CORRIGENDA. *.* It is suggested to the Reader to correct with the pen, the following verbal inaccuracies. ....9, 10 .... .... .... .... .... .... recommending (probably) 1807 FIFTH RESOLUTION. dele the words "upon liberal and comprehensive principles." Note. This Resolution (the 5th) should obviously stand, not in its present position, but lower, next before the speech of Mr. BARING. for resolution petitioner on other read .... resolutions on the other the Amendment .... direct the proposed Amendment.... 75,000,0002, part more 350,000 Bural (probably) 79,000,0002. some 320,000 Rural THE DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT ON THE SLAVERY ABOLITION BILL. HOUSE OF COMMONS. On TUESDAY, the 5th FEBRUARY, 1833, the first business-day of the Session, Mr. T. F. BUXTON gave Notice of a Motion on "Colonial Slavery," for Tuesday the 19th March. This Notice was entered on the Order Book without comment; but on the following day, WEDNESDAY, Feb. 6. Mr. FoWELL BUXTON said, I beg, for one moment, to direct the attention of the House to a subject relative to which the public feel a deep interest; I mean negro slavery. All allusion to that question having unfortunately been omitted in the Speech from the Throne, I felt it my duty immediately to give notice on the subject; but no person is more convinced than I am, that the subject is one which could be better intrusted to the hands of the Government, than to those of an individual. I now ask, whether it is the intention of his Majesty's Government to take up the subject during the present Session? If not, I shall certainly feel it my duty to bring it forward at an early period. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.-I have no hesitation in stating that the Government have exerted, and are continuing to exert, their best endeavours to frame a measure on this subject; and I have every reason to hope and believe―nay, to feel confidentthat we shall be able to propose to the House a measure accordingly, which will be at once safe and satisfactory. B LORD COLVILLE'S NOTICE OF MOTION. FRIDAY, FEB. 15. LORD COLVILLE gave notice, without comment, that on Thursday next, the 21st February, he should move for the re-appointment of the Select Committee on the State of the West India Colonies. On MONDAY, FEB. 18. however, his Lordship, reminding the House of the notice thus given, said" but considering the business your Lordships have before you "for this week, it is my intention to defer submitting that motion "until Tuesday, the 26th instant." On TUESDAY, FEB. 26. LORD COLVILLE said,-My Lords, I rise, I confess, with considerable reluctance, to postpone my motion for the re-appointment of the Select Committee on the state of the West India colonies. I should feel still more regret than I do now experience, if this postponement were attributable to any fault of mine, but such is not the case. I think it fair to state the real cause of this postponement. I was yesterday informed by that respectable body, the Committee representing the West India Interest, that the Noble Secretary for the Colonies had requested an interview with them, for the purpose of submitting to their consideration a plan proposed to be adopted by Government for the settlement of the question, and those gentlemen having no wish whatever to embarrass the Government (any more than I have myself), have most readily consented to the postponement of the motion for the present. For my own part, having no object in view but to assist the colonists in eliciting truth and obtaining justice, I at once consented to propose this postponement. My Lords, having more than once called your attention to this subject, I take this opportunity to observe, that there does not exist an individual who is less connected with, or interested in, West Indian property than myself; and I have undertaken the task of moving for the re-appointment of the Committee at the request of the body alluded to, solely because I thought their object to be a fair investigation. I had little doubt that I should have been able to convince your Lordships of the propriety of acceding to the motion of which I gave notice; but I shall not enter more fully into particulars at present-the plan to be proposed by the Noble Viscount being certainly entitled to every consideration. I am sorry that the reasons which call for this postponement prevent me from fixing another day for bringing forward the motion, it being impossible to name a day till an opportunity is afforded for taking the plan of Government into consideration. I hope that the cause of the colonies may not suffer from this postponement, and pledge myself at the earliest possible moment to fix a day for bringing the subject forward again. Order discharged. HOUSE OF COMMONS. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27. Mr. GODSON.-I hold in my hand the petition of a gentleman named James Window, of Craig's Court, Charing Cross, on the subject of negro slavery, and I beg to call the attention of the House to the contents of this petition. I feel great pleasure in being the first person to present a practical plan which has for its object the emancipation of the slaves in the West Indies. The petitioner states that he has spent many years in collecting information on this subject, and that he has made numerous calculations which bear upon that question, and refer immediately to the plan which he thinks it advisable should be adopted. I will not detain the House by entering into a detailed statement of the calculations which are involved in this proposition; but I may mention that the result at which the petitioner arrives is, that the emancipation of the slaves may be completed in five, ten, or fifteen years, without much loss either to the Government or the planter. This gentleman suggests that the Government should issue debentures; that taking it for granted that there may be sixty thousand slaves emancipated in each year, and estimating their value at 50l. each, a sum of 3,000,000l. should be raised by issuing debentures; then the Government should take those slaves under their protection. After the slaves are taken under the care of the Crown, a labour rate is to be levied by which the planter and the slave would each pay back the money advanced. Thus the Government of the country would lose but little, while the slave by having been placed under the protection of the Government, would be in a proper state to be left to himself; while the planter would receive back some portion of his property. All parties, the slave, the planter, and the Government, would all make some sacrifice. I think, however, that this plan is not one which is likely to meet with the sanction of either party; because those who wish for the immediate abolition of slavery, will not consent to wait for a period of five or ten years for the attainment of that object. But as the petitioner believes that he has discovered a plan which he conceives may be practicable, I feel great pleasure in presenting his petition; and as a person connected with the West India interest, I will say for myself,-and on behalf of others, who, like myself, are deeply interested in this question,-that we shall be glad to see the matter settled in a manner which, in the words of the Noble Lord the Chancellor of the Exchequer, may be safe and satisfactory to all parties. Mr. COBBETT.-I doubt not, Sir, but that there will be schemes enough of this sort laid before the House, and as we have but little business to do, some of those which may come before us, will afford the House, perhaps some amusement. All, however, I can say is,— that as far as I am concerned, I never will give my consent to any scheme which shall take one farthing out of the pockets of the people of England, Ireland, or Scotland. It is a common practice, |