OUR COMMERCE WITH AFRICA. 379 



terest as well as our duty to atone as far as lies 

 in our power for the miseries we have inflicted 

 on the African race ; and although this principle 

 has been acknowledged and adopted in the manu- 

 mission of the West Indian slaves, I consider 

 that we are by no means clear of the liability — 

 that we have paid but the first instalment of the 

 debt ; that although the national guilt of hold- 

 ing human beings in bondage as animals is done 

 away with, we have still to repair the misery 

 which we created in acquiring that property. 



As a nation. Great Britain has more advan- 

 tages, greater privileges, and, consequently, 

 greater responsibility, than any other nation. 

 We are bound, then, to be foremost in making 

 reparation for the injuries we have done Africa. 

 If we enjoy greater freedom of person, security 

 of property, educational and religious privileges, 

 than others, it is only more imperative on us to 

 impart them to our fellow-creatures. This is our 

 great privilege, as well as our duty ; and forming, 

 as we do, but a portion, and that a small one, 

 of the great family of mankind, it ought to be 

 our chief pride that we have been selected by 

 our Creator and furnished with the means of 

 imparting to others the benefits which we enjoy. 



