But while it kept such colonies under its dominion, the Assembly would feel, that it had the right to take up this question; and that the question itself would naturally spring out of the bill of rights, which had already been adopted as the basis of the constitution." The next question I proposed was, "whether they were of opinion, that the National Assembly would do more wisely, in the present situation of things, to determine upon the abolition of the Slave-trade now, or to transfer it to the legislature, which was to succeed it in the month of March." This question gave birth to a long discussion; during which much eloquence was displayed.

But the unanimous answer, with the reasons for it, may be conveyed in substance as follows.

"It would be most wise, it was said, in the present Assembly to introduce the question to the notice of the nation, and this as essentially connected with the bill of rights, but to transfer the determination of it, in a way the best calculated to ensure success, to the succeeding legislature.

The revolution was of more importance to Frenchmen, than the abolition of the Slave-trade.

To secure this was their first object, and more particularly, because the other would naturally flow from it.