“Having, since a long time, given up every hope of keeping
any place in your memory, I was most agreeably surprised by receiving your
favour of the 30th of September, and I seize with pleasure the opportunity you
have the kindness of offering, to keep up a connection which I shall
| LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. | 135 |
“I may not conceal to you how much the approbation of my conduct, which a man in a far distant country, whom age and knowledge places far above me, flatters myself. It gives me the courage to entertain you further of those steps which are made in a small and peaceable country towards the civil accomplishment of the state of society.
“It was in the year 1794, I granted liberty and property
to the glebæ adscriptis of my estate.
In 1796, shortly after my return from Italy, the noblemen and country gentlemen
instituted a committee to examine the state of slavery in Holstein. The lovers
of ancient time endeavoured to abuse this measure as a mean for continuing in
our former state. Having been so happy as to be elected a member of the
committee, consisting of eight noblemen and four gentlemen, I proposed the
total abolition of slavery in Holstein and Sleswick, and was so happy to carry
the measure, after the debate had lasted about thirteen months. This resolution
was signed the 11th of March, and is already submitted to the royal
approbation. The latter part of this century has seen many examples of
sovereigns restoring part of their subjects to the rights of which another part
had deprived them, but I think it the very first instance, where a privileged
order has volun-
| 136 | LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. |
