The Attorney Generalsaid, that the motion which he then rose to make, was one in which humanity and sound policy were united. It was to prevent so much of the trade as concerned the importation of African negroes by British ships into the colonies conquered or ceded to us in the war, or into the colonies of any neutral state in the West Indies. At present every state that had colonies in America, or the West Indies, and that were not actually at war with us, availed itself of the opportunity of British shipping to carry on the trade. Even in time of war, our enemies were also supplied with negroes for their colonies by British subjects and by British capital, although in a more indirect manner. The Danish islands of St. Croix and St. 598 Thomas formed depôts in the West Indies, from which our enemies could be supplied with as many negroes as they wanted, and which were now brought there principally by British subjects and British ships. From these depôts, Cuba, St. Domingo, Martinique, and Guadaloupe, and many parts of the continent of Spanish America, were supplied; and when it was considered that those colonies were not only the sources of their prosperity, but that they were also the foundation of their maritime strength and power, it would appear contrary to sound policy that we should afford them the means of rivalling our colonies, and of attaining a high degree of commercial prosperity. The possession of St. Domingo alone was, in this point of view, of incalculable value to France before the revolution. It employed a prodigious number of ships, and formed a number of seamen, Of the settlements that had come into our possession since the commencement of the war, some came by right of conquest, and therefore while they remained in our possession, his majesty had undoubtedly the right of legislating for them. There were others which were ceded by capitulation, the terms of which necessarily restricted this right of legislation. His majesty had already, by his proclamation, dated the 15th Aug. 1804, laid down certain limitations in this respect. It was evidently. against the policy of this country, that great importations of slaves should take place in settlements which perhaps might be restored at the conclusion of peace. He therefore moved for leave to bring in a bill, to carry into effect his maj.'s proclamation of the 15th of August, 1804, for preventing the importation of African negroes by British subjects or British shipping into the colonies conquered by, or ceded to us in the course of the war.
§ The Speakersuggested to the right hon. gent., that in point of form, it was necessary that a copy of that proclamation should be first laid before the house.
§ Mr. Foxseemed to consider, that a proclamation of his majesty in council might be taken notice of by the house without a copy.
§ Mr. Percevalsaid, that this was a proclamation not binding on all his majesty's subjects, and therefore it could not be taken notice of by the house, unless a copy were laid before them. He suggested to the learned gent. that it would be the better way to withdraw his motion for the present, 599 and move for an humble address to his majesty, praying, that he would be graciously pleased to order a copy of the said order of council to be laid before the house.
The Attorney Generalagreed in this suggestion, and gave notice, that he should to-morrow move for a copy of the order in council.
§ General Tarletonhoped the right hon. gent. who proposed this measure, would at least allow sufficient time to the merchants of this country to investigate the subject. It was certainly a matter of very great consequence.
§ Sir Win. Youngobserved, that in some of the islands taken, particularly at Tobago, there could hardly be said to be a Frenchman. Instead of capitulation, it was with exultation that they saw themselves placed under the British government.
§ Mr. Alderman Prinsepthought the right hon. and learned gent. had not made himself sufficiently master of the subject. As to the power of legislating for the colonies that were ceded, as long as they should continue in our possession, it was a right, which, generally speaking, was not restricted by any capitulation.
The Attorney Generalsaid, that it was his intention to bring in his bill as soon as possible, that it might be read once before the recess; which he thought would meet the ideas of an hon. general (Tarleton), and give sufficient time for the consideration of the subject.