Page:Copley 1844 A History of Slavery and its Abolition 2nd Ed.djvu/351

Rh having a little relaxation at Christmas, might find leisure to form some scheme of mischief, unless deterred by the salutary spectacle of eight of their fellow-slaves gibbetted before their eyes! The trial took place Dec. 19, and the execution was hastened to take place before Christmas. This debate elicited several other recent instances of wanton barbarity and contempt of negro life, as well as of opposition and persecution to the teachers of religion. It resulted in a resolution, (unanimous,) "That this house sees, in the proceedings which have been brought under its consideration, with respect to the late trials of slaves in Jamaica, further proof of the evils inseparably attendant upon a state of slavery; and derives therefrom increased conviction of the propriety of the resolutions passed by this house on the 15th of May, 1823."

About this time, Mr. Stephen issued an able pamplet [sic] entitled "England enslaved by her own Colonies," a work which clearly proved the gross impolicy of the system altogether. The value of this work was attested by the conviction and satisfaction of many inquirers after truth, and by the opposition it excited among prejudiced and interested persons. During two sessions of parliament, eight motions were brought forward by the abolitionists, all on subjects of considerable importance, and most of them occasioned by cases of flagrant outrage and violation of the law, or by evils of a more general kind, necessarily connected with the slave system. Though no very decisive measures immediately resulted, some progress must have been making