ions, 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it could not then be withdrawn without a breach of faith.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.

They, who had a