The Duke of Buckinghampresented a Petition from the Merchants of Dublin, praying that their Lordships would pause and "deliberate well before, in these times of agitation, they passed any measures for the emancipation of the slaves. He agreed in the prayer of the petition. Neither he nor the petitioners advocated slavery; but he and they both thought, that too much care could not be taken in giving rights to uneducated men, such as their Lordships possessed themselves. In the pre- 349 sent uneducated state of the slave population of the West Indies, they w c unable to enjoy freedom.
Lord Calthorpecomplained of the conduct of the colonial legislators not having acted upon the recommendations of Parliament, and he thought they ought now to be enforced. It was seven years since the two Houses of Parliament unanimously resolved, that the slaves should receive those blessings of education that were to fit them for liberty; and why the execution of them had been withheld, it was for those persons to explain, who yet petitioned against emancipation. It was the duty of Parliament not to allow its just and humane plans to be frustrated by the colonial assemblies.
The Duke of Buckinghamdid not wish to enter into a discussion of the question; but he heartily wished that the Government would take up the subject, and not leave it in the hands of interested persons.
Lord Suffeldsaid, that as long as the people were kept in slavery, it was impossible they should obtain that education which would fit them for the enjoyment of freedom.