r 139 i
Here, Sir, I might fairly take my leave, did not
a sense of moral, as well as patriotic duty, irresisti-
bly force upon me another important topic.
There is a subject, a most momentous and op-
probrious one, which stands not indeed in any ne-
cessary connection with my argument, but upon
which when recommending measures of West
Indian policy, it is impossible not to reflect, and
would be criminal to be silent.
The Slave Trade I How does that dreadful name
dishearten the patriot hopes of an Englishman,
who knows its horrors, and who has seen its per-
nicious effects! Could I forget, or doubt, that,
" Verily, and indeed, there is a God who governs
the earth ;" I still could not sincerely hold forth
the hope of a result finally beneficial to my coun-
try, from the measure recommended in these
sheets, or from any other scheme of policy how-
ever wise, while that pestilent iniquity is cherish-
ed. It would be like promising prosperity to a
prodigal, from arrangements of domestic economy,
while he refused to forsake the gaming table or
the race course; or health to a dropsical drunkard
from medicine, while he persisted in the nightly
debauch.
Yet I see my country still given up without
remorse to the unbridled career of slave trad-
ing speculators. As if amorous of guilt and of
ruin, we plunge deeper every day into that gulph
of African blood,
Happy