Page:Substance of the speech of His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, in the House of Lords.djvu/37

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

powers, in efforts for the improvement of navigation, and the consequent increase if seamen, in seas so remote from our home possessions. And here, my Lords, I wish to remark, that this observation arises from pure motives of patriotism, as I am fearful of impolicy and danger from such rival powers, when usurping and armed with the authority of the moment.

Permit me, my Lords, to illustrate these observations by some additional truths. It is a fact, perhaps well known to every British Officer of the army and navy who has been at Gibraltar, that the Emperor of Morocco has a very large black army within his dominions, the number of which he regularly maintains by sending down armed Moors to bring away, by force, the negroes from their wives and families, without the advantage of barter, and without the most distant respect to the customs and manners of the Africans.