15th of June, 1810, in the House of Commons, by Mr. Brougham, and were adopted without one dissenting voice. An Address to the same effect was moved in the House of Lords on the 18th of June, by Lord Holland, and adopted with the same unanimity. This Address was as follows:

"Ordered, nem. diss. That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, representing to his Majesty, that we have taken into our serious consideration the papers which his Majesty was graciously pleased to communicate to us on the African Slave Trade.

"That, while we acknowledge with gratitude the endeavours which his Majesty has been pleased to use, in compliance with the wishes of his faithful Parliament, to induce Fo reign Nations to concur in relinquishing that disgraceful commerce, we have to express our deep regret that these efforts have been attended with so little success.

"That we most heartily beseech his Majesty, to persevere in those measures which may tend to induce his Allies, and such other Foreign States as he may be able to negociate with, to co-operate with this Country in a general Abolition of the Slave Trade, and to concur in the adoption of such measures as may assist in the effectual execution of the laws already passed for that purpose,

"That we most humbly pray his Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to direct the commanders of his ships and vessels of war, the officers of his Customs, and all other persons in his service, whose situation enables them to detect and suppress any clandestine or fraudulent practices, by which persons may have contrived to carry on the detestable traffic in Slaves, in contempt of the authority of Parliament, and in violation of the laws of the land, effectually to check and put a stop to the same."

The following were the Resolutions moved by Mr. Brougham.

Resolved, "That this House has learnt with the greatest surprise and indignation, that certain persons in this country have recently been guilty of evading the prohibitions of the Acts abolishing the African Slave Trade, and that this House will, early in the next session, take into its consideration such measures as may effectually prevent such daring violations of the law.

"That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, representing to his Majesty, that this House has taken into its serious consideration the papers which his Majesty was graciously pleased to cause to be laid before this House, upon the subject of the African Slave Trade.

"That while this House acknowledges with

gratitude thé endeavours which his Majesty has been pleased to use, in compliance with the wishes of Parliament, to induce Foreign Nations to concur in relinquishing that disgraceful commerce; this House has to express its deep regret, that those efforts have been attended with so little success.

"That this House does most earnestly beseech his Majesty to persevere in those measures which may tend to induce his Allies, and such other Foreign States as he may be enabled to negociate with, to co-operate with this country in a general Abolition of the Slave Trade, and to concur in the adoption of such measures as may assist in the effectual execution of the Laws already passed for that purpose. .

"That this House has learnt with the greatest surprise and indignation, that certain persons in this country have not scrupled to continue, in a clandestine and fraudulent manner, the detestable traffic in Slaves.

"And that this House most humbly prays his Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to cause to be given to the commanders of his Majesty's ships and vessels of war, the officers of his Majesty's Customs, and the other persons in his Majesty's service, whose situation enables them to detect, and suppress those abuses,

such orders as may effectually check practices, equally contemptuous to the authority of Parliament, and derogatory to the interests and honour of the country."

No sooner had the present session of Parliament commenced, than the Directors resumed the consideration of the measures which it might be expedient to propose to the Legislature, on the subject of the Slave Trade.

After mature deliberation, it was resolved, that a Bill should be introduced, which, without anticipating or interfering with any ulterior measures of regulation, might mark the trafficking in Slaves as a crime, and affix to that crime a suitable punishment. The general nature of the measure may be collected from the following Resolutions of the Directors, viz.

Resolved, "That it would be proper to propose to Parliament, to make any direct act of dealing in Slaves a clergiable felony, and punishable as such with transportation, not exceeding fourteen years, or imprisonment and hard labour, at the discretion of the judge, for not less than three years, nor exceeding seven years.

"That this punishment shall be considered to attach upon any owner, part owner, factor or agent, freighter or shipper, captain, mate, supercargo or surgeon, knowingly and wilfully employed in fitting out or navigating for the

purpose of the Slave Trade any ship, or vessel, or craft, or boat, whether British or Foreign, although no actual dealing in Slaves shall have taken place; also to all persons residing in any British Fort, Settlement, or Factory, or within the jurisdiction of the British laws, and to all British subjects wheresoever residing or being, who shall kidnap, carry off, or procure, whether by fraud, violence, or purchase, or who shall forcibly confine, any person, for the purpose of selling or employing the same as a Slave, contrary to the provisions of the Acts of Parliament, already passed for abolishing the Slave Trade.

"That all persons knowingly and wilfully aiding or abetting in any such transaction, as petty officer or seaman on board any ship so employed as aforesaid; or otherwise knowingly and wilfully assisting or promoting any such transaction;-and all persons knowingly and wilfully insuring, or causing to be insured, any Slaves or Slave ships, or any ships or goods to be employed in the Slave Trade; or knowingly and wilfully lending or advancing money, for any such purpose, by bottomry, respondentia, or otherwise, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanour, and not as accessaries to the felony, and shall be punished with fine and imprisonment."