Memoirs of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Baronet

CONTENTS.

Education in Ireland.

1802-1807.

Donnybrook. Emmett's rebellion.

Dublin University.-Correspondence. - Engagement to Miss

H. Gurney. Historical Society. - Escape from shipwreck.—

Correspondence.-Success at College.-Invitation to represent

the University in Parliament.

Enters Truman's Brewery. Occupations in London.-Letter

from Mr. Twiss.- Correspondence. - Death of Edward Buxton.

-Exertions in the Brewery -

First speech in public. -The Rev. Josiah Pratt.

regard to religion. - Dangerous illness. Its effect on his mind.

-Settles at Hampstead. - Disappointments and anxieties.—

Reflections.- Narrow escape. Letter to Mr. J. J. Gurney

CHAPTER V.

1816, 1817.

Adventure with a mad dog.

Buxton's speech. — Letters.

-

Distress in Spitalfields. - Mr.

- Establishment of the Prison Dis-

cipline Society. - Death of Charles Buxton. -Journey on the

Continent. Letters.-Incident at the Brewery. — Book on

Election, 1818. Letter from Mr. J. J. Gurney.

entering Parliament.

- Debate on the Peterloo riot. - Burdett.

-Canning. Plunkett. - Brougham.

--

Wilberforce.-Letter

to Mr. Charles Buxton of Bellfield. First speech, on Criminal

Committees on Criminal Law and Prison Discipline.

Chosen by Mr. Wilberforce as his successor in the slavery cause.

Common confusion of "Slavery" with "Slave Trade."

Previous impressions on Mr. Buxton's mind. - Priscilla Gurney's

dying words. He studies the subject. - Long deliberations.———

Fear of servile revolt. Undertakes to advocate the question.

- Letters from Mr. Wilberforce. - Reflections. Suttee.

The Quakers' petition. Letter to Earl Bathurst. - First

debate on Slavery. Mr. Canning's amendments.

liorations in the slave's condition recommended to the colonists.

-Letter to Sir James Mackintosh

Excitement in the West Indies. The Negroes refuse to work.

Severe measures. Death of Smith, a Missionary. -

-

The abo-

litionists bitterly reproached.—Mr. Buxton's plan. - Interviews

with Canning. Popular clamours. -The Government draws

back. Anxieties and doubts. Letter from Mr. J. J. Gurney.

-The debate. The Government gives way. — Mr. Buxton

attacks them.

Mr.

Encouragements from Mr. Wilberforce.

Brougham's speech on Smith's case. Its effect on the country.

-

- Mr. Wilberforce retires. The small number of abolitionists

in Parliament. Dr. Lushington.

- Mr.

Mr. Macaulay.

Buxton's policy. - Free people of colour.-Treatment of Mr.

Shrewsbury.-Debate. - Deliberations.—The London petition.

Cromer Hall.-Shooting. A courteous poacher.

The sporting

professor. - Mr. Buxton's delight in horses. His influence

over the young. Maxims. Letter to a nephew. His love

of a manly character. His gentleness. Shipwreck of a

collier.-Perilous exploit. His religious influence. - Kindness

to the poor. Letter on style. - Correspondence. — Martin's

- Letters on bravery, and on candour. - Letter to a

clergyman on his new house

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The Mauritius Slave Trade. - Mr. Byam and General Hall. -

Mr. Buxton studies and undertakes the question. - Touching

incident. Debate. Committee of inquiry. - Stormy election

at Weymouth.-Letters.- Laborious investigations.- Frightful

attack of illness. - Unexpected recovery

CHAPTER XII.

1827, 1828.

Meditations. Mr. Simeon.

-

Letter to Lord W. Bentinck.

Suttee abolished.- Mr. Buxton settles at Northrepps.-Debate

on Slavery. Mr. Buxton's reply. — The free people of colour.

-Interview with Mr. Huskisson. - Thoughts on his illness

The Hottentots. - Dr. Philip.-Van Riebech's regrets.

-

Miseries

of the Hottentots. Dr. Philip's researches. Mr. Buxton's

motion. — The Government acquiesces.-Letter from Dr. Philip.

The Order in Council sent out.-Letter to Mr. J. J. Gurney.-

The Hottentots set free. - Alarms die away. - Happy results.

The Kat River settlement

Catholic Emancipation.

- Agreeable news. The Mauritius case revived.

The Government admit the existence of

Mauritius. Its complete extinction.

the Slave Trade at

-

Mr. George Stephen. Mr. Jeremie

CHAPTER XV.

1829, 1830.

Mitigation of the penal code. - Illness and death of his

The public begins to arouse itself with regard to Slavery. -

Increasing popularity of the subject. Gradual change in the

views of the leaders. — Mitigating measures despaired of.

Determination to put down Slavery thoroughly and at once.

Spirited meetings in London and Edinburgh.-The Government

outstripped by the abolitionists. Mr. Buxton's appeal to the

electors. The cruelty of Slavery in its mildest form 242-253

Religious meditations. The Duke's declaration. - Change of

ministry. The Whig Government does not take up the subject

of Slavery. Quakers' petition. - Decrease of the slave popu-

lation.-Debate. The Government still tries to lead the

colonists to adopt mitigating measures. Parliament dissolved.

-Letter from Bellfield. -Letter to a son at college. - Party

at the Brewery. Anecdotes. Reflections on shooting. -

Insurrection in Jamaica.

1832.

Lords' committee. - Letters to Lord

Suffield. Speech at public meeting. Position of parties.-

State of the colonies. Policy of the Government.

May 24.- Mr. Buxton insists on dividing the House.

ation of the committee. Religious persecutions in Jamaica. -

Result of the committee.

Government undertakes the Slavery question. Lord Howick's
resignation. Anxieties. - Question of compensation. — Agi-
tation in the country. - Delegates
301-318

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CHAPTER XX.

1833.

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Debate, May 14.- Mr. Stanley's speech.-Resolutions passed.—

Blame attributed to Mr. Buxton. - Letters. Bill brought in.

-Debate on apprenticeship. On compensation.

of the Bill through the House of Commons.

House of Lords. - Passed. - Letters

Letters. Good accounts from the West Indies. - Baron Roths-

child. Occupations of the Spring and Summer. - Endeavours

for the benefit of the Negroes. - Mr. Trew. The day of

freedom, August 1. 1834. Conduct of the Negroes. - Letters

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Memoirs of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Baronet: With Selections from His ...