Mr. Burdon rose, and said he was embarrassed to know how to act.  Mr. Wilberforce had in a great measure met his ideas.  Indeed he considered himself as much in his hands; but he wished to go gradually to the abolition of the trade.  He wished to give time to the planters to recruit their stocks.  He feared the immediate abolition might occasion a monopoly among such of them as were rich, to the detriment of the less affluent.  We ought, like a judicious physician, to follow nature, and to promote a gradual recovery.

Mr. Francis rose next.  After complimenting Mr. Wilberforce, he stated that personal considerations might appear to incline him to go against the side which he was about to take, namely, that of strenuously supporting his motion.  Having himself an interest in the West Indies, he thought that what he should submit to the house would have the double effect of evidence and argument; and he stated most unequivocally his opinion, that the abolition of the Slave-trade would tend materially to the benefit of the West Indies.

The arguments urged by the honourable mover were supported by the facts, which he had adduced from the evidence, more strongly than any arguments had been supported in any speech be had ever heard.  He wished, however, that more of these facts had been introduced into the debate; for they were apt to have a greater effect upon the mind than mere reasonings, however just and powerful.  Many had affirmed that the Slave-trade was politic and expedient; but it was worthy of remark, that no man had ventured to deny that it was criminal.  Criminal, however, be declared it to be in the highest degree; and he believed it was equally impolitic.  Both its inexpediency and injustice had been established by the honourable mover.  He dwelt much on the unhappy situation of the Negros in the West Indies, who were without the protection of government or of efficient laws, and subject to the mere caprice of men, who were at once the parties, the judges, and the executioners.

He instanced an overseer, who, having thrown a Negro into a copper of boiling cane-juice for a trifling offence, was punished merely by the loss of his place, and by being obliged to pay the value of the slave.  He stated another instance of a girl of fourteen, who was dreadfully whipped for coming too late to her work.  She fell down motionless after it; and was then dragged along the ground, by the legs, to an hospital; where she died.  The murderer, though tried, was acquitted by a jury of his peers, upon the idea, that it was impossible a master could destroy his own property.  This was a notorious fact.  It was published in the Jamaica Gazette; and it had even happened since the question of the abolition had been started.