nstances
were adduced in which state-lotteries had led to robbery and suicide;
and a petition was presented from the grand jury of Middlesex, earnestly
praying the house to take the subject into consideration. These
representations produced such an impression, that a motion was
forthwith carried for a committee to inquire into the evils arising from
lotteries.

{GEORGE III. 1792-1793}

THE SLAVE-TRADE QUESTION.

Although defeated in his humane endeavours to effect the abolition of
the slave-trade during the last session, yet Mr. Wilberforce resolved to
persevere in the great cause which he had undertaken. And in this he was
now supported by popular opinion; not less than five hundred and eight
petitions having been presented, in the early part of the sessions,
praying for the abolition of that abominable traffic. Thus encouraged,
on the 2nd of April, Wilberforce moved, in a committee of the whole
house, "that it is the opinion of this committee, that the trade carried
on by British subjects, for the purpose of procuring slaves from Africa,
ought to be entirely abolished." In his speech, which was very able and
eloquent, the mover declared that he would never abandon this business
till he had obtained his object; and he intimated that if he carried his
present motion, he would follow it up by another to this effect:--"That
the chairman be directed to move the house for leave to bring in a
bill for the abolition of the slave-trade." Wilberforce was opposed
by Jenkinson, Colonel Tarleton, and other members interested in the
slave-trade, who endeavoured to show that our West India islands would
be useless without such a traffic, and who treated the petitions on the
table with contempt, as signed by raw youths, inexperienced persons, or
needy individuals, who wrote their names for money. On the other hand,
the motion was eloquently supported by Thornton, Montague, Whitbread,
Pitt, and Fox. One of the most powerful speeches was that delivered by
the prime-minister. The subject was not made a cabinet question; but
every member of administration was left to follow that line of conduct
which their own notions of policy, expediency, or right might dictate.
Dundas, who had recently become secretary of state, by the resignation
of the Duke of Leeds, was averse to instant abolition; and he
recommended a middle course, which he thought might reconcile the
interests of the West India islands with the eventual abolition of the