Mr. Wilberforce in this great measure.  He wished them to consider the progress, which the opinion of the injustice of this trade was making in the nation at large, as manifested by the petitions; which had almost obstructed the proceedings of the House by their perpetual introduction.  It was impossible for them to stifle this great question.  As for himself, he would renew his profession of last year, that he would never cease, but with life, to promote so glorious an end.

Mr. Whitbread said, that even if he could conceive, that the trade was, as some had asserted it to be, founded on principles of humanity; that the Africans were rescued from death in their own country; that, upon being carried to the West Indies, they were put under kind masters; that their labour there was easy; that at evening they returned cheerful to their homes; that in sickness they were attended with care; and that their old age was rendered comfortable; even then he would vote for the abolition of the Slave-trade; inasmuch as he was convinced, that that, which was fundamentally wrong, no practice could justify.

No eloquence could persuade him, that the Africans were torn from their country and their dearest connections, merely that they might lead a happier life; or that they could be placed under the uncontrolled dominion of others without suffering.  Arbitrary power would spoil the hearts of the best.  Hence would arise tyranny on the one side, and a sense of injury on the other.  Hence the passions would be let loose, and a state of perpetual enmity would follow.

He needed only to go to the accounts of those who defended the system of slavery, to show that it was cruel.  He was forcibly struck last year by an expression of an honourable member, an advocate for the trade, who, when he came to speak of the slaves, on selling off the stock of a plantation, said, that they fetched less than the common price, because they were damaged.—­Damaged!—­What! were they goods and chattels?  What an idea was this to hold out of our fellow-creatures.  We might imagine how slaves were treated, if they could be spoken of in such a manner.  Perhaps these unhappy people had lingered out the best part of their lives in the service of their master.  Able then to do but little, they were sold for little! and the remaining substance of their sinews was to be pressed out by another, yet more hardened than the former, and who had made a calculation of their vitals accordingly.

As another proof, he would mention a passage in a pamphlet, in which the author, describing the happy situation of the slaves, observed, that a good Negro never wanted a character.  A bad one could always be detected by his weals and scars.  What was this but to say, that there were instruments in use, which left indelible marks behind them; and who would say, that these were used justly?

An honourable gentleman, Mr. Vaughan, had said, that setting aside slavery, the slaves were better off than the poor in this country.  But what was it that we wished to abolish?  Was it not the Slave-trade, which would destroy in time the cruel distinction he had mentioned?  The same honourable gentleman had also expressed his admiration of their resignation; but might it not be that resignation, which was the consequence of despair?