XXIV. 1792. are painted of a different colour. In fine, they are BOOK in the same situation they were the day they were conquered-totally distinct as a nation; and they have therefore the same right now as they had then to free themselves from the barbarous usurpers of their country, whose conduct to all the nations they have conquered merits the eternal execration of mankind."* The intention of the empress of Russia respecting her grandson prince Constantine is scarcely to be doubted. At his birth he was put into the hands of Greck nurses fetched on purpose from the Isle of Naxos. He was always dressed in the fashion of the Greeks, and surrounded by children of that nation, that he might acquire the Greek language, which he soon spoke with great facility. It was also in regard to him that the cadet corps of two hundred Grecian youths was established.t Although it appeared by the event of the motion of Mr. Wilberforce in the preceding session, that the enthusiasm of parliament on the subject of the slave-trade had greatly subsided, that of the public at large was nevertheless increasing, and it had now attained its highest pitch. The table of the house of commons was covered with petitions from all parts of the kingdom, imploring in ear * ETON'S "Survey of the Turkish Empire." BOOK nest language the abolition of that iniquitous and inhuman traffic. XXIV. 1792. Mr. Wil On the 2d of April (1792) the house resolved berforce's itself into a committee on the slave-trade, at the tion of abo- instance of Mr. Wilberforce, who moved, at the second mo lition. close of a very able speech, a second time the question of abolition. Mr. Wilberforce declared, "that from his exertions in this cause he had found happiness, though not hitherto success. It enlivened his waking and soothed his evening hours, and he could not recollect without singular satisfaction that he had demanded justice for millions who could not ask it for themselves-AFRICA! AFRICA! (he exclaimed with passionate emotion) your sufferings have been the theme that has arrested and engages my heart. Your sufferings no tongue can express, nor no language impart." Mr. Wilberforce was powerfully supported by many of the most respectable members of the house; amongst whom Mr. Whitbread particularly distinguished himself by the energy and animation of his remarks. "It was the necessary quality of despotism (he said) to corrupt and vitiate the heart: and the moral evils of this system were still more to be dreaded than the political. But no mildness in practice could make that to be right which was fundamentally wrong. Nothing could make him give his assent to the original sin of delivering man over to the despotism of man. It was too degrad XXIV. ing to see, not the produce of human labor, but BOOK man himself, made the object of trade." In consequence of the ardor displayed by the nation at large in this business, it was at length determined partially to concede what it was now become difficult, perhaps dangerous, wholly to withhold. Mr. Dundas, advanced to the dignity of secretary of state by the resignation of the duke of Leeds-and the organ of the interior cabinet in the house of commons-now therefore, after a plausible speech recommending to the house the adoption of a middle and moderate plan, such as would reconcile the interests of the West-India islands with the eventual abolition of the trade, thought proper to move that the word “gradual” might be inserted before "abolition." Mr. Pitt, who had invariably supported the measure of abolition, not as a minister merely, but, to appearance at least, as a, man feeling for all mankind, declared his decided disapprobation of the amendment proposed by his right honorable friend; and, in a speech fraught with argument and eloquence, conjured the house not to postpone even for an hour the great and necessary work of abolition. "Reflect (said Mr. Pitt) on the 80,000 persons annually torn from their native land! on the connections which are broken! on the friendships, attachments, and relationships, that are burst 1792. XXIV. 1792. BOOK asunder! There is something in the horror of it that surpasses all the bounds of imagination. How shall we repair the mischiefs we have brought upon that continent? If, knowing the miseries we have caused, we refuse even now to put a stop to them, how greatly aggravated will be the guilt of Britain! Shall we not rather count the days and hours that are suffered to intervene and to delay the accomplishment of such a work? I trust we shall not think ourselves too liberal if we give to Africa the common chance of civilization with the rest of the world. If we listen to the voice of reason and duty, and pursue this night the line of conduct which they prescribe, some of us may live to see a reverse of that picture from which we now turn our eyes with shame and regret. We may live to behold the natives of Africa engaged in the calm occupations of industry, in the pursuits of a just and legitimate commerce. We may behold the beams of science and philosophy breaking in upon their land, which, at some happy period in still later times, may blaze with full lustre; and, joining their influence to that of pure religion, may illuminate and invigorate the most distant extremities of that immense continent. Then may we hope, that even Africa, though last of all the quarters of the globe, shall enjoy at length in the evening of her days those blessings which have XXIV. descended so plentifully upon us in a much earlier BOOK period of the world Nos primus equis oriens afflavit anhelis; Illic sera rubens accendit lumina vesper. "In this view, as an atonement for our long and Pitt at times redeem his errors and deviations from rectitude, and appear still anxious to preserve a place in the esteem of the wise, and affection of the good. The amendment of Mr. Dundas was nevertheless carried on the division by a majority of 68 voices. On which he subsequently moved, “that the importation of negroes into the British colonies should cease on the 1st of January 1800." This, on the motion of lord Mornington, was, after great difficulty and debate, altered to January 1, 1796. A series of resolutions founded on this basis were then agreed to, and sent up for the concurrence of the lords. 1792. conduct of But these resolutions were fated to meet with Insidious a very cold reception in the upper house, and from the house a large proportion of their lordships a most determined opposition. As this was a favorite measure of lords. |