They had shown, in an extraordinary manner, the opinion of the people.

He did not wish to turn this into a constitutional question; but he would observe, that it was of the utmost consequence to the maintenance of the constitution of this country, that the reputation of Parliament should be maintained.

But nothing could prejudice its character so much, as a vote, which should lead the people to believe, that the legislative body was the more corrupt part of it, and that it was slow to adopt moral principles.
It had been often insinuated that Parliament, by interfering in this trade, departed from its proper functions.

No idea could be more absurd: for, was it not its duty to correct abuses?
and what abuses were greater than robbery and murder?
He was indeed anxious for the abolition.

He desired it, as a commercial man, on account of the commercial character of the country.
He desired it for the reputation of Parliament, on which so materially depended the preservation of our happy constitution: but most of all he prayed for it for the sake of those eternal principles of justice, which it was the duty of nations, as well as of individuals, to support.
Colonel Tarleton repeated his arguments of the last year.