Whitehaven Herald April 23, 1833 House of Commons Apr 15 1833

House of Commons Apr 15 1833

The Speaker took his seat about twelve o'clock. Mr. Alderman Thompson took the oaths and his seat for Sunderland; and Mr. John Story Penlease for Southampton. Abolition of Slavery. Mr. F. Buxton presented a great number of petitions for the immediate and entire abolition of slavery.  He had also petition from a gentleman named Geo. Washington Bustead, who had filled an office on the island of St. Lucia, and who stated that, from his knowledge of the slaves of that island, and he had no doubt it was the same in the other West India islands, he was able to prove, at the bar of the house, that the Negroes were as fully qualified for freedom, by their habits of industry, sobriety and good conduct, as any other class of persons. Several other members presented petitions from various parts of the country to the same effect. Mr. Roebuck presented a petition which he described as being curiously worded, from the parish of St. James in the city of Bristol, praying for the removal of the assessed taxes, which the petitioners stated were "no joke," that "they could stand it no longer," and that if these taxes were not repealed, "in sober earnest they must shut up shop." Mr. Blamire presented petitions for the immediate abolition of slavery, from Maryport, Wigton, and Bristol.  The petitioners approved of the ministerial plan, and stated that they would view the necessary expenditure of the money as the payment of the solemn debt to the Negros.  The hon. members also presented the petition from the Presbytery of the West of Scotland for the better observance of the Sabbath.

 

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