But he judged it prudent, previously to this, to sound some of the members of the Assembly on the subject of it.
This he did; but he was greatly disappointed at the result.

There was not one member, out of all those, with whom he conversed, who had not been canvassed by the planters' committee.

And though most of them had been proof against all its intrigues and artifices, yet many of them hesitated respecting the abolition at that moment.

There was a fear in some that they should injure the revolution by adopting it; others, who had no such fears, wished for the concurrence of England in the measure, and suggested the propriety of a deputation there for that purpose previously to the discussion of the question in France.

While others maintained, that as England had done nothing, after having had it so long under consideration, it was fair to presume, that she judged it impolitic to abandon the Slave-trade; but if France were to give it up, and England to continue it, how would humanity be the gainer?
While the Comte de Mirabeau was continuing his canvass among the members of the National Assembly, relative to his motion, attempts were again made in the public papers to mislead them.