In the course of the autumn of the same year I experienced similar impressions.  I walked frequently into the woods, that I might think on the subject in solitude, and find relief to my mind there.  But there the question still recurred, “Are these things true?”—­Still the answer followed as instantaneously “They are.”—­Still the result accompanied it, “Then surely some person should interfere.”  I then began to envy those who had seats in parliament, and who had great riches, and widely extended connections, which would enable them to take up this cause.  Finding scarcely any one at that time who thought of it, I was turned frequently to myself.  But here many difficulties arose.  It struck me, among others, that a young man of only twenty-four years of age could not have that solid judgment, or knowledge of men, manners, and things, which were requisite to qualify him to undertake a task of such magnitude and importance;—­and with whom was I to unite?  I believed also, that it looked so much like one of the feigned labours of Hercules, that my understanding would be suspected if I proposed it.  On ruminating however on the subject, I found one thing at least practicable, and that this also was in my power.  I could translate my Latin dissertation.  I could enlarge it usefully.  I could see how the public received it, or how far they were likely to favour any serious measures, which should have a tendency to produce the abolition of the Slave-trade.  Upon this then I determined; and in the middle of the month of November 1785, I began my work.

By the middle of January, I had finished half of it, though I had made considerable additions.  I now thought of engaging with some bookseller to print it when finished.  For this purpose I called upon Mr. Cadell, in the Strand, and consulted him about it.  He said that as the original Essay had been honoured by the University of Cambridge with the first prize, this circumstance would ensure it a respectable circulation among persons of taste.  I own I was not much pleased with his opinion.  I wished the Essay to find its way among useful people, and among such as would think and act with me.  Accordingly I left Mr. Cadell, after having thanked him for his civility, and determined, as I thought I had time sufficient before dinner, to call upon a friend in the city.  In going past the Royal Exchange, Mr. Joseph Hancock, one of the religious society of the Quakers, and with whose family my own had been long united in friendship, suddenly met me.  He first accosted me by saying that I was the person, whom he was wishing to see.  He then asked me why I had not published my Prize Essay.  I asked him in return what had made him think of that subject in particular.  He replied, that his own Society had long taken it up as a religious body, and individuals among them were wishing to find me out.  I asked him who.  He answered, James Phillips, a bookseller, in George-yard, Lombard-street, and William Dillwyn, of Walthamstow, and others.