Having but little time to spare, I desired him to introduce me to one of them.  In a few minutes he took me to James Phillips, who was then the only one of them in town; by whose conversation I was so much interested and encouraged, that without any further hesitation I offered him the publication of my work.  This accidental introduction of me to James Phillips was, I found afterwards, a most happy circumstance for the promotion of the cause, which I had then so deeply at heart, as it led me to the knowledge of several of those, who became afterwards material coadjutors in it.  It was also of great importance to me with respect to the work itself.  For he possessed an acute penetration, a solid judgment, and a many alterations and additions he proposed, and which I believe I uniformly adopted, after mature consideration, from a sense of their real value.  It was advantageous to me also, inasmuch as it led me to his friendship, which was never interrupted but by his death.

On my second visit to James Phillips, at which time I brought him about half my manuscript for the press, I desired him to introduce me to William Dillwyn, as he also had mentioned him to me on my first visit, and as I had not seen Mr. Hancock since.  Matters were accordingly arranged, and a day appointed before I left him.  On this day I had my first interview with my new friend.  Two or three others of his own religious society were present, but who they were I do not now recollect.  There seemed to be a great desire among them to know the motive by which I had been actuated in contending for the prize.  I told them frankly, that I had no motive but that which other young men in the University had on such occasions; namely, the wish of being distinguished, or of obtaining literary honour; but that I had felt so deeply on the subject of it, that I had lately interested myself in it from a motive of duty.  My conduct seemed to be highly approved by those present, and much conversation ensued, but it was of a general nature.

As William Dillwyn wished very much to see me at his house at Walthamstow, I appointed the thirteenth of March to spend the day with him there.  We talked for the most part, during my stay, on the subject of my Essay.  I soon discovered the treasure I had met with in his local knowledge, both of the Slave-trade and of slavery, as they existed in the United States, and I gained from him several facts, which with his permission I afterwards inserted in my work.  But how surprised was I to hear in the course of our conversation of the labours of Granville Sharp, of the writings of Ramsay, and of the controversy in which the latter was engaged, of all which I had hitherto known nothing!  How surprised was I to learn, that William Dillwyn himself, had two years before associated himself with five others for the purpose of enlightening the public mind upon this great subject!  How astonished was I to find that a society had been formed in America for the same object, with some of the principal