He did not mean to offend any one.

There were persons connected with the trade, some of whom he pitied on account of the difficulty of their situation.

But he should think most contemptibly of himself as a man, if he could talk on this traffic without emotion.

It would be a sign to him of his own moral degradation.

He regretted his inability to do justice to such a cause; but if, in having attempted to forward it, he had shown the weakness of his powers, he must console himself with the consideration, that he felt more solid comfort in having acted up to sound public principles, than he could have done from the exertion of the most splendid talents against the conviction of his conscience.
Mr.Burdon rose, and said he was embarrassed to know how to act.