Wilberforce, William (1759-1833)

The Speech of William Wilberforce, Esq., Representative for the County of York, on Wednesday the 13th of May, 1789, on the Question of the Abolition of the Slave Trade

London

Printed at the Logographic Press and sold by J. Walter, C. Stalker, and W. Richardson

May 13, 1789

"[T]he Slave Trade has enslaved their [Africans'] minds, blackened their character and sunk them so low in the scale of animal beings, that some think the very apes are of a higher class, and fancy the Ourang Outang has given them the go-by."

I believe, Sir, I have now touched upon all the objections of any consequence, which are made to the abolition of this Trade.--When we consider the vastness of the Continent of Africa; when we reflect how all other countries have for some centuries past, been advancing in happiness and civilization; when we think how in this same period all improvement in Africa has been defeated by her intercourse with Britain; when we reflect how it is we ourselves that have degraded them to that wretched brutishness and barbarity which we now plead as the justification of our guilt; how the Slave Trade has enslaved their minds, blackened their character and sunk them so low in the scale of animal beings, that some think the very apes are of a higher class, and fancy the Ourang Outang has given them the go-by.--What a mortification must we feel at having so long neglected to think of our guilt, or to attempt any reparation: It seems, indeed, as if we had determined to forbear from all interference until the measure of our folly and wickedness was so full and complete; until the impolicy which eventually belongs to vice, was become so plain and glaring, that not an individual in the country would refuse to join in the abolition: It seems as if we had waited until the persons most interested should be tired out with the folly and nefariouness of the trade, and should unite in petitioning against it.
(47-8)

Government::Slavery

Reading

Only 1 entry (1789).

Wilberforce, William, The Speech of William Wilberforce, Esq., Representative for the County of York, on Wednesday the 13th of May, 1789, on the Question of the Abolition of the Slave Trade. To Which are Added, the Resolutions Then Moved, and a Short Sketch of the Speeches of the Other Members (London: Printed at the Logographic Press and sold by J. Walter, C. Stalker, and W. Richardson, 1789). <Link to Internet Archive>

03/09/2013