Slave Trade
The Debate on a Motion for the Abolition of the Slave-Trade in the House of Commons on Monday and Tuesday, April 18 and 19, 1791. Printed by and for W. Woodfall, 1791. 8vo, later cloth; pp. [4], 123, [1].
The drive to abolition was a difficult one, against significant entrenched interests in the House. Outside, the campaign sought to harness indignation and revulsion, aided by a remarkable range of propaganda efforts. At its heart though, it was always the Parliamentary campaign which would see it through. William Wilberforce, at the request of Pitt, became the Parliamentary spokesman for the campaign in 1787. With the support of evidence gathered by an Enquiry, he was able to bring the matter to a vote. Despite dramatic and skilful rhetoric and knowledge of the evidence, the motion was struck down 163 to 88. However, the seeds had been sown and the issue would come again before the House in 1792, to increasing success.
Hogg, African Slave Trade, 2343