THE SLAVE QUESTION. 
417 
1788, with clauses providing for the gradual extinction 
of the slave trade, the introduction of free labour, and 
the progressive emancipation of their negroes. 
We may have reason to hope that the first operation 
of such a treaty would be, to take the traffic out of the 
hands of the lawless wretches, who now practise it with 
the maddening spirit of the gamester, and to transfer it 
to persons more likely to allow their interests to be 
tempered by humanity. The lukewarm, whose self- 
love, or love of country, has been arrayed against the 
cause by our dogmatism, will gradually sympathise with 
our better feeling, and the high-minded will gain con- 
verts. The breathing-time and cessation of the powerful 
and all-pervading excitement produced by opposition, 
will enable the selfish to see the advantage of prolong- 
ing life by relaxing toU, over the present cruel system 
of working their slaves to death. Eventually they 
may come to the understanding that free labour will 
be the most productive. 
Having obtained such a treaty, and measures having 
been adopted to enforce the provisions of it, England 
should frankly confess her error by withdrawing the 
African squadron*, as soon as the existing treaties will 
permit. 
* There are some reasons for supposing that the squadron for the 
suppression of the Slave Trade might be made more effectual by 
transferring the blockade from the coast of Africa to that of Brazil, 
and Cuba. But would this do more than try to obtain relief by 
turning the victim on his bed of torture? 
2 E 
VOL. II. 
