of May was appointed,
+            instead of the 23rd of April, for the discussion of the question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This postponement of the discussion of the question gave
+            time to all parties to prepare themselves further. The merchants
+            and planters availed themselves of it to collect petitions to parliament
+            from interested persons, against the abolition of the
+            trade, to wait upon members of parliament by deputation, in
+            order to solicit their attendance in their favour, and to renew
+            their injurious paragraphs in the public papers. The committee
+            for the abolition availed themselves of it to reply to these; and
+            here Dr. Dickson, who had been secretary to Governor Hey,
+
+            in Barbados, and who had offered the committee his <em>Letters on
+               Slavery</em> before mentioned, and his services also, was of singular
+            use. Many members of parliament availed themselves of it to
+            retire into the country to read the report. Among the latter
+            were Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Pitt. In this retirement they
+            discovered, notwithstanding the great disadvantages under which
+            we had laboured with respect to evidence, that our cause was
+            safe, and that, as far as it was to be decided by reason and sound
+            policy, it would triumph. It was in this retirement that Mr.
+            Pitt made those able calculations which satisfied him for ever
+            after, as the minister of the country, as to the safety of the great
+            measure of the abolition of the Slave Trade; for he had clearly
+            proved, that not only the islands could go on in a flourishing
+            state without supplies from the coast of Africa, but that they
+            were then in a condition to do it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length the 12th of May arrived. Mr. Wilberforce rose
+            up in the Commons and moved the order of the day for the house
+            to resolve itself into a committee of the whole house, to take
+            into consideration the petitions which had been presented against
+            the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This order having been read, he moved that the report of the
+            committee of privy council, that the acts passed in the islands
+            relative to slaves, that the evidence adduced last year on the
+            Slave Trade, that the petitions offered in the last session against
+            the Slave Trade, and that the accounts presented to the house in
+            the last and present session relative to the exports and imports of
+            Africa, be referred to the same committee.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These motions having been severally agreed to, the House
+            immediately resolved itself into a committee of the whole house,
+            and Sir William Dolben was put into the chair.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Wilberforce began by declaring, that when he considered
+            how much discussion the subject, which he was about to explain
+            to the committee, had occasioned, not only in that House, but
+            throughout the kingdom, and throughout Europe; and when he
+            considered the extent and importance of it, the variety of interests
+            involved in it, and the consequences which might arise, he
+            owned he had been filled with apprehensions, lest a subject of
+
+            such magnitude, and a cause of such weight, should suffer from
+            the weakness of its advocate; but when he recollected that, in
+            the progress of his inquiries, he had everywhere been received
+            with candour, that most people gave him credit for the purity of
+            his motives, and that, however many of these might then differ
+            from him, they were all likely to agree in the end, he had dismissed
+            his fears, and marched forward with a firmer step in this
+            cause of humanity, justice, and religion. He could not, however,
+            but lament that the subject had excited so much warmth. He
+            feared that too many on this account were but ill prepared to
+            consider it with impartiality. He entreated all such to endeavour
+            to be calm and composed. A fair and cool discussion was essentially
+            necessary. The motion he meant to offer, was as reconcilable
+            to political expediency as to national humanity. It belonged
+            to no party question. It would in the end be found serviceable to
+            all parties, and to the best interests of the country. He did not
+            come forward to accuse the West India planter, or the Liverpool
+            merchant, or indeed any one concerned in this traffic; but, if
+            blame attached anywhere, to take shame to himself in common,
+            indeed, with the whole parliament of Great Britain, who, having
+            suffered it to be carried on under their own authority, were all of
+            them participators in the guilt.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In endeavouring to explain the great business of the day, he
+            said he should call the attention of the House only to the leading
+            features of the Slave Trade. Nor should he dwell long upon
+            these. Every one might imagine for himself what must be the
+            natural consequence of such a commerce with Africa. Was it
+            not plain that she must suffer from it? that her savage manners
+            must be rendered still more ferocious? and that a trade of this
+            nature, carried on round her coasts, must extend violence and
+            desolation to her very centre? It was well known that the
+            natives of Africa were sold as goods, and that numbers of them
+            were continually conveyed away from their country by the owners
+            of British vessels. The question then was, which way the latter
+            came by them. In answer to this question, the privy council
+            report, which was then on the table, afforded evidence the most
+            satisfactory and conclusive. He had found things in it, which
+
+            had confirmed every proposition he had maintained before, whether
+            this proposition had been gathered from living information
+            of the best authority, or from the histories he had read. But it
+            was unnecessary either to quote the report, or to appeal to history
+            on this occasion. Plain reason and common sense would point
+            out how the poor Africans were obtained. Africa was a country
+            divided into many kingdoms, which had different governments
+            and laws. In many parts the princes were despotic. In others
+            they had a limited rule. But in all of them, whatever the nature
+            of the government was, men were considered as goods and property,
+            and, as such, subject to plunder in the same manner as
+            property in other countries. The persons in power there were
+            naturally fond of our commodities; and to obtain them, (which
+            could only be done by the sale of their countrymen,) they waged
+            war on one another, or even ravaged their own country, when
+            they could find no pretence for quarrelling with their neighbours:
+            in their courts of law many poor wretches, who were innocent,
+            were condemned; and to obtain these commodities in greater
+            abundance, thousands were kidnapped and torn from their families,
+            and sent into slavery. Such transactions, he said, were
+            recorded in every history of Africa, and the report on the table
+            confirmed them. With respect, however, to these he should
+            make but one or two observations. If we looked into the reign
+            of Henry the Eighth, we should find a parallel for one of them.
+            We should find that similar convictions took place; and that
+            penalties followed conviction. With respect to wars, the kings
+            of Africa were never induced to engage in them by public principles,
+            by national glory, and least of all by the love of their
+            people. This had been stated by those most conversant in the
+            subject, by Dr. Spaarman and Mr. Wadstrom. They had conversed
+            with these princes, and had learned from their own mouths
+            that to procure slaves was the object of their hostilities. Indeed,
+            there was scarcely a single person examined before the privy
+            council who did not prove that the Slave Trade was the source
+            of the tragedies acted upon that extensive continent. Some had
+            endeavoured to palliate this circumstance; but there was not one
+            who did not more or less admit it to be true. By one the Slave
+
+            Trade was called the concurrent cause, by the majority it was
+            acknowledged to be the principal motive, of the African wars.
+            The same might be said with respect to those instances of
+            treachery and injustice, in which individuals were concerned.
+            And here he was sorry to observe that our own countrymen were
+            often guilty. He would only at present advert to the tragedy
+            at Calabar, where two-large African villages, having been for
+            some time at war, made peace. This peace was to have, been
+            ratified by intermarriages; but some of our captains, who were
+            there, seeing their trade would be stopped for a while,
+            sowed dissension again between them. They actually set one village
+            against the other, took a share in the contest, massacred many
+            of the inhabitants, and carried others of them away as slaves.
+            But shocking as this transaction might appear, there was not a
+            single history of Africa to be read, in which scenes of as atrocious
+            a nature were not related. They, he said, who defended this
+            trade, were warped and blinded by their own interests, and would
+            not be convinced of the miseries they were daily heaping on their
+            fellow creatures. By the countenance, they gave it, they had
+            reduced the inhabitants of Africa to a worse state than that of
+            the most barbarous nation. They had destroyed what ought to
+            have been the bond of union and safety among them; they had
+            introduced discord and anarchy among them; they had set kings
+            against their subjects, and subjects against each other; they had
+            rendered every private family wretched; they had, in short, given
+            birth to scenes of injustice and misery not to be found in any
+            other quarter of the globe.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having said thus much on the subject of procuring slaves in,
+            Africa, he would now go to that of the transportation of them.
+            And here he had fondly hoped, that when men with affections
+            and feelings like our own had been torn from their country, and
+            everything dear to them, he should have found some mitigation
+            of their sufferings; but the sad reverse was the case. This was
+            the most wretched part of the whole subject. He was incapable,
+            of impressing the House with what he felt upon it. A description
+            of their conveyance was impossible. So much misery condensed,
+            in so little room was more than the human imagination had ever
+
+            before conceived. Think only of six hundred persons linked
+            together, trying to get rid of each other, crammed in a close
+            vessel with every object that was nauseous and disgusting,
+            diseased, and struggling with all the varieties of wretchedness.
+            It seemed impossible to add anything more to human misery.
+            Yet shocking as this description must be felt to be by every man,
+            the transportation had been described by several witnesses from
+            Liverpool to be a comfortable conveyance. Mr. Norris had
+            painted the accommodations on board a slave-ship in the most
+            glowing colours. He had represented them in a manner which
+            would have exceeded his attempts at praise of the most luxurious
+            scenes. Their apartments, he said, were fitted up as advantageously
+            for them as circumstances could possibly admit: they had
+            several meals a day; some of their own country provisions, with
+            the best sauces of African cookery; and, by way of variety,
+            another meal of pulse, according to the European taste. After
+            breakfast they had water to wash themselves, while their apartments
+            were perfumed with frankincense and lime-juice. Before
+            dinner they were amused after the manner of their country;
+            instruments of music were introduced; the song and the dance
+            were promoted; games of chance were furnished them; the men
+            played and sang, while the women and girls made fanciful ornaments
+            from beads, with which they were plentifully supplied.
+            They were indulged in all their little fancies, and kept in
+            sprightly humour. Another of them had said, when the sailors
+            were flogged, it was out of the hearing of the Africans, lest it
+            should depress their spirits. He by no means wished to say that
+            such descriptions were wilful misrepresentations. If they were
+            not, it proved that interest or prejudice was capable of spreading
+            a film over the eyes thick enough to occasion total blindness.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Others, however, and these men of the greatest veracity, had
+            given a different account. What would the house think, when
+            by the concurring testimony of these the true history was laid
+            open? The slaves who had been described as rejoicing in their
+            captivity, were so wrung with misery at leaving their country,
+            that it was the constant practice to set sail in the night, lest they
+            should know the moment of their departure. With respect to
+
+            their accommodation, the right ancle of one was fastened to the
+            left ancle of another by an iron fetter; and if they were turbulent,
+            by another on the wrists. Instead of the apartments
+            described, they were placed in niches, and along the decks, in
+            such a manner, that it was impossible for any one to pass among
+            them, however careful he might be, without treading upon them.
+            Sir George Yonge had testified, that in a slave-ship, on board of
+            which he went, and which had not completed her cargo by two
+            hundred and fifty, instead of the scent of frankincense being
+            perceptible to the nostrils, the stench was intolerable. The allowance
+            of water was, so deficient, that the slaves were, frequently
+            found gasping for life, and almost suffocated. The pulse with
+            which they had been said to be favoured, were absolutely English
+            horse-beans. The legislature of Jamaica had stated the scantiness
+            both of water and provisions, as a subject which called for
+            the interference of parliament. As Mr. Norris had said, the song
+            and the dance were promoted, he could not pass over these
+            expressions without telling the house what they meant. It would
+            have been much more fair if he himself had explained the word
+            <em>promoted</em>. The truth was, that, for the
+            sake of exercise, these miserable wretches, loaded with chains and
+            oppressed with disease, were forced to dance by the terror of the
+            lash, and sometimes by the actual use of it. "I" said one of the
+            evidences, "was employed to dance the men, while another person danced the
+            women." Such then was the meaning of the, word <em>promoted</em>;
+            and it might also be observed with respect to food, that instruments
+            were sometimes carried out in order to force them to eat;
+            which was the same sort of proof, how much they enjoyed themselves
+            in this instance also. With respect to their singing, it consisted
+            of songs, of lamentation for the loss of their country. While
+            they sung they were in tears: so that one of the captains, more
+            humane probably than the rest, threatened a woman with a
+            flogging because the mournfulness of her song was too painful for
+            his feelings. Perhaps he could not give a better proof of the
+            sufferings of these injured people during their passage, than by
+            stating the mortality which accompanied it. This was a species
+            of evidence, which was infallible on this occasion. Death was a
+
+            witness which could not deceive them; and the proportion of
+            deaths would not only confirm, but, if possible, even aggravate
+            our suspicion of the misery of the transit. It would be found,
+            upon an average of all the ships, upon which evidence had been
+            given, that, exclusively of such as perished before they sailed
+            from Africa, not less than twelve and-a-half per cent died on
+            their passage: besides these, the Jamaica report stated that four
+            and-a-half per cent died while in the harbours, or on shore before
+            the day of sale, which was only about the space of twelve or
+            fourteen days after their arrival there; and one-third more died
+            in the seasoning: and this in a climate exactly similar to their
+            own, and where, as some of the witnesses pretended, they were
+            healthy and happy. Thus out of every lot of one hundred
+            shipped from Africa, seventeen died in about nine weeks, and
+            not more than fifty lived to become effective labourers in our
+            islands.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having advanced thus far in his investigation, he felt, he said,
+            the wickedness of the Slave Trade to be so enormous, so dreadful,
+            and irremediable, that he could stop at no alternative short of its
+            abolition, A trade founded on iniquity, and carried on with
+            such circumstances of horror, must be abolished, let the policy of
+            it be what it might; and he had from this time determined,
+            whatever were the consequences, that he would never rest till he
+            had effected that abolition. His mind had, indeed, been harassed
+            by the objections of the West India planters, who had asserted,
+            that the ruin of their property must be the consequence of such
+            a measure. He could not help, however, distrusting their
+            arguments. He could not believe that the Almighty Being, who had
+            forbidden the practice of rapine and bloodshed, had made rapine
+            and bloodshed necessary to any part of his universe. He felt a
+            confidence in this persuasion, and took the resolution to act upon
+            it. Light, indeed, soon broke in upon him. The suspicion of his
+            mind was every day confirmed by increasing information, and the
+            evidence he had now to offer upon this point was decisive and
+            complete. The principle upon which he founded the necessity
+            of the abolition was not policy, but justice: but though justice
+            were the principle of the measure, yet he trusted he should
+
+            distinctly prove it to be reconcilable with our truest political
+            interest.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the first place, he asserted that the number of the slaves in
+            our West India islands might be kept up without the introduction
+            of recruits from Africa; and to prove this, he would enumerate
+            the different sources of their mortality. The first was the
+            disproportion of the sexes, there being, upon an average, about
+            five males imported to three females: but this evil, when the Slave Trade
+            was abolished, would cure itself. The second consisted in the
+            bad condition in which they were brought to the islands, and the
+            methods of preparing them for sale. They arrived frequently in
+            a sickly and disordered state, and then they were made up for the
+            market by the application of astringents, washes, mercurial ointments,
+            and repelling drugs, so that their wounds and diseases
+            might be hid. These artifices were not only fraudulent but fatal;
+            but these, it was obvious, would of themselves fall with the trade.
+            A third was, excessive labour joined with improper food; and a
+            fourth was, the extreme dissoluteness of their manners. These,
+            also, would both of them be counteracted by the impossibility of
+            getting further supplies: for owners, now unable to replace those
+            slaves whom they might lose, by speedy purchases in the markets,
+            would be more careful how they treated them in future, and a
+            better treatment would be productive of better morals. And
+            here he would just advert to an argument used against those who
+            complained of cruelty in our islands, which was, that it was the
+            interest of masters to treat their slaves with humanity: but surely
+            it was immediate and present, not future and distant interest,
+            which was the great spring of action in the affairs of mankind.
+            Why did we make laws to punish men? It was their interest
+            to be upright and virtuous: but there was a present impulse continually
+            breaking in upon their better judgment, and an impulse,
+            which was known to be contrary to their permanent advantage.
+            It was ridiculous to say that men would be bound by their
+            interest, when gain or ardent passion urged them. It might as
+            well be asserted, that a stone could not be thrown into the air, or
+            a body move from place to place, because the principle of gravitation
+            bound them to the surface of the earth. If a planter in
+
+            the West Indies found himself reduced in his profits, he did not
+            usually dispose of any part of his slaves; and his own gratifications
+            were never given up, so long as there was a possibility of
+            making any retrenchment in the allowance of his slaves.&#8212;But
+            to return to the subject which he had left: he was happy to
+            state, that as all the causes of the decrease which he had stated
+            might be remedied, so, by the progress of light and reformation,
+            these remedies had been gradually coming into practice; and
+            that, as these had increased, the decrease of slaves had in an
+            equal proportion been lessened. By the gradual adoption of these
+            remedies, he could prove from the report on the table, that the
+            decrease of slaves in Jamaica had lessened to such a degree, that
+            from the year 1774 to the present it was not quite one in a hundred,
+            and that, in fact, they were at present in a state of increase;
+            for that the births in that island, at this moment, exceeded the
+            deaths by one thousand or eleven hundred per annum. Barbados,
+            Nevis, Antigua, and the Bermudas, were, like Jamaica, lessening
+            their decrease, and holding forth an evident and reasonable expectation
+            of a speedy state of increase by natural population. But
+            allowing the number of Negroes even to decrease for a time,
+            there were methods which would insure the welfare of the West
+            India islands. The lands there might be cultivated by fewer
+            hands, and this to greater advantage to the proprietors and to this
+            country, by the produce of cinnamon, coffee, and cotton, than by
+            that of sugar. The produce of the plantations might also be
+            considerably increased, even in the case of sugar, with less hands
+            than were at present employed, if the owners of them would but
+            introduce machines of husbandry. Mr. Long himself, long resident
+            as a planter, had proved, upon his own estate, that the
+            plough, though so little used in the West Indies, did the service
+            of a hundred slaves, and caused the same ground to produce three
+            hogsheads of sugar, which, when cultivated by slaves, would only
+            produce two. The division of work, which, in free and civilized
+            countries, was the grand source of wealth, and the reduction of
+            the number of domestic servants, of whom not less than from
+            twenty to forty were kept in ordinary families, afforded other
+            resources for this purpose. But, granting that all these suppositions
+
+            should be unfounded, and that everyone of these substitutes
+            should fail for a time, the planters would be indemnified, as is the
+            case in all transactions of commerce, by the increased price of
+            their produce in the British market. Thus, by contending against
+            the abolition, they were defeated in every part of the argument.
+            But he would never give up the point, that the number of the
+            slaves could be kept up, by natural population, and without any
+            dependence whatever on the Slave Trade. He therefore called
+            upon the house again to abolish it as a criminal waste of life&#8212;it
+            was utterly unnecessary&#8212;he had proved it so by documents contained
+            in the report. The merchants of Liverpool, indeed, had
+            thought otherwise, but he should be cautious how he assented to
+            their opinions. They declared last year that it was a losing trade
+            at two slaves to a ton, and yet they pursued it when restricted to
+            five slaves to three tons. He believed, however, that it was upon
+            the whole a losing concern; in the same manner as the lottery
+            would be a losing adventure to any company who should buy all
+            the tickets. Here and there an individual gained a large prize,
+            but the majority of adventurers gained nothing. The same merchants,
+            too, had asserted, that the town of Liverpool would be
+            mined by the abolition. But Liverpool did not depend for its
+            consequence upon the Slave Trade. The whole export-tonnage
+            from that place amounted to no less than 170,000 tons; whereas
+            the export part of it to Africa amounted only to 13,000. Liverpool,
+            he was sure, owed its greatness to other and very different causes;
+            the Slave Trade bearing but a small proportion to its other
+            trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having gone through that part of the subject which related
+            to the slaves, he would now answer two objections which he had
+            frequently heard stated. The first of these was, that the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade would operate to the total ruin of our navy,
+            and to the increase of that of our rivals. For an answer to these
+            assertions, he referred to what he considered to be the most valuable
+            part of the report, and for which the House and the country
+            were indebted to the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Clarkson.
+            By the report it appeared, that, instead of the Slave Trade being
+            a nursery for British seamen, it was their grave. It appeared
+
+            that more seamen died in that trade in one year than in the
+            whole remaining trade of the country in two. Out of 910 sailors
+            in it, 216 died in the year, while upon a fair average of the same
+            number of men employed in the trades to the East and West
+            Indies, Petersburgh, Newfoundland, and Greenland, no more
+            than eighty-seven died. It appeared also, that out of 3170, who
+            had left Liverpool in the slave-ships in the year 1787, only 1428
+            had returned. And here, while he lamented the loss which the
+            country thus annually sustained in her seamen, he had additionally
+            to lament the barbarous usage which they experienced, and
+            which this trade, by its natural tendency to harden the heart,
+            exclusively produced. He would just read an extract of a letter
+            from Governor Parrey, of Barbados, to Lord Sydney, one of the
+            secretaries of state. The Governor declared he could no longer
+            contain himself on account of the ill treatment, which the British
+            sailors endured at the hands of their savage captains. These
+            were obliged to have their vessels strongly manned, not only on
+            account of the unhealthiness of the climate of Africa, but of the
+            necessity of guarding the slaves, and preventing and suppressing
+            insurrections; and when they arrived in the West Indies, and
+            were out of all danger from the latter, they quarrelled with their
+            men on the most frivolous pretences, on purpose to discharge
+            them, and thus save the payment of supernumerary wages home.
+            Thus many were left in a diseased and deplorable state; either to
+            perish by sickness, or to enter into foreign service; great numbers
+            of whom were for ever lost to their country. The Governor
+            concluded by declaring, that the enormities attendant on this
+            trade were so great, as to demand the immediate interference of
+            the legislature.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next objection to the abolition was, that if we were to
+            relinquish the Slave Trade, our rivals, the French, would take it
+            up; so that, while we should suffer by the measure, the evil
+            would still go on, and this even to its former extent. This was,
+            indeed, a very weak argument; and, if it would defend the
+            continuance of the Slave Trade, might equally be urged in favour of
+            robbery, murder, and every species of wickedness, which, if we
+            did not practise, others would commit. But suppose, for the sake
+
+            of argument, that they were to take it up, what good would it do
+            them? What advantages, for instance, would they derive from
+            this pestilential commerce to their marine? Should not we, on
+            the other hand, be benefited by this change? Would they not
+            be obliged to come to us, in consequence of the cheapness of our
+            manufactures, for what they wanted for the African market?
+            But he would not calumniate the French nation so much as to
+            suppose that they would carry on the trade, if we were to relinquish
+            it. He believed, on the other hand, that they would
+            abolish it also. Mr. Necker, the minister of France, was a man
+            of religious principle; and, in his work upon the administration
+            of the finances, had recorded his abhorrence of this trade. He
+            was happy also to relate an anecdote of the king of France,
+            which proved that he was a friend to the abolition; for, being
+            petitioned to dissolve a society, formed at Paris, for the annihilation
+            of the Slave Trade, his majesty answered, that he would not,
+            and was happy to hear that so humane an association was formed
+            in his dominions. And here, having mentioned the society in
+            Paris, he could not help paying a due compliment to that established
+            in London for the same purpose, which had laboured
+            with the greatest assiduity to make this important subject understood,
+            and which had conducted itself with so much judgment
+            and moderation as to have interested men of all religions, and to
+            have united them in their cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There was another topic which he would submit to the
+            notice of the House, before he concluded. They were perhaps
+            not aware that a fair and honourable trade might be substituted
+            in the natural productions of Africa, so that our connexion with
+            that continent in the way of commercial advantage need not be
+            lost. The natives had already made some advances in it; and if
+            they had not appeared so forward in raising and collecting their
+            own produce for sale as in some other countries, it was to be
+            imputed to the Slave Trade: but remove the cause, and Africa
+            would soon emerge from her present ignorant and indolent state.
+            Civilization would go on with her as well as with other nations.
+            Europe, three or four centuries ago, was in many parts as barbarous
+            as Africa at present, and chargeable with as bad practices.
+
+            For what would be said, if, so late as the middle of the thirteenth
+            century, he could find a parallel there for the Slave Trade?&#8212;Yes.
+            This parallel was to be found even in England. The
+            people of Bristol, in the reign of Henry the Seventh, had a
+            regular market for children, which were bought by the Irish:
+            but the latter having experienced a general calamity, which they
+            imputed as a judgment from Heaven on account of this wicked
+            traffic, abolished it. The only thing, therefore, which he had
+            to solicit of the House, was to show that they were now as
+            enlightened as the Irish were four centuries back, by refusing to
+            buy the children of other nations. He hoped they would do it.
+            He hoped, too, they would do it in an unqualified manner.
+            Nothing less than a total abolition of the trade would do away
+            the evils complained of. The legislature of Jamaica, indeed, had
+            thought that regulations might answer the purpose. Their report
+            had recommended, that no person should be kidnapped, or permitted
+            to be made a slave, contrary to the customs of Africa.
+            But might he not be reduced to this state very unjustly, and yet
+            by no means contrary to the African laws? Besides, how could
+            we distinguish between those who were justly or unjustly
+            reduced to it? Could we discover them by their physiognomy?&#8212;But
+            if we could, who would believe that the British
+            captains would be influenced by any regulations; made in this
+            country, to refuse to purchase those who had not been fairly,
+            honestly? and uprightly enslaved? They who were offered to us
+            for sale, were brought, some of them, three or four thousand miles,
+            and exchanged like cattle from one hand to another, till they
+            reached the coast. But who could return these to their homes,
+            or make them compensation for their sufferings during their long
+            journeyings? He would now conclude by begging pardon of the
+            House for having detained them so long. He could indeed have
+            expressed his own conviction in fewer words. He needed only
+            to have made one or two short statements, and to have quoted
+            the commandment, "Thou shalt do no murder." But he thought
+            it his duty to lay the whole of the case, and the whole of its guilt,
+            before them. They would see now that no mitigations, no palliatives,
+            would either be efficient or admissible. Nothing short
+
+            of an absolute abolition could be adopted. This they owed to
+            Africa: they owed it, too, to their own moral characters. And
+            he hoped they would follow up the principle of one of the
+            repentant African captains, who had gone before the committee
+            of privy council as a voluntary witness, and that they would
+            make Africa all the atonement in their power for the multifarious
+            injuries she had received at the hands of British subjects. With
+            respect to these injuries, their enormity and extent, it might be
+            alleged in their excuse, that they were not fully acquainted with
+            them till that moment, and therefore not answerable for their
+            former existence: but now they could no longer plead ignorance
+            concerning them. They had seen them brought directly before
+            their eyes, and they must decide for themselves, and must justify
+            to the world and their own consciences the facts and principles
+            upon which their decision was formed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Wilberforce having concluded his speech, which lasted
+            three hours and a half, read, and laid on the table of the House,
+            as subjects for their future discussion, twelve propositions which
+            he had deduced from the evidence contained in the privy council
+            report, and of which the following is the abridged substance:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            1. That the number of slaves annually carried from the coast
+            of Africa, in British vessels, was about 38,000, of which, on an
+            average, 22,500 were carried to the British islands, and that of
+            the latter only 17,500 were retained there.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            2. That these slaves, according to the evidence on the table,
+            consisted, first, of prisoners of war; secondly, of free persons sold
+            for debt, or on account of real or imputed crimes, particularly
+            adultery and witchcraft; in which cases they were frequently
+            sold with their whole families, and sometimes for the profit of
+            those by whom they were condemned; thirdly, of domestic slaves
+            sold for the profit of their masters, in some places at the will of
+            the masters, and in others, on being condemned by them for real
+            or imputed crimes; fourthly, of persons made slaves by various
+            acts of oppression, violence, or fraud, committed either by the
+            princes and chiefs of those countries on their subjects, or by
+            private individuals on each other; or, lastly, by Europeans
+            engaged in this traffic.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            3. That the trade so carried on, had necessarily a tendency to
+            occasion frequent and cruel wars among the natives; to produce
+            unjust convictions and punishments for pretended or aggravated
+            crimes; to encourage acts of oppression, violence, and fraud, and
+            to obstruct the natural course of civilization and improvement in
+            those countries!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            4. That Africa in its present state furnished several valuable
+            articles of commerce, which were partly peculiar to itself, but
+            that it was adapted to the production of others, with which we
+            were now either wholly or in great part supplied by foreign nations.
+            That an extensive commerce with Africa might be substituted in
+            these commodities, so as to afford a return for as many articles
+            as had annually been carried thither in British vessels: and,
+            lastly, that such a commerce might reasonably be expected to
+            increase, by the progress of civilization there.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            5. That the Slave Trade was peculiarly destructive to the
+            seamen employed in it; and that the mortality there had been
+            much greater than in any British vessels employed upon the
+            same coast in any other service or trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            6. That the mode of transporting the slaves from Africa to
+            the West Indies necessarily exposed them to many and grievous
+            sufferings, for which no regulations could provide an adequate
+            remedy; and that in consequence thereof a large proportion had
+            annually perished during the voyage.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            7. That a large proportion had also perished in the harbours
+            in the West Indies, from the diseases contracted in the voyage,
+            and the treatment of the same, previously to their being sold;
+            and that this loss amounted to four and a half percent of the
+            imported slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            8. That the loss of the newly-imported slaves, within the
+            three first years after their importation, bore a large proportion to
+            the whole number imported.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            9. That the natural increase of population among the slaves in
+            the islands appeared to have been impeded principally by the
+            following causes:&#8212;First, by the inequality of the sexes in the
+            importations from Africa. Secondly, by the general dissoluteness
+            of manners among the slaves, and the want of proper regulations
+
+            for the encouragement of marriages, and of rearing children
+            among them. Thirdly, by the particular diseases which were
+            prevalent among them, and which were, in some instances, to be
+            attributed to too severe labour, or rigorous treatment; and in
+            others to insufficient or improper food. Fourthly, by those
+            diseases, which affected a large proportion of negro-children in
+            their infancy, and by those to which the negroes, newly imported
+            from Africa, had been found to be particularly liable.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            10. That the whole number of the slaves in the island of
+            Jamaica, in 1768, was about 167,000, in 1774, about 193,000,
+            and in 1787, about 256,000: that by comparing these numbers
+            with the numbers imported and retained in the said island
+            during all these years, and making proper allowances, the annual
+            excess of deaths above births was in the proportion of about
+            seven-eighths per cent.; that in the first six years of this period
+            it was in the proportion of rather more than one on every
+            hundred; that in the last thirteen years of the same it was in
+            the proportion of about three-fifths on every hundred; and that
+            a number of slaves, amounting to fifteen thousand, perished
+            during the latter period, in consequence of repeated hurricanes,
+            and of the want of foreign supplies of provisions.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            11. That the whole number of slaves in the island of
+            Barbados was, in the year, 1764, about 70,706; in 1774, about
+            74,874; in 1780, about 68,270; in 1781, after the hurricane,
+            about 63,248, and in 1786, about 62,115; that, by comparing
+            these numbers with the number imported into this island, (not
+            allowing for any re-exportation,) the annual excess of deaths
+            above births in the ten years, from 1764 to 1774, was in, the
+            proportion of about five on every hundred; that in the seven
+            years, from 1774 to 1780, it was in the proportion of about one
+            and one-third on every hundred; that between the years 1780
+            and 1781 there had been a decrease in the number of slaves, of
+            about 5000; that in the six years, from 1781 to 1786, the excess
+            of deaths was in the proportion of rather less than seven-eighths
+            on every hundred; that in the four years, from, 1783 to 1786, it
+            was in the proportion of rather less than one-third on every
+
+            hundred; and that during the whole period, there was no doubt
+            that some had been exported from the island, but considerably
+            more in the first part of this period than in the last.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            12. That the accounts from the Leeward Islands, and from
+            Dominica, Grenada, and St. Vincent's, did not furnish sufficient
+            grounds for comparing the state of population in the said islands,
+            at different periods, with the number of slaves, which had been
+            from time to time imported there, and exported therefrom; but
+            that from the evidence which had been received, respecting the
+            present state of these islands, as well as that of Jamaica and
+            Barbados, and from a consideration of the means of obviating the
+            causes, which had hitherto operated to impede the natural
+            increase of the slaves, and of lessening the demand for manual
+            labour, without diminishing the profit of the planters, no considerable
+            or permanent inconvenience would result from discontinuing the further
+            importation of African slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These propositions having been laid upon the table of the
+            House, Lord Penrhyn rose in behalf of the planters; and next,
+            after him, Mr. Gascoyne, (both members for Liverpool,) in behalf
+            of the  merchants concerned in the latter place. They both
+            predicted the ruin and misery which would inevitably follow the
+            abolition of the trade. The former said, that no less than seventy
+            millions were mortgaged upon lands in the West Indies, all of
+            which would be lost. Mr. Wilberforce, therefore, should have
+            made a motion to pledge the House to the repayment of this sum,
+            before he had brought forward his propositions. Compensation
+            ought to have been agreed upon as a previous necessary measure.
+            The latter said, that in consequence of the bill of last year, many
+            ships were laid up, and many seamen out of employ. His constituents
+            had large capitals engaged in the trade, and, if it were to
+            be wholly done away, they would suffer from not knowing where
+            to employ them: they both joined in asserting, that Mr. Wilberforce
+            had made so many misrepresentations in all the branches
+            of this subject, that no reliance whatever was to be placed on the
+            picture, which he had chosen to exhibit. They should speak, however,
+            more fully to this point when the propositions were
+            discussed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The latter declaration called up Mr. Wilberforce again, who
+            observed that he had no intention of misrepresenting any fact:
+            he did not know that he had done it in any one instance; but, if
+            he had, it would be easy to convict him out of the report upon
+            the table.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Burke then rose. He would not, he said, detain the
+            committee long: indeed, he was not able, weary and indisposed
+            as he then felt himself, even if he had an inclination to do it; but
+            as on account of his other parliamentary duty, he might not
+            have it in his power to attend the business now before them in
+            its course, he would take that opportunity of stating his opinion
+            upon it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And, first, the House, the nation, and all Europe were under
+            great obligations to Mr. Wilberforce for having brought this
+            important subject forward. He had done it in a manner the
+            most masterly, impressive, and eloquent. He had laid down his
+            principles so admirably, and with so much order and force, that
+            his speech had equalled anything he had ever heard in modern
+            oratory, and perhaps it had not been excelled by anything to be
+            found in ancient times. As to the Slave Trade itself, there could
+            not be two opinions about it, where men were not interested. A
+            trade begun in savage war, prosecuted with unheard-of barbarity,
+            continued during the transportation with the most loathsome
+            imprisonment, and ending in perpetual exile and slavery, was a
+            trade so horrid in all in circumstances, that it; was impossible to
+            produce a single argument in its favour. On the ground of prudence,
+            nothing could be said in defence of it, nor could it be
+            justified by necessity. It was necessity alone that could be
+            brought to justify inhumanity; but no case of necessity could
+            be made out strong enough to justify this monstrous traffic. It
+            was therefore the duty of the House to put an end to it, and this
+            without further delay. This conviction, that it became them to
+            do it immediately, made him regret (and it was the only thing
+            he regretted in the admirable speech he had heard) that his
+            honourable friend should have introduced propositions on this
+            subject. He could have wished that the business had been
+            brought to a conclusion at once, without voting the propositions
+
+            which had been read to them. He was not over fond of abstract
+            propositions; they were seldom necessary, and often occasioned
+            great difficulty, embarrassment, and delay. There was, besides,
+            no occasion whatever to assign detailed reasons for a vote, which
+            nature herself dictated, and which religion enforced. If it should
+            happen that the propositions were not carried in that House or
+            the other, such a complication of mischiefs might follow, as might
+            occasion them heartily to lament that they were ever introduced.
+            If the ultimate resolution should happen to be lost, he was afraid
+            the propositions would pass as waste paper, if not be injurious to
+            the cause at a future time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And now, as the House must bring this matter to an issue, he
+            would beg their attention to a particular point. He entreated
+            them to look further than the present moment, and to ask themselves
+            if they had fortified their minds sufficiently to bear the
+            consequences which might arise from the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade, supposing they should decide upon it. When they abandoned
+            it, other foreign powers might take it up, and clandestinely
+            supply our islands with slaves. Had they virtue enough to see
+            another country reaping profits, which they themselves had given
+            up; and to abstain from that envy natural to rivals, and firmly to
+            adhere to their determination? If so, let them thankfully proceed
+            to vote the immediate abolition of the Slave Trade. But if they
+            should repent of their virtue, (and he had known miserable instances
+            of such repentance,) all hopes of future reformation of this
+            enormous evil would be lost. They would go back to a trade they
+            had abandoned with redoubled attachment, and would adhere to
+            it with a degree of avidity and shameless ardour, to their own
+            humiliation, and to the degradation and disgrace of the nation in
+            the eyes of all Europe. These were considerations worth regarding,
+            before they took a decisive step in a business, in which they
+            ought not to move with any other determination than to abide
+            by the consequences at all hazards. The honourable gentleman
+            (who to his eternal honour had introduced this great subject to
+            their notice) had, in his eloquent oration, knocked at every door,
+            and appealed to every passion, well knowing that mankind were
+            governed by their sympathies. But there were other passions to
+
+            be regarded; men were always ready to obey their sympathies
+            when it cost them nothing; but were they prepared to pay the price
+            of their virtue on this great occasion? This was the question. If
+            they were, they would do themselves immortal honour, and would
+            have the satisfaction of having done away a commerce, which,
+            while it was productive of misery not to be described, most of all
+            hardened the heart and vitiated the human character.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the consequences mentioned by the two
+            members for Liverpool, he had a word or two to offer upon them.
+            Lord Penrhyn had talked of millions to be lost and paid for;
+            but seeing no probability of any loss ultimately, he could see no
+            necessity for compensation. He believed on the other hand, that
+            the planters would be great gainers by those wholesome regulations,
+            which they would be obliged to make, if the Slave Trade
+            were abolished. He did not however flatter them with the idea
+            that this gain would be immediate. Perhaps they might experience
+            inconveniences at first, and even some loss. But what then?
+            With their loss, their virtue would be the greater. And in this
+            light he hoped the House would consider the matter; for, if they
+            were called upon to do an act of virtuous energy and heroism,
+            they ought to think it right to submit to temporary disadvantages
+            for the sake of truth, justice, humanity, and the prospect of
+            greater happiness.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The other member, Mr. Gascoyne, had said that his constituents,
+            if the trade were abolished, could not employ their capitals
+            elsewhere. But whether they could or not, it was the duty of
+            that House, if they put them into a traffic which was shocking
+            to humanity and disgraceful to the nation, to change their application,
+            and not to allow them to be used to a barbarous purpose.
+            He believed, however, that the merchants of Liverpool would
+            find no difficulty on this head. All capitals required active
+            motion; it was in their nature not to remain passive and unemployed;
+            they would soon turn them into other channels. This
+            they had done themselves during the American war; for the
+            Slave Trade was almost wholly lost, and yet they had their ships
+            employed, either as transports in the service of government or in
+            other ways.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And as he now called upon the House not to allow any conjectural
+            losses to become impediments in the way of the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade, so he called upon them to beware how they
+            suffered any representations of the happiness of the state of
+            slavery in our islands to influence them against so glorious a
+            measure. Admiral Barrington had said in his testimony, that he
+            had often envied the condition of the slaves there. But surely,
+            the honourable admiral must have meant, that, as he had often
+            toiled like a slave in the defence of his country, (as his many
+            gallant actions had proved,) so he envied the day when he was to
+            toil in a similar manner in the same cause. If, however, his
+            words were to be taken literally, his sensations could only be
+            accounted for by his having seen the negroes in the hour of their
+            sports, when a sense of the misery of their condition was neither
+            felt by themselves not visible to others. But their appearance on
+            such occasions did by no means disprove their low and abject
+            state. Nothing made a happy slave but a degraded man. In
+            proportion as the mind grows callous to its degradation, and all
+            sense of manly pride is lost, the slave feels comfort. In fact, he
+            is no longer a man. If he were to define a man, he would say
+            with Shakespeare,
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">Man is a being holding large discourse,<br>Looking before and after.<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            But, a slave was incapable of looking before and after; he had
+            no motive to do it; he was a mere passive instrument in the
+            hands of others to be used at their discretion. Though living, he
+            was, dead as to all voluntary agency; though moving amidst the
+            creation with an erect form, and with the shape and semblance of
+            a human being, he was a nullity as a man.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Pitt thanked his honourable friend Mr. Wilberforce for
+            having at length introduced this great and important subject to
+            the consideration of the House. He thanked him also for the
+            perspicuous, forcible, and masterly manner in which he had
+            treated it. He was sure that no argument compatible with any
+            idea of justice could be assigned for the continuation of the
+            Slave Trade. And at the same time that he was willing to
+
+            listen with candour and attention to everything that could be
+            urged on the other side of the question, he was sure that the
+            principles, from which his opinion was deduced, were unalterable.
+            He had examined the subject with the anxiety which became
+            him, where the happiness and interests of so many thousands
+            were concerned, and with the minuteness which would be expected
+            of him, on account of, the responsible situation which he held;
+            and he averred that it was sophistry, obscurity of ideas, and
+            vagueness of reasoning, which alone could have hitherto prevented
+            all mankind (those immediately interested in the question
+            excepted) from agreeing in one and the same opinion upon the
+            subject. With respect to the propriety of introducing the individual
+            propositions which had been offered, he differed with
+            Mr. Burke, and he thanked his honourable friend Mr. Wilberforce
+            for having chosen the only way in which it could be made
+            obvious to the worlds that they were warranted on every ground
+            of reason and of fact in coming to that vote, which he trusted
+            would be the end of their proceeding. The grounds for the
+            attainment of this end were distinctly stated in the propositions.
+            Let the propositions be brought before the House, one by one, and
+            argued from the evidence, and it would then be seen that they
+            were such as no one, who was not deaf to the language of reason,
+            could deny. Let them be once entered upon the journals of that
+            House, and it was almost impossible they should fail. The abolition
+            must be voted; as to the mode of it, or how it should be
+            effected, they were not at present to discuss it; but he trusted it
+            would be such as would not invite foreign powers to supply our
+            islands with slaves by a clandestine trade. After a debt, founded
+            on the immutable principles of justice, was found to be due, it
+            was impossible but the country had means to cause it to be paid.
+            Should such an illicit proceeding be attempted; the only language
+            which it became us to adopt, was, that Great Britain had resources
+            to enable her to protect her islands, and to prevent that traffic
+            from being clandestinely carried on by them, which she had
+            thought fit from a regard to her character to abandon. It was
+            highly becoming Great Britain to take the lead of other nations
+            in such a virtuous and magnificent measure, and he could not but
+
+            have confidence that they would he inclined to share the honour
+            with us, or be pleased to follow us as their example. If we were
+            disposed to set about this glorious work in earnest, they might he
+            invited to concur with us by a negotiation to be immediately
+            opened for that purpose. He would only now observe, before he
+            sat down, in answer to certain ideas thrown out, that he could
+            by no means acquiesce in any compensation for losses which
+            might be sustained by the people of Liverpool or by others in any
+            other part of the kingdom, in the execution of this just and
+            necessary undertaking.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir William Yonge said, he wanted no inducement to concur
+            with the honourable mover of the propositions, provided the
+            latter could be fairly established, and no serious mischiefs were
+            to arise from the abolition. But he was apprehensive, that many
+            evils might follow in the case of any sudden or unlooked-for
+            decrease in the slaves. They might be destroyed by hurricanes.
+            They might be swept off by many fatal disorders. In these
+            cases, the owners of them would not be able to fill up their
+            places, and they who had lent money upon the lands, where the
+            losses had happened, would foreclose their mortgages. He was
+            fearful, also, that a clandestine trade would be carried on, and
+            then the sufferings of the Africans, crammed up in small vessels,
+            which would be obliged to be hovering about from day to day, to
+            watch an opportunity of landing, would be ten times greater than
+            any which they now experienced in the legal trade. He was
+            glad, however, as the matter was to be discussed, that it had been
+            brought forward in the shape of distinct propositions, to be
+            grounded upon the evidence in the privy council report.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Fox observed that he did not like, where he agreed as to
+            the substance of a measure, to differ with respect to the form of
+            it. If, however, he differed in any thing in the present case, it
+            was with a view rather to forward the business than to injure it,
+            or to throw anything like an obstacle in its way. Nothing like
+            either should come from him. What he thought was, that all
+            the propositions were not necessary to be voted previously to the
+            ultimate decision, though some of them undoubtedly were. He
+            considered them as of two classes: the one, alleging the grounds
+
+            upon which it was proper to proceed to the abolition; such as
+            that the trade was productive of inexpressible misery, in various
+            ways, to the innocent natives of Africa; that it was the grave
+            of our seamen, and so on; the other merely answering objections
+            which might be started, and where there might be a difference of
+            opinion. He was, however, glad that the propositions were
+            likely to be entered upon the journals; since, if, from any
+            misfortune, the business should be deferred, it might succeed another
+            year. Sure he was that it could not fail to succeed sooner or
+            later. He highly approved of what Mr. Pitt had said relative to
+            the language it became us to hold out to foreign powers, in case
+            of a clandestine trade. With respect, however, to the assertion
+            of Sir William Yonge that a clandestine trade in slaves would
+            be worse than a legal one, he could not admit it. Such a trade,
+            if it existed at all, ought only to be clandestine. A trade in
+            human flesh and sinews was so scandalous, that it ought not
+            openly to be carried on by any government whatever, and much
+            less by that of a Christian country. With regard to the regulation
+            of the Slave Trade, he knew of no such thing as a regulation
+            of robbery and murder. There was no medium. The legislature
+            must either abolish it, or plead guilty of all the wickedness
+            which had been shown to attend it. He would now say a word
+            or two with respect to the conduct of foreign nations on this
+            subject. It was possible that these, when they heard that the
+            matter had been discussed in that House, might follow the
+            example, or they might go before us and set one themselves. If
+            this were to happen, though we might be the losers, humanity
+            would be the gainer. He himself had been thought sometimes
+            to use expressions relative to France, which were too harsh, and
+            as if he could only treat her as the enemy of this country.
+            Politically speaking, France was our rival. But he well knew the
+            distinction between political enmity and illiberal prejudice. If
+            there was any great and enlightened nation in Europe, it was
+            France, which was as likely as any country upon the face of the
+            globe to catch a spark from the light of our fire, and to act upon
+            the present subject with warmth and enthusiasm. France had
+            often been improperly stimulated by her ambition; and he had no
+
+            doubt but that, in the present instance, she would readily follow
+            its honourable dictates.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. (afterwards Lord) Grenville would not detain the house
+            by going into a question which had been so ably argued; but he
+            should not do justice to his feelings, if he did not express publicly
+            to his honourable friend, Mr. Wilberforce, the pleasure he had
+            received from one of the most masterly and eloquent speeches he
+            had ever heard; a speech which, while it did honour to him,
+            entitled him to the thanks of the House, of the people of England,
+            of all Europe, and of the latest posterity. He approved of the
+            propositions as the best mode of bringing this great question to a
+            happy issue. He was pleased, also, with the language which had
+            been held out with respect to foreign nations, and with our determination
+            to assert our right of preventing our colonies from
+            carrying on any trade which we had thought it our duty to abandon.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Aldermen Newnham, Sawbridge, and Watson, though they
+            wished well to the cause of humanity, could not, as representatives
+            of the city of London, give their concurrence to a measure
+            which would injure it so essentially as the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade. This trade might undoubtedly be put under wholesome
+            regulations, and made productive of great commercial advantages;
+            but, if it were abolished, it would render the city of London one
+            scene of bankruptcy and ruin. It became the house to take
+            care, while they were giving way to the goodness of their hearts,
+            that they did not contribute to the ruin of the mercantile interests
+            of their country.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Martin stated that he was so well satisfied with the
+            speech of the honourable gentleman who had introduced the propositions,
+            and with the language held out by other distinguished
+            members on this subject, that he felt himself more proud than
+            ever of being an Englishman. He hoped and believed that the
+            melancholy predictions of the worthy aldermen would not prove
+            true, and that the citizens of London would have too much public
+            spirit to wish that a great national object (which comprehended
+            the great duties of humanity and justice) should be set aside,
+            merely out of consideration to their own private interests.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Dempster expected, notwithstanding all he had heard,
+
+            that the first proposition submitted to them would have been to
+            make good out of the public purse all the losses individuals were
+            liable to sustain from an abolition of the Slave Trade. This
+            ought to have been, as Lord Penrhyn had observed, a preliminary
+            measure. He did not like to be generous out of the pockets of
+            others. They were to abolish the trade, it was said, out of a
+            principle of humanity. Undoubtedly they owed humanity to all
+            mankind; but they also owed justice to those who were interested
+            in the event of the question, and had embarked their fortunes on
+            the faith of parliament. In fact he did not like to see men introducing
+            even their schemes of benevolence to the detriment of
+            other people; and much less did he like to see them going to the
+            colonies, as it were upon their estates, and prescribing rules to
+            them for their management. With respect to his own speculative
+            opinion, as it regarded cultivation, he had no objection to
+            give it. He was sure that sugar could be raised cheaper by free-men
+            than by slaves. This the practice in China abundantly
+            proved; but yet neither he, nor any other person, had a right to
+            force a system upon others. As to the trade itself, by which the
+            present labourers were supplied, it had been considered by that
+            House as so valuable that they had preferred it to all others,
+            and had annually voted a considerable sum towards carrying it
+            on. They had hitherto deemed it an essential nursery for our
+            seamen. Had it really been such as had been represented, our
+            ancestors would scarcely have encouraged it; and therefore, upon
+            these and other considerations, he could not help thinking
+            that they would be wanting in their duty if they abolished it
+            altogether.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. William Smith would not detain the House long at that
+            late hour upon this important subject; but he could not help
+            testifying the great satisfaction he felt at the manner, in which
+            the honourable gentleman who opened the debate (if it could be
+            so called) had treated it. He approved of the propositions as the
+            best mode of bringing the decision to a happy issue. He gave
+            Mr. Fox great credit for the open and manly way in which he
+            had manifested his abhorrence of this trade, and for the support
+            he meant to give to the total and unqualified abolition of it; for
+
+            he was satisfied, that the more it was inquired into, the more it
+            would be found that nothing short of abolition would cure the
+            evil. With respect to certain assertions of the members for
+            Liverpool, and certain melancholy predictions about the consequences
+            of such an event, which others had held out, he desired
+            to lay in his claim for observation upon them when the great
+            question should come before the House.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Soon after this the House broke up; and the discussion of
+            the propositions, which was the next parliamentary measure
+            intended, was postponed to a future day, which was sufficiently
+            distant to give all the parties concerned, time to make the necessary
+            preparations for it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of this interval the committee for the abolition availed themselves,
+            to thank Mr. Wilberforce for the very able and satisfactory
+            manner in which he had stated to the House his propositions for
+            the abolition of the Slave Trade, and for the unparalleled assiduity
+            and perseverance with which he had all along endeavoured
+            to accomplish this object, as well as to take measures themselves
+            for the further promotion of it. Their opponents availed themselves
+            of this interval also. But that which now embarrassed them,
+            was the evidence contained in the privy council report. They
+            had no idea, considering the number of witnesses they had sent
+            to be examined, that this evidence, when duly weighed, could by
+            right reasoning have given birth to the sentiments which had
+            been displayed in the speeches of the most distinguished members
+            of the House of Commons, or to the contents of the propositions
+            which had been laid upon their table. They were thunderstruck
+            as it were by their own weakness; and from this time they were
+            determined, if possible, to get rid of it as a standard for decision,
+            or to interpose, every parliamentary delay in their power.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 21st of May, the subject came again before the attention
+            of the House. It was ushered in, as was expected, by petitions
+            collected in the interim, and which were expressive of the
+            frightful consequences which would attend the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade. Alderman Newnham presented one from certain
+            merchants in London; Alderman Watson another from certain
+            merchants, mortgagees, and creditors of the sugar-islands; Lord
+
+            Maitland, another from the planters of Antigua; Mr. Blackburne,
+            another from certain manufacturers of Manchester; Mr. Gascoyne,
+            another from the corporation of Liverpool; and Lord
+            Penrhyn, others from different interested bodies in the same town.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Wilberforce then moved the order of the day for the
+            House to go into a committee of the whole house on the report
+            of the privy council, and the several matters of evidence already
+            upon the table relative to the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Alderman Sawbridge immediately arose, and asked
+            Mr. Wilberforce if he meant to adduce any other evidence,
+            besides that in the privy council report, in behalf of his propositions,
+            or to admit other witnesses, if such could be found, to
+            invalidate them. Mr. Wilberforce replied, that he was quite
+            satisfied with the report on the table. It would establish all his
+            propositions. He should call no witnesses himself; as to permission
+            to others to call them, that must be determined by the
+            House.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This question and this answer gave birth immediately to great
+            disputes upon the subject. Aldermen Sawbridge, Newnham,
+            and Watson; Lords Penrhyn and Maitland; Messrs. Gascoyne,
+            Marsham, and others, spoke against the admission of the evidence
+            which had been laid upon the table. They contended that it was
+            insufficient, defective, and contradictory; that it
+            was <em>ex parte</em> evidence; that it had been
+            manufactured by ministers; that it was founded chiefly on hearsay,
+            and that the greatest part of it was false; that it had undergone
+            no cross-examination; that it was unconstitutional; and that, if they
+            admitted it, they would establish a dangerous precedent, and abandon
+            their rights. It was urged on the other hand by Mr. Courtenay, that it
+            could not be <em>ex parte</em> evidence, because it
+            contained testimony on both sides of the question. The circumstance,
+            also, of its being contradictory,
+            which had been alleged against it, proved that it was
+            the result of an impartial examination. Mr. Fox observed, that
+            it was perfectly admissible. He called upon those, who took the
+            other side of the question, to say why, if it was really inadmissible,
+            they had not opposed it at first. It had now been a long
+            time on the table, and no fault had been found with it. The
+
+            truth was, it did not suit them; and they were determined by a
+            side-wind, as it were, to put an end to the inquiry. Mr. Pitt
+            observed, that, if parliament had previously resolved to receive no
+            evidence on a given subject but from the privy council, such a
+            resolution, indeed, would strike at the root of the privileges of
+            the House of Commons; but it was absurd to suppose that the
+            House could upon no occasion receive evidence, taken where it
+            was most convenient to take it, and subject throughout to new
+            investigation, if any one doubted its validity. The report of the
+            privy council consisted, first, of calculations and accounts from
+            the public offices; and, next, of written documents on the subject:
+            both of which were just as authentic as if they had been
+            laid upon the table of that House. The remaining part of it consisted
+            of the testimony of living witnesses, all of whose names
+            were published; so that if any one doubted their veracity, it was
+            open to him to re-examine all or each of them. It had been
+            said by adversaries that the report on the table was a weak and
+            imperfect report, but would not these have the advantage of its
+            weakness and imperfection? It was strange, when his honourable
+            friend, Mr. Wilberforce, had said, "Weak and imperfect
+            as the report may be thought to be, I think it strong enough to
+            bear me out in all my propositions," that they, who objected to
+            it, should have no better reason to give than this, "We object,
+            because the ground of evidence on which you rest is too weak to
+            support your cause." Unless it were meant to say (and the
+            meaning seemed to be but thinly disguised) that the House
+            ought to abandon the inquiry, he saw no reason whatever for not
+            going immediately into a committee; and he wished gentlemen
+            to consider whether it became the dignity of their proceedings to
+            obstruct the progress of an inquiry, which the House had pledged
+            itself to undertake. Their conduct, indeed, seemed extraordinary
+            on this occasion. It was certainly singular that; while the report
+            had been five weeks upon the table, no argument had been brought
+            against its sufficiency; but that on the moment when the House
+            was expected to come to an ultimate vote upon the subject, it
+            should be thought defective, contradictory, unconstitutional, and
+            otherwise objectionable. These objections, he was satisfied,
+
+            neither did nor could originate with the country gentlemen; but
+            they were brought forward; for purposes not now to be concealed,
+            by the avowed enemies of this noble cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the course of the discussion which arose upon this subject,
+            every opportunity was taken to impress the House with the
+            dreadful consequences of the abolition! Mr. Heriniker read a
+            long letter from the King of Dahomey to George the First, which
+            had been found among the papers of James, first Duke of
+            Chandos, and which had remained in the family till that time.
+            In this, the King of Dahomey boasted of his victory over the
+            King of Ardrah and how he had ornamented the pavement and
+            walls of his palace with the heads of the vanquished. These
+            cruelties, Mr. Henniker said, were not imputable to the Slave
+            Trade. They showed the Africans to be naturally a savage
+            people, and that we did them a great kindness by taking them
+            from their country. Alderman Sawbridge maintained that, if
+            the abolition passed, the Africans who could not be sold as slaves
+            would be butchered at home; while those who had been carried,
+            to our islands would be no longer under control. Hence insurrections,
+            and the manifold evils which belonged to them. Alderman
+            Newnham was certain that the abolition would be the ruin
+            of the trade of the country. It would affect even the landed
+            interest and the funds. It would be impossible to collect money
+            to diminish the national debt. Every man in the kingdom
+            would feel the abolition come home to hit. Alderman Watson
+            maintained the same argument, and pronounced the trade under
+            discussion to be a merciful and humane trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Compensation was also insisted upon by Mr. Drake, Alderman
+            Newnham, Mr. Senniker, Mr. Cruger, and others. This was
+            resisted by Mr. Burke; who said, that compensation in such a
+            case would be contrary to every principle of legislation. Government
+            gave encouragement to any branch of commerce while it
+            was regarded as conducive to the welfare of the community; or
+            compatible with humanity and justice; but they were competent
+            to withdraw their countenance from it, when it was found to
+            be immoral, and injurious, and disgraceful to the state: They
+            who engaged in it knew the terms under which they were
+
+            placed, and adopted it with all the risks with which it was
+            accompanied; and of consequence it was but just, that they
+            should be prepared to abide by the loss which might accrue,
+            when the public should think it right no longer to support it.
+            But such a trade as this it was impossible any longer to support.
+            Indeed it was not a trade. It was a system of robbery. It was
+            a system, too, injurious to the welfare of other nations. How
+            could Africa ever be civilized under it? While we continued to
+            purchase the natives, they must remain in a state of barbarism.
+            It was impossible to civilize slaves. It was contrary to the system
+            of human nature. There was no country placed under
+            such disadvantageous circumstances, into which the shadow of
+            improvement had ever been introduced.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Great pains were taken to impress the house with the propriety
+            of regulation. Sir Grey Cooper; Aldermen Sawbridge,
+            Watson, and Newnham; Mr. Marsham, and Mr. Cruger, contended
+            strenuously for it instead of abolition. It was also stated,
+            that the merchants would consent to any regulation of the trade
+            which might be offered to them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the course of the debate much warmth of temper was
+            manifested on both sides. The expression of Mr. Fox in a
+            former debate, "that the Slave Trade could not be regulated,
+            because there could be no regulation of robbery and murder,"
+            was brought up, and construed by planters in the house as a
+            charge of these crimes upon themselves. Mr. Fox, however,
+            would not retract the expression. He repeated it. He had no
+            notion, however, that any individual would have taken it to himself.
+            If it contained any reflection at all, it was on the whole
+            parliament, who had sanctioned such a trade. Mr. Molyneux
+            rose up, and animadverted severely on the character of Mr.
+            Ramsay, one of the evidences in the privy council report, during
+            his residence in the West Indies. This called up Sir William
+            Dolben and Sir Charles Middleton in his defence, the latter of
+            whom bore honourable testimony to his virtues from an intimate
+            acquaintance with him, and a residence in the same village with
+            him, for twenty years. Mr. Molyneux spoke also in angry terms
+            of the measure of abolition. To annihilate the trade, he said,
+
+            and to make no compensation on account of it, was an act of
+            swindling. Mr. Macnamara called the measure hypocritical,
+            fanatic, and methodistical. Mr. Pitt was so irritated at the
+            insidious attempt to set aside the privy council report, when no
+            complaint had been alleged against it before, that he was quite
+            off his guard, and he thought it right afterwards to apologize for
+            the warmth into which he had been betrayed. The Speaker, too,
+            was obliged frequently to interfere. On this occasion no less
+            than thirty members spoke. And there had probably been few
+            seasons, when so much disorder had been discoverable in that
+            house.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The result of the debate was, a permission to those interested
+            in the continuance of the Slave Trade to bring counsel to the bar
+            on the 26th of May, and then to introduce such witnesses, as
+            might throw further light on the propositions in the shortest
+            time: for Mr. Pitt only acquiesced in this new measure on a
+            supposition, "that there would be no unnecessary delay, as he
+            could by no means submit to the ultimate procrastination of
+            so important a business." He even hoped (and in this hope he
+            was joined by Mr. Fox) that those concerned would endeavour to
+            bring the whole of the evidence they meant to offer at the first
+            examination.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the day appointed, the house met for the purposes now
+            specified; when Alderman Newnham, thinking that such an important
+            question should not be decided but in a full assembly of
+            the representatives of the nation, moved for a call of the House on
+            that day fortnight. Mr. Wilberforce stated that he had no objection
+            to such a measure; believing the greater the number present the
+            more favourable it would be to his cause. This motion, however,
+            produced a debate and a division, in which it appeared that there
+            were one hundred and fifty-eight in favour of it, and twenty-eight
+            against it. The business of the day now commenced. The house
+            went into a committee, and Sir William Dolben was put into the
+            chair. Mr. Serjeant Le Blanc was then called in. He made an
+            able speech in behalf of his clients; and introduced John Barnes,
+            Esquire, as his first witness, whose examination took up the
+            remainder of the day. By this step they who were interested in
+
+            the continuance of the trade, attained their wishes, for they had
+            now got possession of the ground with their evidence; and they
+            knew they could keep it, almost as long as they pleased, for the
+            purposes of delay. Thus they, who boasted, when the privy council
+            examinations began, that they would soon do away all the idle
+            tales which had been invented against them, and who desired
+            the public only to suspend their judgment till the report should
+            come out, when they would see the folly and wickedness of all
+            our allegations, dared not abide by the evidence which they
+            themselves had taught others to look up to as the standard by
+            which they were desirous of being judged: thus they, who had
+            advantages beyond measure in forming a body of evidence in their
+            own favour, abandoned that which they had collected. And here
+            it is impossible for me not to make a short comparative statement
+            on this subject, if it were only to show how little can be made
+            out, with the very best opportunities, against the cause of humanity
+            and religion. With respect to ourselves, we had almost all
+            our witnesses to seek. We had to travel after them for weeks
+            together. When we found them, we had scarcely the power of
+            choice. We where obliged to take them as they came. When
+            we found them, too, we had generally to implore them to come
+            forward in our behalf. Of those so implored, three out of four
+            refused, and the plea for this refusal was a fear lest they should
+            injure their own interests. The merchants, on the other hand,
+            had their witnesses ready on the spot. They had always ships in
+            harbour, containing persons who had a knowledge of the subject,
+            they had several also from whom to choose. If one man was
+            favourable to their cause in three of the points belonging to it,
+            but was unfavourable in the fourth, he could be put aside and
+            replaced. When they had thus selected them, they had not to
+            entreat, but to command their attendance. They had no fear,
+            again, when they thus commanded, of a refusal on the ground
+            of interest; because these were promoting their interest by obliging
+            these who employed them. Viewing these and other circumstances,
+            which might be thrown into this comparative
+            statement, it was some consolation to us to know, amidst the
+            disappointment which this new measure occasioned, and our
+
+            apparent defeat in the eyes of the public, that we had really
+            beaten our opponents at their own weapons, and that, as this was
+            a victory in our own private feelings, so it was the presage to us of
+            a future triumph.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 29th of May, Mr. Tierney made a motion to divide
+            the consideration of the Slave Trade into two heads, by separating
+            the African from the West Indian part of the question. This
+            he did for the more clear discussion of the propositions, as well as
+            to save time. This motion, however, was overruled by Mr. Pitt.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length, on the 9th of June, by which time it was supposed
+            that new light, and this in sufficient quantity, would have been
+            thrown upon the propositions, it appeared that only two witnesses
+            had been fully heard. The examinations, therefore, were continued,
+            and they went on till the 23rd. On this day, the order
+            for the call of the house, which had been prolonged, standing
+            unrepealed, there was a large attendance of members. A motion
+            was then made, to get rid of the business altogether, but it failed.
+            It was now seen, however, that it was impossible to bring the
+            question to a final decision in this session; for they who were
+            interested in it, affirmed that they had yet many important
+            witnesses to introduce. Alderman Newnham, therefore, by the
+            consent of Mr. Wilberforce, moved that "the further consideration
+            of the subject be deferred to the next session." On this
+            occasion, Mr. William Smith remarked, that though the decision
+            on the great question was thus to be adjourned, he hoped the
+            examinations at least would be permitted to go on. He had not
+            heard any good reason why they might not be carried on for
+            some weeks  longer. It was known that the hearing of evidence
+            was, at all times thinly attended. If, therefore, the few members
+            who did attend, were willing to give up their time a little longer,
+            why should other members complain of an inconvenience in the
+            suffering of which they took no share? He thought that by this
+            the examination of witnesses on the part of the
+            merchants might be finished, and of consequence the business
+            brought into a very desirable state of forwardness against the
+            ensuing session. These observations had not the desired effect,
+            and the motion of Mr. Alderman Newnham was carried without
+
+            a division. Thus the great question, for the elucidation of which
+            all the new evidences were to be heard at the very first examination,
+            in order that it might be decided by the 9th of June, was,
+            by the intrigue of our opponents, deferred to another year.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The order of the day for going into the further consideration
+            of the Slave Trade having been discharged, Sir William Dolben
+            rose to state, that it was his intention to renew his bill of the
+            former year, relative to the conveyance of the unhappy Africans
+            from their own country to the West Indies, and to propose certain
+            alterations in it. He made a motion accordingly, which was
+            adopted; and he and Mr. Wilberforce were desired to prepare
+            the same.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This bill he introduced soon afterwards, and it passed; but
+            not without opposition. It was a matter, however, of great
+            pleasure to find that the worthy baronet was enabled by the
+            assistance of Captain (afterwards Admiral) Macbride, and other
+            naval officers in the house, to carry such clauses, as provided in
+            some degree for the comfort of the poor seamen who were
+            seduced into this wicked trade. They could not, indeed, provide
+            against the barbarity of their captains; but they secured them a
+            space under the half deck in which to sleep. They prescribed a
+            form of muster-rolls, which they were to see and sign in the
+            presence of the clearing officer. They regulated their food, both
+            as to kind and quantity; and they preserved them from many of
+            the impositions to which they had been before exposed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From the time when Mr. Wilberforce gave his first notice
+            this session to the present, I had been variously employed, but
+            more particularly in the composition of a new work. It was soon
+            perceived to be the object of our opponents, to impress upon the
+            public the preference, of regulation to abolition. I attempted,
+            therefore, to show the fallacy and wickedness of this notion. I
+            divided the evils belonging to the Slave Trade into two kinds.
+            These I enumerated in their order. With respect to those of the
+            first kind, I proved that they were never to be remedied by any
+            acts of the British parliament. Thus, for instance, what bill
+            could alter the nature of the human passions? What bill could
+            prevent fraud and violence in Africa, while the Slave Trade
+
+            existed there? What bill could prevent the miserable victims of
+            the trade from rising, when on board the ships, if they saw an
+            opportunity, and felt a keen sense of their oppression? Those of
+            the second I stated to admit of a remedy, and after making
+            accurate calculations on the subject of each, I showed that those
+            merchants who were to do them away effectually, would be ruined
+            by their voyages. The work was called <em>An Essay on the Comparative
+               Efficiency of Regulation or Abolition as applied to the
+               Slave Trade</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee, also, in this interval, brought out their famous
+            print of the plan and section of a slave-ship, which was designed
+            to give the spectator an idea of the sufferings of the Africans
+            in the Middle Passage, and this so familiarly, that he might
+            instantly pronounce upon the miseries experienced there. The
+            committee at Plymouth had been the first to suggest the idea;
+            but that in London had now improved it. As this print seemed
+            to make an instantaneous impression of horror upon all who saw
+            it, and as it was therefore very instrumental, in consequence of
+            the wide circulation given it, in serving the cause of the injured
+            Africans, I have given the reader a copy of it in the annexed
+            plate, and I will now state the ground or basis upon which it was
+            formed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It must be obvious that it became the committee to select
+            some one ship, which had been engaged in the Slave Trade, with
+            her real dimensions, if they meant to make a fair representation
+            of the manner of the transportation. When Captain Parrey, of
+            the royal navy, returned from Liverpool, to which place Government
+            had sent him, he brought with him the admeasurement of
+            several vessels which had been so employed, and laid them on the
+            table of the House of Commons. At the top of his list stood
+            the ship Brookes. The committee, therefore, in choosing a vessel
+            on this occasion, made use of the ship Brookes; and this they
+            did, because they thought it less objectionable to take the first
+            that came, than any other. The vessel, then, in the plate is the
+            vessel now mentioned, and the following is her admeasurement
+            as given in by Captain Parrey.
+
+         </p>
+         <table>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class=""></td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">Ft.</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">In.</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of the lower deck, gratings, and bulk heads included at A A</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">100</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of beam on the lower deck inside, B B</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">25</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">4</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Depth of hold ooo, from ceiling to ceiling</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">10</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Height between decks from deck to deck</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">5</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">8</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of the men's room, C C, on the lower deck</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">46</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of the men's room, C C, on the lower deck</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">25</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">4</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of the platform, D D, in the men's room</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">46</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of the platform in the men's room, on each side</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of the boys' room, E E</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">13</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">9</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of the boys' room</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">25</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of platform, F F, in boys' room</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of women's room, G G</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">28</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of women's room</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">23</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of platform, H H, in women's room</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">28</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of platform in women's room</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of the gun-room, I I, on the lower deck</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">10</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of the gun-room on the lower deck</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">12</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of the quarter-deck, K K</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">33</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of the quarter-deck</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">19</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of the cabin, L L</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">14</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Height of the cabin</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">2</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of the half-deck, M M</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">16</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Height of the half-deck</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">2</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Length of the platform, N N, on the half-deck</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">16</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Breadth of the platform on the half-deck</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">6</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">0</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">Upper deck, P P</td>
+               <td valign="top" class=""></td>
+               <td valign="top" class=""></td>
+            </tr>
+         </table>
+         <p>
+            The committee, having proceeded thus far, thought that they
+            should now allow certain dimensions for every man, woman, and
+            child; and then see how many persons, upon such dimensions
+            and upon the admeasurements just given, could be stowed in this
+            vessel. They allowed, accordingly, to every man slave 6 ft. by
+            1 ft. 4in. for room, to every woman 5 ft. by 1 ft. 4 in., to every
+            boy 5 ft. by 1 ft. 2 in., and to every girl 4 ft. 6 in. by 1 ft. They
+            then stowed them, and found them as in the annexed plate, that
+            is, they found, (deducting the women stowed in z of figures 6 and
+            7, which spaces, being half of the half-deck, were allowed by
+            Sir William Dolben's last bill to the seamen,) that only 450 could
+            be stowed in her; and the reader will find, if he should think it
+            worthwhile to count the figures in the plate, that, on making the
+            deduction mentioned, they will amount to this number.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee then thought it right to inquire how many
+            slaves the act of Sir William Dolben allowed this vessel to carry,
+            and they found the number to be 454; that is, they found it
+			<br><br>
+            <a name="slaveship"></a><span class="center"><img src="images/391-1.png" alt="Slave Ship"></span><span class="center"><img src="images/392-1.png" alt="Slave Ship"></span><span class="center"><img src="images/393-1.png" alt="Slave Ship"></span><span class="center"><img src="images/394-1.png" alt="Slave Ship"></span>allowed her to carry four more than could be put in without
+            trespassing upon the room allotted to the rest; for we see that
+            the bodies of the slaves, except just at the head of the vessel,
+            already touch each other, and that no deduction has been made
+            for tubs or stanchions to support the platforms and decks.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Such was the picture which the committee were obliged to
+            draw, if they regarded mathematical accuracy, of the room
+            allotted to the slaves in this vessel. By this picture was
+            exhibited the nature of the Elysium which Mr. Norris and
+            others had invented for them during their transportation from
+            their own country. By this picture were seen also the advantages
+            of Sir William Dolben's bill; for many, on looking at the plate,
+            considered the regulation itself as perfect barbarism. The advantages,
+            however, obtained by it were considerable; for the Brookes
+            was now restricted to 450 slaves, whereas it was proved that she
+            carried 609 in a former voyage.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee, at the conclusion of the session of parliament,
+            made a suitable report. It will be unnecessary to detail
+            this, for obvious reasons. There was, however, one thing contained
+            in it, which ought not to be omitted. It stated, with
+            appropriate concern, the death of the first controversial writer,
+            and of one of the most able and indefatigable labourers in their
+cause. Mr. Ramsay had been for some time indisposed. The climate
+of the West Indies, during a residence of twenty years, and the
+agitation in which his mind had been kept for the last four years of
+his life, in consequence of the virulent attacks on his word and
+character by those interested in the continuance of the trade, had
+contributed to undermine his constitution. During his whole illness he
+was cheerful and composed; nor did he allow it to hinder him, severe
+as it was, from taking any opportunity which offered, of serving those
+unhappy persons for whose injuries he had so deeply felt. A few days
+only before he died, I received from him probably the last letter he
+ever wrote, of which the following is an extract:</p>
+
+<p>"My health has certainly taken a most alarming turn; and, if some
+considerable alteration does not take place for the better in a very
+little time, it will be all over with me: I mean as to the present
+life. I have lost all appetite, and suffer grievously from an almost
+continual pain in my stomach, which leaves me no enjoyment of myself,
+but such as I can collect from my own reflections, and the comforts of
+religion. I am glad the bill for the abolition is in such forwardness.
+Whether it goes through the house or not, the discussion attending it
+will have a most beneficial effect. The whole of this business I think
+now to be in such a train, as to enable me to bid farewell to the
+present scene with the satisfaction of not having lived in vain, and
+of having done something towards the improvement of our common nature;
+and this at no little expense of time and reputation. The little I
+have now written is my utmost effort; yet yesterday I thought it
+necessary to write an answer to a scurrilous libel in <i>The Diary</i> by
+one Scipio. On my own account he should have remained unnoticed; but
+our great cause must be kept unsullied."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ramsay was a man of active habit, of diligence and perseverance in
+his undertakings, and of extraordinary application. He was of mild and
+humble manners. He possessed a strong understanding, with great
+coolness and courage. Patriotism and public spirit were striking
+traits in his character. In domestic life he was amiable: in the
+ministry, exemplary and useful; and he died to the great regret of his
+parishioners; but most of all to that of those who moved with him in
+his attempts to bring about the important event of the abolition of
+the Slave Trade.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2><a name="chap25" id="chap25"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2>
+
+<p><b>Continuation from July 1789 to July 1790.&#8212;Author travels to Paris to
+promote the abolition in France; attends the committees of the Friends
+of the Negroes.&#8212;Counter-attempts of the committee of White
+Colonists.&#8212;An account of the deputies of Colour.&#8212;Meeting at the Duke
+de la Rochefoucauld's.&#8212;Mirabeau espouses the cause; canvasses the
+National Assembly.&#8212;Distribution of the section of the slave-ship
+there.&#8212;Character of Brissot.&#8212;Author leaves Paris and returns to
+England.&#8212;Examination of merchants' and planters' evidence resumed in
+the House of Commons.&#8212;Author travels in search of evidence in favour
+of the abolition; opposition to the hearing of it.&#8212;This evidence is
+at length introduced.&#8212;Renewal of Sir William Dolben's
+bill.&#8212;Distribution of the section of the slave-ship in England; and
+of Cowper's Negro's Complaint; and of Wedgewood's Cameos.</b></p>
+
+
+         <p>We usually find, as we give ourselves up to reflection, some little
+         mitigation of the afflictions we experience; and yet of the
+            evils which come upon us, some are often so heavy as to overpower
+            the sources of consolation for a time, and to leave us wretched.
+            This was nearly our situation at the close of the last session of
+            parliament. It would be idle not to confess that circumstances
+            had occurred which wounded us deeply. Though we had foiled
+            our opponents at their own weapons, and had experienced the
+            uninterrupted good wishes and support of the public, we had the
+            great mortification to see the enthusiasm of members of parliament
+            beginning to cool; to see a question of humanity and
+            justice (for such it was when it was delivered into their hands)
+            verging towards that of commercial calculation; and finally to
+            see regulation, as it related to it, in the way of being substituted
+            for abolition; but most of all were we affected, knowing as we
+            did the nature and the extent of the sufferings belonging to the
+            Slave Trade, that these should be continued to another year. This
+            last consideration almost overpowered me. It had fallen to my
+            lot, more than to that of any other person, to know these evils,
+            and I seemed almost inconsolable at the postponement of the
+            question. I wondered how members of parliament, and these
+            Englishmen, could talk as they did on this subject; how they
+            could bear for a moment to consider their fellow-man as an article
+            of trade; and how they should not count even the delay of an
+            hour, which occasioned so much misery to continue, as one of the
+            most criminal actions of their lives.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was in vain, however, to sink under our burdens. Grief
+            could do no good; and if our affairs had taken an unfavourable
+            turn, the question was, how to restore them. It was sufficiently
+            obvious that, if our opponents were left to themselves, or without
+            any counteracting evidence, they would considerably soften down
+            the propositions, if not invalidate them in the minds of many.
+            They had such a power of selection of witnesses, that they could
+            bring men forward who might say with truth that they had seen
+            but very few of the evils complained of, and these in an inferior
+            degree. We knew, also, from the example of the Liverpool
+            delegates, how interest and prejudice could blind the eyes, and
+            how others might be called upon to give their testimony, who
+            would dwell upon the comforts of the Africans when they came
+            into our power; on the sprinkling of their apartments with
+            frankincense; on the promotion of music and the dance among them;
+            and on the health and festivity of their voyages. It seemed,
+            therefore, necessary that we should again be looking out for evidence
+            on the part of the abolition. Nor did it seem to me to be
+            unreasonable, if our opponents were allowed to come forward in
+            a new way, because it was more constitutional, that we should
+            be allowed the same privilege. By these means the evidence, of
+            which we had now lost the use, might be restored; indifference
+            might be fanned into warmth; commercial calculation might be
+            overpowered by justice; and abolition, rising above the reach of
+            the cry of regulation, might eventually triumph.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I communicated my ideas to the committee, and offered to go
+            round the kingdom to accomplish this object. The committee
+            had themselves been considering what measures to take, and as
+            each in his own mind had come to conclusions similar with my
+            own, my proposal was no sooner made than adopted.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I had not been long upon this journey when I was called
+            back. Mr. Wilberforce, always solicitous for the good of this
+            great cause, was of opinion that, as commotions had taken place
+
+            in France, which then aimed at political reforms, it was possible
+            that the leading persons concerned in them might, if an application
+            were made to them judiciously, be induced to take the Slave
+            Trade into their consideration, and incorporate it among the
+            abuses to be done away. Such a measure, if realized, would not
+            only lessen the quantity of human suffering, but annihilate a powerful
+            political argument against us. He had a conference, therefore,
+            with the committee on this subject; and, as they accorded
+            with his opinion, they united with him in writing a letter to me,
+            to know if I would change my journey, and proceed to France.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As I had no object in view but the good of the cause, it was
+            immaterial to me where I went, if I could but serve it; and
+            therefore, without any further delay, I returned to London.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As accounts had arrived in England of the excesses which
+            had taken place in the city of Paris, and of the agitated state of
+            the provinces through which I was to pass, I was desired by
+            several of my friends to change my name. To this I could not
+            consent; and, on consulting the committee, they were decidedly
+            against it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I was introduced as quickly as possible, on my arrival at
+            Paris, to the friends of the cause there, to the Duke de la
+            Rochefoucauld, the Marquis de Condorcet, Messieurs P&eacute;tion de Villeneuve,
+            Clavi&egrave;re, and Brissot, and to the Marquis de la Fayette.
+            The latter received me with peculiar marks of attention. He
+            had long felt for the wrongs of Africa, and had done much to
+            prevent them. He had a plantation in Cayenne, and had devised
+            a plan, by which the labourers upon it should pass by degrees
+            from slavery to freedom! With this view he had there laid it
+            down as a principle, that all crimes were equal, whether they
+            were committed by Blacks or Whites, and ought equally to be
+            punished. As the human mind is of such a nature, as to be
+            acted upon by rewards as well as punishments, he thought it
+            unreasonable, that the slaves should have no advantage from a
+            stimulus from the former. He laid it down therefore as another
+            principle, that temporal profits should follow virtuous action. To
+            this he subjoined a reasonable education to be gradually given.
+            By introducing such principles, and by making various regulations
+
+            for the protection and comforts of the slaves, he thought he
+            could prove to the planters, that there was no necessity for the
+            Slave Trade; that the slaves upon all their estates would increase
+            sufficiently by population; that they might be introduced gradually,
+            and without detriment, to a state of freedom; and that
+            then the real interests of all would be most promoted. This
+            system he had began to act upon two years before I saw him.
+            He had also, when the society was established in Paris, which
+            took the name of "The Friends of the Negroes," enrolled himself
+            a member of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The first public steps taken after my arrival in Paris were at
+            a committee of the Friends of the Negroes, which was but thinly
+            attended. None of those mentioned, except Brissot, were present.
+            It was resolved there, that the committee should solicit an
+            audience of Mr. Necker; and that I should wait upon him,
+            accompanied by a deputation consisting of the Marquis de Condorcet,
+            Monsieur de Bourge, and Brissot de Warville: secondly,
+            that the committee should write to the president of the National
+            Assembly, and request the favour of him to appoint a day for
+            hearing the cause of the Negroes; and thirdly, that it should be
+            recommended to the committee in London to draw up a petition
+            to the National Assembly of France, praying for the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade by that country. This petition, it was
+            observed, was to be signed by as great a number of the friends to
+            the cause in England, as could be procured. It was then to be
+            sent to the committee at Paris, who would take it in a body to
+            the place of its destination.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I found great delicacy as a stranger in making my observations
+            upon these resolutions, and yet I thought I ought not to
+            pass them over wholly in silence, but particularly the last. I
+            therefore rose up, and stated that there was one resolution, of
+            which I did not quite see the propriety; but this might arise
+            from my ignorance of the customs, as well as of the genius and
+            spirit of the French people. It struck me that an application
+            from a little committee in England to the National Assembly of
+            France was not a dignified measure, nor was it likely to have
+            weight with such a body. It was, besides, contrary to all the
+
+            habits of propriety in which I had been educated. The British
+            Parliament did not usually receive petitions from the subjects of
+            other nations. It was this feeling which had induced me thus to
+            speak.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To these observations it was replied, that the National Assembly
+            of France would glory in going contrary to the example
+            of other nations in a case of generosity and justice, and that
+            the petition in question, if it could be obtained, would have
+            an influence there, which the people of England, unacquainted
+            with the sentiments of the French nation, would hardly credit.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To this I had only to reply, that I would communicate the
+            measure to the committee in London, but that I could not be
+            answerable for the part they would take in it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By an answer received from Mr. Necker, relative to the first
+            of these resolutions, it appeared that the desired interview had
+            been obtained; but he granted it only for a few minutes, and this
+            principally to show his good-will to the cause: for he was then so
+            oppressed with business in his own department, that he had but
+            little time for any other. He wrote to me, however, the next
+            day, and desired my company to dinner. He then expressed a
+            wish to me, that any business relative to the Slave Trade might
+            be managed by ourselves as individuals, and that I would take
+            the opportunity of dining with him occasionally for this purpose.
+            By this plan, he said, both of us would save time. Madame
+            Necker, also, promised to represent her husband, if I should call
+            in his absence, and to receive me, and converse with me on all
+            occasions in which this great cause of humanity and religion
+            might be concerned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the other resolutions, nothing ever came of
+            them; for we waited daily for an answer from the president
+            during the whole of his presidency, but we never received any;
+            and the committee in London, when they had read my letter,
+            desired me unequivocally to say, that they did not see the propriety
+            of the petition which it had been recommended to them
+            to obtain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At the next meeting it was resolved, that a letter should be
+            written to the new president for the same purpose as the former.
+
+            This, it was said, was now rendered essentially necessary; for
+            the merchants, planters, and others interested in the continuance
+            of the Slave Trade, were so alarmed at the enthusiasm of the
+            French people in favour of the new order of things, and of any
+            change recommended to them, which had the appearance of prompting
+            the cause of liberty, that they held daily committees to
+            watch and to thwart the motions of the friends of the Negroes.
+            It was therefore thought proper, that the appeal to the Assembly
+            should be immediate on this subject, before the feelings of the
+            people should cool, or before they, who were thus interested,
+            should poison the minds by calculations of loss and gain.
+            The silence of the former president was already attributed to the
+            intrigues of the planters' committee. No time therefore was to
+            be lost. The letter was accordingly written, but as no answer
+            was ever returned to it, they attributed this second omission to
+            the same cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I do not really know whether interested persons ever did, as
+            was suspected, intercept the letters of the committee to the two
+            presidents as now surmised; or whether they ever dissuaded
+            them from introducing so important a question for discussion,
+            when the nation was in such a heated state; but certain it is, that
+            we had many, and I believe barbarous, enemies to encounter.
+            At the very next meeting of the committee, Clavi&egrave;re produced
+            anonymous letters which he had received, and in which it was
+            stated that, if the society of the Friends of the Negroes did not
+            dissolve itself, he and the rest of them would be stabbed. It
+            was said that no less than three hundred persons had associated
+            themselves for this purpose. I had received similar letters
+            myself; and on producing mine, and comparing the handwriting
+            in both it appeared that the same persons had written.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In a few days after this, the public prints were filled with the
+            most malicious representations of the views of the committee.
+            One of them was, that they were going to send twelve thousand
+            muskets to the Negroes in St. Domingo, in order to promote an
+            insurrection there. This declaration was so industriously circulated,
+            that a guard of soldiers was sent to search the committee-room;
+
+            but these were soon satisfied when they found only two
+            or three books and some waste paper. Reports equally unfounded
+            and wicked were spread also in the same papers relative
+            to myself. My name was mentioned at full length, and the place
+            of my abode hinted at. It was stated at one time, that I had
+            proposed such wild and mischievous plans to the committee in
+            London relative to the abolition of the Slave Trade, that they
+            had cast me out of their own body, and that I had taken refuge
+            in Paris, where I now tried to impose equally on the French
+            nation. It was stated at another, that I was employed by the
+            British government as a spy, and that it was my object to try to
+            undermine the noble constitution which was then forming for
+            France. This latter report, at this particular time, when the
+            passions of men were so inflamed, and when the stones of Paris
+            had not been long purified from the blood of Foulon and
+            Berthier, might have cost me my life; and I mentioned it to
+            General la Fayette, and solicited his advice. He desired me to
+            make a public reply to it: which I did. He desired me also to
+            change my lodging to the Hotel de Yorck, that I might be nearer
+            to him; and to send to him if there should be any appearance of
+            a collection of people about the hotel, and I should have aid from
+            the military in his quarter. He said, also, that he would immediately
+            give in my name to the Municipality; and that he would
+            pledge himself to them, that my views were strictly honourable.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On dining one day at the house of the Marquis de la Fayette,
+            I met the deputies of colour. They had arrived only the preceding
+            day from St. Domingo, I was desired to take my seat at
+            dinner in the midst of them. They were six in number; of a
+            sallow or swarthy complexion, but yet it was not darker than
+            that of some of the natives of the south of France. They were
+            already in the uniform of the Parisian National Guards; and one
+            of them wore the cross of St. Louis. They were men of genteel
+            appearance and modest behaviour. They seemed to be well
+            informed, and of a more solid cast than those whom I was in the
+            habit of seeing daily in this city. The account which they gave
+            of themselves was this. The white people of St. Domingo consisting
+            of less than ten thousand persons, had deputies then
+
+            sitting in the National Assembly. The people of colour in the
+            same island greatly exceeded the whites in number. They
+            amounted to thirty thousand, and were generally proprietors of
+            lands. They were equally free by law with the former, and paid
+            their taxes to the mother-country in an equal proportion. But
+            in consequence of having sprung from slaves they had no legislative
+            power, and moreover were treated with great contempt.
+            Believing that the mother-country was going to make a change
+            in its political constitution, they had called a meeting on the
+            island, and this meeting had deputed them to repair to France,
+            and to desire the full rights of citizens, or that the free people of
+            colour might be put upon an equality with the whites. They
+            (the deputies) had come in consequence. They had brought
+            with them a present of six millions of livres to the National
+            Assembly, and an appointment to General la Fayette to be
+            commander-in-chief over their constituents, as a distinct body. This
+            command, they said, the general had accepted, though he had
+            declined similar honours from every town in France, except
+            Paris, in order to show that he patronized their cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I was now very anxious to know the sentiments which these
+            gentlemen entertained on the subject of the Slave Trade. If they
+            were with us, they might be very useful to us; not only by their
+            votes in the Assembly, but by the knowledge of facts which
+            they would be able to adduce there in our favour. If they were
+            against us, it became me to be upon my guard against them, and
+            to take measures accordingly. I therefore stated to them at once
+            the nature of my errand to France, and desired their opinion
+            upon it. This they gave me without reserve. They broke out
+            into lavish commendations of my conduct, and called me their
+            friend. The Slave Trade, they said, was the parent of all the
+            miseries in St. Domingo, not only on account of the cruel treatment
+            it occasioned to the slaves, but on account of the discord
+            which it constantly kept up between the whites and people of
+            colour, in consequence of the hateful distinctions it introduced.
+            These distinctions could never be obliterated while it lasted.
+            Indeed both the trade and the slavery must fall, before the infamy,
+            now fixed upon a skin of colour, could be so done away, that
+
+            whites and blacks could meet cordially, and look with respect
+            upon one another. They had it in their instructions, in case
+            they should obtain a seat in the Assembly, to propose, an immediate
+            abolition of the Slave Trade, and an immediate amelioration
+            of the state of slavery also, with a view to its final abolition in
+            fifteen years.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But time was flying apace; I had now been nearly seven
+            weeks in Paris, and had done nothing. The thought of this
+            made me uneasy, and I saw no consoling prospect before me. I
+            found it even difficult to obtain a meeting of the Friends of the
+            Negroes. The Marquis de la Fayette had no time to attend.
+            Those of the committee, who were members of the National
+            Assembly, were almost constantly engaged at Versailles. Such
+            of them as belonged to the Municipality, had enough to do at the
+            Hotel deVille. Others were employed either in learning the
+            use of arms, or in keeping their daily and nightly guards. These
+            circumstances made me almost despair of doing anything for the
+            cause at Paris, at least in any reasonable time. But a new circumstance
+            occurred, which distressed me greatly; for I discovered,
+            in the most satisfactory manner, that two out of the six at the
+            last committee were spies. They had come into the society for
+            no other reason than to watch and report its motions; and they
+            were in direct correspondence with the slave-merchants at Havre
+            de Grace. This matter I brought home to them afterwards, and
+            I had the pleasure of seeing them excluded from all our future
+            meetings.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From this time I thought it expedient to depend less upon
+            the committee, and more upon my own exertions; and I formed
+            the resolution of going among the members of the National
+            Assembly myself, and of learning from their own mouths the
+            hope I ought to entertain relative to the decision of our question.
+            In the course of my endeavours I obtained a promise from the
+            Duke de la Rochefoucauld, the Comte de Mirabeau the Abb&eacute;
+            Si&eacute;yes, Monsieur Bergasse, and Monsieur P&eacute;tion de Villeneuv&eacute;,
+            five of the most approved members of the National Assembly,
+            that they would meet me if I would fix a day. I obtained a
+            similar promise from the Marquis de Condorcet, and Clavi&egrave;re
+
+            and Brissot, as members selected from the committee of the
+            Friends of the Negroes. And Messieurs de Roveray and Du
+            Monde, two Genevese gentlemen at Versailles, men of considerable
+            knowledge and interest, and who had heard of our intended
+            meeting, were to join us at their own request. The place chosen
+            was the house of the Bishop of Chartres at Versailles.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I was now in hope that I should soon bring the question to
+            some issue; and on the 4th of October I went to dine with the
+            Bishop of Chartres to fix the day. We appointed the 7th. But
+            how soon, frequently, do our prospects fade! From the conversation
+            which took place at dinner, I began to fear that our meeting
+            would not be realised. About three days before, the officers
+            of the Garde du Corps had given the memorable banquet,
+            recorded in the annals of the revolution, to the officers of the
+            regiment of Flanders, which then lay at Versailles. This was a
+            topic on which the company present dwelt. They condemned
+            it as a most fatal measure in these heated times; and were
+            apprehensive that something would grow immediately out of it, which
+            might endanger the king's safety. In passing afterwards through
+            the streets of Versailles my fears increased. I met several of
+            that regiment in groups. Some were brandishing their swords.
+            Others were walking arm in arm, and singing tumultuously.
+            Others were standing and conversing earnestly together. Among
+            the latter I heard one declare with great vehemence, "that it
+            should not be; that the revolution must go on." On my arrival
+            at Paris in the evening, the Palais Royal was full of people;
+            and there were movements and buzzings among them, as if something
+            was expected to happen. The next day, when I went into
+            the streets, it was obvious what was going to take place. Suffice
+            it to say, that the next evening the king and queen were brought
+            prisoners into Paris. After this, things were in such an unsettled
+            state for a few days, and the members of the National Assembly
+            were so occupied in the consideration of the event itself, and of
+            the consequences which might attend it, that my little meeting,
+            of which it had cost me so much time and trouble to procure the
+            appointment, was entirely prevented.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I had now to wait patiently till a new opportunity should
+
+            occur. The Comte de Mirabeau, before the departure of the
+            king, had moved, and carried the resolution, that "the Assembly
+            was inseparable from his majesty's person." It was expected,
+            therefore, that the National Assembly would immediately transfer
+            its sittings to Paris. This took place on the 19th. It was now
+            more easy for me to bring persons together, than when I had to
+            travel backward and forward to Versailles. Accordingly, by
+            watching my opportunities, I obtained the promise of another
+            meeting. This was held afterwards at the Duke de la Rochefoucauld's.
+            The persons before mentioned were present; except
+            the Comte de Mirabeau, whose occupations at that moment made
+            it utterly impossible for him to attend.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The duke opened the business in an appropriate manner;
+            and concluded, by desiring each person to give his opinion frankly
+            and unequivocally as to what might be expected of the National
+            Assembly relative to the great measure of the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Abb&eacute; Si&eacute;yes rose up, and said it would probably bring
+            the business within a shorter compass if, instead of discussing
+            this proposition at large, I were to put to the meeting my own
+            questions. I accordingly accepted this offer, and began by asking
+            those present "how long it was likely that the present National
+            Assembly would sit?" After some conversation, it was replied
+            that "it would sit till it had completed the constitution, and
+            interwoven such fixed principles into it, that the legislature
+            which should succeed it might have nothing more to do than to
+            proceed on the ordinary business of the state. Its dissolution
+            would probably not take place till the month of March."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I then asked them, "whether it was their opinion that the
+            National Assembly would feel itself authorized to take up such a
+            foreign question (if I might be allowed the expression) as that of
+            the abolition of the Slave Trade." The answer to this was,
+            "that the object of the National Assembly was undoubtedly the
+            formation of a constitution for the French people. With respect
+            to foreign possessions, it was very doubtful whether it were the
+            real interest of France to have any colonies at all; but while it
+            kept such colonies under its dominion, the assembly would feel
+
+            that it had the right to take up this question; and that the question
+            itself would naturally spring out of the bill of rights, which
+            had already been adopted as the basis of the constitution."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next question I proposed was, "whether they were of
+            opinion that the National Assembly would do more wisely, in the
+            present situation of things, to determine upon the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade now, or to transfer it to the legislature, which was
+            to succeed it in the month of March."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This question gave birth to a long discussion, during which
+            much eloquence was displayed; but the unanimous answer, with
+            the reasons for it, may be conveyed in substance as follows:&#8212;"It
+            would be most wise," it was said, "in the present Assembly, to
+            introduce the question to the notice of the nation, and this as
+            essentially connected with the bill of rights, but to transfer the
+            determination of it, in a way the best calculated to ensure success,
+            to the succeeding legislature. The revolution was of more
+            importance to Frenchmen than the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+            To secure this was their first object, and more particularly because
+            the other would naturally flow from it; but the revolution might
+            be injured by the immediate determination of the question.
+            Many persons in the large towns of Bourdeaux, Marseilles,
+            Rouen, Nantes, and Havre, who were now friends to it, might
+            be converted into enemies. It would also be held up by those
+            who wished to produce a counter-revolution, (and the ignorant
+            and prejudiced might believe it,) that the Assembly had made
+            a great sacrifice to England by thus giving her an opportunity of
+            enlarging her trade. The English House of Commons had taken
+            up the subject, but had done nothing; and though they, who
+            were then present, were convinced of the sincerity of the English
+            minister who had introduced it, and that the trade must ultimately
+            fall in England, yet it would not be easy to persuade
+            many bigoted persons in France of these truths. It would,
+            therefore, be most wise in the Assembly only to introduce the
+            subject as mentioned; but if extraordinary circumstances should
+            arise, such as a decree that the deputies of Colour should take
+            their seats in the Assembly, or that England should have begun
+            this great work, advantage might be taken of them, and the abolition
+
+            of the Slave Trade might be resolved upon in the present
+            session."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The last question I proposed was this:&#8212;"If the determination
+            of this great question should be proposed to the next legislature,
+            would it be more difficult to carry it then than now?"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This question also produced much conversation; but the
+            answer was unanimous, "that there would be no greater difficulty
+            in the one than in the other case; for that the people would
+            daily more and more admire their constitution; that this constitution
+            would go down to the next legislature, from whence would
+            issue solid and fixed principles, which would be resorted to as a
+            standard for decision on all occasions. Hence the Slave Trade,
+            which would be adjudged by it also, could not possibly stand.
+            Add to which, that the most virtuous members in the present
+            would be chosen into the new legislature, which, if the constitution
+            were but once fairly established, would not regard the murmurs
+            of any town or province." After this a desultory conversation
+            took place, in which some were of opinion that it would be
+            proper, on the introduction of the subject into the Assembly, to
+            move for a committee of inquiry, which should collect facts and
+            documents against the time when it should be taken up with a
+            view to its final discussion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As it now appeared to me that nothing material would be
+            done with respect to our cause till after the election of the new
+            legislature, I had thoughts of returning to England to resume
+            my journey in quest of evidence; but I judged it right to communicate
+            first with the Comte de Mirabeau and the Marquis de
+            la Fayette, both of whom would have attended the meeting
+            just mentioned, if unforeseen circumstances had not prevented
+            them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On conversing with the first, I found that he differed from
+            those whom I had consulted. He thought that the question, on
+            account of the nature and urgency of it, ought to be decided in
+            the present legislature. This was so much his opinion, that he
+            had made a determination to introduce it there himself; and
+            had been preparing for his motion. He had already drawn up
+            the outlines of a speech for the purpose; but was in want of circumstantial
+
+            knowledge to complete it. With this knowledge
+            he desired me to furnish him. He then put his speech into
+            my hand, and wished me to take it home and peruse it. He
+            wrote down, also, some questions, and he gave them to me
+            directly afterwards, and begged I would answer them at my
+            leisure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On conversing with the latter, he said, "that he believed with
+            those of the meeting that there would be no greater difficulty in
+            carrying the question in the succeeding than in the present legislature;
+            but this consideration afforded an argument for the immediate
+            discussion of it; for it would make a considerable difference
+            to suffering humanity whether it were to be decided now or then.
+            This was the moment to be taken to introduce it; nor did he
+            think that they ought to be deterred from doing it by any supposed
+            clamours from some of the towns in France. The great
+            body of the people admired the constitution, and would support
+            any decisions which were made in strict conformity to its principles.
+            With respect to any committee of inquiry, he deprecated
+            it. The Slave Trade, he said, was not a trade. It dishonoured
+            the name of commerce. It was piracy. But if so, the question
+            which it involved was a question of justice only; and it could
+            not be decided, with propriety by any other standard." I then
+            informed him that the Comte de Mirabeau had undertaken to
+            introduce it into the Assembly. At this he expressed his uneasiness.
+            "Mirabeau," says he, "is a host in himself; and I should
+            not be surprised if by his own eloquence and popularity only he
+            were to carry it; and yet I regret that he has taken the lead in
+            it. The cause is so lovely that even ambition, abstractedly considered,
+            is too impure to take it under its protection, and not to
+            sully it. It should have been placed in the hands of the most
+            virtuous man in France. This man is the Duc de la Rochefoucauld.
+            But you cannot alter things now. You cannot take it
+            out of his hands. I am sure he will be second to no one on this
+            occasion."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On my return to my hotel, I perused the outlines of the
+            speech which the Comte de Mirabeau had lent me. It afforded
+            a masterly knowledge of the evils of the trade, as drawn from
+
+            reason only. It was put together in the most striking and
+            affecting manner. It contained an almost irresistible appeal to
+            his auditors by frequent references to the ancient system of things
+            in France, and to their situation and prospects under the new.
+            It flowed at first gently like a river in a level country; but it
+            grew afterwards into a mountain-torrent, and carried everything
+            before it. On looking at the questions which he had written
+            down for me, I found them consist of three. 1. What are the
+            different ways of reducing to slavery the inhabitants of that part
+            of Africa which is under the dominion of France? 2. What
+            is the state of society there  with respect to government, industry,
+            and the arts? 3. What are the various evils belonging to the
+            transportation of the Africans from their own country?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was peculiarly agreeable to me to find, on reading the first
+            two questions, that I had formed an acquaintance with Monsieur
+            Geoffroy de Villeneuve, who had been aide-du-camp to the
+            Chevalier de Boufflers at Goree; but who was then at his father's
+            house in Paris. This gentleman had entertained Dr. Spaarman
+            and Mr. Wadstrom; and had accompanied them up the Senegal,
+            when under the protection of the French government in Africa.
+            He had confirmed to me the testimony which they had given
+            before the privy council: but he had a fund of information on
+            this subject, which went far beyond what these possessed, or I
+            had ever yet collected from books or men. He had travelled all
+            over the kingdom of Cayor on foot; and had made a map of it.
+            His information was so important, that I had been with him for
+            almost days together to take it down. I determined, therefore,
+            to arrange the facts which I had obtained from him, of which I
+            had now a volume, that I might answer the two first questions,
+            which had been proposed to me; for it was of great importance
+            to the Comte de Mirabeau, that he should be able to appeal, in
+            behalf of the statements in his speech to the Assembly, to an
+            evidence on the spot.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the course of my correspondence with the Comte, which
+            continued with but little intermission for six weeks, many circumstances
+            took place, which were connected with the cause, and
+            which I shall now detail in their order.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On waiting upon Mr. Necker, at his own request, he gave me
+            the pleasing intelligence, that the committee of finances, which
+            was then composed of members of the National Assembly, had
+            resolved, though they had not yet promulgated their resolution,
+            upon a total abolition of all the bounties then in existence in
+            favour of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Deputies of Colour now began to visit me at my own
+            hotel. They informed me, that they had been admitted, since
+            they had seen me, into the National Assembly. On stating their
+            claims, the president assured them, that they might take courage;
+            for that the assembly knew no distinction between Blacks and
+            Whites, but considered all men as having equal rights. This
+            speech of the president, they said, had roused all the White
+            Colonists in Paris. Some of these had openly insulted them.
+            They had held also a meeting on the subject of this speech; at
+            which they had worked themselves up so as to become quite
+            furious. Nothing but intrigue was now going forward among
+            them to put off the consideration of the claims of the free People
+            of Colour. They, the deputies, had been flattered by the prospect
+            of a hearing no less than six times; and, when the day
+            arrived, something had constantly occurred to prevent it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At a subsequent interview, they appeared to be quite disheartened;
+            and to be grievously disappointed as to the object of
+            their mission. They were now sure, that they should never be
+            able to make head against the intrigues and plots of the White
+            Colonists. Day after day had been fixed as before for the hearing
+            of their cause. Day after day it had been deferred in like
+            manner. They were now weary with waiting. One of them,
+            Og&eacute;, could not contain himself, but broke out with great
+            warmth&#8212;"I begin," says he, "not to care whether the National Assembly
+            will admit us or not. But let it beware of the consequences.
+            We will no longer continue to be beheld in a degraded
+            light. Dispatches shall go directly to St. Domingo; and we will
+            soon follow them. We can produce as good soldiers on our
+            estates, as those in France. Our own arms shall make us independent
+            and respectable. If we are once forced to desperate
+            measures, it will be in vain that thousands will be sent across the
+
+            Atlantic to bring us back to our former state." On hearing this,
+            I entreated the deputies, to wait with patience. I observed to
+            them, that in a great revolution, like that of France, things, but
+            more particularly such as might be thought external, could not
+            be discussed either so soon or so rapidly as men full of enthusiasm
+            would wish. France would first take care of herself. She
+            would then, I had no doubt, extend her care to her Colonies.
+            Was not this a reasonable conclusion, when they, the deputies,
+            had almost all the first men in the Assembly in their favour?
+            I entreated them therefore to wait patiently; as well as upon
+            another consideration, which was, that by an imprudent conduct
+            they might not only ruin their own cause in France, but bring
+            indescribable misery upon their native land.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By this time a large packet, for which I had sent, from England
+            arrived. It consisted of above a thousand of the plan and
+            section of a slave-ship, with an explanation in French. It contained,
+            also, about five hundred coloured engravings, made from
+            two views, which Mr. Wadstrom had taken in Africa. The first
+            of these represented the town of Joal, and the king's military
+            on horseback returning to it, after having executed the great
+            pillage, with their slaves. The other represented the village of
+            Bain; from whence ruffians were forcing a poor woman and her
+            children to sell them to a ship, which was then lying in the
+            Roads. Both these scenes Mr. Wadstrom had witnessed. I
+            had collected, also, by this time, one thousand of my Essays on
+            the <em>Impolicy of the Slave Trade</em>, which had been translated into
+            the French language. These I now wished to distribute, as preparatory
+            to the motion of Mirabeau, among the National Assembly.
+            This distribution was afterwards undertaken and effected
+            by the Archbishop of Aix, the Bishop of Chartres, the Marquis
+            de la Fayette, the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, the Comte de Mirabeau,
+            Monsieur Necker, the Marquis de Condorcet, Messieurs
+            P&eacute;tion de Villeneuve, Bergasse, Clavi&egrave;re and Brissot, and by the
+            Marchioness de la Fayette, Madame Necker, and Madame de
+            Poivre, the latter of whom was the widow of the late intendant
+            of the Isle of France.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This distribution had not been long begun, before I witnessed
+
+            its effects. The virtuous Abb&eacute; Gregoire, and several members of
+            the National Assembly, called upon me. The section of the
+            slave-ship, it appeared, had been the means of drawing them
+            towards me. They wished for more accurate information concerning
+            it. Indeed, it made its impression upon all who saw it.
+            The Bishop of Chartres once told me, that, when he first espoused
+            our cause, he did it at once; for it seemed obvious to him that no
+            one could, under the Christian dispensation, hold another as his
+            slave; and it was no less obvious, where such an unnatural state
+            existed, that there would be great abuses; but that, nevertheless,
+            he had not given credit to all the tales which had been related of
+            the Slave Trade, till he had seen this plate; after which there
+            was nothing so barbarous which might not readily be believed.
+            The Archbishop of Aix, when I first showed him the same plate,
+            was so struck with horror, that he could scarcely speak: and
+            when Mirabeau first saw it, he was so impressed by it, that he
+            ordered a mechanic to make a model of it in wood, at a considerable
+            expense. This model he kept afterwards in his dining-room.
+            It was a ship in miniature, about a yard long, and little wooden
+            men and women, which were painted black to represent the
+            slaves, were seen stowed in their proper places.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But while the distribution of these different articles thus contributed
+            to make us many friends, it called forth the extraordinary
+            exertions of our enemies. The merchants and others interested
+            in the continuance of the Slave Trade wrote letters to the Archbishop
+            of Aix, beseeching him not to ruin France; which he
+            would inevitably do, if, as then president, he were to grant a day
+            for hearing the question of the abolition. Offers of money were
+            made to Mirabeau from the same quarter, if he would totally
+            abandon his motion. An attempt was made to establish a
+            colonial committee, consisting of such planters as were members
+            of the National Assembly, upon whom it should devolve to
+            consider and report upon all matters relating to the Colonies,
+            before they could be determined there. Books were circulated in
+            abundance in opposition to mine. Resort was again had to the
+            public papers, as the means of raising a hue and cry against the
+            principles of the Friends of the Negroes. I was again denounced
+
+            as a spy; and as one sent by the English minister to bribe
+            members in the Assembly to do that in a time of public agitation,
+            which in the settled state of France they could never
+            have been prevailed upon to accomplish. And as a proof that
+            this was my errand, it was requested of every Frenchman to put
+            to himself the following question, "How it happened that England,
+            which had considered the subject coolly and deliberately for
+            eighteen months, and this in a state of internal peace and
+            quietness, had not abolished the Slave Trade?"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The clamour which was now made against the abolition
+            pervaded all Paris, and reached the ears of the king; Mr. Necker
+            had a long conversation with him upon it; the latter sent for me
+            immediately. He informed me that His Majesty was desirous of
+            making himself master of the question, and had expressed a wish
+            to see my <em>Essay on the Impolicy of the Slave Trade</em>; he desired
+            to have two copies of it, one in French, and the other in English,
+            and he would then take his choice as to which of them he would
+            read; he (Mr. Necker) was to present them. He would take
+            with him, also, at the same time, the beautiful specimens of the
+            manufactures of the Africans, which I had lent to Madame
+            Necker out of the cabinet of Monsieur Geoffroy de Villeneuve
+            and others; as to the section of the slave-ship, he thought it would
+            affect His Majesty too much, as he was then indisposed. All
+            these articles, except the latter, were at length presented; the
+            king bestowed a good deal of time upon the specimens; he admired
+            them, but particularly those in gold. He expressed his surprise
+            at the state of some of the arts in Africa. He sent them back on
+            the same day on which he had examined them, and commissioned
+            Mr. Necker to return me his thanks, and to say that he had been
+            highly gratified with what he had seen; and with respect to the
+            <em>Essay on the Impolicy of the Slave Trade</em>, that he would read it
+            with all the seriousness which such a subject deserved.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            My correspondence with the Comte de Mirabeau was now
+            drawing near to its close. I had sent him a letter every other
+            day for a whole month, which contained from sixteen to twenty
+            pages; he usually acknowledged the receipt of each; hence many
+            of his letters came into my possession: these were always interesting,
+
+            on account of the richness of the expressions they contained.
+            Mirabeau even in his ordinary discourse was eloquent; it was his
+            peculiar talent to use such words, that they who heard them were
+            almost led to believe that he had taken great pains to cull them
+            for the occasion. But this his ordinary language was the language
+            also of his letters; and as they show a power of expression, by
+            which the reader may judge of the character of the eloquence of
+            one, who was then undoubtedly the greatest orator in France, I
+            have thought it not improper to submit one of them to his perusal
+            in the annexed note<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXV_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXV_1"></a>. I could have
+            wished, as far as it relates
+            to myself, that it had been less complimentary. It must be
+            observed, however, that I had already written to him more than
+            two hundred pages with my own hand; and as this was done at
+            no small expense, time, and trouble, and solely to qualify him for
+            the office of doing good, he could not but set some value upon my
+            labours.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXV_1"></a><a href="#FootXXV_1">A</a>: Je fais toujours mille
+            remercimens plus empress&eacute;s et plus affectueux &agrave; Monsieur Clarkson
+            pour la vertueuse profusion
+            de ses lumi&egrave;res, de ses recherches, et de ses travaux. Comme ma motion,
+            et tous ses d&eacute;veloppemens sont enti&egrave;rement pr&ecirc;ts, j'attends avec
+            une vive impatience ses nouvelles lettres, afin d'achever de classer
+            les faits et les raisonnemens de Monsieur Clarkson, et, cette
+            d&eacute;duction enti&egrave;rement finie, de commencer &agrave; manoeuvrer en tactique
+            le succ&egrave;s douteux de cette p&eacute;rilleuse proposition. J'aurai l'honneur
+            de le recevoir Dimanche depuis onze heures, et m&ecirc;me dix du matin jusqu'&agrave;
+            midi, non seulement avec un vif plaisir, mais avec une sensible
+            reconnaissance.
+            25<em>th</em><em>D&eacute;cembre</em>, 1789.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When our correspondence was over, I had some conversation
+            with him relative to fixing a day for the motion. But he judged
+            it prudent, previously to this, to sound some of the members of
+            the Assembly on the subject of it. This he did, but he was greatly
+            disappointed at the result; there was not one member, out of all
+            those with whom he conversed, who had not been canvassed
+            by the planters' committee; and though most of them had been
+            proof against all its intrigues and artifices, yet many of them
+            hesitated respecting the abolition at that moment. There was
+            a fear in some that they should injure the revolution by adopting
+            it; others, who had no such fears, wished for the concurrence of
+            England in the measure, and suggested the propriety of a deputation
+            there for that purpose previously to the discussion of the
+
+            question in France. While others maintained that, as England
+            had done nothing, after having had it so long under consideration,
+            it was fair to presume that she judged it impolitic to abandon the
+            Slave Trade; but if France were to give it up, and England to
+            continue it, how would humanity be the gainer?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While the Comte de Mirabeau was continuing his canvass
+            among the members of the National Assembly, relative to his
+            motion, attempts were again made in the public papers to mislead
+            them; emancipation was now stated to be the object of the friends
+            of the negroes. This charge I repelled, by addressing myself to
+            Monsieur Beauvet. I explained to him the views of the different
+            societies which had taken up the cause of the Africans; and I
+            desired him to show my letter to the planters. I was obliged also
+            to answer publicly a letter by Monsieur Mosneron de Laung.
+            This writer professed to detail the substance of the privy council
+            report. He had the injustice to assert that three things had been
+            distinctly proved there: First, that slavery had always existed in
+            Africa; Secondly, that the natives were a bloody people, addicted
+            to human sacrifice, and other barbarous customs; and, Thirdly,
+            that their soil was incapable of producing any proper articles for
+            commerce. From these premises he argued, as if they had been
+            established by the unanimous and uncontradicted testimony of the
+            witnesses; and he drew the conclusion, that not only had England
+            done nothing in consequence, but that she never would do anything
+            which should affect the existence of this trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But these letters had only just made their appearance in the
+            public papers, when I was summoned to England; parliament,
+            it appeared, had met, and I was immediately to leave Paris.
+            Among those of whom I had but just time to take leave, were the
+            deputies of colour. At this, my last conference with them, I
+            recommended moderation and forbearance, as the best gifts I
+            could leave them; and I entreated them rather to give up their
+            seats in the Assembly, than on that account to bring misery on
+            their country; for that with patience their cause would ultimately
+            triumph. They replied, that I had prescribed to them a most
+            difficult task; they were afraid that neither the conduct of the
+            white colonists nor of the National Assembly could be much
+
+            longer borne; they thanked me, however, for my advice. One of
+            them gave me a trinket, by which I might remember him; and
+            as for himself, he said he should never forget one, who had taken
+            such a deep interest in the welfare of his
+            mother<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXV_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXV_2"></a>. I found, however,
+            notwithstanding all I said, that there was a spirit of dissatisfaction
+            in them, which nothing but a redress of their grievances
+            could subdue; and that, if the planters should persevere in their
+            intrigues, and the National Assembly in delay, a fire would be
+            lighted up in St. Domingo, which could not easily be extinguished.
+            This was afterwards realized: for Og&eacute;, in about three
+            months from this time, left his companions, to report to his constituents
+            in St. Domingo the state of their mission; when hearing, on
+            his arrival in that island, of the outrageous conduct of the whites
+            of the committee of Aquin, who had begun a persecution of the
+            people of colour, for no other reason than that they had dared to
+            seek the common privileges of citizens, and of the murder of Ferrand
+            and Labadie, he imprudently armed his slaves. With a small but
+            faithful band he rushed upon superior numbers, and was defeated;
+            taking refuge at length in the Spanish part of St. Domingo, he
+            was given up, and his enemies, to strike terror into the people of
+            colour, broke him upon the wheel. From this time reconciliation
+            between the parties became impossible; a bloody war commenced,
+            and with it all those horrors which it has been our lot so frequently
+            to deplore. It must be remembered, however, that the Slave
+            Trade, by means of the cruel distinctions it occasioned, was the
+            original cause; and though the revolution of France afforded the
+            occasion, it was an occasion which would have been prevented, if
+            it had not been for the intrigues and injustice of the whites.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXV_2"></a><a href="#FootXXV_2">A</a>: Africa.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another upon whom I had time to call was the amiable bishop
+            of Chartres. When I left him, the Abb&eacute; Si&eacute;yes, who was with
+            him, desired to walk with me to my hotel; he there presented
+            me with a set of his works, which he sent for while he staid with
+            me; and, on parting, he made use of this complimentary expression,
+            in allusion, I suppose, to the cause I had undertaken,&#8212;"I
+            am pleased to have been acquainted with the friend of man."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was necessary that I should see the Comte de Mirabeau
+
+            and the Marquis de la Fayette before I left Paris, I had written
+            to each of them to communicate the intelligence of my departure,
+            as soon as I received it. The comte, it appeared had nearly
+            canvassed the Assembly; he could count upon three hundred
+            members, who, for the sake of justice, and without any consideration
+            of policy or of consequences, would support his motion. But
+            alas! what proportion did this number bear to twelve hundred!
+            About five hundred more would support him, but only on one
+            condition, which was, if England would give an unequivocal
+            proof of her intention to abolish the trade. The knowledge of
+            these circumstances, he said, had induced him to write a letter to
+            Mr. Pitt. In this he had explained how far he could proceed without
+            his assistance, and how far with it. He had frankly developed
+            to him the mind and temper of the Assembly on this subject;
+            but his answer must be immediate, for the white colonists were
+            daily gaining such an influence there, that he forsaw that it
+            would be impossible to carry the measure, if it were long delayed.
+            On taking leave of him he desired me to be the bearer of the
+            letter, and to present it to Mr. Pitt.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On conversing with the Marquis de la Fayette, he lamented
+            deeply the unexpected turn which the cause of the Negroes had
+            lately taken in the Assembly. It was entirely owing to the daily
+            intrigues of the White Colonists. He feared they would ruin
+            everything. If the Deputies of Colour had been heard on their
+            arrival, their rights would have been acknowledged. But now
+            there was little probability that they would obtain them. He foresaw
+            nothing but desolation in St. Domingo. With respect to the
+            abolition of the Slave Trade, it might be yet carried; but not unless
+            England would concur in the measure. On this topic he enlarged
+            with much feeling. He hoped the day was near at hand, when
+            two great nations, which had been hitherto distinguished only for
+            their hostility, one toward the other, would unite in so sublime a
+            measure; and that they would follow up their union by another,
+            still more lovely, for the preservation of eternal and universal
+            peace. Thus their future rivalships might have the extraordinary
+            merit of being rivalships in good. Thus the revolution of France,
+            through the mighty aid of England, might become the source of
+
+            civilization, of freedom, and of happiness to the whole world. No
+            other nations were sufficiently enlightened for such an union, but
+            all other nations might be benefited by it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The last person whom I saw was Brissot. He accompanied
+            me to my carriage. With him, therefore, I shall end my French
+            account; and I shall end it in no way so satisfactory to myself, as
+            in a very concise vindication of his character, from actual knowledge,
+            against the attacks of those who have endeavoured to disparage
+            it; but who never knew him. Justice and truth, I am
+            convinced, demand some little declaration on this subject at my
+            hands. Brissot then was a man of plain and modest appearance.
+            His habits, contrary to those of his countrymen in general, were
+            domestic. In his own family he set an amiable example, both as
+            a husband and as a father. On all occasions he was a faithful
+            friend. He was particularly watchful over his private conduct.
+            From the simplicity of his appearance, and the severity of his
+            morals, he was called "The Quaker;" at least in all the circles
+            which I frequented. He was a man of deep feeling. He was
+            charitable to the poor as far as a slender income permitted him.
+            But his benevolence went beyond the usual bounds. He was no
+            patriot in the ordinary acceptation of the word; for he took the
+            habitable globe as his country and wished to consider every
+            foreigner as his brother.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I left France, as it may be easily imagined, much disappointed,
+            that my labours, which had been of nearly six months
+            continuance, should have had no better success; nor did I see, in
+            looking forward, any circumstances that were consoling with
+            respect to the issue of them there; for it was impossible that
+            Mr. Pitt, even if he had been inclined to write to Mirabeau,
+            circumstanced as matters then were with respect to the hearing
+            of evidence, could have given him a promise, at least of a speedy
+            abolition; and, unless his answer had been immediate, it would
+            have arrived, seeing that the French planters were daily profiting
+            by their intrigues, too late to be effectual.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I had but just arrived in England, when Mr. Wilberforce
+            made a new motion in the House of Commons on the subject of
+            the Slave Trade. In referring to the transactions of the last
+
+            session, he found that twenty-eight days had been allotted to the
+            hearing of witnesses against the abolition, and that eleven persons
+            only had been examined in that time. If the examinations were
+            to go on in the same manner, they might be made to last for
+            years. He resolved, therefore, to move, that, instead of hearing
+            evidence in future in the house at large, members should hear it
+            in an open committee above stairs; which committee should sit
+            notwithstanding any adjournment of the house itself. This
+            motion he made; and in doing it he took an opportunity of
+            correcting an erroneous report; which was, that he had changed
+            his mind on this great subject. This was, he said, so far from
+            being the case, that the more he contemplated the trade, the
+            more enormous he found it, and the more he felt himself compelled
+            to persevere in endeavours for its abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            One would have thought that a motion, so reasonable and so
+            constitutional, would have met with the approbation of all; but
+            it was vehemently opposed by Mr. Gascoyne, Alderman Newnham,
+            and others. The plea set up was, that there was no precedent
+            for referring a question of such importance to a committee.
+            It was now obvious, that the real object of our opponents in
+            abandoning decision by the privy council evidence was delay.
+            Unable to meet us there, they were glad to fly to any measure,
+            which should enable them to put off the evil day. This charge
+            was fixed upon them in unequivocal language by Mr. Fox; who
+            observed besides, that if the members of the house should then
+            resolve to hear evidence in a committee of the whole house as
+            before, it would amount to a resolution, that the question of the
+            abolition of the Slave Trade should be put by, or at least that it
+            should never be decided by them. After a long debate, the
+            motion of Mr. Wilberforce was voted without a division; and
+            the examination of witnesses proceeded in behalf of those who
+            were interested in the continuance of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This measure having been resolved upon, by which despatch
+            in the examinations was promoted, I was alarmed lest we should
+            be called upon for our own evidence, before we were fully prepared.
+            The time which I had originally allotted for the discovery
+            of new witnesses, had been taken up, if not wasted, in
+
+            France. In looking over the names of the sixteen, who were to
+            have been examined by the committee of privy council, if there
+            had been time, one had died, and eight, who were sea-faring
+            people, were out of the kingdom. It was time, therefore, to stir
+            immediately in this business. Happily, on looking over my
+            letters, which I found on my arrival in England, the names of
+            several had been handed to me, with the places of their abode,
+            who could give me information on the subject of our question.
+            All these I visited with the utmost despatch. I was absent only
+            three weeks. I had travelled a thousand miles in this time, had
+            conversed with seventeen persons, and had prevailed upon three
+            to be examined.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I had scarcely returned with the addition of these witnesses
+            to my list, when I found it necessary to go out again upon the
+            same errand. This second journey arose in part from the following
+            circumstances. There was a matter in dispute relative to the
+            mode of obtaining slaves in the rivers of Calabar and Bonny.
+            It was usual, when the slave-ships lay there, for a number of
+            canoes to go into the inland country. These went in a fleet.
+            There might be from thirty to forty armed natives in each of
+            them. Every canoe, also, had a four or a six-pounder (cannon)
+            fastened to her bow. Equipped in this manner they departed;
+            and they were usually absent from eight to fourteen days. It
+            was said that they went to fairs, which were held on the banks
+            of these rivers, and at which there was a regular show of slaves.
+            On their return they usually brought down from eight hundred
+            to a thousand of these for the ships. These lay at the bottom of
+            the canoes; their arms and legs having been first bound by the
+            ropes of the country. Now the question was, how the people,
+            thus going up these rivers, obtained their slaves?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was certainly a very suspicious circumstance, that such a
+            number of persons should go out upon these occasions; and that
+            they should be armed in such a manner. We presumed, therefore,
+            that, though they might buy many of the slaves, whom they
+            brought down, at the fairs which have been mentioned, they
+            obtained others by violence, as opportunity offered. This inference
+            we pressed upon our opponents, and called upon them to
+
+            show what circumstances made such warlike preparations necessary
+            on these excursions. To this they replied readily, "The
+            people in the canoes," said they, "pass through the territories of
+            different petty princes; to each of whom, on entering his territory,
+            they pay a tribute or toll. This tribute has been long fixed; but
+            attempts frequently have been made to raise it. They who
+            follow the trade cannot afford to submit to these unreasonable
+            demands; and therefore they arm themselves in case of any
+            determination on the part of these petty princes to enforce them."
+            This answer we never judged to be satisfactory. We tried
+            therefore, to throw light upon the subject, by inquiring if the
+            natives who went upon these expeditions usually took with them
+            as many goods as would amount to the number of the slaves they
+            were accustomed to bring back with them. But we could get no
+            direct answer, from any actual knowledge, to this question. All
+            had seen the canoes go out and return; but no one had seen them
+            loaded, or had been on board them. It appeared, however, from
+            circumstantial evidence, that though the natives on these occasions
+            might take some articles of trade with them, it was impossible
+            from appearances that they could take them in the proportion
+            mentioned. We maintained, then, our inference as before;
+            but it was still uniformly denied.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            How then were we to decide this important question? for it
+            was said that no white man was ever permitted by the natives
+            to go up in these canoes. On mentioning accidentally the circumstances
+            of the case, as I have now stated them, to a friend,
+            immediately on my return from my last journey, he informed me
+            that he himself had been in company, about a year before, with
+            a sailor, a very respectable-looking man, who had been up these
+            rivers. He had spent half an hour with him at an inn. He
+            described his person to me; but he knew nothing of his name,
+            or of the place of his abode. All he knew was, that he was
+            either going, or that he belonged to, some ship of war in ordinary;
+            but he could not tell at what port. I might depend upon
+            all these circumstances if the man had not deceived him; and he
+            saw no reason why he should.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I felt myself set on fire, as it were, by this intelligence, deficient
+
+            as it was; and I seemed to determine instantly that I would,
+            if it were possible, find him out. For if our suspicions were
+            true that the natives frequently were kidnapped in these expeditions,
+            it would be of great importance to the cause of the abolition
+            to have them confirmed; for as many slaves came annually
+            from these two rivers, as from all the coast of Africa besides.
+            But how to proceed on so blind an errand was the question. I
+            first thought of trying to trace the man by letter; but this might
+            be tedious. The examinations were now going on rapidly. We
+            should soon be called upon for evidence ourselves; besides, I
+            knew nothing of his name. I then thought it to be a more effectual
+            way to apply to Sir Charles Middleton, as comptroller of the
+            navy, by whose permission I could board every ship of war in
+            ordinary in England, and judge for myself. But here the undertaking
+            seemed very arduous, and the time it would consume
+            became an objection in this respect, that I thought I could not
+            easily forgive myself, if I were to fail in it. My inclination,
+            however, preponderated this way. At length I determined to
+            follow it; for, on deliberate consideration, I found that I could
+            not employ my time more advantageously to the cause; for as
+            other witnesses must be found out somewhere, it was highly probable
+            that, if I should fail in the discovery of this man, I should,
+            by moving among such a number of sea-faring people, find others
+            who could give their testimony in our favour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I must now inform the reader, that ships of war in ordinary,
+            in one of which this man was reported to be, are those which are
+            out of commission, and which are laid up in the different rivers
+            and waters in the neighbourhood of the king's dock-yards.
+            Every one of these has a boatswain, gunner, carpenter, and
+            assistants on board. They lie usually in divisions of ten or
+            twelve; and a master in the navy has a command over every
+            division.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length I began my journey. I boarded all the ships of
+            war lying in ordinary at Deptford, and examined the different
+            persons in each. From Deptford I proceeded to Woolwich,
+            where I did the same. Thence I hastened to Chatham, and
+            then, down the Medway, to Sheerness. I had now boarded
+
+            above a hundred and sixty vessels of war. I had found out two
+            good and willing evidences among them; but I could gain no
+            intelligence of him who was the object of my search.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From Chatham I made the best of my way to Portsmouth harbour.
+            A very formidable task presented itself here; but the
+            masters' boats were ready for me, and I continued my pursuit.
+            On boarding the Pegase, on the second day, I discovered a very
+            respectable person in the gunner of that ship. His name was
+            George Millar. He had been on board the Canterbury slaveship
+            at the dreadful massacre at Calabar. He was the only disinterested
+            evidence living, of whom I had yet heard. He
+            expressed his willingness to give, his testimony, if his presence
+            should be thought necessary in London. I then continued my
+            pursuit for the remainder of the day. On the next day I resumed
+            and finished it for this quarter. I had now examined the different
+            persons in more than a hundred vessels in this harbour, but I had
+            not discovered the person I had gone to seek.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Matters now began to look rather disheartening, I mean as
+            far as my grand object was concerned. There was but one other
+            port left, and this was between two and three hundred miles
+            distant. I determined, however, to go to Plymouth. I had
+            already been more successful in this tour, with respect to obtaining
+            general evidences than in any other of the same length; and
+            the probability was, that as I should continue to move among the
+            same kind of people, my success would be in a similar proportion
+            according to the number visited. These were great encouragements
+            to me to proceed. At length I arrived at the place of my
+            last hope. On my first day's expedition I boarded forty vessels,
+            but found no one in these who had been on the coast of Africa
+            in the Slave Trade. One or two had been there in king's ships;
+            but they had never been on shore. Things were now drawing
+            near to a close; and, notwithstanding my success as to general
+            evidence in this journey, my heart began to beat. I was restless
+            and uneasy during the night. The next morning I felt agitated
+            again between the alternate pressure of hope and fear; and in
+            this state I entered my boat. The fifty-seventh vessel, which I
+            boarded in this harbour was the Melampus frigate. One person
+
+            belonging to it, on examining him in the captain's cabin, said he
+            had been two voyages to Africa; and I had not long discoursed
+            with him before I found, to my inexpressible joy, that he was the
+            man. I found, too, that he unravelled the question in dispute
+            precisely as our inferences had determined it. He had been two
+            expeditions up the river Calabar in the canoes of the natives. In
+            the first of these, they came within a certain distance of a village.
+            They then concealed themselves under the bushes, which hung
+            over the water from the banks. In this position they remained
+            during day-light; but at night they went up to it armed, and
+            seized all the inhabitants, who had not time to make their escape.
+            They obtained forty-five persons in this manner. In the second,
+            they were out eight or nine days, when they made a similar
+            attempt, and with nearly similar success. They seized men,
+            women, and children, as they could find them in the huts. They
+            then bound their arms, and drove them before them to the
+            canoes. The name of the person, thus discovered on board the
+            Melampus, was Isaac Parker. On inquiring into his character
+            from the master of the division, I found it highly respectable. I
+            found, also, afterwards, that he had sailed with Captain Cook,
+            with great credit to himself, round the world. It was also
+            remarkable that my brother, on seeing him in London, when he
+            went to deliver his evidence, recognised him as having served
+            on board the Monarch man-of-war, and as one of the most
+            exemplary men in that ship.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I returned now in triumph. I had been out only three weeks,
+            and I had found out this extraordinary person, and five respectable
+            witnesses besides. These, added to the three discovered
+            in the last journey, and to those provided before, made us more
+            formidable than at any former period; so that the delay of our
+            opponents, which we had looked upon as so great an evil, proved
+            in the end truly serviceable to our cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On going into the committee-room of the House of Commons
+            on my return, I found that the examinations were still going on
+            in the behalf of those who were interested in the continuance of
+            the trade; and they went on beyond the middle of April, when
+            it was considered that they had closed. Mr. Wilberforce moved
+
+            accordingly, on the 23rd of the same month, that Captain Thomas
+            Wilson, of the royal navy, and that Charles Berns Wadstrom
+            and Henry Hew Dalrymple, Esqrs., do attend as witnesses
+            on the behalf of the abolition. There was nothing now but
+            clamour from those on the opposite side of the question. They
+            knew well that there were but few members of the House of
+            Commons, who had read the privy council report. They knew,
+            therefore, that if the question were to be decided by evidence, it
+            must be decided by that which their own witnesses had given
+            before parliament. But this was the evidence only on one side.
+            It was certain, therefore, if the decision were to be made upon
+            this basis, that it must be entirely in their favour. Will it then
+            be believed that in an English House of Commons there could
+            be found persons, who could move to prevent the hearing of any
+            other witnesses on this subject; and, what is more remarkable,
+            that they should charge Mr. Wilberforce, because he proposed
+            the hearing of them, with the intention solely of delay? Yes,
+            such persons were found; but happily only among the friends of
+            the Slave Trade. Mr. Wilberforce, in replying to them, could
+            not help observing that it was rather extraordinary that they,
+            who had occasioned the delay of a whole year, should charge him
+            with that of which they themselves had been so conspicuously
+            guilty. He then commented for some time on the injustice of
+            their motion. He stated, too, that he would undertake to remove
+            from disinterested and unprejudiced persons many of the impressions
+            which had been made by the witnesses against the abolition;
+            and he appealed to the justice and honour of the house in behalf
+            of an injured people; under the hope that they would not allow
+            a decision to be made till they had heard the whole of the case.
+            These observations, however, did not satisfy all those who
+            belonged to the opposite party. Lord Penrhyn contended for a
+            decision without a moment's delay. Mr. Gascoyne relented; and
+            said, he would allow three weeks to the abolitionists, during
+            which their evidence might be heard. At length, the debate
+            ended; in the course of which Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox powerfully
+            supported Mr. Wilberforce; when the motion was negatived
+            without any attempt at a division.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The witnesses in behalf of the abolition of the Slave Trade
+            now took possession of the ground which those in favour of it
+            had left. But what was our surprise, when only three of them
+            had been heard, to find that Mr. Norris should come forward as
+            an evidence! This he did to confirm what he had stated to the
+            privy council as to the general question; but he did it more
+            particularly, as it appeared afterwards, in the justification of his
+            own conduct: for the part which he had taken at Liverpool, as
+            it related to me, had become a subject of conversation with
+            many. It was now well known what assistance he had given
+            me there in my pursuit; how he had even furnished me with
+            clauses for a bill, for the abolition of the trade; how I had written
+            to him, in consequence of his friendly co-operation, to come up
+            as an evidence in our favour; and how at that moment he had
+            accepted the office of a delegate on the contrary side. The noise
+            which the relation and repetition of these and other circumstances
+            had made, had given him, I believe, considerable pain. His
+            friends, too, had urged some explanation as necessary. But how
+            short-sighted are they who do wrong! By coming forward in
+            this imprudent manner, he fixed the stain only the more indelibly
+            on himself; for he thus imposed upon me the cruel necessity of
+            being examined against him; and this necessity was the more
+            afflicting, to me, because I was to be called upon not to state facts
+            relative to the trade, but to destroy his character as an evidence
+            in its support. I was to be called upon, in fact, to explain all
+            those communications which have been stated to have taken
+            place between us on this subject. Glad indeed should I have
+            been to have declined this painful interference. But no one
+            would hear of a refusal. The Bishop of London, Mr. Pitt, and
+            Mr. Wilberforce considered my appearance on this occasion as
+            an imperious duty to the cause of the oppressed. It may be
+            perhaps sufficient to say that I was examined; that Mr. Norris
+            was present all the time; that I was cross-examined by counsel;
+            and, that after this time, Mr. Norris seemed to have no ordinary
+            sense of his own degradation; for he never afterwards held up
+            his head or looked the abolitionists in the face, or acted with
+            energy as a delegate, as on former occasions.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The hearing of evidence continued to go on in behalf of the
+            abolition of the trade. No less than twenty-four witnesses altogether
+            were heard in this session. And here it may not be
+            improper to remark, that during the examination of our own
+            witnesses, as well as the cross-examination of those of our opponents,
+            no counsel were ever employed. Mr. Wilberforce and Mr.
+            William Smith undertook this laborious department; and as
+            they performed it with great ability, so they did it with great
+            liberality towards those who were obliged to come under their
+            notice, in the course of this fiery ordeal.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The bill of Sir William Dolben was now to be renewed.
+            On this occasion the enemies of the abolition became again
+            conspicuous; for on the 26th of May, they availed themselves of
+            a thin house to propose an amendment, by which they increased
+            the number of the slaves to the tonnage of the vessel. They
+            increased it, too, without taking into the account, as had hitherto
+            been done, the extent of the superficies of the vessels which were
+            to carry them. This was the third indecorous attempt against
+            what were only reasonable and expected proceedings in the present
+            session. But their advantage was of no great duration; for the
+            very next day, the amendment was rejected on the report by a
+            majority of ninety-five to sixty-nine, in consequence, principally,
+            of the private exertions of Mr. Pitt. Of this bill, though it was
+            renewed in other years besides the present, I shall say no more
+            in this <em>History</em>; because it has nothing to do with the general
+            question. Horrible as it yet left the situation of the poor slaves
+            in their transportation, (which the plate has most abundantly
+            shown,) it was the best bill which could be then obtained; and
+            it answered to a certain degree the benevolent wishes of the
+            worthy baronet who introduced it: for if we could conclude, that
+            these voyages were made more comfortable to the injured
+            Africans, in proportion as there was less mortality in them, he
+            had undoubtedly the pleasure of seeing the end, at least partially,
+            obtained; though he must always have felt a great
+            drawback from it, by reflecting that the survivors, however their
+            sufferings might have been a little diminished, were reserved for
+            slavery.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The session was now near its close; and we had the sorrow
+            to find, though we had defeated our opponents in the three
+            instances which have been mentioned, that the tide ran decidedly
+            against us, upon the general question, in the House of Commons.
+            The same statements which had struck so many members with
+            panic in the former sessions, such as that of emancipation, of the
+            ruin and massacre of the planters, and of indemnification to the
+            amount of seventy millions, had been industriously kept up, and
+            this by a personal canvass among them. But this hostile disposition
+            was still unfortunately increased by considerations of
+            another sort. For the witnesses of our opponents had taken
+            their ground first. No less than eleven of them had been
+            examined in the last sessions. In the present, two-thirds of the
+            time had been occupied by others on the same side. Hence the
+            impression upon this ground also was against us; and we had yet
+            had no adequate opportunity of doing it away. A clamour was
+            also raised, where we thought it least likely to have originated.
+            They (the planters), it was said, had produced persons in elevated
+            life, and of the highest character, as witnesses; whereas we had
+            been obliged to take up with those of the lowest condition. This
+            idea was circulated directly after the introduction of Isaac Parker,
+            before mentioned, a simple mariner, and who was now contrasted
+            with the admirals on the other side of the question. This outcry
+            was not only ungenerous, but unconstitutional. It is the glory
+            of the English law, that it has no scale of veracity which it
+            adapts to persons, according to the station which they may be
+            found to occupy in life. In our courts of law, the poor are heard
+            as well as the rich; and if their reputation be fair, and they
+            stand proof against the cross-examinations they undergo, both the
+            judge and the jury must determine the matter in dispute by their
+            evidence. But the House of Commons was now called upon
+            by our opponents, to adopt the preposterous maxim of attaching
+            falsehood to poverty, or of weighing truth by the standard of
+            rank and riches.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But though we felt a considerable degree of pain in finding
+            this adverse disposition among so many members of the Lower
+            House, it was some consolation to us to know that our cause had
+
+            not suffered with their constituents,&#8212;the people. These were
+            still warmly with us. Indeed, their hatred of the trade had
+            greatly increased. Many circumstances had occurred in this
+            year to promote it. The committee, during my absence in
+            France, had circulated the plate of the slave-ship throughout all
+            England. No one saw it but he was impressed. It spoke to
+            him in a language which was at once intelligible and irresistible.
+            It brought forth the tear of sympathy in behalf of the sufferers,
+            and it fixed their sufferings in his heart. The committee, too,
+            had been particularly vigilant during the whole of the year with
+            respect to the public papers. They had suffered no statement in
+            behalf of those interested in the continuance of the trade to go
+            unanswered. Dr. Dickson, the author of the <em>Letters on Slavery</em>,
+            before mentioned, had come forward again with his services on
+            this occasion; and, by his active co-operation with a sub-committee
+            appointed for the purpose, the coast was so well cleared of
+            our opponents, that, though they were seen the next year again,
+            through the medium of the same papers, they appeared only in
+            sudden incursions, as it were, during which they darted a few
+            weapons at us; but they never afterward ventured upon the plain
+            to dispute the matter, inch by inch, or point by point, in an open
+            and manly manner.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But other circumstances occurred to keep up a hatred of the
+            trade among the people in this interval, which, trivial as they
+            were, ought not to be forgotten. The amiable poet Cowper had
+            frequently made the Slave Trade the subject of his contemplation.
+            He had already severely condemned it in his valuable
+            poem <em>The Task</em>. But now he had written three little fugitive
+            pieces upon it. Of these, the most impressive was that which
+            he called <em>The Negro's Complaint</em>, and of which the following is
+            a copy:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">Forced from home and all its pleasures,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Afric's coast I left forlorn,<br>To increase a stranger's treasures,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;O'er the raging billows borne;<br>Men from England bought and sold me,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Paid my price in paltry gold;<br>But, though theirs they have enroll'd me,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Minds are never to be sold.<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Still in thought as free as ever,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;What are England's rights, I ask,<br>Me from my delights to sever,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Me to torture, me to task?<br>Fleecy locks and black complexion<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Cannot forfeit Nature's claim;<br>Skins may differ, but affection<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Dwells in black and white the same.<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Why did all-creating Nature<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Make the plant, for which we toil?<br>Sighs must fan it, tears must water,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Sweat of ours must dress the soil.<br>Think, ye masters, iron-hearted,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Lolling at your jovial boards,<br>Think, how many backs have smarted<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;For the sweets your cane affords.<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Is there, as you sometimes tell us,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Is there one, who rules on high;<br>Has he bid you buy and sell us,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking from his throne, the sky?<br>Ask him, if your knotted scourges,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fetters, blood-extorting screws,<br>Are the means, which duty urges<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Agents of his will to use?<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Hark! he answers. Wild tornadoes,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Strewing yonder sea with wrecks,<br>Wasting towns, plantations, meadows,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Are the voice with which he speaks.<br>He, foreseeing what vexations<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Afric's sons should undergo,<br>Fixed their tyrants' habitations<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Where his whirlwinds answer&#8212;No.<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">By our blood in Afric wasted,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Ere our necks received the chain;<br>By the miseries, which we tasted<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Crossing, in your barks, the main;<br>By our sufferings, since you brought us<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;To the man-degrading mart,<br>All-sustained by patience, taught us<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Only by a broken heart:<br><br></div>
+            <div class="lg">Deem our nation brutes no longer,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Till some reason you shall find<br>Worthier of regard, and stronger,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Than the colour of our kind.<br>Slaves of gold! whose sordid dealings<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Tarnish all, your boasted powers,<br>Prove that you have human feelings,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Ere you proudly question ours.<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            This little piece Cowper presented in manuscript to some of
+            his friends in London; and these, conceiving it to contain a
+            powerful appeal in behalf of the injured Africans, joined in
+            printing it. Having ordered it on the finest hot-pressed paper,
+            and folded it up in a small and neat form, they gave it the printed
+            title of <em>A Subject for Conversation at the Tea-table</em>.
+            After this,
+            they sent many thousand copies of it in franks into the country.
+            From one it spread to another, till it travelled almost over the
+            whole island. Falling at length into the hands of the musician,
+            it was set to music; and it then found its way into the streets,
+            both of the metropolis and of the country, where it was sung as a
+            ballad; and where it gave a plain account of the subject, with an
+            appropriate feeling, to those who heard it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Nor was the philanthropy of the late Mr. Wedgewood less
+            instrumental in turning the popular feeling in our favour. He
+            made his own manufactory contribute to this end. He took the
+            seal of the committee, as exhibited in <a href="#chap20" >Chap. XX.</a>, for his model;
+            and he produced a beautiful cameo, of a less size, of which the
+            ground was a most delicate white, but the Negro, who was seen
+            imploring compassion in the middle of it, was in his own native
+            colour. Mr. Wedgewood made a liberal donation of these, when
+            finished, among his friends. I received from him no less than
+            five hundred of them myself. They, to whom they were sent,
+            did not lay them up in their cabinets, but gave them away likewise.
+            They were soon, like <em>The Negro's Complaint</em>, in different
+            parts of the kingdom. Some had them inlaid in gold on the lid
+            of their snuff-boxes. Of the ladies, several wore them in bracelets,
+            and others had them fitted up in an ornamental manner as pins
+            for their hair. At length the taste for wearing them became
+            general; and thus fashion, which usually confines itself to worthless
+            things, was seen for once in the honourable office of promoting
+            the cause of justice, humanity, and freedom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I shall now only state that the committee took as members
+            within its own body, in the period of time which is included in
+            this chapter, the Reverend Mr. Ormerod, chaplain to the Bishop
+            of London, and Captain James Bowen, of the royal navy; that
+            they elected the Honourable Nathaniel Curzon (afterwards Lord
+
+            Scarsdale), Dr. Frossard, of Lyons, and Benjamin Garlike, Esq.,
+            then secretary to the English embassy at the Hague, honorary
+            and corresponding members; and that they concluded their
+            annual labours with a suitable report, in which they noticed the
+            extraordinary efforts of our opponents to injure our cause in the
+            following manner:&#8212;"In the progress of this business, a powerful
+            combination of interest has been excited against us. The African
+            trader, the planter, and the West India merchant, have united
+            their forces to defend the fortress, in which their supposed treasures
+            lie. Vague calculations and false alarms have been thrown
+            out to the public, in order to show that the constitution, and even
+            the existence, of this free and opulent nation depend on its
+            depriving the inhabitants of a foreign country of those rights and
+            of that liberty which we ourselves so highly and so justly prize.
+            Surely, in the nature of things, and in the order of Providence,
+            it cannot be so. England existed as a great nation long before
+            the African commerce was known amongst us, and it is not to
+            acts of injustice and violence that she owes her present rank in
+            the scale of nations."
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap26"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>&#8212;Continuation from July, 1790, to July, 1791.&#8212;Author
+         travels again throughout the kingdom; object of his journey.&#8212;Motion
+         in the House of Commons to resume the hearing of evidence in
+         favour of the abolition; list of all those examined on this side of
+         the question; machinations of interested persons, and cruel
+         circumstances of the times previously to the day of decision.&#8212;Motion
+         at length made for stopping all further importation of Slaves
+         from Africa; debates upon it; motion lost.&#8212;Resolutions of the committee
+         for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.&#8212;Establishment of the Sierra
+         Leone Company.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            It was a matter of deep affliction to us to think, that the crimes
+            and sufferings inseparable from the Slave Trade were to be continued
+            to another year. And yet it was our duty, in the present
+            moment, to acquiesce in the postponement of the question. This
+            postponement was not now for the purpose of delay, but of
+            securing victory. The evidence, on the side of the abolition,
+            was, at the end of the last session, but half finished. It was
+            impossible, for the sake of Africa, that we could have then closed
+            it. No other opportunity might offer in parliament for establishing
+            an indelible record in her favour, if we were to neglect
+            the present. It was our duty, therefore, even to wait to complete
+            it, and to procure such a body of evidence, as should not only
+            bear us out in the approaching contest, but such as, if we were
+            to fail, would bear out our successors also. It was possible,
+            indeed, if the inhabitants of our islands were to improve in
+            civilization, that the poor slaves might experience gradually an
+            improved treatment with it; and so far testimony now might
+            not be testimony for ever; but it was utterly impossible, while
+            the Slave Trade lasted, and the human passion continued to be
+            the same, that there should be any change for the better in Africa;
+            or that any modes, less barbarous, should come into use for procuring
+            slaves. Evidence, therefore, if once collected on this
+            subject, would be evidence for posterity. In the midst of these
+            thoughts another journey occurred to me as necessary for this
+
+            purpose; and I prayed, that I might have strength to perform
+            it in the most effectual manner; and that I might be daily
+            impressed, as I travelled along, with the stimulating thought,
+            that the last hope for millions might possibly rest upon my own
+            endeavours.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee highly approved of this journey; Mr. Wilberforce
+            saw the absolute necessity of it also, and had prepared a
+            number of questions, with great ingenuity, to be put to such
+            persons as might have information to communicate. These I
+            added to those in the tables, which have been already mentioned,
+            and they made together a valuable collection on the subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This tour was the most vexatious of any I had yet undertaken;
+            many still refused to come forward to be examined, and some on
+            the most frivolous pretences, so that I was disgusted, as I journeyed
+            on, to find how little men were disposed to make sacrifices
+            for so great a cause. In one part of it I went over nearly two
+            thousand miles, receiving repeated refusals; I had not secured
+            one witness within this distance; this was truly disheartening. I
+            was subject to the whims and caprice of those whom I solicited
+            on these occasions[A]; to these I was obliged to accommodate myself.
+            When at Edinburgh, a person who could have given me material
+            information declined seeing me, though he really wished well to
+            the cause; when I had returned southward as far as York, he
+            changed his mind, and he would then see me; I went back that
+            I might not lose him. When I arrived, he would give me only
+            private information. Thus I travelled, backwards and forwards,
+            four hundred miles to no purpose. At another place a circumstance
+            almost similar happened, though with a different issue. I
+            had been for two years writing about a person, whose testimony
+            was important. I had passed once through the town in which
+            he lived, but he would not then see me; I passed through it now,
+            but no entreaties of his friends could make him alter his resolution.
+            He was a man highly respectable as to situation in life,
+            but of considerable vanity. I said therefore to my friend, on
+            leaving the town, You may tell him that I expect to be at Nottingham
+
+            in a few days, and though it be a hundred and fifty miles
+            distant, I will even come back to see him if he will dine with me
+            on my return. A letter from my friend announced to me, when
+            at Nottingham, that his vanity had been so gratified by the
+            thought of a person coming expressly to visit him from such a
+            distance, that he would meet me according to my appointment;
+            I went back; we dined together; he yielded to my request; I
+            was now repaid, and I returned towards Nottingham in the
+            night. These circumstances I mention, and I feel it right to
+            mention them, that the reader may be properly impressed with
+            the great difficulties we found in collecting a body of evidence in
+            comparison with our opponents. They ought never to be forgotten;
+            for if with the testimony, picked up as it were under all
+            these disadvantages, we carried our object against those who had
+            almost numberless witnesses to command, what must have been
+            the merits of our cause! No person can indeed judge of the severe
+            labour and trials in these journeys. In the present, I was out
+            four months; I was almost over the whole island; I intersected it
+            backwards and forwards both in the night and in the day; I
+            travelled nearly seven thousand miles in this time, and I was
+            able to count upon twenty new and willing evidences.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having now accomplished my object, Mr. Wilberforce moved
+            on the 4th of February in the House of Commons, that a committee
+            be appointed to examine further witnesses in behalf of the
+            abolition of the Slave Trade, This motion was no sooner made,
+            than Mr. Cawthorne rose, to our great surprise, to oppose it.
+            He took upon himself to decide that the House had heard
+            evidence enough. This indecent motion was not without its
+            advocates. Mr. Wilberforce set forth the injustice of this attempt,
+            and proved, that out of eighty-one days which had been given up
+            to the hearing of evidence, the witnesses against the abolition
+            had occupied no less than fifty-seven. He was strenuously supported
+            by Mr. Burke, Mr. Martin, and other respectable members.
+            At length the debate ended in favour of the original
+            motion, and a committee was appointed accordingly.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The examinations began again on February 7th, and continued
+            till April 5th, when they were finally closed. In this, as
+
+            in the former session, Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. William Smith
+            principally conducted them; and indeed it was necessary that
+            they should have been present at these times; for it is perhaps
+            difficult to conceive the illiberal manner in which our witnesses
+            were treated by those on the other side of the question. Men
+            who had left the trade upon principle, and who had come forward,
+            against their apparent interest, to serve the cause of humanity and
+            justice, were looked upon as mercenaries and culprits, or as men
+            of doubtful and suspicious character; they were brow-beaten;
+            unhandsome questions were put to them; some were kept for four
+            days under examination. It was however highly to their honour
+            that they were found in no one instance to prevaricate, nor to
+            waver as to the certainty of their facts.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But this treatment, hard as it was for them to bear, was
+            indeed good for the cause; for, coming thus pure out of the fire,
+            they occasioned their own testimony, when read, to bear stronger
+            marks of truth than that of the generality of our opponents; nor
+            was it less superior when weighed by other considerations. For
+            the witnesses, against the abolition were principally interested;
+            they, who were not, had been hospitably received at the planters'
+            tables. The evidence, too, which they delivered, was almost
+            wholly negative. They had not seen such and such evils; but
+            this was no proof that the evils did not exist. The witnesses, on
+            the other hand, who came up in favour of the abolition, had no
+            advantage in making their several assertions. In some instances
+            they came up against their apparent interest, and, to my knowledge,
+            suffered persecution for so doing. The evidence also which
+            they delivered was of a positive nature. They gave an account of
+            specific evils, which had come under their own eyes; these evils
+            were never disproved; they stood therefore on a firm basis, as on
+            a tablet of brass. Engraved there in affirmative characters, a
+            few of them were of more value than all the negative and airy
+            testimony which had been advanced on the other side of the
+            question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That the public may judge, in some measure, of the respectability
+            of the witnesses in favour of the abolition, and that they
+            may know also to whom Africa is so much indebted for her
+
+            deliverance, I shall subjoin their names in the three following
+            lists. The first will contain those who were examined by the
+            privy council only; the second those who were examined by the
+            privy council and the House of Commons also; and the third
+            those who were examined-by the House of Commons only.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            LIST I.
+
+         </p>
+         <ul>
+            <li><a name="d0e4636"></a>
+               Andrew Spaarman, physician, botanist, and successor to Linnaeus, traveller on discovery in Africa for the king of Sweden.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4638"></a>
+               Rev. Isham Baggs, chaplain for two voyages to Africa in H.M. ship Grampus.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4640"></a>
+               Captain James Bowen, of the royal navy, one voyage to Africa.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4642"></a>
+               Mr. William James, a master in the royal navy, three voyages, as mate of
+               a slave-vessel.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4644"></a>
+               Mr. David Henderson, gunner of H.M. ship Centurion, three voyages to
+               Africa.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4646"></a>
+               Harry Gandy, two voyages to Africa, as captain of a slave-vessel.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4648"></a>
+               Thomas Eldred, two voyages there, as mate.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4650"></a>
+               James Arnold, three voyages there, as surgeon and surgeon's mate.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4652"></a>
+               Thomas Deane, two voyages there, as captain of a wood and ivory ship.
+
+            </li>
+         </ul>
+         <p>
+            LIST II.
+
+         </p>
+         <ul>
+            <li><a name="d0e4657"></a>
+               Major-General Rooke, commander of Goree, in Africa.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4659"></a>
+               Henry Hew Dalrymple, Esq., lieutenant of the 75th regiment at Goree, and
+               afterwards in all the West Indian islands.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4661"></a>
+               Thomas Willson, Esq., naval commander at Goree.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4663"></a>
+               John Hills, Esq., captain of H.M. ship Zephyr, on the African station.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4665"></a>
+               Sir George Yonge, two voyages as lieutenant, and two as captain,
+               of a ship of war, on the African station.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4667"></a>
+               Charles Berns Wadstrom, Esq., traveller on discovery in Africa for
+               the King of Sweden.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4669"></a>
+               Rev. John Newton, five voyages to Africa in a slave-vessel, and resident
+               eighteen months there.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4671"></a>
+               Captain John Ashley Hall, in the merchant service, two voyages
+               in a slave-vessel as a mate.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4673"></a>
+               Alexander Falconbridge, four voyages in a slave-vessel as surgeon and
+               surgeon's mate.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4675"></a>
+               Captain John Samuel Smith, of the royal navy, on the West India station.
+
+            </li>
+         </ul>
+         <p>
+            LIST III.
+
+         </p>
+         <ul>
+            <li><a name="d0e4680"></a>
+               Anthony Pantaleo How, Esq., employed by government as a botanist in Africa.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4682"></a>
+               Sir Thomas Bolton Thompson, two voyages as a lieutenant, and two as
+               commander of a ship of war on the African station.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4684"></a>
+               Lieutenant John Simpson, of the marines, two voyages in a ship of war
+               on the African station.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4686"></a>
+               Lieutenant Richard Storey, of the royal navy, four years on the slave
+               employ all over the coast.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4688"></a>
+               Mr. George Miller, gunner of H.M. ship Pegase, one voyage in a slave-ship.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4691"></a>
+               "Mr. James Morley, gunner of H.M. ship Medway, six voyages in a slave-ship.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4693"></a>
+               Mr. Henry Ellison, gunner of H.M. ship Resistance, eleven years in
+               the Slave Trade.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4695"></a>
+               Mr. James Towne, carpenter of H.M. ship Syren, two voyages in a slave-ship.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4697"></a>
+               Mr. John Douglas, boatswain of H.M. ship Russell, one voyage in a slave-ship.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4699"></a>
+               Mr. Isaac Parker, shipkeeper of H.M. ship Melampus, two voyages in
+               a slaveship.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4701"></a>
+               Thomas Trotter, Esq., M.D., one voyage as surgeon of a slave-ship.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4703"></a>
+               Mr. Isaac Wilson, one voyage as surgeon of a slave-ship.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4705"></a>
+               Mr. Ecroyde Claxton, one voyage as surgeon of a slave-ship.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4707"></a>
+               James Kiernan, Esq., resident four years on the banks of the Senegal.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4709"></a>
+               Mr. John Bowman, eleven years in the slave-employ as mate, and as a
+               factor in the interior of Africa.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4711"></a>
+               Mr. William Dove, one voyage for slaves, and afterwards resident in America.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4713"></a>
+               Major-General Tottenham, two years resident in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4715"></a>
+               Captain Giles, 19th regiment, seven years quartered in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4717"></a>
+               Captain Cook, 89th regiment, two years quartered in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4719"></a>
+               Lieutenant Baker Davison, 79th regiment, twelve years quartered in the
+               West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4721"></a>
+               Captain Hall, of the royal navy, five years on the West India station.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4723"></a>
+               Captain Thomas Lloyd, of the royal navy, one year on the West India station.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4725"></a>
+               Captain Alexander Scott, of the royal navy, one voyage to Africa and the
+               West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4727"></a>
+               Mr. Ninian Jeffreys, a master in the royal navy, five years mate of a West
+               Indiaman, and for two years afterwards in the islands in a
+               ship-of-war.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4729"></a>
+               Rev. Thomas Gwynn Rees, chaplain of H.M. ship Princess Amelia, in the
+               West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4731"></a>
+               Rev. Robert Boucher Nicholls, dean of Middleham, many years resident
+               in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4733"></a>
+               Hercules Ross, Esq., twenty-one years a merchant in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4735"></a>
+               Mr. Thomas Clappeson, fifteen years in the West Indies as a wharfinger
+               and pilot.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4737"></a>
+               Mr. Mark Cook, sixteen years in the West Indies, first in the planting
+               business, and then as clerk and schoolmaster.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4739"></a>
+               Mr. Henry Coor, a millwright for fifteen years in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4741"></a>
+               Rev. Mr. Davies, resident fourteen years in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4743"></a>
+               Mr. William Duncan, four years in the West Indies, first as a clerk,
+               and then as an overseer.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4745"></a>
+               Mr. William Fitzmaurice, fifteen years, first as a book-keeper, and then
+               as an overseer, in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4747"></a>
+               Mr. Robert Forster, six years first in a store, then as second master
+               and pilot of a ship-of-war in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4749"></a>
+               Mr. Robert Ross, twenty-four years, first as a book-keeper, then as an
+               overseer, and afterwards as a planter, in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4751"></a>
+               Mr. John Terry, fourteen years an overseer or manager in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4753"></a>
+               Mr. Matthew Terry, twelve years resident, first as a book-keeper and
+               overseer, then as a land-surveyor in the king's service, and afterwards
+               as a colony surveyor, in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4755"></a>
+               George Woodward, Esq., an owner and mortgagee of property, and
+               occasionally a resident in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4758"></a>
+               Mr. Joseph Woodward, three years resident in the West Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4760"></a>
+               Henry Botham, Esq., a director of sugar-works both in the East and West
+               Indies.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4762"></a>
+               Mr. John Giles, resident twelve years in the West Indies and America.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4764"></a>
+               J. Harrison, Esq., M.D., twenty-three years resident, in the medical line, in
+               the West Indies and America.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4766"></a>
+               Robert Jackson, Esq., M.D., four years resident in the West Indies in the
+               medical line, after which he joined his regiment, in the same profession,
+               in America.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4768"></a>
+               Thomas Woolrich, Esq., twenty years a merchant in the West Indies, but in
+               the interim was twice in America.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4770"></a>
+               Rev. James Stuart, two years in the West Indies, and twenty in America.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4772"></a>
+               George Baillie, Esq., one year in the West Indies, and twenty-five in America.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4774"></a>
+               William Beverley, Esq., eighteen years in America.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4776"></a>
+               John Clapham, Esq., twenty years in America.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4778"></a>
+               Robert Crew, Esq., a native of America, and long resident there.
+
+            </li>
+            <li><a name="d0e4780"></a>
+               John Savage, Esq., forty-six years resident in America.
+
+            </li>
+         </ul>
+         <p>
+            The evidence having been delivered on both sides, and then
+            printed, it was judged expedient by Mr. Wilberforce, seeing that
+            it filled three folio volumes, to abridge it. This abridgement was
+            made by the different friends of the cause. William Burgh, Esq.,
+            of York; Thomas Babington, Esq., of Rothley Temple; the
+            Rev. Thomas Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge; Mr. Campbell Haliburton,
+            of Edinburgh; George Harrison, with one or two others
+            of the committee, and myself, were employed upon it. The
+            greater share, however, of the labour, fell upon Dr. Dickson.
+            That no misrepresentation of any person's testimony might be
+            made, Matthew Montagu, Esq., and the Honourable E.J. Elliott,
+            members of Parliament, undertook to compare the abridged
+            manuscripts with the original text, and to strike out or correct
+            whatever they thought to be erroneous, and to insert whatever
+            they thought to have been omitted. The committee for the
+            abolition, when the work was finished, printed it at their own
+            expense, Mr. Wilberforce then presented it to the House of
+            Commons, as a faithful abridgement of the whole evidence.
+            Having been received as such, under the guarantee of Mr.
+            Montague and Mr. Elliott, the committee sent it to every individual
+            member of that House.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The book having been thus presented, and a day fixed for the
+            final determination of the question, our feelings became almost
+            insupportable; for we had the mortification to find, that our
+
+            cause was going down in estimation, where it was then most
+            important that it should have increased in favour. Our opponents
+            had taken advantage of the long delay which the examination of
+            evidence had occasioned, to prejudice the minds of many of the
+            members of the House of Commons against us. The old arguments
+            of emancipation, massacre, ruin, and indemnification, had
+            been kept up; but, as the day of final decision approached, they
+            had been increased. Such was our situation at this moment,
+            when the current was turned still more powerfully against us by
+            the peculiar circumstances of the times. It was, indeed, the
+            misfortune of this great cause to be assailed by every weapon
+            which could be turned against it. At this time, Thomas Paine
+            had published his <em>Rights of Man</em>. This had been widely
+            circulated. At this time, also, the French revolution had existed
+            nearly two years. The people of England had seen, during this
+            interval, a government as it were dissected. They had seen an
+            old constitution taken down, and a new one put up, piece by
+            piece, in its stead. The revolution, therefore, in conjunction
+            with the book in question, had had the effect of producing
+            dissatisfaction among thousands; and this dissatisfaction was
+            growing, so as to alarm a great number of persons of property in
+            the kingdom, as well as the government itself. Now will it be
+            believed that our opponents had the injustice to lay hold of these
+            circumstances, at this critical moment, to give a death-blow to the
+            cause of the abolition? They represented the committee, though
+            it had existed before the French revolution, or
+            the <em>Rights of Man</em>
+            were heard of, as a nest of Jacobins; and they held up the cause,
+            sacred as it was, and though it had the support of the minister,
+            as affording an opportunity of meeting for the purpose of overthrowing
+            the state. Their cry succeeded. The very book of the
+            abridgment of the evidence was considered by many members as
+            poisonous as that of the <em>Rights of Man</em>. It was too profane for
+            many of them to touch; and they who discarded it, discarded
+            the cause also.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But these were not the only circumstances which were used
+            as means, at this critical moment, to defeat us. News of the
+            revolution, which had commenced in St. Domingo, in consequence
+
+            of the disputes between the whites and the people of colour, had,
+            long before this, arrived in England. The horrible scenes which
+            accompanied it, had been frequently published as so many arguments
+            against our cause. In January, new insurrections were
+            announced as having happened in Martinique. The negroes
+            there were described as armed, and the planters as having
+            abandoned their estates for fear of massacre. Early in the month
+            of March, insurrections in the smaller French islands were
+            reported. Every effort was then made to represent these as the
+            effects of the new principles of liberty, and of the cry for abolition.
+            But what should happen, just at this moment, to increase the
+            clamour against us? Nothing less than an insurrection in
+            Dominica.&#8212;Yes!&#8212;An insurrection in a British island. This was the
+            very event for our opponents. "All the predictions of the planters
+            had now become verified. The horrible massacres were
+            now realizing at home." To give this news still greater effect, a
+            meeting of our opponents was held at the London Tavern. By
+            a letter read there, it appeared that "the ruin of Dominica was
+            now at hand." Resolutions were voted, and a memorial presented
+            to government, "immediately to despatch such a military force
+            to the different islands, as might preserve the whites from
+            destruction, and keep the negroes in subjection during the present
+            critical state of the slave bill." This alarm was kept up till the
+            7th of April, when another meeting took place, to receive the answer
+            of government to the memorial. It was there resolved that, "as it
+            was too late to send troops to the islands, the best way of preserving
+            them would be to bring the question of the Slave Trade
+            to an immediate issue; and that it was the duty of the government,
+            if they regarded the safety of the islands, to oppose the
+            abolition of it."  Accounts of all these proceedings were inserted
+            in the public papers. It is needless to say that they were injurious
+            to our cause. Many looked upon the abolitionists as monsters.
+            They became also terrified themselves. The idea with these was,
+            that unless the discussion on this subject was terminated, all
+            would be lost. Thus, under a combination of effects, arising
+            from the publication of the <em>Rights of Man</em>, the rise and
+            progress of the French revolution, and the insurrections of the negroes in
+
+            the different islands, no one of which events had anything to do
+            with the abolition of the Slave Trade, the current was turned
+            against us; and in this unfavourable frame of mind many members
+            of parliament went into the House, on the day fixed for the
+            discussion, to discharge their duty with respect to this great
+            question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 18th of April, Mr. Wilberforce made his motion. He
+            began by expressing a hope, that the present debate, instead of
+            exciting asperity and confirming prejudice, would tend to produce
+            a general conviction of the truth of what in fact was incontrovertible;
+            that the abolition of the Slave Trade was indispensably
+            required of them, not only by morality and religion, but by sound
+            policy. He stated that he should argue the matter from evidence.
+            He adverted to the character, situation, and means of
+            information of his own witnesses; and having divided his subject
+            into parts, the first of which related to the manner of reducing
+            the natives of Africa to a state of slavery, he handled it in the
+            following manner:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would begin, he said, with the first boundary of the trade.
+            Captain Wilson and Captain Hills, of His Majesty's navy, and
+            Mr. Dalrymple, of the land service, had concurred in stating, that
+            in the country contiguous to the river Senegal, when slave-ships
+            arrived there, armed parties were regularly sent out in the evening,
+            who scoured the country, and brought in their prey. The
+            wretched victims were to be seen in the morning bound back to
+            back in the huts on shore, whence they were conveyed, tied hand
+            and foot, to the slave-ships. The design of these ravages was
+            obvious, because, when the Slave Trade was stopped, they ceased.
+            Mr. Kiernan spoke of the constant depredations by the Moors to
+            procure slaves. Mr. Wadstrom confirmed them. The latter
+            gentleman showed also that they were excited by presents of
+            brandy, gunpowder, and such other incentives; and that they
+            were not only carried on by one community against another, but
+            that the kings were stimulated to practise them in their territories,
+            and on their own subjects: and in one instance a chieftain,
+            who, when intoxicated, could not resist the demands of the slave
+            merchants, had expressed, in a moment of reason, a due sense of
+
+            his own crime, and had reproached his Christian seducers.
+            Abundant also were the instances of private rapine. Individuals
+            were kidnapped, whilst in their fields and gardens. There was
+            an universal feeling of distrust and apprehension there. The
+            natives never went any distance from home without arms; and
+            when Captain Wilson asked them the reason of it, they pointed
+            to a slave-ship then lying within sight.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the windward coast, it appeared from Lieutenant Story
+            and Mr. Bowman, that the evils just mentioned existed, if possible,
+            in a still higher degree. They had seen the remains of
+            villages, which had been burnt, whilst the fields of corn were still
+            standing beside them, and every other trace of recent desolation.
+            Here an agent was sent to establish a settlement in the country,
+            and to send to the ships such slaves as he might obtain. The
+            orders he received from his captain were, that "he was to
+            encourage the chieftains by brandy and gunpowder to go to war,
+            to make slaves." This he did. The chieftains performed their
+            part in return. The neighbouring villages were surrounded and
+            set on fire in the night. The inhabitants were seized when
+            making their escape; and, being brought to the agent, were by
+            him forwarded to his principal on the coast. Mr. How, a
+            botanist in the service of Government, stated, that on the arrival
+            of an order for slaves from Cape Coast Castle, while he was
+            there, a native chief immediately sent forth armed parties, who
+            brought in a supply of all descriptions in the night.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But he would now mention one or two instances of another
+            sort, and these merely on account of the conclusion, which was to
+            be drawn from them. When Captain Hills was in the river
+            Gambia, he mentioned accidentally to a Black pilot, who was in
+            the boat with him, that he wanted a cabin-boy. It so happened
+            that some youths were then on the shore with vegetables to sell.
+            The pilot beckoned to them to come on board; at the same time
+            giving Captain Hills to understand, that he might take his choice
+            of them; and when Captain Hills rejected the proposal with
+            indignation, the pilot seemed perfectly at a loss to account for his
+            warmth; and drily observed, that the slave-captains would not
+            have been so scrupulous. Again, when General Rooke commanded
+
+            at Goree, a number of the natives, men, women, and
+            children, came to pay him a friendly visit. All was gaiety and
+            merriment. It was a scene to gladden the saddest, and to soften
+            the hardest, heart. But a slave-captain was not so soon thrown
+            off his guard. Three English barbarians of this description had
+            the audacity jointly to request the general, to seize the whole
+            unsuspicious multitude and sell them. For this they alleged the
+            precedent of a former governor. Was not this request a proof
+            of the frequency of such acts of rapine? for how familiar must
+            such have been to slave-captains, when three of them dared to
+            carry a British officer of rank such a flagitious proposal! This
+            would stand in the place of a thousand instances. It would give
+            credibility to every other act of violence stated in the evidence,
+            however enormous it might appear.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But he would now have recourse for a moment to circumstantial
+            evidence. An adverse witness, who had lived on the
+            Gold Coast, had said that the only way in which children could
+            he enslaved, was by whole families being sold when the principals
+            had been condemned for witchcraft. But he said at the same
+            time, that few were convicted of this crime, and that the younger
+            part of a family in these cases was sometimes spared. But if
+            this account were true, it would follow that the children in the
+            slave-vessels would be few indeed. But it had been proved, that
+            the usual proportion of these was never less than a fourth of the
+            whole cargo on the coast, and also, that the kidnapping of
+            children was very prevalent there.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            All these atrocities, he said, were fully substantiated by the
+            evidence; and here he should do injustice to his cause, if he were
+            not to make a quotation from the speech of Mr. B. Edwards in
+            the Assembly of Jamaica, who, though he was hostile to his
+            propositions, had yet the candour to deliver himself in the following
+            manner there. "I am persuaded," says he, "that Mr.
+            Wilberforce has been rightly informed as to the manner in which
+            slaves are generally procured. The intelligence I have collected
+            from my own negroes abundantly confirms his account; and I
+            have not the smallest doubt, that in Africa the effects of this
+            trade are precisely such as he has represented them. The whole,
+
+            or the greatest part, of that immense continent is a field of warfare
+            and desolation; a wilderness, in which the inhabitants are wolves
+            towards each other. That this scene of oppression, fraud,
+            treachery, and bloodshed, if not originally occasioned, is in part
+            (I will not say wholly) upheld by the Slave Trade, I dare not dispute.
+            Every man in the Sugar Islands may be convinced that it
+            is so, who will enquire of any African negroes, on their first
+            arrival, concerning the circumstances of their captivity. The
+            assertion that it is otherwise, is mockery and insult."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it was not only by acts of outrage that the Africans were
+            brought into bondage. The very administration of justice was
+            turned into an engine for that end. The smallest offence was
+            punished by a fine equal to the value of a slave. Crimes were
+            also fabricated; false accusations were resorted to; and persons
+            were sometimes employed to seduce the unwary into practices
+            with a view to the conviction and the sale of them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was another effect of this trade, that it corrupted the morals
+            of those who carried it on. Every fraud was used to deceive the
+            ignorance of the natives by false weights and measures, adulterated
+            commodities, and other impositions of a like sort. These
+            frauds were even acknowledged by many who had themselves
+            practised them, in obedience to the orders of their superiors. For
+            the honour of the mercantile character of the country, such a
+            traffic ought immediately to be suppressed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Yet these things, however clearly proved by positive testimony,
+            by the concession of opponents, by particular inference, by
+            general reasoning, by the most authentic histories of Africa, by
+            the experience of all countries and of all ages,&#8212;these things, and
+            (what was still more extraordinary) even the possibility of them,
+            were denied by those who had been brought forward on the other
+            side of the question. These, however, were chiefly persons who
+            had been trading-governors of forts in Africa, or who had long
+            commanded ships in the Slave Trade. As soon as he knew the
+            sort of witnesses which was to be called against him, he had been
+            prepared to expect much prejudice. But his expectations had
+            been greatly surpassed by the testimony they had given. He did
+            not mean to impeach their private characters, but they certainly
+
+            showed themselves under the influence of such gross prejudices,
+            as to render them incompetent judges of the subject they came to
+            elucidate. They seemed (if he might so say) to be enveloped by
+            a certain atmosphere of their own; and to see, as it were, through
+            a kind of African medium. Every object which met their eyes
+            came distorted and turned from its true direction. Even the
+            declarations, which they made on other occasions, seemed wholly
+            strange to them. They sometimes not only forgot what they had
+            seen, but what they had said; and when to one of them his own
+            testimony to the privy council was read, he mistook it for that of
+            another, whose evidence he declared to be "the merest burlesque
+            in the world."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the House must be aware that there was not only an
+            African medium, but an African logic. It seemed to be an
+            acknowledged axiom in this, that every person who offered a
+            slave for sale had a right to sell him, however fraudulently he
+            might have obtained him. This had been proved by the witnesses
+            who opposed him. "It would have stopped my trade,"
+            said one of them, "to have asked the broker how he came by the
+            person he was offering me for sale."&#8212;"We always suppose," said
+            another, "the broker has a right to sell the person he offers
+            us."&#8212;"I never heard of such a question being asked," said a third;
+            "a man would be thought a fool who should put such a question."&#8212;He
+            hoped the House would see the practical utility of
+            this logic. It was the key-stone which held the building together.
+            By means of it, slave-captains might traverse the whole
+            coast of Africa, and see nothing but equitable practices. They
+            could not, however, be wholly absolved, even if they availed
+            themselves of this principle to its fullest extent; for they had
+            often committed depredations themselves; especially when they
+            were passing by any part of the coast, where they did not mean
+            to continue or to go again. Hence it was (as several captains of
+            the navy and others had declared on their examination), that the
+            natives, when at sea in their canoes, would never come near the
+            men-of-war, till they knew them to be such. But finding this,
+            and that they were not slave-vessels, they laid aside their fears,
+            and came and continued on board with unsuspecting cheerfulness.
+
+            With respect to the miseries of the Middle Passage, he had
+            said so much on a former occasion, that he would spare the feelings
+            of the committee as much as he could. He would therefore
+            simply state that the evidence, which was before them, confirmed
+            all those scenes of wretchedness which he had then described:
+            the same suffering from a state of suffocation, by being crowded
+            together; the same dancing in fetters; the same melancholy
+            singing; the same eating by compulsion; the same despair; the
+            same insanity; and all the other abominations which characterized
+            the trade. New instances however had occurred, where
+            these wretched men had resolved on death to terminate their
+            woes. Some had destroyed themselves by refusing sustenance,
+            in spite of threats and punishments. Others had thrown themselves
+            into the sea; and more than one, when in the act of
+            drowning, were seen to wave their hands in triumph, "exulting"
+            (to use the words of an eye-witness) "that they had escaped."
+            Yet these and similar things, when viewed through the African
+            medium he had mentioned, took a different shape and colour.
+            Captain Knox, an adverse witness, had maintained, that slaves
+            lay during the night in tolerable comfort. And yet he confessed,
+            that in a vessel of one hundred and twenty tons, in which he
+            had carried two hundred and ninety slaves, the latter had not all
+            of them room to lie on their backs. How comfortably, then,
+            must they have lain in his subsequent voyages! for he carried
+            afterwards, in a vessel of a hundred and eight tons, four hundred
+            and fifty; and in a vessel of one hundred and fifty tons, no less
+            than six hundred slaves. Another instance of African deception
+            was to be found in the testimony of Captain Frazer, one of the
+            most humane captains in the trade. It had been said of him,
+            that he had held hot coals to the mouth of a slave, to compel him
+            to eat. He was questioned on this point; but not admitting, in
+            the true spirit of African logic, that he who makes another
+            commit a crime is guilty of it himself, he denied the charge
+            indignantly, and defied a proof. But it was said to him, "Did
+            you never order such a thing to be done?" His reply was,
+            "Being sick in my cabin, I was informed that a man-slave
+            would neither eat, drink, nor speak. I desired the mate and
+
+            surgeon to try to persuade him to speak. I desired that the
+            slaves might try also. When I found he was still obstinate, not
+            knowing whether it was from sulkiness or insanity, I ordered a
+            person to present him with a piece of fire in one hand, and a
+            piece of yam in the other, and to tell me what effect this had
+            upon him. I learnt that he took the yam and began to eat it,
+            but he threw the fire overboard." Such was his own account of
+            the matter. This was eating by duresse, if anything could be
+            called so. The captain, however, triumphed in his expedient;
+            and concluded by telling the committee, that he sold this very
+            slave at Grenada for forty pounds. Mark here the moral of the
+            tale, and learn the nature and the cure of sulkiness.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But upon whom did the cruelties, thus arising out of the prosecution
+            of this barbarous traffic, fall? Upon a people with feeling
+            and intellect like ourselves. One witness had spoken of the
+            acuteness of their understandings; another, of the extent of their
+            memories; a third, of their genius for commerce: a fourth, of
+            their proficiency in manufactures at home. Many had admired
+            their gentle and peaceable disposition, their cheerfulness, and
+            their hospitality. Even they who were nominally slaves, in
+            Africa lived a happy life. A witness against the abolition had
+            described them as sitting and eating with their masters in the
+            true style of patriarchal simplicity and comfort. Were these,
+            then, a people incapable of civilization? The argument that they
+            were an inferior species had been proved to be false.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now go to a new part of the subject. An opinion
+            had gone forth that the abolition of the trade would be the ruin
+            of the West India Islands. He trusted he should prove that the
+            direct contrary was the truth; though, had he been unable to do
+            this, it would have made no difference as to his own vote. In
+            examining, however, this opinion; he should exclude the subject
+            of the cultivation of new lands by fresh importations of slaves.
+            The impolicy of this measure, apart from its inhumanity, was
+            indisputably clear. Let the committee consider the dreadful
+            mortality which attended it. Let them look to the evidence of
+            Mr. Woolrich, and there see a contrast drawn between the slow,
+            but sure, progress of cultivation carried on in the natural way,
+
+            and the attempt to force improvements, which, however flattering
+            the prospect at first, soon produced a load of debt, and inextricable
+            embarrassments. He might even appeal to the statements
+            of the West Indians themselves, who allowed that more than
+            twenty millions were owing to the people of this country, to show
+            that no system could involve them so deeply as that on which
+            they had hitherto gone. But he would refer them to the accounts
+            of Mr. Irving, as contained in the evidence. Waving, then, the
+            consideration of this part of the subject, the opinion in question
+            must have arisen from a notion, that the stock of slaves, now in
+            the islands, could not be kept up by propagation; but that it
+            was necessary, from time to time, to recruit them with imported
+            Africans. In direct refutation of this position he should prove:
+            First, that, in the condition and treatment of the Negroes, there
+            were causes sufficient to afford us reason to expect a considerable
+            decrease, but particularly that their increase had not been a
+            serious object of attention: Secondly, that this decrease was in
+            fact, notwithstanding, very trifling; or rather, he believed, he
+            might declare it had now actually ceased: and, Thirdly, he
+            should urge many direct and collateral facts and arguments, constituting
+            on the whole an irresistible proof, that even a rapid
+            increase might henceforth be expected.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He wished to treat the West Indians with all possible candour:
+            but he was obliged to confess, in arguing upon these points,
+            that whatever splendid instances there might be of kindness
+            towards their slaves, there were some evils of almost universal
+            operation, which were necessarily connected with the system of
+            slavery. Above all, the state of degradation to which they were
+            reduced, deserved to be noticed, as it produced an utter inattention
+            to them as moral agents; they were kept at work under the
+            whip like cattle; they were left totally ignorant of morality and
+            religion; there was no regular marriage among them; hence promiscuous
+            intercourse, early prostitution, and excessive drinking,
+            were material causes of their decrease. With respect to the
+            instruction of the slaves in the principles of religion, the happiest
+            effects had resulted, particularly in Antigua, where, under the
+            Moravians and Methodists, they had so far profited, that the
+
+            planters themselves confessed their value as property had been
+            raised one-third by their increased habits of regularity and
+            industry.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Whatever might have been said to the contrary, it was plainly
+            to be inferred from the evidence that the slaves were not protected
+            by law. Colonial statutes had indeed been passed, but they were
+            a dead letter; since, however ill they were treated, they were not
+            considered as having a right to redress. An instance of astonishing
+            cruelty by a Jew had been mentioned by Mr. Ross; it was
+            but justice to say, that the man was held in detestation for it, but
+            yet no one had ever thought of calling him to a legal account.
+            Mr. Ross conceived a master had a right to punish his slave in
+            whatever manner he might think proper; the same was declared
+            by numberless other witnesses. Some instances indeed had lately
+            occurred of convictions. A master had wantonly cut the mouth
+            of a child, of six months old, almost from ear to ear. But did not
+            the verdict of the jury show, that the doctrine of calling masters
+            to an account was entirely novel, as it only pronounced him
+            "Guilty, subject to the opinion of the court, if immoderate correction
+            of a slave by his master be a crime indictable!" The court
+            determined in the affirmative; and what was the punishment of
+            this barbarous act?&#8212;A fine of forty shillings currency, equivalent
+            to about twenty-five shillings sterling.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The slaves were but ill off in point of medical care. Sometimes
+            four or five, and even eight or nine thousand of them, were
+            under the care of one medical man; which, dispersed on different
+            and distant estates, was a greater number than he could possibly
+            attend to.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was also in evidence that they were in general under-fed; they
+            were supported partly by the produce of their own provision-ground,
+            and partly by an allowance of flour and grain from their masters.
+            In one of the islands, where provision-ground did not answer one
+            year in three, the allowance to a working Negro was but from
+            five to nine pints of grain per week: in Dominica, where it
+            never failed, from six to seven quarts: in Nevis and St. Christopher's,
+            where there was no provision-ground, it was but eleven
+            pints. Add to this, that it might be still less, as the circumstances
+
+            of their masters might become embarrassed, and in this
+            case both an abridgment of their food and an increase of their
+            labour would follow.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the great cause of the decrease of the slaves was in the
+            non-residence of the planters. Sir George Yonge, and many
+            others, had said, they had seen the slaves treated in a manner
+            which their owners would have resented if they had known it.
+            Mr. Orde spoke in the strongest terms of the misconduct of
+            managers. The fact was, that these in general sought to establish
+            their characters by producing large crops at a small immediate
+            expense; too little considering how far the slaves might suffer
+            from ill-treatment and excessive labour. The pursuit of such a
+            system was a criterion for judging of their characters, as both
+            Mr. Long and Mr. Ottley had confessed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But he must contend, in addition to this, that the object of
+            keeping up the stock of slaves by breeding had never been seriously
+            attended to. For this he might appeal both to his own
+            witnesses and to those of his opponents, but he would only notice
+            one fact. It was remarkable that, when owners and managers
+            were asked about the produce of their estates, they were quite at
+            home as to the answer; but when they were asked about the
+            proportion of their male and female slaves, and their infants, they
+            knew little about the matter. Even medical men were adepts in
+            the art of planting, but when they were asked the latter questions,
+            as connected with breeding and rearing, they seemed quite
+            amazed, and could give no information upon the subject of them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Persons, however, of great respectability had been called as
+            witnesses who had not seen the treatment of the Negroes as he
+            had now described it. He knew what was due to their characters,
+            but yet he must enter a general protest against their
+            testimony. "I have often," says Mr. Ross, "attended both
+            governors and admirals upon tours in the island of Jamaica, but
+            it was not likely that these should see much distress upon these
+            occasions. The white people and drivers would take care not to
+            harrow up the feelings of strangers of distinction by the exercise
+            of the whip, or the infliction of punishments, at that particular
+            time; and, even if there were any disgusting objects, it was
+
+            natural to suppose that they would then remove them." But in
+            truth these gentlemen had given proofs that they were under the
+            influence of prejudice. Some of them had declared the abolition
+            would ruin the West Indies; but this, it was obvious, must
+            depend upon the practicability of keeping up the stock without
+            African supplies; and yet, when they were questioned upon this
+            point, they knew nothing about it; hence they had formed a conclusion
+            without premises. Their evidence, too, extended through
+            a long series of years; they had never seen one instance of
+            ill-treatment in the time, and yet, in the same breath, they talked of
+            the amended situation of the slaves, and that they were now far
+            better off than formerly. One of them, to whom his country
+            owed much, stated that a master had been sentenced to death for
+            the murder of his own slave; but his recollection must have failed
+            him, for the murder of a slave was not then a capital crime. A
+            respectable governor also had delivered an opinion to the same
+            effect; but, had he looked into the statute-book of the island, he
+            would have found his error.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said that the slaves were in a better state than
+            the peasantry of this country; but when the question was put to
+            Mr. Ross, did he not answer, "that he would not insult the
+            latter by a comparison!"
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said again, that the Negroes were happier as
+            slaves than they would be if they were to be made free. But
+            how was this reconcilable with facts? If a Negro under extraordinary
+            circumstances had saved money enough, did he not
+            always purchase his release from this situation of superior happiness
+            by the sacrifice of his last shilling? Was it not also notorious,
+            that the greatest reward which a master thought he could
+            bestow upon his slave for long and faithful services was his
+            freedom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said again, that Negroes, when made free, never
+            returned to their own country. But was not the reason obvious?
+            If they could even reach their own homes in safety, their kindred
+            and connexions might be dead. But would they subject themselves
+            to be kidnapped again; to be hurried once more on board
+            a slave-ship, and again to endure and survive the horrors of the
+
+            passage? Yet the love of their native country had been proved
+            beyond a doubt; many of the witnesses had heard them talk of it
+            in terms of the strongest affection. Acts of suicide, too, were
+            frequent in the islands, under the notion that these afforded
+            them the readiest means of getting home. Conformably with
+            this, Captain Wilson had maintained that the funerals, which
+            in Africa were accompanied with lamentations and cries of
+            sorrow, were attended, in the West Indies with every mark
+            of joy.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He had now, he said, made good his first proposition&#8212;that in
+            the condition of the slaves there were causes, which should lead
+            us to expect, that there would be a considerable decrease among
+            them. This decrease in the island of Jamaica was but trifling,
+            or, rather, it had ceased some years ago; and if there was a
+            decrease, it was only on the imported slaves. It appeared from
+            the privy council report, that from 1698 to 1730 the decrease was
+            three and a-half per cent.; from 1730 to 1755 it was two and a-half
+            per cent.; from 1755 to 1768 it was lessened to one and
+            three-quarters; and from 1768 to 1788 it was not more than one
+            per cent. This last decrease was not greater than could be
+            accounted for from hurricanes and consequent famines, and from
+            the number of imported Africans who perished in the seasoning.
+            The latter was a cause of mortality, which, it was evident, would
+            cease with the importations. This conclusion was confirmed in
+            part by Dr. Anderson, who, in his testimony to the Assembly of
+            Jamaica, affirmed that there was a considerable increase on the
+            properties of the island, and particularly in the parish in which
+            he resided.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now proceed to establish his second proposition,
+            that from henceforth a very considerable increase might be
+            expected. This he might support by a close reasoning upon the
+            preceding facts; but the testimony of his opponents furnished
+            him with sufficient evidence. He could show, that wherever the
+            slaves were treated better than ordinary, there was uniformly an
+            increase in their number. Look at the estates of Mr. Willock,
+            Mr. Ottley, Sir Ralph Payne, and others. In short, he should
+            weary the committee, if he were to enumerate the instances of
+
+            plantations, which were stated in the evidence to have kept up
+            their numbers only from a little variation in their treatment. A
+            remedy also had been lately found for a disorder, by which vast
+            numbers of infants had been formerly swept away. Mr. Long,
+            also, had laid it down, that whenever the slaves should bear a
+            certain proportion to the produce, they might be expected to keep
+            up their numbers; but this proportion they now exceeded. The
+            Assembly of Jamaica had given it also as their opinion, "that
+            when once the sexes should become nearly equal in point of
+            number, there was no reason to suppose, that the increase of the
+            Negroes by generation would fall short of the natural increase of
+            the labouring poor in Great Britain." But the inequality, here
+            spoken of, could only exist in the case of the African Negroes, of
+            whom more males were imported than females; and this inequality
+            would be done away soon after the trade should cease.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the increase of the Negroes, where their treatment was
+            better than ordinary, was confirmed in the evidence by instances
+            in various parts of the world. From one end of the continent of
+            America to the other, their increase had been undeniably established;
+            and this to a prodigious extent, though they had to contend
+            with the severe cold of the winter, and in some parts with
+            noxious exhalations in the summer. This was the case, also, in
+            the settlement of Bencoolen in the East Indies. It appeared
+            from the evidence of Mr. Botham, that a number of Negroes,
+            who had been imported there in the same disproportion of the
+            sexes as in West Indian cargoes, and who lived under the same
+            disadvantages, as in the islands, of promiscuous intercourse and
+            general prostitution, began, after they had been settled a short
+            time, annually to increase.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But to return to the West Indies.&#8212;A slave-ship had been,
+            many years ago, wrecked near St. Vincent's. The slaves on
+            board, who escaped to the island, were without necessaries; and,
+            besides, were obliged to maintain a war with the native Caribbs:
+            yet they soon multiplied to an astonishing number; and, according
+            to Mr. Ottley, they were now on the increase. From Sir
+            John Dalrymple's evidence it appeared that the domestic slaves
+            in Jamaica, who were less worked than those in the field,
+
+            increased; and from Mr. Long, that the free Blacks and
+            Mulattoes there increased also.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But there was an instance which militated against these
+            facts (and the only one in the evidence), which he would now
+            examine. Sir Archibald Campbell had heard that the Maroons
+            in Jamaica, in the year 1739, amounted to three thousand men
+            fit to carry arms. This supposed their whole number to have
+            been about twelve thousand; but in the year 1782, after a real
+            muster by himself, he found, to his great astonishment, that the
+            fighting men did not then amount to three hundred. Now the
+            fact was, that Sir Archibald Campbell's first position was founded
+            upon rumour only, and was not true; for, according to Mr.
+            Long, the Maroons were actually numbered in 1749, when they
+            amounted to about six hundred and sixty in all, having only a
+            hundred and fifty men fit to carry arms. Hence, if when
+            mustered by Sir Archibald Campbell he found three hundred
+            fighting men, they must from 1749 to 1782 have actually doubled
+            their population.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Was it possible, after these instances, to suppose that the
+            Negroes could not keep up their numbers, if their natural
+            increase were made a subject of attention? The reverse was
+            proved by sound reasoning. It had been confirmed by unquestionable
+            facts. It had been shown, that they had increased
+            in every situation, where there was the slightest circumstance in
+            their favour. Where there had been any decrease, it was stated
+            to be trifling; though no attention appeared to have been paid to
+            the subject. This decrease had been gradually lessening; and,
+            whenever a single cause of it had been removed (many still
+            remaining), it had altogether ceased. Surely these circumstances
+            formed a body of proof which was irresistible.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now speak of the consequences of the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade in other points of view; and first, as to its
+            effects upon our marine. An abstract of the Bristol and Liverpool
+            muster-rolls had been just laid before the House. It
+            appeared from this, that in three hundred and fifty slave-vessels,
+            having on board twelve thousand two hundred and sixty-three
+            persons, two thousand six hundred and forty-three were lost in
+
+            twelve months; whereas in four hundred and sixty-two West
+            Indiamen, having on board seven thousand six hundred and forty
+            persons, one hundred and eighteen only were lost in seven months.
+            This rather exceeded the losses stated by Mr. Clarkson. For
+            their barbarous usage on board these ships, and for their sickly
+            and abject state in the West Indies, he would appeal to
+            Governor Parry's letter; to the evidence of Mr. Ross; to the
+            assertion of Mr. B. Edwards, an opponent; and to the testimony
+            of Captains Sir George Yonge and Thompson, of the Royal
+            Navy. He would appeal, also, to what Captain Hall, of the
+            Navy, had given in evidence. This gentleman, after the action
+            of the 12th of April, impressed thirty hands from a slave-vessel,
+            whom he selected with the utmost care from a crew of seventy;
+            and he was reprimanded by his admiral, though they could
+            scarcely get men to bring home the prizes, for introducing such
+            wretches to communicate disorders to the fleet. Captain Smith
+            of the Navy had also declared, that when employed to board
+            Guineamen to impress sailors, although he had examined near
+            twenty vessels, he never was able to get more than two men, who
+            were fit for service; and these turned out such inhuman fellows,
+            although good seamen, that he was obliged to dismiss them from
+            the ship.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But he hoped the committee would attend to the latter part
+            of the assertion of Captain Smith. Yes: this trade, while it
+            injured the constitutions of our sailors, debased their morals.
+            Of this, indeed, there was a barbarous illustration in the evidence.
+            A slave-ship had struck on some shoals, called the Morant Keys,
+            a few leagues from the east end of Jamaica. The crew landed
+            in their boats, with arms and provisions, leaving the slaves on
+            board in their irons. This happened in the night. When
+            morning came, it was discovered that the Negroes had broken
+            their shackles, and were busy in making rafts; upon which afterwards
+            they placed the women and children. The men attended
+            upon the latter, swimming by their side, whilst they drifted to
+            the island where the crew were. But what was the sequel?
+            From an apprehension that the Negroes would consume the
+            water and provisions, which had been landed, the crew resolved
+
+            to destroy them as they approached the shore. They killed
+            between three and four hundred. Out of the whole cargo only
+            thirty-three were saved, who, on being brought to Kingston, were
+            sold. It would, however, be to no purpose, he said, to relieve the
+            Slave Trade from this act of barbarity. The story of the Morant
+            Keys was paralleled by that of Captain Collingwood; and were
+            you to get rid of these, another, and another, would still present
+            itself, to prove the barbarous effects of this trade on the moral
+            character.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But of the miseries of the trade there was no end. Whilst
+            he had been reading out of the evidence the story of the Morant
+            Keys, his eye had but glanced on the opposite page, and it met
+            another circumstance of horror. This related to what were called
+            the refuse-slaves. Many people in Kingston were accustomed to
+            speculate in the purchase of those, who were left after the first
+            day's sale. They then carried them out into the country, and
+            retailed them. Mr. Ross declared, that he had seen these landed
+            in a very wretched state, sometimes in the agonies of death, and
+            sold as low as for a dollar, and that he had known several expire
+            in the piazzas of the vendue-master. The bare description superseded
+            the necessity of any remark. Yet these were the familiar
+            incidents of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But he would go back to the seamen. He would mention
+            another cause of mortality, by which many of them lost their
+            lives. In looking over Lloyd's list, no less than six vessels were
+            cut off by the irritated natives in one year, and the crews massacred.
+            Such instances were not unfrequent. In short, the history
+            of this commerce was written throughout in characters of blood.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would next consider the effects of the abolition on those
+            places where it was chiefly carried on. But would the committee
+            believe, after all the noise which had been made on this subject,
+            that the Slave Trade composed but a thirtieth part of the export
+            trade of Liverpool, and that of the trade of Bristol it constituted
+            a still less proportion? For the effects of the abolition on the
+            general commerce of the kingdom, he would refer them to Mr.
+            Irving; from whose evidence it would appear, that the medium
+            value of the British manufactures, exported to Africa, amounted
+
+            only to between four and five hundred thousand pounds annually.
+            This was but a trifling sum. Surely the superior capital, ingenuity,
+            application, and integrity of the British manufacturer
+            would command new markets for the produce of his industry, to
+            an equal amount, when this should be no more. One branch,
+            however, of our manufactures, he confessed, would suffer from the
+            abolition; and that was the manufacture of gunpowder; of which
+            the nature of our connexion with Africa drew from us as much
+            as we exported to all the rest of the world besides.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He hastened, however, to another part of the argument.
+            Some had said, "We wish to put an end to the Slave Trade, but
+            we do not approve of your mode. Allow more time. Do not
+            displease the legislatures of the West India islands. It is by
+            them that those laws must be passed, and enforced, which will
+            secure your object." Now he was directly at issue with these
+            gentlemen. He could show, that the abolition was the only
+            certain mode of amending the treatment of the slaves, so as to
+            secure their increase: and that the mode which had been offered
+            to him, was at once inefficacious and unsafe. In the first place,
+            how could any laws, made by these legislatures, be effectual,
+            whilst the evidence of Negroes was in no case admitted against
+            White men? What was the answer from Grenada? Did it not
+            state, "that they who were capable of cruelty, would in general
+            be artful enough to prevent any but slaves from being witnesses
+            of the fact?" Hence it had arisen, that when positive laws had
+            been made, in some of the islands, for the protection of the slaves,
+            they had been found almost a dead letter. Besides, by what law
+            would you enter into every man's domestic concerns, and regulate
+            the interior economy of his house and plantation? This would
+            be something more than a general excise. Who would endure
+            such a law? And yet on all these and innumerable other minutiae
+            must depend the protection of the slaves, their comforts, and the
+            probability of their increase. It was universally allowed, that
+            the Code Noir had been utterly neglected in the French islands,
+            though there was an officer appointed by the crown to see it
+            enforced. The provisions of the Directorio had been but of little
+            more avail in the Portuguese settlements, or the institution of a
+
+            Protector of the Indians, in those of the Spaniards. But what
+            degree or protection the slaves would enjoy might be inferred
+            from the admission of a gentleman, by whom this very plan of
+            regulation had been recommended, and who was himself no
+            ordinary person, but a man of discernment and legal resources.
+            He had proposed a limitation of the number of lashes to be given
+            by the master or overseer for one offence. But, after all, he
+            candidly confessed, that his proposal was not likely to be useful,
+            while the evidence of slaves continued inadmissible against their
+            masters. But he could even bring testimony to the inefficacy
+            of such regulations. A wretch in Barbados had chained a Negro
+            girl to the floor, and flogged her till she was nearly expiring.
+            Captain Cook and Major Fitch, hearing her cries, broke open the
+            door and found her. The wretch retreated from their resentment,
+            but cried out exultingly, "that he had only given her thirty-nine
+            lashes (the number limited by law) at any one time; and that he
+            had only inflicted this number three times since the beginning of
+            the night," adding, "that he would prosecute them for breaking
+            open his door; and that he would flog her to death for all any
+            one, if he pleased; and that he would give her the fourth thirty-nine
+            before morning."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But this plan of regulation was not only inefficacious, but
+            unsafe. He entered his protest against the fatal consequences
+            which might result from it. The Negroes were creatures like
+            ourselves; but they were uninformed, and their moral character
+            was debased. Hence they were unfit for civil rights. To use these
+            properly they must be gradually restored to that level, from which
+            they had been so unjustly degraded. To allow them an appeal to
+            the laws, would be to awaken in them a sense of the dignity of
+            their nature. The first return of life, after a swoon, was commonly
+            a convulsion, dangerous at once to the party himself and to all
+            around him. You should first prepare them for the situation,
+            and not bring the situation to them. To be under the protection
+            of the law was in fact to be a freeman; and to unite slavery
+            and freedom in one condition was impracticable. The abolition,
+            on the other hand, was exactly such an agent as the case required.
+            All hopes of supplies from the coast being cut off, breeding would
+
+            henceforth become a serious object of attention; and the care of
+            this, as including better clothing, and feeding, and milder discipline,
+            would extend to innumerable particulars, which an act of
+            assembly could neither specify nor enforce. The horrible system,
+            too, which many had gone upon, of working out their slaves in a
+            few years, and recruiting their gangs with imported Africans,
+            would receive its death-blow from the abolition of the trade. The
+            opposite would force itself on the most unfeeling heart. Ruin
+            would stare a man in the face, if he were not to conform to it.
+            The non-resident owners would then express themselves in the
+            terms of Sir Philip Gibbs, "that he should consider it as the
+            fault of his manager, if he were not to keep up the number of
+            his slaves." This reasoning concerning the different tendencies
+            of the two systems was self-evident; but facts were not wanting
+            to confirm it. Mr. Long had remarked, that all the insurrections
+            and suicides in Jamaica had been found among the imported
+            slaves, who, not having lost the consciousness of civil rights,
+            which they had enjoyed in their own country, could not brook
+            the indignities to which they were subjected in the West Indies.
+            An instance in point was afforded also by what had lately taken
+            place in the island of Dominica. The disturbance there had been
+            chiefly occasioned by some runaway slaves from the French islands.
+            But what an illustration was it of his own doctrine to say, that
+            the slaves of several persons, who had been treated with kindness,
+            were not among the number of the insurgents on that occasion!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But when persons coolly talked of putting an end to the
+            Slave Trade through the medium of the West India legislatures,
+            and of gradual abolition, by means of regulations, they
+            surely forgot the miseries which this horrid traffic occasioned in
+            Africa during every moment of its continuance. This consideration
+            was conclusive with him, when called upon to decide
+            whether the Slave Trade should be tolerated for a while, or
+            immediately abolished. The divine law against murder was
+            absolute and unqualified. Whilst we were ignorant of all these
+            things, our sanction of them might, in some measure, be pardoned.
+            But now, when our eyes were opened, could we tolerate
+            them for a moment, unless we were ready at once to determine,
+
+            that gain should be our god, and, like the heathens of old, were
+            prepared to offer up human victims at the shrine of our idolatry?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This consideration precluded also the giving heed for an
+            instant to another plea, namely, that if we were to abolish the
+            trade it would be proportionably taken up by other nations.  But,
+            whatever other nations did, it became Great Britain, in every point
+            of view, to take a forward part. One half of this guilty commerce
+            had been carried on by her subjects. As we had been great in
+            crime we should be early in our repentance. If Providence had
+            showered his blessings upon us in unparalleled abundance, we
+            should show ourselves grateful for them by rendering them
+            subservient to the purposes for which they were intended. There
+            would be a day of retribution, wherein we should have to give an
+            account of all those talents, faculties, and opportunities with which
+            we have been intrusted. Let it not then appear that our superior
+            power had been employed to oppress our fellow-creatures, and our
+            superior light to darken the creation of God. He could not but
+            look forward with delight to the happy prospects which opened
+            themselves to his view in Africa, from the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade, when a commerce, justly deserving that name,
+            should be established with her; not like that, falsely so called,
+            which now subsisted, and which all who were interested for the
+            honour of the commercial character (though there were no superior
+            principle) should hasten to disavow. Had this trade indeed
+            been ever so profitable, his decision would have been in no degree
+            affected by that consideration. "Here's the smell of blood on
+            the hand still, and all the perfumes of Arabia cannot sweeten it."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He doubted whether it was not almost an act of degrading
+            condescension to stoop to discuss the question in the view
+            of commercial interest. On this ground, however, he was no less strong
+            than on every other. Africa abounded with productions of value,
+            which she would gladly exchange for our manufactures, when
+            these were not otherwise to be obtained: and to what an extent
+            her demand might then grow, exceeded almost the powers of
+            computation. One instance already existed of a native king, who
+            being debarred by his religion the use of spirituous liquors, and
+            therefore not feeling the irresistible temptation to acts of rapine
+
+            which they afforded to his countrymen, had abolished the Slave
+            Trade throughout all his dominions, and was encouraging an
+            honest industry.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            For his own part, he declared that, interested as he might be
+            supposed to be in the final event of the question, he was comparatively
+            indifferent as to the present decision of the House upon it.
+            Whatever they might do, the people of Great Britain, he was
+            confident, would abolish the Slave Trade when, as would then
+            soon happen, its injustice and cruelty should be fairly laid before
+            them. It was a nest of serpents, which would never have existed
+            so long but for the darkness in which they lay hid. The light of
+            day would now be let in on them, and they would vanish from
+            the sight. For himself, he declared he was engaged in a work
+            which he would never abandon; the consciousness of the justice
+            of his cause would carry him forward, though he were alone; but
+            he could not but derive encouragement from considering with
+            whom he was associated. Let us not, he said, despair; it is a
+            blessed cause, and success ere long will crown our exertions.
+            Already we have gained one victory; we have obtained for these
+            poor creatures the recognition of their human
+            nature<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXVI_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXVI_2"></a>, which,
+            for a while, was most shamefully denied them. This is the first
+            fruits of our efforts; let us persevere, and our triumph will be
+            complete. Never, never, will we desist till we have wiped away
+            this scandal from the Christian name; till we have released ourselves
+            from the load of guilt under which we at present labour;
+            and till we have extinguished every trace of this bloody traffic,
+            which our posterity, looking back to the history of these enlightened
+            times, will scarcely believe had been suffered to exist so
+            long, a disgrace and a dishonour to our country.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXVI_2"></a><a href="#FootXXVI_2">A</a>: This point was actually obtained
+            by the evidence before the House of Commons; for, after this, we
+            heard no more of them as an inferior race.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then moved, that the chairman be instructed to move for
+            leave to bring in a bill to prevent the further importation of slaves
+            into the British colonies in the West Indies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Colonel Tarleton immediately rose up, and began by giving
+            an historical account of the trade from the reign of Elizabeth to
+            the present time. He then proceeded to the sanction which
+
+            parliament had always given it; hence it could not then be withdrawn
+            without a breach of faith: hence, also, the private property
+            embarked in it was sacred; nor could it be invaded, unless an
+            adequate compensation were given in return.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            They who had attempted the abolition of the trade were led
+            away by a mistaken humanity; the Africans themselves had no
+            objection to its continuance.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the middle passage, he believed the mortality
+            there to be on an average only five in the hundred; whereas in
+            regiments sent out to the West Indies, the average loss in the
+            year was about ten and a half per cent.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Slave Trade was absolutely necessary, if we meant to
+            carry on our West India commerce; for many attempts had been
+            made to cultivate the lands in the different islands by white
+            labourers, but they had always failed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had also the merit of keeping up a number of seamen in
+            readiness for the state. Lord Rodney had stated this as one of
+            its advantages on the breaking out of a war. Liverpool alone
+            could supply nine hundred and ninety-three seamen annually.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now advert to the connexions dependent upon the
+            African trade. It was the duty of the House to protect the
+            planters, whose lives had been, and were then, exposed to imminent,
+            dangers, and whose property had undergone an unmerited,
+            depreciation. To what could this depreciation, and to what
+            could the late insurrection at Dominica be imputed, which had
+            been saved from horrid carnage and midnight-butchery only by
+            the adventitious arrival of two British regiments? They could
+            only be attributed to the long delayed question of the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade; and if this question were to go much longer
+            unsettled, Jamaica would be endangered also.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To members of landed property he would observe, that the
+            abolition would lessen the commerce of the country, and increase
+            the national debt and the number of their taxes. The minister,
+            he hoped, who patronized this wild scheme had some new
+            pecuniary resource in store to supply the deficiencies it would
+            occasion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To the mercantile members he would speak thus: "A few
+
+            ministerial men in the house had been gifted with religious
+            inspiration, and this had been communicated to other eminent
+            personages in it: these enlightened philanthropists had discovered
+            that it was necessary, for the sake of humanity, and for the
+            honour of the nation, that the merchants concerned in the
+            African trade should be persecuted, notwithstanding the sanction
+            of their trade by Parliament, and notwithstanding that such persecution
+            must aggrandize the rivals of Great Britain." Now
+            how did this language sound? It might have done in the twelfth
+            century, when all was bigotry and superstition; but let not a
+            mistaken humanity, in these enlightened times, furnish a colourable
+            pretext for any injurious attack on property or character.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These things being considered, he should certainly oppose the
+            measure in contemplation. It would annihilate a trade, whose
+            exports amounted to eight hundred thousand pounds annually,
+            and which employed a hundred and sixty vessels, and more than
+            five thousand seamen. It would destroy also the West India
+            trade, which was of the annual value of six millions; and which
+            employed one hundred and sixty thousand tons of shipping, and
+            seamen in proportion. These were objects of too much importance
+            to the country to be hazarded on an unnecessary speculation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Grosvenor then rose. He complimented the humanity of
+            Mr. Wilberforce, though he differed from him on the subject of
+            his motion. He himself had read only the privy council report,
+            and he wished for no other evidence. The question had then
+            been delayed two years; had the abolition been so clear a point
+            as it was said to be, it could not have needed either so much
+            evidence or time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He had heard a good deal about kidnapping, and other barbarous
+            practices. He was sorry for them. But these were the
+            natural consequences of the laws of Africa; and it became us as
+            wise men to turn them to our own advantage. The Slave Trade
+            was certainly not an amiable trade. Neither was that of a
+            butcher; but yet it was a very necessary one.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There was great reason to doubt the propriety of the present
+            motion. He had twenty reasons for disapproving it. The first
+            was, that the thing was impossible. He needed not, therefore
+
+            to give the rest. Parliament, indeed might relinquish the trade.
+            But to whom? To foreigners, who would continue it, and without
+            the humane regulations which were applied to it by his
+            countrymen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would give advice to the House on this subject, in the
+            words which the late Alderman Beckford used a different
+            occasion:&#8212;"Meddle, not with troubled waters; they will be
+            found to be bitter waters; and the waters of affliction." He again
+            admitted, that the Slave Trade was not an amiable trade; but
+            he would not gratify his humanity at the expense of the interests
+            of his country; and he thought we should not too curiously
+            inquire into the unpleasant circumstances which attended it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. James Martin succeeded Mr. Grosvenor. He said he
+            had been long aware how much self-interest could pervert the
+            judgment; but he was not apprized of the full power of it, till
+            the Slave Trade became a subject of discussion. He had always
+            conceived that the custom of trafficing in human beings had been
+            incautiously begun, and without any reflection upon it; for he
+            never could believe that any man, under the influence of moral
+            principles, could suffer himself knowingly to carry on a trade
+            replete with fraud, cruelty, and destruction; with destruction
+            indeed, of the worst kind, because it subjected the sufferers to a
+            lingering death. But he found now, that even such a trade as
+            this could be sanctioned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was well observed, in the petition from the University of
+            Cambridge against the Slave Trade, "that a firm belief in the
+            providence of a benevolent Creator assured them that no system,
+            founded on the oppression of one part of mankind, could be beneficial
+            to another." He felt much concern, that in an assembly
+            of the representatives of the country, boasting itself zealous, not
+            only for the preservation of its own liberties, but for the general
+            rights of mankind, it should be necessary to say a single word
+            upon such a subject; but the deceitfulness of the human heart
+            was such, as to change the appearances of truth, when it stood in
+            opposition to self-interests. And he had to lament that even
+            among those, whose public duty it was to cling to the universal
+            and eternal principles of truth, justice, and humanity, there were
+
+            found some who could defend that which was unjust, fraudulent,
+            and cruel.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The doctrines he had heard that evening ought to have been
+            reserved for times the most flagrantly profligate and abandoned.
+            He never expected then to learn that the everlasting laws of
+            righteousness were to give way to imaginary, political, and commercial
+            expediency; and that thousands of our fellow-creatures
+            were to be reduced to wretchedness, that individuals might enjoy
+            opulence, or government a revenue.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He hoped that the House, for the sake of its own character,
+            would explode these doctrines with all the marks of odium they
+            deserved; and that all parties would join in giving a death-blow
+            to this execrable trade. The royal family would, he expected,
+            from their known benevolence, patronize the measure. Both
+            Houses of Parliament were now engaged in the prosecution of a
+            gentleman accused of cruelty and oppression in the East. But
+            what were these cruelties, even if they could be brought home to
+            him, when compared in number and degree to those which were
+            every day and every hour committed in the abominable traffic
+            which was now under their discussion! He considered, therefore,
+            both Houses of Parliament as pledged upon this occasion.
+            Of the support of the bishops he could have no doubt; because
+            they were to render Christianity amiable, both by their doctrine
+            and their example. Some of the inferior clergy had already
+            manifested a laudable zeal in behalf of the injured Africans. The
+            University of Cambridge had presented a petition to that House
+            worthy of itself. The sister-university had, by one of her representatives,
+            given sanction to the measure. Dissenters of various
+            denominations, but particularly the Quakers, (who, to their
+            immortal honour, had taken the lead in it,) had vied with those
+            of the Established Church in this amiable contest. The first
+            counties, and some of the largest trading towns, in the kingdom
+            had espoused the cause. In short, there had never been more
+            unanimity in the country, than in this righteous attempt.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With such support, and with so good a cause, it would be
+            impossible to fail. Let but every man stand forth who had at
+            any time boasted of himself as an Englishman, and success would
+
+            follow. But if he were to be unhappily mistaken as to the result,
+            we must give up the name of Englishmen. Indeed, if we retained
+            it, we should be the greatest hypocrites in the world; for we
+            boasted of nothing more than of our own liberty; we manifested
+            the warmest indignation at the smallest personal insult; we professed
+            liberal sentiments towards other nations: but to do these
+            things, and to continue such a traffic, would be to deserve the
+            hateful character before mentioned. While we could hardly bear
+            the sight of anything resembling slavery, even as a punishment,
+            among ourselves, how could we consistently entail an eternal
+            slavery upon others?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been frequently, but most disgracefully, said, that "we
+            should not be too eager in setting the example: let the French
+            begin it." Such a sentiment was a direct libel upon the ancient,
+            noble, and generous character of this nation. We ought, on the
+            other hand, under the blessings we enjoyed, and under the high
+            sense we entertained of our own dignity as a people, to be proudly
+            fearful, lest other nations should anticipate our design, and obtain
+            the palm before us. It became us to lead. And if others should
+            not follow us, it would belong to them to glory in the shame of
+            trampling under foot the laws of reason, humanity, and religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This motion, he said, came strongly recommended to them.
+            The honourable member who introduced it was justly esteemed
+            for his character. He was the representative, too of a noble
+            county, which had been always ready to take the lead in every
+            public measure for the good of the community, or for the general
+            benefit of mankind; of a county, too, which had had the honour
+            of producing a Saville. Had his illustrious predecessor been alive,
+            he would have shown the same zeal on the same occasion. The
+            preservation of the unalienable rights of all his fellow-creatures
+            was one of the chief characteristics of that excellent citizen. Let
+            every member in that House imitate him in the purity of their
+            conduct and in the universal rectitude of their measures, and they
+            would pay the same tender regard to the rights of other countries
+            as to those of their own; and, for his part, he should never believe
+            those persons to be sincere who were loud in their professions of
+            love of liberty, if he saw that love confined to the narrow circle
+
+            of one community, which ought to be extended to the natural
+            rights of every inhabitant of the globe.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But we should be better able to bring ourselves up to this
+            standard of rectitude, if we were to put ourselves into the situation
+            of those whom we oppressed. This was the rule of our
+            religion. What should we think of those who should say, that
+            it was their interest to injure us?  But he hoped we should not
+            deceive ourselves so grossly as to imagine that it was our real
+            interest to oppress any one. The advantages to be obtained by
+            tyranny were imaginary, and deceitful to the tyrant; and the
+            evils they caused to the oppressed were grievous, and often insupportable.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Before he sat down, he would apologize if he had expressed
+            himself too warmly on this subject. He did not mean to offend
+            any one. There were persons connected with the trade, some of
+            whom he pitied on account of the difficulty of their situation.
+            But he should think most contemptibly of himself as a man if
+            he could talk on this traffic without emotion. It would be a sign
+            to him of his own moral degradation. He regretted his inability
+            to do justice to such a cause; but if, in having attempted to forward
+            it, he had shown the weakness of his powers, he must console
+            himself with the consideration, that he felt more solid comfort in
+            having acted up to sound public principles, than he could have
+            done from the exercise of the most splendid talents, against the
+            conviction of his conscience.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Burdon rose, and said he was embarrassed to know how
+            to act. Mr. Wilberforce had in a great measure met his ideas.
+            Indeed he considered himself as much in his hands; but he
+            wished to go gradually to the abolition of the trade. He wished
+            to give time to the planters to recruit their stocks. He feared
+            the immediate abolition might occasion a monopoly among such
+            of them as were rich, to the detriment of the less affluent. We
+            ought, like a judicious physician, to follow nature, and to promote
+            a gradual recovery.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Francis rose next. After complimenting Mr. Wilberforce, he stated
+            that personal considerations might appear to incline him to go against
+            the side which he was about to take,
+
+            namely, that of strenuously supporting his motion. Having
+            himself an interest in the West Indies, he thought that what he
+            should submit to the House would have the double effect of evidence,
+            and argument; and he stated most unequivocally his
+            opinion, that the abolition of the Slave Trade would tend materially
+            to the benefit of the West Indies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The arguments urged by the honourable mover were supported
+            by the facts, which he had adduced from the evidence,
+            more strongly than any arguments had been supported in any
+            speech he had ever heard. He wished, however, that more of
+            these facts had been introduced into the debate; for they were
+            apt to have a greater effect upon the mind than mere reasonings,
+            however just and powerful. Many had affirmed that the
+            Slave Trade was politic and expedient; but it was worthy of remark,
+            that no man had ventured to deny that it was criminal. Criminal,
+            however, he declared it to be in the highest degree; and
+            he believed it was equally impolitic. Both its inexpediency and
+            injustice had been established by the honourable mover. He
+            dwelt much on the unhappy situation of the negroes in the West
+            Indies, who were without the protection of government or of
+            efficient laws, and subject to the mere caprice of men, who were
+            at once the parties, the judges, and the executioners.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He instanced an overseer, who, having thrown a negro into
+            a copper of boiling cane-juice, for a trifling offence, was punished
+            merely by the loss of his place, and by being obliged to pay the
+            value of the slave. He stated another instance of a girl of fourteen,
+            who was dreadfully whipped for coming too late to her
+            work. She fell down motionless after it; and was then dragged
+            along the ground, by the legs, to an hospital; where she died.
+            The murderer, though tried, was acquitted by a jury of his peers,
+            upon the idea, that it was impossible a master could destroy his
+            own property. This was a notorious fact. It was published
+            in the <em>Jamaica Gazette;</em> and it had even happened since the
+            question of the abolition had been started.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The only argument used against such cruelties, was the
+            master's interest in the slave; but he urged the common cruelty
+            to horses, in which their drivers had an equal interest with the
+
+            drivers of men in the colonies, as a proof that this was no
+            security. He had never heard an instance of a master being
+            punished for the murder of his slave. The propagation of the
+            slaves was so far from being encouraged, that it was purposely
+            checked, because it was thought more profitable and less troublesome
+            to buy a full grown negro, than to rear a child. He repeated
+            that his interest might have inclined him to the other side
+            of the question; but he did not choose to compromise between
+            his interest and his duty; for, if he abandoned his duty, he
+            should not be happy in this world; nor should he deserve happiness
+            in the next.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Pitt rose; but he said it was only to move, seeing that
+            justice could not be done to the subject this evening, that the
+            further consideration of the question might be adjourned to the
+            next.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Cawthorne and Colonel Tarleton both opposed this
+            motion, and Colonel Phipps and Lord Carhampton supported it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Fox said, the opposition to the adjournment was uncandid
+            and unbecoming. They who opposed it well knew that
+            the trade could not bear discussion. Let it be discussed; and,
+            although there were symptoms of predetermination in some,
+            the abolition of it must be carried. He would not believe that
+            there could be found in the House of Commons men of such
+            hard hearts and inaccessible understandings, as to vote an assent
+            to its continuance, and then go home to their families, satisfied
+            with their vote, after they had been once made acquainted with
+            the subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Pitt agreed with Mr. Fox, that from a full discussion of
+            the subject there was every reason to augur that the abolition
+            would be adopted. Under the imputations, with which this
+            trade was loaded, gentlemen should remember, they could not do
+            justice to their own characters, unless they stood up, and gave
+            their reasons for opposing the abolition of it. It was unusual
+            also to force any question of such importance to so hasty a
+            decision. For his own part, it was his duty, from the situation
+            in which he stood, to state fully his own sentiments on the
+            question; and, however exhausted both he and the House might
+
+            be, he was resolved it should not pass without discussion, as long
+            as he had strength to utter a word upon it. Every principle that
+            could bind a man of honour and conscience, would impel him
+            to give the most powerful support he could to the motion for the
+            abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The motion of Mr. Pitt was assented to, and the House was
+            adjourned accordingly.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the next day the subject was resumed. Sir William
+            Yonge rose, and said, that, though he differed from the honourable
+            mover, he had much admired his speech of the last evening.
+            Indeed the recollection of it made him only the more sensible of
+            the weakness of his own powers; and yet, having what he supposed
+            to be irrefragable arguments in his possession, he felt
+            emboldened to proceed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And, first, before he could vote for the abolition, he wished to
+            be convinced, that, whilst Britain were to lose, Africa would
+            gain. As for himself, he hated a traffic in men, and joyfully
+            anticipated its termination at no distant period under a wise
+            system of regulation: but he considered the present measure
+            as crude and indolent; and as precluding better and wiser
+            measures, which were already in train. A British Parliament
+            should attain not only the best ends, but by the wisest
+            means.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Great Britain might abandon her share of this trade, but she
+            could not abolish it. Parliament was not an assembly of delegates
+            from the powers of Europe, but of a single nation. It
+            could not therefore suppress the trade; but would eventually
+            aggravate those miseries incident to it, which every enlightened
+            man must acknowledge, and every good man must deplore. He
+            wished the traffic for ever closed. But other nations were only
+            waiting for our decision, to seize the part we should leave them.
+            The new projects of these would be intemperate; and, in the
+            zeal of rivalship, the present evils of comparatively sober dealing
+            would be aggravated beyond all estimate in this new and heated
+            auction of bidders for life and limb. We might, indeed, by
+            regulation give an example of new principles of policy and of
+            justice; but if we were to withdraw suddenly from this
+
+            commerce, like Pontius Pilate, we should wash our hands, indeed,
+            but we should not be innocent as to the consequences.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the first agitation of this business, Mr. Wilberforce had
+            spoken confidently of other nations following our example. But
+            had not the National Assembly of France referred the Slave
+            Trade to a select committee, and had not that committee rejected
+            the measure of its abolition? By the evidence it appeared, that
+            the French and Spaniards were then giving bounties to the
+            Slave Trade; that Denmark was desirous of following it; that
+            America was encouraging it; and that the Dutch had recognized
+            its necessity, and recommended its recovery. Things were bad
+            enough indeed as they were, but he was sure this rivalship would
+            make them worse.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He did not admit the disorders imputed to the trade in all
+            their extent. Pillage and kidnapping could not be general, on
+            account of the populousness of the country; though too frequent
+            instances of it had been proved. Crimes might be falsely imputed.
+            This he admitted; but only partially. Witchcraft, he
+            believed, was the secret of poisoning, and therefore deserved the
+            severest punishment. That there should be a number of convictions
+            for adultery, where polygamy was a custom, was not to be
+            wondered at; but he feared, if a sale of these criminals were to
+            be done away, massacre would be the substitute.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An honourable member had asked on a former day, "Is it an
+            excuse for robbery to say that another would hare committed it?"
+            But the Slave Trade did not necessarily imply robbery. Not
+            long since Great Britain sold her convicts, indirectly at least, to
+            slavery; but he was no advocate for the trade. He wished it had
+            begun, and that it might soon terminate. But the
+            means were not adequate to the end proposed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Burke had said on a former occasion, "that in adopting
+            measure we must prepare to pay the price of our virtue."
+            He was ready to pay his share of that price; but the effect of the
+            purchase must be first ascertained. If they did not estimate
+            this, it was not benevolence, but dissipation. Effects were to be
+            duly appreciated; and though statesmen might rest everything
+            on a manifesto of causes, the humbler moralist, meditating
+
+            peace and good will towards men, would venture to call
+            such statesmen responsible for consequences.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In regard to the colonies, a sudden abolition would be oppression.
+            The legislatures there should be led, and not forced, upon
+            this occasion. He was persuaded they would act wisely to attain
+            the end pointed out to them. They would see that a natural
+            increase of their negroes might be effected by an improved system
+            of legislation; and that in the result the Slave Trade would be
+            no longer necessary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A sudden abolition, also, would occasion dissatisfaction there.
+            Supplies were necessary for some time to come. The negroes
+            did not yet generally increase by birth. The gradation of ages
+            was not yet duly filled. These and many defects might be
+            remedied, but not suddenly.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It would cause, also, distress there. The planters, not having
+            their expected supplies, could not discharge their debts; hence
+            their slaves would be seized and sold. Nor was there any provision
+            in this case against the separation of families, except as to
+            the mother and infant child. These separations were one of the
+            chief outrages complained of in Africa. Why, then, should we
+            promote them in the West Indies? The confinement on board
+            a slave-ship had been also bitterly complained of; but, under
+            distraint for the debt of a master, the poor slave might linger in
+            a gaol twice or thrice the time of the Middle Passage.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He again stated his abhorrence of the Slave Trade; but as a
+            resource, though he hoped but a temporary one, it was of such
+            consequence to the existence of the country, that it could not suddenly
+            be withdrawn. The value, of the imports and exports between
+            Great Britain and the West Indies, including the excise
+            and customs, was between seven and eight millions annually; and
+            the tonnage of the ships employed about an eighth of the whole
+            tonnage of these kingdoms.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He complained that in the evidence the West Indian planters
+            had been by no means spared. Cruel stories had been hastily
+            and lightly told against them. Invidious comparisons had
+            been made to their detriment; but it was well known that one
+            of our best comic writers, when he wished to show benevolence
+
+            in its fairest colours, had personified it in the character of the
+            West Indian. He wished the slave might become as secure as
+            the apprentice in this country; but it was necessary that the
+            alarms concerning the abolition of the Slave Trade should,
+            in the mean time, be quieted; and he trusted that the good
+            sense and true benevolence of the House would reject the present
+            motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Matthew Montagu rose and said a few words in support
+            of the motion; and after condemning the trade in the strongest
+            manner, he declared, that as long as he had life he would use
+            every faculty of his body and mind in endeavouring to promote
+            its abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord John Russell succeeded Mr. Montagu. He said, that
+            although slavery was repugnant to his feelings, he must vote
+            against the abolition as visionary and delusive. It was a feeble
+            attempt, without the power, to serve the cause of humanity.
+            Other nations would take up the trade. Whenever a bill of
+            wise regulation should be brought forward, no man would be
+            more ready than himself to lend his support. In this way the
+            rights of humanity might be asserted without injury to others.
+            He hoped he should not incur censure by his vote; for, let his
+            understanding be what it might, he did not know that he had,
+            notwithstanding the assertions of Mr. Fox, an inaccessible heart.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Stanley (agent for the islands) rose next. He felt himself
+            called upon, he said, to refute the many calumnies which
+            had for years been propagated against the planters, (even through
+            the medium of the pulpit, which should have been employed to
+            better purposes,) and which had at length produced the mischievous
+            measure, which was now under the discussion of the
+            House. A cry had been sounded forth, and from one end of the
+            kingdom to the other, as if there had never been a slave from
+            Adam to the present time. But it appeared to him to have been
+            the intention of Providence, from the very beginning, that one
+            set of men should be slaves to another. This truth was as old as
+            it was universal. It was recognised in every history, under every
+            government, and in every religion. Nor did the Christian religion
+            itself if the comments of Dr. Halifax, Bishop of Gloucester,
+
+            on a passage of St. Paul's epistle to the Corinthians were true,
+            show more repugnance to slavery than any other.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He denied that the slaves were procured in the manner which
+            had been described. It was the custom of all savages to kill
+            their prisoners; and the Africans ought to be thankful that they
+            had been carried safe into the British colonies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As to the tales of misery in the Middle Passage, they were
+            gross falsehoods; and as to their treatment in the West Indies,
+            he knew personally that it was, in general, indulgent and
+            humane.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With regard to promoting their increase by any better mode
+            of treatment, he wished gentlemen would point it out to him.
+            As a planter he would thank them for it. It was absurd to suppose
+            that he and others were blind to their own interest. It was
+            well known that one Creole slave was worth two Africans; and
+            their interest, therefore, must suggest to them, that the propagation
+            of slaves was preferable to the purchase of imported negroes,
+            of whom one half very frequently died in the seasoning.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then argued the impossibility of beasts doing the work of
+            the plantations. He endeavoured to prove that the number of
+            these adequate to this purpose could not be supplied with food;
+            and after having made many other observations, which, on
+            account of the lowness of his voice, could not be heard, he
+            concluded by objecting to the motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. William Smith rose. He wondered how the last speaker
+            could have had the boldness to draw arguments from scripture
+            in support of the Slave Trade. Such arguments could be
+            intended only to impose on those who never took the trouble of
+            thinking for themselves. Could it be thought for a moment, that
+            the good sense of the House could be misled by a few perverted
+            or misapplied passages, in direct opposition to the whole tenor,
+            and spirit of Christianity; to the theory, he might say, of almost
+            every religion, which had ever appeared in the world? Whatever
+            might have been advanced, every body must feel that the Slave
+            Trade could not exist an hour, if that excellent maxim, "to do
+            to others as we would wish that others should do to us," had its
+            proper influence on the conduct of men.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Nor was Mr. Stanley more happy in his argument of the
+            antiquity and universality of slavery. Because a practise had
+            existed, did it necessarily follow that it was just? By this argument
+            every crime might be defended from the time of Cain.
+            The slaves of antiquity, however were in a situation far preferable
+            to that of the negroes in the West Indies. A passage in Macrobius,
+            which exemplified this in the strongest manner, was now
+            brought to his recollection. "Our ancestors," says Macrobius,
+            "denominated the master, father of the family, and the slave,
+            domestic, with the intention of removing all odium from the
+            condition of the master, and all contempt from that of the
+            servant." Could this language be applied to the present state of
+            West India slavery?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been complained of by those who supported the trade,
+            that they laboured under great disadvantages by being obliged to
+            contend against the most splendid abilities which the House
+            could boast. But he believed they laboured under one, which
+            was worse and for which no talents could compensate; he meant
+            the impossibility of maintaining their ground fairly on any of
+            those principles, which every man within those walls had been
+            accustomed, from his infancy, to venerate as sacred. He and his
+            friends, too, laboured under some disadvantages. They had been
+            charged with fanaticism. But what had Mr. Long said, when
+            he addressed himself to those planters, who were desirous of
+            attempting improvements on their estates? He advised them
+            "not to be diverted by partial views, vulgar prejudices, or the
+            ridicule which might spring from weak minds, from a benevolent
+            attention to the public good." But neither by these nor by other
+            charges were he or his friends to be diverted from the prosecution
+            of their purpose. They were convinced of the rectitude and high
+            importance of their object; and were determined never to desist
+            from pursuing it, till it should be attained.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But they had to struggle with difficulties far more serious.
+            The West Indian interest which opposed them, was a collected
+            body; of great power, affluence, connexions, and respectability.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Artifice had also been employed. Abolition and emancipation
+            had been so often confounded, and by those who knew better,
+
+            that it must have been purposely done, to throw an odium on the
+            measure which was now before them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The abolitionists had been also accused as the authors of the
+            late insurrection in Dominica. A revolt had certainly taken
+            place in that island. But revolts there had occured frequently
+            before. Mr. Stanley himself, in attempting to fix this charge
+            upon them, had related circumstance which amounted to their
+            entire exculpation. He had said that all was quiet there till the
+            disturbances in the French islands; when some negroes from the
+            latter had found their way to Dominica, and had excited the
+            insurrection in question. He had also said, that the negroes in
+            our own islands hated the idea of the abolition; for they thought,
+            as no new labourers were to come in, they should be subjected to
+            increased hardships. But if they and their masters hated this
+            same measure, how was this coincidence of sentiment to give
+            birth to insurrections?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Other fallacies, also, had been industriously propogated. Of
+            the African trade, it had been said, that the exports amounted to
+            a million annually; whereas, from the report on the table, it had
+            on an average amounted to little more than half a million; and
+            this included the articles for the purchase of African produce
+            which were of the value of 140,000<i>l.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            The East Indian Trade, also, had been said to depend on the
+            West Indian and the African. In the first place, it had but very
+            little connexion with the former at all. Its connexion with the
+            latter was principally on account of the saltpetre which it furnished
+            for making gunpowder. Out of nearly three millions of
+            pounds in weight of the latter article, which had been exported
+            in a year from this country, one-half had been sent to Africa
+            alone; for the purposes, doubtless, of maintaining peace, and
+            encouraging civilization among its various tribes! Four or five
+            thousand persons were said, also, to depend for their bread in
+            manufacturing guns for the African trade; and these, it was
+            pretended, could not make guns of another sort.&#8212;But where
+            lay the difficulty?&#8212;One of the witnesses had unravelled it. He
+            had seen the negroes maimed by the bursting of these guns.
+            They killed more from the butt than from the muzzle. Another
+
+            had stated, that on the sea-coast the natives were afraid to fire a
+            trade-gun.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the West Indian commerce, two hundred and forty
+            thousand tons of shipping were stated to be employed. But
+            here deception intruded itself again. This statement included
+            every vessel, great and small, which went from the British
+            West Indies to America, and to the foreign islands; and
+            what was yet more unfair, all the repeated voyages of each
+            throughout the year. The shipping, which could only fairly be
+            brought into this account, did but just exceed half that which
+            had been mentioned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In a similar manner had the islands themselves been overrated.
+            Their value had been computed, for the information of
+            the privy council, at thirty-six millions; but the planters had
+            estimated them at seventy. The truth, however, might possibly
+            lie between these extremes. He by no means wished to depreciate
+            their importance; but he did not like that such palpable
+            misrepresentations should go unnoticed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An honourable member (Colonel Tarleton) had disclaimed
+            every attempt to interest the feelings of those present, but had
+            desired to call them to reason and accounts. He also desired
+            (though it was a question of feeling, if any one ever was,) to
+            draw the attention of the committee to reason and accounts&#8212;to
+            the voice of reason instead of that of prejudice, and to accounts
+            in the place of idle apprehensions. The result, he doubted not,
+            would be a full persuasion, that policy and justice were inseparable
+            upon this, as upon every other occasion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The same gentleman had enlarged on the injustice of depriving
+            the Liverpool merchants of a business, on which were
+            founded their honour and their fortunes. On what part of it they
+            founded their honour he could not conjecture, except from those
+            passages in the evidence, where it appeared, that their agents in
+            Africa had systematically practised every fraud and villany,
+            which the meanest and most unprincipled cunning could suggest,
+            to impose on the ignorance of those with whom they traded.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The same gentleman had also lamented, that the evidence had
+            not been taken upon oath. He himself lamented it too.
+
+            Numberless facts had been related by eye-witnesses, called in support
+            of the abolition, so dreadfully atrocious, that they appeared incredible;
+            and seemed rather, to use the expression of Ossian, like
+            "the histories of the days of other times." These procured for
+            the trade a species of acquittal, which it could not have obtained,
+            had the committee been authorised to administer an oath. He
+            apprehended, also, in this case, that some other persons would
+            have been rather more guarded in their testimony. Captain
+            Knox would not then perhaps have told the committee, that
+            six hundred slaves could have had comfortable room at night
+            in his vessel of about one hundred and forty tons; when there
+            could have been no more than five feet six inches in length,
+            and fifteen inches in breadth, to about two-thirds of his
+            number.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The same gentleman had also dwelt upon the Slave Trade as
+            a nursery for seamen. But it had appeared by the muster-rolls
+            of the slave-vessels, then actually on the table of the house, that
+            more than a fifth of them died in the service, exclusive of those
+            who perished when discharged in the West Indies; and yet he
+            had been instructed by his constituents to maintain this false
+            position. His reasoning, too, was very curious; for, though
+            numbers might die, yet as one half who entered were landsmen,
+            seamen were continually forming. Not to dwell on the expensive
+            cruelty of forming these seamen by the yearly destruction of
+            so many hundreds, this very statement was flatly contradicted by
+            the evidence. The muster-rolls from Bristol stated the proportion
+            of landsmen in the trade there at one twelfth, and the proper
+            officers of Liverpool itself at but a sixteenth of the whole employed.
+            In the face again of the most glaring facts, others had
+            maintained that the mortality in these vessels did not exceed that
+            of other trades in the tropical climates. But the same documents,
+            which proved that twenty-three per cent were destroyed
+            in this wasting traffic, proved that in West India ships only
+            about one and a half per cent were lost, including every casualty.
+            But the very men, under whose management this dreadful mortality
+            had been constantly occurring, had coolly said, that much
+            of it might be avoided by proper regulations. How criminal then
+
+            were they, who, knowing this, had neither publicly proposed, nor
+            in their practice adopted, a remedy!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The average loss of the slaves on board, which had been calculated
+            by Mr. Wilberforce at twelve and a half per cent., had
+            been denied. He believed this calculation, taking in all the
+            circumstances connected with it, to be true; but that for years
+            not less than one-tenth had so perished, he would challenge those
+            concerned in the traffic to disprove. Much evidence had been
+            produced on the subject; but the voyages had been generally
+            selected. There was only one who had disclosed the whole
+            account. This was Mr. Anderson of London, whose engagements
+            in this trade had been very inconsiderable. His loss had
+            only amounted to three per cent.; but, unfortunately for the
+            slave-traders of Liverpool, his vessel had not taken above three-fourths
+            of that number in proportion to the tonnage which they
+            had stated to be necessary to the very existence of their trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An honourable member (Mr. Grosvenor) had attributed the
+            protraction of this business to those who had introduced it. But
+            from whom did the motion for further evidence (when that of the
+            privy council was refused) originate, but from the enemies of the
+            abolition? The same gentleman had said, it was impossible to
+            abolish the trade; but where was the impossibility of forbidding
+            the further importation of slaves into our own colonies? and
+            beyond this the motion did not extend.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The latter argument had also been advanced by Sir William
+            Yonge and others. But allowing it its full force, would there be
+            no honour in the dereliction of such a commerce? Would it be
+            nothing publicly to recognise great and just principles? Would
+            our example be nothing!&#8212;Yes: every country would learn, from
+            our experiment, that American colonies could be cultivated without
+            the necessity of continual supplies equally expensive and
+            disgraceful.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But we might do more than merely lay down principles or
+            propose examples. We might, in fact, diminish the evil itself
+            immediately by no inconsiderable part,&#8212;by the whole of our
+            own supply; and here he could not at all agree with the honourable
+            baronet, in what seemed to him a commercial paradox, that
+
+            the taking away from an open trade by far the largest customer,
+            and the lessening of the consumption of the article,
+            would increase both the competition and the demand, and
+            of course all those mischiefs, which it was their intention to
+            avert.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That the civilization of the Africans was promoted, as had been
+            asserted, by their intercourse with the Europeans, was void of
+            foundation, as had appeared from the evidence. In manners and
+            dishonesty they had indeed assimilated with those who frequented
+            their coasts. But the greatest industry and the least corruption
+            of morals were in the interior, where they were out of the way
+            of this civilizing connexion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To relieve Africa from famine, was another of the benign
+            reasons which had been assigned for continuing the trade. That
+            famines had occurred there, he did not doubt; but that they
+            should annually occur, and with such arithmetical exactness as to
+            suit the demands of the Slave Trade, was a circumstance most
+            extraordinary; so wonderful, indeed, that, could it once be proved,
+            he should consider it as a far better argument in favour of the
+            divine approbation of that trade, than any which had ever yet
+            been produced.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As to the effect of the abolition on the West Indies, it would
+            give weight to every humane regulation which had been made;
+            by substituting a certain and obvious interest, in the place of one
+            depending upon chances and calculation. An honourable member
+            (Mr. Stanley) had spoken of the impossibility of cultivating
+            the estates there without further importations of negroes; and
+            yet, of all the authorities he had brought to prove his case, there
+            was scarcely one which might not be pressed to serve more or
+            less effectually against him. Almost every planter he had named
+            had found his negroes increase under the good treatment he had
+            professed to give them; and it was an axiom, throughout the
+            whole evidence, that, wherever they were well used, importations
+            were not necessary. It had been said, indeed, by some adverse
+            witnesses, that in Jamaica all possible means had been used to
+            keep up the stock by breeding; but how preposterous was this,
+            when it was allowed that the morals of the slaves had been
+
+            totally neglected, and that the planters preferred buying a larger
+            proportion of males than females!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The misfortune was, that prejudice, and not reason, was the
+            enemy to be subdued. The prejudices of the West Indians on
+            these points were numerous and inveterate. Mr. Long himself
+            had characterised them on this account, in terms which
+            he should have felt diffident in using. But Mr. Long had shown
+            his own prejudices also: for he justified the chaining of the
+            Negroes on board the slave-vessels, on account of "their bloody,
+            cruel, and malicious dispositions." But hear his commendation
+            of some of the Aborigines of Jamaica, "who had miserably
+            perished in caves, whither they had retired to escape the tyranny
+            of the Spaniards. These," says he, "left a glorious monument
+            of their having disdained to survive the loss of their liberty and
+            their country." And yet this same historian could not perceive
+            that this natural love of liberty might operate as strongly and as
+            laudably in the African Negro, as in the Indian of Jamaica.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He was concerned to acknowledge that these prejudices were
+            yet further strengthened by resentment against those who had
+            taken an active part in the abolition of the Slave Trade. But it
+            was never the object of these to throw a stigma on the whole
+            body of the West Indians; but to prove the miserable effects of
+            the trade. This it was their duty to do; and if, in doing this,
+            disgraceful circumstances had come out, it was not their fault;
+            and it must never be forgotten that they were true.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That the slaves were exposed to great misery in the islands,
+            was true as well from inference as from facts: for what might not
+            be expected from the use of arbitrary power, where the three
+            characters of party, judge, and executioner were united! The
+            slaves, too, were more capable on account of their passions, than
+            the beasts in the field, of exciting the passions of their tyrants.
+            To what a length the ill-treatment of them might be carried,
+            might be learnt from, the instance which General Tottenham
+            mentioned to have seen in the year 1780 in the streets of Bridge
+            Town, Barbados: "A youth about nineteen (to use his own
+            words in the evidence), entirely naked, with an iron collar about
+            his neck, having five long projecting spikes. His body both
+
+            before and behind was covered with wounds. His belly and
+            thighs were almost cut to pieces, with running ulcers all over
+            them; and a finger might have been laid in some of the weals.
+            He could not sit down, because his hinder part was mortified;
+            and it was impossible for him to lie down, on account of the
+            prongs of his collar." He supplicated the General for relief.
+            The latter asked who had punished him so dreadfully? The
+            youth answered, his master had done it. And because he could
+            not work, this same master, in the same spirit of perversion,
+            which extorts from Scripture a justification of the Slave Trade,
+            had fulfilled the apostolic maxim, that he should have nothing to
+            eat. The use he meant to make of this instance was to show
+            the unprotected state of the slaves. What must it be, where
+            such an instance could pass not only unpunished, but almost
+            unregarded! If, in the streets of London, but a dog were
+            to be seen lacerated like this miserable man, how would the
+            cruelty of the wretch be execrated, who had thus even abused a
+            brute!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The judicial punishments also inflicted upon the Negro
+            showed the low estimation, in which, in consequence of the
+            strength of old customs and deep-rooted prejudices, they were
+            held. Mr. Edwards, in his speech to the Assembly at Jamaica,
+            stated the following case, as one which had happened in one of
+            the rebellions there. Some slaves surrounded the dwelling-house
+            of their mistress. She was in bed with a lovely infant. They
+            deliberated upon the means of putting her to death in torment.
+            But in the end one of them reserved her for his mistress; and they
+            killed her infant with an axe before her face. "Now," says Mr.
+            Edwards, (addressing himself to his audience) "you will think
+            that no torments were too great for such horrible excesses.
+            Nevertheless I am of a different opinion. I think that death,
+            unaccompanied with cruelty, should be the utmost exertion of
+            human authority over our unhappy fellow-creatures." Torments,
+            however, were always inflicted in these cases. The punishment
+            was gibbeting alive, and exposing the delinquents to perish by
+            the gradual effects of hunger, thirst, and parching sun; in which
+            situation they were known to suffer for nine days, with a fortitude
+
+            scarcely credible, never uttering a single groan. But horrible
+            as the excesses might have been, which occasioned these punishments,
+            it must be remembered, that they were committed by
+            ignorant savages, who had been dragged from all they held most
+            dear; whose patience had been exhausted by a cruel and loathsome
+            confinement during their transportation; and whose resentment
+            had been wound up to the highest pitch of fury by the lash
+            of the driver.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But he would now mention another instance, by way of contrast,
+            out of the evidence. A child on board a slave-ship, of
+            about ten months old, took sulk and would not eat. The captain
+            flogged it with a cat; swearing that he would make it eat, or kill
+            it. From this and other ill-treatment the child's legs swelled.
+            He then ordered some water to be made hot to abate the swelling.
+            But even his tender mercies were cruel; for the cook, on
+            putting his hand into the water, said it was too hot. Upon this
+            the captain swore at him, and ordered the feet to be put in.
+            This was done. The nails and skin came off. Oiled cloths were
+            then put round them. The child was at length tied to a heavy
+            log. Two or three days afterwards, the captain caught it up
+            again; and repeated that he would made it eat, or kill it. He
+            immediately flogged it again, and in a quarter of an hour it died.
+            But, after the child was dead, whom should the barbarian select
+            to throw it overboard, but the wretched mother? In vain she
+            started from the office. He beat her, till he made her take up
+            the child and carry it to the side of the vessel. She then dropped
+            it into the sea, turning her head the other way that she might not
+            see it. Now it would naturally be asked, was not this captain
+            also gibbeted alive? Alas! although the execrable barbarity of
+            the European exceeded that of the Africans before mentioned,
+            almost as much as his opportunities of instruction has been
+            greater than theirs, no notice whatsoever was taken of this
+            horrible action; and a thousand similar cruelties had been committed
+            in this abominable trade with equal impunity: but he
+            would say no more. He would vote for the abolition, not only
+            as it would do away all the evils complained of in Africa and
+            the Middle Passage; but as it would be the most effectual means
+
+            of ameliorating the condition of those unhappy persons, who were
+            still to continue slaves in the British colonies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Courtenay rose. He said, he could not but consider the
+            assertion of Sir William Yonge as a mistake, that the Slave
+            Trade, if abandoned by us, would fall into the hands of France.
+            It ought to be recollected, with what approbation the motion for
+            abolishing it, made by the late Mirabeau, had been received;
+            although the situation of the French colonies might then have
+            presented obstacles to carrying the measure into immediate execution.
+            He had no doubt, if parliament were to begin, so wise and
+            enlightened a body as the National Assembly would follow the
+            example. But even if France were not to relinquish the
+            trade, how could we, if justice required its abolition, hesitate as
+            to our part of it?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The trade, it had been said, was conducted upon the principles
+            of humanity. Yes: we rescued the Africans from what
+            we were pleased to call their wretched situation in their own;
+            country, and then we took credit for our humanity; because,
+            after having killed one half of them in the seasoning, we substituted
+            what we were again pleased to call a better treatment than
+            that which they would have experienced at home.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been stated that the principle of war among savages
+            was a general massacre. This was not true. They frequently
+            adopted the captives into their own families; and, so far from
+            massacring the women and children, they often gave them
+            the protection which the weakness of their age and sex
+            demanded.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There could be no doubt, that the practice of kidnapping;
+            prevailed in Africa. As to witchcraft, it had been made a crime
+            in the reign of James the First in this country, for the purpose
+            of informations; and how much more likely were informations
+            to take place in Africa, under the encouragement afforded by the
+            Slave Trade! This trade, it had been said, was sanctioned by
+            twenty-six acts of parliament. He did not doubt but fifty-six
+            might be found, by which parliament had sanctioned witchcraft
+            of the existence of which we had now no belief whatever....
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said by Mr. Stanley that the pulpit had been
+
+            used as an instrument of attack on the Slave Trade. He
+            was happy to learn it had been so well employed; and he hoped
+            the Bishops would rise up in the House of Lords, with the
+            virtuous indignation which became them, to abolish a traffic so
+            contrary to humanity, justice, and religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He entreated every member to recollect, that on his vote that
+            night depended the happiness of millions; and that it was then
+            in his power to promote a measure, of which the benefits would
+            be felt over one whole quarter of the globe; that the seeds of
+            civilization might, by the present bill, be sown all over Africa:
+            and the first principles of humanity be established in regions
+            where they had hitherto been excluded by the existence of this
+            execrable trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Carysfort rose, and said, that the great cause of the abolition
+            had flourished by the manner in which it had been
+            opposed. No one argument of solid weight had been adduced
+            against it. It had been shown, but never disproved, that the
+            colonial laws were inadequate to the protection of the slaves;
+            that the punishments of the latter were most unmerciful; that
+            they were deprived of the right of self-defence against any White
+            man; and, in short, that the system was totally repugnant to the
+            principles of the British constitution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Colonel Phipps followed Lord Carysfort. He denied that this
+            was a question in which the rights of humanity and the laws of
+            nature were concerned. The Africans became slaves in consequence
+            of the constitution of their own governments. These
+            were founded in absolute despotism. Every subject was an actual
+            slave. The inhabitants were slaves to the great men, and the
+            great men were slaves to the prince. Prisoners of war, too, were
+            by law subject to slavery. Such being the case, he saw no more
+            cruelty in disposing of them to our merchants, than to those of
+            any other nation. Criminals, also, in cases of adultery and
+            witchcraft, became slaves by the same laws.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said, that there were no regulations in the West
+            Indies for the protection of slaves. There were several; though
+            he was ready to admit that more were necessary; and he would
+            go in this respect as far as humanity might require. He had
+
+            passed ten months in Jamaica, where he had never seen any such
+            acts of cruelty as had been talked of. Those which he had seen
+            were not exercised by the Whites, but by the Blacks. The
+            dreadful stories which had been told, ought no more to fix a
+            general stigma upon the planters, than the story of Mrs. Brownrigg
+            to stamp this polished metropolis with the general brand of
+            murder. There was once a haberdasher's wife (Mrs. Nairne)
+            who locked up her apprentice girl, and starved her to death; but
+            did ever any body think of abolishing haberdashery on this
+            account? He was persuaded the Negroes in the West Indies
+            were cheerful and happy. They were fond of ornaments; but it
+            was not the characteristic of miserable persons to show a taste for
+            finery. Such a taste, on the contrary, implied a cheerful and
+            contented mind. He was sorry to differ from his friend Mr.
+            Wilberforce, but he must oppose his motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Pitt rose, and said, that from the first hour of his
+            having had the honour to sit in parliament down to the present,
+            among all the questions, whether political or personal, in which
+            it had been his fortune to take a share, there had never been one
+            in which his heart was so deeply interested as in the present;
+            both, on account of the serious principles it involved, and the
+            consequences connected with it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The present was not a mere question of feeling. The argument,
+            which ought, in his opinion, to determine the committee,
+            was, that the Slave Trade was unjust. It was, therefore, such a
+            trade as it was impossible for him to support, unless it could be
+            first proved to him, that there were no laws of morality binding
+            upon nations; and that it was not the duty of a legislature
+            to restrain its subjects, from invading the happiness of other
+            countries, and from violating; the fundamental principles of justice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Several had stated the impracticability of the measure before
+            them. They wished to see the trade abolished; but there was
+            some necessity for continuing it, which they conceived to exist.
+            Nay, almost every, one, he believed, appeared to wish that
+            the further importation of slaves might cease, provided, it could
+            be made out that, the population of the West Indies could be
+            maintained without it. He proposed, therefore, to consider the
+
+            latter point; for, as the impracticability of keeping up the population
+            there appeared to operate as the chief objection, he trusted
+            that, by showing it to be ill founded, he should clear away
+            all other obstacles whatever; so that, having no ground either of
+            justice or necessity to stand upon, there could be no excuse left to
+            the committee for resisting the present motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He might reasonably, however, hope that they would not
+            reckon any small or temporary disadvantage, which might arise
+            from the abolition, to be a sufficient reason against it. It
+            was surely not any slight degree of expediency, nor any small
+            balance of profit, nor any light shades of probability on the one
+            side, rather than on the other, which would determine them on
+            this question. He asked pardon even for the supposition. The
+            Slave Trade was an evil of such magnitude, that there must be
+            a common wish in the committee at once to put an end to it, if
+            there were no great and serious obstacles. It was a trade, by
+            which multitudes of unoffending nations were deprived of the
+            blessings of civilization, and had their peace and happiness
+            invaded. It ought, therefore, to be no common expediency, it
+            ought to be nothing less than the utter ruin of our islands, which
+            it became those to plead, who took upon them to defend the
+            continuance of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He could not help thinking that the West India gentlemen
+            had manifested an over great degree of sensibility as to the point
+            in question; and that their alarms had been unreasonably excited
+            upon it. He had examined the subject carefully for himself:
+            and he would now detail those reasons, which had induced him
+            firmly to believe, not only that no permanent mischief would
+            follow from the abolition, but not even any such temporary inconvenience
+            as could be stated to be a reason for preventing the
+            House from agreeing to the motion before them; on the contrary,
+            that the abolition itself would lay the foundation for the more
+            solid improvement of all the various interests of those colonies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In doing this he should apply his observations chiefly to
+            Jamaica, which contained more than half the slaves in the
+            British West Indies; and if he should succeed in proving that
+            no material detriment could arise to the population there, this
+
+            would afford so strong a presumption with respect to the other
+            islands, that the House could no longer hesitate whether they
+            should, or should not, put a stop to this most horrid trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the twenty years ending in 1788, the annual loss of slaves
+            in Jamaica (that is, the excess of deaths above the births,)
+            appeared to be one in the hundred. In a preceding period the
+            loss was greater; and, in a period before that greater still; there
+            having been a continual gradation in the decrease through the
+            whole time. It might fairly be concluded, therefore, that
+            (the average logs of the last period being one per cent.) the loss
+            in the former part of it would be somewhat more, and in the
+            latter part somewhat less, than one per cent; insomuch that it
+            might be fairly questioned, whether, by this time, the births and
+            deaths in Jamaica might not be stated as nearly equal. It was
+            to be added, that a peculiar calamity, which swept away fifteen
+            thousand slaves, had occasioned a part of the mortality in the
+            last-mentioned period. The probable loss, therefore, now to be
+            expected, was very inconsiderable indeed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There was, however, one circumstance to be added, which the
+            West India gentlemen, in stating this matter, had entirely
+            overlooked; and which was so material, as clearly to reduce the
+            probable diminution in the population of Jamaica down to
+            nothing. In all the calculations he had referred to of the comparative
+            number of births and deaths, all the Negroes in the island
+            were included. The newly imported, who died in the seasoning,
+            made apart; but these swelled, most materially, the number of
+            the deaths. Now, as these extraordinary deaths would cease, as
+            soon as the importation ceased, a deduction of them ought
+            to be made from his present calculation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But the number of those, who thus died in the seasoning,
+            would make up of itself nearly the whole of that one per cent.
+            which had been stated. He particularly pressed an attention
+            to this circumstance; for the complaint of being likely to want
+            hands in Jamaica, arose from the mistake of including the present
+            unnatural deaths, caused by the seasoning, among the natural
+            and perpetual muses of mortality. These deaths, being
+            erroneously taken into the calculations, gave the planters an
+
+            idea that the numbers could not be kept up. These deaths,
+            which were caused merely by the Slave Trade, furnished the
+            very ground, therefore, on which the continuance of that trade
+            had been thought necessary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The evidence as to this point was clear; for it would be
+            found in that dreadful catalogue of deaths, arising from the
+            seasoning and the passage, which the House had been condemned
+            to look into, that one half died. An annual mortality of two
+            thousand slaves in Jamaica might be therefore charged to the
+            importation; which, compared with the whole number on the
+            island, hardly fell short of the whole one per cent. decrease.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Joining this with all the other considerations, he would then
+            ask, could the decrease of the slaves in Jamaica be such&#8212;could
+            the colonies be so destitute of means&#8212;could the planters, when
+            by their own accounts they were establishing daily new regulations
+            for the benefit of the slaves&#8212;could they, under all these
+            circumstances, be permitted to plead that total impossibility of
+            keeping up their number, which they had rested on, as being
+            indeed the only possible pretext for allowing fresh importations
+            from Africa? He appealed, therefore, to the sober judgment
+            of all, whether the situation of Jamaica was such, as to justify a
+            hesitation in agreeing to the present motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It might be observed, also, that, when the importations should
+            stop, that disproportion between the sexes, which was one of the
+            obstacles to population, would gradually diminish; and a natural
+            order of things be established. Through the want of this natural
+            order, a thousand grievances were created, which it was
+            impossible to define; and which it was in vain to think that,
+            under such circumstances, we could cure. But the abolition, of
+            itself, would work this desirable effect. The West Indians
+            would then feel a near and urgent interest to enter into a thousand
+            little details, which it was impossible for him to describe,
+            but which would have the greatest influence on population. A
+            foundation would thus be laid for the general welfare of the
+            islands; a new system would rise up, the reverse of the old; and
+            eventually both their general wealth and happiness would
+            increase.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He had now proved far more than he was bound to do; for,
+            if he could only show that the abolition would not be ruinous, it
+            would be enough. He could give up, therefore, three arguments
+            out of four, through the whole of what he had said, and yet have
+            enough left for his position. As to the Creoles, they would
+            undoubtedly increase. They differed in this entirely from the
+            imported slaves, who were both a burthen and a curse to themselves
+            and others. The measure now proposed would operate
+            like a charm; and, besides stopping all the miseries in Africa and
+            the passage, would produce even more benefit in the West
+            Indies than legal regulations could effect.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now just touch upon the question of emancipation.
+            A rash emancipation of the slaves would be mischievous. In
+            that unhappy situation, to which our baneful conduct had
+            brought ourselves and them, it would be no justice on either
+            side to give them liberty. They were as yet incapable of it; but
+            their situation might be gradually amended. They might be
+            relieved from everything harsh and severe; raised from their
+            present degraded state; and put under the protection of the law.
+            Till then, to talk of emancipation was insanity. But it was
+            the system of fresh importations, which interfered with these
+            principles of improvement; and it was only the abolition which
+            could establish them. This suggestion had its foundation in
+            human nature. Wherever the incentive of honour, credit, and
+            fair profit appeared, energy would spring up; and when these
+            labourers should have the natural springs of human action
+            afforded them, they would then rise to the natural level of human
+            industry.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From Jamaica he would now go to the other islands. In
+            Barbadoes the slaves had rather increased. In St. Kitts the
+            decrease for fourteen years had been but three-fourths per cent.;
+            but here many of the observations would apply, which he had
+            used in the case of Jamaica. In Antigua many had died by a
+            particular calamity. But for this, the decrease would have been
+            trifling. In Nevis and Montserrat there was little or no disproportion
+            of the sexes; so that it might well be hoped, that the
+            numbers would be kept up in these islands. In Dominica some
+
+            controversy had arisen about the calculation; but Governor Orde
+            had stated an increase of births above the deaths. From Grenada
+            and St. Vincent's no accurate accounts had been delivered in
+            answer to the queries sent them; but they were probably not in
+            circumstances less favourable than in the other islands.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On a full review, then, of the state of the Negro population
+            in the West Indies, was there any serious ground of alarm from
+            the abolition of the Slave Trade? Where was the impracticability,
+            on which alone so many had rested their objections? Must
+            we not blush at pretending, that it would distress our consciences
+            to accede to this measure, as far as the question of the Negro
+            population was concerned?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Intolerable were the mischiefs of this trade, both in its origin,
+            and through every stage of its progress. To say that slaves
+            could be furnished us by fair and commercial means was ridiculous.
+            The trade sometimes ceased, as during the late war. The
+            demand was more or less according to circumstances. But how
+            was it possible, that to a demand so exceedingly fluctuating the
+            supply should always exactly accommodate itself? Alas! We
+            made human beings the subject of commerce; we talked of them
+            as such; and yet we would not allow them the common principle
+            of commerce, that the supply must accommodate itself to the
+            consumption. It was not from wars, then, that the slaves were
+            chiefly procured. They were obtained in proportion as they were
+            wanted. If a demand for slaves arose, a supply was forced in one
+            way or other; and it was in vain, overpowered as we then were
+            with positive evidence, as well as the reasonableness of the supposition,
+            to deny that by the Slave Trade we occasioned all the
+            enormities which had been alleged against it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir William Yonge had said, that if we were not to take the
+            Africans from their country, they would be destroyed. But he
+            had not yet read that all uncivilized nations destroyed their
+            captives. We assumed, therefore, what was false. The very
+            selling of them implied this; for, if they would sell their captives
+            for profit, why should they not employ them so as to receive
+            a profit also? Nay, many of them, while there was no demand
+            from the slave merchants, were often actually so employed. The
+
+            trade, too, had been suspended during the war; and it was never
+            said, or thought, that any such consequence had then followed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The honourable baronet had also said, to justification of the
+            Slave Trade, that witchcraft commonly implied poison, and was
+            therefore a punishable crime; but did he recollect that not only
+            the individual accused, but that his whole family, were sold as
+            slaves? The truth was, we stopped the natural progress of civilization
+            in Africa. We cut her off from the opportunity of
+            improvement. We kept her down in a state of darkness, bondage,
+            ignorance, and bloodshed. Was not this an awful consideration
+            for this country? Look at the map of Africa, and see how little
+            useful intercourse had been established on that vast continent!
+            While other countries were assisting and enlightening each other,
+            Africa alone had none of these benefits. We had obtained as
+            yet only so much knowledge of her productions, as to show that
+            there was a capacity for trade, which we checked. Indeed, if
+            the mischiefs there were out of the question, the circumstance of
+            the Middle Passage alone would, in his mind, be reason enough
+            for the abolition. Such a scene as that of the slave-ships passing
+            over with their wretched cargoes to the West Indies, if it could
+            be spread before the eyes of the House, would be sufficient of
+            itself to make them vote in favour of it; but when it could be
+            added, that the interest even of the West Indies themselves
+            rested on the accomplishment of this great event, he could not
+            conceive an act of more imperious duty, than that which was
+            imposed upon the House, of agreeing to the present motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir Archibald Edmonstone rose, and asked whether the
+            present motion went so far as to pledge those who voted for it to
+            a total and immediate abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Alderman Watson rose next. He defended the Slave
+            Trade as highly beneficial to the country, being one material
+            branch of its commerce. But he could not think of the African
+            trade without connecting it with the West Indian. The one
+            hung upon the other. A third important branch also depended
+            upon it, which was the Newfoundland fishery; the latter could
+            not go on, if it were not for the vast quantity of inferior fish
+            bought up for the Negroes in the West Indies, and which
+
+            quite unfit for any other market. If, therefore, we destroyed the
+            African, we destroyed the other trades. Mr. Turgot, he said, had
+            recommended in the National Assembly of France the gradual
+            abolition of the Slave Trade. He would, therefore, recommend
+            it to the House to adopt the same measure, and to soften the
+            rigours of slavery by wholesome regulations; but an immediate
+            abolition he could not countenance.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Fox at length rose. He observed that some expressions
+            which he had used on the preceding day, had been complained of
+            as too harsh and severe. He had since considered them, but he
+            could not prevail upon himself to retract them; because, if any
+            gentleman, after reading the evidence on the table, and attending
+            to the debate, could avow himself an abettor of this shameful
+            traffic in human flesh, it could only be either from some hardness
+            of heart, or some difficulty of understanding, which he really
+            knew not how to account for.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Some had considered this question as a question of political,
+            whereas, it was a question of personal, freedom. Political freedom
+            was undoubtedly a great blessing; but when it came to be
+            compared with personal, it sunk to nothing. To confound the
+            two, served, therefore, to render all arguments on either perplexing
+            and unintelligible. Personal freedom was the first right of every
+            human being. It was a right, of which he who deprived a
+            fellow-creature was absolutely criminal in so depriving him, and
+            which he who withheld was no less criminal in withholding.
+            He could not, therefore, retract his words with respect to any,
+            who (whatever respect he might otherwise have for them) should,
+            by their vote of that night, deprive their fellow-creatures of so
+            great a blessing. Nay, he would go further. He would say, that
+            if the House, knowing what the trade was by the evidence, did
+            not, by their vote, mark to all mankind their abhorrence of a
+            practice so savage, so enormous, so repugnant to all laws human
+            and divine, they would consign their character to eternal infamy.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That the pretence of danger to our West Indian islands from
+            the abolition of the Slave Trade was totally unfounded, Mr.
+            Wilberforce had abundantly proved; but if there were they who
+            had not been satisfied with that proof, was it possible to resist
+
+            the arguments of Mr. Pitt on the same subject? It had been
+            shown, on a comparison of the births and deaths in Jamaica,
+            that there was not now any decrease of the slaves. But if there
+            had been, it would have made no difference to him in his vote;
+            for, had the mortality been ever so great there, he should have
+            ascribed it to the system of importing Negroes, instead of that of
+            encouraging their natural increase. Was it not evident that the
+            planters thought it more convenient to buy them fit for work,
+            than to breed them? Why, then, was this horrid trade to be
+            kept up?&#8212;To give the planters truly the liberty of misusing their
+            slaves, so as to check population: for it was from ill-usage only
+            that, in a climate so natural to them, their numbers could diminish.
+            The very ground, therefore, on which the planters rested
+            the necessity of fresh importations, namely, the destruction of
+            lives in the West Indies, was itself the strongest argument that
+            could be given, and furnished the most imperious call upon parliament
+            for the abolition of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Against this trade innumerable were the charges. An honourable
+            member, Mr. Smith, had done well to introduce those
+            tragical stories which had made such an impression upon the
+            House. No one of these had been yet controverted. It had,
+            indeed, been said; that the cruelty of the African captain to the
+            child was too bad to be true; and we had been desired to look at
+            the cross-examination of the witness, as if we should find traces
+            of the falsehood in his testimony there. But his cross-examination
+            was peculiarly honourable to his character; for, after he had
+            been pressed in the closest manner by some able members of the
+            House, the only inconsistency they could fix upon him was,
+            whether the fact had happened on the same day of the same
+            month of the year 1764 or the year 1765.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it was idle to talk of the incredibility of such instances.
+            It was not denied that absolute power was exercised by the slave-captains;
+            and if this was granted, all the cruelties charged upon
+            them would naturally follow. Never did he hear of charges so
+            black and horrible as those contained in the evidence on the table.
+            They unfolded such a scene of cruelty, that if the House, with
+            all their present knowledge of the circumstances, should dare to
+
+            vote for its continuance, they must have nerves of which he had
+            no conception. We might find instances, indeed, in history, of
+            men violating the feelings of nature on extraordinary occasions.
+            Fathers had sacrificed their sons and daughters, and husbands
+            their wives; but to imitate their characters, we ought to have
+            not only nerves as strong as the two Brutuses, but to take care
+            that we had a cause as good; or that we had motives for such a
+            dereliction of our feelings as patriotic as those which historians
+            had annexed to these when they handed them to the notice of
+            the world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But what was our motive in the case before us?&#8212;to continue
+            a trade which was a wholesale sacrifice of a whole order and race
+            of our fellow-creatures, which carried them away by force from
+            their native country, in order to subject them to the mere will
+            and caprice, the tyranny and oppression of other human beings,
+            for their whole natural lives, them and their posterity for ever!!
+            O most monstrous wickedness! O unparalleled barbarity! And,
+            what was more aggravating, this most complicated scene of
+            robbery and murder which mankind had ever witnessed, had
+            been honoured by the name of trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That a number of human beings should be at all times ready
+            to be furnished as fair articles of commerce, just as our occasions
+            might require, was absurd. The argument of Mr. Pitt on this
+            head was unanswerable. Our demand was fluctuating: it entirely
+            ceased at some times: at others it was great and pressing.
+            How was it possible, on every sudden call, to furnish a sufficient
+            return in slaves, without resorting to those execrable means of
+            obtaining them, which were stated in the evidence? These were
+            of three sorts, and he would now examine them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Captives in war, it was urged, were consigned either to death
+            or slavery. This, however, he believed to be false in point of
+            fact. But suppose it were true; did it not become us, with
+            whom it was a custom, founded in the wisest policy, to pay the
+            captives a peculiar respect and civility, to inculcate the same
+            principles in Africa? But we were so far from doing this, that
+            we encouraged wars for the sake of taking, not men's goods and
+            possessions, but men themselves; and it was not the war which
+
+            was the cause of the Slave Trade, but the Slave Trade which
+            was the cause of the war. It was the practice of the slave-merchants
+            to try to intoxicate the African kings in order to turn them
+            to their purpose. A particular instance occurred in the evidence
+            of a prince, who, when sober, resisted their wishes; but in the
+            moment of inebriety he gave the word for war, attacked the next
+            village, and sold the inhabitants to the merchants.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The second mode was kidnapping. He referred the House to
+            various instances of this in the evidence: but there was one in
+            particular, from which we might immediately infer the frequency
+            of the practice. A black trader had kidnapped a girl and sold
+            her; but he was presently afterwards kidnapped and sold himself;
+            and, when he asked the captain who bought him, "What!
+            do you buy me, who am a great trader?" the only answer was,
+            "Yes, I will buy you, or her, or anybody else, provided any
+            one will sell you;" and accordingly both the trader and the girl
+            were carried to the West Indies, and sold for slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The third mode of obtaining slaves was by crimes committed
+            or imputed. One of these was adultery. But was Africa the
+            place, where Englishmen, above all others, were to go to find out
+            and punish adultery? Did it become us to cast the first stone?
+            It was a most extraordinary pilgrimage for a most extraordinary
+            purpose! And yet upon this plea we justified our right of carrying
+            off its inhabitants. The offence alleged next was witchcraft.
+            What a reproach it was to lend ourselves to this superstition!&#8212;Yes:
+            we stood by; we heard the trial; we knew the crime to be
+            impossible; and that the accused must be innocent: but we
+            waited in patient silence for his condemnation; and then we lent
+            our friendly aid to the police of the country, by buying the
+            wretched convict, with all his family; whom, for the benefit of
+            Africa, we carried away also into perpetual slavery.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the situation of the slaves in their transportation,
+            he knew not how to give the House a more correct idea of
+            the horrors of it, than by referring them to the printed section of
+            the slave-ship; where the eye might see what the tongue must
+            fall short in describing. On this dismal part of the subject he
+            would not dwell. He would only observe, that the acts of barbarity,
+
+            related of the slave-captains in these voyages, were so
+            extravagant, that they had been attributed in some instances to
+            insanity. But was not this the insanity of arbitrary power?
+            Who ever read the facts recorded of Nero without suspecting he
+            was mad? Who would not be apt to impute insanity to Caligula&#8212;or
+            Domitian&#8212;or Caracalla&#8212;or Commodus&#8212;or Heliogabalus?
+            Here were six Roman emperors, not connected in blood, nor by
+            descent, who, each of them, possessing arbitrary power, had been
+            so distinguished for cruelty, that nothing short of insanity could
+            be imputed to them. Was not the insanity of the masters of
+            slave-ships to be accounted for on the same principles?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of the slaves in the West Indies it had been said, that they
+            were taken from a worse state to a better. An honourable member,
+            Mr. W. Smith, had quoted some instances out of the evidence
+            to the contrary. He also would quote one or two others.
+            A slave under hard usage had run away. To prevent a repetition
+            of the offence his owner sent for his surgeon, and desired him to
+            cut off the man's leg. The surgeon refused. The owner, to
+            render it a matter of duty in the surgeon, broke it. "Now,"
+            says he, "you must cut it off; or the man will die." We might
+            console ourselves, perhaps, that this happened in a French island;
+            but he would select another instance, which had happened in one
+            of our own. Mr. Ross heard the shrieks of a female issuing from
+            an out-house; and so piercing, that he determined to me what
+            was going on. On looking in he perceived a young female tied
+            up to a beam by her wrists, entirely naked, and in the act of
+            involuntary writhing and swinging; while the author of her
+            torture was standing below her with a lighted torch in his hand,
+            which he applied to all the parts of her body as it approached
+            him. What crime this miserable woman had perpetrated he
+            knew not; but the human mind could not conceive a crime
+            warranting such a punishment.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He was glad to see that these tales affected the House. Would
+            they then sanction enormities, the bare recital of which made
+            them shudder? Let them remember that humanity did not consist
+            in a squeamish ear. It did not consist in shrinking and starting
+            at such tales as these; but in a disposition of the heart to remedy
+
+            the evils they unfolded. Humanity belonged rather to the mind
+            than to the nerves. But, if so, it should prompt men to charitable
+            exertion. Such exertion was necessary in the present case.
+            It was necessary for the credit of our jurisprudence at home, and
+            our character abroad. For what would any man think of our
+            justice, who should see another hanged for a crime, which would
+            be innocence itself, if compared with those enormities, which
+            were allowed in Africa and the West Indies under the sanction
+            of the British parliament?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said, however, in justification of the trade, that
+            the Africans were less happy at home than in the Islands. But
+            what right had we to be judges of their condition? They would
+            tell us a very different tale, if they were asked. But it was
+            ridiculous to say, that we bettered their condition, when we dragged
+            them from everything dear in life to the most abject state of
+            slavery.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            One argument had been used, which for a subject so grave
+            was the most ridiculous he had ever heard. Mr. Alderman
+            Watson had declared the Slave Trade to be necessary on account
+            of its connexion with our fisheries. But what was this but an
+            acknowledgment of the manner, in which these miserable beings,
+            were treated? The trade was to be kept up, with all its enormities,
+            in order that there might be persons to consume the
+            refuse fish from Newfoundland, which was too bad for anybody
+            else to eat.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said that England ought not to abolish the Slave
+            Trade, unless other nations would also give it up. But what
+            kind of morality was this? The Trade was defensible upon no
+            other principle than that of a highwayman. Great Britain
+            could not keep it upon these terms. Mere gain was not a
+            motive for a great country to rest on, as a justification of any
+            measure. Honour was its superior; and justice was superior to
+            honour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With regard to the emancipation of those in slavery, he coincided
+            with Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Pitt; and upon this principle,
+            that it might be as dangerous to give freedom at once to a
+            man used to slavery, as, in the case of a man who had never
+
+            seen day-light, to expose him all at once to the full glare of a
+            meridian sun.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the intellect and sensibility of the Africans,
+            it was pride only, which suggested a difference between them and
+            ourselves. There was a remarkable instance to the point in the
+            evidence, and which he would quote. In one of the slave-ships
+            was a person of consequence; a man, once high in a military
+            station, and with a mind not insensible to the eminence of his
+            rank. He had been taken captive and sold; and was then in the
+            hold, confined promiscuously with the rest. Happening in the
+            night to fall asleep, he dreamed that he was in his own country;
+            high in honour and command; caressed by his family and friends;
+            waited on by his domestics; and surrounded with all his former
+            comforts in life. But awaking suddenly, and finding where he
+            was, he was heard to burst into the loudest groans and lamentations
+            on the miserable contrast of his present state; mixed with
+            the meanest of his subjects; and subjected to the insolence of
+            wretches a thousand times lower than himself in every kind of
+            endowment. He appealed to the House, whether this was not
+            as moving a picture of the miserable effects of the Slave Trade,
+            as could be well imagined. There was one way, by which they
+            might judge of it. Let them make the case their own. This
+            was the Christian rule of judging; and, having mentioned
+            Christianity, he was sorry to find that any should suppose, that it
+            had given countenance to such a system of oppression. So far
+            was this from being the case, that he thought it one of the most
+            splendid triumphs of this religion, that it had caused slavery to
+            be so generally abolished on its appearance in the world. It had
+            done this by teaching us, among other beautiful precepts, that, in
+            the sight of their Maker, all mankind were equal. Its influence
+            appeared to have been more powerful in this respect than that
+            of all the ancient systems of philosophy; though even in these,
+            in point of theory, we might trace great liberality and consideration
+            for human rights. Where could be found finer sentiments
+            of liberty than in Demosthenes and Cicero? Where bolder
+            assertions of the rights of mankind, than in Tacitus and Thucydides?
+            But, alas! these were the holders of slaves: It was not
+
+            so with those who had been converted to Christianity. He knew,
+            however, that what he had been ascribing to Christianity had
+            been imputed by others to the advances which philosophy had
+            made. Each of the two parties took the merit to itself. The
+            philosopher gave it to philosophy, and the divine to religion. He
+            should not, then, dispute with either of them; but, as both
+            coveted the praise, why should they not emulate each other by
+            promoting this improvement in the condition of the human
+            race?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now conclude by declaring, that the whole country,
+            indeed the whole civilized world, must rejoice that such a bill as
+            the present had been moved for, not merely as a matter of
+            humanity, but as an act of justice; for he would put humanity
+            out of the case. Could it be called humanity to forbear
+            committing murder? Exactly upon this ground did the
+            motion stand; being strictly a question of national justice. He
+            thanked Mr. Wilberforce for having pledged himself so strongly
+            to pursue his object till it was accomplished; and, as for himself,
+            he declared, that, in whatever situation he might ever be, he
+            would use his warmest efforts for the promotion of this righteous
+            cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Stanley (the member for Lancashire) rose, and declared
+            that, when he came into the house, he intended to vote against
+            the abolition; but that the impression made both on his feelings
+            and on his understanding was such, that he could not persist in
+            his resolution. He was now convinced that the entire abolition
+            of the Slave Trade was called for equally by sound policy and
+            justice. He thought it right and fair to avow manfully this
+            change in his opinion. The abolition, ho was sure, could
+            not long fail of being carried. The arguments for it were
+            irresistible.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Honourable Mr. Ryder said that he came to the house
+            not exactly in the same circumstances as Mr. Stanley, but very
+            undecided on the subject. He was, however, so strongly convinced
+            by the arguments he had heard, that he was become
+            equally earnest for the abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Smith (member for Pontefract) said, that he should not
+
+            trouble the House, at so late an hour, further than to enter
+            his protest, in the most solemn manner, against this trade,
+            which he considered as most disgraceful to the country, and contrary
+            to all the principles of justice and religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Sumner declared himself against the total, immediate,
+            and unqualified abolition, which he thought would wound at least
+            the prejudices of the West Indians, and might do mischief; but
+            a gradual abolition should have his hearty support.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Major Scott declared there was no member in the house, who
+            would give a more independent vote upon this question than
+            himself. He had no concern either in the African or West
+            Indian trades; but in the present state of the finances of the
+            country, he thought it would be a dangerous experiment to risk
+            any one branch of our foreign commerce. As far as regulation
+            would go, he would join in the measure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Burke said he would use but few words. He declared
+            that he had for a long time had his mind drawn towards this
+            great subject. He had even prepared a bill for the regulation of
+            the trade, conceiving at that time that the immediate abolition of
+            it was a thing hardly to be hoped for; but when he found that
+            Mr. Wilberforce had seriously undertaken the work, and that his
+            motion was for the abolition, which he approved much more than
+            his own, he had burnt his papers; and made an offering of them
+            in honour of this nobler proposition, much in the same manner as
+            we read, that the curious books were offered up and burnt at the
+            approach of the Gospel. He highly applauded the confessions of
+            Mr. Stanley and Mr. Ryder. It would be a glorious tale for
+            them to tell their constituents, that it was impossible for them,
+            however prejudiced, if sent to hear, discussion in that House, to
+            avoid surrendering up their hearts and judgments at the shrine of
+            reason.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Drake said, that he would oppose the abolition to the
+            utmost. We had, by a want of prudent conduct, lost America.
+            The House should be aware of being carried away by the meteors
+            with which they had been dazzled. The leaders, it was true,
+            were for the abolition; but the minor orators, the dwarfs, the
+            pigmies, he trusted, would that night carry the question against
+
+            them. The property of the West Indians was at stake; and,
+            though men might be generous with their own property, they
+            should not be so with the property of others.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Sheffield reprobated the overbearing language which had
+            been used by some gentlemen towards others, who differed
+            in opinion from them on a subject of so much difficulty as the
+            present. He protested against a debate, in which he could trace
+            nothing like reason; but, on the contrary, downright phrensy,
+            raised perhaps by the most extraordinary eloquence. The abolition,
+            as proposed, was impracticable. He denied the right of the
+            legislature to pass a law for it. He warned the Chancellor of
+            the Exchequer to beware of the day, on which the bill should
+            pass, as the worst he had ever seen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Milnes declared, that he adopted all those expressions
+            against the Slave Trade, which had been thought so harsh; and
+            that the opinion of the noble lord had been turned in consequence
+            of having become one of the members for Bristol. He quoted a
+            passage from Lord Sheffield's pamphlet; and insisted that the
+            separation of families in the West Indies, there complained of
+            by himself, ought to have compelled him to take the contrary
+            side of the question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Wilberforce made a short reply to some arguments in the
+            course of the debate; after which, at half-past three in the
+            morning, the House divided. There appeared for Mr. Wilberforce's
+            motion eighty-eight, and against it one hundred and sixty-three;
+            so that it was lost by a majority of seventy-five votes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By this unfavourable division the great contest, in which we
+            had been so long engaged, was decided. We were obliged to give
+            way to superior numbers. Our fall, however, grievous as it was,
+            was rendered more tolerable by the circumstance of having been
+            prepared to expect it. It was rendered more tolerable, also, by
+            other considerations; for we had the pleasure of knowing, that
+            we had several of the most distinguished characters in the
+            kingdom, and almost all the splendid talents of the House of
+            Commons<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXVI_3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXVI_3"></a>, in our favour. We knew, too, that the question had
+
+            not been carried against us either by evidence or by argument;
+            but that we were the victims of the accidents and circumstances
+            of the times. And as these considerations comforted us, when
+            we looked forward to future operations on this great question, so
+            we found great consolation as to the past, in believing, that,
+            unless human constitutions were stronger than they really were,
+            we could not have done more than we had done towards the
+            furtherance of the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXVI_3"></a><a href="#FootXXVI_3">A</a>: It is a pity that no perfect list
+            was ever made of this or of any other division in the House of
+            Commons on this subject. I can give, however, the names of the
+            following, members, as having voted for Mr.  Wilberforce's motion at this time.
+
+         </p>
+            <table>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Pitt,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Lord Bayham,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Duncombe,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Fox,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Lord Arden,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Martin,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Burke,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Lord Carysfort,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Milnes,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Grey,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Lord Muncaster,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Steele,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Windham,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Lord Barnard,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Coke,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Sheridan,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Lord North,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Eliott,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Whitbread,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Lord Euston,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Montagu,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Courtenay,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">General Burgoyne,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Bastard,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Francis,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Hon. R. Fitzpatrick,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Stanley,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Wilberforce,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Sir William Dolben,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Plumer,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Ryder,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Sir Henry Houghton,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Beaufoy,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. William Smith,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Sir Edward Lyttleton,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. I.H. Browne,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. John Smyth,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Sir William Scott,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. G.N. Edwards,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Robert Smith,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Samuel Thornton,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. W.M. Pitt,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Powys,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Henry Thornton,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Bankes,</td>
+               </tr>
+               <tr class="">
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Lord Apsley,</td>
+                  <td valign="top" class="">Mr. Robert Thornton,</td>
+               </tr>
+            </table>
+         <p>
+            The committee for the abolition held a meeting soon after
+            this our defeat. It was the most impressive I ever attended.
+            The looks of all bespoke the feelings of their hearts. Little was
+            said previously to the opening of the business; and, after it was
+            opened, it was conducted with a kind of solemn dignity, which
+            became the occasion. The committee, in the course of its
+            deliberations, came to the following resolutions:&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That the thanks of this committee be respectfully given to
+            the illustrious minority of the House of Commons, who lately
+            stood forth the assertors of British justice and humanity, and the
+            enemies of a traffic in the blood of man.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That our acknowledgments are particularly due to William
+            Wilberforce, Esq., for his unwearied exertions to remove this
+            opprobrium of our national character; and to the right
+            honourable William Pitt, and the right honourable Charles James
+
+            Fox, for their virtuous and dignified co-operation in the same
+            cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That the solemn declarations of these gentlemen, and of
+            Matthew Montagu and William Smith, Esqrs., that they will
+            not relinquish, but with life, their struggle for the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade, are not only highly honourable to themselves as
+            Britons, as statesmen, and as Christians, but must eventually, as
+            the light of evidence shall be more and more diffused, be seconded
+            by the good wishes of every man not immediately interested in
+            the continuance of that detestable commerce.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And lastly, that anticipating the opposition they should have
+            to sustain from persons trained to a familiarity with the rapine
+            and desolation necessarily attendant on the Slave Trade, and
+            sensible, also, of the prejudices which implicitly arise from
+            long-established usages, this committee consider the late decision in
+            the House of Commons as a delay, rather than a defeat. In
+            addressing a free and enlightened nation on a subject, in which
+            its justice, its humanity, and its wisdom are involved, they cannot
+            despair of final success; and they do hereby, under an
+            increasing conviction of the excellence of their cause, and in
+            conformity to the distinguished examples before them, renew their
+            firm protestation, that they will never desist from appealing to
+            their countrymen, till the commercial intercourse with Africa
+            shall cease to be polluted with the blood of its inhabitants.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These resolutions were published, and they were followed by
+            a suitable report.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The committee, in order to strengthen themselves for the
+            prosecution of their great work, elected Sir William Dolben,
+            Bart., Henry Thornton, Lewis Alexander Grant, and Matthew
+            Montagu, Esqrs., who were members of parliament, and Truman
+            Harford, Josiah Wedgewood, jun., Esq., and John Clarkson, Esq.,
+            of the royal navy, as members of their own body; and they
+            elected the Rev. Archdeacon Plymley (afterwards Corbett) an
+            honorary and corresponding member, in consequence of the
+            great services which he had rendered their cause in the shires of
+            Hereford and Salop, and the adjacent counties of Wales.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The several committees, established in the country, on
+
+            receiving the resolutions and report as before mentioned, testified
+            their sympathy in letters of condolence to that of London on the
+            late melancholy occasion; and expressed their determination to
+            support it as long as any vestiges of this barbarous traffic should
+            remain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length the session ended; and though, in the course of it,
+            the afflicting loss of the general question had occurred, there was
+            yet an attempt made by the abolitionists in parliament, which
+            met with a better fate. The Sierra Leone Company received the
+            sanction of the Legislature. The object of this institution was
+            to colonize a small portion of the coast of Africa. They, who
+            were to settle there, were to have no concern in the Slave Trade,
+            but to discourage it as much as possible. They were to endeavour
+            to establish a new species of commerce, and to promote
+            cultivation in its neighborhood by free labour. The persons
+            more generally fixed upon for colonists, were such Negroes, with
+            their wives and families, as chose to abandon their habitations in
+            Nova Scotia. These had followed the British arms in America;
+            and had been settled there, as a reward for their services, by the
+            British government. My brother, just mentioned to have been
+            chosen a member of the committee, and who had essentially
+            served the great cause of the abolition on many occasions, undertook
+            a visit to Nova Scotia, to see if those in question were willing
+            to undergo the change; and in that case to provide transports,
+            and conduct them to Sierra Leone. This object he accomplished.
+            He embarked more than eleven hundred persons in
+            fifteen vessels, of all which he took the command. On landing
+            them he became the first Governor of the new colony. Having
+            laid the foundation of it, he returned to England; when a successor
+            was appointed. From that time many unexpected circumstances,
+            but particularly devastations by the French in the
+            beginning of the war, took place, which contributed to ruin the
+            trading company which was attached to it. It is pleasing, however,
+            to reflect, that though the object of the institution, as far
+            as mercantile profit was concerned, thus failed, the other objects
+            belonging to it were promoted. Schools, places of worship,
+            agriculture, and the habits of civilized life were established.
+
+            Sierra Leone, therefore, now presents itself as the medium of
+            civilization for Africa. And, in this latter point of view, it is
+            worth all the treasure which has been lost in supporting it; for
+            the Slave Trade, which was the great obstacle to this civilization,
+            being now happily abolished, there is a metropolis, consisting of
+            some hundreds of persons, from which may issue the seeds of
+            reformation to this injured continent; and which, when sown,
+            may be expected to grow into fruit without interruption. New
+            schools may be transplanted from thence into the interior.
+            Teachers, and travellers on discovery, may be sent from thence
+            in various directions, who may return to it occasionally as to
+            their homes. The natives, too, able now to travel in safety, may
+            resort to it from various parts. They may see the improvements
+            which are going on from time to time. They may send their children
+            to it for education; and thus it may become the
+            medium<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXVI_4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXVI_4"></a> of a
+            great intercourse between England and Africa, to the benefit
+            of each other.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXVI_4"></a><a href="#FootXXVI_4">A</a>: To promote this desirable end an association
+            took place last year, called The African Institution, under the patronage
+            of the Duke of Gloucester, as president, and of the Mends to the
+            African cause, particularly of such as were in parliament, and as
+            belonged to the committee for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap27"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>&#8212;Continuation from July 1791 to July 1792.&#8212;Author
+         travels round the kingdom again; object of his journey.&#8212;People begin
+         to leave off the use of sugar; to form committees; and to send petitions to
+         Parliament.&#8212;Motion made in the House of Commons for the immediate
+         abolition of the trade; Debates upon it; Abolition resolved upon, but not to
+         commence till 1796.&#8212;Resolution taken to the Lords; latter determine
+         upon hearing evidence; Evidence at length introduced; further hearing of it
+         postponed to the next session.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            The defeat which we had just sustained, was a matter of great
+            triumph to our opponents. When they considered the majority
+            in the House of Commons in their favour, they viewed the resolutions
+            of the committee, which have been detailed, as the last
+            spiteful effort of a vanquished and dying animal, and they supposed
+            that they had consigned the question to eternal sleep.
+            The committee, however, were too deeply attached to the cause,
+            vanquished as they were, to desert it; and they knew, also, too
+            well the barometer of public feeling, and the occasion of its
+            fluctuations, to despair. In the year 1787, the members of the
+            House of Commons, as well as the people, were enthusiastic in
+            behalf of the abolition of the trade. In the year 1788, the fair
+            enthusiasm of the former began to fade. In 1789, it died. In
+            1790, prejudice started up as a noxious weed in its place. In
+            1791, this prejudice arrived at its growth. But to what were
+            these changes owing? To delay; during which the mind,
+            having been gradually led to the question as a commercial, had
+            been gradually taken from it as a moral object. But it was possible
+            to restore the mind to its proper place. Add to which, that
+            the nation had never deserted the cause during this whole period.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is much to the honour of the English people, that they
+            should have continued to feel for the existence of an evil which
+            was so far removed from their sight. But at this moment their
+            feelings began to be insupportable. Many of them resolved, as
+            soon as parliament had rejected the bill, to abstain from the use
+
+            of West Indian produce. In this state of things, a pamphlet,
+            written by William Bell Crafton, of Tewksbury, and called <em>A
+               Sketch of the Evidence, with a Recommendation on the Subject to
+               the serious Attention of People in general</em>, made its appearance;
+            and another followed it, written by William Fox, of London, <em>On
+               the Propriety of abstaining from West India Sugar and Rum</em>.
+            These pamphlets took the same ground. They inculcated abstinence
+            from these articles as a moral duty; they inculcated it as
+            a peaceable and constitutional measure; and they laid before the
+            reader a truth which was sufficiently obvious, that, if each would
+            abstain, the people would have a complete remedy for this enormous
+            evil in their own power.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While these things were going on, it devolved upon me to
+            arrange all the evidence on the part of the abolition under proper
+            heads, and to abridge it into one volume. It was intended that
+            a copy of this should be sent into different towns of the kingdom,
+            that all might know, if possible, the horrors (as far as the evidence
+            contained them) of this execrable trade; and as it was
+            possible that these copies might lie in the places where they were
+            sent, without a due attention to their contents, I resolved, with
+            the approbation of the committee, to take a journey, and for no
+            other purpose than personally to recommend that they might be
+            read.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The books, having been printed, were despatched before me.
+            Of this tour I shall give the reader no other account than that of
+            the progress of the remedy, which the people were then taking
+            into their own hands. And first I may observe, that there was
+            no town, through which I passed, in which there was not some
+            one individual who had left off the use of sugar. In the smaller
+            towns there were from ten to fifty by estimation, and in the larger
+            from two to five hundred, who made this sacrifice to virtue.
+            These were of all ranks and parties. Rich and poor, churchmen
+            and dissenters, had adopted the measure. Even grocers had left
+            off trading in the article, in some places. In gentlemen's families,
+            where the master had set the example, the servants had often
+            voluntarily followed it; and even children, who were capable of
+            understanding the history of the sufferings of the Africans,
+
+            excluded, with the most virtuous resolution, the sweets, to which
+            they had been accustomed, from their lips. By the best computation
+            I was able to make from notes taken down in my journey,
+            no fewer than three hundred thousand persons had abandoned the
+            use of sugar.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having travelled over Wales, and two-thirds of England, I
+            found it would be impossible to visit Scotland on the same errand.
+            I had already, by moving upwards and downwards in parallel
+            lines, and by intersecting these in the same manner, passed over
+            six thousand miles. By the best calculation I could make, I had
+            yet two thousand to perform. By means of almost incessant
+            journeyings night and day, I had suffered much in my health.
+            My strength was failing daily. I wrote, therefore, to the committee
+            on this subject; and they communicated immediately with
+            Dr. Dickson, who, on being applied to, visited Scotland in my
+            stead. He consulted first with the committee at Edinburgh
+            relative to the circulation of the Abridgment of the Evidence.
+            He then pursued his journey, and, in conjunction with the
+            unwearied efforts of Mr. Campbel Haliburton, rendered essential
+            service to the cause for this part of the kingdom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On my return to London, I found that the committee had
+            taken into their own body T.F. Forster, B.M. Forster, and
+            James West, Esqrs., as members; and that they had elected
+            Hercules Boss, Esq., an honorary and corresponding member, in
+            consequence of the handsome manner in which he had come
+            forward as an evidence, and of the peculiar benefit which had
+            resulted from his testimony to the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The effects of the two journeys by Dr. Dickson and myself
+            were soon visible. The people could not bear the facts, which
+            had been disclosed to them by the Abridgment of the Evidence.
+            They were not satisfied, many of them, with the mere abstinence
+            from sugar; but began to form committees to correspond with
+            that of London. The first of these appeared at Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
+            so early as the month of October. It consisted of the Rev.
+            William Turner, as chairman, and of Robert Ormston, William
+            Batson, Henry, Taylor, Ralph Bambridge, George Brown, Hadwen
+            Bragg, David Sutton, Anthony Clapham, George Richardson,
+
+            and Edward Prowit. It received a valuable addition afterwards
+            by the admission of many others. The second was established
+            at Nottingham. The Rev. Jeremiah Bigsby became the president,
+            and the Revs. G. Walker and J. Smith, and Messrs. Dennison,
+            Evans, Watson, Hart, Storer, Bott, Hawkesley, Pennington,
+            Wright, Frith, Hall, and Wakefield, the committee. The
+            third was formed at Glasgow, under the patronage of David Dale,
+            Scott Montcrieff, Robert Graham, Professor Millar, and others.
+            Other committees started up in their turn. At length public
+            meetings began to take place, and after this petitions to be sent
+            to parliament; and these so generally, that there was not a day
+            for three months, Sundays excepted, in which five or six were not
+            resolved upon in some places or other in the kingdom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of the enthusiasm of the nation at this time none can form an
+            opinion but they who witnessed it. There never was perhaps a
+            season when so much virtuous feeling pervaded all ranks. Great
+            pains were taken by interested persons in many places to prevent
+            public meetings. But no efforts could avail. The current ran
+            with such strength and rapidity, that it was impossible to stem
+            it. In the city of London a remarkable instance occurred. The
+            livery had been long waiting for the common council to begin a
+            petition; but the lord mayor and several of the aldermen stifled
+            it. The former, indignant at this conduct, insisted upon a
+            common hall. A day was appointed; and, though the notice
+            given of it was short, the assemblage was greater than had ever
+            been remembered on any former occasion. Scarcely a liveryman
+            was absent, unless sick, or previously engaged. The petition,
+            when introduced, was opposed by those who had prevented it in
+            the common council. But their voices were drowned amidst
+            groans and hissings. It was shortly after carried; and it had not
+            been signed more than half an hour, before it was within the walls
+            of the House of Commons. The reason of this extraordinary
+            despatch was, that it had been kept back by intrigue so late, that
+            the very hour in which it was delivered to the House, was that in
+            which Mr. Wilberforce was to make his new motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            And as no petitions were ever more respectable than those
+            presented on this occasion, as far as they breathed the voice of the
+
+            people, and as far as they were founded on a knowledge of the
+            object which they solicited, so none were ever more numerous, as
+            far as we have any record of such transactions. Not fewer than
+            three hundred and ten were presented from England; one hundred
+            and eighty-seven from Scotland; and twenty from Wales.
+            Two other petitions also for the abolition came from England, but
+            they were too late for delivery. On the other side of the question,
+            one was presented from the town of Reading for regulation, in
+            opposition to that for abolition from the same place. There were
+            also four against abolition. The first of these was from certain
+            persons at Derby, in opposition to the other from that town. The
+            second was from Stephen Fuller, Esq., as agent for Jamaica.
+            The third from J. Dawson, Esq., a slave-merchant at Liverpool.
+            And the fourth from the merchants, planters, mortgagees, annuitants,
+            and others concerned in the West Indian colonies. Taking
+            in all these statements, the account stood thus:&#8212;for regulation
+            there was one; against all abolition there were four; and for the
+            total abolition of the trade five hundred and nineteen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 2nd of April Mr. Wilberforce moved the order of the
+            day; which having been agreed to, Sir William Dolben was put
+            into the chair.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then began by soliciting the candid attention of the West
+            Indians to what he was going to deliver to the House. However
+            others might have censured them indiscriminately, he had always
+            himself made a distinction between them and their system. It
+            was the latter only which he reprobated. If aristocracy had been
+            thought a worse form of government than monarchy, because the
+            people had many tyrants instead of one, how objectionable must
+            be that form of it, which existed in our colonies! Arbitrary
+            power could be bought there by any one, who could buy a slave.
+            The fierceness of it was doubtless restrained by an elevation of
+            mind in many, as arising from a consciousness of superior rank
+            and consequence: but, alas! it was too often exercised there by
+            the base and vulgar. The more liberal, too, of the planters were
+            not resident upon their estates. Hence a promiscuous censure of
+            them would be unjust, though their system would undoubtedly
+            be odious.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As for the cure of this monstrous evil, he had shown, last
+            year, that internal regulations would not produce it. These could
+            have no effect, while the evidence of slaves was inadmissible.
+            What would be the situation of the bulk of the people of this
+            country, if only gentlemen of five hundred a-year were admitted
+            as evidences in our courts of law? Neither was the cure of it
+            in the emancipation of the slaves. He did not deny that he
+            wished them this latter blessing. But, alas, in their present
+            degraded state, they were unfit for it! Liberty was the child of
+            reason and order. It was, indeed, a plant of celestial growth,
+            but the soil must be prepared for its reception. He, who would
+            see it flourish and bring forth its proper fruit, must not think it
+            sufficient to let it shoot in unrestrained licentiousness. But if
+            this inestimable blessing was ever to be imparted to them, the
+            cause must be removed, which obstructed its introduction. In
+            short, no effectual remedy could be found but in the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then took a copious view of the advantages, which would
+            arise both to the master and to the slave, if this traffic were done
+            away; and having recapitulated and answered the different
+            objections to such a measure, he went to that part of the subject,
+            in which he described himself to be most interested.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He had shown, he said, last year, that Africa was exposed to
+            all the horrors of war; and that most of these wars had their
+            origin in the Slave Trade. It was then said, in reply, that the
+            natural barbarity of the natives was alone sufficient to render
+            their country a scene of carnage. This was triumphantly instanced
+            in the King of Dahomey. But his honourable friend
+            Lord Muncaster, then in the House, had proved in his interesting
+            publication, which had appeared since, called <em>Historical Sketches of
+               the Slave Trade, and of its Effects in Africa</em>, addressed to the
+            people of Great Britain, that the very cruelties of this king, on
+            which so much stress had been laid, were committed by him in a
+            war, which had been undertaken expressly to punish an adjacent
+            people for having stolen some of his subjects and sold them for
+            slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He had shown, also, last year, that kings were induced to
+
+            seize and sell their subjects, and individuals each other, in consequence
+            of the existence of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He had shown, also, that the administration of justice was
+            perverted, so as to become a fertile source of supply to this inhuman
+            traffic; that every crime was punished by slavery; that false
+            accusations were made to procure convicts; and that even the
+            judges had a profit on the convictions.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He had shown again, that many acts of violence were perpetrated
+            by the Europeans themselves. But he would now relate
+            others which had happened since. The captain of an English
+            vessel, lying in the river Cameroons, sent his boat with three
+            sailors and a slave to get water. A Black trader seized the latter,
+            and took him away. He alleged in his defence, that the captain
+            owed him goods to a greater amount than the value of the slave;
+            and that he would not pay him. This being told on board, the
+            captain, and a part of his crew, who were compelled to blacken
+            their naked bodies that they might appear like the natives, went
+            on shore at midnight, armed with muskets and cutlasses. They
+            fired on the trader's dwelling, and killed three of his children on
+            the spot. The trader, being badly wounded, died while they
+            were dragging him to the boat; and his wife, being wounded
+            also, died in half an hour after she was on board the ship.
+            Resistance having been made to these violent proceedings, some
+            of the sailors were wounded, and one was killed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Some weeks after this affray, a chieftain of the name
+            of Quarmo went on board the same vessel to borrow some cutlasses
+            and muskets. He was going, he said, into the country to
+            make war; and the captain should have half of his booty. So
+            well understood were the practices of the trade, that his request
+            was granted. Quarmo, however, and his associates, finding
+            things favourable to their design, suddenly seized the captain,
+            threw him overboard, hauled him into their canoe, and dragged
+            him to the shore; where another party of the natives, lying in
+            ambush, seized such of the crew as were absent from the ship.
+            But how did these savages behave, when they had these different
+            persons in their power? Did they not instantly retaliate by murdering
+            them all? No&#8212;they only obliged the captain to give an
+
+            order on the vessel to pay his debts. This fact came out only two:
+            months ago in a trial in the Court of Common Pleas&#8212;not in
+            trial for piracy and murder, but in the trial of a civil suit, instituted
+            by some of the poor sailors, to whom the owners refused
+            their wages, because the natives, on account of the villainous
+            conduct of their captain, had kept them from their vessel by
+            detaining them as prisoners on shore. This instance, he said,
+            proved the dreadful nature of the Slave Trade, its cruelty, its
+            perfidy, and its effect on the Africans as well as on the Europeans,
+            who carried it on. The cool manner in which the transaction
+            was conducted on both sides, showed that these practices
+            were not novel. It showed also the manner of doing business
+            in the trade. It must be remembered, too, that these transactions
+            were carrying on at the very time when the inquiry concerning
+            this trade was going forward in Parliament, and whilst
+            the witnesses of his opponents were strenuously denying not only
+            the actual, but the possible, existence of any such depredations.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But another instance happened only in August last. Six
+            British ships, the Thomas, Captain Philips; the Wasp, Captain
+            Hutchinson; the Recovery, Captain Kimber, of Bristol; the
+            Martha, Captain Houston; the Betsey, Captain Doyle; and
+            the Amachree, (he believed,) Captain Lee, of Liverpool; were
+            anchored off the town of Calabar. This place was the scene of
+            a dreadful massacre about twenty years before. The captains of
+            these vessels, thinking that the natives asked too much for their
+            slaves, held a consultation, how they should proceed; and agreed
+            to fire upon the town unless their own terms were complied with.
+            On a certain evening they notified their determination to the
+            traders; and told them, that, if they continued obstinate, they
+            would put it into execution the next morning. In this they kept
+            their word. They brought sixty-six guns to bear upon the town;
+            and fired on it for three hours. Not a shot was returned. A
+            canoe then went to offer terms of accommodation. The parties
+            however not agreeing, the firing recommenced; more damage
+            was done; and the natives were forced into submission. There
+            were no certain accounts of their loss. Report said that fifty
+            were killed; but some were seen lying badly wounded, and
+
+            others in the agonies of death by those who went afterwards on
+            shore.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now say a few words relative to the Middle Passage,
+            principally to show, that regulation could not effect a cure
+            of the evil there. Mr. Isaac Wilson had stated in his evidence,
+            that the ship, in which he sailed, only three years ago, was of
+            three hundred and seventy tons; and that she carried six hundred
+            and two slaves. Of these she lost one hundred and fifty-five.
+            There were three or four other vessels in company with
+            her, and which belonged to the same owners. One of these
+            carried four hundred and fifty, and buried two hundred; another
+            carried four hundred and sixty-six, and buried seventy-three;
+            another five hundred and forty-six, and burled one hundred and
+            fifty-eight; and from the four together, after the landing of their
+            cargoes, two hundred and twenty died. He fell in with another
+            vessel, which had lost three hundred and sixty-two; but the
+            number, which had been bought, was not specified. Now if to
+            these actual deaths, during and immediately after the voyage, we
+            were to add the subsequent loss in the seasoning, and to consider
+            that this would be greater than ordinary in cargoes which were
+            landed in such a sickly state, we should find a mortality, which,
+            if it were only general for a few months, would entirely depopulate
+            the globe.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But he would advert to what Mr. Wilson said, when examined,
+            as a surgeon, as to the causes of these losses, and particularly
+            on board his own ship, where he had the means of ascertaining
+            them. The substance of his reply was this&#8212;That most
+            of the slaves laboured under a fixed melancholy, which now and
+            then broke out into lamentations and plaintive songs, expressive
+            of the loss of their relations, friends, and country. So powerfully
+            did this sorrow operate, that many of them attempted in various
+            ways to destroy themselves, and three actually effected it.
+            Others obstinately refused to take sustenance; and when the
+            whip and other violent means were used to compel them to eat,
+            they looked up in the face of the officer, who unwillingly executed
+            this painful task, and said, with a smile, in their own language,
+            "Presently we shall be no more." This, their unhappy state of
+
+            mind, produced a general languor and debility, which were
+            increased in many instances by an unconquerable aversion to
+            food, arising partly from sickness, and partly, to use the language
+            of the slave-captains, from sulkiness. These causes naturally
+            produced the flux. The contagion spread; several were carried
+            off daily; and the disorder, aided by so many powerful auxiliaries,
+            resisted the power of medicine. And it is worth while to
+            remark, that these grievous sufferings were not owing either to
+            want of care on the part of the owners, or to any negligence or
+            harshness of the captain; for Mr. Wilson declared, that his ship
+            was as well fitted out, and the crew and slaves as well treated, as
+            anybody could reasonably expect.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now go to another ship. That, in which Mr.
+            Claxton sailed as a surgeon, afforded a repetition of all the horrid
+            circumstances which had been described. Suicide was attempted,
+            and effected; and the same barbarous expedients were adopted to
+            compel the slaves to continue an existence, which they considered
+            as too painful to be endured. The mortality, also, was as great.
+            And yet here, again, the captain was in no wise to blame. But
+            this vessel had sailed since the regulating act. Nay, even in the
+            last year, the deaths on shipboard would be found to have been
+            between ten and eleven per cent, on the whole number exported.
+            In truth, the House could not reach the cause of this mortality
+            by all their regulations. Until they could cure a broken heart&#8212;until
+            they could legislate for the affections, and bind by their
+            statutes the passions and feelings of the mind, their labour would
+            be in vain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Such were the evils of the Passage. But evils were conspicuous
+            everywhere in this trade. Never was there, indeed, a
+            system so replete with wickedness and cruelty. To whatever
+            part of it we turned our eyes, whether to Africa, the Middle
+            Passage, or the West Indies, we could find no comfort, no satisfaction,
+            no relief. It was the gracious ordinance of Providence,
+            both in the natural and moral world, that good should often arise
+            out of evil. Hurricanes cleared the air; and the propagation of
+            truth was promoted by persecution, Pride, vanity, and profusion
+            contributed often; in their remoter consequences, to the happiness
+
+            of mankind. In common, what was in itself evil and vicious,
+            was permitted to carry along with it some circumstances of palliation.
+            The Arab was hospitable; the robber brave. We did
+            not necessarily find cruelty associated with fraud, or meanness
+            with injustice. But here the case was far otherwise. It was the
+            prerogative of this detested traffic to separate from evil its
+            concomitant good, and to reconcile discordant mischiefs. It robbed
+            war of its generosity; it deprived peace of its security: we saw
+            in it the vices of polished society, without its knowledge or its
+            comforts; and the evils of barbarism without its simplicity. No
+            age, no sex, no rank, no condition, was exempt from the fatal
+            influence of this wide-wasting calamity. Thus it attained to the
+            fullest measure of pure, unmixed, unsophisticated wickedness;
+            and, scorning all competition and comparison, it stood without a
+            rival in the secure, undisputed, possession of its detestable preeminence.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But, after all this, wonderful to relate, this execrable traffic
+            had been defended on the ground of benevolence! It had been
+            said, that the slaves were captives and convicts, who, if we were
+            not to carry them away, would be sacrificed, and many of them at
+            the funerals of people of rank, according to the savage custom of
+            Africa. He had shown, however, that our supplies of slaves
+            were obtained from other quarters than these. But he would
+            wave this consideration for the present. Had it not been acknowledged
+            by his opponents that the custom of ransoming slaves
+            prevailed in Africa? With respect to human sacrifices, he did
+            not deny that there might have been some instances of these; but
+            they had not been proved to be more frequent than amongst other
+            barbarous nations; and, where they existed, being acts of religion,
+            they would not be dispensed with for the sake of commercial
+            gain. In fact, they had nothing to do with the Slave Trade;
+            only perhaps, if it were abolished, they might, by means of the
+            civilization which would follow, be done away.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But, exclusively of these sacrifices, it had been asserted, that
+            it was kindness to the inhabitants to take them away from their
+            own country. But what said the historians of Africa, long before
+            the question of the abolition was started? "Axim," says Bosman,
+
+            "is cultivated, and abounds with numerous large and beautiful
+            villages: its inhabitants are industriously employed in
+            trade, fishing, or agriculture."&#8212;"The inhabitants of Adom always
+            expose large quantities of corn to sale, besides what they
+            want for their own use."&#8212;"The people of Acron husband their
+            grounds and time so well, that every year produces a plentiful
+            harvest." Speaking of the Fetu country, he says,&#8212;"Frequently,
+            when walking through it, I have seen it abound with fine well-built
+            and populous towns, agreeably enriched with vast quantities
+            of corn and cattle, palm-wine, and oil. The inhabitants all
+            apply themselves, without distinction, to agriculture; some sow
+            corn; others press oil, and draw wine from the palm-trees."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Smith, who was sent out by the royal African company in
+            1726, assures us, "that the discerning natives account it their
+            greatest unhappiness, that they were ever visited by the Europeans.
+            They say that we Christians introduced the traffic of slaves; and
+            that before our coming they lived in peace. But, say they, it is
+            observable, wherever Christianity comes, there come swords and
+            guns, and powder and ball, with it."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "The Europeans," says Bruce, "are far from desiring to act
+            as peace-makers among them. It would be too contrary to their
+            interests; for the only object of their wars is to carry off slaves;
+            and, as these form the principal part of their traffic, they would be
+            apprehensive of drying up the source of it, were they to encourage
+            the people to live well together."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "The neighbourhood of the Damel and Tin keep them perpetually
+            at war, the benefit of which accrues to the Company,
+            who buy all the prisoners made on either side; and the more
+            there are to sell, the greater is their profit; for the only end of
+            their armaments is to make captives, to sell them to the white
+            traders."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Artus, of Dantzic, says, that in his time "those liable to pay
+            fines were banished till the fine was paid; when they returned to
+            their houses and possessions."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Bosman affirms, "that formerly all crimes in Africa were
+            compensated by fine or restitution, and, where restitution was
+            impracticable, by corporal punishment."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Moore says, "Since this trade has been used, all punishments
+            have been changed into slavery. There being an advantage in
+            such condemnation, they strain the crimes very hard, in order to
+            get the benefit of selling the criminal. Not only murder, theft,
+            and adultery, are punished by selling the criminal for a slave, but
+            every trifling crime is punished in the same manner."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Loyer affirms that "the King of Sain, on the least pretence,
+            sells his subjects for European goods. He is so tyrannically
+            severe, that he makes a whole village responsible for the fault of
+            one inhabitant; and on the least offence sells them all for slaves."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Such, he said, were the testimonies, not of persons whom he
+            had summoned; not of friends of the abolition; but of men who
+            were themselves, many of them, engaged in the Slave Trade.
+            Other testimonies might be added; but these were sufficient to
+            refute the assertions of his opponents, and to show the kind services
+            we had done to Africa by the introduction of this trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would just touch upon the argument, so often repeated,
+            that other nations would carry on the Slave Trade, if we abandoned
+            it. But how did we know this? Had not Denmark given
+            a noble example to the contrary? She had consented to abolish
+            the trade in ten years; and had she not done this, even though
+            we, after an investigation for nearly five years, had ourselves
+            hung back? But what might not be expected, if we were to
+            take up the cause in earnest; if we were to proclaim to all
+            nations the injustice of the trade, and to solicit their concurrence
+            in the abolition of it! He hoped the representatives of the
+            nation would not be less just than the people. The latter had
+            stepped forward, and expressed their sense more generally by
+            petitions, than in any instance in which they had ever before
+            interfered. To see this great cause thus triumphing over distinctions
+            and prejudices was a noble spectacle. Whatever might
+            be said of our political divisions, such a sight had taught us
+            that there were subjects still beyond the reach of party; that
+            there was a point of elevation, where we ascended above the
+            jarring of the discordant elements, which ruffled and agitated the
+            vale below. In our ordinary atmosphere clouds and vapours
+            obscured the air, and we were the sport of a thousand conflicting
+
+            winds and adverse currents; but here we moved in a higher
+            region, where all was pure and clear, and free from perturbation
+            and discomposure:
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">As some tall cliff, that lifts its awful form,<br>Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm;<br>Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,<br>Eternal sunshine settles on its head.<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            Here then, on this august eminence, he hoped we should
+            build the Temple of Benevolence; that we should lay its
+            foundation deep in Truth and Justice; and that we should
+            inscribe upon its gates, "Peace and Good Will to Men." Here
+            we should offer the first-fruits of our benevolence, and endeavour
+            to compensate, if possible, for the injuries we had brought upon
+            our fellow-men.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would only now observe, that his conviction of the
+            indispensable necessity of immediately abolishing this trade
+            remained as strong as ever. Let those who talked of allowing
+            three or four years to the continuance of it, reflect on the disgraceful
+            scenes which had passed last year. As for himself, he
+            would wash his hands of the blood which would be spilled in
+            this horrid interval. He could not, however, but believe, that
+            the hour was come, when we should put a final period to the
+            existence of this cruel traffic. Should he unhappily be mistaken,
+            he would never desert the cause; but to the last moment of his
+            life he would exert his utmost powers in its support. He would
+            now move, "That it is the opinion of this committee, that the
+            trade carried on by British subjects for the purpose of obtaining
+            slaves on the coast of Africa, ought to be abolished."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Baillie was in hopes that the friends of the abolition
+            would have been contented with the innocent blood which had
+            been already shed. The great island of St. Domingo had been
+            torn to pieces by insurrections. The most dreadful barbarities
+            had been perpetrated there. In the year 1789, the imports into
+            it exceeded five millions sterling. The exports from it in the
+            same year amounted to six millions; and the trade employed
+            three hundred thousand tons of shipping, and thirty thousand
+            seamen. This fine island, thus advantageously situated, had
+            been lost in consequence of the agitation of the question of the
+
+            Slave Trade. Surely so much mischief ought to have satisfied
+            those who supported it; but they required the total destruction
+            of all the West Indian colonies, belonging to Great Britain, to
+            complete the ruin.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The honourable gentleman, who had just spoken, had dwelt
+            upon the enormities of the Slave Trade. He was far from denying
+            that many acts of inhumanity might accompany it; but as
+            human nature was much the same everywhere, it would be
+            unreasonable to expect among African traders, or the inhabitants
+            of our islands, a degree of perfection in morals, which was not to
+            be found in Great Britain itself. Would any man estimate the
+            character of the English nation by what was to be read in the
+            records of the Old Bailey? He himself, however, had lived
+            sixteen years in the West Indies, and he could bear testimony to
+            the general good usage of the slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Before the agitation of this impolitic question the slaves were
+            contented with their situation. There was a mutual confidence
+            between them and their masters: and this continued to be the
+            case till the new doctrines were broached. But now depots of
+            arms were necessary on every estate; and the scene was totally
+            reversed. Nor was their religious then inferior to their civil
+            state. When the English took possession of Grenada, where his
+            property lay, they found them baptized and instructed in the
+            principles of the Roman Catholic faith. The priests of that
+            persuasion had indeed been indefatigable in their vocation; so
+            that imported Africans generally obtained within twelve months
+            a tolerable idea of their religious duties. He had seen the slaves
+            there go through the public mass in a manner, and with a fervency,
+            which would have done credit to more civilized societies.
+            But the case was now altered; for, except where the Moravians
+            had been, there was no trace in our islands of an attention to
+            their religious interests.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said that their punishments were severe. There
+            might be instances of cruelty; but these were not general. Many
+            of them were undoubtedly ill disposed; though not more, according
+            to their number, on a plantation, than in a regiment, or in a
+            ship's crew. Had we never heard of seamen being flogged from
+
+            ship to ship, or of soldiers dying in the very act of punishment?
+            Had we not also heard, even in this country of boasted liberty,
+            of seamen being seized, and carried away, when returning from
+            distant voyages, after an absence of many years; and this without
+            even being allowed to see their wives and families? As to
+            distressed objects, he maintained, that there was more wretchedness
+            and poverty in St. Giles's, than in all the West Indian
+            islands belonging to Great Britain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now speak of the African and West Indian trades.
+            The imports and exports of these amounted to upwards of ten
+            millions annually; and they gave employment to three hundred
+            thousand tons of shipping, and to about twenty-five thousand
+            seamen. These trades had been sanctioned by our ancestors in
+            parliament. The acts for this purpose might be classed under
+            three heads. First, they were such as declared the colonies, and
+            the trade thereof, advantageous to Great Britain, and therefore
+            entitled to her protection. Secondly, such as authorized, protected,
+            and encouraged the trade to Africa, as advantageous in
+            itself, and necessary to the welfare and existence of the sugar
+            colonies: and, Thirdly, such as promoted and secured loans of
+            money to the proprietors of the said colonies, either from British
+            subjects, or from foreigners. These acts<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXVII_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXVII_1"></a>, he apprehended,
+            ought to satisfy every person of the legality and usefulness of
+            these trades. They were enacted in reigns distinguished for the
+            production of great and enlightened characters. We heard then
+            of no wild and destructive doctrines like the present. These
+            were reserved for this age of novelty and innovation. But he
+            must remind the House, that the inhabitants of our islands had
+            as good a right to the protection of their property, as the inhabitants
+            of Great Britain. Nor could it be diminished in any
+            shape without full compensation. The proprietors of lands in
+            the ceded islands, which were purchased of government under
+            specific conditions of settlement, ought to be indemnified. They
+            also (of whom he was one), who had purchased the territory
+            granted by the crown to General Monkton, in the island, of St.
+            Vincent, ought to be indemnified also. The sale of this had
+
+            gone on briskly, till it was known that a plan was in agitation
+            for the abolition of the Slave Trade. Since that period, the
+            original purchasers had done little or nothing, and they had
+            many hundred acres on hand, which would be of no value, if the
+            present question was carried. In fact, they had a right to
+            compensation. The planters generally spent their estates in this
+            country. They generally educated their children in it. They
+            had never been found seditious, or rebellious; and they demanded
+            of the Parliament of Great Britain that protection, which, upon
+            the principles of good faith, it was in duty bound to afford them
+            in common with the rest of his majesty's loyal subjects.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXVII_1"></a><a href="#FootXXVII_1">A</a>: Here he
+            quoted them specifically.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Vaughan stated that, being a West Indian by birth, and
+            connected with the islands, he could speak from his own knowledge.
+            In the early part of his life he was strongly in favour of
+            the abolition of the Slave Trade. He had been educated by Dr.
+            Priestley, and the father of Mrs. Barbauld; who were both of
+            them friends to that question. Their sentiments he had imbibed;
+            but, although bred at the feet of Gamaliel, he resolved to judge
+            for himself, and he left England for Jamaica.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He found the situation of the slaves much better than he had
+            imagined. Setting aside liberty, they were as well off as
+            the poor in Europe. They had little want of clothes or fuel;
+            they had a house and garden found them, were never imprisoned
+            for debts, nor deterred from marrying through fear of being
+            unable to support a family; their orphans and widows were taken
+            care of, as they themselves were when old and disabled; they
+            had medical attendance without expense; they had private
+            property, which no master ever took from them; and they were
+            resigned to their situation, and looked for nothing beyond
+            it. Perhaps persons might have been prejudiced by living
+            in the towns, to which slaves were often sent for punishment;
+            and where there were many small proprietors; or by seeing no
+            negro otherwise than as belonging to the labouring poor; but
+            they appeared to him to want nothing but liberty; and it was
+            only occasionally that they were abused.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There were two prejudices with respect to the colonies, which
+            he would notice. The first was, that cruel usage occasioned the
+
+            inequality of births and deaths among the slaves. But did
+            cruelty cause the excess of deaths above births in the city of
+            London? No&#8212;this excess had other causes. So it had among
+            the slaves. Of these more males were imported than females:
+            they were dissolute too in their morals; they had also diseases
+            peculiar to themselves. But in those islands where they nearly
+            kept up their numbers, there was this difficulty, that the equality
+            was preserved by the increase on one estate compensating for the
+            decrease on another. These estates, however, would not interchange
+            their numbers; whereas, where freedom prevailed, the
+            free labourers circulated from one employer to another, and
+            appeared wherever they were wanted.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The second was, that all chastisement of the slaves was
+            cruelty. But this was not true. Their owners generally withdrew
+            them from public justice; so that they, who would have
+            been publicly executed elsewhere, were often kept alive by their
+            masters, and were found punished again and again for repeating
+            their faults. Distributive justice occasioned many punishments;
+            as one slave was to be protected against every other slave: and,
+            when one pilfered from another, then the master interfered.
+            These punishments were to be distinguished from such as arose
+            from enforcing labour, or from the cruelty of their owners. Indeed
+            he had gone over the islands, and he had seen but little ill
+            usage. He had seen none on the estate where he resided. The
+            whip, the stocks, and confinement, were all the modes of punishment
+            he had observed in other places. Some slaves belonging to
+            his father were peculiarly well off. They saved money, and spent
+            it in their own way.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But notwithstanding all he had said, he allowed that there
+            was room for improvement; and particularly for instilling into
+            the slaves the principles of religion. Where this should be
+            realized, there would be less punishment, more work, more marriages,
+            more issue, and more attachment to masters. Other improvements
+            would be the establishment of medical societies; the
+            introduction of task-work; and grants of premiums and honorary
+            distinctions both to fathers and mothers, according to the number
+            of children which they should rear. Besides this, Negro evidence
+
+            should be allowed in the courts of law, it being left to the discretion
+            of the court or jury to take or reject it, according to the
+            nature of the case. Cruel masters also should be kept in order
+            in various ways. They should he liable to have their slaves taken
+            from them, and put in trust. Every instrument of punishment
+            should be banished, except the whip. The number of lashes
+            should be limited; and the punishment should not be repeated
+            till after intervals. These and other improvements should be
+            immediately adopted by the planters. The character of the exemplary
+            among them was hurt by being confounded with that of
+            lower and baser men. He concluded by stating, that the owners
+            of slaves were entitled to compensation, if, by means of the
+            abolition, they should not be able to find labourers for the cultivation
+            of their lands<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXVII_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXVII_2"></a>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXVII_2"></a><a href="#FootXXVII_2">A</a>: Mr. Vaughan declared in a future
+            stage of the debate, that he
+            wished to see a prudent termination both of the Slave Trade and of slavery;
+            and that, though he was the eldest son of his father, he never would, on any
+            consideration, become the owner of a slave.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Henry Thornton conceived, that the two last speakers
+            had not spoken to the point. The first had described the happy
+            state of the slaves in the West Indies. The latter had made
+            similar representations; but yet had allowed, that much improvement
+            might be made in their condition. But this had nothing
+            to do with the question then before them. The manner of procuring
+            slaves in Africa was the great evil to be remedied. Africa
+            was to be stripped of its inhabitants to supply a population for
+            the West Indies. There was a Dutch proverb, which said, "My
+            son; get money, honestly if you can&#8212;but get money:" or, in other
+            words, "Get slaves, honestly if you can&#8212;but get slaves." This
+            was the real grievance; and the two honourable gentlemen, by
+            confining their observations to the West Indies, had entirely
+            overlooked it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Though this evil had been fully proved, he could not avoid
+            stating to the House some new facts, which had come to his
+            knowledge as a director of the Sierra Leone Company, and which
+            would still further establish it. The consideration, that they had
+            taken place since the discussion of the last year on this subject,
+            obliged him to relate them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Falconbridge, agent to the Company, sitting one evening
+            in Sierra Leone, heard a shout, and immediately afterwards the
+            report of a gun. Fearing an attack, he armed forty of the
+            settlers, and rushed with them to the place from whence the
+            noise came. He found a poor wretch, who had been crossing
+            from a neighbouring village, in the possession of a party of kidnappers,
+            who were tying his hands. Mr. Falconbridge, however,
+            dared not rescue him, lest, in the defenceless state of his own
+            town, retaliation might be made upon him.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At another time a young woman, living half a mile off, was
+            sold, without any criminal charge, to one of the slave-ships.
+            She was well acquainted with the agent's wife, and had been
+            with her only the day before. Her cries were heard; but it was
+            impossible to relieve her.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At another time a young lad, one of the free settlers who went
+            from England, was caught by a neighbouring chief, as he was
+            straggling alone from home, and sold for a slave. The pretext
+            was, that some one in the town of Sierra Leone had committed
+            an offence. Hence the first person belonging to it, who could be
+            seized, was to be punished. Happily the free settlers saw him in
+            his chains; and they recovered him, before he was conveyed to
+            the ship.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To mark still more forcibly the scenes of misery, to which
+            the Slave Trade gave birth, he would mention a case stated
+            to him in a letter by King Naimbanna. It had happened to
+            respectable person, in no less than three instances, to have
+            some branches of his family kidnapped, and carried off to the
+            West Indies. At one time three young men, Corpro, Banna,
+            and Marbrour, were decoyed on board a Danish slave-ship, under
+            pretence of buying something, and were taken away. At another
+            time another relation piloted a vessel down the river. He begged
+            to be put on shore, when he came opposite to his own town; but
+            he was pressed to pilot her to the river's mouth. The captain
+            then pleaded the impracticability of putting him on shore; carried
+            him to Jamaica; and sold him for a slave. Fortunately,
+            however, by means of a letter, which was conveyed there, the
+            man, by the assistance of the governor, was sent back to Sierra
+
+            Leone. At another time another relation was also kidnapped.
+            But he had not the good fortune, like the former, to return.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would mention one other instance. A son had sold his
+            own father, for whom he obtained a considerable price: for, as
+            the father was rich in domestic slaves, it was not doubted that he
+            would offer largely for his ransom. The old man accordingly
+            gave twenty-two of these in exchange for himself. The rest,
+            however, being from that time filled with apprehensions of being
+            on some ground or other sold to the slave-ships, fled to the mountains
+            of Sierra Leone, where they now dragged on a miserable
+            existence. The son himself was sold, in his turn, soon after.
+            In short, the whole of that unhappy peninsula, as he learnt from
+            eye-witnesses, had been desolated by the trade in slaves. Towns
+            were seen standing without inhabitants all over the coast; in
+            several of which the agent of the Company had been. There
+            was nothing but distrust among the inhabitants. Every one, if
+            he stirred from home, felt himself obliged to be armed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Such was the nature of the Slave Trade. It had unfortunately
+            obtained the name of a trade; and many had been
+            deceived by the appellation; but it was war, and not trade. It
+            was a mass of crimes, and not commerce. It was that which
+            prevented the introduction of a trade in Africa; for it was only
+            by clearing and cultivating the lands, that the climate could be
+            made healthy for settlements; but this wicked traffic, by
+            dispersing the inhabitants, and causing the lands to remain
+            uncultivated, made the coast unhealthy to Europeans. He had
+            found, in attempting to establish a colony there, that it was an
+            obstacle which opposed itself to him in innumerable ways; it
+            created more embarrassments than all the natural impediments of
+            the country; and it was more hard to contend with than any
+            difficulties of climate, soil, or natural disposition of the people.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would say a few words relative to the numerous petitions
+            which were then on the table of the House. They had shown,
+            in an extraordinary manner, the opinion of the people. He did
+            not wish to turn this into a constitutional question; but he
+            would observe, that it was of the utmost consequence to the
+            maintenance of the constitution of this country, that the reputation
+
+            of parliament should be maintained. But nothing could
+            prejudice its character so much, as a vote, which should lead the
+            people to believe that the legislative body was the more corrupt
+            part of it, and that it was slow to adopt moral principles.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been often insinuated that parliament, by interfering in
+            this trade, departed from its proper functions; No idea could be
+            more absurd; for, was it not its duty to correct abuses? and what
+            abuses were greater than robbery and murder? He was, indeed,
+            anxious for the abolition. He desired it, as a commercial man,
+            on account of the commercial character of the country. He
+            desired it for the reputation of parliament, on which so materially
+            depended the preservation of our happy constitution; but most
+            of all he prayed for it for the sake of those eternal principle's of
+            justice, which it was the duty of nations, as well as of individuals,
+            to support.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Colonel Tarleton repeated his arguments of the last year.
+            In addition to these he inveighed bitterly against the abolitionists,
+            as a junto of secretaries, sophists, enthusiasts, and fanatics. He
+            condemned the abolition as useless, unless other nations would
+            take it up. He brought to the recollection of the House the
+            barbarous scenes which had taken place it in St. Domingo, all of
+            which, he said, had originated in the discussion of this question.
+            He described the alarms, in which the inhabitants of our own
+            islands were kept, lest similar scenes should occur from the same
+            cause. He ridiculed the petitions on the table. Itinerant clergymen,
+            mendicant physicians, and others, had extorted signatures
+            from the sick, the indigent, and the traveller. School-boys were
+            invited to sign them, under the promise of a holiday. He had
+            letters to produce, which would prove all these things though he
+            was not authorized to give up the names of those who had written
+            them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Montagu said, that, in the last session, he had simply
+            entered his protest against the trade; but now He could be no
+            longer silent; and as there were many, who had conceived
+            regulation to be more desirable than abolition, he would
+            himself to that subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Regulation, as it related to the manner of procuring slaves,
+
+            was utterly impossible; for how could we know the case of each
+            individual, whom we forced away into bondage? Could we
+            establish tribunals all along the coast, and in every ship, to find
+            it out? What judges could we get for such an office? But, if
+            this could not be done upon the coast, how could we ascertain
+            the justness of the captivity of by far the greatest number, who
+            were brought from immense distances inland?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would not dwell upon the proof of the inefficiency of
+            regulations, as to the Middle Passage. His honourable friend,
+            Mr. Wilberforce, had shown, that, however the mortality might
+            have been lessened in some ships by the regulations of Sir William
+            Dolben, yet, wherever a contagious disorder broke out, the
+            greatest part of the cargo was swept away. But what regulations
+            by the British parliament could prevent these contagions, or
+            remove them suddenly, when they appeared?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Neither would regulations be effectual, as they related to the
+            protection of the slaves in the West Indies. It might, perhaps,
+            be enacted, as Mr. Vaughan had suggested, that their punishments
+            should be moderate; and that the number of lashes should
+            be limited. But the colonial legislatures had already done as
+            much, as the magic of words alone could do, upon this subject;
+            yet the evidence upon the table clearly proved, that the only
+            protection of slaves was in the clemency of their masters. Any
+            barbarity might be exercised with impunity, provided no White
+            person were to see it, though it happened in the sight of a thousand
+            slaves. Besides, by splitting the offence, and inflicting the
+            punishment at intervals, the law could be evaded, although the
+            fact was within the reach of the evidence of a White man. Of
+            this evasion Captain Cook, of the 89th regiment, had given a
+            shocking instance; and Chief Justice Ottley had candidly confessed,
+            that "he could devise no method of bringing a master, so
+            offending, to justice, while the evidence of the slave continued
+            inadmissible." But perhaps councils of protection, and guardians
+            of the slaves, might be appointed. This, again, was an expedient
+            which sounded well, but which would be nugatory and
+            absurd. What person would risk the comfort of his life by the
+            exercise of so invidious an interference? But supposing that
+
+            one or two individuals could be found, who would sacrifice
+            all their time, and the friendship of their associates, for the good
+            of the slaves; what could they effect? Could they be in all
+            places at once? But even if acts of barbarity should be related
+            to them, how were they to come at the proof of them?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It appeared, then, that no regulations could be effectual until
+            the slaves were admitted to give their evidence; but to admit
+            them to this privilege in their present state, would be to endanger
+            the safety and property of their masters. Mr. Vaughan had,
+            however, recommended this measure with limitations, but it
+            would produce nothing but discontent; for how were the slaves
+            to be persuaded that it was fit they should be admitted to speak
+            the truth, and then be disbelieved and disregarded? What a
+            fermentation would such conduct naturally excite in men dismissed
+            with injuries unredressed, though abundantly proved, in
+            their apprehension, by their testimony? In fact, no regulations
+            would do. There was no cure for these evils, but in the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade. He called upon the planters to concur
+            with his honourable friend, Mr. Wilberforce, in this great measure.
+            He wished them to consider the progress which the opinion
+            of the injustice of this trade was making in the nation at
+            large, as manifested by the petitions; which had almost obstructed
+            the proceedings of the House by their perpetual introduction. It
+            was impossible for them to stifle this great question. As for
+            himself, he would renew his profession of last year, that he
+            would never cease, but with life, to promote so glorious an end.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Whitbread said, that even if he could conceive, that the
+            trade was, as some had asserted it to be, founded on principles of
+            humanity; that the Africans were rescued from death in their
+            own country; that, upon being carried to the West Indies, they
+            were put under kind masters; that their labour there was easy;
+            that at evening they returned cheerful to their homes; that in
+            sickness they were attended with care; and that their old age
+            was rendered comfortable; even then he would vote for the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade, inasmuch as he was convinced that
+            that which was fundamentally wrong, no practice could justify.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            No eloquence could persuade him, that the Africans were
+
+            torn from their country and their dearest connexions, merely that
+            they might lead a happier life; or that they could be placed
+            under the uncontrolled dominion of others without suffering.
+            Arbitrary power would spoil the hearts of the best; hence would
+            arise tyranny on the one side, and a sense of injury on the other.
+            Hence the passions would be let loose, and a state of perpetual
+            enmity would follow.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He needed only to go to the accounts of those who defended
+            the system of slavery, to show that it was cruel. He was forcibly
+            struck last year by an expression of an honourable member, an
+            advocate for the trade, who, when he came to speak of the slaves,
+            on selling off the stock of a plantation, said that they fetched less
+            than the common price, because they were damaged. Damaged!
+            What! Were they goods and chattels? What an idea was
+            this to hold out of our fellow-creatures! We might imagine
+            how slaves were treated, if they could be spoken of in such a
+            manner. Perhaps these unhappy people had lingered out the
+            best part of their lives in the service of their master. Able then
+            to do but little, they were sold for little! and the remaining
+            substance of their sinews was to be pressed out by another, yet
+            more hardened than the former, and who had made a calculation
+            of their vitals accordingly.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As another proof, he would mention a passage in a pamphlet,
+            in which the author, describing the happy situation of the slaves,
+            observed, that a good negro never wanted a character; a bad one
+            could always be detected by his weals and scars. What was this
+            but to say, that there were instruments in use which left indelible
+            marks, behind them; and who would say that these were used
+            justly?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An honourable gentleman, Mr. Vaughan, had said, that setting
+            aside slavery, the slaves were better off than the poor in this
+            country. But what was it that we wished to abolish! Was it
+            not the Slave Trade, which would destroy in time the cruel distinction
+            he had mentioned? The same honourable gentleman had
+            also expressed his admiration of their resignation; but might it
+            not be that resignation which was the consequence of despair?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Colonel Tarleton had insinuated that the petitions on the
+
+            table had been obtained in an objectionable manner. He had
+            the honour to present one from his constituents, which he would
+            venture to say had originated with themselves, and that there did
+            not exist more respectable names in the kingdom than those of
+            the persons who had signed it. He had also asserted, that there
+            was a strong similitude in their tenour and substance, as if they
+            had been manufactured by the same persons. This was by no
+            means to be wondered at. There was surely but one plain tale
+            to tell, and it was not surprising that it had been clothed in nearly
+            the same expressions. There was but one boon to ask, and that
+            was&#8212;the abolition of this wicked trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said by another, (Mr. Baillie,) that the horrible
+            insurrections in St. Domingo arose from the discussion of the
+            question of the Slave Trade. He denied the assertion; and
+            maintained that they were the effect of the trade itself. There
+            was a point of endurance, beyond which human nature could not
+            go, at which the mind of man rose by its native elasticity with a
+            spring and violence proportioned to the degree to which it had
+            been depressed. The calamities in St. Domingo proceeded from
+            the Slave Trade alone; and, if it were continued, similar evils
+            were to be apprehended in our own islands. The cruelties which
+            the slaves had perpetrated in that unfortunate colony they had
+            learnt from their masters. Had not an African eyes? Had he
+            not ears? Had he not organs, senses, and passions? If you
+            pricked him, would he not feel the puncture, and bleed? If you
+            poisoned him, would he not die? and, if you wronged him, would
+            he not revenge? But he had said sufficient, for he feared he
+            could not better the instruction.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Milbank would only just observe, that the policy of the
+            measure of the abolition was as great as its justice was undeniable.
+            Where slavery existed, everything was out of its natural place.
+            All improvement was at an end; there must also, from the nature
+            of the human heart, be oppression. He warned the planters
+            against the danger of fresh importations, and invited their concurrence
+            in the measure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Dundas (afterwards Viscount Melville) declared that he
+            had always been a warm friend to the abolition of the Slave
+
+            Trade, though he differed from Mr. Wilberforce as to the mode
+            of effecting it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The abolitionists, and those on the opposite side of the question,
+            had, both of them, gone into extremes. The former were
+            for the immediate and abrupt annihilation of the trade; the latter
+            considered it as essentially necessary to the existence of the West
+            Indian islands, and therefore laid it down that it was to be continued
+            for ever. Such was the vast distance between the parties.
+            He would now address himself to each.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would say first, that he agreed with his honourable friend,
+            Mr. Wilberforce, in very material points. He believed the trade
+            was not founded in policy; that the continuation of it was not
+            essential to the preservation of our trade with the West Indian
+            islands; and that the slaves were not only to be maintained, but
+            increased there, by natural population. He agreed, too, as to the
+            propriety of the abolition. But when his honourable friend talked
+            of direct and abrupt abolition, he would submit it to him, whether
+            he did not run counter to the prejudices of those who were most
+            deeply interested in the question; and whether, if he could obtain
+            his object without wounding these, it would not be better to do
+            it? Did he not also forget the sacred attention which parliament
+            had ever shown to the private interests and patrimonial rights of
+            individuals?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Whatever idea men might then have of the African trade,
+            certain it was that they, who had connected themselves with it,
+            had done it under the sanction of parliament. It might also be
+            well worth while to consider, (though the conduct of other nations
+            ought not to deter us from doing our duty,) whether British subjects
+            in the West Indies might not be supplied with slaves under
+            neutral flags. Now he believed it was possible to avoid these
+            objections, and at the same time to act in harmony with the
+            prejudices which had been mentioned. This might be done by
+            regulations, by which we should effect the end much more
+            speedily than by the way proposed. By regulations, he meant
+            such as would increase the breed of the slaves in the West
+            Indies; such as would ensure a moral education to their children;
+            and such as would even in time extinguish hereditary slavery.
+
+            The extinction, however, of this was not to be effected by allowing
+            the son of an African slave to obtain his freedom on the death
+            of his parent. Such a son should be considered as born free; he
+            should then be educated at the expense of the person importing his
+            parents; and, when arrived at such a degree of strength as might
+            qualify him to labour, he should work for a term of years for the
+            payment of the expense of his education and maintenance. It
+            was impossible to emancipate the existing slaves at once; nor
+            would such an emancipation be of any immediate benefit to
+            themselves; but this observation would not apply to their
+            descendants, if trained and educated in the manner he had
+            proposed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now address himself to those who adopted the
+            opposite extreme; and he thought he should not assume too much
+            when he said, that if both slavery and the Slave Trade could be
+            abolished with safety to their property, it deeply concerned their
+            interests to do it. Such a measure, also, would only be consistent
+            with the principles of the British constitution. It was surely
+            strange that we, who were ourselves free, should carry on a Slave
+            Trade with Africa, and that we should never think of introducing
+            cultivation into the West Indies by free labourers.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That such a measure would tend to their interest he had no
+            doubt. Did not all of them agree with Mr. Long, that the great
+            danger in the West Indies arose from the importation of the
+            African slaves there? Mr. Long had asserted, that all the insurrections
+            there arose from these. If this statement was true, how
+            directly it bore upon the present question! But we were told, also,
+            by the same author, that the Slave Trade gave rise to robbery,
+            murder, and all kinds of depredations on the coast of Africa.
+            Had this been answered? No: except indeed it had been said
+            that the slaves were such as had been condemned for crimes.
+            Well, then, the imported Africans consisted of all the convicts,
+            rogues, thieves, and vagabonds in Africa. But would the West
+            Indians choose to depend on fresh supplies of these for the cultivation
+            of their lands, and the security of their islands, when it
+            was also found that every insurrection had arisen from them? It
+            was plain the safety of the islands was concerned in this question.
+
+            There would be danger so long as the trade lasted. The
+            planters were, by these importations, creating the engines of their
+            own destruction. Surely they would act more to their own interest
+            if they would concur in extinguishing the trade, than by standing
+            up for its continuance.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now ask them, what right they had to suppose that
+            Africa would for ever remain in a state of barbarism. If once an
+            enlightened prince were to rise up there, his first act would be to
+            annihilate the Slave Trade. If the light of heaven were ever to
+            descend upon that continent, it would directly occasion its downfall.
+            It was their interest then to contrive a mode of supplying
+            labour, without trusting to precarious importations from that
+            quarter. They might rest assured that the trade could not continue.
+            He did not allude to the voice of the people in the petitions
+            then lying on the table of the House; but he knew certainly,
+            that an idea not only of the injustice, but of the impolicy, of this
+            trade had been long entertained by men of the most enlightened
+            understandings in this country. Was it then a prudent thing for
+            them to rest on this commerce for the further improvement of
+            their property?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There was a species of slavery, prevailing only a few years
+            ago, in the collieries in certain boroughs in Scotland. Emancipation
+            there was thought a duty by parliament: but what an
+            opposition there was to the measure! Nothing but ruin would
+            be the consequence of it! After several years struggle the bill
+            was Carried. Within a year after, the ruin so much talked of
+            vanished in smoke, and there was an end of the business. It had
+            also been contended that Sir William Dolben's bill would be the
+            ruin of Liverpool: and yet one of its representatives had allowed,
+            that this bill had been of benefit to the owners of the slave-vessels
+            there. Was he then asking too much of the West Indians, to
+            request a candid consideration of the real ground of their alarms?
+            He would conclude by stating, that he meant to propose a middle
+            way of proceeding. If there was a number of members in the
+            House, who thought with him, that this trade ought to be ultimately
+            abolished, but yet by moderate measures, which should
+            neither invade the property nor the prejudices of individuals, he
+
+            wished them to unite, and they might then reduce the question
+            to its proper limits.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Addington, the speaker, (now Viscount Sidmouth,) professed himself
+            to be one of those moderate persons called upon
+            by Mr. Dundas. He wished to see some middle measure suggested.
+            The fear of doing injury to the property of others, had
+            hitherto prevented him from giving an opinion against a system,
+            the continuance of which he could not countenance.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He utterly abhorred the Slave Trade. A noble and learned
+            lord, who had now retired from the bench, said on a certain
+            occasion, that he pitied the loyalty of that man, who imagined
+            that any epithet could aggravate the crime of treason. So he
+            himself knew of no language which could aggravate the crime of
+            the Slave Trade. It was sufficient for every purpose of
+            crimination, to assert, that man thereby was bought; and sold, or that he
+            was made subject to the despotism of man. But though he thus
+            acknowledged the justice due to a whole continent on the one
+            side, he confessed there were opposing claims of justice on the
+            other. The case of the West Indians deserved a tender consideration also.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He doubted, if we were to relinquish the Slave Trade alone,
+            whether it might not be carried on still more barbarously than at
+            present; and whether, if we were to stop it altogether, the islands
+            could keep up their present stocks. It had been asserted that
+            they could. But he, thought that the stopping of the imputations
+            could not be depended upon for this purpose, so much as a
+            plan for providing them with more females.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With the mode suggested by his right honourable friend, Mr.
+            Dundas, he was pleased, though he, did not wholly agree to it.
+            He could not grant liberty to the children born in the islands.
+            He thought, also, that the trade ought to be permitted for ten or
+            twelve years longer, under such arrangements as should introduce
+            a kind of management among the slaves there, favourable to their
+            interests, and of course to their future happiness. One species of
+            regulation which he should propose, would be greater encouragement
+            to the importation of females than of males, by means of a
+            bounty on the former till their numbers should be found equal.
+
+            Rewards also might be given to those slaves who should raise a
+            certain number of children; and to those who should devise
+            means of lightening negro-labour. If the plan of his honourable
+            friend should comprehend these regulations, he would heartily
+            concur in it. He wished to see the Slave Trade abolished.
+            Indeed it did not deserve the name of a trade. It was not a
+            trade, and ought not to be allowed. He was satisfied, that in a
+            few years it would cease to be the reproach of this nation and the
+            torment of Africa. But under regulations like these, it would
+            cease without any material injury to the interests of others.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Fox said, that after what had fallen from the two last
+            speakers, he could remain no longer silent. Something so mischievous
+            had come out, and something so like a foundation had
+            been laid for preserving, not only for years to come, but for ever,
+            this detestable traffic, that he should feel himself wanting in his
+            duty, if he were not to deprecate all such deceptions and delusions
+            upon the country.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The honourable gentlemen had called themselves moderate
+            men: but upon this subject he neither felt, nor desired to feel,
+            anything like a sentiment of moderation. Their speeches had
+            reminded him of a passage in MIDDLETON'S <em>Life of Cicero</em>. The
+            translation of it was defective, though it would equally suit his
+            purpose. He says, "To enter into a man's house, and kill him,
+            his wife, and family, in the night, is certainly a most heinous
+            crime, and deserving of death; but to break open his house, to
+            murder him, his wife, and all his children in the night, may be
+            still very right, provided it be done with moderation."  Now, was
+            there anything more absurd in this passage, than to say, that the
+            Slave Trade might be carried on with moderation; for, if you
+            could not rob or murder a single man with moderation, with what
+            moderation could you pillage and wound a whole nation? In
+            fact, the question of the abolition was simply a question of justice.
+            It was only, whether we should authorize by law, respecting
+            Africa, the commission of crimes, for which, in this country,
+            we should forfeit our lives: notwithstanding which, it was to be
+            treated, in the opinion of these honourable gentlemen, with
+            moderation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Addington had proposed to cure the disproportion of the
+            sexes in the islands, by a bounty on the importation of females;
+            or, in other words, by offering a premium to any crew of ruffians,
+            who would tear them from their native country. He would let
+            loose a banditti against the most weak and defenceless of the sex.
+            He would occasion these to kill fathers, husbands, and brothers,
+            to get possession of their relatives, the females, who, after this
+            carnage, were to be reserved for&#8212;slavery. He should like to see
+            the man, who would pen such a moderate clause for a British
+            parliament.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Dundas had proposed to abolish the Slave Trade, by
+            bettering the state of the slaves in the islands, and particularly
+            that of their offspring. His plan, with respect to the latter, was
+            not a little curious. They were to become free, when born; and
+            then they were to be educated, at the expense of those to whom
+            their fathers belonged. But it was clear, that they could not be
+            educated for nothing. In order, therefore, to repay this expense,
+            they were to be slaves for ten or fifteen years. In short, they
+            were to have an education, which was to qualify them to become
+            freemen; and after they had been so educated, they were to
+            become slaves. But as this free education might possibly unfit
+            them for submitting to slavery; so, after they had been made to
+            bow under the yoke for ten or fifteen years, they might then,
+            perhaps, be equally unfit to become free; and therefore, might be
+            retained as slaves for a few years longer, if not for their whole
+            lives. He never heard of a scheme so moderate, and yet so
+            absurd and visionary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The same honourable gentleman had observed, that the conduct
+            of other nations should not hinder us from doing, our duty;
+            but yet neutrals would furnish, our islands with slaves. What
+            was the inference from this moderate assertion, but that we might
+            as well supply them ourselves? He hoped, if we were yet to be
+            supplied, it would never be by Englishmen. We ought no longer
+            to be concerned in such a crime.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An adversary, Mr. Baillie, had said, that it would not be fair
+            to take the character of this country from the records of the Old
+            Bailey. He did not at all wonder, when the subject of the Slave
+
+            Trade was mentioned, that the Old Bailey naturally occurred to
+            his recollection. The facts, which had been described in the evidence,
+            were associated in all our minds with the ideas of criminal
+            justice. But Mr. Baillie had forgot the essential difference
+            between the two cases. When we learnt from these records, that
+            crimes were committed in this country, we learnt also, that they
+            were punished with transportation and death. But the crimes
+            committed in the Slave Trade were passed over with impunity.
+            Nay, the perpetrators were even sent out again to commit others.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As to the mode of obtaining slaves, it had been suggested as
+            the least disreputable, that they became so in consequence of
+            condemnation as criminals. But he would judge of the probability
+            of this mode by the reasonableness of it. No less than
+            eighty thousand Africans were exported annually by the different
+            nations of Europe from their own country. Was it possible to
+            believe that this number could have been legally convicted of
+            crimes, for which they had justly forfeited their liberty? The
+            supposition was ridiculous. The truth was, that every enormity
+            was practised to obtain the persons of these unhappy people; He
+            referred those present to the case in the evidence of the African
+            trader, who had kidnapped and sold a girl, and who was afterwards
+            kidnapped and sold himself. He desired them to reason
+            upon the conversation which had taken place between the trader
+            and the captain of the ship on this occasion. He desired them
+            also to reason upon the instance mentioned this evening, which
+            had happened in the river Cameroons, and they would infer all
+            the rapine, all the desolation, and all the bloodshed, which had
+            been placed to the account of this execrable trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            An attempt had been made to impress the House with the
+            horrible scenes which had taken place in St. Domingo, as an
+            argument against the abolition of the Slave Trade; but could any
+            more weighty argument be produced in its favour? What were
+            the causes of the insurrections there? They were two. The first
+            was the indecision of the National Assembly, who wished to
+            compromise between that which was right and that which was
+            wrong on this subject. And the second was the oppression of the
+            people of colour, and of the slaves. In the first of the causes we
+
+            saw something like the moderation of Mr. Dundas and Mr.
+            Addington. One day this Assembly talked of liberty, and
+            favoured the Blacks. Another day they suspended their measures
+            and favoured the Whites. They wished to steer a middle course;
+            but decision had been mercy. Decision even against the planters
+            would have been a thousand times better than indecision and
+            half measures. In the mean time, the people of colour took the
+            great work of justice into their own hands. Unable, however, to
+            complete this of themselves, they called in the aid of the slaves.
+            Here began the second cause; for the slaves, feeling their own
+            power, began to retaliate on the Whites. And here it may be
+            observed, that, in all revolutions, the clemency or cruelty of the
+            victors will always be in proportion to their former privileges, of
+            their oppression. That the slaves then should have been guilty of
+            great excesses, was not to be wondered at; for where did they
+            learn their cruelty? They learnt it from those who had tyrannized
+            over them. The oppression, which they themselves had suffered,
+            was fresh in their memories, and this had driven them to exercise
+            their vengeance so furiously. If we wished to prevent similar
+            scenes in our own islands, we must reject all moderate measures,
+            and at once abolish the Slave Trade. By doing this, we should
+            procure a better treatment for the slaves there; and when this
+            happy change of system should have taken place, we might
+            depend on them for the defence of the islands as much as on the
+            whites themselves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Upon the whole, he would give his opinion of this traffic in a
+            few words. He believed it to be impolitic&#8212;he knew it to be
+            inhuman&#8212;he was certain it was unjust&#8212;he thought it so
+            inhuman and unjust, that, if the colonies could not be cultivated
+            without it, they ought not to be cultivated at all. It would be
+            much better for us to be without them, than, not abolish the
+            Slave Trade. He hoped therefore that members would this night
+            act the part which would do them honour. He declared, that,
+            whether he should vote in a large minority or a small one,
+            he would never give up the cause. Whether in Parliament
+            or out of it, in whatever situation he might ever be, as long
+            as he had a voice to speak, this question should never be
+
+            at rest. Believing the trade to be of the nature of crimes and
+            pollutions, which stained the honour of the country, he would
+            never relax his efforts. It was his duty to prevent man from
+            preying upon man; and if he and his friends should die before
+            they had attained their glorious object, he hoped there would
+            never be wanting men alive to their duty, who would continue to
+            labour till the evil should be wholly done away. If the situation
+            of the Africans was as happy as servitude could make them, he
+            could not consent to the enormous crime of selling man to man;
+            nor permit a practice to continue, which put an entire bar to the
+            civilization of one quarter of the globe. He was sure that the
+            nation would not much longer allow the continuance of enormities
+            which shocked human nature. The West Indians had no
+            right to demand that crimes should be permitted by this country
+            for their advantage; and, if they were wise, they would lend
+            their cordial assistance to such measures, as would bring about,
+            in the shortest possible time, the abolition of this execrable
+            trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Dundas rose again, but it was only to move an amendment,
+            namely, that the word "gradually" should be inserted
+            before the words "to be abolished" in Mr. Wilberforce's
+            motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Jenkinson (afterwards Earl of Liverpool) said, that the
+            opinions of those who were averse to the abolition had been
+            unfairly stated. They had been described as founded on policy,
+            in opposition to humanity. If it could be made out that humanity
+            would be aided by the abolition, he would be the last person to
+            oppose it. The question was not, he apprehended, whether the
+            trade was founded in injustice and oppression: he admitted it
+            was. Nor was it, whether it was in itself abstractedly an evil:
+            he admitted this also; but whether, under all the circumstances
+            of the case, any considerable advantage would arise to a number
+            of our fellow-creatures from the abolition of the trade in the
+            manner in which it had been proposed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He was ready to admit, that the Africans at home were made
+            miserable by the Slave Trade, and that, if it were universally
+            abolished, great benefit would arise to them. No one, however,
+
+            would assert, that these miseries arose from the trade as carried
+            on by Great Britain only. Other countries occasioned as much
+            of the evil as we did; and if the abolition of it by us should
+            prove only the transferring of it to those countries, very little
+            benefit would result from the measure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            What then was the probability of our example being followed
+            by foreign powers? Five years had now elapsed since the
+            question was first started, and what had any of them done? The
+            Portuguese continued the trade. The Spaniards still gave a
+            bounty to encourage it. He believed there were agents from
+            Holland in this country, who were then negotiating with persons
+            concerned in it in order to secure its continuance. The abolition
+            also had been proposed in the National Assembly of France, and
+            had been rejected there. From these circumstances he had a
+            right to infer, that if we gave up the trade, we should only
+            transfer it to those countries: but this transfer would be entirely
+            against the Africans. The mortality on board English ships,
+            previously to the regulating bill, was four and an-eighth per
+            cent. Since that time it had been reduced to little more than three
+            per cent<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXVII_3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXVII_3"></a>. In French ships it was
+            near ten, and in Dutch ships
+            from five to seven, per cent. In Portuguese it was less than either
+            in French or Dutch, but more than in English ships since the
+            regulating bill. Thus the deaths of the Africans would be more
+            than doubled, if we were to abolish the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXVII_3"></a><a href="#FootXXVII_3">A</a>: Mr. Wilberforce stated it on the same
+            evening to be between ten and eleven per cent. for the last year. The
+            number then exported from Africa to our islands was rather more than
+            22,000, of whom more than 2,300 died.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Perhaps it might be replied, that the importations being
+            stopped in our own islands, fewer Africans would experience this
+            misery, because fewer would be taken from their own country on
+            this account. But he had a right to infer, that as the planters
+            purchased slaves at present, they would still think it their interest
+            to have them. The question then was, whether they could get
+            them by smuggling. Now it appeared by the evidence, that
+            many hundred slaves had been stolen from time to time from
+            Jamaica, and carried into Cuba. But if persons could smuggle
+            slaves out of our colonies, they could smuggle slaves into them;
+
+            but particularly when the planters might think it to their interest
+            to assist them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the slaves there, instances had been related
+            of their oppression, which shocked the feelings of all who heard
+            them: but was it fair to infer from these their general ill usage?
+            Suppose a person were to make a collection of the different
+            abuses, which had happened for a series of years under our own
+            happy constitution, and use these as an argument of its worthlessness;
+            should we not say to him, that in the most perfect
+            system which the human intellect could form some defects would
+            exist; and that it was unfair to draw inferences from such partial
+            facts? In the same manner he would argue relative to the
+            alleged treatment of the slaves. Evidence had been produced
+            upon this point on both sides. He should not be afraid to oppose
+            the authorities of Lord Rodney, and others, against any, however
+            respectable, in favour of the abolition. But this was not necessary.
+            There was another species of facts, which would answer
+            the same end; Previously to the year 1730 the decrease of the
+            slaves in our islands was very considerable. From 1730 to 1755
+            the deaths were reduced to only two and a-half per cent, above
+            the births; from 1755 to 1768 to only one and three-fourths;
+            and from 1768 to 1788 to only one per cent. This then, on the
+            first view of the subject, would show, that whatever might have
+            been the situation of slaves formerly, it had been gradually
+            improved. But if, in addition to this, we considered the peculiar
+            disadvanges under which they laboured; the small proportion of
+            females to males; and the hurricanes, and famines, which had
+            swept away thousands, we should find it physically impossible,
+            that they could have increased as related, if they had been
+            treated as cruelly as the friends of the abolition had described.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This species of facts would enable him also to draw still more
+            important conclusions; namely, that as the slaves in the West
+            Indies had gradually increased, they would continue to increase;
+            that very few years would pass, not only before the births were
+            equal to the deaths, but before they were more numerous than the
+            deaths; and that if this was likely to happen in the present state
+
+            of things, how much more would it happen, if by certain regulations
+            the increase of the slaves should be encouraged?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The only question then was, whether it was more advantageous
+            to breed or to import. He thought he should prove the
+            former; and if so, then this increase was inevitable, and the
+            importations would necessarily cease.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the first place, the gradual increase of the slaves of late
+            years clearly proved, that such increase had been encouraged.
+            But their price had been doubled in the last twenty years. The
+            planter, therefore, must feel it his interest to desist from
+            purchasing, if possible. But again, the greatest mortality was among
+            the newly imported slaves. The diseases they contracted on the
+            passage, and their deaths in the seasoning, all made for the same
+            doctrine. Add to this, that slaves bred in the islands were
+            more expert at colonial labour, more reconciled to their situation,
+            and better disposed towards their masters than those who were
+            brought from Africa.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it had been said, that the births and deaths in the
+            islands were now equal; and that therefore no further supply was
+            wanted. He denied the propriety of this inference. The slaves
+            were subject to peculiar diseases. They were exposed also to
+            hurricanes and consequent famines. That the day, however,
+            would come, when the stock there would be sufficient, no person
+            who attended to the former part of his argument could doubt.
+            That they had gradually increased, were gradually increasing, and
+            would, by certain regulations, increase more and more, must be
+            equally obvious. But these were all considerations for continuing
+            the traffic a little longer.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then desired the House to reflect upon the state of
+            St. Domingo. Had not its calamities been imputed by its own
+            deputies to the advocates for the abolition? Were ever any
+            scenes of horror equal to those which had passed there? And
+            should we, when principles of the same sort were lurking in our
+            own islands, expose our fellow-subjects to the same miseries,
+            who, if guilty of promoting this trade, had, at least, been encouraged
+            in it by ourselves?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That the Slave Trade was an evil, he admitted. That the
+
+            state of slavery itself was likewise an evil, he admitted; and if
+            the question was, not whether we should abolish, but whether
+            we should establish these, he would be the first to oppose himself
+            to their existence; but there were many evils, which we
+            should have thought it our duty to prevent, yet which, when
+            they had once arisen, it was more dangerous to oppose than to
+            submit to,&#8212;The duty of a statesman was, not to consider
+            abstractedly what was right or wrong, but to weigh the consequences
+            which were likely to result from the abolition of an
+            evil, against those which were likely to result from its continuance.
+            Agreeing then most perfectly with the abolitionists in
+            their end, he differed from them only in the means of accomplishing
+            it. He was desirous of doing that gradually, which he
+            conceived they were doing rashly. He had therefore drawn up
+            two propositions. The first was, That an address be presented
+            to His Majesty, that he would recommend to the colonial
+            assemblies to grant premiums to such planters, and overseers, as
+            should distinguish themselves by promoting the annual increase
+            of the slaves by birth; and likewise freedom to every female
+            slave, who had reared five children to the age of seven years.
+            The second was, That a bounty of five pounds per head be given
+            to the master of every slave-ship, who should import in any cargo
+            a greater number of females than males, not exceeding the age of
+            twenty-five years. To bring, forward these propositions, he would
+            now move that the chairman leave the chair.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Este wished the debate to be adjourned. He allowed
+            there were many enormities in the trade, which called for regulation.
+            There were two propositions before the House: the one
+            for the immediate, and the other for the gradual, abolition of the
+            trade. He thought that members should be allowed time to
+            compare their respective merits. At present his own opinion
+            was, that gradual abolition would answer the end proposed in
+            the least exceptionable manner.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Pitt rejoiced that the debate had taken a turn, which
+            contracted the question into such narrow limits. The matter
+            then in dispute was merely as to the time at which the abolition
+            should take, place. He therefore congratulated the House, the
+
+            country, and the world, that this great point had been gained;
+            that we might now consider this trade as having received its
+            condemnation; that this curse of mankind was seen in its true
+            light; and that the greatest stigma on our national character,
+            which ever yet existed, was about to be removed! Mankind, he
+            trusted, were now likely to be delivered from the greatest
+            practical evil that ever afflicted the human race&#8212;from the most
+            severe and extensive calamity recorded in the history of the
+            world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            His honourable friend (Mr. Jenkinson) had insinuated, that
+            any act for the abolition would be evaded. But if we were to
+            enforce this act with all the powers of the country, how could it
+            fail to be effectual? But his honourable friend had himself
+            satisfied him, upon this point. He had acknowledged, that the
+            trade would drop of itself, on account of the increasing dearness
+            of the commodity imported. He would ask then, if we were to
+            leave to the importer no means of importation but by smuggling;
+            and if, besides all the present disadvantages, we were to load him
+            with all the charges and hazards of the smuggler, would there be
+            any danger of any considerable supply of fresh slaves being poured
+            into the islands through this channel? The question under these
+            circumstances, he pronounced, would not bear a dispute.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            His honourable friend had also maintained, that it would be
+            inexpedient to stop the importations immediately, because the
+            deaths and births in the islands were as yet not equal. But he
+            (Mr. Pitt) had proved last year, from the most authentic documents,
+            that an increase of the births above the deaths had already
+            taken place. This then was the time for beginning the abolition.
+            But he would now observe, that five years had elapsed since these
+            documents were framed; and therefore the presumption was,
+            that the black population was increasing at an extraordinary rate.
+            He had not, to be sure, in his consideration of the subject,
+            entered into the dreadful mortality arising from the clearing of
+            new lands. Importations for this purpose were to be considered,
+            not as carrying on the trade, but as setting on foot a Slave Trade,
+            a measure which he believed no one present would then support.
+            He therefore asked his honourable friend, whether the period he
+
+            had looked to was now arrived? whether the West Indies, at
+            this hour, were, not in a state in which they could maintain their
+            population?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been argued, that one or other of these two, assertions
+            was false; that either the population of the slaves must be
+            decreasing, (which the abolitionists denied,) or, if it was increasing,
+            the slaves must have been well treated. That their
+            population was rather increasing than otherwise, and also that
+            their general treatment was by no means so good as it ought to
+            have been, were both points which had been proved by different
+            witnesses. Neither were they incompatible with each other.
+            But he would see whether the explanation of this seeming contradiction
+            would not refute the argument of expediency, as
+            advanced by his honourable friend. Did the slaves decrease in
+            numbers?&#8212;Yes. Then ill usage must have been the cause of
+            it; but if so, the abolition was immediately necessary to, restrain
+            it. Did they, on the other hand, increase?&#8212;Yes. But if so,
+            no further importations, were wanted. Was their population (to
+            take a middle course) nearly stationary, and their treatment
+            neither so good nor so bad as it might be?&#8212;Yes. But if so,
+            this was the proper period for stopping further supplies; for
+            both the population and the treatment would be improved by
+            such a measure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But he would show again the futility of the, argument of his
+            honourable friend. He himself had admitted that it was in the
+            power of the colonists to correct the various abuses, by which the
+            Negro population was restrained. But, they could not do this
+            without improving the condition of their slaves; without making
+            them approximate towards the rank of citizens; without giving
+            them some little interest in their labour, which would occasion
+            them to work with the energy of men. But now the Assembly
+            of Grenada had themselves stated, "that though the Negroes
+            were allowed the afternoons of only one day in every week they
+            would do as much work in that afternoon, when employed for
+            their own benefit as in the whole day, when employed in their
+            masters' service." Now, after, this, confession, the House might
+            burn all his calculations relative to the Negro population; for, if
+
+            it had not yet quite reached the desirable state which he had
+            pointed out, this confession had proved, that further supplies
+            were not wanted. A Negro, if he worked for himself, could do
+            double work. By an improvement then in the mode of labour,
+            the work in the islands could be doubled. But if so, what would
+            become of the argument of his honourable friend? for then only
+            half the number of the present labourers were necessary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now try this argument of expediency by other considerations.
+            The best informed writers on the subject had told
+            us, that the purchase of new Negroes was injurious to the,
+            planters. But if this statement was just, would not the abolition
+            be beneficial to them? That it would, was the opinion of Mr.
+            Long, their own historian. "If the Slave Trade," says he, "was
+            prohibited for four or five years, it would enable them to retrieve
+            their affairs by preventing them from running into debt, either by
+            renting or purchasing Negroes." To this acknowledgment he
+            would add a fact from the evidence, which was, that a North
+            American province, by such a prohibition alone for a few years
+            from being deeply plunged in debt, had become independent,
+            rich, and flourishing.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The next consideration was the danger, to which the islands,
+            were exposed from the newly imported slaves. Mr. Long, with
+            a view of preventing insurrections, had advised, that a duty
+            equal to a prohibition, might be laid on the importation of Coromantine
+            slaves. After noticing one insurrection, which happened
+            through their means, he speaks of another in the following year,
+            in which thirty-three Coromantines, "most of whom had been
+            newly imported, murdered and wounded no less than nineteen
+            Whites in the, space of an hour." To the authority of Mr
+            Long he would add the recorded opinion of a committee of the
+            House of Assembly of Jamaica, which was appointed to inquire
+            into the best means of preventing future insurrections. The
+            committee reported, that "the rebellion had originated, like most
+            others, with the Coromantines," and they proposed that a bill
+            should he brought in for laying a higher duty on the importation
+            of these particular Negroes, which should operate as a prohibition.
+            But the danger was not confined to the introduction of
+
+            Coromantines. Mr. Long accounts for the frequent insurrections
+            in Jamaica from the greatness of its general importations. "In
+            two years and a-half," says he, "twenty-seven thousand Negroes
+            have been imported.&#8212;No wonder that we have rebellions!"
+            Surely then, when his honourable friend spoke of the calamities
+            of St. Domingo, and of similar dangers impending over our own
+            islands, it ill became him to be the person to cry out for further
+            importations! It ill became him to charge upon the abolitionists
+            the crime of stirring up insurrections, who only recommended
+            what the legislature of Jamaica itself had laid down in a time of
+            danger with an avowed view to prevent them. It was, indeed, a
+            great satisfaction to himself, that among the many arguments for
+            prohibiting the Slave Trade, the security of our West Indian
+            possessions against internal commotions, as well as foreign enemies,
+            was among the most prominent and forcible. And here he
+            would ask his honourable friend, whether in this part of the
+            argument he did not see reason for immediate abolition. Why
+            should we any longer persist in introducing those latent principles
+            of conflagration, which, if they should once burst forth, might
+            annihilate the industry of a hundred years? which might throw
+            the planters back a whole century in their profits, in their
+            cultivation, and in their progress towards the emancipation of their
+            slaves? It was our duty to vote that the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade should be immediate, and not to leave it to he knew not
+            what future time or contingency.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having now done with the argument of expediency, he would
+            consider the proposition of his right honourable friend Mr.
+            Dundas; that, on account of some patrimonial rights of the
+            West Indians, the prohibition of the Slave Trade would be
+            an invasion of their legal inheritance. He would first observe,
+            that, if this argument was worth anything, it applied just as
+            much to gradual as to immediate abolition. He had no doubt,
+            that, at whatever period we should say the trade should cease; it
+            would be equally, set up; for it would certainly be just as good an
+            argument against the measure in seventy years hence, as it was
+            against it now. It implied also, that Parliament had no right to
+            stop the importations: but had this detestable traffic received
+
+            such a sanction, as placed it more out of the jurisdiction of the
+            legislature for ever after, than any other branch of our trade? In
+            what a situation did the proposition of his honourable friend
+            place the legislature of Great Britain! It was scarcely possible
+            to lay a duty on anyone article, which might not in someway
+            affect the property of individuals. But if the laws respecting the
+            Slave Trade implied a contract for its perpetual continuance, the
+            House could never regulate any other of the branches of our
+            national commerce.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But any contract for the promotion of this trade must, in his
+            opinion, have been void from the beginning: for if it was an outrage
+            upon justice, and only another name for fraud, robbery, and
+            murder, what pledge could devolve upon the legislature to incur
+            the obligation of becoming principals in the commission of such
+            enormities by sanctioning their continuance?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But he would appeal to the acts themselves. That of
+            23 George II. c. 31, was the one upon which the greatest stress
+            was laid. How would the House be surprised to hear that the
+            very outrages committed in the prosecution of this trade had
+            been forbidden by that act! "No master of a ship trading to
+            Africa," says the act, "shall by fraud, force, or violence, or by
+            any indirect practice whatever, take on board or carry away from
+            that coast any Negro, or native of that country, or commit any
+            violence on the natives, to the prejudice of the said trade; and
+            every person so offending, shall for every such offence forfeit one
+            hundred pounds." But the whole trade had been demonstrated
+            to be a system of fraud, force, and violence; and therefore the
+            contract was daily violated, under which the Parliament allowed
+            it to continue.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But why had the trade ever been permitted at all? The preamble
+            of the act would show: "Whereas the trade to and from
+            Africa is very advantageous to Great Britain, and necessary for
+            supplying the Plantations and Colonies thereunto belonging with
+            a sufficient number of Negroes at reasonable rates, and for that
+            purpose the said trade should be carried on."&#8212;Here then we
+            might see what the Parliament had in view, when it passed this
+            act. But no one of the occasions, on which it grounded its proceedings,
+
+            now existed. He would plead, then, the act itself as an
+            argument for the abolition. If it had been proved that, instead
+            of being very advantageous to Great Britain, it was the most
+            destructive to her interests&#8212;that it was the ruin of her
+            seamen&#8212;that it stopped the extension of her manufactures;&#8212;if it
+            had been proved, in the second place, that it was not now necessary
+            for the supply of our Plantations with Negroes;&#8212;if it had been
+            further established, that it was from the beginning contrary to the
+            first principles of justice, and consequently that a pledge for its
+            continuance, had one been attempted to be given, must have been
+            absolutely void&#8212;where in this act of parliament was the contract
+            to be found, by which Britain was bound, as she was said to be,
+            never to listen to her own true interests and to the cries of the
+            natives of Africa? Was it not clear, that all argument, founded
+            on the supposed pledge of Parliament, made against those who
+            employed it?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But if we were not bound by existing laws to the support of
+            this trade, we were doubly criminal in pursuing it; for why
+            ought it to be abolished at all? Because it was incurable injustice.
+            Africa was the ground on which he chiefly rested; and
+            there it was, that his two honourable friends, one of whom had
+            proposed gradual abolition, and the other regulation, did not carry
+            their principles, to their full extent. Both had confessed the trade
+            to be a moral evil. How much stronger, then, was the argument,
+            for immediate than for gradual abolition! If on the ground of a
+            moral evil it was to be abolished at last, why ought it not now?
+            Why was injustice to be suffered to remain for a single hour?
+            He knew of no evil, which ever had existed, nor could he imagine
+            any to exist, worse than the tearing of eighty thousand persons
+            annually from their native land, by a combination of the
+            most civilized nations, in the most enlightened quarter of the
+            globe; but more, especially by that nation, which called herself
+            the most free and the most happy of them all.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now notice the objection, that other nations would
+            not give up the Slave Trade, if we were to renounce it. But if
+            the trade were stained, but by a thousandth part of the criminality
+            which he and others, after a thorough investigation of the subject,
+
+            charged upon it, the House ought immediately to vote for its
+            abolition. This miserable argument, if persevered in, would be
+            an eternal bar to the annihilation of the evil. How was it ever
+            to be eradicated, if every nation was thus prudentially to wait till
+            the concurrence of all the world should be obtained! But it
+            applied a thousand times more strongly in a contrary way. How
+            much more justly would other nations say, "Great Britain, free
+            as she is, just and honourable as she is, not only has not abolished,
+            but has refused to abolish, the Slave Trade. She has investigated
+            it well. Her senate has deliberated upon it. It is plain, then,
+            that she sees no guilt in it." With this argument we should
+            furnish the other nations of Europe, if we were again to refuse
+            to put an end to this cruel traffic; and we should have from
+            henceforth not only to answer for our own, but for their crimes
+            also. Already we have suffered one year to pass away; and now,
+            when the question was renewed, not only had this wretched
+            argument been revived, but a proposition had been made for the
+            gradual abolition of the trade. He knew, indeed, the difficulty
+            of reforming long established abuses; but in the present case, by
+            proposing some other period than the present, by prescribing
+            some condition, by waiting for some contingencies, perhaps till
+            we obtained the general concurrence of Europe, (A concurrence
+            which he believe never yet took place at the commencement of
+            any one improvement in policy or morals,) he fared that this
+            most enormous evil would never be redressed. Was it not folly
+            to wait for the stream to run down before we crossed the bed of
+            its channel? Alas! we might wait for ever. The river would
+            still flow on. We should be no nearer the object which we had
+            in view, so long as the step, which could alone bring us to it was
+            not taken.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would now proceed to the civilization of Africa; and, as
+            his eye had just glanced upon a West Indian law in the evidence
+            upon the table, he would begin with an argument, which the
+            sight of it had suggested to him. This argument had been ably
+            answered in the course of the evening; but he would view it in
+            yet another light. It had been said, that the savage disposition
+            of the Africans rendered the prospect of their civilization almost
+
+            hopeless. This argument was indeed of long standing; but, last
+            year, it had been supported upon a new ground. Captain Frazer
+            had stated in his evidence, that a boy had been put to death at
+            Cabenda, because there were those who refused to purchase him
+            as a slave. This single story was deemed by him, and had been
+            considered by others, as a sufficient proof of the barbarity of the
+            Africans, and of the inutility of abolishing the Slave Trade.
+            But they, who had used this fact, had suppressed several circumstances
+            relating to it. It appeared, on questioning Captain
+            Frazer afterward, that this boy had previously run away from his
+            master three several times; that the master had to pay his value,
+            according to the custom of the country, every time he was
+            brought back; and that partly from anger at the boy for running
+            away so frequently, and partly to prevent a repetition of the same
+            expense, he determined to destroy him. Such was the explanation of the
+            signal instance, which was to fix barbarity on all Africa, as it came
+            out in the cross-examination of Captain Frazer. That this African master
+            was unenlightened and barbarous, he freely admitted; but what would an
+            enlightened and civilized West Indian have done in a similar case? He
+            would quote the law, passed in the West Indies in 1722, which he had
+            just cast his eye upon in the book of evidence, by which law this very
+            same crime of running away was by the legislature, of an island, by
+            the grave and deliberate sentence of an enlightened legislature, punished
+            with death; and this, not in the case only of the third offence, but even
+            in the very first instance. It was enacted, "That, if any Negro or other
+            slave should withdraw himself from his master for the term of six months,
+            or any slave, who was absent, should not return within that time, every
+            such person should suffer death." There was also another West Indian law,
+            by which every Negro was armed against his fellow Negro, for he was
+            authorized to kill every runaway slave; and he had even a reward held
+            out to him for so doing. Let the House now contrast the two cases. Let
+            them ask themselves which of the two exhibited the greater barbarity;
+            and whether they could possibly vote for the continuance of the Slave
+            Trade, upon the principle that the Africans had shown themselves to be
+            a race of incorrigible barbarians?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Something like an opposite argument, but with a like view,
+            had been maintained by others on this subject. It had been said,
+            in justification of the trade, that the Africans had derived some
+            little civilization from their intercourse with us. Yes; we had
+            given them just enough of the forms of justice to enable them to
+            add the pretext of legal trials to their other modes of perpetrating
+            the most atrocious crimes. We had given them just enough of
+            European improvements, to enable them the more effectually to
+            turn Africa into a ravaged wilderness. Alas! alas! we had
+            carried on a trade with them from this civilized and enlightened
+            country, which, instead of diffusing knowledge, had been a check
+            to every laudable pursuit. We had carried a poison into their
+            country, which spread its contagious effects from one end of it
+            to the other, and which penetrated to its very centre, corrupting
+            every part to which it reached. We had there subverted the
+            whole order of nature; we had aggravated every natural barbarity,
+            and furnished to every man motives for committing, under
+            the name of trade, acts of perpetual hostility and perfidy against
+            his neighbour. Thus had the perversion of British commerce
+            carried misery instead of happiness to one whole quarter of the
+            globe. False to the very principles of trade, misguided in our
+            policy, unmindful of our duty, what almost irreparable mischief
+            had we done to that continent! How should we hope to obtain
+            forgiveness from heaven, if we refused to use those means which
+            the mercy of Providence had still reserved to us for wiping away
+            the guilt and shame, with which we were now covered? If we
+            refused even this degree of compensation, how aggravated would
+            be our guilt! Should we delay, then, to repair these incalculable
+            injuries? We ought to count the days, nay the very hours,
+            which intervened to delay the accomplishment of such a work.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On this great subject, the civilization of Africa, which, he
+            confessed, was near his heart, he would yet add a few observations.
+            And first he would say, that the present deplorable state of that
+            country, especially when we reflected that her chief calamities
+            were to be ascribed to us, called for our generous aid, rather than
+            justified any despair, on our part, of her recovery, and still less a
+            repetition of our injuries. On what ground of theory or history
+
+            did we act, when we supposed she was never to be reclaimed?
+            There was a time, which it might be now fit to call to remembrance,
+            when human sacrifices, and even this very practice of the Slave Trade
+            existed in our own island. Slaves, as we may read in
+            HENRY's <em>History of Great Britain</em>, were formerly
+            an established article of our exports. "Great numbers," he says,
+            "were exported like cattle from the British coast, and were to be
+            seen exposed for sale in the Roman markets."&#8212;"Adultery, witchcraft,
+            and debt," says the same historian, "were probably some of the chief
+            sources of supplying the Roman market with British slaves&#8212;prisoners
+            taken in war were added to the number&#8212;there might be also among them
+            some unfortunate gamesters, who, after having lost
+            all their goods, at length staked themselves, their wives,
+            and their children."
+            Now every one of these sources of slavery had been stated to be
+            at this hour a
+            source of slavery in Africa. If these practices, therefore, were
+            to be admitted as proofs of the natural incapacity of its inhabitants,
+            why might they
+            not have been applied to ancient Britain? Why might not then some Roman senator,
+            pointing to British barbarians, have predicted with equal boldness, that these
+            were a people who were destined never to be free; who were without the
+            understanding necessary for the attainment of useful arts; depressed
+            by the hand of nature below the level of the human species, and created
+            to form a supply of slaves for the rest of the world? But, happily,
+            since that time, notwithstanding what would then have been the justness
+            of these predictions, we had emerged from barbarism. We were now raised
+            to a situation which exhibited a striking contrast to every circumstance
+            by which a Roman might have characterized us, and by which we now
+            characterized Africa. There was indeed one thing wanting to complete
+            the contrast, and to clear us altogether from the imputation of acting
+            even to this hour as barbarians; for we continued to this hour a
+            barbarous traffic in slaves; we continued it even yet, in spite
+            of all our great pretensions. We were once as obscure among the
+            nations of the earth, as savage in our manners, as debased in our
+            morals, as degraded in our understandings, as these unhappy Africans.
+            But in the lapse of a long series of years, by a progression slow,
+            and for a time almost
+
+            imperceptible, we had become rich in a variety of acquirements.
+            We were favoured above measure in the gifts of Providence, we
+            were unrivalled in commerce, pre-eminent in arts, foremost in the
+            pursuits of philosophy and science, and established in all the
+            blessings of civil society; we were in the possession of peace, of
+            liberty, and of happiness; we were under the guidance of a mild
+            and a beneficent religion; and we were protected by impartial
+            laws and the purest administration of justice; we were living
+            under a system of government, which our own happy experience
+            led us to pronounce the best and wisest, and which had become
+            the admiration of the World. From all these blessings we must
+            for ever have been excluded, had there been any truth in those
+            principles, which some had not hesitated to lay down as applicable
+            to the case of Africa; and we should have been at this moment
+            little superior, either in morals, knowledge, or refinement, to the
+            rude inhabitants of that continent.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            If then we felt that this perpetual confinement in the fetters
+            of brutal ignorance would have been the greatest calamity which
+            could have befallen us; if we viewed with gratitude the contrast
+            between our present and our former situation; if we shuddered to
+            think of the misery which would still have overwhelmed us, had
+            our country continued to the present times, through some cruel
+            policy, to be the mart for slaves to the more civilized nations of
+            the World;&#8212;God forbid that we should any longer subject Africa
+            to the same dreadful scourge, and exclude the sight of knowledge
+            from her coasts, which had reached every other quarter of the
+            globe!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He trusted we should no longer continue this commerce, and
+            that we should no longer consider ourselves as conferring too great
+            a boon on the natives of Africa in restoring them to the rank of
+            human beings, He trusted we should not think ourselves too
+            liberal, if, by abolishing the Slave Trade, we gave them the same
+            common chance of civilization with other parts of the World. If
+            we listened to the voice of reason and duty this night, some of us
+            might live to see a reverse of that picture, from which we how
+            turned our eyes with shame. We might live to behold the natives
+            engaged in the calm occupations of industry, and in the pursuit of
+
+            a just commerce. We might behold the beams of science and
+            philosophy breaking in upon their land, which at some happy
+            period in still later times might blaze with full lustre; and joining
+            their influence to that of pure religion, might illuminate and invigorate
+            the most distant extremities of that immense continent. Then might we
+            hope, that even Africa (though last of all the quarters of the globe)
+            should enjoy at length, in the evening of her days, those blessings,
+            which had descended so plentifully upon us in a much earlier period of
+            the world. Then also would Europe, participating in her improvement and
+            prosperity, receive an ample recompense for the tardy kindness (if
+            kindness it could be called) of no longer hindering her from extricating
+            herself out of the darkness, which, in other more fortunate regions, had
+            been so much more speedily dispelled.
+
+         </p>
+         <blockquote>
+            <div class="lg">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;Nos primus equis Oriens afflavit anhelis;<br>Ill&igrave;c sera rubens accendit lumina Vesper.<br><br></div>
+         </blockquote>
+         <p>
+            Then might be applied to Africa those words, originally used
+            indeed with a different view:
+
+         </p>
+         <blockquote>
+            <div class="lg">His dem&ugrave;m exactis&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;<br>Devenere locos laetos, et amoena vireta<br>Fortunatorum nemorum, sedesque beatas;<br>Largior h&igrave;c campos aether et lumine vestit<br>Purpureo.<br><br></div>
+         </blockquote>
+         <p>
+            It was in this view&#8212;it was as an atonement for our long and
+            cruel injustice towards Africa, that the measure proposed by
+            his honourable friend Mr. Wilberforce most forcibly recommended
+            itself to his mind. The great and happy change to be expected
+            in the state of her inhabitants was, of all the various benefits
+            of the abolition, in his estimation the most extensive and important.
+            He should vote against the adjournment; and he should also oppose
+            every proposition which tended either to prevent, or even to postpone
+            for an hour, the total abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Pitt having concluded his speech (at about six in the
+            morning), Sir William Dolben, the chairman, proposed the
+            following questions:&#8212;The first was on the motion of Mr.
+            Jenkinson, "that the chairman do now leave the chair." This was lost by a
+            majority of two hundred and thirty-four to eighty-seven. The second was
+            on the motion of Mr. Dundas, "that the
+
+            abolition should be, gradual;" when the votes for gradual exceeded
+            those for immediate by one hundred and ninety-three to one
+            hundred and twenty-five. He then put the amended question,
+            that "it was the opinion of the committee that the trade ought
+            to be gradually abolished."  The committee having divided
+            again, the votes for a gradual abolition were, two hundred and
+            thirty, and those against any abolition were eighty-five.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After this debate, the committee for the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade held a meeting. They voted their thanks to Mr. Wilberforce
+            for his motion, and to Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fox, and those other
+            members of the House who had supported it. They resolved,
+            also, that the House of Commons, having determined that the
+            Slave Trade ought to be gradually abolished, had by that decision
+            manifested their opinion, that it was cruel and unjust. They
+            resolved, also, that a gradual abolition of it was not an adequate
+            remedy for its injustice and cruelty; neither could it be deemed
+            a compliance with the general wishes of the people, as expressed
+            in their numerous and urgent petitions to Parliament; and they
+            resolved lastly, that the interval in which the Slave Trade should
+            be permitted to continue, afforded a prospect of redoubled cruelties
+            and ravages on the coast of Africa; and that it imposed
+            therefore an additional obligation on every friend to the cause to
+            use all constitutional means to obtain its immediate abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At a subsequent meeting they voted their thanks to the right
+            honourable Lord Muncaster, for the able support he had given to
+            the great object of their institution by his <em>Historical Sketches
+               of the Slave Trade, and of its Effects in Africa</em>; addressed
+            to the people of Great Britain; and they elected the Rev.
+            Richard Gifford, and the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, honorary and
+            corresponding members; the first on account of his excellent
+            sermon before-mentioned, and other services; and the latter on
+            account of his truly Christian and seasonable pamphlet,
+            entitled <em>Remarks on the Late Decision of the House
+               of Commons, respecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 23rd of April, the House of Commons resolved itself
+            into a committee of the whole House, to consider the subject again; and
+            Mr. Beaufoy was put into the chair.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Dundas, upon whom the task of introducing a bill for
+            the gradual abolition of the Slave Trade now devolved, rose to
+            offer the outlines of a plan for that purpose. He intended, he
+            said, immediately to abolish that part of the trade, by which we
+            supplied foreigners with slaves. The other part of it was to be
+            continued seven years from the 1st of January next. He
+            grounded the necessity of its continuance till this time upon the
+            documents of the Negro population in the different islands. In
+            many of these, slaves were imported, but they were re-exported
+            nearly in equal numbers. Now, all these he considered to be in
+            a state to go on without future supplies from Africa. Jamaica
+            and the ceded islands retained almost all the slaves imported into
+            them. This he considered as a proof that these had not attained
+            the same desirable state; and it was therefore necessary, that the
+            trade should be continued longer on this account. It was his
+            intention, however, to provide proper punishments, while it
+            lasted, for abuses both in Africa and in the Middle Passage, He
+            would take care, as far as he could, that none but young slaves
+            should be brought from the Coast of Africa. He would encourage
+            establishments there for a new species of traffic. Foreign
+            nations should be invited to concur in the abolition. He should
+            propose a praedial rather than a personal service for the West
+            Indies, and institutions, by which the slaves there should be
+            instructed in religious duties. He concluded by reading several
+            resolutions, which he would leave to the future consideration of
+            the House.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Pitt then rose. He deprecated the resolutions altogether.
+            He denied also the inferences which Mr. Dundas had
+            drawn from the West Indian documents relative to the Negro
+            population. He had looked aver his own calculations from the
+            same documents again and again, and he would submit them,
+            with all their data, if it should be necessary, to the House.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Fox held the same language. They
+            contended also, that Mr. Dundas had now proved, a thousand
+            times more strongly than ever, the necessity of immediate abolition.
+            All the resolutions he had read were operative against his
+            own reasoning. The latter observed, that the Slave-traders were
+
+            in future only to be allowed to steal innocent children from their
+            disconsolate parents.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After a few observations by Lord Sheffield, Mr. Drake,
+            Colonel Tarleton, and Mr. Rolle, the House adjourned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 25th of April it resumed the consideration of the
+            subject. Mr. Dundas then went over his former resolutions,
+            and concluded by moving, "that it should not be lawful to
+            import any African Negroes into any British colonies, in ships
+            owned or navigated by British subjects, at any time after the
+            1st of January, 1800."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Mornington (now Marquis Wellesley) rose to propose
+            an amendment. He congratulated his countrymen, that
+            the Slave Trade had received its death-wound. This traffic was
+            founded in injustice; and between right and wrong there could
+            be no compromise. Africa was not to be sacrificed to the apparent
+            good of the West Indies. He would not repeat those
+            enormities out of the evidence, which had made such a deep
+            impression upon the House. It had been resolved, that the trade
+            should be abolished. The question then was, how long they
+            were to persevere in the crime of its continuance? One had said,
+            that they might be unjust for ten years longer; another, only
+            till the beginning of the next century. But this diversity of
+            opinion had proceeded from an erroneous statement of Mr. Dundas
+            against the clear and irrefragable calculations of Mr. Pitt. The
+            former had argued, that, because Jamaica and the ceded islands
+            had retained almost all the slaves which had been, imported into
+            them, they were therefore not yet in a situation to support their
+            population without further supplies from Africa. But the truth
+            was, that the slaves, so retained, were kept, not to maintain the
+            population there, but to clear new land. Now the House had
+            determined, that the trade was not to be continued for this purpose.
+            The population, therefore, in the islands was sufficient to continue
+            the ordinary cultivation of them.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He deprecated the idea, that the Slave Trade had been so
+            sanctioned by the acts of former Parliaments, that the present
+            could make no alteration in it. Had not the House altered the
+            import of foreign sugar into our islands? a measure, which at the
+
+            time affected the property of many. Had they not prohibited
+            the exports of provisions from America to the same quarter;
+            Again, as to compacts, had the Africans ever been parties to
+            these? It was rather curious also, when King James the Second
+            gave a charter to the slave-trader, that he should have given
+            them a right to all the south of Africa, and authority over every
+            person born therein! But, by doing this, it was clear that he
+            gave them a right which he never possessed himself. After many
+            other observations, he concluded by moving, "that the year 1793
+            be substituted in the place of the year 1800."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the course of the debate, which followed, Mr. Burdon
+            stated his conviction of the necessity of immediate abolition;
+            but he would support the amendment, as the shortest of the terms
+            proposed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Robert Thornton would support it also, as the only choice
+            left him. He dared not accede to a motion, by which we were
+            to continue for seven years to imbrue our hands in innocent
+            blood.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Ryder (now Earl of Harrowby) would not support the
+            trade for one moment, if he could avoid it. He could not hold a
+            balance with gold in one scale, and blood in the other.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. William Smith exposed the wickedness of restricting the
+            trade to certain ages. The original motion, he said, would only
+            operate as a transfer of cruelty from the aged and the guilty to
+            the young and the innocent. He entreated the House to consider,
+            whether, if it related to their own children, any one of them
+            would vote for it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Windham had hitherto felt a reluctance to speaking, not
+            from the abstruseness, but from the simplicity, of the subject;
+            but he could not longer be silent, when he observed those arguments
+            of policy creeping again out of their lurking-places, which
+            had fled before eloquence and truth. The House had clearly
+            given up the policy of the question. They had been determined
+            by the justice of it. Why were they then to be troubled again
+            with arguments of this nature? These, if admitted, would go to
+            the subversion of all public as well as private morality. Nations
+            were as much bound as individuals to a system of morals, though
+
+            a breach in the former could not be so easily punished. In private
+            life morality took pretty good care of itself. It was a kind of
+            retail article, in which the returns were speedy. If a man broke
+            open his neighbour's house, he would feel the consequences.  There
+            was an ally of virtue, who rendered it the interest of individuals
+            to be moral, and he was called the executioner. But as such
+            punishment did not always await us in our national concerns,
+            we should substitute honour as the guardian of our national
+            conduct. He hoped the West Indians would consider the character
+            of the mother-country, and the obligations to national as well
+            as individual justice. He hoped, also, they would consider the
+            sufferings, which they occasioned both in Africa, in the passage,
+            and in the West Indies. In the passage, indeed, no one was capable
+            of describing them. The section of the slave-ship; however, made
+            up the deficiency of language, and did away all necessity of argument,
+            on this subject. Disease there had to struggle with the new affliction
+            of chains and punishment. At one view were the irksomeness of a goal,
+            and the miseries of an hospital; so that the holds of these vessels
+            put him in mind of the regions of the damned. The trade, he said,
+            ought immediately to be abolished. On a comparison of the probable
+            consequences of the abolition of it, he saw on one side only doubtful
+            contingencies, but on the other shame and disgrace.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir James Johnstone contended for the immediate abolition
+            of the trade. He had introduced the plough into his own plantation in the
+            West Indies, and he found the land produced more sugar than when cultivated
+            in the ordinary way by slaves. Even for the sake of the planters, he hoped
+            the abolition would not be long delayed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Dundas replied: after which a division took place. The
+            number of votes in favour of the original motion were one hundred
+            and fifty-eight, and for the amendment one hundred and
+            nine.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 27th of April the House resumed the subject. Mr.
+            Dundas moved, as before, that the Slave Trade should cease in
+            the year 1800; upon which Lord Mornington moved, that the
+            year 1795 should be substituted for the latter period.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the course of the debate, which followed, Mr. Hubbard
+            said, that he had voted against the abolition, when the year 1793
+            was proposed; but he thought that, if it were not to take place
+            till 1795, sufficient time would be allowed the planters. He
+            would support this amendment; and he congratulated the House
+            on the prospect of the final triumph of truth, humanity, and justice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Addington preferred the year 1796 to the year 1795.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Alderman Watson considered the abolition in 1796, to be
+            as destructive as if it were immediate.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A division having taken place, the number of votes in favour
+            of the original motion were one hundred and sixty-one, and in
+            favour of Lord Mornington's amendment for the year 1795, one
+            hundred and twenty-one. Sir Edward Knatchbull, however,
+            seeing that there was a disposition in the House to bring the
+            matter to a conclusion, and that a middle line would be preferred,
+            moved that the year 1796 should be substituted for this
+            year 1800. Upon this the House divided again; when there
+            appeared for the original motion only one hundred and thirty-two,
+            but for the amendment one hundred and fifty-one.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The gradual abolition having been now finally agreed upon
+            for the year 1796, a committee was named, which carried the
+            resolution to the Lords.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 8th of May, the Lords were summoned to consider
+            it; Lord Stormont, after having spoken for some time, moved,
+            that they should hear evidence upon it. Lord Grenville opposed
+            the motion on account of the delay, which would arise from an
+            examination of the witnesses by the House at large: but he
+            moved that such witnesses should be examined by a committee
+            of the House. Upon this a debate ensued, and afterwards a
+            division; when the original motion was carried by sixty-three
+            against thirty-six.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 15th of May, the Lords met again. Evidence was
+            then ordered to be summoned in behalf of those interested in the
+            continuance of the trade. At length it was introduced; but on
+            the 5th of June, when only seven persons had been examined, a
+            motion was made and carried, that the further examinations
+            should be postponed to the next session.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap28"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Continuation from July 1792 to July 1793.&#8212;Author travels
+         round the kingdom again.&#8212;Motion to renew the resolution of the last
+         year in the Commons; motion lost.&#8212;New motion in the Commons to
+         abolish the foreign Slave Trade; motion lost.&#8212;Proceedings of
+         the Lords.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            The resolution adopted by the Commons, that the trade should
+            cease in 1796, was a matter of great joy to many; and several, in
+            consequence of it, returned to the use of sugar. The committee,
+            however, for the abolition did not view it in the same favourable
+            light. They considered it as a political manoeuvre to frustrate
+            the accomplishment of the object. But the circumstance, which
+            gave them the most concern, was the resolution of the Lords to
+            hear evidence. It was impossible now to say, when the trade
+            would cease, the witnesses in behalf of the merchants and
+            planters, had obtained possession of the ground; and they might,
+            keep it, if they chose, even till the year 1800, to throw light
+            upon a measure which was to be adopted in 1796. The committee
+            found too, that they had again the laborious task before
+            them of finding out new persons to give testimony in behalf of
+            their cause; for some of their former witnesses were dead, and
+            others were out of the kingdom; and unless they replaced these,
+            there would be no probability of making out that strong case in
+            the Lords, which they had established in the Commons. It
+            devolved therefore upon me once more to travel for this purpose:
+            but as I was then in too weak a state to bear as much fatigue as
+            formerly, Dr. Dickson relieved me, by taking one part of the tour,
+            namely, that to Scotland, upon himself.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            These journeys we performed with considerable success;
+            during which, the committee elected Mr. Joseph Townsend of
+            Baltimore, in Maryland, an honorary and corresponding member.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Parliament having met, Mr. Wilberforce, in February 1793,
+            moved, that the House resolve itself into a committee of the
+            whole House on Thursday next, to consider of the circumstances
+            of the Slave Trade. This motion was opposed by Sir William
+
+            Yonge, who moved, that this day six months should be substituted
+            for Thursday next. A debate ensued: of this, however,
+            as well as of several which followed. I shall give no account; as
+            it would be tedious to the reader to hear a repetition of the same
+            arguments. Suffice it to say, that the motion was lost by a
+            majority of sixty-one to fifty-three.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This sudden refusal of the House of Commons to renew their
+            own vote of the former year, gave great uneasiness to the friends
+            of the cause. Mr. Wilberforce, however, resolved that the
+            session should not pass without an attempt to promote it in
+            another form; and accordingly, on the 14th of May, he moved
+            for leave to bring in a bill to abolish that part of the Slave
+            Trade, by which the British merchants supplied foreigners with
+            slaves. This motion was opposed like the former; but was
+            carried by a majority of seven. The bill was then brought in;
+            and it passed its first and second reading with little opposition;
+            but on the 5th of June, notwithstanding the eloquence of Mr.
+            Pitt and of Mr. Fox, and the very able speeches of Mr. Francis,
+            Mr. Courtenay, and others, it was lost by a majority of thirty-one
+            to twenty-nine.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the interval between these motions, the question experienced
+            in the Lords considerable opposition. The Duke of
+            Clarence moved that the House should not proceed in the consideration
+            of the Slave Trade till after the Easter recess. The
+            Earl of Abingdon was still more hostile afterwards. He deprecated
+            the new philosophy. It was as full of mischief as the Box
+            of Pandora. The doctrine of the abolition of the Slave Trade
+            was a species of it; and he concluded by moving, that all
+            further consideration of the subject be postponed. To the epithets,
+            then bestowed upon the abolitionists by this nobleman, the Duke
+            of Clarence added those of fanatics and hypocrites, among whom
+            he included Mr. Wilberforce by name. All the other Lords,
+            however, who were present, manifested such a dislike to the
+            sentiments of the Earl of Abingdon, that he withdrew his motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After this, the hearing of evidence on the resolution of the
+            House of Commons was resumed; and seven persons were
+            examined before the close of the session.
+
+         </p>
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap29"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>&#8212;Continuation from July 1793 to July 1794.&#8212;Author
+         travels round the kingdom again.&#8212;Motion to abolish the foreign Slave
+         Trade renewed in the Commons; and carried; but lost in the Lords; further
+         proceedings there.&#8212;Author, on account of his declining health, obliged
+         to retire from the cause.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            The committee for the abolition could not view the proceedings
+            of both Houses of Parliament on this subject during the year
+            1793, without being alarmed for the fate of their question. The
+            only two sources of hope, which they could discover, were in the
+            disposition then manifested by the Peers, as to the conduct of the
+            Earl of Abingdon, and in their determination to proceed in the
+            hearing of evidence. The latter circumstance indeed was the
+            more favourable, as the resolution, upon which the witnesses
+            were to be examined, had not been renewed by the Commons.
+            These considerations, however, afforded no solid ground for the
+            mind to rest upon. They only broke in upon it, like faint gleams
+            of sunshine, for a moment, and then were gone. In this
+            situation, the committee could only console themselves by the
+            reflection, that they had done their duty. In looking, however,
+            to their future services, one thing, and only one, seemed practicable;
+            and this was necessary; namely, to complete the new
+            body of evidence, which they had endeavoured to form in the
+            preceding year. The determination to do this rendered another
+            journey on my part indispensable; and I undertook it, broken
+            down, as my constitution then was, beginning it in September
+            1793, and completing it in February 1794.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Wilberforce, in this interval, had digested his plan of
+            operations; and accordingly, early in the session of 1794, he
+            asked leave to renew his former bill, to abolish that part of the
+            trade, by means of which British merchants supplied foreigners
+            with slaves. This request was opposed by Sir William Yonge;
+            but it was granted; on a division of the House, by a majority of
+            sixty-three to forty votes.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When the bill was brought in, it was opposed by the same
+            member; upon which the House divided; and there appeared
+            for Sir William Yonge's amendment thirty-eight votes, but
+            against it fifty-six.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On a motion for the recommitment of the bill, Lord Sheffield
+            divided the House, against whose motion there was a majority of
+            forty-two. And, on the third reading of it, it was opposed again;
+            but it was at length carried.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The speakers against the bill were: Sir William Yonge,
+            Lord Sheffield, Colonel Tarleton, Alderman Newnham and
+            Messrs; Payne, Este, Lechaiere, Cawthorae, Jenkinson, and Dent.
+            Those who spoke in favour of it were: Messrs. Pitt, Fox, William
+            Smith, Whitbread, Francis, Burdon, Vaughan, Barham,
+            and Serjeants Watson and Adair.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            While the foreign Slave-bill was thus passing through its
+            stages in the Commons, Dr. Horsley, Bishop of Rochester, who
+            saw no end to the examinations, while the witnesses were to be
+            examined at the bar of the House of Lords, moved, that they
+            should be taken in future before a committee above-stairs. Dr.
+            Porteus, Bishop of London, and the Lords Guildford, Stanhope,
+            and Grenville, supported this motion. But the Lord Chancellor
+            Thurlow, aided by the Duke of Clarence, and by the Lords
+            Mansfield, Hay, Abingdon, and others, negatived it by a majority
+            of twenty-eight.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length the bill itself was ushered into the House of Lords.
+            On reading it a second time, it was opposed by the Duke of
+            Clarence, Lord Abingdon, and others. Lord Grenville and the
+            Bishop of Rochester declined supporting it. They alleged as a
+            reason, that they conceived the introduction of it to have been
+            improper, pending the inquiry on the general subject of the Slave
+            Trade. This declaration brought up the Lords Stanhope and
+            Lauderdale, who charged them with inconsistency as professed
+            friends of the cause. At length the bill was lost. During these
+            discussions the examination of the witnesses was resumed by the
+            Lords; but only two of them were heard in this
+            session<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXIX_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXIX_1"></a>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXIX_1"></a><a href="#FootXXIX_1">A</a>: After this the examinations wholly
+            dropped in the House of Lords.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After this decision the question was in a desperate state; for
+
+            if the Commons would not renew their own resolution, and the
+            Lords would not abolish the foreign part of the Slave-trade,
+            what hope was there of success? It was obvious too, that in
+            the former House, Mr. Pitt and Mr. Dundas voted against each
+            other. In the latter, the Lord Chancellor Thurlow opposed
+            every motion in favour of the cause. The committee therefore
+            were reduced to this;&#8212;either they must exert themselves without
+            hope, or they must wait till some change should take place
+            in their favour. As far as I myself was concerned, all exertion
+            was then over. The nervous system was almost shattered to
+            pieces. Both my memory and my hearing failed me. Sudden
+            dizzinesses seized my head. A confused singing in the ears
+            followed me, wherever I went. On going to bed the very,
+            stairs seemed to dance up and down under me, so that, misplacing
+            my foot, I sometimes fell. Talking too, if it continued
+            but half an hour, exhausted me, so that profuse perspirations
+            followed; and the same effect was produced even by an active
+            exertion of the mind for the like time. These disorders had been
+            brought on by degrees in consequence of the severe labours necessarily
+            attached to the promotion of the cause. For seven years
+            I had a correspondence to maintain with four hundred persons
+            with my own hand. I had some book or other annually to write
+            in behalf of the cause. In this time I had travelled more than
+            thirty-five thousand miles in search of evidence, and a great part
+            of these journeys in the night. All this time my mind had been
+            on the stretch. It had been bent too to this one subject; for I had
+            not even leisure to attend to my own concerns. The various
+            instances of barbarity, which had come successively to my knowledge
+            within this period, had vexed, harassed, and afflicted it.
+            The wound which these had produced, was rendered still deeper
+            by those cruel disappointments before related, which arose from
+            the reiterated refusal of persons to give their testimony, after I
+            had travelled hundreds of miles in quest of them. But the
+            severest stroke was that inflicted by the persecution, begun and
+            pursued by persons interested in the continuance of the trade, of
+            such witnesses as had been examined against them; and whom,
+            on account of their dependent situation in life, it was most easy
+
+            to oppress. As I had been the means of bringing these forward
+            on these occasions, they naturally came to me, when thus persecuted,
+            as the author of their miseries and their ruin. From their
+            supplications and wants it would have been ungenerous and
+            ungrateful to have fled<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXIX_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXIX_2"></a>. These different
+            circumstances, by acting together, had at length brought me into the
+            situation just mentioned; and I was therefore obliged, though very
+            reluctantly, to be borne out of the field, where I had placed the great
+            honour and glory of my life.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXIX_2"></a><a href="#FootXXIX_2">A</a>: The late Mr. Whitbread,
+            to whom one day in deep affliction
+            on this account I related accidentally a circumstance of this kind,
+            generously undertook, in order to make my mind easy upon the subject, to
+            make good all injuries, which should in future arise to individuals from
+            such persecution; and he repaired these, at different times, at a
+            considerable expense. I feel it a duty to divulge this circumstance, out
+            of respect to the memory of one of the best of men, and of one, whom, if
+            the history of his life were written, it would appear to have been an
+            extraordinary honour to the country to have produced.
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap30"></a>CHAPTER XXX.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Continuation from July 1794 to July 1799.&#8212;Various motions within
+         this period.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            I purpose, though it may seem abrupt after the division which
+            has hitherto been made of the contents of this volume, to throw
+            the events of the next five years into one chapter.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Wilberforce and the members of the committee, whose
+            constitutions had not suffered like my own, were still left; and
+            they determined to persevere in the promotion of their great
+            object as long as their health and their faculties permitted
+            them. The former, accordingly, in the month of February,
+            1795, moved in the House of Commons for leave to bring in
+            a bill for the abolition of the Slave Trade. This motion was
+            then necessary, if, according to the resolution of that House, the
+            Slave Trade was to cease in 1796. It was opposed, however,
+            by Sir William Yonge, and unfortunately lost by a majority of
+            seventy-eight to fifty-seven.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1796, Mr. Wilberforce renewed his efforts in the
+            Commons. He asked leave to bring in a bill for the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade, but in a limited time. The motion was opposed
+            as before; but on a division, there were for it ninety-three, and
+            against it only sixty-seven.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The bill having been brought in, was opposed in its second
+            reading; but it was carried through it by a majority of sixty-four
+            to thirty-one.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In a future stage it was opposed again; but it triumphed by
+            a majority of seventy-six to thirty-one. Mr. Elliott was then
+            put into the chair. Several clauses were adopted; and the first
+            of March, 1797, was fixed for the abolition of the Trade: but in
+            the next stage of it, after a long speech from Mr. Dundas, it was
+            lost by a majority of seventy-four against seventy.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Francis, who had made a brilliant speech in the last
+            debate, considering that nothing effectual had been yet done on
+            this great question, and wishing that a practical beginning might
+            be made, brought forward soon afterwards, a motion relative to the
+            improvement of the condition of the slaves in the West Indies.
+            This, after a short debate, was negatived without a division.
+            Mr. William Smith also moved an address to His Majesty, that
+            he would be pleased to give directions to lay before the House
+            copies of the several acts relative to regulations in behalf of the
+            slaves, passed by the different colonial assemblies since the year
+            1788. This motion was adopted by the House. Thus passed
+            away the session of 1796.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1797, while Mr. Wilberforce was deliberating
+            upon the best measure for the advancement of the cause, Mr. C.
+            Ellis came forward with a new motion. He began by declaring,
+            that he agreed with the abolitionists as to their object; but he
+            differed with them as to the mode of attaining It. The Slave
+            Trade he condemned as a cruel and pernicious system; but, as it
+            had become an inveterate evil, he feared it could not be done away
+            all at once, without injury to the interests of numerous individuals,
+            and even to the Negroes themselves. He concluded by moving an
+            address to His Majesty, humbly requesting, that he would give
+            directions to the governors of the West Indian islands, to recommend
+            it to the colonial assemblies to adopt such measures as
+            might appear to them best calculated to ameliorate the condition
+            of the Negroes, and thereby to remove gradually the Slave Trade;
+            and likewise to assure His Majesty of the readiness of this
+            House to concur in any measure to accelerate this desirable object;
+            This motion was seconded by Mr. Barham, It was opposed,
+            however, by Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Pitt, and others; but was at
+            length carried by a majority of ninety-nine to sixty-three.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1798, Mr. Wilberforce asked leave to renew his
+            former bill, to abolish the Slave Trade within a limited time.
+            He was supported by Mr. Canning, Mr. Hobhouse, Sir Robert Buxton,
+            Mr. Bouverie, and others. Messrs. Sewell, Bryan Edwards,
+            Henniker, and C. Ellis, took the opposite side of the question.
+            Mr. Ellis, however, observed, that he had no objection to restricting
+
+            the Slave Trade to plantations already begun in the colonies;
+            and Mr. Barham professed; himself a friend to the abolition, if it;
+            could be accomplished in a reasonable way. On a division, there
+            appeared to be for Mr. Wilberforce's motion eighty-three, but
+            against it eighty-seven.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1799 Mr. Wilberforce, undismayed by these
+            different disappointments, renewed his motion. Colonel M.
+            Wood, Mr. Petrie, and others, among whom were Mr. Windham
+            and Mr. Dundas, opposed it. Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fox, Mr. W. Smith,
+            Sir William Dolben, Sir R. Milbank, Mr. Hobhouse, and
+            Mr. Canning, supported it. Sir R. Milbank contended, that
+            modifications of a system, fundamentally wrong, ought not to be
+            tolerated by the legislature of a free nation, Mr. Hobhouse
+            said, that nothing could be so nefarious as this traffic in blood.
+            It was unjust in its principles it was cruel in its practice: it
+            admitted of no regulation whatever. The abolition of it was
+            called for equally, by morality and sound policy, Mr. Canning
+            exposed the folly of Mr. Dundas, who bad said, that as Parliament
+            had, in the year 1787, left the abolition to the colonial
+            assemblies, it ought not to be taken out of their hands. This
+            great event, he observed, could only be accomplished in two
+            ways; either by these assemblies, or by the Parliament of
+            England. Now the members of the Assembly of Jamaica had
+            professed that they would never abolish the trade. Was it not,
+            therefore, idle to rely upon them for the accomplishment of it?
+            He then took a very comprehensive view of the arguments, which
+            had been offered in the course of the debate, and was severe upon
+            the planters in the House, who, he said, had brought into familiar
+            use certain expressions, with no other view than to throw a veil
+            over their odious system. Among these was, "their right to
+            import labourers." But never was the word "labourers" so
+            prostituted, as when it was used for slaves. Never was the word
+            "right" so prostituted, not even when "the rights of man" were
+            talked of; as when the right to trade in man's blood was asserted,
+            by the members of an enlightened assembly. Never was the
+            right of importing these labourers worse defended than when the
+            antiquity, of the Slave Trade, and its foundation on the ancient
+
+            acts of parliament, were brought forward in its support. We
+            had been cautioned not to lay our unhallowed hands on the
+            ancient institution of the Slave Trade; nor to subvert a fabric,
+            raised by the wisdom of our ancestors, and consecrated by a lapse
+            of ages. But on what principles did we usually respect the
+            institutions of antiquity? We respected them, when we saw
+            some shadow of departed worth and usefulness; or some memorial
+            of what had been creditable to mankind. But was this the
+            case with the Slave Trade? Had it begun in principles of justice or
+            national honour, which the changes of the world alone had impaired?
+            Had it to plead former services and glories in behalf of its present
+            disgrace? In looking at it we saw nothing but crimes and sufferings
+            from the beginning&#8212;nothing but what wounded and convulsed
+            our feelings&#8212;nothing but what excited indignation and
+            horror. It had not even to plead what could often be said in
+            favour of the most unjustifiable wars. Though conquest had
+            sometimes originated in ambition, and in the worst of motives,
+            yet the conquerors and the conquered were sometimes blended
+            afterwards into one people; so that a system of common interest
+            arose out of former differences. But where was the analogy of
+            the eases? Was it only at the outset that we could trace violence
+            and injustice on the part of the Slave Trade? Were the oppressors
+            and the oppressed so reconciled, that enmities ultimately
+            ceased? No. Was it reasonable then to urge a prescriptive
+            right, not to the fruits of an ancient and forgotten evil, but to a
+            series of new violences; to a chain of fresh enormities; to
+            cruelties continually repeated; and of which every instance
+            inflicted a fresh calamity, and constituted a separate and substantial
+            crime?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The debate being over, the House divided; when it appeared
+            that there were for Mr. Wilberforce's motion seventy-four, but
+            against it eighty-two.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The motion for the general abolition of the Slave Trade
+            having been thus lost again in the Commons, a new motion was
+            made there soon after, by Mr. Henry Thornton, on the same
+            subject. The prosecution of this traffic, on certain parts of the
+            coast of Africa, had become so injurious to the new settlement at
+
+            Sierra Leone, that not only its commercial prospects were
+            but its safety endangered. Mr. Thornton, therefore
+            brought in a bill to confine the Slave Trade within certain limits.
+            But even this bill, though it had for its object only to free a
+            portion of the coast from the ravages of this traffic, was opposed
+            by Mr. Gascoyne, Dent, and others. Petitions also were presented
+            against it. At length, after two divisions, on the first of which
+            there were thirty-two votes to twenty-seven, and on the second
+            thirty-eight to twenty-two, it passed through all its stages.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When it was introduced into the Lords the petitions were
+            renewed against it. Delay also was interposed to its progress by
+            the examination of witnesses. It was not till the fifth of July
+            that the matter was brought to issue. The opponents of the bill,
+            at that time, were the Duke of Clarence, Lord Westmoreland,
+            Lord Thurlow, and the Lords Douglas and Hay, the two latter
+            being Earls of Morton and Kinnoul, in Scotland. The supporters
+            of it were Lord Grenville, who introduced it, Lord Loughborough,
+            Lord Holland, and Dr. Horsley, Bishop of Rochester: the
+            latter was peculiarly eloquent. He began his speech, by arraigning
+            the injustice and impolicy of the trade:&#8212;"injustice," he
+            said, "which no considerations of policy could extenuate; impolicy,
+            equal in degree to its injustice."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He well knew that the advocates for the Slave Trade had
+            endeavoured to represent the project for abolition, as a branch of
+            jacobinism; but they who supported it proceeded upon no
+            visionary motives of equality, or of the imprescriptible rights of
+            man. They strenuously upheld the gradations of civil society:
+            but they did, indeed, affirm that these gradations were, both
+            ways, both as they ascended and as they descended, limited.
+            There was an existence of power, to which no good king would
+            aspire; and there was an extreme condition of subjection, to
+            which man could not be degraded without injustice; and this
+            they would maintain, was the condition of the African, who was
+            torn away into slavery.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then explained the limits of that portion of Africa, which
+            the bill intended to set apart as sacred to peace and liberty. He
+            showed that this was but one-third of the coast; and, therefore,
+
+            that two-thirds were yet left for the diabolical speculations of the
+            slave merchants. He expressed his surprise that such witnesses,
+            as those against the bill, should have been introduced at all: he
+            affirmed that their oaths were falsified by their own log-books;
+            and that, from their own accounts, the very healthiest of their
+            vessels were little better than pestilential gaols. Mr. Robert
+            Hume, one of these witnesses, had made a certain voyage: he
+            had made it in thirty-three days: he had shipped two hundred
+            and sixty-five slaves, and he had lost twenty-three of them. If
+            he had gone on losing his slaves, all of whom were under twenty-five
+            years of age, at this rate, it was obvious, that he would have
+            lost two hundred and fifty-three of them, if his passage had lasted
+            for a year. Now, in London only, seventeen would have died of
+            that age, out of one thousand within the latter period.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After having exposed the other voyages of Mr. Hume in a
+            similar manner, he entered into a commendation of the views of
+            the Sierra Leone company, and then defended the character of
+            the Africans in their own country, as exhibited in the Travels of
+            Mr. Mungo Park. He made a judicious discrimination with
+            respect to slavery, as it existed among them: he showed that this
+            slavery was analogous to that of the heroic and patriarchal ages,
+            and contrasted it with the West Indian in an able manner.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He adverted, lastly, to what had fallen from the learned
+            counsel, who had supported the petitions of the slave-merchants.
+            One of them had put this question to their Lordships, "If the
+            Slave Trade were as wicked as it had been represented, why was
+            there no prohibition of it in the Holy Scriptures?" He then
+            entered into a full defence of the Scriptures on this ground,
+            which he concluded by declaring, that, as St. Paul had coupled
+            men-stealers with murderers, he had condemned the Slave Trade
+            in one of its most productive modes, and generally in all its
+            modes. And here it is worthy of remark, that the word used by
+            the apostle on this occasion, and which has been translated
+            men-stealers, should have been rendered slave traders. This was
+            obvious from the scholiast of Aristophanes, whom he quoted. It
+            was clear, therefore, that the Slave Trade, if murder was forbidden,
+            had been literally forbidden also.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The learned counsel, too, had admonished their lordships, to
+            beware how they adopted the visionary projects of fanatics. He
+            did not know in what direction this shaft was shot; and he cared
+            not. It did not concern him. With the highest reverence for
+            the religion of the land, with the firmest conviction of its truth,
+            and with the deepest sense of the importance Of its doctrines, he
+            was proudly conscious, that the general shape and fashion of his
+            life bore nothing of the stamp of fanaticism. But he begged
+            leave, in his turn, to address a word of serious exhortation to their
+            lordships. He exhorted them to beware how they were persuaded
+            to bury, under the opprobrious name of fanaticism, the
+            regard which they owed to the great duties of mercy and justice,
+            for the neglect of which (if they should neglect them) they would
+            be answerable at that tribunal, where no prevarication of witnesses
+            could misinform the judge; and where no subtlety of an
+            advocate, miscalling the names of things, putting evil for good
+            and good for evil, could mislead his judgment.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length the debate ended: when the bill was lost by a
+            majority of sixty-eight to sixty-one, including personal votes and
+            proxies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I cannot conclude this chapter without offering a few remarks.
+            And, first, I may observe, as the substance of the debates has not
+            been given for the period which it contains, that Mr. Wilberforce,
+            upon whom too much praise cannot be bestowed for his perseverance
+            from year to year, amidst the disheartening circumstances
+            which attended his efforts, brought every new argument to
+            which either the discovery of new light, or the events of the times,
+            produced. I may observe also, in justice to the memories of Mr.
+            Pitt and Mr. Fox, that there was no debate within this period,
+            in which they did not take a part; and in which they did not
+            irradiate others from the profusion of their own light; and
+            thirdly, that in consequence of the efforts of the three, conjoined
+            with those of others, the great cause of the abolition was secretly
+            gaining ground. Many members who were not connected with the
+            trade, but who had yet hitherto supported it, were on the point of
+            conversion. Though the question had oscillated backwards and
+            forwards, so that an ordinary spectator could have discovered no
+
+            gleam of hope at these times, nothing is more certain, than that
+            the powerful eloquence then displayed had smoothed the resistance
+            to it, had shortened its vibrations, and had prepared it for
+            a state of rest.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the West-Indians themselves, some of them
+            began to see through the mists of prejudice, which had covered
+            them. In the year 1794, when the bill for the abolition of the
+            foreign Slave Trade was introduced, Mr. Vaughan and Mr.
+            Barham supported it. They called upon the planters in the House
+            to give way to humanity, where their own interests could not be
+            affected by their submission. This, indeed, may be said to have
+            been no mighty thing; but it was a frank confession of the injustice
+            of the Slave Trade, and the beginning of the change which
+            followed, both with respect to themselves and others.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the old friends of the cause, it is with regret
+            I mention, that it lost the support of Mr. Windham within this
+            period; and this regret is increased by the consideration, that he
+            went off on the avowed plea of expediency against moral rectitude;
+            a doctrine, which, at least upon this subject, he had reprobated
+            for ten years. It was, however, some consolation, as far as
+            talents were concerned, (for there can be none for the
+            loss of virtuous feeling,) that Mr. Canning, a new member, should have so
+            ably supplied his place.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of the gradual abolitionists, whom we have always considered
+            as the most dangerous enemies of the cause, Mr. Jenkinson (afterwards
+            Earl of Liverpool), Mr. Addington (subsequently Lord Sidmouth),
+            and Mr. Dundas (afterwards Lord Melville), continued
+            their opposition during all this time. Of the first two I shall say
+            nothing at present; but I cannot pass over the conduct of the latter.
+            He was the first person, as we have seen, to propose the gradual
+            abolition of the Slave Trade; and he fixed a time for its cessation
+            on the 1st of January, 1800. His sincerity on this occasion was
+            doubted by Mr. Fox at the very outset; for he immediately rose and
+            said, that "something so mischievous had come out, something so
+            like a foundation had been laid for preserving, not only for years to
+            come, but for anything he knew, for ever, this detestable traffic,
+            that he felt it his duty immediately to deprecate all such delusions
+
+            upon the country." Mr. Pitt, who spoke soon afterwards, in reply
+            to an argument advanced by Mr. Dundas, maintained, that "at
+            whatever period the House should say that the Slave Trade
+            should actually cease, this defence would equally be set up; for it
+            would be just as good an argument in seventy years hence, as it
+            was against the abolition then." And these remarks Mr. Dundas
+            verified in a singular manner within this period: for in the year
+            1796, when his own bill, as amended in the Commons, was to
+            take place, he was one of the most strenuous opposers of it; and
+            in the year 1799, when in point of consistency it devolved upon
+            him to propose it to the House, in order that the trade might
+            cease on the 1st of January, 1800, (which was the time of his
+            own original choice, or a time unfettered by parliamentary
+            amendment,) he was the chief instrument of throwing out Mr. Wilberforce's
+            bill, which promised even a longer period to its
+            continuance: so that it is obvious, that there was no time, within
+            his own limits, when the abolition would have suited him, notwithstanding
+            his profession, "that he had always been a warm
+            advocate for the measure."
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap31"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>Continuation from July 1799 to July 1805.&#8212;Various motions within this
+         period.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            The question had now been brought forward in almost every possible
+            way, and yet had been eventually lost. The total and immediate
+            abolition had been attempted; and then the gradual.
+            The gradual again had been tried for the year 1798, then for
+            1795, and then for 1796, at which period it was decreed, but
+            never allowed to be executed. An Abolition of a part of the trade,
+            as it related to the supply of foreigners with slaves, was the next
+            measure proposed; and when this failed, the abolition of another
+            part of it, as it related to the making of a certain portion of the
+            coast of Africa sacred to liberty, was attempted; but this failed
+            also. Mr. Wilberforce therefore thought it prudent, not to press
+            the abolition as a mere annual measure, but to allow members
+            time to digest the eloquence, which had been bestowed upon it
+            for the last five years, and to wait till some new circumstances
+            should favour its introduction. Accordingly he allowed the years
+            1800, 1801, 1802, and 1803, to pass over without any further
+            parliamentary notice than the moving for certain papers; during
+            which he took an opportunity of assuring the House, that he had
+            not grown cool in the cause, but that he would agitate it in a
+            future session.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1804, which was fixed upon for renewed exertion,
+            the committee for the abolition of the Slave Trade elected James
+            Stephen, Zachary Macaulay, Henry Brougham, Esqrs., and
+            William Phillips, into their own body. Four other members,
+            also, Robert Grant, and John Thornton, Esqrs., and William
+            Manser and William Allen, were afterwards added to the list.
+            Among, the reasons for fixing upon this year, one may be assigned,
+            namely, that the Irish members, in consequence of the
+            union which had taken place between the two countries, had then
+
+            all taken their seats in the House of Commons; and that most of
+            them were friendly to the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This being the situation of things, Mr. Wilberforce, on the
+            30th of March, asked leave to renew his bill for the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade within a limited time, Mr. Fuller opposed the
+            motion. A debate ensued. Colonel Tarleton, Mr. Devaynes,
+            Mr. Addington, and Mr. Manning spoke against it,
+            however, notwithstanding his connection with the West Indies,
+            said he would support it, if an indemnification were offered to the
+            planters, in case any actual loss should accompany the measure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir William Geary questioned the propriety of immediate
+            abolition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir Robert Buxton, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Barbara
+            spoke in favour of the motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. William Smith rose, when the latter had seated himself,
+            and complimented him on this change of sentiment, so honourable
+            to him, inasmuch as he had espoused the cause of humanity
+            against his supposed interest as a planter. Mr. Leigh said that
+            he would not tolerate such a traffic for a moment. All the
+            feelings of nature revolted at it. Lord de Blaquiere observed,
+            "it was the first time the question had been proposed to Irishmen
+            as legislators. He believed it would be supported by most of
+            them. As to the people of Ireland, he could pledge himself that
+            they were hostile to this barbarous traffic." An amendment
+            having been proposed by Mr. Manning, a division took place
+            upon it, when leave was given to bring in the bill, by a majority
+            of one hundred and twenty-four to forty-nine.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 7th of June, when the second reading of the bill was
+            moved, it was opposed by Sir W. Yonge, Dr. Laurence, Mr. C.
+            Brook, Mr. Dent, and others. Among these Lord Castlereagh
+            professed himself a friend to the abolition of the trade, but he
+            differed as to the mode. Sir J. Wrottesley approved of the
+            principle of the bill, but would oppose it in some of its details.
+            Mr. Windham allowed the justice, but differed as to the expediency,
+            of the measure. Mr. Deverell professed himself to have
+            been a friend to it; but he had then changed his mind. Sir
+            Laurence Parsons wished to see a plan for the gradual extinction
+
+            of the trade. Lord Temple affirmed that the bill would seal the
+            death-warrant of every White inhabitant of the islands. The
+            second reading was supported by Sir Ralph Milbank, Messrs.
+            Pitt, Fox, William Smith, Whitbread, Francis, Barham, and
+            Grenfell, and Sir John Newport. Mr. Grenfell observed, that
+            he could not give a silent vote, when the character of the country
+            was concerned. When the question of the abolition first came
+            before the public, he was a warm friend to it; and from that day
+            to this he had cherished the same feelings. He assured Mr.
+            Wilberforce of his constant support. Sir John Newport stated
+            that the Irish nation took a virtuous interest in this noble cause.
+            He ridiculed the idea that the trade and manufactures of the
+            country would suffer by the measure in contemplation; but, even
+            if they should suffer, he would oppose it. "Fiat justitia, ruat
+            coelura," Upon a division, there appeared for the second reading
+            one hundred, and against it forty-two.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 12th of June, when a motion was made to go into a committee
+            upon the bill, it was opposed by Messrs. Fuller, C. Brook,
+            C. Ellis, Dent, Deverell, and Manning: and it was supported by
+            Sir Robert Buxton, Mr. Barham, and the Hon. J.S. Cocks.
+            The latter condemned the imprudence of the planters. Instead
+            of profiting by the discussions, which had taken place, and making
+            wise provisions against the great event of the abolition, which
+            would sooner or later take place, they had only thought of new
+            stratagems to defeat it. He declared his abhorrence of the trade,
+            which he considered to be a national disgrace. The House
+            divided: when there were seventy-nine for the motion, and
+            against it, twenty.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 27th of June the bill was opposed in its last stage by Sir
+            W. Young, Messrs. Dickenson, Mr. Rose, Addington, and Dent.;
+            and supported by: Messrs. Pitt, W. Smith, Francis, and Barham;
+            when it was carried by a majority of sixty-nine to thirty-six. It
+            was then taken up to the Lords; but on a motion of Lord
+            Hawkesbury, then a member of that House, the discussion of it
+            was postponed to the next year.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The session being ended, the committee for the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade, increased its number, by the election of the Right
+
+            Honourable Lord Teignmouth, Dr. Dickson, and Wilson
+            Birkbeek, as members.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the year 1805, Mr. Wilberforce renewed his motion of
+            the former year. Colonel Tarleton, Sir William Yonge, Mr.
+            Puller, and Mr. Gascoyne opposed it. Leave, however, was
+            given him to introduce his bill.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the second reading of it, a serious opposition took place;
+            and an amendment was moved for postponing it till that day
+            six months. The amendment was opposed by Mr. Fox and Mr.
+            Huddlestone. The latter could not help lifting his voice
+            against this monstrous traffic in the sinews and blood of man, the
+            toleration of which had so long been the disgrace of the
+            British legislature. He did not charge the enormous guilt
+            resulting from it upon the nation at large; for the nation had
+            washed its hands of it by the numerous petitions it had sent
+            against it; and it had since been a matter of astonishment to all
+            Christendom, how the constitutional guardians of British freedom
+            should have sanctioned elsewhere the greatest system of
+            cruelty and oppression in the world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He said that a curse attended this trade even in the mode of
+            defending it. By a certain fatality, none but the vilest arguments
+            were brought forward, which corrupted the very persons who
+            used them. Every one of these was built on the narrow ground
+            of interest&#8212;of pecuniary profit&#8212;of sordid gain&#8212;in opposition to
+            every high consideration&#8212;to every motive that had reference to
+            humanity, justice, and religion&#8212;or to that great principle which
+            comprehended them all. Place only before the most determined
+            advocate of this odious traffic the exact image of himself in the
+            garb and harness of a slave, dragged and whipped about like a
+            beast; place this image also before him, and paint it as that of one
+            without a ray of hope to cheer him; and you would extort from
+            him the reluctant confession, that he would not endure for an hour
+            the misery to which he condemned his fellow-man for life. How
+            dared he, then, to use this selfish plea of interest against the
+            voice of the generous sympathies of his nature? But even upon
+            this narrow ground, the advocates for the traffic had been defeated.
+            If the unhallowed argument of expediency was worth anything
+
+            when opposed to moral rectitude, or if it were to supercede
+            precepts of Christianity, where was a man to stop, on what
+            was he to draw? For anything he knew, it might be physically
+            true, that human blood was the best manure for the land; but
+            who ought to shed it on that account? True expediency, however,
+            was, where it ever would be found, on the side of that system
+            which was most merciful and just. He asked how it happened,
+            that sugar could be imported cheaper from the East Indies
+            than from the West, notwithstanding the vast difference of the
+            length of the voyages, but on account of the impolicy of slavery;
+            or that it was made in the former case by the industry of free
+            men, and in the latter by the languid drudgery of slaves.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As he had had occasion to advert to the Eastern part of the
+            world, he would make an observation upon an argument, which
+            had been collected from that quarter. The condition of the
+            Negroes in the West Indies had been lately compared with that
+            of the Hindoos. But he would observe that the Hindoo, miserable
+            as his hovel was, had sources of pride and happiness, to
+            which not only the West Indian slave, but even his master, was
+            a stranger. He was to be sure a peasant; and his industry was
+            subservient to the gratifications of an European lord; but he
+            was, in his own belief, vastly superior to him. He viewed him
+            as one of the lowest cast. He would not on any consideration
+            eat from the same plate. He would not suffer his son to marry
+            the daughter of his master, even if she could bring him all the
+            West Indies as her portion. He would observe, too, that the
+            Hindoo peasant drank his water from his native well; that, if his
+            meal were scanty, he received it from the hand of her, who was
+            most dear to him; that, when he laboured, he laboured for her
+            and his offspring. His daily task being finished, he reposed with
+            his family. No retrospect of the happiness of former days, compared
+            with existing misery, disturbed his slumber, nor horrid
+            dreams occasioned him to wake in agony at the dawn of day.
+            No barbarous sounds of cracking whips reminded him, that with
+            the form and image of a man his destiny was that of the beast of
+            the field. Let the advocates for the bloody traffic state what
+            they had to set off on their side of the question against the comforts
+
+            and independence of the man, with whom they compared
+            the slave.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The amendment was supported by Sir William Yonge, Sir
+            William Pulteney, Colonel Tarleton, Messrs. Gascoyne, C. Brook,
+            and Hiley Addington. On dividing the House upon it, there
+            appeared for it seventy-seven, but against it only seventy.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This loss of the question, after it had been carried in the last
+            year by so great a majority, being quite unexpected, was a matter
+            of severe disappointment; and might have discouraged the
+            friends of the cause in this infancy of their renewed efforts, if
+            they had not discovered the reason of its failure. After due
+            consideration it appeared, that no fewer than nine members, who
+            had never been absent once in sixteen years when it was agitated,
+            gave way to engagements on the day of the motion, from a belief
+            that it was safe. It appeared also, that out of the great number
+            of Irish members, who supported it in the former year, only nine
+            were in the House, when it was lost. It appeared also that,
+            previously to this event, a canvass, more importunate than had
+            heard of on any former occasion, had been made among the
+            latter by those interested in the continuance of the trade.
+            Many of these, unacquainted with the detail of the subject,
+            like the English members, admitted the dismal representations,
+            which were then made to them. The desire, of doing good on
+            the one hand, and the fear of doing injury on the other, perplexed
+            them; and in this dubious state they absented themselves
+            at the time mentioned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The causes of the failure having been found accidental, and
+            capable of a remedy, it was resolved that an attempt should be
+            made immediately in the House in a new form.
+            Lord Henry Petty signified his intention of bringing in a bill for
+            the abolition of the foreign part of the Slave Trade; but the impeachment
+            of Lord Melville, and other weighty matters coming
+            on, the notice was not acted upon in that session.
+
+         </p>
+     <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+         <h2><a name="chap32"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>&#8212;Continuation from July 1805 to July 1806&#8212;Author
+         returns to his duty in the committee&#8212;Travels again round the
+         kingdom&#8212;Death of Mr. Pitt&#8212;His character, as it related to the
+         question&#8212;Motion for the abolition of the foreign
+         Slave-Trade&#8212;Resolution to take measures for the total abolition of
+         it&#8212;Address to the King to negotiate with foreign powers for
+         their concurrence in it&#8212;Motion to prevent any new vessel going into
+         the trade&#8212;these carried through both Houses of Parliament.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            It was now almost certain, to the inexpressible joy of the committee,
+            that the cause, with proper vigilance, could be carried in
+            the next session in the House of Commons. It became them
+            therefore to prepare to support it. In adverting to measures for
+            this purpose, it occurred to them, that the House of Lords, if the
+            question should be then carried to them from the Commons,
+            might insist upon hearing evidence on the general subject. But,
+            alas, even the body of witnesses, which had been last collected,
+            was broken by death or dispersion! It was therefore to be
+            formed again. In this situation it devolved upon me, as I had
+            now returned to the committee after an absence of nine years, to
+            take another journey for this purpose.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This journey I performed with extraordinary success. In the
+            course of it I had also much satisfaction on another account. I
+            found the old friends of the cause still faithful to it. It was
+            remarkable, however, that the youth of the rising generation
+            knew but little about the question. For the last eight or nine
+            years the committee had not circulated any books; and the
+            debates in the Commons during that time had not furnished
+            them with the means of an adequate knowledge concerning it.
+            When, however, I conversed with these, as I travelled along,
+            I discovered a profound attention to what I said; an earnest
+            desire to know more of the subject; and a generous warmth in
+            favour of the injured Africans, which I foresaw could soon be
+            turned into enthusiasm. Hence I perceived that the cause
+            furnished us with endless sources of rallying: and that the ardour
+
+            which we had seen with so much admiration in former years,
+            could be easily renewed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I had scarcely finished my journey, when Mr. Pitt died. This
+            event took place in January 1806, I shall stop therefore to
+            make a few observations upon his character, as it related to this
+            cause. This I feel myself bound in justice to do, because his
+            sincerity towards it has been generally questioned.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The way, in which Mr. Pitt became acquainted with this
+            question, has already been explained. A few doubts having been
+            removed, when it was first started, he professed himself a friend
+            to the abolition. The first proof, which he gave of his friendship
+            to it is known but to few; but it is, nevertheless, true, that so
+            early as in 1788, he occasioned a communication to be made to
+            the French government, in which he recommended an union of
+            the two countries for the promotion of the great measure. This
+            proposition seemed to be then new and strange to the Court of
+            France; and the answer was not favourable.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From this time his efforts were reduced within the boundaries
+            of his own power. As far, however, as he had scope, he exerted
+            them. If we look at him in his parliamentary capacity, it must
+            be acknowledged by all, that he took an active, strenuous, and
+            consistent part, and this year after year, by which he realized his
+            professions. In my own private communications with him,
+            which were frequent, he never failed to give proofs of a similar
+            disposition. I had always free access to him. I had no previous
+            note or letter to write for admission. Whatever papers I wanted,
+            he ordered. He exhibited also in his conversation with me on
+            these occasions marks of a more than ordinary interest in the
+            welfare of the cause. Among the subjects, which were then
+            started, there was one, which was always near his heart. This
+            was the civilization of Africa. He looked upon this great work
+            as a debt due to that continent for the many injuries we had
+            inflicted upon it: and had the abolition succeeded sooner, as in
+            the infancy of his exertions he had hoped, I know he had a plan,
+            suited no doubt to the capaciousness of his own mind, for such
+            establishments in Africa, as he conceived would promote in due
+            time this important end.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I believe it will be said, notwithstanding what I have
+            advanced, that if Mr. Pitt had exerted himself as the Minister of
+            this country in behalf of the abolition, he could have carried it.
+            This brings the matter to an issue; for unquestionably the
+            charge of insincerity, as it related to this great question, arose
+            from the mistaken notion, that, as his measures in Parliament
+            were supported by great majorities, he could do as he pleased
+            there. But they who hold this opinion, must be informed, that
+            there were great difficulties, against which he had to struggle on
+            this subject! The Lord Chancellor Thurlow ran counter to his
+            wishes almost at the very outset. Lord Liverpool, and Mr. Dundas,
+            did the same. Thus, to go no further, three of the most
+            powerful members of the cabinet were in direct opposition to
+            him. The abolition then, amidst this difference of opinion, could
+            never become a cabinet measure; but if so, then all his parliamentary
+            efforts in this case wanted their usual authority, and he
+            could only exert his influence as a private
+            man<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXXII_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXXII_1"></a>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXXII_1"></a><a href="#FootXXXII_1">A</a>: This he did with great effect on one
+            or two occasions. On the motion of Mr. Cawthorne in 1791, the cause
+            hung as it were by a thread;
+            and would have failed that day, to my knowledge, but for his seasonable
+            exertions.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But a difficulty, still more insuperable, presented itself, in an
+            occurrence which took place in the year 1791, but which is much
+            too delicate to be mentioned. The explanation of it, however,
+            would convince the reader, that all the efforts of Mr. Pitt from
+            that day were rendered useless, I mean, as to bringing the question,
+            as a Minister of State, to a favourable issue.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But though Mr. Pitt did not carry this great question, he
+            was yet one of the greatest supporters of it; He fostered it in its
+            infancy. If, in his public situation, he had then set his face
+            against it, where would have been our hope? He upheld it also
+            in its childhood; and though in this state of its existence it did
+            not gain from his protection all the strength Which it was
+            expected it would have acquired, he yet kept it from falling, till
+            his successors, in whose administration a greater number Of
+            favourable circumstances concurred to give it vigour, brought it
+            to triumphant maturity.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Grenville and Mr. Fox, having been called to the head
+
+            of the executive government on the death of Mr. Pitt, the cause
+            was ushered into Parliament under new auspices. In a former
+            year His Majesty had issued a proclamation by which British
+            merchants were forbidden (with certain defined exceptions) to
+            import slaves into the colonies, which had been conquered by the
+            British arms in the course of the war. This circumstance
+            afforded an opportunity of trying the question in the House
+            of Commons with the greatest hope of success. Accordingly Sir
+            A. Pigott, the Attorney-General, as an officer of the crown,
+            brought in a bill on the thirty-first of March 1806, the first
+            object of which was, to give effect to the proclamation now mentioned.
+            The second was, to prohibit British subjects from being
+            engaged in importing slaves into the colonies of any foreign
+            power whether hostile or neutral. And the third was, to prohibit
+            British subjects and British capital from being employed in
+            carrying on the Slave Trade in foreign ships; and also to prevent
+            the outfit of foreign ships from British ports.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir A. Pigott, on the introduction of this bill, made an appropriate
+            speech. The bill was supported by Mr. Fox, Sir William
+            Yonge, Mr. Brook, and Mr. Bagwell; but opposed by Generals
+            Tarleton and Gascoyne, Mr. Rose, Sir Robert Peel, and Sir
+            Charles Price. On the third reading, a division being called for,
+            there appeared for it thirty-five, and against it only thirteen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 7th of May it was introduced into the Lords. The
+            supporters of it there were, the Duke of Gloucester, Lord Grenville,
+            the Bishops of London and St. Asaph, the Earl of Buckinghamshire
+            and the Lords Holland, Lauderdale, Auckland, Sidmouth,
+            and Ellenborough. The opposers were, the Dukes of
+            Clarence and Sussex, the Marquis of Sligo, the Earl of Westmoreland,
+            and the Lords Eldon and Sheffield. At length a
+            division took place, when there appeared to be in favour of it
+            thirty-three, and against it eighteen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            During the discussions, to which this bill gave birth, Lord
+            Grenville and Mr. Fox declared in substance, in their respective
+            Houses of Parliament, that they felt the question of the Slave
+            Trade to be one, which involved the dearest interests of humanity,
+            and the most urgent claims of policy, justice, and religion;
+
+            and that, should they succeed in affecting its abolition, they
+            would regard that success as entailing more true glory on their
+            administration, and more honour and advantage on their country,
+            than any other measure, in which they could he engaged. The
+            bill having passed, (the first, which dismembered this cruel trade,)
+            it was thought proper to follow it up in a prudent manner; and,
+            as there was not then time in the advanced period of the session
+            to bring in another for the total extinction of it, to move a resolution,
+            by which both Houses should record those principles, on
+            which the propriety of the latter measure was founded. It was
+            judged also expedient that Mr. Fox, as the Prime Minister in the
+            House of Commons, should introduce it there.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 10th of June Mr. Fox rose. He began by saying
+            that the motion, with which he should conclude, would tend in
+            its consequences to effect the total abolition of the Slave Trade;
+            and he confessed that, since he had sat in that House (a period of
+            between thirty and forty years), if he had done nothing else, but
+            had only been instrumental in carrying through this measure, he
+            should think his life well spent; and should retire quite satisfied,
+            that he had not lived in vain.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In adverting to the principle of the trade, he noticed some
+            strong expressions of Mr. Burke concerning it. "To deal in
+            human flesh and blood," said that great man, "or to deal, not in
+            the labour of men, but in men themselves, was to devour the
+            root, instead of enjoying the fruit of human diligence."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Fox then took a view of the opinions of different members
+            of the House on this great question; and showed that,
+            though many had opposed the abolition, all but two or three,
+            among whom were the members for Liverpool, had confessed,
+            that the trade ought to be done away. He then went over the
+            different resolutions of the House on the subject, and concluded
+            from thence, that they were bound to support his motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He combated the argument, that the abolition would ruin the
+            West Indian islands. In doing this he paid a handsome compliment
+            to the memory of Mr. Pitt, whose speech upon this particular
+            point was, he said, the most powerful and convincing of
+            any he had ever heard. Indeed they, who had not; heard it,
+
+            could have no notion of it. It was a speech, of which he would
+            say with the Roman author, reciting the words of the Athenian
+            orator, "Quid esset, si ipsum audivissetis!" It was a speech no
+            less remarkable for splendid eloquence, than for solid sense and
+            convincing reason; supported by calculations founded on facts,
+            and conclusions drawn from premises, as correctly as if they had
+            been mathematical propositions; all tending to prove that, instead
+            of the West Indian plantations suffering an injury, they
+            would derive a material benefit by the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade. He then called upon the friends of this great man to
+            show their respect for his memory by their votes; and he concluded
+            with moving, "that this House, considering the African
+            Slave Trade to be contrary to the principles of justice, humanity,
+            and policy, will, with all practicable expedition, take effectual
+            measures for the abolition of the said trade, in such a manner,
+            and at such a period, as may be deemed advisable."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir Ralph Milbank rose, and seconded the motion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            General Tarleton rose next. He deprecated the abolition, on
+            account of the effect which it would have on the trade and
+            revenue of the country.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Francis said the merchants of Liverpool were at liberty
+            to ask for compensation; but he, for one, would never grant it
+            for the loss of a trade, which had been declared to be contrary to
+            humanity and justice. As an uniform friend to this great cause,
+            he wished Mr. Fox had not introduced a resolution, but a real
+            bill for the abolition of the Slave Trade. He believed that both
+            Houses were then disposed to do it away. He wished the golden
+            opportunity might not be lost.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Castlereagh thought it a proposition, on which no one
+            could entertain a doubt, that the Slave Trade was a great evil in
+            itself; and that it was the duty and policy of Parliament to
+            extirpate it; but he did not think the means offered were adequate
+            to the end proposed. The abolition, as a political question,
+            was a difficult one. The year 1796 had been once fixed upon by
+            the House, as the period when the trade was to cease; but, when
+            the time arrived, the resolution was not executed. This was a
+            proof, either that the House did not wish for the event, or that
+
+            they judged it impracticable. It would be impossible, he said,
+            to get other nations to concur in the measure; and even if they
+            were to concur, it could not be effected. We might restrain the
+            subjects of the parent-state from following the trade; but we
+            could not those in our colonies. A hundred frauds would be
+            committed by these, which we could not detect. He did not
+            mean by this, that the evil was to go on for ever. Had a wise
+            plan been proposed at first, it might have been half-cured by this
+            time. The present resolution would do no good. It was vague,
+            indefinite, and unintelligible. Such resolutions were only the
+            slave-merchants' harvests. They would go for more slaves than
+            usual in the interim. He should have advised a system of duties
+            on fresh importations of slaves, progressively increasing to a
+            certain extent; and that the amount of these duties should be
+            given to the planters, as a bounty to encourage the Negro
+            population upon their estates. Nothing could be done, unless we
+            went hand in hand with the latter. But he should deliver
+            himself more fully on this subject, when any thing specific should
+            be brought forward in the shape of a bill.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir S. Romilly, the Solicitor-General, differed from Lord
+            Castlereagh; for he thought the resolution of Mr. Fox was very
+            simple and intelligible. If there was a proposition vague and
+            indefinite, it was that advanced by the noble lord, of a system of
+            duties on fresh importations, rising progressively, and this under
+            the patronage and co-operation of the planters. Who could
+            measure the space between the present time and the abolition of
+            the trade, if that measure were to depend upon the approbation
+            of the colonies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The cruelty and injustice of the Slave Trade had been established
+            by evidence beyond a doubt. It had been shown to be
+            carried on by rapine, robbery, and murder; by fomenting and
+            encouraging wars; by false accusations; and imaginary crimes.
+            The unhappy victims were torn away not only in the time of war,
+            but of profound peace. They were then carried across the
+            Atlantic, in a manner too horrible to describe; and afterwards
+            subjected to eternal slavery. In support of the continuance of such
+            a traffic, he knew of nothing but assertions already disproved, and
+
+            arguments already refuted. Since the year 1796, when it was
+            to cease by a resolution of Parliament, no less than three hundred
+            and sixty thousand Africans had been torn away from their native
+            land. What an accumulation was this to our former guilt!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            General Gascoyne made two extraordinary assertions: First,
+            that the trade was defensible on Scriptural ground.&#8212;"Both thy
+            bondmen and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of
+            the heathen, that are round about thee; of them shall you have
+            bondmen and bondmaids. And thou shalt take them as an heritance
+            for thy children after thee to inherit them for a possession;
+            they shall be thy bondmen for ever." Secondly, that the trade
+            had been so advantageous to this country, that it would have been
+            advisable even to institute a new one, if the old had not existed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Wilberforce replied to General Gascoyne. He then took
+            a view of the speech of Lord Castlereagh, which he answered
+            point by point. In the course of his observations he showed that
+            the system of duties progressively increasing, as proposed by the
+            noble lord, would be one of the most effectual modes of perpetuating
+            the Slave Trade. He exposed, also, the false foundation of
+            the hope of any reliance on the co-operation of the colonists.
+            The House, he said, had, on the motion of Mr. Ellis, in the year
+            1797, prayed his Majesty to consult with the colonial legislatures
+            to take such measures, as might conduce to the gradual abolition
+            of the African Slave Trade. This address was transmitted to
+            them by Lord Melville. It was received in some of the islands
+            with a declaration, "that they possibly might, in some instances,
+            endeavour to improve the condition of their slaves; but they
+            should do this, not with any view to the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade; for they considered that trade as their birth-right, which
+            could not be taken from them; and that we should deceive ourselves
+            by supposing, that they would agree to such a measure."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He desired to add to this the declaration of General Prevost in
+            his public letter from Dominica. Did he not say, when asked
+            what steps had been taken there in consequence of the resolution
+            of the House in 1797, "that the act of the legislature, entitled
+            an act for the encouragement, protection, and better government
+            of slaves, appeared to him to have been considered, from the day
+
+            it was passed until this hour, as a political measure to avert the
+            interference of the mother country in the management of the slaves."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir William Yonge censured the harsh language of Sir Samuel
+            Romilly, who had applied the terms rapine, robbery, and murder
+            to those, who were connected with the Slave Trade. He considered
+            the resolution of Mr. Fox as a prelude to a bill for the abolition
+            of that traffic, and this bill as a prelude to emancipation,
+            which would not only be dangerous in itself, but would change
+            the state of property in the islands.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Henry Petty, after having commented on the speeches
+            of Sir Samuel Romilly and Lord Castlereagh, proceeded to state
+            his own opinion on the trade; which was, that it was contrary to
+            justice, humanity, and sound policy, all of which he considered
+            to be inseparable. On its commencement in Africa the wickedness
+            began. It produced there fraud and violence, robbery and
+            murder. It gave birth to false accusations, and a mockery of
+            justice. It was the parent of every crime, which could at once
+            degrade and afflict the human race. After spreading vice and
+            misery all over this continent, it doomed its unhappy victims to
+            hardships and cruelties which were worse than death. The first
+            of these was conspicuous in their transportation. It was found
+            there, that cruelty begat cruelty; that the system, wicked in its
+            beginning, was equally so in its progress; and that it perpetuated
+            its miseries wherever it was carried on. Nor was it baneful only
+            to the objects, but to the promoters of it. The loss of British
+            seamen in this traffic was enormous. One-fifth of all, who were
+            employed in it, perished; that is, they became the victims of a
+            system, which was founded on fraud, robbery, and murder; and
+            which procured to the British nation nothing but the execration
+            of mankind. Nor had we yet done with the evils which attended
+            it; for it brought in its train the worst of all moral effects, not
+            only as it respected the poor slaves, when transported to the colonies,
+            but as it respected those who had concerns with them there.
+            The arbitrary power, which it conferred, afforded men of bad dispositions
+            full scope for the exercise of their passions; and it rendered men,
+            constitutionally of good dispositions, callous to the
+            misery of others. Thus it depraved the nature of all who were
+
+            connected with it. These considerations had made him a friend
+            to the abolition, from the time he was capable of reasoning upon
+            it. They were considerations, also, which determined the House,
+            in the year 1782, to adopt a measure of the same kind as the
+            present. Had anything happened to change the opinion of members,
+            since? On the contrary, they had now the clearest evidence,
+            that all the arguments then used against the abolition were fallacious;
+            being founded, not upon truth, but on assertions devoid of
+            all truth, and derived from ignorance or prejudice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having made these remarks, he proved, by a number of facts,
+            the folly of the argument, that the Africans laboured under such
+            a total degradation of mental and moral faculties, that they were
+            made for slavery.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then entered into the great subject of population. He
+            showed that in all countries, where there were no unnatural hardships,
+            mankind would support themselves. He applied this
+            reasoning to the Negro population in the West Indies; which he
+            maintained could not only be kept up, but increased, without any
+            further importations from Africa.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then noticed the observations of Sir William Yonge, on
+            the words of Sir Samuel Romilly; and desired him to reserve his
+            indignation for those, who were guilty of acts of rapine, robbery,
+            and murder, instead of venting it on those, who only did their
+            duty in describing them. Never were accounts more shocking
+            than those lately sent to government from the West Indies.
+            Lord Seaforth, and the Attorney-General, could not refrain, in
+            explaining them, from the use of the words murder and torture.
+            And did it become members of that House (in order to accommodate
+            the nerves of the friends of the Slave Trade) to soften
+            down their expressions, when they were speaking on that subject;
+            and to desist from calling that murder and torture, for which a
+            Governor, and the Attorney-General, of one of the islands could
+            find no better name?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            After making observations relative to the co-operation of
+            foreign powers in this great work, he hoped that the House would
+            not suffer itself to be drawn, either by opposition or by ridicule,
+            to the right or to the left; but that it would advance straight
+
+            forward to the accomplishment of the most magnanimous act of
+            justice, that was ever achieved by any legislature in the world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Rose declared, that on the very first promulgation of this
+            question, he had proposed to the friends of it the very plan of his
+            noble friend Lord Castlereagh; namely, a system of progressive
+            duties, and of bounties for the promotion of the Negro population.
+            This he said to show that he was friendly to the principle of the
+            measure. He would now observe, that he did not wholly like
+            the present resolution. It was too indefinite. He wished, also, that
+            something had been said on the subject of compensation. He was
+            fearful, also, lest the abolition should lead to the dangerous change
+            of emancipation. The Negroes, he said, could not be in a better
+            state, or more faithful to their masters, than they were. In three
+            attacks made by the enemy on Dominica, where he had a large property,
+            arms had been put into their hands; and every one of them
+            had exerted himself faithfully. With respect to the cruel acts in
+            Barbados, an account of which had been sent to government by
+            Lord Seaforth and the Attorney-General of Barbados, he had
+            read them; and never had he read anything on this subject with
+            more horror. He would agree to the strongest measures for the
+            prevention of such acts in future. He would even give up the
+            colony, which should refuse to make the wilful murder of a slave
+            felony. But as to the other, or common, evils complained of, he
+            thought the remedy should be gradual; and such also as the
+            planters would concur in. He, would nevertheless not oppose the
+            present resolution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Barham considered compensation but reasonable, where
+            losses were to accrue from the measure, when it should be put in
+            execution; but he believed that the amount of it would be much
+            less than was apprehended. He considered emancipation, though
+            so many fears had been expressed about it, as forming no objection
+            to the abolition, though he had estates in the West Indies himself.
+            Such a measure, if it could be accomplished successfully,
+            would be an honour to the country, and a blessing to the planters;
+            but preparation must be made for it by rendering the slaves fit
+            for freedom, and by creating in them an inclination to free
+            labour. Such a change could only be the work of time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Sir John Newport said that the expressions of Sir S. Romilly,
+            which had given such offence, had been used by others; and
+            would be used with propriety, while the trade lasted. Some
+            slave-dealers of Liverpool had lately attempted to prejudice
+            certain merchants of Ireland in their favour. But none of their
+            representations answered; and it was remarkable, that the reply
+            made to them was in these words. "We will have no share in
+            a traffic, consisting in rapine, blood, and murder." He then took
+            a survey of a system of duties progressively increasing, and
+            showed that it would be utterly inefficient; and that there was
+            no real remedy for the different evils complained of, but in the
+            immediate prohibition of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Canning renewed his professions of friendship to the
+            cause. He did not like the present resolution; yet he would
+            vote for it. He should have been better pleased with a bill,
+            which would strike at once at the root of this detestable
+            commerce.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Manning wished the question to be deferred to the next
+            session. He hoped compensation would then be brought forward
+            as connected with it. Nothing, however, effectual could be done
+            without the concurrence of the planters.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. William Smith noticed, in a striking manner, the different
+            inconsistencies in the arguments of those, who contended
+            for the continuance of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Windham deprecated not only the Slave Trade, but
+            slavery also. They were essentially connected with each other.
+            They were both evils, and ought both of them to be done away.
+            Indeed, if emancipation would follow the abolition, he should like
+            the latter measure the better. Rapine, robbery, and murder,
+            were the true characteristics of this traffic. The same epithets
+            had not indeed been applied to slavery, because this was a condition,
+            in which some part of the human race had been at every
+            period of the history of the world. It was, however, a state,
+            which ought not to be allowed to exist. But, notwithstanding
+            all these confessions, he should weigh well the consequences of
+            the abolition before he gave it his support. It would be, on a
+            balance between the evils themselves and the consequences of
+
+            removing them, that he should decide for himself on this
+            question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Mr. Fox took a view of all the arguments, which had been
+            advanced by the opponents of the abolition; and having given an
+            appropriate answer to each, the House divided, when there
+            appeared for the resolution one hundred and fourteen, and against
+            it but fifteen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Immediately after this division, Mr. Wilberforce moved an
+            address to His Majesty, "praying that he would be graciously
+            pleased to direct a negotiation to be entered into, by which
+            foreign powers should be invited to co-operate with His Majesty
+            in measures to be adopted for the abolition of the African Slave
+            Trade."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This address was carried without a division. It was also
+            moved and carried, that "these resolutions be communicated to
+            the Lords; and that their concurrence should be desired
+            therein."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 24th of June, the Lords met to consider of the resolution
+            and address. The Earl of Westmoreland proposed that
+            both counsel and evidence should be heard against them; but his
+            proposition was overruled.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Grenville then read the resolution of the Commons.
+            This resolution, he said, stated first, that the Slave Trade was
+            contrary to humanity, justice, and sound policy. That it was
+            contrary to humanity was obvious; for humanity might be said
+            to be sympathy for the distress of others, or a desire to accomplish
+            benevolent ends by good means. But did not the Slave Trade
+            convey ideas the very reverse of this definition? It deprived men
+            of all those comforts, in which it pleased the Creator to make the
+            happiness of his creatures to consist,&#8212;of the blessings of
+            society,&#8212;of the charities of the dear relationships of husband, wife,
+            father, son, and kindred,&#8212;of the due discharge of the relative duties of
+            these&#8212;and of that freedom, which in its pure and natural sense
+            was one of the greatest gifts of God to man.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was impossible to read the evidence, as it related to this
+            trade, without acknowledging the inhumanity of it, and our own
+            disgrace. By what means was it kept up in Africa? By wars
+
+            instigated, not by the passions of the natives, but by our avarice.
+            He knew it would be said in reply to this, that the slaves, who
+            were purchased by us, would be put to death, if we were not to
+            buy them. But what should we say, if it should turn out, that
+            we were the causes of those very cruelties, which we affected to
+            prevent? But, if it were not so, ought the first nation in the
+            world to condescend to be the executioner of savages?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another way of keeping up the Slave Trade was by the
+            practice of man-stealing. The evidence was particularly clear
+            upon this head. This practice included violence, and often
+            bloodshed. The inhumanity of it therefore could not be doubted.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The unhappy victims, being thus procured, were conveyed,
+            he said, across the Atlantic in a manner which justified the
+            charge of inhumanity again. Indeed the suffering here was so
+            great, that neither the mind could conceive, nor the tongue
+            describe, it. He had said on a former occasion, that in their
+            transportation there was a greater portion of misery condensed
+            within a smaller space, than had ever existed in the known
+            world. He would repeat his words; for he did not know, how
+            he could express himself better on the subject. And, after all
+            these horrors, what was their destiny? It was such, as justified
+            the charge in the resolution again: for, after having survived the
+            sickness arising from the passage, they were doomed to interminable
+            slavery.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            We had been, he said, so much accustomed to words,
+            descriptive of the cruelty of this traffic, that we had almost forgotten
+            their meaning. He wished that some person, educated as
+            an Englishman, with suitable powers of eloquence, but now for
+            the first time informed of all the horrors of it, were to address
+            their lordships upon it, and he was sure, that they would
+            instantly determine that it should cease. But the continuance
+            of it had rendered cruelty familiar to us; and the recital of its
+            horrors, had been so frequent, that we could now hear them
+            stated without being affected as we ought to be. He intreated
+            their lordships, however, to endeavour to conceive the hard case
+            of the unhappy victims of it; and as he had led them to the last
+            stage of their miserable existence, which was in the colonies, to
+
+            contemplate it there. They were there under the arbitrary will
+            of a cruel task-master from morning till night. When they went
+            to rest, would not their dreams be frightful? When they awoke,
+            would they not awake&#8212;
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">&#8212;only to discover sights of woe,<br>Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace<br>And rest can never dwell, hope never comes<br>That comes to all; but torture without end<br>Still urges?&#8212;<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            They knew no change, except in the humour of their masters,
+            to whom their whole destiny was entrusted. We might, perhaps,
+            flatter ourselves with saying, that they were subject to the will
+            of Englishmen. But Englishmen were not better than others,
+            when in possession of arbitrary power. The very fairest exercise
+            of it was a never-failing corrupter of the heart. But suppose it
+            were allowed that self-interest might operate some little against
+            cruelty; yet where was the interest of the overseer or the driver?
+            But he knew it would be said, that the evils complained of in the
+            colonies had been mitigated. There might be instances of this;
+            but they could never be cured, while slavery existed. Slavery
+            took away more than half of the human character. Hence the
+            practice, where it existed, of rejecting the testimony of the slave:
+            but, if this testimony was rejected, where could be his redress
+            against his oppressor?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Having shown the inhumanity, he would proceed to the
+            second point in the resolution, or the injustice of the trade. We
+            had two ideas of justice, first, as it belonged to society by virtue
+            of a social compact; and, secondly, as it belonged to men, not as
+            citizens of a community, but as beings of one common nature.
+            In a state of nature, man had a right to the fruit of his own
+            labour absolutely to himself; and one of the main purposes, for
+            which he entered into society, was that he might be better protected
+            in the possession of his rights. In both cases therefore it
+            was manifestly unjust, that a man should be made to labour
+            during the whole of his life, and yet have no benefit from his
+            labour. Hence the Slave Trade and the colonial slavery were a
+            violation of the very principle, upon which all law for the protection
+
+            of property was founded. Whatever benefit was derived
+            from that trade, to an individual, it was derived from dishonour
+            and dishonesty. He forced from the unhappy victim of it that,
+            which the latter did not wish to give him; and he gave to the
+            same victim that, which he in vain attempted to show was an
+            equivalent to the thing he took,&#8212;it being a thing for which there
+            was no equivalent; and which, if he had not obtained by force,
+            he would not have possessed at all. Nor could there be any
+            answer to this reasoning, unless it could be proved, that it had
+            pleased God to give to the inhabitants of Britain a property in
+            the liberty and life of the natives of Africa. But he would go
+            further on this subject. The injustice complained of was not
+            confined to the bare circumstance of robbing them of the right to
+            their own labour. It was conspicuous throughout the system.
+            They, who bought them, became guilty of all the crimes which
+            had been committed in procuring them, and when they possessed
+            them, of all the crimes which belonged to their inhuman
+            treatment. The injustice in the latter case amounted frequently
+            to murder. For what was it but murder to pursue a practice,
+            which produced untimely death to thousands of innocent and
+            helpless beings? It was a duty, which their lordships owed to
+            their Creator, if they hoped for mercy, to do away this monstrous
+            oppression.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the impolicy of the trade, (the third point in
+            the resolution,) he would say at once, that whatever was inhuman
+            and unjust must be, impolitic. He had, however, no objection to
+            argue the point upon its own particular merits: and, first, he
+            would observe, that a great man, Mr. Pitt, now no more, had
+            exerted his vast powers on many subjects, to the admiration of
+            his hearers; but on none more successfully than on the subject
+            of the abolition of the Slave Trade. He proved, after making an
+            allowance for the price paid for the slaves in the West Indies, for
+            the loss of them in the seasoning, and for the expense of maintaining
+            them afterwards; and comparing these particulars with the
+            amount in value of their labour there, that the evils endured by
+            the victims of the traffic were no gain to the master, in whose
+            service they took place. Indeed, Mr. Long had laid it down in
+
+            his <em>History of Jamaica</em>, that the best
+            way to secure the planters
+            from ruin would be to do that which the resolution recommended.
+            It was notorious, that when any planter was in distress, and
+            sought to relieve himself by increasing the labour on his estate,
+            by means of the purchase of new slaves, the measure invariably
+            tended to his destruction. What then was the importation of
+            fresh Africans, but a system tending to the general ruin of the
+            islands?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it had often been said, that without fresh importations
+            the population of the slaves could not be supported in the islands.
+            This, however, was a mistake. It had arisen from reckoning the
+            deaths of the imported Africans, of whom so many were lost in
+            the seasoning, among the deaths of the Creole slaves. He did
+            not mean to say that, under the existing degree of misery, the
+            population would greatly increase; but, he would maintain, that
+            if the deaths and the births were calculated upon those, who were
+            either born, or who had been a long time in the islands, so as to
+            be considered as natives, it would be found that the population
+            had not only been kept up, but that it had been increased.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            If it was true, that the labour of a free-man was cheaper
+            than that of a slave; and, also, that the labour of a long-imported
+            slave was cheaper than that of a fresh-imported one; and, again,
+            that the chances of mortality were much more numerous among
+            the newly-imported slaves in the West Indies, than among those
+            of old standing there, (propositions, which he took to be established,)
+            we should see new arguments for the impolicy of the
+            trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It might be stated also, that the importation of vast bodies of
+            men, who had been robbed of their rights, and grievously irritated
+            on that account, into our colonies, (where their miserable
+            condition opened new sources of anger and revenge,) was the
+            importation only of the seeds of insurrection into them. And
+            here he could not but view with astonishment the reasoning of
+            the West Indian planters, who held up the example of St.
+            Domingo as a warning against the abolition of the Slave Trade;
+            because the continuance of it was one of the great causes of the
+            insurrections and subsequent miseries in that devoted island.
+
+            Let us but encourage importations in the same rapid progression
+            of increase every year, which took place in St. Domingo, and we
+            should witness the same effect in our own islands.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            To expose the impolicy of the trade further, he would observe,
+            that it was an allowed axiom, that as the condition of man was
+            improved, he became more useful. The history of our own
+            country, in very early times, exhibited instances of internal
+            slavery, and this to a considerable extent. But we should find
+            that; precisely in proportion as that slavery was ameliorated, the
+            power and prosperity of the country flourished. This was exactly
+            applicable to the case in question. There could be no general
+            amelioration of slavery in the West Indies, while the Slave Trade
+            lasted: but if we were to abolish it, we should make it the
+            interest of every owner of slaves to do that, which would improve
+            their condition, and which, indeed, would lead ultimately to the
+            annihilation of slavery itself. This great event, however, could
+            not be accomplished at once; it could only be effected in a course of time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It would be endless, he said, to go into all the cases, which
+            would manifest the impolicy of this odious traffic. Inhuman as
+            it was, unjust as it was, he believed it to be equally impolitic;
+            and if their Lordships should be of this opinion also, he hoped
+            they would agree to that part of the resolution, in which these
+            truths were expressed. With respect to the other part of it, or
+            that they would proceed to abolish the trade, he observed, that
+            neither the time, nor the manner of doing it, were specified.
+            Hence, if any of them should differ as to these particulars, they,
+            might yet vote for the resolution, as they were not pledged to
+            anything definite in these respects, provided they thought that
+            the trade should be abolished at some time or other: and he did
+            not believe that there was any one of them, who would sanction
+            its continuance for ever.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Hawkesbury said, that he did not mean to discuss the
+            question, on the ground of justice and humanity, as contradistinguished
+            from sound policy. If it could fairly be made out that the
+            African Slave Trade was contrary to justice and humanity, it ought
+            to be abolished. It did not, however, follow, because a great evil
+
+            subsisted, that therefore it should be removed; for it might be
+            comparatively a less evil, than that which would accompany the
+            attempt to remove it. The noble lord, who had just spoken, had
+            exemplified this; for though slavery was a great evil in itself, he
+            was of opinion that it could not be done away, but in a course of
+            time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A state of slavery, he said, had existed in Africa from the
+            earliest time; and, unless other nations would concur with
+            England in the measure of the abolition, we could not change it
+            for the better.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Slavery had existed also throughout all Europe. It had now
+            happily, in a great measure, been done away. But how? Not
+            by acts of parliament, for these might have retarded the event,
+            but by the progress of civilization, which removed the evil in a
+            gradual and rational manner.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then went over the same ground of argument, as when a
+            member of the Commons in 1792. He said that the inhumanity
+            of the abolition was visible in this, that not one slave less would
+            be taken from Africa; and that such as were taken from it,
+            would suffer more than they did now, in the hands of foreigners.
+            He maintained also, as before, that the example of St. Domingo
+            afforded one of the strongest arguments against the abolition of
+            the trade. And he concluded by objecting to the resolution,
+            inasmuch as it could do no good, for the substance of it would be
+            to be discussed again in a future session.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Bishop of London, Dr. Porteus, began, by noticing the
+            concession of the last speaker, namely, that if the trade was contrary
+            to humanity and justice, it ought to be abolished. He
+            expected, he said, that the noble lord would have proved that it
+            was not contrary to these great principles, before he had supported
+            its continuance; but not a word had he said to show that the basis
+            of the resolution in these respects was false. It followed then,
+            he thought, that as the noble lord had not disproved the premises;
+            he was bound to abide by the conclusion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The ways, he said, in which the Africans were reduced to
+            slavery in their own country, were by wars,&#8212;many of which were
+            excited for the purpose,&#8212;by the breaking up of villages, by kidnapping
+
+            and by conviction for a violation of their own laws. Of
+            the latter class many were accused falsely, and of crimes which
+            did not exist. He then read a number of extracts from the evidence
+            examined before the privy council, and from the histories
+            of those, who, having lived in Africa, had thrown light upon this
+            subject before the question was agitated. All these, he said,
+            (and similar instances could be multiplied,) proved the truth of
+            the resolution, that the African Slave Trade was contrary to the
+            principles of humanity, justice, and sound policy.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was moreover, he said, contrary to the principles of the
+            religion we professed. It was not superfluous to say this, when it
+            had been so frequently asserted that it was sanctioned both by
+            the Jewish and the Christian dispensations. With respect to the
+            Jews he would observe, that there was no such thing as perpetual
+            slavery among them. Their slaves were of two kinds, those of
+            their own nation, and those from the country round about them.
+            The former were to be set free on the seventh year; and the rest,
+            of whatever nation, on the fiftieth, or on the year of Jubilee.
+            With respect to the Christian dispensation, it was a libel to say
+            that it countenanced such a traffic. It opposed it both in its
+            spirit and in its principle; nay, it opposed it positively, for it
+            classed men-stealers, or slave traders, among the murderers of
+            fathers and mothers, and the most profane criminals upon earth.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The antiquity of slavery in Africa, which the noble lord had
+            glanced at, afforded, he said, no argument for its continuance.
+            Such a mode of defence would prevent for ever the removal of
+            any evil; it would justify the practice of the Chinese, who exposed
+            their infants in the streets to perish; it would also justify piracy,
+            for that practice existed long before we knew anything of the
+            African Slave Trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then combatted the argument, that we did a kindness to
+            the Africans by taking them from their homes; and concluded, by
+            stating to their lordships, that, if they refused to sanction
+            the resolution, they would establish these principles, "that
+            though individuals might not rob and murder, yet that nations might&#8212;that
+            though individuals incurred the penalties of death by such practices,
+            yet that bodies of men might commit them with impunity for the
+
+            purposes of lucre;&#8212;and that for such purposes they were not only
+            to be permitted, but encouraged."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Lord Chancellor (Erskine) confessed that he was not satisfied
+            with his own conduct on this subject. He acknowledged,
+            with deep contrition, that, during the time he was a member of
+            the other House, he had not once attended when this great question
+            was discussed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In the West Indies he could say, personally, that the slaves
+            were well treated, where he had an opportunity of seeing them.
+            But no judgment was to be formed there with respect to the evils
+            complained of; they must be appreciated as they existed in the
+            trade. Of these he had also been an eye-witness. It was on this
+            account that he felt contrition for not having attended the House
+            on this subject, for there were some cruelties in this traffic which
+            the human imagination could not aggravate. He had witnessed
+            such scenes over the whole coast of Africa; and he could
+            say, that if their lordships could only have a sudden glimpse of
+            them, they would be struck with horror, and would be astonished
+            that they could ever have been permitted to exist. What then
+            would they say to their continuance year after year, and from age
+            to age?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            From information, which he could not dispute, he was warranted
+            in saying, that, on this continent, husbands were fraudulently
+            and forcibly severed from their wives, and parents from
+            their children; and that all the ties of blood and affection were
+            torn up by the roots. He had himself seen the unhappy natives
+            put together in heaps in the hold of a ship, where, with every
+            possible attention to them, their situation must have been intolerable.
+            He had also heard proved, in courts of justice, facts still
+            more dreadful than those which he had seen. One of these he
+            would just mention. The slaves on board a certain ship rose in a
+            mass to liberate themselves, and having advanced far in the pursuit
+            of their object, it became necessary to repel them by force.
+            Some of them yielded, some of them were killed in the scuffle,
+            but many of them actually jumped into the sea and were drowned,
+            thus preferring death to the misery of their situation; while others
+            hung to the ship, repenting of their rashness, and bewailing with
+
+            frightful noises their horrid fate. Thus the whole vessel exhibited
+            but one hideous scene of wretchedness. They who were subdued
+            and secured in chains were seized with the flux, which carried
+            many of them off. These things were proved in a trial before a
+            British jury, which had to consider whether this was a loss which
+            fell within the policy of insurance, the slaves being regarded as if
+            they had been only a cargo of dead matter. He could mention
+            other instances, but they were much too shocking to be described.
+            Surely their lordships could never consider such a traffic to be
+            consistent with humanity or justice. It was impossible.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            That the trade had long subsisted there was no doubt, but this
+            was no argument for its continuance. Many evils of much longer
+            standing had been done away, and it was always our duty to
+            attempt to remove them. Should we not exult in the consideration,
+            that we, the inhabitants of a small island, at the extremity
+            of the globe, almost at its north pole, were become the morningstar
+            to enlighten the nations of the earth, and to conduct them
+            out of the shades of darkness into the realms of light; thus
+            exhibiting to an astonished and an admiring world the blessings
+            of a free constitution? Let us then not allow such a glorious
+            opportunity to escape us.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been urged that we should suffer by the abolition of
+            the Slave Trade; he believed that we should not suffer. He
+            believed that our duty and our interest were inseparable; and he
+            had no difficulty in saying, in the face of the world, that his own
+            opinion was, that the interests of a nation would be best preserved
+            by its adherence to the principles of humanity, justice, and
+            religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Earl of Westmoreland said, that the African Slave Trade
+            might be contrary to humanity and justice, and yet it might be
+            politic; at least, it might be inconsistent with humanity, and yet
+            not be inconsistent with justice; this was the case when we
+            executed a criminal, or engaged in war.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It was, however, not contrary to justice, for justice, in this
+            case, must be measured by the law of nations. But the purchase
+            of slaves was not contrary to this law. The Slave Trade was a
+            trade with the consent of the inhabitants of two nations, and procured
+
+            by no terror, nor by any act of violence whatever. Slavery
+            had existed from the first ages of the world, not only in Africa,
+            but throughout the habitable globe, among the Persians, Greeks,
+            and Romans; and he would compare, with great advantage to his
+            argument, the wretched condition of the slaves in these ancient
+            states with that of those in our colonies. Slavery too had been
+            allowed in a nation which was under the especial direction of
+            Providence; the Jews were allowed to hold the heathen in
+            bondage. He admitted that what the learned prelate had said
+            relative to the emancipation of the latter in the year of jubilee
+            was correct; but he denied that his quotation relative to the
+            stealers of men referred to the Christian religion. It was a mere
+            allusion to that which was done contrary to the law of nations,
+            which was the only measure of justice between states.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the inhumanity of the trade, he would
+            observe, that if their lordships, sitting there as legislators, were to
+            set their faces against everything which appeared to be inhuman,
+            much of the security on which their lives and property depended
+            might be shaken, if not totally destroyed. The question was, not
+            whether there was not some evil attending the Slave Trade, but
+            whether by the measure now before them they should increase
+            or diminish the quantity of human misery in the world. He
+            believed, for one, considering the internal state of Africa, and the
+            impossibility of procuring the concurrence of foreign nations in
+            the measure, that they would not be able to do any good by the
+            adoption of it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            As to the impolicy of the trade, the policy of it, on the other
+            hand, was so great, that he trembled at the consequences of its
+            abolition. The property connected with this question amounted
+            to a hundred millions. The annual produce of the islands was
+            eighteen millions, and it yielded a revenue of four millions annually.
+            How was this immense property and income to be preserved?
+            Some had said it would be preserved, because the black
+            population in the islands could be kept up without further supplies;
+            but the planters denied this assertion, and they were the
+            best judges of the subject.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He condemned the resolution as a libel upon the wisdom of
+
+            the law of the land; and upon the conduct of their ancestors. He
+            condemned it also, because, if followed up, it would lead to the
+            abolition of the trade, and the abolition of the trade to the
+            emancipation of the slaves in our colonies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. Horsley) said, that, allowing
+            the slaves in the West Indies even to be pampered with delicacies,
+            or to be put to rest on a bed of roses, they could not be
+            happy, for&#8212;a slave would be still a slave. The question, however,
+            was not concerning the alteration of their condition, but
+            whether we should abolish the practice, by which they were put
+            in that condition? Whether it was humane, just, and politic in
+            us so to place them? This question was easily answered; for
+            he found it difficult to form any one notion of humanity, which
+            did not include a desire of promoting the happiness of others;
+            and he knew of no other justice than that, which was founded on
+            the principle of doing to others, as we should wish they should
+            do to us. And these principles of humanity and justice were
+            so clear, that he found it difficult to make them clearer.
+            Perhaps no difficulty was greater than that of arguing a self-evident
+            proposition, and such he took to be the character
+            of the proposition, that the Slave Trade was inhuman and
+            unjust.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It had been said, that slavery had existed from the beginning
+            of the world. He would allow it. But had such a trade as the
+            Slave Trade ever existed before? Would the noble Earl, who
+            had talked of the slavery of ancient Rome and Greece, assert,
+            that in the course of his whole reading, however profound it
+            might have been, he had found anything resembling such a
+            traffic? Where did it appear in history, that ships were regularly
+            fitted out to fetch away tens of thousands of persons annually,
+            against their will, from their native land; that these were subject
+            to personal indignities and arbitrary punishments during their
+            transportation; and that a certain proportion of them, owing to
+            suffocation and other cruel causes, uniformly perished? He
+            averred, that nothing like the African Slave Trade was ever
+            practised in any nation upon earth.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            If the trade then was repugnant, as he maintained it was, to
+
+            justice and humanity, he did not see how, without aiding and
+            abetting injustice and inhumanity, any man could sanction it:
+            and he thought that the noble baron (Hawkesbury) was peculiarly
+            bound to support the resolution; for he had admitted that
+            if it could be shown, that the trade was contrary to these principles,
+            the question would be at an end. Now this contrariety
+            had been made apparent, and his lordship had not even attempted
+            to refute it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He would say but little on the subject of revealed religion, as
+            it related to this question, because the reverend prelate, near him,
+            had spoken so fully upon it. He might observe, however, that at
+            the end of the sixth year, when the Hebrew slave was emancipated,
+            he was to be furnished liberally from the flock, the floor,
+            and the wine-press of his master.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Holland lamented the unfaithfulness of the noble baron
+            (Hawkesbury) to his own principles, and the inflexible opposition
+            of the noble earl (Westmoreland), from both which circumstances
+            he despaired for ever of any assistance from them to this
+            glorious cause. The latter wished to hear evidence on the subject,
+            for the purpose, doubtless, of delay. He was sure, that the noble
+            earl did not care what the evidence would say on either side;
+            for his mind was made up, that the trade ought not to be
+            abolished.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The noble earl had made a difference between humanity,
+            justice, and sound policy. God forbid, that we should ever admit
+            such distinctions in this country! But he had gone further, and
+            said, that a thing might be inhuman, and yet not unjust; and he
+            put the case of the execution of a criminal in support of it. Did
+            he not by this position confound all notions of right and wrong
+            in human institutions? When a criminal was justly executed,
+            was not the execution justice to him who suffered, and humanity
+            to the body of the people at large?
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The noble earl had said also, that we should do no good by
+            the abolition, because other nations would not concur in it. He
+            did not know what other nations would do; but this he knew,
+            that we ourselves ought not to be unjust because they should
+            refuse to be honest. It was, however, self-obvious, that, if we
+
+            admitted no more slaves into our colonies, the evil would be considerably
+            diminished.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Another of his arguments did not appear to be more solid;
+            for surely the Slave Trade ought not to be continued, merely
+            because the effect of the abolition might ultimately be that of
+            the emancipation of the slaves; an event, which would be highly
+            desirable in its due time.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The noble lord had also said, that the planters were against
+            the abolition, and that without their consent it could never be
+            accomplished. He differed from him in both these points: for,
+            first, he was a considerable planter himself, and yet he was a
+            friend to the measure: secondly, by cutting off all further supplies,
+            the planters would be obliged to pay more attention to the
+            treatment of their slaves, and this treatment would render the
+            trade unnecessary.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The noble earl had asserted also, that the population in the
+            West Indies could not be kept up without further importations;
+            and this was the opinion of the planters, who were the best
+            judges of the subject. As a planter he differed from his lordship
+            again. If, indeed, all the waste lands were to be brought into
+            cultivation, the present population would be insufficient. But
+            the government had already determined, that the trade should not
+            be continued for such a purpose. We were no longer to continue
+            pirates, or executioners for every petty tyrant in Africa, in order
+            that every holder of a bit of land in our islands might cultivate
+            the whole of his allotment; a work, which might require centuries.
+            Making this exception, he would maintain, that no further
+            importations were necessary. Few or no slaves had been
+            imported into Antigua for many years; and he believed, that
+            even some had been exported from it. As to Jamaica, although
+            in one year fifteen thousand died in consequence of hurricane
+            and famine, the excess of deaths over the births during the
+            twenty years preceding 1788 was only one per cent. Deducting,
+            however, the mortality of the newly imported slaves, and making
+            the calculation upon the Negroes born in the island or upon those
+            who had been long there, he believed the births and the deaths
+            would be found equal. He had a right therefore to argue that
+
+            the Negroes, with better treatment (which the abolition would
+            secure), would not only maintain but increase their population,
+            without any aid from Africa. He would add, that the newly
+            imported Africans brought with them not only disorders which
+            ravaged the plantations, but danger from the probability of insurrections.
+            He wished most heartily for the total abolition of the
+            trade. He was convinced, that it was both inhuman, unjust, and
+            impolitic. This had always been his opinion as an individual
+            since he was capable of forming one. It was his opinion then as
+            a legislator. It was his opinion as a colonial proprietor; and it
+            was his opinion as an Englishman, wishing for the prosperity of
+            the British empire.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Earl of Suffolk contended, that the population of the
+            slaves in the islands could be kept up by good treatment, so as to
+            be sufficient for their cultivation. He entered into a detail of
+            calculations from the year 1772 downwards in support of this
+            statement. He believed all the miseries of St. Domingo arose
+            from the vast importation of Africans. He had such a deep
+            sense of the inhumanity and injustice of the Slave Trade, that, if
+            ever he wished any action of his life to be recorded, it would be
+            that of the vote he should then give in support of the resolution.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Sidmouth said, that he agreed to the substance of the
+            resolution, but yet he could not support it. Could he be convinced
+            that the trade would be injurious to the cause of humanity
+            and justice, the question with him would be decided; for
+            policy could not be opposed to humanity and justice. He had
+            been of opinion for the last twenty years, that the interests of the
+            country and those of numerous individuals were so deeply blended
+            with this traffic, that we should be very cautious how we proceeded.
+            With respect to the cultivation of new lands, he would
+            not allow a single Negro to be imported for such a purpose;
+            but he must have a regard to the old plantations. When he
+            found a sufficient increase in the Black population to continue the
+            cultivation already established there, then, but not till then, he
+            would agree to an abolition of the trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Earl Stanhope said he would not detain their lordships long.
+            He could not, however, help expressing his astonishment at what
+
+            had fallen from the last speaker; for he had evidently confessed
+            that the Slave Trade was inhuman and unjust, and then he had
+            insinuated, that it was neither inhuman nor unjust to continue it.
+            A more paradoxical or whimsical opinion, he believed, was never
+            entertained, or more whimsically expressed in that house. The
+            noble viscount had talked of the interests of the planters; but
+            this was but a part of the subject; for surely the people of Africa
+            were not to be forgotten. He did not understand the practice of
+            complimenting the planters with the lives of men, women, and
+            helpless children by thousands, for the sake of their pecuniary
+            advantage; and they, who adopted it, whatever they might think
+            of the consistency of their own conduct, offered an insult to the
+            sacred names of humanity and justice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The noble Earl (Westmoreland) had asked what would be
+            the practical effect of the abolition of the Slave Trade. He
+            would inform him. It would do away the infamous practices
+            which took place in Africa; it would put an end to the horrors
+            of the passage; it would save many thousands of our fellow-creatures
+            from the miseries of eternal slavery; it would oblige
+            the planters to treat those better, who were already in that unnatural
+            state; it would increase the population of our islands; it
+            would give a death-blow to the diabolical calculations, whether it
+            was cheaper to work the Negroes to death and recruit the gangs
+            by fresh importations, or to work them moderately and to treat
+            them kindly. He knew of no event, which would be attended
+            with so many blessings.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            There was but one other matter, which he would notice.
+            The noble baron (Hawkesbury) had asserted, that all the horrors
+            of St. Domingo were the consequence of the speculative opinions
+            which were current in a neighbouring kingdom on the subject at
+            liberty. They had, he said, no such origin. They were owing
+            to two causes; first, to the vast number of Negroes recently
+            imported into that island; and, secondly, to a scandalous breach
+            of faith by the French legislature. This legislature held out the
+            idea not only of the abolition of the Slave Trade, but also of all
+            slavery; but it broke its word. It held forth the rights of man
+            to the whole human race, and then, in practice, it most infamously
+
+            abandoned every article in these rights; so that it became the
+            scorn of all the enlightened and virtuous part of mankind.
+            These were the great causes of the miseries of St. Domingo, and
+            not the speculative opinions of France.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Earl Grosvenor could not but express the joy he felt at the
+            hope, after all his disappointments, that this wicked trade would
+            be done away. He hoped that his Majesty's ministers were in
+            earnest, and that they would, early in the next session, take
+            this great question up with a determination to go through with
+            it; so that another year should not pass before we extended the
+            justice and humanity of the country to the helpless and unhappy
+            inhabitants of Africa.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Earl Fitzwilliam said he was fearful lest the calamities of St.
+            Domingo should be brought home to our own islands. We
+            ought not, he thought, too hastily to adopt the resolution on that
+            account. He should therefore support the previous question.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Ellenborough said, he was sorry to differ from his noble
+            friend (Lord Sidmouth), and yet he could not help saying that if
+            after twenty years, during which this question had been discussed
+            by both Houses of Parliament, their lordships' judgments were
+            not ripe for its determination, he could not look with any confidence
+            to a time when they would be ready to decide it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The question then before them was short and plain. It was,
+            whether the African Slave Trade was inhuman, unjust, and impolitic.
+            If the premises were true, we could not too speedily
+            bring it to a conclusion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The subject had been frequently brought before him in a way
+            which had enabled him to become acquainted with it; and he
+            was the more anxious on that account to deliver his sentiments
+            upon it as a peer of Parliament, without reference to anything
+            he had been called upon to do in the discharge of his professional
+            duty. When he looked at the mode in which this traffic commenced,
+            by the spoliation of the rights of a whole quarter of the
+            globe; by the misery of whole nations of helpless Africans; by
+            tearing them from their homes, their families, and their friends;
+            when he saw the unhappy victims carried away by force; thrust
+            into a dungeon in the hold of a ship, in which the interval of
+
+            their passage from their native to a foreign land was filled up with
+            misery, under every degree of debasement, and in chains; and
+            when he saw them afterwards consigned to an eternal slavery, he
+            could not but contemplate the whole system with horror. It was
+            inhuman in its beginning, inhuman in its progress, and inhuman
+            to the very end.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Nor was it more inhuman than it was unjust. The noble
+            earl, (Westmoreland,) in adverting to this part of the question
+            had considered it as a question of justice between two nations,
+            but it was a moral question. Although the natives of Africa
+            might be taken by persons authorized by their own laws to take
+            and dispose of them, and the practice, therefore, might be said to
+            be legal as it respected them, yet no man could doubt, whatever
+            ordinances they might have to sanction it, that it was radically,
+            essentially, and in principle, unjust; and therefore there could be
+            no excuse for us in continuing it. On the general principle of
+            natural justice, which was paramount to all ordinances of men,
+            it was quite impossible to defend this traffic; and he agreed with
+            the noble baron (Hawkesbury) that, having decided that it was
+            inhuman and unjust, we should not inquire whether it was
+            impolitic. Indeed, the inquiry itself would be impious; for it
+            was the common ordinance of God, that that which was inhuman
+            and unjust, should never be for the good of man. Its impolicy,
+            therefore, was included in its injustice and its inhumanity. And
+            he had no doubt, when the importations were stopped, that the
+            planters would introduce a change of system among their slaves
+            which would increase their population, so as to render any further
+            supplies from Africa unnecessary. It had been proved, indeed,
+            that the Negro population in some of the islands was already in
+            this desirable state. Many other happy effects would follow. As
+            to the losses which would arise from the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade, they, who were interested in the continuance of it, had
+            greatly over-rated them. When pleading formerly in his professional
+            capacity for the merchants of Liverpool at their lordships'
+            bar, he had often delivered statements, which he had
+            received from them, and which he afterwards discovered to
+            be grossly incorrect. He could say from his own knowledge,
+
+            that the assertion of the noble earl (Westmoreland), that property
+            to the amount of a hundred millions would be endangered, was
+            wild and fanciful. He would not however deny, that some loss
+            might accompany the abolition; but there could be no difficulty
+            in providing for it. Such a consideration ought not to be
+            allowed to impede their progress in getting rid of an horrible
+            injustice.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But it had been said that we should do but little in the cause
+            of humanity by abolishing the Slave Trade; because other
+            nations would continue it. He did not believe they would. He
+            knew that America was about to give it up. He believed the
+            states of Europe would give it up. But, supposing that they
+            were all to continue it, would not our honour be the greater?
+            Would not our virtue be the more signal? for then
+
+         </p>
+         <div class="poem">
+
+            <div class="lg">&#8212;Faithful we<br>Among the faithless found:<br><br></div>
+         </div>
+         <p>
+            to which he would add, that undoubtedly we should diminish the
+            evil, as far as the number of miserable beings was concerned,
+            which was accustomed to be transported to our own colonies.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Earl Spencer agreed with the noble viscount (Sidmouth), that
+            the amelioration of the condition of the slaves was an object,
+            which might be effected in the West Indies; but he was certain,
+            that the most effectual way of improving it would be by the
+            total and immediate abolition of the Slave Trade; and for that
+            reason he would support the resolution. Had the resolution held
+            out emancipation to them, it would not have had his assent; for it
+            would have ill become the character of this country, if it had
+            been once promised, to have withheld it from them. It was to
+            such deception that the horrors of St. Domingo were to be attributed.
+            He would not enter into the discussion of the general
+            subject at present. He was convinced that the trade was what
+            the resolution stated it to be, inhuman, unjust, and impolitic.
+            He wished therefore, most earnestly indeed, for its abolition. As
+            to the mode of effecting it, it should be such as would be attended
+            with the least inconvenience to all parties. At the same time he
+            would not allow small inconveniences to stand in the way of the
+            great claims of humanity, justice, and religion.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The question was then put on the resolution, and carried by
+            a majority of forty-one to twenty. The same address also to His
+            Majesty, which had been agreed upon by the Commons, was
+            directly afterwards moved. This also was carried, but without
+            the necessity of a division.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The resolution and the motion having passed both Houses,
+            one other parliamentary measure was yet necessary to complete
+            the proceedings of this session. It was now almost universally
+            believed, in consequence of what had already taken place there,
+            that the Slave Trade had received its death-wound; and that it
+            would not long survive it. It was supposed, therefore, that the
+            slave-merchants would, in the interim, fit out not only all the
+            vessels they had, but even buy others, to make what might be
+            called their last harvest. Hence, extraordinary scenes of rapine
+            and murder would be occasioned in Africa. To prevent these,
+            a new bill was necessary. This was accordingly introduced into
+            the Commons. It enacted, but with one exception, that from
+            and after the first of August, 1806, no vessel should clear out
+            for the Slave Trade, unless it should have been previously
+            employed by the same owner or owners in the said trade, or should
+            be proved to have been contracted for previously to the 10th
+            of June, 1806, for the purpose of being employed in that trade.
+            It may now be sufficient to say that this bill also passed both
+            Houses of Parliament; soon after which the session ended.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name="chap33"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.
+         </h2>
+         <p><b>&#8212;Continuation from July 1806, to March 1807.&#8212;Death
+         of Mr. Fox.&#8212;Bill for the total abolition of the Slave Trade carried in
+         the House of Lords; sent from thence to the Commons; amended and passed
+         there; carried back, and passed with its amendments by the Lords;
+         receives the royal assent.&#8212;Reflections on this great event.</b></p>
+
+         <p>
+            It was impossible for the committee to look back to the proceedings
+            of the last session, as they related to the great question
+            under their care, without feeling a profusion of joy, as well as of
+            gratitude to those, by whose virtuous endeavours they had taken
+            place. But, alas, how few of our earthly pleasures come to us
+            without alloy! a melancholy event succeeded. We had the
+            painful intelligence, in the month of October 1806, that one of
+            the oldest and warmest friends of the cause was then numbered
+            with the dead.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of the character of Mr. Fox, as it related to this cause, I am
+            bound to take notice. And, first, I may observe, that he professed
+            an attachment to it almost as soon as it was ushered into
+            the world. Early in the year 1788, when he was waited upon
+            by a deputation of the committee, his language was, as has
+            appeared in the first volume, "that he would support their object
+            to its fullest extent, being convinced that there was no remedy
+            for the evil but in the total abolition of the trade."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            His subsequent conduct evinced the sincerity of his promises.
+            He was constant in his attendance in Parliament whenever the
+            question was brought forward; and he never failed to exert his
+            powerful eloquence in its favour. The countenance, indeed, which
+            he gave it, was of the greatest importance to its welfare; for
+            most of his parliamentary friends, who followed his general
+            political sentiments, patronized it also. By the aid of these,
+            joined to that of the private friends of Mr. Pitt, and of other
+            members, who espoused it without reference to party, it was
+
+            always so upheld, that after the year 1791 no one of the defeats
+            which it sustained, was disgraceful. The majority on the side of
+            those interested in the continuance of the trade was always so
+            trifling, that the abolitionists were preserved a formidable body,
+            and their cause respectable.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            I never heard whether Mr. Fox, when he came into power,
+            made any stipulations with His Majesty on the subject of the
+            Slave Trade: but this I know, that he determined upon the
+            abolition of it, if it were practicable, as the highest glory of his
+            administration, and as the greatest earthly blessing which it was
+            in the power of the Government to bestow; and that he took
+            considerable pains to convince some of his colleagues in the
+            cabinet of the propriety of the measure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            When the resolution, which produced the debates in parliament,
+            as detailed in the last chapter, was under contemplation,
+            it was thought expedient that Mr. Fox, as the minister of state
+            in the House of Commons, should introduce it himself. When
+            applied to for this purpose he cheerfully undertook the office, thus
+            acting in consistency with his public declaration in the year
+            1791, "that in whatever situation he might ever be, he would
+            use his warmest efforts for the promotion of this righteous
+            cause."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Before the next measure, or the bill to prevent the sailing of
+            any new vessel in the trade after the 1st of August, was publicly
+            disclosed, it was suggested to him, that the session was nearly
+            over; that he might possibly weary both Houses by another
+            motion on the subject; and that, if he were to lose it, or to
+            experience a diminution of his majorities in either, he might
+            injure the cause, which was then in the road to triumph. To
+            this objection he replied, "that he believed both Houses were
+            disposed to get rid of the trade; that his own life was precarious;
+            that if he omitted to serve the injured Africans on this occasion,
+            he might have no other opportunity of doing it; and that he
+            dared not, under these circumstances, neglect so great a duty."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This prediction relative to himself became unfortunately
+            verified; for his constitution, after this, began to decline, till at
+            length his mortal destiny, in the eyes of his medical attendants,
+
+            was sealed. But even then, when removed by pain and sickness
+            from the discussion of political subjects, he never forgot this
+            cause. In his own sufferings he was not unmindful of those of
+            the injured Africans. "Two things," said he, on his death-bed,
+            "I wish earnestly to see accomplished,&#8212;peace with Europe&#8212;and
+            the abolition of the Slave Trade." But knowing well, that we
+            could much better protect ourselves against our own external
+            enemies, than this helpless people against their oppressors, he
+            added, "but of the two I wish the latter." These sentiments he
+            occasionally repeated, so that the subject was frequently in his
+            thoughts in his last illness. Nay, "the very hope of the abolition
+            (to use the expression of Lord Howick in the House of Commons)
+            quivered on his lips in the last hour of it." Nor is it improbable,
+            if earthly scenes ever rise to view at that awful crisis, and
+            are perceptible, that it might have occupied his mind in the last
+            moment of his existence. Then indeed would joy ineffable, from
+            a conviction of having prepared the way for rescuing millions of
+            human beings from misery, have attended the spirit on its
+            departure from the body; and then also would this spirit, most
+            of all purified when in the contemplation of peace, good-will, and
+            charity upon earth, be in the fittest state, on gliding from its
+            earthly cavern, to commix with the endless ocean of benevolence
+            and love.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            At length the session of 1807 commenced. It was judged
+            advisable by Lord Grenville, that the expected motion on this
+            subject should, contrary to the practice hitherto adopted, be
+            agitated first in the Lords. Accordingly, on the 2nd of January
+            he presented a bill, called an act for the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade; but he then proposed only to print it, and to let it lie on
+            the table, that it might be maturely considered, before it should
+            be discussed.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 4th, no less than four counsel were heard against the
+            bill.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 5th the debate commenced. But of this I shall give
+            no detailed account; nor, indeed, of any of those which followed
+            it. The truth is, that the subject has been exhausted. They,
+            who spoke in favour of the abolition, said very little that was
+
+            new concerning it. They, who spoke against it, brought forward,
+            as usual, nothing but negative assertions and fanciful conjectures.
+            To give therefore what was said by both parties at these times,
+            would be but useless repetition<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXXIII_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXXIII_1"></a>. To give, on the
+            other hand, that which was said on one side only would appear partial.
+            Hence I shall offer to the reader little more than a narrative of
+            facts upon these occasions.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXXIII_1"></a><a href="#FootXXXIII_1">A</a>: The different
+            debates in both Houses on this occasion
+            would occupy the half of another volume. This is another circumstance,
+            which reconciles me to the omission. But that, which reconciles me the
+            most is, that they will be soon published. In these debates justice has
+            been done to every individual concerned in them.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Grenville opened the debate by a very luminous speech.
+            He was supported by the Duke of Gloucester, the Bishop of
+            Durham (Dr. Barrington), the Earls Moira, Selkirk, and Roslyn,
+            and the Lords Holland, King, and Hood. The opponents of the
+            bill were the Duke of Clarence, the Earls of Westmoreland and
+            St. Vincent, and the Lords Sidmouth, Eldon, and Hawkesbury.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The question being called for at four o'clock in the morning,
+            it appeared that the personal votes and proxies in favour of Lord
+            Grenville's motion amounted to one hundred, and those against
+            it to thirty-six. Thus passed the first bill in England, which
+            decreed, that the African Slave Trade should cease. And here
+            I cannot omit paying to his Highness the Duke of Gloucester
+            the tribute of respect, which is due to him, for having opposed
+            the example of his royal relations on this subject in behalf of an
+            helpless and oppressed people. The sentiments too, which he
+            delivered on this occasion, ought not to be forgotten. "This
+            trade," said he, "is contrary to the principles of the British
+            constitution. It is, besides, a cruel and criminal traffic in the
+            blood of my fellow-creatures. It is a foul stain on the national
+            character. It is an offence to the Almighty. On every ground
+            therefore on which a decision can be made; on the ground of
+            policy, of liberty, of humanity, of justice, but, above all, on the
+            ground of religion, I shall vote for its immediate extinction."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 10th of February, the bill was carried to the House of
+            Commons. On the 20th counsel were heard against it; after
+
+            which, by agreement, the second reading of it took place. On
+            the 23rd the question being put for the commitment of it, Lord
+            Viscount Howick (now Earl Grey) began an eloquent speech.
+            After he had proceeded in it some way, he begged leave to enter
+            his protest against certain principles of relative justice, which
+            had been laid down. "The merchants and planters," said he,
+            "have an undoubted right, in common with other subjects of the
+            realm, to demand justice at our hands. But that, which they
+            denominate justice, does not correspond with the legitimate character
+            of that virtue: for they call upon us to violate the rights of
+            others, and to transgress our own moral duties. That, which
+            they distinguish as justice, involves in itself the greatest injury to
+            others. It is not, in fact, justice, which they demand,
+            but&#8212;favour&#8212;and favour to themselves at the expense of the most
+            grievous oppression of their fellow-creatures."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then argued the question on the ground of policy. He
+            showed, by a number of official documents, how little this trade
+            had contributed to the wealth of the nation, being but a fifty-fourth
+            part of its export trade; and he contended that as four-sevenths
+            of it had been cut off by His Majesty's proclamation,
+            and the passing of the foreign slave bill in a former year, no detriment
+            of any consequence would arise from the present measure.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He entered into an account of the loss of seamen, and of the
+            causes of the mortality, in this trade.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He went largely into the subject of negro-population, in the
+            islands from official documents, giving an account of it up to the
+            latest date. He pointed out the former causes of its diminution,
+            and stated how the remedies for these would follow.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He showed how, even if the quantity of colonial produce
+            should be diminished for a time, this disadvantage would, in a
+            variety of instances, be more than counterbalanced by advantages,
+            which would not only be great in themselves, but permanent.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            He then entered into a refutation of the various objections
+            which had been made to the abolition, in an eloquent and perspicuous
+            manner; and concluded by appealing to the great authorities
+            of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox in behalf of the proposed measure.
+            "These precious ornaments," he said, "of their age and country,
+
+            had examined the subject with all the force of their capacious
+            minds. On this question they had dismissed all animosity&#8212;all
+            difference of opinion&#8212;and had proceeded in union; and he believed,
+            that the best tribute of respect we could show, or the most
+            splendid monument we could raise, to their memories, would be
+            by the adoption of the glorious measure of the abolition of the
+            Slave Trade."
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Lord Howick was supported by Mr. Roscoe, who was then
+            one of the members for Liverpool; by Mr. Lushington, Mr.
+            Fawkes, Lord Mahon, Lord Milton, Sir John Doyle, Sir Samuel
+            Romilly, Mr. Wilberforce, and Earl Percy, the latter of whom
+            wished that a clause might be put into the bill, by which all the
+            children of slaves, born after January 1810, should be made free.
+            General Gascoyne and Mr. Hibbert opposed the bill. Mr. Manning
+            hoped that compensation would be made to the planters in
+            case of loss. Mr. Bathurst and Mr. Hiley Addington preferred
+            a plan for gradual abolition to the present mode. These having
+            spoken, it appeared on a division, that there were for the question
+            two hundred and eighty-three, and against it only sixteen.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of this majority I cannot but remark, that it was probably
+            the largest that was ever announced on any occasion, where the
+            House was called upon to divide. I must observe, also, that
+            there was such an enthusiasm among the members at this time,
+            that there appeared to be the same kind and degree of feeling, as
+            manifested itself within the same walls in the year 1788, when
+            the question was first started. This enthusiasm, too, which was
+            of a moral nature, was so powerful, that it seemed even to extend
+            to a conversion of the heart; for several of the old opponents of
+            this righteous cause went away, unable to vote against it; while
+            others of them staid in their places, and voted in its favour.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 27th of February, Lord Howick moved, that the
+            House resolve itself into a committee on the bill for the abolition
+            of the Slave Trade. Sir C. Pole, Messrs. Hughan, Brown, Bathurst,
+            Windham, and Fuller opposed the motion; and Sir R.
+            Milbank, and Messrs. Wynne, Barham, Courtenay, Montague,
+            Jacob, Whitbread, and Herbert (of Kerry), supported it. At
+            length the committee was allowed to sit <em>pro form&acirc;</em>, and Mr.
+
+            Hobhouse was put into the chair. The bill then went through
+            it, and, the House being resumed, the report was received and read.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 6th of March, when the committee sat again, Sir C.
+            Pole moved, that the year 1812 be substituted for the year
+            1807, as the time when the trade should be abolished. This
+            amendment produced a long debate, which was carried on by
+            Sir C. Pole, Messrs. Fuller, Hiley Addington, Rose, Gascoyne,
+            and Bathurst, on one side; and by Mr. Ward, Sir
+            P. Francis; General Vyse, Sir T. Turton, Mr. Whitbread,
+            Lord Henry Petty, Messrs. Canning, Stanhope, Perceval,
+            and Wilberforce on the other. At length, on a division,
+            there appeared to be one hundred and twenty-five against the
+            amendment, and for it only seventeen. The chairman then read
+            the bill, and it was agreed that he should report it with the
+            amendments on Monday. The bill enacted, that no vessel should
+            clear out for slaves from any port within the British dominions
+            after the 1st of May, 1807, and that no slave should be landed in
+            the colonies after the 1st of March, 1808.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On the 16th of March, on the motion of Lord Henry Petty,
+            the question was put, that the bill be read a third time. Mr.
+            Hibbert, Captain Herbert, Mr. T.W. Plomer, Mr. Windham,
+            and Lord Castlereagh, spoke against the motion. Sir P. Francis,
+            Mr. Lyttleton, Mr. H. Thornton, and Messrs. Barham, Sheridan,
+            and Wilberforce supported it. After this the bill was passed
+            without a division<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXXIII_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXXIII_2"></a>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXXIII_2"></a><a href="#FootXXXIII_2">A</a>: S. Lushington, Esq., M.P.
+            for Yarmouth, gave his voluntary
+            attendance and assistance to the committee, during all these motions, and
+            J. Bowdler, Esq., was elected a member of it.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On Wednesday, the 18th, Lord Howick, accompanied by
+            Mr. Wilberforce and others, carried the bill to the Lords. Lord
+            Grenville, on receiving it, moved that it should be printed, and
+            that, if this process could be finished by Monday, it should be
+            taken into consideration on that day. The reason of this extraordinary
+            haste was, that His Majesty, displeased with the introduction
+            of the Roman Catholic officers' bill into the Commons,
+            had signified his intention to the members of the existing administration,
+            that they were to be displaced.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This uneasiness, which, a few days before, had sprung up
+            among the friends of the abolition, on the report that this event
+            was probable, began now to show itself throughout the kingdom.
+            Letters were written from various parts, manifesting the greatest
+            fear and anxiety on account of the state of the bill, and desiring
+            answers of consolation. Nor was this state of the mind otherwise
+            than what might have been expected upon such an occasion; for
+            the bill was yet to be printed. Being an amended one, it was to
+            be argued again in the Lords. It was then to receive the royal
+            assent. All these operations implied time; and it was reported
+            that the new ministry<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXXIII_3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXXIII_3"></a> was formed; among whom were
+            several who had shown a hostile disposition to the cause.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXXIII_3"></a><a href="#FootXXXIII_3">A</a>: The only circumstance,
+            which afforded comfort at this time, was,
+            that the Hon. Spencer Perceval and Mr. Canning were included in it, who were
+            warm patrons of this great measure.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            On Monday, the 23rd, the House of Lords met. Such extraordinary
+            diligence had been used in printing the bill, that it was
+            then ready. Lord Grenville immediately brought it forward.
+            The Earl of Westmoreland and the Marquis of Sligo opposed it.
+            The Duke of Norfolk and the Bishop of Llandaff (Dr. Watson)
+            supported it. The latter said, that this great act of justice would
+            be recorded in heaven. The amendments were severally adopted
+            without a division. But here an omission of three words was
+            discovered, namely, "country, territory, or place," which, if not
+            rectified, might defeat the purposes of the bill. An amendment
+            was immediately proposed and carried. Thus the bill received
+            the last sanction of the Peers. Lord Grenville then congratulated
+            the House on the completion, on its part, of the most glorious
+            measure that had ever been adopted by any legislative body in the
+            world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The amendment now mentioned occasioned the bill to be sent
+            back to the Commons. On the 24th, on the motion of Lord
+            Howick, it was immediately taken into consideration there, and
+            agreed to; and it was carried back to the Lords, as approved of,
+            on the same day.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But though the bill had now passed both houses, there was
+            an awful fear throughout the kingdom lest it should not receive
+
+            the royal assent before the ministry was dissolved. This event
+            took place the next day; for on Wednesday, the 25th, at half past
+            eleven in the morning, His Majesty's message was delivered to
+            the different members of it, that they were then to wait upon him
+            to deliver up the seals of their offices. It then appeared that a
+            commission for the royal assent to this bill, among others, had
+            been obtained. This commission was instantly opened by the
+            Lord Chancellor (Erskine), who was accompanied by the Lords
+            Holland and Auckland; and as the clock struck twelve, just when
+            the sun was in its meridian splendour to witness this august act,
+            this establishment of a Magna Charta for Africa in Britain, and
+            to sanction it by its most vivid and glorious beams, it was completed.
+            The ceremony being over, the seals of the respective
+            offices were delivered up; so that the execution of this commission
+            was the last act of the administration of Lord Grenville; an
+            administration, which, on account of its virtuous exertions in behalf of
+            the oppressed African race, will pass to posterity, living through
+            successive generations in the love and gratitude of the most virtuous
+            of mankind.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Thus ended one of the most glorious contests, after a continuance
+            for twenty years, of any ever carried on in any age or country.
+            A contest, not of brutal violence, but of reason. A contest between
+            those who felt deeply for the happiness and the honour of their
+            fellow-creatures, and those, who, through vicious custom and the
+            impulse of avarice, had trampled under foot the sacred rights of
+            their nature, and had even attempted to efface all title to the
+            divine image from their minds.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of the immense advantages of this contest I know not how to
+            speak; indeed, the very agitation of the question which it involved
+            has been highly important. Never was the heart of man so
+            expanded; never were its generous sympathies so generally and
+            so perseveringly excited. These sympathies, thus called into
+            existence, have been useful in the preservation of a national
+            virtue. For anything we know, they may have contributed
+            greatly to form a counteracting balance against the malignant
+            spirit, generated by our almost incessant wars during this period,
+            so as to have preserved us from barbarism.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It has been useful also in the discrimination of moral character;
+            in private life it has enabled us to distinguish the virtuous
+            from the more vicious part of the community<a class="notelink" href="#NoteXXXIII_4"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="FootXXXIII_4"></a>. It has shown
+            the general philanthropist; it has unmasked the vicious in spite
+            of his pretension to virtue. It has afforded us the same knowledge
+            in public life; it has separated the moral statesman from
+            the wicked politician. It has shown us who, in the legislative
+            and executive offices of our country, are fit to save, and who to
+            destroy, a nation.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><a name="NoteXXXIII_4"></a><a href="#FootXXXIII_4">A</a>: I have
+            had occasion to know many thousand persons in the
+            course of my travels on this subject, and I can truly say, that the part
+            which these took on this great question was always a true criterion of
+            their moral character. Some indeed opposed the abolition, who seemed to be
+            so respectable, that it was difficult to account for their conduct; but it
+            invariably turned out, in the course of time, either that they had been
+            influenced by interested motives, or that they were not men of steady moral
+            principle. In the year 1792, when the national enthusiasm was so great, the
+            good were as distinguishable from the bad, according
+            to their disposition to this great cause, as if the divine Being had marked
+            them, or, as a friend of mine the other day observed, as we may suppose the
+            sheep to be from the goats on the day of judgment.
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It has furnished us also with important lessons. It has proved
+            what a creature man is! how devoted he is to his own interest!
+            to what a length of atrocity he can go, unless fortified by religious
+            principle! But as if this part of the prospect would be too afflicting,
+            it has proved to us, on the other hand, what a glorious instrument he may
+            become in the hands of his Maker; and that a little
+            virtue, when properly leavened, is made capable of counteracting
+            the effects of a mass of vice!
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            With respect to the end obtained by this contest, or the great
+            measure of the abolition of the Slave Trade as it has now passed,
+            I know not how to appreciate its importance; to our own country,
+            indeed, it is invaluable. We have lived, in consequence of it, to
+            see the day, when it has been recorded as a principle in our legislation,
+            that commerce itself shall have its moral boundaries. We
+            have lived to see the day when we are likely to be delivered from
+            the contagion of the most barbarous opinions. They who supported
+            this wicked traffic, virtually denied that man was a moral
+            being; they substituted the law of force for the law of reason: but
+            the great act now under our consideration has banished the impious
+
+            doctrine, and restored the rational creature to his moral rights.
+            Nor is it a matter of less pleasing consideration, that, at this awful
+            crisis, when the constitutions of kingdoms are on the point of
+            dissolution, the stain of the blood of Africa is no longer upon us,
+            or that we have been freed (alas, if it be not too late!) from a
+            load of guilt, which has long hung like a mill-stone about our
+            necks, ready to sink us to perdition.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In tracing the measure still further, or as it will affect other
+            lands, we become only the more sensible of its importance; for can
+            we pass over to Africa; can we pass over to the numerous islands,
+            the receptacles of miserable beings from thence; and can we call
+            to mind the scenes of misery which have been passing in each of
+            these regions of the earth, without acknowledging that one of the
+            greatest sources of suffering to the human race has, as far as our
+            own power extends, been done way? Can we pass over to these
+            regions again, and contemplate the multitude of crimes which the
+            agency necessary for keeping up the barbarous system produced,
+            without acknowledging that a source of the most monstrous and
+            extensive wickedness has been removed also? But here, indeed,
+            it becomes us peculiarly to rejoice; for though nature shrinks from
+            pain, and compassion is engendered in us when we see it become
+            the portion of others, yet what is physical suffering compared with
+            moral guilt? The misery of the oppressed is, in the first place,
+            not contagious like the crime of the oppressor; nor is the mischief
+            which it generates either so frightful or so pernicious. The body,
+            though under affliction, may retain its shape; and, if it even
+            perish, what is the loss of it but of worthless dust? But when the
+            moral springs of the mind are poisoned, we lose the most excellent
+            part of the constitution of our nature, and the divine image is no
+            longer perceptible in us; nor are the two evils of similar duration.
+            By a decree of Providence, for which we cannot be too thankful,
+            we are made mortal. Hence the torments of the oppressor are
+            but temporary; whereas the immortal part of us, when once corrupted,
+            may carry its pollutions with it into another world.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            But, independently of the quantity of physical suffering, and
+            the innumerable avenues to vice, in more than a quarter of the globe,
+            which this great measure will cut off, there are yet blessings,
+
+            which we have reason to consider as likely to flow from it.
+            Among these we cannot overlook the great probability that
+            Africa, now freed from the vicious and barbarous effects of this
+            traffic, may be in a better state to comprehend and receive the
+            sublime truths of the Christian religion. Nor can we overlook the
+            probability that, a new system of treatment necessarily springing
+            up in our islands, the same bright sun of consolation may visit
+            her children there. But here a new hope rises to our view. Who
+            knows but that emancipation, like a beautiful plant, may, in its
+            due season, rise out of the ashes of the abolition of the Slave
+            Trade, and that, when its own intrinsic value shall be known, the
+            seed of it may be planted in other lands? And looking at the
+            subject in this point of view, we cannot but be struck with the
+            wonderful concurrence of events as previously necessary for this
+            purpose, namely, that two nations, England and America, the
+            mother and the child, should, in the same month of the same
+            year, have abolished this impious traffic; nations, which at this
+            moment have more than a million of subjects within their jurisdiction
+            to partake of the blessing; and one of which, on account
+            of her local situation and increasing power, is likely in time to
+            give, if not law, at least a tone to the manners and customs of
+            the great continent on which she is situated.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Reader! Thou art now acquainted with the history of this
+            contest! Rejoice in the manner of its termination! And, if thou
+            feelest grateful for the event, retire within thy closet, and pour
+            out thy thanksgivings to the Almighty for this his unspeakable
+            act of mercy to thy oppressed fellow-creatures.
+
+         </p>
+
+            <h3>THE END.</h3>
+
+
+
+       <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+         <h2><a name=""></a></h2>
+         <p>
+            LONDON:
+            JOHN W. PARKER, ST. MARTIN'S LANE
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A SELECT LIST OF BOOKS
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            PUBLISHED BY
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND,
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            LONDON.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE SLAVE-TRADE and SLAVERY.&#8212;HISTORY of the
+            RISE, PROGRESS, and ACCOMPLISHMENT, of the ABOLITION of the
+            AFRICAN SLAVE-TRADE by the British Parliament. By THOMAS CLARKSON,
+            M.A. A NEW EDITION, with Prefatory Remarks on the subsequent
+            ABOLITION of SLAVERY, and a Portrait from a highly-approved Picture, recently
+            painted by HENRY ROOM. <em>Published under the Direction of the</em>
+            CENTRAL NEGRO-EMANCIPATION
+            COMMITTEE. One large Volume. Octavo.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE SCRIPTURAL CHARACTER of the ENGLISH CHURCH
+            CONSIDERED, in a SERIES of SERMONS, with Notes and Illustrations.
+            By the Rev. DERWENT COLERIDGE, M.A.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The series of Sermons, bearing the above title, were written exclusively for
+            perusal, and are arranged as a connected whole. The author has adopted this
+            form to avail himself of the devotional frame of mind, presupposed on the
+            part of the reader, in this species of composition; but he has not deemed it
+            as necessary to preserve with strictness the conventional style of the pulpit,
+            for which these discourses were never intended: they may, consequently, be taken
+            as a series of Essays, or as the successive chapters of a general work.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE CATHOLIC CHARACTER of CHRISTIANITY; in a
+            SERIES of LETTERS to a FRIEND. By the Rev. FREDERICK NOLAN,
+            LL.D., F.B.S., Vicar of Prittlewell, and Author of <em>The Evangelical Character of Christianity</em>, &amp;c.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Profits arising from the First Edition of this Work, will be given to the Fund
+            for erecting a Memorial to the Martyred Bishops at Oxford.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A MANUAL of CHRISTIAN ANTIQUITIES; or an Account
+            of the Constitution, Ministers, Worship, Discipline, and Customs of the Early Church;
+            with an Introduction, containing a Complete and Chronological Analysis of the Works
+            of the Antenicene Fathers. Compiled from the Works of Augusti, and other sources. By
+            the Rev. J. E. RIDDLE, M.A., Author of an <em>English-Latin</em>
+            and <em>Latin-English Dictionary</em>, <em>Luther and his Times</em>, &amp;c.
+            <i>In the Press</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It has been the object of the writer, to construct a History of Christian
+            Antiquities sufficiently copious and accurate for the use of the student
+            in divinity, and at the same time instructive and acceptable to the general
+            reader: a work popular in point of structure and style, but containing the
+            substance of the more scholastic and expensive volumes of Bingham, and embodying
+            information collected by modern divines, who have investigated the history and
+            usages of the early church. Such a compendium was a desideratum in our
+            theological literature. Our language has hitherto possessed no book fit to occupy
+            the same place, in relation to the history of the church, as that which has long
+            been maintained by the Antiquities of Potter and Adam, in connexion with the
+            histories of Greece and Rome. And the author of the present volume hopes he
+            may be permitted to say, that, in the absence of more able labourers in this
+            department, he has endeavoured, by means especially of foreign aid, to remove
+            the want which he has described.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE WORKS OF DOCTOR DONNE, Dean of Saint Paul's in
+            1619-1631; with a Memoir of his Life, and Critical Notices of his Writings.
+            By HENRY ALFORD, M.A., Vicar of Wymeswold, and late Fellow of Trinity College,
+            Cambridge. With a fine Portrait from an Original Picture by VANDYKE. Six
+            Volumes Octavo.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A HISTORY of the INDUCTIVE SCIENCES, from the Earliest
+            Times to the Present. By the Rev. WILLIAM WHEWELL, B.D., F.R.S.;
+            Pres. Geol. Society, and Professor of Casuistry in the University of Cambridge.
+            Three Volumes, Octavo.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE NEW CRATYLUS; or, CONTRIBUTIONS towards a more
+            ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE of the GREEK LANGUAGE. By JOHN
+            WILLIAM DONALDSON, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A NEW SYSTEM OF LOGIC, and Developement of the Principles
+            of Truth and Reasoning; in which a System of Logic, applicable to Moral and
+            Practical Subjects, is for the first time proposed. By SAMUEL RICHARD
+            BOSANQUET, A.M., of the Inner Temple.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The RISE and PROGRESS of the ENGLISH CONSTITUTION;
+            with an HISTORICAL and LEGAL INTRODUCTION and NOTES. By
+            ARCHIBALD JOHN STEPHENS, M.A., F.R.S., &amp;c. Two Volumes, 30s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Introduction is embodied in the first volume, and extends from the
+            earliest period of authentic history up to the termination of the reign
+            of William III.; and the Saxon institutions, tenure of lands, domesday,
+            the royal prerogative, origin and progress of the legislative assemblies,
+            privileges of Lords and Commons, pecuniary exactions, administration of
+            justice, gradual improvements in the laws, judicial powers of the Peers,
+            borough institutions, infamy of the Long Parliament, national dissensions,
+            and the principles under which the executive power was intrusted to the Prince
+            of Orange, have experienced every illustration.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The doctrinal changes in the Anglican Church which were effected under the
+            Tudors, are justified by a reference to the records and practice of the
+            primitive Church, and the doctrinal schismatic points of Roman Catholic
+            faith relating to the canons of Scripture, seven sacraments, sacrifice
+            of the mass, private and solitary mass, communion in one kind,
+            transubstantiation, image worship, purgatory, indulgences, confession
+            and penance, absolution, &amp;c., are clearly established as being in
+            direct opposition to the opinions of the early fathers, and the
+            fundamental doctrines of Christianity.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The text of De Lolme is incorporated in the second volume, and the notes
+            affixed extend to great length, and embody very valuable and diversified
+            information relative to the rights, qualifications, and disqualifications
+            of members of Parliament and their constituents; the unions of Scotland
+            and Ireland with England; the origin, rise, and progress of the civil
+            law under nine periods of the Roman history; civil process in the English
+            courts of law; history of the courts of equity, and the principles under
+            which they act; trial by jury, and an analysis of criminal offences, and
+            the statutes under which they are punishable, with an analysis of crimes
+            that were committed in 1837, and of the sentences passed. There are
+            likewise tables of the public income and expenditure in the year ended
+            January 5, 1837; of the church revenues, in which will be found information
+            relative to the number of benefices in each diocese; total amount of incomes,
+            gross and net, of the incumbents in each diocese, also the averages of each
+            respectively; number of curates in each diocese; total amount of their
+            stipends, and average thereof; also four scales of the incomes of the
+            beneficed clergy; and genealogical tables from the Saxon and Danish kings,
+            to Queen Victoria.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            FROM THE PRESS OF JOHN W. PARKER.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            MEMOIRS of the LIFE, CHARACTER, and WRITINGS, of
+            BISHOP BUTLER, Author of <em>The Analogy</em>. By THOMAS BARTLETT,
+            M.A., One of the Six Preachers of Canterbury Cathedral, and Rector of
+            Kingstone, Kent. Dedicated, by Permission, to his Grace the Archbishop
+            of Canterbury. Octavo, with an original Portrait.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            ELIZABETHAN RELIGIOUS HISTORY. By HENRY SOAMES, M.A., Author
+            of <em>The History of the Reformation; The Anglo-Saxon Church</em>, &amp;c.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            This Work is intended to fill a long-acknowledged chasm in English literature,
+            and especially in that which peculiarly concerns the Church of England. Both
+            Romanists and Protestant Dissenters have been attentive to the important reign
+            of Elizabeth, and by saying very little of each other, have given an invidious
+            colouring to both the Church and the Government. The present work is meant to
+            give every leading fact in sufficient detail, but to avoid unnecessary particulars.
+            It reaches from the establishment of the Thirty-nine Articles, in 1563, to the
+            Hampton-Court Conference, in 1604.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE ANGLO-SAXON CHURCH; its HISTORY, REVENUES,
+            and General Character. By the Rev. HENRY SOAMES, M.A., Author of the
+            <em>Elizabethan Religious History</em>. A NEW EDITION.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH; from the Ascension of Jesus Christ to the Conversion
+            of Constantine. By the late EDWARD BURTON, D.D.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            HISTORY of the CHURCH of ENGLAND, to the REVOLUTION
+            in 1688; embracing Copious Histories of the Thirty-Nine Articles, the Translation of
+            the Bible, and the Compilation of the Book of Common Prayer. By THOMAS VOWLER SHORT,
+            D.D. NEW EDITION, in One large Volume.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            The EARLY CHRISTIANS; their MANNERS and CUSTOMS,
+            TRIALS and SUFFERINGS. By the Rev. WILLIAM PRIDDEN, M.A.
+            Second Edition.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            HISTORY OF POPERY; the Origin, Growth, and Progress of the
+            Papal Power; its Political Influence in the European States-System, and its
+            Effects on the Progress of Civilization; an Examination of the Present State
+            of the Romish Church in Ireland; a History of the Inquisition; and Specimens
+            of Monkish Legends.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            LUTHER and HIS TIMES; History of the Rise and Progress
+            of the German Reformation. By the Rev. J. E. RIDDLE, M.A., Author of
+            <em>First Sundays at Church.</em></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            POPULAR HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION, in Germany,
+            Switzerland, and Great Britain; and of its chief Promoters, Opposers, and Victims.
+            By THOMAS FOX.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * HISTORY OF MOHAMMEDANISM, and the PRINCIPAL
+            MOHAMMEDAN SECTS. By W.C. TAYLOR, LL.D.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * The CRUSADERS; SCENES, EVENTS, and CHARACTERS,
+            from the Times of the Crusades. By THOMAS KEIGHTLEY. Two Vols.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * READINGS IN BIOGRAPHY; a Selection of the Lives of Eminent
+            Men of all Nations.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The design of this work is to give an account of the lives of the Leaders in
+            the most important revolutions which history records, from the age of Sesostris
+            to that of Napoleon. Care has been taken to select those personages concerning
+            whom information is most required by the historical student.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            LIFE OF SIR WILLIAM JONES, by the late LORD TEIGNMOUTH.
+            With Notes, Selections from his Works, and a Memoir of his Noble
+            Biographer, by the Rev. SAMUEL CHARLES WILKS, M.A. 2 Vols.,
+            10<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            SIR WILLIAM JONES was not only the most eminent linguist, but in many respects
+            one of the most remarkable men, of the last century; and LORD TEIGNMOUTH'S
+            Memoir of him has been justly accounted one of the most
+            interesting, instructive, and entertaining pieces of modern biography.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * LIVES OF BRITISH SACRED POETS. By R. A. WILLMOTT,
+            Esq., Trin. Coll. Camb. Now complete, in Two Volumes, at
+            4<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>. each.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The FIRST SERIES contains an Historical Sketch of Sacred Poetry, and the Lives of the
+            English Sacred Poets preceding MILTON.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The SECOND SERIES commences with MILTON, and brings down the Lives to that of
+            BISHOP HEBER inclusive.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * LIVES OF EMINENT CHRISTIANS. By RICHARD B.
+            HONE, M.A., Vicar of Hales Owen. Three Volumes,
+            4<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>. each.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Vol. I.
+            ARCHBISHOP USHER,
+            DOCTOR HAMMOND,
+            JOHN EVELYN,
+            BISHOP WILSON.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Vol. II.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            BERNARD GILPIN,
+            PHILIP DE MORNAY,
+            BISHOP BEDELL,
+            DOCTOR HORNECK.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Vol. III.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            BISHOP RIDLEY,
+            BISHOP HALL,
+            The HONORABLE ROBERT BOYLE.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>BIBLE BIOGRAPHY; Histories of the Lives and Conduct of the
+               Principal Characters of the Old and New Testament.</b> By E. FARR,
+            <em>Author of a New Version of the Book of Psalms</em>.
+            4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>BIBLE NARRATIVE</b> chronologically arranged, in the words of the
+            authorized Version; continued by an Historical Account of the Jewish Nation:
+            and forming a Consecutive History from the Creation of the World to the Termination
+            of the Jewish Polity. <em>Dedicated by permission to the Lord Bishop of Winchester</em>.
+            7<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p><b>THE EVIDENCE of PROFANE HISTORY to the TRUTH
+               of REVELATION. Dedicated, by Special Permission, to her Majesty</b> THE QUEEN.
+            With numerous Graphic Illustrations. 10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            It is the object of this Work to exhibit, from traces afforded in the records and
+            monuments, both sacred and profane, of the ancient world, an unity of purpose
+            maintained by the all-controlling providence of God.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>STUDENT'S MANUAL of ANCIENT HISTORY; Accounts of
+               the principal Nations of Antiquity.</b> By W.C. TAYLOR, LL.D.
+            10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            The design of this work is to supply the student with an outline of the
+            principal events in the annals of the ancient world, and at the same time
+            to lead him to the consideration of the causes that produced the principal
+            revolutions recorded. The geographical position, natural productions, and
+            progress of civilization, in all the great monarchies and republics, have been
+            diligently investigated, and their effect on the fortunes of the
+            state pointed out. Thus the philosophy of history is made to illustrate the
+            narrative without interrupting it.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>STUDENT'S MANUAL of MODERN HISTORY; the Rise and
+               Progress of the principal EUROPEAN NATIONS, their Political History, and the
+               Changes in their Social Condition; with a History of the COLONIES founded by
+               Europeans, and General Progress of Civilization.</b> By the same Author.
+            10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>*FAMILY HISTORY OF ENGLAND.</b> By the Rev. G.R.
+            GLEIG, M.A. With PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS. 3 Vols.,
+            6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> each.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The main purpose of the FAMILY HISTORY OF ENGLAND has been to unite objects
+            which in such undertakings are not always found to coincide; namely, to render
+            the study of English History not merely instructive, but interesting and amusing.
+            For this purpose, the greatest care has been taken to seize upon all those striking
+            features in the detail of events, which not only convey to the mind of the reader
+            a vivid picture of scenes past, but induce him to argue from effects to their causes.
+            While the philosophy of history, therefore, is sedulously taught, it is taught
+            in a manner calculated to gratify both young and old, by affording to the one class ample
+            scope to reflection; to the other, matter that stirs and excites, while it conveys
+            sound moral instruction.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>A HISTORY OF LONDON; the Progress of its Institutions; the
+               Manners and Customs of its People.</b> By CHARLES MACKAY. 7<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            Of the Histories of London which have hitherto appeared, some have been too voluminous
+            and costly for the general reader, and others too exclusively addressed to the citizen,
+            the antiquarian, or the traveller.  The object of the present Volume is to furnish in
+            a tangible form, and at a small price, a general and popular view of the progress of
+            civilization, and of the origin and progress of those events which have raised London
+            to its present importance. The work, however, is not confined to a history of events,
+            but contains graphic pictures of the manners and customs of the people, their sports
+            and pastimes, at different periods, and the characteristic incidents of their domestic
+            history.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>GERMANY, BOHEMIA, and HUNGARY, visited in 1837.</b> By
+            the Rev. G.R. GLEIG, M.A., Chaplain to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. Three
+            Volume's, Post Octavo.
+            1<i>l.</i> 11<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            The principal design of this work is to give some account of the state of
+            society as it now exists in Bohemia and Hungary. In order to reach these
+            countries, the Author was, of course, obliged to pass through a large
+            portion of Germany, where the social condition of the people, as well
+            as the civil, ecclesiastical, and military establishments, attracted
+            his attention. Upon these he touches, more especially in reference
+            to Prussia, towards which the eyes of the rest of Europe are at present
+            anxiously turned. But his great design was to obtain and communicate
+            information, respecting countries into which few Englishmen are accustomed
+            to penetrate. Hence a large portion of his tour, both in Bohemia and
+            Hungary, was performed on foot; and the acquaintance which he was thereby
+            enabled to form with all ranks and conditions of the people, was at once
+            more intimate and more familiar than could have taken place had he travelled
+            by a more usual mode of conveyance. He looked into the cottage as well as
+            the palace, and he has given some account of both.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>GERMANY; the SPIRIT of her HISTORY, LITERATURE,
+               SOCIAL CONDITION, and NATIONAL ECONOMY</b>; illustrated by Reference
+            to her Physical, Moral, and Political Statistics, and by Comparison with other
+            Countries. By BISSET HAWKINS, M.D., Oxon., F.R.S., &amp;c.
+            10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>TREVES; SOME ACCOUNT of the CITY of TREVES, and of its
+               ROMAN ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS.</b> From the German of WYTTENBACH.
+            Edited, with NOTES, by DAWSON TURNER, Esq., and illustrated
+            from Drawings made on the spot. Octavo. <em>Nearly Ready.</em></p>
+         <p><b>RESEARCHES IN BABYLONIA, ASSYRIA, and CHALDAEA;</b>
+            forming part of the Labours of the Euphrates Expedition, and <em>published with the
+               sanction of the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Control</em>, By WILLIAM
+            AINSWORTH, F.G.S., F.R.G.S. With Illustrations, Maps, &amp;c.
+            12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>EGYPT and SINAI.</b> By M. DUMAS, with Notes by the Translator.
+            Uniformly with <em>Three Weeks in Palestine and Lebanon</em>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>THREE WEEKS IN PALESTINE AND LEBANON.</b> With
+            many Engravings.   3<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            A  little volume from the Traveller's notes. Descriptions of Baalbec, Beiroot, Damietta,
+            Jaffa, Jerusalem, Ramiah, and other places, are blended with remarks upon the natives,
+            the incidents of the journey, and the observations and reflections which naturally occur
+            to a Clergyman in travelling through the Holy Land.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>NOTES on INDIAN AFFAIRS;</b> by the late Hon. F.J. SHORE,
+            Judge of the Civil Court and Criminal Sessions of Furrukhabad. 2 Vols., 26s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The facts and opinions contained in this Work are the result of more than fifteen years'
+            residence in India&#8212;during which period the Author held various situations in the
+            Police, Revenue, and Judicial Departments, and was in habits of close communication,
+            both Private and Official, with all classes of the Natives.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>SCOTLAND; SKETCHES of its COASTS and ISLANDS, and
+               of the ISLE of MAN;</b> descriptive of the Scenery, and illustrative of the progressive
+            Revolution in the Condition of the Inhabitants of those Regions. By LORD
+            TEIGNMOUTH, M.P.  2 Vols., with Maps, 21<i>s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>THE WEST INDIES; the Natural and Physical History of the
+               Colonies; and the Moral, Social, and Political Condition of the Inhabitants,
+               before and after the Abolition of Negro Slavery.</b> By SIR ANDREW HALLIDAY,
+            K.H., M.D., F.R.S.E., &amp;c.  With Maps.
+            10<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>NEW ZEALAND; an Account of the Position, Extent, Soil and
+               Climate, Natural Productions and Native Inhabitants of New Zealand, with reference
+               to British Colonization.</b> With Charts and Illustrations.
+            4<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>TWO YEARS AT SEA: Narrative of a Voyage to the Swan River
+               and Van Diemen's Land; thence, to various parts of India.</b> With Notes of a
+            Residence in the Burman Empire, and of the Services and Sufferings of the Missionaries
+            in that Country. By JANE ROBERTS. With Engravings, 5<i>s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>MUNGO PARK; his LIFE and TRAVELS: with an Account of
+               his Death, from the JOURNAL of ISAACO, the substance of later Discoveries
+               relative to his lamented Fate, and the Termination of the Niger.</b> 2<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS; his LIFE, VOYAGES, and
+               DISCOVERY of the NEW WORLD.</b> With Engravings.
+            2<i>s</i>  6<i>d</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>CAPTAIN COOK; his VOYAGES and DISCOVERIES: with an
+               Account of Pitcairn's Island, and the Mutiny of the Bounty.</b> Engravings.
+            2<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>NARRATIVE of the EXPEDITION to GREENLAND, sent by
+               order of the KING of DENMARK, in SEARCH of the LOST COLONIES; with
+               the Chart completed by the Expedition.</b> Published under the Direction of the
+            <em>Royal Geographical Society</em>.
+            8<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>NEW POCKET GUIDE to LONDON and its ENVIRONS;</b> containing
+            Descriptions, from personal knowledge, of everything worth seeing or
+            knowing, within Twenty-five Miles of the Metropolis; enlivened with Biographical
+            and other Anecdotes, connected by History of Tradition with the Places described.
+            With a Map of the Environs. By JOHN H. BRADY, F.R.A.S.  7<i>s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE DOMESTIC GARDENER'S MANUAL; being an Introduction
+            to Practical Gardening, on Philosophical Principles; to which is added, a
+            NATURALIST'S KALENDAR, and an Appendix on the Operations of Forcing,
+            including the Culture of Vines in Pots. By JOHN TOWERS, C.M.H.S. Second
+            Edition, Enlarged and Improved. One large Volume, Octavo.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Most of the works on gardening which have come under my observation, are not only
+            expensive, but appear to have been written almost exclusively for the
+            affluent;&#8212;for those who possess, or can afford to possess, all
+            the luxuries of the garden. We read of the management of hot-houses,
+            green-houses, forcing-houses; of nursery-grounds, shrubberies, and other
+            concomitants of ornamental gardening. Now, although it is
+            acknowledged that many useful ideas may be gathered from these works,
+            still it is obvious that they are chiefly written for those whose rank in
+            life enables them to employ a chief gardener and assistants, qualified
+            for the performance of the many operations required in the various
+            departments of large gardens. As I profess to have a very different object
+            in view, I address this book to those, who, without aiming to become
+            professional gardeners, wish, nevertheless, to acquire so much of the art
+            of Gardening as shall enable them to conduct its more common and essential
+            operations with facility and precision.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            MUSICAL HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, AND CRITICISM; being
+            a General Survey of Music from the earliest Period to the Present Time. By
+            GEORGE HOGARTH. <em>A new and enlarged edition, in Two Volumes.</em><i>10s. 6d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            LECTURES on ASTRONOMY, delivered at KING'S COLLEGE,
+            London, by the Rev. HENRY MOSELEY, M.A., F.R.S., Professor of Natural Philosophy
+            and Astronomy in that Institution. With numerous Illustrations.
+            5<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            *MECHANICS APPLIED TO THE ARTS. By PROFESSOR
+            MOSELEY, of King's College, London. A New Edition, corrected and improved.
+            With numerous Engravings. <i>6s. 6d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            A MANUAL OF CHEMISTRY, by W.T. BRANDE, F.R.S.,
+            Prof, Chem. R.I., and of Her Majesty's Mint. 30<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            Although Three Editions of the <em>Manual of Chemistry</em> have already
+            appeared, the present may be considered as a new work. It has been almost
+            wholly re-written; everything new and important in the Science,
+            both in English and Foreign Works, has been embodied; and it abounds in
+            references to Authorities.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            AN INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF CHEMICAL
+            PHILOSOPHY: being a preparatory View of the Forces which concur to the
+            Production of Chemical Phenomena. By J. FREDERIC DANIELL, F.R.S.
+            Professor of Chemistry in King's College, London; and Lecturer on Chemistry
+            and Geology in the Hon. East India Company's Military Seminary at Addiscombe;
+            and Author of <em>Meteorological Essays</em>. 16<i>s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            FROM THE PRESS OF JOHN W. PARKER.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            * A FAMILIAR HISTORY of BIRDS; their Nature, Habits, and
+            Instincts. By EDWARD STANLEY, D.D., F.L.S., Lord Bishop of Norwich;
+            President of the Linnaean Society. Two Vols., with Engravings. 7<i>s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            BRITISH SONG BIRDS; Popular Descriptions and Anecdotes of
+            the Songsters of the Groves. By NEVILLE WOOD. <i>7s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            OUTLINES OF GENERAL PATHOLOGY. By GEORGE
+            FRECKLETON, M.D., Cantab., Fellow of the Royal Coll. of Physicians. 7<i>s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * POPULAR PHYSIOLOGY; familiar Explanations of interesting
+            Facts connected with the Structure and Functions of Animals, and particularly of
+            Man. By PERCEVAL B. LORD, M.B. Many Engravings.
+            7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            To trace the finger of God in the works of creation, to consider "the wonders that
+            He doeth amongst the children of men," has ever been a source of the purest and
+            noblest gratification,&#8212;that moral gratification which a well-framed mind
+            naturally experiences in contemplating Infinite Power working out the dictates of
+            Infinite Goodness,&#8212;that intellectual satisfaction which attends upon our
+            being allowed, even imperfectly, to comprehend some small part of the designs
+            of Infinite Wisdom.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE DOCTRINE OF LIMITS, with its Applications; namely,
+            The First Three Sections of Newton&#8212;Conic Sections&#8212;The Differential Calculus.
+            By the Rev. WILLIAM WHEWELL, B.D., &amp;c. 9<i>s.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE MECHANICAL EUCLID. By the Rev. WILLIAM
+            WHEWELL, B.D., Fellow and Tutor of Trin. Coll. Cambridge.
+            5<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            AN ELEMENTARY TREATISE on the DIFFERENTIAL and
+            INTEGRAL CALCULUS. By the Rev. T.G. HALL, M.A., Professor of Mathematics,
+            King's College, London. 12<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            LECTURES upon TRIGONOMETRY, and the APPLICATION
+            of ALGEBRA to GEOMETRY. Second Edition, corrected.
+            7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            DYNAMICS, or a TREATISE on MOTION; to which is added, a
+            SHORT TREATISE on ATTRACTIONS. By SAMUEL EARNSHAW, M.A.,
+            of St. John's College, Cambridge. Octavo, with many Cuts. 14<i>s.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE MAGAZINE OF POPULAR SCIENCE; complete in Four
+            large Volumes, Octavo. &pound;2 15<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            This work furnishes the general reader with popular and connected
+            views of the actual progress and condition of the Physical Sciences,
+            both at home and abroad. The Mechanical Arts, Dietetic Chemistry,
+            the Structure of the Earth, Electricity, Galvanism, Gas, Heat,
+            Light, Magnetism, the Mathematical Sciences, Philosophical Instruments,
+            Rain, Steam, the Cometary System, Tides, Volcanoes, &amp;c., have,
+            among many others, been developed in original communications and discussions,
+            abounding in the freshest facts, the most recent discoveries; and the latest
+            intelligence, which on indefatigable examination of the products of
+            Scientific Research, at home and abroad, has been able to furnish.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Sciences of ASTRONOMY, CHEMISTRY, and GEOLOGY, are comprehensively,
+            but popularly, treated in a series of papers, forming regular and complete
+            Courses on those several Subjects.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE STUDENT'S MANUAL OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY;
+            comprising Descriptions, Popular and Practical, of the most important Philosophical
+            Instruments, their History, Nature and Uses; with complete elucidations of the
+            Sciences to which they respectively appertain. Dedicated, by permission, to the
+            Lord Bishop of Salisbury. By CHARLES TOMLINSON.
+            10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            In this work certain prominent subjects have been selected with which it behoves
+            every one to be acquainted: such, for example, as relate to what may be called
+            our HOUSEHOLD INSTRUMENTS, namely, the Thermometer, the Barometer, and Vernier;
+            the Hydrometer, the Hygrometer; the Tuning-Fork, Musical Glasses and Music
+            generally; the Compass; the Prism, the Telescope, and the Sun-Dial. These
+            subjects, and those in immediate connexion with them, are treated of
+            extensively; as also their application to Science, Art, and, Industry.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * READINGS in SCIENCE; familiar EXPLANATIONS of Appearances
+            and Principles in NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. With many Engravings.
+            5<i>s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * EASY LESSONS IN MECHANICS: with Familiar Illustrations of
+            the Practical Application of Mechanical Principles. 3<i>s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            HOUSE I LIVE IN; or Popular Illustrations of the Structure
+            and Functions of the Human Body. Edited by T.C. GIRTIN.
+            2<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            "I am fearfully and wonderfully made!"
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * MINERALS AND METALS; their Natural History and Uses in
+            the Arts: with Accounts of Mines and Mining. Engravings.
+            2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            Familiar as we are, from our earliest years, with the various articles
+            manufactured from the Metals, for purposes of use and comfort, the
+            nature and properties of the metals themselves, and the means by which
+            they are obtained, are comparatively little known.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * OUTLINES of ASTRONOMY. By the Rev. T.G. HALL, M.A.,
+            Professor of Mathematics, King's College, London. With Cuts.
+            10<i>d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * The ELEMENTS of BOTANY. With many Engravings. NEW
+            EDITION, Enlarged and Improved.  2<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            The principles of this beautiful and important science are explained in
+            a clear and simple manner, to as to render the acquisition of them
+            comparatively easy, and the examples, when possible, are selected from our
+            own wild flowers, or from those cultivated in all gardens or fields.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE ELEMENTS of POLITICAL ECONOMY, abridged from
+            the <em>Principles of Political Economy</em> by Professor WAYLAND, D.D.
+            2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            MANUAL of INSTRUCTION in VOCAL MUSIC, chiefly with
+            a View to PSALMODY. By JOHN TURNER, Esq.  4<i>s</i>.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE MERCHANT AND THE FRIAR; <em>TRUTHS and FICTIONS</em>
+            of the <em>MIDDLE AGES</em> BY SIR FRANCIS PALGRAVE, K.H., Keeper of the
+            Records of the Treasury of Her Majesty's Exchequer.
+            8<i>s.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         LETTERS of EMINENT PERSONS; selected and Illustrated,
+         and with an Introduction, Critical and Anecdotical, by R.A. WILLMOTT, Trinity
+         Coll. Camb. Author of the <em>Lives of British Sacred Poets</em>.
+          7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i><hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            LIGHT IN DARKNESS; or, THE RECORDS OF A VILLAGE RECTORY.
+            3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <table>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">THE VILLAGE.</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">THE GOOD AUNT.</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">THE VILLAGE APOTHECARY.</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">THE RETIRED TRADESMAN.</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">THE VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER.</td>
+               <td valign="top" class="">THE DESERTED WIFE.</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">THE FAMILY AT THE HALL;</td>
+               <td valign="top" class=""></td>
+               <td valign="top" class=""></td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr class="">
+               <td valign="top" class="">OR, PRIDE AND POVERTY.</td>
+               <td valign="top" class=""></td>
+               <td valign="top" class=""></td>
+            </tr>
+         </table>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         READINGS in NATURAL THEOLOGY; Or, the Testimony of
+         Nature to the Being, Perfections, and Government Of God. By the Rev. H.
+         FERGUS. 4<i>s.</i><hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * READINGS in ENGLISH PROSE LITERATURE; containing
+            choice Specimens OF the Works of the best English Writers, from LORD BACON
+            to the Present Time. With Biographical Sketches of the Writers, and ESSAYS on
+            the PROGRESS of ENGLISH LITERATURE.
+            4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            This volume is intended to furnish the general reader with some
+            valuable specimens of English prose composition.  They are taken
+            from the works of those writers who have chiefly determined the
+            style of our prose literature, and are not only in themselves
+            instructive and entertaining, but are also of sufficient variety, and of
+            ample length, to render the reader familiar with the beauties and
+            the peculiarities of the various writers.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            * READINGS IN POETRY; a Selection from the Works of the best
+            English Poets, from Spenser to the present times; with Specimens of the American
+            Poets; Notices of the Writers; and Explanatory Notes.
+            4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            A MANUAL of Poetry, comprising the gems of the standard English Poets.
+            Care has been taken to select such pieces and passages as best illustrate
+            the style of the respective Authors; and it is scarcely necessary to
+            add, that scrupulous attention has been paid to the moral character of
+            the extracts.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            UNIVERSAL MYTHOLOGY; an Account of the most important
+            Mythological Systems, their Origin and Connexion. By the Rev HENRY
+            CHRISTMAS, St. John's Coll., Camb. 7<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p>
+            The Mythology of Greece and Rome has hitherto been studied almost
+            exclusively, though neither the most important, nor the most interesting.
+            The systems of the East and of the North, of Egypt and of China,
+            would have illustrated the Greek and Roman fables, have cleared up
+            their difficulties, and explained their allegories. * * * * This object
+            has been attempted in the present work.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE CAMBRIDGE PORTFOLIO; a Periodical Work comprising
+            Papers illustrative of the principal features in the Scholastic and
+            Social System of the University; Notices of the most Eminent
+            Characters it has produced; Gleanings from the Manuscripts in
+            the several Libraries; and Contributions in Original Literature
+            by contemporary Members. It also contains descriptive accounts of the
+            principal Buildings in Cambridge, their origin, history, and
+            purposes, accompanied by numerous Etchings, executed by LEWIS,
+            INCE, G. COOKE, and other eminent Artists. In Parts, at
+            5<i>s.</i> each.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            DISSERTATIONS ON THE EUMENIDES OF AESCHYLUS,
+            with the Greek Text, and Critical Remarks. From the German of MULLER.
+            9<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE FROGS OF ARISTOPHANES, with ENGLISH NOTES,
+            for the Use of Schools and Students. By the Rev. H. P. COOKESLEY.
+            7<i>s.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE AULULARIA of PLAUTUS, with Notes by JAMES
+            HILDYARD, M.A., Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
+            7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            SCHLEIERMACHER'S INTRODUCTIONS TO THE
+            DIALOGUES of PLATO; translated from the German, by WILLIAM DOBSON,
+            M.A., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.
+            12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            ADRIAN, a TALE of ITALY, in Three Cantos; with the STAR OF
+            DESTINY, and other Poems. By HENRY COOK, Esc.
+            7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE BRITISH MONTHS, a Poem, in Twelve Parts. By
+            RICHARD MANT, D.D., Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.  2 Vols.,
+            9<i>s.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE STORY of CONSTANTINE; a Poem. By the Rev.
+            THOMAS E. HANKINSON, M.A., of Corpus Christi, Cambridge.
+            1s. 6d. Also by the same Author, the following SEATONIAN PRIZE POEMS:
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            ETHIOPIA STRETCHING FORTH HER HAND. 1s. 6d.
+            JACOB, 1s.
+            ISHMAEL, 1s. PAUL AT PHILIPPI, 2s.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE SATIRES and EPISTLES of HORACE, interpreted by
+            DAVID HUNTER, Esq., M.A. 4s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIVING; by HERBERT MAYO,
+            F.R.S., Senior Surgeon of the Middlesex Hospital. 8s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            SUMMARY OF THE CONTENTS.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            DIVERSITIES OF CONSTITUTION;
+            Temperament;
+            Habit; Diathesis.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            OF DIGESTION: Adaptation
+            of Diet to different
+            Constitutions and Ages;
+            on the Social Relations of
+            Food.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of EXERCISE: Exercise
+            of Boys; on the Physical
+            Education of Girls;
+            Spinal Curvature; Exercise
+            proper for Adults; for
+            the Aged.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of SLEEP.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of BATHING.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of CLOTHING.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            Of AIR and CLIMATE.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            HEALTH of MIND; Self-Control;
+            Mental Culture.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            MANAGEMENT of the ORGANS of DIGESTION in HEALTH
+            and DISEASE, by the Author of the preceding work. 6s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            CONTENTS.&#8212;Rules of Diet for different Constitutions.&#8212;Treatment of
+            the various kinds of Indigestion; of Looseness;&#8212;of Costiveness.&#8212;Local
+            Diseases of the Lower Bowel, and their Treatment.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE FAMILY HAND-BOOK, or PRACTICAL INFORMATION
+            in DOMESTIC ECONOMY; including Cookery, Household Management,
+            and all other Subjects connected with the Health, Comfort, and Expenditure of a
+            Family. With Choice Receipts and Valuable Hints. 5s.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE YOUNG LADY'S FRIEND; a MANUAL of PRACTICAL
+            ADVICE and INSTRUCTION to Young Females on their entering upon
+            the Duties of Life after quitting School. By a LADY. 3s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            A DAILY PRAYER BOOK, for FAMILIES and SCHOOLS; arranged
+            from the Services of the United Church of England and Ireland, after the Form
+            and Order of Morning and Evening Prayer. By J.T. BARRETT, D.D., Rector
+            of Attleborough, Norfolk. 1s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            A MANUAL OF FAMILY PRAYER; comprising Three Weekly
+            Courses of Morning and Evening Devotion. With Collects for the Feasts and
+            Fasts. By the Rev. A. HORSFALL, M.A. 2s.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            THE BOOK OF PRIVATE PRAYER, for Members of the United
+            Church of England and Ireland. By JOHN A. BOLSTER, M.A., Chaplain to the
+            Lord Bishop of Cork and Cloyne. 2s.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            SACRED MINSTRELSY; a COLLECTION of the FINEST
+            SACRED MUSIC, by the best Masters, arranged as Solos, Duets, Trios, &amp;c.,
+            and Choruses; and with accompaniments for the Piano-Forte or Organ. Two Handsome
+            Folio Volumes, price 2l. 2s. Half-bound, or in Nos. I. to XXIV., at 1s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DOCTRINE of the EUCHARIST.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The Scriptural Argument considered. By THOMAS TUBTON, D.D., Regius
+            Prof. of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, and Dean of Peterborough.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A LIFE of ARISTOTLE, including a Critical Discussion of some
+            Questions of Literary History connected with his Works. By J. W. BLAKESLEY,
+            M.A., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. Octavo. 8s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            TRADITION UNVEILED: a candid Inquiry into the Tendency
+            of the Doctrines advocated in the Oxford Tracts. By the Rev. BADEN POWELL,
+            M.A., F.R.S., Savilian Professor of Geometry in the University of Oxford. 3s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The CONNEXION of NATURAL and DIVINE TRUTH; or, the
+            Principles of the Inductive Philosophy considered as subservient to Theology. By
+            the Rev. BADEN POWELL, M.A., F.R.S., of Oriel College, Savilian Professor
+            of Geometry in the University of Oxford. 9s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            NATURAL THEOLOGY considered chiefly with reference to LORD
+            BROUGHAM'S DISCOURSE on that subject. By the Very Rev. T. TURTON, D.D.,
+            Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, and Dean
+            of Peterborough. 8s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            CUDWORTH ON FREEWILL; Edited from the Original MS., and
+            with Notes, by JOHN ALLEN, M.A., Chaplain of King's Coll., London. 3s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            ORIGINAL FAMILY SERMONS: by ONE HUNDRED AND
+            FIFTY COTEMPORARY DIVINES OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH.
+            Five Volumes, at 6s. 6d, each.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE BOOK OF THE FATHERS; Lives of celebrated Fathers
+            of the Christian Church, and the Spirit of their Writings. 9s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            It is from the writings of those men, affectionately and justly styled
+            the "Fathers of the Church," that treasures of thought, of morality,
+            of doctrine, and of historical facts, have been drawn by succeeding ages.
+            * * * * There are various causes why the works, and even, the names, of
+            the Early Fathers, are almost unknown to many Christians. * * * * To
+            Protestant readers, one great cause, perhaps the most powerful
+            of all, exists, and that is, the corruptions introduced into the Roman
+            Catholic Church, in later ages, on the pretended basis of their authority;
+            the legends and miracles interpolated with the narratives of their lives
+            and deaths, and the perversion or exaggeration of their opinions.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            FROM THE PRESS OF JOHN W. PARKER.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE EDUCATIONAL ECONOMY of ENGLAND. By the
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            *Rev. JAMES SEESGOLC BOGNE, minister of St. John's, Faddington. 3s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            CONSIDERATIONS on PHRENOLOGY in connexion with an
+            Intellectual, Moral, and Religious Education. By the Rev. J.S. HODGSON, M.A. 5s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            By the Rev, PROFESSOR WHEWELL, F.R.S. 5s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            A DISCOURSE on the STUDIES of the UNIVERSITY of
+            CAMBBIDGE. By the Rev. PROFESSOR SEDGWICK. 4s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            The STUDY of MATHEMATICS conducive to the Developement of
+            the Intellectual Powers. By the Rev, PROFESSOR CHEVAELIER. 1s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            * EDUCATION AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN; the
+            <i>Mother's Book</i>, adapted to the use of Parents
+            and Teachers. 2s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            NATIONAL EDUCATION, and the MEANS of IMPROVING
+            IT. By the Rev. T.V. SHORT, D.D. 1s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            ***The Works marked by a Star, in the whole of the Publisher's Lists,
+            are produced under the Direction of the General Literature and Education
+            Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            SELECT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            FAMILIAR LECTURES on the LORD'S
+            PRAYER, By a LADY. 1s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            BABY BALLADS and NURSERY
+            HYMNS. By a LADY. 1s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            PRETTY LESSONS for GOOD
+            CHILDREN; with, some Easy Lessons in
+            Latin. By SARA COLERIDGE. 2s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            EASY POETRY for CHILDREN; selected
+            by a Lady. 1s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            EASY GRAMMAR for CHILDREN.
+            By a Lady. 9d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            SIMPLE TALES for CHILDREN.
+            With many Cuts. 1s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE CHILD'S VERSE BOOK of DEVOTION.
+            1s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE CHILD'S GUIDE TO GOOD
+            BREEDING, founded on Christian Principles,
+            By Mrs. MARSHALL. 2s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE FIRST LIE. By the same. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE FIRST THEFT. By the same. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            ANNETTE MOWBRAY; or, Conversations
+            with Mama. By the same. 3s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE STOLEN CHILD; a Tale, By
+            CHARLOTTE ADAMS. 1s, 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            THE DEAF and DUMB BOY; a
+            Tale. By the Rev. W. FLETCHER. With
+            Cuts. 2s. 6d.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            * INSECTS and their HABITATION.
+            With Cuts. 1s.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><i>APPROVED BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.</i></p>
+         <p><b>DOMESTICATED ANIMALS</b> considered
+            with reference to Civilization and the
+            Arts. With Engravings. By MARY ROBERTS.
+            3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>WILD ANIMALS; their Nature,
+               Habits, and Instincts; and the Regions they
+               inhabit.</b> With Engravings. By the same.
+            3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>The BOOK of TREES;</b> describing
+            the principal Timber Trees, and the larger
+            species of Palms. With numerous Engravings.
+            2<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p><b>A BOOK of ANIMALS.</b></p>
+         <p><b>A BOOK of BIRDS.</b></p>
+         <p><b>A BOOK of FISHES.</b></p>
+         <p><b>A BOOK of REPTILES.</b></p>
+         <p><b>A BOOK of SHELLS.</b></p>
+         <p>
+            1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> each.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            In this series of popular books the nature, habits, and uses
+            of the various objects described, are presented in a correct,
+            though simple and attractive form, but no recourse is had
+            to the marvellous. The whole are profusely illustrated
+            with Engravings.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>CONVERSATIONS on GARDENING
+               and NATURAL HISTORY.</b> With Engravings.
+            2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>SISTER MARY'S TALES in NATURAL
+               HISTORY.</b> With Cuts. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>CAPTAIN COOK; his VOYAGES and
+               DISCOVERIES:</b> with, an Account of Pitcairn's
+            Island, and the Mutiny of the Bounty
+            With Engravings. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS; his
+               LIFE, VOYAGES, and DISCOVERY of
+               the NEW WORLD.</b> With Engravings.
+            2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>MUNGO PARK; his LIFE and TRAVELS:</b>
+            with an Account of his Death from the
+            JOURNAL of ISAACO; the substance of
+            later Discoveries relative to his lamented Fate,
+            and the Termination of the Niger. With engravings.
+            2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>FIRST SUNDAYS AT CHURCH;</b> or,
+            Familiar Conversations on the Morning and
+            Evening Services. By the Rev. J.E. RIDDLE,
+            M.A., Author of <i>Luther and his Times.</i>
+            2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>ABBOTT'S READER;</b> a Series of
+            Familiar Pieces in Prose and Verse. By the
+            Authors of <em>The Young Christian</em>; <em>The Corner
+               Stone</em>; <em>The Teacher</em>; &amp;c. 3<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p><b>*CONVERSATIONS of a FATHER
+               with his CHILDREN.</b> Two Vols., with
+            Engravings. 5<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>PETER PARLEY'S UNIVERSAL HISTORY
+               for the YOUNG, on the BASIS of
+               GEOGRAPHY.</b> 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>FABLES and MORAL MAXIMS.</b> Selected
+            by ANNE PARKER. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>POPULAR POEMS for YOUNG PERSONS.</b>
+            Selected by ELIZABETH PARKER.
+            3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>TALES and STORIES from HISTORY.</b>
+            By AGNES STRICKLAND. Two Vols.,
+            with many Engravings, 7<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p><b>*SCENES and SKETCHES from ENGLISH
+               HISTORY.</b> With Cuts. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>SANDFORD and MERTON;</b> adapted
+            to the use of Young Persons of the present day.
+            By Miss ZORNLIN. With many Cuts. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>SCHEMING: A TALE.</b> By Mrs. GODWIN.
+            2<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p><b>THE CHILD of the ATLANTIC: a
+               Tale.</b> By CHARLOTTE ADAMS, Author
+            of <i>The Stolen Child.</i> 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL;</b>
+            or, Lindenhurst Parish: a Tale. By Miss
+            ZORNLIN. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>FIVE HUNDRED CHARADES, from
+               History, Geography, and Biography.</b>
+            1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p>
+         <p><b>*PERSIAN STORIES;</b> illustrative of
+            Eastern Manners and Customs, 1<i>s.</i></p>
+         <p><b>*PERSIAN FABLES, for Young and
+               Old.</b> By the Rev. H.G. KEENE. 1<i>s.</i></p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            By Mrs. GODWIN.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>COUSIN KATE</b>; or, the Punishment of Pride:
+            a Tale.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>BASIL HARLOW</b>; or, Prodigality is not
+            Generosity.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>ESTHER MORE</b>, or, Truth is Wisdom.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>LOUISA SEYMOUR</b>; or, Hasty Impressions.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>ALICIA GREY</b>; or, To be Useful is to be
+            Happy.
+
+         </p>
+         <p><b>JOSEPHINE</b>; or, Early Trials.
+
+         </p>
+         <p>
+            2<i>s.</i> each, bound in cloth.
+
+         </p>
+         <hr style="width: 45%;" />
+         <p>
+            LONDON: JOHN W. PARKER, Publisher, WEST STRAND.
+
+         </p>
+
+      <hr>
+      <address>&nbsp; 1839 By THOMAS CLARKSON, M.A..
+          <br></address>
+        <hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Rise, Progress and
+Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the British Parliament (1839), by Thomas Clarkson
+
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+</pre>
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+   </body>
+</html>
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@@ -0,0 +1,23347 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of the Rise, Progress and
+Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the
+British Parliament (1839), by Thomas Clarkson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the
+Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the British Parliament (1839)
+
+Author: Thomas Clarkson
+
+Release Date: May 16, 2007 [EBook #10633]
+[This file was first posted on January 8, 2004]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ABOLITION OF SLAVE-TRADE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Carlo Traverso, Amy Overmyer, and PG Distributed
+Proofreaders from images generously made available by the Bibliotheque
+nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE HISTORY OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ABOLITION
+OF THE SLAVE-TRADE, BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT
+
+BY THOMAS CLARKSON, M.A.
+
+1839
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Thomas Clarkson]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+TO
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM, LORD GRENVILLE,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES, EARL GREY,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FRANCIS, EARL MOIRA,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE JOHN, EARL SPENCER,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY RICHARD, LORD HOLLAND,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS, LORD ERSKINE,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD, LORD ELLENBOROUGH,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HENRY PETTY,
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS GRENVILLE,
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+NINE OUT OF TWELVE OF HIS MAJESTY'S LATE CABINET MINISTERS,
+
+TO WHOSE WISE AND VIRTUOUS ADMINISTRATION BELONGS
+
+THE UNPARALLELED AND ETERNAL GLORY
+
+OF THE ANNIHILATION,
+
+AS FAR AS THEIR POWER EXTENDED,
+
+OF ONE OF THE GREATEST SOURCES OF CRIMES AND SUFFERINGS,
+
+EVER RECORDED IN THE ANNALS OF MANKIND;
+
+AND TO THE MEMORIES OF
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM PITT,
+
+AND OF
+
+THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES JAMES FOX,
+
+UNDER WHOSE FOSTERING INFLUENCE
+
+THE GREAT WORK WAS BEGUN AND PROMOTED;
+
+THIS HISTORY
+
+OF
+
+THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE
+TRADE,
+
+IS RESPECTFULLY AND GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+    PREFATORY REMARKS ON THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
+
+    CHAPTER I Introduction.--Estimate of the evil of the Slave
+    Trade; and of the blessing of the Abolition of it.--Usefulness
+    of the contemplation of this subject
+
+
+    CHAPTER II Those, who favoured the cause of the Africans
+    previously to 1787, were so many necessary forerunners in
+    it.--Cardinal Ximenes; and others
+
+
+    CHAPTER III Forerunners continued to 1787; divided now into four
+    classes.--First consists of persons in England of various
+    descriptions, Godwyn, Baxter, and others
+
+
+    CHAPTER IV Second, of the Quakers in England, George Fox, and
+    his religious descendants
+
+
+    CHAPTER V Third, of the Quakers in America.--Union of these with
+    individuals of other religious denominations in the same cause
+
+
+    CHAPTER VI Facility of junction between the members of these
+    three different classes
+
+
+    CHAPTER VII Fourth, consists of Dr. Peckard; then of the
+    Author.--Author wishes to embark in the cause; falls in with
+    several of the members of these classes
+
+
+    CHAPTER VIII Fourth class continued; Langton, Baker, and
+    others.--Author now embarks in the cause as a business of his
+    life
+
+
+    CHAPTER IX Fourth class continued; Sheldon, Mackworth, and
+    others.--Author seeks for further information on the subject;
+    and visits Members of Parliament
+
+
+    CHAPTER X Fourth class continued.--Author enlarges his
+    knowledge.--Meeting at Mr. Wilberforce's.--Remarkable junction
+    of all the four classes, and a Committee formed out of them, in
+    May, 1787, for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XI History of the preceding classes, and of their
+    junction, shown by means of a map.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XII Author endeavours to do away the charge of
+    ostentation in consequence of becoming so conspicuous in this
+    work.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XIII Proceedings of the Committee; Emancipation declared
+    to be no part of its object.--Wrongs of Africa by Mr. Roscoe.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XIV Author visits Bristol to collect
+    information.--Ill-usage of seamen in the Slave Trade.--Articles
+    of African produce.--Massacre at Calabar.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XV Mode of procuring and paying seamen in that trade;
+    their mortality in it.--Construction and admeasurement of
+    slave-ships.--Difficulty of procuring evidence.--Cases of
+    Gardiner and Arnold.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XVI Author meets with Alexander Falconbridge; visits
+    ill-treated and disabled seamen; takes a mate out of one of the
+    slave-vessels, and puts another in prison for murder.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XVII Visits Liverpool.--Specimens of African
+    produce.--Dock duties.--Iron instruments used in the
+    traffic.--His introduction to Mr. Norris.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XVIII Manner of procuring and paying seamen at Liverpool
+    in the Slave Trade; their treatment and mortality.--Murder of
+    Peter Green.--Dangerous situation of the Author in consequence
+    of his inquiries.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XIX Author proceeds to Manchester; delivers a discourse
+    there on the subject of the Slave Trade.--Revisits Bristol; new
+    and difficult situation there; suddenly crosses the Severn at
+    night.--Returns to London.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XX Labours of the Committee during the Author's
+    journey.--Mr. Sharp elected chairman.--Seal engraved.--Letters
+    from different correspondents to the Committee.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXI Further labours of the Committee to February,
+    1788.--List of new Correspondents.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXII Progress of the cause to the middle of
+    May.--Petitions to Parliament.--Author's interviews with Mr.
+    Pitt and Mr. Grenville.--Privy Council inquire into the subject;
+    examine Liverpool delegates.--Proceedings of the Committee for
+    the Abolition.--Motion and Debate in the House of Commons;
+    discussion of the general question postponed to the next
+    Session.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXIII Progress to the middle of July.--Bill to diminish
+    the horrors of the Middle Passage; Evidence examined against it;
+    Debates; Bill passed through both Houses.--Proceedings of the
+    Committee, and effects of them.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXIV Continuation from June, 1788, to July,
+    1789.--Author travels in search of fresh evidence.--Privy
+    Council resume their examinations; prepare their
+    report.--Proceedings of the Committee for the Abolition; and of
+    the Planters and others.--Privy Council report laid on the table
+    of the House of Commons; debate upon it.--Twelve
+    propositions.--Opponents refuse to argue from the report;
+    examine new evidence of their own in the House of
+    Commons.--Renewal of the Middle Passage Bill.--Death and
+    character of Ramsay.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXV Continuation from July, 1789, to July, 1790.--Author
+    travels to Paris to promote the abolition in France; his
+    proceedings there; returns to England.--Examination of
+    opponents' evidence resumed in the Commons.--Author travels in
+    quest of new evidence on the side of the Abolition; this, after
+    great opposition, introduced.--Renewal of the Middle Passage
+    Bill.--Section of the slave-ship.--Cowper's _Negro's
+    Complaint_.--Wedgewood's Cameos.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXVI Continuation from July, 1790, to July,
+    1791.--Author travels again.--Examinations on the side of the
+    Abolition resumed in the Commons; list of those examined.--Cruel
+    circumstances of the times.--Motion for the Abolition of the
+    Trade; debates; motion lost.--Resolutions of the
+    Committee.--Sierra Leone Company established.
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXVII Continuation from July, 1791, to July,
+    1792.--Author travels again.--People begin to leave off sugar;
+    petition Parliament.--Motion renewed in the Commons; debates;
+    abolition resolved upon, but not to commence till 1796.--The
+    Lords determine upon hearing evidence on the resolution; this
+    evidence introduced; further hearing of it postponed to the next
+    Session
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXVIII Continuation from July, 1792, to July,
+    1793.--Author travels again.--Motion to renew the Resolution of
+    the last year in the Commons; motion lost.--New motion to
+    abolish the foreign Slave Trade; motion lost.--Proceeding of the
+    Lords
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXIX Continuation from July, 1793, to July,
+    1794.--Author travels again.--Motion to abolish the foreign
+    Slave Trade renewed, and carried; but lost in the Lords; further
+    proceedings there.--Author, on account of declining health,
+    obliged to retire from the cause
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXX Continuation from July, 1794, to July,
+    1799.--Various motions within this period
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXXI Continuation from July, 1799, to July,
+    1805.--Various motions within this period
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXXII Continuation from July, 1805, to July,
+    1806.--Author, restored, joins the Committee again.--Death of
+    Mr. Pitt.--Foreign Slave Trade abolished.--Resolution to take
+    measures for the total abolition of the trade.--Address to the
+    King to negotiate with foreign powers for their concurrence in
+    it.--Motion to prevent new vessels going into the trade.--All
+    these carried through both Houses of Parliament
+
+
+    CHAPTER XXXIII Continuation from July, 1806, to July,
+    1807.--Death of Mr. Fox.--Bill for the total abolition carried
+    in the Lords; sent from thence to the Commons; amended, and
+    passed there, and sent back to the Lords; receives the royal
+    assent.--Reflections on this great event
+
+
+    Map
+
+
+    Plan and Sections of a Slave Ship
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+PREFATORY REMARKS
+
+TO
+
+THE PRESENT EDITION.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+The invaluable services rendered by Thomas Clarkson to the great
+question of the Slave Trade in all its branches, have been universally
+acknowledged both at home and abroad, and have gained him a high place
+among the greatest benefactors of mankind. The History of the Abolition
+which this volume contains, affords some means of appreciating the
+extent of his sacrifices and his labours in this cause. But after these,
+with the unwearied exertions of William Wilberforce, had conducted its
+friends to their final triumph, in 1807, they did not then rest from
+their labours. There remained four most important objects, to which the
+anxious attention of all Abolitionists was now directed.
+
+_First_,--The law had been passed, forced upon the Planters, the
+Traders, and the Parliament, by the voice of the people; and there was a
+necessity for keeping a watchful eye over its execution.
+
+_Secondly_,--The statute, however rigorously it might be enforced, left,
+of course, the whole amount of the Foreign Slave traffic untouched, and
+it was infinitely to be desired that means should be adopted for
+extending our Abolition to other nations.
+
+_Thirdly_,--Some compensation was due to Africa, for the countless
+miseries which our criminal conduct had for ages inflicted upon her, and
+strict justice, to say nothing of common humanity and Christian charity,
+demanded that every means should be used for aiding in the progress of
+her civilization, and effacing as far as possible the dreadful marks
+which had been left upon her by our crimes.
+
+_Lastly,_--Many of those whom we had transported by fraud and violence
+from their native country, and still more of the descendants of others
+who had fallen a sacrifice to our cruelties, and perished in the course
+of nature, slaves in a foreign land, remained to suffer the dreadful
+evils of West India bondage. It seemed to follow, that the earliest
+opportunity consistent with their own condition, should be taken to free
+those unhappy beings, the victims of our sordid cruelty; and all the
+more to be pitied, as we were all the more to be blamed, because one
+result of our transgression was the having placed them in so unnatural a
+position, that their enemies might seem to be furnished with an argument
+more plausible than sound, drawn from the Negro's supposed unfitness for
+immediate emancipation.
+
+In order to promote these four great objects, a society was formed in
+May 1807, called the African Institution, and although, at first, its
+labours were chiefly directed to the portion of the subject relating to
+Africa, by degrees, as the extinction of the British Slave Trade was
+accomplished, its care was chiefly bestowed on West India matters, which
+were more within the power of this country than the slave traffic, still
+carried on by foreign nations. But it is necessary in the first place,
+to recite the measures by which our own share in that enormous crime was
+surrendered, and the stigma partially obliterated, which it had brought
+upon our national character, Thomas Clarkson bore a forward and
+important part in all these useful and virtuous proceedings. His health
+was now, by rest among the Lakes of Westmoreland for several years,
+comparatively restored and his mind once more bent itself to the
+accomplishment of the grand object; of his life, we may he permitted
+reverently to suggest, the end of his existence.
+
+Mr. Stephen and others, at first, deemed the certainty of the Act passed
+in March 1807, being evaded under the stimulus, and the insurance
+against capture afforded by the enormous profits of the traffic, so
+clear, that they expected the law to become, almost from the time of its
+being enacted, a dead letter. There soon appeared the strongest reasons
+to concur in this opinion, the result of long and close observation in
+the Islands where Mr. Stephen had passed part of his life. The
+slave-dealers knew the risk of penalty and forfeiture which they ran;
+but they also knew that if one voyage in three or four was successful,
+they were abundantly remunerated for all their losses; and, therefore,
+they were no more restrained by the Abolition Act, than by any moderate
+increase of the cost or the risk attending their wicked adventures. This
+was sure, to be the case, as long as the law only treated slavetrading
+as a contraband commerce, subjecting those who drove it to nothing but
+pecuniary penalties. But it was equally evident that the same persons
+who made these calculations of profit and risk, while they only could
+lose the ship or the money by a seizure, would hesitate before they
+encountered the hazard of being tried as for a crime. And, surely, if
+ever these was an act which deserved to be declared felony, and dealt
+with as such, it was this of slave-trading. Accordingly, in 1810, Mr.
+Brougham, then a member of the House of Commons, in moving an address to
+the crown, (which was unanimously agreed to,) for more vigorous measures
+against the traffic, both British and Foreign, gave notice of the Bill,
+which he next year carried through Parliament, and which declared the
+traffic to be a felony, punishable with transportation. Some years
+afterwards it was by another Act made capital, under the name of Piracy,
+but this has since been repealed. Several convictions have taken place
+under the former Act, (of 1811,) and there cannot be the least doubt
+that the law has proved effectual, and that the Slave Trade has long
+ceased to exist as far as the British dominions are concerned.
+
+That foreign states continue shamefully to carry it on, is no less
+certain. There are yearly transported to Cuba and Brazil, above 100,000
+unhappy beings, by the two weakest nations in Europe, and these two most
+entirely subject to the influence and even direct control of England.
+The inevitable consequence is, that more misery is now inflicted on
+Africa by the criminals, gently called Slave-traders, of these two
+guilty nations, than if there were no treaties for the abolition of the
+traffic. The number required is always carried over, and hence, as many
+perish by a miserable death in escaping from the cruisers, as reach
+their destination. The recitals of horror which have been made to
+Parliament and the country on this dreadful subject, are enough to
+curdle the blood in the veins and heart of any one endued with the
+common feelings of humanity. The whole system of prevention, or rather
+of capture, after the crime has been committed, seems framed with a view
+to exasperate the evils of the infernal traffic, to scourge Africa with
+more intolerable torments, and to make human blood be spilt like water.
+Our cruisers, are excited to an active discharge of their duty, by the
+benefit of sharing in the price fetched when the captured ship is
+condemned and sold; but this is a small sum, indeed, compared with the
+rich reward of head-money held out, being so much for every slave taken
+on board. It is thus made the direct interest of these cruisers, that
+the vessels should have their human cargoes on board, rather than be
+prevented from shipping them. True, this vile policy may prove less
+mischievous where no treaty exists, giving a right to seize when there
+are no slaves in the vessel, because here a slave ship is suffered to
+pass, how clear soever her destination might be; yet, even here, the
+inducement to send in boats, and seize as soon as a slave or two may be
+on board, is removed, and the cruiser is told, "only let all these
+wretched beings be torn from their country, and safely lodged in the
+vessel's hold, and your reward is great and sure." Then, whenever there
+is an outfit clause, that is a power to seize vessels fitted for the
+traffic, this mischievous plan tends directly to make the cruiser let
+the slaver make ready and put to sea, or it has no tendency or meaning
+at all. Accordingly, the course is for the cruiser to stand out to sea,
+and not allow herself to be seen in the offing--the crime is
+consummated--the slaves are stowed away--the pirate--captain weighs
+anchor--the pirate-vessel freighted with victims, and manned by
+criminals fares forth--the cruiser, the British cruiser, gives
+chace--and then begin those scenes of horror, surpassing all that the
+poet ever conceived, whose theme was the torments of the damned and the
+wickedness of the fiends. Casks are filled with the slave, and in these
+they are stowed away; or to lighten the vessel, they are flung overboard
+by the score; sometimes they are flung overboard in casks, that the
+chasing ship may be detained by endeavours to pick them up; the dying
+and the dead strew the deck; women giving birth to the fruit of the
+womb, amidst the corpses of their husbands and their children; and
+other, yet worse and nameless atrocities, fill up the terrible picture,
+of impotent justice and triumphant guilt. But the guilt is not all
+Spanish and Portuguese. The English Government can enforce its demands
+on the puny cabinets of Madrid and Lisbon, scarce conscious of a
+substantive existence, in all that concerns our petty interests:
+wherever justice and mercy to mankind demand our interference, there our
+voice sinks within us, and no sound is uttered. That any treaty without
+an outfit clause should be suffered to exist between powers so situated,
+is an outrage upon all justice, all reason, all common sense. But one
+thing is certain, that unless we are to go further, we have gone too
+far, and must in mercy to hapless Africa retrace our steps. Unless we
+really put the traffic down with a strong hand, and instantly, we must
+instantly repeal the treaties that pretended to abolish it, for these
+exacerbate the evil a hundred fold, and are ineffectual to any one
+purpose but putting money into the pockets of our men of war. The fact
+is as unquestionable, as it is appalling, that all our anxious
+endeavours to extinguish the Foreign Slave Trade, have ended in making
+it incomparably worse than it was before we pretended to put it down;
+that owing to our efforts, there are thrice the number of slaves yearly
+torn from Africa; and that wholly because of our efforts, two thirds of
+these are murdered on the high seas and in the holds of the pirate
+vessels.
+
+It is said, that when these scenes were described to an indignant nation
+last session of Parliament, the actual effects of this bad system were
+denied, though its tendency could not be disputed.
+
+It was averred that "no British seaman could be capable of neglecting
+his duty for the sake of increasing the gains of the station." But
+nothing could be more absurd than this. Can the direct and inevitable
+tendency of the head-money system be doubted? Are cruisers the only men
+over whom motives have no influence? Then why offer a reward at all?
+When they want no stimulus to perform their duty, why tell them that if
+the ship is empty, they get a hundred pounds: if laden, five thousand?
+They know the rules of arithmetic;--they understand the force of
+numbers. But, in truth, there is not an individual on all the coast of
+Africa who will be misled by such appeals, or suffer all this to divert
+them from their purpose of denouncing the system. There are persons high
+in rank among the best servants of the crown, who know the facts from
+their own observations, and who are ready to bear witness to the truth,
+in spite of all the attempts that have been made to silence them.
+
+The other great object of the African Institution regarded the West
+Indies. The preparation of the negroes for that freedom which was their
+absolute right, and could only be withheld for an hour, on the ground of
+their not being prepared for it, and therefore being better without it,
+was the first thing to be accomplished. Here the friends of the
+abolition, all but Mr. Stephen, suffered a great disappointment. He
+alone had uniformly-foretold that the hopes held out, as it seemed very
+reasonably, of better treatment resulting from the stoppage of the
+supply of hands, were fallacious. All else had supposed that interest
+might operate on men whom principle had failed to sway; that they whom
+no feelings of compassion for their fellow-creatures could move to do
+their duty, might be touched by a feeling of their own advantage, when
+interest coincided with duty. The Slave-mart is now closed, it was said;
+surely the stock on hand will be saved by all means, and not wasted when
+it can no longer be replaced. The argument was purposely rested on the
+low ground of regarding human beings as cattle, or even as inanimate
+chattels, and it was conceived that human life would be regarded of as
+much value as the wear and tear of beasts, of furniture, or of tools.
+Hence it was expected that a better system of treatment would follow,
+from the law which closed the African market, and warned every planter
+that his stock must be spared by better treatment, and kept up by
+breeding, since it no longer could be, as it hitherto had been,
+maintained by new supplies.
+
+Two considerations were, in these arguments, kept out of view, both of a
+practical nature, and both known to Mr. Stephen,--the cultivation of the
+Islands by agents having wholly different interests from their masters,
+and the gambling spirit of trading and culture which long habit had
+implanted in the West Indian nature. The comforts of the slave depended
+infinitely more upon the agent on the spot, than the owner generally
+resident in the mother country; and though the interest of the latter
+might lead to the saving of negro life, and care for negro comforts, the
+agent had no such motives to influence his conduct; besides, it was with
+the eyes of this agent that the planter must see, and he gave no
+credence to any accounts but his. Now the consequence of cruelty is to
+make men at war with its objects. No one but a most irritable person
+feels angry with his beast, and even the anger of such a person is of a
+moment's duration. But towards an inanimate chattel even the most
+irritable of sane men can feel nothing like rage. Why? Because in the
+one case there is little, in the other no conflict or resistance at all.
+It is otherwise with a slave; he is human, and can disobey--can even
+resist. This feeling always rankles in his oppressor's bosom, and makes
+the tyrannical superior hate, and the more oppress his slave. The agent
+on the spot feels thus, and thus acts; nor can the voice of the owner at
+a distance be heard, even if interest, clearly proved, were to prompt
+another course. But the chief cause of the evil is the spirit of
+speculation, and it affects and rules resident owners even more than
+absentees. Let sugar rise in price, and all cold calculations of
+ultimate loss to the gang are lost in the vehement thirst of great
+present gain. All, or nearly all, planters are in distressed
+circumstances. They look to the next few years as their time; and if the
+sun shines they must make hay. They are in the mine, toiling for a
+season, with every desire to escape and realize something to spend
+elsewhere. Therefore they make haste to be rich, and care little, should
+the speculation answer and much sugar bring in great gain, what becomes
+of the gang ten years hence. Add to all this, that any interference of
+the local legislatures to discourage sordid or cruel management, to
+clothe the slaves with rights, to prepare them for freedom by better
+education, to pave the way for emancipation by restraining the master's
+power, to create an intermediate State of transition from slavery to
+freedom by partial liberty, as by attaching them to the soil, and
+placing them in the preparatory state through which our ancestors in
+Europe passed from bondage in gross to entire independence--all such
+measures were in the absolute discretion; not of the planters, but of
+the resident agents, one of the worst communities in the world, who had
+little interest in preparing for an event which they deprecated, and
+whose feelings of party, as well as individually, were all ranged on the
+oppressor's side. All this Mr. Stephen, enlightened by experience, and
+wise by long reflection, clearly and alone foresaw; all this vision of
+the future was too surely realized by the event. No improvement of
+treatment took place; no additional liberality in the supplies was
+shown; no abstinence in the exaction of labour appeared; no interference
+of the Colonial Legislature to check misconduct was witnessed; far less
+was the least disposition perceived to give any rights to the slaves,
+any security against oppression, any title independent of his Master,
+any intermediate state or condition which might prepare him for freedom.
+It is enough to say, that a measure which every man, except Mr. Stephen,
+had regarded as the natural, almost the necessary effect of the
+abolition--attaching the slaves to the soil--was not so much as
+propounded, far less adopted; it may be even said, was never mentioned
+in any one local assembly of any of our numerous colonies, during the
+thirty years which elapsed between the abolition and the emancipation!
+This is unquestionable, and it is decisive.
+
+As soon as it began to be perceived that such was likely to be the
+result of the abolition in regard to the emancipation, Mr. Stephen's
+authority with his coadjutors, always high, rose in proportion to the
+confirmations which the event had lent his predictions; and his zealous
+endeavours and unwearied labours for the subversion of the accursed
+system became both more extensive and more effectual. If, however,
+strict justice requires the tribute which we have paid to this eminent
+person's distinguished services, justice also renders it imperative on
+the historian of the Abolition in all its branches, to record an error
+into which he fell. Having originally maintained that the traffic would
+survive the Act of 1807, in which he was right, that Act only imposing
+pecuniary penalties, he persisted in the same opinion after the Act of
+1811 had made slave-trading a felony; and long after it had been
+effectually put down in the British dominions, he continued to maintain
+that it was carried on nearly as much as ever, reasoning upon
+calculations drawn from the island returns. Hence he insisted upon a
+general Registry Act, as essential to prevent the continuance of an
+importation which had little or no real existence. The importance of
+such a measure was undeniable, with a view to secure the good treatment
+of the negroes in the islands; but the extinction of the Slave Trade had
+long before been effectually accomplished.
+
+In the efforts to obtain Negro Emancipation, all the Abolitionists were
+now prepared to join. The conduct of the Colonial Assemblies having long
+shown the fallacy of those expectations which had been entertained of
+the good work being done in the islands as soon as the supply of new
+hands should be stopped by the Abolition, there remained no longer any
+doubt whatever, that the mother country alone could abate a nuisance
+hateful in the sight of God and man. Constant opportunities were
+therefore offered to agitate this great question, which was taken up by
+the enlightened, the humane, and the religious, all over the empire.
+
+The magnitude of the subject was indeed worthy of all the interest it
+excited. The destiny of nearly a million of human beings--nay, the
+question whether they should be treated as men with rational souls, or
+as the beasts which perish--should enjoy the liberty to which all God's
+creatures are entitled, as of right, or be harassed, oppressed,
+tormented, and stinted, both as regarded bodily food, and spiritual
+instruction--whether the colonies should be peopled with tyrants and
+barbarians, or inhabited by civilized and improving christian
+communities--was one calculated to put in action all the best principles
+of our nature, and to move all the noblest feelings of the human heart.
+
+Thomas Clarkson, as far as his means extended, aided this great
+excitement. He renewed his committees of correspondence all over the
+country; aided by the Society of Friends, his early and steady
+coadjutors in this pious work, he recommenced the epistolary intercourse
+with the provinces, held for so many hopeless years on the Slave Trade,
+but now made far more promising by the victory which had been obtained,
+and by the unanimity with which all Abolitionists now were resolved to
+procure emancipation. He also recommenced his journeys through the
+different parts of the island, and visited in succession part of
+Scotland, almost all England, and the whole of Wales, encouraging and
+interesting the friends of humanity wherever he went, and forming local
+societies and committees for furthering the common object.
+
+But it was, after all, in Parliament that the battle must be fought; and
+Mr. Buxton, of whose invaluable services in the House of Commons the
+cause has lately been deprived, repeatedly, with the support of Messrs.
+Wilberforce, William Smith, Brougham, Lushington, and others, urged the
+necessity of interference upon the representatives of a people unanimous
+in demanding it; and he repeatedly urged it in vain. The Government
+always leaned towards the planter, and the most flimsy excuses were
+constantly given for preferring to the effectual measures propounded by
+the Abolitionists, the most flimsy of expedients, useless for any one
+purpose, save that of making pretences and gaining time.
+
+At length came the great case of the missionary Smith's persecution,
+trial, and untimely death, when all the forms of judicature had been
+prostituted, all the rules of law broken, all the principles of justice
+outraged, by men assuming to sit in judgment as a court of criminal
+jurisprudence; and though assisted by legal functionaries, exhibiting
+such a spectacle of daring violation of the most received and best known
+canons of procedure, as no civilized community ever before were called
+upon to endure. This subject was immediately brought before Parliament
+by Mr. Brougham, and his motion of censure, which might have been an
+impeachment of the governor and the court of Demerara, was powerfully
+supported by Mr. Wilberforce, the amiable, eloquent, and venerable
+leader of the party, Mr. Denman, Mr. Williams, and Dr. Lushington, but
+rejected by a majority of the Commons, whom Mr. Canning led, in a speech
+little worthy of his former exertions against the Slave Trade, and far
+from being creditable either to his judgment or to his principles. Yet
+this memorable debate was of singular service to the cause. The great
+speeches delivered were spread through all parts of the country; the
+nakedness of the horrid system was exposed; the corruptions as well as
+cruelty of slavery were laid bare; the determination of colonies to
+protect its worst abuses was demonstrated; necessity of the
+mother-country interfering with a strong hand was declared; and even the
+loss of the motion showed the people of England how much their own
+exertions were still required if they would see slavery extirpated, by
+proving that upon them alone the fate of the execrable system hung.
+
+The effects of this great debate cannot be over estimated. The case of
+the missionary became the universal topic; The name of the martyred
+Smith, the general rallying cry. The superior interest excited by
+individual sufferings to any general misery inflicted upon masses of the
+people, or any evil, however gigantic, which operates over a large
+space, and in a course of time, has always been observed. The remark was
+peculiarly applicable in this instance. Although all reflecting men had,
+for many long years, been well aware of the evils pervading our colonial
+system, and though the iniquity and perverseness of West Indian
+judicatures had long been the topic of universal comment, yet this
+single case of a persecuted individual falling a victim to those gross
+perversions of law and justice which are familiar to the colonial
+people, produced an impression far more general and more deep than all
+that had ever been written or declaimed against system of West India
+slavery; and looking back on the consummation of all our hopes in 1833
+and 1838, we at once revert from this auspicious era to that ever
+memorable occasion as having laid the solid foundation of our ultimate
+triumph.
+
+In this important day, which has thus by its effects proved decisive of
+the Emancipation question, Mr. Stephen bore no part. He had long ceased
+to adorn and enlighten the House of Commons. His retirement was the
+result of honest differences of opinion respecting West India slavery
+with his political friends, then in the plenitude of their power. Those
+differences caused him to take the noble part, so rarely acted by
+politicians, of withdrawing from Parliament rather than lend his great
+support to men with whom he differed upon a question admitting no
+compromise; and he devoted his exertions in private life to the
+furtherance of the cause ever nearest his heart, the publication of his
+able and elaborate work on the Colonial Slave Laws was the fruit of his
+leisure; and had he never lent any other aid to the Emancipation, this
+would alone have placed him high among its most able and effective
+supporters. In all the consultations which were held before Mr.
+Brougham's motion in 1824, he bore an active and useful part. In pushing
+the advantages gained by the debate he was unwearied and successful.
+Unhappily it pleased Providence that he should not receive here below
+the final reward of his long and valued labours; for he was called to
+his final repose some months before the Emancipation Bill passed into a
+law.
+
+There remains little to add, except that this measure, which was carried
+with little opposition in 1833, owed its success in Parliament to the
+ample bribe of twenty millions, by which the acquiescence of the West
+Indians was purchased. The measure had hardly come into operation, when
+all men perceived that the intermediate state of apprenticeship was
+anything rather than a preparation for freedom, and anything rather than
+a mitigation of slavery. It is due to some able and distinguished
+friends of the negro race to state, that they all along were averse to
+this plan of a transition state. Lord Howick, then in the Colonial
+Office as Under-Secretary, went so far as to leave the department, from
+his dislike of this part of the measure. Mr. Buxton and others protested
+against it. Even its friends intimated that they wished the period of
+apprenticeship to end in 1838 instead of 1840; but there was a general
+belief of the preparatory step being necessary,--a belief apparently
+founded on experience of the negro character, and indeed of the vicious
+tendency of all slavery, to extinguish the power of voluntary labour, as
+well as to make the sudden change to freedom unsafe for the peace of the
+community. The fact soon dispersed these opinions. Antigua in a minute
+emancipated all her slaves to the number of thirty thousand and upwards.
+Not a complaint was ever heard of idleness or indolence; and, far from
+any breach of the peace being induced by the sudden change in the
+condition of the people, the Christmas of 1833 was the first, for the
+last twenty years, that martial law was not proclaimed, in order to
+preserve the public peace. Similar evidence from Jamaica and other
+islands, proving the industrious and peaceable habits of the
+apprentices, showed that there was nothing peculiar in the circumstances
+of Antigua.
+
+An important occurrence is now to be recorded as having exercised a
+powerful influence upon the question of immediate emancipation. Joseph
+Sturge, of Birmingham, a member of the Society of Friends, stricken with
+a sense of the injustice perpetrated against the African race, repaired
+to the West Indies, in order that he might examine, with his own eyes,
+the real state of the question between the two classes. He was
+accompanied by John Scoble and Thomas Harvey; and these able, excellent,
+and zealous men returned in a few months with such ample evidence of the
+effects produced by apprenticeship, and the fitness of the negroes for
+liberty, that the attention of the community was soon awakened to the
+subject, even more strenuously than it ever before had been; and the
+walls of Parliament were soon made once more to ring with the sufferings
+of the slave, only emancipated in name, and the injustice of withholding
+from him any longer the freedom which was his indefeasible right, as
+soon as he was shown capable of enjoying it beneficially for himself and
+safely for the rest of the community.
+
+In these transactions, both in Jamaica, where he is one of the largest
+planters, and in Parliament, where he is one of the most respected
+members, the Marquess of Sligo bore an eminent and an honourable part.
+His praise has been justly sounded by all who have supported the cause
+of negro freedom, and his conduct was by all admitted to be as much
+marked by the disinterested virtue of a good citizen and amiable man, as
+it was by the sagacity and ability of an enlightened statesman. Both as
+governor of Jamaica, as the owner of slaves whom he voluntarily
+liberated, and as a peer of Parliament, his patriotism, his humanity,
+and his talents, shone conspicuously through this severe and glorious
+struggle. While such was the conduct of those eminent philanthropists,
+some difference of opinion prevailed among the other and older leaders
+of the cause, chiefly grounded upon doubts whether the arrangement made
+by Parliament in 1833, might not be regarded as a compact with the
+planters which it would be unjust to violate by terminating their right
+to the labour of the apprentices at a period earlier than the one fixed
+in the Emancipation Act. A little consideration of the question at issue
+soon dispelled those doubts, and removed every obstacle to united
+exertion, by restoring entire unanimity of opinion. The slaves, it was
+triumphantly affirmed, were no party to the compact. But moreover, the
+whole arrangement of the apprenticeship was intended as a benefit to
+them, by giving them the preparation thought to be required before they
+could, safely for themselves, be admitted to unrestricted freedom,--not
+as a benefit to the planters, whose acquiescence was purchased with the
+grant of twenty millions. Experience having shown that no preparation at
+all was required, it was preposterous to continue the restraint upon
+natural liberty an hour longer, as regarded the negroes,--the only party
+whom we had any right to consider in the question; and as for the
+planters there was the grossest absurdity in further regarding any
+interests or any claims of theirs. The arrangement of 1833, as far as
+regards the transition or intermediate state, had been made under an
+error in fact, an error propagated by the representations of the
+masters. That error was now at an end, and an immediate alteration of
+the provisions to which it had given rise was thus a matter of strict
+justice;--not to mention that the planters had failed to perform their
+part of the contract. The Colonial Assemblies had, except in Antigua,
+done nothing for the slave in return for the large sum bestowed upon the
+West India body. So that in any view there was an end of all pretext for
+the further delay of right and justice.
+
+The ground now taken by the whole Abolitionists; therefore, both in and
+out of Parliament was, that the two years which remained of the
+indentured apprenticeship must immediately be cut off, and freedom given
+to the slaves in August, 1838, instead of 1840; The peace of the West
+Indian community, and the real interests of the planters, were affirmed
+to be as much concerned in this change as the rights of the negroes
+themselves. Far from preparing them for becoming peaceable subjects and
+contented members of society at the end of their apprenticeship, those
+two years of compulsory labour would, it was justly observed, be a
+period of heart-burning and discontent between master and servant, which
+must, in the mean while, be dangerous to the peace of society, and must
+leave, at the end of the time, a feeling of mutual ill-will and
+distrust. The question could no longer be kept from the cognizance of
+the negro people. Indeed, their most anxious expectations were already
+pointed towards immediate liberty, and their strongest feelings were
+roused to obtain it.
+
+Of these sentiments the whole community partook; meetings were
+everywhere held; petitions crowded the tables of Parliament; the press
+poured forth innumerable tracts which were eagerly received; the pulpit
+lent its aid to this holy cause; and discussions upon petitions and upon
+incidental motions shook the walls of Parliament, while they stimulated
+the zeal of the people. The Government adopted an unfortunate course,
+which contributed greatly to weaken their hold on the confidence and
+affections of the country; they resisted all the motions that were made
+on behalf of the slaves, and appeared to regard only the interests of
+the master, turning a deaf ear to the arguments of right and of justice.
+
+It was found, during the course of these debates, that a new Slave Trade
+had sprung up in the East Indies, with the sanction of an English Order
+in Council. Under pretence that hands were wanted to cultivate their
+estates, the Demerara planters had obtained permission to import what
+they termed, with a delicacy borrowed from the vocabulary of the African
+Slave Trade, "labourers" from Asia and from Africa east of the Cape, and
+to make them Indentured Apprentices for a term of years. No restrictions
+whatever were imposed by this unheard-of Order. No tonnage was required
+in proportion to the numbers shipped, no amount of provision, no medical
+assistance; no precautions were taken, or so much as thought of, to
+prevent kidnapping and fraud, nay, to prevent main force being used in
+any part of Eastern Africa, or of all Asia, in carrying on board the
+victims of West Indian avarice; in short, a worse Slave Trade than the
+African was established, and all the dominions of the East India
+Company, with all the African and Asiatic coasts, as yet independent,
+were given over to its ravages. This was repeatedly denounced by Lord
+Brougham in the House of Lords; and although his motion for rescinding
+the order was supported by Lord Lyndhurst, Lord Ellenborough, and Lord
+Wharncliffe, the influence of the Government and the planters prevailed,
+and the House rejected it. A bill was afterwards brought in to check the
+enormities complained of; but no remedy at all effectual is as yet
+applied. The official documents, however, proved that already men had
+been inveigled on board, by the agents of the Mauritius planters, in
+different parts of the East, and that the mortality on that
+comparatively short voyage exceeded even the dreadful waste of life
+which had characterized, and impressed with marks of horrid atrocity,
+the accursed Middle Passage.
+
+This subject, as might well be expected, once more roused the energies
+of Thomas Clarkson: he addressed an able and convincing letter to Lord
+Brougham, his old friend and coadjutor in the sacred cause; and it was
+printed and universally circulated. The subject still remains unsettled:
+and the labours of the enlightened philanthropist cannot now be directed
+to one more important, or more urgent.
+
+Meanwhile, in the spring of 1838, the question of Immediate Emancipation
+was agitated throughout the country. The Government proved hostile.
+Immense meetings were held at Exeter Hall, which were attended by many
+members of Parliament, over which Lord Brougham presided. Among others
+who were present and bore a distinguished part, were certain
+representatives of Ireland who promised their strenuous support. It is a
+painful duty to add, that their fellow-members from Ireland did not, on
+this great occasion, follow their good example; for eleven only of
+those, on whose votes reliance had been placed, opposed the Government,
+while no less than twenty-seven gave them support.
+
+The question was rejected by the House of Lords, when brought forward by
+Lord Brougham; but in spite of the efforts of the Government; the
+defalcation of the Irish, of a still greater proportion of the Scotch
+representatives, two hundred and seventeen members of the House of
+Commons voted for Immediate Abolition, out of four hundred and
+eighty-nine who were present on the occasion. A second effort in the
+same session placed Ministers in a minority; but they immediately gave
+notice, they should strenuously oppose any attempt to carry into
+practical effect this decision of the House; and in this determination
+they were supported by a majority on a third division.
+
+The word, however, had gone forth all over England, that the _Slave
+should be free_. It had not only pervaded Europe, it had reached
+America; and the West Indians at length perceived that they could no
+longer resist the voice of the British people, when it spoke the accents
+of humanity and of justice. The slaves would have met the dawn of the
+first of August,--the day which all the motions in Parliament and all
+the prayers of the petitions had fixed,--with perfect quiet, but with a
+resolute determination to do no work. The peace would not have been
+broken, but no more would a clod have been turned after that appointed
+sun had risen. A handful of whites surrounded by myriads of
+negroes,--now substantially free, and free without a blow,--must have
+been overwhelmed in an hour after sunrise on that day, had they
+resisted. The Colonial Legislatures, therefore, _now_ listened to the
+voice of reason, and they, one after another, emancipated their slaves.
+The first of August saw not a bondsman, under whatever appellation, in
+any part of the Western Sea which owns the British rule.
+
+The Mauritius, however, still held out, and on the Mauritius the hand of
+the Imperial Parliament must and will be laid, to enforce mercy and
+justice on those to whom mercy and justice have so long called aloud in
+vain. In truth, if the case for instant emancipation was strong
+everywhere, it was in no quarter half so strong as in the Mauritius; and
+the distribution of the grant by Parliament to this Colony was the most
+unjustifiable, and even incomprehensible. For, elsewhere, there existed
+at least a title to the slave, over whom an unjust and unchristian law
+recognised the right of property. But in the Mauritius there was not,
+nor is there now, one negro to whom a good title is clearly provable.
+The atrocious conduct of Governors and other functionaries, in conniving
+at the Slave Trade of Eastern Africa, had filled that Colony with
+thousands of negroes, every one of whom was carried there by the
+commission of felony, long after Slave Trading had been declared a
+capital crime by the law of the land, as by the law of nature it always
+was. Sir George Murray, when Colonial Secretary of State, had admitted,
+that at least thirty thousand of the negroes in the settlement were
+nominally slaves, but in reality free, having been carried thither
+contrary to law. He understated it by twenty thousand or more: yet on
+all these negroes, in respect of property, were two millions and more
+claimed: for all these the compensation money was given and taken, which
+Parliament had lavishly bestowed. How then was it possible to doubt,
+that every slave in the Mauritius should receive his freedom, when the
+only ground alleged for not singling out and liberating this fifty
+thousand, was the inability to distinguish them from the rest? If ten
+men are tried for an offence, and it is clear that five are innocent,
+though you cannot distinguish them from their companions, what jury will
+hesitate in acquitting the whole, on the ordinary principle of its being
+better five guilty should escape than five guiltless suffer? The same is
+still the state of the case in that most criminal settlement, which,
+having far surpassed all others in the enormity of its guilt, is now the
+only one where no attempt has been made to evince repentance by
+amendment of conduct. But the Government which has the power of
+compelling justice will share the crime which they refuse to prevent,
+and the Legislature must compel the Government, if their guilty
+reluctance shall continue, or it will take that guilt upon itself[A].
+
+[Footnote A: It is truly gratifying to state, that the late Secretary
+for the Colonies, Lord Glenelg, has, since this was written, given the
+most satisfactory assurances of orders having been sent over for
+immediate emancipation, in case the former instructions to the Governor
+of Mauritius should have failed, to make the Colonists themselves adopt
+the measure. Lord Glenelg's conduct on this occasion is most creditable
+to him.]
+
+The latest act of Thomas Clarkson's life has been one which, or rather
+the occasion for which, it is truly painful to contemplate; but this too
+must be recorded, or the present historical sketch would be incomplete.
+He whose days had all been spent in acts of kindness and of justice to
+others, was at last forced to exert his powers, supposed, by some, and
+erroneously supposed, to be enfeebled by age, in obtaining redress for
+his own wrongs. He whose thoughts had all been devoted to the service of
+his fellow-creatures, was now obliged to think of himself. A life spent
+in works of genuine philanthropy, alike standing aloof from party, and
+retiring with genuine humility from the public gaze, might have well
+hoped to escape that detraction, which is the lot of those who assume
+the leading stations among their contemporaries, and mingle in the
+contentious scenes of worldly affairs. Or, at least, it might have been
+expected that his traducers would only be found among the oppressors of
+the New World, or the slave-traders of the Old. This felicity has not
+been his lot; and the evening of his days has been overcast by an
+assault upon his character, proceeding from the quarter of all others
+the most unexpected and the most strange.
+
+The sons of his old and dear friend William Wilberforce,--whose
+incomparable merits he had ever been the first to acknowledge, whom he
+loved as a brother, and revered as the great leader of the cause to
+which his whole life had been devoted,--in publishing a Life of their
+illustrious parent, thought fit to charge Thomas Clarkson with having
+suppressed his services while he exaggerated his own; and not content
+with bringing a charge utterly groundless, (as it was instantly proved,)
+they deemed it worthy of their subject and of their name, to drag forth
+into the light of day a private correspondence of a delicate nature,
+with the purpose of proving that their father and others had assisted
+him with money, and that he had been pressing in his demands of a
+subscription. Two extracts of Letters of his were printed by these
+reverend gentlemen, upon which a statement was afterwards grounded in
+the _Edinburgh Review_ of their book, that the subscription was raised
+to remunerate him for his services in the Abolition. They further
+asserted, that their father was in the field before him, and that it was
+under their father's direction that he, and the Abolition Committee of
+1786, acted. In the whole history of controversy, we venture to affirm,
+there never was an instance of so triumphant a refutation as that by
+which these slanderous aspersions were instantly refuted, and their
+authors and their accomplices reduced to a silence as prudent as
+discreditable.
+
+The venerable philanthropist took up his pen, worn down in the cause of
+humanity and of justice. _First_, he showed, by incontrovertible
+evidence, the utter falsehood of the charge, that he had underrated the
+merits of others and exalted his own. These proofs were the references
+to his volumes themselves, which it really seemed as if the two reverend
+authors had never even looked into. He then proved to demonstration that
+he had taken the field earlier than William Wilberforce. This was shown,
+first, by known dates, matter of history; next, by letters from the
+friends of both parties, as Archdeacon Corbet and William Smith; but,
+lastly, by the words of William Wilberforce himself, as well privately
+as at public meetings, asserting that he (William Wilberforce) came into
+the field after his valued friend. But a striking fact may be cited, as
+a sample at once of the course pursued by the assailants, and the
+completeness of the defence. The reverend authors in proof of their
+unqualified assertion, that Thomas Clarkson and the Committee acted from
+the first under William Wilberforce's directions, refer to "MS. Minutes
+of the Committee" for their authority. But the friend who so ably
+superintended the publication of Thomas Clarkson's defence, and who
+added to that tract an appendix of singular merit and great interest
+(H.C. Robinson), showed that the parts referred to by the reverend
+authors, in proof of their assertion, completely disproved it; and that
+six months after the Committee had been working, William Wilberforce
+applied to them for any information of which they might be possessed on
+the subject of the Slave Trade.
+
+But the publication of the letters and the colour given to the
+transaction were far worse. The preservation of that correspondence, at
+all, by the sons, could only be justified by the belief of its being
+accidentally kept by the father, but, of course, never intended to be
+made public; least of all without the usual precaution of asking the
+writer's leave, and giving him the opportunity of explaining it. The
+biographers printed it without any kind of communication with him, and
+he saw it for the first time in print.
+
+Then, the attempt was made to represent this pure, and valuable, and
+disinterested man as a mendicant philanthropist, who, for his exertions
+in the cause of justice, stooped to the humiliating attitude of
+collecting a remuneration from his friends. The words of William
+Wilberforce, and other Abolition leaders, prove that he had expended a
+very considerable portion of his own small patrimony in the cause, and
+that the subscription was to pay a debt,--a just and lawful debt; not to
+confer a bounty, or reward, or remuneration for services performed. It
+is also proved, that after being reimbursed to the amount of the sum
+contributed, or rather levied on those for whom the poorest of their
+body had advanced his own money, he remained out of pocket far more than
+others had ever given, after their share of the repayment was credited
+to them, in this debtor and creditor account.
+
+But this is not all: Mr. Wilberforce himself, then a man of ample
+fortune, and Member for Yorkshire, had in 1807, published a pamphlet in
+the cause. The Minutes of the Committee for 6th June, 1811, contained an
+entry of an order to pay 83_l_. out of the subscription funds to Mr.
+Cadell, being Mr. Wilberforce's share of the loss sustained by that
+publication. There had been no mention at all of this in his life, by
+these reverend authors, who scrupled not to print the garbled letters,
+with the manifest design of lowering the character of their father's
+friend, by ranking him among venal stipendiary pretenders to
+philanthropy, and jobbing mendicant patriots.
+
+Wherefore, it may be asked, was this matter at all dragged forth to
+light, except to effect that unworthy purpose, and to give pain to a man
+as eminently as deservedly respected and beloved? The false pretext is,
+the vindication of their father's memory.--But it had never been
+attacked. They affect to suppose such an attack, that they may have a
+pretext for inflicting a wound in a fictitious and almost a fraudulent
+defence.--But if it had been ever so rudely attacked, the letters are no
+defence. For the only possible pretence of attack was the notion of
+Thomas Clarkson having assumed the priority, and these letters can have
+no earthly relation to that point. Whether Wilberforce, or Clarkson, or
+neither of them, first began the abolition struggle, is a question as
+utterly wide of the subscription as any one private matter in the life
+of either party can be of any one public transaction in which both were
+engaged.
+
+The indignation of mankind was awakened by this disgraceful proceeding,
+and it was in vain that the friends of the Wilberforces urged, as some
+extenuation of their offence, the zeal which they naturally cherished
+for the memory of their parent. Men of reflection felt that no
+well-regulated mind can ever engage in slandering one person for the
+purpose of elevating another. Men of ordinary discernment perceived that
+the assaults on Clarkson's reputation had no possible tendency to raise
+Wilberforce's reputation. Men of observation saw at once that there
+lurked behind the wish to praise the one party, a desire to wound the
+other; and gave them far less credit for over-anxiety to gratify their
+filial affections than eagerness to indulge their hostile feelings. It
+was plain, too, that they sought this gratification at the hazard of
+bringing a stain upon the memory of their father; for what could be more
+natural than the suspicion that they had obtained from him the materials
+out of which their web of detraction was woven? And what more
+discreditable to the author of the affectionate and familiar letters of
+Wilberforce to Clarkson than their discrepancy with the charges now
+urged against him? It is due to the memory of this venerable man, now
+gone to his rest, to say that no one who knew him, ever so slightly,
+could believe in the possibility of his holding one language to his
+friend and another to his children: far less of his bequeathing to them
+anything like materials for the attack upon one to whom he professed the
+most warm and steady attachment. But if such be the conclusion of all
+who knew the man, assuredly in arriving at it they have derived no help
+from the lights afforded by his family.
+
+The vindication of Thomas Clarkson has been triumphant; the punishment
+of his traducers has been exemplary. His character stands higher than
+ever; his name is lofty and it is unsullied; they have a character to
+retrieve,--a name which they have tarnished since it descended upon
+them, they have to restore by their own future deserts.
+
+The astonishment of the world was at its pitch when the champion of
+Abolition, the steady ally of Thomas Clarkson and Granville Sharpe, the
+_Edinburgh Review_, was seen attempting to rescue these parties, and
+taking part against the injured man, the patriarch of a cause defended
+by that celebrated Journal during a brilliant period of much above
+thirty years. The boldness displayed in its pages on this occasion was
+excessive. As if feeling that the weak and indefensible part in the
+assault was the publishing of the letters, it had the confidence to
+affirm, that this proceeding was called for in justice to Wilberforce's
+memory. So daring an attempt upon the integrity of facts has not often
+been witnessed. What! The publication of these letters, which had no
+possible connexion with Wilberforce's character, (a character, indeed,
+that no one had assailed,) letters which were absolutely foreign even to
+the question of priority in the abolition cause,--the publication of
+these necessary to the defence of Wilberforce? Then, upon what ground
+necessary? How had he been attacked? Where was he to be defended? But,
+if attacked, how did the letters aid,--how connect themselves
+with,--how, in any manner of way, bear upon the defence, or any defence,
+or any portion of Wilberforce's character and life? They showed him to
+have contributed towards the payment of a debt he had contracted to
+Clarkson. But who had ever charged him with refusing to pay his debts?
+With his merits as to the Abolition, (if that be what is meant by his
+character,)--merits which it was a mere fabrication to pretend that
+Clarkson had ever been slow to acknowledge,--those letters had
+absolutely no possible connexion; and whoever, on this score, affects to
+defend this publication, is capable of vindicating the printing any
+private letter upon the most delicate subject, by any man who writes the
+history of any other affair, or who writes on any subject from which the
+correspondence is wholly foreign. It is proper to add, that the editors
+of this Journal have most properly published a retractation of the
+charges made, in their ignorance of the whole facts of the case.
+
+The acute and sagacious editor of T. Clarkson's vindication, has given
+his reasons for suspecting that this criticism, in the _Edinburgh
+Review_, must have proceeded from some party directly concerned in the
+publication of Wilberforce's life. We enter into no discussion of the
+circumstantial evidence adduced in favour of this supposition. The
+editors of the Journal are the parties to whom we look; and as they,
+after being to all appearance misled by some partial writer, have made
+the best reparation for an involuntary error, by doing justice to the
+injured party, we can have no further remark to make upon the subject.
+
+But it is impossible to close these pages without mentioning the
+extraordinary merit of this latest, and, in all likelihood, this last
+production of Clarkson's pen. It is indeed a most able performance, and
+has been admired by some of the ablest controversial writers of the age,
+as a model of excellence in controversial writing. Plain, vigorous,
+convincing, perfectly calm and temperate, devoid of all acrimony, barely
+saying enough to repel unjust aggression without one word of
+retaliation, never losing sight for a moment of its purely defensive
+object, and accordingly, from the singleness of purpose with which that
+object is pursued, attaining it with the most triumphant success,--no
+wonder that the public judgment has been loudly and universally
+pronounced in its favour, that its adversaries have been reduced to
+absolute silence, that its author's name has been exalted even higher
+than before it stood. But the wonder is to see such unimpaired vigour at
+four-score years of age, after a life of unwearied labour, latterly
+clouded by domestic calamity, and a spirit as young as ever in zeal for
+justice, tempered only by the mellowness which the kindly heart spreads
+over the fruits of the manly understanding.
+
+There wanted no testimonials of esteem from his country to consummate
+the venerable philanthropist's renown; yet these too have been added.
+Various meetings have addressed their gratulations to him. Of these the
+great corporation of London claims the first regard, and after
+presenting him with the freedom of the city, they have ordered to be
+erected in their hall, as a memorial of his extraordinary virtue, a
+likeness of the mortal form of Thomas Clarkson.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+HISTORY OF THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+No subject more pleasing than that of the removal of evils.--Evils
+have existed almost from the beginning of the world; but there is a
+power in our nature to counteract them--this power increased by
+Christianity.--Of the evils removed by Christianity one of the
+greatest is the Slave Trade.--The joy we ought to feel on its
+abolition from a contemplation of the nature of it; and of the extent
+of it; and of the difficulty of subduing it.--Usefulness also of the
+contemplation of this subject.
+
+
+I scarcely know of any subject, the contemplation of which is more
+pleasing, than that of the correction or of the removal of any of the
+acknowledged evils of life; for while we rejoice to think that the
+sufferings of our fellow-creatures have been thus, in any instance,
+relieved, we must rejoice equally to think, that our own moral condition
+must have been necessarily improved by the change.
+
+That evils, both physical and moral, have existed long upon earth there
+can be no doubt. One of the sacred writers, to whom we more immediately
+appeal for the early history of mankind, informs us that the state of
+our first parents was a state of innocence and happiness; but that, soon
+after their creation, sin and misery entered into the world. The poets
+in their fables, most of which, however extravagant they may seem, had
+their origin in truth, speak the same language. Some of these represent
+the first condition of man by the figure of the golden, and his
+subsequent degeneracy and subjection to suffering by that of the silver,
+and afterwards of the iron age. Others tell us that the first female was
+made of clay; that she was called Pandora, because every necessary gift,
+qualification, or endowment, was given to her by the gods, but that she
+received from Jupiter, at the same time, a box from which, when opened,
+a multitude of disorders sprung, and that these spread themselves
+immediately afterwards among all of the human race. Thus it appears,
+whatever authorities we consult, that those which may be termed the
+evils of life existed in the earliest times. And what does subsequent
+history, combined with our own experience, tell us, but that these have
+been continued, or that they have come down in different degrees through
+successive generations of men, in all the known countries of the
+universe, to the present day?
+
+But though the inequality visible in the different conditions of life,
+and the passions interwoven into our nature, (both which have been
+allotted to us for wise purposes, and without which we could not easily
+afford a proof of the existence of that, which is denominated virtue,)
+have a tendency to produce vice and wretchedness among us, yet we see,
+in this our constitution, what may operate partially as preventives and
+corrective of them. If there be a radical propensity in our nature to do
+that which is wrong, there is, on the other hand, a counteracting power
+within it, or an impulse by means of the action of the divine Spirit
+upon our minds, which urges us to do that which is right. If the voice
+of temptation, clothed in musical and seducing accents, charms us one
+way, the voice of holiness, speaking to us from within, in a solemn and
+powerful manner, commands us another. Does one man obtain a victory over
+his corrupt affections? an immediate perception of pleasure, like the
+feeling of a reward divinely conferred upon him, is noticed. Does
+another fall prostrate beneath their power? a painful feeling, and such
+as pronounces to him the sentence of reproof and punishment is found to
+follow. If one, by suffering his heart to become hardened, oppresses a
+fellow-creature, the tear of sympathy starts up in the eye of another,
+and the latter instantly feels a desire, involuntarily generated, of
+flying to his relief. Thus impulses, feelings, and dispositions have
+been implanted in our nature, for the purpose of preventing and
+rectifying the evils of life. And as these have operated, so as to
+stimulate some men to lessen them by the exercise of an amiable charity,
+so they have operated to stimulate others in various other ways to the
+same end. Hence the philosopher has left moral precepts behind him in
+favour of benevolence, and the legislator has endeavoured to prevent
+barbarous practices by the introduction of laws.
+
+In consequence then of these impulses and feelings, by which the pure
+power in our nature is thus made to act as a check upon the evil part of
+it, and in consequence of the influence which philosophy and legislative
+wisdom have had in their respective provinces, there has been always, in
+all times and countries, a counteracting energy, which has opposed
+itself, more or less, to the crimes and miseries of mankind. But it
+seems to have been reserved for Christianity to increase this energy,
+and to give it the widest possible domain. It was reserved for her,
+under the same divine influence, to give the best views of the nature
+and of the present and future condition of man; to afford the best moral
+precepts, to communicate the most benign stimulus to the heart, to
+produce the most blameless conduct, and thus to cut off many of the
+causes of wretchedness, and to heal it wherever it was found. At her
+command, wherever she has been duly acknowledged, many of the evils of
+life have already fled. The prisoner of war is no longer led into the
+amphitheatre to become a gladiator, and to imbrue his hands in the blood
+of his fellow-captive for the sport of a thoughtless multitude. The
+stern priest, cruel through fanaticism and custom, no longer leads his
+fellow-creature to the altar to sacrifice him to fictitious gods. The
+venerable martyr, courageous through faith and the sanctity of his life,
+is no longer hurried to the flames. The haggard witch, poring over her
+incantations by moon-light, no longer scatters her superstitious poison
+among her miserable neighbours, nor suffers for her crime.
+
+But in whatever way Christianity may have operated towards the increase
+of this energy, or towards a diminution of human misery, it has operated
+in none more powerfully than by the new views and consequent duties,
+which it introduced on the subject of charity, or practical benevolence
+and love. Men in ancient times looked upon their talents, of whatever
+description, as, their own, which they might use, or cease to use at
+their discretion. But the Author of our religion was the first who
+taught that, however in a legal point of view, the talent of individuals
+might belong exclusively to themselves, so that no other person had a
+right to demand the use of it by force, yet in the Christian
+dispensation they were but the stewards of it for good; that so much was
+expected from this stewardship, that it was difficult for those who were
+intrusted with it to enter into his spiritual kingdom; that these had no
+right to conceal their talent in a napkin, but that they were bound to
+dispense a portion of it to the relief of their fellow-creatures; and
+that, in proportion to the magnitude of it, they were accountable for
+the extensiveness of its use. He was the first who pronounced the
+misapplication of it to be a crime, and to be a crime of no ordinary
+dimensions. He was the first who broke down the boundary between Jew and
+Gentile, and, therefore, the first who pointed out to men the
+inhabitants of other countries, for the exercise of their philanthropy
+and love. Hence a distinction is to be made both in the principle and
+practice of charity, as existing in ancient or in modern times. Though
+the old philosophers, historians, and poets, frequently inculcated
+benevolence, we have no reason to conclude from any facts they have left
+us, that persons in their days did anything more than occasionally
+relieve an unfortunate object, who might present himself before them, or
+that, however they might deplore the existence of public evils among
+them, they joined in associations for their suppression, or that they
+carried their charity, as bodies of men, into other kingdoms. To
+Christianity alone we are indebted for the new and sublime spectacle, of
+seeing men going beyond the bounds of individual usefulness to each
+other; of seeing them associate for the extirpation of private and
+public misery; and of seeing them carry their charity, as a united
+brotherhood, into distant lands. And in this wider field of benevolence
+it would be unjust not to confess, that no country has shone with more
+true lustre than our own, there being scarcely any case of acknowledged
+affliction, for which some of her Christian children have not united in
+an attempt to provide relief.
+
+Among the evils corrected or subdued, either by the general influence of
+Christianity on the minds of men, or by particular associations of
+Christians, the African[A]. Slave Trade appears to me to have occupied
+the foremost place. The abolition of it, therefore, of which it has
+devolved upon me to write the history, should be accounted as one of the
+greatest blessings, and as such should be one of the most copious
+sources of our joy: indeed, I know of no evil, the removal of which
+should excite in us a higher degree of pleasure. For, in considerations
+of this kind, are we not usually influenced by circumstances? Are not
+our feelings usually affected according to the situation, or the
+magnitude, or the importance of these? Are they not more or less
+elevated, as the evil under our contemplation has been more or less
+productive of misery, or more or less productive of guilt? Are they not
+more or less elevated again, as we have found it more or less
+considerable in extent? Our sensations will undoubtedly be in proportion
+to such circumstances, or our joy to the appreciation or mensuration of
+the evil which has been removed.
+
+[Footnote A: Slavery had been before annihilated by Christianity; I mean
+in the West of Europe, at the close of the twelfth century]
+
+To value the blessing of the abolition as we ought, or to appreciate the
+joy and gratitude which we ought to feel concerning it, we must enter a
+little into the circumstances of the trade. Our statement, however, of
+these needs not be long: a few pages will do all that is necessary! A
+glance only into such a subject as this will be sufficient to affect the
+heart,--to arouse our indignation and our pity,--and to teach us the
+importance of the victory obtained.
+
+The first subject for consideration, towards enabling us to make the
+estimate in question, will be that of the nature of the evil belonging
+to the Slave Trade. This may be seen by examining it in three points of
+view. First, as it has been proved to arise on the Continent of Africa,
+in the course of reducing the inhabitants of it to slavery. Secondly, in
+the course of conveying them from thence to the lands or colonies of
+other nations. And, thirdly, in continuing them there as slaves.
+
+To see it, as it has been shown, to arise in the first case, let us
+suppose ourselves on the Continent just mentioned. Well then, We are
+landed,--We are already upon our travels,--We have just passed through
+one forest,--We are now come to a more open place, which indicates an
+approach to habitation. And what object is that which first obtrudes
+itself upon our sight? Who is that wretched woman whom we discover under
+that noble tree, wringing her hands, and beating her breast, as if in
+the agonies of despair? Three days has she been there, at intervals, to
+look and to watch; and this is the fourth morning, and no tidings of her
+children yet. Beneath its spreading boughs they were accustomed to play:
+but, alas! the savage man-stealer interrupted their playful mirth, and
+has taken them for ever from her sight.
+
+But let us leave the cries of this unfortunate woman, and hasten into
+another district. And what do we first see here? Who is he that just now
+started across the narrow pathway, as if afraid of a human face? What is
+that sudden rustling among the leaves? Why are those persons flying from
+our approach, and hiding themselves in yon darkest thicket? Behold, as
+we get into the plain, a deserted village! The rice-field has been just
+trodden down around it; an aged man,--venerable by his silver
+beard,--lies wounded and dying near the threshold of his hut. War,
+suddenly instigated by avarice, has just visited the dwellings which we
+see. The old have been butchered, because unfit for slavery, and the
+young have been carried off, except such as have fallen in the conflict,
+or have escaped among the woods behind us.
+
+But let us hasten from this cruel scene, which gives rise to so many
+melancholy reflections. Let us cross yon distant river, and enter into
+some new domain. But are we relieved even here from afflicting
+spectacles? Look at that immense crowd which appears to be gathered in a
+ring. See the accused innocent in the middle! The ordeal of poisonous
+water has been administered to him, as a test of his innocence or his
+guilt: he begins to be sick and pale. Alas! yon mournful shriek of his
+relatives confirms that the loss of his freedom is now sealed.
+
+And whither shall we go now? the night is approaching fast. Let us find
+some friendly hut, where sleep may make us forget for a while the
+sorrows of the day. Behold a hospitable native ready to receive us at
+his door! let us avail ourselves of his kindness. And now let its give
+ourselves to repose. But why, when our eyelids are but just closed, do
+we find ourselves thus suddenly awakened? What is the meaning of the
+noise around us, of the trampling of people's feet, of the rustling of
+the bow, the quiver, and the lance? Let us rise up and inquire. Behold!
+the inhabitants are all alarmed! a wakeful woman has shown them yon
+distant column of smoke and blaze. The neighbouring village is on fire:
+the prince, unfaithful to the sacred duty of the protection of his
+subjects, has surrounded them. He is now burning their habitations, and
+seizing, as saleable booty, the fugitives from the flames.
+
+Such then are some of the scenes that have been passing in Africa, in
+consequence, of the existence of the Slave Trade; or such is the nature
+of the evil, as it has shown itself in the first of the cases we have
+noticed. Let us now estimate it as it has been proved to exist in the
+second; or let us examine the state of the unhappy Africans reduced to
+slavery in this manner, while on board the vessels, which are to convey
+them across the ocean to other lands. And here I must observe at once,
+that, as far as this part of the evil is concerned, I am at a loss to
+describe it. Where shall I find words to express properly their sorrow,
+as arising from the reflection of being parted for ever from their
+friends, their relatives, and their country? Where shall I find language
+to paint, in appropriate colours, the horror of mind brought on by
+thoughts of their future unknown destination, of which they can augur
+nothing but misery from all that they have yet seen? How shall I make
+known their situation, while labouring, under painful disease, or while
+struggling in the suffocating holds of their prisons, like animals
+enclosed in an exhausted receiver? How shall I describe their feelings
+as exposed to all the personal indignities, which lawless appetite or
+brutal passion may suggest? How shall I exhibit their sufferings as
+determining to refuse sustenance and die, or as resolving to break their
+chains, and, disdaining to live as slaves, to punish their oppressors?
+How shall I give an idea of their agony when under various punishments
+and tortures for their reputed crimes? Indeed, every part of this
+subject defies my powers, and I must, therefore, satisfy myself and the
+reader with a general representation, or in the words of a celebrated
+member of Parliament, that "Never was so much human suffering condensed
+in so small a space."
+
+I come now to the evil, as it has been proved to arise in the third
+case; or to consider the situation of the unhappy victims of the trade,
+when their painful voyages are over, or after they have been landed upon
+their destined shores. And here we are to view them, first under the
+degrading light of cattle: we are to see them examined, handled,
+selected, separated, and sold. Alas! relatives are separated from
+relatives, as if, like cattle, they had no rational intellect, no power
+of feeling the nearness of relationship, nor sense of the duties
+belonging to the ties of life! We are next to see them labouring; and
+this for the benefit of those to whom they are under no obligation, by
+any law either natural or divine, to obey. We are to see them, if
+refusing the commands of their purchasers, however weary, or feeble, or
+indisposed, subject to corporal punishments, and if forcibly resisting
+them to death: we are to see them in a state of general degradation and
+misery. The knowledge which their oppressors have of their own crime, in
+having violated the rights of nature, and of the disposition of the
+injured to seek all opportunities of revenge, produces a fear which
+dictates to them the necessity of a system of treatment, by which they
+shall keep up a wide distinction between the two, and by which the noble
+feelings of the latter shall be kept down, and their spirits broken. We
+are to see them again subject to individual persecution, as anger, or
+malice, or any bad passion may suggest: hence the whip, the chain, the
+iron-collar! hence the various modes of private torture, of which so
+many accounts have been truly given. Nor can such horrible cruelties be
+discovered so as to be made punishable, while the testimony of any
+number of the oppressed is invalid against the oppressors, however they
+may be offences against the laws. And, lastly, we are to see their
+innocent offspring, against whose personal liberty the shadow of an
+argument cannot be advanced, inheriting all the miseries of their
+parents' lot.
+
+The evil then, as far as it has been hitherto viewed, presents to us, in
+its three several departments, a measure of human suffering not to be
+equalled--not to be calculated--not to be described. But would that we
+could consider this part of the subject as dismissed! would that in each
+of the departments now examined there was no counterpart left us to
+contemplate! But this cannot be; for if there be persons who suffer
+unjustly there must be others who oppress: and if there be those who
+oppress, there must be to the suffering, which has been occasioned, a
+corresponding portion of immorality or guilt.
+
+We are obliged then to view the counterpart of the evil in question,
+before we can make a proper estimate of the nature of it. And, in
+examining this part of it, we shall find that we have a no less
+frightful picture to behold than in the former cases; or that, while the
+miseries endured by the unfortunate Africans excite our pity on the one
+hand, the vices, which are connected with them, provoke our indignation
+and abhorrence on the other. The Slave Trade, in this point of view,
+must strike us as an immense mass of evil on account of the criminality
+attached to it, as displayed in the various branches of it, which have
+already been examined. For, to take the counterpart of the evil in the
+first of these, can we say that no moral turpitude is to be placed to
+the account of those, who, living on the continent of Africa, give birth
+to the enormities, which take place in consequence of the prosecution of
+this trade? Is not that man made morally worse, who is induced to become
+a tiger to his species, or who, instigated by avarice, lies in wait in
+the thicket to get possession of his fellow-man? Is no injustice
+manifest in the land, where the prince, unfaithful to his duty, seizes
+his innocent subjects, and sells them for slaves? Are no moral evils
+produced among those communities, which make war upon other communities
+for the sake of plunder, and without any previous provocation or
+offence? Does no crime attach to those, who accuse others falsely, or
+who multiply and divide crimes for the sake of the profit of the
+punishment, and who for the same reason continue the use of barbarous
+and absurd ordeals as a test of innocence or guilt?
+
+In the second of these branches, the counterpart of the evil is to be
+seen in the conduct of those who purchase the miserable natives in their
+own country, and convey them to distant lands. And here questions,
+similar to the former, may be asked. Do they experience no corruption of
+their nature, or become chargeable with no violation of right, who, when
+they go with their ships to this continent, know the enormities which
+their visits there will occasion, who buy their fellow-creature man, and
+this, knowing the way in which he comes into their hands, and who chain,
+and imprison, and scourge him? Do the moral feelings of those persons
+escape without injury, whose hearts are hardened? And can the hearts of
+those be otherwise than hardened, who are familiar with the tears and
+groans of innocent strangers forcibly torn away from every thing that is
+dear to them in life, who are accustomed to see them on board their
+vessels in a state of suffocation and in the agonies of despair, and who
+are themselves in the habit of the cruel use of arbitrary power?
+
+The counterpart of the evil in its third branch is to be seen in the
+conduct of those, who, when these miserable people have been landed,
+purchase and carry them to their respective homes. And let us see
+whether a mass of wickedness is not generated also in the present case.
+Can those have nothing to answer for, who separate the faithful ties
+which nature and religion have created? Can their feelings be otherwise
+than corrupted, who consider their fellow-creatures as brutes, or treat
+those as cattle, who may become the temples of the Holy Spirit, and in
+whom the Divinity disdains not himself to dwell? Is there no injustice
+in forcing men to labour without wages? Is there no breach of duty, when
+we are commanded to clothe the naked, and feed the hungry, and visit the
+sick and in prison, in exposing them to want, in torturing them by cruel
+punishment, and in grinding them down by hard labour, so as to shorten
+their days? Is there no crime in adopting a system, which keeps down all
+the noble faculties of their souls, and which positively debases and
+corrupts their nature? Is there no crime in perpetuating these evils
+among their innocent offspring? And finally, besides all these crimes,
+is there not naturally in the familiar sight of the exercise, but more
+especially in the exercise itself, of uncontrolled power, that which
+vitiates the internal man? In seeing misery stalk daily over the land,
+do not all become insensibly hardened? By giving birth to that misery
+themselves, do they not become abandoned? In what state of society are
+the corrupt appetites so easily, so quickly, and so frequently indulged,
+and where else, by means of frequent indulgence, do these experience
+such a monstrous growth? Where else is the temper subject to such
+frequent irritation, or passion to such little control? Yes--if the
+unhappy slave is in an unfortunate situation, so is the tyrant who holds
+him. Action and reaction are equal to each other, as well in the moral
+as in the natural world. You cannot exercise an improper dominion over a
+fellow-creature, but by a wise ordering of Providence you must
+necessarily injure yourself.
+
+Having now considered the nature of the evil of the Slave Trade in its
+three separate departments of suffering, and in its corresponding
+counterparts of guilt, I shall make a few observations on the extent of
+it.
+
+On this subject it must strike us, that the misery and the crimes
+included in the evil, as it has been found in Africa, were not like
+common maladies, which make a short or periodical visit and then are
+gone, but that they were continued daily. Nor were they like diseases,
+which from local causes attack a village or a town, and by the skill of
+the physician, under the blessing of Providence, are removed; but they
+affected a whole continent. The trade with all its horrors began at the
+river Senegal, and continued, winding with the coast, through its
+several geographical divisions to Cape Negro; a distance of more than
+three thousand miles. In various lines or paths formed at right angles
+from the shore, and passing into the heart of the country, slaves were
+procured and brought down. The distance, which many of them travelled,
+was immense. Those, who have been in Africa, have assured us, that they
+came as far as from the sources of their largest rivers, which we know
+to be many hundred miles inland, and the natives have told us, in their
+way of computation, that they came a journey of many moons.
+
+It must strike us again, that the misery and the crimes, included in the
+evil, as it has been shown in the transportation, had no ordinary
+bounds. They were not to be seen in the crossing of a river, but of an
+ocean. They did not begin in the morning and end at night, but were
+continued for many weeks, and sometimes by casualties for a quarter of
+the year. They were not limited to the precincts of a solitary ship, but
+were spread among many vessels; and these were so constantly passing,
+that the ocean itself never ceased to be a witness of their existence.
+
+And it must strike us, finally, that the misery and crimes, included in
+the evil as it has been found in foreign lands, were not confined within
+the shores of a little island. Most of the islands of a continent, and
+many of these of considerable population and extent, were filled with
+them. And the continent itself, to which these geographically belong,
+was widely polluted by their domain. Hence, if we were to take the vast
+extent of space occupied by these crimes and sufferings from the heart
+of Africa to its shores, and that which they filled on the continent of
+America and the islands adjacent, and were to join the crimes and
+sufferings in one to those in the other, by the crimes and sufferings
+which took place in the track of the vessels successively crossing the
+Atlantic, we should behold a vast belt as it were of physical and moral
+evil, reaching through land and ocean to the length of nearly half the
+circle of the globe.
+
+The next view which I shall take of this evil will be as it relates to
+the difficulty of subduing it.
+
+This difficulty may be supposed to have been more than ordinarily great.
+Many evils of a public nature, which existed in former times, were the
+offspring of ignorance and superstition, and they were subdued of course
+by the progress of light and knowledge. But the evil in question began
+in avarice. It was nursed also by worldly interest. It did not therefore
+so easily yield to the usual correctives of disorders in the world. We
+may observe also, that the interest by which it was thus supported, was
+not that of a few individuals, nor of one body, but of many bodies of
+men. It was interwoven again into the system of the commerce and of the
+revenue of nations. Hence the merchant--the planter--the mortgagee--the
+manufacturer--the politician--the legislator--the
+cabinet-minister--lifted up their voices against the annihilation of it.
+For these reasons, the Slave Trade may be considered like the fabulous
+hydra, to have a hundred heads, every one of which it was necessary to
+cut off before it could be subdued. And as none but Hercules was fitted
+to conquer the one, so nothing less than extraordinary prudence,
+courage, labour, and patience, could overcome the other. To protection
+in this manner by his hundred interests, it was owing, that the monster
+stalked in security for so long a time. He stalked too in the open day,
+committing his mighty depredations. And when good men, whose duty it was
+to mark him as the object of their destruction, began to assail him, he
+did not fly, but gnashed his teeth at them, growling savagely at the
+same time, and putting himself into a posture of defiance.
+
+We see then, in whatever light we consider the Slave Trade, whether we
+examine into the nature of it, or whether we look into the extent of it,
+or whether we estimate the difficulty of subduing it, we must conclude
+that no evil more monstrous has ever existed upon earth. But if so, then
+we have proved the truth of the position, that the abolition of it ought
+to be accounted by us as one of the greatest blessings, and that it
+ought to be one of the most copious sources of our joy. Indeed, I do not
+know, how we can sufficiently express what we ought to feel upon this
+occasion. It becomes us, as individuals, to rejoice. It becomes us, as a
+nation, to rejoice. It becomes us even to perpetuate our joy to our
+posterity. I do not mean, however, by anniversaries, which are to be
+celebrated by the ringing of bells and convivial meetings, but by
+handing down this great event so impressively to our children, as to
+raise in them, if not continual, yet frequently renewed thanksgivings,
+to the great Creator of the universe, for the manifestation of this his
+favour, in having disposed our legislators to take away such a portion
+of suffering from our fellow-creatures, and such a load of guilt from
+our native land.
+
+And as the contemplation of the removal of this monstrous evil should
+excite in us the most pleasing and grateful sensations, so the perusal
+of the history of it should afford us lessons, which it must be useful
+to us to know or to be reminded of. For it cannot be otherwise than
+useful to us to know the means which have been used, and the different
+persons who have moved in so great a cause. It cannot be otherwise than
+useful to us to be impressively reminded of the simple axiom which the
+perusal of this history will particularly suggest to us, that "the
+greatest works must have a beginning;" because the fostering of such an
+idea in our minds cannot but encourage us to undertake the removal of
+evils, however vast they may appear in their size, or however difficult
+to overcome. It cannot, again, be otherwise than useful to us to be
+assured, (and this history will assure us of it,) that in any work,
+which is a work of righteousness, however small the beginning may be, or
+however small the progress may be that we may make in it, we ought never
+to despair; for that, whatever checks and discouragements we may meet
+with, "no virtuous effort is ever ultimately lost." And finally, it
+cannot be otherwise than useful to us, to form the opinion, which the
+contemplation of this subject must always produce, namely, that many of
+the evils which are still left among us, may, by an union of wise and
+virtuous individuals, be greatly alleviated, if not entirely done away;
+for if the great evil of the Slave Trade, so deeply entrenched by its
+hundred interests, has fallen prostrate before the efforts of those who
+attacked it, what evil of a less magnitude shall not be more easily
+subdued? O may reflections of this sort always enliven us, always
+encourage us, always stimulate us to our duty! May we never cease to
+believe, that many of the miseries of life are still to be remedied, or
+to rejoice that we may be permitted, if we will only make ourselves
+worthy by our endeavours, to heal them! May we encourage for this
+purpose every generous sympathy that arises in our hearts, as the
+offspring of the Divine influence for our good, convinced that we are
+not born for ourselves alone, and that the Divinity never so fully
+dwells in us, as when we do his will, and that we never do his will more
+agreeably, as far as it has been revealed to us, than when we employ our
+time in works of charity towards the rest of our fellow-creatures!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+As it is desirable to know the true sources of events in history, so
+this will be realized in that of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade.--Inquiry as to those who favoured the cause of the Africans
+previously to the year 1787.--All these to be considered as necessary
+forerunners in that cause.--First forerunners were Cardinal Ximenes;
+the Emperor Charles the Fifth; Pope Leo the Tenth; Elizabeth, queen of
+England; Louis the Thirteenth, of France.
+
+
+It would be considered by many, who have stood at the mouth of a river,
+and witnessed its torrent there, to be both an interesting and a
+pleasing journey to go to the fountain head, and then to travel on its
+banks downwards, and to mark the different streams in each side, which
+should run into it and feed it. So I presume the reader will not be a
+little interested and entertained, in viewing with me the course of the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, in first finding its source, and then in
+tracing the different springs which have contributed to its increase.
+And here I may observe that, in doing this, we shall have advantages,
+which historians have not always had in developing the causes of things.
+Many have handed down to us, events, for the production of which they
+have given us but their own conjectures. There has been often, indeed,
+such a distance between the events themselves, and the lives of those
+who have recorded them, that the different means and motives belonging
+to them have been lost through time. On the present occasion, however,
+we shall have the peculiar satisfaction of knowing, that we communicate
+the truth, or that those which we unfold, are the true causes and means;
+for the most remote of all the human springs, which can be traced as
+having any bearing upon the great event in question, will fall within
+the period of three centuries, and the most powerful of them within the
+last twenty years. These circumstances indeed have had their share in
+inducing me to engage in the present history. Had I measured it by the
+importance of the subject, I had been deterred; but believing that most
+readers love the truth, and that it ought to be the object of all
+writers to promote it, and believing, moreover, that I was in possession
+of more facts on this subject than any other person, I thought I was
+peculiarly called to undertake it.
+
+In tracing the different streams from whence the torrent arose, which
+has now happily swept away the Slave Trade, I must begin with an inquiry
+as to those who favoured the cause of the injured Africans, from the
+year 1516, to the year 1787, at which latter period, a number of persons
+associated themselves, in England, for its abolition. For though they,
+who belonged to this association, may, in consequence of having pursued
+a regular system, be called the principal actors, yet it must be
+acknowledged, that their efforts would never have been so effectual, if
+the minds of men had not been prepared by others, who had moved before
+them. Great events have never taken place without previously disposing
+causes. So it is in the case before us. Hence they, who lived even in
+early times, and favoured this great cause, may be said to have been
+necessary precursors in it. And here it may be proper to observe, that
+it is by no means necessary that all these should have been themselves
+actors in the production of this great event. Persons have contributed
+towards it in different ways:--Some have written expressly on the
+subject, who have had no opportunity of promoting it by personal
+exertions. Others have only mentioned it incidentally in their writings.
+Others, in an elevated rank and station, have cried out publicly
+concerning it, whose sayings have been recorded. All these, however, may
+be considered as necessary forerunners in their day; for all of them
+have brought the subject more or less into notice. They have more or
+less enlightened the mind upon it; they have more or less impressed it;
+and therefore each may be said to have had his share in diffusing and
+keeping up a certain portion of knowledge and feeling concerning it,
+which has been eminently useful in the promotion of the cause.
+
+It is rather remarkable, that the first forerunners and coadjutors
+should have been men in power.
+
+So early as in the year 1503, a few slaves had been sent from the
+Portuguese settlements in Africa into the Spanish colonies in America.
+In 1511, Ferdinand the Fifth, king of Spain, permitted them to be
+carried in great numbers. Ferdinand, however, must have been ignorant in
+these early times of the piratical manner in which the Portuguese had
+procured them. He could have known nothing of their treatment when in
+bondage, nor could he have viewed the few uncertain adventurous
+transportations of them into his dominions in the western world, in the
+light of a regular trade. After his death, however; a proposal was made
+by Bartholomew de las Casas, the bishop of Chiapa, to Cardinal Ximenes,
+who held the reigns of the government of Spain till Charles the Fifth
+came to the throne, for the establishment of a regular system of
+commerce in the persons of the native Africans. The object of
+Bartholomew de las Casas was undoubtedly to save the American Indians,
+whose cruel treatment and almost extirpation he had witnessed during his
+residence among them, and in whose behalf he had undertaken a voyage to
+the court of Spain. It is difficult to reconcile this proposal with the
+humane and charitable spirit of the bishop of Chiapa. But it is probable
+he believed that a code of laws would soon be established in favour both
+of Africans and of the natives in the Spanish settlements, and that he
+flattered himself that, being about to return and to live in the country
+of their slavery, he could look to the execution of it. The cardinal,
+however, with a foresight, a benevolence, and a justice which will
+always do honour to his memory, refused the proposal, not only judging
+it to be unlawful to consign innocent people to slavery at all, but to
+be very inconsistent to deliver the inhabitants of one country from a
+state of misery by consigning to it those of another. Ximenes,
+therefore, may be considered as one of the first great friends of the
+Africans after the partial beginning of the trade.
+
+This answer of the cardinal, as it showed his virtue as an individual,
+so was it peculiarly honourable to him as a public man, and ought to
+operate as a lesson to other statesmen, how they admit any thing new
+among political regulations and establishments, which is connected in
+the smallest degree with injustice; for evil, when once sanctioned by
+governments, spreads in a tenfold degree, and may, unless seasonably
+checked, become so ramified as to effect the reputation of a country,
+and to render its own removal scarcely possible without detriment to the
+political concerns of the state. In no instance has this been verified
+more than in the case of the Slave Trade. Never was our national
+character more tarnished, and our prosperity more clouded by guilt.
+Never was there a monster more difficult to subdue. Even they, who heard
+as it were the shrieks of oppression, and wished to assist the
+sufferers, were fearful of joining in their behalf. While they
+acknowledged the necessity of removing one evil, they were terrified by
+the prospect of introducing another; and were, therefore, only able to
+relieve their feelings by, lamenting, in the bitterness of their hearts,
+that this traffic had ever been begun at all.
+
+After the death of Cardinal Ximenes, the emperor Charles the Fifth, who
+had come into power, encouraged the Slave Trade. In 1517, he granted a
+patent to one of his Flemish favourites, containing an exclusive right
+of importing four thousand Africans into America. But he lived long
+enough to repent of what he had thus inconsiderately done; for in the
+year 1542, he made a code of laws for the better protection of the
+unfortunate Indians in his foreign dominions, and he stopped the
+progress of African slavery by an order that all slaves in his American
+islands should he made free. This order was executed by Pedro de la
+Gasca. Manumission took place as well in Hispaniola as on the Continent;
+but on the return of Gasca to Spain, and the retirement of Charles into
+a monastery, slavery was revived.
+
+It is impossible to pass over this instance of the abolition of slavery
+by Charles, in all his foreign dominions, without some comments. It
+shows him, first, to have been a friend both to the Indians and the
+Africans, as a part of the human race; it shows he was ignorant of what
+he was doing when he gave his sanction to this cruel trade; it shows
+when legislators give one set of men undue power over another, how
+quickly they abuse it, or he never would have found himself obliged, in
+the short space of twenty-five years, to undo that which he had
+countenanced as a great state measure; and while it confirms the former
+lesson to statesmen of watching the beginnings or principles of things
+in their political movements, it should teach them never to persist in
+the support of evils, through the false shame of being obliged to
+confess that they had once given them their sanction, nor to delay the
+cure of them because, politically speaking, neither this nor that is the
+proper season; but to do them away instantly, as there can only be one
+fit or proper time in the eye of religion, namely, on the conviction of
+their existence.
+
+From the opinions of Cardinal Ximenes and of the emperor Charles the
+Fifth, I hasten to that which was expressed much about the same time, in
+a public capacity, by Pope Leo the Tenth. The Dominicans in Spanish
+America, witnessing the cruel treatment which the slaves underwent
+there, considered slavery as utterly repugnant to the principles of the
+gospel, and recommended the abolition of it. The Franciscans did not
+favour the former in this their scheme of benevolence; and the
+consequence was, that a controversy on this subject sprung up between
+them, which was carried to this pope for his decision. Leo exerted
+himself, much to his honour, in behalf of the poor sufferers, and
+declared "That not only the Christian religion, but that Nature herself
+cried out against a state of slavery." This answer was certainly worthy
+of one who was deemed the head of the Christian Church. It must,
+however, be confessed that it would have been strange if Leo, in his
+situation as pontiff, had made a different reply. He could never have
+denied that God was no respecter of persons. He must have acknowledged
+that men were bound to love each other as brethren; and, if he admitted
+the doctrine that all men were accountable for their actions hereafter,
+he could never have prevented the deduction that it was necessary they
+should be free. Nor could he, as a man of high attainments, living early
+in the sixteenth century, have been ignorant of what had taken place in
+the twelfth; or that, by the latter end of this latter century,
+christianity had obtained the undisputed honour of having extirpated
+slavery from the western part of the European world.
+
+From Spain and Italy I come to England. The first importation of slaves
+from Africa, by our countrymen, was in the reign of Elizabeth, in the
+year 1562. This great princess seems on the very commencement of the
+trade to have questioned its lawfulness. She seems to have entertained a
+religious scruple concerning it; and, indeed, to have revolted at the
+very thought of it. She seems to have been aware of the evils to which
+its continuance might lead, or that, if it were sanctioned, the most
+unjustifiable means might be made use of to procure the persons of the
+natives of Africa. And in what light she would have viewed any acts of
+this kind, had they taken place, we may conjecture from this fact,--that
+when Captain (afterwards Sir John) Hawkins returned from his first
+voyage to Africa and Hispaniola, whither he had carried slaves, she sent
+for him, and, as we learn from Hill's _Naval History_ expressed her
+concern lest any of the Africans should be carried off without their
+free consent, declaring that "it would be detestable, and call down the
+vengeance of heaven upon the undertakers." Captain Hawkins promised to
+comply with the injunctions of Elizabeth in this respect, but he did not
+keep his word; for when he went to Africa again, he seized many of the
+inhabitants and carried them off as slaves, which occasioned Hill, in
+the account he gives of his second voyage, to use these remarkable
+words:--"Here began the horrid practice of forcing the Africans into
+slavery, an injustice and barbarity which, so sure as there is vengeance
+in heaven for the worst of crimes, will some time be the destruction of
+all who allow or encourage it." That the trade should have been suffered
+to continue under such a princess, and after such solemn expressions as
+those which she has been described to have uttered, can be only
+attributed to the pains taken by those concerned in it to keep her
+ignorant of the truth.
+
+From England I now pass over to France. Labat, a Roman missionary, in
+his account of the isles of America, mentions that Louis the Thirteenth
+was very uneasy when he was about to issue the edict by which all
+Africans coming into his colonies were to be made slaves, and that this
+uneasiness continued till he was assured that the introduction of them
+in this capacity into his foreign dominions was the readiest way of
+converting them to the principles of the Christian religion.
+
+These, then, were the first forerunners in the great cause of the
+abolition of the Slave Trade: nor have their services towards it been of
+small moment; for, in the first place, they have enabled those who came
+after them, and who took an active interest in the same cause, to state
+the great authority of their opinions and of their example. They have
+enabled them, again, to detail the history connected with these, in
+consequence of which circumstances have been laid open which it is of
+great importance to know; for have they not enabled them to state that
+the African Slave Trade never would have been permitted to exist but for
+the ignorance of those in authority concerning it--that at its
+commencement there was a revolting of nature against it--a suspicion, a
+caution, a fear, both as to its unlawfulness and its effects? Have they
+not enabled them to state that falsehoods were advanced, and these
+concealed under the mask of religion, to deceive those who had the power
+to suppress it? Have they not enabled them to state that this trade
+began in piracy, and that it was continued upon the principles of force?
+And, finally, have not they who have been enabled to make these
+statements, knowing all the circumstances connected with them, found
+their own zeal increased, and their own courage and perseverance
+strengthened; and have they not, by the communication of them to others,
+produced many friends and even labourers in the cause?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+Forerunners continued to 1787; divided from this time into four
+classes.--First class consists principally of persons in Great Britain
+of various descriptions: Godwyn; Baxter; Tryon; Southern; Primatt;
+Montesquieu; Hutcheson; Sharp; Ramsay; and a multitude of others,
+whose names and services follow.
+
+
+I have hitherto traced the history of the forerunners in this great
+cause only up to about the year 1640. If I am to pursue my plan, I am to
+trace it to the year 1787. But in order to show what I intend in a
+clearer point of view, I shall divide those who have lived within this
+period, and who will now consist of persons in a less elevated station,
+into four classes: and I shall give to each class a distinct
+consideration by itself.
+
+Several of our old English writers, though they have not mentioned the
+African Slave Trade, or the slavery consequent upon it, in their
+respective works, have yet given their testimony of condemnation against
+both. Thus our great Milton:--
+
+
+  O execrable son, so to aspire,
+  Above his brethren, to himself assuming
+  Authority usurpt, from God not given;
+  He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl,
+  Dominion absolute; that right we hold
+  By his donation; but man over men
+  He made not lord, such title to himself
+  Reserving, human left from human free.
+
+
+I might mention Bishop Saunderson and others, who bore a testimony
+equally strong against the lawfulness of trading in the persons of men,
+and of holding them in bondage; but as I mean to confine myself to those
+who have favoured the cause of the Africans specifically, I cannot admit
+their names into any of the classes which have been announced.
+
+Of those, who compose the first class, defined as it has now been, I
+cannot name any individual who took a part in this cause till between
+the years 1670 and 1680; for in the year 1640, and for a few years
+afterwards, the nature of the trade and of the slavery was but little
+known, except to a few individuals, who were concerned in them; and it
+is obvious that these would neither endanger their own interest nor
+proclaim their own guilt by exposing it. The first, whom I shall mention
+is Morgan Godwyn, a clergyman of the established church. This pious
+divine wrote a treatise upon the subject, which he dedicated to the then
+archbishop of Canterbury. He gave it to the world, at the time
+mentioned, under the title of "_The Negroes' and Indians' Advocate._" In
+this treatise he lays open the situation of these oppressed people, of
+whose sufferings he had been an eye-witness in the island of Barbados.
+He calls forth the pity of the reader in an affecting manner, and
+exposes with a nervous eloquence the brutal sentiments and conduct of
+their oppressors. This seems to have been the first work undertaken in
+England expressly in favour of the cause.
+
+The next person, whom I shall mention, is Richard Baxter, the celebrated
+divine among the nonconformists. In his _Christian Directory_, published
+about the same time as _The Negroes' and Indians' Advocate_, he gives
+advice to those masters in foreign plantations, who have negroes and
+other slaves. In this he protests loudly against this trade. He says
+expressly that they, who go out as pirates, and take away poor Africans,
+or people of another land, who never forfeited life or liberty, and make
+them slaves and sell them, are the worst of robbers, and ought to be
+considered as the common enemies of mankind; and that they who buy them,
+and use them as mere beasts for their own convenience, regardless of
+their spiritual welfare, are fitter to be called demons than christians.
+He then proposes several queries, which he answers in a clear and
+forcible manner, showing the great inconsistency of this traffic, and
+the necessity of treating those then in bondage with tenderness and a
+due regard to their spiritual concerns.
+
+The _Directory_ of Baxter was succeeded by a publication called
+_Friendly Advice to the Planters_ in three parts. The first of these
+was, _A brief Treatise of the principal Fruits and Herbs that grow in
+Barbados, Jamaica, and other Plantations in the West Indies_. The second
+was, _The Negroes' Complaint, or their hard Servitude, and the Cruelties
+practised upon them by divers of their Masters professing Christianity_.
+And the third was, _A Dialogue between an Ethiopian and a Christian, his
+Master, in America_. In the last of these, Thomas Tryon, who was the
+author, inveighs both against the commerce and the slavery of the
+Africans, and in a striking manner examines each by the touchstone of
+reason, humanity, justice, and religion.
+
+In the year 1696, Southern brought forward his celebrated tragedy of
+_Oronooko_, by means of which many became enlightened upon the subject,
+and interested in it. For this tragedy was not a representation of
+fictitious circumstances, but of such as had occurred in the colonies,
+and as had been communicated in a publication by Mrs. Behn.
+
+The person who seems to have noticed the subject next was Dr. Primatt.
+In his _Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy, and on the Sin of Cruelty to
+Brute Animals_, he takes occasion to advert to the subject of the
+African Slave Trade. "It has pleased God," says he, "to cover some men
+with white skins and others with black; but as there is neither merit
+nor demerit in complexion, the white man, notwithstanding the barbarity
+of custom and prejudice, can have no right by virtue of his colour to
+enslave and tyrannize over the black man. For whether a man be white or
+black, such he is by God's appointment, and, abstractly considered, is
+neither a subject for pride, nor an object of contempt."
+
+After Dr. Primatt, we come to Baron Montesquieu, "Slavery," says he, "is
+not good in itself. It is neither useful to the master nor to the slave;
+not to the slave, because he can do nothing from virtuous motives; not
+to the master, because he contracts among his slaves all sorts of bad
+habits, and accustoms himself to the neglect of all the moral virtues.
+He becomes haughty, passionate, obdurate, vindictive, voluptuous, and
+cruel." And with respect to this particular species of slavery, he
+proceeds to say, "It is impossible to allow the negroes are men,
+because, if we allow them to be men, it will begin to be believed that
+we ourselves are not Christians."
+
+Hutcheson, in his _System of Moral Philosophy_, endeavours to show, that
+he who detains another by force in slavery, can make no good title to
+him, and adds, "Strange that in any nation where a sense of liberty
+prevails, and where the Christian religion is professed, custom and high
+prospect of gain can so stupify the consciences of men, and all sense of
+natural justice, that they can hear such computations made about the
+value of their fellow-men and their liberty, without abhorrence and
+indignation!"
+
+Foster, in his _Discourses on Natural Religion and Social Virtue_, calls
+the slavery under our consideration "a criminal and outrageous violation
+of the natural rights of mankind." I am sorry that I have not room to
+say all that he says on this subject. Perhaps the following beautiful
+extracts may suffice:--
+
+
+    "But notwithstanding this, we ourselves, who profess to be
+    Christians, and boast of the peculiar advantages we enjoy by
+    means of an express revelation of our duty from heaven, are in
+    effect these very untaught and rude heathen countries. With all
+    our superior light, we instil into those whom we call savage and
+    barbarous, the most despicable opinion of human nature. We, to
+    the utmost of our power, weaken and dissolve the universal tie
+    that binds and unites mankind. We practise what we should
+    exclaim against as the utmost excess of cruelty and tyranny, if
+    nations of the world, differing in colour and form of government
+    from ourselves, were so possessed of empire as to be able to
+    reduce us to a state of unmerited and brutish servitude. Of
+    consequence, we sacrifice our reason, our humanity, our
+    Christianity, to an unnatural sordid gain. We teach other
+    nations to despise and trample under foot all the obligations of
+    social virtue. We take the most effectual method to prevent the
+    propagation of the Gospel, by representing it as a scheme of
+    power and barbarous oppression, and an enemy to the natural
+    privileges and rights of man."
+
+    "Perhaps all that I have now offered may be of very little
+    weight to restrain this enormity, this aggravated iniquity.
+    However, I shall still have the satisfaction of having entered
+    my private protest against a practice which, in my opinion, bids
+    that God, who is the God and Father of the Gentiles unconverted
+    to Christianity, most daring and bold defiance, and spurns at
+    all the principles both of natural and revealed religion."
+
+
+The next author is Sir Richard Steele, who, by means of the affecting
+story of Inkle and Yarico, holds up this trade again to our abhorrence.
+
+In the year 1735, Atkins, who was a surgeon in the navy, published his
+_Voyage to Guinea, Brazil, and the West Indies, in his Majesty's ships
+Swallow and Weymouth_. In this work he describes openly the manner of
+making the natives slaves, such as by kidnapping, by unjust accusations
+and trials, and by other nefarious means. He states also the cruelties
+practised upon them by the white people, and the iniquitous ways and
+dealings of the latter, and answers their argument, by which they
+insinuated that the condition of the Africans was improved by their
+transportation to other countries.
+
+From this time, the trade beginning to be better known, a multitude of
+persons of various stations and characters sprung up, who by exposing
+it, are to be mentioned among the forerunners and coadjutors in the
+cause.
+
+Pope, in his _Essay on Man_, where he endeavours to show that happiness
+in the present depends, among other things, upon the hope of a future
+state, takes an opportunity of exciting compassion in behalf of the poor
+African, while he censures the avarice and cruelty of his master:--
+
+
+  Lo, the poor Indian! whose untutored mind
+  Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind;
+  His soul proud Science never taught to stray
+  Far as the solar walk, or milky-way;
+  Yet simple Nature to his hope was given
+  Behind the cloud-topt hill an humbler heaven;
+  Some safer world in depth of woods embraced,
+  Some happier island in the watery waste,
+  Where slaves once more their native land behold,
+  No fiends torment, no Christians thirst for gold.
+
+
+Thomson also, in his _Seasons_, marks this traffic as destructive and
+cruel, introducing the well-known fact of sharks following the vessels
+employed in it:--
+
+
+  Increasing still the sorrows of those storms,
+  His jaws horrific arm'd with three-fold fate,
+  Here dwells the direful shark. Lured by the scent
+  Of steaming crowds, of rank disease, and death;
+  Behold! he rushing cuts the briny flood,
+  Swift as the gale can bear the ship along,
+  And from the partners of that cruel trade;
+  Which spoils unhappy Guinea of her sons,
+  Demands his share of prey, demands themselves.
+  The stormy fates descend: one death involves
+  Tyrants and slaves; when straight their mangled limbs
+  Crashing at once, he dyes the purple seas
+  With gore, and riots in the vengeful meal.
+
+
+Neither was Richard Savage forgetful in his poems of the _Injured
+Africans_: he warns their oppressors of a day of retribution for their
+barbarous conduct. Having personified Public Spirit, he makes her speak
+on the subject in the following manner:--
+
+
+  Let by my specious name no tyrants rise,
+  And cry, while they enslave, they civilize!
+  Know, Liberty and I are still the same
+  Congenial--ever mingling flame with flame!
+  Why must I Afric's sable children see
+  Vended for slaves, though born by nature free,
+  The nameless tortures cruel minds invent
+  Those to subject whom Nature equal meant?
+  If these you dare (although unjust success
+  Empowers you now unpunished, to oppress),
+  Revolving empire you and yours may doom--
+  (Rome all subdu'd--yet Vandals vanquish'd Rome)
+  Yes--Empire may revolt--give them the day,
+  And yoke may yoke, and blood may blood repay.
+
+
+Wallis, in his _System of the Laws of Scotland_, maintains, that
+"neither men nor governments have a right to sell those of their own
+species. Men and their liberty are neither purchaseable nor saleable."
+And, after arguing the case, he says, "This is the law of nature, which
+is obligatory on all men, at all times, and in all places.--Would not
+any of us, who should be snatched by pirates from his native land, think
+himself cruelly abused, and at all times entitled to be free? Have not
+these unfortunate Africans, who meet with the same cruel fate, the same
+right? Are they not men as well as we? And have they not the same
+sensibility? Let us not, therefore, defend or support an usage, which is
+contrary to all the laws of humanity."
+
+In the year 1750, the reverend Griffith Hughes, rector of St. Lucy, in
+Barbados, published his Natural History of that island. He took an
+opportunity, in the course of it, of laying open to the world the
+miserable situation of the poor Africans, and the waste of them by hard
+labour and other cruel means, and he had the generosity to vindicate
+their capacities from the charge, which they who held them in bondage
+brought against them, as a justification of their own wickedness in
+continuing to deprive them of the rights of men.
+
+Edmund Burke, in his account of the European settlements, (for this work
+is usually attributed to him,) complains "that the Negroes in our
+colonies endure a slavery more complete, and attended with far worse
+circumstances, than what any people in their condition suffer, in any
+other part of the world, or have suffered in any other period of time.
+Proofs of this are not wanting. The prodigious waste, which we
+experience in this unhappy part of our species, is a full and melancholy
+evidence of this truth." And he goes on to advise the planters, for the
+sake of their own interest, to behave like good men, good masters, and
+good Christians, and to impose less labour upon their slaves, and to
+give them recreation on some of the grand festivals, and to instruct
+them in religion, as certain preventives of their decrease.
+
+An anonymous author of a pamphlet, entitled, _An Essay in Vindication of
+the Continental Colonies of America_, seems to have come forward next.
+Speaking of slavery there, he says, "It is shocking to humanity,
+violative of every generous sentiment, abhorrent utterly from the
+Christian religion.--There cannot be a more dangerous maxim than that
+necessity is a plea for injustice, for who shall fix the degree of this
+necessity? What villain so atrocious, who may not urge this excuse, or,
+as Milton has happily expressed it,
+
+  And with necessity,
+  The tyrant's plea, excuse his devilish deed?
+
+
+"That our colonies," he continues, "want people, is a very weak argument
+for so inhuman a violation of justice.--Shall a civilized, a Christian
+nation encourage slavery, because the barbarous, savage, lawless African
+hath done it? To what end do we profess a religion whose dictates we so
+flagrantly violate? Wherefore have we that pattern of goodness and
+humanity, if we refuse to follow it? How long shall we continue a
+practice which policy rejects, justice condemns, and piety revolts at?"
+
+The poet Shenstone, who comes next in order, seems to have written an
+elegy on purpose to stigmatize this trade. Of this elegy I shall copy
+only the following parts:--
+
+
+  See the poor native quit the Libyan shores,
+  Ah! not in love's delightful fetters bound!
+  No radiant smile his dying peace restores,
+  No love, nor fame, nor friendship, heals his wound.
+
+  Let vacant bards display their boasted woes;
+  Shall I the mockery of grief display?
+  No; let the muse his piercing pangs disclose,
+  Who bleeds and weeps his sum of life away!
+
+  On the wild heath in mournful guise he stood,
+  Ere the shrill boatswain gave the hated sign;
+  He dropt a tear unseen into the flood,
+  He stole one secret moment to repine--
+
+  "Why am I ravish'd from my native strand?
+  What savage race protects this impious gain?
+  Shall foreign plagues infest this teeming land,
+  And more than sea-born monsters plough the main?
+
+  Here the dire locusts' horrid swarms prevail;
+  Here the blue asps with livid poison swell;
+  Here the dry dipsa writhes his sinuous mail;
+  Can we not here secure from envy dwell?
+
+  When the grim lion urged his cruel chase,
+  When the stern panther sought his midnight prey;
+  What fate reserved me for this Christian race?
+  O race more polished, more severe than they!
+
+  Yet shores there are, bless'd shores for us remain,
+  And favour'd isles, with golden fruitage crown'd,
+  Where tufted flow'rets paint the verdant plain,
+  And every breeze shall medicine every wound."
+
+
+In the year 1755, Dr. Hayter, bishop of Norwich, preached a sermon
+before the _Society for the Propagation of the Gospel_, in which he bore
+his testimony against the continuance of this trade.
+
+Dyer, in his poem called _The Fleece_, expresses his sorrow on account
+of this barbarous trade, and looks forward to a day of retributive
+justice on account of the introduction of such an evil.
+
+In the year 1760, a pamphlet appeared, entitled, _Two Dialogues on the
+Man-trade_, by John Philmore. This name is supposed to be an assumed
+one. The author, however, discovers himself to have been both an able
+and a zealous advocate in favour of the African race.
+
+Malachi Postlethwaite, in his _Universal Dictionary of Trade and
+Commerce_, proposes a number of queries on the subject of the Slave
+Trade. I have not room to insert them at full length, but I shall give
+the following as the substance of some of them to the reader: "Whether
+this commerce be not the cause of incessant wars among the
+Africans--Whether the Africans, if it were abolished, might not become
+as ingenious, as humane, as industrious, and as capable of arts,
+manufactures, and trades, as even the bulk of Europeans--Whether, if it
+were abolished, a much more profitable trade might not be substituted,
+and this to the very centre of their extended country, instead of the
+trifling portion which now subsists upon their coasts--And whether the
+great hindrance to such a new and advantageous commerce has not wholly
+proceeded from that unjust, inhuman, unchristianlike traffic, called the
+Slave Trade, which is carried on by the Europeans." The public proposal
+of these and other queries by a man of so great commercial knowledge as
+Postlethwaite, and by one who was himself a member of the African
+Committee, was of great service in exposing the impolicy as well as
+immorality of the Slave Trade.
+
+In the year 1761, Thomas Jeffery published an account of a part of North
+America, in which he lays open the miserable state of the slaves in the
+West Indies, both as to their clothing, their food, their labour, and
+their punishments. But, without going into particulars, the general
+account be gives of them is affecting: "It is impossible," he says, "for
+a human heart to reflect upon the slavery of these dregs of mankind,
+without in some measure feeling for their misery, which ends but with
+their lives--nothing can be more wretched than the condition of this
+people."
+
+Sterne, in his account of the Negro girl in his _Life of Tristram
+Shandy_, took decidedly the part of the oppressed Africans. The
+pathetic, witty, and sentimental manner, in which he handled this
+subject, occasioned many to remember it, and procured a certain portion
+of feeling in their favour.
+
+Rousseau contributed not a little in his day to the same end.
+
+Bishop Warburton, preached a sermon in the year 1766, before the Society
+for the Propagation of the Gospel, in which he took up the cause of the
+miserable Africans, and in which he severely reprobated their
+oppressors. The language in this sermon is so striking, that I shall
+make an extract from it. "From the free savages," says he, "I now come
+to the savages in bonds. By these I mean the vast multitudes yearly
+stolen from the opposite continent, and sacrificed by the colonists to
+their great idol, the god of gain. But what then say these sincere
+worshippers of Mammon? They are our own property which we offer
+up,--Gracious God! to talk, as of herds of cattle, of property in
+rational creatures, creatures endued with all our faculties, possessing
+all our qualities but that of colour, our brethren both by nature and
+grace, shocks all the feelings of humanity, and the dictates of common
+sense? But, alas! what is there, in the infinite abuses of society,
+which does not shock them! Yet nothing is more certain in itself and
+apparent to all, than that the infamous traffic for slaves directly
+infringes both divine and human law. Nature created man free, and grace
+invites him to assert his freedom.
+
+"In excuse of this violation it hath been pretended, that though,
+indeed, these miserable outcasts of humanity be torn from their homes
+and native country by fraud and violence, yet they thereby become the
+happier, and their condition the more eligible. But who are you, who
+pretend to judge of another man's happiness; that state which each man
+under the guidance of his Maker forms for himself, and not one man for
+another? To know what constitutes mine or your happiness is the sole
+prerogative of him who created us, and cast us in so various and
+different moulds. Did your slaves ever complain to you of their
+unhappiness amidst their native woods and deserts? or rather let me ask,
+did they ever cease complaining of their condition under you their
+lordly masters, where they see, indeed, the accommodations of civil
+life, but see them all pass to others, themselves unbenefited by them?
+Be so gracious then, ye petty tyrants over human freedom, to let your
+slaves judge for themselves, what it is which makes their own happiness,
+and then see whether they do not place it in the return to their own
+country, rather than in the contemplation of your grandeur, of which
+their misery makes so large a part; a return so passionately longed for,
+that, despairing of happiness here, that is, of escaping the chains of
+their cruel task-masters, they console themselves with feigning it to be
+the gracious reward of heaven in their future state."
+
+About this time certain cruel and wicked practices, which must now be
+mentioned, had arrived at such a height, and had become so frequent in
+the metropolis, as to produce of themselves other coadjutors to the
+cause.
+
+Before the year 1700, planters, merchants, and others, resident in the
+West Indies, but coming to England, were accustomed to bring with them
+certain slaves to act as servants with them during their stay. The
+latter, seeing the freedom and the happiness of servants in this
+country, and considering what would be their own hard fate on their
+return to the islands, frequently absconded. Their masters of course
+made search after them, and often had them seized and carried away by
+force. It was, however, thrown out by many on these occasions, that the
+English laws did not sanction such proceedings, for that all persons who
+were baptized became free. The consequence of this was, that most of the
+slaves, who came over with their masters, prevailed upon some pious
+clergyman to baptize them. They took of course godfathers of such
+citizens as had the generosity to espouse their cause. When they were
+seized they usually sent to these, if they had an opportunity, for their
+protection. And in the result, their godfathers, maintaining that they
+had been baptized, and that they were free on this account as well as by
+the general tenour of the law of England, dared those who had taken
+possession of them to send them out of the kingdom.
+
+The planters, merchants, and others, being thus circumstanced, knew not
+what to do. They were afraid of taking their slaves away by force, and
+they were equally afraid of bringing any of the cases before a public
+court. In this dilemma, in 1729, they applied to York and Talbot, the
+attorney and solicitor-general for the time being, and obtained the
+following strange opinion from them:--"We are of opinion, that a slave
+by coming from the West Indies into Great Britain or Ireland, either
+with or without his master, does not become free, and that his master's
+right and property in him is not thereby determined or varied, and that
+baptism doth not bestow freedom on him, nor make any alteration in his
+temporal condition in these kingdoms. We are also of opinion, that the
+master may legally compel him to return again to the plantations."
+
+This cruel and illegal opinion was delivered in the year 1729. The
+planters, merchants, and others, gave it of course all the publicity in
+their power. And the consequences were as might easily have been
+apprehended. In a little time slaves absconding were advertised in the
+London papers as runaways, and rewards offered for the apprehension of
+them, in the same brutal manner as we find them advertised in the land
+of slavery. They were advertised also, in the same papers, to be sold by
+auction, sometimes by themselves, and at others with horses, chaises,
+and harness? They were seized also by their masters, or by persons
+employed by them, in the very streets, and dragged from thence to the
+ships; and so unprotected now were these poor slaves, that persons in
+nowise concerned with them began to institute a trade in their persons,
+making agreements with captains of ships going to the West Indies to put
+them on board at a certain price. This last instance shows how far human
+nature is capable of going, and is an answer to those persons who have
+denied that kidnapping in Africa was a source of supplying the Slave
+Trade. It shows, as all history does from the time of Joseph, that where
+there is a market for the persons of human beings, all kinds of
+enormities will be practised to obtain them.
+
+These circumstances then, as I observed before, did not fail of
+producing new coadjutors in the cause. And first they produced that able
+and indefatigable advocate, Mr. Granville Sharp. This gentleman is to be
+distinguished from those who preceded him by this particular, that,
+whereas these were only writers, he was both a writer and an actor in
+the cause. In fact, he was the first labourer in it in England. By the
+words "actor" and "labourer," I mean that he determined upon a plan of
+action in behalf of the oppressed Africans, to the accomplishment of
+which he devoted a considerable portion of his time, talents, and
+substance. What Mr. Sharp has done to merit the title of coadjutor in
+this high sense, I shall now explain. The following is a short history
+of the beginning and of the course of his labours:--
+
+In the year 1765, Mr. David Lisle had brought over from Barbados
+Jonathan Strong, an African slave, as his servant. He used the latter in
+a barbarous manner at his lodgings in Wapping, but particularly by
+beating him over the head with a pistol, which occasioned his head to
+swell. When the swelling went down, a disorder fell into his eyes, which
+threatened the loss of them. To this an ague and fever succeeded, and a
+lameness in both his legs.
+
+Jonathan Strong, having been brought into this deplorable situation, and
+being therefore wholly useless, was left by his master to go whither he
+pleased. He applied accordingly to Mr. William Sharp, the surgeon, for
+his advice, as to one who gave up a portion of his time to the healing
+of the diseases of the poor. It was here that Mr. Granville Sharp, the
+brother of the former, saw him. Suffice it to say, that in process of
+time he was cured. During this time Mr. Granville Sharp, pitying his
+hard case, supplied him with money, and he afterwards got him a
+situation in the family of Mr. Brown, an apothecary, to carry out
+medicines.
+
+In this new situation, when Strong had become healthy and robust in his
+appearance, his master happened to see him. The latter immediately
+formed the design of possessing him again. According, when he had found
+out his residence, he procured John Ross, keeper of the Poultry-counter,
+and William Miller, an officer under the Lord Mayor, to kidnap him. This
+was done by sending for him to a public-house in Fenchurch-street, and
+then seizing him. By these he was conveyed, without any warrant, to the
+Poultry-counter, where he was sold by his master, to John Kerr, for
+thirty pounds.
+
+Strong, in this situation, sent, as was usual, to his godfathers, John
+London and Stephen Nail, for their protections. They went, but were
+refused admittance to him. At length he sent for Mr. Granville Sharp:
+the latter went, but they still refused access to the prisoner. He
+insisted, however, upon seeing him, and charged the keeper of the prison
+at his peril to deliver him up, till he had been carried before a
+magistrate.
+
+Mr. Sharp, immediately upon this, waited upon Sir Robert Kite, the then
+lord mayor, and entreated him to send for Strong and to hear his case. A
+day was accordingly appointed. Mr. Sharp attended, and also William
+McBean, a notary public, and David Laird, captain of the ship Thames,
+which was to have conveyed Strong to Jamaica, in behalf of the
+purchaser, John Kerr. A long conversation ensued, in which the opinion
+of York and Talbot was quoted. Mr. Sharp made his observations. Certain
+lawyers who were present seemed to be staggered at the case, but
+inclined rather to recommit the prisoner: the lord mayor, however,
+discharged Strong, as he had been taken up without a warrant.
+
+As soon as this determination was made known, the parties began to move
+off. Captain Laird, however, who kept close to Strong, laid hold of him
+before he had quitted the room, and said aloud, "Then I now seize him as
+my slave." Upon this Mr. Sharp put his hand upon Laird's shoulder, and
+pronounced these words: "I charge you, in the name of the king, with an
+assault upon the person of Jonathan Strong, and all these are my
+witnesses." Laird was greatly intimidated by this charge, made in the
+presence of the lord mayor and others, and, fearing a prosecution, let
+his prisoner go, leaving him to be conveyed away by Mr. Sharp.
+
+Mr. Sharp having been greatly affected by this case, and foreseeing how
+much he might be engaged in others of a similar nature, thought it time
+that the law of the land should be known upon this subject: he applied,
+therefore, to Dr. Blackstone, afterwards Judge Blackstone, for his
+opinion upon it. He was, however, not satisfied with it when he received
+it; nor could he obtain any satisfactory answer from several other
+lawyers, to whom he afterwards applied. The truth is that the opinion of
+York and Talbot, which had been made public and acted upon by the
+planters, merchants, and others, was considered of high authority, and
+scarcely any one dared to question the legality of it. In this situation
+Mr. Sharp saw no means of help but in his own industry, and he
+determined immediately to give up two or three years to the study of the
+English law, that he might the better advocate the cause of these
+miserable people. The result of these studies was the publication of a
+book in the year 1769, which he called, _A Representation of the
+Injustice and Dangerous Tendency of Tolerating Slavery in England_. In
+this work he refuted, in the clearest manner, the opinion of York and
+Talbot: he produced against it the opinion of the Lord Chief Justice
+Holt, who, many years before, had determined that every slave coming
+into England became free: he attacked and refuted it again by a learned
+and laborious inquiry into all the principles of Villenage. He refuted
+it again by showing it to be an axiom in the British constitution, "That
+every man in England was free to sue for and defend his rights, and that
+force could not be used without a legal process," leaving it to the
+judges to determine whether an African was a man. He attacked also the
+opinion of Judge Blackstone, and showed where his error lay. This
+valuable book, containing these and other kinds of arguments on the
+subject, he distributed, but particularly among the lawyers, giving them
+an opportunity of refuting or acknowledging the doctrines it contained.
+
+While Mr. Sharp was engaged in this work, another case offered, in which
+he took a part: this was in the year 1768. Hylas, an African slave,
+prosecuted a person of the name of Newton for having kidnapped his wife,
+and sent her to the West Indies. The result of the trial was, that
+damages to the amount of a shilling were given, and the defendant was
+bound to bring back the woman, either by the first ship, or in six
+months from this decision of the court.
+
+But soon after the work just mentioned was out, and when Mr. Sharp was
+better prepared, a third case occurred: this happened in the year 1770.
+Robert Stapylton, who lived at Chelsea, in conjunction with John Malony
+and Edward Armstrong, two watermen, seized the person of Thomas Lewis,
+an African slave, in a dark night, and dragged him to a boat lying in
+the Thames; they then gagged him and tied him with a cord, and rowed him
+down to a ship, and put him on board to be sold as a slave in Jamaica.
+This base action took place near the garden of Mrs. Banks, the mother of
+the late Sir Joseph Banks. Lewis, it appears, on being seized, screamed
+violently. The servants of Mrs. Banks, who heard his cries, ran to his
+assistance, but the boat was gone. On informing their mistress of what
+had happened, she sent for Mr. Sharp, who began now to be known as the
+friend of the helpless Africans, and professed her willingness to incur
+the expense of bringing the delinquents to justice. Mr. Sharp, with some
+difficulty, procured a _habeas corpus_, in consequence of which Lewis
+was brought from Gravesend just as the vessel was on the point of
+sailing. An action was then commenced against Stapylton, who defended
+himself on the plea, "That Lewis belonged to him as his slave." In the
+course of the trial, Mr. Dunning, who was counsel for Lewis, paid Mr.
+Sharp a handsome compliment; for he held in his hand Mr. Sharp's book,
+on the _Injustice and Dangerous Tendency of Tolerating Slavery in
+England_, while he was pleading; and in his address to the jury he spoke
+and acted thus:--"I shall submit to you," says Mr. Dunning, "what my
+ideas are upon such evidence, reserving to myself an opportunity of
+discussing it more particularly, and reserving to myself a right to
+insist upon a position, which I will maintain (and here he held up the
+book to the notice of those present,) in any place and in any court of
+the kingdom, that our laws admit of no such property[A]." The result of
+the trial was, that the jury pronounced the plaintiff not to have been
+the property of the defendant, several of them crying out, "No property,
+no property."
+
+[Footnote A: It is lamentable to think that the same Mr. Dunning, in a
+cause of this kind, which came on afterwards, took the opposite side of
+the question.]
+
+After this one or two other trials came on, in which the oppressor was
+defeated, and several cases occurred in which poor slaves were liberated
+from the holds of vessels and other places of confinement, by the
+exertions of Mr. Sharp. One of these cases was singular. The vessels on
+board which a poor African had been dragged and confined, had reached
+the Downs, and had actually got under weigh for the West Indies: in two
+or three hours she would have been out of sight; but just at this
+critical moment the writ of _habeas corpus_ was carried on board. The
+officer who served it on the captain saw the miserable African chained
+to the mainmast, bathed in tears, and casting a last mournful look on
+the land of freedom, which was fast receding from his sight. The
+captain, on receiving the writ, became outrageous; but knowing the
+serious consequences of resisting the law of the land, he gave up his
+prisoner, whom the officer carried safe, but now crying for joy, to the
+shore.
+
+But though the injured Africans, whose causes had been tried, escaped
+slavery, and though many who had been forcibly carried into dungeons,
+ready to be transported into the Colonies, had been delivered out of
+them, Mr. Sharp was not easy in his mind: not one of the cases had yet
+been pleaded on the broad ground, "Whether an African slave, coming into
+England, became free?" This great question had been hitherto studiously
+avoided; it was still, therefore, left in doubt. Mr. Sharp was almost
+daily acting as if it had been determined, and as if he had been
+following the known law of the land: he wished, therefore, that the next
+cause might be argued upon this principle. Lord Mansfield too, who had
+been biassed by the opinion of York and Talbot, began to waver in
+consequence of the different pleadings he had heard on this subject: he
+saw also no end of trials like these, till the law should be
+ascertained, and he was anxious for a decision on the same basis as Mr.
+Sharp. In this situation the following case offered, which was agreed
+upon for the determination of this important question.
+
+James Somerset, an African slave, had been brought to England by his
+master, Charles Stewart, in November 1769. Somerset in process of time
+left him. Stewart took an opportunity of seizing him, and had him
+conveyed on board the Ann and Mary, Captain Knowles, to be carried out
+of the kingdom and sold as a slave in Jamaica: the question was,
+"Whether a slave, by coming into England, became free?"
+
+In order that time might be given for ascertaining the law fully on this
+head, the case was argued at three different sittings. First, in
+January, 1772; secondly, in February, 1772; and thirdly, in May, 1772.
+And that no decision otherwise than what the law warranted might be
+given, the opinion of the judges was taken upon the pleadings. The great
+and glorious result of the trial was, "That as soon as ever any slave
+set his foot upon English territory, he became free."
+
+Thus ended the great case of Somerset, which, having, been determined
+after so deliberate an investigation of the law, can never be reversed
+while the British Constitution remains. The eloquence displayed in it by
+those who were engaged on the side of liberty, was perhaps never
+exceeded on any occasion; and the names of the counsellors Davy, Glynn,
+Hargrave, Mansfield, and Alleyne, ought always to be remembered with
+gratitude by the friends of this great cause. For when we consider in
+how many crowded courts they pleaded, and the number of individuals in
+these, whose minds they enlightened, and whose hearts they interested in
+the subject, they are certainly to be put down as no small instruments
+in the promotion of it; but chiefly to him, under Divine Providence, are
+we to give the praise, who became the first great actor in it, who
+devoted his time, his talents, and his substance to this Christian
+undertaking, and by whose laborious researches the very pleaders
+themselves were instructed and benefited. By means of his almost
+incessant vigilance and attention, and unwearied efforts, the poor
+African ceased to be hunted in our streets as a beast of prey. Miserable
+as the roof might be, under which he slept, he slept in security. He
+walked by the side of the stately ship, and he feared no dungeon in her
+hold. Nor ought we, as Englishmen, to be less grateful to this
+distinguished individual than the African ought to be upon this
+occasion. To him we owe it, that we no longer see our public papers
+polluted by hateful advertisements of the sale of the human species, or
+that we are no longer distressed by the perusal of impious rewards for
+bringing back the poor and the helpless into slavery, or that we are
+prohibited the disgusting spectacle of seeing man bought by his
+fellow-man. To him, in short, we owe this restoration of the beauty of
+our constitution--this prevention of the continuance of our national
+disgrace.
+
+I shall say but little more of Mr. Sharp at present, than that he felt
+it his duty, immediately after the trial, to write to Lord North, then
+principal minister of state, warning him in the most earnest manner, to
+abolish immediately both the trade and the slavery of the human species
+in all the British dominions, as utterly irreconcileable with the
+principles of the British constitution, and the established religion of
+the land.
+
+Among other coadjutors, whom the cruel and wicked practices which have
+now been so amply detailed brought forward, was a worthy clergyman,
+whose name I have not yet been able to learn. He endeavoured to interest
+the public feeling in behalf of the injured Africans, by writing an
+epilogue to the _Padlock_, in which Mungo appeared as a black servant.
+This epilogue is so appropriate to the case, that I cannot but give it
+to the reader. Mungo enters, and thus addresses the audience:--
+
+
+  Thank you, my massas! have you laugh your fill?
+  Then let me speak, nor take that freedom ill.
+  E'en from _my_ tongue some heart-felt truths may fall,
+  And outraged Nature claims the care of all.
+  My tale in _any_ place would force a tear,
+  But calls for stronger, deeper feelings here;
+  For whilst I tread the free-born British land,
+  Whilst now before me crowded Britons stand,--
+  Vain, vain that glorious privilege to me,
+  I am a slave, where all things else are free.
+
+  Yet was I born, as you are, no man's slave,
+  An heir to all that liberal Nature gave;
+  My mind can reason, and my limbs can move
+  The same as yours; like yours my heart can love;
+  Alike my body food and sleep sustain;
+  And e'en like yours--feels pleasure, want, and pain.
+  One sun rolls o'er us, common skies surround;
+  One globe supports us, and one grave must bound.
+
+  Why then am I devoid of all to live
+  That manly comforts to a man can give?
+
+  To live--untaught religion's soothing balm,
+  Or life's choice arts; to live--unknown the calm,
+  Of soft domestic ease; those sweets of life,
+  The duteous offspring, and th' endearing wife?
+  To live--to property and rights unknown,
+  Not e'en the common benefits my own!
+  No arm to guard me from Oppression's rod,
+  My will subservient to a tyrant's nod!
+  No gentle hand, when life is in decay,
+  To soothe my pains, and charm my cares away;
+  But helpless left to quit the horrid stage,
+  Harassed in youth, and desolate in age!
+
+  But I was born in Afric's tawny strand,
+  And you in fair Britannia's fairer land;
+  Comes freedom, then, from colour?--Blush with shame!
+  And let strong Nature's crimson mark your blame.
+  I speak to Britons.--Britons--then behold
+  A man by, Britons _snared_, and _seized_, and _sold!_
+  And yet no British statute damns the deed,
+  Nor do the more than murderous villains bleed.
+
+  O sons of Freedom! equalize your laws,
+  Be all consistent, plead the negro's cause;
+  That all the nations in your code may see
+  The British negro, like the Briton, free.
+  But, should he supplicate your laws in vain,
+  To break, for ever, this disgraceful chain,
+  At least, let gentle usage so abate
+  The galling terrors of its passing state,
+  That he may share kind Heaven's all social plan;
+  For, though no Briton, Mungo is--a man.
+
+I may now add, that few theatrical pieces had a greater run than the
+_Padlock_; and that this epilogue, which was attached to it soon after
+it came out, procured a good deal of feeling for the unfortunate
+sufferers, whose cause it was intended to serve.
+
+Another coadjutor, to whom these cruel and wicked practices gave birth,
+was Thomas Day, the celebrated author of _Sandford and Merton_, and
+whose virtues were well known among those who had the happiness of his
+friendship. In the year 1773 he published a poem, which he wrote
+expressly in behalf of the oppressed Africans. He gave it the name of
+_The Dying Negro._ The preface to it was written in an able manner by
+his friend Counsellor Bicknell, who is therefore to be ranked among the
+coadjutors in this great cause. The poem was founded on a simple fact,
+which had taken place a year or two before. A poor negro had been seized
+in London, and forcibly put on board a ship, where he destroyed himself,
+rather than return to the land of slavery. To the poem is affixed a
+frontispiece, in which the negro is represented. He is made to stand in
+an attitude of the most earnest address to heaven, in the course of
+which, with the fatal dagger in his hand, he breaks forth in the
+following words:
+
+  To you this unpolluted blood I pour,
+  To you that spirit, which ye gave, restore.
+
+
+This poem, which was the first ever written expressly on the subject,
+was read extensively; and it added to the sympathy in favour of
+suffering humanity, which was now beginning to show itself in the
+kingdom.
+
+About this time the first edition of the _Essay an Truth_ made its
+appearance in the world. Dr. Beattie took an opportunity, in this work,
+of vindicating the intellectual powers of the Africans from the
+aspersions of Hume, and of condemning their slavery as a barbarous piece
+of policy, and as inconsistent with the free and generous spirit of the
+British nation.
+
+In the year 1774, John Wesley, the celebrated divine, to whose pious
+labours the religious world will long be indebted, undertook the cause
+of the poor Africans. He had been in America, and had seen and pitied
+their hard condition. The work which he gave to the world in
+consequence, was entitled _Thoughts on Slavery_. Mr. Wesley had this
+great cause much at heart, and frequently recommended it to the support
+of those who attended his useful ministry.
+
+In the year 1776, the Abbe Proyart brought out, at Paris, his _History
+of Loango_, and other kingdoms in Africa, in which he did ample justice
+to the moral and intellectual character of the natives there.
+
+The same year produced two new friends in England, in the same cause,
+but in a line in which no one had yet moved. David Hartley, then a
+member of parliament for Hull, and the son of Dr. Hartley who wrote the
+_Essay on Man_, found it impossible any longer to pass over without
+notice the case of the oppressed Africans. He had long felt for their
+wretched condition, and, availing himself of his legislative situation,
+he made a motion in the House of Commons, "That the Slave Trade was
+contrary to the laws of God, and the rights of men." In order that he
+might interest the members as much as possible in his motion, he had
+previously obtained some of the chains in use in this cruel traffic, and
+had laid them upon the table of the House of Commons. His motion was
+seconded by that great patriot and philanthropist, Sir George Saville.
+But though I am now to state that it failed, I cannot but consider it as
+a matter of pleasing reflection, that this great subject was first
+introduced into parliament by those who were worthy of it; by those who
+had clean hands and an irreproachable character, and to whom no motive
+of party or faction could be imputed, but only such as must have arisen
+from a love of justice, a true feeling of humanity, and a proper sense
+of religion.
+
+About this time two others, men of great talents and learning, promoted
+the cause of the injured Africans, by the manner in which they
+introduced them to notice in their respective works.
+
+Dr. Adam Smith, in his _Theory of Moral Sentiments_, had, so early as
+the year 1759, held them up in an honourable, and their tyrants in a
+degrading light. "There is not a Negro from the coast of Africa, who
+does not, in this respect, possess a degree of magnanimity which the
+soul of his sordid master is too often scarce capable of conceiving.
+Fortune never exerted more cruelly her empire over mankind, than when
+she subjected those nations of heroes to the refuse of the gaols of
+Europe, to wretches who possess the virtue neither of the countries they
+came from, nor of those they go to, and whose levity, brutality, and
+baseness so justly expose them to the contempt of the vanquished." And
+now, in 1776, in his _Wealth of Nations_ he showed in a forcible manner
+(for he appealed to the interest of those concerned,) the dearness of
+African labour; or the impolicy of employing slaves.
+
+Professor Millar, in his _Origin of Ranks_, followed Dr. Smith on the
+same ground. He explained the impolicy of slavery in general, by its bad
+effects upon industry, population, and morals. These effects he attached
+to the system of agriculture as followed in our islands. He showed,
+besides, how little pains were taken, or how few contrivances were
+thought of, to ease the labourers there. He contended that the Africans
+ought to be better treated, and to be raised to a better condition; and
+he ridiculed the inconsistency of those who held them in bondage. "It
+affords," says he, "a curious spectacle to observe that the same people,
+who talk in a high strain of political liberty, and who consider the
+privilege of imposing their own taxes as one of the unalienable rights
+of mankind, should make no scruple of reducing a great proportion of
+their fellow-creatures into circumstances by which they are not only
+deprived of property, but almost of every species of right. Fortune,
+perhaps, never produced a situation more calculated to ridicule a
+liberal hypothesis, or to show how little the conduct of men is at the
+bottom directed by any philosophical principles." It is a great honour
+to the University of Glasgow, that it should have produced, before any
+public agitation of this question, three professors[A], all of whom bore
+their public testimony against the continuance of the cruel trade.
+
+[Footnote A: The other was Professor Hutcheson, before mentioned in p.
+56.]
+
+From this time, or from about the year 1776, to about the year 1782, I
+am to put down three other coadjutors, whose labours seem to have come
+in a right season for the promotion of the cause.
+
+The first of these was Dr. ROBERTSON. In his _History of America_ he
+laid open many facts relative to this subject. He showed himself a warm
+friend both of the Indians and Africans. He lost no opportunity of
+condemning that trade, which brought the latter into bondage: "a trade,"
+says he, "which is no less repugnant to the feelings of humanity than to
+the principles of religion." And in his _Charles the Fifth_, he showed
+in a manner that was clear, and never to be controverted, that
+Christianity was the great cause in the twelfth century of extirpating
+slavery from the west of Europe. By the establishment of this fact, he
+rendered important services to the oppressed Africans. For if
+Christianity, when it began to be felt in the heart, dictated the
+abolition of slavery, it certainly became those who lived in a Christian
+country, and who professed the Christian religion, to put an end to this
+cruel trade.
+
+The second was the Abbe Raynal. This author gave an account of the laws,
+government, and religion of Africa, of the produce of it, of the manners
+of its inhabitants, of the trade in slaves, of the manner of procuring
+these, with several other particulars relating to the subject. And at
+the end of his account, fearing lest the good advice he had given for
+making the condition of the slaves more comfortable should be construed
+into an approbation of such a traffic, he employed several pages in
+showing its utter inconsistency with sound policy, justice, reason,
+humanity, and religion.
+
+"I will not here," says he, "so far debase myself as to enlarge the
+ignominious list of those writers who devote their abilities to justify
+by policy what morality condemns. In an age where so many errors are
+boldly laid open, it would be unpardonable to conceal any truth that is
+interesting to humanity. If whatever I have hitherto advanced hath
+seemingly tended only to alleviate the burden of slavery, the reason is,
+that it was first necessary to give some comfort to those unhappy beings
+whom we cannot set free, and convince their oppressors that they were
+cruel, to the prejudice of their real interests. But, in the mean time,
+till some considerable revolution shall make the evidence of this great
+truth felt, it may not be improper to pursue this subject further. I
+shall then first prove that there is no reason of state which can
+authorize slavery. I shall not be afraid to cite to the tribunal of
+reason and justice those governments which tolerate this cruelty, or
+which even are not ashamed to make it the basis of their power."
+
+And a little further on he observes--"Will it be said that he, who wants
+to make me a slave, does me no injury; but that he only makes use of his
+rights? Where are those rights? Who hath stamped upon them so sacred a
+character as to silence mine?"
+
+In the beginning of the next paragraph he speaks thus:--"He who supports
+the system of slavery is the enemy of the whole human race. He divides
+it into two societies of legal assassins; the oppressors, and the
+oppressed. It is the same thing as proclaiming to the world, if you
+would preserve your life, instantly take away mine, for I want to have
+yours."
+
+Going on two pages further, we find these words:--"But the Negroes, they
+say, are a race born for slavery; their dispositions are narrow,
+treacherous, and wicked; they themselves allow the superiority of our
+understandings, and almost acknowledge the justice of our authority.
+Yes; the minds of the Negroes are contracted, because slavery destroys
+all the springs of the soul. They are wicked, but not equally so with
+you. They are treacherous, because they are under no obligation to speak
+truth to their tyrants. They acknowledge the superiority of our
+understanding, because we have abused their ignorance. They allow the
+justice of our authority, because we have abused their weakness."
+
+"But these Negroes, it is further urged, were born slaves. Barbarians!
+will you persuade me that a man can be the property of a sovereign, a
+son the property of a father, a wife the property of a husband, a
+domestic the property of a master, a Negro the property of a planter?"
+
+But I have no time to follow this animated author, even by short
+extracts, through the varied strains of eloquence which he displays upon
+this occasion. I can only say that his labours entitle him to a high
+station among the benefactors to the African race.
+
+The third was Dr. PALEY, whose genius, talents, and learning have been
+so eminently displayed in his writings in the cause of natural and
+revealed religion. Dr. Paley did not write any essay expressly in favour
+of the Africans. But in his _Moral Philosophy_, where he treated on
+slavery, he took an opportunity of condemning, in very severe terms, the
+continuance of it. In this work he defined what slavery was, and how it
+might arise consistently with the law of nature; but he made an
+exception against that which arose from the African trade. "The Slave
+Trade," says he, "upon the coast of Africa, is not excused by these
+principles. When slaves in that country are brought to market, no
+questions, I believe, are asked about the origin or justice of the
+vendor's title. It may be presumed, therefore, that this title is not
+always, if it be ever, founded in any of the causes above assigned.
+
+"But defect of right in the first purchase is the least crime with which
+this traffic is chargeable. The natives are excited to war and mutual
+depredation, for the sake of supplying their contracts, or furnishing
+the markets with slaves. With this the wickedness begins. The slaves,
+torn away from their parents, wives, and children, from their friends
+and companions, from their fields and flocks, from their home and
+country, are transported to the European settlements in America, with no
+other accommodation on ship-board than what is provided for brutes. This
+is the second stage of the cruelty, from which the miserable exiles are
+delivered, only to be placed, and that for life, in subjection to a
+dominion add system of laws, the most merciless and tyrannical that ever
+were tolerated upon the face of the earth: and from all that can be
+learned by the accounts of people upon the spot, the inordinate
+authority which the plantation-laws confer upon the slaveholder is
+exercised, by the English slaveholder especially, with rigour and
+brutality.
+
+"But necessity is pretended, the name under which every enormity is
+attempted to be justified; and after all, what is the necessity? It has
+never been proved that the land could not be cultivated there, as it is
+here, by hired servants. It is said, that it could not be cultivated
+with quite the same conveniency and cheapness, as by the labour of
+slaves; by which means, a pound of sugar, which the planter now sells
+for sixpence, could not be afforded under sixpence-halfpenny--and this
+is the necessity!
+
+"The great revolution which has taken place in the western world, may,
+probably, conduce (and who knows but that it was designed) to accelerate
+the fall of this abominable tyranny: and now that this contest and the
+passions which attend it are no more, there may succeed, perhaps, a
+season for reflecting, whether a legislature, which had so long lent its
+assistance to the support of an institution replete with human misery,
+was fit to be trusted with an empire, the most extensive that ever
+obtained in any age or quarter of the world."
+
+The publication of these sentiments may be supposed to have produced an
+extensive effect. For _The Moral Philosophy_ was adopted early by some
+of the colleges in our universities into the system of their education.
+It soon found its way also into most of the private libraries of the
+kingdom; and it was, besides, generally read and approved. Dr. Paley,
+therefore, must be considered, as having been a considerable coadjutor
+in interesting the mind of the public in favour of the oppressed
+Africans.
+
+In the year 1783, we find Mr. Sharp coming again into notice. We find
+him at this time taking a part in a cause, the knowledge of which, in
+proportion as it was disseminated, produced an earnest desire among all
+disinterested persons for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+In this year, certain underwriters desired to be heard against Gregson
+and others of Liverpool, in the case of the ship Zong, Captain
+Collingwood, alleging that the captain and officers of the said vessel
+threw overboard one hundred and thirty-two slaves alive into the seas in
+order to defraud them, by claiming the value of the said slaves, as if
+they had been lost in a natural way. In the course of the trial which
+afterwards came on, it appeared, that the slaves on board the Zong were
+very sickly; that sixty of them had already died; and several were ill
+and likely to die, when the captain proposed to James Kelsall, the mate,
+and others, to throw several of them overboard, stating, "that if they
+died a natural death, the loss would fall upon the owners of the ship;
+but that if they were thrown into the sea, it would fall upon the
+underwriters." He selected, accordingly, one hundred and thirty-two of
+the most sickly of the slaves. Fifty-four of these were immediately
+thrown overboard, and forty-two were made to be partakers of their fate
+on the succeeding day. In the course of three days afterwards the
+remaining twenty-six were brought upon deck to complete the number of
+victims. The first sixteen submitted to be thrown into the sea; but the
+rest, with a noble resolution, would not suffer the officers to touch
+them, but leaped after their companions and shared their fate.
+
+The plea which was set up in behalf of this atrocious and unparalleled
+act of wickedness was, that the captain discovered, when he made the
+proposal, that he had only two hundred gallons of water on board, and
+that he had missed his port. It was proved, however, in answer to this,
+that no one had been put upon short allowance; and that, as if
+Providence had determined to afford an unequivocal proof of the guilt, a
+shower of rain fell and continued for three days immediately after the
+second lot of slaves had been destroyed, by means of which they might
+have filled many of their vessels[A] with water, and thus have prevented
+all necessity for the destruction of the third.
+
+[Footnote A: It appeared that they filled six.]
+
+Mr. Sharp was present at this trial, and procured the attendance of a
+short-hand writer to take down the facts, which should come out in the
+course of it. These he gave to the public afterwards. He communicated
+them also, with a copy of the trial, to the Lords of the Admiralty, as
+the guardians of justice upon the seas, and to the Duke of Portland, as
+principal minister of state. No notice, however, was taken by any of
+these, of the information which had been thus sent them.
+
+But though nothing was done by the persons then in power, in consequence
+of the murder of so many innocent individuals, yet the publication of an
+account of it by Mr. Sharp, in the newspapers, made such an impression
+upon others, that; new coadjutors rose up. For, soon after this, we find
+Thomas Day entering the lists again as the champion of the injured
+Africans. He had lived to see his poem of _The Dying Negro_, which had
+been published in 1773, make a considerable impression. In 1776, he had
+written a letter to a friend in America, who was the possessor of
+slaves, to dissuade him by a number of arguments from holding such
+property; and now, when the knowledge of the case of the ship Zong was
+spreading, he published that letter under the title of Fragment of an
+Original Letter on the Slavery of the Negroes.
+
+In this same year, Dr. Porteus, Bishop of Chester, but now Bishop of
+London, came forward as a new advocate for the natives of Africa. The
+way in which he rendered them service, was by preaching a sermon in
+their behalf, before the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Of
+the wide circulation of this sermon, I shall say something in another
+place, but much more of the enlightened and pious author of it, who from
+this time never failed to aid, at every opportunity, the cause which he
+had so ably undertaken.
+
+In the year 1784, Dr. GREGORY produced his _Essays, Historical and
+Moral_. He took an opportunity of disseminating in these a
+circumstantial knowledge of the Slave Trade, and an equal abhorrence of
+it at the same time. He explained the manner of procuring slaves in
+Africa; the treatment of them on the passage, (in which he mentioned the
+case of the ship Zong) and the wicked and cruel treatment of them in the
+colonies. He recited and refuted also the various arguments adduced in
+defence of the trade. He showed that it was destructive to our seamen.
+He produced many weighty arguments also against the slavery itself. He
+proposed clauses for an Act of Parliament for the abolition of both;
+showing the good both to England and her colonies from such a measure,
+and that a trade might be substituted in Africa, in various articles,
+for that which he proposed to suppress. By means of the diffusion of
+light like this, both of a moral and political nature; Dr. Gregory is
+entitled to be ranked among the benefactors to the African race.
+
+In the same year, Gilbert Wakefield preached a sermon at Richmond, in
+Surrey, where, speaking of the people of this nation, he says, "Have we
+been as renowned for a liberal communication of our religion and our
+laws as for the possession of them! Have we navigated and conquered to
+save, to civilize, and to instruct; or to oppress, to plunder, and to
+destroy? Let India and Africa give the answer to these questions. The
+one we have exhausted of her wealth and her inhabitants by violence, by
+famine, and by every species of tyranny and murder. The children of the
+other we daily carry from off the land of their nativity; like sheep to
+the slaughter, to return no more. We tear them from every object of
+their affection, or, sad alternative, drag them together to the horrors
+of a mutual servitude! We keep them in the profoundest ignorance. We
+gall them in a tenfold chain, with an unrelenting spirit of barbarity,
+inconceivable to all but the spectators of it, unexampled among former
+and other nations, and unrecorded even in the bloody registers of
+heathen persecution. Such is the conduct of us enlightened Englishmen,
+reformed Christians! Thus have we profited by our superior advantages,
+by the favour of God, by the doctrines and example of a meek and lowly
+Savior. Will not the blessings which we have abused loudly testify
+against us? Will not the blood which we have shed cry from the ground
+for vengeance upon our sins?"
+
+In the same year, James Ramsay, vicar of Teston in Kent, became also an
+able, zealous, and indefatigable patron of the African cause. This
+gentleman had resided nineteen years in the island of St. Christopher,
+where he had observed the treatment of the slaves, and had studied the
+laws relating to them. On his return to England, yielding to his own
+feelings of duty and the solicitations of some amiable friends, he
+published a work, which he called _An Essay on the Treatment and
+Conversion of the African Slaves in the British Sugar Colonies_. After
+having given an account of the relative situation of master and slave in
+various parts of the world, he explained the low and degrading situation
+which the Africans held in society in our own islands. He showed that
+their importance would be increased; and the temporal interest of their
+masters promoted, by giving them freedom, and by granting them other
+privileges. He showed the great difficulty of instructing them in the
+state in which they then were, and such as he himself had experienced,
+both in his private and public attempts, and such as others had
+experienced also. He stated the way in which private attempts of this
+nature might probably be successful. He then answered all objections
+against their capacities, as drawn from philosophy, form, anatomy, and
+observation; and vindicated these from his own experience. And lastly,
+he threw out ideas for the improvement of their condition, by an
+establishment of a greater number of spiritual pastors among them; by
+giving them more privileges than they then possessed; and by extending
+towards them the benefits of a proper police. Mr. Ramsay had no other
+motive for giving this work to the public, than that of humanity, of a
+wish to serve this much-injured part of the human species. For he
+compiled it at the hazard of forfeiting that friendship, which he had
+contracted with many during his residence in the islands, and of
+suffering much in his private property, as well as subjecting himself to
+the ill-will and persecution of numerous individuals.
+
+The publication of this book by one who professed to have been so long
+resident in the islands, and to have been an eyewitness of facts,
+produced, as may easily be supposed, a good deal of conversation, and
+made a considerable impression, but particularly at this time, when a
+storm was visibly gathering over the heads of the oppressors of the
+African race. These circumstances occasioned one or two persons to
+attempt to answer it, and these answers brought Mr. Ramsay into the
+first controversy ever entered into on this subject, during which, as is
+the case in most controversies, the cause of truth was spread.
+
+The works which Mr. Ramsay wrote upon this subject were, the essay just
+mentioned, in 1784. _An Inquiry_, also, _into the Effects of the
+Abolition of the Slave Trade_, in 1784; _A Reply to Personal Invectives
+and Objections_, in 1785; _A Letter to James Tobin, Esq._, in 1787;
+_Objections to the Abolition of the Slave Trade, with Answers_; and _An
+Examination of Harris's Scriptural Researches on the Licitness of the
+Slave Trade_, in 1788; and _An Address on the proposed Bill for the
+Abolition of the Slave Trade_, in 1789. In short, from the time when he
+first took up the cause, he was engaged in it till his death, which was
+not a little accelerated by his exertions. He lived, however, to see
+this cause in a train of parliamentary inquiry, and he died satisfied;
+being convinced, as he often expressed, that the investigation must
+inevitably lead to the total abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+In the next year, that is, in the year 1785, another advocate was seen
+in Monsieur Necker, in his celebrated work on the _French Finances_,
+which had just been translated into the English language from the
+original work, in 1784. This virtuous statesman, after having given his
+estimate of the population and revenue of the French West Indian
+colonies, proceeds thus:--"The colonies of France contain, as we have
+seen, near five hundred thousand slaves, and it is from the number of
+these poor wretches that the inhabitants set a value on their
+plantations. What a dreadful prospect! and how profound a subject for
+reflection! Alas! how little are we both in our morality and our
+principles! We preach up humanity, and yet go every year to bind in
+chains twenty thousand natives of Africa! We call the Moors barbarians
+and ruffians, because they attack the liberty of Europeans at the risk
+of their own; yet these Europeans go, without danger, and as mere
+speculators, to purchase slaves by gratifying the avarice of their
+masters, and excite all those bloody scenes which are the usual
+preliminaries of this traffic!" He goes on still further in the same
+strain. He then shows the kind of power which has supported this
+execrable trade. He throws out the idea of a general compact, by which
+all the European nations should agree to abolish it; and he indulges the
+pleasing hope that it may take place even in the present generation.
+
+In the same year we find other coadjutors coming before our view, but
+these in a line different from that in which any other belonging to this
+class had yet moved. Mr. George White, a clergyman of the established
+church, and Mr. John Chubb, suggested to Mr. William Tucket, the mayor
+of Bridgewater, where they resided, and to others of that town, the
+propriety of petitioning parliament for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. This petition was agreed upon, and, when drawn up, was as
+follows:--
+
+"The humble petition of the inhabitants of Bridgewater showeth,
+
+"That your petitioners, reflecting with the deepest sensibility on the
+deplorable condition of that part of the human species, the African
+Negroes, who, by the most flagitious means, are reduced to slavery and
+misery in the British colonies, beg leave to address this honourable
+house in their behalf, and to express a just abhorrence of a system of
+oppression, which no prospect of private gain, no consideration of
+public advantage, no plea of political expediency, can sufficiently
+justify or excuse.
+
+"That, satisfied as your petitioners are that this inhuman system meets
+with the general execration of mankind, they flatter themselves the day
+is not far distant when it will be universally abolished. And they most
+ardently hope to see a British parliament, by the extinction of that
+sanguinary traffic, extend the blessings of liberty to millions beyond
+this realm, held up to an enlightened world a glorious and merciful
+example, and stand in the defence of the violated rights of human
+nature."
+
+This petition was presented by the Honourable Ann Poulet, and Alexander
+Hood, Esq., (afterwards Lord Bridport,) who were the members for the
+town of Bridgewater. It was ordered to lie on the table. The answer
+which these gentlemen gave to their constituents relative to the
+reception of it in the House of Commons is worthy of notice:--"There did
+not appear," say they in their common letter, "the least disposition to
+pay any further attention to it. Every one almost says that the
+abolition of the Slave Trade must immediately throw the West Indian
+islands into convulsions, and soon complete their utter ruin. Thus they
+will not trust Providence for its protection for so pious an
+undertaking."
+
+In the year 1786, Captain J.S. Smith, of the royal navy, offered himself
+to the notice of the public in behalf of the African cause. Mr. Ramsay,
+as I have observed before, had become involved in a controversy in
+consequence of his support of it. His opponents not only attacked his
+reputation, but had the effrontery to deny his facts. This circumstance
+occasioned Captain Smith to come forward. He wrote a letter to his
+friend Mr. Hill, in which he stated that he had seen those things, while
+in the West Indies, which Mr. Ramsay had asserted to exist, but which
+had been so boldly denied. He gave, also, permission to Mr. Hill to
+publish this letter. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on Captain
+Smith, for thus standing forth in a noble cause, and in behalf of an
+injured character.
+
+The last of the necessary forerunners and coadjutors of this class, whom
+I am to mention, was our much-admired poet, Cowper; and a great
+coadjutor he was, when we consider what value was put upon his
+sentiments, and the extraordinary circulation of his works. There are
+few persons who have not been properly impressed by the following
+lines:--
+
+
+     My ear is pain'd,
+  My soul is sick with every day's report,
+  Of wrong and outrage with which earth is fill'd.
+  There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart,
+  It does not feel for man. The natural bond
+  Of brotherhood is sever'd as the flax
+  That falls asunder at the touch of fire.
+  He finds his fellow guilty of a skin
+  Not colour'd like his own, and having power
+  To inforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause
+  Dooms and devotes him as his lawful prey.
+  Lands intersected by a narrow frith
+  Abhor each other. Mountains interpos'd,
+  Make enemies of nations, who had else,
+  Like kindred drops been mingled into one.
+  Thus man devotes his brother, and destroys;
+  And, worse than all, and most to be deplored
+  As human Nature's broadest, foulest blot,--
+  Chains him, and tasks him, and exacts his sweat
+  With stripes, that Mercy with a bleeding heart
+  Weeps, when she sees inflicted on a beast.
+  Then what is man? And what man, seeing this,
+  And having human feelings, does not blush
+  And hang his head to think himself a man?
+  I would not have a slave to till my ground,
+  To carry me, to fan me while I sleep,
+  And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth
+  That sinews bought and sold have ever earn'd.
+  No: dear as freedom is,--and in my heart's
+  Just estimation prized above all price,--
+  I had much rather be myself the slave,
+  And wear the bonds, than fasten them on him.
+  We have no slaves at home--then why abroad?
+  And they themselves once ferried o'er the wave
+  That parts us, are emancipate and loos'd.
+  Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their lungs
+  Receive our air, that moment they are free;
+  They touch our country, and their shackles fall[A].
+  That's noble, and bespeaks a nation proud
+  And jealous of the blessing. Spread it, then,
+  And let it circulate through every vein
+  Of all your empire--that where Britain's power
+  Is felt, mankind may feel her mercy too.
+
+
+[Footnote A: Expressions used in the great trial, when Mr. Sharp
+obtained the verdict in favour of Somerset.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+--Second class of forerunners and coadjutors, up to May 1787,
+consists of the Quakers in England.--Of George Fox and others.--Of the
+body of the Quakers assembled at the yearly meeting in 1727; and at
+various other times.--Quakers, as a body, petition Parliament; and
+circulate books on the subject.--Individuals among them become labourers
+and associate in behalf of the Africans; Dilwyn, Harrison, and
+others.--This the first association ever formed in England for the
+purpose.
+
+
+The second class of the forerunners and coadjutors in this great cause,
+up to May 1787, will consist of the Quakers in England.
+
+The first of this class was George Fox, the venerable founder of this
+benevolent society.
+
+George Fox was contemporary with Richard Baxter, being born not long
+after him, and dying much about the same time. Like him, he left his
+testimony against this wicked trade. When he was in the island of
+Barbados, in the year 1671, he delivered himself to those who attended
+his religious meetings in the following manner:--
+
+"Consider with yourselves," says he, "if you were in the same condition
+as the poor Africans are--who came strangers to you, and were sold to
+you as slaves--I say, if this should be the condition of you or yours,
+you would think it a hard measure; yea, and very great bondage and
+cruelty. And, therefore, consider seriously of this; and do you for them
+and to them, as you would willingly have them, or any others, do unto
+you, were you in the like slavish condition, and bring them to know the
+Lord Christ." And in his Journal, speaking of the advice which he gave
+his friends at Barbados, he says, "I desired also that they would cause
+their overseers to deal mildly and gently with their negroes, and not to
+use cruelty towards them, as the manner of some had been, and that after
+certain years of servitude they should make them free."
+
+William Edmundson, who was a minister of the society, and, indeed, a
+fellow-traveller with George Fox, had the boldness in the same island to
+deliver his sentiments to the governor on the same subject. Having been
+brought before him and accused of making the Africans Christians, or, in
+other words, of making them rebel and destroy their owners, he replied,
+"That it was a good thing to bring them to the knowledge of God and
+Christ Jesus, and to believe in him who died for them and all men, and
+that this would keep them from rebelling, or cutting any person's
+throat; but if they did rebel and cut their throats, as the governor
+insinuated they would, it would be their own doing, in keeping them in
+ignorance and under oppression, in giving them liberty to be common with
+women like brutes, and, on the other hand, in starving them for want of
+meat and clothes convenient; thus, giving them liberty in that which God
+restrained, and restraining them in that which was meat and clothing."
+
+I do not find any individual of this society moving in this cause, for
+some time after the death of George Fox and William Edmundson. The first
+circumstance of moment which I discover, is a resolution of the whole
+Society on the subject, at their yearly meeting, held in London in the
+year 1727. The resolution was contained in the following words:--"It is
+the sense of this meeting, that the importing of negroes from their
+native country and relations by Friends is not a commendable nor allowed
+practice, and is, therefore, censured by this meeting."
+
+In the year 1758, the Quakers thought it their duty, as a body, to pass
+another resolution upon this subject. At this, time the nature of the
+trade beginning to be better known, we find them more animated upon it,
+as the following extract will show:--
+
+"We fervently warn all in profession with us, that they carefully avoid
+being any way concerned in reaping the unrighteous profits, arising from
+the iniquitous practice of dealing in negro or other slaves; whereby, in
+the original purchase, one man selleth another, as he doth the beasts
+that perish, without any better pretension to a property in him than
+that of superior force; in direct violation of the Gospel rule, which
+teacheth all to do as they would be done by, and to do good to all;
+being the reverse of that covetous disposition, which furnisheth
+encouragement to those poor ignorant people to perpetuate their savage
+wars, in order to supply the demands of this most unnatural traffic, by
+which great numbers of mankind, free by nature, are subject to
+inextricable bondage, and which hath often been observed to fill their
+possessors with haughtiness, tyranny, luxury, and barbarity, corrupting
+the minds and debasing the morals of their children, to the unspeakable
+prejudice of religion and virtue, and the exclusion of that holy spirit
+of universal love, meekness, and charity, which is the unchangeable
+nature and the glory of true Christianity. We, therefore, can do no
+less, than, with the greatest earnestness, impress it upon Friends
+everywhere, that they endeavour to keep their hands clear of this
+unrighteous gain of oppression."
+
+The Quakers hitherto, as appears by the two resolutions which have been
+quoted, did nothing more than seriously warn all those in religious
+profession with them against being concerned in this trade. But in three
+years afterwards, or at the yearly meeting in 1761, they came to a
+resolution, as we find by the following extract from their minutes, that
+any of their members haying a concern in it should be disowned:--"This
+meeting having reason to apprehend that divers under our name, are
+concerned in the unchristian traffic in negroes, doth recommend it
+earnestly to the care of Friends everywhere, to discourage, as much as
+in them lies, a practice so repugnant to our Christian profession; and
+to deal with all such as shall persevere in a conduct so reproachful to
+Christianity; and to disown them, if they desist not therefrom."
+
+The yearly meeting of 1761, having thus agreed to exclude from
+membership such as should be found concerned in this trade, that of 1763
+endeavoured to draw the cords, still tighter, by attaching criminality
+to those who should aid and abet the trade in any manner. By the minute,
+which was made on this occasion, I apprehend that no one belonging to
+the Society could furnish even materials for such voyages. "We renew our
+exhortation, that Friends everywhere be especially careful to keep their
+hands clear of giving encouragement in any shape to the Slave Trade, it
+being evidently destructive of the natural rights of mankind, who are
+all ransomed by one Saviour, and visited by one divine light, in order
+to salvation; a traffic calculated to enrich and aggrandize some upon
+the misery of others; in its nature abhorrent to every just and tender
+sentiment, and contrary to the whole tenour of the Gospel."
+
+Some pleasing intelligence having been sent on this subject, by the
+Society in America to the Society in England, the yearly meeting of 1772
+thought it their duty to notice it, and to keep their former resolutions
+alive by the following minute:--"It appears that the practice of holding
+negroes in oppressive and unnatural bondage hath been so successfully
+discouraged by Friends in some of the colonies, as to be considerably
+lessened. We cannot but approve of these salutary endeavours, and
+earnestly intreat that they may be continued, that through the favour of
+divine Providence a traffic, so unmerciful and unjust in its nature to a
+part of our own species made, equally with ourselves, for immortality,
+may come to be considered by all in its proper light, and be utterly
+abolished as a reproach to the Christian name."
+
+I must beg leave to stop here for a moment, just to pay the Quakers a
+due tribute of respect for the proper estimation, in which they have
+uniformly held the miserable outcasts of society, who have been the
+subject of these minutes. What a contrast does it afford to the
+sentiments of many others concerning them! How have we been compelled to
+prove by a long chain of evidence, that they had the same feelings and
+capacities as ourselves! How many, professing themselves enlightened,
+even now view them as of a different species! But in the minutes which
+have been cited we have seen them uniformly represented, as persons
+"ransomed by one and the same Saviour," "as visited by one and the same
+light for salvation," and "as made equally for immortality as others."
+These practical views of mankind, as they are highly honourable to the
+members of this Society, so they afford a proof both of the reality and
+of the consistency of their religion.
+
+But to return:--From this time, there appears to have been a growing
+desire in this benevolent society to step out of its ordinary course in
+behalf of this injured people. It had hitherto confined itself to the
+keeping of its own members unpolluted by any gain from their oppression.
+But it was now ready to make an appeal to others, and to bear a more
+public testimony in their favour. Accordingly, in the month of June,
+1783, when a bill had been brought into the House of Commons for certain
+regulations to be made with respect to the African Trade, the society
+sent the following petition to that branch of the legislature:--
+
+"Your petitioners, met in this their annual assembly, having solemnly
+considered the state of the enslaved negroes, conceive themselves
+engaged, in religious duty, to lay the suffering situation of that
+unhappy people before you, as a subject loudly calling for the humane
+interposition of the legislature,
+
+"Your petitioners regret that a nation, professing the Christian faith,
+should so far counteract the principles of humanity and justice, as by
+the cruel treatment of this oppressed race to fill their minds with
+prejudices against the mild and beneficent doctrines of the gospel.
+
+"Under the countenance of the laws of this country, many thousand of
+these our fellow-creatures, entitled to the natural rights of mankind,
+are held as personal property in cruel bondage; and your petitioners
+being informed that a Bill for the Regulation of the African Trade is
+now before the House, containing a clause which restrains the officers
+of the African Company from exporting negroes, your petitioners, deeply
+affected with a consideration of the rapine, oppression, and bloodshed,
+attending this traffic, humbly request that this restriction may be
+extended to all persons whomsoever, or that the House would grant such
+other relief in the premises as in its wisdom may seem meet."
+
+This petition was presented by Sir Cecil Wray, who, on introducing it,
+spoke very respectfully of the society. He declared his hearty
+approbation of their application, and said he hoped he should see the
+day when not a slave would remain within the dominions of this realm.
+Lord North seconded the motion, saying he could have no objection to the
+petition, and that its object ought to recommend it to every humane
+breast; that it did credit to the most benevolent society in the world;
+but that, the session, being so far advanced, the subject, could not
+then be taken into consideration; and he regretted that the Slave Trade,
+against which the petition was so justly directed, was in a commercial
+view become necessary to almost every nation of Europe. The petition was
+then brought up and read, after which it was ordered to lie on the
+table. This was the first petition (being two years earlier than that
+from the inhabitants of Bridgewater), which was ever presented to
+parliament for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+But the society did not stop here; for having at the yearly meeting of
+1783 particularly recommended the cause to a standing committee,
+appointed to act at intervals, called the Meeting for Sufferings, the
+latter in this same year resolved upon an address to the public,
+entitled, _The Case of our Fellow-creatures, the oppressed Africans,
+respectfully recommended to the serious Consideration of the Legislature
+of Great Britain, by the People called Quakers_: in which they
+endeavoured, in the most pathetic manner, to make the reader acquainted
+with the cruel nature of this trade; and they ordered 2000 copies of it
+to be printed.
+
+In the year 1784, they began the distribution of this case. The first
+copy was sent to the king through Lord Carmarthen, and the second and
+the third, through proper officers, to the queen and the Prince of
+Wales. Others were sent by a deputation of two members of the society to
+Mr. Pitt, as prime-minister; to the Lord Chancellor Thurlow; to Lord
+Gower, as president of the council; to Lords Carmarthen and Sidney, as
+secretaries of state; to Lord Chief-Justice Mansfield; to Lord Howe, as
+first lord of the Admiralty; and to C.F. Cornwall, Esq., as speaker of
+the House of Commons. Copies were sent also to every member of both
+houses of parliament.
+
+The society, in the same year, anxious that the conduct of its members
+should be consistent with its public profession on this great subject,
+recommended it to the quarterly and monthly meetings to inquire through
+their respective districts, whether any, bearing its name, were in any
+way concerned in the traffic, and to deal with such, and to report the
+success of their labours in the ensuing year. Orders were also given for
+the reprinting and circulation of 10,000 other copies of _The Case_.
+
+In the year 1785, the society interested itself again in a similar
+manner. For the Meeting for Sufferings, as representing it, recommended
+to the quarterly meetings to distribute a work, written by Anthony
+Benezet, in America, called _A Caution to Great Britain and her
+Colonies, in a short Representation of the calamitous State of the
+enslaved Negroes in the British Dominions._ This book was accordingly
+forwarded to them for this purpose. On receiving it, they sent it among
+several public bodies, the regular and dissenting clergy, justices of
+the peace, and particularly among the great Schools of the kingdom, that
+the rising youth might acquire a knowledge, and at the same time a
+detestation, of this cruel traffic. In this latter base, a deputation of
+the society waited, upon the masters, to know if they would allow their
+scholars to receive it. The schools of Westminster, the Charter-house,
+St. Paul, Merchant-Taylors, Eton, Winchester, and Harrow, were among
+those visited. Several academies also were visited for this purpose.
+
+But I must now take my leave of the Quakers as a public body[A] and go
+back to the year 1783, to record an event, which will be found of great
+importance in the present history, and in which only individuals
+belonging to the society were concerned. This event seems to have arisen
+naturally out of existing or past circumstances. For the society, as I
+have before stated, had sent a petition to parliament in this year,
+praying for the abolition, of the Slave Trade. It had also laid the
+foundation for a public distribution of the books as just mentioned,
+with a view of enlightening others on this great subject. The case of
+the ship Zong, which I have before had occasion to explain, had occurred
+this same year. A letter also had been presented, much about the same
+time, by Benjamin West, from Anthony Benezet, before mentioned, to our
+queen, in behalf of the injured Africans, which she had received
+graciously. These subjects occupied at this time the attention of many
+Quaker families, and among others, that of a few individuals, who were
+in close intimacy with each other. These, when they met together,
+frequently conversed upon them. They perceived, as facts came out in
+conversation, that there was a growing knowledge and hatred of the Slave
+Trade, and that the temper of the times was ripening towards its
+abolition. Hence a disposition manifested itself among these, to unite
+as labourers for the furtherance of so desirable an object. An union was
+at length proposed and approved of, and the following persons (placed in
+alphabetical order) came together to execute the offices growing out of
+it:--
+
+[Footnote A: The Quakers, as a public body, kept the subject alive at
+their yearly meeting in 1784, 1785, 1787, &c.]
+
+WILLIAM DILLWYN,  THOMAS KNOWLES, M.D.
+GEORGE HARRISON,  JOHN LLOYD,
+SAMUEL HOARE,     JOSEPH WOODS.
+
+
+The first meeting was held on the seventh of July, 1783. At this "they
+assembled to consider what steps they should take for the relief and
+liberation of the negro slaves in the West Indies, and for the
+discouragement of the Slave Trade on the coast of Africa."
+
+To promote this object; they conceived it necessary that the public mind
+should be enlightened respecting it. They had recourse; therefore, to
+the public papers, and they appointed their members in turn to write in
+these, and to see that their productions were inserted. They kept
+regular minutes for this purpose. It was not however known to the world
+that such an association existed.
+
+It appears that they had several meetings in the course of this year.
+Before the close of it they had secured a place in the _General Evening
+Post_, in _Lloyd's Evening Post_, in the Norwich, Bath, York, Bristol,
+Sherborne, Liverpool, Newcastle, and other provincial papers, for such
+articles as they chose to send to them. These consisted principally of
+extracts from such authors, both in prose and verse, as they thought
+would most enlighten and interest the mind upon the subject of their
+institution.
+
+In the year 1784 they pursued the same plan; but they began now to print
+books. The first was from a manuscript composed by Joseph Woods, one of
+the committee; It was entitled, _Thoughts on the Slavery of the
+Negroes_. This manuscript was well put together. It was a manly and yet
+feeling address in behalf of the oppressed Africans. It contained a
+sober and dispassionate appeal to the reason of all, without offending
+the prejudices of any. It was distributed at the expense of the
+association, and proved to be highly useful to the cause which it was
+intended to promote.
+
+A communication having been made to the committee, that Dr. Porteus,
+then Bishop of Chester, had preached a sermon before the society for the
+propagation of the gospel, in behalf of the injured Africans, (which
+sermon was noticed in the last chapter,) Samuel Hoare was deputed to
+obtain permission to publish it. This led him to a correspondence with
+Mr. Ramsay before mentioned. The latter applied in consequence to the
+bishop, and obtained his consent. Thus this valuable sermon was also
+given to the world.
+
+In the year 1785, the association continued their exertions as before;
+but I have no room to specify them. I may observe, however, that David
+Barclay, a grandson of the great apologist of that name, assisted at one
+of their meetings, and (what is singular) that he was in a few years
+afterwards unexpectedly called to a trial of his principles on this very
+subject. For he and his brother John became, in consequence of a debt
+due to them, possessed of a large grazing farm, or pen, in Jamaica,
+which had thirty-two slaves upon it. Convinced, however, that the
+retaining of their fellow-creatures in bondage was not only
+irreconcilable with the principles of Christianity, but subversive of
+the rights of human nature, they determined upon the emancipation of
+these. And they[A] performed this generous office to the satisfaction of
+their minds, to the honour of their characters, to the benefit of the
+public, and to the happiness of the slave[B]. I mention this anecdote,
+not only to gratify myself, by paying a proper respect to those generous
+persons who sacrificed their interest to principle, but also to show the
+sincerity of David Barclay, (who is now the only surviving brother,) as
+he actually put in practice what at one of these meetings he was
+desirous of recommending to others.
+
+[Footnote A: They engaged an agent to embark for Jamaica in 1796 to
+effect this business, and had the slaves conveyed to Philadelphia, where
+they were kindly received by the Society for improving the Condition of
+free Black people. Suitable situations were found for the adults, and
+the young ones were bound out apprentices to handicraft trades, and to
+receive school learning.]
+
+[Footnote B: James Pemberton, of Philadelphia, made the following
+observation in a letter to a Friend in England:--"David Barclay's humane
+views towards the Blacks from Jamaica have been so far realized, that
+these objects of his concern enjoy their freedom with comfort to
+themselves, and are respectable in their characters, keeping up a
+friendly intercourse with each other, and avoiding to intermix with the
+common Blacks of this city, being sober in their conduct and industrious
+in their business."]
+
+Having now brought up the proceedings of this little association towards
+the year 1786, I shall take my leave of it, remarking, that it was the
+first ever formed in England for the promotion of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. That Quakers have had this honour is unquestionable. Nor is
+it extraordinary that they should have taken the lead on this occasion,
+when we consider how advantageously they have been situated for so
+doing. For the Slave Trade, as we have not long ago seen, came within
+the discipline of the society in the year 1727. From thence it continued
+to be an object of it till 1783. In 1783 the society petitioned
+parliament, and in 1784 it distributed books to enlighten the public
+concerning it. Thus we see that every Quaker, born since the year 1727,
+was nourished as it were in a fixed hatred against it. He was taught,
+that any concern in it was a crime of the deepest dye. He was taught,
+that the bearing of his testimony against it was a test of unity with
+those of the same religious profession. The discipline of the Quakers
+was therefore a school for bringing them up as advocates for the
+abolition of this trade. To this it may be added, that the Quakers knew
+more about the trade and the slavery of the Africans, than any other
+religious body of men, who had not been in the land of their sufferings.
+For there had been a correspondence between the society in America and
+that in England on the subject, the contents of which must have been
+known to the members of each. American ministers also were frequently
+crossing the Atlantic on religious missions to England. These, when they
+travelled through various parts of our island, frequently related to the
+Quaker families in their way the cruelties they had seen and heard of in
+their own country. English ministers were also frequently going over to
+America on the same religious errand. These, on their return, seldom
+failed to communicate what they had learned or observed, but more
+particularly relative to the oppressed Africans, in their travels. The
+journals also of these, which gave occasional accounts of the sufferings
+of the slaves, were frequently published. Thus situated in point of
+knowledge, and brought up moreover from their youth in a detestation of
+the trade, the Quakers were ready to act whenever a favourable
+opportunity should present itself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+Third class of forerunners and coadjutors, up to 1787,
+consists of the Quakers and others in America.--Yearly meeting for
+Pennsylvania and the Jerseys takes up the subject in 1696; and continue
+it till 1787.--Other five yearly meetings take similar
+measures.--Quakers, as individuals, also become labourers; William
+Burling and others.--Individuals of other religious denominations take
+up the cause also; Judge Sewell and others.--Union of the Quakers with
+others in a society for Pennsylvania, in 1774; James Pemberton; Dr.
+Rush.--Similar union of the Quakers with others for New York and other
+provinces.
+
+
+The next class of the forerunners and coadjutors, up to the year 1787,
+will consist, first, of the Quakers in America; and then of others, as
+they were united to these for the same object.
+
+It may be asked, How the Quakers living there should have become
+forerunners and coadjutors in the great work now under our
+consideration. I reply, first, that it was an object for many years with
+these to do away the Slave Trade as it was carried on in their own
+ports. But this trade was conducted in part, both before and after the
+independence of America, by our own countrymen. It was, secondly, an
+object with these to annihilate slavery in America; and this they have
+been instruments in accomplishing to a considerable extent. But any
+abolition of slavery within given boundaries must be a blow to the Slave
+Trade there. The American Quakers, lastly, living in a land where both
+the commerce and slavery existed, were in the way of obtaining a number
+of important facts relative to both, which made for their annihilation;
+and communicating many of these facts to those in England, who espoused
+the same cause, they became fellow-labourers with these in producing the
+event in question.
+
+The Quakers in America, it must be owned, did most of them originally as
+other settlers there with respect to the purchase of slaves. They had
+lands without a sufficient number of labourers, and families without a
+sufficient number of servants, for their work. Africans were poured in
+to obviate these difficulties, and these were bought promiscuously by
+all. In these days, indeed, the purchase of them was deemed favourable
+to both parties, for there was little or no knowledge of the manner in
+which they had been procured as slaves. There was no charge of
+inconsistency on this account, as in later times. But though many of the
+Quakers engaged, without their usual consideration, in purchases of this
+kind, yet those constitutional principles, which belong to the society,
+occasioned the members of it in general to treat those whom they
+purchased with great tenderness, considering them, though of a different
+colour, as brethren, and as persons for whose spiritual welfare it
+became them to be concerned; so that slavery, except as to the power
+legally belonging to it, was in general little more than servitude in
+their hands.
+
+This treatment, as it was thus mild on the continent of America where
+the members of this society were the owners of slaves, so it was equally
+mild in The West India Islands where they had a similar property. In the
+latter countries, however, where only a few of them lived, it began soon
+to be productive of serious consequences; for it was so different from
+that which the rest of the inhabitants considered to be proper, that the
+latter became alarmed at it. Hence in Barbados an act was passed in
+1676, under Governor Atkins, which was entitled, An Act to prevent the
+people called Quakers from bringing their Negroes into their meetings
+for worship, though they held these in their own houses. This act was
+founded on the pretence, that the safety of the island might be
+endangered, if the slaves were to imbibe the religious principles of
+their masters. Under this act Ralph Fretwell and Richard Sutton were
+fined in the different sums of eight hundred and of three hundred
+pounds, because each of them had suffered a meeting of the Quakers at
+his own house, at the first of which eighty negroes, and at the second
+of which thirty of them were present. But this matter was carried still
+further; for in 1680, Sir Richard Dutton, then governor of the island,
+issued an order to the Deputy Provost Marshal and others, to prohibit
+all meetings of this society. In the island of Nevis the same bad spirit
+manifested itself. So early as in 1661, a law was made there prohibiting
+members of this society from coming on shore. Negroes were put in irons
+for being present at their meetings, and they themselves were fined
+also. At length, in 1677, another act was passed, laying a heavy penalty
+on every master of a vessel who should even bring a Quaker to the
+island. In Antigua and Bermudas similar proceedings took place, so that
+the Quakers were in time expelled from this part of the world. By these
+means a valuable body of men were lost to the community in these
+islands, whose example might have been highly useful; and the poor
+slave, who saw nothing but misery in his temporal prospects, was
+deprived of the only balm which could have soothed his sorrow--the
+comfort of religion.
+
+But to return to the continent of America. Though the treatment which
+the Quakers adopted there towards those Africans who fell into their
+hands, was so highly commendable, it did not prevent individuals among
+them from becoming uneasy about holding them in slavery at all. Some of
+these bore their private testimony against it from the beginning as a
+wrong practice, and in process of time brought it before the notice of
+their brethren as a religious body. So early as in the year 1688, some
+emigrants from Krieshiem in Germany, who had adopted the principles of
+William Penn, and followed him into Pennsylvania, urged, in the yearly
+meeting of the society there, the inconsistency of buying, selling, and
+holding men in slavery, with the principles of the Christian religion.
+
+In the year 1696, the yearly meeting for that province took up the
+subject as a public concern, and the result was, advice to the members
+of it to guard against future-importations of African slaves, and to be
+particularly attentive to the treatment of those who were then in their
+possession.
+
+In the year 1711, the same yearly meeting resumed the important subject,
+and confirmed and renewed the advice which had been before given.
+
+From this time it continued to keep the subject alive; but finding at
+length, that though individuals refused to purchase slaves, yet others
+continued the custom, and in greater numbers than it was apprehended
+would have been the case after the public declarations which had been
+made, it determined, in the year 1754, upon a fuller and more serious
+publication of its sentiments; and therefore it issued, in the same
+year, the following pertinent letter to all the members within its
+jurisdiction:--
+
+
+    Dear Friends,
+
+    It hath frequently been the concern of our yearly meeting to
+    testify their uneasiness and disunity with the importation and
+    purchasing of negroes and other slaves, and to direct the
+    overseers of the several meetings to advise and deal with such
+    as engage therein. And it hath likewise been the continual care
+    of many weighty friends to press those who bear our name, to
+    guard, as much as possible, against being in any respect
+    concerned in promoting the bondage of such unhappy people. Yet,
+    as we have with sorrow to observe, that their number is of late
+    increased among us, we have thought it proper to make our advice
+    and judgment more public, that none may plead ignorance of our
+    principles therein; and also again earnestly to exhort all to
+    avoid, in any manner, encouraging that practice of making slaves
+    of our fellow-creatures.
+
+    Now, dear friends, if we continually bear in mind the royal law
+    of doing to others as we would be done by, we should never think
+    of bereaving our fellow-creatures of that valuable
+    blessing--liberty, nor endure to grow rich by their bondage. To
+    live in ease and plenty by the toil of those whom violence and
+    cruelty have put in our power, is neither consistent with
+    Christianity nor common justice; and, we have good reason to
+    believe, draws down the displeasure of Heaven; it being a
+    melancholy but true reflection, that, where slave-keeping
+    prevails, pure religion and sobriety decline, as it evidently
+    tends to harden the heart, and render the soul less susceptible
+    of that holy spirit of love, meekness and charity, which is the
+    peculiar characteristic of a true Christian.
+
+    How then can we, who have been concerned to publish the Gospel
+    of universal love and peace among mankind, be so inconsistent
+    with ourselves, as to purchase such as are prisoners of war, and
+    thereby encourage, this anti-Christian practice; and more
+    especially as many of these poor creatures are stolen away,
+    parents from children, and children from parents; and others,
+    who were in good circumstances in their native country,
+    inhumanly torn from what they esteemed a happy situation, and
+    compelled to toil in a state of slavery, too often extremely
+    cruel!
+
+    What dreadful scenes of murder and cruelty those barbarous
+    ravages must occasion in these unhappy people's country are too
+    obvious to mention. Let us make their case our own, and consider
+    what we should think, and how we should feel, were we in their
+    circumstances. Remember our blessed Redeemer's positive
+    command--to do unto others as we would have them do unto
+    us;--and that with what measure we mete, it shall be measured to
+    us again. And we intreat you to examine, whether the purchasing
+    of a negro, either born here or imported, doth not contribute to
+    a further importation, and, consequently, to the upholding of
+    all the evils above mentioned, and to the promoting of
+    man-stealing, the, only theft which by the Mosaic law was
+    punished with death;--He that stealeth a man and selleth him or
+    if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.'
+
+    The characteristic and badge of a true Christian is love and
+    continual exercise of them: 'Love one, another,' says he, 'as I
+    have loved you.' But how can we be said to love our brethren who
+    bring, or, for selfish ends, keep them in bondage? Do we act
+    consistently with this noble principle, who lay such heavy
+    burdens on our fellow creatures? Do we consider that they are
+    called and do we sincerely desire that they may become heirs
+    with us in glory, and that they may rejoice in the liberty of
+    the sons of God, whilst we are withholding from them the common
+    liberties of mankind? Or can the spirit of God, by which we have
+    always professed to be led, be the author of these oppressive
+    and unrighteous measures? Or do we not thereby manifest, that
+    temporal interest hath more influence on our conduct herein,
+    than the dictates of that merciful, holy, and unerring Guide?
+
+    And we, likewise, earnestly recommend to all who have slaves, to
+    be careful to come up in the performance of their duty towards
+    them, and to be particularly watchful over their own hearts, it
+    being, by sorrowful experience, remarkable that custom and a
+    familiarity with evil of any kind, have a tendency to bias the
+    judgment and to deprave the mind; and it is obvious, that the
+    future welfare of these poor slaves, who are now in bondage, is
+    generally too much disregarded by those who keep them. If their
+    daily task of labour be but fulfilled, little else, perhaps, is
+    thought of: nay, even that which in others would be looked upon
+    with horror and detestation, is little regarded in them by their
+    masters; such as the frequent separation of husbands from wives,
+    and wives from husbands, whereby they are tempted to break their
+    marriage covenants, and live in adultery, in direct opposition
+    to the laws of God and men, although we believe that Christ died
+    for all men without respect of persons. How fearful then ought
+    we to be of engaging in what hath so natural a tendency to
+    lesson our humanity, and of suffering ourselves to be inured to
+    the exercise of hard and cruel measures, lest thereby, in any
+    degree, we lose our tender and feeling sense of the miseries of
+    our fellow-creatures, and become worse than those who have not
+    believed.
+
+    And, dear friends, you, who by inheritance have slaves born in
+    your families, we beseech you to consider them as souls
+    committed to your trust, whom the Lord will require at your
+    hand, and who, as well as you, are made partakers of the Spirit
+    of grace, and called to be heirs of salvation. And let it be
+    your constant care to watch over them for good, instructing them
+    in the fear of God and the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ,
+    that they may answer the end of their creation, and that God may
+    be glorified and honoured by them, as well as by us. And so
+    train them up, that if you should come to behold their unhappy
+    situation, in the same light that many worthy men who are at
+    rest have done, and many of your brethren now do, and should
+    think it your duty to set them free, they may be the more
+    capable of making proper use of their liberty.
+
+    Finally, brethren, we intreat you, in the bowels of Gospel-love,
+    seriously to weigh the Cause of detaining them in bondage. If it
+    be for your own private gain, or any other motive than their
+    good, it is much to be feared that the love of God, and the
+    influence of the Holy Spirit, are not the prevailing principles
+    in you, and that your hearts are not sufficiently redeemed from
+    the world, which, that you with ourselves may more and more come
+    to witness, through the cleansing virtue of the Holy Spirit of
+    Jesus Christ, is our earnest desire. With the salutation of our
+    love we are your friends and brethren:--
+
+    _"Signed, in behalf of the yearly meeting, by_
+
+    JOHN EVANS,        ABRAHAM FARRINGDON,
+    JOHN SMITH,        JOSEPH NOBLE,
+    THOMAS CARLETON,   JAMES DANIEL,
+    WILLIAM TRIMBLE,   JOSEPH GIBSON,
+    JOHN SCARBOROUGH,  JOHN SHOTWELL,
+    JOSEPH HAMPTON,    JOSEPH PARKER."
+
+
+This truly Christian letter, which was written in the year 1754, was
+designed, as we collect from the contents of it, to make the sentiments
+of the society better known and attended to on the subject of the Slave
+Trade. It contains, as we see, exhortations to all the members within
+the yearly meeting of Pennsylvania and the Jerseys, to desist from
+purchasing and importing slaves, and, where they possessed them, to have
+a tender consideration of their condition. But that the first part of
+the subject of this exhortation might be enforced, the yearly meeting
+for the same provinces came to a resolution in 1755, That if any of the
+members belonging to it bought or imported slaves, the overseers were to
+inform their respective monthly meetings of it, that "these might treat
+with them, as they might be directed in the wisdom of truth."
+
+In the year 1774, we find the same yearly meeting legislating again on
+the same subject. By the preceding resolution they who became offenders,
+were subjected only to exclusion from the meetings for discipline, and
+from the privilege of contributing to the pecuniary occasions of the
+Society; but, by the resolution of the present year, all members
+concerned in importing, selling, purchasing, giving, or transferring
+negro or other slaves, or otherwise acting in such manner as to continue
+them in slavery beyond the term limited by law[A] or custom, were
+directed to be excluded from membership or disowned. At this meeting
+also all the members of it were cautioned and advised against acting as
+executors or administrators to estates, where slaves were bequeathed, or
+likely to be detained in bondage.
+
+[Footnote A: This alludes to the term of servitude for white persons in
+these provinces.]
+
+In the year 1776, the same yearly meeting carried the matter still
+further. It was enacted, That the owners of slaves, who refused to
+execute proper instruments for giving them their freedom, were to be
+disowned likewise.
+
+In 1778 it was enacted by the same meeting, that the children of those
+who had been set free by members, should be tenderly advised, and have a
+suitable education given them.
+
+It is not necessary to proceed further on this subject. It may be
+sufficient to say, that from this time the minutes of the yearly meeting
+for Pennsylvania and the Jerseys exhibit proofs of an almost incessant
+attention, year after year[B], to the means not only of wiping away the
+stain of slavery from their religious community, but of promoting the
+happiness of those restored to freedom, and of their posterity also; and
+as the yearly meeting of Pennsylvania and the Jerseys set this bright
+example, so those of New England, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and of
+the Carolinas and Georgia, in process of time followed it.
+
+[Footnote B: Thus in 1778-1782, 1784-1786. The members also of this
+meeting petitioned their own legislature on this subject, both in 1783
+and in 1786.]
+
+But, whilst the Quakers were making these exertions at their different
+yearly meetings in America, as a religious body, to get rid both of the
+commerce and slavery of their fellow-creatures, others, in the same
+profession; were acting as individuals, (that is, on their own grounds,
+and independently of any influence from their religious communion,) in
+the same cause, whose labours it will now be proper, in a separate
+narrative, to detail.
+
+The first person of this description in the Society, was William
+Burling, of Long Island. He had conceived an abhorrence of slavery from
+early youth. In process of time he began to bear his testimony against
+it, by representing the unlawfulness of it to those of his own Society,
+when assembled at one of their yearly meetings. This expression of his
+public testimony, he continued annually on the same occasion. He wrote
+also several Tracts with the same design, one of which, published in the
+year 1718, he addressed to the elders of his own church, on the
+inconsistency of compelling people and their posterity to serve them
+continually and arbitrarily, and without any proper recompense for their
+services.
+
+The next was Ralph Sandiford, a merchant in Philadelphia. This worthy
+person had many offers of pecuniary assistance, which would have
+advanced him in life, but he declined them all because they came from
+persons who had acquired their independence by the oppression of their
+slaves. He was very earnest in endeavouring to prevail upon his friends,
+both, in and out of the society, to liberate those whom they held in
+bondage. At length he determined upon a work called the _Mystery of
+Iniquity_, in a brief examination of the practice of the times. This he
+published in the year 1780, though the chief judge had threatened him if
+he should give it to the world, and he circulated it free of expense
+wherever he believed it would be useful. The above work was excellent as
+a composition; the language of it was correct; the style manly and
+energetic; and it abounded with facts, sentiments, and quotations,
+which, while, they showed the virtue and talents of the author, rendered
+it a valuable appeal in behalf of the African cause.
+
+The next public advocate was Benjamin Lay[A], who lived at Abington, at
+the distance of twelve or fourteen miles from Philadelphia. Benjamin Lay
+was known, when in England, to the royal family of that day, into whose
+private presence he was admitted. On his return to America, he took an
+active part in behalf of the oppressed Africans. In the year 1737, he
+published a _Treatise on Slave-Keeping_. This he gave away among his
+neighbours and others, but more particularly among the rising youth,
+many of whom he visited in their respective schools. He applied also to
+several of the governors for interviews, with whom he held conferences
+on the subject. Benjamin Lay was a man of strong understanding and of
+great integrity, but of warm and irritable feelings, and more
+particularly so when he was called forth on any occasion in which the
+oppressed Africans were concerned; for he had lived in the island of
+Barbados, and he had witnessed there scenes of cruelty towards them
+which had greatly disturbed his mind, and which unhinged it, as it were,
+whenever the subject of their sufferings was brought before him. Hence,
+if others did not think precisely as he did, when he conversed with them
+on the subject, he was apt to go out of due bounds. In bearing what he
+believed to be his testimony against this system of oppression, he
+adopted sometimes a singularity of manner, by which, as conveying
+demonstration of a certain eccentricity of character, he diminished in
+some degree his usefulness to the cause which he had undertaken; as far,
+indeed, as this eccentricity might have the effect of preventing others
+from joining him in his pursuit, lest they should be thought singular
+also, so far it must be allowed that he ceased to become beneficial. But
+there can be no question, on the other hand, that his warm and
+enthusiastic manners awakened the attention of many to the cause, and
+gave them first impressions concerning it, which they never afterwards
+forgot, and which rendered them useful to it in the subsequent part of
+their lives.
+
+[Footnote A: Benjamin Lay attended the meetings for worship, or
+associated himself with the religious society of the Quakers. His wife,
+too, was an approved minister of the Gospel in that society; but I
+believe he was not long an acknowledged member of it himself.]
+
+The person who laboured next in the society, in behalf of the oppressed
+Africans, was John Woolman.
+
+John Woolman was born at Northampton, in the county of Burlington and
+province of Western New Jersey, in the year 1720. In his very early
+youth he attended, in an extraordinary manner, to the religious
+impressions which he perceived upon his mind, and began to have an
+earnest solicitude about treading in the right path. "From what I had
+read and heard," says he, in his Journal[A], "I believed there had been
+in past ages, people who walked in uprightness before God in a degree
+exceeding any, that I knew or heard of, now living. And the apprehension
+of there being less steadiness and firmness among people of this age,
+than in past ages, often troubled me while I was a child." An anxious
+desire to do away, as far as himself was concerned, this merited
+reproach, operated as one among other causes to induce him to be
+particularly watchful over his thoughts and actions, and to endeavour to
+attain that purity of heart, without which he conceived there could be
+no perfection of the Christian character. Accordingly, in the
+twenty-second year of his age, he had given such proof of the integrity
+of his life, and of his religious qualifications, that he became an
+acknowledged minister of the Gospel in his own society.
+
+[Footnote A: This short sketch of the life and labours of John Woolman,
+is made up from his Journal.]
+
+At a time prior to his entering upon the ministry, being in low
+circumstances, he agreed for wages to "attend shop for a person at Mount
+Holly, and to keep his books." In this situation we discover, by an
+occurrence that happened, that he had thought seriously on the subject,
+and that he had conceived proper views of the Christian unlawfulness of
+slavery. "My employer," says he, "having a Negro woman, sold her, and
+desired me to write a bill of sale, the man being waiting who bought
+her. The thing was sudden, and though the thought of writing an
+instrument of slavery for one of my fellow-creatures made me feel
+uneasy, yet I remembered I was hired by the year, that it was my master
+who directed me to do it, and that it was an elderly man, a member of
+our society, who bought her. So through weakness I gave way and wrote,
+but, at executing it, I was so afflicted in my mind, that I said before
+my master and the friend, that I believed slave-keeping to be a practice
+inconsistent with the Christian religion. This in some degree abated my
+uneasiness; yet, as often as I reflected seriously upon it, I thought I
+should have been clearer, if I had desired to have been excused from it,
+as a thing against my conscience; for such it was. And some time after
+this, a young man of our society spoke to me to write a conveyance of a
+slave to him, he having lately taken a Negro into his house. I told him
+I was not easy to write it; for though many of our meeting, and in other
+places, kept slaves, I still believed the practice was not right, and
+desired to be excused from the writing. I spoke to him in good-will; and
+he told me that keeping slaves was not altogether agreeable to his mind,
+but that the slave being a gift to his wife he had accepted of her."
+
+We may easily conceive that a person so scrupulous and tender on this
+subject, (as indeed John Woolman was on all others,) was in the way of
+becoming in time more eminently serviceable to his oppressed
+fellow-creatures. We have seen already the good seed sown in his heart,
+and it seems to have wanted only providential seasons and occurrences to
+be brought into productive fruit. Accordingly we find that a journey,
+which he took as a minister of the Gospel in 1746 through the provinces
+of Maryland, Virginia, and, North Carolina, which were then more noted
+than others for the number of slaves in them, contributed to prepare him
+as an instrument for the advancement of this great cause. The following
+are his own observations upon this journey:--"Two things were remarkable
+to me in this journey; first, in regard to my entertainment. When I ate,
+drank, and lodged free-cost, with people who lived in ease on the hard
+labour of their slaves, I felt uneasy; and, as my mind was inward to the
+Lord, I found, from place to place, this uneasiness return upon me at
+times through the whole visit. Where the masters bore a good share of
+the burden and lived frugally, so that their servants were well provided
+for; and their labour moderate, I felt more easy; but where they lived
+in a costly way, and laid heavy burdens on their slaves, my exercise was
+often great, and I frequently had conversations with them in private
+concerning it. Secondly, this trade of importing slaves from their
+native country being much encouraged among them, and the white people
+and their children so generally living without much labour, was
+frequently the subject of my serious thoughts: and I saw in these
+southern provinces so many vices and corruptions, increased by this
+trade and this way of life, that it appeared to me as a gloom over the
+land."
+
+From the year 1747 to the year 1758, he seems to have been occupied
+chiefly as a minister of religion, but in the latter year he published a
+work upon slave-keeping; and in the same year, while travelling within
+the compass of his own monthly meeting, a circumstance happened which
+kept alive his attention to the same Subjects.
+
+"About this time" says he, "a person at some distance lying sick, his
+brother came to me to write his will. I knew he had slaves, and asking
+his brother was told he intended to leave them as slaves to his
+children. As writing was a profitable employ, and as offending sober
+people was disagreeable to my inclination, I was straitened in my mind,
+but as I looked to the Lord he inclined my heart to his testimony; and I
+told the man that I believed the practice of continuing slavery to this
+people was not right, and that I had a scruple in my mind against doing
+writings of that kind; that, though many in our society kept them as
+slaves, still I was not easy to be concerned in it, and desired to be
+excused from going to write the will. I spoke to him in the fear of the
+Lord; and he made no reply to what I said, but went away: he also had
+some concerns in the practice, and I thought he was displeased with me.
+In this case I had a confirmation, that acting contrary to present
+outward interest from a motive of Divine love, and in regard to truth
+and righteousness, opens the way to a treasure better than silver, and
+to a friendship exceeding the friendship of men."
+
+From 1753 to 1755, two circumstances of a similar kind took place, which
+contributed greatly to strengthen him in the path he had taken; for in
+both these cases the persons who requested him to make their wills were
+so impressed by the principle upon which he refused them, and by his
+manner of doing it, that they bequeathed liberty to their slaves.
+
+In the year 1756, he made a religious visit to several of the society in
+Long Island. Here it was that the seed, now long fostered by the genial
+influences of Heaven, began to burst forth into fruit; Till this time he
+seems to have been a passive instrument, attending only to such
+circumstances as came in his way on this subject. But now he became an
+active one, looking out for circumstances for the exercise of his
+labours.
+
+"My mind," says he; "was deeply engaged in this visit, both in public
+and private; and at several places, observing that members kept slaves,
+I found myself under a necessity, in a friendly way, to labour with
+them, on that subject, expressing, as the way opened, the inconsistency
+of that practice with the parity of the Christian religion, and the ill
+effects of it as manifested amongst us."
+
+In the year 1757, he felt, his mind so deeply interested on the same
+subject, that he resolved to travel over Maryland, Virginia, and North
+Carolina, in order to try to convince persons, principally in his own
+society, of the inconsistency of holding slaves. He joined his brother
+with him in this arduous service. Having passed the Susquehanna into
+Maryland, he began to experience great agitation of mind. "Soon after I
+entered this province," says he, "a deep and painful exercise came upon
+me, which I often had some feeling of since my mind was drawn towards
+these parts, and with which I had acquainted my brother, before we
+agreed to join as companions."
+
+"As the people in this and the southern provinces live much on the
+labour of slaves, many of whom are used hardly, my concern was that I
+might attend with singleness of heart to the voice of the true Shepherd,
+and be so supported, as to remain unmoved at the faces of men."
+
+It is impossible for me to follow him in detail, through this long and
+interesting journey, when I consider the bounds I have prescribed to
+myself in this work. I shall say, therefore, what I propose to offer
+generally, and in a few words.
+
+It appears that he conversed with persons occasionally, who were not of
+his own society, with a view of answering their arguments, and of
+endeavouring to evince the wickedness and impolicy of slavery. In
+discoursing with these, however strenuous he might appear, he seems
+never to have departed from a calm, modest, and yet dignified and even
+friendly demeanour. At the public meetings for discipline, held by his
+own society in these provinces, he endeavoured to display the same
+truths, and in the same manner, but particularly to the elders of his
+own society, exhorting them, as the most conspicuous rank, to be careful
+of their conduct, and to give a bright example in the liberation of
+their slaves. He visited, also, families for the same purpose: and he
+had the well-earned satisfaction of finding his admonitions kindly
+received by some, and of seeing a disposition in others to follow the
+advice he had given them.
+
+In the year 1758, he attended the yearly meeting at Philadelphia, where
+he addressed his brethren on the propriety of dealing with such members
+as should hereafter purchase slaves. On the discussion of this point he
+spoke a second time, and this to such effect that, he had the
+satisfaction at this meeting to see minutes made more fully than any
+before, and a committee appointed for the advancement of the great
+object, to which he had now been instrumental in turning the attention
+of many, and to witness a considerable spreading of the cause. In the
+same year, also, he joined himself with two others of the society to
+visit such members of it as possessed slaves in Chester county. In this
+journey he describes himself to have met with several who were pleased
+with his visit, but to have found difficulties with others, towards
+whom, however, he felt a sympathy and tenderness, on account of their
+being entangled by the spirit of the world.
+
+In the year 1759, he visited several of the society who held slaves in
+Philadelphia. In about three months afterwards, he travelled there
+again, in company with John Churchman, to see others under similar
+circumstances. He then went to different places on the same errand. In
+this last journey he went alone. After this he joined himself to John
+Churchman again, but he confined his labours to his own province. Here
+he had the pleasure of finding that the work prospered. Soon after this
+he took Samuel Eastburne as a coadjutor, and pleaded the cause of the
+poor Africans with many of the society in Bucks county, who held them in
+bondage there.
+
+In the year 1760, he travelled, in company with his friend Samuel
+Eastburne, to Rhode Island, to promote the same object. This island had
+been long noted for its trade to Africa for slaves. He found at Newport,
+the great sea-port town belonging to it, that a number of them had been
+lately imported. He felt his mind deeply impressed on this account. He
+was almost over-powered in consequence of it, and became ill. He thought
+once of prompting a petition to the legislature, to discourage all such
+importations in future. He then thought of going and speaking to the
+House of Assembly, which was then sitting; but he was discouraged from
+both these proceedings. He held, however, conference with many of his
+own society in the meeting-house chamber, where the subject of his visit
+was discussed on both sides with a calm and peaceable spirit. Many of
+those present manifested the concern they felt at their former
+practices, and others a desire of taking suitable care of their slaves
+at their decease. From Newport he proceeded to Nantucket; but observing
+the members of the society there to have few or no slaves, he exhorted
+them to persevere in abstaining from the use of them, and returned home.
+
+In the year 1761, he visited several families in Pennsylvania, and, in
+about three months afterwards, others about Shrewsbury and Squan in New
+Jersey. On his return he added a part to the treatise before published
+on the keeping of care which had been growing upon him for some years.
+
+In the year 1762, he printed, published, and distributed this treatise.
+
+In 1767, he went on foot to the western shores of the same province on a
+religious visit. After having crossed the Susquehanna, his old feelings
+returned to him; for coming amongst people living in outward ease and
+greatness, chiefly on the labour of slaves, his heart was much affected,
+and he waited with humble resignation to learn how he should further
+perform his duty to this injured people. The travelling on foot, though
+it was agreeable to the state of his mind, he describes to have been
+wearisome to his body. He felt himself weakly at times, in consequence
+of it, but yet continued to travel on. At one of the quarterly meetings
+of the society, being in great sorrow and heaviness, and under deep
+exercise on account of the miseries of the poor Africans, he expressed
+himself freely to those present, who held them in bondage. He expatiated
+on the tenderness and loving-kindness of the apostles, as manifested in
+labours, perils, and sufferings, towards the poor Gentiles, and
+contracted their treatment of the Gentiles with it, whom he described in
+the persons of their slaves; and was much satisfied with the result of
+his discourse.
+
+From this time we collect little more, from his journal concerning him,
+than that, in 1772, he embarked for England on a religious visit. After
+his arrival there, he travelled through many counties, preaching in
+different meetings of the society, till he came to the city of York. But
+even here, though he was far removed from the sight of those whose
+interests he had so warmly espoused, he was not forgetful of their
+wretched condition. At the quarterly meeting for that county, he brought
+their case before, those present in an affecting manner. He exhorted
+these to befriend their cause. He remarked that as they, the society,
+when under outward sufferings, had often found a concern to lay them
+before the legislature, and thereby, in the Lord's time, had obtained
+relief; so he recommended this oppressed part of the creation to their
+notice, that they might, as, the way opened, represent their sufferings
+as individuals, if not as a religious society, to those in authority in
+this land. This was the last opportunity that he had of interesting
+himself in behalf of this injured people for soon afterwards he was
+seized with the small-pox at the house of a friend in the city of York,
+where he died.
+
+The next person belonging to the society of the Quakers, who laboured in
+behalf of the oppressed Africans, was Anthony Benezet. He was born
+before, and he lived after, John Woolman; of course he was contemporary
+with him. I place him after John Woolman, because he was not so much
+known as a labourer, till two or three years after the other had begin
+to move in the same cause.
+
+Anthony Benezet was born at St. Quintin, in Picardy, of a respectable
+family, in the year 1713. His father was one of the many Protestants
+who, in consequence of the persecutions which followed the revocation of
+the edict of Nantz, sought an asylum in foreign countries. After a short
+stay in Holland, he settled, with his wife and children, in London, in
+1715.
+
+Anthony Benezet having received from his father a liberal education,
+served an apprenticeship in an eminent mercantile house in London. In
+1731, however, he removed with his family to Philadelphia, where he
+joined in profession with the Quakers. His three brothers then engaged
+in trade, and made considerable pecuniary acquisitions in it. He himself
+might have partaken both of their concerns and of their prosperity; but
+he did not feel himself at liberty to embark in their undertakings. He
+considered the accumulation of wealth as of no importance, when compared
+with the enjoyment of doing good; and he chose the humble situation of a
+schoolmaster, as according best with this notion, believing, that by
+endeavouring to train up youth in knowledge and virtue, he should become
+more extensively useful than in any other way to his fellow-creatures.
+
+He had not been long in his new situation, before he manifested such an
+uprightness of conduct, such a courtesy of manners, such a purity of
+intention, and such a spirit of benevolence, that he attracted the
+notice, and gained the good opinion, of the inhabitants among whom he
+lived. He had ready access to them, in consequence, upon all occasions;
+and, if there were any whom he failed to influence at any of these
+times, he never went away without the possession of their respect.
+
+In the year 1756, when a considerable number of French families were
+removed from Acadia into Pennsylvania, on account of some political
+suspicions, he felt deeply interested about them. In a country where few
+understood their language, they were wretched and helpless; but Anthony
+Benezet endeavoured to soften the rigour of their situation, by his kind
+attention towards them. He exerted himself, also, in their behalf, by
+procuring many contributions for them, which, by the consent of his
+fellow-citizens, were intrusted to his care.
+
+As the principle of benevolence, when duly cultivated, brings forth
+fresh shoots, and becomes enlarged, so we find this amiable person
+extending the sphere of his usefulness by becoming an advocate for the
+oppressed African race. For this service he seems to have been
+peculiarly qualified. Indeed, as in all great works, a variety of
+talents is necessary to bring them to perfection, so Providence seems to
+prepare different men as instruments, with dispositions and
+qualifications so various, that each, in pursuing that line which seems
+to suit him best, contributes to furnish those parts which, when put
+together, make up a complete whole. In this point of view, John Woolman
+found in Anthony Benezet the coadjutor whom, of all others, the cause
+required. The former had occupied himself principally on the subject of
+slavery. The latter went to the root of the evil, and more frequently
+attacked the trade. The former chiefly confined his labours to America,
+and chiefly to those of his own society there. The latter, when he
+wrote, did not write for America only, but for Europe also, and
+endeavoured to spread a knowledge and hatred of the traffic through the
+great society of the world.
+
+One of the means which Anthony Benezet took to promote the cause in
+question, (and an effectual one it proved, as far as it went,) was to
+give his scholars a due knowledge and proper impressions concerning it.
+Situated as they were likely to be in after-life, in a country where,
+slavery, was a custom, he thus prepared many, and this annually, for the
+promotion of his plans.
+
+To enlighten others, and to give them a similar bias, he had recourse to
+different measures from time to time. In the almanacs published annually
+in Philadelphia, he procured articles to be inserted, which he believed
+would attract the notice of the reader, and make him pause, at least for
+a while, as to the licitness of, the Slave Trade. He wrote also, as he
+saw occasion, in the public papers of the day. From small things he
+proceeded to greater. He collected, at length, further information on
+the subject, and, winding it up with observations and reflections, he
+produced several little tracts, which he circulated successively (but
+generally at his, own expense), as he considered them adapted to the
+temper and circumstances of the times.
+
+In the course of this his employment, having found some who had approved
+his tracts, and, to whom, on that account, he wished to write, and
+sending his tracts to others, to whom he thought it proper to introduce
+them by letter, he found himself engaged in a correspondence which much
+engrossed his time, but which proved of great importance in procuring
+many advocates for his cause.
+
+In the year 1762, when he had obtained a still greater store of
+information, he published a larger work. This, however, he entitle _A
+short Account of that part of Africa inhabited by the Negroes_ In 1767
+he published _A Caution and Warning to Great Britain and her colonies on
+the calamitous state of the enslaved Negroes in the British Dominions_;
+and soon after this appeared, _An Historical Account of Guinea, its
+Situation, Produce, and the general Disposition of its Inhabitants: with
+an Inquiry into the Rise and Progress of the Slave Trade, its Nature,
+and Calamitous Effects._ This pamphlet contained a clear and distinct
+development of the subject, from the best authorities. It contained
+also, the sentiments of many enlightened upon it; and it became
+instrumental beyond any other book ever before published, in
+disseminating a proper knowledge and detestation of this trade.
+
+Anthony Benezet may be considered as one of the most zealous, vigilant,
+and active advocates which the cause of the oppressed Africans ever had.
+He seemed to have been born and to have lived for the promotion of it
+and therefore he never omitted any the least opportunity of serving it.
+If a person called upon him who was going a journey his first thoughts
+usually were how he could make him an instrument in its favour; he
+either gave him tracts to distribute or he sent letters by him, or he
+gave him some commission on the subject; so that he was the means of
+employing several persons at the same time, in various parts of America;
+in advancing the work he had undertaken.
+
+In the same manner he availed himself of every other circumstance, as
+far as he could, to the same end. When he heard that Mr. Granville Sharp
+had obtained; in the year 1772, the noble verdict in the cause of
+Somerset the slave, he opened a correspondence with him which he kept
+up, that there might be an union of action between them for the future,
+as far as it could be effected, and that they might each give
+encouragement to the other to proceed.
+
+He opened also a correspondence with George Whitfield and John Wesley
+that these might assist him in promoting the cause of the oppressed.
+
+He wrote also a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon on the following
+subject:--She had founded a college, at the recommendation of George
+Whitfield, called the Orphan-house near Savannah, in Georgia, and had
+endowed it. The object of this institution was to furnish scholastic
+instruction to the poor, and to prepare some of them for the ministry.
+George Whitfield, ever attentive to the cause of the poor Africans,
+thought that this institution might have been useful to them also; but
+soon after his death, they who succeeded him bought slaves, and these in
+unusual numbers to extend the rice and indigo plantations belonging to
+the college. The letter then in question was written by Anthony Benezet,
+in order to lay before the Countess, as a religious woman, the misery
+she was occasioning in Africa, by allowing the managers of her college
+in Georgia to give encouragement to the Slave Trade. The Countess
+replied, that such a measure should never have her countenance, and that
+she would take care to prevent it.
+
+On discovering that the Abbe Raynal had brought out his celebrated work,
+in which he manifested a tender feeling in behalf of the injured
+Africans, he entered into a correspondence with him, hoping to make him
+yet more useful to their cause.
+
+Finding, also, in the year 1783 that the Slave Trade, which had greatly
+declined during the American war, was reviving, he addressed a pathetic
+letter to our Queen, (as I mentioned in the last chapter,) who, on
+hearing the high character of the writer of it from Benjamin West,
+received it with marks of peculiar condescension and attention. The
+following is a copy of it:--
+
+
+    TO CHARLOTTE, QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN.
+
+    Impressed with a sense of religious duty, and encouraged by the
+    opinion generally entertained of thy benevolent disposition to
+    succor the distressed, I take the liberty; very respectfully, to
+    offer to thy perusal some tracts, which, I believe, faithfully
+    describe the suffering condition of many hundred thousands of
+    our fellow-creatures of the African race, great numbers of whom,
+    rent from every tender connexion in life, are annually taken
+    from their native land; to endure, in the American islands and
+    plantations, a most rigorous and cruel slavery; whereby many,
+    very many of them, are brought to a melancholy and untimely end.
+
+    When it is considered that the inhabitants of Great Britain, who
+    are themselves so eminently blessed in the enjoyment of
+    religious and civil liberty, have long been, and yet are, very
+    deeply concerned in this flagrant violation of the common rights
+    of mankind, and that even its national authority is exerted in
+    support of the African Slave Trade, there is much reason to
+    apprehend that this has been, and, as long as the evil exists,
+    will continue to be, an occasion of drawing down the Divine
+    displeasure on the nation and its dependencies. May these
+    considerations induce thee to interpose thy kind endeavours in
+    behalf of this greatly injured people, whose abject situation
+    gives them an additional claim to the pity and assistance of the
+    generous mind, inasmuch as they are altogether deprived of the
+    means of soliciting effectual relief for themselves; that so
+    thou mayest not only be a blessed instrument in the hand of him
+    'by whom kings reign and princes decree justice,' to avert the
+    awful judgments by which the empire has already been so
+    remarkably shaken, but that the blessings of thousands ready to
+    perish may come upon thee, at a time when the superior
+    advantages attendant on thy situation in this world will no
+    longer be of any avail to thy consolation and support.
+
+    To the tracts on this subject to which I have thus ventured to
+    crave thy particular attention, I have added some which at
+    different times I have believed it my duty to publish[A], and
+    which, I trust, will afford thee some satisfaction, their design
+    being for the furtherance of that universal peace and good-will
+    amongst men, which the Gospel was intended to introduce.
+
+    [Footnote A: These related to the principles of the religious
+    society of the Quakers.]
+
+    "I hope thou wilt kindly excuse the freedom used on this
+    occasion by an ancient man, whose mind, for more than forty
+    years past, has been much separated from the common intercourse
+    of the world, and long painfully exercised in the consideration
+    of the miseries under which so large a part of mankind, equally
+    with us the objects of redeeming love, are suffering the most
+    unjust and grievous oppression, and who sincerely desires thy
+    temporal and eternal felicity, and that of thy royal consort.
+
+    "ANTHONY BENEZET."
+
+
+Anthony Benezet, besides the care he bestowed upon forwarding the cause
+of the oppressed Africans in different parts of the world, found time to
+promote the comforts, and improve the condition of those, in the state
+in which he lived. Apprehending that much advantage would arise both to
+them and the public from instructing them in common learning, he
+zealously promoted the establishment of a school for that purpose. Much
+of the two last years of his life he devoted to a personal attendance on
+this school, being earnestly desirous that they who came to it might be
+better qualified for the enjoyment of that freedom to which great
+numbers of them had been then restored. To this he sacrificed the
+superior emoluments of his former school, and his bodily ease also,
+although the weakness of his constitution seemed to demand indulgence.
+By his last will he directed, that, after the decease of his widow, his
+whole little fortune (the savings of the industry of fifty years)
+should, except a few very small legacies, be applied to the support of
+it. During his attendance upon it he had the happiness to find, (and his
+situation enabled him to make the comparison,) that Providence had been
+equally liberal to the Africans in genius and talents as to other
+people.
+
+After a few days' illness, this excellent man died at Philadelphia, in
+the spring of 1784. The interment of his remains was attended by several
+thousands of all ranks, professions, and parties, who united in
+deploring their loss. The mournful procession was closed by some
+hundreds of those poor Africans who had been personally benefited by his
+labours, and whose behaviour on the occasion showed the gratitude and
+affection they considered to be due to him as their own private
+benefactor, as well as the benefactor of their whole race.
+
+Such, then, were the labours of the Quakers in America; of individuals,
+from 1718 to 1784, and of the body at large, from 1696 to 1787, in this
+great cause of humanity and religion. Nor were the effects produced from
+these otherwise than corresponding with what might have been expected
+from such an union of exertion in such a cause; for both the evils, that
+is, the evil of buying and selling, and the evil of using slaves, ceased
+at length with the members of this benevolent society. The leaving off
+all concern with the Slave Trade took place first. The abolition of
+slavery, though it followed, was not so speedily accomplished; for,
+besides the loss of property, when slaves were manumitted, without any
+pecuniary consideration in return, their owners had to struggle, in
+making them free, against the laws and customs of the times. In
+Pennsylvania, where the law in this respect was the most favourable, the
+parties wishing to give freedom to a slave were obliged to enter into a
+bond for the payment of thirty pounds currency, in case the said slave
+should become chargeable for maintenance. In New Jersey the terms were
+far less favorable, as the estate of the owner remained liable to the
+consequences of misconduct in the slave, or even in his posterity. In
+the southern parts of America manumission was not permitted but on terms
+amounting nearly to a prohibition. But, notwithstanding these
+difficulties, the Quakers could not be deterred, as they became
+convinced of the unlawfulness of holding men in bondage, from doing that
+which they believed to be right. Many liberated their slaves, whatever
+the consequences were; and some gave the most splendid example in doing
+it, not only by consenting, as others did, thus to give up their
+property, and to incur the penalties of manumission, but by calculating
+and giving what was due to them, over and above their food and clothing,
+for wages[A] from the beginning of their slavery to the day when their
+liberation commenced. Thus manumission went on, some sacrificing more;
+and others less; some granting it sooner, and others later; till, in the
+year 1787[B] there was not a slave in the possession of an acknowledged
+Quaker.
+
+[Footnote A: One of the brightest instances was that afforded by Warner
+Mifflin. He gave unconditional liberty to his slaves. He paid all the
+adults, on their discharge, the sum, which arbitrators, mutually chosen,
+awarded them.]
+
+[Footnote B: Previously to the year 1787, several of the states had made
+the terms of manumission more easy.]
+
+Having given to the reader the history of the third class of forerunners
+and coadjutors, as it consisted of the Quakers in America, I am now to
+continue it, as it consisted of an union of these with others on the
+same continent, in the year 1774, in behalf of the African race. To do
+this, I shall begin with the causes which led to the production of this
+great event.
+
+And, in the first place, as example is more powerful than precept, we
+cannot suppose that the Quakers could have shown these noble instances
+of religious principle, without supposing also that individuals of other
+religious denominations would be morally instructed by them. They who
+lived in the neighborhood where they took place, must have become
+acquainted with the motives which led to them. Some of them must at
+least have praised the action, though they might not themselves have
+been ripe to follow the example: nor is it at all improbable that these
+might be led, in the course of the workings of their own minds, to a
+comparison between their own conduct and that of the Quakers on this
+subject, in which they themselves might appear to be less worthy in
+their own eyes. And as there is sometimes a spirit of rivalship among
+the individuals of religious sects, where the character of one is
+sounded forth as higher than that of another; this, if excited by such a
+circumstance, would probably operate for good. It must have been
+manifest also to many, after a lapse of time, that there was no danger
+in what the Quakers had done, and that there was even sound policy in
+the measure. But, whatever were the several causes, certain it is, that
+the example of the Quakers in leaving off all concern with the Slave
+Trade, and in liberating their slaves, (scattered, as they were, over
+various parts of America,) contributed to produce in many of a different
+religious denomination from themselves, a more tender disposition than
+had been usual towards the African race.
+
+But a similar disposition towards these oppressed people was created in
+others, by means of other circumstances or causes. In the early part of
+the eighteenth century, Judge Sewell of New England came forward as a
+zealous advocate for them: he addressed a memorial to the legislature,
+which he called, _The Selling of Joseph_, and in which he pleaded their
+cause both as a lawyer and, a Christian. This memorial produced an
+effect upon many, but particularly upon those of his own persuasion; and
+from this time the Presbyterians appear to have encouraged a sympathy in
+their favour.
+
+In the year 1739, the celebrated George Whitfield became an instrument
+in turning the attention of many others to their hard case, and of
+begetting in these a fellow sympathy towards them. This laborious
+minister, having been deeply affected with what he had seen in the
+course of his religious travels in America, thought it his duty, to
+address a letter from Georgia to the inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia,
+and North and South Carolina. This letter was printed in the year above
+mentioned, and is in part as follows:--
+
+
+    As I lately passed through your provinces in my way hither, I
+    was sensibly touched with a fellow-feeling for the miseries of
+    the poor negroes. Whether it be lawful for Christians to buy
+    slaves, and thereby encourage the nations, from whom they are
+    bought, to be at perpetual war with each other, I shall not take
+    upon me to determine. Sure I am, it is sinful, when they have
+    bought them to use them as bad as though they were brutes, nay,
+    worse; and whatever particular exceptions there may be, (as I
+    would charitably hope there are some,) I fear the generality of
+    you who own negroes are liable to such a charge; for your
+    slaves, I believe, work as hard, if not harder, than the horses
+    whereon you ride. These, after they have done their work, are
+    fed and taken proper care of; but many negroes when wearied with
+    labour, in your plantations, have been obliged to grind their
+    corn after their return home: your dogs are caressed and fondled
+    at your table, but your slaves, who are frequently styled dogs
+    or beasts, have not an equal privilege; they are scarce
+    permitted to pick up the crumbs which fall from their master's
+    table: not to mention what numbers have been given up to the
+    inhuman usage of cruel taskmasters, who, by their unrelenting
+    scourges have ploughed their backs and made long furrows, and at
+    length brought them even unto death. When, passing along, I have
+    viewed your plantations cleared and cultivated, many spacious
+    houses built and the owners of them faring sumptuously every
+    day, my blood has frequently almost run cold within me, to
+    consider how many of your slaves had neither convenient food to
+    eat, nor proper raiment to put on, notwithstanding most of the
+    comforts you enjoy were solely owing to their indefatigable
+    labours.
+
+
+The letter, from which this is an extract, produced a desirable effect
+upon many of those who perused it, but particularly upon such as began
+to be seriously disposed in these times. And as George Whitfield
+continued a firm friend to the poor Africans, never losing an
+opportunity of serving them, he interested, in the course of his useful
+life, many thousands of his followers in their favour.
+
+To this account it may be added, that from the year 1762 ministers, who
+were in the connection of John Wesley, began to be settled in America,
+and that as these were friends to the oppressed Africans also, so they
+contributed in their turn[A] to promote a softness of feeling towards
+them among those of their own persuasion.
+
+[Footnote A: It must not be forgotten, that the example of the Moravians
+had its influence also in directing men to their duty towards these
+oppressed people; for though, when they visited this part of the world
+for their conversion, they never meddled with the political state of
+things, by recommending it to masters to alter the condition of their
+slaves, as believing religion could give comfort in the most abject
+situations in life, yet they uniformly freed those slaves who came into
+their own possession.]
+
+In consequence then of these and other causes, a considerable number of
+persons of various religious denominations, had appeared at different
+times in America, besides the Quakers, who, though they had not
+distinguished themselves by resolutions and manumissions as religious
+bodies, were yet highly friendly to the African cause. This friendly
+disposition began to manifest itself about the year 1770; for when a few
+Quakers, as individuals, began at that time to form little associations
+in the middle provinces of North America, to discourage the introduction
+of slaves among people in their own neighbourhoods, who were not of
+their own Society, and to encourage the manumission of those already in
+bondage, they, were joined as colleagues by several persons of this
+description[A], who co-operated with them in the promotion of their
+design.
+
+[Footnote A: It then appeared that individuals among those of the Church
+of England, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, and others had
+begun in a few instances to liberate their slaves.]
+
+This disposition, however, became more manifest in the year 1772; for
+the house of burgesses of Virginia presented a petition to the king,
+beseeching his majesty to remove all those restraints on his governors
+of that colony, which inhibited their assent to such laws as might check
+that inhuman and impolitic commerce, the Slave Trade: and it is
+remarkable, that the refusal of the British government to permit the
+Virginians to exclude slaves from among them by law, was enumerated
+afterwards among the public reasons for separating from the mother
+country.
+
+But this friendly disposition was greatly increased in the year 1773, by
+the literary labours of Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia[B], who, I
+believe, is a member of the Presbyterian Church: for in this year, at
+the instigation of Anthony Benezet, he took up the cause of the
+oppressed Africans in a little work, which he entitled, _An Address to
+the Inhabitants of the British Settlements, on the Slavery of the
+Negroes_; and soon afterwards in another, which was a vindication of the
+first, in answer to an acrimonious attach by a West Indian planter.
+These publications contained many new observations; they were written in
+a polished style; and while they exhibited the erudition and talents,
+they showed the liberality and benevolence of the author. Having had a
+considerable circulation, they spread conviction among many, and
+promoted the cause for which they had been so laudably undertaken. Of
+the great increase of friendly disposition towards the African cause in
+this very year, we have this remarkable proof: that when the Quakers,
+living in East and West Jersey, wished to petition the legislature to
+obtain an act of assembly for the more equitable manumission of slaves
+in that province, so many others of different persuasions joined them,
+that the petition was signed by upwards of three thousand persons.
+
+[Footnote B: Dr. Rush has been better known since for his other literary
+works, such as his _Medical Dissertations_, his _Treatises on the
+Discipline of Schools_, _Criminal Law_, &c.]
+
+But in the next year, or in the year 1774[A], the increased good-will
+towards the Africans became so apparent, but more particularly in
+Pennsylvania, where the Quakers were more numerous than in any other
+state, that they, who considered themselves more immediately as the
+friends of these injured people, thought it right to avail themselves of
+it: and accordingly James Pemberton, one of the most conspicuous of the
+Quakers in Pennsylvania, and Dr. Rush, one of the most conspicuous of
+those belonging to the various other religious communities in that
+province, undertook, in conjunction with others, the important task of
+bringing those into a society who were friendly to this cause. In this
+undertaking they succeeded. And hence arose that union of the Quakers
+with others, to which I have been directing the attention of the reader,
+and by which the third class of forerunners and coadjutors becomes now
+complete. This society, which was confined to Pennsylvania, was the
+first ever formed in America, in which there was an union of persons of
+different religious denominations in behalf of the African race.
+
+[Footnote A: In this year, Elhanan Winchester, a supporter of the
+doctrine of universal redemption, turned the attention of many of his
+hearers to this subject, both by private interference, and by preaching
+expressly upon it.]
+
+But this society had scarcely begun to act, when the war broke out
+between England and America, which had the effect of checking its
+operations. This was considered as a severe blow upon it. But as those
+things which appear most to our disadvantage, turn out often the most to
+our benefit, so the war, by giving birth to the independence of America,
+was ultimately favourable to its progress. For as this contrast had
+produced during its continuance, so it left, when it was over, a general
+enthusiasm for liberty. Many talked of little else but of the freedom
+they had gained. These were naturally led to the consideration of those
+among them who were groaning in bondage. They began to feel for their
+hard case. They began to think that they should not deserve the new
+blessing which they had acquired if they denied it to others. Thus the
+discussions, which originated in this contest, became the occasion of
+turning the attention of many, who might not otherwise have thought of
+it, towards the miserable condition of the slaves.
+
+Nor were writers wanting, who, influenced by considerations on the war,
+and the independence resulting from it, made their works subservient to
+the same benevolent end. A work, entitled _A Serious Address to the
+Rulers of America on the Inconsistency of their Conduct respecting
+Slavery, forming a Contrast between the Encroachments of England on
+American Liberty and American Injustice in tolerating Slavery_; which
+appeared in 1783, was particularly instrumental in producing this
+effect. This excited a more than usual attention to the case of these
+oppressed people, and where most of all it could be useful; for the
+author compared in two opposite columns the animated speeches and
+resolutions of the members of congress in behalf of their own liberty
+with their conduct in continuing slavery to others. Hence the
+legislature began to feel the inconsistency of the practice; and so far
+had the sense of this inconsistency spread there, that when the
+delegates met from each state to consider of a federal union, there was
+a desire that the abolition of the Slave Trade should be one of the
+articles in it. This was, however, opposed by the delegates from North
+and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Georgia, the five states
+which had the greatest concern in slaves. But even these offered to
+agree to the article, provided a condition was annexed to it, (which was
+afterwards done,) that the power of such abolition should not commence
+in the legislature till the 1st of January, 1808.
+
+In consequence then of these different circumstances, the Society of
+Pennsylvania, the object of which was "for promoting the abolition of
+slavery and the relief of free negroes unlawfully held in bondage,"
+became so popular, that in the year 1787 it was thought desirable to
+enlarge it. Accordingly several new members were admitted into it. The
+celebrated Dr. Franklin, who had long warmly espoused the cause of the
+injured Africans, was appointed president; James Pemberton and Jonathan
+Penrose were appointed vice-presidents; Dr. Benjamin Rush and Tench
+Coxe, secretaries; James Star, treasurer; William Lewis, John D. Coxe,
+Miers Fisher, and William Rawle, counsellors; Thomas Harrison, Nathan
+Boys, James Whiteall, James Reed, John Todd, Thomas Armatt, Norris
+Jones, Samuel Richards, Francis Bayley, Andrew Carson, John Warner, and
+Jacob Shoemaker, junior, an electing committee; and Thomas Shields,
+Thomas Parker, John Oldden, William Zane, John Warner, and William
+McElhenny, an acting committee for carrying on the purposes of the
+institution.
+
+I shall now only observe further upon this subject, that as a society,
+consisting of an union of the Quakers, with others of other religious
+denominations, was established for Pennsylvania in behalf of the
+oppressed Africans; so different societies, consisting each of a similar
+union of persons, were established in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey,
+Delaware, Maryland, and other states for the same object, and that these
+afterwards held a correspondence and personal communion with each other
+for the promotion of it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+Observations on the three classes already introduced.--Coincidence of
+extraordinary circumstances.--Individuals in each of these classes,
+who seem to have had an education as it were to qualify them for
+promoting the cause of the abolition; Sharp and Ramsay in the first;
+Dillwyn in the second; Pemberton and Rush in the third.--These, with
+their respective classes, acted on motives of their own, and
+independently of each other; and yet, from circumstances neither
+foreseen nor known by them, they were in the way of being easily
+united in 1787.--William Dillwyn, the great medium of connexion
+between them all.
+
+
+If the reader will refer to his recollection, he will find that I have
+given the history of three of the classes of the forerunners and
+coadjutors in the great cause of the abolition of the Slave Trade up to
+the time proposed. He will of course expect that I should proceed with
+the history of the fourth. But, as I foresee that, by making certain
+observations upon the classes already introduced in the present, rather
+than in any future, place, I shall be able to give him clearer views on
+the subject, I shall postpone the history of the remaining class to the
+next chapter.
+
+The account which I shall now give, will exhibit a concurrence of
+extraordinary and important circumstances. It will show, first, that in
+each of the three classes now introduced, there were individuals, in the
+year 1787, who had been educated as it were for the purpose of becoming
+peculiarly qualified to act together for the promotion of the abolition
+of the Slave Trade. It will show, secondly, that these, with their
+respective classes, acted upon their own principles, distinctly and
+independently of each other. And lastly, that by means of circumstances,
+which they themselves had neither foreseen nor contrived, a junction
+between them was rendered easily practicable, and that it was beginning
+to take place at the period assigned.
+
+The first class of forerunners and coadjutors consisted principally, as
+it has appeared, of persons in England of various descriptions. These, I
+may observe, had no communication with each other as to any plan for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. There were two individuals, however, among
+them who were more conspicuous than the rest, namely, Granville Sharp,
+the first labourer, and Mr. Ramsay, the first controversial writer, in
+the cause.
+
+That Granville Sharp received an education as if to become qualified to
+unite with others, in the year 1787, for this important object, must
+have, appeared from the history of his labours, as detailed in several
+of the preceding pages. The same may be said of Mr. Ramsay; for it has
+already appeared that he lived in the island of St. Christopher, where
+he made his observations, and studied the laws, relative to the
+treatment of slaves, for nineteen years.
+
+That Granville Sharp acted on grounds distinct from those in any of the
+other classes is certain. For he knew nothing at this time either of the
+Quakers in England or of those in America, any more than that they
+existed by name. Had it not been for the case of Jonathan Strong, he
+might never have attached himself to the cause. A similar account may be
+given of Mr. Ramsay; for, if it had not been for what he had seen in the
+island of St. Christopher, he had never embarked in it. It was from
+scenes, which he had witnessed there, that he began to feel on the
+subject. These feelings he communicated to others on his return to
+England, and these urged him into action.
+
+With respect to the second class, the reader will recollect that it
+consisted of the Quakers in England: first, of George Fox; then of the
+Quakers as a body; then of individuals belonging to that body, who
+formed themselves into a committee, independently of it, for the
+promotion of the object in question. This committee, it may he
+remembered, consisted of six persons, of whom one was William Dillwyn.
+
+That William Dillwyn became fitted for the station, which he was
+afterwards to take, will be seen shortly. He was born in America, and
+was a pupil of the venerable Benezet, who took pains very early to
+interest his feelings on this great subject. Benezet employed him
+occasionally, I mean in a friendly manner, as his amanuensis, to copy
+his manuscripts for publication, as well as several of his letters
+written in behalf of the cause. This gave his scholar an insight into
+the subject; who, living besides in the land where both the Slave Trade
+and slavery were established, obtained an additional knowledge of them,
+so as to be able to refute many of those objections, to which others,
+for want of local observation, could never have replied.
+
+In the year 1772, Anthony Benezet introduced William Dillwyn by letter
+to several of the principal people of Carolina, with whom he had himself
+corresponded on the sufferings of the poor Africans, and desired him to
+have interviews with them on the subject. He charged him also to be very
+particular in making observations as to what he should see there. This
+journey was of great use to the latter, in fixing him as the friend of
+these oppressed people; for he saw so much of their cruel treatment in
+the course of it, that he felt an anxiety ever afterwards, amounting to
+a duty, to do every thing in his power for their relief.
+
+In the year 1773, William Dillwyn, in conjunction with Richard Smith and
+Daniel Wells, two of his own society, wrote a pamphlet in answer to
+arguments then prevailing, that the manumission of slaves would be
+injurious. This pamphlet--which was entitled, _Brief Considerations on
+Slavery, and the Expediency of its Abolition; with some Hints on the
+Means whereby it may be gradually effected_,--proved that in lieu of the
+usual security required, certain sums paid at the several periods of
+manumission would amply secure the public, as well as the owners of the
+slaves, from any future burdens. In the same year also, when the
+society, joined by several hundreds of others in New Jersey, presented a
+petition to the legislature, (as mentioned in the former chapter,) to
+obtain an act of assembly for the more equitable manumission of slaves
+in that province, William Dillwyn was one of a deputation, which was
+heard at the bar of the assembly for that purpose.
+
+In 1774, he came to England, but his attention was still kept alive to
+the subject; for he was the person by whom Anthony Benezet sent his
+letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, as before related. He was also the
+person to whom the same venerable defender of the African race sent his
+letter, before spoken of, to be forwarded to the Queen.
+
+That William Dillwyn, and those of his own class in England, acted upon
+motives very distinct from those of the former class, may be said with
+truth; for they acted upon the constitutional principles of their own
+society, as incorporated into its discipline: which principles would
+always have incited them to the subversion of slavery, as far as they
+themselves were concerned, whether any other person had abolished it or
+not. To which it may be added, as a further proof of the originality of
+their motives, that the Quakers have had, ever since their institution
+as a religious body, but little intercourse with the world.
+
+The third class, to which I now come, consisted, as we have seen, first
+of the Quakers in America; and secondly, of an union, of these with
+others on the same continent. The principal individuals concerned in
+this union were James Pemberton and Dr. Rush. The former of these,
+having taken an active part in several of the yearly meetings of his own
+society relative to the oppressed Africans, and having been in habits of
+intimacy and friendship with John Woolman and Anthony Benezet, with the
+result of whose labours he was acquainted, may be supposed to have
+become qualified to take a leading station in the promotion of their
+cause. Dr. Rush also had shown himself, as has appeared, an able
+advocate, and had even sustained a controversy in their favour. That the
+two last mentioned acted also on motives of their own, or independently
+of those belonging to the other two classes, when they formed their
+association in Pennsylvania, will be obvious from these circumstances;
+first, that most of those of the first class, who contributed to throw
+the greatest light and odium upon the Slave Trade, had not then made
+their public appearance in the world. And, with respect to the second
+class, the little committee belonging to it had neither been formed nor
+thought of.
+
+And as the individuals in each of the three classes, who have now been
+mentioned, had an education as it were to qualify them for acting
+together in this great cause, and had moved independently of each other;
+so it will appear that, by means of circumstances, which they themselves
+had neither foreseen nor contrived, a junction between them was rendered
+easily practicable, and that it was beginning to take place at the
+period assigned.
+
+To show this, I must first remind the reader, that Anthony Benezet, as
+soon as he heard of the result of the case of Somerset, opened a
+correspondence with Granville Sharp, which was kept up to the
+encouragement of both. In the year 1774, when he learned that William
+Dillwyn was going to England, he gave him letters to that gentleman.
+Thus one of the most conspicuous of the second class was introduced,
+accidentally as it were, to one of the most conspicuous of the first. In
+the year 1775, William Dillwyn went back to America, but, on his return
+to England to settle, he renewed his visits to Granville Sharp. Thus the
+connexion was continued. To these observations I may now add, that
+Samuel Hoare, of the same class as William Dillwyn, had, in consequence
+of the Bishop of Chester's sermon, begun a correspondence in 1784, as
+before mentioned, with Mr. Ramsay, who was of the same class as Mr.
+Sharp. Thus four individuals of the two first classes were in the way of
+an union with one another.
+
+But circumstances equally natural contributed to render an union between
+the members of the second and the third classes easily practicable also.
+For what was more natural than that William Dillwyn, who was born and
+who had resided long in America, should have connexions there? He had
+long cultivated a friendship (not then knowing to what it would lead)
+with James Pemberton. His intimacy with him was like that of a family
+connexion. They corresponded together; they corresponded also as kindred
+hearts, relative to the Slave Trade. Thus two members of the second and
+third classes had opened an intercourse on the subject and thus was
+William Dillwyn the great medium, through whom the members of the two
+classes now mentioned, as well as the members of all the three, might be
+easily united also, if a fit occasion should offer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+Fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors up to 1787.--Dr.
+Peckard, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, the first of
+these; gives out the Slave Trade as the subject for one of the annual
+prizes.--Author writes and obtains the first of these; reads his
+Dissertation in the Senate-house in the summer of 1785; his feelings on
+the subject during his return home; is desirous of aiding the cause of
+the Africans, but sees great difficulties; determines to publish his
+prize essay for this purpose; is accidentally thrown into the way of
+James Phillips, who introduces him to W. Dillwyn, the connecting medium
+of the three classes before mentioned; and to G. Sharp and Mr. Ramsay,
+and to R. Phillips.
+
+
+I proceed now to the fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors up to
+the year 1787 in the great cause of the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+The first of these was Dr. Peckard. This gentleman had distinguished
+himself in the earlier part of his life by certain publications on the
+intermediate state of the soul, and by others in favour of civil and
+religious liberty. To the latter cause he was a warm friend, seldom
+omitting any opportunity of declaring his sentiments in its favour. In
+the course of his preferment he was appointed by Sir John Griffin,
+afterwards Lord Howard of Walden, to the mastership of Magdalen College
+in the University of Cambridge. In this high office he considered it to
+be his duty to support those doctrines which he had espoused when in an
+inferior station; and accordingly, when in the year 1784 it devolved
+upon him to preach a sermon, before the University of Cambridge, he
+chose his favourite subject: in the handling of which he took an
+opportunity of speaking of the Slave Trade in the following nervous
+manner:--
+
+
+    "Now, whether we consider the crime with respect to the
+    individuals concerned in this most barbarous and cruel traffic,
+    or whether we consider it as patronized and encouraged by the
+    laws of the land, it presents to our view an equal degree of
+    enormity. A crime, founded on a dreadful pre-eminence in
+    wickedness--a crime, which being both of individuals and the
+    nation, must sometime draw down upon us the heaviest judgment of
+    Almighty God, who made of one blood all the sons of men, and who
+    gave to all equally a natural right to liberty; and who, ruling
+    all the kingdoms of the earth with equal providential justice,
+    cannot suffer such deliberate, such monstrous iniquity, to pass
+    long unpunished."
+
+
+But Dr. Peckard did not consider this delivery of his testimony, though
+it was given before a learned and religious body, as a sufficient
+discharge of his duty, while any opportunity remained of renewing it
+with effect. And, as such an one offered in the year 1785, when he was
+vice-chancellor of the University, he embraced it. In consequence of his
+office, it devolved upon him to give out two subjects for Latin
+dissertations, one to the middle bachelors, and the other to the senior
+bachelors of arts. They who produced the best were to obtain the prizes.
+To the latter he proposed the following: _Anne liceat Invitos in
+Servitutem dare?_ or, _Is it right to make slaves of others against
+their will?_
+
+This circumstance of giving out subjects for the prizes, though only an
+ordinary measure, became the occasion of my own labours, or of the real
+honour which I feel in being able to consider myself as the next
+coadjutor of this class in the cause of the injured Africans. For it
+happened in this year that, being of the order of senior bachelors, I
+became qualified to write. I had gained a prize for the best Latin
+dissertation in the former year, and, therefore, it was expected that I
+should obtain one in the present, or I should be considered as having
+lost my reputation both in the eyes of the University and of my own
+College. It had happened also, that I had been honoured with the first
+of the prizes[A], in that year, and therefore it was expected again,
+that I should obtain the first on this occasion. The acquisition of the
+second, however honourable, would have been considered as a falling off,
+or as a loss of former fame. I felt myself, therefore, particularly
+called upon to maintain my post. And, with feelings of this kind, I
+began to prepare myself for the question.
+
+[Footnote A: There are two prizes on each subject, one for the best and
+the other for the second-best essays.]
+
+In studying the thesis, I conceived it to point directly to the African
+Slave Trade, and more particularly as I knew that Dr. Peckard, in the
+sermon which I have mentioned, had pronounced so warmly against it. At
+any rate, I determined to give it this construction. But, alas! I was
+wholly ignorant of this subject; and, what was unfortunate, a few weeks
+only were allowed for the composition. I was determined, however, to
+make the best use of my time. I got access to the manuscript papers of a
+deceased friend, who had been in the trade. I was acquainted also with
+several officers who had been in the West Indies, and from these I
+gained something. But I still felt myself at a loss for materials, and I
+did not know where to get them; when going by accident into a friend's
+house, I took up a newspaper then lying on his table. One of the
+articles which attracted my notice, was an advertisement of ANTHONY
+BENEZET'S _Historical Account of Guinea_. I soon left my friend and his
+paper, and, to lose no time, hastened to London to buy it. In this
+precious book I found almost all I wanted. I obtained, by means of it, a
+knowledge of, and access to, the great authorities of Adanson, Moore,
+Barbot, Smith, Bosman, and others. It was of great consequence to know
+what these persons had said upon this subject. For, having been
+themselves either long resident in Africa, or very frequently there,
+their knowledge of it could not be questioned. Having been concerned
+also in the trade, it was not likely that they would criminate
+themselves more than they could avoid. Writing too at a time when the
+abolition was not even thought of, they could not have been biassed with
+any view to that event. And, lastly, having been dead many years, they
+could not have been influenced, as living evidences may be supposed to
+have been, either to conceal or exaggerate, as their own interest might
+lead them, either by being concerned in the continuance of the trade, or
+by supporting the opinions of those of their patrons in power, who were
+on the different sides of this question.
+
+Furnished then in this manner, I began my work. But no person can tell
+the severe trial which the writing of it proved to me. I had expected
+pleasure from the invention of the arguments, from the arrangement of
+them, from the putting of them together, and from the thought in the
+interim that I was engaged in an innocent contest for literary honour.
+But, all my pleasure was damped by the facts which were now continually
+before me. It was but one gloomy subject from morning to night. In the
+day-time I was uneasy. In the night I had little rest. I sometimes never
+closed my eye-lids for grief. It became now not so much a trial for
+academical reputation, as for the production of a work, which might be
+useful to injured Africa. And keeping this idea in my mind ever after
+the perusal of Benezet, I always slept with a candle in my room, that I
+might rise out of my bed and put down such thoughts as might occur to me
+in the night, if I judged them valuable, conceiving that no arguments of
+any moment should be lost in so great a cause. Having at length finished
+this painful task, I sent my Essay to the vice-chancellor, and soon
+afterwards found myself honoured as before with the first prize.
+
+As it is usual to read these Essays publicly in the senate-house soon
+after the prize is adjudged, I was called to Cambridge for this purpose.
+I went and performed my office. On returning however to London, the
+subject of it almost wholly engrossed my thoughts. I became at times
+very seriously affected while upon the road. I stopped my horse
+occasionally, and dismounted and walked. I frequently tried to persuade
+myself in these intervals that the contents of my Essay could not be
+true. The more, however, I reflected upon them, or rather upon the
+authorities on which they were founded, the more I gave them credit.
+Coming in sight of Wades Mill, in Hertfordshire, I sat down disconsolate
+on the turf by the roadside and held my horse. Here a thought came into
+my mind, that if the contents of the Essay were true, it was time some
+person should see these calamities to their end. Agitated in this
+manner, I reached home. This was in the summer of 1785.
+
+In the course of the autumn of the same year I experienced similar
+impressions. I walked frequently into the woods, that I might think on
+the subject in solitude, and find relief to my mind there. But there the
+question still recurred, "Are these things true?" Still the answer
+followed as instantaneously "They are." Still the result accompanied it,
+"Then surely some person should interfere." I then began to envy those
+who had seats in parliament, and who had great riches, and widely
+extended connexions, which would enable them to take up this cause.
+Finding scarcely any one at that time who thought of it, I was turned
+frequently to myself. But here many difficulties arose. It struck me,
+among others, that a young man of only twenty-four years of age could
+not have that solid judgment or knowledge of men, manners, and things,
+which were requisite to qualify him to undertake a task of such
+magnitude and importance;--and with whom was I to unite? I believed
+also, that it looked so much like one of the feigned labours of
+Hercules, that my understanding would be suspected if I proposed it. On
+ruminating, however, on the subject, I found one thing at least
+practicable, and that this also was in my power. I could translate my
+Latin dissertation. I could enlarge it usefully. I could see how the
+public received it, or how far they were likely to favour any serious
+measures, which should have a tendency to produce the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. Upon this then I determined; and in the middle of the month
+of November 1785, I began my work.
+
+By the middle of January, I had finished half of it, though I had made
+considerable additions. I now thought of engaging with some bookseller
+to print it when finished. For this purpose I called upon Mr. Cadell, in
+the Strand, and consulted him about it. He said that as the original
+essay had been honoured by the University of Cambridge with the first
+prize, this circumstance would insure it a respectable circulation among
+persons of taste. I own I was not much pleased with his opinion. I
+wished the essay to find its way among useful people, and among such as
+would act and think with me. Accordingly I left Mr. Cadell, after having
+thanked him for his civility, and determined, as I thought I had time
+sufficient before dinner, to call upon a friend in the city. In going
+past the Royal Exchange, Mr. Joseph Hancock, one of the religious
+society of the Quakers, and with whose family my own had been long
+united in friendship, suddenly met me. He first accosted me by saying
+that I was the person whom he was wishing to see. He then asked me why I
+had not published my prize essay. I asked him in return what had made
+him think of that subject in particular. He replied that his own society
+had long taken it up as a religious body, and individuals among them
+were wishing to find me out. I asked him who. He answered, James
+Phillips, a bookseller, in Georgeyard, Lombard-street, and William
+Dillwyn, of Walthamstow, and others. Having but little time to spare, I
+desired him to introduce me to one of them. In a few minutes he took me
+to James Phillips, who was then the only one of them in town; by whose
+conversation I was so much interested and encouraged, that without any
+further hesitation I offered him the publication of my work. This
+accidental introduction of me to James Phillips was, I found afterwards,
+a most happy circumstance for the promotion of the cause which I had
+then so deeply at heart, as it led me to the knowledge of several of
+those, who became afterwards material coadjutors in it. It was also of
+great importance to me with respect to the work itself: for he possessed
+an acute penetration, a solid judgment, and a literary knowledge, which
+he proved by the many alterations and additions he proposed; and which I
+believe I uniformly adopted, after mature consideration, from a sense of
+their real value. It was advantageous to me also, inasmuch as it led me
+to his friendship, which was never interrupted but by his death.
+
+On my second visit to James Phillips, at which time I brought him about
+half my manuscript for the press, I desired him to introduce me to
+William Dillwyn, as he also had mentioned him to me on my first visit,
+and as I had not seen Mr. Hancock since. Matters were accordingly
+arranged, and a day appointed before I left him. On this day I had my
+first interview with my new friend. Two or three others of his own
+religious society were present, but who they were, I do not now
+recollect. There seemed to be a great desire among them to know the
+motive, by which I had been actuated in contending for the prize. I told
+them frankly that I had no motive but that which, other young men in the
+University had on such occasions; namely, the wish of being
+distinguished, or of obtaining literary honour; but that I had felt so
+deeply on the subject of it, that I had lately interested myself in it
+from a motive of duty. My conduct seemed to be highly approved by those
+present, and much conversation ensued, but it was of a general nature.
+
+As William Dillwyn wished very much to see me at his house at
+Walthamstow, I appointed the 13th of March to spend the day with them
+there. We talked for the most part, during my stay, on the subject of my
+essay. I soon discovered the treasure I had met with in his local
+knowledge, both of the Slave Trade and of slavery, as they existed in
+the United States; and I gained from him several facts, which, with his
+permission, I afterwards inserted in my work. But how surprised was I to
+hear, in the course of our conversation, of the labours of Granville
+Sharp, of the writings of Ramsay, and of the controversy in which the
+latter was engaged, of all which I had hitherto known nothing! How
+surprised was I to learn that William Dillwyn himself had, two years
+before, associated himself with five others for the purpose of
+enlightening the public mind upon this great subject! How astonished was
+I to find that a society had been formed in America for the same object,
+with some of the principal members of which he was intimately
+acquainted! And how still more astonished at the inference which
+instantly rushed upon my mind, that he was capable of being made the
+great medium of connexion between them all. These thoughts almost
+overpowered me. I believe that after this I talked but little more to my
+friend. My mind was overwhelmed with the thought that I had been
+providentially directed to his house; that the finger of Providence was
+beginning to be discernible; that the day-star of African liberty was
+rising, and that probably I might be permitted to become an humble
+instrument in promoting it.
+
+In the course of attending to my work, as now in the press, James
+Phillips introduced me also to Granville Sharp, with whom I had
+afterwards many interesting interviews from time to time, and whom I
+discovered to be a distant relation by my father's side.
+
+He introduced me also by letter to a correspondence with Mr. Ramsay, who
+in a short time afterwards came to London to see me.
+
+He introduced me also to his cousin, Richard Phillips, of Lincoln's Inn,
+who was at that time, on the point of joining the religious society of
+Quakers. In him I found much sympathy, and a willingness to co-operate
+with me. When dull and disconsolate, he encouraged me. When in spirits,
+he stimulated me further. Him I am now to mention as a new, but soon
+afterwards as an active and indefatigable, coadjutor in the cause. But I
+shall say more concerning him in a future chapter. I shall only now add
+that my work was at length printed; that it was entitled _An Essay on
+the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, particularly the African,
+translated from a Latin Dissertation, which was honoured with the first
+Prize in the University of Cambridge, for the year 1785; with
+Additions_; and that it was ushered into the world in the month of June,
+1786, or in about a year after it had been read in the Senate-house in
+its first form.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+Continuation of the fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors up to
+1787; Bennet Langton; Dr. Baker; Lord and Lady Scarsdale.--Author
+visits Ramsay at Teston.--Lady Middleton and Sir Charles (afterward
+Lord Barham).--Author declares himself at the house of the latter
+ready now to devote himself to the cause; reconsiders this declaration
+or pledge; his reasoning and struggle upon it; persists in it; returns
+to London; and pursues the work as now a business of his life.
+
+
+I had purposed, as I said before, when I determined to publish my essay,
+to wait to see how the world would receive it, or what disposition there
+would be in the public to favour my measures for the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. But the conversation which I had held on the 13th of March
+with William Dillwyn, continued to make such an impression upon me, that
+I thought now there could be no occasion for waiting for such a purpose.
+It seemed now only necessary to go forward. Others I found had already
+begun the work. I had been thrown suddenly among these, as into a new
+world of friends. I believed, also, that a way was opening under
+Providence for support; and I now thought that nothing remained for me
+but to procure as many coadjutors as I could.
+
+I had long had the honour of the friendship of Mr. Bennet Langton, and I
+determined to carry him one of my books, and to interest his feelings in
+it, with a view of procuring his assistance in the cause. Mr. Langton
+was a gentleman of an ancient family and respectable fortune in
+Lincolnshire, but resided then in Queen Square, Westminster. He was
+known as the friend of Dr. Johnson, Jonas Hanway, Edmund Burke, Sir
+Joshua Reynolds, and others. Among his acquaintance, indeed, were most
+of the literary, and eminent professional, and public-spirited men of
+the times. At court, also, he was well known, and had the esteem of his
+majesty (George III.), with whom he frequently conversed. His friends
+were numerous also, in both houses of the legislature. As to himself, he
+was much noted for his learning, but most of all for the great example
+he gave, with respect to the usefulness and integrity of his life.
+
+By introducing my work to the sanction of a friend of such high
+character and extensive connexions, I thought I should be doing great
+things. And so the event proved. For when I went to him after he had
+read it, I found that it had made a deep impression upon his mind. As a
+friend to humanity, he lamented over the miseries of the oppressed
+Africans; and over the crimes of their tyrants, as a friend to morality
+and religion. He cautioned me, however, against being too sanguine in my
+expectations, as so many thousands were interested in continuing the
+trade. Justice, however, which he said weighed with him beyond all
+private or political interest, demanded a public inquiry, and he would
+assist me to the utmost of his power in my attempts towards it. From
+this time he became a zealous and active coadjutor in the cause, and
+continued so to the end of his valuable life.
+
+The next person, to whom I gave my work with a like view, was Dr. Baker,
+a clergyman of the Establishment, and with whom I had been in habits of
+intimacy for some time. Dr. Baker was a learned and pious man. He had
+performed the duties of his profession, from the time of his initiation
+into the church, in an exemplary manner; not only by paying a proper
+attention to the customary services, but by the frequent visitation of
+the sick and the instruction of the poor. This he had done, too, to
+admiration in a particularly extensive parish. At the time I knew him,
+he had May-Fair Chapel, of which an unusual portion of the congregation
+consisted then of persons of rank and fortune. With most of these he had
+a personal acquaintance. This was of great importance to me in the
+promotion of my views.  Having left him my book for a month, I called
+upon him. The result was that which I expected from so good a man. He,
+did not wait for me to ask him for his co-operation, but he offered his
+services in any way which I might think most eligible; feeling it his
+duty, as he expressed it, to become an instrument in exposing such a
+complication of guilt and misery to the world. Dr. Baker became from
+this time an active coadjutor also, and continued so to his death.
+
+The person to whom I sent my work next, was the late Lord Scarsdale,
+whose family I had known for about two years. Both he and his lady read
+it with attention. They informed me, after the perusal of it, that both
+of them were desirous of assisting me in promoting the cause of the poor
+Africans. Lady Scarsdale lamented that she might possibly offend near
+and dear connexions, who had interests in, the West Indies, by so doing;
+but that, conscious of no intention to offend these, and considering the
+duties of religion to be the first to be attended to, she should be
+pleased to become useful in so good a cause. Lord Scarsdale also assured
+me, that, if the subject should ever come before the House of Lords, it
+should have his constant support.
+
+While attempting to make friends in this manner, I received a letter
+from Mr. Ramsay, with an invitation to spend a month at his house at
+Teston, near Maidstone, in Kent. This I accepted, that I might
+communicate to him the progress I had made, that I might gain more
+knowledge from him on the subject, and that I might acquire new strength
+and encouragement to proceed. On hearing my account of my proceedings,
+which I detailed to him on the first evening of our meeting, he seemed
+almost overpowered with joy. He said he had been long of opinion that
+the release of the Africans from the scourges of this cruel trade was
+within the determined views of Providence, and that by turning the
+public attention to their misery, we should be the instruments of
+beginning the good work. He then informed me how long he himself had had
+their cause at heart; that communicating his feelings to Sir Charles
+Middleton (afterwards Lord Barham) and his lady, the latter had urged
+him to undertake a work in their behalf; that her importunities were
+great respecting it; and that he had on this account, and in obedience
+also to his own feelings, as has been before mentioned, begun it; but
+that, foreseeing the censure and abuse which such a subject, treated in
+any possible manner, must bring upon the author, he had laid it aside
+for some time. He had, however, resumed it at the solicitation of Dr.
+Porteus, then Bishop of Chester; after which, in the year 1784, it made
+its appearance in the world.
+
+I was delighted with this account on the first evening of my arrival;
+but more particularly, as I collected from it that I might expect in the
+Bishop of Chester and Sir Charles Middleton two new friends to the
+cause. This expectation was afterwards fully realized, as the reader
+will see in its proper place. But I was still more delighted, when I was
+informed that Sir Charles and Lady Middleton, with Mrs. Bouverie, lived
+at Teston Hall, in a park which was but a few yards from the house in
+which I then was. In the morning I desired an introduction to them,
+which accordingly took place, and I found myself much encouraged and
+supported by this visit.
+
+It is not necessary, nor indeed is there room, to detail my employments
+in this village, or the lonely walks I took there, or the meditations of
+my mind at such seasons. I will therefore come at once to a particular
+occurrence. When at dinner one day with the family at Teston Hall, I was
+much pleased with the turn which the conversation had taken on the
+subject, and in the joy of my heart I exclaimed, that "I was ready to
+devote myself to the cause." This brought great commendation from those
+present; and Sir Charles Middleton added, that if I wanted any
+information in the course of my future inquiries relative to Africa,
+which he could procure me as comptroller of the navy, such as extracts
+from the journals of the ships of war to that continent, or from other
+papers, I should have free access to his office. This offer I received
+with thankfulness, and it operated as a new encouragement to me to
+proceed.
+
+The next morning, when I awoke, one of the first things that struck me
+was, that I had given a pledge to the company the day before that I
+would devote myself to the cause of the oppressed Africans. I became a
+little uneasy at this. I questioned whether I had considered matters
+sufficiently to be able to go so far with propriety. I determined
+therefore to give the subject a full consideration, and accordingly I
+walked to the place of my usual meditations,--the woods.
+
+Having now reached a place of solitude, I began to balance everything on
+both sides of the question. I considered first, that I had not yet
+obtained information sufficient on the subject to qualify me for the
+undertaking of such a work. But I reflected, on the other hand, that Sir
+Charles Middleton had just opened to me a new source of knowledge; that
+I should be backed by the local information of Dillwyn and Ramsay; and
+that surely, by taking pains, I could acquire more.
+
+I then considered that I had not yet a sufficient number of friends to
+support me. This occasioned me to review them. I had now Sir Charles
+Middleton, who was in the House of Commons. I was sure of Dr. Porteus,
+who was in the House of Lords. I could count upon Lord Scarsdale, who
+was a peer also. I had secured Mr. Langton, who had a most extensive
+acquaintance with members of both houses of the legislature. I had also
+secured Dr. Baker, who had similar connexions. I could depend upon
+Granville Sharp, James Phillips, Richard Phillips, Ramsay, Dillwyn, and
+the little committee to which he belonged, as well as the whole society
+of the Quakers. I thought, therefore, upon the whole, that, considering
+the short time I had been at work, I was well off with respect to
+support. I believed, also, that there were still several of my own
+acquaintance whom I could interest in the question, and I did not doubt
+that, by exerting myself diligently, persons, who were then strangers to
+me, would be raised up in time.
+
+I considered next, that it was impossible for a great cause like this to
+be forwarded without large pecuniary funds. I questioned whether some
+thousand pounds would not be necessary, and from whence was such a sum
+to come! In answer to this, I persuaded myself that generous people
+would be found who would unite with me in contributing their mite
+towards the undertaking, and I seemed confident that, as the Quakers had
+taken up the cause as a religious body, they would not be behind-hand in
+supporting it.
+
+I considered lastly, that if I took up the question, I must devote
+myself wholly to it. I was sensible that a little labour now and then
+would be inadequate to the purpose, or that, where the interests of so
+many thousand persons were likely to be affected, constant exertion
+would be necessary. I felt certain that if ever the matter were to be
+taken up, there could be no hope of success, except it should be taken
+up by some one who would make it an object or business of his life. I
+thought too that a man's life might not be more than adequate to the
+accomplishment of the end. But I knew of no one who could devote such a
+portion of time to it. Sir Charles Middleton, though he was so warm and
+zealous, was greatly occupied in the discharge of his office. Mr.
+Langton spent a great portion of his time in the education of his
+children. Dr. Baker had a great deal to do in the performance of his
+parochial duty. The Quakers were almost all of them in trade. I could
+look therefore to no person but myself; and the question was, whether I
+was prepared to make the sacrifice. In favour of the undertaking, I
+urged to myself, that never was any cause, which had been taken up by
+man in any country or in any age, so great and important; that never was
+there one in which so much misery was heard to cry for redress; that
+never was there one in which so much good could be done; never one in
+which the duty of Christian charity could be so extensively exercised;
+never one more worthy of the devotion of a whole life towards it; and
+that, if a man thought properly, he ought to rejoice to have been called
+into existence, if he were only permitted to become an instrument in
+forwarding it in any part of its progress. Against these sentiments, on
+the other hand, I had to urge, that I had been designed for the church;
+that I had already advanced as far as deacon's orders in it; that my
+prospects there on account of my connexions were then brilliant, that,
+by appearing to desert my profession, my family would be dissatisfied,
+if not unhappy. These thoughts pressed upon me, and rendered the
+conflict difficult. But the sacrifice of my prospects staggered me, I
+own, the most. When the other objections, which I have related, occurred
+to me, my enthusiasm instantly, like a flash of lightning, consumed
+them; but this stuck to me, and troubled me. I had ambition. I had a
+thirst after worldly interest and honours, and I could not extinguish it
+at once. I was more than two hours in solitude under this painful
+conflict. At length I yielded, not because I saw any reasonable prospect
+of success in my new undertaking (for all cool-headed and cool-hearted
+men would have pronounced against it), but in obedience, I believe, to a
+higher Power. And I can say, that both on the moment of this resolution,
+and for some time afterwards, I had more sublime and happy feelings than
+at any former period of my life.
+
+Having now made up my mind on the subject, I informed Mr. Ramsay, that
+in a few days I should be leaving Teston, that I might begin my labours,
+according to the pledge I had given him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+Continuation of the fourth Class of forerunners and coadjutors Up to
+1787.--Author resolves upon the distribution of his book.--Mr.
+Sheldon; Sir Herbert Mackworth; Lord Newhaven; Lord Balgonie
+(afterwards Leven); Lord Hawke; Bishop Porteus.--Author visits African
+vessels in the Thames; and various persons, for further
+information.--Visits also Members of Parliament; Sir Richard Hill; Mr.
+Powys (late Lord Lilford); Mr. Wilberforce and others; conduct of the
+latter on this occasion.
+
+
+On my return to London, I called upon William Dillwyn, to inform him of
+the resolution I had made at Teston, and found him at his town lodgings
+in the Poultry. I informed him also, that I had a letter of introduction
+in my pocket from Sir Charles Middleton to Samuel Hoare, with whom I was
+to converse on the subject. The latter gentleman had interested himself
+the year before as one of the committee for the Black poor in London,
+whom Mr. Sharp was sending under the auspices of government to Sierra
+Leone. He was also, as the reader may see by looking back, a member of
+the second class of coadjutors, or of the little committee which had
+branched out of the Quakers in England as before described. William
+Dillwyn said he would go with me and introduce me himself. On our
+arrival in Lombard-street, I saw my new friend, with whom we conversed
+for some time. From thence I proceeded, accompanied by both, to the
+house of James Phillips in George-yard, to whom I was desirous of
+communicating my resolution also. We found him at home, conversing with
+a friend of the same religious society, whose name was Joseph Gurney
+Bevan. I then repeated my resolution before them all. We had much
+friendly and satisfactory conversation together. I received much
+encouragement on every side, and I fixed to meet them again at the place
+where we then were in three days.
+
+On the evening of the same day, I waited upon Granville Sharp to make
+the same communication to him. He received it with great pleasure, and
+he hoped I should have strength to proceed. From thence I went to the
+Baptist-head coffee-house, in Chancery-lane, and having engaged with the
+master of the house that I should always have one private room to myself
+when I wanted it, I took up my abode there, in order to be near my
+friend Richard Phillips of Lincoln's Inn, from whose advice and
+assistance I had formed considerable expectations.
+
+The first matter for our deliberation, after we had thus become
+neighbours, was, what plan I ought to pursue to give effect to the
+resolution I had taken.
+
+After having discussed the matter two or three times at his chambers, it
+seemed to be our opinion, that, as members of the legislature could do
+more to the purpose in this question, than any other persons, it would
+be proper to circulate all the remaining copies of my work among these,
+in order that they might thus obtain information upon the subject.
+Secondly, that it would be proper that I should wait personally upon
+several of these also. And thirdly, that I should be endeavouring in the
+interim to enlarge my own knowledge, that I might thus be enabled to
+answer the various objections which might be advanced on the other side
+of the question, as well as become qualified to be a manager of the
+cause.
+
+On the third day, or at the time appointed, I went with Richard Phillips
+to George-yard, Lombard-street, where I met all my friends as before. I
+communicated to them the opinion we had formed at Lincoln's Inn,
+relative to my future proceedings in the three different branches as now
+detailed. They approved the plan. On desiring a number of my books to be
+sent to me at my new lodgings for the purpose of distribution, Joseph
+Gurney Bevan, who was stated to have been present at the former
+interview, seemed uneasy, and at length asked me if I was going to
+distribute these at my own expense. I replied, I was. He appealed
+immediately to those present whether it ought to be allowed. He asked
+whether, when a young man was giving up his time from morning till
+night, they who applauded his pursuit and seemed desirous of
+co-operating with him, should allow him to make such a sacrifice, or
+whether they should not at least secure him from loss; and he proposed
+directly that the remaining part of the edition should be taken off by
+subscription, and, in order that my feelings might not be hurt from any
+supposed stain arising from the thought of gaining any thing by such a
+proposal, they should be paid for only at the prime cost. I felt myself
+much obliged to him for this tender consideration about me, and
+particularly for the latter part of it, under which alone I accepted the
+offer. Samuel Hoare was charged with the management of the subscription,
+and the books were to be distributed as I had proposed, and in any way
+which I myself might prescribe.
+
+This matter having been determined upon, my first care was that the
+books should be put into proper hands. Accordingly I went round among my
+friends from day to day, wishing to secure this before I attended to any
+of the other objects. In this I was much assisted by my friend Richard
+Phillips. Mr. Langton began the distribution of them. He made a point
+either of writing to or of calling upon those to whom he sent them. Dr.
+Baker took the charge of several for the same purpose; Lord and Lady
+Scarsdale of others; Sir Charles and Lady Middleton of others. Mr.
+Sheldon, at the request of Richard Phillips, introduced me by letter to
+several members of parliament, to whom I wished to deliver them myself.
+Sir Herbert Mackworth, when spoken to by the latter, offered his
+services also. He seemed to be particularly interested in the cause. He
+went about to many of his friends in the House of Commons, and this from
+day to day, to procure their favour towards it. Lord Newhaven was
+applied to, and distributed some. Lord Balgonie took a similar charge.
+The late Lord Hawke, who told me that he had long felt for the
+sufferings of the injured Africans, desired to be permitted to take his
+share of the distribution among members of the House of Lords, and Dr.
+Porteus, now Bishop of London, became another coadjutor in the same
+work.
+
+This distribution of my books having been consigned to proper hands, I
+began to qualify myself, by obtaining further knowledge, for the
+management of this great cause. As I had obtained the principal part of
+it from reading, I thought I ought now to see what could be seen, and to
+know from living persons what could be known on the subject.  With
+respect to the first of these points, the river Thames presented itself
+as at hand. Ships were going occasionally from the port of London to
+Africa, and why could I not get on board them and examine for myself?
+After diligent inquiry, I heard of one which had just arrived. I found
+her to be a little wood-vessel, called the Lively, Captain Williamson,
+or one which traded to Africa in the natural productions of the country,
+such as ivory, bees'-wax, Malaguetta pepper, palm-oil, and dye-woods. I
+obtained specimens of some of these, so that I now became possessed of
+some of those things of which I had only read before. On conversing with
+the mate, he showed me one or two pieces of the cloth made by the
+natives, and from their own cotton. I prevailed upon him to sell me a
+piece of each. Here new feelings arose, and particularly when I
+considered that persons of so much apparent ingenuity, and capable of
+such beautiful work as the Africans, should be made slaves, and reduced
+to a level with the brute creation. My reflections here on the better
+use which might be made of Africa by the substitution of another trade,
+and on the better use which might be made of her inhabitants, served
+greatly to animate and to sustain me amidst the labour of my pursuits.
+
+The next vessel I boarded was the Fly, Captain Colley. Here I found
+myself for the first time on the deck of a slave-vessel. The sight of
+the rooms below and of the gratings above, and of the barricado across
+the deck, and the explanation of the uses of all these, filled me both
+with melancholy and horror. I found soon afterwards a fire of
+indignation kindling within me. I had now scarce patience to talk with
+those on board. I had not the coolness this first time to go leisurely
+over the places that were open to me. I got away quickly. But that which
+I thought I saw horrible in this vessel had the same effect upon me as
+that which I thought I had seen agreeable in the other, namely, to
+animate and to invigorate me in my pursuit.
+
+But I will not trouble the reader with any further account of my
+water-expeditions, while attempting to perfect my knowledge on this
+subject. I was equally assiduous in obtaining intelligence wherever it
+could be had; and being now always on the watch, I was frequently
+falling in with individuals, from whom I gained something. My object was
+to see all who had been in Africa, but more particularly those who had
+never been interested, or who at any rate were not then interested, in
+the trade. I gained accordingly access very early to General Rooke; to
+Lieutenant Dalrymple, of the army; to Captain Fiddes, of the engineers;
+to the reverend Mr. Newton; to Mr. Nisbett, a surgeon in the Minories;
+to Mr. Devaynes, who was then in parliament, and to many others; and I
+made it a rule to put down in writing, after every conversation, what
+had taken place in the course of it. By these means, things began to
+unfold themselves to me more and more, and I found my stock of knowledge
+almost daily on the increase.
+
+While, however, I was forwarding this, I was not inattentive to the
+other object of my pursuit, which was that of waiting upon members
+personally. The first I called upon was Sir Richard Hill. At the first
+interview he espoused the cause. I waited then upon others, and they
+professed themselves friendly; but they seemed to make this profession
+more from the emotion of good hearts, revolting at the bare mention of
+the Slave Trade, than from any knowledge concerning it. One, however,
+whom I visited, Mr. Powys, (the late Lord Lilford,) with whom I had been
+before acquainted in Northamptonshire, seemed to doubt some of the facts
+in my book, from a belief that human nature was not capable of
+proceeding to such a pitch of wickedness. I asked him to name his facts.
+He selected the case of the hundred and thirty-two slaves who were
+thrown alive into the sea to defraud the underwriters. I promised to
+satisfy him fully upon this point, and went immediately to Granville
+Sharp, who lent me his account of the trial, as reported at large from
+the notes of the short-hand writer, whom he had employed on the
+occasion. Mr. Powys read the account. He became, in consequence of it,
+convinced, as, indeed, he could not otherwise be, of the truth of what I
+had asserted, and he declared at the same time that, if this were true,
+there was nothing so horrible related of this trade, which might not
+immediately be believed. Mr. Powys had been always friendly to this
+question, but now he took a part in the distribution of my books.
+
+Among those whom I visited was Mr. Wilberforce. On my first interview
+with him, he stated frankly, that the subject had often employed his
+thoughts, and that it was near his heart. He seemed earnest about it,
+and also very desirous of taking the trouble of inquiring further into
+it. Having read my book, which I had delivered to him, in person, he
+sent, for me. He expressed a wish that I would make him acquainted with
+some of my authorities for the assertions in it, which I did afterwards
+to his satisfaction. He asked me if I could support it by any other
+evidence. I told him I could. I mentioned Mr. Newton, Mr. Nisbett, and
+several others to him. He took the trouble of sending for all these. He
+made memorandums of their conversation, and, sending for me afterwards,
+showed them to me. On learning my intention to devote myself to the
+cause, he paid me many handsome compliments. He then desired me to call
+upon him often, and to acquaint him with my progress from time to time.
+He expressed also his willingness to afford me any assistance in his
+power in the prosecution of my pursuits.
+
+The carrying on of these different objects, together with the writing
+which was connected with them, proved very laborious, and occupied
+almost all my time. I was seldom engaged less than sixteen hours in the
+day. When I left Teston to begin the pursuit as an object of my life, I
+promised my friend Mr. Ramsay a weekly account of my progress. At the
+end of the first week my letter to him contained little more than a
+sheet of paper. At the end of the second it contained three; at the end
+of the third, six; and at the end of the fourth I found it would be so
+voluminous, that I was obliged to decline writing it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+Continuation of the fourth class of forerunners and coadjutors up to
+1787.--Author goes on to enlarge his knowledge in the different
+departments of the subject; communicates more frequently with Mr.
+Wilberforce.--Meetings now appointed at the house of the
+latter.--Dinner at Mr. Langton's.--Mr. Wilberforce pledges himself
+there to take up the subject in Parliament; remarkable junction, in
+consequence, of all the four classes of forerunners and coadjutors
+before-mentioned.--Committee formed out of these on the 22nd of May,
+1787, for the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+
+The manner in which Mr. Wilberforce had received me, and the pains which
+he had taken, and was still taking, to satisfy himself of the truth of
+those enormities which had been charged upon the Slave Trade, tended
+much to enlarge my hope, that they might become at length the subject of
+a parliamentary inquiry. Richard Phillips, also, to whom I made a report
+at his chambers almost every evening of the proceedings of the day, had
+begun to entertain a similar expectation. Of course we unfolded our
+thoughts to one another; from hence a desire naturally sprung up in each
+of us to inquire whether any alteration in consequence of this new
+prospect should be made in my pursuits. On deliberating upon this point,
+it seemed proper to both of us that the distribution of the books should
+be continued; that I should still proceed in enlarging my own knowledge;
+and that I should still wait upon members of the legislature, but with
+this difference, that I should never lose sight of Mr. Wilberforce, but,
+on the other hand, that I should rather omit visiting some others than
+paying a proper attention to him.
+
+One thing however appeared now to be necessary, which had not yet been
+done. This was to inform our friends in the city, upon whom I had all
+along occasionally called, that we believed the time was approaching
+when it would be desirable that we should unite our labours, if they saw
+no objection to such a measure; for, if the Slave Trade were to become a
+subject of parliamentary inquiry with a view to the annihilation of it,
+no individual could perform the work which would be necessary for such a
+purpose. This work must be a work of many; and who so proper to assist
+in it as they, who had before so honourably laboured in it? In the case
+of such an event large funds also would be wanted, and who so proper to
+procure and manage them as these? A meeting was accordingly called at
+the house of James Phillips, when these our views were laid open. When I
+stated that from the very time of my hopes beginning to rise I had
+always had those present in my eye as one day to be fellow-labourers,
+William Dillwyn replied, that from the time they had first heard of the
+_Prize Essay_, they also had had their eyes upon me, and, from the time
+they had first seen me, had conceived: a desire of making the same use
+of me as I had now expressed a wish of making of them, but that matters
+did not appear ripe at our first interview. Our proposal, however, was
+approved, and an assurance was given, that an union should take place as
+soon as it was judged to be seasonable. It was resolved also, that one
+day in the week[A] should be appointed for a meeting at the house of
+James Phillips, where as many might attend as had leisure, and that I
+should be there to make a report of my progress, by which we might all
+judge of the fitness of the time of calling ourselves an united body.
+Pleased now with the thought that matters were put into such a train, I
+returned to my former objects.
+
+[Footnote A: At these weekly meetings I met occasionally Joseph Woods,
+George Harrison, and John Lloyd, three of the other members, who
+belonged to the committee of the second class of forerunners and
+coadjutors as before described. I had seen all of them before, but I do
+not recollect the time when I first met them.]
+
+It is not necessary to say anything more of the first of these objects,
+which was that of the further distribution of my book, than that it was
+continued, and chiefly by the same hands.
+
+With respect to the enlargement of my knowledge, it was promoted
+likewise. I now gained access to the Custom-House in London, where I
+picked up much valuable information for my purpose.
+
+Having had reason to believe that the Slave Trade was peculiarly fatal
+to those employed in it, I wished much to get copies of many of the
+muster-rolls from the Custom-House at Liverpool for a given time. James
+Phillips wrote to his friend William Rathbone, who was one of his own
+religious society, and who resided there, to procure them. They were
+accordingly sent up. The examination of these, which took place at the
+chambers of Richard Phillips, was long and tedious. We looked over them
+together. We usually met for this purpose at nine in the evening, and we
+seldom parted till one, and sometimes not till three in the morning.
+When our eyes were inflamed by the candle, or tired by fatigue, we used
+to relieve ourselves by walking out within the precincts of Lincoln's
+Inn, when all seemed to be fast asleep, and thus, as it were, in
+solitude and in stillness to converse upon them, as well as upon the
+best means of the further promotion of our cause. These scenes of our
+early friendship and exertions I shall never forget. I often think of
+them both with astonishment and with pleasure. Having recruited
+ourselves in this manner, we used to return to our work. From these
+muster-rolls, I may now observe that we gained the most important
+information: we ascertained, beyond the power of contradiction, that
+more than half of the seamen who went out with the ships in the Slave
+Trade did not return with them, and that of these so many perished, as
+amounted to one-fifth of all employed. As to what became of the
+remainder, the muster-rolls did not inform us; this, therefore, was left
+to us as a subject for our future inquiry.
+
+In endeavouring to enlarge my knowledge, my thoughts were frequently
+turned to the West Indian part of the question, and in this department
+my friend Richard Phillips gained me important intelligence. He put into
+my hands several documents concerning estates in the West Indies, which
+he had mostly from the proprietors themselves, where the slaves by mild
+and prudent usage had so increased in population, as to supersede the
+necessity of the Slave Trade.
+
+By attending to these and to various other parts of the subject, I began
+to see as it were with new eyes; I was enabled to make several necessary
+discriminations, to reconcile things before seemingly contradictory, and
+to answer many objections which had hitherto put on a formidable shape.
+But most of all was I rejoiced at the thought that I should soon be able
+to prove that which I had never doubted, but which had hitherto been
+beyond my power in this case, that Providence, in ordaining laws
+relative to the agency of man, had never made that to be wise which was
+immoral, and that the Slave Trade would be found as impolitic as it was
+inhuman and unjust.
+
+In keeping up my visits to members of parliament, I was particularly
+attentive to Mr. Wilberforce, whom I found daily becoming more
+interested in the fate of Africa. I now made to him a regular report of
+my progress, of the sentiments of those in parliament whom I had
+visited, of the disposition of my friends in the city, of whom he had
+often heard me speak, of my discoveries from the Custom-Houses of London
+and Liverpool, of my documents concerning West India estates, and of
+all, indeed, that had occurred to me worth mentioning. He had himself
+also been making his inquiries, which he communicated to me in return.
+Our intercourse had now become frequent, no one week elapsing without an
+interview: at one of these, I suggested to him the propriety of having
+occasional meetings at his own house, consisting of a few friends in
+parliament, who might converse on the subject: of this he approved. The
+persons present at the first meeting were Mr. Wilberforce, the
+Honourable John Villiers, Mr. Powys, Sir Charles Middleton, Sir Richard
+Hill, Mr. Granville Sharp, Mr. Ramsay, Dr. Gregory, (who had written on
+the subject, as before mentioned,) and myself. At this meeting I read a
+paper, giving an account of the light I had collected in the course of
+my inquiries, with observations as well on the impolicy as on the
+wickedness of the trade. Many questions arose out of the reading of this
+little essay; many answers followed. Objections were started and
+canvassed. In short, this measure was found so useful, that certain
+other evenings as well as mornings were fixed upon for the same purpose.
+
+On reporting my progress to my friends in the city, several of whom now
+assembled once in the week, as I mentioned before to have been agreed
+upon, and particularly on reporting the different meetings which had
+taken place at the house of Mr. Wilberforce on the subject, they were of
+opinion that the time was approaching when we might unite, and that this
+union might prudently commence as soon as ever Mr. Wilberforce would
+give his word that he would take up the question in Parliament. Upon
+this I desired to observe, that though the latter gentleman had pursued
+the subject with much earnestness, he had never yet dropped the least
+hint that he would proceed so far in the matter, but I would take care
+that the question should be put to him, and I would bring them his
+answer.
+
+In consequence of the promise I had now made, I went to Mr. Wilberforce.
+But when I saw him, I seemed unable to inform him of the object of my
+visit. Whether this inability arose from any sudden fear that his answer
+might not be favourable, or from a fear that I might possibly involve
+him in a long and arduous contest upon this subject, or whether it arose
+from an awful sense of the importance of the mission, as it related to
+the happiness of hundreds of thousands then alive, and of millions then
+unborn, I cannot say. But I had a feeling within me for which I could
+not account, and which seemed to hinder me from proceeding; and I
+actually went away without informing him of my errand.
+
+In this situation I began to consider what to do, when I thought I would
+call upon Mr. Langton, tell him what had happened, and ask his advice. I
+found him at home. We consulted together. The result was, that he was to
+invite Mr. Wilberforce and some others to meet me at a dinner at his own
+house in two or three days, when he said he had no doubt of being able
+to procure an answer, by some means or other, to the question which I
+wished to have resolved.
+
+On receiving a card from Mr. Langton, I went to dine with him. I found
+the party consist of Sir Charles Middleton, Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Hawkins
+Browne, Mr. Windham, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Mr. Boswell. The latter
+was then known as the friend of Dr. Johnson, and afterwards as the
+writer of his _Tour to the Hebrides_. After dinner the subject of the
+Slave Trade was purposely introduced. Many questions were put to me, and
+I dilated upon each in my answers, that I might inform and interest
+those present as much as I could. They seemed to be greatly impressed
+with my account of the loss of seamen in the trade, and with the little
+samples of African cloth which I had procured for their inspection. Sir
+Joshua Reynolds gave his unqualified approbation of the abolition of
+this cruel traffic. Mr. Hawkins Browne joined heartily with him in
+sentiment; he spoke with much feeling upon it, and pronounced it to be
+barbarous, and contrary to every principle of morality and religion. Mr.
+Boswell, after saying the planters would urge that the Africans were
+made happier by being carried from their own country to the West Indies,
+observed, "Be it so. But we have no right to make people happy against
+their will." Mr. Windham, when it was suggested that the great
+importance of our West Indian islands, and the grandeur of Liverpool,
+would be brought against those who should propose the abolition of the
+Slave Trade, replied, "We have nothing to do with the policy of the
+measure. Rather let Liverpool and the islands be swallowed up in the
+sea, than this monstrous system of iniquity be carried on.[A]" While
+such conversation was passing, and when all appeared to be interested in
+the cause, Mr. Langton put the question, about the proposal of which I
+had been so diffident, to Mr. Wilberforce, in the shape of a delicate
+compliment. The latter replied, that he had no objection to bring
+forward the measure in parliament when he was better prepared for it,
+and provided no person more proper could be found. Upon this, Mr.
+Hawkins Browne and Mr. Windham both said they would support him there.
+Before I left the company, I took Mr. Wilberforce aside, and asked him
+if I might mention this his resolution to those of my friends in the
+city, of whom he had often heard me speak, as desirous of aiding him by
+becoming a committee for the purpose. He replied, I might. I then asked
+Mr. Langton, privately, if he had any objection to belong to a society
+of which there might be a committee for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He said he should be pleased to become a member of it. Having
+received these satisfactory answers, I returned home.
+
+[Footnote A: I do not know upon what grounds, after such strong
+expressions, Mr. Boswell, in the next year, and Mr. Windham, after
+having supported the cause for three or four years, became inimical to
+it.]
+
+The next day, having previously taken down the substance of the
+conversation at the dinner, I went to James Phillips, and desired that
+our friends might be called together as soon as they conveniently could
+to hear my report. In the interim I wrote to Dr. Peckard, and waited
+upon Lord Scarsdale, Dr. Baker, and others, to know (supposing a society
+were formed for the abolition of the Slave Trade) if I might say they
+would belong to it. All of them replied in the affirmative, and desired
+me to represent them, if there should be any meeting for this purpose.
+
+At the time appointed I met my friends. I read over the substance of the
+conversation which had taken place at Mr. Langton's. No difficulty
+occurred. All were unanimous for the formation of a committee. On the
+next day we met by agreement for this purpose. It was then resolved
+unanimously, among other things,--That the Slave Trade was both
+impolitic and unjust. It was resolved, also,--That the following persons
+be a committee for procuring such information and evidence, and
+publishing the same, as may tend to the abolition of the Slave Trade,
+and for directing the application of such moneys as have been already,
+and may hereafter be collected for the above purpose:--
+
+All these were present. Granville Sharp, who stands at the head of the
+list, and who, as the father of the cause in England, was called to the
+chair, maybe considered as representing the first class of forerunners
+and coadjutors, as it has been before described. The five next, of whom
+Samuel Hoare was chosen as the treasurer, were they who had been the
+committee of the second class, or of the Quakers in England, with the
+exception of Dr. Knowles, who was then dying, but who, having heard of
+our meeting, sent a message to us to exhort us to proceed. The third
+class, or that of the Quakers in America, may be considered as
+represented by William Dillwyn, by whom they were afterwards joined to
+us in correspondence. The two who stand next, and in which I am
+included, may be considered as representing the fourth, most of the
+members of which we had been the means of raising. Thus, on the 22nd of
+May, 1787, the representatives of all the four classes, of which I have
+been giving a history from the year 1516, met together, and were united
+in that committee, to which I have been all along directing the
+attention of the reader; a committee, which, labouring afterwards with
+Mr. Wilberforce as a parliamentary head, did, under Providence, in the
+space of twenty years, contribute to put an end to a trade, which,
+measuring its magnitude by its crimes and sufferings, was the greatest
+practical evil that ever afflicted the human race.
+
+After the formation of the committee[A], notice was sent to Mr.
+Wilberforce of the event, and a friendship began, which has continued
+uninterruptedly between them, from that to the present day.
+
+[Footnote A: All the members were of the society of the Quakers, except
+Mr. Sharp, Sansom, and myself. Joseph Gurney Bevan was present on the
+day before this meeting. He desired to belong to the society, but to be
+excused from belonging to the committee.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+The preceding history of the different classes of the forerunners and
+coadjutors, to the time of the formation of the committee, collected
+into one view by means of a map.--Explanation of this map, and
+observations upon it.
+
+
+As the preceding history of the different classes of the forerunners and
+coadjutors, to the time of their junction, or to the formation of the
+committee, as just explained, may be thought interesting by many, I have
+endeavoured, by means of the annexed map, so to bring it before the
+reader, that he may comprehend the whole of it at a single view.
+
+The figure beginning at A and reaching down to X represents the first
+class of forerunners and coadjutors up to the year 1787, as consisting
+of so many springs or rivulets, which assisted in making and swelling
+the torrent which swept away the Slave Trade.
+
+The figure from B to C and from C to X represents the second class, or
+that of the Quakers in England, up to the same time. The stream on the
+right-hand represents them as a body, and that on the left the six
+individuals belonging to them, who formed the committee in 1783.
+
+The figure from B to D represents the third class, or that of the
+Quakers in America when joined with others in 1774. The stream passing
+from D through E to X shows how this class was conveyed down, as it
+were, so as to unite with the second. That passing from D to Y shows its
+course in its own country, to its enlargement in 1787. And here I may
+observe, that as the different streams which formed a junction at X,
+were instrumental in producing the abolition of the Slave Trade in
+England, in the month of March, 1807, so those, whose effects are found
+united at Y, contributed to produce the same event in America, in the
+same month of the same year.
+
+The figure from F to X represents the fourth class up to 1787.
+
+[Illustration: First Class of Forerunners and Coadjutors]
+
+[Illustration: Second Class of Forerunners and Coadjutors]
+
+[Illustration: Third Class of Forerunners and Coadjutors]
+
+X represents the junction of all the four classes in the committee
+instituted in London on the twenty-second day of May, 1787.
+
+The parallel lines G, H, I, K, represent different periods of time,
+showing when the forerunners and coadjutors lived. The space between G
+and H includes the space of fifty years, in which we find but few
+labourers in this cause. That between H and I includes the same portion
+of time, in which we find them considerably increased, or nearly
+doubled. That between I and K represents the next thirty-seven years;
+but here we find their increase beyond all expectation, for we find four
+times more labourers in this short term, than in the whole of the
+preceding century.
+
+In looking over the map, as thus explained, a number of thoughts
+suggested themselves, some of which it may not be improper to detail.
+And first, in looking between the first and second parallel, we
+perceive, that Morgan Godwyn, Richard Baxter, and George Fox, the first
+a clergyman of the established church, the second a divine at the head
+of the nonconformists, and the third the founder of the religious
+society of the Quakers, appeared each of them the first in his own
+class, and all of them, about the same time, in behalf of the oppressed
+Africans. We see then this great truth first apparent, that the
+abolition of the Slave Trade took its rise, not from persons who set up
+a cry for liberty, when they were oppressors themselves, nor from
+persons who were led to it by ambition, or a love of reputation among
+men, but where it was most desirable, namely, from the teachers of
+Christianity in those times.
+
+This account of its rise will furnish us with some important lessons.
+And first, it shows us the great value of religion. We see, when moral
+disorders become known, that the virtuous are they who rise up for the
+removal of them. Thus Providence seems to have appointed those who
+devote themselves most to his service, to the honourable office of
+becoming so many agents, under his influence, for the correction of the
+evils of life. And as this account of the rise of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade teaches us the necessity of a due cultivation of religion;
+so it should teach us to have a brotherly affection for those, who,
+though they may differ from us in speculative opinions concerning it, do
+yet show by their conduct that they have a high reward for it. For
+though Godwyn, and Baxter, and Fox, differed as to the articles of their
+faith, we find them impelled by the spirit of Christianity, which is of
+infinitely more importance than a mere agreement in creeds, to the same
+good end.
+
+In looking over the different streams in the map, as they are
+discoverable both in Europe and America, we are impressed with another
+truth on the same subject, which is, that the Christian religion is
+capable of producing the same good fruit in all lands. However men may
+differ on account of climate, or language, or government, or laws, or
+however they may be situated in different quarters of the globe, it will
+produce in them the same virtuous disposition, and make them instruments
+for the promotion of happiness in the world.
+
+In looking between the two first parallels, where we see so few
+labourers, and in contemplating the great increase of these between the
+others, we are taught the consoling lesson, that however small the
+beginning and slow the progress may appear in any good work which we may
+undertake, we need not be discouraged as to the ultimate result of our
+labours; for though our cause may appear stationary, it may only become
+so, in order that it may take a deeper root, and thus be enabled to
+stand better against the storms which may afterwards beat about it.
+
+In taking the same view again, we discover the manner in which light and
+information proceed under a free government in a good cause. An
+individual, for example, begins; he communicates his sentiments to
+others. Thus, while alive, he enlightens; when dead, he leaves his
+works, behind him. Thus, though departed, he yet speaks, and his
+influence is not lost. Of those enlightened by him, some become authors,
+and others actors in their turn. While living, they instruct, like their
+predecessors; when dead, they speak also. Thus a number of dead persons
+are encouraging us in libraries, and a number of living are conversing
+and diffusing zeal among us at the same time. This, however, is not true
+in any free and enlightened country, with respect to the propagation of
+evil. The living find no permanent encouragement, and the dead speak to
+no purpose in such a case.
+
+This account of the manner in which light and information proceed in a
+free country, furnishes us with some valuable knowledge. It shows us,
+first, the great importance of education; for all they who can read may
+become enlightened. They may gain as much from the dead as from the
+living. They may see the sentiments of former ages. Thus they may
+contract, by degrees, habits of virtuous inclination, and become fitted
+to join with others in the removal of any of the evils of life.
+
+It shows us, secondly, how that encouraging maxim may become true, That
+no good effort is ever lost. For if he, who makes the virtuous attempt,
+should be prevented by death from succeeding in it, can he not speak,
+though in the tomb? Will not his works still breathe his sentiments upon
+it? May not the opinions, and the facts, which he has recorded, meet the
+approbation of ten thousand readers, of whom it is probable, in the
+common course of things, that some will branch out of him as authors,
+and others as actors or labourers, in the same cause?
+
+And, lastly, it will show us the difficulty (if any attempt should be
+made) of reversing permanently the late noble act of the legislature for
+the abolition of the Slave Trade. For let us consider how many, both of
+the living and the dead, could be, made to animate us. Let us consider,
+too, that this is the cause of mercy, justice, and religion; that as
+such, it will always afford renewed means of rallying; and that the dead
+will always be heard with interest, and the living with enthusiasm upon
+it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+Author devotes this chapter to considerations relative to himself;
+fears that by the frequent introduction of himself to the notice of
+the reader he may incur the charge of ostentation.--Observations on
+such a charge.
+
+
+Having brought my history of the abolition of the Slave Trade up to the
+month of May 1787, I purpose taking the liberty, before I proceed with
+it, to devote this chapter to considerations relative to myself. This,
+indeed, seems to be now necessary; for I have been fearful for some
+pages past, and, indeed, from the time when I began to introduce myself
+to the notice of the reader, as one of the forerunners and coadjutors in
+this great cause, that I might appear to have put myself into a
+situation too prominent, so as even to have incurred the charge of
+ostentation. But if there should be some who, in consequence of what
+they have already read of this history, should think thus unfavourably
+of me, what must their opinion ultimately be, when, unfortunately, I
+must become still more prominent in it!  Nor do I know in what manner I
+shall escape their censure: for if, to avoid egotism, I should write, as
+many have done, in the third person, what would this profit me? The
+delicate situation, therefore, in which I feel myself to be placed,
+makes me desirous of saying a few words to the reader on this subject.
+
+And first, I may observe, that several of my friends urged me from time
+to time, and this long before the abolition of the Slave Trade had been
+effected, to give a history of the rise and progress of the attempt, as
+far as it had been then made; but I uniformly resisted their
+application.
+
+When the question was decided last year, they renewed their request.
+They represented to me, that no person knew the beginning and progress
+of this great work so well as myself; that it was a pity that such
+knowledge should die with me; that such a history would be useful; that
+it would promote good feelings among men; that it would urge them to
+benevolent exertions; that it would supply them with hope in the midst
+of these; that it would teach them many valuable lessons;--these and
+other things were said to me. But, encouraging as they were, I never
+lost sight of the objection; which is the subject of this chapter; nor
+did I ever fail to declare, that though, considering the part I had
+taken in this great cause, I might be qualified better than some others,
+yet it was a task too delicate for me to perform. I always foresaw that
+I could not avoid making myself too prominent an object in such a
+history, and that I should be liable, on that account, to the suspicion
+of writing it for the purpose of sounding my own praise.
+
+With this objection my friends were not satisfied. They answered, that I
+might treat the History of the Abolition of the Slave Trade as a species
+of biography, or as the history of a part of my own life: that people,
+who had much less weighty matters to communicate, wrote their own
+histories; and that no one charged them with vanity for so doing.
+
+I own I was not convinced by this answer. I determined, however, in
+compliance with their wishes, to examine the objection more minutely,
+and to see if I could overcome it more satisfactorily to my own mind.
+With this view, I endeavoured to anticipate the course which such a
+history would take. I saw clearly, in the first place, that there were
+times, for months together, when the committee for the abolition of the
+Slave Trade was labouring without me, and when I myself for an equal
+space of time was labouring in distant parts of the kingdom without
+them. Hence I perceived that, if my own exertions were left out, there
+would be repeated chasms in this history; and, indeed, that it could not
+be completed without the frequent mention of myself. And I was willing
+to hope that this would be so obvious to the good sense of the reader,
+that if he should think me vain-glorious in the early part of it, he
+would afterwards, when he advanced in the perusal of it, acquit me of
+such a charge. This consideration was the first which removed my
+objection on this head. That there can be no ground for any charge of
+ostentation, as far as the origin of this history is concerned, so I
+hope to convince him there, can be none, by showing him in what light I
+have always viewed myself in connexion with the committee, to which I
+have had the honour to belong.
+
+I have uniformly considered our committee for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade; as we usually consider the human body, that is, as made up of a
+head and of various members which had different offices to perform.
+Thus, if one man was an eye, another was an ear, another an arm, and
+another a foot. And here I may say, with great truth, that I believe no
+committee was ever made up of persons, whose varied talents were better
+adapted to the work before them. Viewing then the committee in this
+light, and myself as in connexion with it, I may deduce those truths,
+with which the analogy will furnish me. And first, it will follow, that
+if every member has performed his office faithfully, though one may have
+done something more than another, yet no one of them in particular has
+any reason to boast. With what propriety could the foot, though in the
+execution of its duty it had become weary, say to the finger, "Thou hast
+done less than I;" when the finger could reply with truth, "I have done
+all that has been given me to do?". It will follow, also, that as every
+limb is essentially necessary for the completion of a perfect work; so
+in the case before us, every one was as necessary in his own office, or
+department, as another. For what, for example, could I myself have done
+if I had not derived so much assistance from the committee? What could
+Mr. Wilberforce have done in Parliament, if I, on the other hand, had
+not collected that great body of evidence, to which there was such a
+constant appeal? And what could the committee have done without the
+parliamentary aid of Mr. Wilberforce? And in mentioning this necessity
+of distinct offices and talents for the accomplishment of the great
+work, in which we have been all of us engaged, I feel myself bound by
+the feelings of justice to deliver it as my opinion in this place, (for,
+perhaps, I may have no other opportunity,) that knowing, as I have done,
+so many members of both houses of our legislature, for many of whom I
+have had a sincere respect, there was never yet one, who appeared to me
+to be so properly qualified, in all respects, for the management of the
+great cause of the abolition of the Slave Trade, as he, whose name I
+have just mentioned. His connexions, but more particularly his
+acquaintance with the first minister of state, were of more service in
+the promotion of it, than they, who are but little acquainted with
+political movements, can well appreciate. His habits also of diligent
+and persevering inquiry made him master of all the knowledge that was
+requisite for conducting it. His talents both in and out of parliament
+made him a powerful advocate in its favour. His character, free from the
+usual spots of human imperfection, gave an appropriate lustre to the
+cause, making it look yet more lovely, and enticing others to its
+support. But most of all the motive, on which he undertook it, insured
+its progress. For this did not originate in views of selfishness, or of
+party or of popular applause, but in an awful sense of his duty as a
+Christian. It was this which gave him alacrity and courage in his
+pursuit. It was this which made him continue in his elevated situation
+of a legislator, though it was unfavourable, if not to his health, at
+least to his ease and comfort. It was this which made him incorporate
+this great object among the pursuits of his life, so that it was daily
+in his thoughts. It was this which when year after year of unsuccessful
+exertion returned, occasioned him to be yet fresh and vigorous in
+spirit, and to persevere till the day of triumph.
+
+But to return:--There is yet another consideration, which I shall offer
+to the reader on this subject, and with which I shall conclude it. It is
+this; that no one ought to be accused of vanity until he has been found
+to assume to himself some extraordinary merit. This being admitted, I
+shall now freely disclose the views which I have always been desirous of
+taking of my own conduct on this occasion, in the following words:--
+
+As Robert Barclay, the apologist for the Quakers, when he dedicated his
+work to Charles the Second, intimated to this prince, that any merit
+which the work might have, would not be derived from his patronage of
+it, but from the Author of all spiritual good; so I say to the reader,
+with respect to myself, that I disclaim all praise on account of any
+part I may have taken in the promotion of this great cause, for that I
+am desirious above all things to attribute my best endeavours in it to
+the influence of a superior Power; of Him, I mean, who gave me a heart
+to feel--who gave me courage to begin--and perseverance to proceed--and
+that I am thankful to Him, and this with the deepest feeling of
+gratitude and humility, for having permitted me to become useful, in any
+degree, to my fellow-creatures.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+Author returns to his History.--Committee formed as before-mentioned;
+its proceedings.--Author produces a summary view of the Slave Trade,
+and of the probable consequences of its abolition.--Wrongs of Africa,
+by Mr. Roscoe, generously presented to the committee.--Important
+discussion as to the object of the committee.--Emancipation declared
+to be no part of it.--Committee decides on its public title.--Author
+requested to go to Bristol, Liverpool, and Lancaster, to collect
+further information on the subject of the trade.
+
+
+I return now, after this long digression, to the continuation of my
+history.
+
+It was shown in the latter part of the tenth chapter, that twelve
+individuals, all of whom were then named, met together by means which no
+one could have foreseen, on the 22d of May, 1787; and that, after having
+voted the Slave Trade to be both unjust and impolitic, they formed
+themselves into a committee for procuring such information and evidence,
+and for publishing the same, as might tend to the abolition of it, and
+for directing the application of such money as had been already, and
+might hereafter be collected for that purpose. At this meeting it was
+resolved also, that no less than three members should form a quorum;
+that Samuel Hoare should be the treasurer; that the treasurer should pay
+no money but by order of the committee; and that copies of these
+resolutions should be printed and circulated, in which it should be
+inserted that the subscriptions of all such as were willing to forward
+the plans of the committee should be received by the treasurer or any
+member of it.
+
+On the 24th of May the committee met again to promote the object of its
+institution.
+
+The treasurer reported at this meeting, that the subscriptions already
+received amounted to one hundred and thirty-six pounds.
+
+As I had foreseen long before this time that my _Essay on the Slavery
+and Commerce of the Human Species_ was too large for general
+circulation, and yet that a general circulation of knowledge on this
+subject was absolutely necessary, I determined directly after the
+formation of the committee to write a short pamphlet consisting only of
+eight or ten pages for this purpose. I called it _A Summary View of the
+Slave Trade, and of the probable consequences of its Abolition_. It
+began by exhibiting to the reader the various unjustifiable ways in
+which persons living on the coast of Africa became slaves. It then
+explained the treatment which these experienced on their passage, the
+number dying in the course of it, and the treatment of the survivors in
+the colonies of those nations to which they were carried. It then
+announced the speedy publication of a work on the impolicy of the trade,
+the contents of which, as far as I could then see, I gave generally
+under the following heads:--Part the first, it was said, would show that
+Africa was capable of offering to us a trade in its own natural
+productions as well as in the persons of men; that the trade in the
+persons of men was profitable but to a few; that its value was
+diminished from many commercial considerations; that it was also highly
+destructive to our seamen; and that the branch of it, by which we
+supplied the island of St. Domingo with slaves, was peculiarly impolitic
+on that account. Part the second, it was said, would show that if the
+slaves were kindly treated in our colonies, they would increase; that
+the abolition of the trade would necessarily secure such a treatment to
+them, and that it would produce many other advantages which would be
+then detailed.
+
+This little piece I presented to the committee at this their second
+meeting. It was then duly read and examined; and the result was, that
+after some little correction it was approved, and that two thousand
+copies of it were ordered to be printed, with lists of the subscribers
+and of the committee, and to be sent to various parts of the kingdom.
+
+On June the 7th, the committee met again for the despatch of business,
+when, among other things, they voted their thanks to Dr. Baker, of Lower
+Grosvenor-street, who had been one of my first assistants, for his
+services to the cause.
+
+At this committee John Barton, one of the members of it, stated that he
+was commissioned by the author of a poem, entitled _The Wrongs of
+Africa_, to offer the profits which might arise from the sale of that
+work, to the committee, for the purpose of enabling them to pursue the
+object of their institution. This circumstance was not only agreeable,
+inasmuch as it showed us that there were others who felt with us for the
+injured Africans, and who were willing to aid us in our designs, but it
+was rendered still more so when we were given to understand that the
+poem was written by Mr. Roscoe, of Liverpool, and the preface to it by
+the late Dr. Currie, who then lived in the same place. To find friends
+to our cause rising up from a quarter where we expected scarcely
+anything but opposition, was very consolatory and encouraging. As this
+poem was well written, but cannot now be had, I shall give the
+introductory part of it, which is particularly beautiful, to the perusal
+of the reader. It begins thus:--
+
+
+  Offspring of Love divine, Humanity!
+  To whom, his eldest born, th' Eternal gave
+  Dominion o'er the heart; and taught to touch
+  Its varied stops in sweetest unison;
+  And strike the string that from a kindred breast
+  Responsive vibrates! from the noisy haunts
+  Of mercantile confusion, where thy voice
+  Is heard not; from the meretricious glare
+  Of crowded theatres, where in thy place
+  Sits Sensibility, with wat'ry eye,
+  Dropping o'er fancied woes her useless tear;
+  Come thou, and weep with me substantial ills;
+  And execrate the wrongs that Afric's sons,
+  Torn from their natal shore, and doom'd to bear
+  The yoke of servitude in foreign climes,
+  Sustain. Nor vainly let our sorrows flow,
+  Nor let the strong emotion rise in vain;
+  But may the land contagion widely spread,
+  Till in its flame the unrelenting heart
+  Of avarice melt in softest sympathy--
+  And one bright blaze of universal love
+  In grateful incense rises up to Heaven!
+
+  Form'd with the same capacity of pain,
+  The same desire of pleasure and of ease,
+  Why feels not man for man! When nature shrinks
+  From the slight puncture of an insect's sting,
+  Faints, if not screen'd from sultry suns, und pines
+  Beneath the hardship of an hour's delay
+  Of needful nutriment;--when liberty
+  Is priz'd so dearly, that the slightest breath
+  That ruffles but her mantle, can awake
+  To arms unwarlike nations, and can rouse
+  Confed'rate states to vindicate her claims:--
+  How shall the suff'rer man his fellow doom
+  To ills he mourns and spurns at; tear with stripes
+  His quiv'ring flesh; with hunger and with thirst
+  Waste his emaciate frame; in ceaseless toils
+  Exhaust his vital powers; and bind his limbs
+  In galling chains? Shall he, whose fragile form
+  Demands continual blessings to support
+  Its complicated texture, air, and food,
+  Raiment, alternate rest, and kindly skies,
+  And healthful seasons, dare with impious voice
+  To ask those mercies, whilst his selfish aim
+  Arrests the general freedom of their course;
+  And, gratified beyond his utmost wish,
+  Debars another from the bounteous store?
+
+
+In this manner was the subject of this beautiful poem introduced to the
+notice of the public. But I have no room for any further extracts, nor
+time to make any further comment upon it. I can only add, that the
+committee were duly sensible as well of its merits, as of the virtuous
+and generous disposition of the author, and that they requested John
+Barton to thank him in an appropriate manner for his offer, which he was
+to say they accepted gratefully.
+
+At this sitting, at which ten members were present out of the twelve, a
+discussion unexpectedly arose on a most important subject. The
+committee, finding that their meetings began to be approved by many, and
+that the cause under their care was likely to spread, and foreseeing,
+also, the necessity there would soon be of making themselves known as a
+public body throughout the kingdom, thought it right that they should
+assume some title, which should be a permanent one, and which should be
+expressive of their future views. This gave occasion to them to
+reconsider the object for which they had associated, and to fix and
+define it in such a manner that there should be no misunderstanding
+about it in the public mind. In looking into the subject, it appeared to
+them that there were two evils quite distinct from each other, which it
+might become their duty to endeavour to remove. The first was the evil
+of the Slave Trade, in consequence of which many thousand persons were
+every year fraudulently and forcibly taken from their country, their
+relations and friends, and from all that they esteemed valuable in life.
+The second was the evil of slavery itself, in consequence of which the
+same persons were forced into a situation where they were deprived of
+the rights of men, where they were obliged to linger out their days
+subject to excessive labour and cruel punishments, and where their
+children were to inherit the same hard lot. Now the question was, which
+of the two evils the committee should select as that to which they
+should direct their attention with a view of the removal of it; or
+whether, with the same view, it should direct its attention to both of
+them.
+
+It appeared soon to be the sense of the committee, that to aim at the
+removal of both, would be to aim at too much, and that by doing this we
+might lose all.
+
+The question then was, which of the two they were to take as their
+object? Now, in considering this question, it appeared that it did not
+matter where they began, or which of them they took, as far as the end
+to be produced was the thing desired. For first, if the Slave Trade
+should be really abolished, the bad usage of the slaves in the colonies,
+that is, the hard part of their slavery, if not the slavery itself,
+would fall. For the planters and others being unable to procure more
+slaves from the coast of Africa, it would follow directly, whenever this
+great event should take place, that they must treat those better whom
+they might then have. They must render marriage honourable among them.
+They must establish the union of one man with one wife. They must give
+the pregnant women more indulgences. They must pay more attention to the
+rearing of their offspring. They must work and punish the adults with
+less rigour. Now it was to be apprehended that they could not do these
+things, without seeing the political advantages which would arise to
+themselves from so doing; and that, reasoning upon this, they might be
+induced to go on to give them greater indulgences, rights, and
+privileges, in time. But how would every such successive improvement of
+their condition operate, but to bring them nearer to the state of
+freemen? In the same manner it was contended, that the better treatment
+of the slaves in the colonies, or that the emancipation of them there,
+when fit for it, would of itself lay the foundation for the abolition of
+the Slave Trade. For if the slaves were kindly treated, that is, if
+marriage were encouraged among them; if the infants who should be born
+were brought up with care; if the sick were properly attended to; if the
+young and the adult were well fed and properly clothed, and not
+over-worked, and not worn down by the weight of severe punishments, they
+would necessarily increase, and this on an extensive scale. But if the
+planters were thus to get their labourers from the births on their own
+estates, then the Slave Trade would in time be no longer necessary to
+them, and it would die away as an useless and a noxious plant. Thus it
+was of no consequence, which of the two evils the committee were to
+select as the object for their labours; for, as far as the end in view
+only was concerned, that the same end would be produced in either case.
+
+But in looking further into this question, it seemed to make a material
+difference which of the two they selected, as far as they had in view
+the due execution of any laws, which might be made respecting them, and
+their own prospect of success in the undertaking. For, by aiming at the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, they were laying the axe at the very root.
+By doing this, and this only, they would not incur the objection, that
+they were meddling with the property of the planters, and letting loose
+an irritated race of beings, who, in consequence of all the vices and
+infirmities which a state of slavery entails upon those who undergo it,
+were unfit for their freedom. By asking the government of the country to
+do this, and this only, they were asking for that which it had an
+indisputable right to do; namely, to regulate or abolish any of its
+branches of commerce: whereas it was doubtful, whether it could
+interfere with the management of the internal affairs of the colonies,
+or whether this was not wholly the province of the legislatures
+established there. By asking the government, again, to do this, and this
+only, they were asking what it could really enforce. It could station
+its ships of war, and command its custom-houses, so as to carry any act
+of this kind into effect. But it could not insure that an act to be
+observed in the heart of the islands should be enforced[A]. To this it
+was added, that if the committee were to fix upon the annihilation of
+slavery as the object for their labours, the Slave Trade would not fall
+so speedily as it would by a positive law for the abolition; because,
+though the increase from the births might soon supply all the estates
+now in cultivation with labourers, yet new plantations might be opened
+from time to time in different islands, so that no period could be fixed
+upon, when it could be said that it would cease.
+
+[Footnote A: The late correspondence of the governors of our colonies
+with Lord Camden in his official situation, but particularly the
+statements made by Lord Seaforth and General Prevost, have shown the
+wisdom of this remark, and that no dependence was to be had for the
+better usage of the slaves but upon the total abolition of the trade.]
+
+Impressed by these arguments, the committee were clearly of opinion,
+that they should define their object to be the abolition of the Slave
+Trade, and not of the slavery which sprung from it. Hence from this
+time, and in allusion to the month when this discussion took place, they
+styled themselves in their different advertisements, and reports, though
+they were first associated in the month of May, The Committee instituted
+in June, 1787, for effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Thus, at
+the very outset, they took a ground which was for ever tenable. Thus
+they were enabled also to answer the objection, which was afterwards so
+constantly and so industriously circulated against them, that they were
+going to emancipate the slaves. And I have no doubt that this wise
+decision contributed greatly to their success; for I am persuaded that,
+if they had adopted the other object, they could not for years to come,
+if ever, have succeeded in their attempt.
+
+Before the committee broke up, I represented to them the necessity there
+was of obtaining further knowledge on all those individual points which
+might be said to belong to the great subject of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. In the first place, this knowledge was necessary for me, if
+I were to complete my work on _The Impolicy of this Trade_, which work,
+the _Summary View_, just printed, had announced to the world. It would
+be necessary, also, in case the Slave Trade should become a subject of
+parliamentary inquiry; for this inquiry could not proceed without
+evidence. And if any time was peculiarly fit for the procuring of such
+information or evidence, it was the present. At this time the passions
+of men had not been heated by any public agitation of the question, nor
+had interest felt itself biassed to conceal the truth. But as soon as
+ever it should be publicly understood, that a parliamentary inquiry was
+certain, (which we ourselves believed would be the case, but which
+interested men did not then know,) we should find many of the avenues to
+information closed against us. I proposed, therefore, that some one of
+the committee should undertake a journey to Bristol, Liverpool, and
+Lancaster, where he should reside for a time to collect further light
+upon this subject; and that if others should feel their occupations or
+engagements to be such as would make such a journey unsuitable, I would
+undertake it myself. I begged, therefore, the favour of the different
+members of the committee, to turn the matter over in their minds by the
+next meeting, that we might then talk over and decide upon the propriety
+of the measure.
+
+The committee held its fourth meeting on the 12th of June. Among the
+subjects which were then brought forward, was that of the journey before
+mentioned. The propriety, and indeed, even the necessity, of it was so
+apparent, that I was requested by all present to undertake it, and a
+minute for that purpose was entered upon our records. Of this journey,
+as gradually unfolding light on the subject, and as peculiarly connected
+with the promotion of our object, I shall now give an account; after
+which I shall return to the proceedings of the committee.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+Author arrives at Bristol; introduction to Quaker families
+there.--Objects of his inquiry.--Ill usage of seamen on board the ship
+Brothers.--Obtains a knowledge of several articles of African
+produce.--Dr. Caniplin; Dean Tucker; Mr. Henry Sulgar.--Procures an
+authenticated account of the treacherous massacre at Calabar.--Ill
+usage of the seamen of the ship Alfred.--Painful feelings of the
+author on this occasion.
+
+
+Having made preparations for my journey, I took my leave of the
+different individuals of the committee. I called upon Mr. Wilberforce,
+also, with the same design. He was then very ill, and in bed; Sir
+Richard Hill and others were sitting by his bedside. After conversing as
+much as he well could in his weak state, he held out his hand to me and
+wished me success. When I left him I felt much dejected; it appeared to
+me as if it would be in this case, as it is often in that of other
+earthly things, that we scarcely possess what we repute a treasure when
+it is taken from us.
+
+I determined to take this journey on horseback, not only on account of
+the relaxed state in which I found myself, after such close and constant
+application, but because I wished to have all my time to myself upon the
+road, in order the better to reflect upon the proper means of promoting
+this great cause. The first place I resolved to visit was Bristol;
+accordingly I directed my course thither. On turning a corner, within
+about a mile of that city, at about eight in the evening, I came within
+sight of it. The weather was rather hazy, which occasioned it to look of
+unusual dimensions. The bells of some of the churches were then ringing;
+the sound of them did not strike me till I had turned the corner before
+mentioned, when it came upon me at once; it filled me, almost directly,
+with a melancholy for which I could not account. I began now to tremble,
+for the first time, at the arduous task I had undertaken, of attempting
+to subvert one of the branches of the commerce of the great place which
+was then before me. I began to think of the host of people I should have
+to encounter in it; I anticipated much persecution in it also; and I
+questioned whether I should even get out of it alive. But in journeying
+on I became more calm and composed; my spirits began to return. In these
+latter moments I considered my first feelings as useful, inasmuch as
+they impressed upon me the necessity of extraordinary courage, and
+activity, and perseverance, and of watchfulness, also, over my own
+conduct, that I might not throw any stain upon the cause I had
+undertaken. When, therefore, I entered the city, I entered it with an
+undaunted spirit, determining that no labour should make me shrink, nor
+danger, nor even persecution, deter me from my pursuit.
+
+My first introduction was by means of a letter to Harry Gandy, who had
+then become one of the religious society of the Quakers. This
+introduction to him was particularly useful to me; for he had been a
+seafaring man. In his early youth he had been of a roving disposition;
+and, in order to see the world, had been two voyages in the Slave Trade,
+so that he had known the nature and practices of it. This enabled him to
+give me much useful information on the subject; and as he had frequently
+felt, as he grew up, deep affliction of mind for having been concerned
+in it, he was impelled to forward my views as much as possible, under an
+idea that he should be thus making some reparation for the indiscreet
+and profane occupations of his youth.
+
+I was also introduced to the families of James Harford, John Lury,
+Matthew Wright, Philip, Debell Tucket, Thomas Bonville, and John Waring;
+all of whom were of the same religious society. I gained an
+introduction, also, soon afterwards, to George Fisher. These were my
+first and only acquaintance at Bristol for some time; I derived
+assistance in the promotion of my object from all of them; and it is a
+matter of pleasing reflection, that the friendships then formed have
+been kept alive to the present time.
+
+The objects I had marked down as those to be attended to, were--to
+ascertain what were the natural productions of Africa, and, if possible,
+to obtain specimens of them, with the view of forming a cabinet or
+collection--to procure as much information as I could relative to the
+manner of obtaining slaves on continent of Africa, of transporting them
+to the West Indies, and of treating them there--to prevail upon persons,
+having a knowledge of any or all of these circumstances, to come forward
+to be examined as evidences before parliament, if such an examination
+should take place--to make myself still better acquainted with the loss
+of seamen in the Slave Trade--also with the loss of those who were
+employed in the other trades from the same port--to know the nature, and
+quantity, and value of the imports and exports of goods in the former
+case:--there were some other objects which I classed under the head of
+miscellaneous.
+
+In my first movements about this city, I found that people talked very
+openly on the subject of the Slave Trade. They seemed to be well
+acquainted with the various circumstances belonging to it. There were
+facts, in short, in every body's mouth concerning it; and every body
+seemed to execrate it, though no one thought of its abolition. In this
+state of things I perceived that my course was obvious; for I had little
+else to do, in pursuing two or three of my objects, than to trace the
+foundation of those reports which were in circulation.
+
+On the third of July I heard that the ship Brothers[A], then lying in
+King's Road for Africa, could not get her seamen, and that a party which
+had been put on board, becoming terrified by the prospect of their
+situation, had left her on Sunday morning. On inquiring further, I found
+that those who had navigated her on her last voyage, thirty-two of whom
+had died, had been so dreadfully used by the captain, that he could not
+get hands in the present. It was added, that the treatment of seamen was
+a crying evil in this trade, and that consequently few would enter into
+it, so that there was at all times a great difficulty in procuring them,
+though they were ready enough to enter into other trades.
+
+[Footnote A: I abstain from mentioning the names of the captain of this
+or of other vessels, lest the recording of them should give pain to
+relatives who can have had no share in their guilt.]
+
+The relation of these circumstances made me acquainted with two things,
+of which I had not before heard; namely, the aversion of seamen to
+engage, and the bad usage of them when engaged in this cruel trade; into
+both which I determined immediately to inquire.
+
+I conceived that it became me to be very cautious about giving ear too
+readily to reports; and therefore, as I could easily learn the truth of
+one of the assertions which had been made to me, I thought it prudent to
+ascertain this, and to judge, by the discovery I should make concerning
+it, what degree of credit might be due to the rest. Accordingly, by
+means of my late friend, Truman Harford, the eldest son of the
+respectable family of that name, to which I have already mentioned
+myself to have been introduced, I gained access to the muster-roll of
+the ship Brothers. On looking over the names of her last crew, I found
+the melancholy truth confirmed, that thirty-two of them had been placed
+among the dead.
+
+Having ascertained this circumstance, I became eager to inquire into the
+truth of the others, but more particularly of the treatment of one of
+the seamen, which, as it was reported to me, exceeded all belief. His
+name was John Dean; he was a black man, but free. The report was, that
+for a trifling circumstance, for which he was in no-wise to blame, the
+captain had fastened him with his belly to the deck, and that, in this
+situation, he had poured hot pitch upon his back, and made incisions in
+it with hot tongs.
+
+Before however I attempted to learn the truth of this barbarous
+proceeding, I thought I would look into the ship's muster-roll, to see
+if I could find the name of such a man. On examination I found it to be
+the last on the list. John Dean, it appeared, had been one of the
+original crew, having gone on board, from Bristol, on the twenty-second
+day of July, 1785.
+
+On inquiring where Dean was to be found, my informant told me that he
+had lately left Bristol for London. I was shown, however, to the house
+where he had lodged. The name of his landlord was Donovan. On talking
+with him on the subject, he assured me that the report I had heard was
+true; for that while he resided with him he had heard an account of his
+usage from some of his ship-mates, and that he had often looked at his
+scarred and mutilated back.
+
+On inquiring of Donovan if any other person in Bristol could corroborate
+this account, he referred me to a reputable tradesman living, in the
+Market-place. Having been introduced to him, he told me that he had long
+known John Dean to be a sober and industrious man; that he had seen the
+terrible indentures on his back; and that they were said to have been
+made by the captain, in the manner related, during his last voyage.
+
+While I was investigating this matter further, I was introduced to Mr.
+Sydenham Teast, a respectable ship-builder in Bristol, and the owner of
+vessels trading to Africa in the natural productions of that country. I
+mentioned to him by accident what I had heard relative to the treatment
+of John Dean. He said it was true. An attorney[A] in London had then
+taken up his cause, in consequence of which the captain had been
+prevented from sailing till he could find persons who would be
+answerable for the damages which might be awarded against him in a court
+of law. Mr. Teast further said, that, not knowing at that time the
+cruelty of the transaction to its full extent, he himself had been one
+of the securities for the captain at the request of the purser[B] of the
+ship. Finding, however, afterwards, that it was as the public had
+stated, he was sorry that he had ever interfered, in such a barbarous
+case.
+
+[Footnote A: I afterwards found out this attorney. He described the
+transaction to me, as, by report, it had taken place, and informed me
+that he had made the captain of the Brothers pay for his barbarity.]
+
+[Footnote B: The purser of a ship, at Bristol, is the person who manages
+the outfit, as well as the trade, and who is often in part owner of
+her.]
+
+This transaction, which I now believed to be true, had the effect of
+preparing me for crediting whatever I might hear concerning the
+barbarities said to be practised in this trade. It kindled also a fire
+of indignation within me, and produced in me both anxiety and spirit, to
+proceed. But that which excited these feelings the most, was the
+consideration that the purser of this ship, knowing, as he did, of this
+act of cruelty, should have sent out this monster again. This, I own,
+made me think that there was a system of bad usage to be deliberately
+practised upon the seamen in this employment, for some purpose or other
+which I could then neither comprehend nor ascertain.
+
+But while I was in pursuit of this one object, I was not unmindful of
+the others which I had marked out for myself. I had already procured an
+interview, as I have mentioned, with Mr. Sydenham Teast. I had done this
+with a view of learning from him what were the different productions of
+the continent of Africa, as far as he had been able to ascertain from
+the imports by his own vessels. He was very open and communicative. He
+had imported ivory, red-wood, cam-wood, and gum-copal. He purposed to
+import palm-oil. He observed that bees'-wax might be collected, also,
+upon the coast. Of his gum-copal he gave me a specimen. He furnished me,
+also, with two different specimens of unknown woods, which had the
+appearance of being useful. One of his captains, he informed me, had
+been told by the natives, that cotton, pink in the pod, grew in their
+country. He was of opinion, that many valuable productions might be
+found upon this continent.
+
+Mr. Biggs, to whom I gained an introduction also, was in a similar trade
+with Mr. Teast; that is, he had one or two vessels which skimmed, as it
+were, the coast and rivers for what they could get of the produce of
+Africa, without having any concern in the trade for slaves. Mr. Biggs
+gave me a specimen of gum Senegal, of yellow-wood, and of Malaguetta and
+Cayenne pepper. He gave me, also, small pieces of cloth made and dyed by
+the natives, the colours of which they could only have obtained from
+materials in their own country. Mr. Biggs seemed to be assured that, if
+proper persons were sent to Africa on discovery, they would fine a rich
+mine of wealth in the natural productions of it, and in none more
+advantageous to this as a manufacturing nation, than in the many
+beautiful dyes which it might furnish.
+
+From Thomas Bonville I collected two specimens of cloth made by the
+natives; and from others a beautiful piece of tulipwood, a small piece
+of wood similar to mahogany, and a sample of fine rice, all of which had
+been brought from the same continent.
+
+Among the persons whom I found out at Bristol, and from whom I derived
+assistance, were Dr. Camplin and the celebrated Dean Tucker. The former
+was my warm defender; for the West Indian and African merchants, as soon
+as they discovered my errand, began to calumniate me. The dean, though
+in a very advanced age, felt himself much interested in my pursuit. He
+had long moved in the political world himself, and was desirous of
+hearing of what was going forward that was new in it, but particularly
+about so desirable a measure as that of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade[A]. He introduced me to the Custom House at Bristol. He used to
+call upon me at the Merchants' Hall, while I was transcribing the
+muster-rolls of the seamen there. In short, he seemed to be interested
+in all my movements. He became, also, a warm supporter both of me and of
+my cause.
+
+[Footnote A: Dean Tucker, in his _Reflections on the Disputes between
+Great Britain and Ireland_, published in 1785, had passed a severe
+censure on the British planters for the inhuman treatment of their
+slaves.]
+
+Among others who were useful to me in my pursuit, was Mr. Henry Sulgar,
+an amiable minister of the gospel, belonging to the religious society of
+the Moravians in the same city. From him I first procured authentic
+documents relative to the treacherous massacre at Calabar. This cruel
+transaction had been frequently mentioned to me; but as it had taken
+place twenty years before, I could not find one person who had been
+engaged in it, nor could I come, in a satisfactory manner, at the
+various particulars belonging to it. My friend, however, put me in
+possession of copies of the real depositions which had been taken in the
+case of the king against Lippincott and others relative to this event;
+namely, of Captain Floyd, of the city of Bristol, who had been a witness
+to the scene, and of Ephraim Robin John, and of Ancona Robin Robin John,
+two African chiefs, who had been sufferers by it. These depositions had
+been taken before Jacob Kirby and Thomas Symons, esquires, commissioners
+at Bristol for taking affidavits in the Court of King's Bench. The
+tragedy, of which they gave a circumstantial account, I shall present to
+the reader in as concise a manner as I can.
+
+In the year, 1767, the ships Indian Queen, Duke of York, Nancy, and
+Concord, of Bristol; the Edgar, of Liverpool; and the Canterbury, of
+London; lay in Old Calabar river.
+
+It happened, at this time, that a quarrel subsisted between the
+principal inhabitants of Old Town and those of New Town, Old Calabar,
+which had originated in a jealousy respecting slaves. The captains of
+the vessels now mentioned, joined in sending several letters to the
+inhabitants of Old Town, but particularly to Ephraim Robin John, who was
+at that time a grandee, or principal inhabitant of the place. The tenor
+of these letters was, that they were sorry that any jealousy or quarrel
+should subsist between the two parties; that if the inhabitants of Old
+Town would come on board, they would afford them security and
+protection; adding, at the same time, that their intention in inviting
+them was, that they might become mediators, and thus heal their
+disputes.
+
+The inhabitants of Old Town, happy to find that their differences were
+likely to be accommodated, joyfully accepted the invitation. The three
+brothers of the grandee just mentioned, the eldest of whom was Amboe
+Robin John, first entered their canoe, attended by twenty-seven others,
+and, being followed by nine canoes, directed their course to the Indian
+Queen. They were despatched from thence the next morning to the Edgar,
+and afterwards to the Duke of York, on board of which they went, leaving
+their canoe and attendants by the side of the same vessel. In the mean
+time, the people on board the other canoes were either distributed on
+board, or lying close to, the other ships.
+
+This being the situation of the three brothers, and of the principal
+inhabitants of the place, the treachery now began to appear. The crew of
+the Duke of York, aided by the captain and mates, and armed with pistols
+and cutlasses, rushed into the cabin, with an intent to seize the
+persons of their three innocent and unsuspicious guests. The unhappy
+men, alarmed at this violation of the rights of hospitality, and struck
+with astonishment at the behaviour of their supposed friends, attempted
+to escape through the cabin windows; but, being wounded, were obliged to
+desist, and to submit to be put in irons.
+
+In the same moment in which this atrocious attempt had been made, an
+order had been given to fire upon the canoe, which was then lying by the
+side of the Duke of York. The canoe soon filled and sunk, and the
+wretched attendants were either seized, killed, or drowned. Most of the
+other ships followed the example. Great numbers were additionally killed
+and drowned on the occasion, and others were swimming to the shore.
+
+At this juncture, the inhabitants of New Town, who had concealed
+themselves in the bushes by the water-side, and between whom and the
+commanders of the vessels the plan had been previously concerted, came
+out from their hiding-places, and, embarking in their canoes, made for
+such as were swimming from the fire of the ships. The ships' boats,
+also, were manned, and joined in the pursuit. They butchered the
+greatest part of those whom they caught. Many dead bodies were soon seen
+upon the sands, and others were floating upon the water; and including
+those who were seized and carried off, and those who were drowned and
+killed, either by the firing of the ships or by the people of New Town,
+three hundred were lost to the inhabitants of Old Town on that day.
+
+The carnage which I have been now describing was scarcely over, when a
+canoe, full of the principal people of New Town, who had been the
+promoters of the scheme, dropped along-side of the Duke of York. They
+demanded the person of Amboe Robin John, the brother of the grandee of
+Old Town, and the eldest of the three on board. The unfortunate man put
+the palms of his hands together, and beseeched the commander of the
+vessel that he would not violate the rights of hospitality, by giving up
+an unoffending stranger to his enemies. But no entreaties could avail.
+The commander received from the New Town people a slave of the name of
+Econg in his stead, and then forced him into the canoe, where his head
+was immediately struck off in the sight of the crew, and of his
+afflicted and disconsolate brothers. As for them, they escaped his fate;
+but they were carried off with their attendants to the West Indies, and
+sold for slaves.
+
+The knowledge of this tragical event now fully confirmed me in the
+sentiment, that the hearts of those who were concerned in this traffic
+became unusually hardened, and that I might readily believe any
+atrocities, however great, which might be related of them. It made also
+my blood boil, as it were, within me: it gave anew spring to my
+exertions; and I rejoiced, sorrowful as I otherwise was, that I had
+visited Bristol, if it had been only to gain an accurate statement of
+this one fact.
+
+In pursuing my objects, I found that reports were current, that the crew
+of the Alfred slave-vessel, which had just returned, had been
+barbarously used, but particularly a young man of the name of Thomas,
+who had served as the surgeon's mate on board her. The report was, that
+he had been repeatedly knocked down by the captain; that he had become
+in consequence of his ill usage so weary of his life, that he had three
+times jumped over board to destroy it; that on being taken up the last
+time he had been chained to the deck of the ship, in which situation he
+had remained night and day for some time; that in consequence of this
+his health had been greatly impaired; and that it was supposed he could
+not long survive this treatment.
+
+It was with great difficulty, notwithstanding all my inquiries, that I
+could trace this person. I discovered him, however, at last. He was
+confined to his bed when I saw him, and appeared to me to be delirious.
+I could collect nothing from himself relative to the particulars of his
+treatment. In his intervals of sense, he exclaimed against the cruelty
+both of the captain and of the chief mate, and pointing to his legs,
+thighs, and body, which were all wrapped up in flannel, he endeavoured
+to convince me how much he had suffered there. At one time he said he
+forgave them. At another, he asked if I came to befriend him. At
+another, he looked wildly, and asked if I meant to take the captain's
+part, and to kill him.
+
+I was greatly affected by the situation of this poor man, whose image
+haunted me both night and day, and I was meditating how most effectually
+to assist him, when I heard that he was dead.
+
+I was very desirous of tracing something further on this subject, when
+Walter Chandler, of the society of the Quakers, who had been daily
+looking out for intelligence for me, brought a young man to me of the
+name of Dixon. He had been one of the crew of the same ship. He told me
+the particulars of the treatment of Thomas, with very little variation
+from those contained in the public report. After cross-examining him in
+the best manner I was able, I could find no inconsistency in his
+account.
+
+I asked Dixon how the captain came to treat the surgeon's mate in
+particular so ill. He said he had treated them all much alike. A person
+of the name of Bulpin, he believed, was the only one who had escaped bad
+usage in the ship. With respect to himself, he had been cruelly used so
+early as in the outward bound passage, which had occasioned him to jump
+overboard. When taken up, he was put into irons, and kept in these for a
+considerable time. He was afterwards ill used at different times, and
+even so late as within three or four days of his return to port. For
+just before the Alfred made the island of Lundy, he was struck by the
+captain, who cut his under lip into two. He said that it had bled so
+much, that the captain expressed himself as if much alarmed; and having
+the expectation of arriving soon at Bristol, he had promised to make him
+amends, if he would hold his peace. This he said he had hitherto done,
+but he had received no recompense. In confirmation of his own usage, he
+desired me to examine his lip, which I had no occasion to do, having
+already perceived it, for the wound was apparently almost fresh.
+
+I asked Dixon if there was any person in Bristol beside himself, who
+could confirm to me this his own treatment, as well as that of the other
+unfortunate man who was now dead. He referred me to a seaman of the name
+of Matthew Pyke. This person, when brought to me, not only related
+readily the particulars of the usage in both cases, as I have now stated
+them, but that which he received himself. He said that his own arm had
+been broken by the chief mate in Black River, Jamaica, and that he had
+also by the captain's orders, though contrary to the practice in
+merchant-vessels, been severely flogged. His arm appeared to be then in
+pain; and I had a proof of the punishment by an inspection of his back.
+
+I asked Matthew Pyke if the crew in general had been treated in a cruel
+manner. He replied they had, except James Bulpin. I then asked where
+James Bulpin was to be found. He told me where he had lodged; but feared
+he had gone home to his friends in Somersetshire, I think, somewhere in
+the neighbourhood of Bridgewater.
+
+I thought it prudent to institute an inquiry into the characters of
+Thomas, Dixon, and Matthew Pyke, before I went further. The two former I
+found were strangers in Bristol, and I could collect nothing about them.
+The latter was a native of the place, had served his time as a seaman
+from the port, and was reputed of fair character.
+
+My next business was to see James Bulpin. I found him just setting off
+for the country. He stopped, however, to converse with me. He was a
+young man of very respectable appearance, and of mild manners. His
+appearance, indeed, gave me reason to hope that I might depend upon his
+statements; but I was most of all influenced by the consideration that,
+never having been ill-used himself, he could have no inducement to go
+beyond the bounds of truth on this occasion. He gave me a melancholy
+confirmation of all the three cases. He told me, also, that one Joseph
+Cunningham had been a severe sufferer, and that there was reason to fear
+that Charles Horseler, another of the crew, had been so severely beaten
+over the breast with a knotted end of a rope, (which end was of the size
+of a large ball, and had been made on purpose,) that he died of it. To
+this he added, that it was now a notorious fact, that the captain of the
+Alfred, when mate of a slave-ship, had been tried at Barbados for the
+murder of one of the crew with whom he had sailed, but that he escaped
+by bribing the principal witness to disappear[A].
+
+[Footnote A: Mr. Sampson, who was surgeon's mate of the ship in which
+the captain had thus served as a mate, confirmed to me afterwards this
+assertion, having often heard him boast in the cabin, "how he had
+tricked the law on that occasion."]
+
+The reader will see, the further I went into the history of this voyage,
+the more dismal it became. One miserable account, when examined, only
+brought up another. I saw no end to inquiry. The great question was,
+what was I to do? I thought the best thing would be to get the captain
+apprehended, and make him stand his trial either for the murder of
+Thomas or of Charles Horseler. I communicated with the late Mr. Burges,
+an eminent attorney, and the deputy town-clerk, on this occasion. He had
+shown an attachment to me on account of the cause I had undertaken, and
+had given me privately assistance in it. I say privately; because,
+knowing the sentiments of many of the corporate body at Bristol, under
+whom he acted, he was fearful of coming forward in an open manner. His
+advice to me was, to take notes of the case for my own private
+conviction, but to take no public cognizance of it. He said that seamen,
+as soon as their wages were expended, must be off to sea again. They
+could not generally, as landsmen do, maintain themselves on shore. Hence
+I should be obliged to keep the whole crew at my own expense till the
+day of trial, which might not be for months to come. He doubted not
+that, in the interim, the merchants and others would inveigle many of
+them away by making them boatswains and other inferior officers in some
+of their ships; so that, when the day of trial should come, I should
+find my witnesses dispersed and gone. He observed, moreover, that if any
+of the officers of the ship had any notion of going out again under the
+same owners[A], I should have all these against me. To which he added,
+that if I were to make a point of taking up the cause of those whom I
+found complaining of hard usage in this trade, I must take up that of
+nearly all who sailed in it; for that he only knew of one captain from
+the port in the Slave Trade, who did not deserve long ago to be hanged.
+Hence I should get into a labyrinth of expense, and difficulty, and
+uneasiness of mind, from whence I should not easily find a clew to guide
+me.
+
+[Footnote A: The seamen of the Alfred informed the purser of their ill
+usage, Matthew Pyke not only showed him his arm and his back, but
+acquainted him with the murder of Charles Horseler, stating that he had
+the instrument of his death in his possession. The purser seemed more
+alive to this than to any other circumstance, and wished to get it from
+him. Pyke, however, had given it to me. Now what will the reader think,
+when he is informed that the purser, after all this knowledge of the
+captain's cruelty, sent him out again, and that he was the same person
+who was purser of the Brothers, and who had also sent out the captain of
+that ship a second time, as has been related, notwithstanding his
+barbarities in former voyages!]
+
+This advice, though it was judicious, and founded on a knowledge of law
+proceedings, I found it very difficult to adopt. My own disposition was
+naturally such, that whatever I engaged in I followed with more than
+ordinary warmth. I could not be supposed, therefore, affected and
+interested as I then was, to be cool and tranquil on this occasion. And
+yet what would my worthy friend have said, if in this first instance I
+had opposed him? I had a very severe struggle in my own feelings on this
+account. At length, though reluctantly, I obeyed; but as the passions
+which agitate the human mind, when it is greatly inflamed, must have a
+vent somewhere, or must work off, as it were, or in working together
+must produce some new passion or effect, so I found the rage which had
+been kindling within me subsiding into the most determined resolutions
+of future increased activity and perseverance. I began now to think that
+the day was not long enough for me to labour in. I regretted often the
+approach of night, which suspended my work, and I often welcomed that of
+the morning, which restored me to it. When I felt myself weary, I became
+refreshed by the thought of what I was doing; when disconsolate, I was
+comforted by it. I lived in hope that every day's labour would furnish
+me with that knowledge which would bring this evil nearer to its end;
+and I worked on under these feelings, regarding neither trouble nor
+danger in the pursuit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+Author confers with the inhabitants of Bridgewater relative to a
+petition to parliament in behalf of the abolition; returns to Bristol;
+discovers a scandalous mode of procuring seamen for the Slave Trade,
+and of paying them; makes a comparative view of their loss in this and
+in other trades; procures imports and exports.--Examines the
+construction and admeasurement of slave ships; of the Fly and
+Neptune.--Difficulty of procuring evidence.--Case of Gardiner, of the
+Pilgrim; of Arnold, of the Ruby; some particulars of the latter in his
+former voyages.
+
+
+Having heard by accident that the inhabitants of the town of Bridgewater
+had sent a petition to the House of Commons, in the year 1785, for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, as has been related in a former part of
+the work, I determined, while my feelings were warm, to go there, and to
+try to find out those who had been concerned in it, and to confer with
+them as the tried friends of the cause. The time seemed to me to be
+approaching when the public voice should be raised against this enormous
+evil. I was sure that it was only necessary for the inhabitants of this
+favoured island to know it to feel a just indignation against it.
+Accordingly I set off. My friend George Fisher, who was before mentioned
+to have been of the religious Society of the Quakers, gave me an
+introduction to the respectable family of Ball, which was of the same
+religious persuasion. I called upon Mr. Sealey, Anstice, Crandon, Chubb,
+and others. I laid open to those whom I saw, the discoveries I had made
+relative to the loss and ill treatment of seamen; at which they seemed
+to be much moved; and it was agreed that if it should be thought a
+proper measure, (of which I would inform them when I had consulted the
+committee,) a second petition should be sent to Parliament from the
+inhabitants, praying for the abolition of the Slave Trade. With this
+view I left them several of my _Summary View_, before mentioned, to
+distribute, that the inhabitants might know more particularly the nature
+of the evil, against which they were going to complain. On my return to
+Bristol, I determined to inquire into the truth of the reports that
+seamen had an aversion to enter, and that they were inveigled, if not
+often forced, into this hateful employment. For this purpose I was
+introduced to a landlord of the name of Thompson, who kept a
+public-house called the Seven Stars. He was a very intelligent man, was
+accustomed to receive sailors when discharged at the end of their
+voyages, and to board them till their vessels went out again, or to find
+them births in others. He avoided, however, all connexion with the Slave
+Trade, declaring that the credit of his house would be ruined if he were
+known to send those, who put themselves under his care, into it.
+
+From him I collected the truth of all that had been stated to me on this
+subject. But I told him I should not be satisfied until I had beheld
+those scenes myself which he had described to me; and I entreated him to
+take me into them, saying that I would reward him for all his time and
+trouble, and that I would never forget him while I lived. To this he
+consented; and as three or four slave-vessels at this time were
+preparing for their voyages, it was time that we should begin our
+rounds. At about twelve at night we generally set out, and were employed
+till two and sometimes three in the morning. He led me from one of these
+public-houses to another which the mates of the slave-vessels used to
+frequent to pick up their hands. These houses were in Marsh-street, and
+most of them were then kept by Irishmen. The scenes witnessed in these
+houses were truly distressing to me; and yet, if I wished to know
+practically what I had purposed, I could not avoid them. Music, dancing,
+rioting, drunkenness, and profane swearing, were kept up from night to
+night. The young mariner, if a stranger to the port, and unacquainted
+with the nature of the Slave Trade, was sure to be picked up. The
+novelty of the voyages, the superiority of the wages in this over any
+other trades, and the privileges of various kinds, were set before him.
+Gulled in this manner, he was frequently enticed to the boat, which was
+waiting to carry him away. If these prospects did not attract him, he
+was plied with liquor till he became intoxicated, when a bargain was
+made over him between the landlord and the mate. After this his senses
+were kept in such a constant state of stupefaction by the liquor, that
+in time the former might do with him what he pleased. Seamen, also, were
+boarded in these houses, who, when the slave-ships were going out, but
+at no other time, were encouraged to spend more than they had money to
+pay for; and to these, when they had thus exceeded, but one alternative
+was given, namely, a slave-vessel or a gaol. These distressing scenes I
+found myself obliged frequently to witness, for I was no less than
+nineteen times occupied in making these hateful rounds; and I can say
+from my own experience, and all the information I could collect from
+Thompson and others, that no such practices were in use to obtain seamen
+for other trades.
+
+The treatment of the seamen employed in the Slave Trade had so deeply
+interested me, and now the manner of procuring them, that I was
+determined to make myself acquainted with their whole history; for I
+found by report that they were not only personally ill-treated, as I
+have already painfully described, but that they were robbed by artifice
+of those wages, which had been held up to them as so superior in this
+service. All persons were obliged to sign articles that, in case they
+should die or be discharged during the voyage, the wages then due to
+them should be paid in the currency where the vessel carried her slaves,
+and that half of the wages due to them on their arrival there should be
+paid in the same manner, and that they were never permitted to read over
+the articles they had signed. By means of this iniquitous practice the
+wages in the Slave Trade, though nominally higher in order to induce
+seamen to engage in it, were actually lower than in other trades. All
+these usages I ascertained in such a manner, that no person could doubt
+the truth of them. I actually obtained possession of articles of
+agreement belonging to these vessels, which had been signed and executed
+in former voyages. I made the merchants themselves, by sending those
+seamen who had claims upon them to ask for their accounts current with
+their respective ships, furnish me with such documents as would have
+been evidence against them in any court of law. On whatever branch of
+the system I turned my eyes, I found it equally barbarous. The trade
+was, in short, one mass of iniquity from the beginning to the end.
+
+I employed myself occasionally in the Merchant's-hall, in making copies
+of the muster-rolls of ships sailing to different parts of the world,
+that I might make a comparative view of the loss of seamen in the Slave
+Trade, with that of those in the other trades from the same port. The
+result of this employment showed me the importance of it: for, when I
+considered how partial the inhabitants of this country were to their
+fellow-citizens, the seamen belonging to it, and in what estimation the
+members of the legislature held them, by enforcing the Navigation Act,
+which they considered to be the bulwark of the nation, and by giving
+bounties to certain trades, that these might become so many nurseries
+for the marine, I thought it of great importance, to be able to prove,
+as I was then capable of doing, that more persons would be found dead in
+three slave-vessels from Bristol, in a given time, than in all the other
+vessels put together, numerous as they were, belonging to the same port.
+
+I procured also an account of the exports and imports for the year 1786,
+by means of which I was enabled to judge of the comparative value of
+this and the other trades.
+
+In pursuing another object, which was that of going on board the
+slave-ships, and learning their construction and dimensions, I was
+greatly struck, and indeed affected, by the appearance of two little
+sloops, which were fitting out for Africa, the one of only twenty-five
+tons, which was said to be destined to carry seventy and the other of
+only eleven, which was said to be destined to carry thirty slaves. I was
+told also that which was more affecting, namely, that these were not to
+act as tenders on the coast, by going up and down the rivers, and
+receiving three or four slaves at a time, and then carrying them to a
+large ship, which was to take them to the West Indies; but that it was
+actually intended, that they should transport their own slaves
+themselves; that one if not both of them were, on their arrival in the
+West Indies, to be sold as pleasure-vessels, and that the seamen
+belonging to them were to be permitted to come home by what is usually
+called the run.
+
+This account of the destination of these little vessels, though it was
+distressing at first, appeared to me afterwards, on cool reasoning, to
+be incredible. I thought that my informants wished to impose upon me, in
+order that I might make statements which would carry their own
+refutation with them, and that thus I might injure the great cause which
+I had undertaken. And I was much inclined to be of this opinion, when I
+looked again at the least of the two; for any person, who was tall,
+standing upon dry ground by the side of her, might have overlooked every
+thing upon her deck. I knew also that she had been built as a
+pleasure-boat for the accommodation of only six persons upon the Severn.
+I determined, therefore, to suspend my belief till I could take the
+admeasurement of each vessel. This I did; but lest, in the agitation of
+my mind on this occasion, I should have made any mistake, I desired my
+friend George Fisher to apply to the builder for his admeasurement also.
+With this he kindly complied. When he obtained it he brought it me. This
+account, which nearly corresponded with my own, was as follows:--In the
+vessel of twenty-five tons, the length of the upper part of the hold, or
+roof of the room, where the seventy slaves were to be stowed, was but
+little better than ten yards, or thirty-one feet. The greatest breadth
+of the bottom, or floor, was ten feet four inches; and the least five.
+Hence, a grown person must sit down all the voyage, and contract his
+limbs within the narrow limits of three square feet. In the vessel of
+eleven tons, the length of the room for the thirty slaves was twenty-two
+feet. The greatest breadth of the floor was eight, and the least four.
+The whole height from the keel to the beam was but five feet eight
+inches, three feet of which were occupied by ballast, cargo, and
+provisions, so that two feet eight inches remained only as the height
+between the decks. Hence, each slave would have only four square feet to
+sit in, and, when in this posture, his head, if he were a full-grown
+person, would touch the ceiling, or upper deck.
+
+Having now received this admeasurement from the builder, which was
+rather more favourable than my own, I looked upon the destination of
+these little vessels as yet more incredible than before. Still the
+different persons, whom I occasionally saw on board them, persisted in
+it that they were going to Africa for slaves, and also for the numbers
+mentioned, which they were afterwards to carry to the West Indies
+themselves. I desired, however, my friends, George Fisher, Truman
+Harford, Harry Gandy, Walter Chandler, and others, each to make a
+separate inquiry for me on this subject; and they all agreed that,
+improbable as the account both of their destination, and of the number
+they were to take, might appear, they had found it to be too true. I had
+soon afterwards the sorrow to learn from official documents from the
+Custom-house, that these little vessels actually cleared out for Africa,
+and that now nothing could be related so barbarous of this traffic,
+which might not instantly be believed.
+
+In pursuing my different objects there was one, which, to my great
+vexation, I found it extremely difficult to attain. This was the
+procuring of any assurance from those who had been personally acquainted
+with the horrors of this trade, that they would appear, if called upon,
+as evidence against it. My friend Harry Gandy, to whom I had been first
+introduced, had been two voyages, as I before mentioned; and he was
+willing, though at an advanced age, to go to London, to state publicly
+all he knew concerning them. But with respect to the many others in
+Bristol, who had been to the coast of Africa, I had not yet found one
+who would come forward for this purpose. There were several old Slave
+Captains living there, who had a great knowledge of the subject. I
+thought it not unreasonable that I might gain one or two good evidences
+out of these, as they had probably long ago left the concern, and were
+not now interested in the continuance of it; but all my endeavours were
+fruitless. I sent messages to them by different persons. I met them in
+all ways. I stated to them, that if there was nothing objectionable in
+the trade, seeing it laboured under such a stigma, they had an
+opportunity of coming forward and of wiping away the stain. If, on the
+other hand, it was as bad as represented, then they had it in their
+power, by detailing the crimes which attached to it, of making some
+reparation or atonement, for the part they had taken in it. But no
+representations would do. All intercourse was positively forbidden
+between us; and whenever they met me in the street, they shunned me as
+if I had been a mad dog. I could not for some time account, for the
+strange disposition which they thus manifested towards me; but my
+friends helped me to unravel it, for I was assured that one or two of
+them, though they went no longer to Africa as captains, were in part
+owners of vessels trading there; and, with respect to all of them, it
+might be generally said, that they had been guilty of such enormities,
+that they would be afraid of coming forward in the way I proposed, lest
+any thing should come out by which they might criminate themselves. I
+was obliged then to give up all hope of getting any evidence from this
+quarter, and I saw but little prospect of getting it from those, who
+were then actually deriving their livelihood from the trade: and yet I
+was determined to persevere; for I thought that some might be found in
+it who were not yet so hardened as to be incapable of being awakened on
+this subject. I thought that others might be found in it who wished to
+leave it upon principle, and that these would unbosom themselves to me:
+and I thought it not improbable that I might fall in with others, who
+had come unexpectedly into a state of independence, and that these might
+be induced, as their livelihood would be no longer affected by giving me
+information, to speak the truth.
+
+I persevered for weeks together under this hope, but could find no one
+of all those, who had been applied to, who would have any thing to say
+to me. At length, Walter Chandler had prevailed upon a young gentleman,
+of the name of Gardiner, who was going out as surgeon of the Pilgrim, to
+meet me. The condition was, that we were to meet at the house of the
+former, but that we were to enter in and go out at different times, that
+is, we were not to be seen together.
+
+Gardiner, on being introduced to me, said at once, that he had often
+wished to see me on the subject of my errand, but that the owner of the
+Pilgrim had pointed me out to him as a person whom he would wish him to
+avoid. He then laid open to me the different methods of obtaining slaves
+in Africa, as he had learned from those on board his own vessel in his
+first, or former, voyage. He unfolded also the manner of their treatment
+in the Middle passage, with the various distressing scenes which had
+occurred in it.  He stated the barbarous usuage of the seamen as he had
+witnessed it, and concluded by saying, that there never was a subject
+which demanded so loudly the interference of the legislature as that of
+the Slave Trade.
+
+When he had finished his narrative, and answered the different questions
+which I had proposed to him concerning it, I asked him, in as delicate a
+manner as I could, how it happened, that, seeing the trade in this
+horrible light, he had consented to follow it again? He told me frankly,
+that he had received a regular medical education, but that his
+relations, being poor, had not been able to set him up in his
+profession. He had saved a little money in his last voyage. In that,
+which he was now to perform, he hoped to save a little more. With the
+profits of both voyages together, he expected he should be able to
+furnish a shop in the line of his profession, when he would wipe his
+hands of this detestable trade.
+
+I then asked him, whether, upon the whole, he thought he had judged
+prudently, or whether the prospect of thus enabling himself to become
+independent, would counterbalance the uneasiness which might arise in
+future? He replied, that he had not so much to fear upon this account.
+The trade, while it continued, must have surgeons. But it made a great
+difference both to the crew and to the slaves, whether these discharged
+their duty towards them in a feeling manner, or not. With respect to
+himself, he was sure that he should pay every attention to the wants of
+each. This thought made his continuance in the trade for one voyage
+longer more reconcilable. But he added, as if not quite satisfied,
+"Cruel necessity!" and he fetched a deep sigh.
+
+We took our leave, and departed, the one a few minutes after the other.
+The conversation of this young man was very interesting. I was much
+impressed both by the nature and the manner of it. I wished to secure
+him, if possible, as an evidence for parliament, and thus save him from
+his approaching voyage: but I knew not what to do. At first, I thought
+it would be easy to raise a subscription to set him up. But then, I was
+aware that this might be considered as bribery, and make his testimony
+worth nothing. I then thought that the committee might detain him as an
+evidence, and pay him, in a reasonable manner, for his sustenance, till
+his testimony should be called for. But I did not know how long it would
+be before his examination might take place. It might be a year or two. I
+foresaw other difficulties also and I was obliged to relinquish what
+otherwise I should have deemed a prize.
+
+On reviewing the conversation which had passed between us after my
+return home, I thought, considering the friendly disposition of Gardiner
+towards us, I had not done all I could for the cause; and, communicating
+my feelings to Walter Chandler, he procured me another interview. At
+this, I asked him, if he would become an evidence if he lived to return.
+He replied, very heartily, that he would. I then asked him, if he would
+keep a journal of facts during his voyage, as it would enable him to
+speak more correctly, in case he should be called upon for his
+testimony. He assured me he would, and that he would make up a little
+book for that purpose. I asked him, lastly, when he meant to sail. He
+said, as soon as the ship could get all her hands. It was their
+intention to sail to-morrow, but that seven men, whom the mates had
+brought drunk out of Marsh-street the evening before, were so terrified
+when they found they were going to Africa, that they had seized the boat
+that morning, and had put themselves on shore. I took my leave of him,
+entreating him to follow his resolutions of kindness both to the sailors
+and the slaves, and wished him a speedy and a safe return.
+
+On going one day by the Exchange, after this interview with Gardiner, I
+overheard a young gentleman say to another, "that it happened on the
+coast, last year, and that he saw it." I wished to know who he was, and
+to get at him if I could. I watched him at a distance for more than half
+an hour, when I saw him leave his companion. I followed him till he
+entered a house. I then considered whether it would be proper, and in
+what manner, to address him when he should come out of it. But I waited
+three hours, and I never saw him. I then concluded that he either lodged
+where I saw him enter, or that he had gone to dine with some friend. I
+therefore took notice of the house, and, showing it afterwards to
+several of my friends, desired them to make him out for me. In a day or
+two I had an interview with him. His name was James Arnold. He had been
+two voyages to the coast of Africa for slaves; one as a surgeon's mate
+in the Alexander, in the year 1785, and the other as surgeon in the
+Little Pearl, in the year 1786, from which he had not then very long
+returned.
+
+I asked him if he was willing to give me any account of these voyages,
+for that I was making an inquiry into the nature of the Slave Trade. He
+replied, he knew that I was. He had been cautioned about falling in with
+me; he had, however, taken no pains to avoid me. It was a bad trade, and
+ought to be exposed.
+
+I went over the same ground as I had gone with Gardiner relative to the
+first of these voyages; or that in the Alexander. It is not necessary to
+detail the particulars. It is impossible, however, not to mention, that
+the treatment of the seamen on board this vessel was worse than I had
+ever before heard of. No less than eleven of them; unable to bear their
+lives; had deserted at Bonny, on the coast of Africa,--which is a most
+unusual thing,--choosing all that could be endured, though in a most
+inhospitable climate, and in the power of the natives, rather than to
+continue in their own ship. Nine others also, in addition to the loss of
+these, had died in the same voyage. As to the rest; he believed, without
+any exception, that they had been badly used.
+
+In examining him with respect to his second voyage, or that in the
+Little Pearl, two circumstances came out with respect to the slaves,
+which I shall relate in few words.
+
+The chief mate used to beat the men-slaves on very trifling occasions.
+About eleven one evening, the ship then lying off the coast, he heard a
+noise in their room. He jumped down among them with the lanthorn in his
+hand. Two of those who had been ill-used by him, forced themselves out
+of their irons, and, seizing him, struck him with the bolt of them, and
+it was with some difficulty that he was extricated from them by the
+crew.
+
+The men-slaves, unable now to punish him, and finding they had created
+an alarm, began to proceed to extremities. They endeavoured to force
+themselves up the gratings, and to pull down a partition which had been
+made for a sick-birth; when they were fired upon and repressed. The next
+morning they were brought up one by one; when it appeared that a boy had
+been killed, who was afterwards thrown into the sea.
+
+The two men, however, who had forced themselves out of irons, did not
+come up with the rest, but found their way into the hold, and armed
+themselves with knives from a cask, which had been opened for trade. One
+of them being called to in the African tongue by a black trader, who was
+then on board, came up, but with a knife in each hand; when one of the
+crew, supposing him yet hostile, shot him in the right side and killed
+him on the spot.
+
+The other remained in the hold for twelve hours. Scalding water mixed
+with fat was poured down upon him, to make him come up. Though his flesh
+was painfully blistered by these means, he kept below. A promise was
+then made to him in the African tongue by the same trader, that no
+injury should be done him if he would come among them. To this at length
+he consented; but on observing, when he was about half way up, that a
+sailor was armed between decks, he flew to him, and clasped him, and
+threw him down. The sailor fired his pistol in the scuffle, but without
+effect; he contrived, however, to fracture his skull with the butt end
+of it, so that the slave died on the third day.
+
+The second circumstance took place after the arrival of the same vessel
+at St. Vincent's. There was a boy-slave on board, who was very ill and
+emaciated. The mate, who, by his cruelty, had been the author of the
+former mischief, did not choose to expose him to sale with the rest,
+lest the small sum he would fetch in that situation should lower the
+average price, and thus bring down[A] the value of the privileges of the
+officers of the ship. This boy was kept on board, and no provisions
+allowed him.
+
+[Footnote A: Officers are said to be allowed the privilege of one or
+more slaves, according to their rank. When the cargo is sold, the sum
+total fetched is put down, and this being divided by the number of
+slaves sold, gives the average price of each. Such officers, then,
+receive this average price for one or more slaves, according to their
+privileges, but never the slaves themselves.]
+
+The mate had suggested the propriety of throwing him overboard, but no
+one would do it. On the ninth day he expired, having never been allowed
+any sustenance during that time.
+
+I asked Mr. Arnold if he was willing to give evidence of these facts in
+both cases. He said he had only one objection, which was, that in two or
+three days he was to go in the Ruby on his third voyage: but on leaving
+me, he said, that he would take an affidavit before the mayor of the
+truth of any of those things which he had related to me, if that would
+do; but, from motives of safety, he should not choose to do this till
+within a few hours before he sailed.
+
+In two or three days after this he sent for me; he said the Ruby would
+leave King-road the next day, and that he was ready to do as he had
+promised. Depositions were accordingly made out from his own words. I
+went with him to the residence of George Daubeny, Esq., who was then
+chief magistrate of the city, and they were sworn to in his presence,
+and witnessed as the law requires.
+
+On taking my leave of him, I asked him how he could go a third time in
+such a barbarous employ; he said he had been distressed. In his voyage
+in the Alexander he had made nothing; for he had been so ill-used, that
+he had solicited his discharge in Grenada, where, being paid in
+currency, he had but little to receive. When he arrived in Bristol from
+that island, he was quite penniless; and finding the Little Pearl going
+out, he was glad to get on board her as her surgeon, which he then did
+entirely for the sake of bread. He said, moreover, that she was but a
+small vessel, and that his savings had been but small in her. This
+occasioned him to apply for the Ruby, his present ship; but if he
+survived this voyage he would never go another. I then put the same
+question to him as to Gardiner, and he promised to keep a journal of
+facts, and to give his evidence, if called upon, on his return.
+
+The reader will see, from this account, the difficulty I had in
+procuring evidence from this port. The owners of vessels employed in the
+trade there forbade all intercourse with me; the old captains, who had
+made their fortunes in it, would not see me; the young, who were making
+them, could not be supposed to espouse my cause, to the detriment of
+their own interest. Of those whose necessities made them go into it for
+a livelihood, I could not get one to come forward, without doing so much
+for him as would have amounted to bribery. Thus, when I got one of these
+into my possession, I was obliged to let him go again. I was, however,
+greatly consoled by the consideration, that I had procured two sentinels
+to be stationed in the enemy's camp, who keeping a journal of different
+facts, would bring me some important intelligence at a future period.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+Author goes to Monmouth; confers relative to a petition from that
+place; returns to Bristol; is introduced to Alexander Falconbridge;
+takes one of the mates of the Africa out of that ship; visits disabled
+seamen from the ship Thomas; puts a chief mate into prison for the
+murder of William Lines.--Ill-usage of seamen in various other
+slave-vessels; secures Crutwell's Bath paper in favour of the
+abolition; lays the foundation of a committee at Bristol; and of a
+petition from thence also; takes his leave of that city.
+
+
+By this time I began to feel the effect of my labours upon my
+constitution. It had been my practice to go home in the evening to my
+lodgings, about twelve o'clock, and then to put down the occurrences of
+the day. This usually kept me up till one, and sometimes till nearly two
+in the morning. When I went my rounds in Marsh-street, I seldom got home
+till two, and into bed till three. My clothes, also, were frequently wet
+through with the rains. The cruel accounts I was daily in the habit of
+hearing, both with respect to the slaves, and to the seamen employed in
+this wicked trade, from which, indeed, my mind had no respite, often
+broke my sleep in the night, and occasioned me to awake in an agitated
+state. All these circumstances concurred in affecting my health; I
+looked thin; my countenance became yellow; I had also rheumatic
+feelings. My friends, seeing this, prevailed upon me to give myself two
+or three days' relaxation; and as a gentleman, of whom I had some
+knowledge, was going into Carmarthenshire, I accompanied him as far as
+Monmouth.
+
+After our parting at this place, I became restless and uneasy, and
+longed to get back to my work. I thought, however, my journey ought not
+to be wholly useless to the cause; and hearing that Dr. Davis, a
+clergyman at Monmouth, was a man of considerable weight among the
+inhabitants, I took the liberty of writing him a letter, in which I
+stated who I was and the way in which I had lately employed myself, and
+the great wish I had to be favoured with an interview with him; and I
+did not conceal that it would be very desirable, if the inhabitants of
+the place could have that information on the subject which would warrant
+them in so doing, that they should petition the legislature for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. Dr. Davis returned me an answer, and
+received me. The questions which he put to me were judicious. He asked
+me, first, whether, if the slaves were emancipated, there would not be
+much confusion in the islands? I told him that the emancipation of them
+was no part of our plan; we solicited nothing but the stopping of all
+future importations of them into the islands. He then asked what the
+planters would do for labourers? I replied, they would find sufficient
+from an increase of the native population, if they were obliged to pay
+attention to the latter means. We discoursed a long time upon this last
+topic. I have not room to give the many other questions he proposed to
+me: no one was ever more judiciously questioned. In my turn, I put him
+into possession of all the discoveries I had made. He acknowledged the
+injustice of the trade; he confessed, also, that my conversation had
+enlightened him as to the impolicy of it; and, taking some of my
+_Summary View_ to distribute, he said he hoped that the inhabitants
+would, after the perusal of them, accede to my request.
+
+On my return to Bristol, my friends had procured for me an interview
+with Mr. Alexander Falconbridge, who had been to the coast of Africa, as
+a surgeon, for four voyages; one in the Tartar, another in the
+Alexander, and two in the Emilia slave-vessels.
+
+On my introduction to him, I asked him if he had any objection to give
+me an account of the cruelties which were said to be connected with the
+Slave Trade; he answered, without any reserve, that he had not; for that
+he had now done with it. Never were any words more welcome to my ears
+than these: "Yes--I have done with the trade;"--and he said, also, that
+he was free to give me information concerning it. Was he not then one of
+the very persons, whom I had so long been seeking, but in vain?
+
+To detail the accounts which he gave me at this and at subsequent
+interviews, relative to the different branches of this trade, would fill
+no ordinary volume. Suffice it to say, in general terms, as far as
+relates to the slaves, that he confirmed the various violent and
+treacherous methods of procuring them in their own country; their
+wretched condition, in consequence of being crowded together in the
+passage; their attempts to rise in defence of their own freedom, and,
+when this was impracticable, to destroy themselves by the refusal of
+sustenance, by jumping overboard into the sea, and in other ways; the
+effect also of their situation upon their minds, by producing insanity
+and various diseases; and the cruel manner of disposing of them in the
+West Indies, and of separating relatives and friends.
+
+With respect to the seamen employed in this trade, he commended Captain
+Frazer for his kind usage to them, under whom he had so long served. The
+handsome way in which he spoke of the latter pleased me much, because I
+was willing to deduce from it his own impartiality, and because I
+thought I might infer from it, also, his regard to truth as to other
+parts of his narrative. Indeed I had been before acquainted with this
+circumstance. Thompson, of the Seven Stars, had informed me that Frazer
+was the only man sailing out of that port for slaves who had not been
+guilty of cruelty to his seamen: and Mr. Burges alluded to it, when he
+gave me advice not to proceed against the captain of the Alfred; for he
+then said, as I mentioned in a former chapter, "that he knew but one
+captain in the trade, who did not deserve long ago to be hanged." Mr.
+Falconbridge, however, stated, that though he had been thus fortunate in
+the Tartar and Emilia, he had been as unfortunate in the Alexander; for
+he believed there were no instances upon naval record, taken altogether,
+of greater barbarity, than of that which had been exercised towards the
+seamen in this voyage. In running over these, it struck me that I had
+heard of the same from some other quarter, or at least that these were
+so like the others, that I was surprised at their coincidence. On taking
+out my notes, I looked for the names of those whom I recollected to have
+been used in this manner; and on desiring Mr. Falconbridge to mention
+the names of those, also, to whom he alluded, they turned out to be the
+same. The mystery, however, was soon cleared up, when I told him from
+whom I had received my intelligence: for Mr. Arnold, the last-mentioned
+person in the last chapter, had been surgeon's mate under Mr.
+Falconbridge in the same vessel.
+
+There was one circumstance of peculiar importance, but quite new to me,
+which I collected from the information which Mr. Falconbridge had given
+me. This was, that many of the seamen, who left the slave-ships in the
+West Indies, were in such a weak, ulcerated, and otherwise diseased
+state, that they perished there. Several, also, of those who came home
+with the vessels were in the same deplorable condition. This was the
+case, Mr. Falconbridge said, with some who returned in the Alexander. It
+was the case, also, with many others; for he had been a pupil for twelve
+months in the Bristol Infirmary, and had had ample means of knowing the
+fact. The greatest number of seamen, at almost all times, who were
+there, were from the slave-vessels. These, too, were usually there on
+account of disease, whereas those from other ships were usually there on
+account of accidents. The health of some of the former was so far
+destroyed, that they were never wholly to be restored. This information
+was of great importance; for it showed that they who were reported dead
+upon the muster-rolls, were not all that were lost to the country by the
+prosecution of this wicked trade. Indeed, it was of so much importance,
+that in all my future interviews with others, which were for the purpose
+of collecting evidence, I never forgot to make it a subject of inquiry.
+
+I can hardly say how precious I considered the facts with which Mr.
+Falconbridge had furnished me from his own experience, relative to the
+different branches of this commerce. They were so precious, that I began
+now to be troubled lest I should lose them. For, though he had thus
+privately unbosomed himself to me, it did not follow that he would come
+forward as a public evidence. I was not a little uneasy on this account.
+I was fearful lest, when I should put this question to him, his future
+plan of life, or some little narrow consideration of future interest,
+would prevent him from giving his testimony, and I delayed asking him
+for many days. During this time, however, I frequently visited him; and
+at length, when I thought I was better acquainted, and probably in some
+little estimation, with him, I ventured to open my wishes on this
+subject. He answered me boldly, and at once, that he had left the trade
+upon principle, and that he would state all he knew concerning it,
+either publicly or privately, and at any time when he should be called
+upon to do it. This answer produced such an effect upon me, after all my
+former disappointments, that I felt it all over my frame. It operated
+like a sudden shock, which often disables the impressed person for a
+time. So the joy I felt rendered me quite useless, as to business, for
+the remainder of the day.
+
+I began to perceive in a little time the advantage of having cultivated
+an acquaintance with Thompson of the Seven Stars. For nothing could now
+pass in Bristol, relative to the seamen employed in this trade, but it
+was soon brought to me. If there was anything amiss, I had so arranged
+matters that I was sure to hear of it. He sent for me one day to inform
+me that several of the seamen, who had been sent out of Marsh Street
+into the Prince, which was then at Kingroad, and on the point of sailing
+to Africa for slaves, had, through fear of ill usage on the voyage,
+taken the boat and put themselves on shore. He informed me, at the same
+time, that the seamen of the Africa, which was lying there also, and
+ready to sail on a like voyage, were not satisfied, for that they had
+been made to sign their articles of agreement without being permitted to
+see them. To this he added, that Mr. Sheriff, one of the mates of the
+latter vessel, was unhappy, also, on this account. Sheriff had been a
+mate in the West India trade, and was a respectable man in his line. He
+had been enticed by the captain of the Africa, under the promise of
+peculiar advantages, to change his voyage. Having a wife and family at
+Bristol, he was willing to make a sacrifice on their account: but when
+he himself was not permitted to read the articles, he began to suspect
+bad work, and that there would be nothing but misery in the approaching
+voyage. Thompson entreated me to extricate him if I could. He was sure,
+he said, if he went to the coast with that man, meaning the captain,
+that he would never return alive.
+
+I was very unwilling to refuse anything to Thompson. I was deeply bound
+to him in gratitude for the many services he had rendered me, but I
+scarcely saw how I could serve him on this occasion. I promised,
+however, to speak to him in an hour's time. I consulted my friend Truman
+Harford in the interim; and the result was, that he and I should proceed
+to Kingroad in a boat, go on board the Africa, and charge the captain in
+person with what he had done, and desire him to discharge Sheriff, as no
+agreement, where fraud or force was used in the signatures, could be
+deemed valid. If we were not able to extricate Sheriff by these means,
+we thought that at least we should know, by inquiring of those whom we
+should see on board, whether the measure of hindering the men from
+seeing their articles on signing them had been adopted. It would be
+useful to ascertain this because such a measure had been long reported
+to be usual in this, but was said to be unknown in any other trade.
+
+Having passed the river's mouth, and rowed towards the sea, we came near
+the Prince first, but pursued our destination to the Africa. Mr. Sheriff
+was the person who received us on board. I did not know him till I asked
+his name. I then told him my errand, with which he seemed to be much
+pleased. On asking him to tell the captain that I wished to speak with
+him, he replied that he was on shore. This put me to great difficulty,
+as I did not know then what to do. I consulted with Truman Harford, and
+it was our opinion that we should inquire of the seamen, but in a very
+quiet manner, by going individually to each, if they had ever demanded
+to see the articles on signing them, and if they had been refused. We
+proposed this question to them. They replied, that the captain had
+refused them in a savage manner, making use of threats and oaths. There
+was not one contradictory voice on this occasion. We then asked Mr.
+Sheriff what we were to do. He entreated us by all means to take him on
+shore. He was sure that under such a man as the captain, and
+particularly after the circumstance of our coming on board should be
+made known to him, he would never come from the coast of Africa alive.
+Upon this, Truman Harford called me aside, and told me the danger of
+taking an officer from the ship; for that, if any accident should happen
+to her, the damage might all fall upon me. I then inquired of Mr.
+Sheriff if there was any officer on board who could manage the ship. He
+pointed one out to me, and I spoke to him in the cabin. This person told
+me I need be under no apprehension about the vessel, but that every one
+would be sorry to lose Mr. Sheriff. Upon this ground, Truman Harford,
+who had felt more for me than for himself, became now easy. We had
+before concluded, that the obtaining any signature by fraud or force
+would render the agreement illegal. We therefore joined in opinion, that
+we might take away the man. His chest was accordingly put into our boat.
+We jumped into it with our rowers, and he followed us, surrounded by the
+seamen, all of whom took an affectionate leave of him, and expressed
+their regret at parting. Soon after this there was a general cry of
+"Will you take me, too?" from the deck; and such a sudden movement
+appeared there, that we were obliged to push off directly from the side,
+fearing that many would jump into our boat and go with us.
+
+After having left the ship, Sheriff corroborated the desertion of the
+seamen from the Prince, as before related to me by Thompson. He spoke
+also of the savage disposition of his late captain, which he had even
+dared to manifest through lying in an English port. I was impressed by
+this account of his rough manners; and the wind having risen before and
+the surf now rolling heavily, I began to think what an escape I might
+have had; how easy it would have been for the savage captain, if he had
+been on board, or for any one at his instigation, to have pushed me over
+the ship's side. This was the first time I had ever considered the peril
+of the undertaking. But we arrived safe; and though on the same evening
+I left my name at the captain's house, as that of the person who had
+taken away his mate, I never heard more about it.
+
+In pursuing my inquiries into the new topic suggested by Mr.
+Falconbridge, I learnt that two or three of the seamen of the ship
+Thomas, which had arrived now nearly a year from the Coast, were in a
+very crippled and deplorable state; I accordingly went to see them. One
+of them had been attacked by a fever, arising from circumstances
+connected with these voyages. The inflammation, which had proceeded from
+it, had reached his eyes; it could not be dispersed; and the consequence
+was, that he was then blind. The second was lame; he had badly ulcerated
+legs, and appeared to be very weak. The third was a mere spectre; I
+think he was the most pitiable object I ever saw. I considered him as
+irrecoverably gone. They all complained to me of their bad usage on
+board the Thomas. They said they had heard, of my being in Bristol, and
+they hoped I would not leave it without inquiring into the murder of
+William Lines.
+
+On inquiring who William Lines was, they informed me that he had been
+one of the crew of the same ship, and that all on board believed that he
+had been killed by the chief mate; but they themselves had not been
+present when the blows were given him; they had not seen him till
+afterwards; but their shipmates had told them of his cruel treatment,
+and they knew that soon afterwards he had died.
+
+In the course of the next day, the mother of Lines, who lived in
+Bristol, came to me and related the case. I told her there was no
+evidence as to the fact, for that I had seen three seamen, who could not
+speak to it from their own knowledge. She said, there were four others
+then in Bristol who could; I desired her to fetch them. When they
+arrived I examined each separately, and cross-examined them in the best
+manner I was able; I could find no variation in their account, and I was
+quite convinced that the murder had taken place. The mother was then
+importunate that I should take up the case. I was too much affected by
+the narration I had heard to refuse her wholly, and yet I did not
+promise that I would; I begged a little time to consider of it. During
+this I thought of consulting my friend Burges, but I feared he would
+throw cold water upon it, as he had done in the case of the captain of
+the Alfred. I remembered well what he had then said to me, and yet I
+felt a strong disposition to proceed, for the trade was still going on.
+Every day, perhaps, some new act of barbarity was taking place; and one
+example, if made, might counteract the evil for a time. I seemed
+therefore to incline to stir in this matter, and thought, if I should
+get into any difficulty about it, it would be better to do it without
+consulting Mr. Burges, than, after having done it, to fly as it were in
+his face. I then sent for the woman, and told her that she might appear
+with the witnesses at the Common Hall, where the magistrates usually sat
+on a certain day.
+
+We all met at the time appointed, and I determined to sit as near to the
+mayor as I could get. The hall was unusually crowded. One or two
+slave-merchants, and two or three others, who were largely concerned in
+the West India trade, were upon the bench; for I had informed the mayor
+the day before of my intention, and he, it appeared, had informed them.
+I shall never forget the savage looks which these people gave me; which
+indeed were so remarkable, as to occasion the eyes of the whole court to
+be turned upon me. They looked as if they were going to speak to me, and
+the people looked as if they expected me to say something in return.
+They then got round the mayor, and began to whisper to him, as I
+supposed, on the business before it should come on. One of them,
+however, said aloud to the former, but fixing his eyes upon me, and
+wishing me to overhear him, "Scandalous reports had lately been spread,
+but sailors were not used worse in Guineamen than in other vessels."
+This brought the people's eyes upon me again; I was very much irritated,
+but I thought it improper to say anything. Another, looking savagely at
+me, said to the mayor, "that he had known Captain Vicars a long time;
+that he was an honourable man[A], and would not allow such usage in his
+ship. There were always vagabonds to hatch up things;" and he made a
+dead point at me, by putting himself into a posture which attracted the
+notice of those present, and by staring me in the face. I could now no
+longer restrain myself, and I said aloud, in as modest manner as I
+could, "You, sir, may know many things which I do not; but this I know,
+that if you do not do your duty, you are amenable to a higher court."
+The mayor upon this looked at me, and directly my friend Mr. Burges, who
+was sitting as the clerk to the magistrates, went to him and whispered
+something in his ear; after which all private conversation between the
+mayor and others ceased, and the hearing was ordered to come on.
+
+[Footnote A: We may well imagine what this person's notion of another
+man's honour was; for he was the purser of the Brothers and of the
+Alfred, who, as before mentioned, sent the captains of those ships out a
+second voyage; after knowing their barbarities in the former; and he was
+also the purser of this very ship Thomas, where the murder had been
+committed. I by no means, however, wish by these observations to detract
+from the character of Captain Vicars, as he had no concern in the cruel
+deed.]
+
+I shall not detain the reader by giving an account of the evidence which
+then transpired. The four witnesses were examined, and the case was so
+far clear; Captain Vicars, however, was sent for. On being questioned,
+he did not deny that there had been bad usage, but said that the young
+man had died of the flux. But this assertion went for nothing when
+balanced against the facts which had come out; and this was so evident,
+that an order was made out for the apprehension of the chief mate. He
+was accordingly taken up. The next day, however, there was a rehearing
+of the case, when he was returned to the gaol, where he was to lie till
+the Lords of the Admiralty should order a sessions to be held for the
+trial of offences committed on the high seas.
+
+This public examination of the case of William Lines, and the way in
+which it ended, produced an extraordinary result; for after this time
+the slave-captains and mates who used to meet me suddenly, used as
+suddenly to start from me, indeed to the other side of the pavement, as
+if I had been a wolf, or tiger, or some dangerous beast of prey. Such of
+them as saw me beforehand used to run up the cross streets or lanes,
+which were nearest to them, to get away. Seamen, too, came from various
+quarters to apply to me for redress. One came to me who had been treated
+ill in the Alexander, when Mr. Falconbridge had been the surgeon of her.
+Three came to me who had been ill-used in the voyage which followed,
+though she had then sailed under a new captain. Two applied to me from
+the Africa, who had been of her crew in the last voyage. Two from the
+Fly. Two from the Wasp. One from the Little Pearl, and three from the
+Pilgrim or Princess, when she was last upon the coast.
+
+The different scenes of barbarity which these represented to me, greatly
+added to the affliction of my mind. My feelings became now almost
+insupportable. I was agonized to think that this trade should last
+another day. I was in a state of agitation from morning till night. I
+determined I would soon leave Bristol. I saw nothing but misery in the
+place. I had collected now, I believed, all the evidence it would
+afford; and to stay in it a day longer than was necessary, would be only
+an interruption for so much time both of my happiness and of my health.
+I determined therefore to do only two or three things, which I thought
+to be proper, and to depart in a few days.
+
+And first I went to Bath, where I endeavoured to secure the respectable
+paper belonging to that city in favour of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. This I did entirely to my satisfaction, by relating to the worthy
+editor all the discoveries I had made, and by impressing his mind in a
+forcible manner on the subject. And it is highly to the honour of Mr.
+Crutwell, that from that day he never ceased to defend our cause; that
+he never made a charge for insertions of any kind; but that he
+considered all he did upon this occasion in the light of a duty, or as
+his mite given in charity to a poor and oppressed people.
+
+The next attempt was to lay the foundation of a committee in Bristol,
+and of a petition to Parliament from it for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. I had now made many friends. A gentleman of the name of Paynter
+had felt himself much interested in my labours. Mr. Joseph Harford, a
+man of fortune, of great respectability of character, and of
+considerable influence, had attached himself to the cause. Dr. Fox had
+assisted me in it. Mr. Hughes, a clergyman of the baptist church, was
+anxious and ready to serve it. Dr. Camplin, of the establishment, with
+several of his friends, continued steady. Matthew Wright, James Harford,
+Truman Harford, and all the Quakers to a man, were strenuous, and this
+on the best of principles, in its support. To all these I spoke, and I
+had the pleasure of seeing that my wishes were likely in a short time to
+be gratified in both these cases.
+
+It was now necessary that I should write to the committee in London. I
+had written to them only two letters during my absence; for I had
+devoted myself so much to the great object I had undertaken, that I
+could think of little else. Hence some of my friends among them were
+obliged to write to different persons at Bristol, to inquire if I was
+alive, I gave up a day or two therefore, to this purpose. I informed the
+committee of all my discoveries in the various branches to which my
+attention had been directed, and desired them in return to procure me
+various official documents for the port of London, which I then
+specified. Having done this, I conferred with Mr. Falconbridge, relative
+to being with me at Liverpool. I thought it right to make him no other
+offer than that his expenses should be paid. He acceded to my request on
+these disinterested terms; and I took my departure from Bristol, leaving
+him to follow me in a few days.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+Author secures the Gloucester paper, and lays the foundation of a
+petition from that city; does the same at Worcester, and at
+Chester.--Arrives at Liverpool.--Collects specimens of African
+produce; also imports and exports, and muster-rolls, and accounts of
+dock duties, and iron instruments used in the Slave Trade.--His
+introduction to Mr. Norris, and others.--Author and his errand become
+known.--People visit him out of curiosity.--Frequent controversies on
+the subject of the Slave Trade.
+
+
+On my arrival at Gloucester, I waited upon my friend Dean Tucker. He was
+pleased to hear of the great progress I had made since he left me. On
+communicating to him my intention of making interest with the editors of
+some provincial papers, to enlighten the public mind, and with the
+inhabitants of some respectable places, for petitions to Parliament,
+relative to the abolition of the Slave Trade, he approved of it, and
+introduced me to Mr. Raikes, the proprietor of the respectable paper
+belonging to that city. Mr. Raikes acknowledged, without any hesitation,
+the pleasure he should have in serving such a noble cause; and he
+promised to grant me, from time to time, a corner in his paper, for such
+things as I might point out to him for insertion. This promise he
+performed afterwards, without any pecuniary consideration, and solely on
+the ground of benevolence. He promised also his assistance as to the
+other object, for the promotion of which I left him several of my
+_Summary View_ to distribute.
+
+At Worcester I trod over the same ground, and with the same success.
+Timothy Bevington, of the religious society of the Quakers, was the only
+person to whom I had an introduction there: he accompanied me to the
+mayor, to the editor of the Worcester paper, and to several others,
+before each of whom I pleaded the cause of the oppressed Africans in the
+best manner I was able. I dilated both on the inhumanity and on the
+impolicy of the trade, which I supported by the various facts recently
+obtained at Bristol. I desired, however, as far as petitions were
+concerned, (and this desire I expressed on all other similar occasions,)
+that no attempt should be made to obtain these, till such information
+had been circulated on the subject, that every one, when called upon,
+might judge, from his knowledge of it, how far he would feel it right to
+join in it. For this purpose I left also here several of my _Summary
+View_ for distribution.
+
+After my arrival at Chester, I went to the bishop's residence, but I
+found he was not there. Knowing no other person in the place, I wrote a
+note to Mr. Cowdroy, whom I understood to be the editor of the Chester
+paper, soliciting an interview with him, I explained my wishes to him on
+both subjects. He seemed to be greatly rejoiced, when we met, that such
+a measure as that of the abolition of the Slave Trade was in
+contemplation. Living at so short a distance from Liverpool, and in a
+country from which so many persons were constantly going to Africa, he
+was by no means ignorant, as some were, of the nature of this cruel
+traffic; but yet he had no notion that I had probed it so deeply, or
+that I had brought to light such important circumstances concerning it,
+as he found by my conversation. He made me a hearty offer of his
+services on this occasion, and this expressly without fee or reward. I
+accepted them most joyfully and gratefully. It was, indeed, a most
+important thing, to have a station so near the enemy's camp, where we
+could watch their motions, and meet any attack which might be made from
+it. And this office of a sentinel Mr. Cowdroy performed with great
+vigilance; and when he afterwards left Chester for Manchester, to
+establish a paper there, he carried with him the same friendly
+disposition towards our cause.
+
+My first introduction at Liverpool was to William Rathbone, a member of
+the religious society of the Quakers. He was the same person who, before
+the formation of our committee, had procured me copies of several of the
+muster-rolls of the slave-vessels belonging to that port, so that,
+though we were not personally known, yet we were not strangers to each
+other. Isaac Hadwen, a respectable member of the same society, was the
+person whom I saw next. I had been introduced to him, previously to my
+journey, when he was at London, at the yearly meeting of the Quakers, so
+that no letter to him was necessary. As Mr. Roscoe had generally given
+the profits of _The Wrongs of Africa_ to our committee, I made no
+scruple of calling upon him. His reception of me was very friendly, and
+he introduced me afterwards to Dr. Currie, who had written the preface
+to that poem. There was also a fourth upon whom I called, though I did
+not know him. His name was Edward Rushton: he had been an officer in a
+slave-ship, but had lost his sight, and had become an enemy to that
+trade. On passing through Chester, I had heard, for the first time, that
+he had published a poem called _West Indian Eclogues_, with a view of
+making the public better acquainted with the evil of the Slave Trade,
+and of exciting their indignation against it. Of the three last it may
+be observed, that, having come forward thus early, as labourers, they
+deserve to be put down, as I have placed them in the map, among the
+forerunners and coadjutors in this great cause, for each published his
+work before any efforts were made publicly, or without knowing that any
+were intended. Rushton, also, had the boldness, though then living in
+Liverpool, to affix his name to his work. These were the only persons
+whom I knew for some time after my arrival in that place.
+
+It may not, perhaps, be necessary to enter so largely into my
+proceedings at Liverpool as at Bristol. The following account,
+therefore, may suffice:--
+
+In my attempts to add to my collection of specimens of African produce,
+I was favoured with a sample of gum ruber astringents, of cotton from
+the Gambia, of indigo and musk, of long pepper, of black pepper from
+Whidah, of mahogany from Calabar, and of cloths of different colours,
+made by the natives, which, while they gave other proofs of the quality
+of their own cotton, gave proofs, also, of the variety of their dyes.
+
+I made interest at the Custom-house for various exports and imports, and
+for copies of the muster-rolls of several slave-vessels, besides those
+of vessels employed in other trades.
+
+By looking out constantly for information on this great subject, I was
+led to the examination of a printed card or table of the dock duties of
+Liverpool, which was published annually. The town of Liverpool had so
+risen in opulence and importance from only a fishing-village, that the
+corporation seemed to have a pride in giving a public view of this
+increase. Hence they published and circulated this card. Now the card
+contained one, among other facts, which was almost as precious, in a
+political point of view, as any I had yet obtained. It stated that in
+the year 1772, when I knew that a hundred vessels sailed out of
+Liverpool for the coast of Africa, the dock-duties amounted to 4552_l._,
+and that in 1779, when I knew that, in consequence of the war, only
+eleven went from thence to the same coast, they amounted to 4957_l_.
+From these facts put together, two conclusions were obvious. The first
+was, that the opulence of Liverpool, as far as the entry of vessels into
+its ports, and the dock-duties arising from thence, were concerned, was
+not indebted to the Slave Trade; for these duties were highest when it
+had only eleven ships in that employ. The second was, that there had
+been almost a practical experiment with respect to the abolition of it;
+for the vessels in it had been gradually reduced from one hundred to
+eleven, and yet the West Indians had not complained of their ruin, nor
+had the merchants or manufacturers suffered, nor had Liverpool been
+affected by the change.
+
+There were specimens of articles in Liverpool, which I entirely
+overlooked at Bristol, and which I believed I should have overlooked
+here also, had it not been for seeing them at a window in a shop; I mean
+those of different iron instruments used in this cruel traffic. I bought
+a pair of the iron hand-cuffs with which the men-slaves are confined.
+The right-hand wrist of one, and the left of another, are almost brought
+into contact by these, and fastened together, as the figure A in the
+annexed plate represents, by a little bolt with a small padlock at the
+end of it.
+
+[Illustration: Handcuffs]
+
+I bought also a pair of shackles for the legs. These are represented by
+the figure B.
+
+The right ancle of one man is fastened to the left of another, as the
+reader will observe, by similar means. I bought these, not because it
+was difficult to conceive how the unhappy victims of this execrable
+trade were confined, but to show the fact that they were so. For what
+was the inference from it, but that they did not leave their own country
+willingly; that, when they were in the holds of the slave-vessels, they
+were not in the Elysium which had been represented; and that there was a
+fear either that they would make their escape, or punish their
+oppressors?
+
+[Illustration: Shackles for the legs]
+
+I bought also a thumb-screw at this shop. The thumbs are put into this
+instrument through the two circular holes at the top of it. By turning a
+key, a bar rises up by means of a screw from C to D, and the pressure
+upon them becomes painful. By turning it further you may make the blood
+start from the ends of them. By taking the key away, as at E, you leave
+the tortured person in agony, without any means of extricating himself,
+or of being extricated by others. This screw, as I was then informed,
+was applied by way of punishment, in case of obstinacy in the slaves, or
+for any other reputed offence, at the discretion of the captain.
+
+At the same place I bought another instrument which I saw. It was called
+a speculum oris. The dotted lines in the figure on the right hand of the
+screw represent it when shut, the black lines when open. It is opened,
+as at G H, by a screw below with a nob at the end of it. This instrument
+is known among surgeons, having been invented to assist them in
+wrenching open the mouth as in the case of a locked jaw; but it had got
+into use in this trade.
+
+[Illustration: Thumb screw]
+
+[Illustration: Speculum oris]
+
+On asking the seller of the instruments on what occasion it was used
+there, he replied that the slaves were frequently so sulky as to shut
+their mouths against all sustenance, and this with a determination to
+die; and that it was necessary their mouths should be forced open to
+throw in nutriment, that they who had purchased them might incur no loss
+by their death.
+
+The town-talk of Liverpool was much of the same nature as that at
+Bristol on the subject of this trade. Horrible facts concerning it were
+in everybody's mouth; but they were more numerous, as was likely to be
+the case where eighty vessels were employed from one port, and only
+eighteen from the other. The people, too, at Liverpool seemed to be more
+hardened, or they related them with more coldness or less feeling. This
+may be accounted for from the greater number of those facts, as just
+related, the mention of which, as it was of course more frequent,
+occasioned them to lose their power of exciting surprise. All this I
+thought in my favour, as I should more easily, or with less
+obnoxiousness, come to the knowledge of what I wanted to obtain.
+
+My friend William Rathbone, who had been looking out to supply me with
+intelligence, but who was desirous that I should not be imposed upon,
+and that I should get it from the fountainhead, introduced me to Mr.
+Norris for this purpose. Norris had been formerly a slave-captain, but
+had quitted the trade, and settled as a merchant in a different line of
+business. He was a man of quick penetration, and of good talents, which
+he had cultivated to advantage, and he had a pleasing address both as to
+speech and manners. He received me with great politeness, and offered me
+all the information I desired. I was with him five or six times at his
+own house for this purpose. The substance of his communications on these
+occasions I shall now put down, and I beg the reader's particular
+attention to it, as he will be referred to it in other parts of this
+work.
+
+With respect to the produce of Africa, Mr. Norris enumerated many
+articles in which a new and valuable trade might be opened, of which he
+gave me one, namely, the black pepper from Whidah before mentioned. This
+he gave me, to use his own expressions, as one argument among many
+others of the impolicy of the Slave Trade, which, by turning the
+attention of the inhabitants to the persons of one another for sale,
+hindered foreigners from discovering, and themselves from cultivating,
+many of the valuable productions of their own soil.
+
+On the subject of procuring slaves, he gave it as his decided opinion
+that many of the inhabitants of Africa were kidnapped by each other, as
+they were travelling on the roads, or fishing in the creeks, or
+cultivating their little spots. Having learned their language, he had
+collected the fact from various quarters, but more particularly from the
+accounts of slaves whom he had transported in his own vessels. With
+respect, however, to Whidah, many came from thence who were reduced to
+slavery in a different manner. The king of Dahomey, whose life (with the
+wars and customs of the Dahomans) he said he was then writing, and who
+was a very despotic prince, made no scruple of seizing his own subjects,
+and of selling them, if he was in want of any of the articles which the
+slave-vessels would afford him. The history of this prince's life he
+lent me afterwards to read, while it was yet in manuscript, in which I
+observed that he had recorded all the facts now mentioned. Indeed he
+made no hesitation to state them, either when we were by ourselves, or
+when others were in company with us. He repeated them at one time in the
+presence both of Mr. Cruden and Mr. Coupland. The latter was then a
+slave-merchant at Liverpool. He seemed to be fired at the relation of
+these circumstances. Unable to restrain himself longer, he entered into
+a defence of the trade, both as to the humanity and the policy of it;
+but Mr. Norris took up his arguments in both these cases, and answered
+them in a solid manner.
+
+With respect to the Slave Trade as it affected the health of our seamen,
+Mr. Norris admitted it to be destructive; but I did not stand in need of
+this information, as I knew this part of the subject, in consequence of
+my familiarity with the muster-rolls, better than himself.
+
+He admitted it also to be true, that they were too frequently
+ill-treated in this trade. A day or two after our conversation on this
+latter subject he brought me the manuscript journal of a voyage to
+Africa, which had been kept by a mate, with whom he was then acquainted.
+He brought it to me to read, as it might throw some light upon the
+subject on which we had talked last. In this manuscript various
+instances of cruel usage towards seamen were put down, from which it
+appeared that the mate, who wrote it, had not escaped himself.
+
+At the last interview we had, he seemed to be so satisfied of the
+inhumanity, injustice, and impolicy of the trade, that he made me a
+voluntary offer of certain clauses, which he had been thinking of, and
+which, he believed, if put into an Act of Parliament, would judiciously
+effect its abolition. The offer of these clauses I embraced eagerly. He
+dictated them, and I wrote. I wrote them in a small book which I had
+then in my pocket. They were these:--
+
+No vessel, under a heavy penalty, to supply foreigners with slaves.
+
+Every vessel to pay to government a tax for a register on clearing out
+to supply our own islands with slaves.
+
+Every such vessel to be prohibited from purchasing or bringing home any
+of the productions of Africa.
+
+Every such vessel to be prohibited from bringing home a passenger, or
+any article of produce, from the West Indies.
+
+A bounty to be given to every vessel trading in the natural productions
+of Africa. This bounty to be paid in part out of the tax arising from
+the registers of the slave-vessels.
+
+Certain establishments to be made by government in Africa, in the
+Bananas, in the Isles de Los, on the banks of the Camaranca, and in
+other places, for the encouragement and support of the new trade to be
+substituted there.
+
+Such then were the services, which Mr. Norris, at the request of William
+Rathbone, rendered me at Liverpool, during my stay there; and I have
+been very particular in detailing them, because I shall be obliged to
+allude to them, as I have before observed, on some important occasions
+in a future part of the work.
+
+On going my rounds one day, I met accidentally with Captain Chaffers.
+This gentleman either was or had been in the West India employ. His
+heart had beaten in sympathy with mine, and he had greatly favoured our
+cause. He had seen me at Mr. Norris's, and learned my errand there. He
+told me he could introduce me in a few minutes, as we were then near at
+hand, to Captain Lace, if I chose it. Captain Lace, he said, had been
+long in the Slave Trade, and could give me very accurate information
+about it. I accepted his offer. On talking to Captain Lace, relative to
+the productions of Africa, he told me that mahogany grew at Calabar. He
+began to describe a tree of that kind, which he had seen there. This
+tree was from about eighteen inches to two feet in diameter, and about
+sixty feet high, or, as he expressed it, of the height of a tall
+chimney. As soon as he mentioned Calabar, a kind of horror came over me.
+His name became directly associated in my mind with the place. It almost
+instantly occurred to me, that he commanded the Edgar out of Liverpool,
+when the dreadful massacre there, as has been related, took place.
+Indeed I seemed to be so confident of it, that, attending more to my
+feelings than to my reason at this moment, I accused him with being
+concerned in it. This produced great confusion among us. For he looked
+incensed at Captain Chaffers, as if he had introduced me to him for this
+purpose. Captain Chaffers again seemed to be all astonishment that I
+should have known of this circumstance, and to be vexed that I should
+have mentioned it in such a manner. I was also in a state of trembling
+myself. Captain Lace could only say it was a bad business. But he never
+defended himself, nor those concerned in it. And we soon parted, to the
+great joy of us all.
+
+Soon after this interview, I began to perceive that I was known in
+Liverpool, as well as the object for which I came. Mr. Coupland, the
+slave-merchant, with whom I had disputed at Mr. Norris's house, had
+given the alarm to those who were concerned in the trade, and Captain
+Lace, as may be now easily imagined, had spread it. This knowledge of me
+and of my errand was almost immediately productive of two effects, the
+first of which I shall now mention.
+
+I had a private room at the King's Arms tavern, besides my bed-room,
+where I used to meditate and to write; but I generally dined in public.
+The company at dinner had hitherto varied but little as to number, and
+consisted of those, both from the town and country, who had been
+accustomed to keep up a connexion with the house. But now things were
+altered, and many people came to dine there daily with a view of seeing
+me, as if I had been some curious creature imported from foreign parts.
+They thought, also, they could thus have an opportunity of conversing
+with me. Slave-merchants and slave-captains came in among others for
+this purpose. I had observed this difference in the number of our
+company for two or three days. Dale, the master of the tavern, had
+observed it also, and told me in a good-natured manner, that many of
+these were my visitors, and that I was likely to bring him a great deal
+of custom. In a little time, however, things became serious; for they,
+who came to see me, always started the abolition of the Slave Trade as
+the subject for conversation. Many entered into the justification of
+this trade with great warmth, as if to ruffle my temper, or at any rate
+to provoke me to talk. Others threw out, with the same view, that men
+were going about to abolish it, who would have done much better if they
+had stayed at home. Others said they had heard of a person turned mad,
+who had conceived the thought of destroying Liverpool, and all its
+glory. Some gave as a toast, Success to the trade, and then laughed
+immoderately, and watched me when I took my glass to see if I would
+drink it. I saw the way in which things were now going, and I believed
+it would be proper that I should come to some fixed resolutions; such
+as, whether I should change my lodgings, and whether I should dine in
+private; and if not, what line of conduct it would become me to pursue
+on such occasions. With respect to changing my lodgings and dining in
+private, I conceived, if I were to do either of these things, that I
+should be showing an unmanly fear of my visiters, which they would turn
+to their own advantage. I conceived too, that, if I chose to go on as
+before, and to enter into conversation with them on the subject of the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, I might be able, by having such an
+assemblage of persons daily, to gather all the arguments which they
+could collect on the other side of our question, an advantage which I
+should one day feel in the future management of the cause. With respect
+to the line, which I should pursue in the case of remaining in the place
+of my abode and in my former habits, I determined never to start the
+subject of the abolition myself--never to abandon it when started--never
+to defend it but in a serious and dignified manner--and never to
+discover any signs of irritation, whatever provocation might be given
+me. By this determination I abided rigidly. The King's Arms became now
+daily the place for discussion on this subject. Many tried to insult me,
+but to no purpose. In all these discussions I found the great advantage
+of having brought Mr. Falconbridge with me from Bristol; for he was
+always at the table; and when my opponents, with a disdainful look,
+tried to ridicule my knowledge, among those present, by asking me if I
+had ever been on the coast of Africa myself, he used generally to reply,
+"But I have. I know all your proceedings there, and that his statements
+are true." These and other words put in by him, who was an athletic and
+resolute-looking man, were of great service to me. All disinterested
+persons, of whom there were four or five daily in the room, were
+uniformly convinced by our arguments, and took our part, and some of
+them very warmly. Day after day we beat our opponents out of the field,
+as many of the company acknowledged, to their no small notification, in
+their presence. Thus, while we served the cause by discovering all that
+could be said against it, we served it by giving numerous individuals
+proper ideas concerning it, and of interesting them in our favour.
+
+The second effect which I experienced was, that from this time I could
+never get any one to come forward as an evidence to serve the cause.
+There were, I believe, hundreds of persons in Liverpool, and in the
+neighbourhood of it, who had been concerned in this traffic, and who had
+left it, all of whom could have given such testimony concerning it as
+would have insured its abolition. But none of them would now speak out.
+Of these, indeed, there were some, who were alive to the horrors of it,
+and who lamented that it should still continue. But yet even these were
+backward in supporting me. All that they did was just privately to see
+me, to tell me that I was right, and to exhort me to persevere: but as
+to coming forward to be examined publicly, my object was so unpopular,
+and would become so much more so when brought into parliament, that they
+would have their houses pulled down, if they should then appear as
+public instruments in the annihilation of the trade. With this account I
+was obliged to rest satisfied; nor could I deny, when I considered the
+spirit, which had manifested itself, and the extraordinary number of
+interested persons in the place, that they had some reason for their
+fears; and that these fears were not groundless, appeared afterwards;
+for Dr. Binns, a respectable physician belonging to the religious
+society of the Quakers, and to whom Isaac Hadwen had introduced me, was
+near falling into a mischievous plot, which had been laid against him,
+because he was one of the subscribers to the institution for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, and because he was suspected of having
+aided me in promoting that object.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+Hostile disposition towards the author increases, on account of his
+known patronage of the seamen employed in the Slave Trade; manner of
+procuring and paying them at Liverpool; their treatment and
+mortality.--Account of the murder of Peter Green; trouble taken by the
+author to trace it; his narrow escape.--Goes to Lancaster, but returns
+to Liverpool; leaves the latter place.
+
+
+It has appeared that a number of persons used to come and see me, out of
+curiosity, at the King's Arms tavern; and that these manifested a bad
+disposition towards me, which was near breaking out into open insult.
+Now the cause of all this was, as I have observed, the knowledge which
+people had obtained relative to my errand at this place. But this
+hostile disposition was increased by another circumstance, which I am
+now to mention. I had been so shocked at the treatment of the seamen
+belonging to the slave-vessels at Bristol, that I determined, on my
+arrival at Liverpool, to institute an inquiry concerning it there also.
+I had made considerable progress in it, so that few seamen were landed
+from such vessels, but I had some communication with them; and though no
+one else would come near me, to give me any information about the trade,
+these were always forward to speak to me, and to tell me their
+grievances, if it were only with the hope of being able to get redress.
+The consequence of this was, that they used to come to the King's Arms
+tavern to see me. Hence, one, two, and three, were almost daily to be
+found about the door; and this happened quite as frequently after the
+hostility just mentioned had shown itself, as before. They, therefore,
+who came to visit me out of curiosity, could not help seeing my sailor
+visiters; and on inquiring into their errand, they became more than ever
+incensed against me.
+
+The first result of this increased hostility towards me was an
+application from some of them to the master of the tavern, that he would
+not harbour me. This he communicated to me in a friendly manner, but he
+was by no means desirous that I should leave him. On the other hand, he
+hoped I would stay long enough to accomplish my object. I thought it
+right, however, to take the matter into consideration; and having
+canvassed it, I resolved to remain with him, for the reasons mentioned
+in the former chapter. But, that I might avoid doing anything that would
+be injurious to his interest, as well as in some measure avoid giving
+unnecessary offence to others, I took lodgings in Williamson Square,
+where I retired to write, and occasionally to sleep, and to which place
+all seamen, desirous of seeing me, were referred. Hence I continued to
+get the same information as before, but in a less obnoxious and
+injurious manner.
+
+The history of the seamen employed in the slave-vessels belonging to the
+port of Liverpool, I found to be similar to that of those from Bristol.
+
+They who went into this trade were of two classes. The first consisted
+of those who were ignorant of it, and to whom generally improper
+representations of advantage had been made, for the purpose of enticing
+them into it. The second consisted of those who, by means of a regular
+system, kept up by the mates and captains, had been purposely brought by
+their landlords into distress, from which they could only be extricated
+by going into this hateful employ. How many have I seen, with tears in
+their eyes, put into boats, and conveyed to vessels, which were then
+lying at the Black Rock, and which were only waiting to receive them to
+sail away!
+
+The manner of paying them in the currency of the islands was the same as
+at Bristol. But this practice was not concealed at Liverpool, as it was
+at the former place. The articles of agreement were printed, so that all
+who chose to buy might read them. At the same time it must be observed,
+that seamen were never paid in this manner in any other employ; and that
+the African wages, though nominally higher for the sake of procuring
+hands, were thus made to be actually lower than in other trades.
+
+The loss by death was so similar, that it did not signify whether the
+calculation on a given number was made either at this or the other port.
+I had, however, a better opportunity at this than I had at the other, of
+knowing the loss, as it related to those whose constitutions had been
+ruined, or who had been rendered incapable by disease, of continuing
+their occupation at sea. For the slave-vessels which returned to
+Liverpool, sailed immediately into the docks, so that I saw at once
+their sickly and ulcerated crews. The number of vessels, too, was so
+much greater from this, than from any other port, that their sick made a
+more conspicuous figure in the infirmary; and they were seen also more
+frequently in the streets.
+
+With respect to their treatment, nothing could be worse. It seemed to me
+to be but one barbarous system from the beginning to the end. I do not
+say barbarous, as if premeditated, but it became so in consequence of
+the savage habits gradually formed by a familiarity with miserable
+sights, and with a course of action inseparable from the trade. Men in
+their first voyages usually disliked the traffic; and if they were happy
+enough then to abandon it, they usually escaped the disease of a
+hardened heart. But if they went a second and a third time, their
+disposition became gradually changed. It was impossible for them to be
+accustomed to carry away men and women by force, to keep them in chains,
+to see their tears, to hear their mournful lamentations, to behold the
+dead and the dying, to be obliged to keep up a system of severity amidst
+all this affliction,--in short, it was impossible for them to be
+witnesses, and this for successive voyages, to the complicated mass of
+misery passing in a slave-ship, without losing their finer feelings, or
+without contracting those habits of moroseness and cruelty which would
+brutalize their nature. Now, if we consider that persons could not
+easily become captains (and to these the barbarities were generally
+chargeable by actual perpetration, or by consent) till they had been two
+or three voyages in this employ, we shall see the reason why it would be
+almost a miracle, if they, who were thus employed in it, were not rather
+to become monsters, than to continue to be men.
+
+While I was at Bristol, I heard from an officer of the Alfred, who gave
+me the intelligence privately, that the steward of a Liverpool ship,
+whose name was Green, had been murdered in that ship. The Alfred was in
+Bonny river at the same time, and his own captain, (so infamous for his
+cruelty, as has been before shown,) was on board when it happened. The
+circumstances, he said, belonging to this murder, were, if report were
+true, of a most atrocious nature, and deserved to be made the subject of
+inquiry. As to the murder itself, he observed, it had passed as a
+notorious and uncontradicted fact.
+
+This account was given me just as I had made an acquaintance with Mr.
+Falconbridge, and I informed him of it; he said he had no doubt of its
+truth; for in his last voyage he went to Bonny himself, where the ship
+was then lying, in which the transaction happened: the king and several
+of the black traders told him of it. The report then current was simply
+this, that the steward had been barbarously beaten one evening; that
+after this he was let down with chains upon him into a boat, which was
+alongside of the ship, and that the next morning he was found dead.
+
+On my arrival at Liverpool, I resolved to inquire into the truth of this
+report. On looking into one of the wet docks, I saw the name of the
+vessel alluded to; I walked over the decks of several others, and got on
+board her. Two people were walking up and down her, and one was leaning
+upon a rail by the side. I asked the latter how many slaves this ship
+had carried in her last voyage; he replied he could not tell; but one of
+the two persons walking about could answer me, as he had sailed out and
+returned in her. This man came up to us, and joined in conversation. He
+answered my questions and many others, and would have shown me the ship,
+but on asking him how many seamen had died on the voyage, he changed his
+manner, and said, with apparent hesitation, that he could not tell. I
+asked him next, what had become, of the steward Green. He said he
+believed he was dead. I asked how the seamen had been used. He said, not
+worse than others. I then asked whether Green had been used worse than
+others. He replied, he did not then recollect. I found that he was now
+quite upon his guard, and as I could get no satisfactory answer from him
+I left the ship.
+
+On the next day I looked over the muster-roll of this vessel; on
+examining it, I found that sixteen of the crew had died; I found also
+the name of Peter Green; I found, again, that the latter had been put
+down among the dead. I observed, also, that the ship had left Liverpool
+on the 5th of June, 1786, and had returned on the 5th of June, 1787, and
+that Peter Green was put down as having died on the 19th of September;
+from all which circumstances it was evident that he must, as my Bristol
+informant asserted, have died upon the Coast.
+
+Notwithstanding this extraordinary coincidence of name, mortality, time,
+and place, I could gain no further intelligence about the affair till
+within about ten days before I left Liverpool; when among the seamen,
+who came to apply to me in Williamson Square was George Ormond. He came
+to inform me of his own ill-usage; from which circumstance I found that
+he had sailed in the same ship with Peter Green. This led me to inquire
+into the transaction in question, and I received from him the following
+account.
+
+Peter Green had been shipped as steward. A black woman, of the name of
+Rodney, went out in the same vessel; she belonged to the owners of it,
+and was to be an interpretess to the slaves who should be purchased.
+About five in the evening, some time in the month of September, the
+vessel then lying in Bonny river, the captain, as was his custom, went
+on shore. In his absence, Rodney, the black woman, asked Green for the
+keys of the pantry, which he refused her, alleging that the captain had
+already beaten him for having given them to her on a former occasion,
+when she drank the wine. The woman, being passionate, struck him, and a
+scuffle ensued, out of which Green extricated himself as well as he
+could.
+
+When the scuffle was over the woman retired to the cabin, and appeared
+pensive. Between eight and nine in the evening, the captain, who was
+attended by the captain of the Alfred, came on board; Rodney immediately
+ran to him, and informed him that Green had made an assault upon her.
+The captain, without any inquiry, beat him severely, and ordered his
+hands to be made fast to some bolts on the starboard side of the ship
+and under the half deck, and then flogged him himself, using the lashes
+of the cat-of-nine-tails upon his back at one time, and the double
+walled knot at the end of it upon his head at another; and stopping to
+rest at intervals, and using each hand alternately, that he might strike
+with the greater severity.
+
+The pain had now become so very severe, that Green cried out, and
+entreated the captain of the Alfred, who was standing by, to pity his
+hard case, and to intercede for him. But the latter replied, that he
+would have served me in the same manner. Unable to find a friend here,
+he called upon the chief mate; but this only made matters worse, for the
+captain then ordered the latter to flog him also; which he did for some
+time, using however only the lashes of the instrument. Green then called
+in his distress upon the second mate to speak for him; but the second
+mate was immediately ordered to perform the same cruel office, and was
+made to persevere in it till the lashes were all worn into threads. But
+the barbarity did not close here; for the captain, on seeing the
+instrument now become useless, ordered another, with which he flogged
+him as before, beating him at times over the head with the double-walled
+knot, and changing his hands, and cursing his own left hand for not
+being able to strike so severe a blow as his right.
+
+The punishment, as inflicted by all parties, had now lasted two hours
+and a half, when George Ormond was ordered to cut down one of the arms,
+and the boatswain the other, from the places of their confinement; this
+being done, Green lay motionless on the deck. He attempted to utter
+something, Ormond understood it to be the word water; but no water was
+allowed him. The captain, on the other hand, said he had not yet done
+with him, and ordered him to be confined with his arms across, his right
+hand to his left foot, and his left hand to his right foot. For this
+purpose the carpenter brought shackles, and George Ormond was compelled
+to put them on. The captain then ordered some tackle to be made fast to
+the limbs of the said Peter Green, in which situation he was then
+hoisted up, and afterwards let down into a boat, which was lying
+alongside the ship. Michael Cunningham was then sent to loose the
+tackle, and to leave him there.
+
+In the middle watch, or between one and two next morning, George Ormond
+looked out of one of the port-holes, and called to Green, but received
+no answer. Between two and three, Paul Berry, a seaman, was sent down
+into the boat, and found him dead. He made his report to one of the
+officers of the ship. About five in the morning the body was brought up,
+and laid on the waist near the half-deck door. The captain on seeing the
+body when he rose, expressed no concern, but ordered it to be knocked
+out of irons, and to be buried at the usual place of interment for
+seamen, or Bonny Point. I may now observe, that the deceased was in good
+health before the punishment took place, and in high spirits; for he
+played upon the flute only a short time before Rodney asked him for the
+keys, while those seamen, who were in health, danced.
+
+On hearing this cruel relation from George Ormond, who was throughout a
+material witness to the scene, I had no doubt in my own mind of the
+truth of it; but I thought it right to tell him at once that I had seen
+a person, about four weeks ago, who had been the same voyage with him
+and Peter Green, but yet who had no recollection of these circumstances.
+Upon this he looked quite astonished, and began to grow angry; he
+maintained he had seen the whole; he had also held the candle himself
+during the whole punishment. He asserted that one candle and half of
+another were burnt out while it lasted. He said also that, while the
+body lay in the waist, he had handled the abused parts, and had put
+three of his fingers into a hole, made by the double walled knot, in the
+head, from whence a quantity of blood and, he believed, brains issued.
+He then challenged me to bring the man, before him; I desired him upon
+this to be cool, and to come to me the next day, and I would then talk
+with him again upon the subject.
+
+In the interim I consulted the muster-roll of the vessel again; I found
+the name of George Ormond; he had sailed in her out of Liverpool, and
+had been discharged at the latter end of January in the West Indies, as
+he had told me. I found also the names of Michael Cunningham and of Paul
+Berry, whom he had mentioned. It was obvious also that Ormond's account
+of the captain of the Alfred being on board at the time of the
+punishment tallied with that given me at Bristol by an officer of that
+vessel, and that his account of letting down Peter Green into the boat
+tallied with that which Mr. Falconbridge, as I mentioned before, had
+heard from the king and the black traders in Bonny river.
+
+When he came to me next day, he came in high spirits. He said he had
+found out the man whom I had seen. The man, however, when he talked to
+him about the murder of Peter Green, acknowledged every thing concerning
+it. Ormond intimated that this man was to sail again in the same ship
+under the promise of being an officer, and that he had been kept on
+board, and had been enticed to a second voyage, for no other purpose
+than that he might be prevented from divulging the matter. I then asked
+Ormond, whether he thought the man would acknowledge the murder in my
+hearing. He replied, "that, if I were present, he thought he would not
+say much about it, as he was soon to be under the same captain, but that
+he would not deny it. If, however, I were out of sight, though I might
+be in hearing, he believed he would acknowledge the facts."
+
+By the assistance of Mr. Falconbridge, I found a public-house, which had
+two rooms in it: nearly at the top of the partition between them was a
+small window, which a person might look through by standing upon a
+chair. I desired Ormond, one evening, to invite the man into the larger
+room, in which he was to have a candle, and, to talk with him on the
+subject. I proposed to station myself in the smallest in the dark, so
+that by looking through the window I could both see and hear him, and
+yet be unperceived myself. The room, in which I was to be, was one where
+the dead were frequently carried to be owned. We were all in our places
+at the time appointed. I directly discovered that it was the same man
+with whom I had conversed on board the ship in the wet docks. I heard
+him distinctly relate many of the particulars of the murder, and
+acknowledge them all. Ormond, after having talked with him some time,
+said, "Well, then, you believe Peter Green was actually murdered?" He
+replied, "If Peter Green was not murdered, no man ever was." What
+followed I do not know. I had heard quite enough; and the room was so
+disagreeable in smell, that I did not choose to stay in it longer than
+was absolutely necessary.
+
+I own I was now quite satisfied that the murder had taken place, and my
+first thought was to bring the matter before the mayor, and to take up
+three of the officers of the ship. But, in mentioning my intention to my
+friends, I was dissuaded from it. They had no doubt but that in
+Liverpool, as there was now a notion that the Slave Trade would become a
+subject of parliamentary inquiry, every, effort would be made to
+overthrow me. They were of opinion also that such of the magistrates, as
+were interested in the trade, when applied to for warrants of
+apprehension, would contrive to give notice to the officers to escape.
+In addition to this they believed, that so many in the town were already
+incensed against me, that I should be torn to pieces, and the house
+where I lodged burnt down, if I were to make the attempt. I thought it
+right therefore to do nothing for the present; but I sent Ormond to
+London, to keep him out of the way of corruption, till I should make up
+my mind as to further proceedings on the subject.
+
+It is impossible, if I observe the bounds I have prescribed myself, and
+I believe the reader will be glad of it on account of his own feelings,
+that I should lay open the numerous cases, which came before me at
+Liverpool, relative to the ill-treatment of the seamen in this wicked
+trade. It may be sufficient to say, that they harassed my constitution,
+and affected my spirits daily. They were in my thoughts on my pillow
+after I retired to rest, and I found them before my eyes when I awoke.
+Afflicting, however, as they were, they were of great use in the
+promotion of our cause: for they served, whatever else failed, as a
+stimulus to perpetual energy: they made me think light of former
+labours, and they urged me imperiously to new. And here I may observe,
+that among the many circumstances which ought to excite our joy on
+considering the great event of the abolition of the Slave Trade, which
+has now happily taken place, there are few for which we ought to be more
+grateful, than that from this time our commerce ceases to breed such
+abandoned wretches: while those, who have thus been bred in it, and who
+may yet find employment in other trades, will, in the common course of
+nature, be taken off in a given time, so that our marine will at length
+be purified from a race of monsters, which have helped to cripple its
+strength, and to disgrace its character.
+
+The temper of many of the interested people of Liverpool had now become
+still more irritable, and their hostility more apparent than before. I
+received anonymous letters, entreating me to leave it, or I should
+otherwise never leave it alive. The only effect which this advice had
+upon me, was to make me more vigilant when I went out at night. I never
+stirred out at this time without Mr. Falconbridge; and he never
+accompanied me without being well armed. Of this, however, I knew
+nothing until we had left the place. There was certainly a time when I
+had reason to believe that I had a narrow escape. I was one day on the
+pier-head with many others looking at some little boats below at the
+time of a heavy gale. Several persons, probably out of curiosity, were
+hastening thither. I had seen all I intended to see, and was departing,
+when I noticed eight or nine persons making towards me. I was then only
+about eight or nine yards from the precipice of the pier, but going from
+it. I expected that they would have divided to let me through them;
+instead of which they closed upon me and bore me back. I was borne
+within a yard of the precipice, when I discovered my danger; and
+perceiving among them the murderer of Peter Green, and two others who
+had insulted me at the King's Arms, it instantly struck me that they had
+a design to throw me over the pier-head; which they might have done at
+this time, and yet have pleaded that I had been killed by accident.
+There was not a moment to lose. Vigorous on account of the danger, I
+darted forward. One of them, against whom I pushed myself, fell down:
+their ranks were broken; and I escaped, not without blows, amidst their
+imprecations and abuse.
+
+I determined now to go to Lancaster, to make some inquiries about the
+Slave Trade there. I had a letter of introduction to William Jepson, one
+of the religious society of the Quakers, for this purpose. I found from
+him, that, though there were slave-merchants at Lancaster, they made
+their outfits at Liverpool, as a more convenient port. I learnt too from
+others, that the captain of the last vessel, which had sailed out of
+Lancaster to the coast of Africa for slaves, had taken off so many of
+the natives treacherously, that any other vessel known to come from it
+would be cut off. There were only now one or two superannuated captains
+living in the place. Finding I could get no oral testimony, I was
+introduced into the Custom-house. Here I just looked over the
+muster-rolls of such slave-vessels as had formerly sailed from this
+port; and having found that the loss of seamen was precisely in the same
+proportion as elsewhere, I gave myself no further trouble, but left the
+place.
+
+On my return to Liverpool, I was informed by Mr. Falconbridge, that a
+ship-mate of Ormond, of the name of Patrick Murray, who had been
+discharged in the West Indies, had arrived there. This man, he said, had
+been to call upon me in my absence, to seek redress for his own bad
+usage; but in the course of conversation he had confirmed all the
+particulars as stated by Ormond, relative to the murder of Peter Green.
+On consulting the muster-roll of the ship, I found his name, and that he
+had been discharged in the West Indies on the 2nd of February. I
+determined, therefore, to see him. I cross-examined him in the best
+manner I could. I could neither make him contradict himself, nor say
+anything that militated against the testimony of Ormond. I was
+convinced, therefore, of the truth of the transaction; and, having
+obtained his consent, I sent him to London to stay with the latter, till
+he should hear further from me. I learnt also from Mr. Falconbridge,
+that visitors had continued to come to the King's Arms during my
+absence; that they had been very liberal of their abuse of me; and that
+one of them did not hesitate to say (which is remarkable) that "I
+deserved to be thrown over the pierhead."
+
+Finding now that I could get no further evidence; that the information
+which I had already obtained was considerable[A]; and that the committee
+had expressed an earnest desire, in a letter which I had received, that
+I would take into consideration the propriety of writing my Essay on the
+_Impolicy of the Slave Trade_ as soon as possible, I determined upon
+leaving Liverpool.
+
+[Footnote A: In London, Bristol, and Liverpool, I had already obtained
+the names of more than 20,000 seamen, in different voyages, knowing what
+had become of each.]
+
+I went round accordingly and took leave of my friends. The last of these
+was William Rathbone, and I have to regret, that it was also the last
+time I ever saw him. Independently of the gratitude I owed him for
+assisting me in this great cause, I respected him highly as a man: he
+possessed a fine understanding with a solid judgment: he was a person of
+extraordinary simplicity of manners. Though he lived in a state of
+pecuniary independence, he gave an example of great temperance, as well
+as of great humility of mind: but however humble he appeared, he had
+always the courage to dare to do that which was right, however it might
+resist the customs or the prejudices of men. In his own line of trade,
+which was that of a timber-merchant on an extensive scale, he would not
+allow any article to be sold for the use of a slave-ship, and he always
+refused those, who applied to him for materials for such purposes. But
+it is evident that it was his intention, if he had lived, to bear his
+testimony still more publicly upon this subject; for an advertisement,
+stating the ground of his refusal to furnish anything for this traffic
+upon Christian principles, with a memorandum for two advertisements in
+the Liverpool papers, was found among his papers at his decease.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+Author proceeds to Manchester; finds a spirit rising among the people
+there for the abolition of the Slave Trade; is requested to deliver a
+discourse on the subject of the Slave Trade; heads of it, and
+extracts.--Proceeds to Keddleston, and Birmingham; finds a similar
+spirit at the latter place.--Revisits Bristol; new and difficult
+situation there.--Author crosses the Severn at night; unsuccessful
+termination of his journey; returns to London.
+
+
+I now took my departure from Liverpool, and proceeded to Manchester,
+where I arrived on the Friday evening. On the Saturday morning, Mr.
+Thomas Walker, attended by Mr. Cooper and Mr. Bayley of Hope, called
+upon me. They were then strangers to me. They came, they said, having
+heard of my arrival, to congratulate me on the spirit which was then
+beginning to show itself among the people of Manchester, and of other
+places, on the subject of the Slave Trade, and which would
+unquestionably manifest itself further by breaking out into petitions to
+parliament for its abolition. I was much surprised at this information.
+I had devoted myself so entirely to my object, that I had never had time
+to read a newspaper since I left London. I never knew, therefore, till
+now, that the attention of the public had been drawn to the subject in
+such a manner. And as to petitions, though I myself had suggested the
+idea at Bridgewater, Bristol, Gloucester, and two, or three other
+places, I had only done it provisionally, and this without either the
+knowledge or the consent of the committee. The news, however, as it
+astonished, so it almost overpowered me with joy. I rejoiced in it,
+because it was a proof of the general good disposition of my countrymen;
+because it showed me that the cause was such as needed only to be known,
+to be patronized; and because the manifestation of this spirit seemed to
+me to be an earnest, that success would ultimately follow.
+
+The gentleman now mentioned took me away with them, and introduced me to
+Mr. Thomas Phillips. We conversed, at first, upon the discoveries made
+in my journey; but in a little time, understanding that I had been
+educated as a clergyman, they came upon me with one voice, as if it had
+been before agreed upon, to deliver a discourse the next day, which was
+Sunday, on the subject of the Slave Trade. I was always aware that it
+was my duty to do all that I could with propriety to serve the cause I
+had undertaken, and yet I found myself embarrassed at their request.
+Foreseeing, as I have before related, that this cause might demand my
+attention to it for the greatest part of my life, I had given up all
+thoughts of my profession. I had hitherto but seldom exercised it, and
+then only to oblige some friend. I doubted, too, at the first view of
+the thing, whether the pulpit ought to be made an engine for political
+purposes, though I could not but consider the Slave Trade as a mass of
+crimes, and therefore the effort to get rid of it as a Christian duty. I
+had an idea, too, that sacred matters should not be entered upon without
+due consideration, nor prosecuted in a hasty, but in a decorous and
+solemn manner. I saw besides that, as it was then two o'clock in the
+afternoon, and this sermon was to be forthcoming the next day, there was
+not sufficient time to compose it properly. All these difficulties I
+suggested to my new friends without any reserve. But nothing that I
+could urge would satisfy them. They would not hear of a refusal, and I
+was obliged to give my consent, though I was not reconciled to the
+measure.
+
+When I went into the church it was so full that I could scarcely get to
+my place; for notice had been publicly given, though I knew nothing of
+it, that such a discourse would be delivered. I was surprised, also, to
+find a great crowd of black people standing round the pulpit. There
+might be forty or fifty of them. The text that I took, as the best to be
+found in such a hurry, was the following:--"Thou shalt not oppress a
+stranger, for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers
+in the land of Egypt."
+
+I took an opportunity of showing, from these words, that Moses, in
+endeavouring to promote among the children of Israel a tender
+disposition towards those unfortunate strangers who had come under their
+dominion, reminded them of their own state when strangers in Egypt, as
+one of the most forcible arguments which could be used on such an
+occasion. For they could not have forgotten that the Egyptians "had made
+them serve with rigour; that they had made their lives bitter with hard
+bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the
+field; and that all the service, wherein they made them serve, was with
+rigour." The argument, therefore, of Moses was simply this:--"Ye knew
+well, when ye were strangers in Egypt, the nature of your own feelings.
+Were you not made miserable by your debased situation there? But if so,
+you must be sensible that the stranger, who has the same heart, or the
+same feelings with yourselves, must experience similar suffering, if
+treated in a similar manner. I charge you, then, knowing this, to stand
+clear of the crime of his oppression."
+
+The law, then, by which Moses commanded the children of Israel to
+regulate their conduct with respect to the usage of the stranger, I
+showed to be a law of universal and eternal obligation, and for this,
+among other reasons, that it was neither more nor less than the
+Christian law, which appeared afterwards, that we should not do that to
+others which we should be unwilling to have done unto ourselves.
+
+Having gone into these statements at some length, I made an application
+of them in the following words:--
+
+"This being the case, and this law of Moses being afterwards established
+into a fundamental precept of Christianity, I must apply it to facts of
+the present day, and I am sorry that I must apply it to--ourselves.
+
+"And first,--Are there no strangers whom we oppress? I fear the wretched
+African will say, that he drinks the cup of sorrow, and that he drinks
+it at our hands. Torn from his Native soil, and from his family and
+friends, he is immediately forced into a situation, of all others the
+most degrading, where he and his progeny are considered as cattle, as
+possessions, and as the possessions of a man to whom he never gave
+offence.
+
+"It is a melancholy fact, but it can be abundantly proved, that great
+numbers of the unfortunate strangers, who are carried from Africa to our
+colonies, are fraudulently and forcibly taken from their native soil. To
+descant but upon a single instance of the kind must be productive of
+pain to the ear of sensibility and freedom. Consider the sensations of
+the person, who is thus carried off by the ruffians, who have been
+lurking to intercept him. Separated from everything which he esteems in
+life, without the possibility even of bidding his friends adieu, beheld
+him overwhelmed in tears--wringing his hands in despair--looking
+backwards upon the spot where all his hopes and wishes lay;--while his
+family at home are waiting for him with anxiety and suspense--are
+waiting, perhaps, for sustenance--are agitated between hope and
+fear--till length of absence confirms the latter, and they are
+immediately plunged into inconceivable misery and distress.
+
+"If this instance, then, is sufficiently melancholy of itself, and is at
+all an act of oppression, how complicated will our guilt appear who are
+the means of snatching away thousands annually in the same manner, and
+who force them and their families into the same unhappy situation,
+without either remorse or shame!"
+
+Having proceeded to show, in a more particular manner than I can detail
+here, how, by means of the Slave Trade, we oppressed the stranger, I
+made an inquiry into the other branch of the subject, or how far we had
+a knowledge of his heart.
+
+To elucidate this point, I mentioned several specific instances out of
+those which I had collected in my journey, and which I could depend upon
+as authentic, of honour--gratitude--fidelity--filial, fraternal, and
+conjugal affection--and of the finest sensibility on the part of those
+who had been brought into our colonies from Africa in the character of
+slaves; and then I proceeded for a while in the following words:--
+
+"If, then, we oppress the stranger, as I have shown, and if, by a
+knowledge of his heart, we find that he is a person of the same passions
+and feelings as ourselves, we are certainly breaking, by means of the
+prosecution of the Slave Trade, that fundamental principle of
+Christianity, which says, that we shall not do that unto another which
+we wish should not be done unto ourselves, and, I fear, cutting
+ourselves off from all expectation of the Divine blessing. For how
+inconsistent is our conduct! We come into the temple of God; we fall
+prostrate before Him; we pray to Him, that He will have mercy upon us.
+But how shall He have mercy upon us, who have had no mercy upon others!
+We pray to Him, again, that He will deliver us from evil. But how shall
+He deliver us from evil, who are daily invading the rights of the
+injured African, and heaping misery on his head!"
+
+I attempted, lastly, to show, that, though the sin of the Slave Trade
+had been hitherto a sin of ignorance, and might, therefore, have so far
+been winked at, yet as the crimes and miseries belonging to it became
+known, it would attach even to those who had no concern in it, if they
+suffered it to continue either without notice or reproach, or if they
+did not exert themselves in a reasonable manner for its suppression. I
+noticed particularly, the case of Tyre and Sidon, which were the Bristol
+and the Liverpool of those times. A direct judgment had been pronounced
+by the prophet Joel against these cities, and, what is remarkable, for
+the prosecution of this same barbarous traffic. Thus, "And what have ye
+to do with me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? Ye
+have cast lots for my people. Ye have sold a girl for wine. The children
+of Judah, and the children of Jerusalem, have ye sold unto the Grecians,
+that ye might remove them far from their own border. Behold! I will
+raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will
+recompense your wickedness on your own heads." Such was the language of
+the prophet; and Tyre and Sidon fell, as he had pointed out, when the
+inhabitants were either cut off, or carried into slavery.
+
+Having thrown out these ideas to the notice of the audience, I concluded
+in the following words:--
+
+"If, then, we wish to avert the heavy national judgment which is hanging
+over our heads, (for must we not believe that our crimes towards the
+innocent Africans lie recorded against us in heaven?) let us endeavour
+to assert their cause. Let us nobly withstand the torrent of the evil,
+however inveterately it may be fixed among the customs of the times;
+not, however, using our liberty as a cloak of maliciousness against
+those, who, perhaps, without due consideration, have the misfortune to
+be concerned in it, but upon proper motives, and in a proper spirit, as
+the servants of God; so that if the sun should be turned into darkness,
+and the moon into blood, and the very heaven should fall upon us, we may
+fall in the general convulsion without dismay, conscious that we have
+done our duty in endeavouring to succour the distressed, and that the
+stain of the blood of Africa is not upon us."
+
+From Manchester I proceeded to Keddleston in Derbyshire, to spend a day
+with Lord Scarsdale, and to show him my little collection of African
+productions, and to inform him of my progress since I last saw him. Here
+a letter was forwarded to me from the Reverend John Toogood, of Keington
+Magna in Dorsetshire, though I was then unknown to him. He informed me
+that he had addressed several letters to the inhabitants of his own
+county, through their provincial paper, on the subject of the Slave
+Trade, which letters had produced a considerable effect. It appeared,
+however, that, when he began them, he did not know of the formation of
+our committee, or that he had a single coadjutor in the cause.
+
+From Keddleston I turned off to Birmingham, being desirous of visiting
+Bristol in my way to London, to see if anything new had occurred since I
+was there. I was introduced by letter, at Birmingham, to Sampson and
+Charles Lloyd, the brothers of John Lloyd, belonging to our committee,
+and members of the religious society of the Quakers. I was highly
+gratified in finding that these, in conjunction with Mr. Russell, had
+been attempting to awaken the attention of the inhabitants to this great
+subject, and that in consequence of their laudable efforts, a spirit was
+beginning to show itself there, as at Manchester, in favour of the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. The kind manner in which these received
+me, and the deep interest which they appeared to take in our cause, led
+me to an esteem for them, which, by means of subsequent visits, grew
+into a solid friendship.
+
+At length I arrived at Bristol about ten o'clock on Friday morning. But
+what was my surprise, when almost the first thing I heard from my friend
+Harry Gandy was, that a letter had been despatched to me to Liverpool,
+nearly a week ago, requesting me immediately to repair to this place;
+for that in consequence of notice from the lords of the Admiralty,
+advertised in the public papers, the trial of the chief mate, whom I had
+occasioned to be taken up at Bristol, for the murder of William Lines,
+was coming on at the Old Bailey, and that not an evidence was to be
+found. This intelligence almost paralyzed me. I cannot describe my
+feelings on receiving it. I reproached myself with my own obstinacy for
+having resisted the advice of Mr. Burges, as has been before explained.
+All his words now came fresh into my mind. I was terrified, too, with
+the apprehension that my own reputation was now at stake. I foresaw all
+the calumnies which would  be spread, if the evidences were not
+forthcoming on this occasion. I anticipated, also, the injury which the
+cause itself might sustain, if, at our outset, as it were, I should not
+be able to substantiate what I had publicly advanced; and yet the mayor
+of Bristol had heard and determined the case,--he had not only examined,
+but re-examined, the evidences,--he had not only committed, but
+re-committed, the accused: this was the only consolation I had. I was
+sensible, however, amidst all these workings of my mind, that not a
+moment was to be lost, and I began, therefore, to set on foot an inquiry
+as to the absent persons.
+
+On waiting upon the mother of William Lines, I learnt from her, that two
+out of four of the witnesses had been bribed by the slave-merchants, and
+sent to sea, that they might not be forthcoming at the time of the
+trial; that the two others had been tempted also, but that they had been
+enabled to resist the temptation; that, desirous of giving their
+testimony in this cause, they had gone into some coal-mine between Neath
+and Swansea, where they might support themselves till they should be
+called for; and that she had addressed a letter to them, at the request
+of Mr. Gandy, above a week ago, in which she had desired them to come to
+Bristol immediately, but that she had received no answer from them. She
+then concluded, either that her letter had miscarried, or that they had
+left the place.
+
+I determined to lose no time, after the receipt of this intelligence;
+and I prevailed upon a young man, whom my friend Harry Gandy had
+recommended to me, to set off directly, and to go in search of them. He
+was to travel all night, and to bring them, or, if weary himself with
+his journey, to send them up, without ever sleeping on the road. It was
+now between twelve and one in the afternoon. I saw him depart. In the
+interim I went to Thompson's, and other places, to inquire if any other
+of the seamen, belonging to the Thomas, were to be found; but, though I
+hunted diligently till four o'clock, I could learn nothing satisfactory.
+I then went to dinner, but I grew uneasy. I was fearful that my
+messenger might be at a loss, or that he might want assistance on some
+occasion or other. I now judged that it would have been more prudent if
+two persons had been sent, who might have conferred with each other, and
+who might have divided, when they had reached Neath, and gone to
+different mines, to inquire for the witnesses. These thoughts disturbed
+me. Those, also, which had occurred when I first heard of the vexatious
+way in which things were situated, renewed themselves painfully to my
+mind. My own obstinacy in resisting the advice of Mr. Burges, and the
+fear of injury to my own reputation, and to that of the cause I had
+undertaken, were again before my eyes. I became still more uneasy: and I
+had no way of relieving my feelings, but by resolving to follow the
+young man, and to give him all the aid in my power.
+
+It was now near six o'clock. The night was cold and rainy and almost
+dark. I got down, however, safe to the passage-house, and desired to be
+conveyed across the Severn. The people in the house tried to dissuade me
+from my design. They said no one would accompany me, for it was quite a
+tempest. I replied that I would pay those handsomely who would go with
+me. A person present asked me if I would give him three guineas for a
+boat. I replied I would. He could not for shame retract. He went out,
+and in about half an hour brought a person with him. We were obliged to
+have a lanthorn as far as the boat. We got on board, and went off. But
+such a passage I had never before witnessed. The wind was furious. The
+waves ran high. I could see nothing but white foam. The boat, also, was
+tossed up and down in such a manner that it was with great difficulty I
+could keep my seat. The rain, too, poured down in such torrents that we
+were all of us presently wet through. We had been, I apprehend, more
+than an hour in this situation, when the boatmen began to complain of
+cold and weariness. I saw, also, that they began to be uneasy, for they
+did not know where they were. They had no way of forming any judgment
+about their course, but by knowing the point from whence the wind blew,
+and by keeping the boat in a relative position towards it. I encouraged
+them as well as I could, though I was beginning to be uneasy myself, and
+also sick. In about a quarter of an hour they began to complain again.
+They said they could pull no longer. They acknowledged, however, that
+they were getting nearer to the shore, though on what part of it they
+could not tell. I could do nothing but bid them hope. They then began to
+reproach themselves for having come out with me. I told them I had not
+forced them, but that it was a matter of their own choice. In the midst
+of this conversation I informed them that I thought I saw either a star
+or a light straight forward. They both looked at it and pronounced it to
+be a light, and added with great joy that it must be a light in the
+Passage-house; and so we found it; for in about ten minutes afterwards
+we landed, and, on reaching the house, learnt that a servant maid had
+been accidentally talking to some other person on the stair-case, near a
+window, with a candle in her hand, and that the light had appeared to us
+from that circumstance.
+
+It was now near eleven o'clock. My messenger, it appeared, had arrived
+safe about five in the evening, and had proceeded on his route. I was
+very cold on my arrival, and sick also. There seemed to be a chilliness
+all over me, both within and without. Indeed I had not a dry thread
+about me. I took some hot brandy and water, and went to bed; but
+desired, as soon as my clothes were thoroughly dried, to be called up,
+that I might go forward. This happened at about two in the morning, when
+I got up. I took my breakfast by the fire-side. I then desired the
+post-boy, if he should meet any persons on the road, to stop and inform
+me, as I did not know whether the witnesses might not be coming up by
+themselves, and whether they might not have passed my messenger without
+knowing his errand. Having taken these precautions, I departed. I
+travelled on, but we met no one. I traced, however, my messenger through
+Newport, Cardiff, and Cowbridge. I was assured, also, that he had not
+passed me on his return; nor had any of those passed me whom he was
+seeking. At length, when I was within about two miles of Neath I met
+him. He had both the witnesses under his care. This was a matter of
+great joy to me. I determined to return with them. It was now nearly two
+in the afternoon. I accordingly went back, but we did not reach the
+Passage-house again till nearly two the next morning.
+
+During our journey, neither the wind nor the rain had much abated. It
+was quite dark on our arrival. We found only one person, and he had been
+sitting up in expectation of us. It was in vain that I asked him for a
+boat to put us across the water. He said all the boatmen were in bed;
+and, if they were up, he was sure that none of them would venture out.
+It was thought a mercy by all of them that we were not lost last night.
+Difficulties were also started about horses to take us another way.
+Unable, therefore, to proceed, we took refreshment and went to bed.
+
+We arrived at Bristol between nine and ten the next morning; but I was
+so ill that I could go no further; I had been cold and shivering ever
+since my first passage across the Severn; and I had now a violent sore
+throat and a fever with it. All I could do was to see the witnesses off
+for London, and to assign them to the care of an attorney, who should
+conduct them to the trial. For this purpose I gave them a letter to a
+friend of the name of Langdale. I saw them depart. The mother of William
+Lines accompanied them. By a letter received on Tuesday, I learnt that
+they had not arrived in town till Monday morning at three o'clock; that
+at about nine or ten they found out the office of Mr. Langdale; that, on
+inquiring for him, they heard he was in the country, but that he would
+be home at noon; that, finding he had not then arrived, they acquainted
+his clerk with the nature of their business, and opened my letter to
+show him the contents of it; that the clerk went with them to consult
+some other person on the subject, when he conveyed them to the Old
+Bailey; but that, on inquiring at the proper place about the
+introduction of the witnesses, he learnt that the chief mate had been
+brought to the bar in the morning, and, no person then appearing against
+him, that he had been discharged by proclamation. Such was the end of
+all my anxiety and labour in this affair. I was very ill when I received
+the letter; but I saw the necessity of bearing up against the
+disappointment, and I endeavoured to discharge the subject from my mind
+with the following wish, that the narrow escape which the chief mate had
+experienced, and which was entirely owing to the accidental
+circumstances now explained, might have the effect, under Providence, of
+producing in him a deep contrition for his offence, and of awakening him
+to a serious attention to his future life[A].
+
+[Footnote A: He had undoubtedly a narrow escape; for Mr. Langdale's
+clerk had learnt that he had no evidence to produce in his favour. The
+slave-merchants, it seems, had counted most upon bribing those who were
+to come against him, to disappear.]
+
+I was obliged to remain in Bristol a few days longer in consequence of
+my illness; but as soon as I was able I reached London, when I attended
+a sitting of the committee after an absence of more than five months. At
+this committee it was strongly recommended to me to publish a second
+edition of my _Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species_,
+and to insert such of the facts in it in their proper places, out of
+those collected in my late travels, as I might judge to be productive of
+an interesting effect. There appeared, also, an earnest desire in the
+committee, that, directly after this, I should begin my _Essay on the
+Impolicy of the Slave Trade_.
+
+In compliance with their wishes, I determined upon both these works; but
+I resolved to retire into the country, that, by being subject to less
+interruption there, I might the sooner finish them. It was proper,
+however, that I should settle many things in London before I took my
+departure from it; and, among these, that I should find out George
+Ormond and Patrick Murray, whom I had sent from Liverpool on account of
+the information they had given me relative to the murder of Peter Green.
+I saw no better way than to take them before Sir Sampson Wright, who was
+then at the head of the police of the metropolis. He examined and
+cross-examined them several times, and apart from each other. He then
+desired their evidence to be drawn up in the form of depositions, copies
+of which he gave to me. He had no doubt that the murder would be proved.
+The circumstances of the deceased being in good health at nine o'clock
+in the evening, and of his severe sufferings till eleven, and of the
+nature of the wounds discovered to have been made on his person, and of
+his death by one in the morning, could never, he said, be done away by
+any evidence who should state that he had been subject to other
+disorders which might have occasioned his decease. He found himself,
+therefore, compelled to apply to the magistrates of Liverpool, for the
+apprehension of three of the principal officers of the ship; but the
+answer was that the ship had sailed, and that they whose names had been
+specified were then, none of them, to be found in Liverpool.
+
+It was now for me to consider whether I would keep the two witnesses,
+Ormond and Murray, for a year, or perhaps longer, at my own expense, and
+run the hazard of the death of the officers in the interim, and of other
+calculable events. I had felt so deeply for the usage of the seamen in
+this cruel traffic, which indeed had embittered all my journey, that I
+had no less than nine prosecutions at law upon my hands on their
+account, and nineteen witnesses detained at my own cost. The committee
+in London could give me no assistance in these cases. They were the
+managers of the public purse for the abolition of the Slave Trade, and
+any expenses of this kind were neither within the limits of their
+object, nor within the pale of their duty. From the individuals
+belonging to it, I picked up a few guineas by way of private
+subscription, and this was all. But a vast load still remained upon me,
+and such as had occasioned uneasiness to my mind. I thought it,
+therefore, imprudent to detain the evidences for this purpose for so
+long a time, and I sent them back to Liverpool. I commenced, however, a
+prosecution against the captain at common law for his barbarous usage of
+them, and desired that it might be pushed on as vigorously as possible;
+and the result was, that his attorney was so alarmed, particularly after
+knowing what had been done by Sir Sampson Wright, that he entered into a
+compromise to pay all the expenses of the suit hitherto incurred, and to
+give Ormond and Murray a sum of money as damages for the injury which
+they themselves had sustained. This compromise was acceded to. The men
+received the money, and signed the release, (of which I insisted upon a
+copy,) and went to sea again in another trade, thanking me for my
+interference in their behalf. But by this copy, which I have now in my
+possession, it appears that care was taken by the captain's attorney to
+render their future evidence in the case of Peter Green almost
+impracticable; for it was there wickedly stated, "that George Ormond and
+Patrick Murray did then and there bind themselves in certain penalties
+that they would neither encourage nor support any action at law against
+the said captain, by or at the suit or prosecution of any other of the
+seamen now or late on board the said ship, and that they released the
+said captain also from all manner of actions, suits, and cause and
+causes of action, informations, prosecutions, and other proceedings
+which they then had, or ever had, or could or might have, by reason of
+the said assaults upon their own persons, or _other wrongs or injuries
+done by the said captain heretofore and to the date of this
+release_[A]."
+
+[Footnote A: None of the nine actions before mentioned ever came to a
+trial; but they were all compromised by paying sums to the injured
+parties.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+Labours of the committee during the author's journey; Quakers the
+first to notice its institution; General Baptists the
+next.--Correspondence opened with American societies for
+Abolition.--First individual who addressed the committee was Mr.
+William Smith.--Thanks voted to Ramsay.--Committee prepares lists of
+persons to whom to send its publications; Barclay, Taylor, and
+Wedgewood, elected members of the committee.--Letters from Brissot and
+others.--Granville Sharp elected chairman,--Seal ordered to be
+engraved.--Letters from different correspondents, as they offered
+their services to the committee.
+
+
+The committee, during my absence, had attended regularly at their posts;
+they had been both vigilant and industrious; they were, in short, the
+persons who had been the means of raising the public spirit which I had
+observed first at Manchester, and afterwards as I journeyed on. It will
+be proper, therefore, that I should now say something of their labours,
+and of the fruits of them: and if, in doing this, I should be more
+minute for a few pages than some would wish, I must apologize for myself
+by saying, that there are others who would be sorry to lose the
+knowledge of the particular manner in which the foundation was laid, and
+the superstructure advanced, of a work which will make so brilliant an
+appearance in our history, as that of the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+The committee having dispersed five hundred circular letters, giving an
+account of their institution in London and its neighbourhood, the
+Quakers were the first to notice it. This they did in their yearly
+epistle, of which the following is an extract:--"We have also thankfully
+to believe there is a growing attention in many, not of our religious
+society, to the subject of negro slavery; and that the minds of the
+people are more and more enlarged to consider it as an aggregate of
+every species of evil, and to see the utter inconsistency of upholding
+it by the authority of any nation whatever, especially of such as
+punish, with loss of life, crimes whose magnitude bears scarce any
+proportion to this complicated iniquity."
+
+The General Baptists were the next; for on the 22nd of June, Stephen
+Lowdell and Dan Taylor attended as a deputation from the annual meeting
+of that religious body, to inform the committee, that those whom they
+represented approved their proceedings, and that they would countenance
+the object of their institution.
+
+The first individual who addressed the committee was Mr. William Smith,
+the late member for Norwich. In his letter, he expressed the pleasure he
+had received in finding persons associated in the support of a cause in
+which he himself had taken a deep interest. He gave them advice as to
+their future plans. He promised them all the co-operation in his power:
+and he exhorted them not to despair, even if their first attempt should
+be unsuccessful; "for consolation," says he, "will not be wanting. You
+may rest satisfied that the attempt will be productive of some good;
+that the fervent wishes of the righteous will be on your side, and that
+the blessing of those who are ready to perish will fall upon you." And
+as Mr. Smith was the first person to address the committee as an
+individual after its formation, so, next to Mr. Wilberforce and the
+members of it, he gave the most time and attention to the promotion of
+the cause.
+
+On the 5th of July, the committee opened a correspondence, by means of
+William Dillwyn, with the societies of Philadelphia and New York, of
+whose institution an account has been given. At this sitting a due sense
+was signified of the services of Mr. Ramsay, and a desire of his
+friendly communications when convenient.
+
+The two next meetings were principally occupied in making out lists of
+the names of persons in the country, to whom the committee should send
+their publications for distribution. For this purpose, every member was
+to bring in an account of those whom he knew personally, and whom he
+believed not only to be willing, but qualified on account of their
+judgment and the weight of their character, to take an useful part in
+the work which was to be assigned to them. It is a remarkable
+circumstance, that when the lists were arranged, the committee, few as
+they were, found they had friends in no less than thirty-nine
+counties[A], in each of which there were several, so that a knowledge of
+their institution could now be soon diffusively spread.
+
+[Footnote A: The Quakers, by means of their discipline, have a greater
+personal knowledge of each other, than the members of any other
+religious society. But two-thirds of the committee were Quakers, and
+hence the circumstance is explained. Hence also nine-tenths of our first
+coadjutors were Quakers.]
+
+The committee having now fixed upon their correspondents, ordered five
+hundred of the circular letters which have been before mentioned, and
+five thousand of the _Summary View_, an account of which has been given
+also, to be printed.
+
+On account of the increase of business, which was expected in
+consequence of the circulation of the preceding publications, Robert
+Barclay, John Vickris Taylor, and Josiah Wedgewood, Esq., were added to
+the committee; and it was then resolved, that any three members might
+call a meeting when necessary.
+
+On the 27th of August, the new correspondents began to make their
+appearance. This sitting was distinguished by the receipt of letters
+from two celebrated persons. The first was from Brissot, dated Paris,
+August the 18th, who, it may be recollected, was an active member of the
+National Convention of France, and who suffered in the persecution of
+Robespierre. The second was from Mr. John Wesley, whose useful labours
+as a minister of the Gospel, are so well known to our countrymen.
+
+Brissot, in his letter, congratulated the members of the committee, on
+having come together for so laudable an object. He offered his own
+assistance towards the promotion of it. He desired, also, that his
+valuable friend Claviere (who suffered also under Robespierre) might be
+joined to him, and that both might be acknowledged by the committee, as
+associates in what he called this heavenly work. He purposed to
+translate and circulate through France such publications as they might
+send him from time to time; and to appoint bankers in Paris, who might
+receive subscriptions, and remit them to London, for the good of their
+common cause. In the mean time, if his own countrymen should be found to
+take an interest in this great cause, it was not improbable that a
+committee might be formed in Paris, to endeavour to secure the
+attainment of the same object from the government in France.
+
+The thanks of the committee were voted to Brissot for this disinterested
+offer of his services, and he was elected an honorary and corresponding
+member. In reply, however, to his letter, it was stated that, as the
+committee had no doubt of procuring from the generosity of their own
+nation sufficient funds for effecting the object of their institution,
+they declined the acceptance of any pecuniary aid from the people of
+France; but recommended him to attempt the formation of a committee in
+his own country, and to inform them of his progress, and to make to them
+such other communications as he might deem necessary upon the subject
+from time to time.
+
+Mr. Wesley, whose letter was read next, informed the committee of the
+great satisfaction which he also had experienced, when he heard of their
+formation. He conceived that their design, while it would destroy the
+Slave Trade, would also strike at the root of the shocking abomination
+of slavery also. He desired to forewarn them that they must expect
+difficulties and great opposition from those who were interested in the
+system; that these were a powerful body; and that they would raise all
+their forces, when they perceived their craft to be in danger. They
+would employ hireling writers, who would have neither justice nor mercy.
+But the committee were not to be dismayed by such treatment, nor even if
+some of those who professed goodwill towards them, should turn against
+them. As for himself, he would do all he could to promote the object of
+their institution. He would reprint a new and large edition of his
+_Thought on Slavery_, and circulate it among his friends in England and
+Ireland, to whom he would add a few words in favour of their design. And
+then he concluded in these words: "I commend you to Him who is able to
+carry you through all opposition, and support you under all
+discouragements."
+
+On the 4th, 11th, and 18th of September, the committee were employed
+variously. Among other things, they voted their thanks to Mr. Leigh, a
+clergyman of the Established Church, for the offer of his services for
+the county of Norfolk. They ordered, also, one thousand of the circular
+letters to be additionally printed.
+
+At one of these meetings a resolution was made, that Granville Sharp,
+Esq. be appointed chairman. This appointment, though now first formally
+made in the minute book, was always understood to have taken place; but
+the modesty of Mr. Sharp was such that, though repeatedly pressed, he
+would never consent to take the chair; and he generally refrained from
+coming into the room till after he knew it to be taken. Nor could he be
+prevailed upon, even after this resolution, to alter his conduct: for
+though he continued to sign the papers, which were handed to him by
+virtue of holding this office, he never was once seated as the chairman,
+during the twenty years in which he attended at these meetings. I
+thought it not improper to mention this trait in his character.
+Conscious that he engaged in the cause of his fellow-creatures, solely
+upon the sense of his duty as a Christian, he seems to have supposed
+either that he had done nothing extraordinary to merit such a
+distinction, or to have been fearful lest the acceptance of it should
+bring a stain upon the motive, on which alone he undertook it.
+
+On the 2nd and 16th of October two sittings took place; at the latter of
+which a sub-committee, which had been appointed for the purpose, brought
+in a design for a seal. An African was seen, (as in the figure[A],) in
+chains, in a supplicating posture, kneeling with one knee upon the
+ground, and with both his hands lifted up to heaven, and round the seal
+was observed the following motto, as if he was uttering the words
+himself,--"Am I not a Man and a Brother?" The design having been
+approved of, a seal was ordered to be engraved from it. I may mention
+here that this seal, simple as the design was, was made to contribute
+largely, as will be shown in its proper place, towards turning the
+attention of our countrymen to the case of the injured Africans, and of
+procuring a warm interest in their favour.
+
+[Footnote A: The figure is rather larger than that in the seal.]
+
+[Illustration: Seal]
+
+On the 30th of October several letters were read: one of these was from
+Brissot and Claviere conjointly; in this they acknowledged the
+satisfaction they had received on being considered as associates in the
+humane work of the abolition of the Slave Trade, and correspondents in
+France for the promotion of it. They declared it to be their intention
+to attempt the establishment of a committee there, on the same
+principles as that in England; but, in consequence of the different
+constitutions of the two governments, they gave the committee reason to
+suppose, that their proceedings must be different, as well as slower
+than those in England, for the same object.
+
+A second letter was read from Mr. John Wesley. He said that he had now
+read the publications which the committee had sent him, and that he
+took, if possible, a still deeper interest in their cause. He exhorted
+them to more than ordinary diligence and perseverance; to be prepared
+for opposition; to be cautious about the manner of procuring information
+and evidence, that no stain might fall upon their character; and to take
+care that the question should be argued, as well upon the consideration
+of interest as of humanity and justice, the former of which he feared
+would have more weight than the latter; and he recommended them and
+their glorious concern, as before, to the protection of Him who was able
+to support them.
+
+Letters were read from Dr. Price, approving the institution of the
+committee; from Charles Lloyd of Birmingham, stating the interest which
+the inhabitants of that town were taking in it; and from William
+Russell, Esq. of the same place, stating the same circumstance, and that
+he would co-operate with the former in calling a public meeting, and in
+doing whatever else was necessary for the promotion of so good a cause.
+A letter was read also from Manchester, signed conjointly by George
+Barton Thomas Cooper, John Ferriar, Thomas Walker, Thomas Phillips,
+Thomas Butterworth Bayley, and George Lloyd, Esqrs., promising their
+assistance from that place. Two others were read from John Kerrich,
+Esq., of Harleston, and from Joshua Grigby, Esq., of Drinkston, each
+tendering their services, one for the county Of Norfolk, and the other
+for the county of Suffolk. The latter concluded by saying, "With respect
+to myself, in no possible instance of my public conduct can I receive so
+much sincere satisfaction, as I shall, by the vote I will most assuredly
+give in parliament, in support of this most worthy effort to suppress a
+traffic, which is contrary to all the feelings of humanity, and the laws
+of our religion."
+
+A letter was read also at this sitting from Major Cartwright, of
+Marnham, in which he offered his own services, in conjunction with those
+of the Rev. John Charlesworth, of Ossington, for the county of
+Nottingham.
+
+"I congratulate you," says he, in this letter, "on the happy prospect of
+some considerable step at least being taken, towards the abolition of a
+traffic, which is not only impious in itself, but of all others tends
+most to vitiate the human mind.
+
+"Although procrastination is generally pernicious in cases depending
+upon the feelings of the heart, I should almost fear that, without very
+uncommon exertions, you will scarcely be prepared early in the next
+sessions, for bringing the business into parliament with the greatest
+advantage. But, be that as it may, let the best use be made of the
+intermediate time; and then, if there be a superintending Providence,
+which governs everything in the moral world, there is every reason to
+hope for a blessing on this particular work."
+
+The last letter was from Robert Boucher Nickolls, dean of Middleham, in
+Yorkshire. In this he stated that he was a native of the West Indies,
+and had travelled on the continent of America. He then offered some
+important information to the committee as his mite, towards the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, and as an encouragement to them to
+persevere. He attempted to prove, that the natural increase of the
+negroes already in the West Indian islands would be fully adequate to
+the cultivation of them, without any fresh supplies from Africa; and
+that such natural increase would be secured by humane treatment. With
+this view, he instanced the two estates of Mr. MacMahon and of Dr. Mapp,
+in the island of Barbados. The first required continual supplies of new
+slaves, in consequence of the severe and cruel usage adopted upon it.
+The latter overflowed with labourers in consequence of a system of
+kindness, so that it almost peopled another estate. Having related these
+instances, he cited others in North America, where, though the climate
+was less favourable to the constitution of the Africans, but their
+treatment better, they increased also. He combated, from his own
+personal knowledge, the argument, that self-interest was always
+sufficient to insure good usage, and maintained that there was only one
+way of securing it, which was the entire abolition of the Slave Trade.
+He showed in what manner the latter measure would operate to the desired
+end: he then dilated on the injustice and inconsistency of this trade,
+and supported the policy of the abolition of it, both to the planter,
+the merchant, and the nation.
+
+This letter of the Dean of Middleham, which was a little Essay of
+itself, was deemed of so much importance by the committee, but
+particularly as it was the result of local knowledge, that they not only
+passed a resolution of thanks to him for it, but desired his permission
+to print it.
+
+The committee sat again on the 13th and 22nd of November. At the first
+of these sittings, a letter was read from Henry Grimston, Esq., of
+Whitwell Hall, near York, offering his services for the promotion of the
+cause in his own county. At the second, the Dean of Middleham's answer
+was received. He acquiesced in the request of the committee; when five
+thousand of his letters were ordered immediately to be printed.
+
+On the 22nd a letter was read from Mr. James Mackenzie, of the town of
+Cambridge, desiring to forward the object of the institution there. Two
+letters were read also, one from the late Mr. Jones, tutor of Trinity
+College, and the other from Mr. William Frend, fellow of Jesus College.
+It appeared from these, that the gentlemen of the University of
+Cambridge were beginning to take a lively interest in the abolition of
+the Slave Trade, among whom Dr. Watson, the bishop of Llandaff, was
+particularly conspicuous. At this committee two thousand new _Summary
+View_ were ordered to be printed, and the circular letter to be prefixed
+to each.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+Labours of the committee continued to February, 1788.--Committee elect
+new members; vote thanks to Falconbridge and others; receive letters
+from Grove and others; circulate numerous publications; make a report;
+send circular letters to corporate bodies; release negroes unjustly
+detained; find new correspondents in Archdeacon Paley, the Marquis de
+la Fayette, Bishop of Cloyne, Bishop of Peterborough, and in many
+others.
+
+
+The labours of the committee, during my absence, were as I have now
+explained them; but as I was obliged, almost immediately, on joining
+them, to retire into the country to begin my new work, I must give an
+account of their further services till I joined them again, or till the
+middle of February, 1788.
+
+During sittings which were held from the middle of December, 1787, to
+the 18th of January, 1788, the business of the committee had so
+increased, that it was found proper to make an addition to their number.
+Accordingly James Martin and William Morton Pitt, Esquires, members of
+parliament, and Robert Hunter, and Joseph Smith, Esquires, were chosen
+members of it.
+
+The knowledge also of the institution of the society had spread to such
+an extent, and the eagerness among individuals to see the publications
+of the committee had been so great, that the press was kept almost
+constantly going during the time now mentioned. No fewer than three
+thousand lists of the subscribers, with a circular letter prefixed to
+them, explaining the object of the institution, were ordered to be
+printed within this period, to which are to be added fifteen hundred of
+BENEZET'S _Account of Guinea_, three thousand of the DEAN of MIDDLEHAM'S
+_Letters_, five thousand _Summary View,_ and two thousand of a new
+edition of the _Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species_, which I had
+enlarged before the last of these sittings from materials collected in
+my late tour.
+
+The thanks of the committee were voted during this period to Mr.
+Alexander Falconbridge, for the assistance he had given me in my
+inquiries into the nature of the Slave Trade.
+
+As Mr. Falconbridge had but lately returned from Africa, and as facts
+and circumstances, which had taken place but a little time ago, were
+less liable to objections (inasmuch as they proved the present state of
+things) than those which happened in earlier times, he was prevailed
+upon to write an account of what he had seen during the four voyages he
+had made to that continent; and accordingly, within the period which has
+been mentioned, he began his work.
+
+The committee, during these sittings, kept up a correspondence with
+those gentlemen who were mentioned in the last chapter to have addressed
+them. But, besides these, they found other voluntary correspondents in
+the following persons, Capell Lofft, Esq., of Troston, and the Reverend
+B. Brome, of Ipswich, both in the county of Suffolk. These made an
+earnest tender of their services for those parts of the county in which
+they resided. Similar offers were made by Mr. Hammond, of Stanton, near
+St. Ives, in the county of Huntingdon, by Thomas Parker, Esq., of
+Beverly, and by William Grove, Esq., of Litchfield, for their respective
+towns and neighbourhoods.
+
+A letter was received also within this period from the society
+established at Philadelphia, accompanied with documents in proof of the
+good effects of the manumission of slaves, and with specimens of writing
+and drawing by the same. In this letter the society congratulated the
+committee in London on its formation, and professed its readiness to
+co-operate in any way in which it could me made useful.
+
+During these sittings, a letter was also read from Dr. Bathurst,
+afterwards bishop of Norwich, dated Oxford, December 17th, in which he
+offered his services in the promotion of the cause.
+
+Another was read, which stated that Dr. Home, president of Magdalen
+College in the same university, and afterwards bishop of the same see as
+the former, highly favoured it.
+
+Another was read from Mr. Lambert, fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge,
+in which he signified to the committee the great desire he had to
+promote the object of their institution. He had drawn up a number of
+queries relative to the state of the unhappy slaves in the islands,
+which he had transmitted to a friend, who had resided in them, to
+answer. These answers he purposed to forward to the committee on their
+arrival.
+
+Another was read from Dr. Hinchliffe, bishop of Peterborough, in which
+he testified his hearty approbation of the institution, and of the
+design of it, and his determination to support the object of it in
+parliament. He gave in at the same time a plan, which he called
+_Thoughts on the Means of Abolishing the Slave Trade in Great Britain
+and in our West Indian Islands_, for the consideration of the committee.
+
+At the last of these sittings, the committee thought it right to make a
+report to the public relative to the state and progress of their cause;
+but as this was composed from materials which the reader has now in his
+possession, it may not be necessary to produce it.
+
+On the 22nd and 29th of January, and on the 5th and 12th of February,
+1788, sittings were also held. During these, the business still
+increasing, John Maitland, Esq., was elected a member of the committee.
+
+As the correspondents of the committee were now numerous, and as these
+solicited publications for the use of those who applied to them, as well
+as of those to whom they wished to give a knowledge of the subject, the
+press was kept in constant employ during this period also. Five thousand
+two hundred and fifty additional _Reports_ were ordered to be printed,
+and also three thousand of FALCONBRIDGE'S _Account of the Slave Trade_,
+the manuscript of which was now finished. At this time, Mr. Newton,
+rector of St. Mary Woolnoth in London, who had been in his youth to the
+coast of Africa, but who had now become a serious and useful divine,
+felt it his duty to write his _Thoughts on the African Slave Trade_. The
+committee, having obtained permission, printed three thousand copies of
+these also.
+
+During these sittings, the chairman was requested to have frequent
+communication with Dr. Porteus, bishop of London, as he had expressed
+his desire of becoming useful to the institution.
+
+A circular letter also, with the report before mentioned, was ordered to
+be sent to the majors of several corporate towns.
+
+A case also occurred, which it may not be improper to notice. The
+treasurer reported that he had been informed by the chairman, that the
+captain of the Albion, merchant ship, trading to the Bay of Honduras,
+had picked up at sea, from a Spanish ship, which had been wrecked, two
+black men, one named Henry Martin Burrowes, a free native of Antigua,
+who had served in the royal navy, and the other named Antonio Berrat, a
+Spanish negro; that the said captain detained these men on board his
+ship, then lying in the river Thames, against their will; and that, he
+would not give them up. Upon this report, it was resolved that the cause
+of these unfortunate captives should be espoused by the committee. Mr.
+Sharp accordingly caused a writ of habeas-corpus to be served upon them;
+soon after which he had the satisfaction of reporting, that they had
+been delivered from the place of their confinement.
+
+During these sittings the following letters were read also:
+
+One from Richard How, of Apsley, offering his services to the committee.
+
+Another from the Reverend Christopher Wyvill, of Burton Hall, in
+Yorkshire, to the same effect.
+
+Another from Archdeacon Plymley, (afterwards Corbett,) in which he
+expressed the deep interest he took in this cause of humanity and
+freedom, and the desire he had of making himself useful as far as he
+could towards the support of it; and he wished to know, as the Clergy of
+the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry were anxious to espouse it also,
+whether a petition to parliament from them, as a part of the Established
+Church, would not be desirable at the present season.
+
+Another from Archdeacon Paley, containing his sentiments on a plan for
+the abolition of the Slave Trade, and the manumission of slaves in our
+islands, and offering his future services, and wishing success to the
+undertaking.
+
+Another from Dr. Sharp, prebendary of Durham, inquiring into the
+probable amount of the subscriptions which might be wanted, and for what
+purposes, with a view of serving the cause.
+
+Another from Dr. Woodward, bishop of Cloyne, in which he approved of the
+institution of the committee. He conceived the Slave Trade to be no less
+disgraceful to the legislature and injurious to the true commercial
+interests of the country, than it was productive of unmerited misery to
+the unhappy objects of it, and repugnant both to the principles and the
+spirit of the Christian religion. He wished to be placed among the
+assertors of the liberty of his fellow-creatures, and he was therefore
+desirous of subscribing largely, as well as of doing all he could, both
+in England and Ireland, for the promotion of such a charitable work.
+
+A communication was made, soon after the reading of the last letter,
+through the medium of the Chevalier de Ternant, from the celebrated
+Marquis de la Fayette of France. The Marquis signified the singular
+pleasure he had received on hearing of the formation of a committee in
+England for the abolition of the Slave Trade, and the earnest desire he
+had to promote the object of it. With this view, he informed the
+committee that he should attempt the formation of a similar society in
+France. This he conceived to be one of the most effectual measures he
+could devise for securing the object in question; for he was of opinion,
+that if the two great nations of France and England were to unite in
+this humane and Christian work, the other European nations might be
+induced to follow the example.
+
+The committee, on receiving the two latter communications, resolved,
+that the chairman should return their thanks to the Bishop of Cloyne,
+and the Marquis de la Fayette, and the Chevalier de Ternant, and that he
+should inform them, that they were enrolled among the honorary and
+corresponding members of the society.
+
+The other letters read during these sittings were to convey information
+to the committee, that people in various parts of the kingdom had then
+felt themselves so deeply interested in behalf of the injured Africans,
+that they had determined either on public meetings, or had come to
+resolutions, or had it in contemplation to petition parliament, for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. Information was signified to this effect
+by Thomas Walker, Esquire, for Manchester; by John Hoyland, William
+Hoyles, Esquire, and the Reverend James Wilkinson, for Sheffield; by
+William Tuke, and William Burgh, Esquire, for York; by the Reverend Mr.
+Foster, for Colchester; by Joseph Harford and Edmund Griffith, Esquires,
+for Bristol; by William Bishop, Esquire, the mayor, for Maidstone; by
+the Reverend R. Brome and the Reverend J. Wright, for Ipswich; by James
+Clarke, Esquire, the mayor, for Coventry; by Mr. Jones, of Trinity
+College, for the University of Cambridge; by Dr. Schomberg, of Magdalen
+College, for the University of Oxford; by Henry Bullen, Esquire, for
+Bury St. Edmunds; by Archdeacon Travis, for Chester; by Mr. Hammond, for
+the county of Huntingdon; by John Flint, Esquire, (afterwards Corbett,)
+for the town of Shrewsbury and county of Salop; by the Reverend Robert
+Lucas, for the town and also for the county of Northampton; by Mr.
+Winchester, for the county of Stafford; by the Reverend William Leigh,
+for the county of Norfolk; by David Barclay, for the county of Hertford;
+and by Thomas Babington, Esquire, for the county of Leicester.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+Further progress to the middle of May.--Petitions begin to be sent to
+parliament.--The king orders the privy council to inquire into the
+Slave Trade.--Author called up to town; his interviews with Mr. Pitt,
+and with Mr.(afterwards Lord) Grenville.--Liverpool delegates examined
+first; these prejudice the council; this prejudice at length
+counteracted.--Labours of the committee in the interim.--Public
+anxious for the introduction of the question into parliament.--Message
+of Mr. Pitt to the committee concerning it.--Day fixed for the
+motion.--Substance of the debate which followed.--Discussion of the
+general question deferred till the next sessions.
+
+
+By this time the nature of the Slave Trade had, in consequence of the
+labours of the committee and of their several correspondents, become
+generally known throughout the kingdom. It had excited a general
+attention, and there was among the people a general feeling in behalf of
+the wrongs of Africa. This feeling had also, as may be collected from
+what has been already mentioned, broken out into language: for not only
+had the traffic become the general subject of conversation, but public
+meetings had taken place, in which it had been discussed, and of which
+the result was, that an application to parliament had been resolved upon
+in many places concerning it. By the middle of February not fewer than
+thirty-five petitions had been delivered to the Commons, and it was
+known that others were on their way to the same house.
+
+This ferment in the public mind, which had shown itself in the public
+prints even before the petitions had been resolved upon, had excited the
+attention of government. To coincide with the wishes of the people on
+this subject, appeared to those in authority to be a desirable thing. To
+abolish the trade, replete as it was with misery, was desirable also;
+but it was so connected with the interest of individuals, and so
+interwoven with the commerce and revenue of the country, that a hasty
+abolition of it without a previous inquiry appeared to them to be likely
+to be productive of as much misery as good. The king, therefore, by an
+order of council dated February the eleventh, 1788, directed that a
+committee of Privy Council should sit as a board of trade, "to take into
+their consideration the present state of the African Trade, particularly
+as far as related to the practice and manner of purchasing or obtaining
+slaves on the coast of Africa, and the importation and sale thereof,
+either in the British colonies and settlements, or in the foreign
+colonies and settlements in America or the West-Indies; and also as far
+as related to the effects and consequences of the trade both in Africa
+and in the said colonies and settlements, and to the general commerce of
+this kingdom; and that they should report to him in council the result
+of their inquiries, with such observations as they might have to offer
+thereupon."
+
+Of this order of council Mr. Wilberforce, who had attended to this great
+subject, as far as his health would permit, since I left him, had
+received notice; but he was then too ill himself to take any measures
+concerning it. He therefore wrote to me, and begged of me to repair to
+London immediately, in order to get such evidence ready as we might
+think it eligible to introduce when the council sat. At that time, as
+appears from the former chapter, I had finished the additions to my
+_Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species_, and I had now
+proceeded about half way in that of the Impolicy of it. This summons,
+however, I obeyed, and returned to town on the fourteenth of February,
+from which day to the twenty-fourth of May I shall now give the history
+of our proceedings.
+
+My first business in London was to hold a conversation with Mr. Pitt
+previously to the meeting of the council, and to try to interest him, as
+the first minister of state, in our favour. For this purpose Mr.
+Wilberforce had opened the way for me, and an interview took place. We
+were in free conversation together for a considerable time, during which
+we went through most of the branches of the subject. Mr. Pitt appeared
+to me to have but little knowledge of it. He had also his doubts, which
+he expressed openly, on many points. He was at a loss to conceive how
+private interest should not always restrain the master of the slave from
+abusing him. This matter I explained to him as well as I could; and if
+he was not entirely satisfied with my interpretation of it, he was at
+least induced to believe that cruel practices were more probable than he
+had imagined. A second circumstance, of the truth of which he doubted,
+was the mortality and usage of seamen in this trade; and a third was the
+statement by which so much had been made of the riches of Africa, and of
+the genius and abilities of her people; for he seemed at a loss to
+comprehend, if these things were so, how it happened that they should
+not have been more generally noticed before. I promised to satisfy him
+upon these points, and an interview was fixed for this purpose the next
+day.
+
+At the time appointed, I went with my books, papers, and African
+productions. Mr. Pitt examined the former himself. He turned over leaf
+after leaf, in which the copies of the muster-rolls were contained, with
+great patience; and when he had looked over above a hundred pages
+accurately, and found the name of every seaman inserted, his former
+abode or service, the time of his entry, and what had become of him,
+either by death, discharge, or desertion, he expressed his surprise at
+the great pains which had been taken in this branch of the inquiry; and
+confessed, with some emotion, that his doubts were wholly removed with
+respect to the destructive nature of this employ; and he said, moreover,
+that the facts contained in these documents, if they had been but fairly
+copied, could never be disproved. He was equally astonished at the
+various woods and other productions of Africa, but most of all at the
+manufactures of the natives in cotton, leather, gold, and iron, which
+were laid before him. These he handled and examined over and over again.
+Many sublime thoughts seemed to rush in upon him at once at the sight of
+these, some of which he expressed with observations becoming a great and
+a dignified mind. He thanked me for the light I had given him on many of
+the branches of this great question. And I went away under a certain
+conviction that I had left him much impressed in our favour.
+
+My next visit was to Mr. (afterwards Lord) Grenville. I called upon him
+at the request of Mr. Wilberforce, who had previously written to him
+from Bath, as he had promised to attend the meetings of the privy
+council during the examinations which were to take place. I found, in
+the course of our conversation, that Mr. Grenville had not then more
+knowledge of the subject than Mr. Pitt; but I found him differently
+circumstanced in other respects, for I perceived in him a warm feeling
+in behalf of the injured Africans, and that he had no doubt of the
+possibility of all the barbarities which had been alleged against this
+traffic. I showed him all my papers and some of my natural productions,
+which he examined. I was with him the next day, and once again
+afterwards, so that the subject was considered in all its parts. The
+effect of this interview with him was of course different from that upon
+the minister. In the former case I had removed doubts, and given birth
+to an interest in favour of our cause. But I had here only increased an
+interest, which had already been excited, I had only enlarged the mass
+of feeling, or added zeal to zeal, or confirmed resolutions and
+reasonings. Disposed in this manner originally himself, and strengthened
+by the documents with which I had furnished him, Mr. Grenville
+contracted an enmity to the Slave Trade, which was never afterwards
+diminished[A].
+
+[Footnote A: I have not mentioned the difference between these two
+eminent persons, with a view of drawing any invidious comparisons, but
+because, as these statements are true, such persons as have a high
+opinion of the late Mr. Pitt's judgment, may see that this great man did
+not espouse the cause hastily, or merely as a matter of feeling, but
+upon the conviction of his own mind.]
+
+A report having gone abroad that the committee of privy council would
+only examine those who were interested in the continuance of the trade,
+I found it necessary to call upon Mr. Pitt again, and to inform him of
+it, when I received an assurance that every person whom I chose to send
+to the council in behalf of the committee should be heard. This gave
+rise to a conversation relative to those witnesses whom we had to
+produce on the side of the abolition. And here I was obliged to disclose
+our weakness in this respect. I owned with sorrow that, though I had
+obtained specimens and official documents in abundance to prove many
+important points, yet I had found it difficult to prevail upon persons
+to be publicly examined on this subject. The only persons we could then
+count upon, were Mr. Ramsay, Mr. H. Gandy, Mr. Falconbridge, Mr. Newton,
+and the Dean of Middleham. There was one, however, who would be a host
+of himself, if we could but gain him. I then mentioned Mr. Norris. I
+told Mr. Pitt the nature[A] and value of the testimony which he had
+given me at Liverpool, and the great zeal he had discovered to serve the
+cause. I doubted, however, if he would come to London for this purpose,
+even if I wrote to him; for he was intimate with almost all the owners
+of slave-vessels in Liverpool, and, living among these, he would not
+like to incur their resentment by taking a prominent part against them.
+I therefore entreated Mr. Pitt to send him a summons of council to
+attend, hoping that Mr. Norris would then be pleased to come up, as he
+would be enabled to reply to his friends that his appearance had not
+been voluntary. Mr. Pitt, however, informed me, that a summons from a
+committee of privy council, sitting as a board, was not binding upon the
+subject; and therefore that I had no other means left, but of writing to
+him, and he desired me to do this by the first post.
+
+[Footnote A: See his evidence, Chap. XVII.]
+
+This letter I accordingly wrote, and sent it to my friend William
+Rathbone, who was to deliver it in person, and to use his own influence
+at the same time; but I received for answer, that Mr. Norris was then in
+London. Upon this I tried to find him out, to entreat him to consent to
+an examination before the council. At length I found his address; but
+before I could see him, I was told by the Bishop of London that he had
+come up as a Liverpool delegate in support of the Slave Trade.
+Astonished at this information, I made the bishop acquainted with the
+case, and asked him how it became me to act; for I was fearful lest, by
+exposing Mr. Norris, I should violate the rights of hospitality on the
+one hand, and by not exposing him that I should not do my duty to the
+cause I had undertaken on the other. His advice was, that I should see
+him, and ask him to explain the reasons of his conduct. I called upon
+him for this purpose, but he was out. He sent me, however, a letter soon
+afterwards, which was full of flattery; and in which, after having paid
+high compliments to the general force of my arguments, and the general
+justice and humanity of my sentiments on this great question, which had
+made a deep impression upon his mind, he had found occasion to differ
+from me, since we had last parted, on particular points, and that he had
+therefore less reluctantly yielded to the call of becoming a
+delegate,--though notwithstanding he would gladly have declined the
+office if he could have done it with propriety.
+
+At length the council began their examinations. Mr. Norris, Lieutenant
+Matthews, of the navy, who had just left a slave employ in Africa, and
+Mr. James Penny, formerly a slave captain, and then interested as a
+merchant in the trade, (which three were the delegates from Liverpool,)
+took possession of the ground first. Mr. Miles, Mr. Weuves, and others,
+followed them on the same side. The evidence which they gave, as
+previously concerted between themselves, may be shortly represented
+thus:--They denied that kidnapping either did or could take place in
+Africa, or that wars were made there for the purpose of procuring
+slaves. Having done away these wicked practices from their system, they
+maintained positions which were less exceptionable, as that the natives
+of Africa generally became slaves in consequence of having been made
+prisoners in just wars, or in consequence of their various crimes. They
+then gave a melancholy picture of the despotism and barbarity of some of
+the African princes, among whom the custom of sacrificing their own
+subjects prevailed. But, of all others, that which was afforded by Mr.
+Norris on this ground was the most frightful. The King of Dahomey, he
+said, sported with the lives of his people in the most wanton manner. He
+had seen at the gates of his palace two piles of heads, like those of
+shot in an arsenal. Within the palace, the heads of persons, newly put
+to death, were strewed at the distance of a few yards in the passage,
+which led to his apartment. This custom of human sacrifice by the King
+of Dahomey was not on one occasion only, but on many; such as on the
+reception of messengers from neighbouring states, or of white merchants,
+or on days of ceremonial. But the great carnage was once a year, when
+the poll-tax was paid by his subjects. A thousand persons, at least,
+were sacrificed annually on these different occasions. The great men,
+too, of the country, cut off a few heads on festival-days. From all
+these particulars the humanity of the Slave Trade was inferred, because
+it took away the inhabitants of Africa into lands where no such
+barbarities were known. But the humanity of it was insisted upon by
+positive circumstances also; namely, that a great number of the slaves
+were prisoners of war, and that in former times all such were put to
+death, whereas now they were saved: so that there was a great accession
+of happiness to Africa since the introduction of the trade.
+
+These statements, and those of others on the same side of the question,
+had a great effect, as may easily be conceived, upon the feelings of
+those of the council who were present. Some of them began immediately to
+be prejudiced against us. There were others who even thought that it was
+almost unnecessary to proceed in the inquiry, for that the trade was
+actually a blessing. They had little doubt that all our assertions
+concerning it would be found false. The Bishop of London himself was so
+impressed by these unexpected accounts, that he asked me if
+Falconbridge, whose pamphlet had been previously sent by the committee
+to every member of the council, was worthy of belief, and if he would
+substantiate publicly what he had thus written: but these impressions
+unfortunately were not confined to those who had been present at the
+examinations. These could not help communicating them to others. Hence,
+in all the higher circles (some of which I sometimes used to frequent) I
+had the mortification to hear of nothing but the Liverpool evidence, and
+of our own credulity, and of the impositions which had been practised
+upon us: of these reports the planters and merchants did not fail to
+avail themselves. They boasted that they would soon do away all the idle
+tales which had been invented against them. They desired the public only
+to suspend their judgment till the privy council report should be out,
+when they would see the folly and wickedness of all our allegations. A
+little more evidence, and all would be over. On the 22nd of March,
+though the committee council had not then held its sittings more than a
+month, and these only twice or thrice a week, the following paragraph
+was seen in a morning paper:--"The report of the committee of privy
+council will be ready in a few days. After due examination it appears
+that the major part of the complaints against this trade are
+ill-founded. Some regulations, however, are expected to take place,
+which may serve in a certain degree to appease the cause of humanity."
+
+But while they, who were interested, had produced this outcry against
+us, in consequence of what had fallen from their own witnesses in the
+course of their examinations, they had increased it considerably by the
+industrious circulation of a most artful pamphlet among persons of rank
+and fortune at the west end of the metropolis, which was called,
+_Scriptural Researches on the Licitness of the Slave Trade_. This they
+had procured to be written by R. Harris, who was then clerk in a
+slave-house in Liverpool, but had been formerly a clergyman and a
+Jesuit. As they had maintained in the first instance, as has been
+already shown, the humanity of the traffic, so, by means of this
+pamphlet they asserted its consistency with revealed religion. That such
+a book should have made converts in such an age is surprising; and yet
+many, who ought to have known better, were carried away by it; and we
+had now absolutely to contend, and almost degrade ourselves by doing so,
+against the double argument of the humanity and the holiness of the
+trade.
+
+By these means, but particularly by the former, the current of opinion
+in particular circles ran against us for the first month, and so strong,
+that it was impossible for us to stem it at once; but as some of the
+council recovered from their panic, and their good sense became less
+biassed by their feelings, and they were in a state to hear reason,
+their prejudices began to subside. It began now to be understood among
+them, that almost all the witnesses were concerned in the continuance of
+the trade. It began to be known also, (for Mr. Pitt and the Bishop of
+London took care that it should be circulated,) that Mr. Norris had but
+a short time before furnished me at Liverpool with information, all of
+which he had concealed[A] from the council, but all of which made for
+the abolition of it. Mr. Devaynes also, a respectable member of
+parliament, who had been in Africa, and who had been appealed to by Mr.
+Norris, when examined before the privy council, in behalf of his
+extraordinary facts, was unable, when summoned, to confirm them to the
+desired extent. From this evidence the council collected, that human
+sacrifices were not made on the arrival of White traders, as had been
+asserted; that there was no poll-tax in Dahomey at all; and that Mr.
+Norris must have been mistaken on these points, for he must have been
+there at the time of the ceremony of watering the graves, when about
+sixty persons suffered. This latter custom moreover appeared to have
+been a religious superstition of the country, such as at Otaheite, or in
+Britain in the time of the Druids, and to have had nothing to do with
+the Slave Trade[B]. With respect to prisoners of war, Mr. Devaynes
+allowed that the old, the lame, and the wounded, were often put to death
+on the spot; but this was to save the trouble of bringing them away. The
+young and the healthy were driven off for sale; but if they were not
+sold when offered, they were not killed, but reserved for another
+market, or became house-slaves to the conquerors. Mr. Devaynes also
+maintained, contrary to the allegations of the others, that a great
+number of persons were kidnapped in order to be sold to the ships; and
+that the government, where this happened, was not strong enough to
+prevent it. But besides these drawbacks from the weight of the testimony
+which had been given, it began to be perceived by some of the lords of
+the council, that the cruel superstitions which had been described,
+obtained only in one or two countries in Africa, and these of
+insignificant extent; whereas at the time, when their minds were carried
+away, as it were by their feelings, they had supposed them to attach to
+the whole of that vast continent. They perceived also, that there were
+circumstances related in the evidence by the delegates themselves, by
+means of which, if they were true, the inhumanity of the trade might be
+established, and this to their own disgrace. They had all confessed that
+such slaves, as the White traders refused to buy, were put to death; and
+yet that these traders, knowing that this would be the case, had the
+barbarity uniformly to reject those whom it did not suit them to
+purchase. Mr. Matthews had rejected one of this description himself,
+whom he saw afterwards destroyed. Mr. Penny had known the refuse thrown
+down Melimba rock. Mr. Norris himself, when certain prisoners of war
+were offered to him for sale, declined buying them because they appeared
+unhealthy; and though the king then told him that he would put them to
+death, he could not be prevailed upon to take them but left them to
+their hard fate; and he had the boldness to state afterwards, that it
+was his belief that many of them actually suffered.
+
+[Footnote A: This was also the case with another witness, Mr. Weuves. He
+had given me accounts, before any stir was made about the Slave Trade,
+relative to it, all of which he kept back when he was examined there.]
+
+[Footnote B: Being a religion custom, it would still have gone on,
+though the Slave Trade had been abolished: nor could the merchants at
+any time have bought off a single victim.]
+
+These considerations had the effect of diminishing the prejudices of
+some of the council on this great question: and when this was perceived
+to be the case, it was the opinion of Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, and the
+Bishop of London, that we should send three or four of our own evidences
+for examination, who might help to restore matters to an equilibrium.
+Accordingly, Mr. Falconbridge, and some others, all of whom were to
+speak to the African part of the subject, were introduced. These
+produced a certain weight in the opposite scale. But soon after these
+had been examined, Dr. Andrew Spaarman, professor of physic, and
+inspector of the museum of the royal academy at Stockholm, and his
+companion, C.B. Wadstrom, chief director of the assay-office there,
+arrived in England. These gentlemen had been lately sent to Africa by
+the late king of Sweden, to make discoveries in botany, mineralogy, and
+other departments of science. For this purpose the Swedish ambassador at
+Paris had procured them permission from the French government to visit
+the countries bordering on the Senegal, and had insured them protection
+there. They had been conveyed to the place of their destination, where
+they had remained from August 1787, to the end of January 1788; but
+meeting with obstacles which they had not foreseen, they had left it,
+and had returned to Havre de Grace, from whence they had just arrived in
+London, on their way home. It so happened, that by means of George
+Harrison, one of our committee, I fell in unexpectedly with these
+gentlemen. I had not long been with them, before I perceived the great
+treasure I had found. They gave me many beautiful specimens of African
+produce. They showed me their journals, which they had regularly kept
+from day to day. In these I had the pleasure of seeing a number of
+circumstances minuted down, all relating to the Slave Trade, and even
+drawings on the same subject. I obtained a more accurate and
+satisfactory knowledge of the manners and customs of the Africans from
+these, than from all the persons put together whom I had yet seen. I was
+anxious, therefore, to take them before the committee of council, to
+which they were pleased to consent; and as Dr. Spaarman was to leave
+London in a few days, I procured him an introduction first. His evidence
+went to show, that the natives of Africa lived in a fruitful and
+luxuriant country, which supplied all their wants, and that they would
+be a happy people, if it were not for the existence of the Slave Trade.
+He instanced wars which he knew to have been made by the Moors upon the
+Negroes, (for they were entered upon wholly at the instigation of the
+White traders,) for the purpose of getting slaves, and he had the pain
+of seeing the unhappy captives brought in on such occasions, and some of
+them in a wounded state. Among them, were many women and children, and
+the women were in great affliction. He saw also the king of Barbesin
+send out his parties on expeditions of a similar kind, and he saw them
+return with slaves. The king had been made intoxicated on purpose, by
+the French agents, or he would never have consented to the measure. He
+stated also, that in consequence of the temptations held out by
+slave-vessels coming upon the coast, the natives seized one another in
+the night, when they found opportunity; and even invited others to their
+houses, whom they treacherously detained, and sold at these times; so
+that every enormity was practised in Africa, in consequence of the
+existence of the trade. These specific instances made a proper
+impression upon the lords of the council in their turn; for Dr. Spaarman
+was a man of high character; he possessed the confidence of his
+sovereign; he had no interest whatever in giving his evidence on this
+subject, either on one or the other side; his means of information too
+had been large; he had also recorded the facts which had come before
+him, and he had his journal, written in the French language, to produce.
+The tide, therefore, which had run so strongly against us, began now to
+turn a little in our favour.
+
+While these examinations were going on, petitions continued to be sent
+to the House of Commons, from various parts of the kingdom. No less than
+one hundred and three were presented in this session. The city of
+London, though she was drawn the other way by the cries of commercial
+interest, made a sacrifice to humanity and justice: the two universities
+applauded her conduct by their own example. Large manufacturing towns,
+and whole counties, expressed their sentiments and wishes in a similar
+manner. The Established Church in separate dioceses, and the Quakers and
+other dissenters, as separate religious bodies, joined in one voice upon
+this occasion.
+
+The committee, in the interim, were not unmindful of the great work they
+had undertaken, and they continued to forward it in its different
+departments. They kept up a communication by letter with most of the
+worthy persons, who have been mentioned to have written to them, but
+particularly with Brissot and Claviere; from whom they had the
+satisfaction of learning, that a society had at length been established
+at Paris, for the abolition of the Slave Trade in France. The learned
+Marquis de Condorcet had become the president of it. The virtuous Duc de
+la Rochefoucauld and the Marquis de la Fayette had sanctioned it by
+enrolling their names as the two first members. Petion, who was placed
+afterwards among the mayors of Paris, followed. Women also were not
+thought unworthy of being honorary and assistant members of this humane
+institution; and among these were found the amiable Marchioness of la
+Fayette, Madame de Poivre, widow of the late intendant of the Isle of
+France, and Madame Necker, wife of the first minister of state.
+
+The new correspondents, who voluntarily offered their services to the
+committee, during the first part of the period now under consideration,
+were S. Whitcomb, Esq., of Gloucester; the Rev. D. Watson, of Middleton
+Tyas, Yorkshire; John Murlin, Esq., of High Wycomb; Charles Collins,
+Esq., of Swansea; Henry Tudor, Esq., of Sheffield; the Rev. John Hare,
+of Lincoln; Samuel Tooker, Esq., of Moorgate, near Rotherham; the Rev.
+G. Walker, and Francis Wakefield, Esq., of Nottingham; the Rev. Mr.
+Hepworth, of Burton-upon-Trent; the Rev. H. Dannett, of St. John's,
+Liverpool; the Rev. Dr. Oglander, of New College, Oxford; the Rev. H.
+Coulthurst, of Sidney College, Cambridge; R. Selfe, Esq., of
+Cirencester; Morris Birkbeck, of Hanford, Dorsetshire; William Jepson,
+of Lancaster; B. Kaye, of Leeds: John Patison, Esq., of Paisley; J.E.
+Dolben, Esq., of Northamptonshire; the Rev. Mr. Smith, of Wendover; John
+Wilkinson, Esq., of Woodford; Samuel Milford, Esq., of Exeter; Peter
+Lunel, Esq., treasurer of the committee at Bristol; James Pemberton, of
+Philadelphia; and the president of the Society at New York.
+
+The letters from new correspondents during the latter part of this
+period, were the following:--
+
+One from Alexander Alison, Esq., of Edinburgh, in which he expressed it
+to be his duty to attempt to awaken the inhabitants of Scotland to a
+knowledge of the monstrous evil of the Slave Trade, and to form a
+committee there, to act in union with that of London, in carrying the
+great object of their institution into effect.
+
+Another from Elhanan Winchester, offering the committee one hundred of
+his sermons, which he had preached against the Slave Trade, in Fairfax
+county, in Virginia, so early as in the year 1774.
+
+Another from Dr. Frossard, of Lyons, in which he offered his services
+for the South of France, and desired different publications to be sent
+him, that he might be better qualified to take a part in the promotion
+of the cause.
+
+Another from Professor Bruns, of Helmstadt, in Germany, in which he
+desired to know the particulars relative to the institution of the
+committee, as many thousands upon the continent were then beginning to
+feel for the sufferings of the oppressed African race.
+
+Another from Rev. James Manning, of Exeter, in which he stated himself
+to be authorized by the dissenting ministers of Devon and Cornwall, to
+express their high approbation of the conduct of the committee, and to
+offer their services in the promotion of this great work of humanity and
+religion.
+
+Another from William Senhouse, Esq., of the island of Barbados. In this
+he gave the particulars of two estates, one of them his own, and the
+other belonging to a nobleman, upon each of which the slaves, in
+consequence of humane treatment, had increased by natural population
+only. Another effect of this humane treatment had been, that these
+slaves were among the most orderly and tractable in that island. From
+these and other instances he argued, that if the planters would, all of
+them, take proper care of their slaves, their humanity would be repaid
+in a few years, by a valuable increase in their property, and they would
+never want supplies from a traffic, which had been so justly condemned.
+
+Two others, the one from Travers Hartley, and the other from Alexander
+Jaffray, Esqrs., both of Dublin, were read. These gentlemen sent certain
+resolutions, which had been agreed upon by the chamber of commerce and
+by the guild of merchants there, relative to the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. They rejoiced, in the name of those whom they represented, that
+Ireland had been unspotted by a traffic, which they held in such deep
+abhorrence; and promised, if it should be abolished in England, to take
+the post active measures to prevent it from finding an asylum in the
+ports of that kingdom.
+
+The letters of William Senhouse, and of Travers Hartley, and of
+Alexander Jaffray, Esqrs., were ordered to be presented to the committee
+of privy council, and copies of them to be left there.
+
+The business of the committee having almost daily increased within this
+period, Dr. Baker and Bennet Langton, Esq., who were the two first to
+assist me in my early labours, and who have been mentioned among the
+forerunners and coadjutors of the cause, were elected members of it. Dr.
+Kippis also was added to the list.
+
+The honorary and corresponding members, elected within the same period,
+were the Dean of Middleham; T.W. Coke, Esq., member of parliament, of
+Holkham, in Norfolk; and the Rev. William Leigh, who has been before
+mentioned, of Little Plumstead, in the same county. The latter had
+published several valuable letters in the public papers, under the
+signature of Africanus: these had excited great notice, and done much
+good. The worthy author had now collected them into a publication, and
+had offered the profits of it to the committee. Hence this mark of their
+respect was conferred upon him.
+
+The committee ordered a new edition of three thousand of the Dean of
+Middleham's Letters to be printed. Having approved of a manuscript,
+written by James Field Stanfield, a mariner, containing observations
+upon a voyage which he had lately made to the coast of Africa for
+slaves, they ordered three thousand of these to be printed also. By this
+time, the subject having been much talked of, and many doubts and
+difficulties having been thrown in the way of the abolition, by persons
+interested in the continuance of the trade, Mr. Ramsay, who has been
+often so honourably mentioned, put down upon paper all the objections
+which were then handed about, and also those answers to each, which he
+was qualified, from his superior knowledge of the subject, to suggest.
+This he did, that the members of the legislature might see the more
+intricate parts of the question unravelled, and that they might not be
+imposed upon by the spurious arguments which were then in circulation
+concerning it. Observing also the poisonous effect which _The Scriptural
+Researches on the Licitness of the Slave Trade_ had produced upon the
+minds of many, he wrote an answer on scriptural grounds to that
+pamphlet. These works were sent to the press, and three thousand copies
+of each of them were ordered to be struck off.
+
+The committee, in their arrangement of the distribution of their books,
+ordered NEWTON'S _Thoughts_, and RAMSAY'S _Objections and Answers_, to
+be sent to each member of both houses of parliament.
+
+They appointed also three sub-committees for different purposes: one to
+draw up such facts and arguments respecting the Slave Trade, with a view
+of being translated into other languages, as should give foreigners a
+suitable knowledge of the subject; another to prepare an answer to
+certain false reports which had been spread relative to the object of
+their institution, and to procure an insertion of it in the daily
+papers; and a third to draw up rules for the government of the society.
+
+By the latter end of the month of March, there was an anxious
+expectation in the public, notwithstanding the privy council had taken
+up the subject, that some notice should be taken, in the lower house of
+parliament, of the numerous petitions which had been presented there.
+There was the same expectation in many of the members of it themselves.
+Lord Penrhyn, one of the representatives for Liverpool, and a planter
+also, had anticipated this notice, by moving for such papers relative to
+ships employed, goods exported, produce imported, and duties upon the
+same, as would show the vast value of the trade, which it was in
+contemplation to abolish. But at this time Mr. Wilberforce was ill, and
+unable to gratify the expectations which had been thus apparent. The
+committee, therefore, who partook of the anxiety of the public, knew not
+what to do. They saw that two-thirds of the session had already passed.
+They saw no hope of Mr. Wilberforce's recovery for some time. Rumours
+too were afloat, that other members, of whose plans they knew nothing,
+and who might even make emancipation their object, would introduce the
+business into the house. Thus situated, they waited, as patiently as
+they could, till the 8th of April[A], when they resolved to write to Mr.
+Wilberforce, to explain to him their fears and wishes, and to submit it
+to his consideration, whether, if he were unable himself, he would
+appoint some one in whom he could confide, to make some motion in
+parliament on the subject.
+
+[Footnote A: Brissot attended in person at this committee in his way to
+America, which it was then an object with him to visit.]
+
+But the public expectation became now daily more visible. The
+inhabitants of Manchester, many of whom had signed the petition for that
+place, became impatient, and they appointed Thomas Walker and Thomas
+Cooper, Esquires, as their delegates, to proceed to London to
+communicate with the committee on this subject, to assist them in their
+deliberations upon it, and to give their attendance while it was under
+discussion by the legislature.
+
+At the time of the arrival of the delegates, who were received as such
+by the committee, a letter came from Bath, in which it was stated that
+Mr. Wilberforce's health was in such a precarious state, that his
+physicians dared not allow him to read any letter which related to the
+subject of the Slave Trade.
+
+The committee were now again at a loss how to act, when they were
+relieved from this doubtful situation by a message from Mr. Pitt, who
+desired a conference with their chairman. Mr. Sharp accordingly went,
+and on his return made the following report: "He had a full
+opportunity," he said, "of explaining to Mr. Pitt that the desire of the
+committee went to the entire abolition of the Slave Trade. Mr. Pitt
+assured him that his heart was with the committee as to this object, and
+that he considered himself pledged to Mr. Wilberforce, that the cause
+should not sustain any injury from his indisposition; but at the same
+time observed, that the subject was of great political importance, and
+it was requisite to proceed in it with temper and prudence. He did not
+apprehend, as the examinations before the privy council would yet take
+up some time, that the subject could be fully investigated in the
+present session of parliament; but said he would consider whether the
+forms of the house would admit of any measures that would be obligatory
+on them to take it up early in the ensuing session."
+
+In about a week after this conference, Mr. Morton Pitt was deputed by
+the minister to write to the committee, to say that he had found
+precedents for such a motion as he conceived to be proper, and that he
+would submit it to the House of Commons in a few days.
+
+At the next meeting, which was on the 6th of May, and at which Major
+Cartwright and the Manchester delegates assisted, Mr. Morton Pitt
+attended as a member of the committee, and said that the minister had
+fixed his motion for the 9th. It was then resolved, that deputations
+should be sent to some of the leading members of parliament, to request
+their support of the approaching motion. I was included in one of these,
+and in that which was to wait upon Mr. Fox. We were received by him in a
+friendly manner. On putting the question to him, which related to the
+object of our mission, Mr. Fox paused for a little while, as if in the
+act of deliberation; when he assured us unequivocally, and in language
+which could not be misunderstood, that he would support the object of
+the committee to its fullest extent, being convinced that there was no
+remedy for the evil, but in the total abolition of the trade.
+
+At length, the 9th, or the day fixed upon, arrived, when this important
+subject was to be mentioned in the House of Commons for the first
+time[A], with a view to the public discussion of it. It is impossible
+for me to give, within the narrow limits of this work, all that was then
+said upon it; and yet as the debate which ensued was the first which
+took place upon it, I should feel inexcusable if I were not to take some
+notice of it.
+
+[Footnote A: David Hartley made a motion some years before in the same
+house, as has been shown in a former part of this work; but this was
+only to establish a proposition, That the Slave Trade was contrary to
+the Laws of God and the Rights of Man.]
+
+Mr. Pitt rose. He said he intended to move a resolution relative to a
+subject which was of more importance than any which had ever been
+agitated in that house. This honour he should not have had, but for a
+circumstance which he could not but deeply regret, the severe
+indisposition of his friend Mr. Wilberforce, in whose hands every
+measure which belonged to justice, humanity, and the national interest,
+was peculiarly well placed. The subject in question was no less than
+that of the Slave Trade. It was obvious from the great number of
+petitions which had been presented concerning it, how much it had
+engaged the public attention, and consequently how much it deserved the
+serious notice of that house, and how much it became their duty to take
+some measure concerning it. But whatever was done on such a subject,
+every one would agree, ought to be done with the maturest deliberation.
+Two opinions had prevailed without doors, as appeared from the language
+of the different petitions. It had been pretty generally thought that
+the African Slave Trade ought to be abolished. There were others,
+however, who thought that it only stood in need of regulations. But all
+had agreed that it ought not to remain as it stood at present. But that
+measure which it might be the most proper to take, could only be
+discovered by a cool, patient, and diligent examination of the subject
+in all its circumstances, relations, and consequences. This had induced
+him to form an opinion that the present was not the proper time for
+discussing it; for the session was now far advanced, and there was also
+a want of proper materials for the full information of the house. It
+would, he thought, be better discussed, when it might produce some
+useful debate, and when that inquiry which had been instituted by His
+Majesty's Ministers, (he meant the examination by a committee of privy
+council,) should be brought to such a state of maturity as to make it
+fit that the result of it should be laid before the house. That inquiry,
+he trusted, would facilitate their investigation, and enable them the
+better to proceed to a decision which should be equally founded on
+principles of humanity, justice, and sound policy. As there was not a
+probability of reaching so desirable an end in the present state of the
+business, he meant to move a resolution to pledge the house to the
+discussion of the question early in the next  session. If by that time
+his honourable friend should be recovered, which he hoped would be the
+case, then he (Mr. Wilberforce) would take the lead in it; but should it
+unfortunately happen otherwise, then he (the Chancellor of the
+Exchequer) pledged himself to bring forward some proposition concerning
+it. The house, however, would observe, that he had studiously avoided
+giving any opinion of his own on this great subject. He thought it wiser
+to defer this till the time of the discussion should arrive. He
+concluded with moving, after having read the names of the places from
+whence the different petitions had come, "That this house will, early in
+the next session of parliament, proceed to take into consideration the
+circumstances of the Slave Trade complained of in the said petitions,
+and what may be fit to be done thereupon."
+
+Mr. Fox began by observing, that he had long taken an interest in this
+great subject, which he had also minutely examined, and that it was his
+intention to have brought something forward himself in parliament
+respecting it; but when he heard that Mr. Wilberforce had resolved to
+take it up, he was unaffectedly rejoiced, not only knowing the purity of
+his principles and character, but because, from a variety of
+considerations as to the situations in which different men stood in the
+house, there was something that made him honestly think it was better
+that the business should be in the hands of that gentleman than in his
+own. Having premised this, he said that, as so many petitions, and these
+signed by such numbers of persons of the most respectable character, had
+been presented, he was sorry that it had been found impossible that the
+subject of them could be taken up this year, and more particularly as he
+was not able to see, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer had done, that
+there were circumstances, which might happen by the next year, which
+would make it more advisable and advantageous to take it up then, than
+it would have been to enter upon it in the present session. For
+certainly there could be no information laid before the house, through
+the medium of the lords of the council, which could not more
+advantageously have been obtained by themselves, had they instituted a
+similar inquiry. It was their duty to advise the king, and not to ask
+his advice. This the constitution had laid down as one of its most
+essential principles; and though in the present instance he saw no cause
+for blame, because he was persuaded His Majesty's Ministers had not
+acted with any ill intention, it was still a principle never to be
+departed from, because it never could be departed from without
+establishing a precedent which might lead to very serious abuses. He
+lamented that the privy council, who had received no petitions from the
+people on the subject, should have instituted an inquiry, and that the
+House of Commons, the table of which had been loaded with petitions from
+various parts of the kingdom, should not have instituted any inquiry at
+all. He hoped these petitions would have a fair discussion in that
+house, independently of any information that could be given to it by His
+Majesty's Ministers. He urged again the superior advantage of an inquiry
+into such a subject carried on within those walls over any inquiry
+carried on by the lords of the council. In inquiries carried on in that
+house, they had the benefit of every circumstance of publicity; which
+was a most material benefit indeed, and that which of all others made
+the manner of conducting the parliamentary proceedings of Great Britain
+the envy and the admiration of the world. An inquiry there was better
+than an inquiry in any other place, however respectable the persons
+before and by whom it was carried on. There, all that could be said for
+the abolition or against it might be said. In that house every relative
+fact would have been produced, no information would have been withheld,
+no circumstance would have been omitted, which was necessary for
+elucidation; nothing would have been kept back. He was sorry, therefore,
+that the consideration of the question, but more particularly where so
+much human suffering was concerned, should be put off to another
+session, when it was obvious that no advantage could be gained by the
+delay.
+
+He then adverted to the secrecy which the Chancellor of the Exchequer
+had observed relative to his own opinion on this important subject. Why
+did he refuse to give it? Had Mr. Wilberforce been present, the house
+would have had a great advantage in this respect, because doubtless he
+would have stated in what view he saw the subject, and in a general way
+described the nature of the project he meant to propose. But now they
+were kept in the dark as to the nature of any plan, till the next
+session. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had indeed said, that it had
+been a very general opinion that the African Slave Trade should be
+abolished. He had said again, that others had not gone so far, but had
+given it as their opinion, that it required to be revised and regulated.
+But why did he not give his own sentiments boldly to the world on this
+great question? As for himself, he (Mr. Fox) had no scruple to declare
+at the outset, that the Slave Trade ought not to be regulated, but
+destroyed. To this opinion his mind was made up; and he was persuaded
+that, the more the subject was considered, the more his opinion would
+gain ground; and it would be admitted, that to consider it in any other
+manner, or on any other principles than those of humanity and justice,
+would be idle and absurd. If there were any such men, and he did not
+know but that there were those, who, led away by local and interested
+considerations, thought the Slave Trade might still continue under
+certain modifications, these were the dupes of error, and mistook what
+they thought their interest, for what he would undertake to convince
+them was their loss. Let such men only hear the case further, and they
+would find the result to be, that a cold-hearted policy was folly when
+it opposed the great principles of humanity and justice.
+
+He concluded by saying that he would not oppose the resolution, if other
+members thought it best to postpone the consideration of the subject;
+but he should have been better pleased if it had been discussed sooner;
+and he certainly reserved to himself the right of voting for any
+question upon it that should be brought forward by any other member in
+the course of the present session.
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that nothing he had heard had
+satisfied him of the propriety of departing from the rule he had laid
+down for himself, of not offering, but of studiously avoiding to offer,
+any opinion upon the subject till the time should arrive when it could
+be fully argued. He thought that no discussion which could take place
+that session, could lead to any useful measure, and therefore, he had
+wished not to argue it till the whole of it could be argued. A day would
+come, when every member would have an opportunity of stating his
+opinion; and he wished it might be discussed with a proper spirit on all
+sides, on fair and liberal principles, and without any shackles from
+local and interested considerations.
+
+With regard to the inquiries instituted before the committee of privy
+council, he was sure, as soon as it became obvious that the subject must
+undergo a discussion, it was the duty of His Majesty's Ministers to set
+those inquiries on foot, which should best enable them to judge in what
+manner they could meet or offer any proposition respecting the Slave
+Trade. And although such previous examinations by no means went to
+deprive that house of its undoubted right to institute those inquiries;
+or to preclude them, they would be found greatly to facilitate them.
+But, exclusive of this consideration, it would have been utterly
+impossible to have come to any discussion of the subject, that could
+have been brought to a conclusion in the course of the present session.
+Did the inquiry then before the privy council prove a loss of time? So
+far from it, that, upon the whole, time had been gained by it. He had
+moved the resolution, therefore, to pledge the house to bring on the
+discussion early in the next session, when they would have a full
+opportunity of considering every part of the subject: first, whether the
+whole of the trade ought to be abolished; and, if so, how and when. If
+it should be thought that the trade should only be put under certain
+regulations, what those regulations ought to be, and when they should
+take place. These were questions which must be considered; and therefore
+he had made his resolution as wide as possible, that there might be room
+for all necessary considerations to be taken in. He repeated his
+declaration, that he would reserve his sentiments till the day of
+discussion should arrive; and again declared, that he earnestly wished
+to avoid an anticipation of the debate upon the subject. But if such
+debate was likely to take place, he would withdraw his motion, and offer
+it another day.
+
+A few words then passed between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox in reply to each
+other; after which Lord Penrhyn rose. He said there were two classes of
+men, the African merchants, and the planters, both of whose characters
+had been grossly calumniated. These wished that an inquiry might be
+instituted, and this immediately, conscious that the more their conduct
+was examined the less they would be found to merit the opprobrium with
+which they had been loaded. The charges against the Slave Trade were
+either true or false. If they were true, it ought to be abolished; but
+if upon inquiry they were found to be without foundation, justice ought
+to be done to the reputation of those who were concerned in it. He then
+said a few words, by which he signified, that, after all, it might not
+be an improper measure to make regulations in the trade.
+
+Mr. Burke said, the noble lord, who was a man of honour himself, had
+reasoned from his own conduct, and, being conscious of his own
+integrity, was naturally led to imagine that other men were equally just
+and honourable. Undoubtedly the merchants and planters had a right to
+call for an investigation of their conduct, and their doing so did them
+great credit. The Slave Trade also ought equally to be inquired into.
+Neither did he deny that it was right his Majesty's ministers should
+inquire into its merits for themselves. They had done their duty; but
+that House, who had the petitions of the people on their table,
+neglected it, by having so long deferred an inquiry of their own. If
+that House wished to preserve their functions, their understandings,
+their honour, and their dignity, he advised them to beware of committees
+of privy council. If they suffered their business to be done by such
+means, they were abdicating their trust and character, and making way
+for an entire abolition of their functions, which they were parting with
+one after another, Thus:--
+
+
+  Star after star goes out, and all is night.
+
+
+If they neglected the petitions of their constituents, they must fall,
+and the privy-counsel be instituted in their stead. What would be the
+consequence? His Majesty's Ministers, instead of consulting them, and
+giving them the opportunity of exercising their functions of
+deliberation and legislation, would modify the measures of government
+elsewhere, and bring down the edicts of the privy council to them to
+register. Mr. Burke said, he was one of those who wished for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. He thought it ought to be abolished, on
+principles of humanity and justice. If, however, opposition of interests
+should render its total abolition impossible, it ought to be regulated,
+and that immediately. They need not send to the West Indies to know the
+opinions of the planters on the subject. They were to consider first of
+all, and abstractedly from all political, personal, and local
+considerations, that the Slave Trade was directly contrary to the
+principles of humanity and justice, and to the spirit of the British
+constitution; and that the state of slavery, which followed it, however
+mitigated, was a state so improper, so degrading, and so ruinous to the
+feelings and capacities of human nature, that it ought not to be
+suffered to exist. He deprecated delay in this business, as well for the
+sake of planters as of the slaves.
+
+Mr. Gascoyne, the other member for Liverpool, said he had no objection
+that the discussion should stand over to the next session of parliament,
+provided it could not come on in the present, because he was persuaded
+it would ultimately be found that his constituents, who were more
+immediately concerned in the trade, and who had been so shamefully
+calumniated, were men of respectable character. He hoped the privy
+council would print their Report when they had brought their inquiries
+to a conclusion, and that they would lay it before the House and the
+public, in order to enable all concerned to form a judgment of what was
+proper to be done relative to the subject next session. With respect,
+however, to the total abolition of the Slave Trade, he must confess that
+such a measure was both unnecessary, visionary, and impracticable; but
+he wished some alterations or modifications to be adopted. He hoped
+that, when the House came to go into the general question, they would
+not forget the trade, commerce, and navigation of the country.
+
+Mr. Rolle said, he had received instruction from his constituents to
+inquire if the grievances, which had been alleged to result from the
+Slave Trade, were well founded; and, if it appear that they were, to
+assist in applying a remedy. He was glad the discussion had been put off
+till next session, as it would give all of them an opportunity of
+considering the subject with more mature deliberation.
+
+Mr. Martin desired to say a few words only. He put the case, that,
+supposing the slaves were treated ever so humanely, when they were
+carried to the West Indies, what compensation could be made them for
+being torn from their nearest relations, and from everything that was
+dear to them in life? He hoped no political advantage, no national
+expediency, would be allowed to weigh in the scale against the eternal
+rules of moral rectitude. As for himself, he had no hesitation to
+declare, in this early stage of the business, that he should think
+himself a wicked wretch if he did not do everything in his power to put
+a stop to the Slave Trade.
+
+Sir William Dolben said, that he did not then wish to enter into the
+discussion of the general question of the abolition of the Slave Trade,
+which the Chancellor of the Exchequer was so desirous of postponing; but
+he wished to say a few words on what he conceived to be a most crying
+evil, and which might be immediately remedied, without infringing upon
+the limits of that question. He did not allude to the sufferings of the
+poor Africans in their own country, nor afterwards in the West India
+islands, but to that intermediate state of tenfold misery which they
+underwent in their transportation. When put on board the ships, the poor
+unhappy wretches were chained to each other, hand and foot, and stowed
+so close, that they were not allowed above a foot and a half for each
+individual in breadth. Thus crammed together like herrings in a barrel,
+they contracted putrid and fatal disorders; so that they who came to
+inspect them in a morning had occasionally to pick dead slaves out of
+their rows, and to unchain their carcasses from the bodies of their
+wretched fellow-sufferers, to whom they had been fastened. Nor was it
+merely to the slaves that the baneful effects of the contagion thus
+created were confined. This contagion affected the ships' crews, and
+numbers of the seamen employed in the horrid traffic perished. This
+evil, he said, called aloud for a remedy, and that remedy ought to be
+applied soon; otherwise no less than ten thousand lives might be lost
+between this and next session. He wished therefore this grievance to be
+taken into consideration, independently of the general question; and
+that some regulations, such as restraining the captains from taking
+above a certain number of slaves on board, according to the size of
+their vessels, and obliging them to let in fresh air, and provide better
+accommodation for the slaves during their passage, should be adopted.
+
+Mr. Young wished the consideration of the whole subject to stand over to
+the next session.
+
+Sir James Johnstone, though a planter, professed himself a friend to the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. He said it was highly necessary that the
+House should do something respecting it; but whatever was to be done
+should be done soon, as delay might be productive of bad consequences in
+the islands.
+
+Mr. L. Smith stood up a zealous advocate for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He said that even Lord Penrhyn and Mr. Gascoyne, the members for
+Liverpool, had admitted the evil of it to a certain extent; for
+regulations or modifications, in which they seemed to acquiesce, were
+unnecessary where abuses did not really exist.
+
+Mr. Grigby thought it his duty to declare, that no privy council report,
+or other mode of examination, could influence him. A traffic in the
+persons of men was so odious, that it ought everywhere, as soon as ever
+it was discovered, to be abolished.
+
+Mr. Bastard was anxious that the House should proceed to the discussion
+of the subject in the present session. The whole country, he said, had
+petitioned; and was it any satisfaction to the country to be told, that
+the committee of privy council were inquiring? Who knew anything of what
+was doing by the committee of privy council, or what progress they were
+making? The inquiry ought to have been instituted in that House, and in
+the face of the public, that everybody concerned might know what was
+going on. The numerous petitions of the people ought immediately to be
+attended to. He reprobated delay on this occasion; and as the honourable
+baronet, Sir William Dolben, had stated facts which were shocking to
+humanity, he hoped he would move that a committee might be appointed to
+inquire into their existence, that a remedy might be applied, if
+possible, before the sailing of the next ships for Africa.
+
+Mr. Whitbread professed himself a strenuous advocate for the total and
+immediate abolition of the Slave Trade. It was contrary to nature, and
+to every principle of justice, humanity, and religion.
+
+Mr. Pelham stated, that he had very maturely considered the subject of
+the Slave Trade; and had he not known that the business was in the hands
+of an honourable member, (whose absence from the house, and the cause of
+it, no man lamented more sincerely than he did,) he should have ventured
+to propose something concerning it himself. If it should be thought that
+the trade ought not to be entirely done away, the sooner it was
+regulated the better. He had a plan for this purpose, which appeared to
+him to be likely to produce some salutary effects. He wished to know if
+any such thing would be permitted to be proposed in the course of the
+present session.
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he should be happy, if he thought
+the circumstances of the house were such as to enable them to proceed to
+an immediate discussion of the question; but as that did not appear,
+from the reasons he had before stated, to be the case, he could only
+assure the honourable gentleman, that the same motives which had induced
+him to propose an inquiry into the subject early in the next session of
+parliament, would make him desirous of receiving any other light which
+could be thrown upon it.
+
+The question having been then put, the resolution was agreed to
+unanimously. Thus ended the first debate that ever took place in the
+Commons, on this important subject. This debate, though many of the
+persons concerned in it abstained cautiously from entering into the
+merits of the general question, became interesting, in consequence of
+circumstances attending it. Several rose up at once to give relief, as
+it were, to their feelings by utterance; but by so doing they were
+prevented, many of them, from being heard. They who were heard, spoke
+with peculiar energy, as if warmed in an extraordinary manner by the
+subject. There was an apparent enthusiasm in behalf of the injured
+Africans. It was supposed by some, that there was a moment, in which, if
+the Chancellor of the Exchequer had moved for an immediate abolition of
+the trade, he would have carried it that night; and both he and others,
+who professed an attachment to the cause, were censured for not having
+taken a due advantage of the disposition which was so apparent. But
+independently of the inconsistency of doing this on the part of the
+ministry, while the privy council were in the midst of their inquiries,
+and of the improbability that the other branches of the legislature
+would have concurred in so hasty a measure; what good would have accrued
+to the cause, if the abolition had been then carried? Those concerned in
+the cruel system would never have rested quietly under the stigma under
+which they then laboured. They would have urged, that they had been
+condemned unheard. The merchants would have said, that they had had no
+notice of such an event, that they might prepare, a way for their
+vessels in other trades. The planters would have said, that they had had
+no time allowed them to provide such supplies from Africa as might
+enable them to keep up their respective stocks. They would, both of
+them, have called aloud for immediate indemnification. They would have
+decried the policy of the measure of the abolition; and where had it
+been proved? They would have demanded a reverse of it; and might they
+not in cooler moments have succeeded? Whereas, by entering into a
+patient discussion of the merits of the question; by bringing evidence
+upon it; by reasoning upon that evidence night after night, and year
+after year, and thus by disputing the ground inch as it were by inch,
+the abolition of the Slave Trade stands upon a rock, upon which it never
+can be shaken. Many of those who were concerned in the cruel system have
+now given up their prejudices, because they became convinced in the
+contest. A stigma too has been fixed upon it, which can never be erased:
+and in a large record, in which the cruelty and injustice of it have
+been recognised in indelible characters, its impolicy also has been
+eternally enrolled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+Continuation to the middle of July.--Anxiety of Sir William Dolben to
+lessen the horrors of the Middle Passage till the great question
+should be discussed; brings in a bill for that purpose; debate upon
+it.--Evidence examined against it; its inconsistency and
+falsehoods.--Further debate upon it.--Bill passed, and carried to the
+Lords; vexatious delays and opposition there; carried backwards and
+forwards to both houses.--At length finally passed.--Proceedings of
+the committee in the interim; effects of them.
+
+
+It was supposed, after the debate, of which the substance has been just
+given, that there would have been no further discussion of the subject
+till the next year; but Sir William Dolben became more and more affected
+by those considerations which he had offered to the house on the ninth
+of May. The trade, he found, was still to go on. The horrors of the
+transportation, or Middle Passage, as it was called, which he conceived
+to be the worst in the long catalogue of evils belonging to the system,
+would of course accompany it. The partial discussion of these, he
+believed, would be no infringement of the late resolution of the house.
+He was desirous, therefore, of doing something in the course of the
+present session, by which the miseries of the trade might be diminished
+as much as possible, while it lasted, or till the legislature could take
+up the whole of the question. This desire he mentioned to several of his
+friends; and as these approved of his design, he made it known on the
+twenty-first of May in the House of Commons.
+
+He began by observing, that he would take up but little of their time.
+He rose to move for leave to bring in a bill for the relief of those
+unhappy persons, the natives of Africa, from the hardships to which they
+were usually exposed in their passage from the coast of Africa to the
+colonies. He did not mean, by any regulations he might introduce for
+this purpose, to countenance or sanction the Slave Trade, which, however
+modified, would be always wicked and unjustifiable. Nor did he mean, by
+introducing these, to go into the general question which the house had
+prohibited. The bill which he had in contemplation, went only to limit
+the number of persons to be put on board to the tonnage of the vessel
+which was to carry them, in order to prevent them from being crowded too
+closely together; to secure to them good and sufficient provisions; and
+to take cognizance of other matters, which related to their health and
+accommodation; and this only till parliament could enter into the
+general merits of the question. This humane interference he thought no
+member would object to. Indeed, those for Liverpool had both of them
+admitted, on the ninth of May, that regulations were desirable; and he
+had since conversed with them, and was happy to learn that they would
+not oppose him on this occasion.
+
+Mr. Whitbread highly approved of the object of the worthy baronet, which
+was to diminish the sufferings of an unoffending people. Whatever could
+be done to relieve them in their hard situation, till parliament could
+take up the whole of their case, ought to be done by men living in a
+civilized country, and professing the Christian religion: he therefore
+begged leave to second the motion which had been made.
+
+General Norton was sorry that he had not risen up sooner. He wished to
+have seconded this humane motion himself. It had his most cordial
+approbation.
+
+Mr. Burgess complimented the worthy baronet on the honour he had done
+himself on this occasion, and congratulated the house on the good, which
+they were likely to do by acceding, as he was sure they would, to his
+proposition.
+
+Mr. Joliffe rose, and said that the motion in question should have his
+strenuous support.
+
+Mr. Gascoyne stated, that having understood from the honourable baronet
+that he meant only to remedy the evils, which were stated to exist in
+transporting the inhabitants of Africa to the West Indies, he had told
+them that he would not object to the introduction of such a bill. Should
+it however interfere with the general question, the discussion of which
+had been prohibited, he would then oppose it. He must also reserve
+another case for his opposition; and this would be, if the evils of
+which it took cognizance should appear not to have been well founded. He
+had written to his constituents to be made acquainted with this
+circumstance, and he must be guided by them on the subject.
+
+Mr. Martin was surprised how any person could give an opposition to such
+a bill. Whatever were the merits of the great question, all would allow,
+that if human beings were to be transported across the ocean, they
+should be carried over with as little suffering as possible to
+themselves.
+
+Mr. Hamilton deprecated the subdivision of this great and important
+question, which the house had reserved for another session. Every
+endeavour to meddle with one part of it, before the whole of it could be
+taken into consideration, looked rather as if it came from an enemy than
+from a friend. He was fearful that such a bill as this would sanction a
+traffic, which should never be viewed but in a hostile light, or as
+repugnant to the feelings of our nature, and to the voice of our
+religion.
+
+Lord Frederic Campbell was convinced that the postponing of all
+consideration of the subject till the next session was a wise measure.
+He was sure that neither the house nor the public were in a temper
+sufficiently cool to discuss it properly. There was a general warmth of
+feeling, or an enthusiasm about it, which ran away with the
+understandings of men, and disqualified them from judging soberly
+concerning it. He wished, therefore, that the present motion might be
+deferred.
+
+Mr. William Smith said, that if the motion of the honourable Baronet had
+trespassed upon the great question reserved for consideration, he would
+have opposed it himself; but he conceived the subject which it
+comprehended might with propriety be separately considered; and if it
+were likely that a hundred, but much more a thousand, lives would be
+saved by this bill, it was the duty of that house to adopt it without
+delay.
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer, though he meant still to conceal his
+opinion as to the general merits of the question, could not be silent,
+here. He was of opinion that he could very consistently give this motion
+his support. There was a possibility (and a bare possibility was a
+sufficient ground with him) that in consequence of the resolution lately
+come to by the house, and the temper then manifested in it, those
+persons who were concerned in the Slave Trade might put the natives of
+Africa in a worse situation, during their transportation to the
+colonies, even than they were in before, by cramming additional numbers
+on board their vessels, in order to convey as many as possible to the
+West Indies before parliament ultimately decided on the subject. The
+possibility, therefore, that such a consequence might grow out of their
+late resolution during the intervening months between the end of the
+present and the commencement of the next session, was a good and
+sufficient parliamentary ground for them to provide immediate means to
+prevent the existence of such an evil. He considered this as an act of
+indispensable duty, and on that ground the bill should have his support.
+
+Soon after this the question was put, and leave was given for the
+introduction of the bill.
+
+An account of these proceedings of the house having been sent to the
+merchants of Liverpool, they held a meeting, and came to resolutions on
+the subject. They determined to oppose the bill in every stage in which
+it should be brought forward, and, what was extraordinary, even the
+principle of it. Accordingly, between the 21st of May and the 2nd of
+June, on which latter day the bill having been previously read a second
+time was to be committed, petitions from interested persons had been
+brought against it, and consent had been obtained, that both council and
+evidence should be heard.
+
+The order of the day having been read on the 2nd of June for the house
+to resolve itself into a committee of the whole house, a discussion took
+place relative to the manner in which the business was to be conducted.
+This being over, the counsel began their observations; and, as soon as
+they had finished, evidence was called to the bar in behalf of the
+petitions which had been delivered.
+
+From the 2nd of June to the 17th the house continued to hear the
+evidence at intervals, but the members for Liverpool took every
+opportunity of occasioning delay. They had recourse twice to counting
+out the house; and at another time, though complaint had been made of
+their attempts to procrastinate, they opposed the resuming of their own
+evidence with the same view; and this merely for the frivolous reason,
+that, though there was then a suitable opportunity, notice had not been
+previously given. But in this proceeding, other members feeling
+indignant at their conduct, they were overruled.
+
+The witnesses brought by the Liverpool merchants against this humane
+bill were the same as they had before sent for examination to the privy
+council, namely, Mr. Norris, Lieutenant Matthews, and others. On the
+other side of the question it was not deemed expedient to bring any. It
+was soon perceived that it would be possible to refute the former out of
+their own mouths, and to do this seemed more eligible than to proceed in
+the other way. Mr. Pitt, however, took care to send Captain Parrey, of
+the Royal Navy, to Liverpool, that he might take the tonnage and
+internal dimensions of several slave-vessels, which were then there,
+supposing that these, when known, would enable the house to detect any
+misrepresentations, which the delegates from that town might be disposed
+to make upon this subject.
+
+It was the object of the witnesses, when examined, to prove two things:
+first, that regulations were unnecessary, because the present mode of
+the transportation was sufficiently convenient for the objects of it,
+and was well adapted to preserve their comfort and their health. They
+had sufficient room, sufficient air, and sufficient provisions. When
+upon deck, they made merry and amused themselves with dancing. As to the
+mortality, or the loss of them by death in the course of their passage,
+it was trifling. In short, the voyage from Africa to the West Indies
+"was one of the happiest periods of a Negro's life."
+
+Secondly, that if the merchants were hindered from taking less that two
+full sized, or three smaller Africans, to a ton, then the restrictions
+would operate not as the regulation, but as the utter ruin of the trade.
+Hence the present bill, under the specious mask of a temporary
+interference, sought nothing less than its abolition.
+
+These assertions having been severally made, by the former of which it
+was insinuated that the African, unhappy in his own country, found in
+the middle passage, under the care of the merchants, little less than an
+Elysian retreat, it was now proper to institute a severe inquiry into
+the truth of them. Mr. Pitt, Sir Charles Middleton, Mr. William Smith,
+and Mr. Beaufoy, took a conspicuous part on this occasion, but
+particularly the two latter, to whom much praise was due for the
+constant attention they bestowed upon this subject. Question after
+question was put by these to the witnesses; and from their own mouths
+they dragged out, by means of a cross-examination as severe as could be
+well instituted, the following melancholy account:--
+
+Every slave, whatever his size might be, was found to have only five
+feet and six inches in length, and sixteen inches in breadth, to lie in.
+The floor was covered with bodies stowed or packed according to this
+allowance: but between the floor and the deck or ceiling were often
+platforms or broad shelves in the mid-way, which were covered with
+bodies also. The height from the floor to the ceiling, within which
+space the bodies on the floor and those on the platforms lay, seldom
+exceeded five feet eight inches, and in some cases it did not exceed
+four feet.
+
+The men were chained two and two together by their hands and feet, and
+were chained also by means of ring-bolts, which were fastened to the
+deck. They were confined in this manner at least all the time they
+remained upon the coast, which was from six weeks to six months as it
+might happen.
+
+Their allowance consisted of one pint of water a day to each person, and
+they were fed twice a day with yams and horsebeans.
+
+After meals they jumped up in their irons for exercise. This was so
+necessary for their health, that they were whipped if they refused to do
+it; and this jumping had been termed dancing.
+
+They were usually fifteen and sixteen hours below deck out of the
+twenty-four. In rainy weather they could not be brought up for two or
+three days together. If the ship was full, their situation was then
+distressing. They sometimes drew their breath with anxious and laborious
+efforts, and some died of suffocation.
+
+With respect to their health in these voyages, the mortality, where the
+African constitution was the strongest, or on the windward coast, was
+only about five in a hundred. In thirty-five voyages, an account of
+which was produced, about six in a hundred was the average number lost.
+But this loss was still greater at Calabar and Bonny, which were the
+greatest markets for slaves. This loss, too, did not include those who
+died, either while the vessels were lying upon the Coast, or after their
+arrival in the West Indies, of the disorders which they had contracted
+upon the voyage. Three and four in a hundred had been known to die in
+this latter case.
+
+But besides these facts, which were forced out of the witnesses by means
+of the cross-examination which took place, they were detected in various
+falsehoods.
+
+They had asserted that the ships in this trade were peculiarly
+constructed, or differently from others, in order that they might carry
+a great number of persons with convenience; whereas Captain Parrey
+asserted, that out of the twenty-six, which he had seen, ten only had
+been built expressly for this employ.
+
+They had stated the average height between decks at about five feet and
+four inches. But Captain Parrey showed, that out of the nine he
+measured, the height in four of the smallest was only four feet eight
+inches, and the average height in all of them was but five feet two.
+
+They had asserted that vessels under two hundred tons had no platforms.
+But by his account the four just mentioned were of this tonnage, and yet
+all of them had platforms either wholly or in part.
+
+On other points they were found both to contradict themselves and one
+another. They had asserted, as before mentioned, that if they were
+restricted to less than two full-grown slaves to a ton, the trade would
+be ruined. But in examining into the particulars of nineteen vessels,
+which they produced themselves, five of them only had cargoes equal to
+the proportion which they stated to be necessary to the existence of the
+trade. The other fourteen carried a less number of slaves (and they
+might have taken more on board if they had pleased); so that the average
+number in the nineteen was but one man and four-fifths to a ton, or ten
+in a hundred below their lowest standard[A]. One again said, that no
+inconvenience arose in consequence of the narrow space allowed to each
+individual in these voyages. Another said, that smaller vessels were
+more healthy than larger, because, among other reasons, they had a less
+proportion of slaves as to number on board.
+
+[Footnote A: The falsehood of their statements in this respect was
+proved again afterwards by facts. For, after the regulation had taken
+place, they lost fewer slaves and made greater profits.]
+
+They were found also guilty of a wilful concealment of such facts, as
+they knew, if communicated, would have invalidated their own testimony.
+I was instrumental in detecting them on one of these occasions myself.
+When Mr. Dalzell was examined, he was not wholly unknown to me; my
+Liverpool muster-rolls told me that he had lost fifteen seamen out of
+forty in his last voyage. This was a sufficient ground to go upon; for
+generally, where the mortality of the seamen has been great, it may be
+laid down that the mortality of the slaves has been considerable also. I
+waited patiently till his evidence was nearly closed, but he had then
+made no unfavourable statements to the house. I desired, therefore, that
+a question might be put to him, and in such a manner, that he might know
+that they, who put it, had got a clue to his secrets. He became
+immediately embarrassed; his voice faltered; he confessed with trembling
+that he had lost a third of his sailors in his last voyage. Pressed hard
+immediately by other questions, he then acknowledged that he had lost
+one hundred and twenty, or a third of his slaves, also. But would he say
+that these were all he had lost in that voyage? No; twelve others had
+perished by an accident, for they were drowned. But were no others lost
+beside the one hundred and twenty and the twelve? None, he said, upon
+the voyage, but between twenty and thirty before he left the Coast. Thus
+this champion of the merchants, this advocate for the health and
+happiness of slaves in the middle passage, lost nearly a hundred and
+sixty of the unhappy persons committed to his superior care, in a single
+voyage!
+
+The evidence, on which I have now commented, having been delivered, the
+counsel summed up on the 17th of June, when the committee proceeded to
+fill up the blanks in the bill. Mr. Pitt moved that the operation of it
+be retrospective, and that it commence from the 10th instant. This was
+violently opposed by Lord Penrhyn, Mr. Gascoyne, and Mr. Brickdale, but
+was at length acceded to.
+
+Sir William Dolben then proposed to apportion five men to every three
+tons in every ship under one hundred and fifty tons burden, which had
+the space of five feet between the decks, and three men to two tons in
+every vessel beyond one hundred and fifty tons burden, which had equal
+accommodation in point of height between the decks. This occasioned a
+very warm dispute, which was not settled for some time, and which gave
+rise to some beautiful and interesting speeches on the subject.
+
+Mr. William Smith pointed out in the clearest manner many of the
+contradictions, which I have just stated in commenting upon the
+evidence; indeed he had been a principal means of detecting them. He
+proved how little worthy of belief the witnesses had shown themselves,
+and how necessary they had made the present bill by their own
+confession. The worthy baronet, indeed, had been too indulgent to the
+merchants, in the proportion he had fixed of the number of persons to be
+carried to the tonnage of their vessels. He then took a feeling view of
+what would be the wretched state of the poor Africans on board, even if
+the bill passed as it now stood; and conjured the house, if they would
+not allow them more room, at least not to infringe upon that which had
+been proposed.
+
+Lord Belgrave (afterwards Grosvenor) animadverted with great ability
+upon the cruelties of the trade, which he said had been fully proved at
+the bar. He took notice of the extraordinary opposition which had been
+made to the bill then before them, and which he believed every
+gentleman, who had a proper feeling of humanity, would condemn. If the
+present mode of carrying on the trade received the countenance of that
+house, the poor unfortunate African would have occasion doubly to curse
+his fate. He would not only curse the womb that brought him forth, but
+the British nation also, whose diabolical avarice had made his cup of
+misery still more bitter. He hoped that the members for Liverpool would
+urge no further opposition to the bill, but that they would join with
+the house in an effort to enlarge the empire of humanity; and that,
+while they were stretching out the strong arm of justice to punish the
+degraders of British honour and humanity in the East, they would with
+equal spirit exert their powers to dispense the blessings of their
+protection to those unhappy Africans, who were to serve them in the
+West.
+
+Mr. Beaufoy entered minutely into an examination of the information,
+which had been given by the witnesses, and which afforded unanswerable
+arguments for the passing of the bill. He showed the narrow space which
+they themselves had been made to allow for the package of a human body,
+and the ingenious measures they were obliged to resort to for stowing
+this living cargo within the limits of the ship. He adverted next to the
+case of Mr. Dalzell, and showed how one dismal fact after another, each
+making against their own testimony, was extorted from him. He then went
+to the trifling mortality said to be experienced in these voyages, upon
+which subject he spoke in the following words: "Though the witnesses are
+some of them interested in the trade, and all of them parties against
+the bill, their confession is, that of the negroes of the windward
+coast, who are men of the strongest constitution which Africa affords,
+no less on an average than five in each hundred perish in the voyage,--a
+voyage, it must be remembered but of six weeks. In a twelvemonth, then,
+what must be the proportion of the dead? No less than forty-three in a
+hundred, which is seventeen times the usual rate of mortality; for all
+the estimates of life suppose no more than a fortieth of the people, or
+two and a half in the hundred, to die within the space of a year. Such
+then is the comparison. In the ordinary course of nature the number of
+persons, (including those in age and infancy, the weakest periods of
+existence,) who perish in the space of a twelvemonth, is at the rate of
+but two and a half in a hundred; but in an African voyage,
+notwithstanding the old are excluded and few infants admitted, so that
+those who are shipped are in the firmest period of life, the list of
+deaths, presents an annual mortality of forty-three in a hundred. It
+presents this mortality even in vessels from the windward coast of
+Africa; but in those which sail to Bonny, Benin, and the Calabars, from
+whence the greatest proportion of the slaves are brought, this mortality
+is increased by a variety of causes, (of which the greater length of the
+voyage is one,) and is said to be twice as large which supposes that in
+every hundred the deaths annually amount to no less than eighty-six. Yet
+even the former comparatively low mortality; of which the counsel speaks
+with so much satisfaction, as a proof of the kind and compassionate
+treatment of the slaves, even this indolent and lethargic destruction
+gives to the march of death seventeen times its usual speed. It is a
+destruction, which, if general but for ten years, would depopulate the
+world, blast the purposes of its creation, and extinguish the human
+race."
+
+After having gone with great ability through the other branches of the
+subject, he concluded in the following manner:--"Thus I have considered
+the various objections which have been stated to the bill, and am
+ashamed to reflect that it could be necessary to speak so long in
+defence of such a cause; for what, after all, is asked by the proposed
+regulations? On the part of the Africans, the whole of their purport is,
+that they whom you allow to be robbed of all things but life, may not
+unnecessarily and wantonly be deprived of life also. To the honour; to
+the wisdom, to the feelings of the house, I now make my appeal,
+perfectly confident that you will not tolerate, as senators, a traffic
+which, as men, you shudder to contemplate, and that you will not take
+upon yourselves the responsibility of this waste of existence. To the
+memory of former parliaments the horrors of this traffic will be an
+eternal reproach; yet former parliaments have not known, as you on the
+clearest evidence now know, the dreadful nature of this trade. Should
+you reject this bill, no exertions of yours to rescue from oppression
+the suffering inhabitants of your eastern empire; no records of the
+prosperous state to which, after a long and unsuccessful war, you have
+restored your native land; no proofs; however splendid, that under your
+guidance Great Britain has recovered her rank, and is again the
+arbitress of nations, will save your names from the stigma of
+everlasting dishonour. The broad mantle of this one infamy will cover
+with substantial blackness the radiance of your glory, and change to
+feelings of abhorrence the present admiration of the world. But pardon
+the supposition of so impossible an event. I believe that justice and
+mercy may be considered as the attributes of your character, and that
+you will not tarnish their lustre on this occasion."
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose next; and after having made some
+important observations on the evidence (which took up much time), he
+declared himself most unequivocally in favour of the motion made by the
+honourable baronet. He was convinced that the regulation proposed would
+not tend to the abolition of the trade; but if it even went so far, he
+had no hesitation openly and boldly to declare, that if it could not be
+carried on in a manner different from that stated by the members for
+Liverpool, he would retract what he had said on a former day against
+going into the general question; and, waving every other discussion than
+what had that day taken place, he would give his vote for the utter
+annihilation of it at once. It was a trade, which it was shocking to
+humanity to hear detailed. If it were to be carried, on as proposed by
+the petitioners, it would, besides its own intrinsic baseness, be
+contrary to every humane and Christian principle, and to every sentiment
+that ought to inspire the breast of man; and would reflect the greatest
+dishonour on the British senate and the British nation. He, therefore,
+hoped that the house, being now in possession of such information as
+never hitherto had been brought before them, would in some measure
+endeavour to extricate themselves from that guilt, and from that
+remorse, which every one of them ought to feel for having suffered such
+monstrous cruelties to be practised upon an helpless and unoffending
+part of the human race.
+
+Mr. Martin complimented Mr. Pitt in terms of the warmest panegyric on
+his noble sentiments, declaring that they reflected the greatest honour
+upon him both as an Englishman and as a man.
+
+Soon after this the house divided upon the motion of Sir William Dolben.
+Fifty-six appeared to be in favour of it, and only five against it. The
+latter consisted of the two members for Liverpool and three other
+interested persons. This was the first division which ever took place on
+this important subject. The other blanks were then filled up, and the
+bill was passed without further delay.
+
+The next day, or on the 18th of June, it was carried up to the House of
+Lords. The slave-merchants of London, Liverpool, and Bristol,
+immediately presented petitions against it, as they had done in the
+lower house. They prayed that counsel might open their case; and though
+they had been driven from the Commons on account of their evidence, with
+disgrace, they had the effrontery to ask that they might call witnesses
+here also.
+
+Counsel and evidence having been respectively heard, the bill was
+ordered to be committed the next day. The Lords attended according to
+summons. But on a motion by Dr. Warren, the Bishop of Bangor, who stated
+that the Lord Chancellor Thurlow was much indisposed, and that he wished
+to be present when the question was discussed, the committee was
+postponed.
+
+It was generally thought that the reason for this postponement, and
+particularly as it was recommended by a prelate, was that the Chancellor
+might have an opportunity of forwarding this humane bill. But it was
+found to be quite otherwise. It appeared that the motive was, that he
+might give to it, by his official appearance as the chief servant of the
+crown in that house, all the opposition in his power. For when the day
+arrived which had been appointed for the discussion, and when the Lords
+Bathurst and Hawkesbury (afterwards Liverpool) had expressed their
+opinions, which were different, relative to the time when the bill
+should take place, he rose up and pronounced a bitter and vehement
+oration against it. He said, among other things, that it was full of
+inconsistency and nonsense from the beginning to the end. The French had
+lately offered large premiums for the encouragement of this trade. They
+were a politic people, and the presumption was, that we were doing
+politically wrong by abandoning it. The bill ought not to have been
+brought forward in this session. The introduction of it was a direct
+violation of the faith of the other house. It was unjust, when an
+assurance had been given that the question should not be agitated till
+next year, that this sudden fit of philanthropy, which was but a few
+days old, should be allowed to disturb the public mind, and to become
+the occasion of bringing men to the metropolis with tears in their eyes
+and horror in their countenances, to deprecate the ruin of their
+property, which they had embarked on the faith of parliament.
+
+The extraordinary part which the Lord Chancellor Thurlow took upon this
+occasion, was ascribed at the time by many who moved in the higher
+circles, to a shyness or misunderstanding which had taken place between
+him and Mr. Pitt on other matters; when, believing this bill to have
+been a favourite measure with the latter, he determined to oppose it.
+But whatever were his motives (and let us hope that he could never have
+been actuated by so malignant a spirit as that of sacrificing the
+happiness of forty thousand persons for the next year to spite the
+gratification of an individual), his opposition had a mischievous
+effect, on account of the high situation in which he stood; for he not
+only influenced some of the Lords themselves, but, by taking the cause
+of the slave-merchants so conspicuously under his wing, he gave them
+boldness to look up again under the stigma of their iniquitous calling,
+and courage even to resume vigorous operations after their disgraceful
+defeat. Hence arose those obstacles which will be found to have been
+thrown in the way of the passing of the bill from this period.
+
+Among the Lords who are to be particularly noticed as having taken the
+same side as the Lord Chancellor in this debate, were the Duke of
+Chandos and the Earl of Sandwich. The former foresaw nothing but
+insurrections of the slaves in our islands, and the massacre of their
+masters there, in consequence of the agitation of this question. The
+latter expected nothing less than the ruin of our marine. He begged the
+house to consider how, by doing that which might bring about the
+abolition of this traffic, they might lessen the number of British
+sailors; how, by throwing it into the hands of France they might
+increase those of a rival nation; and how, in consequence, the flag of
+the latter might ride triumphant on the ocean. The Slave Trade was
+undoubtedly a nursery for our seamen. All objections against it in this
+respect were ill-founded. It was as healthy as the Newfoundland and many
+other trades.
+
+The debate having closed, during which nothing more was done than
+filling up the blanks with the time when the bill was to begin to
+operate, the committee was adjourned. But the bill after this dragged on
+so heavily, that it would be tedious to detail the proceedings upon it
+from day to day. I shall, therefore, satisfy myself with the following
+observations concerning them:--The committee sat not less than five
+different times, which consumed the space of eight days, before a final
+decision took place. During this time, so much was it an object to throw
+in obstacles which might occupy the little remaining time of the
+session, that other petitions were presented against the bill, and leave
+was asked, on new pretences contained in these, that counsel might be
+heard again. Letters also were read from Jamaica, about the mutinous
+disposition of the slaves there, in consequence of the stir which had
+been made about the abolition; and also from merchants in France, by
+which large offers were made to the British merchants to furnish them
+with slaves. Several regulations also were proposed in this interval,
+some of which were negatived by majorities of only one or two voices. Of
+the regulations which were carried, the most remarkable were those
+proposed by Lord Hawkesbury (afterwards Liverpool); namely, that no
+insurance should be made on the slaves, except against accidents by fire
+and water; that persons should not be appointed as officers of vessels
+transporting them, who had not been a certain number of such voyages
+before; that a regular surgeon only should be capable of being employed
+in them; and that both the captain and surgeon should have bounties, if,
+in the course of the transportation, they had lost only two in a hundred
+slaves. The Duke of Chandos again, and Lord Sydney, were the more
+conspicuous among the opposers of the humane bill; and the Duke of
+Richmond, the Marquis Townshend, the Earl of Carlisle, the Bishop of
+London, and Earl Stanhope, among the most strenuous supporters of it. At
+length it passed by a majority of nineteen to eleven votes.
+
+On the 4th of July, when the bill had been returned to the Commons, it
+was moved, that the amendments made in it by the Lords should be read;
+but as it had become a money-bill in consequence of the bounties to be
+granted, and as new regulations were to be incorporated in it, it was
+thought proper that it should be wholly done away. Accordingly Sir
+William Dolben moved, that the further consideration of it should be put
+off till that day three months. This having been agreed upon, he then
+moved for leave to bring in a new bill. This was accordingly introduced,
+and an additional clause was inserted in it, relative to bounties, by
+Mr. Pitt. But on the second reading, that no obstacle might be omitted
+which could legally be thrown in the way of its progress, petitions were
+presented against it, both by the Liverpool merchants and the agent for
+the island of Jamaica, under the pretence that it was a new bill. Their
+petitions, however, were rejected, and it was committed and passed
+through its regular stages, and sent up to the Lords.
+
+On its arrival there on the 5th of July, petitions from London and
+Liverpool still followed it. The prayer of these was against the general
+tendency of it, but it was solicited also that counsel might be heard in
+a particular case; the solicitation was complied with; after which the
+bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed.
+
+On the 7th, when it was taken next into consideration, two other
+petitions were presented against it. But here so many objections were
+made to the clauses of it as they then stood, and such new matter
+suggested that the Duke of Richmond, who was a strenuous supporter of
+it, thought it best to move that the committee then sitting should be
+deferred till that day seven-night, in order to give time for another
+more perfect to originate in the lower house.
+
+This motion having been acceded to, Sir William Dolben introduced a new
+one for the third time into the Commons. This included the suggestions
+which had been made in the Lords. It included also a regulation, on the
+motion of Mr. Sheridan, that no surgeon should be employed as such in
+the slave-vessels, except he had a testimonial that he had passed a
+proper examination at Surgeon's Hall. The amendments were all then
+agreed to, and the bill was passed through its several stages.
+
+On the 10th of July, being now fully amended it came for a third time
+before the Lords; but it was no sooner brought forward than it met with
+the same opposition as it had experienced before. Two new petitions
+appeared against it; one from a certain class of persons in Liverpool,
+and another from Miles Peter Andrews, Esq., stating that if it passed
+into a law it would injure the sale of his gunpowder, and that he had
+rendered great services to the government during the last war, by his
+provision of that article. But here the Lord Chancellor Thurlow reserved
+himself for an effort, which, by occasioning only a day's delay, would,
+in that particular period of the session have totally prevented the
+passing of the bill. He suggested certain amendments for consideration
+and discussion which, if they had agreed upon, must have been carried
+again to the lower House, and sanctioned there before the bill could
+have been complete. But it appeared afterwards, that there would have
+been no time for the latter proceeding. Earl Stanhope, therefore,
+pressed this circumstance peculiarly upon the lords who were present. He
+observed that the king was to dismiss the parliament next day, and
+therefore they must adopt the bill as it stood, or reject it altogether.
+There was no alternative, and no time was to be lost: accordingly, he
+moved for an immediate division on the first of the amendments proposed
+by Lord Thurlow. This having taken place, it was negatived. The other
+amendments shared the same fate; and thus, at length, passed through the
+Upper House, as through an ordeal as it were of fire, the first bill
+that ever put fetters upon that barbarous and destructive monster, the
+Slave Trade.
+
+The next day, or on Friday, July the 11th, the king gave his assent to
+it, and, as Lord Stanhope had previously asserted in the House of Lords,
+concluded the session.
+
+While the legislature was occupied in the consideration of this bill,
+the lords of the council continued their examinations, that they might
+collect as much light as possible previously to the general agitation of
+the question in the next session of parliament. Among others I underwent
+an examination: I gave my testimony first, relative to many of the
+natural productions of Africa, of which I produced the specimens. These
+were such as I had collected in the course of my journey to Bristol and
+Liverpool, and elsewhere. I explained, secondly, the loss and usage of
+seamen in the Slave Trade. To substantiate certain points, which
+belonged to this branch of the subject, I left several depositions and
+articles of agreement for the examination of the council. With respect
+to others, as it would take a long time to give all the data upon which
+calculations had been made, and the manner of making them, I was desired
+to draw up a statement of particulars, and to send it to the council at
+a future time. I left also depositions with them, relative to certain
+instances of the mode of procuring and treating slaves.
+
+The committee also for effecting the abolition of the Slave Trade
+continued their attention, during this period, towards the promotion of
+the different objects which came within the range of the institution.
+
+They added the Rev. Dr. Coombe, in consequence of the great increase of
+their business, to the list of their members.
+
+They voted thanks to Mr. Hughes, vicar of Ware, in Hertfordshire, for
+his excellent answer to Harris's _Scriptural Researches on the Licitness
+of the Slave Trade_, and they enrolled him among their honorary and
+corresponding members. Also thanks to William Roscoe, Esq., for his
+Answer to the same. Mr. Roscoe had not affixed his name to this pamphlet
+any more than to his poem of _The Wrongs of Africa_; but he made himself
+known to the committee as the author of both. Also thanks to William
+Smith and Henry Beaufoy, Esqrs., for having so successfully exposed the
+evidence offered by the slave merchants against the bill of Sir William
+Dolben, and for having drawn out of it so many facts, all making for
+their great object the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+As the great question was to be discussed in the approaching sessions,
+it was moved in the committee to consider of the propriety of sending
+persons to Africa and the West Indies, who should obtain information
+relative to the different branches of the system as they existed in each
+of these countries, in order that they might be able to give their
+testimony, from their own experience, before one or both of the houses
+of parliament, as it might be judged proper. This proposition was
+discussed at two or three several meetings. It was, however, finally
+rejected, and principally on the following grounds--First, It was
+obvious that persons sent out upon such an errand would be exposed to
+such dangers from varying causes, that it was not improbably that both
+they and their testimony might be lost. Secondly, Such persons would be
+obliged to have recourse to falsehoods, that is, to conceal or
+misrepresent the objects of their destination, that they might get their
+intelligence with safety; which falsehoods the committee could not
+countenance. To which it was added, that few persons would go to these
+places, except they were handsomely rewarded for their trouble; but this
+reward would lessen the value of their evidence, as it would afford a
+handle to the planters and slave-merchants to say that they had been
+bribed.
+
+Another circumstance which came before the committee was the
+following:--Many arguments were afloat at this time relative to the
+great impolicy of abolishing the Slave Trade, the principal of which
+was, that, if the English abandoned it, other foreign nations would take
+it up; and thus, while they gave up certain national profits themselves,
+the great cause of humanity would not be benefited, nor would any moral
+good be done by the measure. Now there was a presumption that, by means
+of the society instituted in Paris, the French nation might be awakened
+to this great subject; and that the French government might in
+consequence, as well as upon other considerations, be induced to favour
+the general feeling upon this occasion. But there was no reason to
+conclude, either than any other maritime people, who had been engaged in
+the Slave Trade, would relinquish it, or that any other, who had not yet
+been engaged in it, would not begin it when our countrymen should give
+it up. The consideration of these circumstances occupied the attention
+of the committee; and as Dr. Spaarman, who was said to have been
+examined by the privy council, was returning home, it was thought
+advisable to consider whether it would not be proper for the committee
+to select certain of their own books on the subject of the Slave Trade,
+and send them by him, accompanied by a letter, to the King of Sweden, in
+which they should entreat his consideration of this powerful argument
+which now stood in the way of the cause of humanity, with a view that,
+as one of the princes of Europe, he might contribute to obviate it, by
+preventing his own subjects, in case of the dereliction of this commerce
+by ourselves, from embarking in it. The matter having been fully
+considered, it was resolved that the proposed measure would be proper,
+and it was accordingly adapted. By a letter received afterwards from Dr.
+Spaarman, it appeared that both the letter and the books had been
+delivered, and received graciously; and that he was authorized to say,
+that, unfortunately, in consequence of those hereditary possessions
+which had devolved upon His Majesty, he was obliged to confess that he
+was the sovereign of an island which had been principally peopled by
+African slaves, but that he had been frequently mindful of their hard
+case. With respect to the Slave Trade, he never heard of an instance in
+which the merchants of his own native realm had embarked in it; and as
+they had preserved their character pure in this respect, he would do all
+he could that it should not be sullied in the eyes of the generous
+English nation, by taking up, in the case which had been pointed out to
+him, such an odious concern.
+
+By this time I had finished my _Essay on the Impolicy of the Slave
+Trade_, which I composed from materials collected chiefly during my
+journey to Bristol, Liverpool, and Lancaster. These materials I had
+admitted with great caution and circumspection; indeed I admitted none
+for which I could not bring official and other authentic documents, or
+living evidences if necessary, whose testimony could not reasonably be
+denied; and when I gave them to the world, I did it under the impression
+that I ought to give them as scrupulously as if I were to be called upon
+to substantiate them upon oath. It was of peculiar moment that this book
+should make its appearance at this time. First, Because it would give
+the lords of the council, who were then sitting, an opportunity of
+seeing many important facts, and of inquiring into their authenticity;
+and it might suggest to them, also, some new points, or such as had not
+fallen within the limits of the arrangement they had agreed upon for
+their examinations on this subject: and secondly, Because, as the
+members of the House of Commons were to take the question into
+consideration early in the next sessions, it would give them, also, new
+light and information upon it before this period. Accordingly the
+committee ordered two thousand copies of it to be struck off, for these
+and other objects; and though the contents of it were most diligently
+sifted by the different opponents of the cause, they never even made an
+attempt to answer it. It continued, on the other hand, during the
+inquiry of the legislature, to afford the basis or grounds upon which to
+examine evidences on the political part of the subject; and evidences
+thus examined continued in their turn to establish it.
+
+Among the other books ordered to be printed by the committee within the
+period now under our consideration, were a new edition of two thousand
+of the DEAN OF MIDDLEHAM'S _Letter_, and another of three thousand of
+FALCONBBIDGE'S _Account of the Slave Trade_.
+
+The committee continued to keep ups, during the same period, a
+communication with many of their old correspondents, whose names have
+been already mentioned. But they received, also, letters from others,
+who had not hitherto addressed them: namely, from Ellington Wright, of
+Erith; Dr. Franklin, of Philadelphia; Eustace Kentish, Esq., high
+sheriff for the county of Huntingdon; Governor Bouchier; the Reverend
+Charles Symmons, of Haverfordwest; and from John York and William
+Downes, Esquires, high sheriffs for the counties of York and Hereford.
+
+A letter, also, was read in this interval from Mr. Evans, a dissenting
+clergyman, of Bristol, stating that the elders of several Baptist
+churches, forming the western Baptist association, who had met at,
+Portsmouth Common, had resolved to recommend it to the ministers and
+members of the same, to unite with the committee in the promotion of the
+great object of their institution.
+
+Another from Mr. Andrew Irvin, of the Island of Grenada, in which he
+confirmed the wretched situation of many of the slaves there, and in
+which he gave the outlines of a plan for bettering their condition, as
+well as that of those in the other islands.
+
+Another from I.L. Wynne, Esq., of Jamaica. In this he gave an afflicting
+account of the suffering and unprotected state of the slaves there,
+which it was high time to rectify. He congratulated the committee on
+their institution, which he thought would tend to promote so desirable
+an end; but desired them not to stop short of the total abolition of the
+Slave Trade, as no other measure would prove effectual against the evils
+of which he complained. This trade, he said, was utterly unnecessary, as
+his own plantation, on which his slaves had increased rapidly by
+population, and others which he knew to be similarly circumstanced,
+would abundantly testify. He concluded by promising to give the
+committee such information from time to time as might be useful on this
+important subject.
+
+The session of parliament having closed, the committee thought it right
+to make a report to the public: in which they gave an account of the
+great progress of their cause since the last; of the state in which they
+then were; and of the unjustifiable conduct of their opponents, who
+industriously misrepresented their views, but particularly by
+attributing to them the design of abolishing slavery: and they concluded
+by exhorting their friends not to relax their endeavours on account of
+favourable appearances; but to persevere, as if nothing had been done,
+under the pleasing hope of an honourable triumph.
+
+And now having given the substance of the labours of the committee from
+its formation to the present time, I cannot conclude this chapter
+without giving to the worthy members of it that tribute of affectionate
+and grateful praise, which is due to them for their exertions in having
+forwarded the great cause which was intrusted to their care. And this I
+can do with more propriety, because, having been so frequently absent
+from them when they were engaged in the pursuit of this their duty, I
+cannot be liable to the suspicion, that in bestowing commendation upon
+them I am bestowing it upon myself. From about the end of May, 1787, to
+the middle of July, 1788, they had no less than fifty-one committees.
+These generally occupied them from about six in the evening till about
+eleven at night. In the intervals between the committees they were often
+occupied, having each of them some object committed to his charge. It is
+remarkable, too, that though they were all, except one, engaged in,
+business or trade, and though they had the same calls as other men for
+innocent recreation, and the same interruptions of their health, there
+were individuals who were not absent more than five or six times within
+this period. In the course of the thirteen months, during which they had
+exercised this public trust, they had printed, and afterwards
+distributed, not at random, but judiciously, and through, respectable
+channels, (besides 26,526 reports, accounts of debates in parliament,
+and other small papers,) no less than 51,432 pamphlets, or books.
+
+Nor, was the effect, produced within this short period otherwise than
+commensurate with the efforts used. In May, 1787, the only public notice
+taken of this great cause was by this committee of twelve individuals,
+of whom all were little known to the world except Mr. Granville Sharp.
+But in July, 1788, it had attracted the notice of several distinguished
+individuals in France and Germany; and in our own country it had come
+within the notice of the government, and a branch of it had undergone a
+parliamentary discussion and restraint. It had arrested, also, the
+attention of the nation, and it had produced a kind of holy flame, or
+enthusiasm, and this to a degree and to an extent never before
+witnessed. Of the purity of this flame no better proof can be offered,
+than that even Bishops deigned to address an obscure committee,
+consisting principally of Quakers; and that Churchmen and Dissenters
+forgot their difference of religious opinions, and joined their hands,
+all over the kingdom, in its support.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+Continuation from June 1788 to July 1789.--Author travels to collect
+further evidence; great difficulties in obtaining it; forms committees
+on his tour.--Privy council resume the examinations; inspect cabinet
+of African productions; obliged to leave many of the witnesses in
+behalf of the abolition unexamined; prepare their report--Labours of
+the committee in the interim.--Proceedings of the planters and
+others.--Report laid on the table of the House of
+Commons.--Introduction of the question, and debate there; twelve
+propositions deduced from the report and reserved for future
+discussion; day of discussion arrives; opponents refuse to argue from
+the report; require new evidence; this granted and introduced; further
+consideration of the subject deferred to the next session.--Renewal of
+Sir William Dolben's bill.--Death and character of Ramsay.
+
+
+Matters had now become serious. The gauntlet had been thrown down and
+accepted. The combatants had taken their stations, and the contest was
+to be renewed, which was to be decided soon on the great theatre of the
+nation. The committee by the very act of their institution had
+pronounced the Slave Trade to be criminal. They, on the other hand, who
+were concerned in it, had denied the charge. It became the one to prove,
+and the other to refute it, or to fall in the ensuing session.
+
+The committee, in this perilous situation, were anxious to find out such
+other persons as might become proper evidences before the privy council.
+They had hitherto sent there only nine or ten, and they had then only
+another, whom they could count upon for this purpose, in their view. The
+proposal of sending persons to Africa, and the West Indies, who might
+come back and report what they had witnessed, had already been
+negatived. The question then was, what they were to do. Upon this they
+deliberated, and the result was an application to me to undertake a
+journey to different parts of the kingdom for this purpose.
+
+When this determination was made, I was at Teston, writing a long letter
+to the privy council on the ill usage and mortality of the seamen
+employed in the Slave Trade, which it had been previously agreed should
+be received as evidence there. I thought it proper, however, before I
+took my departure, to form a system of questions upon the general
+subject. These I divided into six tables. The first related to the
+productions of Africa, and the dispositions and manners of the natives.
+The second, to the methods of reducing them to slavery. The third, to
+the manner of bringing them to the ships, their value, the medium of
+exchange, and other circumstances. The fourth, to their transportation.
+The fifth, to their treatment in the colonies. The sixth, to the seamen
+employed in the trade. These tables contained together one hundred and
+forty-five questions. My idea was that they should be printed on a small
+sheet of paper, which should be folded up in seven or eight leaves, of
+the length and breadth of a small almanac, and then be sent in franks to
+our different correspondents. These, when they had them, might examine
+persons capable of giving evidence, who might live in their
+neighbourhoods, or fall in their way, and return us their examinations
+by letter.
+
+The committee having approved and printed the tables of questions, I
+began my tour. I had selected the southern counties from Kent to
+Cornwall for it. I had done this, because these included the great
+stations of the ships of war in ordinary; and as these were all under
+the superintendence of Sir Charles Middleton, as comptroller of the
+navy, I could get an introduction to those on board them. Secondly,
+because sea-faring people, when they retire from a marine life, usually
+settle in some town or village upon the coast.
+
+Of this tour I shall not give the reader any very particular account. I
+shall mention only those things which are most worthy of his notice in
+it. At Poole, in Dorsetshire, I laid the foundation of a committee, to
+act in harmony with that of London for the promotion of the cause. Moses
+Neave, of the respectable society of the Quakers, was the chairman;
+Thomas Bell, the secretary; and Ellis B. Metford and the Reverend Mr.
+Davis and others the committee. This was the third committee which had
+been instituted in the country for this purpose. That at Bristol, under
+Mr. Joseph Harford as chairman, and Mr. Lunell as secretary, had been
+the first: and that at Manchester, under Mr. Thomas Walker as chairman,
+and Mr. Samuel Jackson as secretary, had been the second.
+
+As Poole was a great place for carrying on the trade to Newfoundland, I
+determined to examine the assertion of the Earl of Sandwich in the House
+of Lords, when he said, in the debate on Sir William Dolben's bill, that
+the Slave Trade was not more fatal to seamen than the Newfoundland and
+some others. This assertion I knew at the time to be erroneous, as far
+as my own researches had been concerned: for out of twenty-four vessels,
+which had sailed out of the port of Bristol in that employ, only two
+sailors were upon the dead list. In sixty vessels from Poole, I found
+but four lost. At Dartmouth, where I went afterwards on purpose, I found
+almost a similar result. On conversing, however, with Governor
+Holdsworth, I learnt that the year 1786 had been more fatal than any
+other in this trade. I learnt that in consequence of extraordinary
+storms and hurricanes, no less than five sailors had died and twenty-one
+had been drowned in eighty-three vessels from that port. Upon this
+statement I determined to look into the muster-rolls of the trade there
+for two or three years together. I began by accident with the year 1769,
+and I went on to the end of 1772. About eighty vessels on an average had
+sailed thence in each of these years. Taking the loss in these years,
+and compounding it with that in the fatal year, three sailors had been
+lost; but taking it in these four years by themselves, only two had been
+lost in twenty-four vessels so employed. On comparison with the Slave
+Trade, the result would be, that two vessels to Africa would destroy
+more seamen than eighty-three sailing to Newfoundland. There was this
+difference also to be noted, that the loss in the one trade was
+generally by the weather or by accident, but in the other by cruel
+treatment or disease; and that they who went out in a declining state of
+health in the one, came home generally recovered; whereas they, who went
+out robust in the other, came home in a shattered condition.
+
+At Plymouth I laid the foundation of another committee. The late William
+Cookworthy, the late John Prideaux, and James Fox, all of the society of
+the Quakers, and Mr. George Leach, Samuel Northcote and John Saunders,
+had a principal share in forming it. Sir William Ellford was chosen
+chairman.
+
+From Plymouth I journeyed on to Falmouth, and from thence to Exeter,
+where having meetings with the late Mr. Samuel Milford, the late Mr.
+George Manning, the Reverend James Manning, Thomas Sparkes, and others,
+a desire became manifest among them of establishing a committee there.
+This was afterwards effected; and Mr. Milford, who at a general meeting
+of the inhabitants of Exeter, on the 10th of June, on this great
+subject, had been called by those present to the chair, was appointed
+the chairman of it.
+
+With respect to evidence, which was the great object of this tour, I
+found myself often very unpleasantly situated in collecting it. I heard
+of many persons capable of giving it to our advantage, to whom I could
+get no introduction. I had to go after these many miles out of my
+established route. Not knowing me, they received me coldly, and even
+suspiciously; while I fell in with others, who, considering themselves,
+on account of their concerns and connexions, as our opponents, treated
+me in an uncivil manner.
+
+But the difficulties and disappointments in other respects which I
+experienced in this tour,--even where I had an introduction, and where
+the parties were not interested in the continuance of the Slave
+Trade,--were greater than people in general would have imagined. One
+would have thought, considering the great enthusiasm of the nation on
+this important subject, that they who could have given satisfactory
+information upon it, would have rejoiced to do it. But I found it
+otherwise; and this frequently to my sorrow. There was an aversion in
+persons to appear before such a tribunal as they conceived the privy
+council to be. With men of shy or timid character this operated as an
+insuperable barrier in their way. But it operated more or less upon all.
+It was surprising to see what little circumstances affected many. When I
+took out my pen and ink to put down the information which a person was
+giving me, he became evidently embarrassed and frightened. He began to
+excuse himself from staying, by alleging that he had nothing more to
+communicate, and he took himself away as quickly as he could with
+decency. The sight of the pen and ink had lost me so many good
+evidences, that I was obliged wholly to abandon the use of them, and to
+betake myself to other means. I was obliged for the future to commit my
+tables of questions to memory; and endeavour by practice to put down,
+after the examination of a person, such answers as he had given me to
+each of them.
+
+Others went off, because it happened that immediately on my interview, I
+acquainted them with the nature of my errand and solicited their
+attendance in London. Conceiving that I had no right to ask them such a
+favour, or terrified at the abruptness and apparent awfulness of my
+request some of them gave me an immediate denial, which they would never
+afterwards retract. I began to perceive in time that it was only by the
+most delicate management that I could get forward on these occasions. I
+resolved, therefore, for the future, except in particular cases, that
+when I should be introduced to persons who had a competent knowledge of
+this trade, I would talk with them upon it as upon any ordinary subject,
+and then leave them without saying anything about their becoming
+evidences. I would take care, however, to commit all their conversation
+to writing when it was over; and I would then try to find out that
+person among their relations or friends, who could apply to them for
+this purpose, with the least hazard of a refusal.
+
+There were others, also, who, though they were not so much impressed by
+the considerations mentioned, yet objected to give their public
+testimony. Those whose livelihood, or promotion, or expectations, were
+dependent upon the government of the country, were generally backward on
+these occasions. Though they thought they discovered in the
+parliamentary conduct of Mr. Pitt, a bias in favour of the cause, they
+knew to a certainty that the Lord Chancellor Thurlow was against it.
+They conceived, therefore, that the administration was at least divided
+upon the question, and they were fearful of being called upon, lest they
+should give offence, and thus injure their prospects in life. This
+objection was very prevalent in that part of the kingdom which I had
+selected for my tour.
+
+The reader can hardly conceive how my mind was agitated and distressed
+on these different accounts. To have travelled more than two months,--to
+have seen many who could have materially served our cause,--and to have
+lost most of them,--was very trying. And though it is true that I
+applied a remedy, I was not driven to the adoption of it, till I had
+performed more than half my tour. Suffice it to say, that after having
+travelled upwards of sixteen hundred miles backwards and forwards, and
+having conversed with forty-seven persons, who were capable of promoting
+the cause by their evidence, I could only prevail upon nine, by all the
+interest I could make, to be examined.
+
+On my return to London, whither I had been called up by the committee,
+to take upon me the superintendence of the evidence, which the privy
+council was now ready again to hear, I found my brother: he was then a
+young officer in the navy; and as I knew he felt as warmly as I did in
+this great cause, I prevailed upon him to go to Havre de Grace, the
+great slave-port in France, where he might make his observations for two
+or three months, and then report what he had seen and heard; so that we
+might have some one to counteract any false statement of things, which
+might be made relative to the subject in that quarter.
+
+At length the examinations were resumed, and with them the contest, in
+which our own reputation and the fate of our cause were involved. The
+committee for the abolition had discovered, one or two willing evidences
+during my absence; and Mr. Wilberforce, who was now recovered from his
+severe indisposition, had found one or two others. These, added to my
+own, made a respectable body; but we had sent no more than four or five
+of these to the council, when the king's illness unfortunately stopped
+our career. For nearly five weeks between the middle of November and
+January, the examinations were interrupted or put off, so that at the
+latter period we began to fear, that there would be scarcely time to
+hear the rest; for not only the privy council report was to be printed,
+but the contest itself was to be decided by  the evidence contained in
+it, in the existing session.
+
+The examinations, however, went on; but they went on only slowly, being
+still subject to interruption from the same unfortunate cause. Among
+others I offered my mite of information again. I wished the council to
+see more of my African productions and manufactures, that they might
+really know what Africa was capable of affording, instead of the Slave
+Trade; and that they might make a proper estimate of the genius and
+talents of the natives. The samples which I had collected, had been
+obtained by great labour, and at no inconsiderable expense: for whenever
+I had notice that a vessel had arrived immediately from that continent,
+I never hesitated to go, unless under the most pressing engagements
+elsewhere, even as far as Bristol, if I could pick up but a single new
+article. The lords having consented, I selected several things for their
+inspection out of my box,--of the contents of which the following
+account may not be unacceptable to the reader:--
+
+The first division of the box consisted of woods of about four inches
+square, all polished. Among these were mahogany of five different sorts,
+tulip-wood, satin-wood, cam-wood, bar-wood, fustic, black and yellow
+ebony, palm-tree, mangrove, calabash, and date. There were seven woods,
+of which the native names were remembered; three of these, Tumiah,
+Samain, and Jimlake, were of a yellow colour; Acajou was of a beautiful
+deep crimson; Bork and Quelle were apparently fit for cabinet work; and
+Benten was the wood of which the natives made their canoes. Of the,
+various other woods the names had been forgotten, nor were they known in
+England at all. One of them was of a fine purple; and from two others,
+upon which the privy council had caused experiments to be made, a strong
+yellow, a deep orange, and a flesh-colour were extracted.
+
+The second, division included ivory and musk; four species of pepper,
+the long, the black, the Cayenne, and the Malaguetta; three species of
+gum, namely, Senegal, Copal, and ruber astringens; cinnamon, rice,
+tobacco, indigo, white and Nankin cotton, Guinea corn, and millet; three
+species of beans, of which two were used for food, and the other for
+dyeing orange; two species of tamarinds, one for food, and the other to
+give whiteness to the teeth; pulse, seeds, and fruits of various kinds,
+some of the latter of which Dr. Spaarman had pronounced; from a trial
+during his residence in Africa, to be peculiarly valuable as drugs.
+
+The third division contained an African loom, and an African spindle
+with spun cotton round it; cloths of cotton of various kinds made by the
+natives, some white, but others dyed by them of different colours, and
+others in which they had interwoven European silk; cloths and bags made
+of grass, and fancifully coloured; ornaments made of the same materials;
+ropes made from a species of aloes and others, remarkably strong, from
+glass and straw; fine string made from the fibres of the roots of trees;
+soap of two kinds; one of which was formed from an earthy substance;
+pipe-bowls made of clay, and of a brown red; one of these, which came
+from the village of Dakard, was beautifully ornamented by black devices
+burnt in, and was besides highly glazed; another brought from Galam, was
+made of earth, which was richly impregnated with little particles of
+gold; trinkets made by the natives from their own gold; knives and
+daggers made by them from our bar-iron; and various other articles, such
+as bags, sandals, dagger-cases, quivers, grisgris, all made of leather
+of their own manufacture, and dyed of various colours, and ingeniously
+sewed together.
+
+The fourth division consisted of the thumb-screw, speculum oris, and
+chains and shackles of different kinds, collected at Liverpool. To these
+were added, iron neck-collars, and other instruments of punishment and
+confinement used in the West Indies, and collected at other places. The
+instrument also, by which Charles Horseler was mentioned to have been
+killed, in a former chapter, was to be seen among these.
+
+We were now advanced far into February, when we were alarmed by the
+intelligence that the lords of the council were going to prepare their
+report: At this time we had sent but few persons to them to examine, in
+comparison with our opponents, and we had yet eighteen to introduce: for
+answers had come into my tables of questions from several places, and
+persons had been pointed out to us by our correspondents, who had
+increased our list of evidences to this number. I wrote therefore to
+them, at the desire of the committee for the abolition, and gave them
+the names of the eighteen, and requested also, that they would order,
+for their own inspection; certain muster-rolls of vessels from Poole and
+Dartmouth, that they might be convinced that the objection which the
+Earl of Sandwich had made in the House of Lords, against the abolition
+of the Slave Trade, had no solid foundation. In reply to my first
+request they informed me, that it was impossible, in the advanced state
+of the session, (it being then the middle of March,) that the
+examinations of so many could be taken; but I was at liberty, in
+conjunction with the Bishop of London, to select eight for this purpose.
+This occasioned me to address them again; and I then found, to my
+surprise and sorrow, that even this last number was to be diminished;
+for I was informed in writing, "that the Bishop of London having laid my
+last letter before their lordships, they had agreed to meet on the
+Saturday next, and on the Tuesday following, for the purposes of
+receiving the evidence of some of the gentlemen named in it. And it was
+their lordships' desire that I would give notice to any three of them
+(whose information I might consider the most material) of the above
+determination, that they might attend the committee accordingly."
+
+This answer, considering the difficulties we had found in collecting a
+body of evidence, and the critical situation in which we were, was
+peculiarly distressing; but we had no remedy left us, nor could we
+reasonably complain. Three therefore were selected, and they were sent
+to deliver their testimony on their arrival in town.
+
+But before the last of these had left the council room, who should come
+up to me but Dr. Arnold? He had but lately arrived at Bristol from
+Africa; and having heard from our friends there that we had been daily
+looking for him, he had come to us in London. He and Mr. Gardiner were
+the two surgeons, as mentioned in the former chapter, who had promised
+me, when I was in Bristol, in the year 1787, that they would keep a
+journal of facts during the voyages they were then going to perform.
+They had both kept this promise. Gardiner, I found, had died upon the
+coast; and his journal, having been discovered at his death, had been
+buried with him in great triumph. But Arnold had survived, and he came
+now to offer us his services in the cause.
+
+As it was a pity that such correct information as that taken down in
+writing upon the spot should be lost (for all the other evidences,
+except Dr. Spaarman and Mr. Wadstrom, had spoken from their memory
+only), I made all the interest I could to procure a hearing for Mr.
+Arnold. Pleading now for the examination of him only, and under these
+particular circumstances, I was attended to. It was consented, in
+consequence of the little time which was now left for preparing and
+printing the report, that I should make out his evidence from his
+journal under certain heads. This I did. Mr. Arnold swore to the truth
+of it, when so drawn up, before Edward Montague, Esquire, a master in
+Chancery. He then delivered the paper in which it was contained to the
+lords of the council, who, on receiving it, read it throughout, and then
+questioned him upon it.
+
+At this time, also, my brother returned with accounts and papers
+relative to the Slave Trade from Havre de Grace; but as I had pledged
+myself to offer no other person to be examined, his evidence was lost.
+Thus, after all the pains we had taken, and in a contest, too, on the
+success of which our own reputation and the fate of Africa depended, we
+were obliged to fight the battle with sixteen less than we could have
+brought into the field; while our opponents, on the other hand, on
+account of their superior advantages, had mustered all their forces, not
+having omitted a single man.
+
+I do not know of any period of my life in which I suffered so much, both
+in body and mind, as from the time of resuming these public inquiries by
+the privy council, to the time when they were closed. For I had my
+weekly duty to attend at the committee for the abolition during this
+interval. I had to take down the examinations of all the evidences who
+came to London, and to make certain copies of these. I had to summon
+these to town, and to make provision against all accidents; and here I
+was often troubled, by means of circumstances, which unexpectedly
+occurred, lest, when committees of the council had been purposely
+appointed to hear them, they should not be forthcoming at the time. I
+had also a new and extensive correspondence to keep up; for the tables
+of questions which had been sent down to our correspondents, brought
+letters almost innumerable on this subject, and they were always
+addressed to me. These not only required answers of themselves, but as
+they usually related to persons capable of giving their testimony, and
+contained the particulars of what they could state, they occasioned
+fresh letters to be written to others. Hence the writing often of ten or
+twelve daily became necessary.
+
+But the contents of these letters afforded the circumstances, which gave
+birth to so much suffering. They contained usually some affecting tale
+of woe. At Bristol my feelings had been harassed by the cruel treatment
+of the seamen, which had come to my knowledge there: but now I was
+doomed to see this treatment over again in many other melancholy
+instances; and, additionally, to take in the various sufferings of the
+unhappy slaves. These accounts I could seldom get time to read till late
+in the evening, and sometimes not till midnight, when the letters
+containing them were to be answered. The effect of these accounts was in
+some instances to overwhelm me for a time in tears, and in others to
+produce a vivid indignation, which affected my whole frame. Recovering
+from these, I walked up and down the room: I felt fresh vigour, and made
+new determinations of perpetual warfare against this impious trade. I
+implored strength that I might succeed. I then sat down, and continued
+my work as long as my wearied eyes would permit me to see. Having been
+agitated in this manner, I went to bed; but my rest was frequently
+broken by the visions which floated before me. When I awoke, these
+renewed themselves to me, and they flitted about with me for the
+remainder of the day. Thus I was kept continually harassed: my mind was
+confined to one gloomy and heart-breaking subject for months. It had no
+respite, and my health began now materially to suffer.
+
+But the contents of these letters were particularly grievous, on account
+of the severe labours which they necessarily entailed upon me in other
+ways than those which have been mentioned. It was my duty, while the
+privy council examinations went on, not only to attend to all the
+evidence which was presented to us by our correspondents, but to find
+out and select the best. The happiness of millions depended upon it.
+Hence I was often obliged to travel during these examinations, in order
+to converse with those who had been pointed out to us as capable of
+giving their testimony; and, that no time might be lost, to do this in
+the night. More than two hundred miles in a week were sometimes passed
+over on these occasions.
+
+The disappointments too, which I frequently experienced in journeys,
+increased the poignancy of the, suffering, which arose from a
+contemplation of the melancholy cases which I had thus travelled to
+bring forward to the public view. The reader at present can have no idea
+of these. I have been sixty miles to visit a person, of whom I had
+heard, not only as possessing important knowledge, but as espousing our
+opinions on this subject. I have at length seen him. He has applauded my
+pursuit at our first interview. He has told me, in the course of our
+conversation, that neither my own pen, nor that of any other man, could
+describe adequately the horrors, of the Slave Trade, horrors which he
+himself had witnessed. He has exhorted me to perseverance in this noble
+cause. Could I have wished for a more favourable reception!--But mark
+the issue. He was the nearest relation of a rich person concerned in the
+traffic; and if he were to come forward with his evidence publicly, he
+should ruin all his expectations from that Quarter. In the same week I
+have visited another at a still greater distance. I have met with
+similar applause. I have heard him describe scenes of misery which he
+had witnessed, and on the relation of which he himself almost wept. But
+mark the issue again.--"I am a surgeon," says he; "through that window
+you see a spacious house; it is occupied by a West Indian. The medical
+attendance upon his family is of considerable importance to the temporal
+interests of mine. If I give you my evidence I lose his patronage. At
+the house above him lives a East Indian. The two families are connected:
+I fear, if I lose the support of one, I shall lose that of the other
+also: but I will give you privately all the intelligence in my power."
+
+The reader may now conceive the many miserable hours I must have spent,
+after such visits, in returning home; and how grievously my heart must
+have been afflicted by these cruel disappointments, but more
+particularly where they arose from causes inferior to those which have
+been now mentioned, or from little frivolous excuses, or idle and
+unfounded conjectures, unworthy of beings expected to fill a moral
+station in life. Yes, O man! often in these solitary journeyings have I
+exclaimed against the baseness of thy nature, when reflecting on the
+little paltry considerations which have smothered thy benevolence, and
+hindered thee from succouring an oppressed brother. And yet, on a
+further view of things, I have reasoned myself into a kinder feeling
+towards thee. For I have been obliged to consider ultimately, that there
+were both lights and shades in the human character; and that, if the bad
+part of our nature was visible on these occasions, the nobler part of it
+ought not to be forgotten. While I passed a censure upon those, who were
+backward in serving this great cause of humanity and justice, how many
+did I know, who were toiling in the support of it! I drew also this
+consolation from my reflections, that I had done my duty; that I had
+left nothing untried or undone; that amidst all these disappointments I
+had collected information, which might be useful at a future time; and
+that such disappointments were almost inseparable from the prosecution
+of a cause of such magnitude, and where the interests of so many were
+concerned:--
+
+Having now given a general account of my own proceedings, I shall state
+those of the committee; or show how they contributed, by fulfilling the
+duties of their several departments, to promote the cause in the
+interim.
+
+In the first place they completed the rules, or code of laws, for their
+own government.
+
+They continued to adopt and circulate books, that they might still
+enlighten the public mind on the subject, and preserve it interested in
+favour of their institution. They kept the press indeed almost
+constantly going for this purpose. They printed, within the period
+mentioned, RAMSAY'S, _Address on the proposed Bill for the Abolition;
+The Speech of Henry Beaufoy, Esq., on Sir William Dolben's Bill_, of
+which an extract is given in Chap. xxiii.; _Notes by a Planter on the
+two Reports from the Committee of the Honourable House of Assembly of
+Jamaica_; _Observations on the Slave Trade_ by Mr. Wadstrom; and
+DICKSON'S _Letters on Slavery._ These were all new publications. To
+those they added others of less note, with new editions of the old.
+
+They voted their thanks to the Rev. Mr. Clifford, for his excellent
+Sermon on the Slave Trade; to the pastor and congregation of the Baptist
+church at Maze Pond, Southwark, for their liberal subscription; and to
+John Barton, one of their own members, for the services he had rendered
+them. The latter, having left his residence in town for one in the
+country, solicited permission to resign, and hence this mark of
+approbation was given to him. He was continued also as an honorary and
+corresponding member.
+
+They elected David Hartley and Richard Sharpe, Esqs., into their own
+body, and Alexander Jaffray, Esq., the Rev. Charles Symmons, of
+Haverfordwest, and the Rev. T. Burgess (afterwards bishop of Salisbury),
+as honorary and corresponding members. The latter had written
+_Considerations on the Abolition of Slavery and the Slave Trade, upon
+grounds of natural, religious, and political Duty_, which had been of
+great service to the cause.
+
+Of the new correspondents of the committee within this period I may
+first mention Henry Taylor, of North Shields; William Proud, of Hull;
+the Rev. T. Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge; and William Ellford, Esq., of
+Plymouth. The latter as chairman of the Plymouth committee, sent up for
+inspection an engraving of a plan and section of a slave-ship, in which
+the bodies of the slaves were seen stowed in the proportion of rather
+less than one to a ton. This happy invention gave all those who saw it a
+much better idea, than they could otherwise have had, of the horrors of
+their transportation, and contributed greatly, as will appear,
+afterwards, to impress the public in favour of our cause.
+
+The next, whom I shall mention, was C.L. Evans, Esq., of West Bromwich;
+the Rev. T. Clarke, of Hull; S.P. Wolferstan, of Stratford, near
+Tamworth; Edmund Lodge, Esq., of Halifax; the Rev. Caleb Rotheram, of
+Kendal; and Mr. Campbell Haliburton, of Edinburgh. The news which Mr.
+Haliburton sent was very agreeable. He informed us that, in consequence
+of the great exertions of Mr. Alison, an institution had been formed in
+Edinburgh, similar to that in London, which would take all Scotland
+under its care and management, as far as related to this great subject.
+He mentioned Lord Gardenston as the chairman; Sir William Forbes as the
+deputy-chairman; himself as the secretary; and Lord Napier, Professor
+Andrew Hunter, Professor Greenfield, and William Creech, Adam Rolland,
+Alexander Ferguson, John Dickson, John Erskine, John Campbell, Archibald
+Gibson, Archibald Fletcher, and Horatius Canning, Esqrs., as the
+committee.
+
+The others were, the Rev. J. Bidlake, of Plymouth; Joseph Storrs, of
+Chesterfield; William Fothergill, of Carr End, Yorkshire; J. Seymour, of
+Coventry; Moses Neave, of Poole; Joseph Taylor, of Scarborough; Timothy
+Clark, of Doncaster; Thomas Davis, of Milverton; George Croker Fox, of
+Falmouth; Benjamin Grubb, of Clonmell in Ireland; Sir William Forbes, of
+Edinburgh; the Rev. J. Jamieson, of Forfar; and Joseph Gurney, of
+Norwich; the latter of whom sent up a remittance, and intelligence at
+the same time, that a committee, under Mr. Leigh, so often before
+mentioned, had been formed in that city[A].
+
+[Footnote A: On the removal of Mr. Leigh from Norwich, Dr. Pretyman,
+precentor of Lincoln and a prebend of Norwich, succeeded him.]
+
+But the committee in London, while they were endeavouring to promote the
+object of their institution at home, continued their exertions for the
+same purpose abroad within this period.
+
+They kept up a communication with the different societies established in
+America.
+
+They directed their attention also to the continent of Europe. They had
+already applied, as I mentioned before, to the king of Sweden in favour
+of their cause, and had received a gracious answer. They now attempted
+to interest other Potentates in it. For this purpose they bound up in an
+elegant manner two sets of the _Essays on the Slavery and Commerce of
+the Human Species, and on the Impolicy of the Slave Trade_, and sent
+them to the Chevalier de Pinto, in Portugal. They bound up in a similar
+manner three sets of the same, and sent them to Mr. Eden (afterwards
+Lord Aukland), at Madrid, to be given to the king of Spain, the Count
+d'Aranda, and the Marquis del Campomanes.
+
+They kept up their correspondence with the committee at Paris, which had
+greatly advanced itself in the eyes of the French nation; so that, when
+the different bailliages sent deputies to the states-general, they
+instructed them to take the Slave Trade into their consideration as a
+national object, and with a view to its abolition.
+
+They kept up their correspondence with Dr. Frossard of Lyons. He had
+already published in France on the subject of the Slave Trade; and now
+he offered the committee to undertake the task, so long projected by
+them, of collecting such arguments and facts concerning it, and
+translating them into different languages, as might be useful in
+forwarding their views in foreign parts.
+
+They addressed letters also to various individuals, to Monsieur
+Snetlage, doctor of laws at Halle in Saxony; to Monsieur Ladebat, of
+Bordeaux; to the Marquis de Feuillade d'Aubusson, at Paris; and to
+Monsieur Necker. The latter in his answer replied in part as follows:
+"As this great question," says he, "is not in my department, but in that
+of the minister for the colonies, I cannot interfere in it directly, but
+I will give indirectly all the assistance in my power. I have for a long
+time taken an interest in the general alarm on this occasion, and in the
+noble alliance of the friends of humanity in favour of the injured
+Africans. Such an attempt throws a new lustre over your nation. It is
+not yet, however, a national object in France; but the moment may
+perhaps come, and I shall think myself happy in preparing the way for
+it. You must be aware, however, of the difficulties which we shall have
+to encounter on our side of the water; for our colonies are much more
+considerable than yours; so that in the view of political interest we
+are not on an equal footing. It will therefore be necessary to find some
+middle line at first, as it cannot be expected that humanity alone will
+be the governing principle of mankind."
+
+But the day was now drawing near, when it was expected that this great
+contest would be decided. Mr. Wilberforce, on the 19th of March, rose up
+in the House of Commons and desired the resolution to be read, by which
+the house stood pledged to take the Slave Trade into their consideration
+in the then session; He then moved that the house should resolve itself
+into a committee of the whole house on Thursday the 23rd of April, for
+this purpose. This motion was agreed to; after which he moved for
+certain official documents necessary to throw light upon the subject in
+the course of its discussion.
+
+This motion, by means of which the great day of trial was now fixed,
+seemed to be the signal for the planters, merchants, and other
+interested persons to begin a furious opposition. Meetings were
+accordingly called by advertisement. At these meetings much warmth and
+virulence were manifested in debate, and propositions breathing a spirit
+of anger were adopted. It was suggested there, in the vehemence of
+passion, that the islands could exist independently of the mother
+country; nor were even threats withheld to intimidate government from
+effecting the abolition.
+
+From this time, also, the public papers began to be filled with such
+statements as were thought most likely to influence the members of the
+House of Commons, previously to the discussion of the question.
+
+The first impression attempted to be made upon them was with respect to
+the slaves themselves. It was contended, and attempted to be shown by
+the revival of the old argument of human sacrifices in Africa, that
+these were better off in the islands than in their own country. It was
+contended, also, that they were people of very inferior capacities, and
+but little removed from the brute creation; whence an inference was
+drawn that their treatment, against which so much clamour had arisen,
+was adapted to their intellect and feelings.
+
+The next attempt was to degrade the abolitionists in the opinion of the
+house, by showing the wildness and absurdity of their schemes. It was
+again insisted upon that emancipation was the real, object of the
+former; so that thousands of slaves would be let loose in the islands to
+rob or perish, and who could never be brought back again into habits of
+useful industry.
+
+An attempt was then made to excite their pity in behalf of the planters.
+The abolition, it was said, would produce insurrections among the
+slaves. But insurrections would produce the massacre of their masters;
+and, if any of these should happily escape from butchery, they would be
+reserved only for ruin.
+
+An appeal was then made to them on the ground of their own interest and
+of that of the people whom they represented. It was stated that the ruin
+of the islands would be the ruin of themselves and of the country. Its
+revenue would be half annihilated; its naval strength would decay.
+Merchants, manufacturers and others would come to beggary. But in this
+deplorable situation they would expect to be indemnified for their
+losses. Compensation, indeed, must follow: it could not be withheld. But
+what would be the amount of it? The country would have no less than from
+eighty to a hundred millions to pay the sufferers; and it would be
+driven to such distress in paying this sum as it had never before
+experienced.
+
+The last attempt was to show them that a regulation of the trade was all
+that was now wanted. While this would remedy the evils complained of, it
+would prevent the mischief which would assuredly follow the abolition.
+The planters had already done their part. The assemblies of the
+different islands had most of them made wholesome laws upon the subject.
+The very bills passed for this purpose in Jamaica and Grenada had
+arrived in England, and might be seen by the public; the great
+grievances had been redressed; no slave could now be mutilated or
+wantonly killed by his owner; one man could not now maltreat, or bruise,
+or wound the slave of another; the aged could not now be turned off to
+perish by hunger. There were laws, also, relative to the better feeding
+and clothing of the slaves. It remained only that the trade to Africa
+should be put under as wise and humane regulations as the slavery in the
+islands had undergone.
+
+These different statements, appearing now in the public papers from day
+to day, began, in this early stage of the question, when the subject in
+all its bearings was known but to few, to make a considerable impression
+upon those, who were soon to be called to the decision of it. But that
+which had the greatest effect upon them, was the enormous amount of the
+compensation, which, it was said, must be made. This statement against
+the abolition was making its way so powerfully, that Archdeacon Paley
+thought it his duty to write, and to send to the committee, a little
+treatise called _Arguments against the unjust Pretensions of Slave
+Dealers and Holders, to be indemnified by pecuniary Allowances at the
+public expense, in case the Slave Trade should be abolished_. This
+treatise, when the substance of it was detailed in the public papers,
+had its influence upon several members of the House of Commons; but
+there were others who had been, as it were, panic-struck by the
+statement. These in their fright seemed to have lost the right use of
+their eyes, or to have looked through a magnifying glass. With these the
+argument of emancipation, which they would have rejected at another time
+as ridiculous, obtained now easy credit. The massacres too, and the
+ruin, though only conjectural, they admitted also. Hence some of them
+deserted our cause wholly, while others, wishing to do justice as far as
+they could to the slaves on the one hand, and to their own countrymen on
+the other, adopted a middle line of conduct, and would go no further
+than the regulation of the trade.
+
+While these preparations were making by our opponents to prejudice the
+minds of those who were to be the judges in this contest, Mr. Pitt
+presented the privy council report at the bar of the House of Commons;
+and as it was a large folio volume, and contained the evidence upon
+which the question was to be decided, it was necessary that time should
+be given to the members to peruse it. Accordingly, the 12th of May was
+appointed, instead of the 23rd of April, for the discussion of the
+question.
+
+This postponement of the discussion of the question gave time to all
+parties to prepare themselves further. The merchants and planters
+availed themselves of it to collect petitions to parliament from
+interested persons, against the abolition of the trade, to wait upon
+members of parliament by deputation, in order to solicit their
+attendance in their favour, and to renew their injurious paragraphs in
+the public papers. The committee for the abolition availed themselves of
+it to reply to these; and here Dr. Dickson, who had been secretary to
+Governor Hey, in Barbados, and who had offered the committee his
+_Letters on Slavery_ before mentioned, and his services also, was of
+singular use. Many members of parliament availed themselves of it to
+retire into the country to read the report. Among the latter were Mr.
+Wilberforce and Mr. Pitt. In this retirement they discovered,
+notwithstanding the great disadvantages under which we had laboured with
+respect to evidence, that our cause was safe, and that, as far as it was
+to be decided by reason and sound policy, it would triumph. It was in
+this retirement that Mr. Pitt made those able calculations which
+satisfied him for ever after, as the minister of the country, as to the
+safety of the great measure of the abolition of the Slave Trade; for he
+had clearly proved, that not only the islands could go on in a
+flourishing state without supplies from the coast of Africa, but that
+they were then in a condition to do it.
+
+At length the 12th of May arrived. Mr. Wilberforce rose up in the
+Commons and moved the order of the day for the house to resolve itself
+into a committee of the whole house, to take into consideration the
+petitions which had been presented against the Slave Trade.
+
+This order having been read, he moved that the report of the committee
+of privy council, that the acts passed in the islands relative to
+slaves, that the evidence adduced last year on the Slave Trade, that the
+petitions offered in the last session against the Slave Trade, and that
+the accounts presented to the house in the last and present session
+relative to the exports and imports of Africa, be referred to the same
+committee.
+
+These motions having been severally agreed to, the House immediately
+resolved itself into a committee of the whole house, and Sir William
+Dolben was put into the chair.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce began by declaring, that when he considered how much
+discussion the subject, which he was about to explain to the committee,
+had occasioned, not only in that House, but throughout the kingdom, and
+throughout Europe; and when he considered the extent and importance of
+it, the variety of interests involved in it, and the consequences which
+might arise, he owned he had been filled with apprehensions, lest a
+subject of such magnitude, and a cause of such weight, should suffer
+from the weakness of its advocate; but when he recollected that, in the
+progress of his inquiries, he had everywhere been received with candour,
+that most people gave him credit for the purity of his motives, and
+that, however many of these might then differ from him, they were all
+likely to agree in the end, he had dismissed his fears, and marched
+forward with a firmer step in this cause of humanity, justice, and
+religion. He could not, however, but lament that the subject had excited
+so much warmth. He feared that too many on this account were but ill
+prepared to consider it with impartiality. He entreated all such to
+endeavour to be calm and composed. A fair and cool discussion was
+essentially necessary. The motion he meant to offer, was as reconcilable
+to political expediency as to national humanity. It belonged to no party
+question. It would in the end be found serviceable to all parties, and
+to the best interests of the country. He did not come forward to accuse
+the West India planter, or the Liverpool merchant, or indeed any one
+concerned in this traffic; but, if blame attached anywhere, to take
+shame to himself in common, indeed, with the whole parliament of Great
+Britain, who, having suffered it to be carried on under their own
+authority, were all of them participators in the guilt.
+
+In endeavouring to explain the great business of the day, he said he
+should call the attention of the House only to the leading features of
+the Slave Trade. Nor should he dwell long upon these. Every one might
+imagine for himself what must be the natural consequence of such a
+commerce with Africa. Was it not plain that she must suffer from it?
+that her savage manners must be rendered still more ferocious? and that
+a trade of this nature, carried on round her coasts, must extend
+violence and desolation to her very centre? It was well known that the
+natives of Africa were sold as goods, and that numbers of them were
+continually conveyed away from their country by the owners of British
+vessels. The question then was, which way the latter came by them. In
+answer to this question, the privy council report, which was then on the
+table, afforded evidence the most satisfactory and conclusive. He had
+found things in it, which had confirmed every proposition he had
+maintained before, whether this proposition had been gathered from
+living information of the best authority, or from the histories he had
+read. But it was unnecessary either to quote the report, or to appeal to
+history on this occasion. Plain reason and common sense would point out
+how the poor Africans were obtained. Africa was a country divided into
+many kingdoms, which had different governments and laws. In many parts
+the princes were despotic. In others they had a limited rule. But in all
+of them, whatever the nature of the government was, men were considered
+as goods and property, and, as such, subject to plunder in the same
+manner as property in other countries. The persons in power there were
+naturally fond of our commodities; and to obtain them, (which could only
+be done by the sale of their countrymen,) they waged war on one another,
+or even ravaged their own country, when they could find no pretence for
+quarrelling with their neighbours: in their courts of law many poor
+wretches, who were innocent, were condemned; and to obtain these
+commodities in greater abundance, thousands were kidnapped and torn from
+their families, and sent into slavery. Such transactions, he said, were
+recorded in every history of Africa, and the report on the table
+confirmed them. With respect, however, to these he should make but one
+or two observations. If we looked into the reign of Henry the Eighth, we
+should find a parallel for one of them. We should find that similar
+convictions took place; and that penalties followed conviction. With
+respect to wars, the kings of Africa were never induced to engage in
+them by public principles, by national glory, and least of all by the
+love of their people. This had been stated by those most conversant in
+the subject, by Dr. Spaarman and Mr. Wadstrom. They had conversed with
+these princes, and had learned from their own mouths that to procure
+slaves was the object of their hostilities. Indeed, there was scarcely a
+single person examined before the privy council who did not prove that
+the Slave Trade was the source of the tragedies acted upon that
+extensive continent. Some had endeavoured to palliate this circumstance;
+but there was not one who did not more or less admit it to be true. By
+one the Slave Trade was called the concurrent cause, by the majority it
+was acknowledged to be the principal motive, of the African wars. The
+same might be said with respect to those instances of treachery and
+injustice, in which individuals were concerned. And here he was sorry to
+observe that our own countrymen were often guilty. He would only at
+present advert to the tragedy at Calabar, where two-large African
+villages, having been for some time at war, made peace. This peace was
+to have, been ratified by intermarriages; but some of our captains, who
+were there, seeing their trade would be stopped for a while, sowed
+dissension again between them. They actually set one village against the
+other, took a share in the contest, massacred many of the inhabitants,
+and carried others of them away as slaves. But shocking as this
+transaction might appear, there was not a single history of Africa to be
+read, in which scenes of as atrocious a nature were not related. They,
+he said, who defended this trade, were warped and blinded by their own
+interests, and would not be convinced of the miseries they were daily
+heaping on their fellow creatures. By the countenance, they gave it,
+they had reduced the inhabitants of Africa to a worse state than that of
+the most barbarous nation. They had destroyed what ought to have been
+the bond of union and safety among them; they had introduced discord and
+anarchy among them; they had set kings against their subjects, and
+subjects against each other; they had rendered every private family
+wretched; they had, in short, given birth to scenes of injustice and
+misery not to be found in any other quarter of the globe.
+
+Having said thus much on the subject of procuring slaves in, Africa, he
+would now go to that of the transportation of them. And here he had
+fondly hoped, that when men with affections and feelings like our own
+had been torn from their country, and everything dear to them, he should
+have found some mitigation of their sufferings; but the sad reverse was
+the case. This was the most wretched part of the whole subject. He was
+incapable, of impressing the House with what he felt upon it. A
+description of their conveyance was impossible. So much misery
+condensed, in so little room was more than the human imagination had
+ever before conceived. Think only of six hundred persons linked
+together, trying to get rid of each other, crammed in a close vessel
+with every object that was nauseous and disgusting, diseased, and
+struggling with all the varieties of wretchedness. It seemed impossible
+to add anything more to human misery. Yet shocking as this description
+must be felt to be by every man, the transportation had been described
+by several witnesses from Liverpool to be a comfortable conveyance. Mr.
+Norris had painted the accommodations on board a slave-ship in the most
+glowing colours. He had represented them in a manner which would have
+exceeded his attempts at praise of the most luxurious scenes. Their
+apartments, he said, were fitted up as advantageously for them as
+circumstances could possibly admit: they had several meals a day; some
+of their own country provisions, with the best sauces of African
+cookery; and, by way of variety, another meal of pulse, according to the
+European taste. After breakfast they had water to wash themselves, while
+their apartments were perfumed with frankincense and lime-juice. Before
+dinner they were amused after the manner of their country; instruments
+of music were introduced; the song and the dance were promoted; games of
+chance were furnished them; the men played and sang, while the women and
+girls made fanciful ornaments from beads, with which they were
+plentifully supplied. They were indulged in all their little fancies,
+and kept in sprightly humour. Another of them had said, when the sailors
+were flogged, it was out of the hearing of the Africans, lest it should
+depress their spirits. He by no means wished to say that such
+descriptions were wilful misrepresentations. If they were not, it proved
+that interest or prejudice was capable of spreading a film over the eyes
+thick enough to occasion total blindness.
+
+Others, however, and these men of the greatest veracity, had given a
+different account. What would the house think, when by the concurring
+testimony of these the true history was laid open? The slaves who had
+been described as rejoicing in their captivity, were so wrung with
+misery at leaving their country, that it was the constant practice to
+set sail in the night, lest they should know the moment of their
+departure. With respect to their accommodation, the right ancle of one
+was fastened to the left ancle of another by an iron fetter; and if they
+were turbulent, by another on the wrists. Instead of the apartments
+described, they were placed in niches, and along the decks, in such a
+manner, that it was impossible for any one to pass among them, however
+careful he might be, without treading upon them. Sir George Yonge had
+testified, that in a slave-ship, on board of which he went, and which
+had not completed her cargo by two hundred and fifty, instead of the
+scent of frankincense being perceptible to the nostrils, the stench was
+intolerable. The allowance of water was, so deficient, that the slaves
+were, frequently found gasping for life, and almost suffocated. The
+pulse with which they had been said to be favoured, were absolutely
+English horse-beans. The legislature of Jamaica had stated the
+scantiness both of water and provisions, as a subject which called for
+the interference of parliament. As Mr. Norris had said, the song and the
+dance were promoted, he could not pass over these expressions without
+telling the house what they meant. It would have been much more fair if
+he himself had explained the word _promoted_. The truth was, that, for
+the sake of exercise, these miserable wretches, loaded with chains and
+oppressed with disease, were forced to dance by the terror of the lash,
+and sometimes by the actual use of it. "I" said one of the evidences,
+"was employed to dance the men, while another person danced the women."
+Such then was the meaning of the, word _promoted_; and it might also be
+observed with respect to food, that instruments were sometimes carried
+out in order to force them to eat; which was the same sort of proof, how
+much they enjoyed themselves in this instance also. With respect to
+their singing, it consisted of songs, of lamentation for the loss of
+their country. While they sung they were in tears: so that one of the
+captains, more humane probably than the rest, threatened a woman with a
+flogging because the mournfulness of her song was too painful for his
+feelings. Perhaps he could not give a better proof of the sufferings of
+these injured people during their passage, than by stating the mortality
+which accompanied it. This was a species of evidence, which was
+infallible on this occasion. Death was a witness which could not deceive
+them; and the proportion of deaths would not only confirm, but, if
+possible, even aggravate our suspicion of the misery of the transit. It
+would be found, upon an average of all the ships, upon which evidence
+had been given, that, exclusively of such as perished before they sailed
+from Africa, not less than twelve and-a-half per cent died on their
+passage: besides these, the Jamaica report stated that four and-a-half
+per cent died while in the harbours, or on shore before the day of sale,
+which was only about the space of twelve or fourteen days after their
+arrival there; and one-third more died in the seasoning: and this in a
+climate exactly similar to their own, and where, as some of the
+witnesses pretended, they were healthy and happy. Thus out of every lot
+of one hundred shipped from Africa, seventeen died in about nine weeks,
+and not more than fifty lived to become effective labourers in our
+islands.
+
+Having advanced thus far in his investigation, he felt, he said, the
+wickedness of the Slave Trade to be so enormous, so dreadful, and
+irremediable, that he could stop at no alternative short of its
+abolition, A trade founded on iniquity, and carried on with such
+circumstances of horror, must be abolished, let the policy of it be what
+it might; and he had from this time determined, whatever were the
+consequences, that he would never rest till he had effected that
+abolition. His mind had, indeed, been harassed by the objections of the
+West India planters, who had asserted, that the ruin of their property
+must be the consequence of such a measure. He could not help, however,
+distrusting their arguments. He could not believe that the Almighty
+Being, who had forbidden the practice of rapine and bloodshed, had made
+rapine and bloodshed necessary to any part of his universe. He felt a
+confidence in this persuasion, and took the resolution to act upon it.
+Light, indeed, soon broke in upon him. The suspicion of his mind was
+every day confirmed by increasing information, and the evidence he had
+now to offer upon this point was decisive and complete. The principle
+upon which he founded the necessity of the abolition was not policy, but
+justice: but though justice were the principle of the measure, yet he
+trusted he should distinctly prove it to be reconcilable with our truest
+political interest.
+
+In the first place, he asserted that the number of the slaves in our
+West India islands might be kept up without the introduction of recruits
+from Africa; and to prove this, he would enumerate the different sources
+of their mortality. The first was the disproportion of the sexes, there
+being, upon an average, about five males imported to three females: but
+this evil, when the Slave Trade was abolished, would cure itself. The
+second consisted in the bad condition in which they were brought to the
+islands, and the methods of preparing them for sale. They arrived
+frequently in a sickly and disordered state, and then they were made up
+for the market by the application of astringents, washes, mercurial
+ointments, and repelling drugs, so that their wounds and diseases might
+be hid. These artifices were not only fraudulent but fatal; but these,
+it was obvious, would of themselves fall with the trade. A third was,
+excessive labour joined with improper food; and a fourth was, the
+extreme dissoluteness of their manners. These, also, would both of them
+be counteracted by the impossibility of getting further supplies: for
+owners, now unable to replace those slaves whom they might lose, by
+speedy purchases in the markets, would be more careful how they treated
+them in future, and a better treatment would be productive of better
+morals. And here he would just advert to an argument used against those
+who complained of cruelty in our islands, which was, that it was the
+interest of masters to treat their slaves with humanity: but surely it
+was immediate and present, not future and distant interest, which was
+the great spring of action in the affairs of mankind. Why did we make
+laws to punish men? It was their interest to be upright and virtuous:
+but there was a present impulse continually breaking in upon their
+better judgment, and an impulse, which was known to be contrary to their
+permanent advantage. It was ridiculous to say that men would be bound by
+their interest, when gain or ardent passion urged them. It might as well
+be asserted, that a stone could not be thrown into the air, or a body
+move from place to place, because the principle of gravitation bound
+them to the surface of the earth. If a planter in the West Indies found
+himself reduced in his profits, he did not usually dispose of any part
+of his slaves; and his own gratifications were never given up, so long
+as there was a possibility of making any retrenchment in the allowance
+of his slaves.--But to return to the subject which he had left: he was
+happy to state, that as all the causes of the decrease which he had
+stated might be remedied, so, by the progress of light and reformation,
+these remedies had been gradually coming into practice; and that, as
+these had increased, the decrease of slaves had in an equal proportion
+been lessened. By the gradual adoption of these remedies, he could prove
+from the report on the table, that the decrease of slaves in Jamaica had
+lessened to such a degree, that from the year 1774 to the present it was
+not quite one in a hundred, and that, in fact, they were at present in a
+state of increase; for that the births in that island, at this moment,
+exceeded the deaths by one thousand or eleven hundred per annum.
+Barbados, Nevis, Antigua, and the Bermudas, were, like Jamaica,
+lessening their decrease, and holding forth an evident and reasonable
+expectation of a speedy state of increase by natural population. But
+allowing the number of Negroes even to decrease for a time, there were
+methods which would insure the welfare of the West India islands. The
+lands there might be cultivated by fewer hands, and this to greater
+advantage to the proprietors and to this country, by the produce of
+cinnamon, coffee, and cotton, than by that of sugar. The produce of the
+plantations might also be considerably increased, even in the case of
+sugar, with less hands than were at present employed, if the owners of
+them would but introduce machines of husbandry. Mr. Long himself, long
+resident as a planter, had proved, upon his own estate, that the plough,
+though so little used in the West Indies, did the service of a hundred
+slaves, and caused the same ground to produce three hogsheads of sugar,
+which, when cultivated by slaves, would only produce two. The division
+of work, which, in free and civilized countries, was the grand source of
+wealth, and the reduction of the number of domestic servants, of whom
+not less than from twenty to forty were kept in ordinary families,
+afforded other resources for this purpose. But, granting that all these
+suppositions should be unfounded, and that everyone of these substitutes
+should fail for a time, the planters would be indemnified, as is the
+case in all transactions of commerce, by the increased price of their
+produce in the British market. Thus, by contending against the
+abolition, they were defeated in every part of the argument. But he
+would never give up the point, that the number of the slaves could be
+kept up, by natural population, and without any dependence whatever on
+the Slave Trade. He therefore called upon the house again to abolish it
+as a criminal waste of life--it was utterly unnecessary--he had proved
+it so by documents contained in the report. The merchants of Liverpool,
+indeed, had thought otherwise, but he should be cautious how he assented
+to their opinions. They declared last year that it was a losing trade at
+two slaves to a ton, and yet they pursued it when restricted to five
+slaves to three tons. He believed, however, that it was upon the whole a
+losing concern; in the same manner as the lottery would be a losing
+adventure to any company who should buy all the tickets. Here and there
+an individual gained a large prize, but the majority of adventurers
+gained nothing. The same merchants, too, had asserted, that the town of
+Liverpool would be mined by the abolition. But Liverpool did not depend
+for its consequence upon the Slave Trade. The whole export-tonnage from
+that place amounted to no less than 170,000 tons; whereas the export
+part of it to Africa amounted only to 13,000. Liverpool, he was sure,
+owed its greatness to other and very different causes; the Slave Trade
+bearing but a small proportion to its other trade.
+
+Having gone through that part of the subject which related to the
+slaves, he would now answer two objections which he had frequently heard
+stated. The first of these was, that the abolition of the Slave Trade
+would operate to the total ruin of our navy, and to the increase of that
+of our rivals. For an answer to these assertions, he referred to what he
+considered to be the most valuable part of the report, and for which the
+House and the country were indebted to the indefatigable exertions of
+Mr. Clarkson. By the report it appeared, that, instead of the Slave
+Trade being a nursery for British seamen, it was their grave. It
+appeared that more seamen died in that trade in one year than in the
+whole remaining trade of the country in two. Out of 910 sailors in it,
+216 died in the year, while upon a fair average of the same number of
+men employed in the trades to the East and West Indies, Petersburgh,
+Newfoundland, and Greenland, no more than eighty-seven died. It appeared
+also, that out of 3170, who had left Liverpool in the slave-ships in the
+year 1787, only 1428 had returned. And here, while he lamented the loss
+which the country thus annually sustained in her seamen, he had
+additionally to lament the barbarous usage which they experienced, and
+which this trade, by its natural tendency to harden the heart,
+exclusively produced. He would just read an extract of a letter from
+Governor Parrey, of Barbados, to Lord Sydney, one of the secretaries of
+state. The Governor declared he could no longer contain himself on
+account of the ill treatment, which the British sailors endured at the
+hands of their savage captains. These were obliged to have their vessels
+strongly manned, not only on account of the unhealthiness of the climate
+of Africa, but of the necessity of guarding the slaves, and preventing
+and suppressing insurrections; and when they arrived in the West Indies,
+and were out of all danger from the latter, they quarrelled with their
+men on the most frivolous pretences, on purpose to discharge them, and
+thus save the payment of supernumerary wages home. Thus many were left
+in a diseased and deplorable state; either to perish by sickness, or to
+enter into foreign service; great numbers of whom were for ever lost to
+their country. The Governor concluded by declaring, that the enormities
+attendant on this trade were so great, as to demand the immediate
+interference of the legislature.
+
+The next objection to the abolition was, that if we were to relinquish
+the Slave Trade, our rivals, the French, would take it up; so that,
+while we should suffer by the measure, the evil would still go on, and
+this even to its former extent. This was, indeed, a very weak argument;
+and, if it would defend the continuance of the Slave Trade, might
+equally be urged in favour of robbery, murder, and every species of
+wickedness, which, if we did not practise, others would commit. But
+suppose, for the sake of argument, that they were to take it up, what
+good would it do them? What advantages, for instance, would they derive
+from this pestilential commerce to their marine? Should not we, on the
+other hand, be benefited by this change? Would they not be obliged to
+come to us, in consequence of the cheapness of our manufactures, for
+what they wanted for the African market? But he would not calumniate the
+French nation so much as to suppose that they would carry on the trade,
+if we were to relinquish it. He believed, on the other hand, that they
+would abolish it also. Mr. Necker, the minister of France, was a man of
+religious principle; and, in his work upon the administration of the
+finances, had recorded his abhorrence of this trade. He was happy also
+to relate an anecdote of the king of France, which proved that he was a
+friend to the abolition; for, being petitioned to dissolve a society,
+formed at Paris, for the annihilation of the Slave Trade, his majesty
+answered, that he would not, and was happy to hear that so humane an
+association was formed in his dominions. And here, having mentioned the
+society in Paris, he could not help paying a due compliment to that
+established in London for the same purpose, which had laboured with the
+greatest assiduity to make this important subject understood, and which
+had conducted itself with so much judgment and moderation as to have
+interested men of all religions, and to have united them in their cause.
+
+There was another topic which he would submit to the notice of the
+House, before he concluded. They were perhaps not aware that a fair and
+honourable trade might be substituted in the natural productions of
+Africa, so that our connexion with that continent in the way of
+commercial advantage need not be lost. The natives had already made some
+advances in it; and if they had not appeared so forward in raising and
+collecting their own produce for sale as in some other countries, it was
+to be imputed to the Slave Trade: but remove the cause, and Africa would
+soon emerge from her present ignorant and indolent state. Civilization
+would go on with her as well as with other nations. Europe, three or
+four centuries ago, was in many parts as barbarous as Africa at present,
+and chargeable with as bad practices. For what would be said, if, so
+late as the middle of the thirteenth century, he could find a parallel
+there for the Slave Trade?--Yes. This parallel was to be found even in
+England. The people of Bristol, in the reign of Henry the Seventh, had a
+regular market for children, which were bought by the Irish: but the
+latter having experienced a general calamity, which they imputed as a
+judgment from Heaven on account of this wicked traffic, abolished it.
+The only thing, therefore, which he had to solicit of the House, was to
+show that they were now as enlightened as the Irish were four centuries
+back, by refusing to buy the children of other nations. He hoped they
+would do it. He hoped, too, they would do it in an unqualified manner.
+Nothing less than a total abolition of the trade would do away the evils
+complained of. The legislature of Jamaica, indeed, had thought that
+regulations might answer the purpose. Their report had recommended, that
+no person should be kidnapped, or permitted to be made a slave, contrary
+to the customs of Africa. But might he not be reduced to this state very
+unjustly, and yet by no means contrary to the African laws? Besides, how
+could we distinguish between those who were justly or unjustly reduced
+to it? Could we discover them by their physiognomy?--But if we could,
+who would believe that the British captains would be influenced by any
+regulations; made in this country, to refuse to purchase those who had
+not been fairly, honestly? and uprightly enslaved? They who were offered
+to us for sale, were brought, some of them, three or four thousand
+miles, and exchanged like cattle from one hand to another, till they
+reached the coast. But who could return these to their homes, or make
+them compensation for their sufferings during their long journeyings? He
+would now conclude by begging pardon of the House for having detained
+them so long. He could indeed have expressed his own conviction in fewer
+words. He needed only to have made one or two short statements, and to
+have quoted the commandment, "Thou shalt do no murder." But he thought
+it his duty to lay the whole of the case, and the whole of its guilt,
+before them. They would see now that no mitigations, no palliatives,
+would either be efficient or admissible. Nothing short of an absolute
+abolition could be adopted. This they owed to Africa: they owed it, too,
+to their own moral characters. And he hoped they would follow up the
+principle of one of the repentant African captains, who had gone before
+the committee of privy council as a voluntary witness, and that they
+would make Africa all the atonement in their power for the multifarious
+injuries she had received at the hands of British subjects. With respect
+to these injuries, their enormity and extent, it might be alleged in
+their excuse, that they were not fully acquainted with them till that
+moment, and therefore not answerable for their former existence: but now
+they could no longer plead ignorance concerning them. They had seen them
+brought directly before their eyes, and they must decide for themselves,
+and must justify to the world and their own consciences the facts and
+principles upon which their decision was formed.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce having concluded his speech, which lasted three hours
+and a half, read, and laid on the table of the House, as subjects for
+their future discussion, twelve propositions which he had deduced from
+the evidence contained in the privy council report, and of which the
+following is the abridged substance:--
+
+1. That the number of slaves annually carried from the coast of Africa,
+in British vessels, was about 38,000, of which, on an average, 22,500
+were carried to the British islands, and that of the latter only 17,500
+were retained there.
+
+2. That these slaves, according to the evidence on the table, consisted,
+first, of prisoners of war; secondly, of free persons sold for debt, or
+on account of real or imputed crimes, particularly adultery and
+witchcraft; in which cases they were frequently sold with their whole
+families, and sometimes for the profit of those by whom they were
+condemned; thirdly, of domestic slaves sold for the profit of their
+masters, in some places at the will of the masters, and in others, on
+being condemned by them for real or imputed crimes; fourthly, of persons
+made slaves by various acts of oppression, violence, or fraud, committed
+either by the princes and chiefs of those countries on their subjects,
+or by private individuals on each other; or, lastly, by Europeans
+engaged in this traffic.
+
+3. That the trade so carried on, had necessarily a tendency to occasion
+frequent and cruel wars among the natives; to produce unjust convictions
+and punishments for pretended or aggravated crimes; to encourage acts of
+oppression, violence, and fraud, and to obstruct the natural course of
+civilization and improvement in those countries!
+
+4. That Africa in its present state furnished several valuable articles
+of commerce, which were partly peculiar to itself, but that it was
+adapted to the production of others, with which we were now either
+wholly or in great part supplied by foreign nations. That an extensive
+commerce with Africa might be substituted in these commodities, so as to
+afford a return for as many articles as had annually been carried
+thither in British vessels: and, lastly, that such a commerce might
+reasonably be expected to increase, by the progress of civilization
+there.
+
+5. That the Slave Trade was peculiarly destructive to the seamen
+employed in it; and that the mortality there had been much greater than
+in any British vessels employed upon the same coast in any other service
+or trade.
+
+6. That the mode of transporting the slaves from Africa to the West
+Indies necessarily exposed them to many and grievous sufferings, for
+which no regulations could provide an adequate remedy; and that in
+consequence thereof a large proportion had annually perished during the
+voyage.
+
+7. That a large proportion had also perished in the harbours in the West
+Indies, from the diseases contracted in the voyage, and the treatment of
+the same, previously to their being sold; and that this loss amounted to
+four and a half percent of the imported slaves.
+
+8. That the loss of the newly-imported slaves, within the three first
+years after their importation, bore a large proportion to the whole
+number imported.
+
+9. That the natural increase of population among the slaves in the
+islands appeared to have been impeded principally by the following
+causes:--First, by the inequality of the sexes in the importations from
+Africa. Secondly, by the general dissoluteness of manners among the
+slaves, and the want of proper regulations for the encouragement of
+marriages, and of rearing children among them. Thirdly, by the
+particular diseases which were prevalent among them, and which were, in
+some instances, to be attributed to too severe labour, or rigorous
+treatment; and in others to insufficient or improper food. Fourthly, by
+those diseases, which affected a large proportion of negro-children in
+their infancy, and by those to which the negroes, newly imported from
+Africa, had been found to be particularly liable.
+
+10. That the whole number of the slaves in the island of Jamaica, in
+1768, was about 167,000, in 1774, about 193,000, and in 1787, about
+256,000: that by comparing these numbers with the numbers imported and
+retained in the said island during all these years, and making proper
+allowances, the annual excess of deaths above births was in the
+proportion of about seven-eighths per cent.; that in the first six years
+of this period it was in the proportion of rather more than one on every
+hundred; that in the last thirteen years of the same it was in the
+proportion of about three-fifths on every hundred; and that a number of
+slaves, amounting to fifteen thousand, perished during the latter
+period, in consequence of repeated hurricanes, and of the want of
+foreign supplies of provisions.
+
+11. That the whole number of slaves in the island of Barbados was, in
+the year, 1764, about 70,706; in 1774, about 74,874; in 1780, about
+68,270; in 1781, after the hurricane, about 63,248, and in 1786, about
+62,115; that, by comparing these numbers with the number imported into
+this island, (not allowing for any re-exportation,) the annual excess of
+deaths above births in the ten years, from 1764 to 1774, was in, the
+proportion of about five on every hundred; that in the seven years, from
+1774 to 1780, it was in the proportion of about one and one-third on
+every hundred; that between the years 1780 and 1781 there had been a
+decrease in the number of slaves, of about 5000; that in the six years,
+from 1781 to 1786, the excess of deaths was in the proportion of rather
+less than seven-eighths on every hundred; that in the four years, from,
+1783 to 1786, it was in the proportion of rather less than one-third on
+every hundred; and that during the whole period, there was no doubt that
+some had been exported from the island, but considerably more in the
+first part of this period than in the last.
+
+12. That the accounts from the Leeward Islands, and from Dominica,
+Grenada, and St. Vincent's, did not furnish sufficient grounds for
+comparing the state of population in the said islands, at different
+periods, with the number of slaves, which had been from time to time
+imported there, and exported therefrom; but that from the evidence which
+had been received, respecting the present state of these islands, as
+well as that of Jamaica and Barbados, and from a consideration of the
+means of obviating the causes, which had hitherto operated to impede the
+natural increase of the slaves, and of lessening the demand for manual
+labour, without diminishing the profit of the planters, no considerable
+or permanent inconvenience would result from discontinuing the further
+importation of African slaves.
+
+These propositions having been laid upon the table of the House, Lord
+Penrhyn rose in behalf of the planters; and next, after him, Mr.
+Gascoyne, (both members for Liverpool,) in behalf of the  merchants
+concerned in the latter place. They both predicted the ruin and misery
+which would inevitably follow the abolition of the trade. The former
+said, that no less than seventy millions were mortgaged upon lands in
+the West Indies, all of which would be lost. Mr. Wilberforce, therefore,
+should have made a motion to pledge the House to the repayment of this
+sum, before he had brought forward his propositions. Compensation ought
+to have been agreed upon as a previous necessary measure. The latter
+said, that in consequence of the bill of last year, many ships were laid
+up, and many seamen out of employ. His constituents had large capitals
+engaged in the trade, and, if it were to be wholly done away, they would
+suffer from not knowing where to employ them: they both joined in
+asserting, that Mr. Wilberforce had made so many misrepresentations in
+all the branches of this subject, that no reliance whatever was to be
+placed on the picture, which he had chosen to exhibit. They should
+speak, however, more fully to this point when the propositions were
+discussed.
+
+The latter declaration called up Mr. Wilberforce again, who observed
+that he had no intention of misrepresenting any fact: he did not know
+that he had done it in any one instance; but, if he had, it would be
+easy to convict him out of the report upon the table.
+
+Mr. Burke then rose. He would not, he said, detain the committee long:
+indeed, he was not able, weary and indisposed as he then felt himself,
+even if he had an inclination to do it; but as on account of his other
+parliamentary duty, he might not have it in his power to attend the
+business now before them in its course, he would take that opportunity
+of stating his opinion upon it.
+
+And, first, the House, the nation, and all Europe were under great
+obligations to Mr. Wilberforce for having brought this important subject
+forward. He had done it in a manner the most masterly, impressive, and
+eloquent. He had laid down his principles so admirably, and with so much
+order and force, that his speech had equalled anything he had ever heard
+in modern oratory, and perhaps it had not been excelled by anything to
+be found in ancient times. As to the Slave Trade itself, there could not
+be two opinions about it, where men were not interested. A trade begun
+in savage war, prosecuted with unheard-of barbarity, continued during
+the transportation with the most loathsome imprisonment, and ending in
+perpetual exile and slavery, was a trade so horrid in all in
+circumstances, that it; was impossible to produce a single argument in
+its favour. On the ground of prudence, nothing could be said in defence
+of it, nor could it be justified by necessity. It was necessity alone
+that could be brought to justify inhumanity; but no case of necessity
+could be made out strong enough to justify this monstrous traffic. It
+was therefore the duty of the House to put an end to it, and this
+without further delay. This conviction, that it became them to do it
+immediately, made him regret (and it was the only thing he regretted in
+the admirable speech he had heard) that his honourable friend should
+have introduced propositions on this subject. He could have wished that
+the business had been brought to a conclusion at once, without voting
+the propositions which had been read to them. He was not over fond of
+abstract propositions; they were seldom necessary, and often occasioned
+great difficulty, embarrassment, and delay. There was, besides, no
+occasion whatever to assign detailed reasons for a vote, which nature
+herself dictated, and which religion enforced. If it should happen that
+the propositions were not carried in that House or the other, such a
+complication of mischiefs might follow, as might occasion them heartily
+to lament that they were ever introduced. If the ultimate resolution
+should happen to be lost, he was afraid the propositions would pass as
+waste paper, if not be injurious to the cause at a future time.
+
+And now, as the House must bring this matter to an issue, he would beg
+their attention to a particular point. He entreated them to look further
+than the present moment, and to ask themselves if they had fortified
+their minds sufficiently to bear the consequences which might arise from
+the abolition of the Slave Trade, supposing they should decide upon it.
+When they abandoned it, other foreign powers might take it up, and
+clandestinely supply our islands with slaves. Had they virtue enough to
+see another country reaping profits, which they themselves had given up;
+and to abstain from that envy natural to rivals, and firmly to adhere to
+their determination? If so, let them thankfully proceed to vote the
+immediate abolition of the Slave Trade. But if they should repent of
+their virtue, (and he had known miserable instances of such repentance,)
+all hopes of future reformation of this enormous evil would be lost.
+They would go back to a trade they had abandoned with redoubled
+attachment, and would adhere to it with a degree of avidity and
+shameless ardour, to their own humiliation, and to the degradation and
+disgrace of the nation in the eyes of all Europe. These were
+considerations worth regarding, before they took a decisive step in a
+business, in which they ought not to move with any other determination
+than to abide by the consequences at all hazards. The honourable
+gentleman (who to his eternal honour had introduced this great subject
+to their notice) had, in his eloquent oration, knocked at every door,
+and appealed to every passion, well knowing that mankind were governed
+by their sympathies. But there were other passions to be regarded; men
+were always ready to obey their sympathies when it cost them nothing;
+but were they prepared to pay the price of their virtue on this great
+occasion? This was the question. If they were, they would do themselves
+immortal honour, and would have the satisfaction of having done away a
+commerce, which, while it was productive of misery not to be described,
+most of all hardened the heart and vitiated the human character.
+
+With respect to the consequences mentioned by the two members for
+Liverpool, he had a word or two to offer upon them. Lord Penrhyn had
+talked of millions to be lost and paid for; but seeing no probability of
+any loss ultimately, he could see no necessity for compensation. He
+believed on the other hand, that the planters would be great gainers by
+those wholesome regulations, which they would be obliged to make, if the
+Slave Trade were abolished. He did not however flatter them with the
+idea that this gain would be immediate. Perhaps they might experience
+inconveniences at first, and even some loss. But what then? With their
+loss, their virtue would be the greater. And in this light he hoped the
+House would consider the matter; for, if they were called upon to do an
+act of virtuous energy and heroism, they ought to think it right to
+submit to temporary disadvantages for the sake of truth, justice,
+humanity, and the prospect of greater happiness.
+
+The other member, Mr. Gascoyne, had said that his constituents, if the
+trade were abolished, could not employ their capitals elsewhere. But
+whether they could or not, it was the duty of that House, if they put
+them into a traffic which was shocking to humanity and disgraceful to
+the nation, to change their application, and not to allow them to be
+used to a barbarous purpose. He believed, however, that the merchants of
+Liverpool would find no difficulty on this head. All capitals required
+active motion; it was in their nature not to remain passive and
+unemployed; they would soon turn them into other channels. This they had
+done themselves during the American war; for the Slave Trade was almost
+wholly lost, and yet they had their ships employed, either as transports
+in the service of government or in other ways.
+
+And as he now called upon the House not to allow any conjectural losses
+to become impediments in the way of the abolition of the Slave Trade, so
+he called upon them to beware how they suffered any representations of
+the happiness of the state of slavery in our islands to influence them
+against so glorious a measure. Admiral Barrington had said in his
+testimony, that he had often envied the condition of the slaves there.
+But surely, the honourable admiral must have meant, that, as he had
+often toiled like a slave in the defence of his country, (as his many
+gallant actions had proved,) so he envied the day when he was to toil in
+a similar manner in the same cause. If, however, his words were to be
+taken literally, his sensations could only be accounted for by his
+having seen the negroes in the hour of their sports, when a sense of the
+misery of their condition was neither felt by themselves not visible to
+others. But their appearance on such occasions did by no means disprove
+their low and abject state. Nothing made a happy slave but a degraded
+man. In proportion as the mind grows callous to its degradation, and all
+sense of manly pride is lost, the slave feels comfort. In fact, he is no
+longer a man. If he were to define a man, he would say with Shakespeare,
+
+
+  Man is a being holding large discourse,
+  Looking before and after.
+
+
+But, a slave was incapable of looking before and after; he had no motive
+to do it; he was a mere passive instrument in the hands of others to be
+used at their discretion. Though living, he was, dead as to all
+voluntary agency; though moving amidst the creation with an erect form,
+and with the shape and semblance of a human being, he was a nullity as a
+man.
+
+Mr. Pitt thanked his honourable friend Mr. Wilberforce for having at
+length introduced this great and important subject to the consideration
+of the House. He thanked him also for the perspicuous, forcible, and
+masterly manner in which he had treated it. He was sure that no argument
+compatible with any idea of justice could be assigned for the
+continuation of the Slave Trade. And at the same time that he was
+willing to listen with candour and attention to everything that could be
+urged on the other side of the question, he was sure that the
+principles, from which his opinion was deduced, were unalterable. He had
+examined the subject with the anxiety which became him, where the
+happiness and interests of so many thousands were concerned, and with
+the minuteness which would be expected of him, on account of, the
+responsible situation which he held; and he averred that it was
+sophistry, obscurity of ideas, and vagueness of reasoning, which alone
+could have hitherto prevented all mankind (those immediately interested
+in the question excepted) from agreeing in one and the same opinion upon
+the subject. With respect to the propriety of introducing the individual
+propositions which had been offered, he differed with Mr. Burke, and he
+thanked his honourable friend Mr. Wilberforce for having chosen the only
+way in which it could be made obvious to the worlds that they were
+warranted on every ground of reason and of fact in coming to that vote,
+which he trusted would be the end of their proceeding. The grounds for
+the attainment of this end were distinctly stated in the propositions.
+Let the propositions be brought before the House, one by one, and argued
+from the evidence, and it would then be seen that they were such as no
+one, who was not deaf to the language of reason, could deny. Let them be
+once entered upon the journals of that House, and it was almost
+impossible they should fail. The abolition must be voted; as to the mode
+of it, or how it should be effected, they were not at present to discuss
+it; but he trusted it would be such as would not invite foreign powers
+to supply our islands with slaves by a clandestine trade. After a debt,
+founded on the immutable principles of justice, was found to be due, it
+was impossible but the country had means to cause it to be paid. Should
+such an illicit proceeding be attempted; the only language which it
+became us to adopt, was, that Great Britain had resources to enable her
+to protect her islands, and to prevent that traffic from being
+clandestinely carried on by them, which she had thought fit from a
+regard to her character to abandon. It was highly becoming Great Britain
+to take the lead of other nations in such a virtuous and magnificent
+measure, and he could not but have confidence that they would he
+inclined to share the honour with us, or be pleased to follow us as
+their example. If we were disposed to set about this glorious work in
+earnest, they might he invited to concur with us by a negotiation to be
+immediately opened for that purpose. He would only now observe, before
+he sat down, in answer to certain ideas thrown out, that he could by no
+means acquiesce in any compensation for losses which might be sustained
+by the people of Liverpool or by others in any other part of the
+kingdom, in the execution of this just and necessary undertaking.
+
+Sir William Yonge said, he wanted no inducement to concur with the
+honourable mover of the propositions, provided the latter could be
+fairly established, and no serious mischiefs were to arise from the
+abolition. But he was apprehensive, that many evils might follow in the
+case of any sudden or unlooked-for decrease in the slaves. They might be
+destroyed by hurricanes. They might be swept off by many fatal
+disorders. In these cases, the owners of them would not be able to fill
+up their places, and they who had lent money upon the lands, where the
+losses had happened, would foreclose their mortgages. He was fearful,
+also, that a clandestine trade would be carried on, and then the
+sufferings of the Africans, crammed up in small vessels, which would be
+obliged to be hovering about from day to day, to watch an opportunity of
+landing, would be ten times greater than any which they now experienced
+in the legal trade. He was glad, however, as the matter was to be
+discussed, that it had been brought forward in the shape of distinct
+propositions, to be grounded upon the evidence in the privy council
+report.
+
+Mr. Fox observed that he did not like, where he agreed as to the
+substance of a measure, to differ with respect to the form of it. If,
+however, he differed in any thing in the present case, it was with a
+view rather to forward the business than to injure it, or to throw
+anything like an obstacle in its way. Nothing like either should come
+from him. What he thought was, that all the propositions were not
+necessary to be voted previously to the ultimate decision, though some
+of them undoubtedly were. He considered them as of two classes: the one,
+alleging the grounds upon which it was proper to proceed to the
+abolition; such as that the trade was productive of inexpressible
+misery, in various ways, to the innocent natives of Africa; that it was
+the grave of our seamen, and so on; the other merely answering
+objections which might be started, and where there might be a difference
+of opinion. He was, however, glad that the propositions were likely to
+be entered upon the journals; since, if, from any misfortune, the
+business should be deferred, it might succeed another year. Sure he was
+that it could not fail to succeed sooner or later. He highly approved of
+what Mr. Pitt had said relative to the language it became us to hold out
+to foreign powers, in case of a clandestine trade. With respect,
+however, to the assertion of Sir William Yonge that a clandestine trade
+in slaves would be worse than a legal one, he could not admit it. Such a
+trade, if it existed at all, ought only to be clandestine. A trade in
+human flesh and sinews was so scandalous, that it ought not openly to be
+carried on by any government whatever, and much less by that of a
+Christian country. With regard to the regulation of the Slave Trade, he
+knew of no such thing as a regulation of robbery and murder. There was
+no medium. The legislature must either abolish it, or plead guilty of
+all the wickedness which had been shown to attend it. He would now say a
+word or two with respect to the conduct of foreign nations on this
+subject. It was possible that these, when they heard that the matter had
+been discussed in that House, might follow the example, or they might go
+before us and set one themselves. If this were to happen, though we
+might be the losers, humanity would be the gainer. He himself had been
+thought sometimes to use expressions relative to France, which were too
+harsh, and as if he could only treat her as the enemy of this country.
+Politically speaking, France was our rival. But he well knew the
+distinction between political enmity and illiberal prejudice. If there
+was any great and enlightened nation in Europe, it was France, which was
+as likely as any country upon the face of the globe to catch a spark
+from the light of our fire, and to act upon the present subject with
+warmth and enthusiasm. France had often been improperly stimulated by
+her ambition; and he had no doubt but that, in the present instance, she
+would readily follow its honourable dictates.
+
+Mr. (afterwards Lord) Grenville would not detain the house by going into
+a question which had been so ably argued; but he should not do justice
+to his feelings, if he did not express publicly to his honourable
+friend, Mr. Wilberforce, the pleasure he had received from one of the
+most masterly and eloquent speeches he had ever heard; a speech which,
+while it did honour to him, entitled him to the thanks of the House, of
+the people of England, of all Europe, and of the latest posterity. He
+approved of the propositions as the best mode of bringing this great
+question to a happy issue. He was pleased, also, with the language which
+had been held out with respect to foreign nations, and with our
+determination to assert our right of preventing our colonies from
+carrying on any trade which we had thought it our duty to abandon.
+
+Aldermen Newnham, Sawbridge, and Watson, though they wished well to the
+cause of humanity, could not, as representatives of the city of London,
+give their concurrence to a measure which would injure it so essentially
+as the abolition of the Slave Trade. This trade might undoubtedly be put
+under wholesome regulations, and made productive of great commercial
+advantages; but, if it were abolished, it would render the city of
+London one scene of bankruptcy and ruin. It became the house to take
+care, while they were giving way to the goodness of their hearts, that
+they did not contribute to the ruin of the mercantile interests of their
+country.
+
+Mr. Martin stated that he was so well satisfied with the speech of the
+honourable gentleman who had introduced the propositions, and with the
+language held out by other distinguished members on this subject, that
+he felt himself more proud than ever of being an Englishman. He hoped
+and believed that the melancholy predictions of the worthy aldermen
+would not prove true, and that the citizens of London would have too
+much public spirit to wish that a great national object (which
+comprehended the great duties of humanity and justice) should be set
+aside, merely out of consideration to their own private interests.
+
+Mr. Dempster expected, notwithstanding all he had heard, that the first
+proposition submitted to them would have been to make good out of the
+public purse all the losses individuals were liable to sustain from an
+abolition of the Slave Trade. This ought to have been, as Lord Penrhyn
+had observed, a preliminary measure. He did not like to be generous out
+of the pockets of others. They were to abolish the trade, it was said,
+out of a principle of humanity. Undoubtedly they owed humanity to all
+mankind; but they also owed justice to those who were interested in the
+event of the question, and had embarked their fortunes on the faith of
+parliament. In fact he did not like to see men introducing even their
+schemes of benevolence to the detriment of other people; and much less
+did he like to see them going to the colonies, as it were upon their
+estates, and prescribing rules to them for their management. With
+respect to his own speculative opinion, as it regarded cultivation, he
+had no objection to give it. He was sure that sugar could be raised
+cheaper by free-men than by slaves. This the practice in China
+abundantly proved; but yet neither he, nor any other person, had a right
+to force a system upon others. As to the trade itself, by which the
+present labourers were supplied, it had been considered by that House as
+so valuable that they had preferred it to all others, and had annually
+voted a considerable sum towards carrying it on. They had hitherto
+deemed it an essential nursery for our seamen. Had it really been such
+as had been represented, our ancestors would scarcely have encouraged
+it; and therefore, upon these and other considerations, he could not
+help thinking that they would be wanting in their duty if they abolished
+it altogether.
+
+Mr. William Smith would not detain the House long at that late hour upon
+this important subject; but he could not help testifying the great
+satisfaction he felt at the manner, in which the honourable gentleman
+who opened the debate (if it could be so called) had treated it. He
+approved of the propositions as the best mode of bringing the decision
+to a happy issue. He gave Mr. Fox great credit for the open and manly
+way in which he had manifested his abhorrence of this trade, and for the
+support he meant to give to the total and unqualified abolition of it;
+for he was satisfied, that the more it was inquired into, the more it
+would be found that nothing short of abolition would cure the evil. With
+respect to certain assertions of the members for Liverpool, and certain
+melancholy predictions about the consequences of such an event, which
+others had held out, he desired to lay in his claim for observation upon
+them when the great question should come before the House.
+
+Soon after this the House broke up; and the discussion of the
+propositions, which was the next parliamentary measure intended, was
+postponed to a future day, which was sufficiently distant to give all
+the parties concerned, time to make the necessary preparations for it.
+
+Of this interval the committee for the abolition availed themselves, to
+thank Mr. Wilberforce for the very able and satisfactory manner in which
+he had stated to the House his propositions for the abolition of the
+Slave Trade, and for the unparalleled assiduity and perseverance with
+which he had all along endeavoured to accomplish this object, as well as
+to take measures themselves for the further promotion of it. Their
+opponents availed themselves of this interval also. But that which now
+embarrassed them, was the evidence contained in the privy council
+report. They had no idea, considering the number of witnesses they had
+sent to be examined, that this evidence, when duly weighed, could by
+right reasoning have given birth to the sentiments which had been
+displayed in the speeches of the most distinguished members of the House
+of Commons, or to the contents of the propositions which had been laid
+upon their table. They were thunderstruck as it were by their own
+weakness; and from this time they were determined, if possible, to get
+rid of it as a standard for decision, or to interpose, every
+parliamentary delay in their power.
+
+On the 21st of May, the subject came again before the attention of the
+House. It was ushered in, as was expected, by petitions collected in the
+interim, and which were expressive of the frightful consequences which
+would attend the abolition of the Slave Trade. Alderman Newnham
+presented one from certain merchants in London; Alderman Watson another
+from certain merchants, mortgagees, and creditors of the sugar-islands;
+Lord Maitland, another from the planters of Antigua; Mr. Blackburne,
+another from certain manufacturers of Manchester; Mr. Gascoyne, another
+from the corporation of Liverpool; and Lord Penrhyn, others from
+different interested bodies in the same town.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce then moved the order of the day for the House to go into
+a committee of the whole house on the report of the privy council, and
+the several matters of evidence already upon the table relative to the
+Slave Trade.
+
+Mr. Alderman Sawbridge immediately arose, and asked Mr. Wilberforce if
+he meant to adduce any other evidence, besides that in the privy council
+report, in behalf of his propositions, or to admit other witnesses, if
+such could be found, to invalidate them. Mr. Wilberforce replied, that
+he was quite satisfied with the report on the table. It would establish
+all his propositions. He should call no witnesses himself; as to
+permission to others to call them, that must be determined by the House.
+
+This question and this answer gave birth immediately to great disputes
+upon the subject. Aldermen Sawbridge, Newnham, and Watson; Lords Penrhyn
+and Maitland; Messrs. Gascoyne, Marsham, and others, spoke against the
+admission of the evidence which had been laid upon the table. They
+contended that it was insufficient, defective, and contradictory; that
+it was _ex parte_ evidence; that it had been manufactured by ministers;
+that it was founded chiefly on hearsay, and that the greatest part of it
+was false; that it had undergone no cross-examination; that it was
+unconstitutional; and that, if they admitted it, they would establish a
+dangerous precedent, and abandon their rights. It was urged on the other
+hand by Mr. Courtenay, that it could not be _ex parte_ evidence, because
+it contained testimony on both sides of the question. The circumstance,
+also, of its being contradictory, which had been alleged against it,
+proved that it was the result of an impartial examination. Mr. Fox
+observed, that it was perfectly admissible. He called upon those, who
+took the other side of the question, to say why, if it was really
+inadmissible, they had not opposed it at first. It had now been a long
+time on the table, and no fault had been found with it. The truth was,
+it did not suit them; and they were determined by a side-wind, as it
+were, to put an end to the inquiry. Mr. Pitt observed, that, if
+parliament had previously resolved to receive no evidence on a given
+subject but from the privy council, such a resolution, indeed, would
+strike at the root of the privileges of the House of Commons; but it was
+absurd to suppose that the House could upon no occasion receive
+evidence, taken where it was most convenient to take it, and subject
+throughout to new investigation, if any one doubted its validity. The
+report of the privy council consisted, first, of calculations and
+accounts from the public offices; and, next, of written documents on the
+subject: both of which were just as authentic as if they had been laid
+upon the table of that House. The remaining part of it consisted of the
+testimony of living witnesses, all of whose names were published; so
+that if any one doubted their veracity, it was open to him to re-examine
+all or each of them. It had been said by adversaries that the report on
+the table was a weak and imperfect report, but would not these have the
+advantage of its weakness and imperfection? It was strange, when his
+honourable friend, Mr. Wilberforce, had said, "Weak and imperfect as the
+report may be thought to be, I think it strong enough to bear me out in
+all my propositions," that they, who objected to it, should have no
+better reason to give than this, "We object, because the ground of
+evidence on which you rest is too weak to support your cause." Unless it
+were meant to say (and the meaning seemed to be but thinly disguised)
+that the House ought to abandon the inquiry, he saw no reason whatever
+for not going immediately into a committee; and he wished gentlemen to
+consider whether it became the dignity of their proceedings to obstruct
+the progress of an inquiry, which the House had pledged itself to
+undertake. Their conduct, indeed, seemed extraordinary on this occasion.
+It was certainly singular that; while the report had been five weeks
+upon the table, no argument had been brought against its sufficiency;
+but that on the moment when the House was expected to come to an
+ultimate vote upon the subject, it should be thought defective,
+contradictory, unconstitutional, and otherwise objectionable. These
+objections, he was satisfied, neither did nor could originate with the
+country gentlemen; but they were brought forward; for purposes not now
+to be concealed, by the avowed enemies of this noble cause.
+
+In the course of the discussion which arose upon this subject, every
+opportunity was taken to impress the House with the dreadful
+consequences of the abolition! Mr. Heriniker read a long letter from the
+King of Dahomey to George the First, which had been found among the
+papers of James, first Duke of Chandos, and which had remained in the
+family till that time. In this, the King of Dahomey boasted of his
+victory over the King of Ardrah and how he had ornamented the pavement
+and walls of his palace with the heads of the vanquished. These
+cruelties, Mr. Henniker said, were not imputable to the Slave Trade.
+They showed the Africans to be naturally a savage people, and that we
+did them a great kindness by taking them from their country. Alderman
+Sawbridge maintained that, if the abolition passed, the Africans who
+could not be sold as slaves would be butchered at home; while those who
+had been carried, to our islands would be no longer under control. Hence
+insurrections, and the manifold evils which belonged to them. Alderman
+Newnham was certain that the abolition would be the ruin of the trade of
+the country. It would affect even the landed interest and the funds. It
+would be impossible to collect money to diminish the national debt.
+Every man in the kingdom would feel the abolition come home to hit.
+Alderman Watson maintained the same argument, and pronounced the trade
+under discussion to be a merciful and humane trade.
+
+Compensation was also insisted upon by Mr. Drake, Alderman Newnham, Mr.
+Senniker, Mr. Cruger, and others. This was resisted by Mr. Burke; who
+said, that compensation in such a case would be contrary to every
+principle of legislation. Government gave encouragement to any branch of
+commerce while it was regarded as conducive to the welfare of the
+community; or compatible with humanity and justice; but they were
+competent to withdraw their countenance from it, when it was found to be
+immoral, and injurious, and disgraceful to the state: They who engaged
+in it knew the terms under which they were placed, and adopted it with
+all the risks with which it was accompanied; and of consequence it was
+but just, that they should be prepared to abide by the loss which might
+accrue, when the public should think it right no longer to support it.
+But such a trade as this it was impossible any longer to support. Indeed
+it was not a trade. It was a system of robbery. It was a system, too,
+injurious to the welfare of other nations. How could Africa ever be
+civilized under it? While we continued to purchase the natives, they
+must remain in a state of barbarism. It was impossible to civilize
+slaves. It was contrary to the system of human nature. There was no
+country placed under such disadvantageous circumstances, into which the
+shadow of improvement had ever been introduced.
+
+Great pains were taken to impress the house with the propriety of
+regulation. Sir Grey Cooper; Aldermen Sawbridge, Watson, and Newnham;
+Mr. Marsham, and Mr. Cruger, contended strenuously for it instead of
+abolition. It was also stated, that the merchants would consent to any
+regulation of the trade which might be offered to them.
+
+In the course of the debate much warmth of temper was manifested on both
+sides. The expression of Mr. Fox in a former debate, "that the Slave
+Trade could not be regulated, because there could be no regulation of
+robbery and murder," was brought up, and construed by planters in the
+house as a charge of these crimes upon themselves. Mr. Fox, however,
+would not retract the expression. He repeated it. He had no notion,
+however, that any individual would have taken it to himself. If it
+contained any reflection at all, it was on the whole parliament, who had
+sanctioned such a trade. Mr. Molyneux rose up, and animadverted severely
+on the character of Mr. Ramsay, one of the evidences in the privy
+council report, during his residence in the West Indies. This called up
+Sir William Dolben and Sir Charles Middleton in his defence, the latter
+of whom bore honourable testimony to his virtues from an intimate
+acquaintance with him, and a residence in the same village with him, for
+twenty years. Mr. Molyneux spoke also in angry terms of the measure of
+abolition. To annihilate the trade, he said, and to make no compensation
+on account of it, was an act of swindling. Mr. Macnamara called the
+measure hypocritical, fanatic, and methodistical. Mr. Pitt was so
+irritated at the insidious attempt to set aside the privy council
+report, when no complaint had been alleged against it before, that he
+was quite off his guard, and he thought it right afterwards to apologize
+for the warmth into which he had been betrayed. The Speaker, too, was
+obliged frequently to interfere. On this occasion no less than thirty
+members spoke. And there had probably been few seasons, when so much
+disorder had been discoverable in that house.
+
+The result of the debate was, a permission to those interested in the
+continuance of the Slave Trade to bring counsel to the bar on the 26th
+of May, and then to introduce such witnesses, as might throw further
+light on the propositions in the shortest time: for Mr. Pitt only
+acquiesced in this new measure on a supposition, "that there would be no
+unnecessary delay, as he could by no means submit to the ultimate
+procrastination of so important a business." He even hoped (and in this
+hope he was joined by Mr. Fox) that those concerned would endeavour to
+bring the whole of the evidence they meant to offer at the first
+examination.
+
+On the day appointed, the house met for the purposes now specified; when
+Alderman Newnham, thinking that such an important question should not be
+decided but in a full assembly of the representatives of the nation,
+moved for a call of the House on that day fortnight. Mr. Wilberforce
+stated that he had no objection to such a measure; believing the greater
+the number present the more favourable it would be to his cause. This
+motion, however, produced a debate and a division, in which it appeared
+that there were one hundred and fifty-eight in favour of it, and
+twenty-eight against it. The business of the day now commenced. The
+house went into a committee, and Sir William Dolben was put into the
+chair. Mr. Serjeant Le Blanc was then called in. He made an able speech
+in behalf of his clients; and introduced John Barnes, Esquire, as his
+first witness, whose examination took up the remainder of the day. By
+this step they who were interested in the continuance of the trade,
+attained their wishes, for they had now got possession of the ground
+with their evidence; and they knew they could keep it, almost as long as
+they pleased, for the purposes of delay. Thus they, who boasted, when
+the privy council examinations began, that they would soon do away all
+the idle tales which had been invented against them, and who desired the
+public only to suspend their judgment till the report should come out,
+when they would see the folly and wickedness of all our allegations,
+dared not abide by the evidence which they themselves had taught others
+to look up to as the standard by which they were desirous of being
+judged: thus they, who had advantages beyond measure in forming a body
+of evidence in their own favour, abandoned that which they had
+collected. And here it is impossible for me not to make a short
+comparative statement on this subject, if it were only to show how
+little can be made out, with the very best opportunities, against the
+cause of humanity and religion. With respect to ourselves, we had almost
+all our witnesses to seek. We had to travel after them for weeks
+together. When we found them, we had scarcely the power of choice. We
+where obliged to take them as they came. When we found them, too, we had
+generally to implore them to come forward in our behalf. Of those so
+implored, three out of four refused, and the plea for this refusal was a
+fear lest they should injure their own interests. The merchants, on the
+other hand, had their witnesses ready on the spot. They had always ships
+in harbour, containing persons who had a knowledge of the subject, they
+had several also from whom to choose. If one man was favourable to their
+cause in three of the points belonging to it, but was unfavourable in
+the fourth, he could be put aside and replaced. When they had thus
+selected them, they had not to entreat, but to command their attendance.
+They had no fear, again, when they thus commanded, of a refusal on the
+ground of interest; because these were promoting their interest by
+obliging these who employed them. Viewing these and other circumstances,
+which might be thrown into this comparative statement, it was some
+consolation to us to know, amidst the disappointment which this new
+measure occasioned, and our apparent defeat in the eyes of the public,
+that we had really beaten our opponents at their own weapons, and that,
+as this was a victory in our own private feelings, so it was the presage
+to us of a future triumph.
+
+On the 29th of May, Mr. Tierney made a motion to divide the
+consideration of the Slave Trade into two heads, by separating the
+African from the West Indian part of the question. This he did for the
+more clear discussion of the propositions, as well as to save time. This
+motion, however, was overruled by Mr. Pitt.
+
+At length, on the 9th of June, by which time it was supposed that new
+light, and this in sufficient quantity, would have been thrown upon the
+propositions, it appeared that only two witnesses had been fully heard.
+The examinations, therefore, were continued, and they went on till the
+23rd. On this day, the order for the call of the house, which had been
+prolonged, standing unrepealed, there was a large attendance of members.
+A motion was then made, to get rid of the business altogether, but it
+failed. It was now seen, however, that it was impossible to bring the
+question to a final decision in this session; for they who were
+interested in it, affirmed that they had yet many important witnesses to
+introduce. Alderman Newnham, therefore, by the consent of Mr.
+Wilberforce, moved that "the further consideration of the subject be
+deferred to the next session." On this occasion, Mr. William Smith
+remarked, that though the decision on the great question was thus to be
+adjourned, he hoped the examinations at least would be permitted to go
+on. He had not heard any good reason why they might not be carried on
+for some weeks  longer. It was known that the hearing of evidence was,
+at all times thinly attended. If, therefore, the few members who did
+attend, were willing to give up their time a little longer, why should
+other members complain of an inconvenience in the suffering of which
+they took no share? He thought that by this the examination of witnesses
+on the part of the merchants might be finished, and of consequence the
+business brought into a very desirable state of forwardness against the
+ensuing session. These observations had not the desired effect, and the
+motion of Mr. Alderman Newnham was carried without a division. Thus the
+great question, for the elucidation of which all the new evidences were
+to be heard at the very first examination, in order that it might be
+decided by the 9th of June, was, by the intrigue of our opponents,
+deferred to another year.
+
+The order of the day for going into the further consideration of the
+Slave Trade having been discharged, Sir William Dolben rose to state,
+that it was his intention to renew his bill of the former year, relative
+to the conveyance of the unhappy Africans from their own country to the
+West Indies, and to propose certain alterations in it. He made a motion
+accordingly, which was adopted; and he and Mr. Wilberforce were desired
+to prepare the same.
+
+This bill he introduced soon afterwards, and it passed; but not without
+opposition. It was a matter, however, of great pleasure to find that the
+worthy baronet was enabled by the assistance of Captain (afterwards
+Admiral) Macbride, and other naval officers in the house, to carry such
+clauses, as provided in some degree for the comfort of the poor seamen
+who were seduced into this wicked trade. They could not, indeed, provide
+against the barbarity of their captains; but they secured them a space
+under the half deck in which to sleep. They prescribed a form of
+muster-rolls, which they were to see and sign in the presence of the
+clearing officer. They regulated their food, both as to kind and
+quantity; and they preserved them from many of the impositions to which
+they had been before exposed.
+
+From the time when Mr. Wilberforce gave his first notice this session to
+the present, I had been variously employed, but more particularly in the
+composition of a new work. It was soon perceived to be the object of our
+opponents, to impress upon the public the preference, of regulation to
+abolition. I attempted, therefore, to show the fallacy and wickedness of
+this notion. I divided the evils belonging to the Slave Trade into two
+kinds. These I enumerated in their order. With respect to those of the
+first kind, I proved that they were never to be remedied by any acts of
+the British parliament. Thus, for instance, what bill could alter the
+nature of the human passions? What bill could prevent fraud and violence
+in Africa, while the Slave Trade existed there? What bill could prevent
+the miserable victims of the trade from rising, when on board the ships,
+if they saw an opportunity, and felt a keen sense of their oppression?
+Those of the second I stated to admit of a remedy, and after making
+accurate calculations on the subject of each, I showed that those
+merchants who were to do them away effectually, would be ruined by their
+voyages. The work was called _An Essay on the Comparative Efficiency of
+Regulation or Abolition as applied to the Slave Trade_.
+
+The committee, also, in this interval, brought out their famous print of
+the plan and section of a slave-ship, which was designed to give the
+spectator an idea of the sufferings of the Africans in the Middle
+Passage, and this so familiarly, that he might instantly pronounce upon
+the miseries experienced there. The committee at Plymouth had been the
+first to suggest the idea; but that in London had now improved it. As
+this print seemed to make an instantaneous impression of horror upon all
+who saw it, and as it was therefore very instrumental, in consequence of
+the wide circulation given it, in serving the cause of the injured
+Africans, I have given the reader a copy of it in the annexed plate, and
+I will now state the ground or basis upon which it was formed.
+
+It must be obvious that it became the committee to select some one ship,
+which had been engaged in the Slave Trade, with her real dimensions, if
+they meant to make a fair representation of the manner of the
+transportation. When Captain Parrey, of the royal navy, returned from
+Liverpool, to which place Government had sent him, he brought with him
+the admeasurement of several vessels which had been so employed, and
+laid them on the table of the House of Commons. At the top of his list
+stood the ship Brookes. The committee, therefore, in choosing a vessel
+on this occasion, made use of the ship Brookes; and this they did,
+because they thought it less objectionable to take the first that came,
+than any other. The vessel, then, in the plate is the vessel now
+mentioned, and the following is her admeasurement as given in by Captain
+Parrey.
+
+                                                                    Ft.  In.
+Length of the lower deck, gratings, and bulk heads included at A A  100  0
+Breadth of beam on the lower deck inside, B B                       25   4
+Depth of hold ooo, from ceiling to ceiling                          10   0
+Height between decks from deck to deck                              5    8
+Length of the men's room, C C, on the lower deck                    46   0
+Breadth of the men's room, C C, on the lower deck                   25   4
+Length of the platform, D D, in the men's room                      46   0
+Breadth of the platform in the men's room, on each side             6    0
+Length of the boys' room, E E                                       13   9
+Breadth of the boys' room                                           25   0
+Breadth of platform, F F, in boys' room                             6    0
+Length of women's room, G G                                         28   6
+Breadth of women's room                                             23   6
+Length of platform, H H, in women's room                            28   6
+Breadth of platform in women's room                                 6    0
+Length of the gun-room, I I, on the lower deck                      10   6
+Breadth of the gun-room on the lower deck                           12   0
+Length of the quarter-deck, K K                                     33   6
+Breadth of the quarter-deck                                         19   6
+Length of the cabin, L L                                            14   0
+Height of the cabin                                                 6    2
+Length of the half-deck, M M                                        16   6
+Height of the half-deck                                             6    2
+Length of the platform, N N, on the half-deck                       16   6
+Breadth of the platform on the half-deck                            6    0
+Upper deck, P P
+
+
+The committee, having proceeded thus far, thought that they should now
+allow certain dimensions for every man, woman, and child; and then see
+how many persons, upon such dimensions and upon the admeasurements just
+given, could be stowed in this vessel. They allowed, accordingly, to
+every man slave 6 ft. by 1 ft. 4in. for room, to every woman 5 ft. by 1
+ft. 4 in., to every boy 5 ft. by 1 ft. 2 in., and to every girl 4 ft. 6
+in. by 1 ft. They then stowed them, and found them as in the annexed
+plate, that is, they found, (deducting the women stowed in z of figures
+6 and 7, which spaces, being half of the half-deck, were allowed by Sir
+William Dolben's last bill to the seamen,) that only 450 could be stowed
+in her; and the reader will find, if he should think it worthwhile to
+count the figures in the plate, that, on making the deduction mentioned,
+they will amount to this number.
+
+The committee then thought it right to inquire how many slaves the act
+of Sir William Dolben allowed this vessel to carry, and they found the
+number to be 454; that is, they found it allowed her to carry four more
+than could be put in without trespassing upon the room allotted to the
+rest; for we see that the bodies of the slaves, except just at the head
+of the vessel, already touch each other, and that no deduction has been
+made for tubs or stanchions to support the platforms and decks.
+
+[Illustration: Slave Ship]
+
+[Illustration: Slave Ship]
+
+[Illustration: Slave Ship]
+
+[Illustration: Slave Ship]
+
+Such was the picture which the committee were obliged to draw, if they
+regarded mathematical accuracy, of the room allotted to the slaves in
+this vessel. By this picture was exhibited the nature of the Elysium
+which Mr. Norris and others had invented for them during their
+transportation from their own country. By this picture were seen also
+the advantages of Sir William Dolben's bill; for many, on looking at the
+plate, considered the regulation itself as perfect barbarism. The
+advantages, however, obtained by it were considerable; for the Brookes
+was now restricted to 450 slaves, whereas it was proved that she carried
+609 in a former voyage.
+
+The committee, at the conclusion of the session of parliament, made a
+suitable report. It will be unnecessary to detail this, for obvious
+reasons. There was, however, one thing contained in it, which ought
+not to be omitted. It stated, with appropriate concern, the death of
+the first controversial writer, and of one of the most able and
+indefatigable labourers in their cause. Mr. Ramsay had been for some
+time indisposed. The climate of the West Indies, during a residence of
+twenty years, and the agitation in which his mind had been kept for
+the last four years of his life, in consequence of the virulent
+attacks on his word and character by those interested in the
+continuance of the trade, had contributed to undermine his
+constitution. During his whole illness he was cheerful and composed;
+nor did he allow it to hinder him, severe as it was, from taking any
+opportunity which offered, of serving those unhappy persons for whose
+injuries he had so deeply felt. A few days only before he died, I
+received from him probably the last letter he ever wrote, of which the
+following is an extract:
+
+    "My health has certainly taken a most alarming turn; and, if
+    some considerable alteration does not take place for the
+    better in a very little time, it will be all over with me: I
+    mean as to the present life. I have lost all appetite, and
+    suffer grievously from an almost continual pain in my
+    stomach, which leaves me no enjoyment of myself, but such as
+    I can collect from my own reflections, and the comforts of
+    religion. I am glad the bill for the abolition is in such
+    forwardness. Whether it goes through the house or not, the
+    discussion attending it will have a most beneficial effect.
+    The whole of this business I think now to be in such a train,
+    as to enable me to bid farewell to the present scene with the
+    satisfaction of not having lived in vain, and of having done
+    something towards the improvement of our common nature; and
+    this at no little expense of time and reputation. The little
+    I have now written is my utmost effort; yet yesterday I
+    thought it necessary to write an answer to a scurrilous libel
+    in _The Diary_ by one Scipio. On my own account he should
+    have remained unnoticed; but our great cause must be kept
+    unsullied."
+
+Mr. Ramsay was a man of active habit, of diligence and perseverance in
+his undertakings, and of extraordinary application. He was of mild and
+humble manners. He possessed a strong understanding, with great
+coolness and courage. Patriotism and public spirit were striking
+traits in his character. In domestic life he was amiable: in the
+ministry, exemplary and useful; and he died to the great regret of his
+parishioners; but most of all to that of those who moved with him in
+his attempts to bring about the important event of the abolition of
+the Slave Trade.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+Continuation from July 1789 to July 1790.--Author travels to Paris to
+promote the abolition in France; attends the committees of the Friends
+of the Negroes.--Counter-attempts of the committee of White
+Colonists.--An account of the deputies of Colour.--Meeting at the Duke
+de la Rochefoucauld's.--Mirabeau espouses the cause; canvasses the
+National Assembly.--Distribution of the section of the slave-ship
+there.--Character of Brissot.--Author leaves Paris and returns to
+England.--Examination of merchants' and planters' evidence resumed in
+the House of Commons.--Author travels in search of evidence in favour
+of the abolition; opposition to the hearing of it.--This evidence is
+at length introduced.--Renewal of Sir William Dolben's
+bill.--Distribution of the section of the slave-ship in England; and
+of Cowper's Negro's Complaint; and of Wedgewood's Cameos.
+
+
+We usually find, as we give ourselves up to reflection, some little
+mitigation of the afflictions we experience; and yet of the evils
+which come upon us, some are often so heavy as to overpower the
+sources of consolation for a time, and to leave us wretched. This was
+nearly our situation at the close of the last session of parliament.
+It would be idle not to confess that circumstances had occurred which
+wounded us deeply. Though we had foiled our opponents at their own
+weapons, and had experienced the uninterrupted good wishes and support
+of the public, we had the great mortification to see the enthusiasm of
+members of parliament beginning to cool; to see a question of humanity
+and justice (for such it was when it was delivered into their hands)
+verging towards that of commercial calculation; and finally to see
+regulation, as it related to it, in the way of being substituted for
+abolition; but most of all were we affected, knowing as we did the
+nature and the extent of the sufferings belonging to the Slave Trade,
+that these should be continued to another year. This last
+consideration almost overpowered me. It had fallen to my lot, more
+than to that of any other person, to know these evils, and I seemed
+almost inconsolable at the postponement of the question. I wondered
+how members of parliament, and these Englishmen, could talk as they
+did on this subject; how they could bear for a moment to consider
+their fellow-man as an article of trade; and how they should not count
+even the delay of an hour, which occasioned so much misery to
+continue, as one of the most criminal actions of their lives.
+
+It was in vain, however, to sink under our burdens. Grief could do no
+good; and if our affairs had taken an unfavourable turn, the question
+was, how to restore them. It was sufficiently obvious that, if our
+opponents were left to themselves, or without any counteracting
+evidence, they would considerably soften down the propositions, if not
+invalidate them in the minds of many. They had such a power of selection
+of witnesses, that they could bring men forward who might say with truth
+that they had seen but very few of the evils complained of, and these in
+an inferior degree. We knew, also, from the example of the Liverpool
+delegates, how interest and prejudice could blind the eyes, and how
+others might be called upon to give their testimony, who would dwell
+upon the comforts of the Africans when they came into our power; on the
+sprinkling of their apartments with frankincense; on the promotion of
+music and the dance among them; and on the health and festivity of their
+voyages. It seemed, therefore, necessary that we should again be looking
+out for evidence on the part of the abolition. Nor did it seem to me to
+be unreasonable, if our opponents were allowed to come forward in a new
+way, because it was more constitutional, that we should be allowed the
+same privilege. By these means the evidence, of which we had now lost
+the use, might be restored; indifference might be fanned into warmth;
+commercial calculation might be overpowered by justice; and abolition,
+rising above the reach of the cry of regulation, might eventually
+triumph.
+
+I communicated my ideas to the committee, and offered to go round the
+kingdom to accomplish this object. The committee had themselves been
+considering what measures to take, and as each in his own mind had come
+to conclusions similar with my own, my proposal was no sooner made than
+adopted.
+
+I had not been long upon this journey when I was called back. Mr.
+Wilberforce, always solicitous for the good of this great cause, was of
+opinion that, as commotions had taken place in France, which then aimed
+at political reforms, it was possible that the leading persons concerned
+in them might, if an application were made to them judiciously, be
+induced to take the Slave Trade into their consideration, and
+incorporate it among the abuses to be done away. Such a measure, if
+realized, would not only lessen the quantity of human suffering, but
+annihilate a powerful political argument against us. He had a
+conference, therefore, with the committee on this subject; and, as they
+accorded with his opinion, they united with him in writing a letter to
+me, to know if I would change my journey, and proceed to France.
+
+As I had no object in view but the good of the cause, it was immaterial
+to me where I went, if I could but serve it; and therefore, without any
+further delay, I returned to London.
+
+As accounts had arrived in England of the excesses which had taken place
+in the city of Paris, and of the agitated state of the provinces through
+which I was to pass, I was desired by several of my friends to change my
+name. To this I could not consent; and, on consulting the committee,
+they were decidedly against it.
+
+I was introduced as quickly as possible, on my arrival at Paris, to the
+friends of the cause there, to the Duke de la Rochefoucauld, the Marquis
+de Condorcet, Messieurs Petion de Villeneuve, Claviere, and Brissot, and
+to the Marquis de la Fayette. The latter received me with peculiar marks
+of attention. He had long felt for the wrongs of Africa, and had done
+much to prevent them. He had a plantation in Cayenne, and had devised a
+plan, by which the labourers upon it should pass by degrees from slavery
+to freedom! With this view he had there laid it down as a principle,
+that all crimes were equal, whether they were committed by Blacks or
+Whites, and ought equally to be punished. As the human mind is of such a
+nature, as to be acted upon by rewards as well as punishments, he
+thought it unreasonable, that the slaves should have no advantage from a
+stimulus from the former. He laid it down therefore as another
+principle, that temporal profits should follow virtuous action. To this
+he subjoined a reasonable education to be gradually given. By
+introducing such principles, and by making various regulations for the
+protection and comforts of the slaves, he thought he could prove to the
+planters, that there was no necessity for the Slave Trade; that the
+slaves upon all their estates would increase sufficiently by population;
+that they might be introduced gradually, and without detriment, to a
+state of freedom; and that then the real interests of all would be most
+promoted. This system he had began to act upon two years before I saw
+him. He had also, when the society was established in Paris, which took
+the name of "The Friends of the Negroes," enrolled himself a member of
+it.
+
+The first public steps taken after my arrival in Paris were at a
+committee of the Friends of the Negroes, which was but thinly attended.
+None of those mentioned, except Brissot, were present. It was resolved
+there, that the committee should solicit an audience of Mr. Necker; and
+that I should wait upon him, accompanied by a deputation consisting of
+the Marquis de Condorcet, Monsieur de Bourge, and Brissot de Warville:
+secondly, that the committee should write to the president of the
+National Assembly, and request the favour of him to appoint a day for
+hearing the cause of the Negroes; and thirdly, that it should be
+recommended to the committee in London to draw up a petition to the
+National Assembly of France, praying for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade by that country. This petition, it was observed, was to be signed
+by as great a number of the friends to the cause in England, as could be
+procured. It was then to be sent to the committee at Paris, who would
+take it in a body to the place of its destination.
+
+I found great delicacy as a stranger in making my observations upon
+these resolutions, and yet I thought I ought not to pass them over
+wholly in silence, but particularly the last. I therefore rose up, and
+stated that there was one resolution, of which I did not quite see the
+propriety; but this might arise from my ignorance of the customs, as
+well as of the genius and spirit of the French people. It struck me that
+an application from a little committee in England to the National
+Assembly of France was not a dignified measure, nor was it likely to
+have weight with such a body. It was, besides, contrary to all the
+habits of propriety in which I had been educated. The British Parliament
+did not usually receive petitions from the subjects of other nations. It
+was this feeling which had induced me thus to speak.
+
+To these observations it was replied, that the National Assembly of
+France would glory in going contrary to the example of other nations in
+a case of generosity and justice, and that the petition in question, if
+it could be obtained, would have an influence there, which the people of
+England, unacquainted with the sentiments of the French nation, would
+hardly credit.
+
+To this I had only to reply, that I would communicate the measure to the
+committee in London, but that I could not be answerable for the part
+they would take in it.
+
+By an answer received from Mr. Necker, relative to the first of these
+resolutions, it appeared that the desired interview had been obtained;
+but he granted it only for a few minutes, and this principally to show
+his good-will to the cause: for he was then so oppressed with business
+in his own department, that he had but little time for any other. He
+wrote to me, however, the next day, and desired my company to dinner. He
+then expressed a wish to me, that any business relative to the Slave
+Trade might be managed by ourselves as individuals, and that I would
+take the opportunity of dining with him occasionally for this purpose.
+By this plan, he said, both of us would save time. Madame Necker, also,
+promised to represent her husband, if I should call in his absence, and
+to receive me, and converse with me on all occasions in which this great
+cause of humanity and religion might be concerned.
+
+With respect to the other resolutions, nothing ever came of them; for we
+waited daily for an answer from the president during the whole of his
+presidency, but we never received any; and the committee in London, when
+they had read my letter, desired me unequivocally to say, that they did
+not see the propriety of the petition which it had been recommended to
+them to obtain.
+
+At the next meeting it was resolved, that a letter should be written to
+the new president for the same purpose as the former. This, it was said,
+was now rendered essentially necessary; for the merchants, planters, and
+others interested in the continuance of the Slave Trade, were so alarmed
+at the enthusiasm of the French people in favour of the new order of
+things, and of any change recommended to them, which had the appearance
+of prompting the cause of liberty, that they held daily committees to
+watch and to thwart the motions of the friends of the Negroes. It was
+therefore thought proper, that the appeal to the Assembly should be
+immediate on this subject, before the feelings of the people should
+cool, or before they, who were thus interested, should poison the minds
+by calculations of loss and gain. The silence of the former president
+was already attributed to the intrigues of the planters' committee. No
+time therefore was to be lost. The letter was accordingly written, but
+as no answer was ever returned to it, they attributed this second
+omission to the same cause.
+
+I do not really know whether interested persons ever did, as was
+suspected, intercept the letters of the committee to the two presidents
+as now surmised; or whether they ever dissuaded them from introducing so
+important a question for discussion, when the nation was in such a
+heated state; but certain it is, that we had many, and I believe
+barbarous, enemies to encounter. At the very next meeting of the
+committee, Claviere produced anonymous letters which he had received,
+and in which it was stated that, if the society of the Friends of the
+Negroes did not dissolve itself, he and the rest of them would be
+stabbed. It was said that no less than three hundred persons had
+associated themselves for this purpose. I had received similar letters
+myself; and on producing mine, and comparing the handwriting in both it
+appeared that the same persons had written.
+
+In a few days after this, the public prints were filled with the most
+malicious representations of the views of the committee. One of them
+was, that they were going to send twelve thousand muskets to the Negroes
+in St. Domingo, in order to promote an insurrection there. This
+declaration was so industriously circulated, that a guard of soldiers
+was sent to search the committee-room; but these were soon satisfied
+when they found only two or three books and some waste paper. Reports
+equally unfounded and wicked were spread also in the same papers
+relative to myself. My name was mentioned at full length, and the place
+of my abode hinted at. It was stated at one time, that I had proposed
+such wild and mischievous plans to the committee in London relative to
+the abolition of the Slave Trade, that they had cast me out of their own
+body, and that I had taken refuge in Paris, where I now tried to impose
+equally on the French nation. It was stated at another, that I was
+employed by the British government as a spy, and that it was my object
+to try to undermine the noble constitution which was then forming for
+France. This latter report, at this particular time, when the passions
+of men were so inflamed, and when the stones of Paris had not been long
+purified from the blood of Foulon and Berthier, might have cost me my
+life; and I mentioned it to General la Fayette, and solicited his
+advice. He desired me to make a public reply to it: which I did. He
+desired me also to change my lodging to the Hotel de Yorck, that I might
+be nearer to him; and to send to him if there should be any appearance
+of a collection of people about the hotel, and I should have aid from
+the military in his quarter. He said, also, that he would immediately
+give in my name to the Municipality; and that he would pledge himself to
+them, that my views were strictly honourable.
+
+On dining one day at the house of the Marquis de la Fayette, I met the
+deputies of colour. They had arrived only the preceding day from St.
+Domingo, I was desired to take my seat at dinner in the midst of them.
+They were six in number; of a sallow or swarthy complexion, but yet it
+was not darker than that of some of the natives of the south of France.
+They were already in the uniform of the Parisian National Guards; and
+one of them wore the cross of St. Louis. They were men of genteel
+appearance and modest behaviour. They seemed to be well informed, and of
+a more solid cast than those whom I was in the habit of seeing daily in
+this city. The account which they gave of themselves was this. The white
+people of St. Domingo consisting of less than ten thousand persons, had
+deputies then sitting in the National Assembly. The people of colour in
+the same island greatly exceeded the whites in number. They amounted to
+thirty thousand, and were generally proprietors of lands. They were
+equally free by law with the former, and paid their taxes to the
+mother-country in an equal proportion. But in consequence of having
+sprung from slaves they had no legislative power, and moreover were
+treated with great contempt. Believing that the mother-country was going
+to make a change in its political constitution, they had called a
+meeting on the island, and this meeting had deputed them to repair to
+France, and to desire the full rights of citizens, or that the free
+people of colour might be put upon an equality with the whites. They
+(the deputies) had come in consequence. They had brought with them a
+present of six millions of livres to the National Assembly, and an
+appointment to General la Fayette to be commander-in-chief over their
+constituents, as a distinct body. This command, they said, the general
+had accepted, though he had declined similar honours from every town in
+France, except Paris, in order to show that he patronized their cause.
+
+I was now very anxious to know the sentiments which these gentlemen
+entertained on the subject of the Slave Trade. If they were with us,
+they might be very useful to us; not only by their votes in the
+Assembly, but by the knowledge of facts which they would be able to
+adduce there in our favour. If they were against us, it became me to be
+upon my guard against them, and to take measures accordingly. I
+therefore stated to them at once the nature of my errand to France, and
+desired their opinion upon it. This they gave me without reserve. They
+broke out into lavish commendations of my conduct, and called me their
+friend. The Slave Trade, they said, was the parent of all the miseries
+in St. Domingo, not only on account of the cruel treatment it occasioned
+to the slaves, but on account of the discord which it constantly kept up
+between the whites and people of colour, in consequence of the hateful
+distinctions it introduced. These distinctions could never be
+obliterated while it lasted. Indeed both the trade and the slavery must
+fall, before the infamy, now fixed upon a skin of colour, could be so
+done away, that whites and blacks could meet cordially, and look with
+respect upon one another. They had it in their instructions, in case
+they should obtain a seat in the Assembly, to propose, an immediate
+abolition of the Slave Trade, and an immediate amelioration of the state
+of slavery also, with a view to its final abolition in fifteen years.
+
+But time was flying apace; I had now been nearly seven weeks in Paris,
+and had done nothing. The thought of this made me uneasy, and I saw no
+consoling prospect before me. I found it even difficult to obtain a
+meeting of the Friends of the Negroes. The Marquis de la Fayette had no
+time to attend. Those of the committee, who were members of the National
+Assembly, were almost constantly engaged at Versailles. Such of them as
+belonged to the Municipality, had enough to do at the Hotel deVille.
+Others were employed either in learning the use of arms, or in keeping
+their daily and nightly guards. These circumstances made me almost
+despair of doing anything for the cause at Paris, at least in any
+reasonable time. But a new circumstance occurred, which distressed me
+greatly; for I discovered, in the most satisfactory manner, that two out
+of the six at the last committee were spies. They had come into the
+society for no other reason than to watch and report its motions; and
+they were in direct correspondence with the slave-merchants at Havre de
+Grace. This matter I brought home to them afterwards, and I had the
+pleasure of seeing them excluded from all our future meetings.
+
+From this time I thought it expedient to depend less upon the committee,
+and more upon my own exertions; and I formed the resolution of going
+among the members of the National Assembly myself, and of learning from
+their own mouths the hope I ought to entertain relative to the decision
+of our question. In the course of my endeavours I obtained a promise
+from the Duke de la Rochefoucauld, the Comte de Mirabeau the Abbe
+Sieyes, Monsieur Bergasse, and Monsieur Petion de Villeneuve, five of
+the most approved members of the National Assembly, that they would meet
+me if I would fix a day. I obtained a similar promise from the Marquis
+de Condorcet, and Claviere and Brissot, as members selected from the
+committee of the Friends of the Negroes. And Messieurs de Roveray and Du
+Monde, two Genevese gentlemen at Versailles, men of considerable
+knowledge and interest, and who had heard of our intended meeting, were
+to join us at their own request. The place chosen was the house of the
+Bishop of Chartres at Versailles.
+
+I was now in hope that I should soon bring the question to some issue;
+and on the 4th of October I went to dine with the Bishop of Chartres to
+fix the day. We appointed the 7th. But how soon, frequently, do our
+prospects fade! From the conversation which took place at dinner, I
+began to fear that our meeting would not be realised. About three days
+before, the officers of the Garde du Corps had given the memorable
+banquet, recorded in the annals of the revolution, to the officers of
+the regiment of Flanders, which then lay at Versailles. This was a topic
+on which the company present dwelt. They condemned it as a most fatal
+measure in these heated times; and were apprehensive that something
+would grow immediately out of it, which might endanger the king's
+safety. In passing afterwards through the streets of Versailles my fears
+increased. I met several of that regiment in groups. Some were
+brandishing their swords. Others were walking arm in arm, and singing
+tumultuously. Others were standing and conversing earnestly together.
+Among the latter I heard one declare with great vehemence, "that it
+should not be; that the revolution must go on." On my arrival at Paris
+in the evening, the Palais Royal was full of people; and there were
+movements and buzzings among them, as if something was expected to
+happen. The next day, when I went into the streets, it was obvious what
+was going to take place. Suffice it to say, that the next evening the
+king and queen were brought prisoners into Paris. After this, things
+were in such an unsettled state for a few days, and the members of the
+National Assembly were so occupied in the consideration of the event
+itself, and of the consequences which might attend it, that my little
+meeting, of which it had cost me so much time and trouble to procure the
+appointment, was entirely prevented.
+
+I had now to wait patiently till a new opportunity should occur. The
+Comte de Mirabeau, before the departure of the king, had moved, and
+carried the resolution, that "the Assembly was inseparable from his
+majesty's person." It was expected, therefore, that the National
+Assembly would immediately transfer its sittings to Paris. This took
+place on the 19th. It was now more easy for me to bring persons
+together, than when I had to travel backward and forward to Versailles.
+Accordingly, by watching my opportunities, I obtained the promise of
+another meeting. This was held afterwards at the Duke de la
+Rochefoucauld's. The persons before mentioned were present; except the
+Comte de Mirabeau, whose occupations at that moment made it utterly
+impossible for him to attend.
+
+The duke opened the business in an appropriate manner; and concluded, by
+desiring each person to give his opinion frankly and unequivocally as to
+what might be expected of the National Assembly relative to the great
+measure of the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+The Abbe Sieyes rose up, and said it would probably bring the business
+within a shorter compass if, instead of discussing this proposition at
+large, I were to put to the meeting my own questions. I accordingly
+accepted this offer, and began by asking those present "how long it was
+likely that the present National Assembly would sit?" After some
+conversation, it was replied that "it would sit till it had completed
+the constitution, and interwoven such fixed principles into it, that the
+legislature which should succeed it might have nothing more to do than
+to proceed on the ordinary business of the state. Its dissolution would
+probably not take place till the month of March."
+
+I then asked them, "whether it was their opinion that the National
+Assembly would feel itself authorized to take up such a foreign question
+(if I might be allowed the expression) as that of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade." The answer to this was, "that the object of the National
+Assembly was undoubtedly the formation of a constitution for the French
+people. With respect to foreign possessions, it was very doubtful
+whether it were the real interest of France to have any colonies at all;
+but while it kept such colonies under its dominion, the assembly would
+feel that it had the right to take up this question; and that the
+question itself would naturally spring out of the bill of rights, which
+had already been adopted as the basis of the constitution."
+
+The next question I proposed was, "whether they were of opinion that the
+National Assembly would do more wisely, in the present situation of
+things, to determine upon the abolition of the Slave Trade now, or to
+transfer it to the legislature, which was to succeed it in the month of
+March."
+
+This question gave birth to a long discussion, during which much
+eloquence was displayed; but the unanimous answer, with the reasons for
+it, may be conveyed in substance as follows:--"It would be most wise,"
+it was said, "in the present Assembly, to introduce the question to the
+notice of the nation, and this as essentially connected with the bill of
+rights, but to transfer the determination of it, in a way the best
+calculated to ensure success, to the succeeding legislature. The
+revolution was of more importance to Frenchmen than the abolition of the
+Slave Trade. To secure this was their first object, and more
+particularly because the other would naturally flow from it; but the
+revolution might be injured by the immediate determination of the
+question. Many persons in the large towns of Bourdeaux, Marseilles,
+Rouen, Nantes, and Havre, who were now friends to it, might be converted
+into enemies. It would also be held up by those who wished to produce a
+counter-revolution, (and the ignorant and prejudiced might believe it,)
+that the Assembly had made a great sacrifice to England by thus giving
+her an opportunity of enlarging her trade. The English House of Commons
+had taken up the subject, but had done nothing; and though they, who
+were then present, were convinced of the sincerity of the English
+minister who had introduced it, and that the trade must ultimately fall
+in England, yet it would not be easy to persuade many bigoted persons in
+France of these truths. It would, therefore, be most wise in the
+Assembly only to introduce the subject as mentioned; but if
+extraordinary circumstances should arise, such as a decree that the
+deputies of Colour should take their seats in the Assembly, or that
+England should have begun this great work, advantage might be taken of
+them, and the abolition of the Slave Trade might be resolved upon in the
+present session."
+
+The last question I proposed was this:--"If the determination of this
+great question should be proposed to the next legislature, would it be
+more difficult to carry it then than now?"
+
+This question also produced much conversation; but the answer was
+unanimous, "that there would be no greater difficulty in the one than in
+the other case; for that the people would daily more and more admire
+their constitution; that this constitution would go down to the next
+legislature, from whence would issue solid and fixed principles, which
+would be resorted to as a standard for decision on all occasions. Hence
+the Slave Trade, which would be adjudged by it also, could not possibly
+stand. Add to which, that the most virtuous members in the present would
+be chosen into the new legislature, which, if the constitution were but
+once fairly established, would not regard the murmurs of any town or
+province." After this a desultory conversation took place, in which some
+were of opinion that it would be proper, on the introduction of the
+subject into the Assembly, to move for a committee of inquiry, which
+should collect facts and documents against the time when it should be
+taken up with a view to its final discussion.
+
+As it now appeared to me that nothing material would be done with
+respect to our cause till after the election of the new legislature, I
+had thoughts of returning to England to resume my journey in quest of
+evidence; but I judged it right to communicate first with the Comte de
+Mirabeau and the Marquis de la Fayette, both of whom would have attended
+the meeting just mentioned, if unforeseen circumstances had not
+prevented them.
+
+On conversing with the first, I found that he differed from those whom I
+had consulted. He thought that the question, on account of the nature
+and urgency of it, ought to be decided in the present legislature. This
+was so much his opinion, that he had made a determination to introduce
+it there himself; and had been preparing for his motion. He had already
+drawn up the outlines of a speech for the purpose; but was in want of
+circumstantial knowledge to complete it. With this knowledge he desired
+me to furnish him. He then put his speech into my hand, and wished me to
+take it home and peruse it. He wrote down, also, some questions, and he
+gave them to me directly afterwards, and begged I would answer them at
+my leisure.
+
+On conversing with the latter, he said, "that he believed with those of
+the meeting that there would be no greater difficulty in carrying the
+question in the succeeding than in the present legislature; but this
+consideration afforded an argument for the immediate discussion of it;
+for it would make a considerable difference to suffering humanity
+whether it were to be decided now or then. This was the moment to be
+taken to introduce it; nor did he think that they ought to be deterred
+from doing it by any supposed clamours from some of the towns in France.
+The great body of the people admired the constitution, and would support
+any decisions which were made in strict conformity to its principles.
+With respect to any committee of inquiry, he deprecated it. The Slave
+Trade, he said, was not a trade. It dishonoured the name of commerce. It
+was piracy. But if so, the question which it involved was a question of
+justice only; and it could not be decided, with propriety by any other
+standard." I then informed him that the Comte de Mirabeau had undertaken
+to introduce it into the Assembly. At this he expressed his uneasiness.
+"Mirabeau," says he, "is a host in himself; and I should not be
+surprised if by his own eloquence and popularity only he were to carry
+it; and yet I regret that he has taken the lead in it. The cause is so
+lovely that even ambition, abstractedly considered, is too impure to
+take it under its protection, and not to sully it. It should have been
+placed in the hands of the most virtuous man in France. This man is the
+Duc de la Rochefoucauld. But you cannot alter things now. You cannot
+take it out of his hands. I am sure he will be second to no one on this
+occasion."
+
+On my return to my hotel, I perused the outlines of the speech which the
+Comte de Mirabeau had lent me. It afforded a masterly knowledge of the
+evils of the trade, as drawn from reason only. It was put together in
+the most striking and affecting manner. It contained an almost
+irresistible appeal to his auditors by frequent references to the
+ancient system of things in France, and to their situation and prospects
+under the new. It flowed at first gently like a river in a level
+country; but it grew afterwards into a mountain-torrent, and carried
+everything before it. On looking at the questions which he had written
+down for me, I found them consist of three. 1. What are the different
+ways of reducing to slavery the inhabitants of that part of Africa which
+is under the dominion of France? 2. What is the state of society there
+with respect to government, industry, and the arts? 3. What are the
+various evils belonging to the transportation of the Africans from their
+own country?
+
+It was peculiarly agreeable to me to find, on reading the first two
+questions, that I had formed an acquaintance with Monsieur Geoffroy de
+Villeneuve, who had been aide-du-camp to the Chevalier de Boufflers at
+Goree; but who was then at his father's house in Paris. This gentleman
+had entertained Dr. Spaarman and Mr. Wadstrom; and had accompanied them
+up the Senegal, when under the protection of the French government in
+Africa. He had confirmed to me the testimony which they had given before
+the privy council: but he had a fund of information on this subject,
+which went far beyond what these possessed, or I had ever yet collected
+from books or men. He had travelled all over the kingdom of Cayor on
+foot; and had made a map of it. His information was so important, that I
+had been with him for almost days together to take it down. I
+determined, therefore, to arrange the facts which I had obtained from
+him, of which I had now a volume, that I might answer the two first
+questions, which had been proposed to me; for it was of great importance
+to the Comte de Mirabeau, that he should be able to appeal, in behalf of
+the statements in his speech to the Assembly, to an evidence on the
+spot.
+
+In the course of my correspondence with the Comte, which continued with
+but little intermission for six weeks, many circumstances took place,
+which were connected with the cause, and which I shall now detail in
+their order.
+
+On waiting upon Mr. Necker, at his own request, he gave me the pleasing
+intelligence, that the committee of finances, which was then composed of
+members of the National Assembly, had resolved, though they had not yet
+promulgated their resolution, upon a total abolition of all the bounties
+then in existence in favour of the Slave Trade.
+
+The Deputies of Colour now began to visit me at my own hotel. They
+informed me, that they had been admitted, since they had seen me, into
+the National Assembly. On stating their claims, the president assured
+them, that they might take courage; for that the assembly knew no
+distinction between Blacks and Whites, but considered all men as having
+equal rights. This speech of the president, they said, had roused all
+the White Colonists in Paris. Some of these had openly insulted them.
+They had held also a meeting on the subject of this speech; at which
+they had worked themselves up so as to become quite furious. Nothing but
+intrigue was now going forward among them to put off the consideration
+of the claims of the free People of Colour. They, the deputies, had been
+flattered by the prospect of a hearing no less than six times; and, when
+the day arrived, something had constantly occurred to prevent it.
+
+At a subsequent interview, they appeared to be quite disheartened; and
+to be grievously disappointed as to the object of their mission. They
+were now sure, that they should never be able to make head against the
+intrigues and plots of the White Colonists. Day after day had been fixed
+as before for the hearing of their cause. Day after day it had been
+deferred in like manner. They were now weary with waiting. One of them,
+Oge, could not contain himself, but broke out with great warmth--"I
+begin," says he, "not to care whether the National Assembly will admit
+us or not. But let it beware of the consequences. We will no longer
+continue to be beheld in a degraded light. Dispatches shall go directly
+to St. Domingo; and we will soon follow them. We can produce as good
+soldiers on our estates, as those in France. Our own arms shall make us
+independent and respectable. If we are once forced to desperate
+measures, it will be in vain that thousands will be sent across the
+Atlantic to bring us back to our former state." On hearing this, I
+entreated the deputies, to wait with patience. I observed to them, that
+in a great revolution, like that of France, things, but more
+particularly such as might be thought external, could not be discussed
+either so soon or so rapidly as men full of enthusiasm would wish.
+France would first take care of herself. She would then, I had no doubt,
+extend her care to her Colonies. Was not this a reasonable conclusion,
+when they, the deputies, had almost all the first men in the Assembly in
+their favour? I entreated them therefore to wait patiently; as well as
+upon another consideration, which was, that by an imprudent conduct they
+might not only ruin their own cause in France, but bring indescribable
+misery upon their native land.
+
+By this time a large packet, for which I had sent, from England arrived.
+It consisted of above a thousand of the plan and section of a
+slave-ship, with an explanation in French. It contained, also, about
+five hundred coloured engravings, made from two views, which Mr.
+Wadstrom had taken in Africa. The first of these represented the town of
+Joal, and the king's military on horseback returning to it, after having
+executed the great pillage, with their slaves. The other represented the
+village of Bain; from whence ruffians were forcing a poor woman and her
+children to sell them to a ship, which was then lying in the Roads. Both
+these scenes Mr. Wadstrom had witnessed. I had collected, also, by this
+time, one thousand of my Essays on the _Impolicy of the Slave Trade_,
+which had been translated into the French language. These I now wished
+to distribute, as preparatory to the motion of Mirabeau, among the
+National Assembly. This distribution was afterwards undertaken and
+effected by the Archbishop of Aix, the Bishop of Chartres, the Marquis
+de la Fayette, the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, the Comte de Mirabeau,
+Monsieur Necker, the Marquis de Condorcet, Messieurs Petion de
+Villeneuve, Bergasse, Claviere and Brissot, and by the Marchioness de la
+Fayette, Madame Necker, and Madame de Poivre, the latter of whom was the
+widow of the late intendant of the Isle of France.
+
+This distribution had not been long begun, before I witnessed its
+effects. The virtuous Abbe Gregoire, and several members of the National
+Assembly, called upon me. The section of the slave-ship, it appeared,
+had been the means of drawing them towards me. They wished for more
+accurate information concerning it. Indeed, it made its impression upon
+all who saw it. The Bishop of Chartres once told me, that, when he first
+espoused our cause, he did it at once; for it seemed obvious to him that
+no one could, under the Christian dispensation, hold another as his
+slave; and it was no less obvious, where such an unnatural state
+existed, that there would be great abuses; but that, nevertheless, he
+had not given credit to all the tales which had been related of the
+Slave Trade, till he had seen this plate; after which there was nothing
+so barbarous which might not readily be believed. The Archbishop of Aix,
+when I first showed him the same plate, was so struck with horror, that
+he could scarcely speak: and when Mirabeau first saw it, he was so
+impressed by it, that he ordered a mechanic to make a model of it in
+wood, at a considerable expense. This model he kept afterwards in his
+dining-room. It was a ship in miniature, about a yard long, and little
+wooden men and women, which were painted black to represent the slaves,
+were seen stowed in their proper places.
+
+But while the distribution of these different articles thus contributed
+to make us many friends, it called forth the extraordinary exertions of
+our enemies. The merchants and others interested in the continuance of
+the Slave Trade wrote letters to the Archbishop of Aix, beseeching him
+not to ruin France; which he would inevitably do, if, as then president,
+he were to grant a day for hearing the question of the abolition. Offers
+of money were made to Mirabeau from the same quarter, if he would
+totally abandon his motion. An attempt was made to establish a colonial
+committee, consisting of such planters as were members of the National
+Assembly, upon whom it should devolve to consider and report upon all
+matters relating to the Colonies, before they could be determined there.
+Books were circulated in abundance in opposition to mine. Resort was
+again had to the public papers, as the means of raising a hue and cry
+against the principles of the Friends of the Negroes. I was again
+denounced as a spy; and as one sent by the English minister to bribe
+members in the Assembly to do that in a time of public agitation, which
+in the settled state of France they could never have been prevailed upon
+to accomplish. And as a proof that this was my errand, it was requested
+of every Frenchman to put to himself the following question, "How it
+happened that England, which had considered the subject coolly and
+deliberately for eighteen months, and this in a state of internal peace
+and quietness, had not abolished the Slave Trade?"
+
+The clamour which was now made against the abolition pervaded all Paris,
+and reached the ears of the king; Mr. Necker had a long conversation
+with him upon it; the latter sent for me immediately. He informed me
+that His Majesty was desirous of making himself master of the question,
+and had expressed a wish to see my _Essay on the Impolicy of the Slave
+Trade_; he desired to have two copies of it, one in French, and the
+other in English, and he would then take his choice as to which of them
+he would read; he (Mr. Necker) was to present them. He would take with
+him, also, at the same time, the beautiful specimens of the manufactures
+of the Africans, which I had lent to Madame Necker out of the cabinet of
+Monsieur Geoffroy de Villeneuve and others; as to the section of the
+slave-ship, he thought it would affect His Majesty too much, as he was
+then indisposed. All these articles, except the latter, were at length
+presented; the king bestowed a good deal of time upon the specimens; he
+admired them, but particularly those in gold. He expressed his surprise
+at the state of some of the arts in Africa. He sent them back on the
+same day on which he had examined them, and commissioned Mr. Necker to
+return me his thanks, and to say that he had been highly gratified with
+what he had seen; and with respect to the _Essay on the Impolicy of the
+Slave Trade_, that he would read it with all the seriousness which such
+a subject deserved.
+
+My correspondence with the Comte de Mirabeau was now drawing near to its
+close. I had sent him a letter every other day for a whole month, which
+contained from sixteen to twenty pages; he usually acknowledged the
+receipt of each; hence many of his letters came into my possession:
+these were always interesting, on account of the richness of the
+expressions they contained. Mirabeau even in his ordinary discourse was
+eloquent; it was his peculiar talent to use such words, that they who
+heard them were almost led to believe that he had taken great pains to
+cull them for the occasion. But this his ordinary language was the
+language also of his letters; and as they show a power of expression, by
+which the reader may judge of the character of the eloquence of one, who
+was then undoubtedly the greatest orator in France, I have thought it
+not improper to submit one of them to his perusal in the annexed
+note[A]. I could have wished, as far as it relates to myself, that it
+had been less complimentary. It must be observed, however, that I had
+already written to him more than two hundred pages with my own hand; and
+as this was done at no small expense, time, and trouble, and solely to
+qualify him for the office of doing good, he could not but set some
+value upon my labours.
+
+[Footnote A: Je fais toujours mille remercimens plus empresses et plus
+affectueux a Monsieur Clarkson pour la vertueuse profusion de ses
+lumieres, de ses recherches, et de ses travaux. Comme ma motion, et tous
+ses developpemens sont entierement prets, j'attends avec une vive
+impatience ses nouvelles lettres, afin d'achever de classer les faits et
+les raisonnemens de Monsieur Clarkson, et, cette deduction entierement
+finie, de commencer a manoeuvrer en tactique le succes douteux de cette
+perilleuse proposition. J'aurai l'honneur de le recevoir Dimanche depuis
+onze heures, et meme dix du matin jusqu'a midi, non seulement avec un
+vif plaisir, mais avec une sensible reconnaissance. 25_th__Decembre_,
+1789.]
+
+When our correspondence was over, I had some conversation with him
+relative to fixing a day for the motion. But he judged it prudent,
+previously to this, to sound some of the members of the Assembly on the
+subject of it. This he did, but he was greatly disappointed at the
+result; there was not one member, out of all those with whom he
+conversed, who had not been canvassed by the planters' committee; and
+though most of them had been proof against all its intrigues and
+artifices, yet many of them hesitated respecting the abolition at that
+moment. There was a fear in some that they should injure the revolution
+by adopting it; others, who had no such fears, wished for the
+concurrence of England in the measure, and suggested the propriety of a
+deputation there for that purpose previously to the discussion of the
+question in France. While others maintained that, as England had done
+nothing, after having had it so long under consideration, it was fair to
+presume that she judged it impolitic to abandon the Slave Trade; but if
+France were to give it up, and England to continue it, how would
+humanity be the gainer?
+
+While the Comte de Mirabeau was continuing his canvass among the members
+of the National Assembly, relative to his motion, attempts were again
+made in the public papers to mislead them; emancipation was now stated
+to be the object of the friends of the negroes. This charge I repelled,
+by addressing myself to Monsieur Beauvet. I explained to him the views
+of the different societies which had taken up the cause of the Africans;
+and I desired him to show my letter to the planters. I was obliged also
+to answer publicly a letter by Monsieur Mosneron de Laung. This writer
+professed to detail the substance of the privy council report. He had
+the injustice to assert that three things had been distinctly proved
+there: First, that slavery had always existed in Africa; Secondly, that
+the natives were a bloody people, addicted to human sacrifice, and other
+barbarous customs; and, Thirdly, that their soil was incapable of
+producing any proper articles for commerce. From these premises he
+argued, as if they had been established by the unanimous and
+uncontradicted testimony of the witnesses; and he drew the conclusion,
+that not only had England done nothing in consequence, but that she
+never would do anything which should affect the existence of this trade.
+
+But these letters had only just made their appearance in the public
+papers, when I was summoned to England; parliament, it appeared, had
+met, and I was immediately to leave Paris. Among those of whom I had but
+just time to take leave, were the deputies of colour. At this, my last
+conference with them, I recommended moderation and forbearance, as the
+best gifts I could leave them; and I entreated them rather to give up
+their seats in the Assembly, than on that account to bring misery on
+their country; for that with patience their cause would ultimately
+triumph. They replied, that I had prescribed to them a most difficult
+task; they were afraid that neither the conduct of the white colonists
+nor of the National Assembly could be much longer borne; they thanked
+me, however, for my advice. One of them gave me a trinket, by which I
+might remember him; and as for himself, he said he should never forget
+one, who had taken such a deep interest in the welfare of his mother[A].
+I found, however, notwithstanding all I said, that there was a spirit of
+dissatisfaction in them, which nothing but a redress of their grievances
+could subdue; and that, if the planters should persevere in their
+intrigues, and the National Assembly in delay, a fire would be lighted
+up in St. Domingo, which could not easily be extinguished. This was
+afterwards realized: for Oge, in about three months from this time, left
+his companions, to report to his constituents in St. Domingo the state
+of their mission; when hearing, on his arrival in that island, of the
+outrageous conduct of the whites of the committee of Aquin, who had
+begun a persecution of the people of colour, for no other reason than
+that they had dared to seek the common privileges of citizens, and of
+the murder of Ferrand and Labadie, he imprudently armed his slaves. With
+a small but faithful band he rushed upon superior numbers, and was
+defeated; taking refuge at length in the Spanish part of St. Domingo, he
+was given up, and his enemies, to strike terror into the people of
+colour, broke him upon the wheel. From this time reconciliation between
+the parties became impossible; a bloody war commenced, and with it all
+those horrors which it has been our lot so frequently to deplore. It
+must be remembered, however, that the Slave Trade, by means of the cruel
+distinctions it occasioned, was the original cause; and though the
+revolution of France afforded the occasion, it was an occasion which
+would have been prevented, if it had not been for the intrigues and
+injustice of the whites.
+
+[Footnote A: Africa.]
+
+Another upon whom I had time to call was the amiable bishop of Chartres.
+When I left him, the Abbe Sieyes, who was with him, desired to walk with
+me to my hotel; he there presented me with a set of his works, which he
+sent for while he staid with me; and, on parting, he made use of this
+complimentary expression, in allusion, I suppose, to the cause I had
+undertaken,--"I am pleased to have been acquainted with the friend of
+man."
+
+It was necessary that I should see the Comte de Mirabeau and the Marquis
+de la Fayette before I left Paris, I had written to each of them to
+communicate the intelligence of my departure, as soon as I received it.
+The comte, it appeared had nearly canvassed the Assembly; he could count
+upon three hundred members, who, for the sake of justice, and without
+any consideration of policy or of consequences, would support his
+motion. But alas! what proportion did this number bear to twelve
+hundred! About five hundred more would support him, but only on one
+condition, which was, if England would give an unequivocal proof of her
+intention to abolish the trade. The knowledge of these circumstances, he
+said, had induced him to write a letter to Mr. Pitt. In this he had
+explained how far he could proceed without his assistance, and how far
+with it. He had frankly developed to him the mind and temper of the
+Assembly on this subject; but his answer must be immediate, for the
+white colonists were daily gaining such an influence there, that he
+forsaw that it would be impossible to carry the measure, if it were long
+delayed. On taking leave of him he desired me to be the bearer of the
+letter, and to present it to Mr. Pitt.
+
+On conversing with the Marquis de la Fayette, he lamented deeply the
+unexpected turn which the cause of the Negroes had lately taken in the
+Assembly. It was entirely owing to the daily intrigues of the White
+Colonists. He feared they would ruin everything. If the Deputies of
+Colour had been heard on their arrival, their rights would have been
+acknowledged. But now there was little probability that they would
+obtain them. He foresaw nothing but desolation in St. Domingo. With
+respect to the abolition of the Slave Trade, it might be yet carried;
+but not unless England would concur in the measure. On this topic he
+enlarged with much feeling. He hoped the day was near at hand, when two
+great nations, which had been hitherto distinguished only for their
+hostility, one toward the other, would unite in so sublime a measure;
+and that they would follow up their union by another, still more lovely,
+for the preservation of eternal and universal peace. Thus their future
+rivalships might have the extraordinary merit of being rivalships in
+good. Thus the revolution of France, through the mighty aid of England,
+might become the source of civilization, of freedom, and of happiness to
+the whole world. No other nations were sufficiently enlightened for such
+an union, but all other nations might be benefited by it.
+
+The last person whom I saw was Brissot. He accompanied me to my
+carriage. With him, therefore, I shall end my French account; and I
+shall end it in no way so satisfactory to myself, as in a very concise
+vindication of his character, from actual knowledge, against the attacks
+of those who have endeavoured to disparage it; but who never knew him.
+Justice and truth, I am convinced, demand some little declaration on
+this subject at my hands. Brissot then was a man of plain and modest
+appearance. His habits, contrary to those of his countrymen in general,
+were domestic. In his own family he set an amiable example, both as a
+husband and as a father. On all occasions he was a faithful friend. He
+was particularly watchful over his private conduct. From the simplicity
+of his appearance, and the severity of his morals, he was called "The
+Quaker;" at least in all the circles which I frequented. He was a man of
+deep feeling. He was charitable to the poor as far as a slender income
+permitted him. But his benevolence went beyond the usual bounds. He was
+no patriot in the ordinary acceptation of the word; for he took the
+habitable globe as his country and wished to consider every foreigner as
+his brother.
+
+I left France, as it may be easily imagined, much disappointed, that my
+labours, which had been of nearly six months continuance, should have
+had no better success; nor did I see, in looking forward, any
+circumstances that were consoling with respect to the issue of them
+there; for it was impossible that Mr. Pitt, even if he had been inclined
+to write to Mirabeau, circumstanced as matters then were with respect to
+the hearing of evidence, could have given him a promise, at least of a
+speedy abolition; and, unless his answer had been immediate, it would
+have arrived, seeing that the French planters were daily profiting by
+their intrigues, too late to be effectual.
+
+I had but just arrived in England, when Mr. Wilberforce made a new
+motion in the House of Commons on the subject of the Slave Trade. In
+referring to the transactions of the last session, he found that
+twenty-eight days had been allotted to the hearing of witnesses against
+the abolition, and that eleven persons only had been examined in that
+time. If the examinations were to go on in the same manner, they might
+be made to last for years. He resolved, therefore, to move, that,
+instead of hearing evidence in future in the house at large, members
+should hear it in an open committee above stairs; which committee should
+sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the house itself. This motion he
+made; and in doing it he took an opportunity of correcting an erroneous
+report; which was, that he had changed his mind on this great subject.
+This was, he said, so far from being the case, that the more he
+contemplated the trade, the more enormous he found it, and the more he
+felt himself compelled to persevere in endeavours for its abolition.
+
+One would have thought that a motion, so reasonable and so
+constitutional, would have met with the approbation of all; but it was
+vehemently opposed by Mr. Gascoyne, Alderman Newnham, and others. The
+plea set up was, that there was no precedent for referring a question of
+such importance to a committee. It was now obvious, that the real object
+of our opponents in abandoning decision by the privy council evidence
+was delay. Unable to meet us there, they were glad to fly to any
+measure, which should enable them to put off the evil day. This charge
+was fixed upon them in unequivocal language by Mr. Fox; who observed
+besides, that if the members of the house should then resolve to hear
+evidence in a committee of the whole house as before, it would amount to
+a resolution, that the question of the abolition of the Slave Trade
+should be put by, or at least that it should never be decided by them.
+After a long debate, the motion of Mr. Wilberforce was voted without a
+division; and the examination of witnesses proceeded in behalf of those
+who were interested in the continuance of the trade.
+
+This measure having been resolved upon, by which despatch in the
+examinations was promoted, I was alarmed lest we should be called upon
+for our own evidence, before we were fully prepared. The time which I
+had originally allotted for the discovery of new witnesses, had been
+taken up, if not wasted, in France. In looking over the names of the
+sixteen, who were to have been examined by the committee of privy
+council, if there had been time, one had died, and eight, who were
+sea-faring people, were out of the kingdom. It was time, therefore, to
+stir immediately in this business. Happily, on looking over my letters,
+which I found on my arrival in England, the names of several had been
+handed to me, with the places of their abode, who could give me
+information on the subject of our question. All these I visited with the
+utmost despatch. I was absent only three weeks. I had travelled a
+thousand miles in this time, had conversed with seventeen persons, and
+had prevailed upon three to be examined.
+
+I had scarcely returned with the addition of these witnesses to my list,
+when I found it necessary to go out again upon the same errand. This
+second journey arose in part from the following circumstances. There was
+a matter in dispute relative to the mode of obtaining slaves in the
+rivers of Calabar and Bonny. It was usual, when the slave-ships lay
+there, for a number of canoes to go into the inland country. These went
+in a fleet. There might be from thirty to forty armed natives in each of
+them. Every canoe, also, had a four or a six-pounder (cannon) fastened
+to her bow. Equipped in this manner they departed; and they were usually
+absent from eight to fourteen days. It was said that they went to fairs,
+which were held on the banks of these rivers, and at which there was a
+regular show of slaves. On their return they usually brought down from
+eight hundred to a thousand of these for the ships. These lay at the
+bottom of the canoes; their arms and legs having been first bound by the
+ropes of the country. Now the question was, how the people, thus going
+up these rivers, obtained their slaves?
+
+It was certainly a very suspicious circumstance, that such a number of
+persons should go out upon these occasions; and that they should be
+armed in such a manner. We presumed, therefore, that, though they might
+buy many of the slaves, whom they brought down, at the fairs which have
+been mentioned, they obtained others by violence, as opportunity
+offered. This inference we pressed upon our opponents, and called upon
+them to show what circumstances made such warlike preparations necessary
+on these excursions. To this they replied readily, "The people in the
+canoes," said they, "pass through the territories of different petty
+princes; to each of whom, on entering his territory, they pay a tribute
+or toll. This tribute has been long fixed; but attempts frequently have
+been made to raise it. They who follow the trade cannot afford to submit
+to these unreasonable demands; and therefore they arm themselves in case
+of any determination on the part of these petty princes to enforce
+them." This answer we never judged to be satisfactory. We tried
+therefore, to throw light upon the subject, by inquiring if the natives
+who went upon these expeditions usually took with them as many goods as
+would amount to the number of the slaves they were accustomed to bring
+back with them. But we could get no direct answer, from any actual
+knowledge, to this question. All had seen the canoes go out and return;
+but no one had seen them loaded, or had been on board them. It appeared,
+however, from circumstantial evidence, that though the natives on these
+occasions might take some articles of trade with them, it was impossible
+from appearances that they could take them in the proportion mentioned.
+We maintained, then, our inference as before; but it was still uniformly
+denied.
+
+How then were we to decide this important question? for it was said that
+no white man was ever permitted by the natives to go up in these canoes.
+On mentioning accidentally the circumstances of the case, as I have now
+stated them, to a friend, immediately on my return from my last journey,
+he informed me that he himself had been in company, about a year before,
+with a sailor, a very respectable-looking man, who had been up these
+rivers. He had spent half an hour with him at an inn. He described his
+person to me; but he knew nothing of his name, or of the place of his
+abode. All he knew was, that he was either going, or that he belonged
+to, some ship of war in ordinary; but he could not tell at what port. I
+might depend upon all these circumstances if the man had not deceived
+him; and he saw no reason why he should.
+
+I felt myself set on fire, as it were, by this intelligence, deficient
+as it was; and I seemed to determine instantly that I would, if it were
+possible, find him out. For if our suspicions were true that the natives
+frequently were kidnapped in these expeditions, it would be of great
+importance to the cause of the abolition to have them confirmed; for as
+many slaves came annually from these two rivers, as from all the coast
+of Africa besides. But how to proceed on so blind an errand was the
+question. I first thought of trying to trace the man by letter; but this
+might be tedious. The examinations were now going on rapidly. We should
+soon be called upon for evidence ourselves; besides, I knew nothing of
+his name. I then thought it to be a more effectual way to apply to Sir
+Charles Middleton, as comptroller of the navy, by whose permission I
+could board every ship of war in ordinary in England, and judge for
+myself. But here the undertaking seemed very arduous, and the time it
+would consume became an objection in this respect, that I thought I
+could not easily forgive myself, if I were to fail in it. My
+inclination, however, preponderated this way. At length I determined to
+follow it; for, on deliberate consideration, I found that I could not
+employ my time more advantageously to the cause; for as other witnesses
+must be found out somewhere, it was highly probable that, if I should
+fail in the discovery of this man, I should, by moving among such a
+number of sea-faring people, find others who could give their testimony
+in our favour.
+
+I must now inform the reader, that ships of war in ordinary, in one of
+which this man was reported to be, are those which are out of
+commission, and which are laid up in the different rivers and waters in
+the neighbourhood of the king's dock-yards. Every one of these has a
+boatswain, gunner, carpenter, and assistants on board. They lie usually
+in divisions of ten or twelve; and a master in the navy has a command
+over every division.
+
+At length I began my journey. I boarded all the ships of war lying in
+ordinary at Deptford, and examined the different persons in each. From
+Deptford I proceeded to Woolwich, where I did the same. Thence I
+hastened to Chatham, and then, down the Medway, to Sheerness. I had now
+boarded above a hundred and sixty vessels of war. I had found out two
+good and willing evidences among them; but I could gain no intelligence
+of him who was the object of my search.
+
+From Chatham I made the best of my way to Portsmouth harbour. A very
+formidable task presented itself here; but the masters' boats were ready
+for me, and I continued my pursuit. On boarding the Pegase, on the
+second day, I discovered a very respectable person in the gunner of that
+ship. His name was George Millar. He had been on board the Canterbury
+slaveship at the dreadful massacre at Calabar. He was the only
+disinterested evidence living, of whom I had yet heard. He expressed his
+willingness to give, his testimony, if his presence should be thought
+necessary in London. I then continued my pursuit for the remainder of
+the day. On the next day I resumed and finished it for this quarter. I
+had now examined the different persons in more than a hundred vessels in
+this harbour, but I had not discovered the person I had gone to seek.
+
+Matters now began to look rather disheartening, I mean as far as my
+grand object was concerned. There was but one other port left, and this
+was between two and three hundred miles distant. I determined, however,
+to go to Plymouth. I had already been more successful in this tour, with
+respect to obtaining general evidences than in any other of the same
+length; and the probability was, that as I should continue to move among
+the same kind of people, my success would be in a similar proportion
+according to the number visited. These were great encouragements to me
+to proceed. At length I arrived at the place of my last hope. On my
+first day's expedition I boarded forty vessels, but found no one in
+these who had been on the coast of Africa in the Slave Trade. One or two
+had been there in king's ships; but they had never been on shore. Things
+were now drawing near to a close; and, notwithstanding my success as to
+general evidence in this journey, my heart began to beat. I was restless
+and uneasy during the night. The next morning I felt agitated again
+between the alternate pressure of hope and fear; and in this state I
+entered my boat. The fifty-seventh vessel, which I boarded in this
+harbour was the Melampus frigate. One person belonging to it, on
+examining him in the captain's cabin, said he had been two voyages to
+Africa; and I had not long discoursed with him before I found, to my
+inexpressible joy, that he was the man. I found, too, that he unravelled
+the question in dispute precisely as our inferences had determined it.
+He had been two expeditions up the river Calabar in the canoes of the
+natives. In the first of these, they came within a certain distance of a
+village. They then concealed themselves under the bushes, which hung
+over the water from the banks. In this position they remained during
+day-light; but at night they went up to it armed, and seized all the
+inhabitants, who had not time to make their escape. They obtained
+forty-five persons in this manner. In the second, they were out eight or
+nine days, when they made a similar attempt, and with nearly similar
+success. They seized men, women, and children, as they could find them
+in the huts. They then bound their arms, and drove them before them to
+the canoes. The name of the person, thus discovered on board the
+Melampus, was Isaac Parker. On inquiring into his character from the
+master of the division, I found it highly respectable. I found, also,
+afterwards, that he had sailed with Captain Cook, with great credit to
+himself, round the world. It was also remarkable that my brother, on
+seeing him in London, when he went to deliver his evidence, recognised
+him as having served on board the Monarch man-of-war, and as one of the
+most exemplary men in that ship.
+
+I returned now in triumph. I had been out only three weeks, and I had
+found out this extraordinary person, and five respectable witnesses
+besides. These, added to the three discovered in the last journey, and
+to those provided before, made us more formidable than at any former
+period; so that the delay of our opponents, which we had looked upon as
+so great an evil, proved in the end truly serviceable to our cause.
+
+On going into the committee-room of the House of Commons on my return, I
+found that the examinations were still going on in the behalf of those
+who were interested in the continuance of the trade; and they went on
+beyond the middle of April, when it was considered that they had closed.
+Mr. Wilberforce moved accordingly, on the 23rd of the same month, that
+Captain Thomas Wilson, of the royal navy, and that Charles Berns
+Wadstrom and Henry Hew Dalrymple, Esqrs., do attend as witnesses on the
+behalf of the abolition. There was nothing now but clamour from those on
+the opposite side of the question. They knew well that there were but
+few members of the House of Commons, who had read the privy council
+report. They knew, therefore, that if the question were to be decided by
+evidence, it must be decided by that which their own witnesses had given
+before parliament. But this was the evidence only on one side. It was
+certain, therefore, if the decision were to be made upon this basis,
+that it must be entirely in their favour. Will it then be believed that
+in an English House of Commons there could be found persons, who could
+move to prevent the hearing of any other witnesses on this subject; and,
+what is more remarkable, that they should charge Mr. Wilberforce,
+because he proposed the hearing of them, with the intention solely of
+delay? Yes, such persons were found; but happily only among the friends
+of the Slave Trade. Mr. Wilberforce, in replying to them, could not help
+observing that it was rather extraordinary that they, who had occasioned
+the delay of a whole year, should charge him with that of which they
+themselves had been so conspicuously guilty. He then commented for some
+time on the injustice of their motion. He stated, too, that he would
+undertake to remove from disinterested and unprejudiced persons many of
+the impressions which had been made by the witnesses against the
+abolition; and he appealed to the justice and honour of the house in
+behalf of an injured people; under the hope that they would not allow a
+decision to be made till they had heard the whole of the case. These
+observations, however, did not satisfy all those who belonged to the
+opposite party. Lord Penrhyn contended for a decision without a moment's
+delay. Mr. Gascoyne relented; and said, he would allow three weeks to
+the abolitionists, during which their evidence might be heard. At
+length, the debate ended; in the course of which Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox
+powerfully supported Mr. Wilberforce; when the motion was negatived
+without any attempt at a division.
+
+The witnesses in behalf of the abolition of the Slave Trade now took
+possession of the ground which those in favour of it had left. But what
+was our surprise, when only three of them had been heard, to find that
+Mr. Norris should come forward as an evidence! This he did to confirm
+what he had stated to the privy council as to the general question; but
+he did it more particularly, as it appeared afterwards, in the
+justification of his own conduct: for the part which he had taken at
+Liverpool, as it related to me, had become a subject of conversation
+with many. It was now well known what assistance he had given me there
+in my pursuit; how he had even furnished me with clauses for a bill, for
+the abolition of the trade; how I had written to him, in consequence of
+his friendly co-operation, to come up as an evidence in our favour; and
+how at that moment he had accepted the office of a delegate on the
+contrary side. The noise which the relation and repetition of these and
+other circumstances had made, had given him, I believe, considerable
+pain. His friends, too, had urged some explanation as necessary. But how
+short-sighted are they who do wrong! By coming forward in this imprudent
+manner, he fixed the stain only the more indelibly on himself; for he
+thus imposed upon me the cruel necessity of being examined against him;
+and this necessity was the more afflicting, to me, because I was to be
+called upon not to state facts relative to the trade, but to destroy his
+character as an evidence in its support. I was to be called upon, in
+fact, to explain all those communications which have been stated to have
+taken place between us on this subject. Glad indeed should I have been
+to have declined this painful interference. But no one would hear of a
+refusal. The Bishop of London, Mr. Pitt, and Mr. Wilberforce considered
+my appearance on this occasion as an imperious duty to the cause of the
+oppressed. It may be perhaps sufficient to say that I was examined; that
+Mr. Norris was present all the time; that I was cross-examined by
+counsel; and, that after this time, Mr. Norris seemed to have no
+ordinary sense of his own degradation; for he never afterwards held up
+his head or looked the abolitionists in the face, or acted with energy
+as a delegate, as on former occasions.
+
+The hearing of evidence continued to go on in behalf of the abolition of
+the trade. No less than twenty-four witnesses altogether were heard in
+this session. And here it may not be improper to remark, that during the
+examination of our own witnesses, as well as the cross-examination of
+those of our opponents, no counsel were ever employed. Mr. Wilberforce
+and Mr. William Smith undertook this laborious department; and as they
+performed it with great ability, so they did it with great liberality
+towards those who were obliged to come under their notice, in the course
+of this fiery ordeal.
+
+The bill of Sir William Dolben was now to be renewed. On this occasion
+the enemies of the abolition became again conspicuous; for on the 26th
+of May, they availed themselves of a thin house to propose an amendment,
+by which they increased the number of the slaves to the tonnage of the
+vessel. They increased it, too, without taking into the account, as had
+hitherto been done, the extent of the superficies of the vessels which
+were to carry them. This was the third indecorous attempt against what
+were only reasonable and expected proceedings in the present session.
+But their advantage was of no great duration; for the very next day, the
+amendment was rejected on the report by a majority of ninety-five to
+sixty-nine, in consequence, principally, of the private exertions of Mr.
+Pitt. Of this bill, though it was renewed in other years besides the
+present, I shall say no more in this _History_; because it has nothing
+to do with the general question. Horrible as it yet left the situation
+of the poor slaves in their transportation, (which the plate has most
+abundantly shown,) it was the best bill which could be then obtained;
+and it answered to a certain degree the benevolent wishes of the worthy
+baronet who introduced it: for if we could conclude, that these voyages
+were made more comfortable to the injured Africans, in proportion as
+there was less mortality in them, he had undoubtedly the pleasure of
+seeing the end, at least partially, obtained; though he must always have
+felt a great drawback from it, by reflecting that the survivors, however
+their sufferings might have been a little diminished, were reserved for
+slavery.
+
+The session was now near its close; and we had the sorrow to find,
+though we had defeated our opponents in the three instances which have
+been mentioned, that the tide ran decidedly against us, upon the general
+question, in the House of Commons. The same statements which had struck
+so many members with panic in the former sessions, such as that of
+emancipation, of the ruin and massacre of the planters, and of
+indemnification to the amount of seventy millions, had been
+industriously kept up, and this by a personal canvass among them. But
+this hostile disposition was still unfortunately increased by
+considerations of another sort. For the witnesses of our opponents had
+taken their ground first. No less than eleven of them had been examined
+in the last sessions. In the present, two-thirds of the time had been
+occupied by others on the same side. Hence the impression upon this
+ground also was against us; and we had yet had no adequate opportunity
+of doing it away. A clamour was also raised, where we thought it least
+likely to have originated. They (the planters), it was said, had
+produced persons in elevated life, and of the highest character, as
+witnesses; whereas we had been obliged to take up with those of the
+lowest condition. This idea was circulated directly after the
+introduction of Isaac Parker, before mentioned, a simple mariner, and
+who was now contrasted with the admirals on the other side of the
+question. This outcry was not only ungenerous, but unconstitutional. It
+is the glory of the English law, that it has no scale of veracity which
+it adapts to persons, according to the station which they may be found
+to occupy in life. In our courts of law, the poor are heard as well as
+the rich; and if their reputation be fair, and they stand proof against
+the cross-examinations they undergo, both the judge and the jury must
+determine the matter in dispute by their evidence. But the House of
+Commons was now called upon by our opponents, to adopt the preposterous
+maxim of attaching falsehood to poverty, or of weighing truth by the
+standard of rank and riches.
+
+But though we felt a considerable degree of pain in finding this adverse
+disposition among so many members of the Lower House, it was some
+consolation to us to know that our cause had not suffered with their
+constituents,--the people. These were still warmly with us. Indeed,
+their hatred of the trade had greatly increased. Many circumstances had
+occurred in this year to promote it. The committee, during my absence in
+France, had circulated the plate of the slave-ship throughout all
+England. No one saw it but he was impressed. It spoke to him in a
+language which was at once intelligible and irresistible. It brought
+forth the tear of sympathy in behalf of the sufferers, and it fixed
+their sufferings in his heart. The committee, too, had been particularly
+vigilant during the whole of the year with respect to the public papers.
+They had suffered no statement in behalf of those interested in the
+continuance of the trade to go unanswered. Dr. Dickson, the author of
+the _Letters on Slavery_, before mentioned, had come forward again with
+his services on this occasion; and, by his active co-operation with a
+sub-committee appointed for the purpose, the coast was so well cleared
+of our opponents, that, though they were seen the next year again,
+through the medium of the same papers, they appeared only in sudden
+incursions, as it were, during which they darted a few weapons at us;
+but they never afterward ventured upon the plain to dispute the matter,
+inch by inch, or point by point, in an open and manly manner.
+
+But other circumstances occurred to keep up a hatred of the trade among
+the people in this interval, which, trivial as they were, ought not to
+be forgotten. The amiable poet Cowper had frequently made the Slave
+Trade the subject of his contemplation. He had already severely
+condemned it in his valuable poem _The Task_. But now he had written
+three little fugitive pieces upon it. Of these, the most impressive was
+that which he called _The Negro's Complaint_, and of which the following
+is a copy:--
+
+
+  Forced from home and all its pleasures,
+    Afric's coast I left forlorn,
+  To increase a stranger's treasures,
+    O'er the raging billows borne;
+  Men from England bought and sold me,
+    Paid my price in paltry gold;
+  But, though theirs they have enroll'd me,
+    Minds are never to be sold.
+
+  Still in thought as free as ever,
+    What are England's rights, I ask,
+  Me from my delights to sever,
+    Me to torture, me to task?
+  Fleecy locks and black complexion
+    Cannot forfeit Nature's claim;
+  Skins may differ, but affection
+    Dwells in black and white the same.
+
+  Why did all-creating Nature
+    Make the plant, for which we toil?
+  Sighs must fan it, tears must water,
+    Sweat of ours must dress the soil.
+  Think, ye masters, iron-hearted,
+    Lolling at your jovial boards,
+  Think, how many backs have smarted
+    For the sweets your cane affords.
+
+  Is there, as you sometimes tell us,
+    Is there one, who rules on high;
+  Has he bid you buy and sell us,
+    Speaking from his throne, the sky?
+  Ask him, if your knotted scourges,
+    Fetters, blood-extorting screws,
+  Are the means, which duty urges
+    Agents of his will to use?
+
+  Hark! he answers. Wild tornadoes,
+    Strewing yonder sea with wrecks,
+  Wasting towns, plantations, meadows,
+    Are the voice with which he speaks.
+  He, foreseeing what vexations
+    Afric's sons should undergo,
+  Fixed their tyrants' habitations
+    Where his whirlwinds answer--No.
+
+  By our blood in Afric wasted,
+    Ere our necks received the chain;
+  By the miseries, which we tasted
+    Crossing, in your barks, the main;
+  By our sufferings, since you brought us
+    To the man-degrading mart,
+  All-sustained by patience, taught us
+    Only by a broken heart:
+
+  Deem our nation brutes no longer,
+    Till some reason you shall find
+  Worthier of regard, and stronger,
+    Than the colour of our kind.
+  Slaves of gold! whose sordid dealings
+    Tarnish all, your boasted powers,
+  Prove that you have human feelings,
+    Ere you proudly question ours.
+
+
+This little piece Cowper presented in manuscript to some of his friends
+in London; and these, conceiving it to contain a powerful appeal in
+behalf of the injured Africans, joined in printing it. Having ordered it
+on the finest hot-pressed paper, and folded it up in a small and neat
+form, they gave it the printed title of _A Subject for Conversation at
+the Tea-table_. After this, they sent many thousand copies of it in
+franks into the country. From one it spread to another, till it
+travelled almost over the whole island. Falling at length into the hands
+of the musician, it was set to music; and it then found its way into the
+streets, both of the metropolis and of the country, where it was sung as
+a ballad; and where it gave a plain account of the subject, with an
+appropriate feeling, to those who heard it.
+
+Nor was the philanthropy of the late Mr. Wedgewood less instrumental in
+turning the popular feeling in our favour. He made his own manufactory
+contribute to this end. He took the seal of the committee, as exhibited
+in Chap. XX., for his model; and he produced a beautiful cameo, of a
+less size, of which the ground was a most delicate white, but the Negro,
+who was seen imploring compassion in the middle of it, was in his own
+native colour. Mr. Wedgewood made a liberal donation of these, when
+finished, among his friends. I received from him no less than five
+hundred of them myself. They, to whom they were sent, did not lay them
+up in their cabinets, but gave them away likewise. They were soon, like
+_The Negro's Complaint_, in different parts of the kingdom. Some had
+them inlaid in gold on the lid of their snuff-boxes. Of the ladies,
+several wore them in bracelets, and others had them fitted up in an
+ornamental manner as pins for their hair. At length the taste for
+wearing them became general; and thus fashion, which usually confines
+itself to worthless things, was seen for once in the honourable office
+of promoting the cause of justice, humanity, and freedom.
+
+I shall now only state that the committee took as members within its own
+body, in the period of time which is included in this chapter, the
+Reverend Mr. Ormerod, chaplain to the Bishop of London, and Captain
+James Bowen, of the royal navy; that they elected the Honourable
+Nathaniel Curzon (afterwards Lord Scarsdale), Dr. Frossard, of Lyons,
+and Benjamin Garlike, Esq., then secretary to the English embassy at the
+Hague, honorary and corresponding members; and that they concluded their
+annual labours with a suitable report, in which they noticed the
+extraordinary efforts of our opponents to injure our cause in the
+following manner:--"In the progress of this business, a powerful
+combination of interest has been excited against us. The African trader,
+the planter, and the West India merchant, have united their forces to
+defend the fortress, in which their supposed treasures lie. Vague
+calculations and false alarms have been thrown out to the public, in
+order to show that the constitution, and even the existence, of this
+free and opulent nation depend on its depriving the inhabitants of a
+foreign country of those rights and of that liberty which we ourselves
+so highly and so justly prize. Surely, in the nature of things, and in
+the order of Providence, it cannot be so. England existed as a great
+nation long before the African commerce was known amongst us, and it is
+not to acts of injustice and violence that she owes her present rank in
+the scale of nations."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+--Continuation from July, 1790, to July, 1791.--Author travels again
+throughout the kingdom; object of his journey.--Motion in the House of
+Commons to resume the hearing of evidence in favour of the abolition;
+list of all those examined on this side of the question; machinations
+of interested persons, and cruel circumstances of the times previously
+to the day of decision.--Motion at length made for stopping all
+further importation of Slaves from Africa; debates upon it; motion
+lost.--Resolutions of the committee for the Abolition of the Slave
+Trade.--Establishment of the Sierra Leone Company.
+
+
+It was a matter of deep affliction to us to think, that the crimes and
+sufferings inseparable from the Slave Trade were to be continued to
+another year. And yet it was our duty, in the present moment, to
+acquiesce in the postponement of the question. This postponement was not
+now for the purpose of delay, but of securing victory. The evidence, on
+the side of the abolition, was, at the end of the last session, but half
+finished. It was impossible, for the sake of Africa, that we could have
+then closed it. No other opportunity might offer in parliament for
+establishing an indelible record in her favour, if we were to neglect
+the present. It was our duty, therefore, even to wait to complete it,
+and to procure such a body of evidence, as should not only bear us out
+in the approaching contest, but such as, if we were to fail, would bear
+out our successors also. It was possible, indeed, if the inhabitants of
+our islands were to improve in civilization, that the poor slaves might
+experience gradually an improved treatment with it; and so far testimony
+now might not be testimony for ever; but it was utterly impossible,
+while the Slave Trade lasted, and the human passion continued to be the
+same, that there should be any change for the better in Africa; or that
+any modes, less barbarous, should come into use for procuring slaves.
+Evidence, therefore, if once collected on this subject, would be
+evidence for posterity. In the midst of these thoughts another journey
+occurred to me as necessary for this purpose; and I prayed, that I might
+have strength to perform it in the most effectual manner; and that I
+might be daily impressed, as I travelled along, with the stimulating
+thought, that the last hope for millions might possibly rest upon my own
+endeavours.
+
+The committee highly approved of this journey; Mr. Wilberforce saw the
+absolute necessity of it also, and had prepared a number of questions,
+with great ingenuity, to be put to such persons as might have
+information to communicate. These I added to those in the tables, which
+have been already mentioned, and they made together a valuable
+collection on the subject.
+
+This tour was the most vexatious of any I had yet undertaken; many still
+refused to come forward to be examined, and some on the most frivolous
+pretences, so that I was disgusted, as I journeyed on, to find how
+little men were disposed to make sacrifices for so great a cause. In one
+part of it I went over nearly two thousand miles, receiving repeated
+refusals; I had not secured one witness within this distance; this was
+truly disheartening. I was subject to the whims and caprice of those
+whom I solicited on these occasions[A]; to these I was obliged to
+accommodate myself. When at Edinburgh, a person who could have given me
+material information declined seeing me, though he really wished well to
+the cause; when I had returned southward as far as York, he changed his
+mind, and he would then see me; I went back that I might not lose him.
+When I arrived, he would give me only private information. Thus I
+travelled, backwards and forwards, four hundred miles to no purpose. At
+another place a circumstance almost similar happened, though with a
+different issue. I had been for two years writing about a person, whose
+testimony was important. I had passed once through the town in which he
+lived, but he would not then see me; I passed through it now, but no
+entreaties of his friends could make him alter his resolution. He was a
+man highly respectable as to situation in life, but of considerable
+vanity. I said therefore to my friend, on leaving the town, You may tell
+him that I expect to be at Nottingham in a few days, and though it be a
+hundred and fifty miles distant, I will even come back to see him if he
+will dine with me on my return. A letter from my friend announced to me,
+when at Nottingham, that his vanity had been so gratified by the thought
+of a person coming expressly to visit him from such a distance, that he
+would meet me according to my appointment; I went back; we dined
+together; he yielded to my request; I was now repaid, and I returned
+towards Nottingham in the night. These circumstances I mention, and I
+feel it right to mention them, that the reader may be properly impressed
+with the great difficulties we found in collecting a body of evidence in
+comparison with our opponents. They ought never to be forgotten; for if
+with the testimony, picked up as it were under all these disadvantages,
+we carried our object against those who had almost numberless witnesses
+to command, what must have been the merits of our cause! No person can
+indeed judge of the severe labour and trials in these journeys. In the
+present, I was out four months; I was almost over the whole island; I
+intersected it backwards and forwards both in the night and in the day;
+I travelled nearly seven thousand miles in this time, and I was able to
+count upon twenty new and willing evidences.
+
+Having now accomplished my object, Mr. Wilberforce moved on the 4th of
+February in the House of Commons, that a committee be appointed to
+examine further witnesses in behalf of the abolition of the Slave Trade,
+This motion was no sooner made, than Mr. Cawthorne rose, to our great
+surprise, to oppose it. He took upon himself to decide that the House
+had heard evidence enough. This indecent motion was not without its
+advocates. Mr. Wilberforce set forth the injustice of this attempt, and
+proved, that out of eighty-one days which had been given up to the
+hearing of evidence, the witnesses against the abolition had occupied no
+less than fifty-seven. He was strenuously supported by Mr. Burke, Mr.
+Martin, and other respectable members. At length the debate ended in
+favour of the original motion, and a committee was appointed
+accordingly.
+
+The examinations began again on February 7th, and continued till April
+5th, when they were finally closed. In this, as in the former session,
+Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. William Smith principally conducted them; and
+indeed it was necessary that they should have been present at these
+times; for it is perhaps difficult to conceive the illiberal manner in
+which our witnesses were treated by those on the other side of the
+question. Men who had left the trade upon principle, and who had come
+forward, against their apparent interest, to serve the cause of humanity
+and justice, were looked upon as mercenaries and culprits, or as men of
+doubtful and suspicious character; they were brow-beaten; unhandsome
+questions were put to them; some were kept for four days under
+examination. It was however highly to their honour that they were found
+in no one instance to prevaricate, nor to waver as to the certainty of
+their facts.
+
+But this treatment, hard as it was for them to bear, was indeed good for
+the cause; for, coming thus pure out of the fire, they occasioned their
+own testimony, when read, to bear stronger marks of truth than that of
+the generality of our opponents; nor was it less superior when weighed
+by other considerations. For the witnesses, against the abolition were
+principally interested; they, who were not, had been hospitably received
+at the planters' tables. The evidence, too, which they delivered, was
+almost wholly negative. They had not seen such and such evils; but this
+was no proof that the evils did not exist. The witnesses, on the other
+hand, who came up in favour of the abolition, had no advantage in making
+their several assertions. In some instances they came up against their
+apparent interest, and, to my knowledge, suffered persecution for so
+doing. The evidence also which they delivered was of a positive nature.
+They gave an account of specific evils, which had come under their own
+eyes; these evils were never disproved; they stood therefore on a firm
+basis, as on a tablet of brass. Engraved there in affirmative
+characters, a few of them were of more value than all the negative and
+airy testimony which had been advanced on the other side of the
+question.
+
+That the public may judge, in some measure, of the respectability of the
+witnesses in favour of the abolition, and that they may know also to
+whom Africa is so much indebted for her deliverance, I shall subjoin
+their names in the three following lists. The first will contain those
+who were examined by the privy council only; the second those who were
+examined by the privy council and the House of Commons also; and the
+third those who were examined-by the House of Commons only.
+
+LIST I.
+
+LIST II.
+
+LIST III.
+
+The evidence having been delivered on both sides, and then printed, it
+was judged expedient by Mr. Wilberforce, seeing that it filled three
+folio volumes, to abridge it. This abridgement was made by the different
+friends of the cause. William Burgh, Esq., of York; Thomas Babington,
+Esq., of Rothley Temple; the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge; Mr.
+Campbell Haliburton, of Edinburgh; George Harrison, with one or two
+others of the committee, and myself, were employed upon it. The greater
+share, however, of the labour, fell upon Dr. Dickson. That no
+misrepresentation of any person's testimony might be made, Matthew
+Montagu, Esq., and the Honourable E.J. Elliott, members of Parliament,
+undertook to compare the abridged manuscripts with the original text,
+and to strike out or correct whatever they thought to be erroneous, and
+to insert whatever they thought to have been omitted. The committee for
+the abolition, when the work was finished, printed it at their own
+expense, Mr. Wilberforce then presented it to the House of Commons, as a
+faithful abridgement of the whole evidence. Having been received as
+such, under the guarantee of Mr. Montague and Mr. Elliott, the committee
+sent it to every individual member of that House.
+
+The book having been thus presented, and a day fixed for the final
+determination of the question, our feelings became almost insupportable;
+for we had the mortification to find, that our cause was going down in
+estimation, where it was then most important that it should have
+increased in favour. Our opponents had taken advantage of the long delay
+which the examination of evidence had occasioned, to prejudice the minds
+of many of the members of the House of Commons against us. The old
+arguments of emancipation, massacre, ruin, and indemnification, had been
+kept up; but, as the day of final decision approached, they had been
+increased. Such was our situation at this moment, when the current was
+turned still more powerfully against us by the peculiar circumstances of
+the times. It was, indeed, the misfortune of this great cause to be
+assailed by every weapon which could be turned against it. At this time,
+Thomas Paine had published his _Rights of Man_. This had been widely
+circulated. At this time, also, the French revolution had existed nearly
+two years. The people of England had seen, during this interval, a
+government as it were dissected. They had seen an old constitution taken
+down, and a new one put up, piece by piece, in its stead. The
+revolution, therefore, in conjunction with the book in question, had had
+the effect of producing dissatisfaction among thousands; and this
+dissatisfaction was growing, so as to alarm a great number of persons of
+property in the kingdom, as well as the government itself. Now will it
+be believed that our opponents had the injustice to lay hold of these
+circumstances, at this critical moment, to give a death-blow to the
+cause of the abolition? They represented the committee, though it had
+existed before the French revolution, or the _Rights of Man_ were heard
+of, as a nest of Jacobins; and they held up the cause, sacred as it was,
+and though it had the support of the minister, as affording an
+opportunity of meeting for the purpose of overthrowing the state. Their
+cry succeeded. The very book of the abridgment of the evidence was
+considered by many members as poisonous as that of the _Rights of Man_.
+It was too profane for many of them to touch; and they who discarded it,
+discarded the cause also.
+
+But these were not the only circumstances which were used as means, at
+this critical moment, to defeat us. News of the revolution, which had
+commenced in St. Domingo, in consequence of the disputes between the
+whites and the people of colour, had, long before this, arrived in
+England. The horrible scenes which accompanied it, had been frequently
+published as so many arguments against our cause. In January, new
+insurrections were announced as having happened in Martinique. The
+negroes there were described as armed, and the planters as having
+abandoned their estates for fear of massacre. Early in the month of
+March, insurrections in the smaller French islands were reported. Every
+effort was then made to represent these as the effects of the new
+principles of liberty, and of the cry for abolition. But what should
+happen, just at this moment, to increase the clamour against us? Nothing
+less than an insurrection in Dominica.--Yes!--An insurrection in a
+British island. This was the very event for our opponents. "All the
+predictions of the planters had now become verified. The horrible
+massacres were now realizing at home." To give this news still greater
+effect, a meeting of our opponents was held at the London Tavern. By a
+letter read there, it appeared that "the ruin of Dominica was now at
+hand." Resolutions were voted, and a memorial presented to government,
+"immediately to despatch such a military force to the different islands,
+as might preserve the whites from destruction, and keep the negroes in
+subjection during the present critical state of the slave bill." This
+alarm was kept up till the 7th of April, when another meeting took
+place, to receive the answer of government to the memorial. It was there
+resolved that, "as it was too late to send troops to the islands, the
+best way of preserving them would be to bring the question of the Slave
+Trade to an immediate issue; and that it was the duty of the government,
+if they regarded the safety of the islands, to oppose the abolition of
+it."  Accounts of all these proceedings were inserted in the public
+papers. It is needless to say that they were injurious to our cause.
+Many looked upon the abolitionists as monsters. They became also
+terrified themselves. The idea with these was, that unless the
+discussion on this subject was terminated, all would be lost. Thus,
+under a combination of effects, arising from the publication of the
+_Rights of Man_, the rise and progress of the French revolution, and the
+insurrections of the negroes in the different islands, no one of which
+events had anything to do with the abolition of the Slave Trade, the
+current was turned against us; and in this unfavourable frame of mind
+many members of parliament went into the House, on the day fixed for the
+discussion, to discharge their duty with respect to this great question.
+
+On the 18th of April, Mr. Wilberforce made his motion. He began by
+expressing a hope, that the present debate, instead of exciting asperity
+and confirming prejudice, would tend to produce a general conviction of
+the truth of what in fact was incontrovertible; that the abolition of
+the Slave Trade was indispensably required of them, not only by morality
+and religion, but by sound policy. He stated that he should argue the
+matter from evidence. He adverted to the character, situation, and means
+of information of his own witnesses; and having divided his subject into
+parts, the first of which related to the manner of reducing the natives
+of Africa to a state of slavery, he handled it in the following
+manner:--
+
+He would begin, he said, with the first boundary of the trade. Captain
+Wilson and Captain Hills, of His Majesty's navy, and Mr. Dalrymple, of
+the land service, had concurred in stating, that in the country
+contiguous to the river Senegal, when slave-ships arrived there, armed
+parties were regularly sent out in the evening, who scoured the country,
+and brought in their prey. The wretched victims were to be seen in the
+morning bound back to back in the huts on shore, whence they were
+conveyed, tied hand and foot, to the slave-ships. The design of these
+ravages was obvious, because, when the Slave Trade was stopped, they
+ceased. Mr. Kiernan spoke of the constant depredations by the Moors to
+procure slaves. Mr. Wadstrom confirmed them. The latter gentleman showed
+also that they were excited by presents of brandy, gunpowder, and such
+other incentives; and that they were not only carried on by one
+community against another, but that the kings were stimulated to
+practise them in their territories, and on their own subjects: and in
+one instance a chieftain, who, when intoxicated, could not resist the
+demands of the slave merchants, had expressed, in a moment of reason, a
+due sense of his own crime, and had reproached his Christian seducers.
+Abundant also were the instances of private rapine. Individuals were
+kidnapped, whilst in their fields and gardens. There was an universal
+feeling of distrust and apprehension there. The natives never went any
+distance from home without arms; and when Captain Wilson asked them the
+reason of it, they pointed to a slave-ship then lying within sight.
+
+On the windward coast, it appeared from Lieutenant Story and Mr. Bowman,
+that the evils just mentioned existed, if possible, in a still higher
+degree. They had seen the remains of villages, which had been burnt,
+whilst the fields of corn were still standing beside them, and every
+other trace of recent desolation. Here an agent was sent to establish a
+settlement in the country, and to send to the ships such slaves as he
+might obtain. The orders he received from his captain were, that "he was
+to encourage the chieftains by brandy and gunpowder to go to war, to
+make slaves." This he did. The chieftains performed their part in
+return. The neighbouring villages were surrounded and set on fire in the
+night. The inhabitants were seized when making their escape; and, being
+brought to the agent, were by him forwarded to his principal on the
+coast. Mr. How, a botanist in the service of Government, stated, that on
+the arrival of an order for slaves from Cape Coast Castle, while he was
+there, a native chief immediately sent forth armed parties, who brought
+in a supply of all descriptions in the night.
+
+But he would now mention one or two instances of another sort, and these
+merely on account of the conclusion, which was to be drawn from them.
+When Captain Hills was in the river Gambia, he mentioned accidentally to
+a Black pilot, who was in the boat with him, that he wanted a cabin-boy.
+It so happened that some youths were then on the shore with vegetables
+to sell. The pilot beckoned to them to come on board; at the same time
+giving Captain Hills to understand, that he might take his choice of
+them; and when Captain Hills rejected the proposal with indignation, the
+pilot seemed perfectly at a loss to account for his warmth; and drily
+observed, that the slave-captains would not have been so scrupulous.
+Again, when General Rooke commanded at Goree, a number of the natives,
+men, women, and children, came to pay him a friendly visit. All was
+gaiety and merriment. It was a scene to gladden the saddest, and to
+soften the hardest, heart. But a slave-captain was not so soon thrown
+off his guard. Three English barbarians of this description had the
+audacity jointly to request the general, to seize the whole unsuspicious
+multitude and sell them. For this they alleged the precedent of a former
+governor. Was not this request a proof of the frequency of such acts of
+rapine? for how familiar must such have been to slave-captains, when
+three of them dared to carry a British officer of rank such a flagitious
+proposal! This would stand in the place of a thousand instances. It
+would give credibility to every other act of violence stated in the
+evidence, however enormous it might appear.
+
+But he would now have recourse for a moment to circumstantial evidence.
+An adverse witness, who had lived on the Gold Coast, had said that the
+only way in which children could he enslaved, was by whole families
+being sold when the principals had been condemned for witchcraft. But he
+said at the same time, that few were convicted of this crime, and that
+the younger part of a family in these cases was sometimes spared. But if
+this account were true, it would follow that the children in the
+slave-vessels would be few indeed. But it had been proved, that the
+usual proportion of these was never less than a fourth of the whole
+cargo on the coast, and also, that the kidnapping of children was very
+prevalent there.
+
+All these atrocities, he said, were fully substantiated by the evidence;
+and here he should do injustice to his cause, if he were not to make a
+quotation from the speech of Mr. B. Edwards in the Assembly of Jamaica,
+who, though he was hostile to his propositions, had yet the candour to
+deliver himself in the following manner there. "I am persuaded," says
+he, "that Mr. Wilberforce has been rightly informed as to the manner in
+which slaves are generally procured. The intelligence I have collected
+from my own negroes abundantly confirms his account; and I have not the
+smallest doubt, that in Africa the effects of this trade are precisely
+such as he has represented them. The whole, or the greatest part, of
+that immense continent is a field of warfare and desolation; a
+wilderness, in which the inhabitants are wolves towards each other. That
+this scene of oppression, fraud, treachery, and bloodshed, if not
+originally occasioned, is in part (I will not say wholly) upheld by the
+Slave Trade, I dare not dispute. Every man in the Sugar Islands may be
+convinced that it is so, who will enquire of any African negroes, on
+their first arrival, concerning the circumstances of their captivity.
+The assertion that it is otherwise, is mockery and insult."
+
+But it was not only by acts of outrage that the Africans were brought
+into bondage. The very administration of justice was turned into an
+engine for that end. The smallest offence was punished by a fine equal
+to the value of a slave. Crimes were also fabricated; false accusations
+were resorted to; and persons were sometimes employed to seduce the
+unwary into practices with a view to the conviction and the sale of
+them.
+
+It was another effect of this trade, that it corrupted the morals of
+those who carried it on. Every fraud was used to deceive the ignorance
+of the natives by false weights and measures, adulterated commodities,
+and other impositions of a like sort. These frauds were even
+acknowledged by many who had themselves practised them, in obedience to
+the orders of their superiors. For the honour of the mercantile
+character of the country, such a traffic ought immediately to be
+suppressed.
+
+Yet these things, however clearly proved by positive testimony, by the
+concession of opponents, by particular inference, by general reasoning,
+by the most authentic histories of Africa, by the experience of all
+countries and of all ages,--these things, and (what was still more
+extraordinary) even the possibility of them, were denied by those who
+had been brought forward on the other side of the question. These,
+however, were chiefly persons who had been trading-governors of forts in
+Africa, or who had long commanded ships in the Slave Trade. As soon as
+he knew the sort of witnesses which was to be called against him, he had
+been prepared to expect much prejudice. But his expectations had been
+greatly surpassed by the testimony they had given. He did not mean to
+impeach their private characters, but they certainly showed themselves
+under the influence of such gross prejudices, as to render them
+incompetent judges of the subject they came to elucidate. They seemed
+(if he might so say) to be enveloped by a certain atmosphere of their
+own; and to see, as it were, through a kind of African medium. Every
+object which met their eyes came distorted and turned from its true
+direction. Even the declarations, which they made on other occasions,
+seemed wholly strange to them. They sometimes not only forgot what they
+had seen, but what they had said; and when to one of them his own
+testimony to the privy council was read, he mistook it for that of
+another, whose evidence he declared to be "the merest burlesque in the
+world."
+
+But the House must be aware that there was not only an African medium,
+but an African logic. It seemed to be an acknowledged axiom in this,
+that every person who offered a slave for sale had a right to sell him,
+however fraudulently he might have obtained him. This had been proved by
+the witnesses who opposed him. "It would have stopped my trade," said
+one of them, "to have asked the broker how he came by the person he was
+offering me for sale."--"We always suppose," said another, "the broker
+has a right to sell the person he offers us."--"I never heard of such a
+question being asked," said a third; "a man would be thought a fool who
+should put such a question."--He hoped the House would see the practical
+utility of this logic. It was the key-stone which held the building
+together. By means of it, slave-captains might traverse the whole coast
+of Africa, and see nothing but equitable practices. They could not,
+however, be wholly absolved, even if they availed themselves of this
+principle to its fullest extent; for they had often committed
+depredations themselves; especially when they were passing by any part
+of the coast, where they did not mean to continue or to go again. Hence
+it was (as several captains of the navy and others had declared on their
+examination), that the natives, when at sea in their canoes, would never
+come near the men-of-war, till they knew them to be such. But finding
+this, and that they were not slave-vessels, they laid aside their fears,
+and came and continued on board with unsuspecting cheerfulness. With
+respect to the miseries of the Middle Passage, he had said so much on a
+former occasion, that he would spare the feelings of the committee as
+much as he could. He would therefore simply state that the evidence,
+which was before them, confirmed all those scenes of wretchedness which
+he had then described: the same suffering from a state of suffocation,
+by being crowded together; the same dancing in fetters; the same
+melancholy singing; the same eating by compulsion; the same despair; the
+same insanity; and all the other abominations which characterized the
+trade. New instances however had occurred, where these wretched men had
+resolved on death to terminate their woes. Some had destroyed themselves
+by refusing sustenance, in spite of threats and punishments. Others had
+thrown themselves into the sea; and more than one, when in the act of
+drowning, were seen to wave their hands in triumph, "exulting" (to use
+the words of an eye-witness) "that they had escaped." Yet these and
+similar things, when viewed through the African medium he had mentioned,
+took a different shape and colour. Captain Knox, an adverse witness, had
+maintained, that slaves lay during the night in tolerable comfort. And
+yet he confessed, that in a vessel of one hundred and twenty tons, in
+which he had carried two hundred and ninety slaves, the latter had not
+all of them room to lie on their backs. How comfortably, then, must they
+have lain in his subsequent voyages! for he carried afterwards, in a
+vessel of a hundred and eight tons, four hundred and fifty; and in a
+vessel of one hundred and fifty tons, no less than six hundred slaves.
+Another instance of African deception was to be found in the testimony
+of Captain Frazer, one of the most humane captains in the trade. It had
+been said of him, that he had held hot coals to the mouth of a slave, to
+compel him to eat. He was questioned on this point; but not admitting,
+in the true spirit of African logic, that he who makes another commit a
+crime is guilty of it himself, he denied the charge indignantly, and
+defied a proof. But it was said to him, "Did you never order such a
+thing to be done?" His reply was, "Being sick in my cabin, I was
+informed that a man-slave would neither eat, drink, nor speak. I desired
+the mate and surgeon to try to persuade him to speak. I desired that the
+slaves might try also. When I found he was still obstinate, not knowing
+whether it was from sulkiness or insanity, I ordered a person to present
+him with a piece of fire in one hand, and a piece of yam in the other,
+and to tell me what effect this had upon him. I learnt that he took the
+yam and began to eat it, but he threw the fire overboard." Such was his
+own account of the matter. This was eating by duresse, if anything could
+be called so. The captain, however, triumphed in his expedient; and
+concluded by telling the committee, that he sold this very slave at
+Grenada for forty pounds. Mark here the moral of the tale, and learn the
+nature and the cure of sulkiness.
+
+But upon whom did the cruelties, thus arising out of the prosecution of
+this barbarous traffic, fall? Upon a people with feeling and intellect
+like ourselves. One witness had spoken of the acuteness of their
+understandings; another, of the extent of their memories; a third, of
+their genius for commerce: a fourth, of their proficiency in
+manufactures at home. Many had admired their gentle and peaceable
+disposition, their cheerfulness, and their hospitality. Even they who
+were nominally slaves, in Africa lived a happy life. A witness against
+the abolition had described them as sitting and eating with their
+masters in the true style of patriarchal simplicity and comfort. Were
+these, then, a people incapable of civilization? The argument that they
+were an inferior species had been proved to be false.
+
+He would now go to a new part of the subject. An opinion had gone forth
+that the abolition of the trade would be the ruin of the West India
+Islands. He trusted he should prove that the direct contrary was the
+truth; though, had he been unable to do this, it would have made no
+difference as to his own vote. In examining, however, this opinion; he
+should exclude the subject of the cultivation of new lands by fresh
+importations of slaves. The impolicy of this measure, apart from its
+inhumanity, was indisputably clear. Let the committee consider the
+dreadful mortality which attended it. Let them look to the evidence of
+Mr. Woolrich, and there see a contrast drawn between the slow, but sure,
+progress of cultivation carried on in the natural way, and the attempt
+to force improvements, which, however flattering the prospect at first,
+soon produced a load of debt, and inextricable embarrassments. He might
+even appeal to the statements of the West Indians themselves, who
+allowed that more than twenty millions were owing to the people of this
+country, to show that no system could involve them so deeply as that on
+which they had hitherto gone. But he would refer them to the accounts of
+Mr. Irving, as contained in the evidence. Waving, then, the
+consideration of this part of the subject, the opinion in question must
+have arisen from a notion, that the stock of slaves, now in the islands,
+could not be kept up by propagation; but that it was necessary, from
+time to time, to recruit them with imported Africans. In direct
+refutation of this position he should prove: First, that, in the
+condition and treatment of the Negroes, there were causes sufficient to
+afford us reason to expect a considerable decrease, but particularly
+that their increase had not been a serious object of attention:
+Secondly, that this decrease was in fact, notwithstanding, very
+trifling; or rather, he believed, he might declare it had now actually
+ceased: and, Thirdly, he should urge many direct and collateral facts
+and arguments, constituting on the whole an irresistible proof, that
+even a rapid increase might henceforth be expected.
+
+He wished to treat the West Indians with all possible candour: but he
+was obliged to confess, in arguing upon these points, that whatever
+splendid instances there might be of kindness towards their slaves,
+there were some evils of almost universal operation, which were
+necessarily connected with the system of slavery. Above all, the state
+of degradation to which they were reduced, deserved to be noticed, as it
+produced an utter inattention to them as moral agents; they were kept at
+work under the whip like cattle; they were left totally ignorant of
+morality and religion; there was no regular marriage among them; hence
+promiscuous intercourse, early prostitution, and excessive drinking,
+were material causes of their decrease. With respect to the instruction
+of the slaves in the principles of religion, the happiest effects had
+resulted, particularly in Antigua, where, under the Moravians and
+Methodists, they had so far profited, that the planters themselves
+confessed their value as property had been raised one-third by their
+increased habits of regularity and industry.
+
+Whatever might have been said to the contrary, it was plainly to be
+inferred from the evidence that the slaves were not protected by law.
+Colonial statutes had indeed been passed, but they were a dead letter;
+since, however ill they were treated, they were not considered as having
+a right to redress. An instance of astonishing cruelty by a Jew had been
+mentioned by Mr. Ross; it was but justice to say, that the man was held
+in detestation for it, but yet no one had ever thought of calling him to
+a legal account. Mr. Ross conceived a master had a right to punish his
+slave in whatever manner he might think proper; the same was declared by
+numberless other witnesses. Some instances indeed had lately occurred of
+convictions. A master had wantonly cut the mouth of a child, of six
+months old, almost from ear to ear. But did not the verdict of the jury
+show, that the doctrine of calling masters to an account was entirely
+novel, as it only pronounced him "Guilty, subject to the opinion of the
+court, if immoderate correction of a slave by his master be a crime
+indictable!" The court determined in the affirmative; and what was the
+punishment of this barbarous act?--A fine of forty shillings currency,
+equivalent to about twenty-five shillings sterling.
+
+The slaves were but ill off in point of medical care. Sometimes four or
+five, and even eight or nine thousand of them, were under the care of
+one medical man; which, dispersed on different and distant estates, was
+a greater number than he could possibly attend to.
+
+It was also in evidence that they were in general under-fed; they were
+supported partly by the produce of their own provision-ground, and
+partly by an allowance of flour and grain from their masters. In one of
+the islands, where provision-ground did not answer one year in three,
+the allowance to a working Negro was but from five to nine pints of
+grain per week: in Dominica, where it never failed, from six to seven
+quarts: in Nevis and St. Christopher's, where there was no
+provision-ground, it was but eleven pints. Add to this, that it might be
+still less, as the circumstances of their masters might become
+embarrassed, and in this case both an abridgment of their food and an
+increase of their labour would follow.
+
+But the great cause of the decrease of the slaves was in the
+non-residence of the planters. Sir George Yonge, and many others, had
+said, they had seen the slaves treated in a manner which their owners
+would have resented if they had known it. Mr. Orde spoke in the
+strongest terms of the misconduct of managers. The fact was, that these
+in general sought to establish their characters by producing large crops
+at a small immediate expense; too little considering how far the slaves
+might suffer from ill-treatment and excessive labour. The pursuit of
+such a system was a criterion for judging of their characters, as both
+Mr. Long and Mr. Ottley had confessed.
+
+But he must contend, in addition to this, that the object of keeping up
+the stock of slaves by breeding had never been seriously attended to.
+For this he might appeal both to his own witnesses and to those of his
+opponents, but he would only notice one fact. It was remarkable that,
+when owners and managers were asked about the produce of their estates,
+they were quite at home as to the answer; but when they were asked about
+the proportion of their male and female slaves, and their infants, they
+knew little about the matter. Even medical men were adepts in the art of
+planting, but when they were asked the latter questions, as connected
+with breeding and rearing, they seemed quite amazed, and could give no
+information upon the subject of them.
+
+Persons, however, of great respectability had been called as witnesses
+who had not seen the treatment of the Negroes as he had now described
+it. He knew what was due to their characters, but yet he must enter a
+general protest against their testimony. "I have often," says Mr. Ross,
+"attended both governors and admirals upon tours in the island of
+Jamaica, but it was not likely that these should see much distress upon
+these occasions. The white people and drivers would take care not to
+harrow up the feelings of strangers of distinction by the exercise of
+the whip, or the infliction of punishments, at that particular time;
+and, even if there were any disgusting objects, it was natural to
+suppose that they would then remove them." But in truth these gentlemen
+had given proofs that they were under the influence of prejudice. Some
+of them had declared the abolition would ruin the West Indies; but this,
+it was obvious, must depend upon the practicability of keeping up the
+stock without African supplies; and yet, when they were questioned upon
+this point, they knew nothing about it; hence they had formed a
+conclusion without premises. Their evidence, too, extended through a
+long series of years; they had never seen one instance of ill-treatment
+in the time, and yet, in the same breath, they talked of the amended
+situation of the slaves, and that they were now far better off than
+formerly. One of them, to whom his country owed much, stated that a
+master had been sentenced to death for the murder of his own slave; but
+his recollection must have failed him, for the murder of a slave was not
+then a capital crime. A respectable governor also had delivered an
+opinion to the same effect; but, had he looked into the statute-book of
+the island, he would have found his error.
+
+It had been said that the slaves were in a better state than the
+peasantry of this country; but when the question was put to Mr. Ross,
+did he not answer, "that he would not insult the latter by a
+comparison!"
+
+It had been said again, that the Negroes were happier as slaves than
+they would be if they were to be made free. But how was this
+reconcilable with facts? If a Negro under extraordinary circumstances
+had saved money enough, did he not always purchase his release from this
+situation of superior happiness by the sacrifice of his last shilling?
+Was it not also notorious, that the greatest reward which a master
+thought he could bestow upon his slave for long and faithful services
+was his freedom.
+
+It had been said again, that Negroes, when made free, never returned to
+their own country. But was not the reason obvious? If they could even
+reach their own homes in safety, their kindred and connexions might be
+dead. But would they subject themselves to be kidnapped again; to be
+hurried once more on board a slave-ship, and again to endure and survive
+the horrors of the passage? Yet the love of their native country had
+been proved beyond a doubt; many of the witnesses had heard them talk of
+it in terms of the strongest affection. Acts of suicide, too, were
+frequent in the islands, under the notion that these afforded them the
+readiest means of getting home. Conformably with this, Captain Wilson
+had maintained that the funerals, which in Africa were accompanied with
+lamentations and cries of sorrow, were attended, in the West Indies with
+every mark of joy.
+
+He had now, he said, made good his first proposition--that in the
+condition of the slaves there were causes, which should lead us to
+expect, that there would be a considerable decrease among them. This
+decrease in the island of Jamaica was but trifling, or, rather, it had
+ceased some years ago; and if there was a decrease, it was only on the
+imported slaves. It appeared from the privy council report, that from
+1698 to 1730 the decrease was three and a-half per cent.; from 1730 to
+1755 it was two and a-half per cent.; from 1755 to 1768 it was lessened
+to one and three-quarters; and from 1768 to 1788 it was not more than
+one per cent. This last decrease was not greater than could be accounted
+for from hurricanes and consequent famines, and from the number of
+imported Africans who perished in the seasoning. The latter was a cause
+of mortality, which, it was evident, would cease with the importations.
+This conclusion was confirmed in part by Dr. Anderson, who, in his
+testimony to the Assembly of Jamaica, affirmed that there was a
+considerable increase on the properties of the island, and particularly
+in the parish in which he resided.
+
+He would now proceed to establish his second proposition, that from
+henceforth a very considerable increase might be expected. This he might
+support by a close reasoning upon the preceding facts; but the testimony
+of his opponents furnished him with sufficient evidence. He could show,
+that wherever the slaves were treated better than ordinary, there was
+uniformly an increase in their number. Look at the estates of Mr.
+Willock, Mr. Ottley, Sir Ralph Payne, and others. In short, he should
+weary the committee, if he were to enumerate the instances of
+plantations, which were stated in the evidence to have kept up their
+numbers only from a little variation in their treatment. A remedy also
+had been lately found for a disorder, by which vast numbers of infants
+had been formerly swept away. Mr. Long, also, had laid it down, that
+whenever the slaves should bear a certain proportion to the produce,
+they might be expected to keep up their numbers; but this proportion
+they now exceeded. The Assembly of Jamaica had given it also as their
+opinion, "that when once the sexes should become nearly equal in point
+of number, there was no reason to suppose, that the increase of the
+Negroes by generation would fall short of the natural increase of the
+labouring poor in Great Britain." But the inequality, here spoken of,
+could only exist in the case of the African Negroes, of whom more males
+were imported than females; and this inequality would be done away soon
+after the trade should cease.
+
+But the increase of the Negroes, where their treatment was better than
+ordinary, was confirmed in the evidence by instances in various parts of
+the world. From one end of the continent of America to the other, their
+increase had been undeniably established; and this to a prodigious
+extent, though they had to contend with the severe cold of the winter,
+and in some parts with noxious exhalations in the summer. This was the
+case, also, in the settlement of Bencoolen in the East Indies. It
+appeared from the evidence of Mr. Botham, that a number of Negroes, who
+had been imported there in the same disproportion of the sexes as in
+West Indian cargoes, and who lived under the same disadvantages, as in
+the islands, of promiscuous intercourse and general prostitution, began,
+after they had been settled a short time, annually to increase.
+
+But to return to the West Indies.--A slave-ship had been, many years
+ago, wrecked near St. Vincent's. The slaves on board, who escaped to the
+island, were without necessaries; and, besides, were obliged to maintain
+a war with the native Caribbs: yet they soon multiplied to an
+astonishing number; and, according to Mr. Ottley, they were now on the
+increase. From Sir John Dalrymple's evidence it appeared that the
+domestic slaves in Jamaica, who were less worked than those in the
+field, increased; and from Mr. Long, that the free Blacks and Mulattoes
+there increased also.
+
+But there was an instance which militated against these facts (and the
+only one in the evidence), which he would now examine. Sir Archibald
+Campbell had heard that the Maroons in Jamaica, in the year 1739,
+amounted to three thousand men fit to carry arms. This supposed their
+whole number to have been about twelve thousand; but in the year 1782,
+after a real muster by himself, he found, to his great astonishment,
+that the fighting men did not then amount to three hundred. Now the fact
+was, that Sir Archibald Campbell's first position was founded upon
+rumour only, and was not true; for, according to Mr. Long, the Maroons
+were actually numbered in 1749, when they amounted to about six hundred
+and sixty in all, having only a hundred and fifty men fit to carry arms.
+Hence, if when mustered by Sir Archibald Campbell he found three hundred
+fighting men, they must from 1749 to 1782 have actually doubled their
+population.
+
+Was it possible, after these instances, to suppose that the Negroes
+could not keep up their numbers, if their natural increase were made a
+subject of attention? The reverse was proved by sound reasoning. It had
+been confirmed by unquestionable facts. It had been shown, that they had
+increased in every situation, where there was the slightest circumstance
+in their favour. Where there had been any decrease, it was stated to be
+trifling; though no attention appeared to have been paid to the subject.
+This decrease had been gradually lessening; and, whenever a single cause
+of it had been removed (many still remaining), it had altogether ceased.
+Surely these circumstances formed a body of proof which was
+irresistible.
+
+He would now speak of the consequences of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade in other points of view; and first, as to its effects upon our
+marine. An abstract of the Bristol and Liverpool muster-rolls had been
+just laid before the House. It appeared from this, that in three hundred
+and fifty slave-vessels, having on board twelve thousand two hundred and
+sixty-three persons, two thousand six hundred and forty-three were lost
+in twelve months; whereas in four hundred and sixty-two West Indiamen,
+having on board seven thousand six hundred and forty persons, one
+hundred and eighteen only were lost in seven months. This rather
+exceeded the losses stated by Mr. Clarkson. For their barbarous usage on
+board these ships, and for their sickly and abject state in the West
+Indies, he would appeal to Governor Parry's letter; to the evidence of
+Mr. Ross; to the assertion of Mr. B. Edwards, an opponent; and to the
+testimony of Captains Sir George Yonge and Thompson, of the Royal Navy.
+He would appeal, also, to what Captain Hall, of the Navy, had given in
+evidence. This gentleman, after the action of the 12th of April,
+impressed thirty hands from a slave-vessel, whom he selected with the
+utmost care from a crew of seventy; and he was reprimanded by his
+admiral, though they could scarcely get men to bring home the prizes,
+for introducing such wretches to communicate disorders to the fleet.
+Captain Smith of the Navy had also declared, that when employed to board
+Guineamen to impress sailors, although he had examined near twenty
+vessels, he never was able to get more than two men, who were fit for
+service; and these turned out such inhuman fellows, although good
+seamen, that he was obliged to dismiss them from the ship.
+
+But he hoped the committee would attend to the latter part of the
+assertion of Captain Smith. Yes: this trade, while it injured the
+constitutions of our sailors, debased their morals. Of this, indeed,
+there was a barbarous illustration in the evidence. A slave-ship had
+struck on some shoals, called the Morant Keys, a few leagues from the
+east end of Jamaica. The crew landed in their boats, with arms and
+provisions, leaving the slaves on board in their irons. This happened in
+the night. When morning came, it was discovered that the Negroes had
+broken their shackles, and were busy in making rafts; upon which
+afterwards they placed the women and children. The men attended upon the
+latter, swimming by their side, whilst they drifted to the island where
+the crew were. But what was the sequel? From an apprehension that the
+Negroes would consume the water and provisions, which had been landed,
+the crew resolved to destroy them as they approached the shore. They
+killed between three and four hundred. Out of the whole cargo only
+thirty-three were saved, who, on being brought to Kingston, were sold.
+It would, however, be to no purpose, he said, to relieve the Slave Trade
+from this act of barbarity. The story of the Morant Keys was paralleled
+by that of Captain Collingwood; and were you to get rid of these,
+another, and another, would still present itself, to prove the barbarous
+effects of this trade on the moral character.
+
+But of the miseries of the trade there was no end. Whilst he had been
+reading out of the evidence the story of the Morant Keys, his eye had
+but glanced on the opposite page, and it met another circumstance of
+horror. This related to what were called the refuse-slaves. Many people
+in Kingston were accustomed to speculate in the purchase of those, who
+were left after the first day's sale. They then carried them out into
+the country, and retailed them. Mr. Ross declared, that he had seen
+these landed in a very wretched state, sometimes in the agonies of
+death, and sold as low as for a dollar, and that he had known several
+expire in the piazzas of the vendue-master. The bare description
+superseded the necessity of any remark. Yet these were the familiar
+incidents of the Slave Trade.
+
+But he would go back to the seamen. He would mention another cause of
+mortality, by which many of them lost their lives. In looking over
+Lloyd's list, no less than six vessels were cut off by the irritated
+natives in one year, and the crews massacred. Such instances were not
+unfrequent. In short, the history of this commerce was written
+throughout in characters of blood.
+
+He would next consider the effects of the abolition on those places
+where it was chiefly carried on. But would the committee believe, after
+all the noise which had been made on this subject, that the Slave Trade
+composed but a thirtieth part of the export trade of Liverpool, and that
+of the trade of Bristol it constituted a still less proportion? For the
+effects of the abolition on the general commerce of the kingdom, he
+would refer them to Mr. Irving; from whose evidence it would appear,
+that the medium value of the British manufactures, exported to Africa,
+amounted only to between four and five hundred thousand pounds annually.
+This was but a trifling sum. Surely the superior capital, ingenuity,
+application, and integrity of the British manufacturer would command new
+markets for the produce of his industry, to an equal amount, when this
+should be no more. One branch, however, of our manufactures, he
+confessed, would suffer from the abolition; and that was the manufacture
+of gunpowder; of which the nature of our connexion with Africa drew from
+us as much as we exported to all the rest of the world besides.
+
+He hastened, however, to another part of the argument. Some had said,
+"We wish to put an end to the Slave Trade, but we do not approve of your
+mode. Allow more time. Do not displease the legislatures of the West
+India islands. It is by them that those laws must be passed, and
+enforced, which will secure your object." Now he was directly at issue
+with these gentlemen. He could show, that the abolition was the only
+certain mode of amending the treatment of the slaves, so as to secure
+their increase: and that the mode which had been offered to him, was at
+once inefficacious and unsafe. In the first place, how could any laws,
+made by these legislatures, be effectual, whilst the evidence of Negroes
+was in no case admitted against White men? What was the answer from
+Grenada? Did it not state, "that they who were capable of cruelty, would
+in general be artful enough to prevent any but slaves from being
+witnesses of the fact?" Hence it had arisen, that when positive laws had
+been made, in some of the islands, for the protection of the slaves,
+they had been found almost a dead letter. Besides, by what law would you
+enter into every man's domestic concerns, and regulate the interior
+economy of his house and plantation? This would be something more than a
+general excise. Who would endure such a law? And yet on all these and
+innumerable other minutiae must depend the protection of the slaves,
+their comforts, and the probability of their increase. It was
+universally allowed, that the Code Noir had been utterly neglected in
+the French islands, though there was an officer appointed by the crown
+to see it enforced. The provisions of the Directorio had been but of
+little more avail in the Portuguese settlements, or the institution of a
+Protector of the Indians, in those of the Spaniards. But what degree or
+protection the slaves would enjoy might be inferred from the admission
+of a gentleman, by whom this very plan of regulation had been
+recommended, and who was himself no ordinary person, but a man of
+discernment and legal resources. He had proposed a limitation of the
+number of lashes to be given by the master or overseer for one offence.
+But, after all, he candidly confessed, that his proposal was not likely
+to be useful, while the evidence of slaves continued inadmissible
+against their masters. But he could even bring testimony to the
+inefficacy of such regulations. A wretch in Barbados had chained a Negro
+girl to the floor, and flogged her till she was nearly expiring. Captain
+Cook and Major Fitch, hearing her cries, broke open the door and found
+her. The wretch retreated from their resentment, but cried out
+exultingly, "that he had only given her thirty-nine lashes (the number
+limited by law) at any one time; and that he had only inflicted this
+number three times since the beginning of the night," adding, "that he
+would prosecute them for breaking open his door; and that he would flog
+her to death for all any one, if he pleased; and that he would give her
+the fourth thirty-nine before morning."
+
+But this plan of regulation was not only inefficacious, but unsafe. He
+entered his protest against the fatal consequences which might result
+from it. The Negroes were creatures like ourselves; but they were
+uninformed, and their moral character was debased. Hence they were unfit
+for civil rights. To use these properly they must be gradually restored
+to that level, from which they had been so unjustly degraded. To allow
+them an appeal to the laws, would be to awaken in them a sense of the
+dignity of their nature. The first return of life, after a swoon, was
+commonly a convulsion, dangerous at once to the party himself and to all
+around him. You should first prepare them for the situation, and not
+bring the situation to them. To be under the protection of the law was
+in fact to be a freeman; and to unite slavery and freedom in one
+condition was impracticable. The abolition, on the other hand, was
+exactly such an agent as the case required. All hopes of supplies from
+the coast being cut off, breeding would henceforth become a serious
+object of attention; and the care of this, as including better clothing,
+and feeding, and milder discipline, would extend to innumerable
+particulars, which an act of assembly could neither specify nor enforce.
+The horrible system, too, which many had gone upon, of working out their
+slaves in a few years, and recruiting their gangs with imported
+Africans, would receive its death-blow from the abolition of the trade.
+The opposite would force itself on the most unfeeling heart. Ruin would
+stare a man in the face, if he were not to conform to it. The
+non-resident owners would then express themselves in the terms of Sir
+Philip Gibbs, "that he should consider it as the fault of his manager,
+if he were not to keep up the number of his slaves." This reasoning
+concerning the different tendencies of the two systems was self-evident;
+but facts were not wanting to confirm it. Mr. Long had remarked, that
+all the insurrections and suicides in Jamaica had been found among the
+imported slaves, who, not having lost the consciousness of civil rights,
+which they had enjoyed in their own country, could not brook the
+indignities to which they were subjected in the West Indies. An instance
+in point was afforded also by what had lately taken place in the island
+of Dominica. The disturbance there had been chiefly occasioned by some
+runaway slaves from the French islands. But what an illustration was it
+of his own doctrine to say, that the slaves of several persons, who had
+been treated with kindness, were not among the number of the insurgents
+on that occasion!
+
+But when persons coolly talked of putting an end to the Slave Trade
+through the medium of the West India legislatures, and of gradual
+abolition, by means of regulations, they surely forgot the miseries
+which this horrid traffic occasioned in Africa during every moment of
+its continuance. This consideration was conclusive with him, when called
+upon to decide whether the Slave Trade should be tolerated for a while,
+or immediately abolished. The divine law against murder was absolute and
+unqualified. Whilst we were ignorant of all these things, our sanction
+of them might, in some measure, be pardoned. But now, when our eyes were
+opened, could we tolerate them for a moment, unless we were ready at
+once to determine, that gain should be our god, and, like the heathens
+of old, were prepared to offer up human victims at the shrine of our
+idolatry?
+
+This consideration precluded also the giving heed for an instant to
+another plea, namely, that if we were to abolish the trade it would be
+proportionably taken up by other nations.  But, whatever other nations
+did, it became Great Britain, in every point of view, to take a forward
+part. One half of this guilty commerce had been carried on by her
+subjects. As we had been great in crime we should be early in our
+repentance. If Providence had showered his blessings upon us in
+unparalleled abundance, we should show ourselves grateful for them by
+rendering them subservient to the purposes for which they were intended.
+There would be a day of retribution, wherein we should have to give an
+account of all those talents, faculties, and opportunities with which we
+have been intrusted. Let it not then appear that our superior power had
+been employed to oppress our fellow-creatures, and our superior light to
+darken the creation of God. He could not but look forward with delight
+to the happy prospects which opened themselves to his view in Africa,
+from the abolition of the Slave Trade, when a commerce, justly deserving
+that name, should be established with her; not like that, falsely so
+called, which now subsisted, and which all who were interested for the
+honour of the commercial character (though there were no superior
+principle) should hasten to disavow. Had this trade indeed been ever so
+profitable, his decision would have been in no degree affected by that
+consideration. "Here's the smell of blood on the hand still, and all the
+perfumes of Arabia cannot sweeten it."
+
+He doubted whether it was not almost an act of degrading condescension
+to stoop to discuss the question in the view of commercial interest. On
+this ground, however, he was no less strong than on every other. Africa
+abounded with productions of value, which she would gladly exchange for
+our manufactures, when these were not otherwise to be obtained: and to
+what an extent her demand might then grow, exceeded almost the powers of
+computation. One instance already existed of a native king, who being
+debarred by his religion the use of spirituous liquors, and therefore
+not feeling the irresistible temptation to acts of rapine which they
+afforded to his countrymen, had abolished the Slave Trade throughout all
+his dominions, and was encouraging an honest industry.
+
+For his own part, he declared that, interested as he might be supposed
+to be in the final event of the question, he was comparatively
+indifferent as to the present decision of the House upon it. Whatever
+they might do, the people of Great Britain, he was confident, would
+abolish the Slave Trade when, as would then soon happen, its injustice
+and cruelty should be fairly laid before them. It was a nest of
+serpents, which would never have existed so long but for the darkness in
+which they lay hid. The light of day would now be let in on them, and
+they would vanish from the sight. For himself, he declared he was
+engaged in a work which he would never abandon; the consciousness of the
+justice of his cause would carry him forward, though he were alone; but
+he could not but derive encouragement from considering with whom he was
+associated. Let us not, he said, despair; it is a blessed cause, and
+success ere long will crown our exertions. Already we have gained one
+victory; we have obtained for these poor creatures the recognition of
+their human nature[A], which, for a while, was most shamefully denied
+them. This is the first fruits of our efforts; let us persevere, and our
+triumph will be complete. Never, never, will we desist till we have
+wiped away this scandal from the Christian name; till we have released
+ourselves from the load of guilt under which we at present labour; and
+till we have extinguished every trace of this bloody traffic, which our
+posterity, looking back to the history of these enlightened times, will
+scarcely believe had been suffered to exist so long, a disgrace and a
+dishonour to our country.
+
+[Footnote A: This point was actually obtained by the evidence before the
+House of Commons; for, after this, we heard no more of them as an
+inferior race.]
+
+He then moved, that the chairman be instructed to move for leave to
+bring in a bill to prevent the further importation of slaves into the
+British colonies in the West Indies.
+
+Colonel Tarleton immediately rose up, and began by giving an historical
+account of the trade from the reign of Elizabeth to the present time. He
+then proceeded to the sanction which parliament had always given it;
+hence it could not then be withdrawn without a breach of faith: hence,
+also, the private property embarked in it was sacred; nor could it be
+invaded, unless an adequate compensation were given in return.
+
+They who had attempted the abolition of the trade were led away by a
+mistaken humanity; the Africans themselves had no objection to its
+continuance.
+
+With respect to the middle passage, he believed the mortality there to
+be on an average only five in the hundred; whereas in regiments sent out
+to the West Indies, the average loss in the year was about ten and a
+half per cent.
+
+The Slave Trade was absolutely necessary, if we meant to carry on our
+West India commerce; for many attempts had been made to cultivate the
+lands in the different islands by white labourers, but they had always
+failed.
+
+It had also the merit of keeping up a number of seamen in readiness for
+the state. Lord Rodney had stated this as one of its advantages on the
+breaking out of a war. Liverpool alone could supply nine hundred and
+ninety-three seamen annually.
+
+He would now advert to the connexions dependent upon the African trade.
+It was the duty of the House to protect the planters, whose lives had
+been, and were then, exposed to imminent, dangers, and whose property
+had undergone an unmerited, depreciation. To what could this
+depreciation, and to what could the late insurrection at Dominica be
+imputed, which had been saved from horrid carnage and midnight-butchery
+only by the adventitious arrival of two British regiments? They could
+only be attributed to the long delayed question of the abolition of the
+Slave Trade; and if this question were to go much longer unsettled,
+Jamaica would be endangered also.
+
+To members of landed property he would observe, that the abolition would
+lessen the commerce of the country, and increase the national debt and
+the number of their taxes. The minister, he hoped, who patronized this
+wild scheme had some new pecuniary resource in store to supply the
+deficiencies it would occasion.
+
+To the mercantile members he would speak thus: "A few ministerial men in
+the house had been gifted with religious inspiration, and this had been
+communicated to other eminent personages in it: these enlightened
+philanthropists had discovered that it was necessary, for the sake of
+humanity, and for the honour of the nation, that the merchants concerned
+in the African trade should be persecuted, notwithstanding the sanction
+of their trade by Parliament, and notwithstanding that such persecution
+must aggrandize the rivals of Great Britain." Now how did this language
+sound? It might have done in the twelfth century, when all was bigotry
+and superstition; but let not a mistaken humanity, in these enlightened
+times, furnish a colourable pretext for any injurious attack on property
+or character.
+
+These things being considered, he should certainly oppose the measure in
+contemplation. It would annihilate a trade, whose exports amounted to
+eight hundred thousand pounds annually, and which employed a hundred and
+sixty vessels, and more than five thousand seamen. It would destroy also
+the West India trade, which was of the annual value of six millions; and
+which employed one hundred and sixty thousand tons of shipping, and
+seamen in proportion. These were objects of too much importance to the
+country to be hazarded on an unnecessary speculation.
+
+Mr. Grosvenor then rose. He complimented the humanity of Mr.
+Wilberforce, though he differed from him on the subject of his motion.
+He himself had read only the privy council report, and he wished for no
+other evidence. The question had then been delayed two years; had the
+abolition been so clear a point as it was said to be, it could not have
+needed either so much evidence or time.
+
+He had heard a good deal about kidnapping, and other barbarous
+practices. He was sorry for them. But these were the natural
+consequences of the laws of Africa; and it became us as wise men to turn
+them to our own advantage. The Slave Trade was certainly not an amiable
+trade. Neither was that of a butcher; but yet it was a very necessary
+one.
+
+There was great reason to doubt the propriety of the present motion. He
+had twenty reasons for disapproving it. The first was, that the thing
+was impossible. He needed not, therefore to give the rest. Parliament,
+indeed might relinquish the trade. But to whom? To foreigners, who would
+continue it, and without the humane regulations which were applied to it
+by his countrymen.
+
+He would give advice to the House on this subject, in the words which
+the late Alderman Beckford used a different occasion:--"Meddle, not with
+troubled waters; they will be found to be bitter waters; and the waters
+of affliction." He again admitted, that the Slave Trade was not an
+amiable trade; but he would not gratify his humanity at the expense of
+the interests of his country; and he thought we should not too curiously
+inquire into the unpleasant circumstances which attended it.
+
+Mr. James Martin succeeded Mr. Grosvenor. He said he had been long aware
+how much self-interest could pervert the judgment; but he was not
+apprized of the full power of it, till the Slave Trade became a subject
+of discussion. He had always conceived that the custom of trafficing in
+human beings had been incautiously begun, and without any reflection
+upon it; for he never could believe that any man, under the influence of
+moral principles, could suffer himself knowingly to carry on a trade
+replete with fraud, cruelty, and destruction; with destruction indeed,
+of the worst kind, because it subjected the sufferers to a lingering
+death. But he found now, that even such a trade as this could be
+sanctioned.
+
+It was well observed, in the petition from the University of Cambridge
+against the Slave Trade, "that a firm belief in the providence of a
+benevolent Creator assured them that no system, founded on the
+oppression of one part of mankind, could be beneficial to another." He
+felt much concern, that in an assembly of the representatives of the
+country, boasting itself zealous, not only for the preservation of its
+own liberties, but for the general rights of mankind, it should be
+necessary to say a single word upon such a subject; but the
+deceitfulness of the human heart was such, as to change the appearances
+of truth, when it stood in opposition to self-interests. And he had to
+lament that even among those, whose public duty it was to cling to the
+universal and eternal principles of truth, justice, and humanity, there
+were found some who could defend that which was unjust, fraudulent, and
+cruel.
+
+The doctrines he had heard that evening ought to have been reserved for
+times the most flagrantly profligate and abandoned. He never expected
+then to learn that the everlasting laws of righteousness were to give
+way to imaginary, political, and commercial expediency; and that
+thousands of our fellow-creatures were to be reduced to wretchedness,
+that individuals might enjoy opulence, or government a revenue.
+
+He hoped that the House, for the sake of its own character, would
+explode these doctrines with all the marks of odium they deserved; and
+that all parties would join in giving a death-blow to this execrable
+trade. The royal family would, he expected, from their known
+benevolence, patronize the measure. Both Houses of Parliament were now
+engaged in the prosecution of a gentleman accused of cruelty and
+oppression in the East. But what were these cruelties, even if they
+could be brought home to him, when compared in number and degree to
+those which were every day and every hour committed in the abominable
+traffic which was now under their discussion! He considered, therefore,
+both Houses of Parliament as pledged upon this occasion. Of the support
+of the bishops he could have no doubt; because they were to render
+Christianity amiable, both by their doctrine and their example. Some of
+the inferior clergy had already manifested a laudable zeal in behalf of
+the injured Africans. The University of Cambridge had presented a
+petition to that House worthy of itself. The sister-university had, by
+one of her representatives, given sanction to the measure. Dissenters of
+various denominations, but particularly the Quakers, (who, to their
+immortal honour, had taken the lead in it,) had vied with those of the
+Established Church in this amiable contest. The first counties, and some
+of the largest trading towns, in the kingdom had espoused the cause. In
+short, there had never been more unanimity in the country, than in this
+righteous attempt.
+
+With such support, and with so good a cause, it would be impossible to
+fail. Let but every man stand forth who had at any time boasted of
+himself as an Englishman, and success would follow. But if he were to be
+unhappily mistaken as to the result, we must give up the name of
+Englishmen. Indeed, if we retained it, we should be the greatest
+hypocrites in the world; for we boasted of nothing more than of our own
+liberty; we manifested the warmest indignation at the smallest personal
+insult; we professed liberal sentiments towards other nations: but to do
+these things, and to continue such a traffic, would be to deserve the
+hateful character before mentioned. While we could hardly bear the sight
+of anything resembling slavery, even as a punishment, among ourselves,
+how could we consistently entail an eternal slavery upon others?
+
+It had been frequently, but most disgracefully, said, that "we should
+not be too eager in setting the example: let the French begin it." Such
+a sentiment was a direct libel upon the ancient, noble, and generous
+character of this nation. We ought, on the other hand, under the
+blessings we enjoyed, and under the high sense we entertained of our own
+dignity as a people, to be proudly fearful, lest other nations should
+anticipate our design, and obtain the palm before us. It became us to
+lead. And if others should not follow us, it would belong to them to
+glory in the shame of trampling under foot the laws of reason, humanity,
+and religion.
+
+This motion, he said, came strongly recommended to them. The honourable
+member who introduced it was justly esteemed for his character. He was
+the representative, too of a noble county, which had been always ready
+to take the lead in every public measure for the good of the community,
+or for the general benefit of mankind; of a county, too, which had had
+the honour of producing a Saville. Had his illustrious predecessor been
+alive, he would have shown the same zeal on the same occasion. The
+preservation of the unalienable rights of all his fellow-creatures was
+one of the chief characteristics of that excellent citizen. Let every
+member in that House imitate him in the purity of their conduct and in
+the universal rectitude of their measures, and they would pay the same
+tender regard to the rights of other countries as to those of their own;
+and, for his part, he should never believe those persons to be sincere
+who were loud in their professions of love of liberty, if he saw that
+love confined to the narrow circle of one community, which ought to be
+extended to the natural rights of every inhabitant of the globe.
+
+But we should be better able to bring ourselves up to this standard of
+rectitude, if we were to put ourselves into the situation of those whom
+we oppressed. This was the rule of our religion. What should we think of
+those who should say, that it was their interest to injure us?  But he
+hoped we should not deceive ourselves so grossly as to imagine that it
+was our real interest to oppress any one. The advantages to be obtained
+by tyranny were imaginary, and deceitful to the tyrant; and the evils
+they caused to the oppressed were grievous, and often insupportable.
+
+Before he sat down, he would apologize if he had expressed himself too
+warmly on this subject. He did not mean to offend any one. There were
+persons connected with the trade, some of whom he pitied on account of
+the difficulty of their situation. But he should think most contemptibly
+of himself as a man if he could talk on this traffic without emotion. It
+would be a sign to him of his own moral degradation. He regretted his
+inability to do justice to such a cause; but if, in having attempted to
+forward it, he had shown the weakness of his powers, he must console
+himself with the consideration, that he felt more solid comfort in
+having acted up to sound public principles, than he could have done from
+the exercise of the most splendid talents, against the conviction of his
+conscience.
+
+Mr. Burdon rose, and said he was embarrassed to know how to act. Mr.
+Wilberforce had in a great measure met his ideas. Indeed he considered
+himself as much in his hands; but he wished to go gradually to the
+abolition of the trade. He wished to give time to the planters to
+recruit their stocks. He feared the immediate abolition might occasion a
+monopoly among such of them as were rich, to the detriment of the less
+affluent. We ought, like a judicious physician, to follow nature, and to
+promote a gradual recovery.
+
+Mr. Francis rose next. After complimenting Mr. Wilberforce, he stated
+that personal considerations might appear to incline him to go against
+the side which he was about to take, namely, that of strenuously
+supporting his motion. Having himself an interest in the West Indies, he
+thought that what he should submit to the House would have the double
+effect of evidence, and argument; and he stated most unequivocally his
+opinion, that the abolition of the Slave Trade would tend materially to
+the benefit of the West Indies.
+
+The arguments urged by the honourable mover were supported by the facts,
+which he had adduced from the evidence, more strongly than any arguments
+had been supported in any speech he had ever heard. He wished, however,
+that more of these facts had been introduced into the debate; for they
+were apt to have a greater effect upon the mind than mere reasonings,
+however just and powerful. Many had affirmed that the Slave Trade was
+politic and expedient; but it was worthy of remark, that no man had
+ventured to deny that it was criminal. Criminal, however, he declared it
+to be in the highest degree; and he believed it was equally impolitic.
+Both its inexpediency and injustice had been established by the
+honourable mover. He dwelt much on the unhappy situation of the negroes
+in the West Indies, who were without the protection of government or of
+efficient laws, and subject to the mere caprice of men, who were at once
+the parties, the judges, and the executioners.
+
+He instanced an overseer, who, having thrown a negro into a copper of
+boiling cane-juice, for a trifling offence, was punished merely by the
+loss of his place, and by being obliged to pay the value of the slave.
+He stated another instance of a girl of fourteen, who was dreadfully
+whipped for coming too late to her work. She fell down motionless after
+it; and was then dragged along the ground, by the legs, to an hospital;
+where she died. The murderer, though tried, was acquitted by a jury of
+his peers, upon the idea, that it was impossible a master could destroy
+his own property. This was a notorious fact. It was published in the
+_Jamaica Gazette;_ and it had even happened since the question of the
+abolition had been started.
+
+The only argument used against such cruelties, was the master's interest
+in the slave; but he urged the common cruelty to horses, in which their
+drivers had an equal interest with the drivers of men in the colonies,
+as a proof that this was no security. He had never heard an instance of
+a master being punished for the murder of his slave. The propagation of
+the slaves was so far from being encouraged, that it was purposely
+checked, because it was thought more profitable and less troublesome to
+buy a full grown negro, than to rear a child. He repeated that his
+interest might have inclined him to the other side of the question; but
+he did not choose to compromise between his interest and his duty; for,
+if he abandoned his duty, he should not be happy in this world; nor
+should he deserve happiness in the next.
+
+Mr. Pitt rose; but he said it was only to move, seeing that justice
+could not be done to the subject this evening, that the further
+consideration of the question might be adjourned to the next.
+
+Mr. Cawthorne and Colonel Tarleton both opposed this motion, and Colonel
+Phipps and Lord Carhampton supported it.
+
+Mr. Fox said, the opposition to the adjournment was uncandid and
+unbecoming. They who opposed it well knew that the trade could not bear
+discussion. Let it be discussed; and, although there were symptoms of
+predetermination in some, the abolition of it must be carried. He would
+not believe that there could be found in the House of Commons men of
+such hard hearts and inaccessible understandings, as to vote an assent
+to its continuance, and then go home to their families, satisfied with
+their vote, after they had been once made acquainted with the subject.
+
+Mr. Pitt agreed with Mr. Fox, that from a full discussion of the subject
+there was every reason to augur that the abolition would be adopted.
+Under the imputations, with which this trade was loaded, gentlemen
+should remember, they could not do justice to their own characters,
+unless they stood up, and gave their reasons for opposing the abolition
+of it. It was unusual also to force any question of such importance to
+so hasty a decision. For his own part, it was his duty, from the
+situation in which he stood, to state fully his own sentiments on the
+question; and, however exhausted both he and the House might be, he was
+resolved it should not pass without discussion, as long as he had
+strength to utter a word upon it. Every principle that could bind a man
+of honour and conscience, would impel him to give the most powerful
+support he could to the motion for the abolition.
+
+The motion of Mr. Pitt was assented to, and the House was adjourned
+accordingly.
+
+On the next day the subject was resumed. Sir William Yonge rose, and
+said, that, though he differed from the honourable mover, he had much
+admired his speech of the last evening. Indeed the recollection of it
+made him only the more sensible of the weakness of his own powers; and
+yet, having what he supposed to be irrefragable arguments in his
+possession, he felt emboldened to proceed.
+
+And, first, before he could vote for the abolition, he wished to be
+convinced, that, whilst Britain were to lose, Africa would gain. As for
+himself, he hated a traffic in men, and joyfully anticipated its
+termination at no distant period under a wise system of regulation: but
+he considered the present measure as crude and indolent; and as
+precluding better and wiser measures, which were already in train. A
+British Parliament should attain not only the best ends, but by the
+wisest means.
+
+Great Britain might abandon her share of this trade, but she could not
+abolish it. Parliament was not an assembly of delegates from the powers
+of Europe, but of a single nation. It could not therefore suppress the
+trade; but would eventually aggravate those miseries incident to it,
+which every enlightened man must acknowledge, and every good man must
+deplore. He wished the traffic for ever closed. But other nations were
+only waiting for our decision, to seize the part we should leave them.
+The new projects of these would be intemperate; and, in the zeal of
+rivalship, the present evils of comparatively sober dealing would be
+aggravated beyond all estimate in this new and heated auction of bidders
+for life and limb. We might, indeed, by regulation give an example of
+new principles of policy and of justice; but if we were to withdraw
+suddenly from this commerce, like Pontius Pilate, we should wash our
+hands, indeed, but we should not be innocent as to the consequences.
+
+On the first agitation of this business, Mr. Wilberforce had spoken
+confidently of other nations following our example. But had not the
+National Assembly of France referred the Slave Trade to a select
+committee, and had not that committee rejected the measure of its
+abolition? By the evidence it appeared, that the French and Spaniards
+were then giving bounties to the Slave Trade; that Denmark was desirous
+of following it; that America was encouraging it; and that the Dutch had
+recognized its necessity, and recommended its recovery. Things were bad
+enough indeed as they were, but he was sure this rivalship would make
+them worse.
+
+He did not admit the disorders imputed to the trade in all their extent.
+Pillage and kidnapping could not be general, on account of the
+populousness of the country; though too frequent instances of it had
+been proved. Crimes might be falsely imputed. This he admitted; but only
+partially. Witchcraft, he believed, was the secret of poisoning, and
+therefore deserved the severest punishment. That there should be a
+number of convictions for adultery, where polygamy was a custom, was not
+to be wondered at; but he feared, if a sale of these criminals were to
+be done away, massacre would be the substitute.
+
+An honourable member had asked on a former day, "Is it an excuse for
+robbery to say that another would hare committed it?" But the Slave
+Trade did not necessarily imply robbery. Not long since Great Britain
+sold her convicts, indirectly at least, to slavery; but he was no
+advocate for the trade. He wished it had begun, and that it might soon
+terminate. But the means were not adequate to the end proposed.
+
+Mr. Burke had said on a former occasion, "that in adopting measure we
+must prepare to pay the price of our virtue." He was ready to pay his
+share of that price; but the effect of the purchase must be first
+ascertained. If they did not estimate this, it was not benevolence, but
+dissipation. Effects were to be duly appreciated; and though statesmen
+might rest everything on a manifesto of causes, the humbler moralist,
+meditating peace and good will towards men, would venture to call such
+statesmen responsible for consequences.
+
+In regard to the colonies, a sudden abolition would be oppression. The
+legislatures there should be led, and not forced, upon this occasion. He
+was persuaded they would act wisely to attain the end pointed out to
+them. They would see that a natural increase of their negroes might be
+effected by an improved system of legislation; and that in the result
+the Slave Trade would be no longer necessary.
+
+A sudden abolition, also, would occasion dissatisfaction there. Supplies
+were necessary for some time to come. The negroes did not yet generally
+increase by birth. The gradation of ages was not yet duly filled. These
+and many defects might be remedied, but not suddenly.
+
+It would cause, also, distress there. The planters, not having their
+expected supplies, could not discharge their debts; hence their slaves
+would be seized and sold. Nor was there any provision in this case
+against the separation of families, except as to the mother and infant
+child. These separations were one of the chief outrages complained of in
+Africa. Why, then, should we promote them in the West Indies? The
+confinement on board a slave-ship had been also bitterly complained of;
+but, under distraint for the debt of a master, the poor slave might
+linger in a gaol twice or thrice the time of the Middle Passage.
+
+He again stated his abhorrence of the Slave Trade; but as a resource,
+though he hoped but a temporary one, it was of such consequence to the
+existence of the country, that it could not suddenly be withdrawn. The
+value, of the imports and exports between Great Britain and the West
+Indies, including the excise and customs, was between seven and eight
+millions annually; and the tonnage of the ships employed about an eighth
+of the whole tonnage of these kingdoms.
+
+He complained that in the evidence the West Indian planters had been by
+no means spared. Cruel stories had been hastily and lightly told against
+them. Invidious comparisons had been made to their detriment; but it was
+well known that one of our best comic writers, when he wished to show
+benevolence in its fairest colours, had personified it in the character
+of the West Indian. He wished the slave might become as secure as the
+apprentice in this country; but it was necessary that the alarms
+concerning the abolition of the Slave Trade should, in the mean time, be
+quieted; and he trusted that the good sense and true benevolence of the
+House would reject the present motion.
+
+Mr. Matthew Montagu rose and said a few words in support of the motion;
+and after condemning the trade in the strongest manner, he declared,
+that as long as he had life he would use every faculty of his body and
+mind in endeavouring to promote its abolition.
+
+Lord John Russell succeeded Mr. Montagu. He said, that although slavery
+was repugnant to his feelings, he must vote against the abolition as
+visionary and delusive. It was a feeble attempt, without the power, to
+serve the cause of humanity. Other nations would take up the trade.
+Whenever a bill of wise regulation should be brought forward, no man
+would be more ready than himself to lend his support. In this way the
+rights of humanity might be asserted without injury to others. He hoped
+he should not incur censure by his vote; for, let his understanding be
+what it might, he did not know that he had, notwithstanding the
+assertions of Mr. Fox, an inaccessible heart.
+
+Mr. Stanley (agent for the islands) rose next. He felt himself called
+upon, he said, to refute the many calumnies which had for years been
+propagated against the planters, (even through the medium of the pulpit,
+which should have been employed to better purposes,) and which had at
+length produced the mischievous measure, which was now under the
+discussion of the House. A cry had been sounded forth, and from one end
+of the kingdom to the other, as if there had never been a slave from
+Adam to the present time. But it appeared to him to have been the
+intention of Providence, from the very beginning, that one set of men
+should be slaves to another. This truth was as old as it was universal.
+It was recognised in every history, under every government, and in every
+religion. Nor did the Christian religion itself if the comments of Dr.
+Halifax, Bishop of Gloucester, on a passage of St. Paul's epistle to the
+Corinthians were true, show more repugnance to slavery than any other.
+
+He denied that the slaves were procured in the manner which had been
+described. It was the custom of all savages to kill their prisoners; and
+the Africans ought to be thankful that they had been carried safe into
+the British colonies.
+
+As to the tales of misery in the Middle Passage, they were gross
+falsehoods; and as to their treatment in the West Indies, he knew
+personally that it was, in general, indulgent and humane.
+
+With regard to promoting their increase by any better mode of treatment,
+he wished gentlemen would point it out to him. As a planter he would
+thank them for it. It was absurd to suppose that he and others were
+blind to their own interest. It was well known that one Creole slave was
+worth two Africans; and their interest, therefore, must suggest to them,
+that the propagation of slaves was preferable to the purchase of
+imported negroes, of whom one half very frequently died in the
+seasoning.
+
+He then argued the impossibility of beasts doing the work of the
+plantations. He endeavoured to prove that the number of these adequate
+to this purpose could not be supplied with food; and after having made
+many other observations, which, on account of the lowness of his voice,
+could not be heard, he concluded by objecting to the motion.
+
+Mr. William Smith rose. He wondered how the last speaker could have had
+the boldness to draw arguments from scripture in support of the Slave
+Trade. Such arguments could be intended only to impose on those who
+never took the trouble of thinking for themselves. Could it be thought
+for a moment, that the good sense of the House could be misled by a few
+perverted or misapplied passages, in direct opposition to the whole
+tenor, and spirit of Christianity; to the theory, he might say, of
+almost every religion, which had ever appeared in the world? Whatever
+might have been advanced, every body must feel that the Slave Trade
+could not exist an hour, if that excellent maxim, "to do to others as we
+would wish that others should do to us," had its proper influence on the
+conduct of men.
+
+Nor was Mr. Stanley more happy in his argument of the antiquity and
+universality of slavery. Because a practise had existed, did it
+necessarily follow that it was just? By this argument every crime might
+be defended from the time of Cain. The slaves of antiquity, however were
+in a situation far preferable to that of the negroes in the West Indies.
+A passage in Macrobius, which exemplified this in the strongest manner,
+was now brought to his recollection. "Our ancestors," says Macrobius,
+"denominated the master, father of the family, and the slave, domestic,
+with the intention of removing all odium from the condition of the
+master, and all contempt from that of the servant." Could this language
+be applied to the present state of West India slavery?
+
+It had been complained of by those who supported the trade, that they
+laboured under great disadvantages by being obliged to contend against
+the most splendid abilities which the House could boast. But he believed
+they laboured under one, which was worse and for which no talents could
+compensate; he meant the impossibility of maintaining their ground
+fairly on any of those principles, which every man within those walls
+had been accustomed, from his infancy, to venerate as sacred. He and his
+friends, too, laboured under some disadvantages. They had been charged
+with fanaticism. But what had Mr. Long said, when he addressed himself
+to those planters, who were desirous of attempting improvements on their
+estates? He advised them "not to be diverted by partial views, vulgar
+prejudices, or the ridicule which might spring from weak minds, from a
+benevolent attention to the public good." But neither by these nor by
+other charges were he or his friends to be diverted from the prosecution
+of their purpose. They were convinced of the rectitude and high
+importance of their object; and were determined never to desist from
+pursuing it, till it should be attained.
+
+But they had to struggle with difficulties far more serious. The West
+Indian interest which opposed them, was a collected body; of great
+power, affluence, connexions, and respectability.
+
+Artifice had also been employed. Abolition and emancipation had been so
+often confounded, and by those who knew better, that it must have been
+purposely done, to throw an odium on the measure which was now before
+them.
+
+The abolitionists had been also accused as the authors of the late
+insurrection in Dominica. A revolt had certainly taken place in that
+island. But revolts there had occured frequently before. Mr. Stanley
+himself, in attempting to fix this charge upon them, had related
+circumstance which amounted to their entire exculpation. He had said
+that all was quiet there till the disturbances in the French islands;
+when some negroes from the latter had found their way to Dominica, and
+had excited the insurrection in question. He had also said, that the
+negroes in our own islands hated the idea of the abolition; for they
+thought, as no new labourers were to come in, they should be subjected
+to increased hardships. But if they and their masters hated this same
+measure, how was this coincidence of sentiment to give birth to
+insurrections?
+
+Other fallacies, also, had been industriously propogated. Of the African
+trade, it had been said, that the exports amounted to a million
+annually; whereas, from the report on the table, it had on an average
+amounted to little more than half a million; and this included the
+articles for the purchase of African produce which were of the value of
+140,000_l._
+
+The East Indian Trade, also, had been said to depend on the West Indian
+and the African. In the first place, it had but very little connexion
+with the former at all. Its connexion with the latter was principally on
+account of the saltpetre which it furnished for making gunpowder. Out of
+nearly three millions of pounds in weight of the latter article, which
+had been exported in a year from this country, one-half had been sent to
+Africa alone; for the purposes, doubtless, of maintaining peace, and
+encouraging civilization among its various tribes! Four or five thousand
+persons were said, also, to depend for their bread in manufacturing guns
+for the African trade; and these, it was pretended, could not make guns
+of another sort.--But where lay the difficulty?--One of the witnesses
+had unravelled it. He had seen the negroes maimed by the bursting of
+these guns. They killed more from the butt than from the muzzle. Another
+had stated, that on the sea-coast the natives were afraid to fire a
+trade-gun.
+
+In the West Indian commerce, two hundred and forty thousand tons of
+shipping were stated to be employed. But here deception intruded itself
+again. This statement included every vessel, great and small, which went
+from the British West Indies to America, and to the foreign islands; and
+what was yet more unfair, all the repeated voyages of each throughout
+the year. The shipping, which could only fairly be brought into this
+account, did but just exceed half that which had been mentioned.
+
+In a similar manner had the islands themselves been overrated. Their
+value had been computed, for the information of the privy council, at
+thirty-six millions; but the planters had estimated them at seventy. The
+truth, however, might possibly lie between these extremes. He by no
+means wished to depreciate their importance; but he did not like that
+such palpable misrepresentations should go unnoticed.
+
+An honourable member (Colonel Tarleton) had disclaimed every attempt to
+interest the feelings of those present, but had desired to call them to
+reason and accounts. He also desired (though it was a question of
+feeling, if any one ever was,) to draw the attention of the committee to
+reason and accounts--to the voice of reason instead of that of
+prejudice, and to accounts in the place of idle apprehensions. The
+result, he doubted not, would be a full persuasion, that policy and
+justice were inseparable upon this, as upon every other occasion.
+
+The same gentleman had enlarged on the injustice of depriving the
+Liverpool merchants of a business, on which were founded their honour
+and their fortunes. On what part of it they founded their honour he
+could not conjecture, except from those passages in the evidence, where
+it appeared, that their agents in Africa had systematically practised
+every fraud and villany, which the meanest and most unprincipled cunning
+could suggest, to impose on the ignorance of those with whom they
+traded.
+
+The same gentleman had also lamented, that the evidence had not been
+taken upon oath. He himself lamented it too. Numberless facts had been
+related by eye-witnesses, called in support of the abolition, so
+dreadfully atrocious, that they appeared incredible; and seemed rather,
+to use the expression of Ossian, like "the histories of the days of
+other times." These procured for the trade a species of acquittal, which
+it could not have obtained, had the committee been authorised to
+administer an oath. He apprehended, also, in this case, that some other
+persons would have been rather more guarded in their testimony. Captain
+Knox would not then perhaps have told the committee, that six hundred
+slaves could have had comfortable room at night in his vessel of about
+one hundred and forty tons; when there could have been no more than five
+feet six inches in length, and fifteen inches in breadth, to about
+two-thirds of his number.
+
+The same gentleman had also dwelt upon the Slave Trade as a nursery for
+seamen. But it had appeared by the muster-rolls of the slave-vessels,
+then actually on the table of the house, that more than a fifth of them
+died in the service, exclusive of those who perished when discharged in
+the West Indies; and yet he had been instructed by his constituents to
+maintain this false position. His reasoning, too, was very curious; for,
+though numbers might die, yet as one half who entered were landsmen,
+seamen were continually forming. Not to dwell on the expensive cruelty
+of forming these seamen by the yearly destruction of so many hundreds,
+this very statement was flatly contradicted by the evidence. The
+muster-rolls from Bristol stated the proportion of landsmen in the trade
+there at one twelfth, and the proper officers of Liverpool itself at but
+a sixteenth of the whole employed. In the face again of the most glaring
+facts, others had maintained that the mortality in these vessels did not
+exceed that of other trades in the tropical climates. But the same
+documents, which proved that twenty-three per cent were destroyed in
+this wasting traffic, proved that in West India ships only about one and
+a half per cent were lost, including every casualty. But the very men,
+under whose management this dreadful mortality had been constantly
+occurring, had coolly said, that much of it might be avoided by proper
+regulations. How criminal then were they, who, knowing this, had neither
+publicly proposed, nor in their practice adopted, a remedy!
+
+The average loss of the slaves on board, which had been calculated by
+Mr. Wilberforce at twelve and a half per cent., had been denied. He
+believed this calculation, taking in all the circumstances connected
+with it, to be true; but that for years not less than one-tenth had so
+perished, he would challenge those concerned in the traffic to disprove.
+Much evidence had been produced on the subject; but the voyages had been
+generally selected. There was only one who had disclosed the whole
+account. This was Mr. Anderson of London, whose engagements in this
+trade had been very inconsiderable. His loss had only amounted to three
+per cent.; but, unfortunately for the slave-traders of Liverpool, his
+vessel had not taken above three-fourths of that number in proportion to
+the tonnage which they had stated to be necessary to the very existence
+of their trade.
+
+An honourable member (Mr. Grosvenor) had attributed the protraction of
+this business to those who had introduced it. But from whom did the
+motion for further evidence (when that of the privy council was refused)
+originate, but from the enemies of the abolition? The same gentleman had
+said, it was impossible to abolish the trade; but where was the
+impossibility of forbidding the further importation of slaves into our
+own colonies? and beyond this the motion did not extend.
+
+The latter argument had also been advanced by Sir William Yonge and
+others. But allowing it its full force, would there be no honour in the
+dereliction of such a commerce? Would it be nothing publicly to
+recognise great and just principles? Would our example be nothing!--Yes:
+every country would learn, from our experiment, that American colonies
+could be cultivated without the necessity of continual supplies equally
+expensive and disgraceful.
+
+But we might do more than merely lay down principles or propose
+examples. We might, in fact, diminish the evil itself immediately by no
+inconsiderable part,--by the whole of our own supply; and here he could
+not at all agree with the honourable baronet, in what seemed to him a
+commercial paradox, that the taking away from an open trade by far the
+largest customer, and the lessening of the consumption of the article,
+would increase both the competition and the demand, and of course all
+those mischiefs, which it was their intention to avert.
+
+That the civilization of the Africans was promoted, as had been
+asserted, by their intercourse with the Europeans, was void of
+foundation, as had appeared from the evidence. In manners and dishonesty
+they had indeed assimilated with those who frequented their coasts. But
+the greatest industry and the least corruption of morals were in the
+interior, where they were out of the way of this civilizing connexion.
+
+To relieve Africa from famine, was another of the benign reasons which
+had been assigned for continuing the trade. That famines had occurred
+there, he did not doubt; but that they should annually occur, and with
+such arithmetical exactness as to suit the demands of the Slave Trade,
+was a circumstance most extraordinary; so wonderful, indeed, that, could
+it once be proved, he should consider it as a far better argument in
+favour of the divine approbation of that trade, than any which had ever
+yet been produced.
+
+As to the effect of the abolition on the West Indies, it would give
+weight to every humane regulation which had been made; by substituting a
+certain and obvious interest, in the place of one depending upon chances
+and calculation. An honourable member (Mr. Stanley) had spoken of the
+impossibility of cultivating the estates there without further
+importations of negroes; and yet, of all the authorities he had brought
+to prove his case, there was scarcely one which might not be pressed to
+serve more or less effectually against him. Almost every planter he had
+named had found his negroes increase under the good treatment he had
+professed to give them; and it was an axiom, throughout the whole
+evidence, that, wherever they were well used, importations were not
+necessary. It had been said, indeed, by some adverse witnesses, that in
+Jamaica all possible means had been used to keep up the stock by
+breeding; but how preposterous was this, when it was allowed that the
+morals of the slaves had been totally neglected, and that the planters
+preferred buying a larger proportion of males than females!
+
+The misfortune was, that prejudice, and not reason, was the enemy to be
+subdued. The prejudices of the West Indians on these points were
+numerous and inveterate. Mr. Long himself had characterised them on this
+account, in terms which he should have felt diffident in using. But Mr.
+Long had shown his own prejudices also: for he justified the chaining of
+the Negroes on board the slave-vessels, on account of "their bloody,
+cruel, and malicious dispositions." But hear his commendation of some of
+the Aborigines of Jamaica, "who had miserably perished in caves, whither
+they had retired to escape the tyranny of the Spaniards. These," says
+he, "left a glorious monument of their having disdained to survive the
+loss of their liberty and their country." And yet this same historian
+could not perceive that this natural love of liberty might operate as
+strongly and as laudably in the African Negro, as in the Indian of
+Jamaica.
+
+He was concerned to acknowledge that these prejudices were yet further
+strengthened by resentment against those who had taken an active part in
+the abolition of the Slave Trade. But it was never the object of these
+to throw a stigma on the whole body of the West Indians; but to prove
+the miserable effects of the trade. This it was their duty to do; and
+if, in doing this, disgraceful circumstances had come out, it was not
+their fault; and it must never be forgotten that they were true.
+
+That the slaves were exposed to great misery in the islands, was true as
+well from inference as from facts: for what might not be expected from
+the use of arbitrary power, where the three characters of party, judge,
+and executioner were united! The slaves, too, were more capable on
+account of their passions, than the beasts in the field, of exciting the
+passions of their tyrants. To what a length the ill-treatment of them
+might be carried, might be learnt from, the instance which General
+Tottenham mentioned to have seen in the year 1780 in the streets of
+Bridge Town, Barbados: "A youth about nineteen (to use his own words in
+the evidence), entirely naked, with an iron collar about his neck,
+having five long projecting spikes. His body both before and behind was
+covered with wounds. His belly and thighs were almost cut to pieces,
+with running ulcers all over them; and a finger might have been laid in
+some of the weals. He could not sit down, because his hinder part was
+mortified; and it was impossible for him to lie down, on account of the
+prongs of his collar." He supplicated the General for relief. The latter
+asked who had punished him so dreadfully? The youth answered, his master
+had done it. And because he could not work, this same master, in the
+same spirit of perversion, which extorts from Scripture a justification
+of the Slave Trade, had fulfilled the apostolic maxim, that he should
+have nothing to eat. The use he meant to make of this instance was to
+show the unprotected state of the slaves. What must it be, where such an
+instance could pass not only unpunished, but almost unregarded! If, in
+the streets of London, but a dog were to be seen lacerated like this
+miserable man, how would the cruelty of the wretch be execrated, who had
+thus even abused a brute!
+
+The judicial punishments also inflicted upon the Negro showed the low
+estimation, in which, in consequence of the strength of old customs and
+deep-rooted prejudices, they were held. Mr. Edwards, in his speech to
+the Assembly at Jamaica, stated the following case, as one which had
+happened in one of the rebellions there. Some slaves surrounded the
+dwelling-house of their mistress. She was in bed with a lovely infant.
+They deliberated upon the means of putting her to death in torment. But
+in the end one of them reserved her for his mistress; and they killed
+her infant with an axe before her face. "Now," says Mr. Edwards,
+(addressing himself to his audience) "you will think that no torments
+were too great for such horrible excesses. Nevertheless I am of a
+different opinion. I think that death, unaccompanied with cruelty,
+should be the utmost exertion of human authority over our unhappy
+fellow-creatures." Torments, however, were always inflicted in these
+cases. The punishment was gibbeting alive, and exposing the delinquents
+to perish by the gradual effects of hunger, thirst, and parching sun; in
+which situation they were known to suffer for nine days, with a
+fortitude scarcely credible, never uttering a single groan. But horrible
+as the excesses might have been, which occasioned these punishments, it
+must be remembered, that they were committed by ignorant savages, who
+had been dragged from all they held most dear; whose patience had been
+exhausted by a cruel and loathsome confinement during their
+transportation; and whose resentment had been wound up to the highest
+pitch of fury by the lash of the driver.
+
+But he would now mention another instance, by way of contrast, out of
+the evidence. A child on board a slave-ship, of about ten months old,
+took sulk and would not eat. The captain flogged it with a cat; swearing
+that he would make it eat, or kill it. From this and other ill-treatment
+the child's legs swelled. He then ordered some water to be made hot to
+abate the swelling. But even his tender mercies were cruel; for the
+cook, on putting his hand into the water, said it was too hot. Upon this
+the captain swore at him, and ordered the feet to be put in. This was
+done. The nails and skin came off. Oiled cloths were then put round
+them. The child was at length tied to a heavy log. Two or three days
+afterwards, the captain caught it up again; and repeated that he would
+made it eat, or kill it. He immediately flogged it again, and in a
+quarter of an hour it died. But, after the child was dead, whom should
+the barbarian select to throw it overboard, but the wretched mother? In
+vain she started from the office. He beat her, till he made her take up
+the child and carry it to the side of the vessel. She then dropped it
+into the sea, turning her head the other way that she might not see it.
+Now it would naturally be asked, was not this captain also gibbeted
+alive? Alas! although the execrable barbarity of the European exceeded
+that of the Africans before mentioned, almost as much as his
+opportunities of instruction has been greater than theirs, no notice
+whatsoever was taken of this horrible action; and a thousand similar
+cruelties had been committed in this abominable trade with equal
+impunity: but he would say no more. He would vote for the abolition, not
+only as it would do away all the evils complained of in Africa and the
+Middle Passage; but as it would be the most effectual means of
+ameliorating the condition of those unhappy persons, who were still to
+continue slaves in the British colonies.
+
+Mr. Courtenay rose. He said, he could not but consider the assertion of
+Sir William Yonge as a mistake, that the Slave Trade, if abandoned by
+us, would fall into the hands of France. It ought to be recollected,
+with what approbation the motion for abolishing it, made by the late
+Mirabeau, had been received; although the situation of the French
+colonies might then have presented obstacles to carrying the measure
+into immediate execution. He had no doubt, if parliament were to begin,
+so wise and enlightened a body as the National Assembly would follow the
+example. But even if France were not to relinquish the trade, how could
+we, if justice required its abolition, hesitate as to our part of it?
+
+The trade, it had been said, was conducted upon the principles of
+humanity. Yes: we rescued the Africans from what we were pleased to call
+their wretched situation in their own; country, and then we took credit
+for our humanity; because, after having killed one half of them in the
+seasoning, we substituted what we were again pleased to call a better
+treatment than that which they would have experienced at home.
+
+It had been stated that the principle of war among savages was a general
+massacre. This was not true. They frequently adopted the captives into
+their own families; and, so far from massacring the women and children,
+they often gave them the protection which the weakness of their age and
+sex demanded.
+
+There could be no doubt, that the practice of kidnapping; prevailed in
+Africa. As to witchcraft, it had been made a crime in the reign of James
+the First in this country, for the purpose of informations; and how much
+more likely were informations to take place in Africa, under the
+encouragement afforded by the Slave Trade! This trade, it had been said,
+was sanctioned by twenty-six acts of parliament. He did not doubt but
+fifty-six might be found, by which parliament had sanctioned witchcraft
+of the existence of which we had now no belief whatever....
+
+It had been said by Mr. Stanley that the pulpit had been used as an
+instrument of attack on the Slave Trade. He was happy to learn it had
+been so well employed; and he hoped the Bishops would rise up in the
+House of Lords, with the virtuous indignation which became them, to
+abolish a traffic so contrary to humanity, justice, and religion.
+
+He entreated every member to recollect, that on his vote that night
+depended the happiness of millions; and that it was then in his power to
+promote a measure, of which the benefits would be felt over one whole
+quarter of the globe; that the seeds of civilization might, by the
+present bill, be sown all over Africa: and the first principles of
+humanity be established in regions where they had hitherto been excluded
+by the existence of this execrable trade.
+
+Lord Carysfort rose, and said, that the great cause of the abolition had
+flourished by the manner in which it had been opposed. No one argument
+of solid weight had been adduced against it. It had been shown, but
+never disproved, that the colonial laws were inadequate to the
+protection of the slaves; that the punishments of the latter were most
+unmerciful; that they were deprived of the right of self-defence against
+any White man; and, in short, that the system was totally repugnant to
+the principles of the British constitution.
+
+Colonel Phipps followed Lord Carysfort. He denied that this was a
+question in which the rights of humanity and the laws of nature were
+concerned. The Africans became slaves in consequence of the constitution
+of their own governments. These were founded in absolute despotism.
+Every subject was an actual slave. The inhabitants were slaves to the
+great men, and the great men were slaves to the prince. Prisoners of
+war, too, were by law subject to slavery. Such being the case, he saw no
+more cruelty in disposing of them to our merchants, than to those of any
+other nation. Criminals, also, in cases of adultery and witchcraft,
+became slaves by the same laws.
+
+It had been said, that there were no regulations in the West Indies for
+the protection of slaves. There were several; though he was ready to
+admit that more were necessary; and he would go in this respect as far
+as humanity might require. He had passed ten months in Jamaica, where he
+had never seen any such acts of cruelty as had been talked of. Those
+which he had seen were not exercised by the Whites, but by the Blacks.
+The dreadful stories which had been told, ought no more to fix a general
+stigma upon the planters, than the story of Mrs. Brownrigg to stamp this
+polished metropolis with the general brand of murder. There was once a
+haberdasher's wife (Mrs. Nairne) who locked up her apprentice girl, and
+starved her to death; but did ever any body think of abolishing
+haberdashery on this account? He was persuaded the Negroes in the West
+Indies were cheerful and happy. They were fond of ornaments; but it was
+not the characteristic of miserable persons to show a taste for finery.
+Such a taste, on the contrary, implied a cheerful and contented mind. He
+was sorry to differ from his friend Mr. Wilberforce, but he must oppose
+his motion.
+
+Mr. Pitt rose, and said, that from the first hour of his having had the
+honour to sit in parliament down to the present, among all the
+questions, whether political or personal, in which it had been his
+fortune to take a share, there had never been one in which his heart was
+so deeply interested as in the present; both, on account of the serious
+principles it involved, and the consequences connected with it.
+
+The present was not a mere question of feeling. The argument, which
+ought, in his opinion, to determine the committee, was, that the Slave
+Trade was unjust. It was, therefore, such a trade as it was impossible
+for him to support, unless it could be first proved to him, that there
+were no laws of morality binding upon nations; and that it was not the
+duty of a legislature to restrain its subjects, from invading the
+happiness of other countries, and from violating; the fundamental
+principles of justice.
+
+Several had stated the impracticability of the measure before them. They
+wished to see the trade abolished; but there was some necessity for
+continuing it, which they conceived to exist. Nay, almost every, one, he
+believed, appeared to wish that the further importation of slaves might
+cease, provided, it could be made out that, the population of the West
+Indies could be maintained without it. He proposed, therefore, to
+consider the latter point; for, as the impracticability of keeping up
+the population there appeared to operate as the chief objection, he
+trusted that, by showing it to be ill founded, he should clear away all
+other obstacles whatever; so that, having no ground either of justice or
+necessity to stand upon, there could be no excuse left to the committee
+for resisting the present motion.
+
+He might reasonably, however, hope that they would not reckon any small
+or temporary disadvantage, which might arise from the abolition, to be a
+sufficient reason against it. It was surely not any slight degree of
+expediency, nor any small balance of profit, nor any light shades of
+probability on the one side, rather than on the other, which would
+determine them on this question. He asked pardon even for the
+supposition. The Slave Trade was an evil of such magnitude, that there
+must be a common wish in the committee at once to put an end to it, if
+there were no great and serious obstacles. It was a trade, by which
+multitudes of unoffending nations were deprived of the blessings of
+civilization, and had their peace and happiness invaded. It ought,
+therefore, to be no common expediency, it ought to be nothing less than
+the utter ruin of our islands, which it became those to plead, who took
+upon them to defend the continuance of it.
+
+He could not help thinking that the West India gentlemen had manifested
+an over great degree of sensibility as to the point in question; and
+that their alarms had been unreasonably excited upon it. He had examined
+the subject carefully for himself: and he would now detail those
+reasons, which had induced him firmly to believe, not only that no
+permanent mischief would follow from the abolition, but not even any
+such temporary inconvenience as could be stated to be a reason for
+preventing the House from agreeing to the motion before them; on the
+contrary, that the abolition itself would lay the foundation for the
+more solid improvement of all the various interests of those colonies.
+
+In doing this he should apply his observations chiefly to Jamaica, which
+contained more than half the slaves in the British West Indies; and if
+he should succeed in proving that no material detriment could arise to
+the population there, this would afford so strong a presumption with
+respect to the other islands, that the House could no longer hesitate
+whether they should, or should not, put a stop to this most horrid
+trade.
+
+In the twenty years ending in 1788, the annual loss of slaves in Jamaica
+(that is, the excess of deaths above the births,) appeared to be one in
+the hundred. In a preceding period the loss was greater; and, in a
+period before that greater still; there having been a continual
+gradation in the decrease through the whole time. It might fairly be
+concluded, therefore, that (the average logs of the last period being
+one per cent.) the loss in the former part of it would be somewhat more,
+and in the latter part somewhat less, than one per cent; insomuch that
+it might be fairly questioned, whether, by this time, the births and
+deaths in Jamaica might not be stated as nearly equal. It was to be
+added, that a peculiar calamity, which swept away fifteen thousand
+slaves, had occasioned a part of the mortality in the last-mentioned
+period. The probable loss, therefore, now to be expected, was very
+inconsiderable indeed.
+
+There was, however, one circumstance to be added, which the West India
+gentlemen, in stating this matter, had entirely overlooked; and which
+was so material, as clearly to reduce the probable diminution in the
+population of Jamaica down to nothing. In all the calculations he had
+referred to of the comparative number of births and deaths, all the
+Negroes in the island were included. The newly imported, who died in the
+seasoning, made apart; but these swelled, most materially, the number of
+the deaths. Now, as these extraordinary deaths would cease, as soon as
+the importation ceased, a deduction of them ought to be made from his
+present calculation.
+
+But the number of those, who thus died in the seasoning, would make up
+of itself nearly the whole of that one per cent. which had been stated.
+He particularly pressed an attention to this circumstance; for the
+complaint of being likely to want hands in Jamaica, arose from the
+mistake of including the present unnatural deaths, caused by the
+seasoning, among the natural and perpetual muses of mortality. These
+deaths, being erroneously taken into the calculations, gave the planters
+an idea that the numbers could not be kept up. These deaths, which were
+caused merely by the Slave Trade, furnished the very ground, therefore,
+on which the continuance of that trade had been thought necessary.
+
+The evidence as to this point was clear; for it would be found in that
+dreadful catalogue of deaths, arising from the seasoning and the
+passage, which the House had been condemned to look into, that one half
+died. An annual mortality of two thousand slaves in Jamaica might be
+therefore charged to the importation; which, compared with the whole
+number on the island, hardly fell short of the whole one per cent.
+decrease.
+
+Joining this with all the other considerations, he would then ask, could
+the decrease of the slaves in Jamaica be such--could the colonies be so
+destitute of means--could the planters, when by their own accounts they
+were establishing daily new regulations for the benefit of the
+slaves--could they, under all these circumstances, be permitted to plead
+that total impossibility of keeping up their number, which they had
+rested on, as being indeed the only possible pretext for allowing fresh
+importations from Africa? He appealed, therefore, to the sober judgment
+of all, whether the situation of Jamaica was such, as to justify a
+hesitation in agreeing to the present motion.
+
+It might be observed, also, that, when the importations should stop,
+that disproportion between the sexes, which was one of the obstacles to
+population, would gradually diminish; and a natural order of things be
+established. Through the want of this natural order, a thousand
+grievances were created, which it was impossible to define; and which it
+was in vain to think that, under such circumstances, we could cure. But
+the abolition, of itself, would work this desirable effect. The West
+Indians would then feel a near and urgent interest to enter into a
+thousand little details, which it was impossible for him to describe,
+but which would have the greatest influence on population. A foundation
+would thus be laid for the general welfare of the islands; a new system
+would rise up, the reverse of the old; and eventually both their general
+wealth and happiness would increase.
+
+He had now proved far more than he was bound to do; for, if he could
+only show that the abolition would not be ruinous, it would be enough.
+He could give up, therefore, three arguments out of four, through the
+whole of what he had said, and yet have enough left for his position. As
+to the Creoles, they would undoubtedly increase. They differed in this
+entirely from the imported slaves, who were both a burthen and a curse
+to themselves and others. The measure now proposed would operate like a
+charm; and, besides stopping all the miseries in Africa and the passage,
+would produce even more benefit in the West Indies than legal
+regulations could effect.
+
+He would now just touch upon the question of emancipation. A rash
+emancipation of the slaves would be mischievous. In that unhappy
+situation, to which our baneful conduct had brought ourselves and them,
+it would be no justice on either side to give them liberty. They were as
+yet incapable of it; but their situation might be gradually amended.
+They might be relieved from everything harsh and severe; raised from
+their present degraded state; and put under the protection of the law.
+Till then, to talk of emancipation was insanity. But it was the system
+of fresh importations, which interfered with these principles of
+improvement; and it was only the abolition which could establish them.
+This suggestion had its foundation in human nature. Wherever the
+incentive of honour, credit, and fair profit appeared, energy would
+spring up; and when these labourers should have the natural springs of
+human action afforded them, they would then rise to the natural level of
+human industry.
+
+From Jamaica he would now go to the other islands. In Barbadoes the
+slaves had rather increased. In St. Kitts the decrease for fourteen
+years had been but three-fourths per cent.; but here many of the
+observations would apply, which he had used in the case of Jamaica. In
+Antigua many had died by a particular calamity. But for this, the
+decrease would have been trifling. In Nevis and Montserrat there was
+little or no disproportion of the sexes; so that it might well be hoped,
+that the numbers would be kept up in these islands. In Dominica some
+controversy had arisen about the calculation; but Governor Orde had
+stated an increase of births above the deaths. From Grenada and St.
+Vincent's no accurate accounts had been delivered in answer to the
+queries sent them; but they were probably not in circumstances less
+favourable than in the other islands.
+
+On a full review, then, of the state of the Negro population in the West
+Indies, was there any serious ground of alarm from the abolition of the
+Slave Trade? Where was the impracticability, on which alone so many had
+rested their objections? Must we not blush at pretending, that it would
+distress our consciences to accede to this measure, as far as the
+question of the Negro population was concerned?
+
+Intolerable were the mischiefs of this trade, both in its origin, and
+through every stage of its progress. To say that slaves could be
+furnished us by fair and commercial means was ridiculous. The trade
+sometimes ceased, as during the late war. The demand was more or less
+according to circumstances. But how was it possible, that to a demand so
+exceedingly fluctuating the supply should always exactly accommodate
+itself? Alas! We made human beings the subject of commerce; we talked of
+them as such; and yet we would not allow them the common principle of
+commerce, that the supply must accommodate itself to the consumption. It
+was not from wars, then, that the slaves were chiefly procured. They
+were obtained in proportion as they were wanted. If a demand for slaves
+arose, a supply was forced in one way or other; and it was in vain,
+overpowered as we then were with positive evidence, as well as the
+reasonableness of the supposition, to deny that by the Slave Trade we
+occasioned all the enormities which had been alleged against it.
+
+Sir William Yonge had said, that if we were not to take the Africans
+from their country, they would be destroyed. But he had not yet read
+that all uncivilized nations destroyed their captives. We assumed,
+therefore, what was false. The very selling of them implied this; for,
+if they would sell their captives for profit, why should they not employ
+them so as to receive a profit also? Nay, many of them, while there was
+no demand from the slave merchants, were often actually so employed. The
+trade, too, had been suspended during the war; and it was never said, or
+thought, that any such consequence had then followed.
+
+The honourable baronet had also said, to justification of the Slave
+Trade, that witchcraft commonly implied poison, and was therefore a
+punishable crime; but did he recollect that not only the individual
+accused, but that his whole family, were sold as slaves? The truth was,
+we stopped the natural progress of civilization in Africa. We cut her
+off from the opportunity of improvement. We kept her down in a state of
+darkness, bondage, ignorance, and bloodshed. Was not this an awful
+consideration for this country? Look at the map of Africa, and see how
+little useful intercourse had been established on that vast continent!
+While other countries were assisting and enlightening each other, Africa
+alone had none of these benefits. We had obtained as yet only so much
+knowledge of her productions, as to show that there was a capacity for
+trade, which we checked. Indeed, if the mischiefs there were out of the
+question, the circumstance of the Middle Passage alone would, in his
+mind, be reason enough for the abolition. Such a scene as that of the
+slave-ships passing over with their wretched cargoes to the West Indies,
+if it could be spread before the eyes of the House, would be sufficient
+of itself to make them vote in favour of it; but when it could be added,
+that the interest even of the West Indies themselves rested on the
+accomplishment of this great event, he could not conceive an act of more
+imperious duty, than that which was imposed upon the House, of agreeing
+to the present motion.
+
+Sir Archibald Edmonstone rose, and asked whether the present motion went
+so far as to pledge those who voted for it to a total and immediate
+abolition.
+
+Mr. Alderman Watson rose next. He defended the Slave Trade as highly
+beneficial to the country, being one material branch of its commerce.
+But he could not think of the African trade without connecting it with
+the West Indian. The one hung upon the other. A third important branch
+also depended upon it, which was the Newfoundland fishery; the latter
+could not go on, if it were not for the vast quantity of inferior fish
+bought up for the Negroes in the West Indies, and which quite unfit for
+any other market. If, therefore, we destroyed the African, we destroyed
+the other trades. Mr. Turgot, he said, had recommended in the National
+Assembly of France the gradual abolition of the Slave Trade. He would,
+therefore, recommend it to the House to adopt the same measure, and to
+soften the rigours of slavery by wholesome regulations; but an immediate
+abolition he could not countenance.
+
+Mr. Fox at length rose. He observed that some expressions which he had
+used on the preceding day, had been complained of as too harsh and
+severe. He had since considered them, but he could not prevail upon
+himself to retract them; because, if any gentleman, after reading the
+evidence on the table, and attending to the debate, could avow himself
+an abettor of this shameful traffic in human flesh, it could only be
+either from some hardness of heart, or some difficulty of understanding,
+which he really knew not how to account for.
+
+Some had considered this question as a question of political, whereas,
+it was a question of personal, freedom. Political freedom was
+undoubtedly a great blessing; but when it came to be compared with
+personal, it sunk to nothing. To confound the two, served, therefore, to
+render all arguments on either perplexing and unintelligible. Personal
+freedom was the first right of every human being. It was a right, of
+which he who deprived a fellow-creature was absolutely criminal in so
+depriving him, and which he who withheld was no less criminal in
+withholding. He could not, therefore, retract his words with respect to
+any, who (whatever respect he might otherwise have for them) should, by
+their vote of that night, deprive their fellow-creatures of so great a
+blessing. Nay, he would go further. He would say, that if the House,
+knowing what the trade was by the evidence, did not, by their vote, mark
+to all mankind their abhorrence of a practice so savage, so enormous, so
+repugnant to all laws human and divine, they would consign their
+character to eternal infamy.
+
+That the pretence of danger to our West Indian islands from the
+abolition of the Slave Trade was totally unfounded, Mr. Wilberforce had
+abundantly proved; but if there were they who had not been satisfied
+with that proof, was it possible to resist the arguments of Mr. Pitt on
+the same subject? It had been shown, on a comparison of the births and
+deaths in Jamaica, that there was not now any decrease of the slaves.
+But if there had been, it would have made no difference to him in his
+vote; for, had the mortality been ever so great there, he should have
+ascribed it to the system of importing Negroes, instead of that of
+encouraging their natural increase. Was it not evident that the planters
+thought it more convenient to buy them fit for work, than to breed them?
+Why, then, was this horrid trade to be kept up?--To give the planters
+truly the liberty of misusing their slaves, so as to check population:
+for it was from ill-usage only that, in a climate so natural to them,
+their numbers could diminish. The very ground, therefore, on which the
+planters rested the necessity of fresh importations, namely, the
+destruction of lives in the West Indies, was itself the strongest
+argument that could be given, and furnished the most imperious call upon
+parliament for the abolition of the trade.
+
+Against this trade innumerable were the charges. An honourable member,
+Mr. Smith, had done well to introduce those tragical stories which had
+made such an impression upon the House. No one of these had been yet
+controverted. It had, indeed, been said; that the cruelty of the African
+captain to the child was too bad to be true; and we had been desired to
+look at the cross-examination of the witness, as if we should find
+traces of the falsehood in his testimony there. But his
+cross-examination was peculiarly honourable to his character; for, after
+he had been pressed in the closest manner by some able members of the
+House, the only inconsistency they could fix upon him was, whether the
+fact had happened on the same day of the same month of the year 1764 or
+the year 1765.
+
+But it was idle to talk of the incredibility of such instances. It was
+not denied that absolute power was exercised by the slave-captains; and
+if this was granted, all the cruelties charged upon them would naturally
+follow. Never did he hear of charges so black and horrible as those
+contained in the evidence on the table. They unfolded such a scene of
+cruelty, that if the House, with all their present knowledge of the
+circumstances, should dare to vote for its continuance, they must have
+nerves of which he had no conception. We might find instances, indeed,
+in history, of men violating the feelings of nature on extraordinary
+occasions. Fathers had sacrificed their sons and daughters, and husbands
+their wives; but to imitate their characters, we ought to have not only
+nerves as strong as the two Brutuses, but to take care that we had a
+cause as good; or that we had motives for such a dereliction of our
+feelings as patriotic as those which historians had annexed to these
+when they handed them to the notice of the world.
+
+But what was our motive in the case before us?--to continue a trade
+which was a wholesale sacrifice of a whole order and race of our
+fellow-creatures, which carried them away by force from their native
+country, in order to subject them to the mere will and caprice, the
+tyranny and oppression of other human beings, for their whole natural
+lives, them and their posterity for ever!! O most monstrous wickedness!
+O unparalleled barbarity! And, what was more aggravating, this most
+complicated scene of robbery and murder which mankind had ever
+witnessed, had been honoured by the name of trade.
+
+That a number of human beings should be at all times ready to be
+furnished as fair articles of commerce, just as our occasions might
+require, was absurd. The argument of Mr. Pitt on this head was
+unanswerable. Our demand was fluctuating: it entirely ceased at some
+times: at others it was great and pressing. How was it possible, on
+every sudden call, to furnish a sufficient return in slaves, without
+resorting to those execrable means of obtaining them, which were stated
+in the evidence? These were of three sorts, and he would now examine
+them.
+
+Captives in war, it was urged, were consigned either to death or
+slavery. This, however, he believed to be false in point of fact. But
+suppose it were true; did it not become us, with whom it was a custom,
+founded in the wisest policy, to pay the captives a peculiar respect and
+civility, to inculcate the same principles in Africa? But we were so far
+from doing this, that we encouraged wars for the sake of taking, not
+men's goods and possessions, but men themselves; and it was not the war
+which was the cause of the Slave Trade, but the Slave Trade which was
+the cause of the war. It was the practice of the slave-merchants to try
+to intoxicate the African kings in order to turn them to their purpose.
+A particular instance occurred in the evidence of a prince, who, when
+sober, resisted their wishes; but in the moment of inebriety he gave the
+word for war, attacked the next village, and sold the inhabitants to the
+merchants.
+
+The second mode was kidnapping. He referred the House to various
+instances of this in the evidence: but there was one in particular, from
+which we might immediately infer the frequency of the practice. A black
+trader had kidnapped a girl and sold her; but he was presently
+afterwards kidnapped and sold himself; and, when he asked the captain
+who bought him, "What! do you buy me, who am a great trader?" the only
+answer was, "Yes, I will buy you, or her, or anybody else, provided any
+one will sell you;" and accordingly both the trader and the girl were
+carried to the West Indies, and sold for slaves.
+
+The third mode of obtaining slaves was by crimes committed or imputed.
+One of these was adultery. But was Africa the place, where Englishmen,
+above all others, were to go to find out and punish adultery? Did it
+become us to cast the first stone? It was a most extraordinary
+pilgrimage for a most extraordinary purpose! And yet upon this plea we
+justified our right of carrying off its inhabitants. The offence alleged
+next was witchcraft. What a reproach it was to lend ourselves to this
+superstition!--Yes: we stood by; we heard the trial; we knew the crime
+to be impossible; and that the accused must be innocent: but we waited
+in patient silence for his condemnation; and then we lent our friendly
+aid to the police of the country, by buying the wretched convict, with
+all his family; whom, for the benefit of Africa, we carried away also
+into perpetual slavery.
+
+With respect to the situation of the slaves in their transportation, he
+knew not how to give the House a more correct idea of the horrors of it,
+than by referring them to the printed section of the slave-ship; where
+the eye might see what the tongue must fall short in describing. On this
+dismal part of the subject he would not dwell. He would only observe,
+that the acts of barbarity, related of the slave-captains in these
+voyages, were so extravagant, that they had been attributed in some
+instances to insanity. But was not this the insanity of arbitrary power?
+Who ever read the facts recorded of Nero without suspecting he was mad?
+Who would not be apt to impute insanity to Caligula--or Domitian--or
+Caracalla--or Commodus--or Heliogabalus? Here were six Roman emperors,
+not connected in blood, nor by descent, who, each of them, possessing
+arbitrary power, had been so distinguished for cruelty, that nothing
+short of insanity could be imputed to them. Was not the insanity of the
+masters of slave-ships to be accounted for on the same principles?
+
+Of the slaves in the West Indies it had been said, that they were taken
+from a worse state to a better. An honourable member, Mr. W. Smith, had
+quoted some instances out of the evidence to the contrary. He also would
+quote one or two others. A slave under hard usage had run away. To
+prevent a repetition of the offence his owner sent for his surgeon, and
+desired him to cut off the man's leg. The surgeon refused. The owner, to
+render it a matter of duty in the surgeon, broke it. "Now," says he,
+"you must cut it off; or the man will die." We might console ourselves,
+perhaps, that this happened in a French island; but he would select
+another instance, which had happened in one of our own. Mr. Ross heard
+the shrieks of a female issuing from an out-house; and so piercing, that
+he determined to me what was going on. On looking in he perceived a
+young female tied up to a beam by her wrists, entirely naked, and in the
+act of involuntary writhing and swinging; while the author of her
+torture was standing below her with a lighted torch in his hand, which
+he applied to all the parts of her body as it approached him. What crime
+this miserable woman had perpetrated he knew not; but the human mind
+could not conceive a crime warranting such a punishment.
+
+He was glad to see that these tales affected the House. Would they then
+sanction enormities, the bare recital of which made them shudder? Let
+them remember that humanity did not consist in a squeamish ear. It did
+not consist in shrinking and starting at such tales as these; but in a
+disposition of the heart to remedy the evils they unfolded. Humanity
+belonged rather to the mind than to the nerves. But, if so, it should
+prompt men to charitable exertion. Such exertion was necessary in the
+present case. It was necessary for the credit of our jurisprudence at
+home, and our character abroad. For what would any man think of our
+justice, who should see another hanged for a crime, which would be
+innocence itself, if compared with those enormities, which were allowed
+in Africa and the West Indies under the sanction of the British
+parliament?
+
+It had been said, however, in justification of the trade, that the
+Africans were less happy at home than in the Islands. But what right had
+we to be judges of their condition? They would tell us a very different
+tale, if they were asked. But it was ridiculous to say, that we bettered
+their condition, when we dragged them from everything dear in life to
+the most abject state of slavery.
+
+One argument had been used, which for a subject so grave was the most
+ridiculous he had ever heard. Mr. Alderman Watson had declared the Slave
+Trade to be necessary on account of its connexion with our fisheries.
+But what was this but an acknowledgment of the manner, in which these
+miserable beings, were treated? The trade was to be kept up, with all
+its enormities, in order that there might be persons to consume the
+refuse fish from Newfoundland, which was too bad for anybody else to
+eat.
+
+It had been said that England ought not to abolish the Slave Trade,
+unless other nations would also give it up. But what kind of morality
+was this? The Trade was defensible upon no other principle than that of
+a highwayman. Great Britain could not keep it upon these terms. Mere
+gain was not a motive for a great country to rest on, as a justification
+of any measure. Honour was its superior; and justice was superior to
+honour.
+
+With regard to the emancipation of those in slavery, he coincided with
+Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Pitt; and upon this principle, that it might be
+as dangerous to give freedom at once to a man used to slavery, as, in
+the case of a man who had never seen day-light, to expose him all at
+once to the full glare of a meridian sun.
+
+With respect to the intellect and sensibility of the Africans, it was
+pride only, which suggested a difference between them and ourselves.
+There was a remarkable instance to the point in the evidence, and which
+he would quote. In one of the slave-ships was a person of consequence; a
+man, once high in a military station, and with a mind not insensible to
+the eminence of his rank. He had been taken captive and sold; and was
+then in the hold, confined promiscuously with the rest. Happening in the
+night to fall asleep, he dreamed that he was in his own country; high in
+honour and command; caressed by his family and friends; waited on by his
+domestics; and surrounded with all his former comforts in life. But
+awaking suddenly, and finding where he was, he was heard to burst into
+the loudest groans and lamentations on the miserable contrast of his
+present state; mixed with the meanest of his subjects; and subjected to
+the insolence of wretches a thousand times lower than himself in every
+kind of endowment. He appealed to the House, whether this was not as
+moving a picture of the miserable effects of the Slave Trade, as could
+be well imagined. There was one way, by which they might judge of it.
+Let them make the case their own. This was the Christian rule of
+judging; and, having mentioned Christianity, he was sorry to find that
+any should suppose, that it had given countenance to such a system of
+oppression. So far was this from being the case, that he thought it one
+of the most splendid triumphs of this religion, that it had caused
+slavery to be so generally abolished on its appearance in the world. It
+had done this by teaching us, among other beautiful precepts, that, in
+the sight of their Maker, all mankind were equal. Its influence appeared
+to have been more powerful in this respect than that of all the ancient
+systems of philosophy; though even in these, in point of theory, we
+might trace great liberality and consideration for human rights. Where
+could be found finer sentiments of liberty than in Demosthenes and
+Cicero? Where bolder assertions of the rights of mankind, than in
+Tacitus and Thucydides? But, alas! these were the holders of slaves: It
+was not so with those who had been converted to Christianity. He knew,
+however, that what he had been ascribing to Christianity had been
+imputed by others to the advances which philosophy had made. Each of the
+two parties took the merit to itself. The philosopher gave it to
+philosophy, and the divine to religion. He should not, then, dispute
+with either of them; but, as both coveted the praise, why should they
+not emulate each other by promoting this improvement in the condition of
+the human race?
+
+He would now conclude by declaring, that the whole country, indeed the
+whole civilized world, must rejoice that such a bill as the present had
+been moved for, not merely as a matter of humanity, but as an act of
+justice; for he would put humanity out of the case. Could it be called
+humanity to forbear committing murder? Exactly upon this ground did the
+motion stand; being strictly a question of national justice. He thanked
+Mr. Wilberforce for having pledged himself so strongly to pursue his
+object till it was accomplished; and, as for himself, he declared, that,
+in whatever situation he might ever be, he would use his warmest efforts
+for the promotion of this righteous cause.
+
+Mr. Stanley (the member for Lancashire) rose, and declared that, when he
+came into the house, he intended to vote against the abolition; but that
+the impression made both on his feelings and on his understanding was
+such, that he could not persist in his resolution. He was now convinced
+that the entire abolition of the Slave Trade was called for equally by
+sound policy and justice. He thought it right and fair to avow manfully
+this change in his opinion. The abolition, ho was sure, could not long
+fail of being carried. The arguments for it were irresistible.
+
+The Honourable Mr. Ryder said that he came to the house not exactly in
+the same circumstances as Mr. Stanley, but very undecided on the
+subject. He was, however, so strongly convinced by the arguments he had
+heard, that he was become equally earnest for the abolition.
+
+Mr. Smith (member for Pontefract) said, that he should not trouble the
+House, at so late an hour, further than to enter his protest, in the
+most solemn manner, against this trade, which he considered as most
+disgraceful to the country, and contrary to all the principles of
+justice and religion.
+
+Mr. Sumner declared himself against the total, immediate, and
+unqualified abolition, which he thought would wound at least the
+prejudices of the West Indians, and might do mischief; but a gradual
+abolition should have his hearty support.
+
+Major Scott declared there was no member in the house, who would give a
+more independent vote upon this question than himself. He had no concern
+either in the African or West Indian trades; but in the present state of
+the finances of the country, he thought it would be a dangerous
+experiment to risk any one branch of our foreign commerce. As far as
+regulation would go, he would join in the measure.
+
+Mr. Burke said he would use but few words. He declared that he had for a
+long time had his mind drawn towards this great subject. He had even
+prepared a bill for the regulation of the trade, conceiving at that time
+that the immediate abolition of it was a thing hardly to be hoped for;
+but when he found that Mr. Wilberforce had seriously undertaken the
+work, and that his motion was for the abolition, which he approved much
+more than his own, he had burnt his papers; and made an offering of them
+in honour of this nobler proposition, much in the same manner as we
+read, that the curious books were offered up and burnt at the approach
+of the Gospel. He highly applauded the confessions of Mr. Stanley and
+Mr. Ryder. It would be a glorious tale for them to tell their
+constituents, that it was impossible for them, however prejudiced, if
+sent to hear, discussion in that House, to avoid surrendering up their
+hearts and judgments at the shrine of reason.
+
+Mr. Drake said, that he would oppose the abolition to the utmost. We
+had, by a want of prudent conduct, lost America. The House should be
+aware of being carried away by the meteors with which they had been
+dazzled. The leaders, it was true, were for the abolition; but the minor
+orators, the dwarfs, the pigmies, he trusted, would that night carry the
+question against them. The property of the West Indians was at stake;
+and, though men might be generous with their own property, they should
+not be so with the property of others.
+
+Lord Sheffield reprobated the overbearing language which had been used
+by some gentlemen towards others, who differed in opinion from them on a
+subject of so much difficulty as the present. He protested against a
+debate, in which he could trace nothing like reason; but, on the
+contrary, downright phrensy, raised perhaps by the most extraordinary
+eloquence. The abolition, as proposed, was impracticable. He denied the
+right of the legislature to pass a law for it. He warned the Chancellor
+of the Exchequer to beware of the day, on which the bill should pass, as
+the worst he had ever seen.
+
+Mr. Milnes declared, that he adopted all those expressions against the
+Slave Trade, which had been thought so harsh; and that the opinion of
+the noble lord had been turned in consequence of having become one of
+the members for Bristol. He quoted a passage from Lord Sheffield's
+pamphlet; and insisted that the separation of families in the West
+Indies, there complained of by himself, ought to have compelled him to
+take the contrary side of the question.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce made a short reply to some arguments in the course of
+the debate; after which, at half-past three in the morning, the House
+divided. There appeared for Mr. Wilberforce's motion eighty-eight, and
+against it one hundred and sixty-three; so that it was lost by a
+majority of seventy-five votes.
+
+By this unfavourable division the great contest, in which we had been so
+long engaged, was decided. We were obliged to give way to superior
+numbers. Our fall, however, grievous as it was, was rendered more
+tolerable by the circumstance of having been prepared to expect it. It
+was rendered more tolerable, also, by other considerations; for we had
+the pleasure of knowing, that we had several of the most distinguished
+characters in the kingdom, and almost all the splendid talents of the
+House of Commons[A], in our favour. We knew, too, that the question had
+not been carried against us either by evidence or by argument; but that
+we were the victims of the accidents and circumstances of the times. And
+as these considerations comforted us, when we looked forward to future
+operations on this great question, so we found great consolation as to
+the past, in believing, that, unless human constitutions were stronger
+than they really were, we could not have done more than we had done
+towards the furtherance of the cause.
+
+[Footnote A: It is a pity that no perfect list was ever made of this or
+of any other division in the House of Commons on this subject. I can
+give, however, the names of the following, members, as having voted for
+Mr.  Wilberforce's motion at this time.
+
+Mr. Pitt,           Lord Bayham,           Mr. Duncombe,
+Mr. Fox,            Lord Arden,            Mr. Martin,
+Mr. Burke,          Lord Carysfort,        Mr. Milnes,
+Mr. Grey,           Lord Muncaster,        Mr. Steele,
+Mr. Windham,        Lord Barnard,          Mr. Coke,
+Mr. Sheridan,       Lord North,            Mr. Eliott,
+Mr. Whitbread,      Lord Euston,           Mr. Montagu,
+Mr. Courtenay,      General Burgoyne,      Mr. Bastard,
+Mr. Francis,        Hon. R. Fitzpatrick,   Mr. Stanley,
+Mr. Wilberforce,    Sir William Dolben,    Mr. Plumer,
+Mr. Ryder,          Sir Henry Houghton,    Mr. Beaufoy,
+Mr. William Smith,  Sir Edward Lyttleton,  Mr. I.H. Browne,
+Mr. John Smyth,     Sir William Scott,     Mr. G.N. Edwards,
+Mr. Robert Smith,   Mr. Samuel Thornton,   Mr. W.M. Pitt,
+Mr. Powys,          Mr. Henry Thornton,    Mr. Bankes,
+Lord Apsley,        Mr. Robert Thornton,
+
+]
+
+The committee for the abolition held a meeting soon after this our
+defeat. It was the most impressive I ever attended. The looks of all
+bespoke the feelings of their hearts. Little was said previously to the
+opening of the business; and, after it was opened, it was conducted with
+a kind of solemn dignity, which became the occasion. The committee, in
+the course of its deliberations, came to the following resolutions:--
+
+That the thanks of this committee be respectfully given to the
+illustrious minority of the House of Commons, who lately stood forth the
+assertors of British justice and humanity, and the enemies of a traffic
+in the blood of man.
+
+That our acknowledgments are particularly due to William Wilberforce,
+Esq., for his unwearied exertions to remove this opprobrium of our
+national character; and to the right honourable William Pitt, and the
+right honourable Charles James Fox, for their virtuous and dignified
+co-operation in the same cause.
+
+That the solemn declarations of these gentlemen, and of Matthew Montagu
+and William Smith, Esqrs., that they will not relinquish, but with life,
+their struggle for the abolition of the Slave Trade, are not only highly
+honourable to themselves as Britons, as statesmen, and as Christians,
+but must eventually, as the light of evidence shall be more and more
+diffused, be seconded by the good wishes of every man not immediately
+interested in the continuance of that detestable commerce.
+
+And lastly, that anticipating the opposition they should have to sustain
+from persons trained to a familiarity with the rapine and desolation
+necessarily attendant on the Slave Trade, and sensible, also, of the
+prejudices which implicitly arise from long-established usages, this
+committee consider the late decision in the House of Commons as a delay,
+rather than a defeat. In addressing a free and enlightened nation on a
+subject, in which its justice, its humanity, and its wisdom are
+involved, they cannot despair of final success; and they do hereby,
+under an increasing conviction of the excellence of their cause, and in
+conformity to the distinguished examples before them, renew their firm
+protestation, that they will never desist from appealing to their
+countrymen, till the commercial intercourse with Africa shall cease to
+be polluted with the blood of its inhabitants.
+
+These resolutions were published, and they were followed by a suitable
+report.
+
+The committee, in order to strengthen themselves for the prosecution of
+their great work, elected Sir William Dolben, Bart., Henry Thornton,
+Lewis Alexander Grant, and Matthew Montagu, Esqrs., who were members of
+parliament, and Truman Harford, Josiah Wedgewood, jun., Esq., and John
+Clarkson, Esq., of the royal navy, as members of their own body; and
+they elected the Rev. Archdeacon Plymley (afterwards Corbett) an
+honorary and corresponding member, in consequence of the great services
+which he had rendered their cause in the shires of Hereford and Salop,
+and the adjacent counties of Wales.
+
+The several committees, established in the country, on receiving the
+resolutions and report as before mentioned, testified their sympathy in
+letters of condolence to that of London on the late melancholy occasion;
+and expressed their determination to support it as long as any vestiges
+of this barbarous traffic should remain.
+
+At length the session ended; and though, in the course of it, the
+afflicting loss of the general question had occurred, there was yet an
+attempt made by the abolitionists in parliament, which met with a better
+fate. The Sierra Leone Company received the sanction of the Legislature.
+The object of this institution was to colonize a small portion of the
+coast of Africa. They, who were to settle there, were to have no concern
+in the Slave Trade, but to discourage it as much as possible. They were
+to endeavour to establish a new species of commerce, and to promote
+cultivation in its neighborhood by free labour. The persons more
+generally fixed upon for colonists, were such Negroes, with their wives
+and families, as chose to abandon their habitations in Nova Scotia.
+These had followed the British arms in America; and had been settled
+there, as a reward for their services, by the British government. My
+brother, just mentioned to have been chosen a member of the committee,
+and who had essentially served the great cause of the abolition on many
+occasions, undertook a visit to Nova Scotia, to see if those in question
+were willing to undergo the change; and in that case to provide
+transports, and conduct them to Sierra Leone. This object he
+accomplished. He embarked more than eleven hundred persons in fifteen
+vessels, of all which he took the command. On landing them he became the
+first Governor of the new colony. Having laid the foundation of it, he
+returned to England; when a successor was appointed. From that time many
+unexpected circumstances, but particularly devastations by the French in
+the beginning of the war, took place, which contributed to ruin the
+trading company which was attached to it. It is pleasing, however, to
+reflect, that though the object of the institution, as far as mercantile
+profit was concerned, thus failed, the other objects belonging to it
+were promoted. Schools, places of worship, agriculture, and the habits
+of civilized life were established. Sierra Leone, therefore, now
+presents itself as the medium of civilization for Africa. And, in this
+latter point of view, it is worth all the treasure which has been lost
+in supporting it; for the Slave Trade, which was the great obstacle to
+this civilization, being now happily abolished, there is a metropolis,
+consisting of some hundreds of persons, from which may issue the seeds
+of reformation to this injured continent; and which, when sown, may be
+expected to grow into fruit without interruption. New schools may be
+transplanted from thence into the interior. Teachers, and travellers on
+discovery, may be sent from thence in various directions, who may return
+to it occasionally as to their homes. The natives, too, able now to
+travel in safety, may resort to it from various parts. They may see the
+improvements which are going on from time to time. They may send their
+children to it for education; and thus it may become the medium[A] of a
+great intercourse between England and Africa, to the benefit of each
+other.
+
+[Footnote A: To promote this desirable end an association took place
+last year, called The African Institution, under the patronage of the
+Duke of Gloucester, as president, and of the Mends to the African cause,
+particularly of such as were in parliament, and as belonged to the
+committee for the abolition of the Slave Trade.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+--Continuation from July 1791 to July 1792.--Author travels round the
+kingdom again; object of his journey.--People begin to leave off the
+use of sugar; to form committees; and to send petitions to
+Parliament.--Motion made in the House of Commons for the immediate
+abolition of the trade; Debates upon it; Abolition resolved upon, but
+not to commence till 1796.--Resolution taken to the Lords; latter
+determine upon hearing evidence; Evidence at length introduced;
+further hearing of it postponed to the next session.
+
+
+The defeat which we had just sustained, was a matter of great triumph to
+our opponents. When they considered the majority in the House of Commons
+in their favour, they viewed the resolutions of the committee, which
+have been detailed, as the last spiteful effort of a vanquished and
+dying animal, and they supposed that they had consigned the question to
+eternal sleep. The committee, however, were too deeply attached to the
+cause, vanquished as they were, to desert it; and they knew, also, too
+well the barometer of public feeling, and the occasion of its
+fluctuations, to despair. In the year 1787, the members of the House of
+Commons, as well as the people, were enthusiastic in behalf of the
+abolition of the trade. In the year 1788, the fair enthusiasm of the
+former began to fade. In 1789, it died. In 1790, prejudice started up as
+a noxious weed in its place. In 1791, this prejudice arrived at its
+growth. But to what were these changes owing? To delay; during which the
+mind, having been gradually led to the question as a commercial, had
+been gradually taken from it as a moral object. But it was possible to
+restore the mind to its proper place. Add to which, that the nation had
+never deserted the cause during this whole period.
+
+It is much to the honour of the English people, that they should have
+continued to feel for the existence of an evil which was so far removed
+from their sight. But at this moment their feelings began to be
+insupportable. Many of them resolved, as soon as parliament had rejected
+the bill, to abstain from the use of West Indian produce. In this state
+of things, a pamphlet, written by William Bell Crafton, of Tewksbury,
+and called _A Sketch of the Evidence, with a Recommendation on the
+Subject to the serious Attention of People in general_, made its
+appearance; and another followed it, written by William Fox, of London,
+_On the Propriety of abstaining from West India Sugar and Rum_. These
+pamphlets took the same ground. They inculcated abstinence from these
+articles as a moral duty; they inculcated it as a peaceable and
+constitutional measure; and they laid before the reader a truth which
+was sufficiently obvious, that, if each would abstain, the people would
+have a complete remedy for this enormous evil in their own power.
+
+While these things were going on, it devolved upon me to arrange all the
+evidence on the part of the abolition under proper heads, and to abridge
+it into one volume. It was intended that a copy of this should be sent
+into different towns of the kingdom, that all might know, if possible,
+the horrors (as far as the evidence contained them) of this execrable
+trade; and as it was possible that these copies might lie in the places
+where they were sent, without a due attention to their contents, I
+resolved, with the approbation of the committee, to take a journey, and
+for no other purpose than personally to recommend that they might be
+read.
+
+The books, having been printed, were despatched before me. Of this tour
+I shall give the reader no other account than that of the progress of
+the remedy, which the people were then taking into their own hands. And
+first I may observe, that there was no town, through which I passed, in
+which there was not some one individual who had left off the use of
+sugar. In the smaller towns there were from ten to fifty by estimation,
+and in the larger from two to five hundred, who made this sacrifice to
+virtue. These were of all ranks and parties. Rich and poor, churchmen
+and dissenters, had adopted the measure. Even grocers had left off
+trading in the article, in some places. In gentlemen's families, where
+the master had set the example, the servants had often voluntarily
+followed it; and even children, who were capable of understanding the
+history of the sufferings of the Africans, excluded, with the most
+virtuous resolution, the sweets, to which they had been accustomed, from
+their lips. By the best computation I was able to make from notes taken
+down in my journey, no fewer than three hundred thousand persons had
+abandoned the use of sugar.
+
+Having travelled over Wales, and two-thirds of England, I found it would
+be impossible to visit Scotland on the same errand. I had already, by
+moving upwards and downwards in parallel lines, and by intersecting
+these in the same manner, passed over six thousand miles. By the best
+calculation I could make, I had yet two thousand to perform. By means of
+almost incessant journeyings night and day, I had suffered much in my
+health. My strength was failing daily. I wrote, therefore, to the
+committee on this subject; and they communicated immediately with Dr.
+Dickson, who, on being applied to, visited Scotland in my stead. He
+consulted first with the committee at Edinburgh relative to the
+circulation of the Abridgment of the Evidence. He then pursued his
+journey, and, in conjunction with the unwearied efforts of Mr. Campbel
+Haliburton, rendered essential service to the cause for this part of the
+kingdom.
+
+On my return to London, I found that the committee had taken into their
+own body T.F. Forster, B.M. Forster, and James West, Esqrs., as members;
+and that they had elected Hercules Boss, Esq., an honorary and
+corresponding member, in consequence of the handsome manner in which he
+had come forward as an evidence, and of the peculiar benefit which had
+resulted from his testimony to the cause.
+
+The effects of the two journeys by Dr. Dickson and myself were soon
+visible. The people could not bear the facts, which had been disclosed
+to them by the Abridgment of the Evidence. They were not satisfied, many
+of them, with the mere abstinence from sugar; but began to form
+committees to correspond with that of London. The first of these
+appeared at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, so early as the month of October. It
+consisted of the Rev. William Turner, as chairman, and of Robert
+Ormston, William Batson, Henry, Taylor, Ralph Bambridge, George Brown,
+Hadwen Bragg, David Sutton, Anthony Clapham, George Richardson, and
+Edward Prowit. It received a valuable addition afterwards by the
+admission of many others. The second was established at Nottingham. The
+Rev. Jeremiah Bigsby became the president, and the Revs. G. Walker and
+J. Smith, and Messrs. Dennison, Evans, Watson, Hart, Storer, Bott,
+Hawkesley, Pennington, Wright, Frith, Hall, and Wakefield, the
+committee. The third was formed at Glasgow, under the patronage of David
+Dale, Scott Montcrieff, Robert Graham, Professor Millar, and others.
+Other committees started up in their turn. At length public meetings
+began to take place, and after this petitions to be sent to parliament;
+and these so generally, that there was not a day for three months,
+Sundays excepted, in which five or six were not resolved upon in some
+places or other in the kingdom.
+
+Of the enthusiasm of the nation at this time none can form an opinion
+but they who witnessed it. There never was perhaps a season when so much
+virtuous feeling pervaded all ranks. Great pains were taken by
+interested persons in many places to prevent public meetings. But no
+efforts could avail. The current ran with such strength and rapidity,
+that it was impossible to stem it. In the city of London a remarkable
+instance occurred. The livery had been long waiting for the common
+council to begin a petition; but the lord mayor and several of the
+aldermen stifled it. The former, indignant at this conduct, insisted
+upon a common hall. A day was appointed; and, though the notice given of
+it was short, the assemblage was greater than had ever been remembered
+on any former occasion. Scarcely a liveryman was absent, unless sick, or
+previously engaged. The petition, when introduced, was opposed by those
+who had prevented it in the common council. But their voices were
+drowned amidst groans and hissings. It was shortly after carried; and it
+had not been signed more than half an hour, before it was within the
+walls of the House of Commons. The reason of this extraordinary despatch
+was, that it had been kept back by intrigue so late, that the very hour
+in which it was delivered to the House, was that in which Mr.
+Wilberforce was to make his new motion.
+
+And as no petitions were ever more respectable than those presented on
+this occasion, as far as they breathed the voice of the people, and as
+far as they were founded on a knowledge of the object which they
+solicited, so none were ever more numerous, as far as we have any record
+of such transactions. Not fewer than three hundred and ten were
+presented from England; one hundred and eighty-seven from Scotland; and
+twenty from Wales. Two other petitions also for the abolition came from
+England, but they were too late for delivery. On the other side of the
+question, one was presented from the town of Reading for regulation, in
+opposition to that for abolition from the same place. There were also
+four against abolition. The first of these was from certain persons at
+Derby, in opposition to the other from that town. The second was from
+Stephen Fuller, Esq., as agent for Jamaica. The third from J. Dawson,
+Esq., a slave-merchant at Liverpool. And the fourth from the merchants,
+planters, mortgagees, annuitants, and others concerned in the West
+Indian colonies. Taking in all these statements, the account stood
+thus:--for regulation there was one; against all abolition there were
+four; and for the total abolition of the trade five hundred and
+nineteen.
+
+On the 2nd of April Mr. Wilberforce moved the order of the day; which
+having been agreed to, Sir William Dolben was put into the chair.
+
+He then began by soliciting the candid attention of the West Indians to
+what he was going to deliver to the House. However others might have
+censured them indiscriminately, he had always himself made a distinction
+between them and their system. It was the latter only which he
+reprobated. If aristocracy had been thought a worse form of government
+than monarchy, because the people had many tyrants instead of one, how
+objectionable must be that form of it, which existed in our colonies!
+Arbitrary power could be bought there by any one, who could buy a slave.
+The fierceness of it was doubtless restrained by an elevation of mind in
+many, as arising from a consciousness of superior rank and consequence:
+but, alas! it was too often exercised there by the base and vulgar. The
+more liberal, too, of the planters were not resident upon their estates.
+Hence a promiscuous censure of them would be unjust, though their system
+would undoubtedly be odious.
+
+As for the cure of this monstrous evil, he had shown, last year, that
+internal regulations would not produce it. These could have no effect,
+while the evidence of slaves was inadmissible. What would be the
+situation of the bulk of the people of this country, if only gentlemen
+of five hundred a-year were admitted as evidences in our courts of law?
+Neither was the cure of it in the emancipation of the slaves. He did not
+deny that he wished them this latter blessing. But, alas, in their
+present degraded state, they were unfit for it! Liberty was the child of
+reason and order. It was, indeed, a plant of celestial growth, but the
+soil must be prepared for its reception. He, who would see it flourish
+and bring forth its proper fruit, must not think it sufficient to let it
+shoot in unrestrained licentiousness. But if this inestimable blessing
+was ever to be imparted to them, the cause must be removed, which
+obstructed its introduction. In short, no effectual remedy could be
+found but in the abolition of the Slave Trade.
+
+He then took a copious view of the advantages, which would arise both to
+the master and to the slave, if this traffic were done away; and having
+recapitulated and answered the different objections to such a measure,
+he went to that part of the subject, in which he described himself to be
+most interested.
+
+He had shown, he said, last year, that Africa was exposed to all the
+horrors of war; and that most of these wars had their origin in the
+Slave Trade. It was then said, in reply, that the natural barbarity of
+the natives was alone sufficient to render their country a scene of
+carnage. This was triumphantly instanced in the King of Dahomey. But his
+honourable friend Lord Muncaster, then in the House, had proved in his
+interesting publication, which had appeared since, called _Historical
+Sketches of the Slave Trade, and of its Effects in Africa_, addressed to
+the people of Great Britain, that the very cruelties of this king, on
+which so much stress had been laid, were committed by him in a war,
+which had been undertaken expressly to punish an adjacent people for
+having stolen some of his subjects and sold them for slaves.
+
+He had shown, also, last year, that kings were induced to seize and sell
+their subjects, and individuals each other, in consequence of the
+existence of the Slave Trade.
+
+He had shown, also, that the administration of justice was perverted, so
+as to become a fertile source of supply to this inhuman traffic; that
+every crime was punished by slavery; that false accusations were made to
+procure convicts; and that even the judges had a profit on the
+convictions.
+
+He had shown again, that many acts of violence were perpetrated by the
+Europeans themselves. But he would now relate others which had happened
+since. The captain of an English vessel, lying in the river Cameroons,
+sent his boat with three sailors and a slave to get water. A Black
+trader seized the latter, and took him away. He alleged in his defence,
+that the captain owed him goods to a greater amount than the value of
+the slave; and that he would not pay him. This being told on board, the
+captain, and a part of his crew, who were compelled to blacken their
+naked bodies that they might appear like the natives, went on shore at
+midnight, armed with muskets and cutlasses. They fired on the trader's
+dwelling, and killed three of his children on the spot. The trader,
+being badly wounded, died while they were dragging him to the boat; and
+his wife, being wounded also, died in half an hour after she was on
+board the ship. Resistance having been made to these violent
+proceedings, some of the sailors were wounded, and one was killed.
+
+Some weeks after this affray, a chieftain of the name of Quarmo went on
+board the same vessel to borrow some cutlasses and muskets. He was
+going, he said, into the country to make war; and the captain should
+have half of his booty. So well understood were the practices of the
+trade, that his request was granted. Quarmo, however, and his
+associates, finding things favourable to their design, suddenly seized
+the captain, threw him overboard, hauled him into their canoe, and
+dragged him to the shore; where another party of the natives, lying in
+ambush, seized such of the crew as were absent from the ship. But how
+did these savages behave, when they had these different persons in their
+power? Did they not instantly retaliate by murdering them all? No--they
+only obliged the captain to give an order on the vessel to pay his
+debts. This fact came out only two: months ago in a trial in the Court
+of Common Pleas--not in trial for piracy and murder, but in the trial of
+a civil suit, instituted by some of the poor sailors, to whom the owners
+refused their wages, because the natives, on account of the villainous
+conduct of their captain, had kept them from their vessel by detaining
+them as prisoners on shore. This instance, he said, proved the dreadful
+nature of the Slave Trade, its cruelty, its perfidy, and its effect on
+the Africans as well as on the Europeans, who carried it on. The cool
+manner in which the transaction was conducted on both sides, showed that
+these practices were not novel. It showed also the manner of doing
+business in the trade. It must be remembered, too, that these
+transactions were carrying on at the very time when the inquiry
+concerning this trade was going forward in Parliament, and whilst the
+witnesses of his opponents were strenuously denying not only the actual,
+but the possible, existence of any such depredations.
+
+But another instance happened only in August last. Six British ships,
+the Thomas, Captain Philips; the Wasp, Captain Hutchinson; the Recovery,
+Captain Kimber, of Bristol; the Martha, Captain Houston; the Betsey,
+Captain Doyle; and the Amachree, (he believed,) Captain Lee, of
+Liverpool; were anchored off the town of Calabar. This place was the
+scene of a dreadful massacre about twenty years before. The captains of
+these vessels, thinking that the natives asked too much for their
+slaves, held a consultation, how they should proceed; and agreed to fire
+upon the town unless their own terms were complied with. On a certain
+evening they notified their determination to the traders; and told them,
+that, if they continued obstinate, they would put it into execution the
+next morning. In this they kept their word. They brought sixty-six guns
+to bear upon the town; and fired on it for three hours. Not a shot was
+returned. A canoe then went to offer terms of accommodation. The parties
+however not agreeing, the firing recommenced; more damage was done; and
+the natives were forced into submission. There were no certain accounts
+of their loss. Report said that fifty were killed; but some were seen
+lying badly wounded, and others in the agonies of death by those who
+went afterwards on shore.
+
+He would now say a few words relative to the Middle Passage, principally
+to show, that regulation could not effect a cure of the evil there. Mr.
+Isaac Wilson had stated in his evidence, that the ship, in which he
+sailed, only three years ago, was of three hundred and seventy tons; and
+that she carried six hundred and two slaves. Of these she lost one
+hundred and fifty-five. There were three or four other vessels in
+company with her, and which belonged to the same owners. One of these
+carried four hundred and fifty, and buried two hundred; another carried
+four hundred and sixty-six, and buried seventy-three; another five
+hundred and forty-six, and burled one hundred and fifty-eight; and from
+the four together, after the landing of their cargoes, two hundred and
+twenty died. He fell in with another vessel, which had lost three
+hundred and sixty-two; but the number, which had been bought, was not
+specified. Now if to these actual deaths, during and immediately after
+the voyage, we were to add the subsequent loss in the seasoning, and to
+consider that this would be greater than ordinary in cargoes which were
+landed in such a sickly state, we should find a mortality, which, if it
+were only general for a few months, would entirely depopulate the globe.
+
+But he would advert to what Mr. Wilson said, when examined, as a
+surgeon, as to the causes of these losses, and particularly on board his
+own ship, where he had the means of ascertaining them. The substance of
+his reply was this--That most of the slaves laboured under a fixed
+melancholy, which now and then broke out into lamentations and plaintive
+songs, expressive of the loss of their relations, friends, and country.
+So powerfully did this sorrow operate, that many of them attempted in
+various ways to destroy themselves, and three actually effected it.
+Others obstinately refused to take sustenance; and when the whip and
+other violent means were used to compel them to eat, they looked up in
+the face of the officer, who unwillingly executed this painful task, and
+said, with a smile, in their own language, "Presently we shall be no
+more." This, their unhappy state of mind, produced a general languor and
+debility, which were increased in many instances by an unconquerable
+aversion to food, arising partly from sickness, and partly, to use the
+language of the slave-captains, from sulkiness. These causes naturally
+produced the flux. The contagion spread; several were carried off daily;
+and the disorder, aided by so many powerful auxiliaries, resisted the
+power of medicine. And it is worth while to remark, that these grievous
+sufferings were not owing either to want of care on the part of the
+owners, or to any negligence or harshness of the captain; for Mr. Wilson
+declared, that his ship was as well fitted out, and the crew and slaves
+as well treated, as anybody could reasonably expect.
+
+He would now go to another ship. That, in which Mr. Claxton sailed as a
+surgeon, afforded a repetition of all the horrid circumstances which had
+been described. Suicide was attempted, and effected; and the same
+barbarous expedients were adopted to compel the slaves to continue an
+existence, which they considered as too painful to be endured. The
+mortality, also, was as great. And yet here, again, the captain was in
+no wise to blame. But this vessel had sailed since the regulating act.
+Nay, even in the last year, the deaths on shipboard would be found to
+have been between ten and eleven per cent, on the whole number exported.
+In truth, the House could not reach the cause of this mortality by all
+their regulations. Until they could cure a broken heart--until they
+could legislate for the affections, and bind by their statutes the
+passions and feelings of the mind, their labour would be in vain.
+
+Such were the evils of the Passage. But evils were conspicuous
+everywhere in this trade. Never was there, indeed, a system so replete
+with wickedness and cruelty. To whatever part of it we turned our eyes,
+whether to Africa, the Middle Passage, or the West Indies, we could find
+no comfort, no satisfaction, no relief. It was the gracious ordinance of
+Providence, both in the natural and moral world, that good should often
+arise out of evil. Hurricanes cleared the air; and the propagation of
+truth was promoted by persecution, Pride, vanity, and profusion
+contributed often; in their remoter consequences, to the happiness of
+mankind. In common, what was in itself evil and vicious, was permitted
+to carry along with it some circumstances of palliation. The Arab was
+hospitable; the robber brave. We did not necessarily find cruelty
+associated with fraud, or meanness with injustice. But here the case was
+far otherwise. It was the prerogative of this detested traffic to
+separate from evil its concomitant good, and to reconcile discordant
+mischiefs. It robbed war of its generosity; it deprived peace of its
+security: we saw in it the vices of polished society, without its
+knowledge or its comforts; and the evils of barbarism without its
+simplicity. No age, no sex, no rank, no condition, was exempt from the
+fatal influence of this wide-wasting calamity. Thus it attained to the
+fullest measure of pure, unmixed, unsophisticated wickedness; and,
+scorning all competition and comparison, it stood without a rival in the
+secure, undisputed, possession of its detestable preeminence.
+
+But, after all this, wonderful to relate, this execrable traffic had
+been defended on the ground of benevolence! It had been said, that the
+slaves were captives and convicts, who, if we were not to carry them
+away, would be sacrificed, and many of them at the funerals of people of
+rank, according to the savage custom of Africa. He had shown, however,
+that our supplies of slaves were obtained from other quarters than
+these. But he would wave this consideration for the present. Had it not
+been acknowledged by his opponents that the custom of ransoming slaves
+prevailed in Africa? With respect to human sacrifices, he did not deny
+that there might have been some instances of these; but they had not
+been proved to be more frequent than amongst other barbarous nations;
+and, where they existed, being acts of religion, they would not be
+dispensed with for the sake of commercial gain. In fact, they had
+nothing to do with the Slave Trade; only perhaps, if it were abolished,
+they might, by means of the civilization which would follow, be done
+away.
+
+But, exclusively of these sacrifices, it had been asserted, that it was
+kindness to the inhabitants to take them away from their own country.
+But what said the historians of Africa, long before the question of the
+abolition was started? "Axim," says Bosman, "is cultivated, and abounds
+with numerous large and beautiful villages: its inhabitants are
+industriously employed in trade, fishing, or agriculture."--"The
+inhabitants of Adom always expose large quantities of corn to sale,
+besides what they want for their own use."--"The people of Acron husband
+their grounds and time so well, that every year produces a plentiful
+harvest." Speaking of the Fetu country, he says,--"Frequently, when
+walking through it, I have seen it abound with fine well-built and
+populous towns, agreeably enriched with vast quantities of corn and
+cattle, palm-wine, and oil. The inhabitants all apply themselves,
+without distinction, to agriculture; some sow corn; others press oil,
+and draw wine from the palm-trees."
+
+Smith, who was sent out by the royal African company in 1726, assures
+us, "that the discerning natives account it their greatest unhappiness,
+that they were ever visited by the Europeans. They say that we
+Christians introduced the traffic of slaves; and that before our coming
+they lived in peace. But, say they, it is observable, wherever
+Christianity comes, there come swords and guns, and powder and ball,
+with it."
+
+"The Europeans," says Bruce, "are far from desiring to act as
+peace-makers among them. It would be too contrary to their interests;
+for the only object of their wars is to carry off slaves; and, as these
+form the principal part of their traffic, they would be apprehensive of
+drying up the source of it, were they to encourage the people to live
+well together."
+
+"The neighbourhood of the Damel and Tin keep them perpetually at war,
+the benefit of which accrues to the Company, who buy all the prisoners
+made on either side; and the more there are to sell, the greater is
+their profit; for the only end of their armaments is to make captives,
+to sell them to the white traders."
+
+Artus, of Dantzic, says, that in his time "those liable to pay fines
+were banished till the fine was paid; when they returned to their houses
+and possessions."
+
+Bosman affirms, "that formerly all crimes in Africa were compensated by
+fine or restitution, and, where restitution was impracticable, by
+corporal punishment."
+
+Moore says, "Since this trade has been used, all punishments have been
+changed into slavery. There being an advantage in such condemnation,
+they strain the crimes very hard, in order to get the benefit of selling
+the criminal. Not only murder, theft, and adultery, are punished by
+selling the criminal for a slave, but every trifling crime is punished
+in the same manner."
+
+Loyer affirms that "the King of Sain, on the least pretence, sells his
+subjects for European goods. He is so tyrannically severe, that he makes
+a whole village responsible for the fault of one inhabitant; and on the
+least offence sells them all for slaves."
+
+Such, he said, were the testimonies, not of persons whom he had
+summoned; not of friends of the abolition; but of men who were
+themselves, many of them, engaged in the Slave Trade. Other testimonies
+might be added; but these were sufficient to refute the assertions of
+his opponents, and to show the kind services we had done to Africa by
+the introduction of this trade.
+
+He would just touch upon the argument, so often repeated, that other
+nations would carry on the Slave Trade, if we abandoned it. But how did
+we know this? Had not Denmark given a noble example to the contrary? She
+had consented to abolish the trade in ten years; and had she not done
+this, even though we, after an investigation for nearly five years, had
+ourselves hung back? But what might not be expected, if we were to take
+up the cause in earnest; if we were to proclaim to all nations the
+injustice of the trade, and to solicit their concurrence in the
+abolition of it! He hoped the representatives of the nation would not be
+less just than the people. The latter had stepped forward, and expressed
+their sense more generally by petitions, than in any instance in which
+they had ever before interfered. To see this great cause thus triumphing
+over distinctions and prejudices was a noble spectacle. Whatever might
+be said of our political divisions, such a sight had taught us that
+there were subjects still beyond the reach of party; that there was a
+point of elevation, where we ascended above the jarring of the
+discordant elements, which ruffled and agitated the vale below. In our
+ordinary atmosphere clouds and vapours obscured the air, and we were the
+sport of a thousand conflicting winds and adverse currents; but here we
+moved in a higher region, where all was pure and clear, and free from
+perturbation and discomposure:
+
+
+  As some tall cliff, that lifts its awful form,
+  Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm;
+  Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
+  Eternal sunshine settles on its head.
+
+
+Here then, on this august eminence, he hoped we should build the Temple
+of Benevolence; that we should lay its foundation deep in Truth and
+Justice; and that we should inscribe upon its gates, "Peace and Good
+Will to Men." Here we should offer the first-fruits of our benevolence,
+and endeavour to compensate, if possible, for the injuries we had
+brought upon our fellow-men.
+
+He would only now observe, that his conviction of the indispensable
+necessity of immediately abolishing this trade remained as strong as
+ever. Let those who talked of allowing three or four years to the
+continuance of it, reflect on the disgraceful scenes which had passed
+last year. As for himself, he would wash his hands of the blood which
+would be spilled in this horrid interval. He could not, however, but
+believe, that the hour was come, when we should put a final period to
+the existence of this cruel traffic. Should he unhappily be mistaken, he
+would never desert the cause; but to the last moment of his life he
+would exert his utmost powers in its support. He would now move, "That
+it is the opinion of this committee, that the trade carried on by
+British subjects for the purpose of obtaining slaves on the coast of
+Africa, ought to be abolished."
+
+Mr. Baillie was in hopes that the friends of the abolition would have
+been contented with the innocent blood which had been already shed. The
+great island of St. Domingo had been torn to pieces by insurrections.
+The most dreadful barbarities had been perpetrated there. In the year
+1789, the imports into it exceeded five millions sterling. The exports
+from it in the same year amounted to six millions; and the trade
+employed three hundred thousand tons of shipping, and thirty thousand
+seamen. This fine island, thus advantageously situated, had been lost in
+consequence of the agitation of the question of the Slave Trade. Surely
+so much mischief ought to have satisfied those who supported it; but
+they required the total destruction of all the West Indian colonies,
+belonging to Great Britain, to complete the ruin.
+
+The honourable gentleman, who had just spoken, had dwelt upon the
+enormities of the Slave Trade. He was far from denying that many acts of
+inhumanity might accompany it; but as human nature was much the same
+everywhere, it would be unreasonable to expect among African traders, or
+the inhabitants of our islands, a degree of perfection in morals, which
+was not to be found in Great Britain itself. Would any man estimate the
+character of the English nation by what was to be read in the records of
+the Old Bailey? He himself, however, had lived sixteen years in the West
+Indies, and he could bear testimony to the general good usage of the
+slaves.
+
+Before the agitation of this impolitic question the slaves were
+contented with their situation. There was a mutual confidence between
+them and their masters: and this continued to be the case till the new
+doctrines were broached. But now depots of arms were necessary on every
+estate; and the scene was totally reversed. Nor was their religious then
+inferior to their civil state. When the English took possession of
+Grenada, where his property lay, they found them baptized and instructed
+in the principles of the Roman Catholic faith. The priests of that
+persuasion had indeed been indefatigable in their vocation; so that
+imported Africans generally obtained within twelve months a tolerable
+idea of their religious duties. He had seen the slaves there go through
+the public mass in a manner, and with a fervency, which would have done
+credit to more civilized societies. But the case was now altered; for,
+except where the Moravians had been, there was no trace in our islands
+of an attention to their religious interests.
+
+It had been said that their punishments were severe. There might be
+instances of cruelty; but these were not general. Many of them were
+undoubtedly ill disposed; though not more, according to their number, on
+a plantation, than in a regiment, or in a ship's crew. Had we never
+heard of seamen being flogged from ship to ship, or of soldiers dying in
+the very act of punishment? Had we not also heard, even in this country
+of boasted liberty, of seamen being seized, and carried away, when
+returning from distant voyages, after an absence of many years; and this
+without even being allowed to see their wives and families? As to
+distressed objects, he maintained, that there was more wretchedness and
+poverty in St. Giles's, than in all the West Indian islands belonging to
+Great Britain.
+
+He would now speak of the African and West Indian trades. The imports
+and exports of these amounted to upwards of ten millions annually; and
+they gave employment to three hundred thousand tons of shipping, and to
+about twenty-five thousand seamen. These trades had been sanctioned by
+our ancestors in parliament. The acts for this purpose might be classed
+under three heads. First, they were such as declared the colonies, and
+the trade thereof, advantageous to Great Britain, and therefore entitled
+to her protection. Secondly, such as authorized, protected, and
+encouraged the trade to Africa, as advantageous in itself, and necessary
+to the welfare and existence of the sugar colonies: and, Thirdly, such
+as promoted and secured loans of money to the proprietors of the said
+colonies, either from British subjects, or from foreigners. These
+acts[A], he apprehended, ought to satisfy every person of the legality
+and usefulness of these trades. They were enacted in reigns
+distinguished for the production of great and enlightened characters. We
+heard then of no wild and destructive doctrines like the present. These
+were reserved for this age of novelty and innovation. But he must remind
+the House, that the inhabitants of our islands had as good a right to
+the protection of their property, as the inhabitants of Great Britain.
+Nor could it be diminished in any shape without full compensation. The
+proprietors of lands in the ceded islands, which were purchased of
+government under specific conditions of settlement, ought to be
+indemnified. They also (of whom he was one), who had purchased the
+territory granted by the crown to General Monkton, in the island, of St.
+Vincent, ought to be indemnified also. The sale of this had gone on
+briskly, till it was known that a plan was in agitation for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade. Since that period, the original purchasers
+had done little or nothing, and they had many hundred acres on hand,
+which would be of no value, if the present question was carried. In
+fact, they had a right to compensation. The planters generally spent
+their estates in this country. They generally educated their children in
+it. They had never been found seditious, or rebellious; and they
+demanded of the Parliament of Great Britain that protection, which, upon
+the principles of good faith, it was in duty bound to afford them in
+common with the rest of his majesty's loyal subjects.
+
+[Footnote A: Here he quoted them specifically.]
+
+Mr. Vaughan stated that, being a West Indian by birth, and connected
+with the islands, he could speak from his own knowledge. In the early
+part of his life he was strongly in favour of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He had been educated by Dr. Priestley, and the father of Mrs.
+Barbauld; who were both of them friends to that question. Their
+sentiments he had imbibed; but, although bred at the feet of Gamaliel,
+he resolved to judge for himself, and he left England for Jamaica.
+
+He found the situation of the slaves much better than he had imagined.
+Setting aside liberty, they were as well off as the poor in Europe. They
+had little want of clothes or fuel; they had a house and garden found
+them, were never imprisoned for debts, nor deterred from marrying
+through fear of being unable to support a family; their orphans and
+widows were taken care of, as they themselves were when old and
+disabled; they had medical attendance without expense; they had private
+property, which no master ever took from them; and they were resigned to
+their situation, and looked for nothing beyond it. Perhaps persons might
+have been prejudiced by living in the towns, to which slaves were often
+sent for punishment; and where there were many small proprietors; or by
+seeing no negro otherwise than as belonging to the labouring poor; but
+they appeared to him to want nothing but liberty; and it was only
+occasionally that they were abused.
+
+There were two prejudices with respect to the colonies, which he would
+notice. The first was, that cruel usage occasioned the inequality of
+births and deaths among the slaves. But did cruelty cause the excess of
+deaths above births in the city of London? No--this excess had other
+causes. So it had among the slaves. Of these more males were imported
+than females: they were dissolute too in their morals; they had also
+diseases peculiar to themselves. But in those islands where they nearly
+kept up their numbers, there was this difficulty, that the equality was
+preserved by the increase on one estate compensating for the decrease on
+another. These estates, however, would not interchange their numbers;
+whereas, where freedom prevailed, the free labourers circulated from one
+employer to another, and appeared wherever they were wanted.
+
+The second was, that all chastisement of the slaves was cruelty. But
+this was not true. Their owners generally withdrew them from public
+justice; so that they, who would have been publicly executed elsewhere,
+were often kept alive by their masters, and were found punished again
+and again for repeating their faults. Distributive justice occasioned
+many punishments; as one slave was to be protected against every other
+slave: and, when one pilfered from another, then the master interfered.
+These punishments were to be distinguished from such as arose from
+enforcing labour, or from the cruelty of their owners. Indeed he had
+gone over the islands, and he had seen but little ill usage. He had seen
+none on the estate where he resided. The whip, the stocks, and
+confinement, were all the modes of punishment he had observed in other
+places. Some slaves belonging to his father were peculiarly well off.
+They saved money, and spent it in their own way.
+
+But notwithstanding all he had said, he allowed that there was room for
+improvement; and particularly for instilling into the slaves the
+principles of religion. Where this should be realized, there would be
+less punishment, more work, more marriages, more issue, and more
+attachment to masters. Other improvements would be the establishment of
+medical societies; the introduction of task-work; and grants of premiums
+and honorary distinctions both to fathers and mothers, according to the
+number of children which they should rear. Besides this, Negro evidence
+should be allowed in the courts of law, it being left to the discretion
+of the court or jury to take or reject it, according to the nature of
+the case. Cruel masters also should be kept in order in various ways.
+They should he liable to have their slaves taken from them, and put in
+trust. Every instrument of punishment should be banished, except the
+whip. The number of lashes should be limited; and the punishment should
+not be repeated till after intervals. These and other improvements
+should be immediately adopted by the planters. The character of the
+exemplary among them was hurt by being confounded with that of lower and
+baser men. He concluded by stating, that the owners of slaves were
+entitled to compensation, if, by means of the abolition, they should not
+be able to find labourers for the cultivation of their lands[A].
+
+[Footnote A: Mr. Vaughan declared in a future stage of the debate, that
+he wished to see a prudent termination both of the Slave Trade and of
+slavery; and that, though he was the eldest son of his father, he never
+would, on any consideration, become the owner of a slave.]
+
+Mr. Henry Thornton conceived, that the two last speakers had not spoken
+to the point. The first had described the happy state of the slaves in
+the West Indies. The latter had made similar representations; but yet
+had allowed, that much improvement might be made in their condition. But
+this had nothing to do with the question then before them. The manner of
+procuring slaves in Africa was the great evil to be remedied. Africa was
+to be stripped of its inhabitants to supply a population for the West
+Indies. There was a Dutch proverb, which said, "My son; get money,
+honestly if you can--but get money:" or, in other words, "Get slaves,
+honestly if you can--but get slaves." This was the real grievance; and
+the two honourable gentlemen, by confining their observations to the
+West Indies, had entirely overlooked it.
+
+Though this evil had been fully proved, he could not avoid stating to
+the House some new facts, which had come to his knowledge as a director
+of the Sierra Leone Company, and which would still further establish it.
+The consideration, that they had taken place since the discussion of the
+last year on this subject, obliged him to relate them.
+
+Mr. Falconbridge, agent to the Company, sitting one evening in Sierra
+Leone, heard a shout, and immediately afterwards the report of a gun.
+Fearing an attack, he armed forty of the settlers, and rushed with them
+to the place from whence the noise came. He found a poor wretch, who had
+been crossing from a neighbouring village, in the possession of a party
+of kidnappers, who were tying his hands. Mr. Falconbridge, however,
+dared not rescue him, lest, in the defenceless state of his own town,
+retaliation might be made upon him.
+
+At another time a young woman, living half a mile off, was sold, without
+any criminal charge, to one of the slave-ships. She was well acquainted
+with the agent's wife, and had been with her only the day before. Her
+cries were heard; but it was impossible to relieve her.
+
+At another time a young lad, one of the free settlers who went from
+England, was caught by a neighbouring chief, as he was straggling alone
+from home, and sold for a slave. The pretext was, that some one in the
+town of Sierra Leone had committed an offence. Hence the first person
+belonging to it, who could be seized, was to be punished. Happily the
+free settlers saw him in his chains; and they recovered him, before he
+was conveyed to the ship.
+
+To mark still more forcibly the scenes of misery, to which the Slave
+Trade gave birth, he would mention a case stated to him in a letter by
+King Naimbanna. It had happened to respectable person, in no less than
+three instances, to have some branches of his family kidnapped, and
+carried off to the West Indies. At one time three young men, Corpro,
+Banna, and Marbrour, were decoyed on board a Danish slave-ship, under
+pretence of buying something, and were taken away. At another time
+another relation piloted a vessel down the river. He begged to be put on
+shore, when he came opposite to his own town; but he was pressed to
+pilot her to the river's mouth. The captain then pleaded the
+impracticability of putting him on shore; carried him to Jamaica; and
+sold him for a slave. Fortunately, however, by means of a letter, which
+was conveyed there, the man, by the assistance of the governor, was sent
+back to Sierra Leone. At another time another relation was also
+kidnapped. But he had not the good fortune, like the former, to return.
+
+He would mention one other instance. A son had sold his own father, for
+whom he obtained a considerable price: for, as the father was rich in
+domestic slaves, it was not doubted that he would offer largely for his
+ransom. The old man accordingly gave twenty-two of these in exchange for
+himself. The rest, however, being from that time filled with
+apprehensions of being on some ground or other sold to the slave-ships,
+fled to the mountains of Sierra Leone, where they now dragged on a
+miserable existence. The son himself was sold, in his turn, soon after.
+In short, the whole of that unhappy peninsula, as he learnt from
+eye-witnesses, had been desolated by the trade in slaves. Towns were
+seen standing without inhabitants all over the coast; in several of
+which the agent of the Company had been. There was nothing but distrust
+among the inhabitants. Every one, if he stirred from home, felt himself
+obliged to be armed.
+
+Such was the nature of the Slave Trade. It had unfortunately obtained
+the name of a trade; and many had been deceived by the appellation; but
+it was war, and not trade. It was a mass of crimes, and not commerce. It
+was that which prevented the introduction of a trade in Africa; for it
+was only by clearing and cultivating the lands, that the climate could
+be made healthy for settlements; but this wicked traffic, by dispersing
+the inhabitants, and causing the lands to remain uncultivated, made the
+coast unhealthy to Europeans. He had found, in attempting to establish a
+colony there, that it was an obstacle which opposed itself to him in
+innumerable ways; it created more embarrassments than all the natural
+impediments of the country; and it was more hard to contend with than
+any difficulties of climate, soil, or natural disposition of the people.
+
+He would say a few words relative to the numerous petitions which were
+then on the table of the House. They had shown, in an extraordinary
+manner, the opinion of the people. He did not wish to turn this into a
+constitutional question; but he would observe, that it was of the utmost
+consequence to the maintenance of the constitution of this country, that
+the reputation of parliament should be maintained. But nothing could
+prejudice its character so much, as a vote, which should lead the people
+to believe that the legislative body was the more corrupt part of it,
+and that it was slow to adopt moral principles.
+
+It had been often insinuated that parliament, by interfering in this
+trade, departed from its proper functions; No idea could be more absurd;
+for, was it not its duty to correct abuses? and what abuses were greater
+than robbery and murder? He was, indeed, anxious for the abolition. He
+desired it, as a commercial man, on account of the commercial character
+of the country. He desired it for the reputation of parliament, on which
+so materially depended the preservation of our happy constitution; but
+most of all he prayed for it for the sake of those eternal principle's
+of justice, which it was the duty of nations, as well as of individuals,
+to support.
+
+Colonel Tarleton repeated his arguments of the last year. In addition to
+these he inveighed bitterly against the abolitionists, as a junto of
+secretaries, sophists, enthusiasts, and fanatics. He condemned the
+abolition as useless, unless other nations would take it up. He brought
+to the recollection of the House the barbarous scenes which had taken
+place it in St. Domingo, all of which, he said, had originated in the
+discussion of this question. He described the alarms, in which the
+inhabitants of our own islands were kept, lest similar scenes should
+occur from the same cause. He ridiculed the petitions on the table.
+Itinerant clergymen, mendicant physicians, and others, had extorted
+signatures from the sick, the indigent, and the traveller. School-boys
+were invited to sign them, under the promise of a holiday. He had
+letters to produce, which would prove all these things though he was not
+authorized to give up the names of those who had written them.
+
+Mr. Montagu said, that, in the last session, he had simply entered his
+protest against the trade; but now He could be no longer silent; and as
+there were many, who had conceived regulation to be more desirable than
+abolition, he would himself to that subject.
+
+Regulation, as it related to the manner of procuring slaves, was utterly
+impossible; for how could we know the case of each individual, whom we
+forced away into bondage? Could we establish tribunals all along the
+coast, and in every ship, to find it out? What judges could we get for
+such an office? But, if this could not be done upon the coast, how could
+we ascertain the justness of the captivity of by far the greatest
+number, who were brought from immense distances inland?
+
+He would not dwell upon the proof of the inefficiency of regulations, as
+to the Middle Passage. His honourable friend, Mr. Wilberforce, had
+shown, that, however the mortality might have been lessened in some
+ships by the regulations of Sir William Dolben, yet, wherever a
+contagious disorder broke out, the greatest part of the cargo was swept
+away. But what regulations by the British parliament could prevent these
+contagions, or remove them suddenly, when they appeared?
+
+Neither would regulations be effectual, as they related to the
+protection of the slaves in the West Indies. It might, perhaps, be
+enacted, as Mr. Vaughan had suggested, that their punishments should be
+moderate; and that the number of lashes should be limited. But the
+colonial legislatures had already done as much, as the magic of words
+alone could do, upon this subject; yet the evidence upon the table
+clearly proved, that the only protection of slaves was in the clemency
+of their masters. Any barbarity might be exercised with impunity,
+provided no White person were to see it, though it happened in the sight
+of a thousand slaves. Besides, by splitting the offence, and inflicting
+the punishment at intervals, the law could be evaded, although the fact
+was within the reach of the evidence of a White man. Of this evasion
+Captain Cook, of the 89th regiment, had given a shocking instance; and
+Chief Justice Ottley had candidly confessed, that "he could devise no
+method of bringing a master, so offending, to justice, while the
+evidence of the slave continued inadmissible." But perhaps councils of
+protection, and guardians of the slaves, might be appointed. This,
+again, was an expedient which sounded well, but which would be nugatory
+and absurd. What person would risk the comfort of his life by the
+exercise of so invidious an interference? But supposing that one or two
+individuals could be found, who would sacrifice all their time, and the
+friendship of their associates, for the good of the slaves; what could
+they effect? Could they be in all places at once? But even if acts of
+barbarity should be related to them, how were they to come at the proof
+of them?
+
+It appeared, then, that no regulations could be effectual until the
+slaves were admitted to give their evidence; but to admit them to this
+privilege in their present state, would be to endanger the safety and
+property of their masters. Mr. Vaughan had, however, recommended this
+measure with limitations, but it would produce nothing but discontent;
+for how were the slaves to be persuaded that it was fit they should be
+admitted to speak the truth, and then be disbelieved and disregarded?
+What a fermentation would such conduct naturally excite in men dismissed
+with injuries unredressed, though abundantly proved, in their
+apprehension, by their testimony? In fact, no regulations would do.
+There was no cure for these evils, but in the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He called upon the planters to concur with his honourable friend,
+Mr. Wilberforce, in this great measure. He wished them to consider the
+progress which the opinion of the injustice of this trade was making in
+the nation at large, as manifested by the petitions; which had almost
+obstructed the proceedings of the House by their perpetual introduction.
+It was impossible for them to stifle this great question. As for
+himself, he would renew his profession of last year, that he would never
+cease, but with life, to promote so glorious an end.
+
+Mr. Whitbread said, that even if he could conceive, that the trade was,
+as some had asserted it to be, founded on principles of humanity; that
+the Africans were rescued from death in their own country; that, upon
+being carried to the West Indies, they were put under kind masters; that
+their labour there was easy; that at evening they returned cheerful to
+their homes; that in sickness they were attended with care; and that
+their old age was rendered comfortable; even then he would vote for the
+abolition of the Slave Trade, inasmuch as he was convinced that that
+which was fundamentally wrong, no practice could justify.
+
+No eloquence could persuade him, that the Africans were torn from their
+country and their dearest connexions, merely that they might lead a
+happier life; or that they could be placed under the uncontrolled
+dominion of others without suffering. Arbitrary power would spoil the
+hearts of the best; hence would arise tyranny on the one side, and a
+sense of injury on the other. Hence the passions would be let loose, and
+a state of perpetual enmity would follow.
+
+He needed only to go to the accounts of those who defended the system of
+slavery, to show that it was cruel. He was forcibly struck last year by
+an expression of an honourable member, an advocate for the trade, who,
+when he came to speak of the slaves, on selling off the stock of a
+plantation, said that they fetched less than the common price, because
+they were damaged. Damaged! What! Were they goods and chattels? What an
+idea was this to hold out of our fellow-creatures! We might imagine how
+slaves were treated, if they could be spoken of in such a manner.
+Perhaps these unhappy people had lingered out the best part of their
+lives in the service of their master. Able then to do but little, they
+were sold for little! and the remaining substance of their sinews was to
+be pressed out by another, yet more hardened than the former, and who
+had made a calculation of their vitals accordingly.
+
+As another proof, he would mention a passage in a pamphlet, in which the
+author, describing the happy situation of the slaves, observed, that a
+good negro never wanted a character; a bad one could always be detected
+by his weals and scars. What was this but to say, that there were
+instruments in use which left indelible marks, behind them; and who
+would say that these were used justly?
+
+An honourable gentleman, Mr. Vaughan, had said, that setting aside
+slavery, the slaves were better off than the poor in this country. But
+what was it that we wished to abolish! Was it not the Slave Trade, which
+would destroy in time the cruel distinction he had mentioned? The same
+honourable gentleman had also expressed his admiration of their
+resignation; but might it not be that resignation which was the
+consequence of despair?
+
+Colonel Tarleton had insinuated that the petitions on the table had been
+obtained in an objectionable manner. He had the honour to present one
+from his constituents, which he would venture to say had originated with
+themselves, and that there did not exist more respectable names in the
+kingdom than those of the persons who had signed it. He had also
+asserted, that there was a strong similitude in their tenour and
+substance, as if they had been manufactured by the same persons. This
+was by no means to be wondered at. There was surely but one plain tale
+to tell, and it was not surprising that it had been clothed in nearly
+the same expressions. There was but one boon to ask, and that was--the
+abolition of this wicked trade.
+
+It had been said by another, (Mr. Baillie,) that the horrible
+insurrections in St. Domingo arose from the discussion of the question
+of the Slave Trade. He denied the assertion; and maintained that they
+were the effect of the trade itself. There was a point of endurance,
+beyond which human nature could not go, at which the mind of man rose by
+its native elasticity with a spring and violence proportioned to the
+degree to which it had been depressed. The calamities in St. Domingo
+proceeded from the Slave Trade alone; and, if it were continued, similar
+evils were to be apprehended in our own islands. The cruelties which the
+slaves had perpetrated in that unfortunate colony they had learnt from
+their masters. Had not an African eyes? Had he not ears? Had he not
+organs, senses, and passions? If you pricked him, would he not feel the
+puncture, and bleed? If you poisoned him, would he not die? and, if you
+wronged him, would he not revenge? But he had said sufficient, for he
+feared he could not better the instruction.
+
+Mr. Milbank would only just observe, that the policy of the measure of
+the abolition was as great as its justice was undeniable. Where slavery
+existed, everything was out of its natural place. All improvement was at
+an end; there must also, from the nature of the human heart, be
+oppression. He warned the planters against the danger of fresh
+importations, and invited their concurrence in the measure.
+
+Mr. Dundas (afterwards Viscount Melville) declared that he had always
+been a warm friend to the abolition of the Slave Trade, though he
+differed from Mr. Wilberforce as to the mode of effecting it.
+
+The abolitionists, and those on the opposite side of the question, had,
+both of them, gone into extremes. The former were for the immediate and
+abrupt annihilation of the trade; the latter considered it as
+essentially necessary to the existence of the West Indian islands, and
+therefore laid it down that it was to be continued for ever. Such was
+the vast distance between the parties. He would now address himself to
+each.
+
+He would say first, that he agreed with his honourable friend, Mr.
+Wilberforce, in very material points. He believed the trade was not
+founded in policy; that the continuation of it was not essential to the
+preservation of our trade with the West Indian islands; and that the
+slaves were not only to be maintained, but increased there, by natural
+population. He agreed, too, as to the propriety of the abolition. But
+when his honourable friend talked of direct and abrupt abolition, he
+would submit it to him, whether he did not run counter to the prejudices
+of those who were most deeply interested in the question; and whether,
+if he could obtain his object without wounding these, it would not be
+better to do it? Did he not also forget the sacred attention which
+parliament had ever shown to the private interests and patrimonial
+rights of individuals?
+
+Whatever idea men might then have of the African trade, certain it was
+that they, who had connected themselves with it, had done it under the
+sanction of parliament. It might also be well worth while to consider,
+(though the conduct of other nations ought not to deter us from doing
+our duty,) whether British subjects in the West Indies might not be
+supplied with slaves under neutral flags. Now he believed it was
+possible to avoid these objections, and at the same time to act in
+harmony with the prejudices which had been mentioned. This might be done
+by regulations, by which we should effect the end much more speedily
+than by the way proposed. By regulations, he meant such as would
+increase the breed of the slaves in the West Indies; such as would
+ensure a moral education to their children; and such as would even in
+time extinguish hereditary slavery. The extinction, however, of this was
+not to be effected by allowing the son of an African slave to obtain his
+freedom on the death of his parent. Such a son should be considered as
+born free; he should then be educated at the expense of the person
+importing his parents; and, when arrived at such a degree of strength as
+might qualify him to labour, he should work for a term of years for the
+payment of the expense of his education and maintenance. It was
+impossible to emancipate the existing slaves at once; nor would such an
+emancipation be of any immediate benefit to themselves; but this
+observation would not apply to their descendants, if trained and
+educated in the manner he had proposed.
+
+He would now address himself to those who adopted the opposite extreme;
+and he thought he should not assume too much when he said, that if both
+slavery and the Slave Trade could be abolished with safety to their
+property, it deeply concerned their interests to do it. Such a measure,
+also, would only be consistent with the principles of the British
+constitution. It was surely strange that we, who were ourselves free,
+should carry on a Slave Trade with Africa, and that we should never
+think of introducing cultivation into the West Indies by free labourers.
+
+That such a measure would tend to their interest he had no doubt. Did
+not all of them agree with Mr. Long, that the great danger in the West
+Indies arose from the importation of the African slaves there? Mr. Long
+had asserted, that all the insurrections there arose from these. If this
+statement was true, how directly it bore upon the present question! But
+we were told, also, by the same author, that the Slave Trade gave rise
+to robbery, murder, and all kinds of depredations on the coast of
+Africa. Had this been answered? No: except indeed it had been said that
+the slaves were such as had been condemned for crimes. Well, then, the
+imported Africans consisted of all the convicts, rogues, thieves, and
+vagabonds in Africa. But would the West Indians choose to depend on
+fresh supplies of these for the cultivation of their lands, and the
+security of their islands, when it was also found that every
+insurrection had arisen from them? It was plain the safety of the
+islands was concerned in this question. There would be danger so long as
+the trade lasted. The planters were, by these importations, creating the
+engines of their own destruction. Surely they would act more to their
+own interest if they would concur in extinguishing the trade, than by
+standing up for its continuance.
+
+He would now ask them, what right they had to suppose that Africa would
+for ever remain in a state of barbarism. If once an enlightened prince
+were to rise up there, his first act would be to annihilate the Slave
+Trade. If the light of heaven were ever to descend upon that continent,
+it would directly occasion its downfall. It was their interest then to
+contrive a mode of supplying labour, without trusting to precarious
+importations from that quarter. They might rest assured that the trade
+could not continue. He did not allude to the voice of the people in the
+petitions then lying on the table of the House; but he knew certainly,
+that an idea not only of the injustice, but of the impolicy, of this
+trade had been long entertained by men of the most enlightened
+understandings in this country. Was it then a prudent thing for them to
+rest on this commerce for the further improvement of their property?
+
+There was a species of slavery, prevailing only a few years ago, in the
+collieries in certain boroughs in Scotland. Emancipation there was
+thought a duty by parliament: but what an opposition there was to the
+measure! Nothing but ruin would be the consequence of it! After several
+years struggle the bill was Carried. Within a year after, the ruin so
+much talked of vanished in smoke, and there was an end of the business.
+It had also been contended that Sir William Dolben's bill would be the
+ruin of Liverpool: and yet one of its representatives had allowed, that
+this bill had been of benefit to the owners of the slave-vessels there.
+Was he then asking too much of the West Indians, to request a candid
+consideration of the real ground of their alarms? He would conclude by
+stating, that he meant to propose a middle way of proceeding. If there
+was a number of members in the House, who thought with him, that this
+trade ought to be ultimately abolished, but yet by moderate measures,
+which should neither invade the property nor the prejudices of
+individuals, he wished them to unite, and they might then reduce the
+question to its proper limits.
+
+Mr. Addington, the speaker, (now Viscount Sidmouth,) professed himself
+to be one of those moderate persons called upon by Mr. Dundas. He wished
+to see some middle measure suggested. The fear of doing injury to the
+property of others, had hitherto prevented him from giving an opinion
+against a system, the continuance of which he could not countenance.
+
+He utterly abhorred the Slave Trade. A noble and learned lord, who had
+now retired from the bench, said on a certain occasion, that he pitied
+the loyalty of that man, who imagined that any epithet could aggravate
+the crime of treason. So he himself knew of no language which could
+aggravate the crime of the Slave Trade. It was sufficient for every
+purpose of crimination, to assert, that man thereby was bought; and
+sold, or that he was made subject to the despotism of man. But though he
+thus acknowledged the justice due to a whole continent on the one side,
+he confessed there were opposing claims of justice on the other. The
+case of the West Indians deserved a tender consideration also.
+
+He doubted, if we were to relinquish the Slave Trade alone, whether it
+might not be carried on still more barbarously than at present; and
+whether, if we were to stop it altogether, the islands could keep up
+their present stocks. It had been asserted that they could. But he,
+thought that the stopping of the imputations could not be depended upon
+for this purpose, so much as a plan for providing them with more
+females.
+
+With the mode suggested by his right honourable friend, Mr. Dundas, he
+was pleased, though he, did not wholly agree to it. He could not grant
+liberty to the children born in the islands. He thought, also, that the
+trade ought to be permitted for ten or twelve years longer, under such
+arrangements as should introduce a kind of management among the slaves
+there, favourable to their interests, and of course to their future
+happiness. One species of regulation which he should propose, would be
+greater encouragement to the importation of females than of males, by
+means of a bounty on the former till their numbers should be found
+equal. Rewards also might be given to those slaves who should raise a
+certain number of children; and to those who should devise means of
+lightening negro-labour. If the plan of his honourable friend should
+comprehend these regulations, he would heartily concur in it. He wished
+to see the Slave Trade abolished. Indeed it did not deserve the name of
+a trade. It was not a trade, and ought not to be allowed. He was
+satisfied, that in a few years it would cease to be the reproach of this
+nation and the torment of Africa. But under regulations like these, it
+would cease without any material injury to the interests of others.
+
+Mr. Fox said, that after what had fallen from the two last speakers, he
+could remain no longer silent. Something so mischievous had come out,
+and something so like a foundation had been laid for preserving, not
+only for years to come, but for ever, this detestable traffic, that he
+should feel himself wanting in his duty, if he were not to deprecate all
+such deceptions and delusions upon the country.
+
+The honourable gentlemen had called themselves moderate men: but upon
+this subject he neither felt, nor desired to feel, anything like a
+sentiment of moderation. Their speeches had reminded him of a passage in
+MIDDLETON'S _Life of Cicero_. The translation of it was defective,
+though it would equally suit his purpose. He says, "To enter into a
+man's house, and kill him, his wife, and family, in the night, is
+certainly a most heinous crime, and deserving of death; but to break
+open his house, to murder him, his wife, and all his children in the
+night, may be still very right, provided it be done with moderation."
+Now, was there anything more absurd in this passage, than to say, that
+the Slave Trade might be carried on with moderation; for, if you could
+not rob or murder a single man with moderation, with what moderation
+could you pillage and wound a whole nation? In fact, the question of the
+abolition was simply a question of justice. It was only, whether we
+should authorize by law, respecting Africa, the commission of crimes,
+for which, in this country, we should forfeit our lives: notwithstanding
+which, it was to be treated, in the opinion of these honourable
+gentlemen, with moderation.
+
+Mr. Addington had proposed to cure the disproportion of the sexes in the
+islands, by a bounty on the importation of females; or, in other words,
+by offering a premium to any crew of ruffians, who would tear them from
+their native country. He would let loose a banditti against the most
+weak and defenceless of the sex. He would occasion these to kill
+fathers, husbands, and brothers, to get possession of their relatives,
+the females, who, after this carnage, were to be reserved for--slavery.
+He should like to see the man, who would pen such a moderate clause for
+a British parliament.
+
+Mr. Dundas had proposed to abolish the Slave Trade, by bettering the
+state of the slaves in the islands, and particularly that of their
+offspring. His plan, with respect to the latter, was not a little
+curious. They were to become free, when born; and then they were to be
+educated, at the expense of those to whom their fathers belonged. But it
+was clear, that they could not be educated for nothing. In order,
+therefore, to repay this expense, they were to be slaves for ten or
+fifteen years. In short, they were to have an education, which was to
+qualify them to become freemen; and after they had been so educated,
+they were to become slaves. But as this free education might possibly
+unfit them for submitting to slavery; so, after they had been made to
+bow under the yoke for ten or fifteen years, they might then, perhaps,
+be equally unfit to become free; and therefore, might be retained as
+slaves for a few years longer, if not for their whole lives. He never
+heard of a scheme so moderate, and yet so absurd and visionary.
+
+The same honourable gentleman had observed, that the conduct of other
+nations should not hinder us from doing, our duty; but yet neutrals
+would furnish, our islands with slaves. What was the inference from this
+moderate assertion, but that we might as well supply them ourselves? He
+hoped, if we were yet to be supplied, it would never be by Englishmen.
+We ought no longer to be concerned in such a crime.
+
+An adversary, Mr. Baillie, had said, that it would not be fair to take
+the character of this country from the records of the Old Bailey. He did
+not at all wonder, when the subject of the Slave Trade was mentioned,
+that the Old Bailey naturally occurred to his recollection. The facts,
+which had been described in the evidence, were associated in all our
+minds with the ideas of criminal justice. But Mr. Baillie had forgot the
+essential difference between the two cases. When we learnt from these
+records, that crimes were committed in this country, we learnt also,
+that they were punished with transportation and death. But the crimes
+committed in the Slave Trade were passed over with impunity. Nay, the
+perpetrators were even sent out again to commit others.
+
+As to the mode of obtaining slaves, it had been suggested as the least
+disreputable, that they became so in consequence of condemnation as
+criminals. But he would judge of the probability of this mode by the
+reasonableness of it. No less than eighty thousand Africans were
+exported annually by the different nations of Europe from their own
+country. Was it possible to believe that this number could have been
+legally convicted of crimes, for which they had justly forfeited their
+liberty? The supposition was ridiculous. The truth was, that every
+enormity was practised to obtain the persons of these unhappy people; He
+referred those present to the case in the evidence of the African
+trader, who had kidnapped and sold a girl, and who was afterwards
+kidnapped and sold himself. He desired them to reason upon the
+conversation which had taken place between the trader and the captain of
+the ship on this occasion. He desired them also to reason upon the
+instance mentioned this evening, which had happened in the river
+Cameroons, and they would infer all the rapine, all the desolation, and
+all the bloodshed, which had been placed to the account of this
+execrable trade.
+
+An attempt had been made to impress the House with the horrible scenes
+which had taken place in St. Domingo, as an argument against the
+abolition of the Slave Trade; but could any more weighty argument be
+produced in its favour? What were the causes of the insurrections there?
+They were two. The first was the indecision of the National Assembly,
+who wished to compromise between that which was right and that which was
+wrong on this subject. And the second was the oppression of the people
+of colour, and of the slaves. In the first of the causes we saw
+something like the moderation of Mr. Dundas and Mr. Addington. One day
+this Assembly talked of liberty, and favoured the Blacks. Another day
+they suspended their measures and favoured the Whites. They wished to
+steer a middle course; but decision had been mercy. Decision even
+against the planters would have been a thousand times better than
+indecision and half measures. In the mean time, the people of colour
+took the great work of justice into their own hands. Unable, however, to
+complete this of themselves, they called in the aid of the slaves. Here
+began the second cause; for the slaves, feeling their own power, began
+to retaliate on the Whites. And here it may be observed, that, in all
+revolutions, the clemency or cruelty of the victors will always be in
+proportion to their former privileges, of their oppression. That the
+slaves then should have been guilty of great excesses, was not to be
+wondered at; for where did they learn their cruelty? They learnt it from
+those who had tyrannized over them. The oppression, which they
+themselves had suffered, was fresh in their memories, and this had
+driven them to exercise their vengeance so furiously. If we wished to
+prevent similar scenes in our own islands, we must reject all moderate
+measures, and at once abolish the Slave Trade. By doing this, we should
+procure a better treatment for the slaves there; and when this happy
+change of system should have taken place, we might depend on them for
+the defence of the islands as much as on the whites themselves.
+
+Upon the whole, he would give his opinion of this traffic in a few
+words. He believed it to be impolitic--he knew it to be inhuman--he was
+certain it was unjust--he thought it so inhuman and unjust, that, if the
+colonies could not be cultivated without it, they ought not to be
+cultivated at all. It would be much better for us to be without them,
+than, not abolish the Slave Trade. He hoped therefore that members would
+this night act the part which would do them honour. He declared, that,
+whether he should vote in a large minority or a small one, he would
+never give up the cause. Whether in Parliament or out of it, in whatever
+situation he might ever be, as long as he had a voice to speak, this
+question should never be at rest. Believing the trade to be of the
+nature of crimes and pollutions, which stained the honour of the
+country, he would never relax his efforts. It was his duty to prevent
+man from preying upon man; and if he and his friends should die before
+they had attained their glorious object, he hoped there would never be
+wanting men alive to their duty, who would continue to labour till the
+evil should be wholly done away. If the situation of the Africans was as
+happy as servitude could make them, he could not consent to the enormous
+crime of selling man to man; nor permit a practice to continue, which
+put an entire bar to the civilization of one quarter of the globe. He
+was sure that the nation would not much longer allow the continuance of
+enormities which shocked human nature. The West Indians had no right to
+demand that crimes should be permitted by this country for their
+advantage; and, if they were wise, they would lend their cordial
+assistance to such measures, as would bring about, in the shortest
+possible time, the abolition of this execrable trade.
+
+Mr. Dundas rose again, but it was only to move an amendment, namely,
+that the word "gradually" should be inserted before the words "to be
+abolished" in Mr. Wilberforce's motion.
+
+Mr. Jenkinson (afterwards Earl of Liverpool) said, that the opinions of
+those who were averse to the abolition had been unfairly stated. They
+had been described as founded on policy, in opposition to humanity. If
+it could be made out that humanity would be aided by the abolition, he
+would be the last person to oppose it. The question was not, he
+apprehended, whether the trade was founded in injustice and oppression:
+he admitted it was. Nor was it, whether it was in itself abstractedly an
+evil: he admitted this also; but whether, under all the circumstances of
+the case, any considerable advantage would arise to a number of our
+fellow-creatures from the abolition of the trade in the manner in which
+it had been proposed.
+
+He was ready to admit, that the Africans at home were made miserable by
+the Slave Trade, and that, if it were universally abolished, great
+benefit would arise to them. No one, however, would assert, that these
+miseries arose from the trade as carried on by Great Britain only. Other
+countries occasioned as much of the evil as we did; and if the abolition
+of it by us should prove only the transferring of it to those countries,
+very little benefit would result from the measure.
+
+What then was the probability of our example being followed by foreign
+powers? Five years had now elapsed since the question was first started,
+and what had any of them done? The Portuguese continued the trade. The
+Spaniards still gave a bounty to encourage it. He believed there were
+agents from Holland in this country, who were then negotiating with
+persons concerned in it in order to secure its continuance. The
+abolition also had been proposed in the National Assembly of France, and
+had been rejected there. From these circumstances he had a right to
+infer, that if we gave up the trade, we should only transfer it to those
+countries: but this transfer would be entirely against the Africans. The
+mortality on board English ships, previously to the regulating bill, was
+four and an-eighth per cent. Since that time it had been reduced to
+little more than three per cent[A]. In French ships it was near ten, and
+in Dutch ships from five to seven, per cent. In Portuguese it was less
+than either in French or Dutch, but more than in English ships since the
+regulating bill. Thus the deaths of the Africans would be more than
+doubled, if we were to abolish the trade.
+
+[Footnote A: Mr. Wilberforce stated it on the same evening to be between
+ten and eleven per cent. for the last year. The number then exported
+from Africa to our islands was rather more than 22,000, of whom more
+than 2,300 died.]
+
+Perhaps it might be replied, that the importations being stopped in our
+own islands, fewer Africans would experience this misery, because fewer
+would be taken from their own country on this account. But he had a
+right to infer, that as the planters purchased slaves at present, they
+would still think it their interest to have them. The question then was,
+whether they could get them by smuggling. Now it appeared by the
+evidence, that many hundred slaves had been stolen from time to time
+from Jamaica, and carried into Cuba. But if persons could smuggle slaves
+out of our colonies, they could smuggle slaves into them; but
+particularly when the planters might think it to their interest to
+assist them.
+
+With respect to the slaves there, instances had been related of their
+oppression, which shocked the feelings of all who heard them: but was it
+fair to infer from these their general ill usage? Suppose a person were
+to make a collection of the different abuses, which had happened for a
+series of years under our own happy constitution, and use these as an
+argument of its worthlessness; should we not say to him, that in the
+most perfect system which the human intellect could form some defects
+would exist; and that it was unfair to draw inferences from such partial
+facts? In the same manner he would argue relative to the alleged
+treatment of the slaves. Evidence had been produced upon this point on
+both sides. He should not be afraid to oppose the authorities of Lord
+Rodney, and others, against any, however respectable, in favour of the
+abolition. But this was not necessary. There was another species of
+facts, which would answer the same end; Previously to the year 1730 the
+decrease of the slaves in our islands was very considerable. From 1730
+to 1755 the deaths were reduced to only two and a-half per cent, above
+the births; from 1755 to 1768 to only one and three-fourths; and from
+1768 to 1788 to only one per cent. This then, on the first view of the
+subject, would show, that whatever might have been the situation of
+slaves formerly, it had been gradually improved. But if, in addition to
+this, we considered the peculiar disadvanges under which they laboured;
+the small proportion of females to males; and the hurricanes, and
+famines, which had swept away thousands, we should find it physically
+impossible, that they could have increased as related, if they had been
+treated as cruelly as the friends of the abolition had described.
+
+This species of facts would enable him also to draw still more important
+conclusions; namely, that as the slaves in the West Indies had gradually
+increased, they would continue to increase; that very few years would
+pass, not only before the births were equal to the deaths, but before
+they were more numerous than the deaths; and that if this was likely to
+happen in the present state of things, how much more would it happen, if
+by certain regulations the increase of the slaves should be encouraged?
+
+The only question then was, whether it was more advantageous to breed or
+to import. He thought he should prove the former; and if so, then this
+increase was inevitable, and the importations would necessarily cease.
+
+In the first place, the gradual increase of the slaves of late years
+clearly proved, that such increase had been encouraged. But their price
+had been doubled in the last twenty years. The planter, therefore, must
+feel it his interest to desist from purchasing, if possible. But again,
+the greatest mortality was among the newly imported slaves. The diseases
+they contracted on the passage, and their deaths in the seasoning, all
+made for the same doctrine. Add to this, that slaves bred in the islands
+were more expert at colonial labour, more reconciled to their situation,
+and better disposed towards their masters than those who were brought
+from Africa.
+
+But it had been said, that the births and deaths in the islands were now
+equal; and that therefore no further supply was wanted. He denied the
+propriety of this inference. The slaves were subject to peculiar
+diseases. They were exposed also to hurricanes and consequent famines.
+That the day, however, would come, when the stock there would be
+sufficient, no person who attended to the former part of his argument
+could doubt. That they had gradually increased, were gradually
+increasing, and would, by certain regulations, increase more and more,
+must be equally obvious. But these were all considerations for
+continuing the traffic a little longer.
+
+He then desired the House to reflect upon the state of St. Domingo. Had
+not its calamities been imputed by its own deputies to the advocates for
+the abolition? Were ever any scenes of horror equal to those which had
+passed there? And should we, when principles of the same sort were
+lurking in our own islands, expose our fellow-subjects to the same
+miseries, who, if guilty of promoting this trade, had, at least, been
+encouraged in it by ourselves?
+
+That the Slave Trade was an evil, he admitted. That the state of slavery
+itself was likewise an evil, he admitted; and if the question was, not
+whether we should abolish, but whether we should establish these, he
+would be the first to oppose himself to their existence; but there were
+many evils, which we should have thought it our duty to prevent, yet
+which, when they had once arisen, it was more dangerous to oppose than
+to submit to,--The duty of a statesman was, not to consider abstractedly
+what was right or wrong, but to weigh the consequences which were likely
+to result from the abolition of an evil, against those which were likely
+to result from its continuance. Agreeing then most perfectly with the
+abolitionists in their end, he differed from them only in the means of
+accomplishing it. He was desirous of doing that gradually, which he
+conceived they were doing rashly. He had therefore drawn up two
+propositions. The first was, That an address be presented to His
+Majesty, that he would recommend to the colonial assemblies to grant
+premiums to such planters, and overseers, as should distinguish
+themselves by promoting the annual increase of the slaves by birth; and
+likewise freedom to every female slave, who had reared five children to
+the age of seven years. The second was, That a bounty of five pounds per
+head be given to the master of every slave-ship, who should import in
+any cargo a greater number of females than males, not exceeding the age
+of twenty-five years. To bring, forward these propositions, he would now
+move that the chairman leave the chair.
+
+Mr. Este wished the debate to be adjourned. He allowed there were many
+enormities in the trade, which called for regulation. There were two
+propositions before the House: the one for the immediate, and the other
+for the gradual, abolition of the trade. He thought that members should
+be allowed time to compare their respective merits. At present his own
+opinion was, that gradual abolition would answer the end proposed in the
+least exceptionable manner.
+
+Mr. Pitt rejoiced that the debate had taken a turn, which contracted the
+question into such narrow limits. The matter then in dispute was merely
+as to the time at which the abolition should take, place. He therefore
+congratulated the House, the country, and the world, that this great
+point had been gained; that we might now consider this trade as having
+received its condemnation; that this curse of mankind was seen in its
+true light; and that the greatest stigma on our national character,
+which ever yet existed, was about to be removed! Mankind, he trusted,
+were now likely to be delivered from the greatest practical evil that
+ever afflicted the human race--from the most severe and extensive
+calamity recorded in the history of the world.
+
+His honourable friend (Mr. Jenkinson) had insinuated, that any act for
+the abolition would be evaded. But if we were to enforce this act with
+all the powers of the country, how could it fail to be effectual? But
+his honourable friend had himself satisfied him, upon this point. He had
+acknowledged, that the trade would drop of itself, on account of the
+increasing dearness of the commodity imported. He would ask then, if we
+were to leave to the importer no means of importation but by smuggling;
+and if, besides all the present disadvantages, we were to load him with
+all the charges and hazards of the smuggler, would there be any danger
+of any considerable supply of fresh slaves being poured into the islands
+through this channel? The question under these circumstances, he
+pronounced, would not bear a dispute.
+
+His honourable friend had also maintained, that it would be inexpedient
+to stop the importations immediately, because the deaths and births in
+the islands were as yet not equal. But he (Mr. Pitt) had proved last
+year, from the most authentic documents, that an increase of the births
+above the deaths had already taken place. This then was the time for
+beginning the abolition. But he would now observe, that five years had
+elapsed since these documents were framed; and therefore the presumption
+was, that the black population was increasing at an extraordinary rate.
+He had not, to be sure, in his consideration of the subject, entered
+into the dreadful mortality arising from the clearing of new lands.
+Importations for this purpose were to be considered, not as carrying on
+the trade, but as setting on foot a Slave Trade, a measure which he
+believed no one present would then support. He therefore asked his
+honourable friend, whether the period he had looked to was now arrived?
+whether the West Indies, at this hour, were, not in a state in which
+they could maintain their population?
+
+It had been argued, that one or other of these two, assertions was
+false; that either the population of the slaves must be decreasing,
+(which the abolitionists denied,) or, if it was increasing, the slaves
+must have been well treated. That their population was rather increasing
+than otherwise, and also that their general treatment was by no means so
+good as it ought to have been, were both points which had been proved by
+different witnesses. Neither were they incompatible with each other. But
+he would see whether the explanation of this seeming contradiction would
+not refute the argument of expediency, as advanced by his honourable
+friend. Did the slaves decrease in numbers?--Yes. Then ill usage must
+have been the cause of it; but if so, the abolition was immediately
+necessary to, restrain it. Did they, on the other hand, increase?--Yes.
+But if so, no further importations, were wanted. Was their population
+(to take a middle course) nearly stationary, and their treatment neither
+so good nor so bad as it might be?--Yes. But if so, this was the proper
+period for stopping further supplies; for both the population and the
+treatment would be improved by such a measure.
+
+But he would show again the futility of the, argument of his honourable
+friend. He himself had admitted that it was in the power of the
+colonists to correct the various abuses, by which the Negro population
+was restrained. But, they could not do this without improving the
+condition of their slaves; without making them approximate towards the
+rank of citizens; without giving them some little interest in their
+labour, which would occasion them to work with the energy of men. But
+now the Assembly of Grenada had themselves stated, "that though the
+Negroes were allowed the afternoons of only one day in every week they
+would do as much work in that afternoon, when employed for their own
+benefit as in the whole day, when employed in their masters' service."
+Now, after, this, confession, the House might burn all his calculations
+relative to the Negro population; for, if it had not yet quite reached
+the desirable state which he had pointed out, this confession had
+proved, that further supplies were not wanted. A Negro, if he worked for
+himself, could do double work. By an improvement then in the mode of
+labour, the work in the islands could be doubled. But if so, what would
+become of the argument of his honourable friend? for then only half the
+number of the present labourers were necessary.
+
+He would now try this argument of expediency by other considerations.
+The best informed writers on the subject had told us, that the purchase
+of new Negroes was injurious to the, planters. But if this statement was
+just, would not the abolition be beneficial to them? That it would, was
+the opinion of Mr. Long, their own historian. "If the Slave Trade," says
+he, "was prohibited for four or five years, it would enable them to
+retrieve their affairs by preventing them from running into debt, either
+by renting or purchasing Negroes." To this acknowledgment he would add a
+fact from the evidence, which was, that a North American province, by
+such a prohibition alone for a few years from being deeply plunged in
+debt, had become independent, rich, and flourishing.
+
+The next consideration was the danger, to which the islands, were
+exposed from the newly imported slaves. Mr. Long, with a view of
+preventing insurrections, had advised, that a duty equal to a
+prohibition, might be laid on the importation of Coromantine slaves.
+After noticing one insurrection, which happened through their means, he
+speaks of another in the following year, in which thirty-three
+Coromantines, "most of whom had been newly imported, murdered and
+wounded no less than nineteen Whites in the, space of an hour." To the
+authority of Mr Long he would add the recorded opinion of a committee of
+the House of Assembly of Jamaica, which was appointed to inquire into
+the best means of preventing future insurrections. The committee
+reported, that "the rebellion had originated, like most others, with the
+Coromantines," and they proposed that a bill should he brought in for
+laying a higher duty on the importation of these particular Negroes,
+which should operate as a prohibition. But the danger was not confined
+to the introduction of Coromantines. Mr. Long accounts for the frequent
+insurrections in Jamaica from the greatness of its general importations.
+"In two years and a-half," says he, "twenty-seven thousand Negroes have
+been imported.--No wonder that we have rebellions!" Surely then, when
+his honourable friend spoke of the calamities of St. Domingo, and of
+similar dangers impending over our own islands, it ill became him to be
+the person to cry out for further importations! It ill became him to
+charge upon the abolitionists the crime of stirring up insurrections,
+who only recommended what the legislature of Jamaica itself had laid
+down in a time of danger with an avowed view to prevent them. It was,
+indeed, a great satisfaction to himself, that among the many arguments
+for prohibiting the Slave Trade, the security of our West Indian
+possessions against internal commotions, as well as foreign enemies, was
+among the most prominent and forcible. And here he would ask his
+honourable friend, whether in this part of the argument he did not see
+reason for immediate abolition. Why should we any longer persist in
+introducing those latent principles of conflagration, which, if they
+should once burst forth, might annihilate the industry of a hundred
+years? which might throw the planters back a whole century in their
+profits, in their cultivation, and in their progress towards the
+emancipation of their slaves? It was our duty to vote that the abolition
+of the Slave Trade should be immediate, and not to leave it to he knew
+not what future time or contingency.
+
+Having now done with the argument of expediency, he would consider the
+proposition of his right honourable friend Mr. Dundas; that, on account
+of some patrimonial rights of the West Indians, the prohibition of the
+Slave Trade would be an invasion of their legal inheritance. He would
+first observe, that, if this argument was worth anything, it applied
+just as much to gradual as to immediate abolition. He had no doubt,
+that, at whatever period we should say the trade should cease; it would
+be equally, set up; for it would certainly be just as good an argument
+against the measure in seventy years hence, as it was against it now. It
+implied also, that Parliament had no right to stop the importations: but
+had this detestable traffic received such a sanction, as placed it more
+out of the jurisdiction of the legislature for ever after, than any
+other branch of our trade? In what a situation did the proposition of
+his honourable friend place the legislature of Great Britain! It was
+scarcely possible to lay a duty on anyone article, which might not in
+someway affect the property of individuals. But if the laws respecting
+the Slave Trade implied a contract for its perpetual continuance, the
+House could never regulate any other of the branches of our national
+commerce.
+
+But any contract for the promotion of this trade must, in his opinion,
+have been void from the beginning: for if it was an outrage upon
+justice, and only another name for fraud, robbery, and murder, what
+pledge could devolve upon the legislature to incur the obligation of
+becoming principals in the commission of such enormities by sanctioning
+their continuance?
+
+But he would appeal to the acts themselves. That of 23 George II. c. 31,
+was the one upon which the greatest stress was laid. How would the House
+be surprised to hear that the very outrages committed in the prosecution
+of this trade had been forbidden by that act! "No master of a ship
+trading to Africa," says the act, "shall by fraud, force, or violence,
+or by any indirect practice whatever, take on board or carry away from
+that coast any Negro, or native of that country, or commit any violence
+on the natives, to the prejudice of the said trade; and every person so
+offending, shall for every such offence forfeit one hundred pounds." But
+the whole trade had been demonstrated to be a system of fraud, force,
+and violence; and therefore the contract was daily violated, under which
+the Parliament allowed it to continue.
+
+But why had the trade ever been permitted at all? The preamble of the
+act would show: "Whereas the trade to and from Africa is very
+advantageous to Great Britain, and necessary for supplying the
+Plantations and Colonies thereunto belonging with a sufficient number of
+Negroes at reasonable rates, and for that purpose the said trade should
+be carried on."--Here then we might see what the Parliament had in view,
+when it passed this act. But no one of the occasions, on which it
+grounded its proceedings, now existed. He would plead, then, the act
+itself as an argument for the abolition. If it had been proved that,
+instead of being very advantageous to Great Britain, it was the most
+destructive to her interests--that it was the ruin of her seamen--that
+it stopped the extension of her manufactures;--if it had been proved, in
+the second place, that it was not now necessary for the supply of our
+Plantations with Negroes;--if it had been further established, that it
+was from the beginning contrary to the first principles of justice, and
+consequently that a pledge for its continuance, had one been attempted
+to be given, must have been absolutely void--where in this act of
+parliament was the contract to be found, by which Britain was bound, as
+she was said to be, never to listen to her own true interests and to the
+cries of the natives of Africa? Was it not clear, that all argument,
+founded on the supposed pledge of Parliament, made against those who
+employed it?
+
+But if we were not bound by existing laws to the support of this trade,
+we were doubly criminal in pursuing it; for why ought it to be abolished
+at all? Because it was incurable injustice. Africa was the ground on
+which he chiefly rested; and there it was, that his two honourable
+friends, one of whom had proposed gradual abolition, and the other
+regulation, did not carry their principles, to their full extent. Both
+had confessed the trade to be a moral evil. How much stronger, then, was
+the argument, for immediate than for gradual abolition! If on the ground
+of a moral evil it was to be abolished at last, why ought it not now?
+Why was injustice to be suffered to remain for a single hour? He knew of
+no evil, which ever had existed, nor could he imagine any to exist,
+worse than the tearing of eighty thousand persons annually from their
+native land, by a combination of the most civilized nations, in the most
+enlightened quarter of the globe; but more, especially by that nation,
+which called herself the most free and the most happy of them all.
+
+He would now notice the objection, that other nations would not give up
+the Slave Trade, if we were to renounce it. But if the trade were
+stained, but by a thousandth part of the criminality which he and
+others, after a thorough investigation of the subject, charged upon it,
+the House ought immediately to vote for its abolition. This miserable
+argument, if persevered in, would be an eternal bar to the annihilation
+of the evil. How was it ever to be eradicated, if every nation was thus
+prudentially to wait till the concurrence of all the world should be
+obtained! But it applied a thousand times more strongly in a contrary
+way. How much more justly would other nations say, "Great Britain, free
+as she is, just and honourable as she is, not only has not abolished,
+but has refused to abolish, the Slave Trade. She has investigated it
+well. Her senate has deliberated upon it. It is plain, then, that she
+sees no guilt in it." With this argument we should furnish the other
+nations of Europe, if we were again to refuse to put an end to this
+cruel traffic; and we should have from henceforth not only to answer for
+our own, but for their crimes also. Already we have suffered one year to
+pass away; and now, when the question was renewed, not only had this
+wretched argument been revived, but a proposition had been made for the
+gradual abolition of the trade. He knew, indeed, the difficulty of
+reforming long established abuses; but in the present case, by proposing
+some other period than the present, by prescribing some condition, by
+waiting for some contingencies, perhaps till we obtained the general
+concurrence of Europe, (A concurrence which he believe never yet took
+place at the commencement of any one improvement in policy or morals,)
+he fared that this most enormous evil would never be redressed. Was it
+not folly to wait for the stream to run down before we crossed the bed
+of its channel? Alas! we might wait for ever. The river would still flow
+on. We should be no nearer the object which we had in view, so long as
+the step, which could alone bring us to it was not taken.
+
+He would now proceed to the civilization of Africa; and, as his eye had
+just glanced upon a West Indian law in the evidence upon the table, he
+would begin with an argument, which the sight of it had suggested to
+him. This argument had been ably answered in the course of the evening;
+but he would view it in yet another light. It had been said, that the
+savage disposition of the Africans rendered the prospect of their
+civilization almost hopeless. This argument was indeed of long standing;
+but, last year, it had been supported upon a new ground. Captain Frazer
+had stated in his evidence, that a boy had been put to death at Cabenda,
+because there were those who refused to purchase him as a slave. This
+single story was deemed by him, and had been considered by others, as a
+sufficient proof of the barbarity of the Africans, and of the inutility
+of abolishing the Slave Trade. But they, who had used this fact, had
+suppressed several circumstances relating to it. It appeared, on
+questioning Captain Frazer afterward, that this boy had previously run
+away from his master three several times; that the master had to pay his
+value, according to the custom of the country, every time he was brought
+back; and that partly from anger at the boy for running away so
+frequently, and partly to prevent a repetition of the same expense, he
+determined to destroy him. Such was the explanation of the signal
+instance, which was to fix barbarity on all Africa, as it came out in
+the cross-examination of Captain Frazer. That this African master was
+unenlightened and barbarous, he freely admitted; but what would an
+enlightened and civilized West Indian have done in a similar case? He
+would quote the law, passed in the West Indies in 1722, which he had
+just cast his eye upon in the book of evidence, by which law this very
+same crime of running away was by the legislature, of an island, by the
+grave and deliberate sentence of an enlightened legislature, punished
+with death; and this, not in the case only of the third offence, but
+even in the very first instance. It was enacted, "That, if any Negro or
+other slave should withdraw himself from his master for the term of six
+months, or any slave, who was absent, should not return within that
+time, every such person should suffer death." There was also another
+West Indian law, by which every Negro was armed against his fellow
+Negro, for he was authorized to kill every runaway slave; and he had
+even a reward held out to him for so doing. Let the House now contrast
+the two cases. Let them ask themselves which of the two exhibited the
+greater barbarity; and whether they could possibly vote for the
+continuance of the Slave Trade, upon the principle that the Africans had
+shown themselves to be a race of incorrigible barbarians?
+
+Something like an opposite argument, but with a like view, had been
+maintained by others on this subject. It had been said, in justification
+of the trade, that the Africans had derived some little civilization
+from their intercourse with us. Yes; we had given them just enough of
+the forms of justice to enable them to add the pretext of legal trials
+to their other modes of perpetrating the most atrocious crimes. We had
+given them just enough of European improvements, to enable them the more
+effectually to turn Africa into a ravaged wilderness. Alas! alas! we had
+carried on a trade with them from this civilized and enlightened
+country, which, instead of diffusing knowledge, had been a check to
+every laudable pursuit. We had carried a poison into their country,
+which spread its contagious effects from one end of it to the other, and
+which penetrated to its very centre, corrupting every part to which it
+reached. We had there subverted the whole order of nature; we had
+aggravated every natural barbarity, and furnished to every man motives
+for committing, under the name of trade, acts of perpetual hostility and
+perfidy against his neighbour. Thus had the perversion of British
+commerce carried misery instead of happiness to one whole quarter of the
+globe. False to the very principles of trade, misguided in our policy,
+unmindful of our duty, what almost irreparable mischief had we done to
+that continent! How should we hope to obtain forgiveness from heaven, if
+we refused to use those means which the mercy of Providence had still
+reserved to us for wiping away the guilt and shame, with which we were
+now covered? If we refused even this degree of compensation, how
+aggravated would be our guilt! Should we delay, then, to repair these
+incalculable injuries? We ought to count the days, nay the very hours,
+which intervened to delay the accomplishment of such a work.
+
+On this great subject, the civilization of Africa, which, he confessed,
+was near his heart, he would yet add a few observations. And first he
+would say, that the present deplorable state of that country, especially
+when we reflected that her chief calamities were to be ascribed to us,
+called for our generous aid, rather than justified any despair, on our
+part, of her recovery, and still less a repetition of our injuries. On
+what ground of theory or history did we act, when we supposed she was
+never to be reclaimed? There was a time, which it might be now fit to
+call to remembrance, when human sacrifices, and even this very practice
+of the Slave Trade existed in our own island. Slaves, as we may read in
+HENRY's _History of Great Britain_, were formerly an established article
+of our exports. "Great numbers," he says, "were exported like cattle
+from the British coast, and were to be seen exposed for sale in the
+Roman markets."--"Adultery, witchcraft, and debt," says the same
+historian, "were probably some of the chief sources of supplying the
+Roman market with British slaves--prisoners taken in war were added to
+the number--there might be also among them some unfortunate gamesters,
+who, after having lost all their goods, at length staked themselves,
+their wives, and their children." Now every one of these sources of
+slavery had been stated to be at this hour a source of slavery in
+Africa. If these practices, therefore, were to be admitted as proofs of
+the natural incapacity of its inhabitants, why might they not have been
+applied to ancient Britain? Why might not then some Roman senator,
+pointing to British barbarians, have predicted with equal boldness, that
+these were a people who were destined never to be free; who were without
+the understanding necessary for the attainment of useful arts; depressed
+by the hand of nature below the level of the human species, and created
+to form a supply of slaves for the rest of the world? But, happily,
+since that time, notwithstanding what would then have been the justness
+of these predictions, we had emerged from barbarism. We were now raised
+to a situation which exhibited a striking contrast to every circumstance
+by which a Roman might have characterized us, and by which we now
+characterized Africa. There was indeed one thing wanting to complete the
+contrast, and to clear us altogether from the imputation of acting even
+to this hour as barbarians; for we continued to this hour a barbarous
+traffic in slaves; we continued it even yet, in spite of all our great
+pretensions. We were once as obscure among the nations of the earth, as
+savage in our manners, as debased in our morals, as degraded in our
+understandings, as these unhappy Africans. But in the lapse of a long
+series of years, by a progression slow, and for a time almost
+imperceptible, we had become rich in a variety of acquirements. We were
+favoured above measure in the gifts of Providence, we were unrivalled in
+commerce, pre-eminent in arts, foremost in the pursuits of philosophy
+and science, and established in all the blessings of civil society; we
+were in the possession of peace, of liberty, and of happiness; we were
+under the guidance of a mild and a beneficent religion; and we were
+protected by impartial laws and the purest administration of justice; we
+were living under a system of government, which our own happy experience
+led us to pronounce the best and wisest, and which had become the
+admiration of the World. From all these blessings we must for ever have
+been excluded, had there been any truth in those principles, which some
+had not hesitated to lay down as applicable to the case of Africa; and
+we should have been at this moment little superior, either in morals,
+knowledge, or refinement, to the rude inhabitants of that continent.
+
+If then we felt that this perpetual confinement in the fetters of brutal
+ignorance would have been the greatest calamity which could have
+befallen us; if we viewed with gratitude the contrast between our
+present and our former situation; if we shuddered to think of the misery
+which would still have overwhelmed us, had our country continued to the
+present times, through some cruel policy, to be the mart for slaves to
+the more civilized nations of the World;--God forbid that we should any
+longer subject Africa to the same dreadful scourge, and exclude the
+sight of knowledge from her coasts, which had reached every other
+quarter of the globe!
+
+He trusted we should no longer continue this commerce, and that we
+should no longer consider ourselves as conferring too great a boon on
+the natives of Africa in restoring them to the rank of human beings, He
+trusted we should not think ourselves too liberal, if, by abolishing the
+Slave Trade, we gave them the same common chance of civilization with
+other parts of the World. If we listened to the voice of reason and duty
+this night, some of us might live to see a reverse of that picture, from
+which we how turned our eyes with shame. We might live to behold the
+natives engaged in the calm occupations of industry, and in the pursuit
+of a just commerce. We might behold the beams of science and philosophy
+breaking in upon their land, which at some happy period in still later
+times might blaze with full lustre; and joining their influence to that
+of pure religion, might illuminate and invigorate the most distant
+extremities of that immense continent. Then might we hope, that even
+Africa (though last of all the quarters of the globe) should enjoy at
+length, in the evening of her days, those blessings, which had descended
+so plentifully upon us in a much earlier period of the world. Then also
+would Europe, participating in her improvement and prosperity, receive
+an ample recompense for the tardy kindness (if kindness it could be
+called) of no longer hindering her from extricating herself out of the
+darkness, which, in other more fortunate regions, had been so much more
+speedily dispelled.
+
+
+      --------Nos primus equis Oriens afflavit anhelis;
+      Illic sera rubens accendit lumina Vesper.
+
+
+Then might be applied to Africa those words, originally used indeed with
+a different view:
+
+
+      His demum exactis------
+      Devenere locos laetos, et amoena vireta
+      Fortunatorum nemorum, sedesque beatas;
+      Largior hic campos aether et lumine vestit
+      Purpureo.
+
+
+It was in this view--it was as an atonement for our long and cruel
+injustice towards Africa, that the measure proposed by his honourable
+friend Mr. Wilberforce most forcibly recommended itself to his mind. The
+great and happy change to be expected in the state of her inhabitants
+was, of all the various benefits of the abolition, in his estimation the
+most extensive and important. He should vote against the adjournment;
+and he should also oppose every proposition which tended either to
+prevent, or even to postpone for an hour, the total abolition of the
+Slave Trade.
+
+Mr. Pitt having concluded his speech (at about six in the morning), Sir
+William Dolben, the chairman, proposed the following questions:--The
+first was on the motion of Mr. Jenkinson, "that the chairman do now
+leave the chair." This was lost by a majority of two hundred and
+thirty-four to eighty-seven. The second was on the motion of Mr. Dundas,
+"that the abolition should be, gradual;" when the votes for gradual
+exceeded those for immediate by one hundred and ninety-three to one
+hundred and twenty-five. He then put the amended question, that "it was
+the opinion of the committee that the trade ought to be gradually
+abolished."  The committee having divided again, the votes for a gradual
+abolition were, two hundred and thirty, and those against any abolition
+were eighty-five.
+
+After this debate, the committee for the abolition of the Slave Trade
+held a meeting. They voted their thanks to Mr. Wilberforce for his
+motion, and to Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fox, and those other members of the House
+who had supported it. They resolved, also, that the House of Commons,
+having determined that the Slave Trade ought to be gradually abolished,
+had by that decision manifested their opinion, that it was cruel and
+unjust. They resolved, also, that a gradual abolition of it was not an
+adequate remedy for its injustice and cruelty; neither could it be
+deemed a compliance with the general wishes of the people, as expressed
+in their numerous and urgent petitions to Parliament; and they resolved
+lastly, that the interval in which the Slave Trade should be permitted
+to continue, afforded a prospect of redoubled cruelties and ravages on
+the coast of Africa; and that it imposed therefore an additional
+obligation on every friend to the cause to use all constitutional means
+to obtain its immediate abolition.
+
+At a subsequent meeting they voted their thanks to the right honourable
+Lord Muncaster, for the able support he had given to the great object of
+their institution by his _Historical Sketches of the Slave Trade, and of
+its Effects in Africa_; addressed to the people of Great Britain; and
+they elected the Rev. Richard Gifford, and the Rev. Thomas Gisborne,
+honorary and corresponding members; the first on account of his
+excellent sermon before-mentioned, and other services; and the latter on
+account of his truly Christian and seasonable pamphlet, entitled
+_Remarks on the Late Decision of the House of Commons, respecting the
+Abolition of the Slave Trade_.
+
+On the 23rd of April, the House of Commons resolved itself into a
+committee of the whole House, to consider the subject again; and Mr.
+Beaufoy was put into the chair.
+
+Mr. Dundas, upon whom the task of introducing a bill for the gradual
+abolition of the Slave Trade now devolved, rose to offer the outlines of
+a plan for that purpose. He intended, he said, immediately to abolish
+that part of the trade, by which we supplied foreigners with slaves. The
+other part of it was to be continued seven years from the 1st of January
+next. He grounded the necessity of its continuance till this time upon
+the documents of the Negro population in the different islands. In many
+of these, slaves were imported, but they were re-exported nearly in
+equal numbers. Now, all these he considered to be in a state to go on
+without future supplies from Africa. Jamaica and the ceded islands
+retained almost all the slaves imported into them. This he considered as
+a proof that these had not attained the same desirable state; and it was
+therefore necessary, that the trade should be continued longer on this
+account. It was his intention, however, to provide proper punishments,
+while it lasted, for abuses both in Africa and in the Middle Passage, He
+would take care, as far as he could, that none but young slaves should
+be brought from the Coast of Africa. He would encourage establishments
+there for a new species of traffic. Foreign nations should be invited to
+concur in the abolition. He should propose a praedial rather than a
+personal service for the West Indies, and institutions, by which the
+slaves there should be instructed in religious duties. He concluded by
+reading several resolutions, which he would leave to the future
+consideration of the House.
+
+Mr. Pitt then rose. He deprecated the resolutions altogether. He denied
+also the inferences which Mr. Dundas had drawn from the West Indian
+documents relative to the Negro population. He had looked aver his own
+calculations from the same documents again and again, and he would
+submit them, with all their data, if it should be necessary, to the
+House.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Fox held the same language. They contended also,
+that Mr. Dundas had now proved, a thousand times more strongly than
+ever, the necessity of immediate abolition. All the resolutions he had
+read were operative against his own reasoning. The latter observed, that
+the Slave-traders were in future only to be allowed to steal innocent
+children from their disconsolate parents.
+
+After a few observations by Lord Sheffield, Mr. Drake, Colonel Tarleton,
+and Mr. Rolle, the House adjourned.
+
+On the 25th of April it resumed the consideration of the subject. Mr.
+Dundas then went over his former resolutions, and concluded by moving,
+"that it should not be lawful to import any African Negroes into any
+British colonies, in ships owned or navigated by British subjects, at
+any time after the 1st of January, 1800."
+
+Lord Mornington (now Marquis Wellesley) rose to propose an amendment. He
+congratulated his countrymen, that the Slave Trade had received its
+death-wound. This traffic was founded in injustice; and between right
+and wrong there could be no compromise. Africa was not to be sacrificed
+to the apparent good of the West Indies. He would not repeat those
+enormities out of the evidence, which had made such a deep impression
+upon the House. It had been resolved, that the trade should be
+abolished. The question then was, how long they were to persevere in the
+crime of its continuance? One had said, that they might be unjust for
+ten years longer; another, only till the beginning of the next century.
+But this diversity of opinion had proceeded from an erroneous statement
+of Mr. Dundas against the clear and irrefragable calculations of Mr.
+Pitt. The former had argued, that, because Jamaica and the ceded islands
+had retained almost all the slaves which had been, imported into them,
+they were therefore not yet in a situation to support their population
+without further supplies from Africa. But the truth was, that the
+slaves, so retained, were kept, not to maintain the population there,
+but to clear new land. Now the House had determined, that the trade was
+not to be continued for this purpose. The population, therefore, in the
+islands was sufficient to continue the ordinary cultivation of them.
+
+He deprecated the idea, that the Slave Trade had been so sanctioned by
+the acts of former Parliaments, that the present could make no
+alteration in it. Had not the House altered the import of foreign sugar
+into our islands? a measure, which at the time affected the property of
+many. Had they not prohibited the exports of provisions from America to
+the same quarter; Again, as to compacts, had the Africans ever been
+parties to these? It was rather curious also, when King James the Second
+gave a charter to the slave-trader, that he should have given them a
+right to all the south of Africa, and authority over every person born
+therein! But, by doing this, it was clear that he gave them a right
+which he never possessed himself. After many other observations, he
+concluded by moving, "that the year 1793 be substituted in the place of
+the year 1800."
+
+In the course of the debate, which followed, Mr. Burdon stated his
+conviction of the necessity of immediate abolition; but he would support
+the amendment, as the shortest of the terms proposed.
+
+Mr. Robert Thornton would support it also, as the only choice left him.
+He dared not accede to a motion, by which we were to continue for seven
+years to imbrue our hands in innocent blood.
+
+Mr. Ryder (now Earl of Harrowby) would not support the trade for one
+moment, if he could avoid it. He could not hold a balance with gold in
+one scale, and blood in the other.
+
+Mr. William Smith exposed the wickedness of restricting the trade to
+certain ages. The original motion, he said, would only operate as a
+transfer of cruelty from the aged and the guilty to the young and the
+innocent. He entreated the House to consider, whether, if it related to
+their own children, any one of them would vote for it.
+
+Mr. Windham had hitherto felt a reluctance to speaking, not from the
+abstruseness, but from the simplicity, of the subject; but he could not
+longer be silent, when he observed those arguments of policy creeping
+again out of their lurking-places, which had fled before eloquence and
+truth. The House had clearly given up the policy of the question. They
+had been determined by the justice of it. Why were they then to be
+troubled again with arguments of this nature? These, if admitted, would
+go to the subversion of all public as well as private morality. Nations
+were as much bound as individuals to a system of morals, though a breach
+in the former could not be so easily punished. In private life morality
+took pretty good care of itself. It was a kind of retail article, in
+which the returns were speedy. If a man broke open his neighbour's
+house, he would feel the consequences.  There was an ally of virtue, who
+rendered it the interest of individuals to be moral, and he was called
+the executioner. But as such punishment did not always await us in our
+national concerns, we should substitute honour as the guardian of our
+national conduct. He hoped the West Indians would consider the character
+of the mother-country, and the obligations to national as well as
+individual justice. He hoped, also, they would consider the sufferings,
+which they occasioned both in Africa, in the passage, and in the West
+Indies. In the passage, indeed, no one was capable of describing them.
+The section of the slave-ship; however, made up the deficiency of
+language, and did away all necessity of argument, on this subject.
+Disease there had to struggle with the new affliction of chains and
+punishment. At one view were the irksomeness of a goal, and the miseries
+of an hospital; so that the holds of these vessels put him in mind of
+the regions of the damned. The trade, he said, ought immediately to be
+abolished. On a comparison of the probable consequences of the abolition
+of it, he saw on one side only doubtful contingencies, but on the other
+shame and disgrace.
+
+Sir James Johnstone contended for the immediate abolition of the trade.
+He had introduced the plough into his own plantation in the West Indies,
+and he found the land produced more sugar than when cultivated in the
+ordinary way by slaves. Even for the sake of the planters, he hoped the
+abolition would not be long delayed.
+
+Mr. Dundas replied: after which a division took place. The number of
+votes in favour of the original motion were one hundred and fifty-eight,
+and for the amendment one hundred and nine.
+
+On the 27th of April the House resumed the subject. Mr. Dundas moved, as
+before, that the Slave Trade should cease in the year 1800; upon which
+Lord Mornington moved, that the year 1795 should be substituted for the
+latter period.
+
+In the course of the debate, which followed, Mr. Hubbard said, that he
+had voted against the abolition, when the year 1793 was proposed; but he
+thought that, if it were not to take place till 1795, sufficient time
+would be allowed the planters. He would support this amendment; and he
+congratulated the House on the prospect of the final triumph of truth,
+humanity, and justice.
+
+Mr. Addington preferred the year 1796 to the year 1795.
+
+Mr. Alderman Watson considered the abolition in 1796, to be as
+destructive as if it were immediate.
+
+A division having taken place, the number of votes in favour of the
+original motion were one hundred and sixty-one, and in favour of Lord
+Mornington's amendment for the year 1795, one hundred and twenty-one.
+Sir Edward Knatchbull, however, seeing that there was a disposition in
+the House to bring the matter to a conclusion, and that a middle line
+would be preferred, moved that the year 1796 should be substituted for
+this year 1800. Upon this the House divided again; when there appeared
+for the original motion only one hundred and thirty-two, but for the
+amendment one hundred and fifty-one.
+
+The gradual abolition having been now finally agreed upon for the year
+1796, a committee was named, which carried the resolution to the Lords.
+
+On the 8th of May, the Lords were summoned to consider it; Lord
+Stormont, after having spoken for some time, moved, that they should
+hear evidence upon it. Lord Grenville opposed the motion on account of
+the delay, which would arise from an examination of the witnesses by the
+House at large: but he moved that such witnesses should be examined by a
+committee of the House. Upon this a debate ensued, and afterwards a
+division; when the original motion was carried by sixty-three against
+thirty-six.
+
+On the 15th of May, the Lords met again. Evidence was then ordered to be
+summoned in behalf of those interested in the continuance of the trade.
+At length it was introduced; but on the 5th of June, when only seven
+persons had been examined, a motion was made and carried, that the
+further examinations should be postponed to the next session.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+Continuation from July 1792 to July 1793.--Author travels round the
+kingdom again.--Motion to renew the resolution of the last year in the
+Commons; motion lost.--New motion in the Commons to abolish the
+foreign Slave Trade; motion lost.--Proceedings of the Lords.
+
+
+The resolution adopted by the Commons, that the trade should cease in
+1796, was a matter of great joy to many; and several, in consequence of
+it, returned to the use of sugar. The committee, however, for the
+abolition did not view it in the same favourable light. They considered
+it as a political manoeuvre to frustrate the accomplishment of the
+object. But the circumstance, which gave them the most concern, was the
+resolution of the Lords to hear evidence. It was impossible now to say,
+when the trade would cease, the witnesses in behalf of the merchants and
+planters, had obtained possession of the ground; and they might, keep
+it, if they chose, even till the year 1800, to throw light upon a
+measure which was to be adopted in 1796. The committee found too, that
+they had again the laborious task before them of finding out new persons
+to give testimony in behalf of their cause; for some of their former
+witnesses were dead, and others were out of the kingdom; and unless they
+replaced these, there would be no probability of making out that strong
+case in the Lords, which they had established in the Commons. It
+devolved therefore upon me once more to travel for this purpose: but as
+I was then in too weak a state to bear as much fatigue as formerly, Dr.
+Dickson relieved me, by taking one part of the tour, namely, that to
+Scotland, upon himself.
+
+These journeys we performed with considerable success; during which, the
+committee elected Mr. Joseph Townsend of Baltimore, in Maryland, an
+honorary and corresponding member.
+
+Parliament having met, Mr. Wilberforce, in February 1793, moved, that
+the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole House on Thursday
+next, to consider of the circumstances of the Slave Trade. This motion
+was opposed by Sir William Yonge, who moved, that this day six months
+should be substituted for Thursday next. A debate ensued: of this,
+however, as well as of several which followed. I shall give no account;
+as it would be tedious to the reader to hear a repetition of the same
+arguments. Suffice it to say, that the motion was lost by a majority of
+sixty-one to fifty-three.
+
+This sudden refusal of the House of Commons to renew their own vote of
+the former year, gave great uneasiness to the friends of the cause. Mr.
+Wilberforce, however, resolved that the session should not pass without
+an attempt to promote it in another form; and accordingly, on the 14th
+of May, he moved for leave to bring in a bill to abolish that part of
+the Slave Trade, by which the British merchants supplied foreigners with
+slaves. This motion was opposed like the former; but was carried by a
+majority of seven. The bill was then brought in; and it passed its first
+and second reading with little opposition; but on the 5th of June,
+notwithstanding the eloquence of Mr. Pitt and of Mr. Fox, and the very
+able speeches of Mr. Francis, Mr. Courtenay, and others, it was lost by
+a majority of thirty-one to twenty-nine.
+
+In the interval between these motions, the question experienced in the
+Lords considerable opposition. The Duke of Clarence moved that the House
+should not proceed in the consideration of the Slave Trade till after
+the Easter recess. The Earl of Abingdon was still more hostile
+afterwards. He deprecated the new philosophy. It was as full of mischief
+as the Box of Pandora. The doctrine of the abolition of the Slave Trade
+was a species of it; and he concluded by moving, that all further
+consideration of the subject be postponed. To the epithets, then
+bestowed upon the abolitionists by this nobleman, the Duke of Clarence
+added those of fanatics and hypocrites, among whom he included Mr.
+Wilberforce by name. All the other Lords, however, who were present,
+manifested such a dislike to the sentiments of the Earl of Abingdon,
+that he withdrew his motion.
+
+After this, the hearing of evidence on the resolution of the House of
+Commons was resumed; and seven persons were examined before the close of
+the session.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+--Continuation from July 1793 to July 1794.--Author travels round the
+kingdom again.--Motion to abolish the foreign Slave Trade renewed in
+the Commons; and carried; but lost in the Lords; further proceedings
+there.--Author, on account of his declining health, obliged to retire
+from the cause.
+
+
+The committee for the abolition could not view the proceedings of both
+Houses of Parliament on this subject during the year 1793, without being
+alarmed for the fate of their question. The only two sources of hope,
+which they could discover, were in the disposition then manifested by
+the Peers, as to the conduct of the Earl of Abingdon, and in their
+determination to proceed in the hearing of evidence. The latter
+circumstance indeed was the more favourable, as the resolution, upon
+which the witnesses were to be examined, had not been renewed by the
+Commons. These considerations, however, afforded no solid ground for the
+mind to rest upon. They only broke in upon it, like faint gleams of
+sunshine, for a moment, and then were gone. In this situation, the
+committee could only console themselves by the reflection, that they had
+done their duty. In looking, however, to their future services, one
+thing, and only one, seemed practicable; and this was necessary; namely,
+to complete the new body of evidence, which they had endeavoured to form
+in the preceding year. The determination to do this rendered another
+journey on my part indispensable; and I undertook it, broken down, as my
+constitution then was, beginning it in September 1793, and completing it
+in February 1794.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce, in this interval, had digested his plan of operations;
+and accordingly, early in the session of 1794, he asked leave to renew
+his former bill, to abolish that part of the trade, by means of which
+British merchants supplied foreigners with slaves. This request was
+opposed by Sir William Yonge; but it was granted; on a division of the
+House, by a majority of sixty-three to forty votes.
+
+When the bill was brought in, it was opposed by the same member; upon
+which the House divided; and there appeared for Sir William Yonge's
+amendment thirty-eight votes, but against it fifty-six.
+
+On a motion for the recommitment of the bill, Lord Sheffield divided the
+House, against whose motion there was a majority of forty-two. And, on
+the third reading of it, it was opposed again; but it was at length
+carried.
+
+The speakers against the bill were: Sir William Yonge, Lord Sheffield,
+Colonel Tarleton, Alderman Newnham and Messrs; Payne, Este, Lechaiere,
+Cawthorae, Jenkinson, and Dent. Those who spoke in favour of it were:
+Messrs. Pitt, Fox, William Smith, Whitbread, Francis, Burdon, Vaughan,
+Barham, and Serjeants Watson and Adair.
+
+While the foreign Slave-bill was thus passing through its stages in the
+Commons, Dr. Horsley, Bishop of Rochester, who saw no end to the
+examinations, while the witnesses were to be examined at the bar of the
+House of Lords, moved, that they should be taken in future before a
+committee above-stairs. Dr. Porteus, Bishop of London, and the Lords
+Guildford, Stanhope, and Grenville, supported this motion. But the Lord
+Chancellor Thurlow, aided by the Duke of Clarence, and by the Lords
+Mansfield, Hay, Abingdon, and others, negatived it by a majority of
+twenty-eight.
+
+At length the bill itself was ushered into the House of Lords. On
+reading it a second time, it was opposed by the Duke of Clarence, Lord
+Abingdon, and others. Lord Grenville and the Bishop of Rochester
+declined supporting it. They alleged as a reason, that they conceived
+the introduction of it to have been improper, pending the inquiry on the
+general subject of the Slave Trade. This declaration brought up the
+Lords Stanhope and Lauderdale, who charged them with inconsistency as
+professed friends of the cause. At length the bill was lost. During
+these discussions the examination of the witnesses was resumed by the
+Lords; but only two of them were heard in this session[A].
+
+[Footnote A: After this the examinations wholly dropped in the House of
+Lords.]
+
+After this decision the question was in a desperate state; for if the
+Commons would not renew their own resolution, and the Lords would not
+abolish the foreign part of the Slave-trade, what hope was there of
+success? It was obvious too, that in the former House, Mr. Pitt and Mr.
+Dundas voted against each other. In the latter, the Lord Chancellor
+Thurlow opposed every motion in favour of the cause. The committee
+therefore were reduced to this;--either they must exert themselves
+without hope, or they must wait till some change should take place in
+their favour. As far as I myself was concerned, all exertion was then
+over. The nervous system was almost shattered to pieces. Both my memory
+and my hearing failed me. Sudden dizzinesses seized my head. A confused
+singing in the ears followed me, wherever I went. On going to bed the
+very, stairs seemed to dance up and down under me, so that, misplacing
+my foot, I sometimes fell. Talking too, if it continued but half an
+hour, exhausted me, so that profuse perspirations followed; and the same
+effect was produced even by an active exertion of the mind for the like
+time. These disorders had been brought on by degrees in consequence of
+the severe labours necessarily attached to the promotion of the cause.
+For seven years I had a correspondence to maintain with four hundred
+persons with my own hand. I had some book or other annually to write in
+behalf of the cause. In this time I had travelled more than thirty-five
+thousand miles in search of evidence, and a great part of these journeys
+in the night. All this time my mind had been on the stretch. It had been
+bent too to this one subject; for I had not even leisure to attend to my
+own concerns. The various instances of barbarity, which had come
+successively to my knowledge within this period, had vexed, harassed,
+and afflicted it. The wound which these had produced, was rendered still
+deeper by those cruel disappointments before related, which arose from
+the reiterated refusal of persons to give their testimony, after I had
+travelled hundreds of miles in quest of them. But the severest stroke
+was that inflicted by the persecution, begun and pursued by persons
+interested in the continuance of the trade, of such witnesses as had
+been examined against them; and whom, on account of their dependent
+situation in life, it was most easy to oppress. As I had been the means
+of bringing these forward on these occasions, they naturally came to me,
+when thus persecuted, as the author of their miseries and their ruin.
+From their supplications and wants it would have been ungenerous and
+ungrateful to have fled[A]. These different circumstances, by acting
+together, had at length brought me into the situation just mentioned;
+and I was therefore obliged, though very reluctantly, to be borne out of
+the field, where I had placed the great honour and glory of my life.
+
+[Footnote A: The late Mr. Whitbread, to whom one day in deep affliction
+on this account I related accidentally a circumstance of this kind,
+generously undertook, in order to make my mind easy upon the subject, to
+make good all injuries, which should in future arise to individuals from
+such persecution; and he repaired these, at different times, at a
+considerable expense. I feel it a duty to divulge this circumstance, out
+of respect to the memory of one of the best of men, and of one, whom, if
+the history of his life were written, it would appear to have been an
+extraordinary honour to the country to have produced.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+Continuation from July 1794 to July 1799.--Various motions within this
+period.
+
+
+I purpose, though it may seem abrupt after the division which has
+hitherto been made of the contents of this volume, to throw the events
+of the next five years into one chapter.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce and the members of the committee, whose constitutions
+had not suffered like my own, were still left; and they determined to
+persevere in the promotion of their great object as long as their health
+and their faculties permitted them. The former, accordingly, in the
+month of February, 1795, moved in the House of Commons for leave to
+bring in a bill for the abolition of the Slave Trade. This motion was
+then necessary, if, according to the resolution of that House, the Slave
+Trade was to cease in 1796. It was opposed, however, by Sir William
+Yonge, and unfortunately lost by a majority of seventy-eight to
+fifty-seven.
+
+In the year 1796, Mr. Wilberforce renewed his efforts in the Commons. He
+asked leave to bring in a bill for the abolition of the Slave Trade, but
+in a limited time. The motion was opposed as before; but on a division,
+there were for it ninety-three, and against it only sixty-seven.
+
+The bill having been brought in, was opposed in its second reading; but
+it was carried through it by a majority of sixty-four to thirty-one.
+
+In a future stage it was opposed again; but it triumphed by a majority
+of seventy-six to thirty-one. Mr. Elliott was then put into the chair.
+Several clauses were adopted; and the first of March, 1797, was fixed
+for the abolition of the Trade: but in the next stage of it, after a
+long speech from Mr. Dundas, it was lost by a majority of seventy-four
+against seventy.
+
+Mr. Francis, who had made a brilliant speech in the last debate,
+considering that nothing effectual had been yet done on this great
+question, and wishing that a practical beginning might be made, brought
+forward soon afterwards, a motion relative to the improvement of the
+condition of the slaves in the West Indies. This, after a short debate,
+was negatived without a division. Mr. William Smith also moved an
+address to His Majesty, that he would be pleased to give directions to
+lay before the House copies of the several acts relative to regulations
+in behalf of the slaves, passed by the different colonial assemblies
+since the year 1788. This motion was adopted by the House. Thus passed
+away the session of 1796.
+
+In the year 1797, while Mr. Wilberforce was deliberating upon the best
+measure for the advancement of the cause, Mr. C. Ellis came forward with
+a new motion. He began by declaring, that he agreed with the
+abolitionists as to their object; but he differed with them as to the
+mode of attaining It. The Slave Trade he condemned as a cruel and
+pernicious system; but, as it had become an inveterate evil, he feared
+it could not be done away all at once, without injury to the interests
+of numerous individuals, and even to the Negroes themselves. He
+concluded by moving an address to His Majesty, humbly requesting, that
+he would give directions to the governors of the West Indian islands, to
+recommend it to the colonial assemblies to adopt such measures as might
+appear to them best calculated to ameliorate the condition of the
+Negroes, and thereby to remove gradually the Slave Trade; and likewise
+to assure His Majesty of the readiness of this House to concur in any
+measure to accelerate this desirable object; This motion was seconded by
+Mr. Barham, It was opposed, however, by Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Pitt, and
+others; but was at length carried by a majority of ninety-nine to
+sixty-three.
+
+In the year 1798, Mr. Wilberforce asked leave to renew his former bill,
+to abolish the Slave Trade within a limited time. He was supported by
+Mr. Canning, Mr. Hobhouse, Sir Robert Buxton, Mr. Bouverie, and others.
+Messrs. Sewell, Bryan Edwards, Henniker, and C. Ellis, took the opposite
+side of the question. Mr. Ellis, however, observed, that he had no
+objection to restricting the Slave Trade to plantations already begun in
+the colonies; and Mr. Barham professed; himself a friend to the
+abolition, if it; could be accomplished in a reasonable way. On a
+division, there appeared to be for Mr. Wilberforce's motion
+eighty-three, but against it eighty-seven.
+
+In the year 1799 Mr. Wilberforce, undismayed by these different
+disappointments, renewed his motion. Colonel M. Wood, Mr. Petrie, and
+others, among whom were Mr. Windham and Mr. Dundas, opposed it. Mr.
+Pitt, Mr. Fox, Mr. W. Smith, Sir William Dolben, Sir R. Milbank, Mr.
+Hobhouse, and Mr. Canning, supported it. Sir R. Milbank contended, that
+modifications of a system, fundamentally wrong, ought not to be
+tolerated by the legislature of a free nation, Mr. Hobhouse said, that
+nothing could be so nefarious as this traffic in blood. It was unjust in
+its principles it was cruel in its practice: it admitted of no
+regulation whatever. The abolition of it was called for equally, by
+morality and sound policy, Mr. Canning exposed the folly of Mr. Dundas,
+who bad said, that as Parliament had, in the year 1787, left the
+abolition to the colonial assemblies, it ought not to be taken out of
+their hands. This great event, he observed, could only be accomplished
+in two ways; either by these assemblies, or by the Parliament of
+England. Now the members of the Assembly of Jamaica had professed that
+they would never abolish the trade. Was it not, therefore, idle to rely
+upon them for the accomplishment of it? He then took a very
+comprehensive view of the arguments, which had been offered in the
+course of the debate, and was severe upon the planters in the House,
+who, he said, had brought into familiar use certain expressions, with no
+other view than to throw a veil over their odious system. Among these
+was, "their right to import labourers." But never was the word
+"labourers" so prostituted, as when it was used for slaves. Never was
+the word "right" so prostituted, not even when "the rights of man" were
+talked of; as when the right to trade in man's blood was asserted, by
+the members of an enlightened assembly. Never was the right of importing
+these labourers worse defended than when the antiquity, of the Slave
+Trade, and its foundation on the ancient acts of parliament, were
+brought forward in its support. We had been cautioned not to lay our
+unhallowed hands on the ancient institution of the Slave Trade; nor to
+subvert a fabric, raised by the wisdom of our ancestors, and consecrated
+by a lapse of ages. But on what principles did we usually respect the
+institutions of antiquity? We respected them, when we saw some shadow of
+departed worth and usefulness; or some memorial of what had been
+creditable to mankind. But was this the case with the Slave Trade? Had
+it begun in principles of justice or national honour, which the changes
+of the world alone had impaired? Had it to plead former services and
+glories in behalf of its present disgrace? In looking at it we saw
+nothing but crimes and sufferings from the beginning--nothing but what
+wounded and convulsed our feelings--nothing but what excited indignation
+and horror. It had not even to plead what could often be said in favour
+of the most unjustifiable wars. Though conquest had sometimes originated
+in ambition, and in the worst of motives, yet the conquerors and the
+conquered were sometimes blended afterwards into one people; so that a
+system of common interest arose out of former differences. But where was
+the analogy of the eases? Was it only at the outset that we could trace
+violence and injustice on the part of the Slave Trade? Were the
+oppressors and the oppressed so reconciled, that enmities ultimately
+ceased? No. Was it reasonable then to urge a prescriptive right, not to
+the fruits of an ancient and forgotten evil, but to a series of new
+violences; to a chain of fresh enormities; to cruelties continually
+repeated; and of which every instance inflicted a fresh calamity, and
+constituted a separate and substantial crime?
+
+The debate being over, the House divided; when it appeared that there
+were for Mr. Wilberforce's motion seventy-four, but against it
+eighty-two.
+
+The motion for the general abolition of the Slave Trade having been thus
+lost again in the Commons, a new motion was made there soon after, by
+Mr. Henry Thornton, on the same subject. The prosecution of this
+traffic, on certain parts of the coast of Africa, had become so
+injurious to the new settlement at Sierra Leone, that not only its
+commercial prospects were but its safety endangered. Mr. Thornton,
+therefore brought in a bill to confine the Slave Trade within certain
+limits. But even this bill, though it had for its object only to free a
+portion of the coast from the ravages of this traffic, was opposed by
+Mr. Gascoyne, Dent, and others. Petitions also were presented against
+it. At length, after two divisions, on the first of which there were
+thirty-two votes to twenty-seven, and on the second thirty-eight to
+twenty-two, it passed through all its stages.
+
+When it was introduced into the Lords the petitions were renewed against
+it. Delay also was interposed to its progress by the examination of
+witnesses. It was not till the fifth of July that the matter was brought
+to issue. The opponents of the bill, at that time, were the Duke of
+Clarence, Lord Westmoreland, Lord Thurlow, and the Lords Douglas and
+Hay, the two latter being Earls of Morton and Kinnoul, in Scotland. The
+supporters of it were Lord Grenville, who introduced it, Lord
+Loughborough, Lord Holland, and Dr. Horsley, Bishop of Rochester: the
+latter was peculiarly eloquent. He began his speech, by arraigning the
+injustice and impolicy of the trade:--"injustice," he said, "which no
+considerations of policy could extenuate; impolicy, equal in degree to
+its injustice."
+
+He well knew that the advocates for the Slave Trade had endeavoured to
+represent the project for abolition, as a branch of jacobinism; but they
+who supported it proceeded upon no visionary motives of equality, or of
+the imprescriptible rights of man. They strenuously upheld the
+gradations of civil society: but they did, indeed, affirm that these
+gradations were, both ways, both as they ascended and as they descended,
+limited. There was an existence of power, to which no good king would
+aspire; and there was an extreme condition of subjection, to which man
+could not be degraded without injustice; and this they would maintain,
+was the condition of the African, who was torn away into slavery.
+
+He then explained the limits of that portion of Africa, which the bill
+intended to set apart as sacred to peace and liberty. He showed that
+this was but one-third of the coast; and, therefore, that two-thirds
+were yet left for the diabolical speculations of the slave merchants. He
+expressed his surprise that such witnesses, as those against the bill,
+should have been introduced at all: he affirmed that their oaths were
+falsified by their own log-books; and that, from their own accounts, the
+very healthiest of their vessels were little better than pestilential
+gaols. Mr. Robert Hume, one of these witnesses, had made a certain
+voyage: he had made it in thirty-three days: he had shipped two hundred
+and sixty-five slaves, and he had lost twenty-three of them. If he had
+gone on losing his slaves, all of whom were under twenty-five years of
+age, at this rate, it was obvious, that he would have lost two hundred
+and fifty-three of them, if his passage had lasted for a year. Now, in
+London only, seventeen would have died of that age, out of one thousand
+within the latter period.
+
+After having exposed the other voyages of Mr. Hume in a similar manner,
+he entered into a commendation of the views of the Sierra Leone company,
+and then defended the character of the Africans in their own country, as
+exhibited in the Travels of Mr. Mungo Park. He made a judicious
+discrimination with respect to slavery, as it existed among them: he
+showed that this slavery was analogous to that of the heroic and
+patriarchal ages, and contrasted it with the West Indian in an able
+manner.
+
+He adverted, lastly, to what had fallen from the learned counsel, who
+had supported the petitions of the slave-merchants. One of them had put
+this question to their Lordships, "If the Slave Trade were as wicked as
+it had been represented, why was there no prohibition of it in the Holy
+Scriptures?" He then entered into a full defence of the Scriptures on
+this ground, which he concluded by declaring, that, as St. Paul had
+coupled men-stealers with murderers, he had condemned the Slave Trade in
+one of its most productive modes, and generally in all its modes. And
+here it is worthy of remark, that the word used by the apostle on this
+occasion, and which has been translated men-stealers, should have been
+rendered slave traders. This was obvious from the scholiast of
+Aristophanes, whom he quoted. It was clear, therefore, that the Slave
+Trade, if murder was forbidden, had been literally forbidden also.
+
+The learned counsel, too, had admonished their lordships, to beware how
+they adopted the visionary projects of fanatics. He did not know in what
+direction this shaft was shot; and he cared not. It did not concern him.
+With the highest reverence for the religion of the land, with the
+firmest conviction of its truth, and with the deepest sense of the
+importance Of its doctrines, he was proudly conscious, that the general
+shape and fashion of his life bore nothing of the stamp of fanaticism.
+But he begged leave, in his turn, to address a word of serious
+exhortation to their lordships. He exhorted them to beware how they were
+persuaded to bury, under the opprobrious name of fanaticism, the regard
+which they owed to the great duties of mercy and justice, for the
+neglect of which (if they should neglect them) they would be answerable
+at that tribunal, where no prevarication of witnesses could misinform
+the judge; and where no subtlety of an advocate, miscalling the names of
+things, putting evil for good and good for evil, could mislead his
+judgment.
+
+At length the debate ended: when the bill was lost by a majority of
+sixty-eight to sixty-one, including personal votes and proxies.
+
+I cannot conclude this chapter without offering a few remarks. And,
+first, I may observe, as the substance of the debates has not been given
+for the period which it contains, that Mr. Wilberforce, upon whom too
+much praise cannot be bestowed for his perseverance from year to year,
+amidst the disheartening circumstances which attended his efforts,
+brought every new argument to which either the discovery of new light,
+or the events of the times, produced. I may observe also, in justice to
+the memories of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox, that there was no debate within
+this period, in which they did not take a part; and in which they did
+not irradiate others from the profusion of their own light; and thirdly,
+that in consequence of the efforts of the three, conjoined with those of
+others, the great cause of the abolition was secretly gaining ground.
+Many members who were not connected with the trade, but who had yet
+hitherto supported it, were on the point of conversion. Though the
+question had oscillated backwards and forwards, so that an ordinary
+spectator could have discovered no gleam of hope at these times, nothing
+is more certain, than that the powerful eloquence then displayed had
+smoothed the resistance to it, had shortened its vibrations, and had
+prepared it for a state of rest.
+
+With respect to the West-Indians themselves, some of them began to see
+through the mists of prejudice, which had covered them. In the year
+1794, when the bill for the abolition of the foreign Slave Trade was
+introduced, Mr. Vaughan and Mr. Barham supported it. They called upon
+the planters in the House to give way to humanity, where their own
+interests could not be affected by their submission. This, indeed, may
+be said to have been no mighty thing; but it was a frank confession of
+the injustice of the Slave Trade, and the beginning of the change which
+followed, both with respect to themselves and others.
+
+With respect to the old friends of the cause, it is with regret I
+mention, that it lost the support of Mr. Windham within this period; and
+this regret is increased by the consideration, that he went off on the
+avowed plea of expediency against moral rectitude; a doctrine, which, at
+least upon this subject, he had reprobated for ten years. It was,
+however, some consolation, as far as talents were concerned, (for there
+can be none for the loss of virtuous feeling,) that Mr. Canning, a new
+member, should have so ably supplied his place.
+
+Of the gradual abolitionists, whom we have always considered as the most
+dangerous enemies of the cause, Mr. Jenkinson (afterwards Earl of
+Liverpool), Mr. Addington (subsequently Lord Sidmouth), and Mr. Dundas
+(afterwards Lord Melville), continued their opposition during all this
+time. Of the first two I shall say nothing at present; but I cannot pass
+over the conduct of the latter. He was the first person, as we have
+seen, to propose the gradual abolition of the Slave Trade; and he fixed
+a time for its cessation on the 1st of January, 1800. His sincerity on
+this occasion was doubted by Mr. Fox at the very outset; for he
+immediately rose and said, that "something so mischievous had come out,
+something so like a foundation had been laid for preserving, not only
+for years to come, but for anything he knew, for ever, this detestable
+traffic, that he felt it his duty immediately to deprecate all such
+delusions upon the country." Mr. Pitt, who spoke soon afterwards, in
+reply to an argument advanced by Mr. Dundas, maintained, that "at
+whatever period the House should say that the Slave Trade should
+actually cease, this defence would equally be set up; for it would be
+just as good an argument in seventy years hence, as it was against the
+abolition then." And these remarks Mr. Dundas verified in a singular
+manner within this period: for in the year 1796, when his own bill, as
+amended in the Commons, was to take place, he was one of the most
+strenuous opposers of it; and in the year 1799, when in point of
+consistency it devolved upon him to propose it to the House, in order
+that the trade might cease on the 1st of January, 1800, (which was the
+time of his own original choice, or a time unfettered by parliamentary
+amendment,) he was the chief instrument of throwing out Mr.
+Wilberforce's bill, which promised even a longer period to its
+continuance: so that it is obvious, that there was no time, within his
+own limits, when the abolition would have suited him, notwithstanding
+his profession, "that he had always been a warm advocate for the
+measure."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+Continuation from July 1799 to July 1805.--Various motions within this
+period.
+
+
+The question had now been brought forward in almost every possible way,
+and yet had been eventually lost. The total and immediate abolition had
+been attempted; and then the gradual. The gradual again had been tried
+for the year 1798, then for 1795, and then for 1796, at which period it
+was decreed, but never allowed to be executed. An Abolition of a part of
+the trade, as it related to the supply of foreigners with slaves, was
+the next measure proposed; and when this failed, the abolition of
+another part of it, as it related to the making of a certain portion of
+the coast of Africa sacred to liberty, was attempted; but this failed
+also. Mr. Wilberforce therefore thought it prudent, not to press the
+abolition as a mere annual measure, but to allow members time to digest
+the eloquence, which had been bestowed upon it for the last five years,
+and to wait till some new circumstances should favour its introduction.
+Accordingly he allowed the years 1800, 1801, 1802, and 1803, to pass
+over without any further parliamentary notice than the moving for
+certain papers; during which he took an opportunity of assuring the
+House, that he had not grown cool in the cause, but that he would
+agitate it in a future session.
+
+In the year 1804, which was fixed upon for renewed exertion, the
+committee for the abolition of the Slave Trade elected James Stephen,
+Zachary Macaulay, Henry Brougham, Esqrs., and William Phillips, into
+their own body. Four other members, also, Robert Grant, and John
+Thornton, Esqrs., and William Manser and William Allen, were afterwards
+added to the list. Among, the reasons for fixing upon this year, one may
+be assigned, namely, that the Irish members, in consequence of the union
+which had taken place between the two countries, had then all taken
+their seats in the House of Commons; and that most of them were friendly
+to the cause.
+
+This being the situation of things, Mr. Wilberforce, on the 30th of
+March, asked leave to renew his bill for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade within a limited time, Mr. Fuller opposed the motion. A debate
+ensued. Colonel Tarleton, Mr. Devaynes, Mr. Addington, and Mr. Manning
+spoke against it, however, notwithstanding his connection with the West
+Indies, said he would support it, if an indemnification were offered to
+the planters, in case any actual loss should accompany the measure.
+
+Sir William Geary questioned the propriety of immediate abolition.
+
+Sir Robert Buxton, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Barbara spoke in favour of
+the motion.
+
+Mr. William Smith rose, when the latter had seated himself, and
+complimented him on this change of sentiment, so honourable to him,
+inasmuch as he had espoused the cause of humanity against his supposed
+interest as a planter. Mr. Leigh said that he would not tolerate such a
+traffic for a moment. All the feelings of nature revolted at it. Lord de
+Blaquiere observed, "it was the first time the question had been
+proposed to Irishmen as legislators. He believed it would be supported
+by most of them. As to the people of Ireland, he could pledge himself
+that they were hostile to this barbarous traffic." An amendment having
+been proposed by Mr. Manning, a division took place upon it, when leave
+was given to bring in the bill, by a majority of one hundred and
+twenty-four to forty-nine.
+
+On the 7th of June, when the second reading of the bill was moved, it
+was opposed by Sir W. Yonge, Dr. Laurence, Mr. C. Brook, Mr. Dent, and
+others. Among these Lord Castlereagh professed himself a friend to the
+abolition of the trade, but he differed as to the mode. Sir J.
+Wrottesley approved of the principle of the bill, but would oppose it in
+some of its details. Mr. Windham allowed the justice, but differed as to
+the expediency, of the measure. Mr. Deverell professed himself to have
+been a friend to it; but he had then changed his mind. Sir Laurence
+Parsons wished to see a plan for the gradual extinction of the trade.
+Lord Temple affirmed that the bill would seal the death-warrant of every
+White inhabitant of the islands. The second reading was supported by Sir
+Ralph Milbank, Messrs. Pitt, Fox, William Smith, Whitbread, Francis,
+Barham, and Grenfell, and Sir John Newport. Mr. Grenfell observed, that
+he could not give a silent vote, when the character of the country was
+concerned. When the question of the abolition first came before the
+public, he was a warm friend to it; and from that day to this he had
+cherished the same feelings. He assured Mr. Wilberforce of his constant
+support. Sir John Newport stated that the Irish nation took a virtuous
+interest in this noble cause. He ridiculed the idea that the trade and
+manufactures of the country would suffer by the measure in
+contemplation; but, even if they should suffer, he would oppose it.
+"Fiat justitia, ruat coelura," Upon a division, there appeared for the
+second reading one hundred, and against it forty-two.
+
+On the 12th of June, when a motion was made to go into a committee upon
+the bill, it was opposed by Messrs. Fuller, C. Brook, C. Ellis, Dent,
+Deverell, and Manning: and it was supported by Sir Robert Buxton, Mr.
+Barham, and the Hon. J.S. Cocks. The latter condemned the imprudence of
+the planters. Instead of profiting by the discussions, which had taken
+place, and making wise provisions against the great event of the
+abolition, which would sooner or later take place, they had only thought
+of new stratagems to defeat it. He declared his abhorrence of the trade,
+which he considered to be a national disgrace. The House divided: when
+there were seventy-nine for the motion, and against it, twenty.
+
+On the 27th of June the bill was opposed in its last stage by Sir W.
+Young, Messrs. Dickenson, Mr. Rose, Addington, and Dent.; and supported
+by: Messrs. Pitt, W. Smith, Francis, and Barham; when it was carried by
+a majority of sixty-nine to thirty-six. It was then taken up to the
+Lords; but on a motion of Lord Hawkesbury, then a member of that House,
+the discussion of it was postponed to the next year.
+
+The session being ended, the committee for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade, increased its number, by the election of the Right Honourable
+Lord Teignmouth, Dr. Dickson, and Wilson Birkbeek, as members.
+
+In the year 1805, Mr. Wilberforce renewed his motion of the former year.
+Colonel Tarleton, Sir William Yonge, Mr. Puller, and Mr. Gascoyne
+opposed it. Leave, however, was given him to introduce his bill.
+
+On the second reading of it, a serious opposition took place; and an
+amendment was moved for postponing it till that day six months. The
+amendment was opposed by Mr. Fox and Mr. Huddlestone. The latter could
+not help lifting his voice against this monstrous traffic in the sinews
+and blood of man, the toleration of which had so long been the disgrace
+of the British legislature. He did not charge the enormous guilt
+resulting from it upon the nation at large; for the nation had washed
+its hands of it by the numerous petitions it had sent against it; and it
+had since been a matter of astonishment to all Christendom, how the
+constitutional guardians of British freedom should have sanctioned
+elsewhere the greatest system of cruelty and oppression in the world.
+
+He said that a curse attended this trade even in the mode of defending
+it. By a certain fatality, none but the vilest arguments were brought
+forward, which corrupted the very persons who used them. Every one of
+these was built on the narrow ground of interest--of pecuniary
+profit--of sordid gain--in opposition to every high consideration--to
+every motive that had reference to humanity, justice, and religion--or
+to that great principle which comprehended them all. Place only before
+the most determined advocate of this odious traffic the exact image of
+himself in the garb and harness of a slave, dragged and whipped about
+like a beast; place this image also before him, and paint it as that of
+one without a ray of hope to cheer him; and you would extort from him
+the reluctant confession, that he would not endure for an hour the
+misery to which he condemned his fellow-man for life. How dared he,
+then, to use this selfish plea of interest against the voice of the
+generous sympathies of his nature? But even upon this narrow ground, the
+advocates for the traffic had been defeated. If the unhallowed argument
+of expediency was worth anything when opposed to moral rectitude, or if
+it were to supercede precepts of Christianity, where was a man to stop,
+on what was he to draw? For anything he knew, it might be physically
+true, that human blood was the best manure for the land; but who ought
+to shed it on that account? True expediency, however, was, where it ever
+would be found, on the side of that system which was most merciful and
+just. He asked how it happened, that sugar could be imported cheaper
+from the East Indies than from the West, notwithstanding the vast
+difference of the length of the voyages, but on account of the impolicy
+of slavery; or that it was made in the former case by the industry of
+free men, and in the latter by the languid drudgery of slaves.
+
+As he had had occasion to advert to the Eastern part of the world, he
+would make an observation upon an argument, which had been collected
+from that quarter. The condition of the Negroes in the West Indies had
+been lately compared with that of the Hindoos. But he would observe that
+the Hindoo, miserable as his hovel was, had sources of pride and
+happiness, to which not only the West Indian slave, but even his master,
+was a stranger. He was to be sure a peasant; and his industry was
+subservient to the gratifications of an European lord; but he was, in
+his own belief, vastly superior to him. He viewed him as one of the
+lowest cast. He would not on any consideration eat from the same plate.
+He would not suffer his son to marry the daughter of his master, even if
+she could bring him all the West Indies as her portion. He would
+observe, too, that the Hindoo peasant drank his water from his native
+well; that, if his meal were scanty, he received it from the hand of
+her, who was most dear to him; that, when he laboured, he laboured for
+her and his offspring. His daily task being finished, he reposed with
+his family. No retrospect of the happiness of former days, compared with
+existing misery, disturbed his slumber, nor horrid dreams occasioned him
+to wake in agony at the dawn of day. No barbarous sounds of cracking
+whips reminded him, that with the form and image of a man his destiny
+was that of the beast of the field. Let the advocates for the bloody
+traffic state what they had to set off on their side of the question
+against the comforts and independence of the man, with whom they
+compared the slave.
+
+The amendment was supported by Sir William Yonge, Sir William Pulteney,
+Colonel Tarleton, Messrs. Gascoyne, C. Brook, and Hiley Addington. On
+dividing the House upon it, there appeared for it seventy-seven, but
+against it only seventy.
+
+This loss of the question, after it had been carried in the last year by
+so great a majority, being quite unexpected, was a matter of severe
+disappointment; and might have discouraged the friends of the cause in
+this infancy of their renewed efforts, if they had not discovered the
+reason of its failure. After due consideration it appeared, that no
+fewer than nine members, who had never been absent once in sixteen years
+when it was agitated, gave way to engagements on the day of the motion,
+from a belief that it was safe. It appeared also, that out of the great
+number of Irish members, who supported it in the former year, only nine
+were in the House, when it was lost. It appeared also that, previously
+to this event, a canvass, more importunate than had heard of on any
+former occasion, had been made among the latter by those interested in
+the continuance of the trade. Many of these, unacquainted with the
+detail of the subject, like the English members, admitted the dismal
+representations, which were then made to them. The desire, of doing good
+on the one hand, and the fear of doing injury on the other, perplexed
+them; and in this dubious state they absented themselves at the time
+mentioned.
+
+The causes of the failure having been found accidental, and capable of a
+remedy, it was resolved that an attempt should be made immediately in
+the House in a new form. Lord Henry Petty signified his intention of
+bringing in a bill for the abolition of the foreign part of the Slave
+Trade; but the impeachment of Lord Melville, and other weighty matters
+coming on, the notice was not acted upon in that session.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+--Continuation from July 1805 to July 1806--Author returns to his duty
+in the committee--Travels again round the kingdom--Death of Mr.
+Pitt--His character, as it related to the question--Motion for the
+abolition of the foreign Slave-Trade--Resolution to take measures for
+the total abolition of it--Address to the King to negotiate with
+foreign powers for their concurrence in it--Motion to prevent any new
+vessel going into the trade--these carried through both Houses of
+Parliament.
+
+
+It was now almost certain, to the inexpressible joy of the committee,
+that the cause, with proper vigilance, could be carried in the next
+session in the House of Commons. It became them therefore to prepare to
+support it. In adverting to measures for this purpose, it occurred to
+them, that the House of Lords, if the question should be then carried to
+them from the Commons, might insist upon hearing evidence on the general
+subject. But, alas, even the body of witnesses, which had been last
+collected, was broken by death or dispersion! It was therefore to be
+formed again. In this situation it devolved upon me, as I had now
+returned to the committee after an absence of nine years, to take
+another journey for this purpose.
+
+This journey I performed with extraordinary success. In the course of it
+I had also much satisfaction on another account. I found the old friends
+of the cause still faithful to it. It was remarkable, however, that the
+youth of the rising generation knew but little about the question. For
+the last eight or nine years the committee had not circulated any books;
+and the debates in the Commons during that time had not furnished them
+with the means of an adequate knowledge concerning it. When, however, I
+conversed with these, as I travelled along, I discovered a profound
+attention to what I said; an earnest desire to know more of the subject;
+and a generous warmth in favour of the injured Africans, which I foresaw
+could soon be turned into enthusiasm. Hence I perceived that the cause
+furnished us with endless sources of rallying: and that the ardour which
+we had seen with so much admiration in former years, could be easily
+renewed.
+
+I had scarcely finished my journey, when Mr. Pitt died. This event took
+place in January 1806, I shall stop therefore to make a few observations
+upon his character, as it related to this cause. This I feel myself
+bound in justice to do, because his sincerity towards it has been
+generally questioned.
+
+The way, in which Mr. Pitt became acquainted with this question, has
+already been explained. A few doubts having been removed, when it was
+first started, he professed himself a friend to the abolition. The first
+proof, which he gave of his friendship to it is known but to few; but it
+is, nevertheless, true, that so early as in 1788, he occasioned a
+communication to be made to the French government, in which he
+recommended an union of the two countries for the promotion of the great
+measure. This proposition seemed to be then new and strange to the Court
+of France; and the answer was not favourable.
+
+From this time his efforts were reduced within the boundaries of his own
+power. As far, however, as he had scope, he exerted them. If we look at
+him in his parliamentary capacity, it must be acknowledged by all, that
+he took an active, strenuous, and consistent part, and this year after
+year, by which he realized his professions. In my own private
+communications with him, which were frequent, he never failed to give
+proofs of a similar disposition. I had always free access to him. I had
+no previous note or letter to write for admission. Whatever papers I
+wanted, he ordered. He exhibited also in his conversation with me on
+these occasions marks of a more than ordinary interest in the welfare of
+the cause. Among the subjects, which were then started, there was one,
+which was always near his heart. This was the civilization of Africa. He
+looked upon this great work as a debt due to that continent for the many
+injuries we had inflicted upon it: and had the abolition succeeded
+sooner, as in the infancy of his exertions he had hoped, I know he had a
+plan, suited no doubt to the capaciousness of his own mind, for such
+establishments in Africa, as he conceived would promote in due time this
+important end.
+
+I believe it will be said, notwithstanding what I have advanced, that if
+Mr. Pitt had exerted himself as the Minister of this country in behalf
+of the abolition, he could have carried it. This brings the matter to an
+issue; for unquestionably the charge of insincerity, as it related to
+this great question, arose from the mistaken notion, that, as his
+measures in Parliament were supported by great majorities, he could do
+as he pleased there. But they who hold this opinion, must be informed,
+that there were great difficulties, against which he had to struggle on
+this subject! The Lord Chancellor Thurlow ran counter to his wishes
+almost at the very outset. Lord Liverpool, and Mr. Dundas, did the same.
+Thus, to go no further, three of the most powerful members of the
+cabinet were in direct opposition to him. The abolition then, amidst
+this difference of opinion, could never become a cabinet measure; but if
+so, then all his parliamentary efforts in this case wanted their usual
+authority, and he could only exert his influence as a private man[A].
+
+[Footnote A: This he did with great effect on one or two occasions. On
+the motion of Mr. Cawthorne in 1791, the cause hung as it were by a
+thread; and would have failed that day, to my knowledge, but for his
+seasonable exertions.]
+
+But a difficulty, still more insuperable, presented itself, in an
+occurrence which took place in the year 1791, but which is much too
+delicate to be mentioned. The explanation of it, however, would convince
+the reader, that all the efforts of Mr. Pitt from that day were rendered
+useless, I mean, as to bringing the question, as a Minister of State, to
+a favourable issue.
+
+But though Mr. Pitt did not carry this great question, he was yet one of
+the greatest supporters of it; He fostered it in its infancy. If, in his
+public situation, he had then set his face against it, where would have
+been our hope? He upheld it also in its childhood; and though in this
+state of its existence it did not gain from his protection all the
+strength Which it was expected it would have acquired, he yet kept it
+from falling, till his successors, in whose administration a greater
+number Of favourable circumstances concurred to give it vigour, brought
+it to triumphant maturity.
+
+Lord Grenville and Mr. Fox, having been called to the head of the
+executive government on the death of Mr. Pitt, the cause was ushered
+into Parliament under new auspices. In a former year His Majesty had
+issued a proclamation by which British merchants were forbidden (with
+certain defined exceptions) to import slaves into the colonies, which
+had been conquered by the British arms in the course of the war. This
+circumstance afforded an opportunity of trying the question in the House
+of Commons with the greatest hope of success. Accordingly Sir A. Pigott,
+the Attorney-General, as an officer of the crown, brought in a bill on
+the thirty-first of March 1806, the first object of which was, to give
+effect to the proclamation now mentioned. The second was, to prohibit
+British subjects from being engaged in importing slaves into the
+colonies of any foreign power whether hostile or neutral. And the third
+was, to prohibit British subjects and British capital from being
+employed in carrying on the Slave Trade in foreign ships; and also to
+prevent the outfit of foreign ships from British ports.
+
+Sir A. Pigott, on the introduction of this bill, made an appropriate
+speech. The bill was supported by Mr. Fox, Sir William Yonge, Mr. Brook,
+and Mr. Bagwell; but opposed by Generals Tarleton and Gascoyne, Mr.
+Rose, Sir Robert Peel, and Sir Charles Price. On the third reading, a
+division being called for, there appeared for it thirty-five, and
+against it only thirteen.
+
+On the 7th of May it was introduced into the Lords. The supporters of it
+there were, the Duke of Gloucester, Lord Grenville, the Bishops of
+London and St. Asaph, the Earl of Buckinghamshire and the Lords Holland,
+Lauderdale, Auckland, Sidmouth, and Ellenborough. The opposers were, the
+Dukes of Clarence and Sussex, the Marquis of Sligo, the Earl of
+Westmoreland, and the Lords Eldon and Sheffield. At length a division
+took place, when there appeared to be in favour of it thirty-three, and
+against it eighteen.
+
+During the discussions, to which this bill gave birth, Lord Grenville
+and Mr. Fox declared in substance, in their respective Houses of
+Parliament, that they felt the question of the Slave Trade to be one,
+which involved the dearest interests of humanity, and the most urgent
+claims of policy, justice, and religion; and that, should they succeed
+in affecting its abolition, they would regard that success as entailing
+more true glory on their administration, and more honour and advantage
+on their country, than any other measure, in which they could he
+engaged. The bill having passed, (the first, which dismembered this
+cruel trade,) it was thought proper to follow it up in a prudent manner;
+and, as there was not then time in the advanced period of the session to
+bring in another for the total extinction of it, to move a resolution,
+by which both Houses should record those principles, on which the
+propriety of the latter measure was founded. It was judged also
+expedient that Mr. Fox, as the Prime Minister in the House of Commons,
+should introduce it there.
+
+On the 10th of June Mr. Fox rose. He began by saying that the motion,
+with which he should conclude, would tend in its consequences to effect
+the total abolition of the Slave Trade; and he confessed that, since he
+had sat in that House (a period of between thirty and forty years), if
+he had done nothing else, but had only been instrumental in carrying
+through this measure, he should think his life well spent; and should
+retire quite satisfied, that he had not lived in vain.
+
+In adverting to the principle of the trade, he noticed some strong
+expressions of Mr. Burke concerning it. "To deal in human flesh and
+blood," said that great man, "or to deal, not in the labour of men, but
+in men themselves, was to devour the root, instead of enjoying the fruit
+of human diligence."
+
+Mr. Fox then took a view of the opinions of different members of the
+House on this great question; and showed that, though many had opposed
+the abolition, all but two or three, among whom were the members for
+Liverpool, had confessed, that the trade ought to be done away. He then
+went over the different resolutions of the House on the subject, and
+concluded from thence, that they were bound to support his motion.
+
+He combated the argument, that the abolition would ruin the West Indian
+islands. In doing this he paid a handsome compliment to the memory of
+Mr. Pitt, whose speech upon this particular point was, he said, the most
+powerful and convincing of any he had ever heard. Indeed they, who had
+not; heard it, could have no notion of it. It was a speech, of which he
+would say with the Roman author, reciting the words of the Athenian
+orator, "Quid esset, si ipsum audivissetis!" It was a speech no less
+remarkable for splendid eloquence, than for solid sense and convincing
+reason; supported by calculations founded on facts, and conclusions
+drawn from premises, as correctly as if they had been mathematical
+propositions; all tending to prove that, instead of the West Indian
+plantations suffering an injury, they would derive a material benefit by
+the abolition of the Slave Trade. He then called upon the friends of
+this great man to show their respect for his memory by their votes; and
+he concluded with moving, "that this House, considering the African
+Slave Trade to be contrary to the principles of justice, humanity, and
+policy, will, with all practicable expedition, take effectual measures
+for the abolition of the said trade, in such a manner, and at such a
+period, as may be deemed advisable."
+
+Sir Ralph Milbank rose, and seconded the motion.
+
+General Tarleton rose next. He deprecated the abolition, on account of
+the effect which it would have on the trade and revenue of the country.
+
+Mr. Francis said the merchants of Liverpool were at liberty to ask for
+compensation; but he, for one, would never grant it for the loss of a
+trade, which had been declared to be contrary to humanity and justice.
+As an uniform friend to this great cause, he wished Mr. Fox had not
+introduced a resolution, but a real bill for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. He believed that both Houses were then disposed to do it away. He
+wished the golden opportunity might not be lost.
+
+Lord Castlereagh thought it a proposition, on which no one could
+entertain a doubt, that the Slave Trade was a great evil in itself; and
+that it was the duty and policy of Parliament to extirpate it; but he
+did not think the means offered were adequate to the end proposed. The
+abolition, as a political question, was a difficult one. The year 1796
+had been once fixed upon by the House, as the period when the trade was
+to cease; but, when the time arrived, the resolution was not executed.
+This was a proof, either that the House did not wish for the event, or
+that they judged it impracticable. It would be impossible, he said, to
+get other nations to concur in the measure; and even if they were to
+concur, it could not be effected. We might restrain the subjects of the
+parent-state from following the trade; but we could not those in our
+colonies. A hundred frauds would be committed by these, which we could
+not detect. He did not mean by this, that the evil was to go on for
+ever. Had a wise plan been proposed at first, it might have been
+half-cured by this time. The present resolution would do no good. It was
+vague, indefinite, and unintelligible. Such resolutions were only the
+slave-merchants' harvests. They would go for more slaves than usual in
+the interim. He should have advised a system of duties on fresh
+importations of slaves, progressively increasing to a certain extent;
+and that the amount of these duties should be given to the planters, as
+a bounty to encourage the Negro population upon their estates. Nothing
+could be done, unless we went hand in hand with the latter. But he
+should deliver himself more fully on this subject, when any thing
+specific should be brought forward in the shape of a bill.
+
+Sir S. Romilly, the Solicitor-General, differed from Lord Castlereagh;
+for he thought the resolution of Mr. Fox was very simple and
+intelligible. If there was a proposition vague and indefinite, it was
+that advanced by the noble lord, of a system of duties on fresh
+importations, rising progressively, and this under the patronage and
+co-operation of the planters. Who could measure the space between the
+present time and the abolition of the trade, if that measure were to
+depend upon the approbation of the colonies.
+
+The cruelty and injustice of the Slave Trade had been established by
+evidence beyond a doubt. It had been shown to be carried on by rapine,
+robbery, and murder; by fomenting and encouraging wars; by false
+accusations; and imaginary crimes. The unhappy victims were torn away
+not only in the time of war, but of profound peace. They were then
+carried across the Atlantic, in a manner too horrible to describe; and
+afterwards subjected to eternal slavery. In support of the continuance
+of such a traffic, he knew of nothing but assertions already disproved,
+and arguments already refuted. Since the year 1796, when it was to cease
+by a resolution of Parliament, no less than three hundred and sixty
+thousand Africans had been torn away from their native land. What an
+accumulation was this to our former guilt!
+
+General Gascoyne made two extraordinary assertions: First, that the
+trade was defensible on Scriptural ground.--"Both thy bondmen and thy
+bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen, that are
+round about thee; of them shall you have bondmen and bondmaids. And thou
+shalt take them as an heritance for thy children after thee to inherit
+them for a possession; they shall be thy bondmen for ever." Secondly,
+that the trade had been so advantageous to this country, that it would
+have been advisable even to institute a new one, if the old had not
+existed.
+
+Mr. Wilberforce replied to General Gascoyne. He then took a view of the
+speech of Lord Castlereagh, which he answered point by point. In the
+course of his observations he showed that the system of duties
+progressively increasing, as proposed by the noble lord, would be one of
+the most effectual modes of perpetuating the Slave Trade. He exposed,
+also, the false foundation of the hope of any reliance on the
+co-operation of the colonists. The House, he said, had, on the motion of
+Mr. Ellis, in the year 1797, prayed his Majesty to consult with the
+colonial legislatures to take such measures, as might conduce to the
+gradual abolition of the African Slave Trade. This address was
+transmitted to them by Lord Melville. It was received in some of the
+islands with a declaration, "that they possibly might, in some
+instances, endeavour to improve the condition of their slaves; but they
+should do this, not with any view to the abolition of the Slave Trade;
+for they considered that trade as their birth-right, which could not be
+taken from them; and that we should deceive ourselves by supposing, that
+they would agree to such a measure."
+
+He desired to add to this the declaration of General Prevost in his
+public letter from Dominica. Did he not say, when asked what steps had
+been taken there in consequence of the resolution of the House in 1797,
+"that the act of the legislature, entitled an act for the encouragement,
+protection, and better government of slaves, appeared to him to have
+been considered, from the day it was passed until this hour, as a
+political measure to avert the interference of the mother country in the
+management of the slaves."
+
+Sir William Yonge censured the harsh language of Sir Samuel Romilly, who
+had applied the terms rapine, robbery, and murder to those, who were
+connected with the Slave Trade. He considered the resolution of Mr. Fox
+as a prelude to a bill for the abolition of that traffic, and this bill
+as a prelude to emancipation, which would not only be dangerous in
+itself, but would change the state of property in the islands.
+
+Lord Henry Petty, after having commented on the speeches of Sir Samuel
+Romilly and Lord Castlereagh, proceeded to state his own opinion on the
+trade; which was, that it was contrary to justice, humanity, and sound
+policy, all of which he considered to be inseparable. On its
+commencement in Africa the wickedness began. It produced there fraud and
+violence, robbery and murder. It gave birth to false accusations, and a
+mockery of justice. It was the parent of every crime, which could at
+once degrade and afflict the human race. After spreading vice and misery
+all over this continent, it doomed its unhappy victims to hardships and
+cruelties which were worse than death. The first of these was
+conspicuous in their transportation. It was found there, that cruelty
+begat cruelty; that the system, wicked in its beginning, was equally so
+in its progress; and that it perpetuated its miseries wherever it was
+carried on. Nor was it baneful only to the objects, but to the promoters
+of it. The loss of British seamen in this traffic was enormous.
+One-fifth of all, who were employed in it, perished; that is, they
+became the victims of a system, which was founded on fraud, robbery, and
+murder; and which procured to the British nation nothing but the
+execration of mankind. Nor had we yet done with the evils which attended
+it; for it brought in its train the worst of all moral effects, not only
+as it respected the poor slaves, when transported to the colonies, but
+as it respected those who had concerns with them there. The arbitrary
+power, which it conferred, afforded men of bad dispositions full scope
+for the exercise of their passions; and it rendered men,
+constitutionally of good dispositions, callous to the misery of others.
+Thus it depraved the nature of all who were connected with it. These
+considerations had made him a friend to the abolition, from the time he
+was capable of reasoning upon it. They were considerations, also, which
+determined the House, in the year 1782, to adopt a measure of the same
+kind as the present. Had anything happened to change the opinion of
+members, since? On the contrary, they had now the clearest evidence,
+that all the arguments then used against the abolition were fallacious;
+being founded, not upon truth, but on assertions devoid of all truth,
+and derived from ignorance or prejudice.
+
+Having made these remarks, he proved, by a number of facts, the folly of
+the argument, that the Africans laboured under such a total degradation
+of mental and moral faculties, that they were made for slavery.
+
+He then entered into the great subject of population. He showed that in
+all countries, where there were no unnatural hardships, mankind would
+support themselves. He applied this reasoning to the Negro population in
+the West Indies; which he maintained could not only be kept up, but
+increased, without any further importations from Africa.
+
+He then noticed the observations of Sir William Yonge, on the words of
+Sir Samuel Romilly; and desired him to reserve his indignation for
+those, who were guilty of acts of rapine, robbery, and murder, instead
+of venting it on those, who only did their duty in describing them.
+Never were accounts more shocking than those lately sent to government
+from the West Indies. Lord Seaforth, and the Attorney-General, could not
+refrain, in explaining them, from the use of the words murder and
+torture. And did it become members of that House (in order to
+accommodate the nerves of the friends of the Slave Trade) to soften down
+their expressions, when they were speaking on that subject; and to
+desist from calling that murder and torture, for which a Governor, and
+the Attorney-General, of one of the islands could find no better name?
+
+After making observations relative to the co-operation of foreign powers
+in this great work, he hoped that the House would not suffer itself to
+be drawn, either by opposition or by ridicule, to the right or to the
+left; but that it would advance straight forward to the accomplishment
+of the most magnanimous act of justice, that was ever achieved by any
+legislature in the world.
+
+Mr. Rose declared, that on the very first promulgation of this question,
+he had proposed to the friends of it the very plan of his noble friend
+Lord Castlereagh; namely, a system of progressive duties, and of
+bounties for the promotion of the Negro population. This he said to show
+that he was friendly to the principle of the measure. He would now
+observe, that he did not wholly like the present resolution. It was too
+indefinite. He wished, also, that something had been said on the subject
+of compensation. He was fearful, also, lest the abolition should lead to
+the dangerous change of emancipation. The Negroes, he said, could not be
+in a better state, or more faithful to their masters, than they were. In
+three attacks made by the enemy on Dominica, where he had a large
+property, arms had been put into their hands; and every one of them had
+exerted himself faithfully. With respect to the cruel acts in Barbados,
+an account of which had been sent to government by Lord Seaforth and the
+Attorney-General of Barbados, he had read them; and never had he read
+anything on this subject with more horror. He would agree to the
+strongest measures for the prevention of such acts in future. He would
+even give up the colony, which should refuse to make the wilful murder
+of a slave felony. But as to the other, or common, evils complained of,
+he thought the remedy should be gradual; and such also as the planters
+would concur in. He, would nevertheless not oppose the present
+resolution.
+
+Mr. Barham considered compensation but reasonable, where losses were to
+accrue from the measure, when it should be put in execution; but he
+believed that the amount of it would be much less than was apprehended.
+He considered emancipation, though so many fears had been expressed
+about it, as forming no objection to the abolition, though he had
+estates in the West Indies himself. Such a measure, if it could be
+accomplished successfully, would be an honour to the country, and a
+blessing to the planters; but preparation must be made for it by
+rendering the slaves fit for freedom, and by creating in them an
+inclination to free labour. Such a change could only be the work of
+time.
+
+Sir John Newport said that the expressions of Sir S. Romilly, which had
+given such offence, had been used by others; and would be used with
+propriety, while the trade lasted. Some slave-dealers of Liverpool had
+lately attempted to prejudice certain merchants of Ireland in their
+favour. But none of their representations answered; and it was
+remarkable, that the reply made to them was in these words. "We will
+have no share in a traffic, consisting in rapine, blood, and murder." He
+then took a survey of a system of duties progressively increasing, and
+showed that it would be utterly inefficient; and that there was no real
+remedy for the different evils complained of, but in the immediate
+prohibition of the trade.
+
+Mr. Canning renewed his professions of friendship to the cause. He did
+not like the present resolution; yet he would vote for it. He should
+have been better pleased with a bill, which would strike at once at the
+root of this detestable commerce.
+
+Mr. Manning wished the question to be deferred to the next session. He
+hoped compensation would then be brought forward as connected with it.
+Nothing, however, effectual could be done without the concurrence of the
+planters.
+
+Mr. William Smith noticed, in a striking manner, the different
+inconsistencies in the arguments of those, who contended for the
+continuance of the trade.
+
+Mr. Windham deprecated not only the Slave Trade, but slavery also. They
+were essentially connected with each other. They were both evils, and
+ought both of them to be done away. Indeed, if emancipation would follow
+the abolition, he should like the latter measure the better. Rapine,
+robbery, and murder, were the true characteristics of this traffic. The
+same epithets had not indeed been applied to slavery, because this was a
+condition, in which some part of the human race had been at every period
+of the history of the world. It was, however, a state, which ought not
+to be allowed to exist. But, notwithstanding all these confessions, he
+should weigh well the consequences of the abolition before he gave it
+his support. It would be, on a balance between the evils themselves and
+the consequences of removing them, that he should decide for himself on
+this question.
+
+Mr. Fox took a view of all the arguments, which had been advanced by the
+opponents of the abolition; and having given an appropriate answer to
+each, the House divided, when there appeared for the resolution one
+hundred and fourteen, and against it but fifteen.
+
+Immediately after this division, Mr. Wilberforce moved an address to His
+Majesty, "praying that he would be graciously pleased to direct a
+negotiation to be entered into, by which foreign powers should be
+invited to co-operate with His Majesty in measures to be adopted for the
+abolition of the African Slave Trade."
+
+This address was carried without a division. It was also moved and
+carried, that "these resolutions be communicated to the Lords; and that
+their concurrence should be desired therein."
+
+On the 24th of June, the Lords met to consider of the resolution and
+address. The Earl of Westmoreland proposed that both counsel and
+evidence should be heard against them; but his proposition was
+overruled.
+
+Lord Grenville then read the resolution of the Commons. This resolution,
+he said, stated first, that the Slave Trade was contrary to humanity,
+justice, and sound policy. That it was contrary to humanity was obvious;
+for humanity might be said to be sympathy for the distress of others, or
+a desire to accomplish benevolent ends by good means. But did not the
+Slave Trade convey ideas the very reverse of this definition? It
+deprived men of all those comforts, in which it pleased the Creator to
+make the happiness of his creatures to consist,--of the blessings of
+society,--of the charities of the dear relationships of husband, wife,
+father, son, and kindred,--of the due discharge of the relative duties
+of these--and of that freedom, which in its pure and natural sense was
+one of the greatest gifts of God to man.
+
+It was impossible to read the evidence, as it related to this trade,
+without acknowledging the inhumanity of it, and our own disgrace. By
+what means was it kept up in Africa? By wars instigated, not by the
+passions of the natives, but by our avarice. He knew it would be said in
+reply to this, that the slaves, who were purchased by us, would be put
+to death, if we were not to buy them. But what should we say, if it
+should turn out, that we were the causes of those very cruelties, which
+we affected to prevent? But, if it were not so, ought the first nation
+in the world to condescend to be the executioner of savages?
+
+Another way of keeping up the Slave Trade was by the practice of
+man-stealing. The evidence was particularly clear upon this head. This
+practice included violence, and often bloodshed. The inhumanity of it
+therefore could not be doubted.
+
+The unhappy victims, being thus procured, were conveyed, he said, across
+the Atlantic in a manner which justified the charge of inhumanity again.
+Indeed the suffering here was so great, that neither the mind could
+conceive, nor the tongue describe, it. He had said on a former occasion,
+that in their transportation there was a greater portion of misery
+condensed within a smaller space, than had ever existed in the known
+world. He would repeat his words; for he did not know, how he could
+express himself better on the subject. And, after all these horrors,
+what was their destiny? It was such, as justified the charge in the
+resolution again: for, after having survived the sickness arising from
+the passage, they were doomed to interminable slavery.
+
+We had been, he said, so much accustomed to words, descriptive of the
+cruelty of this traffic, that we had almost forgotten their meaning. He
+wished that some person, educated as an Englishman, with suitable powers
+of eloquence, but now for the first time informed of all the horrors of
+it, were to address their lordships upon it, and he was sure, that they
+would instantly determine that it should cease. But the continuance of
+it had rendered cruelty familiar to us; and the recital of its horrors,
+had been so frequent, that we could now hear them stated without being
+affected as we ought to be. He intreated their lordships, however, to
+endeavour to conceive the hard case of the unhappy victims of it; and as
+he had led them to the last stage of their miserable existence, which
+was in the colonies, to contemplate it there. They were there under the
+arbitrary will of a cruel task-master from morning till night. When they
+went to rest, would not their dreams be frightful? When they awoke,
+would they not awake--
+
+
+  --only to discover sights of woe,
+  Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
+  And rest can never dwell, hope never comes
+  That comes to all; but torture without end
+  Still urges?--
+
+
+They knew no change, except in the humour of their masters, to whom
+their whole destiny was entrusted. We might, perhaps, flatter ourselves
+with saying, that they were subject to the will of Englishmen. But
+Englishmen were not better than others, when in possession of arbitrary
+power. The very fairest exercise of it was a never-failing corrupter of
+the heart. But suppose it were allowed that self-interest might operate
+some little against cruelty; yet where was the interest of the overseer
+or the driver? But he knew it would be said, that the evils complained
+of in the colonies had been mitigated. There might be instances of this;
+but they could never be cured, while slavery existed. Slavery took away
+more than half of the human character. Hence the practice, where it
+existed, of rejecting the testimony of the slave: but, if this testimony
+was rejected, where could be his redress against his oppressor?
+
+Having shown the inhumanity, he would proceed to the second point in the
+resolution, or the injustice of the trade. We had two ideas of justice,
+first, as it belonged to society by virtue of a social compact; and,
+secondly, as it belonged to men, not as citizens of a community, but as
+beings of one common nature. In a state of nature, man had a right to
+the fruit of his own labour absolutely to himself; and one of the main
+purposes, for which he entered into society, was that he might be better
+protected in the possession of his rights. In both cases therefore it
+was manifestly unjust, that a man should be made to labour during the
+whole of his life, and yet have no benefit from his labour. Hence the
+Slave Trade and the colonial slavery were a violation of the very
+principle, upon which all law for the protection of property was
+founded. Whatever benefit was derived from that trade, to an individual,
+it was derived from dishonour and dishonesty. He forced from the unhappy
+victim of it that, which the latter did not wish to give him; and he
+gave to the same victim that, which he in vain attempted to show was an
+equivalent to the thing he took,--it being a thing for which there was
+no equivalent; and which, if he had not obtained by force, he would not
+have possessed at all. Nor could there be any answer to this reasoning,
+unless it could be proved, that it had pleased God to give to the
+inhabitants of Britain a property in the liberty and life of the natives
+of Africa. But he would go further on this subject. The injustice
+complained of was not confined to the bare circumstance of robbing them
+of the right to their own labour. It was conspicuous throughout the
+system. They, who bought them, became guilty of all the crimes which had
+been committed in procuring them, and when they possessed them, of all
+the crimes which belonged to their inhuman treatment. The injustice in
+the latter case amounted frequently to murder. For what was it but
+murder to pursue a practice, which produced untimely death to thousands
+of innocent and helpless beings? It was a duty, which their lordships
+owed to their Creator, if they hoped for mercy, to do away this
+monstrous oppression.
+
+With respect to the impolicy of the trade, (the third point in the
+resolution,) he would say at once, that whatever was inhuman and unjust
+must be, impolitic. He had, however, no objection to argue the point
+upon its own particular merits: and, first, he would observe, that a
+great man, Mr. Pitt, now no more, had exerted his vast powers on many
+subjects, to the admiration of his hearers; but on none more
+successfully than on the subject of the abolition of the Slave Trade. He
+proved, after making an allowance for the price paid for the slaves in
+the West Indies, for the loss of them in the seasoning, and for the
+expense of maintaining them afterwards; and comparing these particulars
+with the amount in value of their labour there, that the evils endured
+by the victims of the traffic were no gain to the master, in whose
+service they took place. Indeed, Mr. Long had laid it down in his
+_History of Jamaica_, that the best way to secure the planters from ruin
+would be to do that which the resolution recommended. It was notorious,
+that when any planter was in distress, and sought to relieve himself by
+increasing the labour on his estate, by means of the purchase of new
+slaves, the measure invariably tended to his destruction. What then was
+the importation of fresh Africans, but a system tending to the general
+ruin of the islands?
+
+But it had often been said, that without fresh importations the
+population of the slaves could not be supported in the islands. This,
+however, was a mistake. It had arisen from reckoning the deaths of the
+imported Africans, of whom so many were lost in the seasoning, among the
+deaths of the Creole slaves. He did not mean to say that, under the
+existing degree of misery, the population would greatly increase; but,
+he would maintain, that if the deaths and the births were calculated
+upon those, who were either born, or who had been a long time in the
+islands, so as to be considered as natives, it would be found that the
+population had not only been kept up, but that it had been increased.
+
+If it was true, that the labour of a free-man was cheaper than that of a
+slave; and, also, that the labour of a long-imported slave was cheaper
+than that of a fresh-imported one; and, again, that the chances of
+mortality were much more numerous among the newly-imported slaves in the
+West Indies, than among those of old standing there, (propositions,
+which he took to be established,) we should see new arguments for the
+impolicy of the trade.
+
+It might be stated also, that the importation of vast bodies of men, who
+had been robbed of their rights, and grievously irritated on that
+account, into our colonies, (where their miserable condition opened new
+sources of anger and revenge,) was the importation only of the seeds of
+insurrection into them. And here he could not but view with astonishment
+the reasoning of the West Indian planters, who held up the example of
+St. Domingo as a warning against the abolition of the Slave Trade;
+because the continuance of it was one of the great causes of the
+insurrections and subsequent miseries in that devoted island. Let us but
+encourage importations in the same rapid progression of increase every
+year, which took place in St. Domingo, and we should witness the same
+effect in our own islands.
+
+To expose the impolicy of the trade further, he would observe, that it
+was an allowed axiom, that as the condition of man was improved, he
+became more useful. The history of our own country, in very early times,
+exhibited instances of internal slavery, and this to a considerable
+extent. But we should find that; precisely in proportion as that slavery
+was ameliorated, the power and prosperity of the country flourished.
+This was exactly applicable to the case in question. There could be no
+general amelioration of slavery in the West Indies, while the Slave
+Trade lasted: but if we were to abolish it, we should make it the
+interest of every owner of slaves to do that, which would improve their
+condition, and which, indeed, would lead ultimately to the annihilation
+of slavery itself. This great event, however, could not be accomplished
+at once; it could only be effected in a course of time.
+
+It would be endless, he said, to go into all the cases, which would
+manifest the impolicy of this odious traffic. Inhuman as it was, unjust
+as it was, he believed it to be equally impolitic; and if their
+Lordships should be of this opinion also, he hoped they would agree to
+that part of the resolution, in which these truths were expressed. With
+respect to the other part of it, or that they would proceed to abolish
+the trade, he observed, that neither the time, nor the manner of doing
+it, were specified. Hence, if any of them should differ as to these
+particulars, they, might yet vote for the resolution, as they were not
+pledged to anything definite in these respects, provided they thought
+that the trade should be abolished at some time or other: and he did not
+believe that there was any one of them, who would sanction its
+continuance for ever.
+
+Lord Hawkesbury said, that he did not mean to discuss the question, on
+the ground of justice and humanity, as contradistinguished from sound
+policy. If it could fairly be made out that the African Slave Trade was
+contrary to justice and humanity, it ought to be abolished. It did not,
+however, follow, because a great evil subsisted, that therefore it
+should be removed; for it might be comparatively a less evil, than that
+which would accompany the attempt to remove it. The noble lord, who had
+just spoken, had exemplified this; for though slavery was a great evil
+in itself, he was of opinion that it could not be done away, but in a
+course of time.
+
+A state of slavery, he said, had existed in Africa from the earliest
+time; and, unless other nations would concur with England in the measure
+of the abolition, we could not change it for the better.
+
+Slavery had existed also throughout all Europe. It had now happily, in a
+great measure, been done away. But how? Not by acts of parliament, for
+these might have retarded the event, but by the progress of
+civilization, which removed the evil in a gradual and rational manner.
+
+He then went over the same ground of argument, as when a member of the
+Commons in 1792. He said that the inhumanity of the abolition was
+visible in this, that not one slave less would be taken from Africa; and
+that such as were taken from it, would suffer more than they did now, in
+the hands of foreigners. He maintained also, as before, that the example
+of St. Domingo afforded one of the strongest arguments against the
+abolition of the trade. And he concluded by objecting to the resolution,
+inasmuch as it could do no good, for the substance of it would be to be
+discussed again in a future session.
+
+The Bishop of London, Dr. Porteus, began, by noticing the concession of
+the last speaker, namely, that if the trade was contrary to humanity and
+justice, it ought to be abolished. He expected, he said, that the noble
+lord would have proved that it was not contrary to these great
+principles, before he had supported its continuance; but not a word had
+he said to show that the basis of the resolution in these respects was
+false. It followed then, he thought, that as the noble lord had not
+disproved the premises; he was bound to abide by the conclusion.
+
+The ways, he said, in which the Africans were reduced to slavery in
+their own country, were by wars,--many of which were excited for the
+purpose,--by the breaking up of villages, by kidnapping and by
+conviction for a violation of their own laws. Of the latter class many
+were accused falsely, and of crimes which did not exist. He then read a
+number of extracts from the evidence examined before the privy council,
+and from the histories of those, who, having lived in Africa, had thrown
+light upon this subject before the question was agitated. All these, he
+said, (and similar instances could be multiplied,) proved the truth of
+the resolution, that the African Slave Trade was contrary to the
+principles of humanity, justice, and sound policy.
+
+It was moreover, he said, contrary to the principles of the religion we
+professed. It was not superfluous to say this, when it had been so
+frequently asserted that it was sanctioned both by the Jewish and the
+Christian dispensations. With respect to the Jews he would observe, that
+there was no such thing as perpetual slavery among them. Their slaves
+were of two kinds, those of their own nation, and those from the country
+round about them. The former were to be set free on the seventh year;
+and the rest, of whatever nation, on the fiftieth, or on the year of
+Jubilee. With respect to the Christian dispensation, it was a libel to
+say that it countenanced such a traffic. It opposed it both in its
+spirit and in its principle; nay, it opposed it positively, for it
+classed men-stealers, or slave traders, among the murderers of fathers
+and mothers, and the most profane criminals upon earth.
+
+The antiquity of slavery in Africa, which the noble lord had glanced at,
+afforded, he said, no argument for its continuance. Such a mode of
+defence would prevent for ever the removal of any evil; it would justify
+the practice of the Chinese, who exposed their infants in the streets to
+perish; it would also justify piracy, for that practice existed long
+before we knew anything of the African Slave Trade.
+
+He then combatted the argument, that we did a kindness to the Africans
+by taking them from their homes; and concluded, by stating to their
+lordships, that, if they refused to sanction the resolution, they would
+establish these principles, "that though individuals might not rob and
+murder, yet that nations might--that though individuals incurred the
+penalties of death by such practices, yet that bodies of men might
+commit them with impunity for the purposes of lucre;--and that for such
+purposes they were not only to be permitted, but encouraged."
+
+The Lord Chancellor (Erskine) confessed that he was not satisfied with
+his own conduct on this subject. He acknowledged, with deep contrition,
+that, during the time he was a member of the other House, he had not
+once attended when this great question was discussed.
+
+In the West Indies he could say, personally, that the slaves were well
+treated, where he had an opportunity of seeing them. But no judgment was
+to be formed there with respect to the evils complained of; they must be
+appreciated as they existed in the trade. Of these he had also been an
+eye-witness. It was on this account that he felt contrition for not
+having attended the House on this subject, for there were some cruelties
+in this traffic which the human imagination could not aggravate. He had
+witnessed such scenes over the whole coast of Africa; and he could say,
+that if their lordships could only have a sudden glimpse of them, they
+would be struck with horror, and would be astonished that they could
+ever have been permitted to exist. What then would they say to their
+continuance year after year, and from age to age?
+
+From information, which he could not dispute, he was warranted in
+saying, that, on this continent, husbands were fraudulently and forcibly
+severed from their wives, and parents from their children; and that all
+the ties of blood and affection were torn up by the roots. He had
+himself seen the unhappy natives put together in heaps in the hold of a
+ship, where, with every possible attention to them, their situation must
+have been intolerable. He had also heard proved, in courts of justice,
+facts still more dreadful than those which he had seen. One of these he
+would just mention. The slaves on board a certain ship rose in a mass to
+liberate themselves, and having advanced far in the pursuit of their
+object, it became necessary to repel them by force. Some of them
+yielded, some of them were killed in the scuffle, but many of them
+actually jumped into the sea and were drowned, thus preferring death to
+the misery of their situation; while others hung to the ship, repenting
+of their rashness, and bewailing with frightful noises their horrid
+fate. Thus the whole vessel exhibited but one hideous scene of
+wretchedness. They who were subdued and secured in chains were seized
+with the flux, which carried many of them off. These things were proved
+in a trial before a British jury, which had to consider whether this was
+a loss which fell within the policy of insurance, the slaves being
+regarded as if they had been only a cargo of dead matter. He could
+mention other instances, but they were much too shocking to be
+described. Surely their lordships could never consider such a traffic to
+be consistent with humanity or justice. It was impossible.
+
+That the trade had long subsisted there was no doubt, but this was no
+argument for its continuance. Many evils of much longer standing had
+been done away, and it was always our duty to attempt to remove them.
+Should we not exult in the consideration, that we, the inhabitants of a
+small island, at the extremity of the globe, almost at its north pole,
+were become the morningstar to enlighten the nations of the earth, and
+to conduct them out of the shades of darkness into the realms of light;
+thus exhibiting to an astonished and an admiring world the blessings of
+a free constitution? Let us then not allow such a glorious opportunity
+to escape us.
+
+It had been urged that we should suffer by the abolition of the Slave
+Trade; he believed that we should not suffer. He believed that our duty
+and our interest were inseparable; and he had no difficulty in saying,
+in the face of the world, that his own opinion was, that the interests
+of a nation would be best preserved by its adherence to the principles
+of humanity, justice, and religion.
+
+The Earl of Westmoreland said, that the African Slave Trade might be
+contrary to humanity and justice, and yet it might be politic; at least,
+it might be inconsistent with humanity, and yet not be inconsistent with
+justice; this was the case when we executed a criminal, or engaged in
+war.
+
+It was, however, not contrary to justice, for justice, in this case,
+must be measured by the law of nations. But the purchase of slaves was
+not contrary to this law. The Slave Trade was a trade with the consent
+of the inhabitants of two nations, and procured by no terror, nor by any
+act of violence whatever. Slavery had existed from the first ages of the
+world, not only in Africa, but throughout the habitable globe, among the
+Persians, Greeks, and Romans; and he would compare, with great advantage
+to his argument, the wretched condition of the slaves in these ancient
+states with that of those in our colonies. Slavery too had been allowed
+in a nation which was under the especial direction of Providence; the
+Jews were allowed to hold the heathen in bondage. He admitted that what
+the learned prelate had said relative to the emancipation of the latter
+in the year of jubilee was correct; but he denied that his quotation
+relative to the stealers of men referred to the Christian religion. It
+was a mere allusion to that which was done contrary to the law of
+nations, which was the only measure of justice between states.
+
+With respect to the inhumanity of the trade, he would observe, that if
+their lordships, sitting there as legislators, were to set their faces
+against everything which appeared to be inhuman, much of the security on
+which their lives and property depended might be shaken, if not totally
+destroyed. The question was, not whether there was not some evil
+attending the Slave Trade, but whether by the measure now before them
+they should increase or diminish the quantity of human misery in the
+world. He believed, for one, considering the internal state of Africa,
+and the impossibility of procuring the concurrence of foreign nations in
+the measure, that they would not be able to do any good by the adoption
+of it.
+
+As to the impolicy of the trade, the policy of it, on the other hand,
+was so great, that he trembled at the consequences of its abolition. The
+property connected with this question amounted to a hundred millions.
+The annual produce of the islands was eighteen millions, and it yielded
+a revenue of four millions annually. How was this immense property and
+income to be preserved? Some had said it would be preserved, because the
+black population in the islands could be kept up without further
+supplies; but the planters denied this assertion, and they were the best
+judges of the subject.
+
+He condemned the resolution as a libel upon the wisdom of the law of the
+land; and upon the conduct of their ancestors. He condemned it also,
+because, if followed up, it would lead to the abolition of the trade,
+and the abolition of the trade to the emancipation of the slaves in our
+colonies.
+
+The Bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. Horsley) said, that, allowing the slaves in
+the West Indies even to be pampered with delicacies, or to be put to
+rest on a bed of roses, they could not be happy, for--a slave would be
+still a slave. The question, however, was not concerning the alteration
+of their condition, but whether we should abolish the practice, by which
+they were put in that condition? Whether it was humane, just, and
+politic in us so to place them? This question was easily answered; for
+he found it difficult to form any one notion of humanity, which did not
+include a desire of promoting the happiness of others; and he knew of no
+other justice than that, which was founded on the principle of doing to
+others, as we should wish they should do to us. And these principles of
+humanity and justice were so clear, that he found it difficult to make
+them clearer. Perhaps no difficulty was greater than that of arguing a
+self-evident proposition, and such he took to be the character of the
+proposition, that the Slave Trade was inhuman and unjust.
+
+It had been said, that slavery had existed from the beginning of the
+world. He would allow it. But had such a trade as the Slave Trade ever
+existed before? Would the noble Earl, who had talked of the slavery of
+ancient Rome and Greece, assert, that in the course of his whole
+reading, however profound it might have been, he had found anything
+resembling such a traffic? Where did it appear in history, that ships
+were regularly fitted out to fetch away tens of thousands of persons
+annually, against their will, from their native land; that these were
+subject to personal indignities and arbitrary punishments during their
+transportation; and that a certain proportion of them, owing to
+suffocation and other cruel causes, uniformly perished? He averred, that
+nothing like the African Slave Trade was ever practised in any nation
+upon earth.
+
+If the trade then was repugnant, as he maintained it was, to justice and
+humanity, he did not see how, without aiding and abetting injustice and
+inhumanity, any man could sanction it: and he thought that the noble
+baron (Hawkesbury) was peculiarly bound to support the resolution; for
+he had admitted that if it could be shown, that the trade was contrary
+to these principles, the question would be at an end. Now this
+contrariety had been made apparent, and his lordship had not even
+attempted to refute it.
+
+He would say but little on the subject of revealed religion, as it
+related to this question, because the reverend prelate, near him, had
+spoken so fully upon it. He might observe, however, that at the end of
+the sixth year, when the Hebrew slave was emancipated, he was to be
+furnished liberally from the flock, the floor, and the wine-press of his
+master.
+
+Lord Holland lamented the unfaithfulness of the noble baron (Hawkesbury)
+to his own principles, and the inflexible opposition of the noble earl
+(Westmoreland), from both which circumstances he despaired for ever of
+any assistance from them to this glorious cause. The latter wished to
+hear evidence on the subject, for the purpose, doubtless, of delay. He
+was sure, that the noble earl did not care what the evidence would say
+on either side; for his mind was made up, that the trade ought not to be
+abolished.
+
+The noble earl had made a difference between humanity, justice, and
+sound policy. God forbid, that we should ever admit such distinctions in
+this country! But he had gone further, and said, that a thing might be
+inhuman, and yet not unjust; and he put the case of the execution of a
+criminal in support of it. Did he not by this position confound all
+notions of right and wrong in human institutions? When a criminal was
+justly executed, was not the execution justice to him who suffered, and
+humanity to the body of the people at large?
+
+The noble earl had said also, that we should do no good by the
+abolition, because other nations would not concur in it. He did not know
+what other nations would do; but this he knew, that we ourselves ought
+not to be unjust because they should refuse to be honest. It was,
+however, self-obvious, that, if we admitted no more slaves into our
+colonies, the evil would be considerably diminished.
+
+Another of his arguments did not appear to be more solid; for surely the
+Slave Trade ought not to be continued, merely because the effect of the
+abolition might ultimately be that of the emancipation of the slaves; an
+event, which would be highly desirable in its due time.
+
+The noble lord had also said, that the planters were against the
+abolition, and that without their consent it could never be
+accomplished. He differed from him in both these points: for, first, he
+was a considerable planter himself, and yet he was a friend to the
+measure: secondly, by cutting off all further supplies, the planters
+would be obliged to pay more attention to the treatment of their slaves,
+and this treatment would render the trade unnecessary.
+
+The noble earl had asserted also, that the population in the West Indies
+could not be kept up without further importations; and this was the
+opinion of the planters, who were the best judges of the subject. As a
+planter he differed from his lordship again. If, indeed, all the waste
+lands were to be brought into cultivation, the present population would
+be insufficient. But the government had already determined, that the
+trade should not be continued for such a purpose. We were no longer to
+continue pirates, or executioners for every petty tyrant in Africa, in
+order that every holder of a bit of land in our islands might cultivate
+the whole of his allotment; a work, which might require centuries.
+Making this exception, he would maintain, that no further importations
+were necessary. Few or no slaves had been imported into Antigua for many
+years; and he believed, that even some had been exported from it. As to
+Jamaica, although in one year fifteen thousand died in consequence of
+hurricane and famine, the excess of deaths over the births during the
+twenty years preceding 1788 was only one per cent. Deducting, however,
+the mortality of the newly imported slaves, and making the calculation
+upon the Negroes born in the island or upon those who had been long
+there, he believed the births and the deaths would be found equal. He
+had a right therefore to argue that the Negroes, with better treatment
+(which the abolition would secure), would not only maintain but increase
+their population, without any aid from Africa. He would add, that the
+newly imported Africans brought with them not only disorders which
+ravaged the plantations, but danger from the probability of
+insurrections. He wished most heartily for the total abolition of the
+trade. He was convinced, that it was both inhuman, unjust, and
+impolitic. This had always been his opinion as an individual since he
+was capable of forming one. It was his opinion then as a legislator. It
+was his opinion as a colonial proprietor; and it was his opinion as an
+Englishman, wishing for the prosperity of the British empire.
+
+The Earl of Suffolk contended, that the population of the slaves in the
+islands could be kept up by good treatment, so as to be sufficient for
+their cultivation. He entered into a detail of calculations from the
+year 1772 downwards in support of this statement. He believed all the
+miseries of St. Domingo arose from the vast importation of Africans. He
+had such a deep sense of the inhumanity and injustice of the Slave
+Trade, that, if ever he wished any action of his life to be recorded, it
+would be that of the vote he should then give in support of the
+resolution.
+
+Lord Sidmouth said, that he agreed to the substance of the resolution,
+but yet he could not support it. Could he be convinced that the trade
+would be injurious to the cause of humanity and justice, the question
+with him would be decided; for policy could not be opposed to humanity
+and justice. He had been of opinion for the last twenty years, that the
+interests of the country and those of numerous individuals were so
+deeply blended with this traffic, that we should be very cautious how we
+proceeded. With respect to the cultivation of new lands, he would not
+allow a single Negro to be imported for such a purpose; but he must have
+a regard to the old plantations. When he found a sufficient increase in
+the Black population to continue the cultivation already established
+there, then, but not till then, he would agree to an abolition of the
+trade.
+
+Earl Stanhope said he would not detain their lordships long. He could
+not, however, help expressing his astonishment at what had fallen from
+the last speaker; for he had evidently confessed that the Slave Trade
+was inhuman and unjust, and then he had insinuated, that it was neither
+inhuman nor unjust to continue it. A more paradoxical or whimsical
+opinion, he believed, was never entertained, or more whimsically
+expressed in that house. The noble viscount had talked of the interests
+of the planters; but this was but a part of the subject; for surely the
+people of Africa were not to be forgotten. He did not understand the
+practice of complimenting the planters with the lives of men, women, and
+helpless children by thousands, for the sake of their pecuniary
+advantage; and they, who adopted it, whatever they might think of the
+consistency of their own conduct, offered an insult to the sacred names
+of humanity and justice.
+
+The noble Earl (Westmoreland) had asked what would be the practical
+effect of the abolition of the Slave Trade. He would inform him. It
+would do away the infamous practices which took place in Africa; it
+would put an end to the horrors of the passage; it would save many
+thousands of our fellow-creatures from the miseries of eternal slavery;
+it would oblige the planters to treat those better, who were already in
+that unnatural state; it would increase the population of our islands;
+it would give a death-blow to the diabolical calculations, whether it
+was cheaper to work the Negroes to death and recruit the gangs by fresh
+importations, or to work them moderately and to treat them kindly. He
+knew of no event, which would be attended with so many blessings.
+
+There was but one other matter, which he would notice. The noble baron
+(Hawkesbury) had asserted, that all the horrors of St. Domingo were the
+consequence of the speculative opinions which were current in a
+neighbouring kingdom on the subject at liberty. They had, he said, no
+such origin. They were owing to two causes; first, to the vast number of
+Negroes recently imported into that island; and, secondly, to a
+scandalous breach of faith by the French legislature. This legislature
+held out the idea not only of the abolition of the Slave Trade, but also
+of all slavery; but it broke its word. It held forth the rights of man
+to the whole human race, and then, in practice, it most infamously
+abandoned every article in these rights; so that it became the scorn of
+all the enlightened and virtuous part of mankind. These were the great
+causes of the miseries of St. Domingo, and not the speculative opinions
+of France.
+
+Earl Grosvenor could not but express the joy he felt at the hope, after
+all his disappointments, that this wicked trade would be done away. He
+hoped that his Majesty's ministers were in earnest, and that they would,
+early in the next session, take this great question up with a
+determination to go through with it; so that another year should not
+pass before we extended the justice and humanity of the country to the
+helpless and unhappy inhabitants of Africa.
+
+Earl Fitzwilliam said he was fearful lest the calamities of St. Domingo
+should be brought home to our own islands. We ought not, he thought, too
+hastily to adopt the resolution on that account. He should therefore
+support the previous question.
+
+Lord Ellenborough said, he was sorry to differ from his noble friend
+(Lord Sidmouth), and yet he could not help saying that if after twenty
+years, during which this question had been discussed by both Houses of
+Parliament, their lordships' judgments were not ripe for its
+determination, he could not look with any confidence to a time when they
+would be ready to decide it.
+
+The question then before them was short and plain. It was, whether the
+African Slave Trade was inhuman, unjust, and impolitic. If the premises
+were true, we could not too speedily bring it to a conclusion.
+
+The subject had been frequently brought before him in a way which had
+enabled him to become acquainted with it; and he was the more anxious on
+that account to deliver his sentiments upon it as a peer of Parliament,
+without reference to anything he had been called upon to do in the
+discharge of his professional duty. When he looked at the mode in which
+this traffic commenced, by the spoliation of the rights of a whole
+quarter of the globe; by the misery of whole nations of helpless
+Africans; by tearing them from their homes, their families, and their
+friends; when he saw the unhappy victims carried away by force; thrust
+into a dungeon in the hold of a ship, in which the interval of their
+passage from their native to a foreign land was filled up with misery,
+under every degree of debasement, and in chains; and when he saw them
+afterwards consigned to an eternal slavery, he could not but contemplate
+the whole system with horror. It was inhuman in its beginning, inhuman
+in its progress, and inhuman to the very end.
+
+Nor was it more inhuman than it was unjust. The noble earl,
+(Westmoreland,) in adverting to this part of the question had considered
+it as a question of justice between two nations, but it was a moral
+question. Although the natives of Africa might be taken by persons
+authorized by their own laws to take and dispose of them, and the
+practice, therefore, might be said to be legal as it respected them, yet
+no man could doubt, whatever ordinances they might have to sanction it,
+that it was radically, essentially, and in principle, unjust; and
+therefore there could be no excuse for us in continuing it. On the
+general principle of natural justice, which was paramount to all
+ordinances of men, it was quite impossible to defend this traffic; and
+he agreed with the noble baron (Hawkesbury) that, having decided that it
+was inhuman and unjust, we should not inquire whether it was impolitic.
+Indeed, the inquiry itself would be impious; for it was the common
+ordinance of God, that that which was inhuman and unjust, should never
+be for the good of man. Its impolicy, therefore, was included in its
+injustice and its inhumanity. And he had no doubt, when the importations
+were stopped, that the planters would introduce a change of system among
+their slaves which would increase their population, so as to render any
+further supplies from Africa unnecessary. It had been proved, indeed,
+that the Negro population in some of the islands was already in this
+desirable state. Many other happy effects would follow. As to the losses
+which would arise from the abolition of the Slave Trade, they, who were
+interested in the continuance of it, had greatly over-rated them. When
+pleading formerly in his professional capacity for the merchants of
+Liverpool at their lordships' bar, he had often delivered statements,
+which he had received from them, and which he afterwards discovered to
+be grossly incorrect. He could say from his own knowledge, that the
+assertion of the noble earl (Westmoreland), that property to the amount
+of a hundred millions would be endangered, was wild and fanciful. He
+would not however deny, that some loss might accompany the abolition;
+but there could be no difficulty in providing for it. Such a
+consideration ought not to be allowed to impede their progress in
+getting rid of an horrible injustice.
+
+But it had been said that we should do but little in the cause of
+humanity by abolishing the Slave Trade; because other nations would
+continue it. He did not believe they would. He knew that America was
+about to give it up. He believed the states of Europe would give it up.
+But, supposing that they were all to continue it, would not our honour
+be the greater? Would not our virtue be the more signal? for then
+
+
+  --Faithful we
+  Among the faithless found:
+
+
+to which he would add, that undoubtedly we should diminish the evil, as
+far as the number of miserable beings was concerned, which was
+accustomed to be transported to our own colonies.
+
+Earl Spencer agreed with the noble viscount (Sidmouth), that the
+amelioration of the condition of the slaves was an object, which might
+be effected in the West Indies; but he was certain, that the most
+effectual way of improving it would be by the total and immediate
+abolition of the Slave Trade; and for that reason he would support the
+resolution. Had the resolution held out emancipation to them, it would
+not have had his assent; for it would have ill become the character of
+this country, if it had been once promised, to have withheld it from
+them. It was to such deception that the horrors of St. Domingo were to
+be attributed. He would not enter into the discussion of the general
+subject at present. He was convinced that the trade was what the
+resolution stated it to be, inhuman, unjust, and impolitic. He wished
+therefore, most earnestly indeed, for its abolition. As to the mode of
+effecting it, it should be such as would be attended with the least
+inconvenience to all parties. At the same time he would not allow small
+inconveniences to stand in the way of the great claims of humanity,
+justice, and religion.
+
+The question was then put on the resolution, and carried by a majority
+of forty-one to twenty. The same address also to His Majesty, which had
+been agreed upon by the Commons, was directly afterwards moved. This
+also was carried, but without the necessity of a division.
+
+The resolution and the motion having passed both Houses, one other
+parliamentary measure was yet necessary to complete the proceedings of
+this session. It was now almost universally believed, in consequence of
+what had already taken place there, that the Slave Trade had received
+its death-wound; and that it would not long survive it. It was supposed,
+therefore, that the slave-merchants would, in the interim, fit out not
+only all the vessels they had, but even buy others, to make what might
+be called their last harvest. Hence, extraordinary scenes of rapine and
+murder would be occasioned in Africa. To prevent these, a new bill was
+necessary. This was accordingly introduced into the Commons. It enacted,
+but with one exception, that from and after the first of August, 1806,
+no vessel should clear out for the Slave Trade, unless it should have
+been previously employed by the same owner or owners in the said trade,
+or should be proved to have been contracted for previously to the 10th
+of June, 1806, for the purpose of being employed in that trade. It may
+now be sufficient to say that this bill also passed both Houses of
+Parliament; soon after which the session ended.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+--Continuation from July 1806, to March 1807.--Death of Mr. Fox.--Bill
+for the total abolition of the Slave Trade carried in the House of
+Lords; sent from thence to the Commons; amended and passed there;
+carried back, and passed with its amendments by the Lords; receives
+the royal assent.--Reflections on this great event.
+
+
+It was impossible for the committee to look back to the proceedings of
+the last session, as they related to the great question under their
+care, without feeling a profusion of joy, as well as of gratitude to
+those, by whose virtuous endeavours they had taken place. But, alas, how
+few of our earthly pleasures come to us without alloy! a melancholy
+event succeeded. We had the painful intelligence, in the month of
+October 1806, that one of the oldest and warmest friends of the cause
+was then numbered with the dead.
+
+Of the character of Mr. Fox, as it related to this cause, I am bound to
+take notice. And, first, I may observe, that he professed an attachment
+to it almost as soon as it was ushered into the world. Early in the year
+1788, when he was waited upon by a deputation of the committee, his
+language was, as has appeared in the first volume, "that he would
+support their object to its fullest extent, being convinced that there
+was no remedy for the evil but in the total abolition of the trade."
+
+His subsequent conduct evinced the sincerity of his promises. He was
+constant in his attendance in Parliament whenever the question was
+brought forward; and he never failed to exert his powerful eloquence in
+its favour. The countenance, indeed, which he gave it, was of the
+greatest importance to its welfare; for most of his parliamentary
+friends, who followed his general political sentiments, patronized it
+also. By the aid of these, joined to that of the private friends of Mr.
+Pitt, and of other members, who espoused it without reference to party,
+it was always so upheld, that after the year 1791 no one of the defeats
+which it sustained, was disgraceful. The majority on the side of those
+interested in the continuance of the trade was always so trifling, that
+the abolitionists were preserved a formidable body, and their cause
+respectable.
+
+I never heard whether Mr. Fox, when he came into power, made any
+stipulations with His Majesty on the subject of the Slave Trade: but
+this I know, that he determined upon the abolition of it, if it were
+practicable, as the highest glory of his administration, and as the
+greatest earthly blessing which it was in the power of the Government to
+bestow; and that he took considerable pains to convince some of his
+colleagues in the cabinet of the propriety of the measure.
+
+When the resolution, which produced the debates in parliament, as
+detailed in the last chapter, was under contemplation, it was thought
+expedient that Mr. Fox, as the minister of state in the House of
+Commons, should introduce it himself. When applied to for this purpose
+he cheerfully undertook the office, thus acting in consistency with his
+public declaration in the year 1791, "that in whatever situation he
+might ever be, he would use his warmest efforts for the promotion of
+this righteous cause."
+
+Before the next measure, or the bill to prevent the sailing of any new
+vessel in the trade after the 1st of August, was publicly disclosed, it
+was suggested to him, that the session was nearly over; that he might
+possibly weary both Houses by another motion on the subject; and that,
+if he were to lose it, or to experience a diminution of his majorities
+in either, he might injure the cause, which was then in the road to
+triumph. To this objection he replied, "that he believed both Houses
+were disposed to get rid of the trade; that his own life was precarious;
+that if he omitted to serve the injured Africans on this occasion, he
+might have no other opportunity of doing it; and that he dared not,
+under these circumstances, neglect so great a duty."
+
+This prediction relative to himself became unfortunately verified; for
+his constitution, after this, began to decline, till at length his
+mortal destiny, in the eyes of his medical attendants, was sealed. But
+even then, when removed by pain and sickness from the discussion of
+political subjects, he never forgot this cause. In his own sufferings he
+was not unmindful of those of the injured Africans. "Two things," said
+he, on his death-bed, "I wish earnestly to see accomplished,--peace with
+Europe--and the abolition of the Slave Trade." But knowing well, that we
+could much better protect ourselves against our own external enemies,
+than this helpless people against their oppressors, he added, "but of
+the two I wish the latter." These sentiments he occasionally repeated,
+so that the subject was frequently in his thoughts in his last illness.
+Nay, "the very hope of the abolition (to use the expression of Lord
+Howick in the House of Commons) quivered on his lips in the last hour of
+it." Nor is it improbable, if earthly scenes ever rise to view at that
+awful crisis, and are perceptible, that it might have occupied his mind
+in the last moment of his existence. Then indeed would joy ineffable,
+from a conviction of having prepared the way for rescuing millions of
+human beings from misery, have attended the spirit on its departure from
+the body; and then also would this spirit, most of all purified when in
+the contemplation of peace, good-will, and charity upon earth, be in the
+fittest state, on gliding from its earthly cavern, to commix with the
+endless ocean of benevolence and love.
+
+At length the session of 1807 commenced. It was judged advisable by Lord
+Grenville, that the expected motion on this subject should, contrary to
+the practice hitherto adopted, be agitated first in the Lords.
+Accordingly, on the 2nd of January he presented a bill, called an act
+for the abolition of the Slave Trade; but he then proposed only to print
+it, and to let it lie on the table, that it might be maturely
+considered, before it should be discussed.
+
+On the 4th, no less than four counsel were heard against the bill.
+
+On the 5th the debate commenced. But of this I shall give no detailed
+account; nor, indeed, of any of those which followed it. The truth is,
+that the subject has been exhausted. They, who spoke in favour of the
+abolition, said very little that was new concerning it. They, who spoke
+against it, brought forward, as usual, nothing but negative assertions
+and fanciful conjectures. To give therefore what was said by both
+parties at these times, would be but useless repetition[A]. To give, on
+the other hand, that which was said on one side only would appear
+partial. Hence I shall offer to the reader little more than a narrative
+of facts upon these occasions.
+
+[Footnote A: The different debates in both Houses on this occasion would
+occupy the half of another volume. This is another circumstance, which
+reconciles me to the omission. But that, which reconciles me the most
+is, that they will be soon published. In these debates justice has been
+done to every individual concerned in them.]
+
+Lord Grenville opened the debate by a very luminous speech. He was
+supported by the Duke of Gloucester, the Bishop of Durham (Dr.
+Barrington), the Earls Moira, Selkirk, and Roslyn, and the Lords
+Holland, King, and Hood. The opponents of the bill were the Duke of
+Clarence, the Earls of Westmoreland and St. Vincent, and the Lords
+Sidmouth, Eldon, and Hawkesbury.
+
+The question being called for at four o'clock in the morning, it
+appeared that the personal votes and proxies in favour of Lord
+Grenville's motion amounted to one hundred, and those against it to
+thirty-six. Thus passed the first bill in England, which decreed, that
+the African Slave Trade should cease. And here I cannot omit paying to
+his Highness the Duke of Gloucester the tribute of respect, which is due
+to him, for having opposed the example of his royal relations on this
+subject in behalf of an helpless and oppressed people. The sentiments
+too, which he delivered on this occasion, ought not to be forgotten.
+"This trade," said he, "is contrary to the principles of the British
+constitution. It is, besides, a cruel and criminal traffic in the blood
+of my fellow-creatures. It is a foul stain on the national character. It
+is an offence to the Almighty. On every ground therefore on which a
+decision can be made; on the ground of policy, of liberty, of humanity,
+of justice, but, above all, on the ground of religion, I shall vote for
+its immediate extinction."
+
+On the 10th of February, the bill was carried to the House of Commons.
+On the 20th counsel were heard against it; after which, by agreement,
+the second reading of it took place. On the 23rd the question being put
+for the commitment of it, Lord Viscount Howick (now Earl Grey) began an
+eloquent speech. After he had proceeded in it some way, he begged leave
+to enter his protest against certain principles of relative justice,
+which had been laid down. "The merchants and planters," said he, "have
+an undoubted right, in common with other subjects of the realm, to
+demand justice at our hands. But that, which they denominate justice,
+does not correspond with the legitimate character of that virtue: for
+they call upon us to violate the rights of others, and to transgress our
+own moral duties. That, which they distinguish as justice, involves in
+itself the greatest injury to others. It is not, in fact, justice, which
+they demand, but--favour--and favour to themselves at the expense of the
+most grievous oppression of their fellow-creatures."
+
+He then argued the question on the ground of policy. He showed, by a
+number of official documents, how little this trade had contributed to
+the wealth of the nation, being but a fifty-fourth part of its export
+trade; and he contended that as four-sevenths of it had been cut off by
+His Majesty's proclamation, and the passing of the foreign slave bill in
+a former year, no detriment of any consequence would arise from the
+present measure.
+
+He entered into an account of the loss of seamen, and of the causes of
+the mortality, in this trade.
+
+He went largely into the subject of negro-population, in the islands
+from official documents, giving an account of it up to the latest date.
+He pointed out the former causes of its diminution, and stated how the
+remedies for these would follow.
+
+He showed how, even if the quantity of colonial produce should be
+diminished for a time, this disadvantage would, in a variety of
+instances, be more than counterbalanced by advantages, which would not
+only be great in themselves, but permanent.
+
+He then entered into a refutation of the various objections which had
+been made to the abolition, in an eloquent and perspicuous manner; and
+concluded by appealing to the great authorities of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox
+in behalf of the proposed measure. "These precious ornaments," he said,
+"of their age and country, had examined the subject with all the force
+of their capacious minds. On this question they had dismissed all
+animosity--all difference of opinion--and had proceeded in union; and he
+believed, that the best tribute of respect we could show, or the most
+splendid monument we could raise, to their memories, would be by the
+adoption of the glorious measure of the abolition of the Slave Trade."
+
+Lord Howick was supported by Mr. Roscoe, who was then one of the members
+for Liverpool; by Mr. Lushington, Mr. Fawkes, Lord Mahon, Lord Milton,
+Sir John Doyle, Sir Samuel Romilly, Mr. Wilberforce, and Earl Percy, the
+latter of whom wished that a clause might be put into the bill, by which
+all the children of slaves, born after January 1810, should be made
+free. General Gascoyne and Mr. Hibbert opposed the bill. Mr. Manning
+hoped that compensation would be made to the planters in case of loss.
+Mr. Bathurst and Mr. Hiley Addington preferred a plan for gradual
+abolition to the present mode. These having spoken, it appeared on a
+division, that there were for the question two hundred and eighty-three,
+and against it only sixteen.
+
+Of this majority I cannot but remark, that it was probably the largest
+that was ever announced on any occasion, where the House was called upon
+to divide. I must observe, also, that there was such an enthusiasm among
+the members at this time, that there appeared to be the same kind and
+degree of feeling, as manifested itself within the same walls in the
+year 1788, when the question was first started. This enthusiasm, too,
+which was of a moral nature, was so powerful, that it seemed even to
+extend to a conversion of the heart; for several of the old opponents of
+this righteous cause went away, unable to vote against it; while others
+of them staid in their places, and voted in its favour.
+
+On the 27th of February, Lord Howick moved, that the House resolve
+itself into a committee on the bill for the abolition of the Slave
+Trade. Sir C. Pole, Messrs. Hughan, Brown, Bathurst, Windham, and Fuller
+opposed the motion; and Sir R. Milbank, and Messrs. Wynne, Barham,
+Courtenay, Montague, Jacob, Whitbread, and Herbert (of Kerry), supported
+it. At length the committee was allowed to sit _pro forma_, and Mr.
+Hobhouse was put into the chair. The bill then went through it, and, the
+House being resumed, the report was received and read.
+
+On the 6th of March, when the committee sat again, Sir C. Pole moved,
+that the year 1812 be substituted for the year 1807, as the time when
+the trade should be abolished. This amendment produced a long debate,
+which was carried on by Sir C. Pole, Messrs. Fuller, Hiley Addington,
+Rose, Gascoyne, and Bathurst, on one side; and by Mr. Ward, Sir P.
+Francis; General Vyse, Sir T. Turton, Mr. Whitbread, Lord Henry Petty,
+Messrs. Canning, Stanhope, Perceval, and Wilberforce on the other. At
+length, on a division, there appeared to be one hundred and twenty-five
+against the amendment, and for it only seventeen. The chairman then read
+the bill, and it was agreed that he should report it with the amendments
+on Monday. The bill enacted, that no vessel should clear out for slaves
+from any port within the British dominions after the 1st of May, 1807,
+and that no slave should be landed in the colonies after the 1st of
+March, 1808.
+
+On the 16th of March, on the motion of Lord Henry Petty, the question
+was put, that the bill be read a third time. Mr. Hibbert, Captain
+Herbert, Mr. T.W. Plomer, Mr. Windham, and Lord Castlereagh, spoke
+against the motion. Sir P. Francis, Mr. Lyttleton, Mr. H. Thornton, and
+Messrs. Barham, Sheridan, and Wilberforce supported it. After this the
+bill was passed without a division[A].
+
+[Footnote A: S. Lushington, Esq., M.P. for Yarmouth, gave his voluntary
+attendance and assistance to the committee, during all these motions,
+and J. Bowdler, Esq., was elected a member of it.]
+
+On Wednesday, the 18th, Lord Howick, accompanied by Mr. Wilberforce and
+others, carried the bill to the Lords. Lord Grenville, on receiving it,
+moved that it should be printed, and that, if this process could be
+finished by Monday, it should be taken into consideration on that day.
+The reason of this extraordinary haste was, that His Majesty, displeased
+with the introduction of the Roman Catholic officers' bill into the
+Commons, had signified his intention to the members of the existing
+administration, that they were to be displaced.
+
+This uneasiness, which, a few days before, had sprung up among the
+friends of the abolition, on the report that this event was probable,
+began now to show itself throughout the kingdom. Letters were written
+from various parts, manifesting the greatest fear and anxiety on account
+of the state of the bill, and desiring answers of consolation. Nor was
+this state of the mind otherwise than what might have been expected upon
+such an occasion; for the bill was yet to be printed. Being an amended
+one, it was to be argued again in the Lords. It was then to receive the
+royal assent. All these operations implied time; and it was reported
+that the new ministry[A] was formed; among whom were several who had
+shown a hostile disposition to the cause.
+
+[Footnote A: The only circumstance, which afforded comfort at this time,
+was, that the Hon. Spencer Perceval and Mr. Canning were included in it,
+who were warm patrons of this great measure.]
+
+On Monday, the 23rd, the House of Lords met. Such extraordinary
+diligence had been used in printing the bill, that it was then ready.
+Lord Grenville immediately brought it forward. The Earl of Westmoreland
+and the Marquis of Sligo opposed it. The Duke of Norfolk and the Bishop
+of Llandaff (Dr. Watson) supported it. The latter said, that this great
+act of justice would be recorded in heaven. The amendments were
+severally adopted without a division. But here an omission of three
+words was discovered, namely, "country, territory, or place," which, if
+not rectified, might defeat the purposes of the bill. An amendment was
+immediately proposed and carried. Thus the bill received the last
+sanction of the Peers. Lord Grenville then congratulated the House on
+the completion, on its part, of the most glorious measure that had ever
+been adopted by any legislative body in the world.
+
+The amendment now mentioned occasioned the bill to be sent back to the
+Commons. On the 24th, on the motion of Lord Howick, it was immediately
+taken into consideration there, and agreed to; and it was carried back
+to the Lords, as approved of, on the same day.
+
+But though the bill had now passed both houses, there was an awful fear
+throughout the kingdom lest it should not receive the royal assent
+before the ministry was dissolved. This event took place the next day;
+for on Wednesday, the 25th, at half past eleven in the morning, His
+Majesty's message was delivered to the different members of it, that
+they were then to wait upon him to deliver up the seals of their
+offices. It then appeared that a commission for the royal assent to this
+bill, among others, had been obtained. This commission was instantly
+opened by the Lord Chancellor (Erskine), who was accompanied by the
+Lords Holland and Auckland; and as the clock struck twelve, just when
+the sun was in its meridian splendour to witness this august act, this
+establishment of a Magna Charta for Africa in Britain, and to sanction
+it by its most vivid and glorious beams, it was completed. The ceremony
+being over, the seals of the respective offices were delivered up; so
+that the execution of this commission was the last act of the
+administration of Lord Grenville; an administration, which, on account
+of its virtuous exertions in behalf of the oppressed African race, will
+pass to posterity, living through successive generations in the love and
+gratitude of the most virtuous of mankind.
+
+Thus ended one of the most glorious contests, after a continuance for
+twenty years, of any ever carried on in any age or country. A contest,
+not of brutal violence, but of reason. A contest between those who felt
+deeply for the happiness and the honour of their fellow-creatures, and
+those, who, through vicious custom and the impulse of avarice, had
+trampled under foot the sacred rights of their nature, and had even
+attempted to efface all title to the divine image from their minds.
+
+Of the immense advantages of this contest I know not how to speak;
+indeed, the very agitation of the question which it involved has been
+highly important. Never was the heart of man so expanded; never were its
+generous sympathies so generally and so perseveringly excited. These
+sympathies, thus called into existence, have been useful in the
+preservation of a national virtue. For anything we know, they may have
+contributed greatly to form a counteracting balance against the
+malignant spirit, generated by our almost incessant wars during this
+period, so as to have preserved us from barbarism.
+
+It has been useful also in the discrimination of moral character; in
+private life it has enabled us to distinguish the virtuous from the more
+vicious part of the community[A]. It has shown the general
+philanthropist; it has unmasked the vicious in spite of his pretension
+to virtue. It has afforded us the same knowledge in public life; it has
+separated the moral statesman from the wicked politician. It has shown
+us who, in the legislative and executive offices of our country, are fit
+to save, and who to destroy, a nation.
+
+[Footnote A: I have had occasion to know many thousand persons in the
+course of my travels on this subject, and I can truly say, that the part
+which these took on this great question was always a true criterion of
+their moral character. Some indeed opposed the abolition, who seemed to
+be so respectable, that it was difficult to account for their conduct;
+but it invariably turned out, in the course of time, either that they
+had been influenced by interested motives, or that they were not men of
+steady moral principle. In the year 1792, when the national enthusiasm
+was so great, the good were as distinguishable from the bad, according
+to their disposition to this great cause, as if the divine Being had
+marked them, or, as a friend of mine the other day observed, as we may
+suppose the sheep to be from the goats on the day of judgment.]
+
+It has furnished us also with important lessons. It has proved what a
+creature man is! how devoted he is to his own interest! to what a length
+of atrocity he can go, unless fortified by religious principle! But as
+if this part of the prospect would be too afflicting, it has proved to
+us, on the other hand, what a glorious instrument he may become in the
+hands of his Maker; and that a little virtue, when properly leavened, is
+made capable of counteracting the effects of a mass of vice!
+
+With respect to the end obtained by this contest, or the great measure
+of the abolition of the Slave Trade as it has now passed, I know not how
+to appreciate its importance; to our own country, indeed, it is
+invaluable. We have lived, in consequence of it, to see the day, when it
+has been recorded as a principle in our legislation, that commerce
+itself shall have its moral boundaries. We have lived to see the day
+when we are likely to be delivered from the contagion of the most
+barbarous opinions. They who supported this wicked traffic, virtually
+denied that man was a moral being; they substituted the law of force for
+the law of reason: but the great act now under our consideration has
+banished the impious doctrine, and restored the rational creature to his
+moral rights. Nor is it a matter of less pleasing consideration, that,
+at this awful crisis, when the constitutions of kingdoms are on the
+point of dissolution, the stain of the blood of Africa is no longer upon
+us, or that we have been freed (alas, if it be not too late!) from a
+load of guilt, which has long hung like a mill-stone about our necks,
+ready to sink us to perdition.
+
+In tracing the measure still further, or as it will affect other lands,
+we become only the more sensible of its importance; for can we pass over
+to Africa; can we pass over to the numerous islands, the receptacles of
+miserable beings from thence; and can we call to mind the scenes of
+misery which have been passing in each of these regions of the earth,
+without acknowledging that one of the greatest sources of suffering to
+the human race has, as far as our own power extends, been done way? Can
+we pass over to these regions again, and contemplate the multitude of
+crimes which the agency necessary for keeping up the barbarous system
+produced, without acknowledging that a source of the most monstrous and
+extensive wickedness has been removed also? But here, indeed, it becomes
+us peculiarly to rejoice; for though nature shrinks from pain, and
+compassion is engendered in us when we see it become the portion of
+others, yet what is physical suffering compared with moral guilt? The
+misery of the oppressed is, in the first place, not contagious like the
+crime of the oppressor; nor is the mischief which it generates either so
+frightful or so pernicious. The body, though under affliction, may
+retain its shape; and, if it even perish, what is the loss of it but of
+worthless dust? But when the moral springs of the mind are poisoned, we
+lose the most excellent part of the constitution of our nature, and the
+divine image is no longer perceptible in us; nor are the two evils of
+similar duration. By a decree of Providence, for which we cannot be too
+thankful, we are made mortal. Hence the torments of the oppressor are
+but temporary; whereas the immortal part of us, when once corrupted, may
+carry its pollutions with it into another world.
+
+But, independently of the quantity of physical suffering, and the
+innumerable avenues to vice, in more than a quarter of the globe, which
+this great measure will cut off, there are yet blessings, which we have
+reason to consider as likely to flow from it. Among these we cannot
+overlook the great probability that Africa, now freed from the vicious
+and barbarous effects of this traffic, may be in a better state to
+comprehend and receive the sublime truths of the Christian religion. Nor
+can we overlook the probability that, a new system of treatment
+necessarily springing up in our islands, the same bright sun of
+consolation may visit her children there. But here a new hope rises to
+our view. Who knows but that emancipation, like a beautiful plant, may,
+in its due season, rise out of the ashes of the abolition of the Slave
+Trade, and that, when its own intrinsic value shall be known, the seed
+of it may be planted in other lands? And looking at the subject in this
+point of view, we cannot but be struck with the wonderful concurrence of
+events as previously necessary for this purpose, namely, that two
+nations, England and America, the mother and the child, should, in the
+same month of the same year, have abolished this impious traffic;
+nations, which at this moment have more than a million of subjects
+within their jurisdiction to partake of the blessing; and one of which,
+on account of her local situation and increasing power, is likely in
+time to give, if not law, at least a tone to the manners and customs of
+the great continent on which she is situated.
+
+Reader! Thou art now acquainted with the history of this contest!
+Rejoice in the manner of its termination! And, if thou feelest grateful
+for the event, retire within thy closet, and pour out thy thanksgivings
+to the Almighty for this his unspeakable act of mercy to thy oppressed
+fellow-creatures.
+
+THE END.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+LONDON: JOHN W. PARKER, ST. MARTIN'S LANE
+
+A SELECT LIST OF BOOKS
+
+PUBLISHED BY
+
+JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND,
+
+LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE SLAVE-TRADE and SLAVERY.--HISTORY of the RISE, PROGRESS, and
+ACCOMPLISHMENT, of the ABOLITION of the AFRICAN SLAVE-TRADE by the
+British Parliament. By THOMAS CLARKSON, M.A. A NEW EDITION, with
+Prefatory Remarks on the subsequent ABOLITION of SLAVERY, and a Portrait
+from a highly-approved Picture, recently painted by HENRY ROOM.
+_Published under the Direction of the_ CENTRAL NEGRO-EMANCIPATION
+COMMITTEE. One large Volume. Octavo.
+
+THE SCRIPTURAL CHARACTER of the ENGLISH CHURCH CONSIDERED, in a SERIES
+of SERMONS, with Notes and Illustrations. By the Rev. DERWENT COLERIDGE,
+M.A.
+
+The series of Sermons, bearing the above title, were written exclusively
+for perusal, and are arranged as a connected whole. The author has
+adopted this form to avail himself of the devotional frame of mind,
+presupposed on the part of the reader, in this species of composition;
+but he has not deemed it as necessary to preserve with strictness the
+conventional style of the pulpit, for which these discourses were never
+intended: they may, consequently, be taken as a series of Essays, or as
+the successive chapters of a general work.
+
+THE CATHOLIC CHARACTER of CHRISTIANITY; in a SERIES of LETTERS to a
+FRIEND. By the Rev. FREDERICK NOLAN, LL.D., F.B.S., Vicar of
+Prittlewell, and Author of _The Evangelical Character of Christianity_,
+&c.
+
+The Profits arising from the First Edition of this Work, will be given
+to the Fund for erecting a Memorial to the Martyred Bishops at Oxford.
+
+A MANUAL of CHRISTIAN ANTIQUITIES; or an Account of the Constitution,
+Ministers, Worship, Discipline, and Customs of the Early Church; with an
+Introduction, containing a Complete and Chronological Analysis of the
+Works of the Antenicene Fathers. Compiled from the Works of Augusti, and
+other sources. By the Rev. J. E. RIDDLE, M.A., Author of an
+_English-Latin_ and _Latin-English Dictionary_, _Luther and his Times_,
+&c. _In the Press_.
+
+It has been the object of the writer, to construct a History of
+Christian Antiquities sufficiently copious and accurate for the use of
+the student in divinity, and at the same time instructive and acceptable
+to the general reader: a work popular in point of structure and style,
+but containing the substance of the more scholastic and expensive
+volumes of Bingham, and embodying information collected by modern
+divines, who have investigated the history and usages of the early
+church. Such a compendium was a desideratum in our theological
+literature. Our language has hitherto possessed no book fit to occupy
+the same place, in relation to the history of the church, as that which
+has long been maintained by the Antiquities of Potter and Adam, in
+connexion with the histories of Greece and Rome. And the author of the
+present volume hopes he may be permitted to say, that, in the absence of
+more able labourers in this department, he has endeavoured, by means
+especially of foreign aid, to remove the want which he has described.
+
+THE WORKS OF DOCTOR DONNE, Dean of Saint Paul's in 1619-1631; with a
+Memoir of his Life, and Critical Notices of his Writings. By HENRY
+ALFORD, M.A., Vicar of Wymeswold, and late Fellow of Trinity College,
+Cambridge. With a fine Portrait from an Original Picture by VANDYKE. Six
+Volumes Octavo.
+
+A HISTORY of the INDUCTIVE SCIENCES, from the Earliest Times to the
+Present. By the Rev. WILLIAM WHEWELL, B.D., F.R.S.; Pres. Geol. Society,
+and Professor of Casuistry in the University of Cambridge. Three
+Volumes, Octavo.
+
+THE NEW CRATYLUS; or, CONTRIBUTIONS towards a more ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE of
+the GREEK LANGUAGE. By JOHN WILLIAM DONALDSON, M.A., Fellow of Trinity
+College, Cambridge.
+
+A NEW SYSTEM OF LOGIC, and Developement of the Principles of Truth and
+Reasoning; in which a System of Logic, applicable to Moral and Practical
+Subjects, is for the first time proposed. By SAMUEL RICHARD BOSANQUET,
+A.M., of the Inner Temple.
+
+The RISE and PROGRESS of the ENGLISH CONSTITUTION; with an HISTORICAL
+and LEGAL INTRODUCTION and NOTES. By ARCHIBALD JOHN STEPHENS, M.A.,
+F.R.S., &c. Two Volumes, 30s.
+
+The Introduction is embodied in the first volume, and extends from the
+earliest period of authentic history up to the termination of the reign
+of William III.; and the Saxon institutions, tenure of lands, domesday,
+the royal prerogative, origin and progress of the legislative
+assemblies, privileges of Lords and Commons, pecuniary exactions,
+administration of justice, gradual improvements in the laws, judicial
+powers of the Peers, borough institutions, infamy of the Long
+Parliament, national dissensions, and the principles under which the
+executive power was intrusted to the Prince of Orange, have experienced
+every illustration.
+
+The doctrinal changes in the Anglican Church which were effected under
+the Tudors, are justified by a reference to the records and practice of
+the primitive Church, and the doctrinal schismatic points of Roman
+Catholic faith relating to the canons of Scripture, seven sacraments,
+sacrifice of the mass, private and solitary mass, communion in one kind,
+transubstantiation, image worship, purgatory, indulgences, confession
+and penance, absolution, &c., are clearly established as being in direct
+opposition to the opinions of the early fathers, and the fundamental
+doctrines of Christianity.
+
+The text of De Lolme is incorporated in the second volume, and the notes
+affixed extend to great length, and embody very valuable and diversified
+information relative to the rights, qualifications, and
+disqualifications of members of Parliament and their constituents; the
+unions of Scotland and Ireland with England; the origin, rise, and
+progress of the civil law under nine periods of the Roman history; civil
+process in the English courts of law; history of the courts of equity,
+and the principles under which they act; trial by jury, and an analysis
+of criminal offences, and the statutes under which they are punishable,
+with an analysis of crimes that were committed in 1837, and of the
+sentences passed. There are likewise tables of the public income and
+expenditure in the year ended January 5, 1837; of the church revenues,
+in which will be found information relative to the number of benefices
+in each diocese; total amount of incomes, gross and net, of the
+incumbents in each diocese, also the averages of each respectively;
+number of curates in each diocese; total amount of their stipends, and
+average thereof; also four scales of the incomes of the beneficed
+clergy; and genealogical tables from the Saxon and Danish kings, to
+Queen Victoria.
+
+FROM THE PRESS OF JOHN W. PARKER.
+
+MEMOIRS of the LIFE, CHARACTER, and WRITINGS, of BISHOP BUTLER, Author
+of _The Analogy_. By THOMAS BARTLETT, M.A., One of the Six Preachers of
+Canterbury Cathedral, and Rector of Kingstone, Kent. Dedicated, by
+Permission, to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. Octavo, with an
+original Portrait.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ELIZABETHAN RELIGIOUS HISTORY. By HENRY SOAMES, M.A., Author of _The
+History of the Reformation; The Anglo-Saxon Church_, &c.
+
+This Work is intended to fill a long-acknowledged chasm in English
+literature, and especially in that which peculiarly concerns the Church
+of England. Both Romanists and Protestant Dissenters have been attentive
+to the important reign of Elizabeth, and by saying very little of each
+other, have given an invidious colouring to both the Church and the
+Government. The present work is meant to give every leading fact in
+sufficient detail, but to avoid unnecessary particulars. It reaches from
+the establishment of the Thirty-nine Articles, in 1563, to the
+Hampton-Court Conference, in 1604.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE ANGLO-SAXON CHURCH; its HISTORY, REVENUES, and General Character. By
+the Rev. HENRY SOAMES, M.A., Author of the _Elizabethan Religious
+History_. A NEW EDITION.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH; from the Ascension of Jesus Christ to
+the Conversion of Constantine. By the late EDWARD BURTON, D.D.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HISTORY of the CHURCH of ENGLAND, to the REVOLUTION in 1688; embracing
+Copious Histories of the Thirty-Nine Articles, the Translation of the
+Bible, and the Compilation of the Book of Common Prayer. By THOMAS
+VOWLER SHORT, D.D. NEW EDITION, in One large Volume.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The EARLY CHRISTIANS; their MANNERS and CUSTOMS, TRIALS and SUFFERINGS.
+By the Rev. WILLIAM PRIDDEN, M.A. Second Edition.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HISTORY OF POPERY; the Origin, Growth, and Progress of the Papal Power;
+its Political Influence in the European States-System, and its Effects
+on the Progress of Civilization; an Examination of the Present State of
+the Romish Church in Ireland; a History of the Inquisition; and
+Specimens of Monkish Legends.
+
+LUTHER and HIS TIMES; History of the Rise and Progress of the German
+Reformation. By the Rev. J. E. RIDDLE, M.A., Author of _First Sundays at
+Church._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+POPULAR HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION, in Germany, Switzerland, and Great
+Britain; and of its chief Promoters, Opposers, and Victims. By THOMAS
+FOX.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* HISTORY OF MOHAMMEDANISM, and the PRINCIPAL MOHAMMEDAN SECTS. By W.C.
+TAYLOR, LL.D.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* The CRUSADERS; SCENES, EVENTS, and CHARACTERS, from the Times of the
+Crusades. By THOMAS KEIGHTLEY. Two Vols.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* READINGS IN BIOGRAPHY; a Selection of the Lives of Eminent Men of all
+Nations.
+
+The design of this work is to give an account of the lives of the
+Leaders in the most important revolutions which history records, from
+the age of Sesostris to that of Napoleon. Care has been taken to select
+those personages concerning whom information is most required by the
+historical student.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LIFE OF SIR WILLIAM JONES, by the late LORD TEIGNMOUTH. With Notes,
+Selections from his Works, and a Memoir of his Noble Biographer, by the
+Rev. SAMUEL CHARLES WILKS, M.A. 2 Vols., 10_s_. 6_d_.
+
+SIR WILLIAM JONES was not only the most eminent linguist, but in many
+respects one of the most remarkable men, of the last century; and LORD
+TEIGNMOUTH'S Memoir of him has been justly accounted one of the most
+interesting, instructive, and entertaining pieces of modern biography.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* LIVES OF BRITISH SACRED POETS. By R. A. WILLMOTT, Esq., Trin. Coll.
+Camb. Now complete, in Two Volumes, at 4_s_. 6_d_. each.
+
+The FIRST SERIES contains an Historical Sketch of Sacred Poetry, and the
+Lives of the English Sacred Poets preceding MILTON.
+
+The SECOND SERIES commences with MILTON, and brings down the Lives to
+that of BISHOP HEBER inclusive.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* LIVES OF EMINENT CHRISTIANS. By RICHARD B. HONE, M.A., Vicar of Hales
+Owen. Three Volumes, 4_s_. 6_d_. each.
+
+Vol. I. ARCHBISHOP USHER, DOCTOR HAMMOND, JOHN EVELYN, BISHOP WILSON.
+
+Vol. II.
+
+BERNARD GILPIN, PHILIP DE MORNAY, BISHOP BEDELL, DOCTOR HORNECK.
+
+Vol. III.
+
+BISHOP RIDLEY, BISHOP HALL, The HONORABLE ROBERT BOYLE.
+
+BIBLE BIOGRAPHY; HISTORIES OF THE LIVES AND CONDUCT OF THE PRINCIPAL
+CHARACTERS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. By E. FARR, _Author of a New
+Version of the Book of Psalms_. 4_s._ 6_d._
+
+BIBLE NARRATIVE chronologically arranged, in the words of the authorized
+Version; continued by an Historical Account of the Jewish Nation: and
+forming a Consecutive History from the Creation of the World to the
+Termination of the Jewish Polity. _Dedicated by permission to the Lord
+Bishop of Winchester_. 7_s._
+
+THE EVIDENCE OF PROFANE HISTORY TO THE TRUTH OF REVELATION. DEDICATED,
+BY SPECIAL PERMISSION, TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN. With numerous Graphic
+Illustrations. 10_s._ 6_d._
+
+It is the object of this Work to exhibit, from traces afforded in the
+records and monuments, both sacred and profane, of the ancient world, an
+unity of purpose maintained by the all-controlling providence of God.
+
+STUDENT'S MANUAL OF ANCIENT HISTORY; ACCOUNTS OF THE PRINCIPAL NATIONS
+OF ANTIQUITY. By W.C. TAYLOR, LL.D. 10_s._ 6_d._
+
+The design of this work is to supply the student with an outline of the
+principal events in the annals of the ancient world, and at the same
+time to lead him to the consideration of the causes that produced the
+principal revolutions recorded. The geographical position, natural
+productions, and progress of civilization, in all the great monarchies
+and republics, have been diligently investigated, and their effect on
+the fortunes of the state pointed out. Thus the philosophy of history is
+made to illustrate the narrative without interrupting it.
+
+STUDENT'S MANUAL OF MODERN HISTORY; THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE
+PRINCIPAL EUROPEAN NATIONS, THEIR POLITICAL HISTORY, AND THE CHANGES IN
+THEIR SOCIAL CONDITION; WITH A HISTORY OF THE COLONIES FOUNDED BY
+EUROPEANS, AND GENERAL PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION. By the same Author.
+10_s._ 6_d._
+
+*FAMILY HISTORY OF ENGLAND. By the Rev. G.R. GLEIG, M.A. With PICTORIAL
+ILLUSTRATIONS. 3 Vols., 6_s._ 6_d._ each.
+
+The main purpose of the FAMILY HISTORY OF ENGLAND has been to unite
+objects which in such undertakings are not always found to coincide;
+namely, to render the study of English History not merely instructive,
+but interesting and amusing. For this purpose, the greatest care has
+been taken to seize upon all those striking features in the detail of
+events, which not only convey to the mind of the reader a vivid picture
+of scenes past, but induce him to argue from effects to their causes.
+While the philosophy of history, therefore, is sedulously taught, it is
+taught in a manner calculated to gratify both young and old, by
+affording to the one class ample scope to reflection; to the other,
+matter that stirs and excites, while it conveys sound moral instruction.
+
+A HISTORY OF LONDON; THE PROGRESS OF ITS INSTITUTIONS; THE MANNERS AND
+CUSTOMS OF ITS PEOPLE. By CHARLES MACKAY. 7_s._
+
+Of the Histories of London which have hitherto appeared, some have been
+too voluminous and costly for the general reader, and others too
+exclusively addressed to the citizen, the antiquarian, or the traveller.
+The object of the present Volume is to furnish in a tangible form, and
+at a small price, a general and popular view of the progress of
+civilization, and of the origin and progress of those events which have
+raised London to its present importance. The work, however, is not
+confined to a history of events, but contains graphic pictures of the
+manners and customs of the people, their sports and pastimes, at
+different periods, and the characteristic incidents of their domestic
+history.
+
+GERMANY, BOHEMIA, AND HUNGARY, VISITED IN 1837. By the Rev. G.R. GLEIG,
+M.A., Chaplain to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. Three Volume's, Post
+Octavo. 1_l._ 11_s._ 6_d._
+
+The principal design of this work is to give some account of the state
+of society as it now exists in Bohemia and Hungary. In order to reach
+these countries, the Author was, of course, obliged to pass through a
+large portion of Germany, where the social condition of the people, as
+well as the civil, ecclesiastical, and military establishments,
+attracted his attention. Upon these he touches, more especially in
+reference to Prussia, towards which the eyes of the rest of Europe are
+at present anxiously turned. But his great design was to obtain and
+communicate information, respecting countries into which few Englishmen
+are accustomed to penetrate. Hence a large portion of his tour, both in
+Bohemia and Hungary, was performed on foot; and the acquaintance which
+he was thereby enabled to form with all ranks and conditions of the
+people, was at once more intimate and more familiar than could have
+taken place had he travelled by a more usual mode of conveyance. He
+looked into the cottage as well as the palace, and he has given some
+account of both.
+
+GERMANY; THE SPIRIT OF HER HISTORY, LITERATURE, SOCIAL CONDITION, AND
+NATIONAL ECONOMY; illustrated by Reference to her Physical, Moral, and
+Political Statistics, and by Comparison with other Countries. By BISSET
+HAWKINS, M.D., Oxon., F.R.S., &c. 10_s._ 6_d._
+
+TREVES; SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CITY OF TREVES, AND OF ITS ROMAN
+ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS. From the German of WYTTENBACH. Edited, with
+NOTES, by DAWSON TURNER, Esq., and illustrated from Drawings made on the
+spot. Octavo. _Nearly Ready._
+
+RESEARCHES IN BABYLONIA, ASSYRIA, AND CHALDAEA; forming part of the
+Labours of the Euphrates Expedition, and _published with the sanction of
+the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Control_, By WILLIAM
+AINSWORTH, F.G.S., F.R.G.S. With Illustrations, Maps, &c. 12_s._ 6_d._
+
+EGYPT AND SINAI. By M. DUMAS, with Notes by the Translator. Uniformly
+with _Three Weeks in Palestine and Lebanon_.
+
+THREE WEEKS IN PALESTINE AND LEBANON. With many Engravings.   3_s._
+
+A  little volume from the Traveller's notes. Descriptions of Baalbec,
+Beiroot, Damietta, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Ramiah, and other places, are
+blended with remarks upon the natives, the incidents of the journey, and
+the observations and reflections which naturally occur to a Clergyman in
+travelling through the Holy Land.
+
+NOTES ON INDIAN AFFAIRS; by the late Hon. F.J. SHORE, Judge of the Civil
+Court and Criminal Sessions of Furrukhabad. 2 Vols., 26s.
+
+The facts and opinions contained in this Work are the result of more
+than fifteen years' residence in India--during which period the Author
+held various situations in the Police, Revenue, and Judicial
+Departments, and was in habits of close communication, both Private and
+Official, with all classes of the Natives.
+
+SCOTLAND; SKETCHES OF ITS COASTS AND ISLANDS, AND OF THE ISLE OF MAN;
+descriptive of the Scenery, and illustrative of the progressive
+Revolution in the Condition of the Inhabitants of those Regions. By LORD
+TEIGNMOUTH, M.P.  2 Vols., with Maps, 21_s_.
+
+THE WEST INDIES; THE NATURAL AND PHYSICAL HISTORY OF THE COLONIES; AND
+THE MORAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL CONDITION OF THE INHABITANTS, BEFORE
+AND AFTER THE ABOLITION OF NEGRO SLAVERY. By SIR ANDREW HALLIDAY, K.H.,
+M.D., F.R.S.E., &c.  With Maps. 10_s_. 6_d_.
+
+NEW ZEALAND; AN ACCOUNT OF THE POSITION, EXTENT, SOIL AND CLIMATE,
+NATURAL PRODUCTIONS AND NATIVE INHABITANTS OF NEW ZEALAND, WITH
+REFERENCE TO BRITISH COLONIZATION. With Charts and Illustrations. 4_s_.
+6_d_.
+
+TWO YEARS AT SEA: NARRATIVE OF A VOYAGE TO THE SWAN RIVER AND VAN
+DIEMEN'S LAND; THENCE, TO VARIOUS PARTS OF INDIA. With Notes of a
+Residence in the Burman Empire, and of the Services and Sufferings of
+the Missionaries in that Country. By JANE ROBERTS. With Engravings,
+5_s_.
+
+MUNGO PARK; HIS LIFE AND TRAVELS: WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HIS DEATH, FROM THE
+JOURNAL OF ISAACO, THE SUBSTANCE OF LATER DISCOVERIES RELATIVE TO HIS
+LAMENTED FATE, AND THE TERMINATION OF THE NIGER. 2_s_. 6_d_.
+
+CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS; HIS LIFE, VOYAGES, AND DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD.
+With Engravings. 2_s_  6_d_.
+
+CAPTAIN COOK; HIS VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES: WITH AN ACCOUNT OF PITCAIRN'S
+ISLAND, AND THE MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. Engravings. 2_s_. 6_d_.
+
+NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION TO GREENLAND, SENT BY ORDER OF THE KING OF
+DENMARK, IN SEARCH OF THE LOST COLONIES; WITH THE CHART COMPLETED BY THE
+EXPEDITION. Published under the Direction of the _Royal Geographical
+Society_. 8_s_. 6_d_.
+
+NEW POCKET GUIDE TO LONDON AND ITS ENVIRONS; containing Descriptions,
+from personal knowledge, of everything worth seeing or knowing, within
+Twenty-five Miles of the Metropolis; enlivened with Biographical and
+other Anecdotes, connected by History of Tradition with the Places
+described. With a Map of the Environs. By JOHN H. BRADY, F.R.A.S.  7_s_.
+
+THE DOMESTIC GARDENER'S MANUAL; being an Introduction to Practical
+Gardening, on Philosophical Principles; to which is added, a
+NATURALIST'S KALENDAR, and an Appendix on the Operations of Forcing,
+including the Culture of Vines in Pots. By JOHN TOWERS, C.M.H.S. Second
+Edition, Enlarged and Improved. One large Volume, Octavo.
+
+Most of the works on gardening which have come under my observation, are
+not only expensive, but appear to have been written almost exclusively
+for the affluent;--for those who possess, or can afford to possess, all
+the luxuries of the garden. We read of the management of hot-houses,
+green-houses, forcing-houses; of nursery-grounds, shrubberies, and other
+concomitants of ornamental gardening. Now, although it is acknowledged
+that many useful ideas may be gathered from these works, still it is
+obvious that they are chiefly written for those whose rank in life
+enables them to employ a chief gardener and assistants, qualified for
+the performance of the many operations required in the various
+departments of large gardens. As I profess to have a very different
+object in view, I address this book to those, who, without aiming to
+become professional gardeners, wish, nevertheless, to acquire so much of
+the art of Gardening as shall enable them to conduct its more common and
+essential operations with facility and precision.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+MUSICAL HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, AND CRITICISM; being a General Survey of
+Music from the earliest Period to the Present Time. By GEORGE HOGARTH.
+_A new and enlarged edition, in Two Volumes.__10s. 6d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LECTURES on ASTRONOMY, delivered at KING'S COLLEGE, London, by the Rev.
+HENRY MOSELEY, M.A., F.R.S., Professor of Natural Philosophy and
+Astronomy in that Institution. With numerous Illustrations. 5_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+*MECHANICS APPLIED TO THE ARTS. By PROFESSOR MOSELEY, of King's College,
+London. A New Edition, corrected and improved. With numerous Engravings.
+_6s. 6d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A MANUAL OF CHEMISTRY, by W.T. BRANDE, F.R.S., Prof, Chem. R.I., and of
+Her Majesty's Mint. 30_s._
+
+Although Three Editions of the _Manual of Chemistry_ have already
+appeared, the present may be considered as a new work. It has been
+almost wholly re-written; everything new and important in the Science,
+both in English and Foreign Works, has been embodied; and it abounds in
+references to Authorities.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+AN INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF CHEMICAL PHILOSOPHY: being a preparatory
+View of the Forces which concur to the Production of Chemical Phenomena.
+By J. FREDERIC DANIELL, F.R.S. Professor of Chemistry in King's College,
+London; and Lecturer on Chemistry and Geology in the Hon. East India
+Company's Military Seminary at Addiscombe; and Author of _Meteorological
+Essays_. 16_s_.
+
+FROM THE PRESS OF JOHN W. PARKER.
+
+* A FAMILIAR HISTORY of BIRDS; their Nature, Habits, and Instincts. By
+EDWARD STANLEY, D.D., F.L.S., Lord Bishop of Norwich; President of the
+Linnaean Society. Two Vols., with Engravings. 7_s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+BRITISH SONG BIRDS; Popular Descriptions and Anecdotes of the Songsters
+of the Groves. By NEVILLE WOOD. _7s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OUTLINES OF GENERAL PATHOLOGY. By GEORGE FRECKLETON, M.D., Cantab.,
+Fellow of the Royal Coll. of Physicians. 7_s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* POPULAR PHYSIOLOGY; familiar Explanations of interesting Facts
+connected with the Structure and Functions of Animals, and particularly
+of Man. By PERCEVAL B. LORD, M.B. Many Engravings. 7_s._ 6_d._
+
+To trace the finger of God in the works of creation, to consider "the
+wonders that He doeth amongst the children of men," has ever been a
+source of the purest and noblest gratification,--that moral
+gratification which a well-framed mind naturally experiences in
+contemplating Infinite Power working out the dictates of Infinite
+Goodness,--that intellectual satisfaction which attends upon our being
+allowed, even imperfectly, to comprehend some small part of the designs
+of Infinite Wisdom.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE DOCTRINE OF LIMITS, with its Applications; namely, The First Three
+Sections of Newton--Conic Sections--The Differential Calculus. By the
+Rev. WILLIAM WHEWELL, B.D., &c. 9_s._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE MECHANICAL EUCLID. By the Rev. WILLIAM WHEWELL, B.D., Fellow and
+Tutor of Trin. Coll. Cambridge. 5_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+AN ELEMENTARY TREATISE on the DIFFERENTIAL and INTEGRAL CALCULUS. By the
+Rev. T.G. HALL, M.A., Professor of Mathematics, King's College, London.
+12_s_. 6_d_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LECTURES upon TRIGONOMETRY, and the APPLICATION of ALGEBRA to GEOMETRY.
+Second Edition, corrected. 7_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+DYNAMICS, or a TREATISE on MOTION; to which is added, a SHORT TREATISE
+on ATTRACTIONS. By SAMUEL EARNSHAW, M.A., of St. John's College,
+Cambridge. Octavo, with many Cuts. 14_s._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE MAGAZINE OF POPULAR SCIENCE; complete in Four large Volumes, Octavo.
+L2 15_s._
+
+This work furnishes the general reader with popular and connected views
+of the actual progress and condition of the Physical Sciences, both at
+home and abroad. The Mechanical Arts, Dietetic Chemistry, the Structure
+of the Earth, Electricity, Galvanism, Gas, Heat, Light, Magnetism, the
+Mathematical Sciences, Philosophical Instruments, Rain, Steam, the
+Cometary System, Tides, Volcanoes, &c., have, among many others, been
+developed in original communications and discussions, abounding in the
+freshest facts, the most recent discoveries; and the latest
+intelligence, which on indefatigable examination of the products of
+Scientific Research, at home and abroad, has been able to furnish.
+
+The Sciences of ASTRONOMY, CHEMISTRY, and GEOLOGY, are comprehensively,
+but popularly, treated in a series of papers, forming regular and
+complete Courses on those several Subjects.
+
+THE STUDENT'S MANUAL OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY; comprising Descriptions,
+Popular and Practical, of the most important Philosophical Instruments,
+their History, Nature and Uses; with complete elucidations of the
+Sciences to which they respectively appertain. Dedicated, by permission,
+to the Lord Bishop of Salisbury. By CHARLES TOMLINSON. 10_s._ 6_d._
+
+In this work certain prominent subjects have been selected with which it
+behoves every one to be acquainted: such, for example, as relate to what
+may be called our HOUSEHOLD INSTRUMENTS, namely, the Thermometer, the
+Barometer, and Vernier; the Hydrometer, the Hygrometer; the Tuning-Fork,
+Musical Glasses and Music generally; the Compass; the Prism, the
+Telescope, and the Sun-Dial. These subjects, and those in immediate
+connexion with them, are treated of extensively; as also their
+application to Science, Art, and, Industry.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* READINGS in SCIENCE; familiar EXPLANATIONS of Appearances and
+Principles in NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. With many Engravings. 5_s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* EASY LESSONS IN MECHANICS: with Familiar Illustrations of the
+Practical Application of Mechanical Principles. 3_s_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+HOUSE I LIVE IN; or Popular Illustrations of the Structure and Functions
+of the Human Body. Edited by T.C. GIRTIN. 2_s_. 6_d_.
+
+"I am fearfully and wonderfully made!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* MINERALS AND METALS; their Natural History and Uses in the Arts: with
+Accounts of Mines and Mining. Engravings. 2_s._ 6_d._
+
+Familiar as we are, from our earliest years, with the various articles
+manufactured from the Metals, for purposes of use and comfort, the
+nature and properties of the metals themselves, and the means by which
+they are obtained, are comparatively little known.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* OUTLINES of ASTRONOMY. By the Rev. T.G. HALL, M.A., Professor of
+Mathematics, King's College, London. With Cuts. 10_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* The ELEMENTS of BOTANY. With many Engravings. NEW EDITION, Enlarged
+and Improved.  2_s._
+
+The principles of this beautiful and important science are explained in
+a clear and simple manner, to as to render the acquisition of them
+comparatively easy, and the examples, when possible, are selected from
+our own wild flowers, or from those cultivated in all gardens or fields.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE ELEMENTS of POLITICAL ECONOMY, abridged from the _Principles of
+Political Economy_ by Professor WAYLAND, D.D. 2_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+MANUAL of INSTRUCTION in VOCAL MUSIC, chiefly with a View to PSALMODY.
+By JOHN TURNER, Esq.  4_s_.
+
+THE MERCHANT AND THE FRIAR; _TRUTHS and FICTIONS_ of the _MIDDLE AGES_
+BY SIR FRANCIS PALGRAVE, K.H., Keeper of the Records of the Treasury of
+Her Majesty's Exchequer. 8_s._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LETTERS of EMINENT PERSONS; selected and Illustrated, and with an
+Introduction, Critical and Anecdotical, by R.A. WILLMOTT, Trinity Coll.
+Camb. Author of the _Lives of British Sacred Poets_.  7_s._ 6_d._
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LIGHT IN DARKNESS; or, THE RECORDS OF A VILLAGE RECTORY. 3_s._ 6_d._
+
+THE VILLAGE.             THE GOOD AUNT.             THE VILLAGE APOTHECARY.
+THE RETIRED TRADESMAN.   THE VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER.  THE DESERTED WIFE.
+THE FAMILY AT THE HALL;
+OR, PRIDE AND POVERTY.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+READINGS in NATURAL THEOLOGY; Or, the Testimony of Nature to the Being,
+Perfections, and Government Of God. By the Rev. H. FERGUS. 4_s._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* READINGS in ENGLISH PROSE LITERATURE; containing choice Specimens OF
+the Works of the best English Writers, from LORD BACON to the Present
+Time. With Biographical Sketches of the Writers, and ESSAYS on the
+PROGRESS of ENGLISH LITERATURE. 4_s._ 6_d._
+
+This volume is intended to furnish the general reader with some valuable
+specimens of English prose composition.  They are taken from the works
+of those writers who have chiefly determined the style of our prose
+literature, and are not only in themselves instructive and entertaining,
+but are also of sufficient variety, and of ample length, to render the
+reader familiar with the beauties and the peculiarities of the various
+writers.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+* READINGS IN POETRY; a Selection from the Works of the best English
+Poets, from Spenser to the present times; with Specimens of the American
+Poets; Notices of the Writers; and Explanatory Notes. 4_s._ 6_d._
+
+A MANUAL of Poetry, comprising the gems of the standard English Poets.
+Care has been taken to select such pieces and passages as best
+illustrate the style of the respective Authors; and it is scarcely
+necessary to add, that scrupulous attention has been paid to the moral
+character of the extracts.
+
+UNIVERSAL MYTHOLOGY; an Account of the most important Mythological
+Systems, their Origin and Connexion. By the Rev HENRY CHRISTMAS, St.
+John's Coll., Camb. 7_s._
+
+The Mythology of Greece and Rome has hitherto been studied almost
+exclusively, though neither the most important, nor the most
+interesting. The systems of the East and of the North, of Egypt and of
+China, would have illustrated the Greek and Roman fables, have cleared
+up their difficulties, and explained their allegories. * * * * This
+object has been attempted in the present work.
+
+THE CAMBRIDGE PORTFOLIO; a Periodical Work comprising Papers
+illustrative of the principal features in the Scholastic and Social
+System of the University; Notices of the most Eminent Characters it has
+produced; Gleanings from the Manuscripts in the several Libraries; and
+Contributions in Original Literature by contemporary Members. It also
+contains descriptive accounts of the principal Buildings in Cambridge,
+their origin, history, and purposes, accompanied by numerous Etchings,
+executed by LEWIS, INCE, G. COOKE, and other eminent Artists. In Parts,
+at 5_s._ each.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+DISSERTATIONS ON THE EUMENIDES OF AESCHYLUS, with the Greek Text, and
+Critical Remarks. From the German of MULLER. 9_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE FROGS OF ARISTOPHANES, with ENGLISH NOTES, for the Use of Schools
+and Students. By the Rev. H. P. COOKESLEY. 7_s._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE AULULARIA of PLAUTUS, with Notes by JAMES HILDYARD, M.A., Fellow of
+Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. 7_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+SCHLEIERMACHER'S INTRODUCTIONS TO THE DIALOGUES of PLATO; translated
+from the German, by WILLIAM DOBSON, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College,
+Cambridge. 12_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ADRIAN, a TALE of ITALY, in Three Cantos; with the STAR OF DESTINY, and
+other Poems. By HENRY COOK, Esc. 7_s._ 6_d._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BRITISH MONTHS, a Poem, in Twelve Parts. By RICHARD MANT, D.D., Lord
+Bishop of Down and Connor.  2 Vols., 9_s._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE STORY of CONSTANTINE; a Poem. By the Rev. THOMAS E. HANKINSON, M.A.,
+of Corpus Christi, Cambridge. 1s. 6d. Also by the same Author, the
+following SEATONIAN PRIZE POEMS:
+
+ETHIOPIA STRETCHING FORTH HER HAND. 1s. 6d. JACOB, 1s. ISHMAEL, 1s. PAUL
+AT PHILIPPI, 2s.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE SATIRES and EPISTLES of HORACE, interpreted by DAVID HUNTER, Esq.,
+M.A. 4s. 6d.
+
+THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIVING; by HERBERT MAYO, F.R.S., Senior Surgeon of the
+Middlesex Hospital. 8s. 6d.
+
+SUMMARY OF THE CONTENTS.
+
+DIVERSITIES OF CONSTITUTION; Temperament; Habit; Diathesis.
+
+OF DIGESTION: Adaptation of Diet to different Constitutions and Ages; on
+the Social Relations of Food.
+
+Of EXERCISE: Exercise of Boys; on the Physical Education of Girls;
+Spinal Curvature; Exercise proper for Adults; for the Aged.
+
+Of SLEEP.
+
+Of BATHING.
+
+Of CLOTHING.
+
+Of AIR and CLIMATE.
+
+HEALTH of MIND; Self-Control; Mental Culture.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+MANAGEMENT of the ORGANS of DIGESTION in HEALTH and DISEASE, by the
+Author of the preceding work. 6s. 6d.
+
+CONTENTS.--Rules of Diet for different Constitutions.--Treatment of the
+various kinds of Indigestion; of Looseness;--of Costiveness.--Local
+Diseases of the Lower Bowel, and their Treatment.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE FAMILY HAND-BOOK, or PRACTICAL INFORMATION in DOMESTIC ECONOMY;
+including Cookery, Household Management, and all other Subjects
+connected with the Health, Comfort, and Expenditure of a Family. With
+Choice Receipts and Valuable Hints. 5s.
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+       *       *       *       *       *
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+THE YOUNG LADY'S FRIEND; a MANUAL of PRACTICAL ADVICE and INSTRUCTION to
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+       *       *       *       *       *
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+A DAILY PRAYER BOOK, for FAMILIES and SCHOOLS; arranged from the
+Services of the United Church of England and Ireland, after the Form and
+Order of Morning and Evening Prayer. By J.T. BARRETT, D.D., Rector of
+Attleborough, Norfolk. 1s. 6d.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
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+A MANUAL OF FAMILY PRAYER; comprising Three Weekly Courses of Morning
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+Rev. A. HORSFALL, M.A. 2s.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
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+THE BOOK OF PRIVATE PRAYER, for Members of the United Church of England
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+Cork and Cloyne. 2s.
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+       *       *       *       *       *
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+SACRED MINSTRELSY; a COLLECTION of the FINEST SACRED MUSIC, by the best
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+accompaniments for the Piano-Forte or Organ. Two Handsome Folio Volumes,
+price 2l. 2s. Half-bound, or in Nos. I. to XXIV., at 1s. 6d.
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+THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DOCTRINE of the EUCHARIST.
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+The Scriptural Argument considered. By THOMAS TUBTON, D.D., Regius Prof.
+of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, and Dean of Peterborough.
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+A LIFE of ARISTOTLE, including a Critical Discussion of some Questions
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+TRADITION UNVEILED: a candid Inquiry into the Tendency of the Doctrines
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+Savilian Professor of Geometry in the University of Oxford. 3s.
+
+The CONNEXION of NATURAL and DIVINE TRUTH; or, the Principles of the
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+BADEN POWELL, M.A., F.R.S., of Oriel College, Savilian Professor of
+Geometry in the University of Oxford. 9s.
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+NATURAL THEOLOGY considered chiefly with reference to LORD BROUGHAM'S
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+Peterborough. 8s.
+
+CUDWORTH ON FREEWILL; Edited from the Original MS., and with Notes, by
+JOHN ALLEN, M.A., Chaplain of King's Coll., London. 3s.
+
+ORIGINAL FAMILY SERMONS: by ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY COTEMPORARY DIVINES OF
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+exists, and that is, the corruptions introduced into the Roman Catholic
+Church, in later ages, on the pretended basis of their authority; the
+legends and miracles interpolated with the narratives of their lives and
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+
+FROM THE PRESS OF JOHN W. PARKER.
+
+THE EDUCATIONAL ECONOMY of ENGLAND. By the
+
+*Rev. JAMES SEESGOLC BOGNE, minister of St. John's, Faddington. 3s. 6d.
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+CONSIDERATIONS on PHRENOLOGY in connexion with an Intellectual, Moral,
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+PRINCIPLES OF ENGLISH UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.
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+* EDUCATION AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN; the _Mother's Book_, adapted to
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+CONVERSATIONS ON GARDENING AND NATURAL HISTORY. With Engravings. 2_s._
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+       *       *       *       *       *
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+COUSIN KATE; or, the Punishment of Pride: a Tale.
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