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IN debate in The English House Of Commons
on the 25th Of July, on the subject Of the Slave
Trade al the Cape Of Good Hope. MIR Wilber-
force begged the attention Of the House to an
extraordinary Circumstance. Would it be believ-
ed (sald the non. gentleman, that while this coun-
try labored SO much to propagate the doctrine
OF Christianity, there we're men who had been
born Britons, and who boasted Of their birth.
who took pains 10 educate their slaves in the
PRINCIPLES Of Mahometar.sm Yet there were
colonists who did 50, and they assigned in their
justification the most extraordinary reasons. that
the slaves, being by the principles Of AIoslemism
prevented from drinking wine, would become
thoroughly sober in their habits and also that
the want of Christian marriages would enable
them to separate the father from the mother Of
his children without any injury to their reli-
glous principles. He assured the house that the
most odiOus practice was carried on in some Of
the colonies. He hoped that means would be
taken TO prevent il in future. 1t had been said
that the Hottentots had always been incapable
vi cIyillZaton; but the house could not but be
aware that man, once stamped with the signet
OF benehcent Creator, was ALWAYS capable OF
feeling. Mean as the Hottentots had been ac-
counted, even as the meanest of the human race.
Mr. Barrow, in his intelligent work on the Cane
OF Good Hope, had given proofs of their capabil-
lty OF feeling as men. Sir. J. Craig too had
70 defiance Of prejudices and sarcasm, proved
that they could be rendered good members Of
society, and had formed some Of them into req
iment.


Nr w. Smith, also regretted that the Hot
tentots bad been i'll effect reduced to the condi
! ton OF slaves BY the artifce Of those who EN-
Pioyed them; these farmers supplied them with
! necessaries and other articles, until they GOT
them into theirdeb and then brought them be-
lore magistrate, when having sworn to the debt
mo doubt exorbitant)the unhappy Hottentot be-
ing IN most cases unable TO paw, was handed over
TO 'hs MASTER TO work himself out Of debt, which
IN eject condemned him to slavery, although no
more slave than any member Of that house.
ana placed lis liberty in the hands Of an arbi
uary ana raPacious master. He (Mr. S. had
the highest respect for the right of propertv II
al cases, except one, namey--an unquaiifed
property existing in one priviledged individual
70 The iabour and person Of his fellow creature.