Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-07


was anxious, therefore, to obtain for them such
support throughout the country, aud such de-
cided expression of the national feeling, as could
alone enable them to encounter the opponents OF
the settlement Of this question. The petitioners
prayed for q total and immediate emancipation;
and he could assure their Lordsbips that nothing
but total, immediate emancipation would satisfy
the country. He wished, however, to explain,
that by the expression "immediate emancipation
was meant-not that the slaves should be at once
liberated on the sending out of despatch, OF
the sailing of ship-but that at the earliest pos
sible period there should take place substitution
of legal restraint for the present absolute anu IT.
responsible power of the slave master.
Lord Goderich said It was obviously impossi
BILE for him to gise any answer to the rumor;
which his noble friend said he had heard respect
ing the supposed intentions Of government on The
subject of negro emancipation. lie did moi
think 1t at all lncumbsnt on the government IL
offer explanations relative to runors stated or
such loose authority as newspaper report II
was not his duty to state at the present time wha
CON municatiuns had taken place between the go
vernment and different parties on this subject
but, aware as he vas OF the importance OF sub
uniting it at the earliest possible period 10 the deci
sion OF Parliament, yet he must take the liberty
Of saving that if the wish of the noble Baron
opposite-that this question had been brought
under the notice of Parliament before the pre-
sent time-haG been realized, the result would
have been any thing but advantageous to the sale
and satisfactory settlement Of the question. -
Hear, hear.)
The Duke of Buckingham regretted that the
measure of government on the subject OF emnn
cipation had not yet been brought forward. la
the government, and not to the West India pro
priet0rs, was to be attributed the blame OF all
the delay. The government had communicated
with portion OF the West lnc:a interest, and
to them they had told their hopes, their wishes.
and their disputes, which were kept secret from
the general body Of West Indian proprietors.
Earl Grey said there was no doubt that this
question was one Of deep importance; and, how
ever anxious he might be to have it settled, he was
still as anxious that all circumstances connected
with it should be carefully examined, and the CO
operation Of all parties interested procured
However easy and popular it might be to attack
Ministers for delay. he was content to submit to
any imputation Of that kind. provided that he
avoided the greater danger Of precipitation. ct
which the only result could be an unsatisfac tory
and unsafe settlement Of the question. As TO COM
municatons thar had taken place between Go
vernment and other parties on this subject, he
did not think that the noble Duke would impute
it as crime to them that they bad endeavosed to
ascertain the opinions Of the West India body,
and to obtain their co operation IN work which
was beset with difficulty and danger.
The nuble Duke complained that the govern
ment had communicated With a select portion Of
the West Indian proprietors. H"w would he
have had the Government to act? Would he have
mad the Ministers gu to general asse,nb.y-t0 a
meeting at Exeter hall-and there publicly de-
clare their intentions? All that Ministers could
do VAS to consult those privately whom they
knew TO be opposed to them, but in whom they
had the greatest confidence, in order to ascertain
in what way their object,uns could be met. OF
course it would be inconsistent with his duty to
throw out any hint respecting the nature of anv
plan which it might be in the contemplation OF
Ministers to propose. All he would say at pre-
sent was, that the attention of Government gen.
orally, and Of his noble friend near him. had been
directed carefully to this great subject, with a
view to bring It as speedily as possible to salts.
factory settlement. He could not say what the
rumors were to which his noble friend hail alu.
ded; for such rumors the Government were not
responsible, and it could not be expected that
they should enter into any explanation with res.
peCt 10 tnem. % declare innletIlate Pm2nClDa-
ton would undoubtedly make short and easy
work OF the matter, but he confessed that that
was not the nay in which he wished to deal with
the question; and he was glad to hear from his
noble friends explanations that the word " i'm
mediate" was not to BIZ taken as meaning "im.
mediate" Qaughter,) but the earliest period at
which emancipation could take place with safety
to all the interests concerned. He Earl Grey,)
was anxious for the abolition Of slavery, but he
was not prepared to declare Tor immediate rman.
cipation, without considering the consequences
that might How from such measure,
The DUKE OF RIcHMoNp legged leave to
deny that there wee any disputes or differ
ences IN the Cabinet in relation to the w. In.
dia Question.
PORTUGAL.
The most important intelligence brought BY
this arrival Is In relation to the controversy be-
tween the Rival Brothers. LIS Issue, however.
still remains doubtful, although the reasons that
have tor long time rendered the cause of DON
Pedro almost hopeless. continue with undimin.
lshed force. He still retains Oporto, but by a
preCarious tenure When the hnstil. ar,,.s a.,