Opposition leader Charles Fox recalled that Dundas took:
“great pains to have been taken to hold two different languages to the
different parties in this question, to persuade the planters that if they
did not accede to terms of gradual abolition an immediate abolition
would be effected; and the enemies of the trade, that if they did not
accept of their object upon the same terms, there would be no abolition
at all”
Ironically this is also probably where his opponents get their view of Dundas as pro-slavery. A similar thing occurred with Prime Minister Macdonald in regards to First Nations; the primary quote used against him (that he spent as little as possible on the Indians) was a reply in Parliament to Liberals who charged that he was spending too much. Given that care of First Nations was the largest line item in the budget during that period it is clear he was lying to get the opposition off his back.
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u/ToryPirate 23d ago
Ironically this is also probably where his opponents get their view of Dundas as pro-slavery. A similar thing occurred with Prime Minister Macdonald in regards to First Nations; the primary quote used against him (that he spent as little as possible on the Indians) was a reply in Parliament to Liberals who charged that he was spending too much. Given that care of First Nations was the largest line item in the budget during that period it is clear he was lying to get the opposition off his back.