against us either by evidence or by argument; but that we were the victims of the accidents and circumstances of the times.  And as these considerations comforted us, when we looked forward to future operations on this great question, so we found great consolation as to the past, in believing, that, unless human constitutions were stronger than they really were, we could not have done more than we had done towards the furtherance of the cause.

[Footnote A:  It is a pity that no perfect list was ever made of this or of any other division in the House of Commons on this subject.  I can give, however, the names of the following, members, as having voted for Mr. Wilberforce’s motion at this time.

Mr. Pitt, Lord Bayham, Mr. Duncombe,
Mr. Fox, Lord Arden, Mr. Martin,
Mr. Burke, Lord Carysfort, Mr. Milnes,
Mr. Grey, Lord Muncaster, Mr. Steele,
Mr. Windham, Lord Barnard, Mr. Coke,
Mr. Sheridan, Lord North, Mr. Eliott,
Mr. Whitbread, Lord Euston, Mr. Montagu,
Mr. Courtenay, General Burgoyne, Mr. Bastard,
Mr. Francis, Hon. R. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Stanley,
Mr. Wilberforce, Sir William Dolben, Mr. Plumer,
Mr. Ryder, Sir Henry Houghton, Mr. Beaufoy,
Mr. William Smith, Sir Edward Lyttleton, Mr. I.H.  Browne,
Mr. John Smyth, Sir William Scott, Mr. G.N.  Edwards,
Mr. Robert Smith, Mr. Samuel Thornton, Mr. W.M.  Pitt,
Mr. Powys, Mr. Henry Thornton, Mr. Bankes,
Lord Apsley, Mr. Robert Thornton,

]

The committee for the abolition held a meeting soon after this our defeat.  It was the most impressive I ever attended.  The looks of all bespoke the feelings of their hearts.  Little was said previously to the opening of the business; and, after it was opened, it was conducted with a kind of solemn dignity, which became the occasion.  The committee, in the course of its deliberations, came to the following resolutions:—­

That the thanks of this committee be respectfully given to the illustrious minority of the House of Commons, who lately stood forth the assertors of British justice and humanity, and the enemies of a traffic in the blood of man.

That our acknowledgments are particularly due to William Wilberforce, Esq., for his unwearied exertions to remove this opprobrium of our national character; and to the right honourable William Pitt, and the right honourable Charles James Fox, for their virtuous and dignified co-operation in the same cause.

That the solemn declarations of these gentlemen, and of Matthew Montagu and William Smith, Esqrs., that they will not relinquish, but with life, their struggle for the abolition of the Slave Trade, are not only highly honourable to themselves as Britons, as statesmen, and as Christians, but must eventually, as the light of evidence shall be more and more diffused, be seconded by the good wishes of every man not immediately interested in the continuance of that detestable commerce.