Whenever, my Lords, I have the honour of addressing your Lordships, God forbid that I should say any thing that could do the smallest injury to any single individual, or to society collectively considered; but it is necessary, on a subject of such importance, to make a fair and candid statement of the various circumstances requisite for the illustration of the subject. It is not for me, my Lords, to dwell upon what may be the conduct or the disposition of the British West India Islands, should the Abolition of the Slave Trade take place. I cannot, however, help calling to your Lordships attention the Address to the King from the Assembly of Jamaica
"We can with truth assure your Majesty, that no opportunity, no circumstance, which may enable the Assembly of Jamaica to make further provisions to secure to every person in this island the certain, immediate, and active protection of the law, in propor-
