It was now almost certain, to the inexpressible joy of the committee, that the cause, with proper vigilance, could be carried in the next session in the House of Commons.  It became them therefore to prepare to support it.  In adverting to measures for this purpose, it occurred to them, that the House of Lords, if the question should be then carried to them from the Commons, might insist upon hearing evidence on the general subject.  But, alas, even the body of witnesses, which had been last collected, was broken by death or dispersion!  It was therefore to be formed again.  In this situation it devolved upon me, as I had now returned to the committee after an absence of nine years, to take another journey for this purpose.

This journey I performed with extraordinary success.  In the course of it I had also much satisfaction on another account.  I found the old friends of the cause still faithful to it.  It was remarkable, however, that the youth of the rising generation knew but little about the question.  For the last eight or nine years the committee had not circulated any books; and the debates in the Commons during that time had not furnished them with the means of an adequate knowledge concerning it.  When, however, I conversed with these, as I travelled along, I discovered a profound attention to what I said; an earnest desire to know more of the subject; and a generous warmth in favour of the injured Africans, which I foresaw could soon be turned into enthusiasm.  Hence I perceived that the cause furnished us with endless sources of rallying:  and that the ardour which we had seen with so much admiration in former years, could be easily renewed.

I had scarcely finished my journey, when Mr. Pitt died.  This event took place in January 1806, I shall stop therefore to make a few observations upon his character, as it related to this cause.  This I feel myself bound in justice to do, because his sincerity towards it has been generally questioned.

The way, in which Mr. Pitt became acquainted with this question, has already been explained.  A few doubts having been removed, when it was first started, he professed himself a friend to the abolition.  The first proof, which he gave of his friendship to it is known but to few; but it is, nevertheless, true, that so early as in 1788, he occasioned a communication to be made to the French government, in which he recommended an union of the two countries for the promotion of the great measure.  This proposition seemed to be then new and strange to the Court of France; and the answer was not favourable.