6 June 1829 : It was noted that in the House of Commons there were 67 proprietors of slaves, 20 holders of West Indian bonds, and about 200 individuals connected with slave proprietors

On Tuesday morning a few of the members of the anti-slavery society in this town, met together in the Manor court-room, in Brown Street, to meet the Rev. Dr. Philip, an independent missionary to the south of Africa. The meeting was very respectably, but, in consequence of the shortness of the notice not numerously attended, it having been publicly announced only at the close of the proceedings of the missionary society, at the chapel in Mosley Street, the preceding evening. Dr. Philip was introduced to the company by the Rev. Mr. Roby; after which he entered at considerable length into a statement of circumstances connected with his missions to South Africa.



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The reverend gentleman remarked very fully on the demoralising effects of slavery, and as tending to the hindrance of the spread of the gospel in those parts. He combatted the strong argument of the advocates of slavery, that it had existed in the days of Moses, and in the brightest ages of the Greek and Roman history, by drawing a comparison between the system of slavery as it existed in those days, and as it at present exists in our West Indian colonies, much to the disadvantage of the latter system.



In the Mahomedan countries, where slavery existed to a great degree, the condition of the poor slaves was preferable to those in our colonies; for there he might emancipate himself by conforming, to the religion of his masters, but in the latter, instead of endeavouring to induce them to conform to Christianity, every hindrance was, for the most part, had recourse to.



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There were at the least 100,00 souls taken annually from the coasts of Africa for the purposes of slavery, of whom not less than 5000 were murdered; and this system was likely to continue whilst from £20,000. to £40,000. profit was realized by a cargo of slaves. Amongst many other circumstances related by the reverend gentleman, was one fact, namely, that £20,000. was annually expended by the West Indian slave proprietors upon the venal part of the London press, for the purpose of advocating the present inhuman system.

There were, in the house of commons, 67 proprietors of slaves, 20 holders of West Indian bonds, and about 200 individuals who were connected with slave proprietors, by marriage or otherwise. A general feeling prevailed that there had not, until the present time, been any person at the head of affairs strong enough, if he were willing to attack this great force in the house; but it was hoped that the Duke of Wellington had not only the will, but the means, by his vast interest and influence, to alter the state of things in this respect.



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Mr. Brougham had intended to have submitted a motion to the house this session, on the subject of the West Indian slavery; and the London anti-slavery society’s annual meeting was to have been held on the 6th of May, but they had received a most gratifying communication from his majesty’s government, namely, that they had the matter at present under their serious consideration, and they had consequently deferred both their meetings, and Mr. Brougham had at present abandoned his motion in the house. He had met Dr. Lushington a week ago: he said he was rejoiced to tell him that government had determined to do for Trinidad what had been done for the Hottentots at the Cape.



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Dr. Philip, after a number of other observations, recommended the disuse of West Indian sugar, until they had accomplished, not only an amelioration, but a total abolition of slavery. He said he felt the using of West Indian sugar, connected as it was with the present system of slavery, as great a moral crime as the purchasing of property which he knew had been stolen.

The Rev. Richard Watson afterwards addressed a few observations to the company, and in conclusion asked Dr. Philip what measure he thought the society in this town should take in aid of the society in London. Dr. Philip recommended a simultaneous petitioning to the house of commons from all parts of the kingdom. The Rev. R. S. Mc. All, in a very eloquent and well received speech, moved a vote of thanks to Dr. Philip, for his very interesting communications, which being seconded by the Rev. J. Birt, was carried unanimously, and the company afterwards separated.

