rmed
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 twelfth 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
illu