This was, he said, so far from being the case, that the more he contemplated the trade, the more enormous he found it, and the more he felt himself compelled to persevere in endeavours for its abolition.
One would have thought that a motion, so reasonable and so constitutional, would have met with the approbation of all; but it was vehemently opposed by Mr.Gascoyne, Alderman Newnham, and others.

The plea set up was, that there was no precedent for referring a question of such importance to a committee.

It was now obvious, that the real object of our opponents in abandoning decision by the privy council evidence was delay.

Unable to meet us there, they were glad to fly to any measure, which should enable them to put off the evil day.

This charge was fixed upon them in unequivocal language by Mr.Fox; who observed besides, that if the members of the house should then resolve to hear evidence in a committee of the whole house as before, it would amount to a resolution, that the question of the abolition of the Slave-trade should be put by, or at least that it should never be decided by them.