It is impossible, if I observe the bounds I have prescribed myself, and I believe the reader will be glad of it on account of his own feelings, that I should lay open the numerous cases, which came before me at Liverpool, relative to the ill-treatment of the seamen in this wicked trade.  It may be sufficient to say, that they harassed my constitution, and affected my spirits daily.  They were in my thoughts on my pillow after I retired to rest, and I found them before my eyes when I awoke.  Afflicting, however, as they were, they were of great use in the promotion of our cause:  for they served, whatever else failed, as a stimulus to perpetual energy:  they made me think light of former labours, and they urged me imperiously to new.  And here I may observe, that among the many circumstances which ought to excite our joy on considering the great event of the abolition of the Slave Trade, which has now happily taken place, there are few for which we ought to be more grateful, than that from this time our commerce ceases to breed such abandoned wretches:  while those, who have thus been bred in it, and who may yet find employment in other trades, will, in the common course of nature, be taken off in a given time, so that our marine will at length be purified from a race of monsters, which have helped to cripple its strength, and to disgrace its character.

The temper of many of the interested people of Liverpool had now become still more irritable, and their hostility more apparent than before.  I received anonymous letters, entreating me to leave it, or I should otherwise never leave it alive.  The only effect which this advice had upon me, was to make me more vigilant when I went out at night.  I never stirred out at this time without Mr. Falconbridge; and he never accompanied me without being well armed.  Of this, however, I knew nothing until we had left the place.  There was certainly a time when I had reason to believe that I had a narrow escape.  I was one day on the pier-head with many others looking at some little boats below at the time of a heavy gale.  Several persons, probably out of curiosity, were hastening thither.  I had seen all I intended to see, and was departing, when I noticed eight or nine persons making towards me.  I was then only about eight or nine yards from the precipice of the pier, but going from it.  I expected that they would have divided to let me through them; instead of which they closed upon me and bore me back.  I was borne within a yard of the precipice, when I discovered my danger; and perceiving among them the murderer of Peter Green, and two others who had insulted me at the King’s Arms, it instantly struck me that they had a design to throw me over the pier-head; which they might have done at this time, and yet have pleaded that I had been killed by accident.  There was not a moment to lose.  Vigorous on account of the danger, I darted forward.  One of them, against whom I pushed myself, fell down:  their ranks were broken; and I escaped, not without blows, amidst their imprecations and abuse.