As for himself, he would renew his profession of last year, that he would never cease, but with life, to promote so glorious an end.
Mr.Whitbread said, that even if he could conceive, that the trade was, as some had asserted it to be, founded on principles of humanity; that the Africans were rescued from death in their own country; that, upon being carried to the West Indies, they were put under kind masters; that their labour there was easy; that at evening they returned cheerful to their homes; that in sickness they were attended with care; and that their old age was rendered comfortable; even then he would vote for the abolition of the Slave-trade; inasmuch as he was convinced, that that, which was fundamentally wrong, no practice could justify.
No eloquence could persuade him, that the Africans were torn from their country and their dearest connections, merely that they might lead a happier life; or that they could be placed under the uncontrolled dominion of others without suffering.

Arbitrary power would spoil the hearts of the best.

Hence would arise tyranny on the one side, and a sense of injury on the other.

Hence the passions would be let loose, and a state of perpetual enmity would follow.
He needed only to go to the accounts of those who defended the system of slavery, to show that it was cruel.

He was forcibly struck last year by an expression of an honourable member, an advocate for the trade, who, when he came to speak of the slaves, on selling off the stock of a plantation, said, that they fetched less than the common price, because they were damaged .-- Damaged!--What! were they goods and chattels?
What an idea was this to hold out of our fellow-creatures.