HL Deb 23 February 1818 vol 37 c575
Lord Holland

adverted to the address of the House to the throne, praying that the colonial assemblies in the West Indies might be urged to adopt such measures as might be most effectual for preventing any traffic in slaves, and wished to be informed whether ministers meant to bring the subject under consideration, by presenting the acts of the colonial legislatures relating to this subject? He did not mean this in any hostility to ministers, who he had no doubt had done all in their power to urge the colonial assemblies to adopt the requisite measures; nor did he doubt the disposition of the latter. He knew, indeed, that in Jamaica measures to the effect desired had been adopted under the auspices of the noble duke who presided there as governor, and whose conduct in that station was equally honourable to the government here, and advantageous to the interests of the island.

Earl Bathurst

said, that the whole of the acts of the colonial legislatures upon this subject had not yet been received; and that, therefore, it was thought most adviseable not to bring the subject under consideration till they had all come to hand. The noble lord might be assured, that the subject had received from his majesty's ministers that attention which it so justly merited.