They saw that two-thirds of the session had already passed.

They saw no hope of Mr.Wilberforce's recovery for some time.

Rumours too were afloat, that other members, of whose plans they knew nothing, and who might even make emancipation their object, would introduce the business into the house.

Thus situated, they waited as patiently as they could till the eighth of April[A], when they resolved to write to Mr.Wilberforce, to explain to him their fears and wishes, and to submit it to his consideration, whether, if he were unable himself, he would appoint some one, in whom he could confide, to make some motion in parliament on the subject.
[Footnote A: Brissot attended in person at this commitee in his way to America, which it was then an object with him to visit.] But the public expectation became now daily more visible.

The inhabitants of Manchester, many of whom had signed the petition for that place, became impatient, and they appointed Thomas Walker and Thomas Cooper, esquires, as their delegates, to proceed to London to communicate with the commitee on this subject, to assist them, in their deliberations upon it, and to give their attendance while it was under discussion by the legislature.
At the time of the arrival of the delegates, who were received as such by the commitee, a letter came from Bath, in which it was stated that Mr.
Wilberforce's health was in such a precarious state, that his physicians dared not allow him to read any letter, which related to the subject of the Slave-trade.
The commitee were now again at a loss how to act, when they were relieved from this doubtful situation by a message from Mr.Pitt, who desired a conference with their chairman.