ion of his
conscience.

Mr. Burdon rose, and said he was embarrassed to know how to act. Mr.
Wilberforce had in a great measure met his ideas. Indeed he considered
himself as much in his hands; but he wished to go gradually to the
abolition of the trade. He wished to give time to the planters to recruit
their stocks. He feared the immediate abolition might occasion a monopoly
among such of them as were rich, to the detriment of the less affluent. We
ought, like a judicious physician, to follow nature, and to promote a
gradual recovery.

Mr. Francis rose next. After complimenting Mr. Wilberforce, he stated that
personal considerations might appear to incline him to go against the side
which he was about to take, namely, that of strenuously supporting his
motion. Having himself an interest in the West Indies, he thought that what
he should submit to the house would have the double effect of evidence and
argument; and he stated most unequivocally his opinion, that the abolition
of the Slave-trade would tend materially to the benefit of the West Indies.

The arguments urged by the honourable mover were supported by the facts,
which he had adduced from the evidence, more strongly than any arguments
had been supported in any speech be had ever heard. He wished, however,
that more of these facts had been introduced into the debate; for they were
apt to have a greater effect upon the mind than mere reasonings, however
just and powerful. Many had affirmed that the Slave-trade was politic and
expedient; but it was worthy of remark, that no man had ventured to deny
that it was criminal. Criminal, however, be declared it to be in the
highest degree; and he believed it was equally impolitic. Both its
inexpediency and injustice had been established by the honourable mover. He
dwelt much on the unhappy situation of the Negros in the West Indies, who
were without the protection of government or of efficient laws, and subject
to the mere caprice of men, who were at once the parties, the judges, and
the executioners.

He instanced an overseer, who, having thrown a Negro into a copper of
boiling cane-juice for a trifling offence, was punished merely by the loss
of his place, and by being obliged to pay the value of the slave. He stated
another instance of a girl of fourteen, who was dreadfully whipped for
coming too late to her work. She fell down motionless after it; and was
then dragged along the ground, by the legs, to an hospital;