the business altogether, but it failed.  It was now seen, however, that it was impossible to bring the question to a final decision in this session; for they who were interested in it, affirmed that they had yet many important witnesses to introduce.  Alderman Newnham, therefore, by the consent of Mr. Wilberforce, moved that “the further consideration of the subject be deferred to the next session.”  On this occasion, Mr. William Smith remarked, that though the decision on the great question was thus to be adjourned, he hoped the examinations at least would be permitted to go on.  He had not heard any good reason why they might not be carried on for some weeks longer.  It was known that the hearing of evidence was, at all times thinly attended.  If, therefore, the few members who did attend, were willing to give up their time a little longer, why should other members complain of an inconvenience in the suffering of which they took no share?  He thought that by this the examination of witnesses on the part of the merchants might be finished, and of consequence the business brought into a very desirable state of forwardness against the ensuing session.  These observations had not the desired effect, and the motion of Mr. Alderman Newnham was carried without a division.  Thus the great question, for the elucidation of which all the new evidences were to be heard at the very first examination, in order that it might be decided by the 9th of June, was, by the intrigue of our opponents, deferred to another year.

The order of the day for going into the further consideration of the Slave Trade having been discharged, Sir William Dolben rose to state, that it was his intention to renew his bill of the former year, relative to the conveyance of the unhappy Africans from their own country to the West Indies, and to propose certain alterations in it.  He made a motion accordingly, which was adopted; and he and Mr. Wilberforce were desired to prepare the same.

This bill he introduced soon afterwards, and it passed; but not without opposition.  It was a matter, however, of great pleasure to find that the worthy baronet was enabled by the assistance of Captain (afterwards Admiral) Macbride, and other naval officers in the house, to carry such clauses, as provided in some degree for the comfort of the poor seamen who were seduced into this wicked trade.  They could not, indeed, provide against the barbarity of their captains; but they secured them a space under the half deck in which to sleep.  They prescribed a form of muster-rolls, which they were to see and sign in the presence of the clearing officer.  They regulated their food, both as to kind and quantity; and they preserved them from many of the impositions to which they had been before exposed.