That in
this vital question is involved the existence of the property of a numerous
body of His Majesty's subjects, and of a very large portion of British
Commerce, and of British Naval power connected with these great and ancient
colonies, the destruction of which would effect the ruin of all connected
with those colonies, and reduce Great Britain from the Rank of the first
Commerical Country in the world to a state of comparative destitution
and insignificance.
Simplified
transcript
This question
involves the existence of property of a large number of British subjects.
It also affects a large portion of British commerce and British naval
power. The destruction of that property [the abolition of slavery] would
bring about the ruin of everybody connected with the West Indian colonies.
It would change Great Britain's position as the most important trading
nation in the world to that of a poor and unimportant nation.
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