In behalf of the African there existed a somewhat widely spread public sympathy, the fruit of the previous long-continued presentation of the subject, and at this time it seemed about to be aroused.  Several petitions, having reference to Slavery, were sent into the House of Commons.  The first of these came from the Quakers, and Mr. Wilberforce, on presenting it, took occasion to make an address to the House.  In place of Mr. Pitt now stood Mr. Canning, who inquired of Mr. Wilberforce if he intended to found upon his remarks any motion.  He replied,—­“No; but that such was the intention of an esteemed friend of his.”  Mr. Buxton then announced his intention of submitting to the House a motion that the state of Slavery in the British Colonies be taken into consideration.

On the 15th of May, 1823, the expected debate took place.  Mr. Buxton began by moving a resolution, “That the state of Slavery is repugnant to the principles of the British Constitution and of the Christian Religion, and that it ought to be gradually abolished throughout the British Colonies, with as much expedition as may be found consistent with a due regard to the well-being of the parties concerned.”

A lively debate followed, and certain resolutions drawn up by Mr. Canning were finally carried.  These articles, as well as Mr. Buxton’s motion, had in view a gradual improvement in the condition and character of the slaves.  In pursuance of the object to be attained, circular letters were addressed to the Colonial authorities, recommending, with regard to the negroes, certain enlargements of privileges.  These letters were extremely moderate in their tone.  The reforms were simply recommended, not authoritatively enjoined; in the language of Mr. Canning, the movement was such a one “as should be compatible with the well-being of the slaves themselves, with the safety of the Colonies, and with a fair and equitable consideration of the rights of private property.”

Moderate as were the measures first set on foot for the improvement of the social state of the slaves, the authors were not by that means secured from opposition.  This was accompanied, on the part of the West India planters, by such an extreme violence as was hardly expected, at least by the Premier, who had so favorably met the introduction of the subject, if he had not actually committed himself to the work.  The leaders of the movement, who had but just now been borne onward by the wave of public approval, found themselves fiercely denounced.  Here is a brief paragraph which appeared at that time in a Jamaica newspaper:—­

“We pray the imperial Parliament to amend their origin, which is bribery; to cleanse their consciences, which are corrupt; to throw off their disguise, which is hypocrisy; to break off with their false allies, who are the saints; and finally, to banish from among them the purchased rogues, who are three-fourths of their number.”

Among the reforms recommended to the Colonists, by the circular letters of the Government, was one which had reference to the indecent flogging of the female slaves, and also a suggestive restraint upon corporal punishment in general.  This called forth in a Colonial paper the following, which certainly has the merit of being entirely unambiguous:—­