system by "Scriptural Researches on the licitness of the Slave Trade." I mention the fact, merely that similar men now, may know who their forefathers in spirit, were.
In May, 1788, Mr. Pitt asked the Parliament to pledge itself to a full discussion of the subject next session.
In the spring of 1789, Mr. Wilberforce introduced his motion; but the slave faction got the question postponed.
A section of a slave ship meanwhile with the slaves stowed away in it, was published and thrilled through the public mind. The most interesting communications were had with Paris.
Early in 1790, Wilberforce renewed his motion—and again was met with delays. The combination against his holy cause, was mighty; and the most false and fierce alarms were industriously fancied or fabricated to impede it. "Civil war"—"ruin and bloodshed to the colonies"—"destruction to the masters, and wretchedness tenfold worse than slavery!!! to the slaves"—"anarchy—sterility—famine," were portended as the infallible consequences of "ceasing to do evil and learning to do well"—of putting an end by law to a system which is now condemned as "piracy" and which was then as feloniously piratical as it is now; the only difference being, that British law, now speaks the truth respecting it—and then with brazen wickedness supported falsehood.
In April, 1791, Wilberforce moved for leave to bring in "A Bill to prevent the further importation of Slaves into the British Colonies in the West Indies." But the motion was rejected by a majority. This defeat however only stimulated the zeal of (the friends of humanity. An abridgement of all the evidence which had been obtained, was profusely circulated. The invaluable Thomas Clarkson, like a messenger of light, traversed the nation, and the public mind stirred itself up in behalf of holy love and liberty. Three hundred thousand persons at this period, refrained from sugar altogether; perceiving that by using it, they were directly supporting the slave system which they abhorred. Three hundred and ten petitions were presented from England; one hundred and eighty-seven from Scot-
