The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-03-17 00:00:00

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Negvnes, se that those npon hand bad been un-
doubtedly exceedingly well treated ; yet, neverthe-
I-ss, they gradually decreased in number, although
the proportion of females was great. He was
far from disapproving of the enacting of proper
laws relative to the condos& of Overseers of
Slaves; for he was well aware, that civili-
zation did not diminish the number of crimes ; but,
on the contrary, increased them. For instance, he
believed that there were fewer crimes committed in
the Island of Jamaica, in one month, than in Lon-
don and Westminster in one week. It was a
mistaken notion to suppose, that the Slaves were
unhappy in their situations, or that they did not re-
ceive money, as a reward for their labour. They
aflually received money, and were enabled, upon
many occasions, to purchase their freedom; but
they, in general, preferred staying in a state
davery ; or if they did purchase their free-
icon, they found themselves more miserable.
had been said. that the discussion of this question
..euld cause a revolution in the Islands. The Ne-
:oes did not attend to discussions, or read aets of
r-.liament ; these, therefore, he did not fear so
much as the Ails of which they could feel or see the
dials, as it were, negatively. Although he did not
view the gloomy side of such questions all at once,
yet be could not disregard the (minion that hod been
gives in France as to the Rebellion in St. Domingo
having been occasioned by the agitation of the sub-
jet% and the subsequent measures of that govern-
ment as to that Island. Another consideration
with him was, that the idea nt compensation was
entirely excluded from this Bill, so that it bad cot
come in any shape regularly before the House. There
was nothing a di.t.tl4l pledge to the Planters tliat
any thing was to be given to them. A clause
(ight chef rime to be introduced, stating in what
cases compensation ought to be granted, and in
what nut. kNi hen he began trade, he was con-
vinced, that if be had canvassed both Houses of
Patliarnenti he would have been told by nine out
of ten, that he might safely lead money to the
West India Traders, owing to the encourage.
ment held out by Parliament for individuals to

enter into these speculations; and yet in the
same Reign, he (wind Parliament ri tufting
hum these solemn pledges. *I hat spirit of ad-
vulture and industry which has raised Great Bri•
lain high above other Powers, and furni.hed every
means to add to her reverie, was now to be effec-

tually put a stop to. Our commercial charatler
MUSE decay, if individuals could not rely upon the
so:emit pledges and ails of oar legislature ; which,
at one time, declared a trade to be consistent with
bumai.ity and justice, and at another time enatled,
that it was totally inconsistent with humanity, jus-
tice, and sound policy. He had little doubt tbat the
measure proposed would fail of its desired obje.l,
and would prove of injurious consequences to the
Colonies.
Sir PHILIP FRANCIS denied the charge
brought against him by the lion. Gentleman, that
the persons concerned is the Slave Trade were out
of the protation of the law ; but he had declared
that he would never bind himself to any pledge of
compensation, for that no man who had engaged in
that trade, which Parliament had declared to be
contrary to justice l humanity, and sound policy,
c:nald be so entitles/ ; and, of all others, he con-
sidered the Planters of Trinidad as haviaß the least
claim, bee Luse, as the acquisition of that Island was
comparatively recent, what they had done in the
st,cking their plantations with African Slaves, was
in the lace of the Resolution of the House of Cons-
nionsol t 792; at the same tame, he declared he

would be as ready as any man to offer a remedy,
where it lair state of disttesc could be made out.
Mr. INT CLE FO declared birwetf decidedly
in favour of the Abolition; be described the agony
and despair of tile Slaves, arising from the barter
in human flesh, and that it was brutalizing, stupily-
Mg, and degrading to Lumen nature. He was not
apprcherrivc that the consequences would follow
which had been prophesied as likely to result from
the Abolition of the Trade. The general •nd po-
pular feeling which prevailed against the Trade
was not to be discouraged, for such strong and ge-
neral impressions were not to be considered as fal-
lacious. _ _ _

Mr. H. THORN TON said, it did not ap-
pear to him, that the Hon. Gentleman, who had
spoken first•in the debate, bad entered much into
the merits of the question. It was of little con.
sequence what the opinion was of Muogo
Park, or others although he recollraed Mr.
Park; haying once stated to him, that on the
question of justice and humanity, the Slave Trade
would not bear an argument. He thought this
measnre would open a wide door towards the civi-
lization of Attica, and promote the better treatment
of the Isigroes in the West Indies, whilst it by no
means invaded any of the just rights of the Colo-
Lists. The system pursued towards the Slaves in
the West Indies was severe ; obliged to work from
before sun-rise till after sua-set ; working ender
the whip, which was a praaice which had not pre-
vailed in times of ancient Slavery ; and women,
even in a state of pregnancy, were not ex-
empted from work. A West India Slave could
not be said to have any civil right; he had
no property by law; could form no contraft ;
and was liable to be sold on ace .iat of his
:mister's debts, and to be torn from his wife and
children, and disposed of to another master. He
could give no testimony of injuries received, for his
evidence could not be taken in a court of law.
Upon these points, the friends of abolition did not
argue upon thensy, but from historical facts. With
reg.rd to the Africans, they bad not as yet enjoyed
the fair chance of civilization, but he trusted this
Bill would have a tendency to afford it to them ;
for the Africans he considered as a race of men CA-
:sable of being elevated in the scale of human be-
.ngs, much higher than they ever had been.
This measure would remove from Africa the great
bar to civilisation, and at the same time much im
prove the state of the Negroes in the West Indies.
After stating the various pretences for making
slaves, and the evils thereby perpetuated to that ill-
fated country, he declared, that he considered the
sources from which this trade proceeded, and the
mantle, in which it was condoaed, as constituting
the charaaer of a crime, rather than a trade.
It was nut sufficient that Parliament proteadi the
liberties and persons of the people of this country,
but they were bound t 9 take care, dam no injustice