Phillips also started to set up some small libraries in mess rooms in order to further the education of soldiers serving in India. He bought a sugar plantation on the island of St Vincent for £40 000, and, he returned to London, a rich man, in 1817. Following the abolition of slavery, he was awarded £4737 8s 6d in compensation.
Phillips initiated initiatives to create small libraries within mess rooms to improve the educational opportunities available to soldiers serving in India. He acquired a sugar plantation on St Vincent for £40,000 and resumed his life in London as a prosperous person by 1817. After slavery was abolished, he received £4737 8s 6d as reparation.