That their population was rather increasing than otherwise, and also that their general treatment was by no means so good as it ought to have been, were both points which had been proved by different witnesses.

Neither were they incompatible with each other.

But he would see whether the explanation of this seeming contradiction would not refute the argument of expediency, as advanced by his honourable friend.

Did the slaves decrease in numbers ?--Yes.

Then ill usage must have been the cause of it; but if so, the abolition was immediately necessary to restrain it.
Did they, on the other hand, increase ?--Yes.