The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade by the British Parliament (1808) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 398 pages of information about The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade by the British Parliament (1808).

The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade by the British Parliament (1808) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 398 pages of information about The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade by the British Parliament (1808).
privileges of citizens; and of the murder of Ferrand and Labadie, he imprudently armed his slaves.  With a small but faithful band he rushed upon superior numbers; and was defeated.  Taking refuge at length in the Spanish part of St. Domingo, he was given up; and his enemies, to strike terror into the People of Colour, broke him upon the wheel.  From this time reconciliation between the parties became impossible.  A bloody war commenced, and with it all those horrors which it has been our lot so frequently to deplore.  It must be remembered, however, that the Slave-trade, by means of the cruel distinctions it occasioned, was the original cause; and though the revolution of France afforded the occasion; it was an occasion which would have been prevented, if it had not been for the intrigues and injustice of the Whites.

[Footnote A:  Africa.]

Another, upon whom I had time to call, was the amiable Bishop of Chartres.  When I left him, the Abbe Syeyes, who was with him, desired to walk with me to my hotel.  He there presented me with a set of his works, which he sent for, while he staid with me; and on parting, he made use of this complimentary expression, in allusion, I suppose, to the cause I had undertaken,—­“I am pleased to have been acquainted with the friend of man.”

It was necessary that I should see the Comte de Mirabeau and the Marquis de la Fayette, before I left Paris.  I had written to each of them to communicate the intelligence of my departure, as soon as I received it.  The Comte, it appeared, had nearly canvassed the Assembly.  He could count upon three hundred members, who, for the sake of justice, and without any consideration of policy or of consequences, would support his motion.  But alas! what proportion did this number bear to twelve hundred?  About five hundred more would support him; but only on one condition; which was, if England would give an unequivocal proof of her intention to abolish the trade.  The knowledge of these circumstances, he said, had induced him to write a letter to Mr. Pitt.  In this he had explained, how far he could proceed without his assistance, and how far with it.  He had frankly developed to him the mind and temper of the Assembly on this subject; but his answer must be immediate:  for the White Colonists were daily gaining such an influence there, that he foresaw it would be impossible to carry the measure, if it were long delayed.  On taking leave of him he desired me to be the bearer of the letter, and to present it to Mr. Pitt.

On conversing with the Marquis de la Fayette, he lamented deeply the unexpected turn, which the cause of the Negros had lately taken in the Assembly.  It was entirely owing to the daily intrigues of the White Colonists.  He feared they would ruin every thing.  If the Deputies of Colour had been heard on their arrival, their rights would have been acknowledged.  But now there was little probability that they would obtain them.  He foresaw nothing but desolation

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade by the British Parliament (1808) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.