In length, distinguished for research and ability. Every topic applicable to the question was exhausted; assertions on the one hand were met by denials on the other, and arguments advanced with confidence were examined with freedom. In this mode, the debate turned on the tyranny and inhumanity used in obtaining slaves, the horrors of the middle passage, their degraded state and cruel treatment; and anecdotes were cited, both from books and from evidence before the House, in support of the motion. On the other side, in addition to argumentative refutation and denial or disbelief of facts, were urged the injustice to those who were engaged in the trade, and still more to the colonies; the injury to commerce in general; the certainty that the advantages which England threw away would be eagerly caught at by other nations; and it was particularly argued that the proposed measure was premature, as traders, colonists, and even the slaves themselves, ought to have time to prepare for so important a change. It was denied, by the advocates for the measure, that emancipation was at all contemplated; they desired only the cessation of the trade. Very little personality was exhibited on either part; and the debate was so conducted, that two members, who came into the House prepossessed against the motion, or unprepared to decide, declared themselves among its supporters. It was, however, negatived by a great majority*. As a compensation for this failure, the friends of the abolition were gratified by a complete and almost * 163 to 88. undisputed success in another object-the establishment, by statute, of the Sierra Leone Company. At the close of the late war, a great number of American slaves, who had been induced to join the British forces, who had been left in Nova Scotia, a climate unfavourable to their constitution and habits, cheerfully accepted a proposal for forming a colony on the coast of Africa: and more than eleven hundred were carried to Sierra Leone. At the same period*, a great number of these unfortunate persons, who had been landed in England, were seen, in a state of deplorable distress, in all parts of the metropolis, and in other great towns, soliciting charity, or, when that resource failed, betaking themselves to crime to pacify the cravings of nature. These were also collected, to the number of four hundred, and, with about sixty white persons, mostly women of the lowest sort, and in ill-health, sent out to Sierra Leone at the charge of the government. This attempt was marked by misfortune. A long detention in the channel, the voyage and other circumstances acting upon constitutions already impaired, greatly thinned the numbers of the intended settlers. Fifty died before the ships left Plymouth, thirty-four during the passage, eighty-six perished on the coast within four months of their arrival, and fifteen desertedt. Captain Thompson, of the navy, had obtained from King Tom, and it was afterward confirmed by King Naimbanna, a grant of a piece of land, about twenty miles square, where these people were landed, and supplied with provisions, arms, and tools, to begin the formation of a free and independent colony. For their temporary regulation, and as the basis of their social system, a code was drawn up by Mr. Granville Sharp‡. In this essay, it was laid down as a principle, that in new settlements human labour is more essential and valuable than any other article; but, whether from education, habit, or nature, the people for whom * In 1786. † Clarkson, vol. ii. p. 342. Report to the Directors of the Sierra Leone Company, 1792, p. 3. These vessels arrived in May 1787. Short Sketch of temporary Regulations for the intended Settlement near Sierra Leone, by Granville Sharp. CHAP. LXIX. 1791. СНАР. 1791. Sierra Leone Company formed. Bill for a charter. May 8. he attempted to legislate were so little disposed to labour, that their working tools and building materials were left untouched, although the negroes were assured that the land they tilled and the dwellings they erected should be their own property. Thus the projected colony languished, and the hopes of its founders were depressed. In vain did the benevolent Mr. Sharp charter a vessel, in which fifty negroes, with tools, arms, and money, were to proceed to Sierra Leone. Eleven deserted before the ship sailed, the master plundered the property, and, when the residue arrived*, they found the colony almost abandoned; the few white persons who had been left, having migrated to the slave factories†. Still the hopes of the parties did not break down under these disappointments. A joint-stock company was formed for carrying their project into execution ; and a bill was brought into the House of Commons for allowing them a charter for thirty-one years, and protecting the general property of the share-holders from the common effects of the bankrupt law on the estates of co-partners. On the motion for a second reading, Mr. Gascoyne presented petitions from merchants of London, and from the African company, praying to be heard by counsel. He objected to the bill, as tending to establish a monopoly. Sierra Leone was the only river, for an extent of sixteen hundred miles, which afforded ships a safe and commodious harbour. If the bill gave the intended corporation an exclusive right to the harbour of Sierra Leone, that would be a monopoly. If the water, which was now obtained for ships from a spring within the circumference or tract of land which the Company meant to have inclosed, was to be paid for, he should deem that a monopoly. The nations, too, were in the habit of crossing this very spot, for the purpose of trading with the ships; and it would be a great injustice to restrain their commerce, or oblige them to make a circuitous * 1788. In addition to the authorities above cited, see Macpherson's Annals, vol. iv. pp. 127-175; and a Voyage to Sierra Leone, by Lieutenant Matthews. journey. These objections were easily answered by Mr. Thornton, who denied that a monopoly was intended, or could possibly result from the measure, that it was merely designed as a protection for those who embarked a portion of their fortunes in a commerce for the natural productions of Africa, and that it would not occasion any injury to other traders. СНАР. LXIX. 1791. On the third reading, objections were renewed by May 30. Mr. Cawthorne, who doubted the right of his Majesty to make any grant of land in Sierra Leone. He raised some merriment by reading the conveyance brought home by Captain Thompson, graced with the mark of King Tom, assigning lands to the Captain and some other persons, and to their heirs for ever. Mr. Sharp had drawn up a code of laws; but the settlers, after plundering the stores and robbing one another, had dispersed. King Tom was dead; and his successor King Jamie, far from acknowledging the validity of the grant, seized some of the new comers, sold them as slaves to British merchants, drove the settlers from the district, and compelled them to seek refuge far up the country. He did not desire to prevent the new Company from exploring and deriving benefit from the interior, but could not assent to their possessing exclusive or peculiar rights, or gaining dominion over a great and important river. These opinions were supported by Lord Sheffield, Mr. Matthew Montagu, and Mr. Hippisley, and answered shortly by Mr. Henry Thornton, Sir William Young, Mr. Buxton, and Mr. Devaynes, who preferred the mark of King Tom or King Jamie, as a title to the more usual one of driving the natives from their lands, and then using such possession as a title. The establishment, it was expected, would lead to the civilization of Africa and the abolition of the slave-trade. On a division, the opposers of the bill were defeated by a great majority*; and the measure does not seem to have encountered any opposition in the upper House. * 87 to 9. Passed. 584 CHAPTER THE SEVENTIETH. 1790-1791. Occurrences in France.-General change of ministry—exculpation of the Duke of Orléans and Mirabeau.-Conduct of the Assembly toward foreign nations-the clergy—oath imposed on them.-The King's assent forced-some of the clergy conform, the majority refuse.-The King's aunts go to Rome.--Altered conduct of Mirabeau.-Riot in Paris.— Decree against emigrants.-Attack on the castle of Vincennes-conduct of Lafayette -the King's friends maltreated perseverance of Mirabeau.-The King ill-regency provided for-residence of the King decreed.—Illness-and death of Mirabeau-honours paid him.-Proceedings with respect to religion-resistance of the King— his journey to St. Cloud prevented-his ineffectual complaint to the Assembly-he yields up his objections to constitutional priests-his letter.-Influence of these events on the English Parliament.--Canada. —King's message.—Mr. Pitt's motion. Mr. Fox.-Petitions-progress of the bill.State of the opposition party.—Mr. Hussey's motion.-Speech of Mr. Fox-Mr. Pitt.-Further observations of Mr. Foxsituation of him and Mr. Burke.--Motion by Mr. Sheridan to adjourn the debate on the Canada bill.-Mr. M. A. Taylor. -Mr. Fox.-Mr. Powys.-Mr. Burke.-Debate on the recommitment of the bill.-Mr. Burke.-Mr. Fox.-Mr. M. A. Taylor.-Mr. St. John-continued efforts to bear down Mr. Burke. Lord Sheffield moves a question of order. Mr. Fox.- Mr. Burke-he disclaims all future friendship with Mr. Fox.-Agitation and speech of Mr. Fox-Mr. Burke-Mr. Pitt.-Motion of order withdrawn. --Further proceedings on the bill.--Mr. Fox - Mr. Pitt |
