But there was an instance which militated against these facts (and the only one in the evidence) which he would now examine.  Sir Archibald Campbell had heard, that the Maroons in Jamaica in the year 1739 amounted to three thousand men fit to carry arms.  This supposed their whole number to have been about twelve thousand.  But in the year 1782, after a real muster by himself, he found, to his great astonishment, that the fighting men did not then amount to three hundred.  Now the fact was, that Sir Archibald Campbell’s first position was founded upon rumour only; and was not true.  For according to Mr. Long, the Maroons were actually numbered in 1749; when they amounted to about six hundred and sixty in all, having only a hundred and fifty men fit to carry arms.  Hence, if when mustered by Sir Archibald Campbell he found three hundred fighting men, they must from 1749 to 1782 have actually doubled their population.

Was it possible, after these instances, to suppose that the Negros could not keep up their numbers, if their natural increase were made a subject of attention?  The reverse was proved by sound reasoning.  It had been confirmed by unquestionable facts.  It had been shown, that they had increased In every situation, where there was the slightest circumstance in their favour.  Where there had been any decrease, it was stated to be trifling; though no attention appeared to have been paid to the subject.  This decrease had been gradually lessening; and, whenever a single cause of it had been removed (many still remaining), it had altogether ceased.  Surely these circumstances formed a body of proof, which was irresistible.

He would now speak of the consequences of the abolition of the Slave-trade in other points of view; and first, as to its effects upon our marine.  An abstract of the Bristol and Liverpool muster-rolls had been just laid before the House.  It appeared from this, that in three hundred and fifty slave-vessels, having on board twelve thousand two hundred and sixty-three persons, two thousand six hundred and forty-three were lost in twelve months; whereas in four hundred and sixty-two West Indiamen, having on board seven thousand six hundred and forty persons, one hundred and eighteen only were lost in seven months.  This rather exceeded the losses stated by Mr. Clarkson.  For their barbarous usage on board these ships, and for their sickly and abject state in the West Indies, he would appeal to Governor Parry’s letter; to the evidence of Mr. Ross; to the assertion of Mr. B. Edwards, an opponent; and to the testimony of Captains Sir George Yonge and Thompson, of the Royal Navy.  He would appeal also to what Captain Hall, of the Navy, had given in evidence.  This gentleman, after the action of the twelfth of April, impressed thirty hands from a slave-vessel, whom he selected with the utmost care from a crew of seventy; and he was reprimanded by his admiral, though they could scarcely get men to bring home the prizes, for introducing such wretches to communicate disorders to the fleet.  Captain Smith of the Navy had also declared, that when employed to board Guineamen to impress sailors, although he had examined near twenty vessels, he never was able to get more than two men, who were fit for service; and these turned out such inhuman fellows, although good seamen, that he was obliged to dismiss them from the ship.