The words of Mr Over-Secretary Stephen

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by jargon, I remember that bureaucrats can write stirring language, within the constraints of the requirements of their offices, like this:

All and every the persons who on the said first day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four shall be holden in slavery within any such British colony as aforesaid, shall upon and from and after the said first day of august one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four become and be to all intents and purposes free and discharged of and from all manner of slavery, and shall be absolutely and forever manumitted; and ... the children thereafter to be born to any such persons, and the offspring of such children, shall in like manner be free from their birth; and ... slavery shall be and is hereby utterly and forever abolished and declared unlawful throughout the British colonies, plantations, and possessions abroad.