Undoubtedly the merchants and planters had a right to call for an investigation of their conduct, and their doing so did them great credit.

The Slave-trade also ought equally to be inquired into.

Neither did he deny that it was right His Majesty's ministers should inquire into its merits for themselves.

They had done their duty; but that house, who had the petitions of the people on their table, had neglected it, by having so long deferred an inquiry of their own.

If that house wished to preserve their functions, their understandings, their honour, and their dignity, he advised them to beware of commitees of privy council.