Mr.Burke said, he was one of those who wished for the abolition of the Slave Trade.

He thought it ought to be abolished, on principles of humanity and justice.

If, however, opposition of interests should render its total abolition impossible, it ought to be regulated, and that immediately.

They need not send to the West Indies to know the opinions of the planters on the subject.

They were to consider first of all, and abstractedly from all political, personal, and local considerations, that the Slave Trade was directly contrary to the principles of humanity and justice, and to the spirit of the British constitution; and that the state of slavery, which followed it, however mitigated, was a state so improper, so degrading, and so ruinous to the feelings and capacities of human nature, that it ought not to be suffered to exist.