Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-06-03
From lote London papers.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, April 4.

q.
Papers reEatrVe 20 RE Siape Trade.
The Papers relative to the Slave Prade were
presented to the House. The following docu
ment contains The declaration of the powers
who signed the treaty of Paris
DECLARATION.
The Plenipotentisries of the Powers who
signed the Treaty OF Paris. the 30th of May,
1914, assembled in Congress
Having taken into consideration that the
traffic known under the name of the df;ea,,
SIdve i'dGs, has been regarded BY lust and
enlightened men of all ages, as repugnant to
the, principles Of humanity and of universaI
morality that the particular instances to
which this traffic owes its origin, and the DIFF
ncuity OF abruptly interrupting its progress.
have to certain degree lessen.d the odium
OF continuing it (; but that at last the public
voice IN all civilized countries has demarded
that 1T should be suppressed as soon as possi-
Die that since the character and the details
OF TINS traffic have been better known, and the
evils OF every sort which accompanied Il con-
pieteiy unveiled. several European Govern.
ments have resolved to suppress it and that
suScessiVeiy all Powers possessing colonies in
different parts oil the world have acknow'edr-
ed, either by legislative acts or treaties and
other formal cDgag emcnts, the obligation ard
necessity OF ahoiishing it that by separate
article OF the last Treaty of Paris Great Bri,
tam and France engaged TO unite their efforts
at the Congress at Vienna TO engage all the
POWERS OF Christendom to pronounce the uni
versat and detinitive abolition of the Slave
Trade that the Plenipotentiaries assembled
at tins Congress cam OF better honour their
III ssioH, iuihi their duty, and manifest the prin
cipies which guide their august Sovcreigns.
the desire to put an end to a scouree which has
SO long desoiated Africa, degraded Europa +,
ana aHilcted humanity. The said Plenipoten-
uarles nave agreed TO open their deliberations
as TO the means of accomplishing so salutary
an object, by solemn declaration of the prin
cIpies which have guided them in this work
fui'y authorized to such act, by the un-
animous adherence Of their respective Courts
to the principles announced in the said sepa,
rate article of the Treaty of Paris, they in con-
sequence declare, in the face OF Europe, that
looking upon the universal abolition of the
oiaVe Trade, as measure particularly worthy
OF their attention, conformable to the spirit of
tile age, and to the general principles OF their
august sovereigns, thsy are animated with
sincere desire TO concur, by every means in
their power, IN the most prompt and eGectual
execution OF this measure; and TO act IN the
employment Of those means with all the zeal
and all the perseverance which so great and
good cause merits.
Too we'll informed of the sentiments Of their
Sovereigns not 10 forsee, that how ever honour
anie may be their object, they would not pur-
sue 1t withouta just regard to the interests.
the habits, and even the preimdices of Their
subj Gets: the said Plenipoteutiaries at the
same time acknowledge, that this general de-.
ciaration should not rsjudice the period
which each particular Power should look 10
on as expedient the dsfnitve abolition of
the traffic in slaves
Consequently lie determination Of the peri
cd when this traffic ought universally TO cease,
VIII be an object of negotiation between the
different Powers it being, however, well I'M
oerstood, that no means proper 70 ensure and
accelerate lis progress should be neglected
ana That the reciprocal engagement contracted
oy The present declaration between the soye-
reigns who have taken part in it, should not be
considered as fulfilled until The moment when
complete success shall have crowned their II.
nited efforts
In making this declaration known to Europe.
and to llthe civilized nations of the earth,
the said Plenipotentiaries Aatter themselves
they shall engage all other governments, and
particularly those who, in abolishing the traffic
IN slaves, have already manifested the same
sentiments, to support them with their SUI
'ragein cause OF which the final triumph
Will be one of the greatest monuments of the
age winch undertook it, and which, shall have
giorlously carried into complete effect.
Vienna, Fed. o, 1915.