ing, that he determined to see 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 every thing 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 connection 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 any body 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 Britai