§ Mr. H. Davispresented a Petition, very numerously signed, from the inhabitants of Bristol, on the subject of West-Indian Slavery. He thought it necessary he should explain the cause which gave rise to the petition. Some time since, a numerous meeting of the inhabitants of Bristol,—called by public advertisement, —took place at Bristol, to consider the state of slavery in the West Indies, with a view of petitioning Parliament for its 1353 speedy abolition. Much discussion took place, with considerable heat on both sides. To allay this irritation, it was agreed that certain Resolutions should be embodied in a petition, which might satisfy both parties. A petition so signed was now in course of signature, and would, as he understood, be presented to the House. If it should be intrusted to him, the hon. Gentleman said, he would endeavour to behave with strict impartiality to both parties. In the mean time he was requested to present the petition which he held in his hand, most respectably signed by 2,500 persons, who expressed their opinion on this important subject. He was informed that both these petitions left the question of compensation to the justice and wisdom of Parliament. He (Mr. Davis) regretted that so much warmth should be brought to the discussion of a question which required the coolest discretion and judgment. He had no hesitation in allowing, that the greatest part of those persons who had petitioned the House for emancipation, had been influenced by the most praiseworthy, and even by the most generous motives; but he regretted, that these motives had not been tempered with more political discretion: on the other hand, he deeply regretted that the planters had not been compelled —for they might be compelled through their interests—to act fully up-to the resolutions of the House. He did not intend to say more on the importance of the West Indies to the mother country, than that they paid a revenue of more than 5,000,000l.; that they received manufactures from England to more than the same amount. They wore a great nursery for our seamen, and employed 260,000 tons of our shipping. No government, of whatever party, would be so unwise as to sacrifice these great advantages to an abstract principle, unless that principle was founded in justice and expediency, and unless there was no other mode of obtaining the wished-for result. In that case, a great, religious, and moral country, like England, ought to make sacrifices, nay, the greatest sacrifices, for the sake of such a principle. But if it could be proved that by delay, assisted by religious education, the slave could be better prepared for that freedom which all parties were anxious he should possess, and that by this delay the stumbling-block in the way of sudden emancipation, namely compen- 1354 sation, could be got rid of, few persons would doubt which course ought to be pursued, especially if the House were of opinion with him, that sudden emancipation might lead to all the horrors of St. Domingo, and be as injurious to the slave for whose benefit it was asked, as for the planter, who would by it be involved in irretrievable ruin. He (Mr. Davis) had given a most conscientious and unbiassed opinion on this great question; for if he were asked on which side his advocacy would most benefit his political interest, he really could not answer. Perhaps what he had said would not please either party. He concluded by stating, that the West India colonies were at present in the most abject state of distress—that they required all the fostering aid of the Government at home, and he trusted that this aid would be afforded in the next Session of Parliament.
Mr. E. Baillietrusted, the House would allow him to make a few observations on the subject, which was deeply interesting to his constituents. He coincided most heartily in the prayer of the petition, and in the sentiments expressed in it. Several hon. Gentlemen, when a petition of this description was presented from Liverpool a few nights ago, agreed in the opinion, that a temperate compensation should be made to the West-India proprietors. One learned Member, in particular, argued much in favour of the principle of compensation, which ought to be fairly treated. He did not mean to say, that all the expectations of the West Indies were to be realised; but the principle of compensation should be admitted in justice to the West-India proprietors. Representing the city of Bristol, whose inhabitants were deeply interested in this question, he thought it his duty to give his most cordial support to the hon. and learned member for Weymouth, and every other hon. Member who should assis' in carrying into effect what he believed to be the wish of the people of this country generally, and the expressed wish of the House-—the abolition of negro slavery. The principle of compensation being once fairly admitted, he should, as a West-India proprietor, and as a member for Bristol, be most happy to give his cordial support to every measure that could promote the emancipation of the slaves, and further the wishes of the people. And in case that the period at which the abolition of slavery might 1355 take place should be more distant than some hon. Members expected, he should be happy to give his most cordial support to any measure which might tend to advance the period at which so desirable an object could be obtained. He was as anxious to attain that object as any of the hon. Gentlemen who were the warmest advocates for the complete abolition. He was a Member of the House fifteen years before, when the Slave Registry Act was passed, he had given his support to that measure, and had always been happy in reflecting; that he did so.
Mr. Evanswished to make a very few observations on what had fallen from hon. Gentlemen on this subject. When the House was told, that this question must stand, not on justice, but expediency, he must say that he could not subscribe to such a doctrine. The House was told, too, that, the slaves should be better educated, in order that they might be the fitter prepared for emancipation. But he would ask the House to consult any authority, to read the public papers, and then hon. Members would be convinced that there was no disposition in the masters to prepare for the abolition of slavery, by educating their slaves. He, therefore, was not disposed, looking" to what had been already done in the West Indies, to place much confidence in the planters; and if the: Government did not take some steps to promote the amelioration of the condition of slaves, it would lose the confidence which he, in common with the great mass of the community, was disposed to place in his Majesty's Ministers.
§ Petition to lie on the Table.