Page:A memoir of Granville Sharp.djvu/20

16 the world, where it still continues to torment and dishonor the human species. "He then examined, 1st. The right claimed by Stewart over the person of Somerset—and 2d. The authority on which that right was rested. He declared that in "whatever light we view it, slavery is alike pernicious to the person who suffers it, to the person who inflicts it, and to the government which allows its existence." He traced the history of European negro slavery—recorded the interesting fact, that Charles V. in 1740, abolished it in his dominions; and the greedy and disgraceful return to it of the masters, as soon as the imperial prohibition could be evaded. He traced the history of Villeinage in England, and demonstrated that no right could thereon be founded to the claims of the slaveholder.

Mr. Alleyne closed the proceedings on the same side. He examined the distinction between natural and municipal rights—the one of which attaches alike to all men in every country—the other is peculiar to times, circumstances and places. "The right of slavery," he continued, "not being from nature, cannot be imported from another country. Natural relations, are inherent in the nature of things, and nothing can annul them. They arise from the relation which a man bears to mankind in general; and his moral duty results from them. He cannot therefore, change his natural relations—they are universal. Municipal relations are such as arise from being a member of the particular country, where they exist. It appears that by the laws of Virginia, this man is a slave—but the laws of Virginia, rule not in England. In this country, how can this man be a slave, where the meanest have a title to enjoy the rights of freedom. This man is here. He owes submission to the laws of England, and he has a corresponding right to the protection of these laws—he claims that protection—and when" added he, "the judgment of this Court is given, Stewart, as well as the rest of the slaveholders, will know, that this air is too free for a slave to breathe in."

The cause of the slave party was supported by two able and eloquent men, Messrs. Wallace and Dunning. Mr. Wallace spoke immediately after Mr. Alleyne, and dwelt