CHAPTER II.

_Continuation from July 1789 to July 1790--Author travels to Paris to
promote the abolition in France--attends the committees of the Friends of
the Negros--Counter attempts of the committee of White Colonists--An
account of the deputies of Colour--Meeting at the Duke de la
Rochefoucauld's--Mirabeau espouses the cause--canvasses the National
Assembly--Distribution of the section of the slave-ship there--Character of
Brissot--Author leaves Paris and returns to England--Examination of
merchants' and planters' evidence resumed in the House of Commons--Author
travels in search of evidence in favour of the abolition--Opposition to the
hearing of it--This evidence is at length introduced--Renewal of Sir
William Dolben's bill--Distribution of the section of the slave-ship in
England--and of Cowper's Negro's Complaint--and of Wedgewood's Cameos._


We usually find, as we give ourselves up to reflection, some little
mitigation of the afflictions we experience; and yet of the evils which
come upon us, some are often so heavy as to overpower the sources of
consolation for a time, and to leave us wretched. This was nearly our
situation at the close of the last session of parliament. It would be idle
not to confess that circumstances had occurred, which wounded us deeply.
Though we had foiled our opponents at their own weapons, and had
experienced the uninterrupted good wishes and support of the public, we had
the great mortification to see the enthusiasm of members of parliament
beginning to cool; to see a question of humanity and justice (for such it
was, when it was delivered into their hands) verging towards that of
commercial calculation; and finally to see regulation, as it related to it