Talleyrand to the universal abolition of the slave-trade, February 8, 1815

Declaration of the eight courts, relative to the universal abolition of the slave-trade.

The plenipotentiaries of the powers who signed the treaty of Paris the 30th May, 1814, assembled in conference, having taken into consideration—

That the commerce known under the name of African slave-trade has been regarded, by the just and enlightened men of all ages, as repugnant to the principles of humanity and universal morality.

That the particular circumstances to which this commerce owed its birth, and the difficulty of suddenly interrupting its course, have been able to hide up to a certain point whatever there was odious in its conservation, but that at last the public voice has made itself heard in all civilized countries, requesting that it might be suppressed as soon as possible.

That, since the character and details of this commerce have been better known, and the evils of every description which accompany it completely unveiled, several of the European governments have in fact resolved to cause its cessation, and that all the powers in rotation, possessing colonies in different parts of the world, have recognized, whether by legislative acts or by treaties and other formal engagements, the obligation and necessity of abolishing it.

That, by a separate article of the last treaty of Paris, Great Britain and France agreed to unite their efforts to cause to be pronounced at the Congress of Vienna, by all the powers of Christendom, the universal and positive abolition of the slave-trade.

That the plenipotentiaries, re-assembled in that congress, could not better honor their mission, fulfill their duty, and manifest the principles which guide their august sovereigns, than in laboring to realize that engagement, and in proclaiming, in the name of their sovereigns, the wish to put an end to a scourge which has so long desolated Africa, degraded Europe, and afflicted humanity.

The said plenipotentiaries agreed to open their deliberations as to the means of accomplishing a so salutary object by a solemn declaration of the principles which guided them in their work.

In consequence, and duly authorized to this act by the unanimous adhesion of their respective courts to the principle set forth in the said separate article of the treaty of Paris, they declare in the face of Europe, that regarding the universal abolition of the slave-trade as a measure particularly worthy of their attention, conformable to the spirit of the age and the generous principles of their august sovereigns, they are animated by the sincere desire of concurring in the promptest and most efficacious execution of this measure, by all the means at their disposal, and of acting, in the employment of these means, with all the zeal and perseverance which such a great and noble cause demands.

Too well aware, however, of the sentiments of their sovereigns not to foresee that, however honorable their object may be, they will not pursue it without just arrangements for the interests, habits, and prejudices of their subjects, the said plenipotentiaries recognize, at the same time, that this general declaration cannot prejudge the term that each power in particular may regard as the most proper for the definite abolition of the slave-trade. Consequently, the determination of the epoch in which this commerce ought to cease universally will be an object of negotiation among the powers; it being well understood that no means fit to assure and hasten its march will be neglected, and that the reciprocal engagement, contracted by the present declaration between the sovereigns who have taken part in it, will be considered as deferred only to the moment when complete success will have crowned their united efforts.

In acquainting Europe and all the civilized nations of the earth with this declaration, the said plenipotentiaries flatter themselves with the hope of engaging all the other governments, and notably those which in abolishing the slave-trade have already manifested the same sentiments, to support them by their approbation in a cause the triumph of which will be one of the most beautiful monuments of the century which has embraced it and which will have gloriously terminated it. Vienna, the 8th February, 1815.