According to the 1834 prospectus of the newly-founded French Society for the Abolition of Slavery, by the 1830s slavery could no longer seriously be defended. However, despite an apparent consensus, a united effort was still needed to drive forward the reform of French colonial slave law. The loss of Saint-Domingue and "wounded national pride" (4) are cited as factors holding back the development of a real anti-slavery French political culture, yet the 1833 British abolition of slavery is seen as a potential turning point for the Caribbean: "when the cries of liberty from neighbouring shores resound in our islands..." (5). The newly established Society intended to encourage France to follow this example. This manifesto was signed by Broglie, Passy, Odilon-Barrot, De la Borde and Isambert. A number of French peers and MPs were also founding members of the Society.