against themselves; who could behold their country desolated, and their citizens slaughtered; who could brave, with unshaken firmness, every calamity of war, before they would submit to the smallest infringement of their rights, — that his very people could yet see thousands of their fellow creatures, within the limits of their territory, bending beeath an unnatural yoke; and, instead of being assiduous to destroy their shackles, anxious to immortalize their duration, to that a nation of slaves might for ever exist in a country here freedom is its boast."
The whole speech is one of irresistible force, noble sentiment, and burning eloquence.
The style in which the House of Representatives was addressed at that period, may be learned from the letter of Warner Mifflin, dated in Kent County, Delaware, 2d of 1st month, 1793. He said:
"But whether you will hear or forbear, I think it my duty to tell you plainly, that I believe that the blood of the slain, nd the oppression exercised in Africa, promoted by Americans, and in this country also, will stick to the skirts of very individual of your body, who exercise the powers of legislation, and do not exert then talents to clear themselves of this abomination, when they shall be arraigned before the tremendous bar of the judgment-seat of Him who will not fail to do right, in rendering unto every man his due; even Him who early declared, 'at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man;' before whom the natural black skin of the body will never occasion such degradation. I desire to approach you with proper and due respect, in the temper of a Christian, and the firmness of a veteran American freeman, to plead the cause of injured
