It was not until 1791 that Mr.Wilberforce introduced in Parliament his first bill for the suppression of the slave-trade, and though he had the enlightened sympathy of Mr.
Pitt, the eminent premier did not dare to make it a ministerial measure.

The bill was rejected by a large vote.

It was not until fifteen years later that the conscience of England won a victory over the organized capital engaged in the infamous traffic.

It was the young and struggling Republic in America that led the way, and she led the way under the counsel and direction of Southern statesmen.

American slave-holders were urging the abolition of the traffic while London merchants were using every effort to continue it, and while Bristol, the very headquarters of the trade, was represented in Parliament by Edmund Burke.