I suspect that sentence is a typographical error, or, just as likely, Freudian slip.
Perhaps you'd like to correct it?
I suspect that sentence is a typographical error, or, just as likely, Freudian slip.
What is wrong with it? William Wilberforce cleverly tricked the pro-slavery forces into allowing the legislation to go through, because they didn't see how it would eventually allow complete and total interdiction of the slave trade by the English navy.
A radical change of tactics, which involved the introduction of a bill to ban British subjects from aiding or participating in the slave trade to the French colonies, was suggested by maritime lawyer James Stephen.[142] It was a shrewd move, since the majority of British ships were now flying American flags and supplying slaves to foreign colonies with whom Britain was at war.[143] A bill was introduced and approved by the cabinet, and Wilberforce and other abolitionists maintained a self-imposed silence, so as not to draw any attention to the effect of the bill.[144][145] The approach proved successful, and the new Foreign Slave Trade Bill was quickly passed, and received royal assent on 23 May 1806.[