a gradual abolition of it was not an adequate remedy for its injustice and cruelty; neither could it be deemed a compliance with the general wishes of the people, as expressed in their numerous and urgent petitions to Parliament; and they resolved lastly, that the interval in which the Slave Trade should be permitted to continue, afforded a prospect of redoubled cruelties and ravages on the coast of Africa; and that it imposed therefore an additional obligation on every friend to the cause to use all constitutional means to obtain its immediate abolition.

At a subsequent meeting they voted their thanks to the right honourable Lord Muncaster, for the able support he had given to the great object of their institution by his Historical Sketches of the Slave Trade, and of its Effects in Africa; addressed to the people of Great Britain; and they elected the Rev. Richard Gifford, and the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, honorary and corresponding members; the first on account of his excellent sermon before-mentioned, and other services; and the latter on account of his truly Christian and seasonable pamphlet, entitled Remarks on the Late Decision of the House of Commons, respecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

On the 23rd of April, the House of Commons resolved itself into a committee of the whole House, to consider the subject again; and Mr. Beaufoy was put into the chair.

Mr. Dundas, upon whom the task of introducing a bill for the gradual abolition of the Slave Trade now devolved, rose to offer the outlines of a plan for that purpose.  He intended, he said, immediately to abolish that part of the trade, by which we supplied foreigners with slaves.  The other part of it was to be continued seven years from the 1st of January next.  He grounded the necessity of its continuance till this time upon the documents of the Negro population in the different islands.  In many of these, slaves were imported, but they were re-exported nearly in equal numbers.  Now, all these he considered to be in a state to go on without future supplies from Africa.  Jamaica and the ceded islands retained almost all the slaves imported into them.  This he considered as a proof that these had not attained the same desirable state; and it was therefore necessary, that the trade should be continued longer on this account.  It was his intention, however, to provide proper punishments, while it lasted, for abuses both in Africa and in the Middle Passage, He would take care, as far as he could, that none but young slaves should be brought from the Coast of Africa.  He would encourage establishments there for a new species of traffic.  Foreign nations should be invited to concur in the abolition.  He should propose a praedial rather than a personal service for the West Indies, and institutions, by which the slaves there should be instructed in religious duties.  He concluded by reading several resolutions, which he would leave to the future consideration of the House.