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When a man gives up 5001. or 1001. against himself upon a complicated reckoning, he is called generous, and, when he insists on it in his own favour, he is deemed niggardly; the common course, when parties disagree, is, what the vulgar phrase calls," to split the difference." If I could feel that I am to calculate upon the subject in this way, the side on which I should determine it would be in favour of the unhappy sufferers, not of those who oppress them. But this one year is only to shew the planters that Parliament is willing to be liberal to them. Sir, I do not understand complimenting away the lives of so many human beings. I do not understand the principle on which a few individuals are to be complimented, and their minds set at rest, at the expence and total sacrifice of the interest, the security, the happiness, of a whole quarter of the world, which, from our foul practices, has for a vast length of time been a scene of misery and horror. I say, because I feel, that every hour you continue this trade, you are guilty of an offence beyond your power to atone for; and by your indulgence to the planters, thousands of human beings are to be miserable for ever. Notwithstanding the bill passed for regulating the middle passage, even now the loss of the trade is no less than ten per cent.;

such

such is still the mortality of this deleterious traffic! Every year in which you continue this abominable trade, you add thousands to the catalogue of miserable beings, which if you could behold in a single instance, you would revolt with horror from the scene; but the size of the misery prevents you from beholding it. Five hundred out of one thousand that are taken in this traffic, perish in this scene of horror; are miserable victims brought to their graves; this is the effect of this system of slavery. The remaining part of this miserable groupe are tainted both in body and in mind, covered with disease and infection, infecting the very earth on which they tread, and the air in which they breathe, carrying with them the seeds of pestilence and insurrection to your island. Let me then ask, if I am improperly pressing upon the House a question, whether they can derive any advantage from these doubtful effects of a calculation on the continuance of the traffic; and whether they think that two will not be better than three years, for its continuance? I feel the infamy of the trade so. heavily, the impolicy of it so clearly, that I am ashamed I have not been able to convince the House to abandon it altogether at an instant, to pronounce with one voice the immediate and total abolition, There is no ex

cuse

cuse for us, seeing this infernal traffic as we do. It is the very death of justice to utter a syllable in sup> port of it. Sir, I know I state this subject with warmth: I feel it is impossible for me not to do so; or if it was, I should detest myself for the exercise of moderation. I cannot, without suffering every feeling and every passion that ought to rise in the cause of humanity to sleep within me, speak coolly upon such a subject. Did they feel, as I think they ought, I am sure the decision of the House would be with us for a total and immediate abolition of this abominable traffic.

As to the probability upon this subject, that in the year 1795, the plantations will not be in a state fit to carry on business without the importation of fresh negroes, I will say, that there is no probability of that conclusion. They would be in a situation in 1795 to go on without importation-they would be in that situation in 1794, they would be in that situation in 1793; for I have proved them to be in that situation in 1788. In short, unless I have misunderstood the subject, and unless some reason, much superior to any I have yet heard, be adduced, I shall think it the most singular act that ever was done by a deliberative assembly, to refuse to assent to the proposed amendment; it was by an express

express resolution declared to be the first object of their desire, the first object of their duty, and the first object of their inclination.

Lord Mornington's motion for the abolition in 1795 was negatived. Ayes 121. Noes 161.

A motion was afterwards made by Sir Edward Knatchbull, for the abolition to take place (January 1) in 1796. Ayes 151. Noes 132.

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ALAS! I am an orphan boy,

With nought on earth to cheer my heart;

No father's love, no mother's joy,

Nor kin nor kind to take my part.

My lodging is the cold, cold ground;
I eat the bread of charity;

And when the kiss of love goes round
There is no kiss, alas! for me.

Yet once I had a father dear,
A mother too I wont to prize,
With ready hand to wipe the tear,
If chanc'd a transient tear to rise,

But

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