I learnt also from Mr.Falconbridge, that my visitors had continued to come to the King's Arms during my absence; that they had been very liberal of their abuse of me; and that one of them did not hesitate to say (which is remarkable) that "I deserved to be thrown over the pier-head." Finding now that I could get no further evidence; that the information which I had already obtained was considerable[A]; and that the commitee had expressed an earnest desire, in a letter which I had received, that I would take into consideration the propriety of writing my Essay on the Impolicy of the Slave-trade as soon possible, I determined upon leaving Liverpool.

I went round accordingly and took leave of my friends.

The last of these was William Rathbone, and I have to regret, that it was also the last time I ever saw him.

Independently of the gratitude I owed him for assisting me in this great cause, I respected him highly as a man.

He possessed a fine understanding with a solid judgment.