His mind had indeed been harassed by the objections of the West India planters, who had asserted, that the ruin of their property must be the consequence of such a measure.

He could not help, however, distrusting their arguments.

He could not believe that the Almighty Being, who had forbidden the practice of rapine and bloodshed, had made rapine and bloodshed necessary to any part of his universe.

He felt a confidence in this persuasion, and took the resolution to act upon it.

Light indeed soon broke in upon him.