He, therefore, hoped that the house, being now in possession of such information as never hitherto had been brought before them, would in some measure endeavour to extricate themselves from that guilt, and from that remorse, which every one of them ought to feel for having suffered such monstrous cruelties to be practised upon an helpless and unoffending part of the human race.
Mr.Martin complimented Mr.Pitt in terms of the warmest panegyric on his noble sentiments, declaring that they reflected the greatest honour upon him both as an Englishman and as a man.
Soon after this the house divided upon the motion of Sir William Dolben.
Fifty-six appeared to be in favour of it, and only five against it.

The latter consisted of the two members for Liverpool and three other interested persons.

This was the first division which ever took place on this important subject.

The other blanks were then filled up, and the bill was passed without further delay.
The next day, or on the 18th of June, it was carried up to the House of Lords.

The slave-merchants of London, Liverpool, and Bristol, immediately presented petitions against it, as they had done in the lower house.