The Speeches of the Right Honourable Charles James Fox, in the House of Commons (Volume 4) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1815. Excerpt: ... Abol1t1on Of The Slave Trade. May 12. THE consideration of the slave trade, which in conformity to a resolution passed by the House of Commons last year, ought to have been resumed early in the present session, was, on account of the peculiar circumstances of the times, deferred till the 12th of May. A large and elaborate report from the privy council was laid upon the table, and several petitions, both for and against the proposed abolition of the trade, were presented to the House. These papers were this day referred to a committee of the whole House to consider of the circumstances of the slave trade; in which committee Mr. Wilberforce concluded a speech of extraordinary merit, with moving the following twelve resolutions: 1. " That the number of slaves annually carried from the coast of Africa, in British vessels, is supposed to be about 38,000. That the number annually carried to the British West India islands, has, on an average of four years, to the year 1787 inclusive, amounted to about 22,500. That the number annually retained in the said islands, as far as appears by the custom house accounts, has amounted, on the same average, to about 17,500. 2. " That much the greater number of negroes, carried away by European vessels, are brought from the interior parts of the continent of Africa, and many of them from a very great distance. That no precise information appears to have been obtained of the manner in which these persons have been made slaves. But that from the accounts, as far as any have been procured on this subject, with respect to the slaves brought from the interior parts of Africa, and from the information which has been received respecting the countries nearer to the coast, the slaves may in general be classed under some of the followi...