Scarcely a liveryman was absent, unless sick, or previously engaged.

The petition, when introduced, was opposed by those who had prevented it in the common council.

But their voices were drowned amidst groans and hissings.

It was shortly after carried; and it had not been signed more than half an hour, before it was within the walls of the House of Commons.

The reason of this extraordinary dispatch was, that it had been kept back by intrigue so late, that the very hour, in which it was delivered to the House, was that in which Mr.Wilberforce was to make his new motion.
And as no petitions were ever more respectable than those presented on this occasion, as far as they breathed the voice of the people, and as far as they were founded on a knowledge of the object which they solicited, so none were ever more numerous, as far as we have any record of such transactions.