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humane and benevolent individuals: thus creating a neucleus, around which might be gathered the moral force and sentiment of the kingdom. Statesmen and Lawyers, Bishops and Doctors of Divinity, Churchmen and Dissenters, Lords and Knights; yielded to the clearness of his reasoning, the justness of his representations, and the humanity of his purposes. A regular organization was decided upon, at once, to represent the philanthropy of England, and to direct the already growing anti-slavery sentiment of the country. On the 22d of May, 1787, a committee was formed, consisting of twelve members. Granville Sharpe was appointed Chairman, which office he held during the whole anti-slavery struggle. Of this committee Mr. Clarkson was undoubtedly the grand moving spirit. "While it is indeed true, that the whole committee signalized themselves by unwonted and long-continued exertions, yet it is evident, and acknowledged, that Clarkson was the Prometheus of the cause; diffusing the burning warmth and vivid flame of his own intense zeal to the committee, from them to the country at large, and they back again to the lawgivers of the kingdom.
It was just about this time that he became acquained with the afterwards celebrated Wilberforce, just then, almost a youth, "rising above the horizon," and about starting into public life. Most happy meeting! Most opportune acquaintance! History has few pictures, romance few ideal scenes, more grateful or more glowing, than the meeting of these two youthful men, neither of them having attained the mid-day of their strength, conferring with each other for the destruction of a well-established system, existing under the sanction of the national legislature, and uncondemned by any class of England's community. Mr. Wilberforce joined Mr. Clarkson in his designs, aud from that time they were leagued together in this holy cause.
In May, 1788, the question of the abolition of the slave-trade was first introduced into the British Parliament. It was not presented by Mr. Wilberforce himself, owing to indisposition. The great William Pitt has the honor of first bringing this important subject before the Commons of England. Immediately a most interesting discussion ensued upon it, bringing out the most masterly minds, and affording an opportunity for the gathering around the standard of freedom, the most distinguished talent, the loftiest piety, and the most commanding eloquence, of that or any other age of the world—Pitt, Fox, and Burke, the three greatest geniuses of the age, engaged in this debate, condemning the slave trade; and thus, in the very infancy of the cause, honoring themselves and human nature, by proving true to its best and- noblest dictates.
Thus was the ice first broken. Thus were the dark clouds of a fearful night first pierced by the early rays of the opening morn of freedom.
And now commenced the first great agitation of the elements. The opponents of liberty had hitherto rested in security, behind the entrenchments of law and statute, of trade and custom, and the sanctions of wealth and luxury. This security had never, as yet, been disturbed
