Star.
London, England, 1814-06-28 00:00:00

~.,

r

war too much under valued. fur France herself
said, that in five years she would put an end to the
Trade—and the example of France on such a
question was invaluable. On the .part of Russia,
Prussia, and Austria, he was ready to give the
!most flattering hopes.—but, he could not bold
lout the most pleasing prospects with regardto Portu-
,gal and Spain, particularly the latter, for her senti-
iments were so interwoven with her colonies, that the
mother country could scarcely be deemed master of
'the question. •The concession that we had gained
from France, that the Trade should net be continued
-longer than five years, was of great value ; and it
also was of value to this question in particular, that
'the Treaty was concluded in an amicable, instead of
an angry tone...--( Hear, hear),—He augured much bet-
ter things from France, by contending for the stipu-
lation, than he should if the Government had been
.mean enough to accept the colonies, on condition that
-she should abolish the Slave Trade, after she had
said, that such a proceeding would excite the disgust
of the French people. He thought, however, that
England ought to persevere in its endeaeours to ac-
complish this great question ; but so far as France
was concerned, he thought that our Government had
acted most discreetly and most judiciously towards,
as well with reference to her, as to the interests of the
question itself. In his opinion, morals were not well
-taught by the sword : he would rather trust to the
light of reason for the correction of everystbing that
we might think erroneous in the ethical system of out
neighbours.
Mr. PONS.ON BY taid,:k would hate been imps;:
sible for Mt. Fox to have assumed thejone which the
Noble Lord supposed he might have done at one time
towards the French Government on this subject, for
'this counefry had not at that time abolished the Slave
Trade hesself. Besides,- at that time a Foreign Power
was nut in possession of her capital, nor were there
four great foreign armies in the heart of her territo-
ries. Were we now in a situation of dealing with
more delicacy, Ind less of enforcing on her the abo-
lition of the Slave Trade ? With regard to the impos,
sibility of obtaining better terms on this subject from
France, the House had only the assertion of the Noble
Lord who negociated, in proof of it. But it was only
to last for five years :-200 years probably would not
be sufficient to undo alt the mischiefs that those five
years of blood and rapine would cause to Afrisa.
Who could stipulate that this country should be a par-
ticipator in blood and murder for, the next five years ?
There was no ethic writer who would say that such
a stipulation could be binding. He cordially agreed
with the Address of his Hon. Friend, though he be-
lieved it would he protluctive of little or no benefit.
Lord EBRINUTON expressed his apprehension
'that five years oldie continuance of this traffic would
'be employed by France in a more dreadful prosecu.
tion of it than ever ; and when that period should
have expired, what security had we that it should then
be abolished
Mr. JENNINGS contended, that by this stipula.
lion, we made ourselves participators with France in
the guilt of this inhuman traffic. There was little
probability of operating by arguments on the public
mind in France in abolition of the Slave Trade, since
it was well known that the press was dosed against
them. But he hoped this Address, backed by the
opinions of the Parliament and the people of this
country, would have the effect of procuring peace to
the unoffending people of Africa.
Mr. BARHAM said, that rather than be a party
with France in this traffic, he would give her back
the article for the Abolition in five years altogether.
She, might then carry it on or rat ; it would then be
our own act and deed, andiwe should have no share in
the guilt. It was like making a compact with a mur-1
deter, that he should murder so long, but no longer.
It was a mere quibble in us to say, that we did not
carry on the Slave Trade ourselves ; for the truth
was, we had sold it to France, and had now the price
of blood in our pockets. This article was no other
than a Proclamation to the people of France, that
now was their time or never to carry on this traffic.
We had delivered up the means of carrying it on
and as well might a man, who murders by the hand
of another, say, that he is not a murderer, as we to
say, that we do not carryon that traffic. Indeed we
had sharpened the knife to the murderer, and put it
into his hands. This Article was fatal to justice, to
humanity, and to the character of the country. Our
professions of humanity and justice would be consi.
tiered as hypocritical' by the rest, of the world. He
then moved an addition to the Address, that we should
endeavour to obtain from Franee an immediate aboli-
lion of the African Slave Trade; in return for which we
should make any concession to her consistent with rea-
ms and justice.
Mr. PHILLIPS said, tbat if Mr. Fox had not
brought the whole weight of his Administration to
bear on this subject, the Slave Trade would never
have been abolished. The conduct of Mr. Pitt's Ad.
ministration on this subject, and 'that of the present
Government, approached to a very near coincidence.
We had the French Colonies in our possession,' and
had abolished this traffic in them ; why did we restore
them without insisting on its never being renewed f—
!Are should have kept them ; and he was sure France
would not at present have risked a war with us on dart
account. The period of five years would give new'
motives and inducements for the continuance of that
traffic. The more he considered this subject, the
'more horror he felt-at it ; for it appeared from the
Treaty, that the time when we could have done any
good was gone by. It was a Treaty, as our great
Dramatic Poet had expressed it--
" Razing the, characters of our renown;
" Undoirg all, as all bad never been."
Lord LASCELLES thought that the Honourable
Gentlemen opposite had mistaken the nature of hu-
manity oii their side, _when they exclaimed against
the coittniptice of this traffic, and yet would plunge
Europe.in afresh war to preveni it.
Mr. W.: SMITH believed that the people of France
were io a state Of apathy on tlitesubject. If we had
not been a'sTty to that" Treaty, the whole guilt; at
least the le infamy Of the.traffic, would have at-
tached to-France. Portugal oughi' to have given up
this traffic, considering she owed to 'us her very ex-
,iasteitee as a nation ; and Nain ought to have been
Wiled to'kive it up, if she would not db if of her
'tie:la:accord.
Mr. MARRYAT wished that some stipulation
might be made to prevent the trade being carried on
n the French settlement oft:gentle, stating' very
;teat evils Which arose its Demerara, boas the Paci.

_ .

- ___

Mr. WILBERFORCE replied.

Tti L PAENING 'STAR.

LON DON.

ammi.•••=ipl•••

lity with which the inhabitants of that Caloaywnnld
be supplied. The Slave population of bemerara was
almosteutirely male, there being, at one period, as he
had been credibly informed, only seventeen women
to seven hundred men.
Mr. WHITBREAD did not see that ChM was
any thing objectionable either in the address or in the
amendment ; but be could not allow some of the No-
ble Lord's expressions to pass without some observa-
tion. The words and the actions of the Noble Lord
Were a little at variance. The Noble Lord talked of •
humanity on the large ss..de. Where was this kind of
humanity to be forind in the article of the Treaty
which permitted the continuance of the traffic of hu-
man flesh ? Did the Noble Lord suppose that it was
humane ;n the eye of reason, in the eye of justice, or
it; the eye of the ALMIGHTY whom they were about to
thank for the Restoration of Peace, to say that Peace
had been restored at the expence of the blood of Africa?
Was this humanity on the large scale to let loose
the scourge on Affica ? Was that Government to be '
called humane which had purchased peace at such a
price? He would ask the Noble Lords supposing that the
stipulation of the Treaty respecting the Slave Trade
was not fulfilled by France at the end of the five
years, was a war to be 'rekindled for obtaining that
which, in his conscience, he believed might have been
obtained at the time the Treaty was framed ? Diddle
Noble Lord mean to have them believe that Austria,
Russia, and Prussia, would all have armed to prevent
that abolition which it was now said they were all ao
anxious to procure ? (hear; hear.) He would not
disturb the unanimity of the House by voting against
the motion, but he court not anticipate much good
from the note. He concluded by imploring the Noble
Lord to endeavour to retrieve what had been done ;
stud intreating the House not to relax its efforts, that
it might be seen thit they considered the Slave Trade
to be what Mr. Pitt had described it, 44 the greatest
practical evil that could happen to a state."
Mr. BATHIAST contended, that it was the in-
terest of this country, in its Treaty, with France, ra-
ther to accede to the wish of the country with which
we were treating, than by our own power to have
forced the French Government and Peopie to accept
terms contrary to their wishes. •Some Gentlemen
had talked of our stipulating for the ceded colomei a
suppose this country had done sa, what right should
we have had to stipulate for St. Domingo? Certainly
none. Yet France had undertaken to abolish the
Slave Trade altogether at the end of five years.'
Mr. WYNNE supported the original motion.
Mr. CANNING wag prepared to snp2ort the ori-
ginal motion. He did not see those objections to the
amendment, however. which some Gentlemen saw ;
but for the sake of unanimity he could wisp that
amendment withdrawn- -

Mr. BARHAM then expressed his readiness to
withdraw his amendment, winch was done, and, thf
original motion was agreed to vein. cei.
Adjourned at Half-past Twelve.

TUESDAY, JIM SS, 1814.
PRICE OP STOCKS THIS DAY AT TWELVE O'CLOCK.
Revkeel ei4l44—Celk_fer see. 7 iffi--4 pry- Cr. eq.
Omnium, x4if pre.7Eta Lens' Ames. lb 9- t6tlts
India Bonds, Ca. 7s. pre.—lsebequer bilk. is. din. Ss. pre.

We have received Paris Papers of the 24th. They
contain no, intelligence of interest from France ; but
from other countries the news is important. The Diet
ofrklorway, under the auspices of the new Sovereign,
has voted a Military Conscription, after some v►olent
,debates. EUGENE BRAUHARNOIS, it is said, wi►l be
created s German Prince. By the new diplomatic
arrangements, the French King has dispensed with
the services of most of BoNAPAkires Ambassadors;
Count De LA CHATKE retains the situation which he
has so long and so honourably filled in Adverse and
in prosperous circumstances, of Ambassador at the
Court of London from the leg►t►mate Sovereign of
France. M. Ds MoNTmonENCY is appointed to MA.
drid ; M. OSheoND to Vienna ; Count Di CUoESEUL
GOUPFIER to Constantinople ; M. VICTOR Ds CARA-
MAN to Berlin, and M. GOUVERNAY DR LA TOUT DU
PIN to the Hague. •

It was formally announced last night, in both
Houses of Parliament, that the PRINCC Rsccrir
would go in slate to St. Paul's, on Thursday se'n-
night, the '7th of July, the day of Public Thanks.
giving. The Lord( and Commons will attend on
this occasion, the former in their robes.

The Thanks of both Houses of P irliament were,
for the thirteenth time, voted by acclamation to the
Duke of Wituamovou, for his glorious services. It
was stated by Lord CASTLEREAGH, that the Duke of
Maitiaoaotron had received the Thanks of Parlia.
aunt six times only, while the Duke of WELLINGTON
had already been awarded that honour twelve times.
Mr. WILBERIORCZ brought I,rward his motion for
an Address to the PRINCE REGENT on the subject of
the article in the Treaty respecting the Slave-Trade.
The Address was so well drawn up, that Lord CArrtz-
elCAGH gave it his support. An Amendment moved
by Mr. BARHAM was withdrawn, and the original
motion was carried, minim contradkeste. In the House
of Peers, Lord GRENVILLE made a motion for Papers,
which motion was lost by a majority of 62 to 27.

Thp,PRINCII R comfy returned to town last night.
Her MAJZSTY came to town yesterday, and will
hold a Drawiug•Raom on Thursday.
A SOLITION Or THIC SLAV znuips.--Lest the Friends
of the Abolition of the Slave Trade thciuld imagine
that it will be unnecessary or useless to proceed with
,the Petitions now in coneemplatiiAn, the Colistnittee
feel it'their'doty to retionsaSebd an Active perseverance
in this constitutional and peaceable's:44le nt proceed.
it'll fill the 'sensb et the *hole eentitry be expressed on
this horrible Trade....:New London Tavern, Chur-
-1 side, London, Mandeb:27th et June, 1814.
•