Mr. Pitt rejoiced that the debate had taken a turn, which contracted the question into such narrow limits.  The matter then in dispute was merely as to the time at which the abolition should take place.  He therefore congratulated the House, the country, and the world, that this great point had been gained; that we might now consider this trade as having received its condemnation; that this curse of mankind was seen in its true light; and that the greatest stigma on our national character, which ever yet existed, was about to be removed!  Mankind, he trusted, were now likely to be delivered from the greatest practical evil that ever afflicted the human race—­from the most severe and extensive calamity recorded in the history of the world.

His honourable friend (Mr. Jenkinson) had insinuated, that any act for the abolition would be evaded.  But if we were to enforce this act with all the powers of the country, how could it fail to be effectual?  But his honourable friend had himself satisfied him upon this point.  He had acknowledged, that the trade would drop of itself, on account of the increasing dearness of the commodity imported.  He would ask then, if we were to leave to the importer no means of importation but by smuggling; and if, besides all the present disadvantages, we were to load him with all the charges and hazards of the smuggler, would there be any danger of any considerable supply of fresh slaves being poured into the islands through this channel?  The question under these circumstances, he pronounced, would not bear a dispute.

His honourable friend had also maintained, that it would be inexpedient to stop the importations immediately, because the deaths and births in the islands were as yet not equal.  But he (Mr. Pitt) had proved last year, from the most authentic documents, that an increase of the births above the deaths had already taken place.  This then was the time for beginning the abolition.  But he would now observe, that five years had elapsed since these documents were framed; and therefore the presumption was, that the Black population was increasing at an extraordinary rate.  He had not, to be sure, in his consideration of the subject, entered into the dreadful mortality arising from the clearing of new lands.  Importations for this purpose were to be considered, not as carrying on the trade, but as setting on foot a Slave-trade, a measure which he believed no one present would then support.  He therefore asked his honourable friend, whether the period he had looked to was now arrived? whether the West Indies, at this hour, were not in a state, in which they could maintain their population?