HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
Mr. Jenkinson and Colonel Tarl- 
ton asserted the propriety of the 
slave trade, from a variety of consi- 
derations. It had been long autho- 
rized by the British legislature, as 
indispensably necessary for the pre- 
servation of the islands. The evi- 
dence that had been produced 
against it, was partial and ill found- 
ed. Were it to be abolished, the 
nation would be a loser annually, by 
the diminution of six millions taken 
from the worth of manufactures ex- 
ported, and of shipping constructed. 
This country was not therefore to 
be exposed to such a calamity, in 
compliance with petitions, which, 
however numerous, proceeded most- 
ly from inexperienced individuals, 
many of whom were raw youths, 
and persons compelled by indigence 
to set their names to them, in hope 
of reward. 
The principal objections of those 
who opposed the last speakers, were, 
that the African trade was so ini- 
quitous in its nature, so repugnant 
to every principle of humanity, that 
it was unworthy of regulations; and 
the only-proper treatment it deserv- 
ed was absolute abolition. On the 
coast of Africa, in the passage to the 
West Indies, where they were 
doomed to sale and servitude, the 
negroes were degraded from the 
rank and privilegesof men. It had 
been proposed to entitle them to 
bear evidence in courts of judica- 
ture: but what weight could a testi- 
mony carry that was to be appreci- 
ated by the tribunals before which 
they were cited, and which might 
either approve or invalidate at their 
pleasure?) The negroes were not 
so destitute of perception as not to 
see the slight put upon them by such 
usage ; and would not fail to resent 
it accordingly. 
[149 
It was observed by Mr. Whit- 
bread on this occasion, that the ex- 
istence of slavery was particularly 
inimical to moral feelings. The 
despotic power lodged in the pro- 
prietors of slaves, naturally corrupt- 
ed their hearts, by hardening it 
against the sensations of humanity. 
The dispositions of those who fa- 
voured the slave trade, testified how 
little value was set on those unfor- 
tunate beings whose fate it-was to 
be brought to the market. In the 
sale of plantations, slaves were oc- 
casionally mentioned as damaged 
goods: an expression so degrading 
to human nature, proved at the 
same time hew ill they had been 
treated, how exhausted and worn 
down by hard toil, and its natural 
effects, sickness and infirmities. 
Mr. Dundas, whose opinion was 
solicitously waited for during the 
debate, declared himself no friend 
to the slave trade ; but doubtful in © 
what manner to proceed, in order to 
abolish it. He was satisfied as to its 
impolicy, and its being unnecessary 
for the well being of our planta- 
tions. The negroes there, if pro- 
perly treated, were not more sub- 
ject to mortality nor diseases than 
in their own country ;and could af- 
ford a sufficient population for all 
purposes. But an immediate abo- 
lition of the slave trade, would 
certainly prove prejudicial to the 
planters ; who were not prepared 
for such a measure, and would think 
themselves highly aggrieved, were 
it adopted at the present moment. 
A method ought therefore to be 
adopted, that might reconcile them 
to it. Habits and prejudices that had 
subsisted for near two centuries, were 
not at once to be eradicated; and 
the West Indian pianters had been 
so used to the practices in question, 
[L] 3 that 
