The idea of possible legislation on this subject was no sooner broached than it was at once taken up and found able advocates.  Here Pitt and Fox were of one mind, and were supported by the veteran advocate for justice and right, Edmund Burke.  The latter had some years before attempted to call attention to this very subject.  Certain Bristol merchants, his wealthy constituents, had thus been grievously offended at the aberrations of the representative of their city.  As early as 1780 he had drawn up an elaborate “Negro Code,” of which it may be said, that, had some of its regulations been heeded, at least one leaf in the world’s history would have presented a different reading from that which it now bears.  Mr. Burke was at this time in the decline of life, and was well pleased that other and younger advocates were enlisted in the same great cause.

A bill was brought forward at this session, by one of the friends of the cause, Sir W. Dolben, for lessening immediately the cruelties of the trade.  It will be remembered that up to this time slave-ships had sailed up the Thames all unmolested, were accustomed to fit out for their voyages, and, having disposed of their cargoes, to return.  A vessel of this description had arrived at the port of London.  The subject of the traffic having become invested with interest, a portion of the members of the House paid a visit to the ill-starred craft.  The deplorably narrow quarters where hundreds of human beings were to be stowed away during the weeks that might be necessary to make their passage produced upon the minds of these gentlemen a most unfavorable impression.  The various insignia of the trade did not tend to lessen this, but rather changed disgust into horror.  Something must be done for the reformation of these abuses, and that immediately.  The bill for regulating the trade passed both Houses, notwithstanding a vigorous opposition, and became a law.  By the provisions of this bill the trade was so restricted that owners and officers of vessels were forbidden by law to receive such excessive cargoes as they had hitherto done.  The number of slaves should henceforth be limited and regulated by the tonnage of the ship.  This was something gained.  But the anti-slavery party, though in its infancy, had already begun to show the features of its maturer days.  Its strenuous and uncompromising nature began to manifest itself.  The law for regulating the trade displeased the members who sought its abolition.  They were, however, pacified by the assurance that this was by no means regarded as a remedy for the evil, but simply as a check upon its outrages.

In the spring of the following year, in pursuance of Mr. Pitt’s motion, the subject was again brought forward.  Mr. Wilberforce was now ready for the occasion, and on the 12th of May, 1789, in a speech of three hours and a half, he held the attention of the House, while he unfolded the African Slave-Trade in its several points of view,—­its nature, being founded in injustice, its cruelties, the terrible mortality of the slave-ship, the demoralizing influence of the trade upon British sailors, and the astonishing waste of life among them, as well as among the captive negroes.