Samboe; or, The African Boy Part 5

It was the invariable custom of Mr. Llwellin to a.s.semble his family in the evening. He then read a portion of the Holy Scriptures, and explained them with admirable simplicity and pathos to his little auditory. It was now that the prayers Samboe had said, as it were mechanically, were now repeated with an earnestness which fully indicated that they were not merely the offering of the lips; and so much did he profit by the pious instructions, example, and care of Mr. Llwellin, that he was admitted into the Christian church by baptism; but, at the request of his young protector, retaining his former name as his usual appellation although he received, at the font, that of Henry.

So anxious was this interesting youth to attain all useful knowledge, that he was always the first at his scholastic duties; and when dismissed from them, after a little recreation, enjoyed with all the zest of health and youth, he would occupy his time in religious reading and study, drawing, and little mechanical works; equally proving his strength of intellect and his active ingenuity. Though his temper was frequently severely tried by the taunts and ridicule of the boys, he never betrayed anger or resentment: he disarmed them by his humility, patience, and meekness; so that scoffers he converted into friends. He was lively in his disposition, but taciturn from thought, except when with his teachers; when he seemed to expand every faculty of his mind to receive their instructions, while any accession of knowledge caused his naturally brilliant eyes to beam with added intelligence and delight.

With all these qualities of mind and heart, it is not surprising that Samboe was a universal favourite; and unfeigned, indeed, was his joy, when he was permitted to write to his dear ma.s.sa Charles, whom he never named without his eyes filling with tears of grateful affection. "Oh!" he would say, "my dear ma.s.sa, I shall never forget his goodness." Years pa.s.sed on in this progressive improvement, during which a regular correspondence was kept up between Charles Roslyn and his protege, when an incident occurred which opened a field for the exercise of those attainments it had been the laudable and unremitted study of Samboe to acquire.

Colonel Roslyn was entertaining a party of gentlemen, among whom were admiral Herbert and his nephew Fitzhugh. Charles Roslyn was the favourite midshipman of the admiral, and the conversation turned upon the topic of the day; namely, the slave-trade, and the probabilities of its abolition, as well as the capacity of the negroes to profit by their freedom. Many were the arguments adduced for and against; and Colonel Roslyn was naturally led to relate the circ.u.mstances of Samboe's becoming Charles's protege, and the high reward they had experienced in the sweet disposition, high intellectual capacity, moral worth, and genuine religious principles of the young negro. "I have the sincerest pleasure," observed Colonel Roslyn, "in stating this individual instance of the moral and intellectual worth of an African, of which, doubtless, there are many similar instances, where instruction and kindness have elicited and fostered the qualities of the mind and heart. But we all remember the period, my friends, when the African's claim to the character and privileges of man was even disputed--when they were considered as somewhat of a superior species of ourang outang [5]. This false and inhuman estimate, succeeding years have disproved. It has been in numberless instances shown that they are not only men, but capable of becoming intelligent and virtuous men; and not only virtuous men, but pious, unaffected, sincere Christians. I am not, however," continued the colonel, "an advocate for giving personal liberty to numbers of men, unless, at the same time, I impart the principles of religion and the arts of civil life. It is only by giving freedom to the soul, and by encouraging the virtuous energies of man, that we can make him capable of properly appreciating the blessing of liberty, and preserve him from becoming a pest to society, instead of a useful member of it. Without these correcting and restraining principles, liberty would soon degenerate into licentiousness, and the possession of power be exercised in deeds of violence."

"I entirely agree with you, colonel," observed the admiral; "and therefore be so good as to pledge me in a gla.s.s of that excellent claret, when I offer my sentiment: 'Let the empire of Britain be the empire of mercy; and let no sh.o.r.e re-echo with the thunder of her power, but which shall also smile under the blessing of her beneficence.'" This sentiment of the admiral's was warmly received. During this conversation, a young man at the lower end of the table appeared deeply interested in it. His animated and penetrating countenance drew the attention of Colonel Roslyn, and he expressed his pleasure, in observing to the admiral, that an interest for the enslaved Africans seemed to animate his young relative; for it was Fitzhugh, whose whole soul seemed engaged in the subject.

"Yes, indeed," observed the admiral, "Fitzhugh is a very enthusiast in the cause, and I love him the better for it: it is honourable to his feelings, and to those generous sentiments which ought to pervade the heart, and direct the conduct of a British officer. Have you not heard that he has obtained a very responsible and active appointment in the new settlement of Sierra Leone, and that, in a short time, he will sail for Africa? I doubt not his conscientious attention to the duties devolving upon him, nor do I think the directors could have made a more judicious choice; for, young as he is, his firmness of principle, his rect.i.tude in action, his genuine feeling, and his cultivated mind, render him peculiarly eligible to attend to the duties, and to surmount the difficulties of an infant colony. He will form one of the council, which will be sent from England, for the government of the colony. This council is particularly instructed to secure to all negroes and people of colour, equal rights, and equal treatment, in every respect, as the whites. They are to be tried by jury, as the whites, and every facility given to them to exercise their peculiar talents; employments being allotted them according to their progressive capacity of discharging them. They are especially, to be instructed in the principles of religion and morals. Public worship and the reverent observation of the sabbath, the general instruction of the adults and the judicious education of the children, are the means to be used to draw this now wretched race of men from the night of ignorance to the glorious light of divine and temporal knowledge. In fact, the grand object of the Sierra Leone Company is to subst.i.tute, for that disgraceful traffic which has too long subsisted, a fair and legitimate commerce with Africa, and all the blessings which may be expected from it."

"I thank you, admiral, for this account," replied Colonel Roslyn, "and pray, with all my heart, that the benevolent exertions of the Company may be crowned with final success; and I believe I may a.s.sure you, that such is also the prayer of every individual of the present company."

"Fitzhugh," said the admiral, "I have been telling Colonel Roslyn that you are an enthusiast for the abolition of the slave-trade--that it is your dream by night, and your stimulus by day."

"If, my dear Sir, an ardent desire to use my individual influence and exertions to remove from my country such a stain upon its humanity; if as ardently to desire an amelioration of the wretched state of the African; if to cherish and to bring into action all those charities which distinguish reasoning man from instinctive brutes: if to be all this const.i.tutes an enthusiast, then do I, indeed, plead guilty to the charge of enthusiasm. Nor am I likely to become less so: on the contrary, the intelligence I have just received from my young friends here, (directing his eyes to Alfred, and Charles Roslyn, who sat near him,) has confirmed me in the a.s.surance, that we have every thing to hope from the judicious and liberal plan, of the Company to which I have now the honour to be attached; and which has so highly flattered me, by appointing me, in conjunction with others, to carry into effect their beneficent purposes. But you know, my dear Sir, my deep abhorrence of slavery is derived from the practical display of its cruelties; as well as from a deep reflection on its moral turpitude, its impolicy, and its inconsistency with the boasted honour and religious code of my country. Let those who question the feasibility of the plan of civilization and emanc.i.p.ation, visit, as I have done, the colonies, (more especially the Spanish colonies and the Portuguese dominions in South America,) where the inhuman traffic of slaves is carried to the greatest possible extent, forming the immediate and private revenue of the crown; let them be but faintly impressed with the horrors that constantly there occur, and I scruple not to say, if they fail to enter their protest against a system so barbarous, they deserve not the name of men, and make their religion but an impious mockery.

"A myriad of instances might be adduced, to bear me out in my a.s.sertions. The labour, of whatever nature it may be, or however laborious, is performed by slaves, and seldom more than six negroes appointed to remove the heaviest burdens. I have, for instance, seen at Rio de Janeiro, four only, groaning under a pipe of wine, which they have had to remove through the city. Many of these poor creatures are bred to trades, and are sent out daily or weekly, with peremptory orders to bring home a certain sum, at the expiration of the agreed time. What they can earn over, they have to themselves; but they are always so highly rated, that it is with the greatest difficulty they can raise the sum nominated; and, in case of defalcation, it is attributed to indolence or laziness, which subjects the unhappy victim to punishment. An awful instance of the despair produced by cruelty and oppression, occurred during my residence at Rio. A barbarous and remorseless wretch had a few slaves, whom he used to send out upon the plan I have named, subjected to the penalty of a severe flogging, if they did not, within a prescribed time, earn the sum required and their food. One of these men was a hair-dresser: he used to attend me very regularly, and always was quiet, industrious, and even active, to promote his master's interest.

"After a little time, however, I observed him to be gloomy and melancholy. I asked him the reason for the change, and was informed that he had been unsuccessful, and could not render to his master the sum required; and that he had little hopes of being able to raise it, consequently was liable to punishment, I gave him something towards it, but, being obliged to be absent a few weeks, knew not the result until I returned; when I was informed, that, as the time approached when he was to render his account, he became greatly distressed, and despaired of accomplishing his engagement. He went, however, in great distress, and tendered what he had gained; a.s.suring his master he had used every exertion to obtain the specific sum, and imploring from him a remission of punishment, or a suspension, at least, for a few days. This was at length granted him, but with horrid threats of many additional stripes in case of failure. The time fast approached when he must return, and he was still deficient. He reached the door of his master's house, when, in despair of being forgiven, and dreading the ordeal he had to undergo, he took from his pocket a razor, and, with a desperate violence, nearly severed his head from his body. This horrid deed had no other effect upon his inhuman master, than to increase his severity towards his other slaves, on whom he imposed heavier burdens, to recompence him for the loss sustained by the death of the miserable suicide [6].

"It is a usual practice," continued Fitzhugh, "when slaves become desperately ill, for their masters to disown them, and turn them into the streets, to evade the expences of their funeral; and, thus abandoned and exposed, their miserable existence is soon terminated. I have to apologize for trespa.s.sing upon your attention so long, gentlemen," observed this intelligent young man; "but I have only recounted one of a thousand instances which have come under my own observation, of the barbarous abuses of power exercised over the miserable captives."

The party expressed their obligation to Fitzhugh, for the relation he had given them, and their united hope, that every effort made use of, to ameliorate the situation of the already enslaved, and to check the inhuman traffic for the future, might be crowned with success; all agreeing, that every exertion that England makes to stop the bleeding wounds of Africa, will cause her to rise in her national character more resplendent, and must meet the approbation of every good, and what may be justly called great men, at home and abroad, and, above all, the approbation that of G.o.d who holds in his hands the destiny of nations [7].

"Have I not heard you, Fitzhugh," enquired the admiral, "express a wish that you could meet in England with two or three intelligent negroes, who would be willing to enter into engagements with the Company, as instructors to the children, and whose habits of civilization might give them an influence over their countrymen without exciting any jealousies?"

"You have, dear Sir," replied Fitzhugh; "and from what I have learned of the mental and moral qualities of my young friend's protege, I am anxious for their permission to visit Aberystwith, in order to enquire if he has any objection to accompany me to Africa. A few such young men as he is described to be, would do more to effect our plans, than any other mode I can think of; and as he has not yet made any choice of a profession, I should feel myself most grateful to Colonel Roslyn and his friends, if they will second and sanction my application to the youth, who owes so much to their benevolent kindness."

Colonel Roslyn said, "Call upon us tomorrow morning, my dear Sir, and myself and sons will be happy to co-operate, as far as in our power, in your philanthropic exertions."

This being cheerfully accepted, the conversation took a general turn, until the party broke up.

CHAPTER XII.

* * * "My heart surpris'd, o'erflows With filial fondness for the land you bless."

"Theirs the triumph be, Instead of treasure, robb'd by ruffian war, Round social earth to circle fair exchange, And bind the nations in a golden chain.

To these I honour'd stoop."

Fitzhugh was punctual to his appointment at Colonel Roslyn's; and after an interesting conversation, and the perusal of a number of Samboe's letters to his protector Charles Roslyn, it was agreed that Fitzhugh and Alfred Roslyn should proceed to Wales, in order to ascertain the sentiments of Samboe upon his projected removal, respecting which, his own unbia.s.sed choice was to be consulted. The intended visit of the young men was to be announced by letter to Captain Tremayne; and, as Fitzhugh possessed all the ardour, prompt.i.tude, and zeal of a Clarkson, in the cause of humanity, the letter was immediately written, and an early day fixed for the journey. In the correspondence of Charles and his protege, the interesting debates in the English senate, respecting the slave-trade, frequently formed a part; and Samboe had even so far expressed his sentiments upon the subject, that, when the colony of Sierra Leone was first formed, he regretted that his youth, and the mediocrity of his attainments, would oblige him to forego all hope of being useful to his poor benighted countrymen; and he had very sensibly felt disappointment at the ill success of the first establishment: an ill success which sufficiently proved the truth of the observation, that, "if the restraints of slavery be removed, without corresponding culture of the mind and heart, the mere enjoyment of temporal benefits will not make the man either grateful or happy."

Charles Roslyn greatly regretted that the hourly-expected departure of his ship, precluded him from the pleasure of accompanying his brother and Fitzhugh to Aberystwith. Having taken leave of him, and bearing his good wishes and tender remembrances to his kind relatives and his affectionate Samboe, the travellers commenced their journey, early in a lovely June morning, when every scene they pa.s.sed, manifested the riches and the bounty, the wisdom and beneficence of the Creator. The meeting was what might be expected from refined feeling, generous ardour, and virtuous exertion, on the one side; and grateful respect, modest worth, and conscious ability, chastened by the most engaging humility, on the other. Tears of unfeigned joy and grat.i.tude started into the eyes of Samboe, as he heard Mr. Llwellin a.s.sure Fitzhugh, he had no hesitation in saying, that if Samboe acceded to his proposal of accompanying him to Africa, he would be found a valuable coadjutor in the projected work of mercy: "For he is," continued the good old man, "not only fully capable of imparting the elements of general knowledge, but has a happy and peculiar manner of instructing others in those divine truths by which he regulates every action of his own life. Nor do I think you would easily find a more fit instrument among us, for promoting the great ends of civilization, and the moral and religious instruction of his countrymen. I make no scruple in paying this just tribute to the character and abilities of my dear pupil, in his presence, because he well knows they are so much my genuine sentiments, that I have advised his directing his attention to the instruction of others; and Providence seems manifestly to favour the suggestion, by the present offer enabling him to put it in practice. May his now benighted and ill-fated countrymen become more and more sensible of the extensive blessings preparing for them; and may my dear and docile pupil, Samboe, be one of the favoured instruments of Heaven, (a.s.sisted by the Spirit of grace,) to diffuse the light, to communicate the blessings of religion, and to lead the now idolatrous African to rejoice in the high privilege of communion by prayer and praise with the great Creator and compa.s.sionate Saviour; all distinctions of colour and country being lost, in that generous sympathy which should flow from the relation which all bear to that Saviour who died for the redemption of all men [8]."

There was such a heartfelt earnestness, such an affecting energy, such genuine piety, in the voice and manner of the good Llwellin, while he uttered his philanthropic wishes, that it made a forcible impression upon his young auditors. Tears of respect, grat.i.tude, affection, and hope, filled the eyes of Samboe. The intenseness and contrariety of his feelings became painful; and, unable longer to restrain their expression, he threw himself at the feet of his venerable instructor, and sobbed aloud, uttering broken sentences of obligation; and when a little composed, earnestly praying that G.o.d, the Almighty G.o.d, would enable him to a.s.sist in the realization of all the generous plans of his future employers; and so to act in every situation of life, as to do honour to the precepts of his dear instructor, and to gladden his aged heart, with the knowledge that those precepts had not been given in vain.

Encouraged to self-confidence by the unequivocal approbation of his revered friend, Samboe hesitated not in his determination of accompanying Fitzhugh in his important mission; and a few days subsequent to the interview we have related, was fixed for the departure from a spot, endeared to the affectionate heart of the African by many a tender tie, many an affecting remembrance. Parting moments are painful to experience, and are so fraught with emotion, that they admit not of correct description; it must, therefore, suffice to say, that after a general adieu, and loaded with many a token of affection and good will, cheered by many a blessing, and fortified with many a prayer from those who loved him, Samboe quitted Aberystwith with Fitzhugh and Alfred Roslyn. The intelligence, as well as simplicity of his remarks, upon the different objects which engaged his attention during the journey, rendered it peculiarly interesting to his companions. He was equally delighted with the various objects of curiosity and interest which London presented, and particularly with any thing which enlarged his views of any branch of knowledge he had acquired, or which promised to a.s.sist him in his future exertions to benefit his country. Fitzhugh found in him, a companion who entered with ardour and untired zeal into every plan his fertile benevolence devised, and determined to retain him under his own immediate care and inspection. Every day increased his confidence in the abilities and integrity of his companion; and every succeeding day more strongly proved that they were built upon a basis, which ensured their permanence and stability; even that of a rational, a deep, a vital piety.

The period of sailing approached; and happy in the exercise of the best feelings of humanity, and the highest energies of mind, Samboe believed nothing could add to his felicity, when an incident occurred which called forth all his grat.i.tude to the Being who showered his blessings upon him. He accompanied Fitzhugh to the house of a gentleman who was ardent in the cause of the Africans, and who freely lent the resources of an ample fortune to further every beneficent plan, although habitual ill health precluded him from all active exertions. On the arrival of the friends, this gentleman was just mounting his horse for a morning airing. Seeing, however, Fitzhugh and his companion advance, he ordered the groom to lead his horse back to the stable, until his visitors left him, and he then entreated Fitzhugh to enter. While this was pa.s.sing, a mutual look of surprise and recognition pa.s.sed between Samboe and the groom, but nothing further: the man leading the horse away, and Samboe following Fitzhugh into the house.

After some conversation relative to the approaching voyage, Mr. Courtney said: "Well, Fitzhugh, you have inspired many an honest heart with the same glowing philanthropy which animates your own; and, amongst the number, my excellent boy, Frank Wilson. He is determined, if you will permit him, to accompany you to Africa." "Permit him, my good Sir? I shall be happy to have in my service, a young man who does honour to his rank of life, and whose severely tried principles have resisted many attacks: his ingenuity too, and industrious habits, will make him essentially useful. But how can you part from him, or how will Frank bear to be separated from his revered benefactor?"

"Oh, I believe we have not thought of ourselves," replied Mr. Courtney, good humouredly: "all is settled between us, provided you did not object. Will you permit me to ring for him?" "Most willingly,"

said Fitzhugh.

During this short conversation, the emotion of the grateful Samboe was powerful. The features of the young man holding Mr. Courtney's horse, were familiar to him: he had marked the glance of recognition, and the name confirmed the vague hope he had formed, that, in this young man, of whose character he had just heard so high an eulogium, he had seen the first kind friend he had known in England: he who had lightened his troubles, and cheered his oppressed spirit; and this friend, this generous hearted youth, was going to Africa, and was to be in the service of his valuable friend, Fitzhugh; and they were all animated with the same spirit. How delightful the thought! how transcendently kind the Almighty Disposer!

While these thoughts were rapidly pa.s.sing the mind of Samboe, Frank Wilson appeared; and it would be hard to decide which of the party was most gratified by the disclosure of the two friends, who in each other's arms were not ashamed to weep.

Frank immediately entered upon his new duties; and every thing having been benevolently and equitably settled by the directors to ensure the comfort and advantage of the colony, the ships sailed for their destination. It is not necessary to detail the circ.u.mstances of the voyage, or to attempt to describe the emotions of the young African, when he landed on his native sh.o.r.es.

Every individual possessing a manly mind and virtuous soul, is patriotic: he rejoices in the weal, he mourns in the miseries of his country. Samboe possessed a manly mind and a virtuous soul. He was a patriot, and shrunk not from its high responsibilities. We detail not his individual exertions; it will be sufficient to say, that he took an ample share with his companions in the good work; that every thing had been so judiciously arranged; that the conduct of the servants of the Company was marked with such propriety, being sober, moral, and exemplary, in the discharge of their respective duties; that the efforts and zeal of the clergymen were attended with the happiest effects; that, before the expiration of two years from the settlement of the colony, order and industry exhibited their benign fruits in a growing prosperity. The fame of the colony not only spread along the whole western coast, but penetrated into the remotest interior: emba.s.sies were sent by far distant monarchs; and the native chiefs, with a pleasing and entire confidence, sent their children to the colony, to be instructed in reading, writing, and accounts, and to be initiated in the Christian religion. In fact, there was every reasonable ground for hope, that the joyful period was advancing, when, by the blessing of Heaven upon the endeavours used, the continent of Africa would be rescued from the darkness that obscured her, and would exhibit the soul-cheering scene of light and knowledge, of civilization and order, of peaceful industry and domestic comfort. But these antic.i.p.ations were destroyed by the treachery and faithlessness of a government, which professed to hold the rights of man as sacred. We shall give a cursory narrative of this event, as extracted from a letter of Fitzhugh to his friends in England. (Note S.)

"I have distressing news to communicate, but we do not despond. The French have appeared with an armed force before our neat and rising town, upon which they have pointed their guns. It was not until they had done this that we perceived they were enemies; for they had English-built vessels, rigged in the English mode, displayed the English flag, and had all the sailors, which appeared on deck, dressed like English sailors. Thus treacherously did they approach our peaceful colony. Conscious we had no strength to resist, the governor directed a flag of truce to be hoisted. Yet, after this order was executed, the French continued to fire on the town, doing much damage, and killing several persons.

"Terrified at the suddenness of the attack, and conscious they possessed no power of resistance, the alarmed inhabitants fled to the woods, with such of their property as the confusion and limited time would allow. When the enemy landed, therefore, they found the town almost dest.i.tute of inhabitants, but rich in stores and clothing.

"Plunder was the order of the day; and what they did not want, they destroyed, burnt, or threw into the river. They also killed all the cattle and animals, not sparing even the dogs or cats.

"During a week this work of devastation continued; and when they found nothing more to plunder, they set fire to the public buildings, and all the houses belonging to the Europeans; entirely ruining the beautiful and prospering colony, and leaving the colonists in the most deplorable state of dest.i.tution; without provisions, medicines, clothing, houses, or furniture. Sickness soon followed these privations, and many have died for want of proper food, and exposure in the woods.

"When you read the above hurried account of our misfortune, you will scarcely believe that these wanton cruelties have been perpetrated by individuals of a nation, whose Convention boasted of spreading 'light and liberty through the world.' Alas! that light is the blaze of anarchy, that liberty the most daring and gross licentiousness!

"Sierra Leone colony was established for the G.o.dlike purpose of abolishing the slave-trade; to enlighten the Africans; to render them virtuous, rational, free, and happy; and yet these powerful advocates and patrons of the rights of man, could wantonly destroy, in its healthful infancy, a settlement in which those rights were peculiarly studied and held sacred. 'By their fruits ye shall know them.'

"But it will yet, like the phoenix, arise from its ashes. It was formed to promote the cause of justice, mercy, and religion; a cause which possesses, in itself, the principle of re-animation--an ever-renewing means of rallying its resources, overborne, for a time, by a base treachery and unmanly violence.

"My faithful Samboe, and no less faithful Frank, have been like ministering angels to the distressed, in this season of calamity. 'My poor country,' said Samboe, 'and my generous friends, what a sad reverse is here! But though grieved,' he added, 'I am not in despair; for has not the Almighty said, (He in whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning,) 'I will never leave nor forsake those who trust in me. Commit thy way unto the Lord, and he shall bring it to pa.s.s.' I cannot conclude my letter better, than by a.s.suring my dear ----, that such is the trust and confidence we all repose in the Being, who out of evil still educes good."

Now, to resume and conclude our narrative, we have but to say we may speak of these difficulties in the past tense; they no longer, praised be the great Disposer of Events, they no longer are experienced at Sierra Leone; but have vanished, gradually, before the enlightened policy of the superintendants, and the mild influence of Christian doctrine. The enjoyments of the present life, the bright hopes of a future state, are now communicated to thousands of our fellow-creatures, formerly in a state of mental and moral darkness, and obnoxious to the most frightful miseries, victims of the basest pa.s.sions, subjects of the most alarming fears.

Justice, mercy, and courageous perseverance, are now reaping their high temporal reward; and the blessing of the Almighty upon patient continuance in well-doing, enables England to boast that she has overcome the most inveterate prejudices, the most firmly-established interests, built upon the basest pa.s.sions; and this by the simple power of experiment, and the eloquence of truth.

Sierra Leone, where this experiment has been made, now presents itself as a medium of civilization for Africa. "And in this point of view, (it has been most justly observed,) is worth all the treasure that has been expended upon it; for the slave-trade, which was the great obstacle to this civilization, being now happily abolished by the universal voice of England, there is now a populous metropolis, from which may issue the seeds of reformation to this injured continent, and which, when sown, may now, watered by the genial dews of heaven, be expected to grow into fruit, without check or blight. New schools may be transplanted from thence into the interior; teachers and travellers be sent from thence in various directions; the natives resort in safety to it from distant parts, mark the improvements, witness the comforts, taste the enjoyments, and feel the protection of it. Hence will mistrust give way to confidence, emulation will be raised, imitation be encouraged, a desire of instruction be excited, and the predatory ignorant savage be gradually moulded into the useful citizen and the rational man.

Let then each English heart rejoice, that the moral stain, so long apparent on our statutes, so long exhibited in our national character, is now erased from the one, and expunged from the other; that the impious doctrine so long contended for, that the law of force was justifiable under certain circ.u.mstances, is now banished from the deliberations of our senate; and man, whatever his country, whatever his colour, is restored to his moral rights. Let us rejoice that we have not only been the advocates of the oppressed--have triumphed by perseverance and constancy over the oppressor; but that England has become the favoured and glorious instrument of a G.o.d of mercy, to make his light to shine upon those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death. May every nation, feeling the blessing of that light, which is upheld by that mercy, follow the example of our favoured isle! May the rich stream of mercy flow, and diffuse throughout far-distant lands its fertilizing influences! May the spirit of a Wilberforce and a Clarkson, inspire the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of the powerful; and may the grat.i.tude and the intelligence of Samboe, glow in the heart, and animate the conduct of every African!