CHAPTER VII.

CONTINUATION FROM JULY, 1805, to JULY, 1806-AUTHOR RETURNS TO HIS DUTY IN THE COMMITTEE-TRAVELS AGAIN ROUND THE KINGDOM-DEATH OF MR. PITT-HIS CHARACTER, AS IT RELATED TO THE QUESTION-MOTION FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE FOREIGN SLAVE-TRADE-RESOLUTION TO TAKE MEASURES FOR THE TOTAL ABOLITION OF IT-ADDRESS TO THE KING TO NEGOTIATE WITH FOREIGN POWERS FOR THEIR CONCURRENCE IN IT-MOTION TO PREVENT ANY NEW VESSEL GOING INTO THE TRADETHESE CARRIED THROUGH BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.

It was now almost certain, to the inexpressible joy of the committee, that the cause, with proper vigilance, could be carried in the next session in the house of commons. It became them, therefore, to prepare to support it. In adverting to measures for this purpose, it occurred to them, that the house of lords, if the question should be then carried to them from the commons, might insist upon hearing evidence on the general subject. But, alas! even the body of witnesses, which had been last collected, was broken by death or dispersion! It was therefore to be formed again. In this situation, it devolved upon me, as I had now returned to the committee after an absence of nine years, to take another journey for this purpose.

This journey I performed with extraordinary success. In the course of it I had also much satisfaction on another account. I found the old friends of the cause still faithful to it. It was remarkable, however, that the youth of the rising generation knew but little about the question.

For the last eight or nine years the committee had not circulated any books; and the debates in the commons during that time had not furnished them with the means of an adequate knowledge concerning it. When, however, I conversed with these, as I travelled along, I discovered a profound attention to what I said; an earnest desire to know more of the subject; and a generous warmth in favor of the injured Africans, which I foresaw could soon be turned into enthusiasm. Hence I perceived that the cause furnished us with endless sources of rallying; and that the ardor, which we had seen with so much admiration in former years, could be easily renewed,

I had scarcely finished my journey, when Mr. Pitt died. This event took place in January, 1806. I shall stop therefore to make a few observations upon his character, as it related to this cause, This I feel myself bound in justice to do, because his sincerity towards it has been generally questioned.

The way in which Mr. Pitt became acquainted with this question, has already been explained. A few doubts having been removed, when it was first started, he professed himself a friend to the abolition. The first proof, which he gave of his friendship to it, is known but to few; but it is, nevertheless, true, that so early as in 1788, he occasioned a communication to be made to the French government, in which he recommended a union of the two countries for the promotion of the great measure. This proposition seemed

to be then new and strange to the court of France; and the answer was not favorable.

From this time his efforts were reduced within the boundaries of his own power. As far, however, as he had scope, he exerted them. If we look at him in his parliamentary capacity, it must be acknowledged by all, that he took an active, strenuous, and consistent part, and this year after year, by which he realized his professions. In my own private communications with him, which were frequent, he never failed to give proofs of a similar disposition. I had always free access to him. I had no previous note or letter to write for admission. Whatever papers I wanted, he ordered. He exhibited also in his conversation with me on these occasions marks of a more than ordinary interest in the welfare of the cause. Among the subjects which were then started, there was one, which was always near his heart. This was the civilization of Africa. He looked upon this great work as a debt due to that continent for the many injuries we had inflicted upon it and had the abolition succeeded sooner, as in the infancy of his exertions he had hoped, I know he had a plan, suited no doubt to the capaciousness of his own mind, for such establishments in Africa, as he conceived would promote in due time this important end.

I believe it will be said, notwithstanding what I have advanced, that if Mr. Pitt had exerted himself as the minister of the country in behalf of the abolition, he could have carried it. This

brings the matter to an issue; for unquestionably the charge of insincerity, as it related to this great question, arose from the mistaken notion, that, as his measures in parliament were supported by great majorities, he could do as he pleased there. But they who hold this opinion must be informed, that there were great difficulties, against which he had to struggle on this subject. The lord chancellor Thurlow ran counter to his wishes almost at the very outset. Lord Liverpool and Mr. Dundas did the same. Thus, to go no further, three of the most powerful members of the cabinet were in direct opposition to him. The abolition, then, amidst this difference of opinion, could never become a cabinet measure; but if so, then all his parliamentary efforts in this case wanted their usual authority, and he could only exert his influence as a private man.*

But a difficulty, still more insuperable, presented itself, in an occurrence which took place in the year 1791, but which is much too delicate to be mentioned. The explanation of it, however, would convince the reader, that all the efforts of Mr. Pitt from that day were rendered useless: I mean as to bringing the question, as a minister of state, to a favorable issue.

But though Mr. Pitt did not carry this great question, he was yet one of the greatest supporters

* This he did with great effect on one or two occasions. On the motion of Mr. Cawthorne in 1791, the cause hung as it were by a thread; and would have failed that day, to my knowledge, but for his seasonable exertions.

of it. He fostered it in its infancy. If, in his public situation, he had then set his face against it, where would have been our hope? He upheld it also in its childhood; and though in this state of its existence it did not gain from his protection all the strength which it was expected it would have acquired, he yet kept it from falling, till his successors, in whose administration a greater number of favorable circumstances concurred to give it vigor, brought it to triumphant maturity.

Lord Grenville and Mr. Fox, having been called to the head of the executive government on the death of Mr. Pitt, the cause was ushered into parliament under new auspices. In a former year his majesty had issued a proclamation, by which British merchants were forbidden (with certain defined exceptions) to import slaves into the colonies which had been conquered by the British arms in the course of the war. This circumstance afforded an opportunity of trying the question in the house of commons with the greatest hope of success. Accordingly Sir A. Pigott, the attorney-general, as an officer of the crown, brought in a bill on the thirty-first of March, 1806, the first object of which was, to give effect to the proclamation now mentioned. The second was, to prohibit British subjects from being engaged in importing slaves into the colonies of any foreign power, whether hostile or neutral. And the third was, to prohibit British subjects and British capital from being employed in carrying on