but differed as to the expediency, of the measure.  Mr. Deverell professed himself to have been a friend to it; but he had then changed his mind.  Sir Laurence Parsons wished to see a plan for the gradual extinction of the trade.  Lord Temple affirmed, that the bill would seal the death-warrant of every White inhabitant of the islands.  The second reading was supported by Sir Ralph Milbank, Mr. Pitt, Fox, William Smith, Whitbread, Francis, Barham, and by Mr. Grenfell, and Sir John Newport.  Mr. Grenfell observed, that he could not give a silent vote, where the character of the country was concerned.  When the question of the abolition first came before the public, he was a warm friend to it; and from that day to this he had cherished the same feelings.  He assured Mr. Wilberforce of his constant support.  Sir John Newport stated that the Irish nation took a virtuous interest in this noble cause.  He ridiculed the idea, that the trade and manufactures of the country would suffer by the measure in contemplation; but, even if they should suffer, he would oppose it.  “Fiat justitia, ruat coelum.”  Upon a division, there appeared for the second reading one hundred, and against it forty-two.

On the twelfth of June, when a motion was made to go into a committee upon the bill, it was opposed by Mr. Fuller, C. Brook, C. Ellis, Dent, Deverell, and Manning:  and it was supported by Sir Robert Buxton, Mr. Barham, and the honourable J.S.  Cocks.  The latter condemned the imprudence of the planters.  Instead of profiting by the discussions, which had taken place, and making wise provisions against the great event of the abolition, which would sooner or later take place, they had only thought of new stratagems to defeat it.  He declared his abhorrence of the trade, which he considered to be a national disgrace.  The House divided:  when there were seventy-nine for the motion, and against it twenty.

On the twenty-seventh of June the bill was opposed in its last stage by Sir W. Young, Mr. Dickenson, G. Rose, Addington, and Dent:  and supported by Mr. Pitt, W. Smith, Francis, and Barham; when it was carried by a majority of sixty-nine to thirty-six.  It was then taken up to the Lords; but on a motion of Lord Hawkesbury, then a member of that House, the discussion of it was postponed to the next year.

The session being ended, the committee for the abolition of the Slave-trade increased its number, by the election of the right honourable Lord Teignmouth, Dr. Dickson, and Wilson Birkbeck, as members.

In the year 1805, Mr. Wilberforce renewed his motion of the former year.  Colonel Tarleton, Sir William Yonge, Mr. Fuller, and Mr. Gascoyne opposed it.  Leave, however, was given him to introduce his bill.