He doubted, whether it was not almost an act of degrading condescension to stoop to discuss the question in the view of commercial interest.  On this ground, however, he was no less strong than on every other.  Africa abounded with productions of value, which she would gladly exchange for our manufactures, when these were not otherwise to be obtained:  and to what an extent her demand might then grow exceeded almost the powers of computation.  One instance already existed of a native king, who being debarred by his religion the use of spirituous liquors, and therefore not feeling the irresistible temptation to acts of rapine which they afforded to his countrymen, had abolished the Slave-trade throughout all his dominions, and was encouraging an honest industry.

For his own part, he declared that, interested as he might be supposed to be in the final event of the question, he was comparatively indifferent as to the present decision of the House upon it.  Whatever they might do, the people of Great Britain, he was confident, would abolish the Slave-trade when, as would then soon happen, its injustice and cruelty should be fairly laid before them.  It was a nest of serpents, which would never have existed so long, but for the darkness in which they lay hid.  The light of day would now be let in on them, and they would vanish from the sight.  For himself, he declared he was engaged in a work, which he would never abandon.  The consciousness of the justice of his cause would carry him forward, though he were alone; but he could not but derive encouragement from considering with whom he was associated.  Let us not, he said, despair.  It is a blessed cause; and success, ere long, will crown our exertions.  Already we have gained one victory.  We have obtained for these poor creatures the recognition of their human nature[A], which, for a while, was most shamefully denied them.  This is the first fruits of our efforts.

[Footnote A:  This point was actually obtained by the evidence before the House of Commons; for, after this, we heard no more of them as an inferior race.]

Let us persevere, and our triumph will be complete.  Never, never, will we desist, till we have wiped away this scandal from the Christian name; till we have released ourselves from the load of guilt under which we at present labour; and till we have extinguished every trace of this bloody traffic, which our posterity, looking back to the history of these enlightened times, will scarcely believe had been suffered to exist so long, a disgrace and a dishonour to our country.

He then moved, that the chairman be instructed to move for leave to bring in a bill to prevent the further importation of slaves into the British colonies in the West Indies.

Colonel Tarleton immediately rose up, and began by giving an historical account of the trade from the reign of Elizabeth to the present time.  He then proceeded to the sanction, which parliament had always given it.  Hence it could not then be withdrawn without a breach of faith.  Hence, also, the private property embarked in it was sacred, nor could it be invaded, unless an adequate compensation were given in return.