THE COMMITTEE. 359 



take up the question, and he had agreed to do so 

 whenever an opportunity should occur. This happened 

 before his acquaintance with Clarkson, to whom he 

 said at their first interview, that abolition was a ques- 

 tion near his heart. A short time after, there was a 

 dinner at Mr Bennet Langton's, at which Sir Joshua 

 Reynolds, Boswell, Windham, and himself were present. 

 The conversation turned upon the African slave-trade, 

 and Clarkson exhibited some specimens of cotton cloth 

 manufactured by the natives in their own looms, the 

 plant being grown in their own fields. All the guests 

 expressed themselves on the side of abolition, and Mr 

 Wilberforce was asked if he would bring it forward in 

 the House. He said that he would have no objection 

 to do so when he was better prepared for it, providing 

 no more proper person could be found. 



The Committee now went to work in earnest, and 

 held weekly meetings at Mr Wilberforce's house. 

 Clarkson was sent to Bristol and Liverpool, where he 

 collected much information, though not without diffi- 

 culty, and even, as he thought, danger of his life. A 

 commission was appointed by the Lords of the Privy 

 Council to collect evidence. It was stated by the 

 Liverpool and planter party, that not only the colonial 

 prosperity, but the commercial existence of the nation 

 was at stake ; that the Guinea trade was a nursery for 

 British seamen ; that the slaves offered for sale were 

 criminals and captives who would be eaten if they were 

 not bought ; that the middle passage was the happiest 

 period of a negro's life ; that the sleeping apartments 

 on board were perfumed with frankincense; and that the 

 slaves were encouraged to disport themselves on deck 

 with the music and dances of their native land. On 

 the other hand, the Committee proved from the muster 



