We would say a few words relative to the numerous petitions, which were then on the table of the House.  They had shown, in an extraordinary manner, the opinion of the people.  He did not wish to turn this into a constitutional question; but he would observe, that it was of the utmost consequence to the maintenance of the constitution of this country, that the reputation of Parliament should be maintained.  But nothing could prejudice its character so much, as a vote, which should lead the people to believe, that the legislative body was the more corrupt part of it, and that it was slow to adopt moral principles.

It had been often insinuated that Parliament, by interfering in this trade, departed from its proper functions.  No idea could be more absurd:  for, was it not its duty to correct abuses? and what abuses were greater than robbery and murder?  He was indeed anxious for the abolition.  He desired it, as a commercial man, on account of the commercial character of the country.  He desired it for the reputation of Parliament, on which so materially depended the preservation of our happy constitution:  but most of all he prayed for it for the sake of those eternal principles of justice, which it was the duty of nations, as well as of individuals, to support.

Colonel Tarleton repeated his arguments of the last year.  In addition to these he inveighed bitterly against the abolitionists, as a junto of sectaries, sophists, enthusiasts, and fanatics.  He condemned the abolition as useless, unless other nations would take it up.  He brought to the recollection of the House the barbarous scenes which had taken place in St. Domingo, all of which, he said, had originated in the discussion of this question.  He described the alarms, in which the inhabitants of our own islands were kept, lest similar scenes should occur from the same cause.  He ridiculed the petitions on the table.  Itinerant clergymen, mendicant physicians, and others, had extorted signatures from the sick, the indigent, and the traveller.  School-boys were invited to sign them, under the promise of a holiday.  He had letters to produce, which would prove all these things, though he was not authorized to give up the names of those who had written them.

Mr. Montagu said, that, in the last session, he had simply entered his protest against the trade; but now he could be no longer silent; and as there were many, who had conceived regulation to be more desirable than abolition, he would confine himself to that subject.

Regulation, as it related to the manner of procuring slaves, was utterly impossible:  for how could we know the case of each individual, whom we forced away into bondage?  Could we establish tribunals all along the coast, and in every ship, to find it out?  What judges could we get for such an office?  But, if this could not be done upon the coast, how could we ascertain the justness of the captivity of by far the greatest number, who were brought from immense distances inland?