is that which would be the
duty of each individual sitting there, namely, to sacrifice
objects of advantage to principles of justice. It is, however, a
great question, and of no little embarrassment to Government,
who run the risk of offending a numerous and powerful body of
men. I am told that there is an idea of calling the county of
Bucks together, to petition as other counties have done. This
will be very distressing to me, because, although my opinion is
formed, it would not be very decent for me to declare it
publicly, while an inquiry is pending at the Board of which I am
a member.

The subject was new and startling at this time, and Lord Buckingham took
alarm at the notion of a sudden and complete measure of abolition.
Having communicated his doubts to Mr. Grenville, the reply of the latter
expresses a general concurrence in his views.

Our ideas do not seem very different as to the Slave Trade. I
never entertained an idea that we could liberate the slaves
actually in the Islands, except by some such gradual measure as
you mention. But I am very sanguine in thinking that a law
preventing the carrying any more slaves to the Islands in
British ships (the only vessels that can legally trade there)
may be passed and enforced without considerable difficulty or
danger.

Towards the end of January Lord Mornington writes:

We are all very eagerly engaged in considering a plan for the
abolition of the Slave Trade, which is to be soon brought
forward by Wilberforce. I hear that Burke is to prove slavery to
be an excellent thing for negroes, and that there is a great
distinction between an Indian Begum and an African Wowski.

That some of the supporters of the Administration did not consider Mr.
Wilberforce the fittest person to bring forward the question is frankly
avowed in several of these letters. Sir William Young, a constant and
lively correspondent, communicates his apprehensions on this point to
Lord Buckingham. His letter is dated the 20th of February.

The French have offered our people of Liverpool (hearing that we
are on the eve of surrendering our Slave Trade) no less than L5
per ton premium to carry on the trade between Africa and the
French islands. When Wilberforce intends to come forward is not
settled, nor what his precise motion. I cannot help feeling its
absurdity _d'av