Page:Substance of the speech of His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, in the House of Lords.djvu/39

 commerce would produce on the manners of the natives, I should have no hesitation in observing, that in the present unenlightened state of their minds, my opinion is, the effect would neither be so extensive nor beneficial, as many wise and worthy persons fondly expect."

Having, in what I have already had the honour of submitting to your Lordships, stated, that I should discuss this business upon the general question of Abolition, and being indeed supported by the arguments used both by Mr. Plomer and Mr. Stevens, I naturally come, having left the African Coast, to the Middle Passage, This subject having lately been much debated before your Lordships, I shall not labour under the unpleasant necessity of taking up a great deal of your time. I have declared, and I always shall declare, that I have been, that I am, and that I always shall be, a sincere friend to wise and humane regulations