Shady

Quote

On 2 April 1792, abolitionist William Wilberforce sponsored a motion in the House of Commons "that the trade carried on by British subjects, for the purpose of obtaining slaves on the coast of Africa, ought to be abolished." He had introduced a similar motion in 1791, which was soundly defeated by MPs, with a vote of 163 opposed, 88 in favour.^[12] Dundas was not present for that vote, but when it was again before MPs in 1792, Dundas tabled a petition from Edinburgh residents who supported abolition.^[13] He then went on to affirm his agreement in principle with Wilberforce's motion: "My opinion has been always against the Slave Trade." He argued, however, that a vote for immediate abolition would be ineffective, as it would drive the slave trade underground. He anticipated, in particular, that merchants from other countries would step in to fill the gap left by the British. He stated: "this trade must be ultimately abolished, but by moderate measures".^[14] He suggested that eventually slavery and the slave trade should be abolished but that this should not apply to the current generation of enslaved people who, he claimed would not benefit from immediate emancipation.^[13] He then introduced an amendment that would add the word "gradual" to the Wilberforce motion. The amendment was adopted, 192 in favour, 125 opposed. The motion as amended then passed 230 in favour, 85 opposed.^[15] For the first time, Parliament voted to end the slave trade.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Dundas,_1st_Viscount_Melville#Opposing_the_immediate_abolition_of_slave_trading

That's all he's talking about.

Dundas agreed with Wilberforce that slavery needed to be abolished. He thought it would fail if it was done abruptly and pushed for gradual abolition. 

Apparently Dundas and Wilberforce shook hands the day before Wilberforce's death and Dundas was pleased. By that time slavery had been abolished in the UK.

Mohawk leader Joseph Brant has tons of stuff named after him included Wayne Gretzky's hometown of Brantford. He owned Slaves. 

Up next: Yonge street.