He did not believe they would.

He knew that America was about to give it up.
He believed the states of Europe would give it up.

But, supposing that they were all to continue it, would not our honour be the greater?
Would not our virtue be the more signal?
for then, -- --"faithful we Among the faithless found"---- to which he would add, that undoubtedly we should diminish the evil, as far as the number of miserable beings was concerned, which was accustomed to be transported to our own colonies.
Earl Spencer agreed with the noble viscount (Sidmouth) that the amelioration of the condition of the slaves was an object, which might be effected in the West Indies; but he was certain, that the most effectual way of improving it would be by the total and immediate abolition of the Slave-trade; and for that reason he would support the resolution.

Had the resolution held out emancipation to them, it would not have had his assent; for it would have ill become the character of this country, if it had been once promised, to have withheld it from them.

It was to such deception that the horrors of St.Domingo were to be attributed.