The abolition of slavery in Britain was having little effect in the colonies. As a result abolitionists shifted their focus to central regulation of the trade and practice. In 1824, having seen little return from this lobbying, William Wilberforce and other leading abolitionists established the Society for the Mitigating and Gradually Abolishing the State of Slavery Throughout the British Dominions. Although it hardly had a catchy title, the Society eventually succeeded in its aims.
The inhabitants of Beith played their part in the campaign and drafted a petition in March for the gradual abolition of slavery. 200 signatures were obtained, and the petition was sent to the House of Commons:
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Extract from the petition. [DC1/158] Click on the image for enlarged view. |