An Example of Pro-Slavery Lobbying in Opposition to the British

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Abolition of the Slave Trade Invitation card, 4-1/2" x 3", with manuscript "The Committee of the West India Planters & Merchants present their respects to Mr. Home and request the favor of his attendance tomorrow (Tuesday) and support against the Bill for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Monday. March 14th 1796." There is a period manuscript on the reverse. In part, "To Geo. 1795 June 20th. It will be absolutely necessary to bring ..." (the rest is illegible).In London, on March 15, 1796, victory appeared to be in his grasp for the Abolition of the Slave Trade Bill . A Parliamentary vote was held for total abolition of the trade, and the cause had more supporters than opponents. Wilberforce's opponents realized this, and in an effort to negate the abolitionists' advantage, they gave at least half a dozen free theatre tickets to Wilberforce's supporters. The scheme worked. The supporters failed to show up for the vote; the bill was defeated. Repeatedly throughout Wilberforce's struggle, he spent more time gathering evidence against the trade than creating political strategies. Had he worked harder to gain more loyal supporters, rather than throwing statistics at indecisive politicians during lengthy debates, he could have conquered the slave trade much sooner.

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