ward to
with pleasure and satisfaction by this excellent Society, which
has worked so hard in this great cause of humanity.

"We may be all proud, ladies and gentlemen, that England was the
first country which abolished negro Slavery. Parliament voted,
and the nation paid, twenty million pounds to facilitate this
object. Our example was followed by many other countries, though
I regret to say that in Brazil and Cuba slavery still exists, as
well as in Mohammedan and heathen countries. It is a very
natural temptation that, in newly-peopled countries, and
especially when the climate prevents Europeans from working,
forced labour should be introduced. The Duke of Gloucester very
properly said that 'The Slave-trade can only be thoroughly
abolished by the abolition of Slavery; that while there is a
demand, there will be a supply; this is the keynote of the
Society during its existence.'

"Principally owing to the indefatigable exertions of the
undaunted Thomas Clarkson and his great Parliamentary coadjutor,
William Wilberforce, the Slave-trade and the untold horrors of
the Middle Passage were, as far as Great Britain was concerned,
put an end to in the year 1807. The majority, therefore, of the
Slaves in the West Indian Islands who received the benefit of
the Emancipation Act were descendants of those Africans who had
been originally torn from the forests of Africa. Speaking of the
proclamation of the emancipation of the Slaves in the colonies,
Mr. Buxton said:--'Throughout the colonies the churches and
chapels had been thrown open, and the Slaves had crowded into
them on the evening of the 31st of July, 1834. As the hour of
midnight approached they fell upon their knees, and awaited the
solemn moment, all hushed, silent, and prepared. When twelve
o'clock sounded from the chapel bells they sprang upon their
feet, and through every island rang glad sounds of thanksgiving
to the Father of all, for the chains were broken and the Slaves
were free.'

"I may mention that I have within a short time ago received a
telegram from the President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference
in session at Burslem, congratulating me and you on the meeting
of to-day, and stating that it was during the session of the
Conference in 1834 that the abolition of Slavery in the West
Indian Colonie