1791 LETTER ROBERT COOPER LEE re WILBERFORCE FIRST BILL .. SLAVE TRADE ABOLITION

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1791 LETTER ROBERT COOPER LEE re WILBERFORCE FIRST BILL .. SLAVE TRADE ABOLITION:
$936.79

1791 LETTER ROBERT COOPER LEE re WILBERFORCE MOTION SLAVE TRADE ABOLITION + PITT.
Fine and clean cover with entire clearly written letter .Bedford Square London 20th April 1791, to John Grant, River Street, Bath; 5 in manuscript; TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD GPO double circle receiver; circular datestamp AP 20.Letter gives an account , and some of the feeling of the all night session in Parliament, debating William Wilberforce’s Very First Motion For Abolition of the Slave Trade. Mentions Charles James Fox + Prime Minister William Pit, who both spoke in favour of the abolition, Mr Fox especially passionately, pledging himself to support abolition at all times.
It took a further 15 years campaigning by William Wilberforce to pass a bill of abolition.
Letter reads:

1791.Bedford Square 20th of April.

Mydear sir, I have great pleasure in acquainting you with the result oflast night's debate . The Division took place at 4 o'clock thenumbers for Mr Wilberforce's motion were only 88. the numbers against163.

Many members paired off and others tired out went away , some fewdid not vote at all .

Had the division been at an earlier hour ourmajority would probably have been considerably greater.

Mr Pitt spokestrongly for abolishing the slave trade whatever might be theconsequences; Mr Fox’s speech was to thepassions; all the eloquence and abilities werecertainly against us and Mr Fox pledged himself for the support ofthe measure at all times.

We shall hear no more ofit this sessions and I think Mr Wilberforce is not likely to gaintowards another year. I came home this morning by daylight.

Iam always my dear sir, most truly yours ,

RobertCooper Lee.

A first hand account from Robert Cooper Lee , Crown Solicitor in Jamaica, and a plantation owner: his wife and children were of mixed race.