from the
opportunity of improvement. We kept her down in a state of darkness,
bondage, ignorance and bloodshed. Was not this an awful consideration for
this country? Look at the map of Africa, and see how little useful
intercourse had been established on that vast continent! While other
countries were assisting and enlightening each other, Africa alone had none
of these benefits. We had obtained as yet only so much knowledge of her
productions, as to show that there was a capacity for trade, which we
checked. Indeed, if the mischiefs there were out of the question, the
circumstance of the Middle Passage alone would, in his mind, be reason
enough for the abolition. Such a scene as that of the slave-ships passing
over with their wretched cargoes to the West Indies, if it could be spread
before the eyes of the House, would be sufficient of itself to make them
vote in favour of it; but when it could be added, that the interest even of
the West Indies themselves rested on the accomplishment of this great
event, he could not conceive an act of more imperious duty, than that,
which was imposed upon the House, of agreeing to the present motion.

Sir Archibald Edmonstone rose, and asked, whether the present motion went
so far, as to pledge those who voted for it, to a total and immediate
abolition.

Mr. Alderman Watson rose next. He defended the Slave-trade as highly
beneficial to the country, being one material branch of its commerce. But
he could not think of the African trade without connecting it with the West
Indian. The one hung upon the other. A third important branch also depended
upon it; which was the Newfoundland fishery: the latter could not go on, if
it were not for the vast quantity of inferior fish bought up for the Negros
in the West Indies; and which was quite unfit for any other market. If
therefore we destroyed the African, we destroyed the other trades. Mr.
Turgot, he said, had recommended in the National Assembly of France the
gradual abolition of the Slave-trade. He would therefore recommend it to
the House to adopt the same measure, and to soften the rigours of slavery
by wholesome regulations; but an immediate abolition he could not
countenance.

Mr. Fox at length rose. He observed that some expressions, which he had
used on the preceding day, had been complained of as too harsh and severe.
He had since considered them; but he could not prevail upon himself to
retract them; because, if any gentleman, af