1792,
and the king announced the marriage of his second son, Frederick, with a
daughter of the King of Prussia. In March, Mr. Pitt proposed to settle
thirty thousand pounds per annum upon their royal highnesses! The
Opposition remonstrated, but the motion was finally carried.
Much interest was excited upon the subject of the slave trade; and Mr.
Wilberforce urged the abolition of it in very warm and generous
language. Mr. Pitt was eloquent on this occasion, and pleaded, most
animatedly, in favour of its entire abolition; but the minister _was not
sincere_. A series of resolutions were ultimately agreed upon, and sent
up to the Lords for their concurrence.
The Duke of Clarence now commenced his parliamentary career, by
violently declaiming against the abolition of slavery and its advocates.
This caused it to be delayed, and the guilt of Britain increased.
The queen _appeared_ vexed at this circumstance, as she had imagined
such a concession would have given great satisfaction, without
decreasing her influence at home.
In a private conversation with an illustrious person, some days after
this defeat, Mr. Wilberforce said, "He did not believe the queen or the
minister were _truly desirous_ of the abolition of slavery; for, if it
had been intended by them to be carried, they would have secured it in
the Upper House."
After thus trifling with the wishes of the people, it appeared probable
that dissatisfaction might arise amongst the middle classes of society;
to provide against which, the establishment of a new police for
Westminster was proposed and carried.