bosom. He moved right on, as his Saviour led him; and others, won by the loveliness of truth shining in him, came up with him to the advocacy of righteousness. Satan raged—then trembled—then fell—and the fresh ocean air of Britain again became too pure for a slave to breathe in. It may here be observed, that Stewart, in prosecuting his tyrant claim against Somerset, was supported by the mighty influence and wealth of the West Indian faction.
4th. We are taught the liability to the basest influences of the finest minds—and the consequent danger of resting upon human opinion.
In the beginning of his researches, Granville Sharp had found and noted the following passage in Blackstone's Commentaries, Book I, page 123, edition 1st. "And this spirit of liberty, is so deeply implanted in our Constitution, and rooted even in our very soil, that a slave or a negro, the moment he lands in England, falls under the protection of the laws, and with regard to all national rights, becomes eo instanti a freeman."
This passage being quoted in one of the trials, was triumphantly repelled by the opposite counsel, who produced the volume from which the quotation was made, and instead of the words as noted by Granville Sharp, read as follows: "A negro, the moment he lands in England, falls under the protection of the laws, and so far becomes a freeman; though the master's right to his service may possibly remain." Upon further investigation, it was found that in the course of the trials, Dr. Blackstone himself, had made this alteration in the subsequent editions; thus exhibiting man's dreadful liability to corrupt influence, and the greatness of the debt of gratitude which we owe to God, for raising up in the moment of emergency, such a vindicator of his truth as Granville Sharp.
Thus were the British Isles delivered from slavery. Thus became they cities of refuge for the slave! Let him but land there, and miserable as the roof might be under which he slept, he slept in safety! No more was he liable to be hunted through the streets as a beast of prey! He walked secure by the side of the stately ship, and feared no
