“That your petitioners, reflecting with the deepest sensibility on the deplorable condition of that part of the human species, the African Negros, who by the most flagitious means are reduced to slavery and misery in the British colonies, beg leave to address this honourable house in their behalf, and to express a just abhorrence of a system of oppression, which no prospect of private gain, no consideration of public advantage, no plea of political expediency, can sufficiently justify or excuse.

“That, satisfied as your petitioners are that this inhuman system meets with the general execration of mankind, they flatter themselves the day is not far distant when it will be universally abolished.  And they most ardently hope to see a British parliament, by the extinction of that sanguinary traffic, extend the blessings of liberty to millions beyond this realm, hold up to an enlightened world a glorious and merciful example, and stand foremost in the defence of the violated rights of human nature.”

This petition was presented by the honourable Ann Poulet, and Alexander Hood, esq., (now lord Bridport) who were the members for the town of Bridgewater.  It was ordered to lie on the table.  The answer, which these gentlemen gave to their constituents relative to the reception of it in the house of commons, is worthy of notice:  “There did not appear,” say they in their common letter, “the least disposition to pay any farther attention to it.  Every one almost says, that the abolition of the Slave-trade must immediately throw the West Indian islands into convulsions, and soon complete their utter ruin.  Thus they will not trust Providence for its protection for so pious an undertaking.”

In the year 1786, captain J.S.  Smith of the royal navy offered himself to the notice of the public in behalf of the African cause.  Mr. Ramsay, as I have observed before, had become involved in a controversy in consequence of his support of it.  His opponents not only attacked his reputation, but had the effrontery to deny his facts.  This circumstance occasioned captain Smith to come forward.  He wrote a letter to his friend Mr. Hill, in which he stated that he had seen those things, while in the West Indies, which Mr. Ramsay had asserted to exist, but which had been so boldly denied.  He gave also permission to Mr. Hill to publish this letter.  Too much praise cannot be bestowed on captain Smith, for thus standing forth in a noble cause, and in behalf of an injured character.

The last of the necessary forerunners and coadjutors of this class, whom I am to mention, was our much-admired poet, Cowper; and a great coadjutor he was, when we consider what value was put upon his sentiments, and the extraordinary circulation of his works.  There are few persons, who have not been properly impressed by the following lines: