“My health has certainly taken a most alarming turn; and if some considerable alteration does not take place for the better in a very little time, it will be all over with me; I mean as to the present life.  I have lost all appetite; and suffer grievously from an almost continual pain in my stomach, which leaves me no enjoyment of myself, but such as I can collect from my own reflections, and the comforts of religion.  I am glad the bill for the abolition is in such forwardness.  Whether it goes through the House or not, the discussion attending it will have a most beneficial effect.  The whole of this business I think now to be in such a train, as to enable me to bid farewell to the present scene with the satisfaction of not having lived in vain, and of having done something towards the improvement of our common nature; and this at no little expense of time and reputation.  The little I have now written is my utmost effort; yet yesterday I thought it necessary to write an answer to a scurrilous libel in The Diary by one Scipio.  On my own account he should have remained unnoticed, but our great cause must be kept unsullied.”

Mr. Ramsay was a man of active habit, of diligence and perseverance in his undertakings, and of extraordinary application.  He was of mild and humble manners.  He possessed a strong understanding, with great coolness and courage.  Patriotism and public spirit were striking traits in his character.  In domestic life he was amiable:  in the ministry, exemplary and useful; and he died to the great regret of his parishioners, but most of all to that of those, who moved with him in his attempts to bring about the important event of the abolition of the Slave-trade.

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.