But the difficulties and disappointments in other respects, which I experienced in this tour, even where I had an introduction, and where the parties were not interested in the continuance of the Slave-trade, were greater than people in general would have imagined.  One would have thought, considering the great enthusiasm of the nation on this important subject, that they, who could have given satisfactory information upon it, would have rejoiced to do it.  But I found it otherwise, and this frequently to my sorrow.  There was an aversion in persons to appear before such a tribunal as they conceived the privy council to be.  With men of shy or timid character this operated as an insuperable barrier in their way.  But it operated more or less upon all.  It was surprising to see what little circumstances affected many.  When I took out my pen and ink to put down the information, which a person was giving me, he became evidently embarrassed and frightened.  He began to excuse himself from staying, by alleging that he had nothing more to communicate, and he took himself away as quickly as he could with decency.  The sight of the pen and ink had lost me so many good evidences, that I was obliged wholly to abandon the use of them, and to betake myself to other means.  I was obliged for the future to commit my tables of questions to memory, and endeavour by practice to put down, after the examination of a person, such answers as he had given me to each of them.

Others went off because it happened that immediately on my interview, I acquainted them with the nature of my errand, and solicited their attendance in London.  Conceiving that I had no right to ask them such a favour, or terrified at the abruptness and apparent awfulness of my request, some of them gave me an immediate denial, which they would never afterwards retract.  I began to perceive in time that it was only by the most delicate management that I could get forward on these occasions.  I resolved therefore for the future, except in particular cases, that, when I should be introduced to persons who had a competent knowledge of this trade, I would talk with them upon it as upon any ordinary subject, and then leave them without saying any thing about their becoming evidences.  I would take care, however, to commit all their conversation to writing, when it was over, and I would then try to find out that person among their relations or friends, who could apply to them for this purpose with the least hazard of a refusal.

There were others also, who, though they were not so much impressed by the considerations mentioned, yet objected to give their public testimony.  Those, whose livelihood, or promotion, or expectations, were dependent upon the government of the country, were generally backward on these occasions.  Though they thought they discovered in the parliamentary conduct of Mr. Pitt, a bias in favour of the cause, they knew to a certainty that the Lord Chancellor Thurlow was against it.  They conceived, therefore, that the administration was at least divided upon the question, and they were fearful of being called upon lest they should give offence, and thus injure their prospects in life.  This objection was very prevalent in that part of the kingdom which I had selected for my tour.