uous, 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 every thing, 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 world, 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