§ Mr. Oliphantpresented a Petition, signed, as he stated, by 3,800 inhabitants of Perth and its neighbourhood, for the abolition of Slavery. The petitioners begged that the emancipation might be immediate. There was no man more convinced that slavery ought to be abolished than he was, but he feared instant abolition might lead to consequences that 949 the petitioners would be the first to regret. He was however, clearly of opinion that some steps ought to be taken to make a commencement in that desirable object, that the public might have it in prospect that slavery would in the end be entirely abolished. He had most perfect confidence in his Majesty's Ministers, knowing as he did, and as the House did, that it was their wish to place (as far as practicable) the slaves in equality with the rest of our fellow-subjects. It ought, however, to be borne in mind that at this moment the whole produce of the West-India colonies was returned to them again in the shape of necessaries and comforts for the slaves. Proprietors of land in these colonies did not derive a single farthing of revenue (taking them as a body), and consequently, when any alteration should take place in regard to the treatment of the slaves, which might have the effect of diminishing the produce sent to this country, the slave would, exactly in the same proportion, suffer a diminution in the necessaries and comforts sent out to them from this country. He repeated that he had great confidence in his Majesty's Ministers, and would give them his support in any measure they might bring forward for the amelioration of the slaves.
§ Petition laid on the Table.