Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/194

 had not only censured the slave-trade in the severest manner, in a sermon preached before the University, but when he became vice-chancellor of it, in 1785, he gave out the following subject for one of the Latin dissertations: "Is it right to make slaves of others against their will?" At this time Mr. Clarkson, who had obtained the prize for the best essay the preceding year, determined to become again a candidate. He took prodigious pains to make himself master of the subject, as far as the time would allow, both by reading, and conversing with many persons who had been in Africa. Having completed his Latin essay, and sent it in to the vice-chancellor, he soon found himself honored with the first prize. The subject of the essay so entirely engrossed his thoughts that he became seriously affected. He tried to persuade himself that the contents of the essay were not true. The more, however, he reflected upon his authorities, the more he gave them credit, until he finally became convinced that it was the duty of some one to endeavor to mitigate the sufferings of the unhappy Africans. He finally resolved to devote his own life to the cause. When this resolution was formed he was but twenty-four years of age, and he considered his youth and want of knowledge of the world as a great obstacle. He thought, however, that there was one way in which he might begin to be useful; by translating his Latin essay, and publishing it in English.

Of this period of his life and labors he says: "In the course of the autumn of this year (1185), I walked frequently into the woods that I might think on the subject of the slave-trade in solitude. But there the question still occurred, 'Are these things true?' Still the answer followed as instantaneously, 'They are.' Still the result accompanied it, 'Then surely some person should interfere.' I then began to envy those who had seats in parliament, and who had great riches, and widely extended connexions, which would enable them to take up this cause. Finding scarcely any one at that time who thought of it, I was turned frequently to myself. But here many difficulties arose. It struck me, among others, that a young man of only twenty-four years of age could not have that solid judgment, or knowledge of men, manners, and things, which were requisite to qualify him to undertake a task of such magnitude and importance; and with whom was I to unite? I believed also that it looked so much like one of the feigned labors of Hercules, that my understanding would be suspected if I proposed it. On ruminating, however, on the subject, I found one thing at least practicable, and that this also was in my power. I could translate my Latin dissertation. I could enlarge it usefully. I could see how the public received it, or how far they were likely to favor any serious measures, which should have a tendency to produce the abolition of the slave-trade. Upon this, then, I determined; and in the middle of the month of November, 1185, I began my work. By the middle of January I had finished half of it, though I had made considerable additions. I now thought of engaging with some bookseller to print it when finished. For this purpose I called upon Mr. Cadell, in the Strand, and consulted him about it. He said that as the original essay had been honored by the University of Cambridge