PREFACE Thé object of this publication is to show the manner in which Friends: of North Carolina Yearly Meeting proceeded in liberating the slaves once held by them. Our own members may here see some of the difficulties: with which their forefathers had to contend in the discharge of their duty! —the community at large may see the doctrines of liberty not merely drawn out in therory, but recuced to practice. Many even of our own members are not aware of the extent to which: our society once participated in slaveholding, and semne on finding it here stated may infer that its principles have urdergone a change and that we’ who live in this day are more pure than evt predecessors were. This is not necessarily the case; and indeed, so far from it, is there not reason to: fear that too. many among us have fililed to maintain the testimonies in that purity in which they were transthitted to us? Purity consists in upright-' ness of intention. It is faith’iill¥ to follow the light which we have, wheth- ér that light be great or stall. Now, the. light may manifest to us one thing which is wrong and ought to be abandoned. Remove that and another not before seer’ may then be disclosed. In the christian warfare there must be no reeervation. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy might, with a!l thy soul end with all thy strength, anil thy neighbor as thyself.” On these tWo conimar.dments: rest all the Jaw and the prophets. If we leve Him with all our strength’ and our neighbor as ourself, whether our strength be much o1 little, wedo: all that is required of us. The whole life must be cflered up asa contin- ual incense before Him. ‘Then the will or disposition of the mind being: right, the appropriate act follows just in that proportion in which it is demanded by the Light. ” The Society of Friénds originated about 200 yéarsego. They were’ Gistinguished by several peculiarities from the religiotis professors of that day, and especially by their explicit declaration of the immediate and per- ceptible influencé of the Holy Spirit. This, with.them, in the language of scripture, © isthe true light that lighteth every than that cometh into the world.” This is the grace of God which bringeth’ salvation and which hath appeared unto all men.—T'hat al! who professed and bélieved this doctrine should not at once perceive all its leadings is‘not to be wondered at. To the same individual, the san of the physical world has various appearances ; there are the gray twilight and the hues of saffron before We behold its effulgent beame. It may be obscured by mists or storm Clouds, but it is the gathe sun notwithstanding. ehh — The patience manitested in this work is remiarkable. The labors extend over a period of riore than one hutdred years. One step after another was taken. each approximating nearér and nearér towards the ul= timate object of completely “undoing the heavy burdéns and letting the oppressed go free” Attention seems first to have been directed to their religious instruction, then to trading inthem with persons who dealt therein. for the sake of gain. Soon friends were prohibited from buying of any ex- cept members of Society—finally, their siaves must be given up. One committee after another was appointed. Deficient members were again and again advised and dealt with in love and tenderness, A very few were dieowned. They mostly yielded to their convictions of cuty. Truth and justice triumphed. Slaveholding in the Society was abolished. We appeal to men of every class to weigh this matter with candor { 355029 4 Let legislators, especially let all professors of Christianity—the influea- tial men of the nation—look toit. Much lies at your door ; and the higher your position in suciety and the ‘greater your influence, the more will be required at your hands. Nor is any exempt. We must .all do battle either for or against the Redeemer of the world. ‘ He that is not tor me isagainst me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Our responsibility is according to our means of doing good—our guilt 1s as our light. All may do something ; the least may domuch. A poor widow once cast two nites into the treasury ot the Lord. All the sumptuous contribu- tions of the rich did not equal this. She cast ia all her liying—her whole heart was given to God and the cause of righteousness. . That slavery is inconsistent with the requisitions of Christianity we think will be manifest to every person who will examine the subject with _eandor. We confess that while we believe critical investigations into the meaning of Greek and Hebrew words may afford an answer to those who build their right ot slavery on such a sandy foundation, we do not rely on them to prove that slavery is wrong. . What says the conscience? In the secret of thy own bosom does it not raise its still voice and chide thee for using thy fellow men for thy benefit and aggrandisement? Does it not whisper even‘when thou hast sought for arguments to justify slave-hold- ing—they will not do?—We call on professing Christians to beware how they press a few texts of scripture into justification of slavery, and proceed thereon to erecta structure the foundations of which are laid in the groans and ‘ears and blood of their colored brethren, Js there not danger that to convince men that Christianity allows of slavery will be to convince them that the gospel ‘isa faree—Christianity itself a mockery ?1—But let it be understood, that by slavery we mean the holding of our fellow men for our own benefit—for our self gratification—whether it be to increase our wealth, to minister to our pride, to enhance our power, to promote our pop- ularity, or to satisfy any other selfish demand of our nature. Ifany man deny not himself he cannot be the disciple of Christ. If he love not his neighbor (his fellow man)-as himselfhe is no Christian. Is not this the whole tenor of the christian religion ; is it not a religion of love, meek~ * ness,zentleness, kindness; a religion which makes its possessor seek the wel- fare of his fellow creatures even as his own. Nor will] it do to say that this is _ not the character of the professed Christians of our day. That is true, and la~ _mentable is the truth. The conduct of professed Christians however can never alter the requisitions of Christianity. ie - Another lesson taught here is that of charity—charity for those who still continue to hold slaves. Hasty and harsh condemnation of those who differ from us can seldom fail to prove injurious, — i Md ne A NARRATIVE, Xe. The society of Friends originatedin the year 1647. They soon began to move on the subject of Slavery in their own borders, and though their progress may seem to have been slow, they did not lose sight of their object till it was accomp- lished. So early as 1671, George Fox counselled Friends in Bar- badoes, to train up their negroes in the fear of God, to use them mildly and gently, and after certain years of servitude’ to set them free. He visited that island in company with William Edmundson, and their earnest labors with the mas- ters in behalf of the slaves occasioned a report that they were exciting the latter to revolt, which report George Fox prompt. ly pronounced a wicked slander. The yearly meeting of Pennsylvania and New Jersey took the first official step in regard to trading in negroes in 1696, and advised Friends to be careful “not to encourage the bringing inofany more negroes”’—also to bring those whom they held, to meetings and to have meetings with them in their families. The order that those who persisted in holding slaves should be testified against by their monthly meetings, appears to have been made in 1776. The earliest notice on this subject in the minutes of New England yearly meeting occurs in the year 1715, though slaveholding was there made a disownable offence five or six years earlier than in Pennsylvania. é New York yearly mecting manifested its disapprobation of the slave trade previously to the year 1759 and a query «‘ whether Friends were clear of importing or purchasing ne- groes or slaves”’ was regularly answered by the subordinate meetings. In 1787 there wasnota slave in their limits. In 1757 Friends of Virginia yearly meeting adopted a query designed to forbid the trafficking in slaves and to pro- mote the extension of religious care to those already in their possession. The disownment of a member for slaveholding seems to have been authorized in 1784. A The first record touching this matter on the minutes of RSH 4 ull Ache neh aac AR ie a * — coplanar ep PORT geER Eee eR SER \ & North Carolina yearly meeting was made in’ the year 1740; and is as follows :—“ An epistle was received from the year- ly meeting 0! of Virginia concerning ; bearing arms or tae to minster, and using negroes “well, &c.”?: Bo ota years wees and | we gas a a minute referring toa sees ave vision for negroes’ mectings,’ and it was agreed that meet- ihgs should be appointed for them at New Begun Creel, Heéad of Little River, Simon’s Creek and Gld Neck, at sped fied’ times. A sufficient numter of friends wére to attend these meetings to see that good order was observed. “Fn our discipline it is the p¥actice for regular reports of the State dfsociety to be made by monthly meetings to the qnar- térly and by these to the yearly meetiig. These teports are in thé form of answers to certain inquiries as to the attend. ance of meetings, the preservation of love and unity among the members, the proper tuition of children, the use of ardent Spirits, undilly launching into business, war, &c. These que- ries then may be regarded as an exposition of our views uj- on the subjects contained in them. The following was now idded t6 the former queries, “ Are all that have negroes cate- I té use them well, and encourage them to come to meet- ings as much as they reasonably cau.” It wiil be found that this query underwent various changes, gradually assuming he form i it has ; at the present day ; ; itthen, with the answerg thereto will show the position in respect of slavery from time to time occupied by Friends as a body as well as the individ- tal mémbers thereof, | * Nothing further is found on the minutes ti!l 1768, when the Wesierh Quarterly 1 meeting asked the advice of the year. ‘ly ‘meeting respecting the purchase of negroes, It seems that there was an order of disc ipline on this subject which was noi sufficiently explicit, or upon which different constructions had been placed. A committee was a ppointed which after Geliberation gave it as their united judgment that the discip- oaths on otight to be understood as a prohibition of | trade e upiom, or of ry of theoie that bd in them; i it) lth NB cil reer ee ~ < ‘ dirs, viz : “that of visiting friends’ families ond making pros ne SE ~ a ; | f 4mportation of negroes, from. Afnica,. by. which, iniquito t aa la La ™ TO Ce ee TRY PRIM TNET NT ET a re, REP IPL SF RETR ra ae a ot nme mngg tne comme... i ists DAL Soin: it ¥ ress Mage port that a ss, the having of megroea ama, ‘burthen. tough asiags me din possession ofthem, it might be well for the meeting to .ad- | wise all Friends to be careful not to ,buy or sell in. any £ that can be reasonably avoided.” ?.. Wita this judgment ang advice the meeting concurred. Ayes RA We: det Friends.of the Western Quarter - were still uneasy, and the next.year desjred that. the. purchasing of negroes. might be | ebsolutely prohibited. No decision was arrived at; but in 1770, the matter again, coming up by 1 reference from. the pre- ceding year, and the yearly meeting . having weightily con- sidered the consequences that. ‘might arise. from, an absolute prohibition in all cases , whatever, unanimously agreed i? substitute in place of the.7th query, the. followipg:——Are. Friends.careful to bear a faithful..testimony against . the. in- ‘aquitous practice of importing, negroes, or do. they . Tefuse. to ‘purchase of those that make-a trade,or.merchandize. of them? a (And do, they. use those whom - they have. by. inheritance or otherwise, well, endeavoring to discourarge them. ‘from, @ 7 and-encourage them in that which is good ?, Two. years a ter this—the Western Quarter still calling” attention to, the snbject—a close. restriction .was made, for it .was now, agreed that no Friend should buy aslave of any other person than a friend in unity, except it be to. prevent the parting of man and wife, or parent and child, or. for other good.teasons ap- proved of.by the monthly meetings ; and, thatnone, should bie _@ Slave to. any,person who makes @ Pungtiee of: buying | ane | ane for. the sake.of gain. 6 jnangie, oF basy Whe Standing Committee (having. the. game duties aa 0 ores: Meeting for.sufferings) about this time drew up. sentiments respecting the slave trade. which. being,approved of by: the yearly meeting were recorded as follows: évorlad + “Being. tully convinced in. our minds and judgments: : adoubdt or sernple, of the-great evil and. abomination of fui Paces Na | practice, great numbers of our fellow, creatures pwith, 1 a eposterity are doomed to.perpetual and eryel bondage withow any regard Ao. their natural rightto liberty and freedom, which they have not forfeited through any act of their own er.con- Si Nl ca A i a Macaca ltl al Sl eae pi iii A eat ea a ATO SE pe 8 sent thereto, but by mere force and cruelty—we are impres- sed with abhorrence and detestation against such a practicé in a christian community ; for experience makes it fully man- ifest that instead of their embracing true religion and virtue in exchange for their natura! liberty, they have become nur- series of pride and idleness to our youth—in such a manner that ‘morality and true piety are much wounded where slave- keeping abounds, to the great grief of true christian minds. © And therefore, we cannot but invite our fellow subjects and especialfy the Representatives of North Carolina (as much lies at their door for the good of the people and prosperity of the Provinces) to join with their prudent brethren—the Burgesses of the Colony of Virginia in presenting an address to the throne of Great Britain, in order to be as eyes to the blind, and mouths to the duttb; and whether it succeed or not, we shall have the secret atistadtion 3 in our own minds of having used our best endeavors to have so great a torrent of evil effectuaily stopped at the place where it unhappily ta permission to begin.”” Signed by (21) Thomas N icholson, Caleb Trueblood, Ralph Fletcher, John Symons, John Sanders, &c., &e. This committee also wrote the following epistle to the sy for pt of London. ‘ + Norri Caroxina, 8th mo. 28, 1772. © pili Fricnils: ‘We think proper to acquaint you, that we have been informed by our friends of Virginia that the members of the House of Burgesses in ‘their colony had a- greed to present an address to the throne of Great Britain, desiring that an effectual stop may be put to the iniquitous practi ‘of importing negroes from Africa to the colonies. he ‘With this address we have good unity; and we are glad to believe that the eyes of many of those in authority begin to be so clearly opened that they are convinced not only of the imprudence but great evil of sucha traffic. We have, there- ” ore, taken care to make known to several members of the use of Burgesses in our province the steps taken in Vir- ou iw. sila shies ibutilide imu ional iii +) 9 AME a Raa ce Ge RNB a - ——— 7 —— — ee ee + er REA ” ' , aon that account. On conferring with them, we _ have 9 good a’ design, bui rather a désire'that the same may be per! fected ;' thus giving us some reason to hope that something’ (ofa iid nature may take place in our next General As- sembly; but whether it will or not, we shall be glad to hear that Friends with you, if they find freedom, exert what in- fluence they can to forward so good a work. ‘N.B. As there isan act of Assembly in this province which prohibits any person from setting a negro free except for meritorious services to be judged of by the County Court © ——under penalty of said negro being seized and sold to the highest bidder, for the benefit of the parish—such Friends as" desire to liberate their slaves from principles of justice: and christianity are under a great difficulty on that account. So. : we should be glad of your friendly advice and assistance if any stepsappear to you that might be taken with prudence and safety. We remain with affectionate regard your loving friends.”? Signed by 26. The official proceedings for the most part up to this time have reference to the buying, selling and proper usage of slaves; buta higher step was yet to be taken. Accordingly’ in the year 1774, we find that a member of Perquimans monthly meeting —Thomas N ewby—having become uneasy with the practice of keeping negroes in bondage and desired. the advice of Friends—the case from its weight and inipor-. tance was referred to the Standing Committee—which gave _ it as their judgment—« That all Friends finding themselves _ undera burden and uneasiness on account of keeping slaves, may set them at liberty by applying to the monthly meeting.” _ ‘They likewise advised the monthly meetings to appoint suita- ble persons to assist in drawing instruments of writing for that purpose, and to judge whether those intended to be set _ free are able to get their own livelihood. Re During the same year there were several manuscripts produced by Thomas Nicholson, for examination—one enti- tled « Light upon’ the Candle-stick,”’—also extracts from the “ Light upon the Candle- stick ? and “Liberty and Proper- ty *—respecting an alteration of the law as to freeing negroes, 2 i i permet a ee — = ere | “ier ue es} ‘ ; ifs ¥ - ease v ‘ pid 2, sad " 4 ya aia renee ail a” Vee lt la) OMAR ie) ean al ioc abl 5 ed ia PT RR me Rey” |) SPT RRPERO Re Ee Tee aan ee ee 10 a 7 aa 4 ryt dnd a committee was appointed to take opportunity with ag. many members of the Assembly as they conveniently could and let them have the perusal thereof. The author was al- lowed to publish the piece entitled « Liberty and Property. 2 Thus we see that ile benevolent work had progressed.—, Friends were closely restricted as to buying and selling slaves and care was taken of their usage and religious instruction.. And if any felt uneasy in holding them provision was made, and encouragement held out for their liberation. But this. was not enough, The stain of slaveholding must be wiped off from Friends as a society, and i in 1775 the Western Quar-, ter desired the yearly meeting to revise the query respecting slavery, and to make such alterations therein as would relieve some distressed minds. The subject was referred to a com- mittee which afier much conference, and finding that nothing short ofa prohibition of either buying or selling negroes with- out consent of the monthly meeting,, would give the de- sired relief—returned the matter to the yearly meeting as too weighty for them to determine. Accordingly the meeting took the matter under its conside, eration—and ordered “That Friends in unity shall neither buy or sell a negro without the consent of the monthly meet- , ing to which they belong.” The query revised reads thus:. “ Query 7th.—Are all Friends careful to bear a faithful testi- mony against the iniquitous practice of importing negroes? , and do they refuse to buy or sell them without the consent of the monthly meeting to which they belong? And do they . who have them by inheritance or otherwise use them well in , every respect, endeavoring to discourage them from evil and. t encourage them in that which is,good?” ,. .. «wish _ Next year the Eastern Quarter , finditg the above orden, too dificult for them to manage, submit it again to the meet- ing for its advice and assistance. A committee of 31 persons is appointed to consider thereon. They after much brotherly and sympathising conference, unanimously agree that the minute of last year needs a revisal or reconsideration, and that ‘monthly meetings may require further help therein, — This judgment is laid before the meeting. There isa time he ns i ; —— ggg ooo ep me RR REIN ene Pe RET SO RTE RI re cima ame ne RT eT ITT Tes hy 1 oP of weighty and deliberate examination. A persuasion | is {elk ‘that the keeping of their fellow-men in bondage i is inconsistent with the law of righteousness, Divine goodness is perceived to be near and by the baptising power thercof several are en- abled very affectionately to express their sentiments, and jo ‘declare their willingness and resolution to set all taeir negroes ‘fully free. Tt is the unanimous sense of the meeting that all the members thereof who hold slaves, be earnestly and af- ‘fectionately advised to clear their hands of them as soon as ‘they possibly can; and in the meantime that no member be permitted to buy or to sell any slaves, or hire any from those who-are not of our Society. And in the cases which now lie under the consideration of Pasquotank monthly meeting, or if any of our members buy, sell or clandestinely assign for Hire any slave in such manner as may perpetuate or prolong their slavery, the monthly meeting to which they belong, af- ‘ter duly laboring with them—they refusing to take such steps as their friends may think necessary, and to condemn their conduct, bike be disowned as in other offences against the theirck. * r A committee was now appointed to visit and assist Friends in setting their negroes free as Way may open, and the month. ly meetings were ‘advised to. nominate suitable friends to join the said committee. A particular account of ‘their pro- ceedings was to be rendered’ to the yearly meeting and ifany of the liberated slaves shou!d be interrupted int Her freedom, the Standing Committee were required to have that or any other matter respecting them under particular care, and to take the necessary steps for their preservation and assistance. At the succeeding yearly meeting (1777) the above named committee reported “that they found a great willingness, even beyond their expectation, to promote the work; and a considerable number of slaves had been liberated by those who held them in possession. About 40 of these were after- wards taken up and sold in consequence of an act of Assem- bly passed at Newbern (after said negroes were manumitted. ) This seemed to put a stop to the work at that time, although several Friends who yet held negroes, were believed to be fend Bere a" 2 SRT eeyte ee ere RIE LPT ET RE TT IT TT — > = eS, ee . = a AT RTT RMS oT \ Taper caer emer et aT a TE aT 12 very uneasy in continuing a practice which they were con; ‘vinced is not consistent with justice or “ doing as they would ‘be done unto.” It-appears that the Standing Committee interfered in pe- half of the distressed negroes and made use of every expedi- ‘ent that occurred in their favor. They employed lawyers ‘who extended their abilities in pleading much to the satisfac- tion of Friends and for their extraordinary care and pains ‘(though to little purpose at present) they gave them £64 pro- ‘clamation money, which the meeting concluded to raise at ‘the next sitting. ; t ; Friends’ reasons for releasing their negroes from slavery : ; “If we are called in question concerning the good deed done the much injured Africans in restoring to them that lib- erty and freedom which is the natural and inalienable. right ofall mankind—the cause is too good to deny it. And there- fore we are willing to inform all whom it may concern of the cause and motive which induced us so to do, in order that if any are found Aghting against God, tt they. may be left without excuse. : - From mature, deliberate consideration and the conviction ef our own minds, being fully persuaded that freedom is the natural right of all mankind, and that no law moral or divine, has given us a right to or property in the persons of our fel- low creatures any longer than they are in a state of minority, we are desirous to restore to them their liberty and thus to fulfill the injunction of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ—— doing to others as we would be done by.’ ' ue ay The above laudable motive, prevailing in our minds be- | yondall selfish and worldly considerations, we beliéve that ‘our conduct therein has the sanction of divine approbation and ought to be approved by all reasonable men. We have endeavored to be clear from the least stain ‘of | guilt in the blood shed on the earth——when that awful icy & shall come in which “ The earth shall disclose her blood and | no more cover her slain.’’~-[sath xxvi, 21,-—fully believing that the trade in slaves and souls af men is justly chargeable ac aM ac sR Se The Standing Committee also published the following as . 13 swith a large share therein, and that those who do. remain , partakers with murderers and manstealers will be involved in their guilt. And therefore whatever ignorance may sur- mise to the contrary, having through divine asaistance, done what we believe was our duty to do in liberating our slaves if men shall be permitted to reduce them toa state of bond- age and slavery, the guilt will lie at the door of those that are the cause thereof, and we shall appeal ai Him who judgeth righteously without respect of persons.” Some of the manumitted slaves bound dtiermediyes to Friends for life. But the meeting discouraged such a course, tending as itdid to lay waste the testimony in behalf of uni-— versal liberty ; for though some Friends may have been in- fluenced by motives of compassion to receive them, in’ case of death, such negroes might be deemed part of the estate and their posterity involved in the same difficulties. This year the answers to the queries show that no Friend is concerned in importing or buying slaves-—though wathe have been sold. These cases were under care. In 1778 it does not appear that any Friends import, tily or sell negroes, yet a fearis expressed that those who have them in possession do not use them so well in vir respect as is desired. . Superior Courts of Law were now established, and the Standing Committee hoped that by appealing to them from the proceedings of the County Courts the negroes that had been manumitted and unjustly reduced again to slavery might obtain their liberty. They accordingly employed at- torneys who for their services were to receive £600 of the mon- ey then in circulation; the Hastern Quarter raising £450 and the Wesfern the rest. The suit was attended to, and ‘an or- der obtained for the freedom of the negroes. | But the’ spirit of oppression has an hundred grasping hands. Another act was passed to reduce them again to bondage. vey It was now concluded to address the General Assembly in their behalf, respectful ly showing: Yat iti “That, whereas the Jast General Assembly nela at Hali- fax passed an “act for apprehending an selling certain 4 Sales = 5 ARES AMET SB PERG GE STR on ET NT I. IS REI Na EE A po TT ET RP i4 Slaves set free contrary to law and to distract the public ‘peace, and for confitming the sales -of others Shesrefertitig to ‘the act to prevent domestic insttrrections. Tnanswer to this, we do declare, that the liberation of stiiadbe was from mature and deliberate consideration and ithe conviction of our minds; being fully persuaded that free- ‘dom is the natural right of all mankind, and that no law, moral or divine, has given usa richt to or property ‘in the _ ‘persons of any of our fellow creatures any longer than they | are in a state of minority; and being desirous to fulfil the in- Junction of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in doing to .others as we wonld be done by. ‘These motives prevailing in our minds beyondall selfisn and world diy considerations, ‘we believe our conduct therein hath the sanction of divine approbation. ‘And we are so far trom doing a thing to dis- ‘tract the public péace that we do ardently wish and heartily pray for the peace and happiness of all mauhkind, : The aforesaid acts of Assembiy and the proceed’ ng upon them, we fully believe to be not oniy's violdiion of the ex- plicit declaration of the Congress on the subject‘of universal iiberty andthe common rights of mankind published at the beginning of the present contest with Great Britain; but they manifestly contradict the Declaration ahd Bill of pe HY on which depends your authority to make laws. Sec, 24 ex- pressly declares “That retrospective’ laws, punishing facts committed before the existence of such laws and by them on- dy declared criminal, are unjust, oppressive and incompatible with liberty; therefore no ex post fucto law ought to be made,” » And in the Constitution or Form of Government is the following expression: Sec. 44. That the Declaration of. ‘Rights is hereby declared to be part of the present constitu- tion and ought not to be violated on any pretence whatsoever. “The Superior Court held at Edenton have publicly placed on record * Thatit appeared to them that the County Court in their proceedings (ordering the sale of several of the negroes) “pave exceeded their jurisdiction, violated the: ‘rights of the subjects and acted in direct opposition to the Bill of Rights of — — mastny' part of i Constitution there- Lj dees eye pr) Ate EE { it ‘) si cad ahd lO es ald A AR ia ea a i Nac a aA a a , q ———— SRNR VT OMAR “he MNOS EWP NIST NT | EMM St POE CE ea SP RETR I OTERO 15 Kis H * of, by giving a law not-intended to affect this ease a tathde: pective operation, thereby depriving free men of this State of their liberty contrary to the law of the land. Ordered, there~ fore, that the proceedings so corti, be i Saori and nent as null and void.” a In Virginia many negroes have been manumitted’ since the year 1775 and none of them taken up and sold that’ we: have heard of except one for misbehavior. In Maryland, as, we.are credibly informed, there is an act of Assembly pre-. © scribing a method for manumitting slaves, by which any per- son may liberate his slaves provided they are under 50 years of age and sound in mind and body, and that they are not ‘so. freed in prejudice of creditors. In Pennsylvania, New Jer-> sey, New York,and New England the manumission of slaves is frequent, by many of other Societies as well as of our own, without offence to authority. We believe that awful day will come in which « the darth’ shall, disclose her blood and shall no more cover fief slain,” —and apprehend that the trade in slaves and souls of men — hasa large share therein. Wherefore we earnestly entreat . you totake the whole matter under your serious CONS PRED tion and relieve the oppressed. 25th of 10th mo., 1779.” ae _ er The above memorial was signed by eleven Friends who had manumitted their slaves, and six of them were appoirt- ed to present it, but after conversing with some of the mem. bers of the Legislature and thinking best to defer its presen- tation, it was referred to the Standing. Committee by whie the subject was again revived after a few years. " Hitherto Friends were prohibited from importing, buying or selling slaves, but sek still’ permitted to ‘hire them from — clin of the Society ; but in 1780 an order was made for biding every instance of hiring except> of manumitted Hes groes during their minoriiy, and those belonging to orphans. r But slaves are still held and as the answers show, their in- struction in piety is mach negleeted,': More efficient meas- ures are now ‘adopied. The yearly meeting recommends monthly meetings to continue to visit such members as hold > 4 if) le A SL Re ih ete aD alba ad ios Sit ad thateliamasaadaniaeheaeat emanate aenatamamamemaaenaeindibemamnareimione t e e ci NMS ic baie ail lal i a) a adi aks” N 7 5 - NNR nem Pe RN ANE YE — PAAR ee RE TERIRER arRER I RRR TENE sere see, 16 slaves and to labor with them in ldve and tendérness, endeav-’ oring to convince them of their iniquity. But after this care has been fully extended, and to no effect, then the monthly meeting shall appiy to a committee appointed by the Quar- terly meeting for assistance in further laboring with them ; if after all, these endeavors prove fruitless and they still per- sist in holding their féllow-men in bondage, the monthly meet- ing may, with the consent of said committee, disown them from Society. As the reports of subsequent years show, this recommendation was productive of good effects. The slave- holders more and more yielded to the convictions of Truth and let the oppressed go free: many of them however con- tinued to reject. the advice of their friends—held on—and some contended for the practice. ‘ 7 But love is unwearied in its exertions, Monthly meet- ings are directed to exted further labor, and where any mem- Bers still reject the counsel of their brethren and refuse to ex- ecute proper instruments of writing, fully releasing from sla~ very all who are in their power whether. arrived at full age or in their minority, and there isno hope of Friends being profitable to them,—the monthly meeting having thus fully discharged its Christian duty may testify its disunion with » them. ‘The position now occupied by the yearly meeting on this subject is shown by its adoption of the following query : “Are Friends clear of importing, purchasing, disposing of or holding mankind as slaves? and do they use those well who are set free and are under their care through nonage or other- wise, endeavoring to encourage them in a virtuous life ?”” , Ant 787 the following petition handed up from the Stand- ing Committee of the Eastern Quarter was directed to be presented ; sig To the General Assembly. of the State of North Carolina i t to be held at Tarborough : __ The petition of the Yearly meeting of the people called Quakers, held at Centre in Guilford County—for North €ar- olin a, South Carolina and Georgia—respectfully showeth’:, We believe that the emancipation of slaves isin no wise PRP IM Steg ri i ae pee Sa Sit Oa inconsistent with the principles ef the present constitution,’ wR ERS ERE * TEER ATTAIN TACT TURRET APA BOAO OR LE RT TEST TN EY MPO 4 y cae g ee a . * —— . . ‘ ~ pee a . —— OY digas cual ’ er ¥ fa aad " Be aid REM a ali ain AT and that it clearly corresponds with a declaration of the Gen- i eral Congress in these words “ We hold these truths to be : | self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are en- | dowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Tights, hat among these aie life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, | and to secure these rights governments are instituted among men.” iM From full persuasion of these truths, as well as the obliga tion of the injunction of our blessed Lord “ to do unto all men as we would they should do unto us,” divers of the mem- bers of our religious society, inorder to preserve a conscience void of offence both toward God and toward man, have found themselves under the constraining necessity to yield up a considerable part of what (by the laws and customs of the “eountry) was termed their property, and emancipate their ne- Several so liberated have been afterwards seized and e treatment. ion, we have groes. beel sold into slavery, and others remain liable to lik These things coming under our considerat felt ‘our minds deeply concerned for the welfare of our country ; and being animated with love to mankind we be- Jieve it to be our religious duty to bring them to your view. Inasmuch asit is righteousness which exalteth a nation and sin is'a reproach to any people, will not such treatment of our fellow creatures incur the displeasure of that God who is our common Father/and the rightful dread of nations? We are affected with sorrow that. in this State ‘there -should remain in force laws whereby the civil: and religious liberties of mankind are so frequently violated, while in eve- : ry other State on this continent, except Georgia, there isan open door for such as choose to liberate their slaves, | a We do therefore earnestly request that you may take this ~ subject under your serious deliberation and grant such relief as to you may appear just and reasonable. And we do most “ardently wish that a total prohibition may be put to the im- portation of slaves into this State. | etae v) Under sincere desires that divine wisdom may gover your deliberations for the welfare of the State, and to ibe peace of your own minds, we aad your friends. i AL i MAU ki MAR MA i ls lt bal dled iad OER re ET meron Ps ngs — me ff 5 aid ad sania t kad wane ma ERE ee me Swe ser ae or eR IRENE bai salina s. oT 7" al Sati in, aheadaiie Mitac cant ie Ae RE neni A _ - nd i tah al ALA cial nami ied anata LRT PTT 8 Te TTT 18 i9 | Aga on behalf of the meeting, 31st day of 10th mo., The petition ‘gi ordi ABO fe. BAB iN ee oe cor ingly presented and read, where- pened roduced, which after being read the od ond time in the Senate, was rejected. " T 4 renin e year to year—show the progressive na- eof t € work; but the ladors of the meeting on this sub ject now assume a more definite sphere. The object is tw. fold—toclear the Society of slaveholding members and ; ‘qomte protection and instruction to the ile ts iar so re, committee appointed in the Mastern Quarter Visited nearly all the members thereof that still held nse and a considerable number had -been liberated Care had been extended to deficient meutbans in oy hel Quarter toa degree of satisfaction: The. TEA ecteoss wd ‘were directed to continue their care as horetofore, cp ha an padiohings of the man umitted negroes called forth bass r temonstrance in their behalf, wherein isset forth the ille- igality of tn Acts in prohibiting the liberation of slaves whi h ‘i “eet aw ial as they were,had been vigorauslppids 1G od Sensi several that were liberated whereby . they wag bl wane “a slavery, being dragged from their lawful occupa- Mots; an exposed to public sale like brutes, thus parti “man and wife, parents and children against the lable vi tare and of nature’s God, But the assembly adjourned nd ‘fore gain, of the Friends entrusted with its es ge "Hata he pen phase petition was adopted toothe all g General Assembly of the State of North Carolina tobe ereign authority, and that it is our duty to endeavor to ‘keep a conscience void of offence ‘toward both God and man, and to do unto others as we would desire to be done by; many. a- mong us, as a people, cannot with peace of mind continue their fellow-men in slavery and transmit them from one gen- eration to another as beasts; but the aforesaid laws have been so severely executed that divers slaves who were from these laudable motives liberated have been reduced to a state of slavery again. We think this circumstance must be affect- ting to every true advocate for liberty, and demands a very serious consideration. We are again religiously concerned to pring the case of these suffering people to your view, and)ar- dently desire that you may please to give your attention to it, and grant an act of toleration to such as have been or. may pe emancipated, with such restrictions as to you in wisdom may appear just and reasonable. Signed by order of, the meeting. LEVI MUNDEN, Clk.” _ This petition was presented to the Legislature—but die not produce the desired. effect. Another of nearly the'same purport was adopted andfour friends appointed to attend with it at Newhern. vr 1792. From the answers to the queries it appears: that “No Friends import, buy or sell slaves, but afew yet hold them. Some of whose cases were: under cares Ualscral* 4 The Yearly meeting having several years petitioned the Legislature on behalf of the colored people without the de- ‘sired effect, this year agreed on the following communication, “respectfully showing : laipomitats: +o «“Tothe Senate and House of Delegates of North Carolina, That your remonstrants deeply impressed with sorrow and concern at the continued acts of injustice and oppression, which under sanction of law are permitted to be ‘exercised “by unreasonable menon the African race within this State-— “are engaged once miore to remind this House of a subjectsso interesting and which to us appears loudly to call-the: ‘atten- tion and require the interposition of ‘the Legislature as the professed Guardians of every description of men within the State. re Pages . ares ‘held at Fayetteville, “ The vr a, , to PG, ese ofthe people called Quakers from. their © diieDteleabel 8 held at Symons’ Creek in Pasquotank county, san, orth and South Carolina and Georgia—respectfully sho ; eth: — 5 Cuully ShOW- 98 eon Si Hide d Prohibiting the liberation of slaves which ce ee those tenths sana AP Die aiage nof Independence of the United States of Amer- j and believing (hat the dictates of conscience are of sov- CC ————EE eres yY “buku 80 It is declared that “ God is no respecter of persons’? and that his mercy is over all his works, and notwithstanding He may for a time permit one people or nation to oppress and afflict others, yet we find many instances in the Holy Scrip- tures where such oppressors were made to partake of a por- tion of affliction equal to what they had meted to others. This was thecase with the Egyptiansand Babylonians for their pride and cruelty to the children of Israel, who again suffer- ed by a famine of three years for Saul’s cruelty to the Gibeon- ites—whereby we are instructed that national evils are some- times inflicted for the unrighteous acts of the rulers, as well as for the sins of the people at large. Your remonstrants lament that any State within the A- merican Union, where those inalienable rights of human be- ings to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have. been so clearly defined and happily enjoyed, should be so far. in- sensible of the source from which all blessings flow, as to suf- fer a repetition of those cruelties which were exercised to- ward the people of Africa in removing them. from their own country and every connexion esteemed most valuable in life, and reduce them again to a state of abject slavery—at'a time too when the benign spirit of liberty is diffusing uselta in vari- ous parts of the world. They also conceive it to be highly unjust in itself and in- consistent with the constitution for any law to remain in force which deprives them of the privilege of disposing of what the same law declares to be their property, in sach manner as they may conscientiously believe to be a duty to the Fataer of all the families of the earth. They therefore earnestly request and entreat that every law now existing which deprives our free citizens. of the Jiberty of emancipating their slaves may be repealed and nev- er again disgrace the annals of a christian people professing to do to others as they would in hike circumstances be done by. - Respectfully your friends, _ Signed on behalf of the meeting. aati , LEVI MUNDEN, -olk. a _ This was also presented and read—but ciate on the ‘21 second reading. Another remonstrance was agreed on by the next Yearly meeting. This met with the usual recep- tion. In 1794 a revisal of the petition of 92 was presented. This also was rejected on the second reading. In.1795 a pe- tition was prepared by the Eastern Standing Committee. In 1796 the Yearly meeting unanimously agreed. again to solicit the Assembly, and the following was prepared. ‘To the General Assembly of North Carolinato be held at Raleigh. : The remonstrance and petition of the people called Qua- kers from the Yearly meeting held in Pasquotank County, respectfully showeth: That your Remonstrants feel their minds impressed with sorrow, that such injustice and cruelty should. be perpetrated under sanction of law in any christian community as has been exercised in this State towards numbers of the African race, who after they were emancipated from motives purely conscientious, have been taken up withont being chargeable with the commission of any offence and sold into abject. sla- very, several being thereby far separated from their nearest connections in life. We believe such proceedings are con- trary to the law of nature and that it will surely incur the wrath of the Almighty who is no respecter of persons. He made of one blood all the nations of men and sent his Son into the world to taste death for every man that all might be saved ; so that all people whatever their complexion may. be, are daiveis of his mercy. For a legislative body of men professing christianity, to be so partial as thus to refuse any particular people the enjoy- ment of their liberty—-even when the holders of such slaves are desirous from religious motives that they might enjoy it as the natural right of ail mankind—is so incompatible with the nature ofa free republican government and so repugnant. to the spirit of the christian religion that the present case pers haps, all circumstances considered, has never been paralleled in christendom. Yet we hope that divine wisdom may etikbla this House to exercise the power vested in it to the honor of the most | | & | ee eee eerie 22 ee ‘and the welfare of the State} so that’ ‘piety and virtue be promoted and injustice with other vice and immoral- aks suppressed. reves “| Therefore we earnestly entreat that you may give your shanti to this important and interesting subject, and pass an act whereby the free citizens of this State who cannot con- scientiously hold ‘slaves may emancipate them and the pert sons: so liberated be under protection of law. ‘Such a reason- able Tequest we hope will not be rejected, as we have no motive but a sincere desire that mercy, justice and equity may be put in practice,—and are respectfully your friends. _ Signed by direction. LEVI MUNDEN, Clk.” "This was offered to the Assembly, referred to a commit. and1 rejected. 1797. The Hastern Standing Committee prepared an ad- ess of similar import showing how that for the sake of. e of mind divers members of the Society had given to’ rslaves that freedom which is the natural right of all man- kind—that these persons so liberated had been again reduced ‘to abj ect slavery—and requesting that these cruel restrictions and impositions may be rev raved. It is not their design to ‘enj join a general emancipation or to compel any to liberate thei r slaves—but only that liber‘v of conscience in that” re- weed ay be. allowed, which they ecaceive to be reasonable ‘and are not apprehensive th: at such an equitable step will be ‘injurious to the interests of the State. This petition together with a bill was introduced into’ the louse. The bill was putto vote and fell bya large majori- oot oe fier iy Yet Friends believéd their attendarice was of service. “The: reports show that there are yet'some few instances of ‘slaveholding most of which are undercare. It is also intima- ‘ted that the tuition and treatment of those in gia ed “Friends « care is not sufficiently attended to. mantle 1758, “Another petition was prepared. yi committee at- “Yended with it and endeavored to impress the minds’ of the Hath at of the a with the subjectbut™ with the effect. “mn ;' dae 1800. ‘The e Quarterly meetings are recommended ‘to ap- seahcte....-Fanudaiamatodonhis... siliieas/i, mimi nbebdhalits onetime sehen immarea idea busiest heed ae oceueembaatedeteninaerednetneameiaenmekaaiadanmneeiD & “And dear friends, we are constrained in love to remi ad, vo point suitable committees to unite with others from the month- ly: meetings in inspecting into the circumstances, of the black people among Friends, and in doing what may appear, expe- dient, for their enlargement; also in laboring with those mem- bers who are deficient respecting the instruction and usage of the blacks under their care. Next year the Quarters, report: ed that they had nearly gone through withthe above service. 1803. Another petition to the Legislature was. saree on. It fell in the House of Commons on the third reading. The minutes of the Yearly meeting from, this time to the gear 1812 are lost ; but itis known that. the subject was still kept alive. oligos The reports of 1812 show that Friends had. again, in- terceded with the Legislature—and. with the usual, L want of success. nero ly Oty 10 In the epistle of advice for 1813, ve find the oles With respect to a pirate eietiahien to enable. cone to a ‘ter to their own hecessities, and fit therh for the enjoymentiof freedom,’” ig dk raid At the next nieeting (1814) a special committee was ap- pointed to take into consideration all the suffering cases, and to administer to them, such counsel, and assistance as ap- _peared best. | ! od? nattodd ‘This year it was stated iting nearly all pa black el be~ : longing to Friends of the Easteril Quarter, had been transfer- red to the trustees appditited for that purpose. Some of the minors were placed out; miore than 40 had. been conveyed to Pennsylvania and same werk fteed by applicationystp» the County Court. ae A petition to the Legislature as heretofore, siahamatins! the suffering condition o. :/1e people of color, was adopted.+— It expressed a belief that ihe happiness of the nation ,very much-depends upon the administration of justice, and requests the Legislature to take the subject into consideration and) af- ford such relief as may seem just and necessary. The Friends appointed on this subject attended. thereto——but. finding. the 24 “House in an unfavorable disposition towards our society and pointedly opposed to any law or measure being adopted on be- half of the subjects of the petition, they thought best with the friendly advice of some of the members of the House not to lay the petition before it or introduce a bill.--It was tried again the next year and withoui success. id “The committee on suffering cases report that they have taken assignments for 48 negroes within the verge of ‘the Western, New Garden and Westfield Quarters. And Friends are in a particular manner exhorted to greater vigilance in endeavoring to promote the religious as well as the literary education of those under their care, in order to qualify them to become useful members of civil and religious society. The Sn were directed to use spirited exertions the promotion of schools for their benefit. eile “1816. ‘The propriety of addressing the General Govern- ment of the United States having been ies ate ei the following was adopted. 0 © «To the Congress of the United States: 9 | 1). “The memorial and petition of the religious society of Friends win from their Yearly meeting held in Guilford ava ‘North Carolina, respectfully showeth : “That your memorialists, estimating the high denied cwidh which Congress will be disposed to consi¢er any subject af- fecting the great principles of civil and religions liberty; beg “leave to solicit your attention to the situation of the people of color in our General’ Governmet. Our minds have been solemnly impressed with the'subject, and we believe it to’ be ourréligious duty to address you in that love which wisheth ‘well’to'the whole liuman family, ardently desiring that you may consider the case of this much-injured people, who, not- withstanding the excellence of'our national constitution are “groaning under the iron hand of! oppression—retained in mtary subjection. and doomed to wear the ¢hains perpetual slavery. Here we behold human beings'sold “herds of cattle—children torn by violence from their pa- Aenoageiven distant lands, conjugal affection and matri- seiaiidhitcaials bien system calculated to promote the i) 2 agerandizement of one upon the misery of another, which i¢ in its nature abhorrent from every just and tender sentiment: Desires have been raised in our minds that every open- ing may be embraced that is calculated to meliorate their con< dition: we therefore hope that you will be pleased to take’ the subject into serious consiceration and afford such relief as may seem proper, and that you may be influenced by that wisdom which is from above'and is profitable to direct in alt things. Your memorialists, as christians, are deeply concerned for the welfare of ournation, and believe that no worthier thanks can be offered to the great Sovereign of the Universe, and on no better ground can future blessings be solicited, than the recognition and discharge of those great duties which we all alike owe to the rights, the liberty and the happiness of | our fellow creatures. Thus we conclude and acknowledge with’ gratitude the many favors we have long enjoyed under our government, and from you the rulers of this'nationi? The Friends who attended Congress with the above, re- ported that they met with a cordial reception, = 9% 1817. The Standing Committee report that they wait made some progress in the education of the people of color. Several instances of Friends having slaves are méntionéd, one-of ill treatment, all of which were under care. — . pains taken to encourage them in a'virtuous lifes. - Though so often repulsed, a memorial to’ the Legare as this year again prepared, as follows: CAR whi pressed to \ 2883... The Friends ap pointed last | eral Assembly without a written me and support of our testimonies, ay daysin deep exercise and freqi ing ability fro: the divine h way+sketched ont an ad” larly relates to slavery ~ «62d, We believe. nominations that th: ought tobe held © set of news! gate ora" whole human family one ofthe grand purposes for which propriety ofremoving the free people of color that are willing pr moun sill edie wc hy sigh to go from this State'to Liberia in Africa, and such persons as their masters may from” scruples of conscience wish to send to the land of their forefathers. This we ask not: for ourselves, having provided for the removal of our own.” 1834. The meeting for sufferings produced a memorial to the General Assembly on the subject of the oppressive laws of this State prohibiting the literary instruction of slaves, from which the following is an extract: “« Your memiorialists are emboldened under a weighty sense of réligious diity to petition the present General As- sembly to repeal allthose laws enacted by preceding legis- latures of this State against the literary instruction of slavesy whereby it is made a “Babe offence for any to be found teaching their slaves to read. And they also respectfully Te. quest your consideration of the repeal of the laws recently, enacted prohibitiug all colored persons in this State—bond ~ and free—under a penalty of corporal punishiaent from preach- ing or exhorting publicly in their respective religious congre- gations. We consider these laws unrighteous—contrary to” it of Christianity—offensive to God. And your mem- * ifnot repealed, they will increase the diffi- are intended to prevent, ‘far from using any measure ‘either would tend to increase the discon- ituation, feel it their indispensi- ns to encourage slaves to obe- masters, as the probable , ~ and ameliorating their’ masters to be kind tistian usage would | etween them, and’ hoth. May we tice of the And lastly your petitioners would respectfully submit to your consideration not only the repeal of the laws. before ‘mentioned, but the enactinent of other lawsand regulations for — ‘the general instruction of slaves in the doctrines of the Chris- tian religion and in at least so much of literary education as would enable them to read the Holy Scriptures, which would undoubtedly tend to the improvement of their general char- acter, and greatly lessen if not wholly remove the apprehen- sion ef danger from them, &e. of The Friends appointed t to attend with this memorial—re- ported that they did SO, but without success. In the prosecution of this design one difficulty after anoth- er presented—the Society | itself having advanced so far asin mind to clear itself of slavery, was still compelled not only. to retain the legal right to slaves but in many instances to de- fend that right at great expense. Heirs, contrary to the will of former holders were on the lookout—ready to take advan- _ tage of any informality in the proceedings and reduce their fellowmen to perpetual bondage. Such it would appear was the predjudice against freeing the slaves, the danger of thelr being carried off and sold in distant parts, the ignominy of their situation, that there was _ no way but to remove them to free gevernments as fast as “their circumstances would permit. Friends of other Yearly OF os _ meetings were consulted onthe subject. They approved of - the conrse and freely, time after time, made donations in aid of the undertaking. This then being | the only hope of permanent security for _ them, preparations ¥ were made to carry it into effect. But | difficulties still surrounded, Some who had been set free _ were | involved i in law suits commenced to reduce them again “to slavery —others were intermarried with slaves out of socie- _ ty—others to free blacks--some were unwilling to leave their native land, to break up their former attachments and seek a home among strangers. But the work though-gradu ai was persevered in. Their Fragaiom, was 8 defend to pre- % Vent.the separation of families purchases were made,’ the danger of their situation wis explained to them by conferen. ces appointed for that purpose—they saw the necessity of an escape——soime chose to go to the Western States, some to the Northern. some to Hayti, aud others to Liberia. But in so-ne instances even when Frievds were prepared. to send them and they were witing to: go--they were not permitted by the free States to enter their borders, On one occasion anumber having couciuded to go to Indiana and be- ing prohibited, turned towards Pennsylvania—there too they were repulsed, not even being suffered to land. Friends) of Philadelphia fitted them out with fuod, clothing, tools, &e., and they sailed for L iberia. From a summary report in 18390 it uppears that 652 had been rem ved to {res z»vernni2n's af un expeise of $12759 50 and that 402 were still remaining ay wer Friends? care, | To show the nature of these labors, the tenor of some of the minutes of the mecting tor sufferitig: is here shown: 1824. The emigration of the people 6f color under Friends’ care to Havti claiming the attention of the nieeting, a eommits tee was appoinied to wiiteto the agents for the Yearly mee- ting in the Eastern and Contentnea quarters. and ascertain the number of those thafare williffg to go, and the probability of a passage from any portin the United States and parcane in this State. It was the judgment of the meeting that the people of color be hired ont wuder Friends? ¢ care, their wages received, their debts paid,and a part of their earnings reserved to pay theirtaxes and to enabie themto remove toother governments. 1825. Those appointed to coufer with the people of color respecting their willingness to remove to Tlavti or elsewhere report: There are none in the Western Quarter that are willing to go. New Garden Cuaiter’ has suspended its proceedings nntil further information is reecived. fronr the» Haytian gove n: nent, Southern Quarter has 81, most of. whom would be willing to go across to Ohio, if their families could go too, but not otherwise; one is in debt about $50; one family caunot pay their taxes withont much difficulty. verty. 37 4626. Ajletterwas received and read in this,meeting, giving an account ofa boy named Jove, claimed by the Yearly meeting, who had been taken from Asa Folger in Grant Co. in Kentucky, on diis passage to ludiana, Measures were ta- ken for his relief, Ao correspondence was held with R. M. Saunders, a member of Cougress from this State. He was ofaruished with aceriified copy of the deed of gift and other necessary papers, | Acousuitation was had with Col, Johuson, ‘a representative from Grant Co. Ky., who wrote home advi- sing the surrender of Joe. The papers and other instructions were forwarded by Saunders to Folger, who afterwards re- ported that he had received Joe and restored him to his lib- Subseqnent minutes show that after examining the titles, tbe whole family of the forenamed Joe and one named Jacob, were sent toludiana. A committee was appointed to Tea, a wagon, horses and other things necessary for the jeurney, They were the Symous fanily, 37 in uumber, The friends appointed iu the first month last fo visit the agents in the Eastern and Coutentnea Quarters, report that they find under the care of Friends in those two quarters 729 persons of color; of those there are 202 children under 12 years old, that 816 are disposed (o go to Liberia, one hundred to Hayti, 101 to the wesiward, and 15 to Philadelphia ; that 99 wish to stay ; 63 of the Outland family and 15. ofthe Dickenson family are in L:w—20 in the name of Exum Out- land; ; that 25 had gone westward after this list was made; that there are 44 intermarriages with slaves who have 79 children 5 + and 20 married to those legally free who have 50 children ; they have hired a vessel to sail from Beaufort in Carteret county, to take SQ persons or uuderto Hayt, furnish- ed and victualled, for $1400; forall above 80 which the vessel may take they agreed to pay $5 each ;—1! the people should not be ready to sail on the 3d of next month, they agreee to : pay $20 demurrage for each. day’s Cetenvion. They paid #600 do wn and agreed to pay the remainder on the return of ‘the vessel or in 25 days after:—the vessel is to take two a- ‘gents without charge, and if they ean leave Hayti ja time, 355029 \ 38 they are to return init also. They will Jay in their own stores for the voyage. ‘here appears to be 95 people of color left without any legal claimants by Friends who have removed to Jersey, Ohio and Indiana. Some friends were appointed to ‘carry into effect the above contract. There were also 11 peo- ple of color from the neighborhood of Deep River disposed to go in the same vessel. Provision was made for them also. ‘George Swain was appointed to go to Contentnea and Core ‘Sound, procure the necessary papers and try to have all the Necessary arrangements made for the embarkation, to do, act and perform or. behalf of this Meeting all things reasonable ‘and necessary therein. Also to examine the situation of the law suits in Wayne, on account of colored people. . . + Phineas Nixon and John Fellow were appointed agents for this Meeting to go to Beaufort and thence to sail with the people of color to Hayti, and to endeavor to have them com- fortably located there and invested with the rights of citizens- '. Considerable difficulty was met with in getting the people embarked. They were finally landed at Aux Cayes. This year also it was reported that the Jessop family had been sent to the West by Friends appointed fet that purpose. | ' ' In 1897 it was reported that 67 sailed on'the brig Doris for Liberia—and that the people of color seem more unwilling to remove from Perquimans and Pasquotank counties than ithey were last year. ' . A written’ account was received from Contentnea that a- bout 50 were disposed to go to different places, and ‘would. acquiesce it was thought in what friends would advise. . 1834, . The Eastern quarter have succeeded in getting off to the West 133, includifig 23 free ones and slaves given up which were connected with ours by marriage, the greater part of whose: travelling expenses would’ be borne by Friends. They unanimously preferred going to Indiana and were grat- ified in the choice. . They: went in three companies and with suitable young Friends to whom ‘were' executed powers of at- torney to manummit, set free, séttle or bind them out: One company of 53 started on the 2d of 10th mo., another of 350n the 10th and another of 45 on the 15th. Thirteen carts and ‘wagons were bought. $1250 were furnished for the travel- ling expenses, as the people were very destitute of clothing for so long a journey, the climate to which they were going cold PAN he ga approaching. The whole cost amounted to about Ra In 1835 it was reported that in the neighborhood of Con- é set ‘ four colored persons could be found who weré; properly under the care of Friends—two men intermarried: with free wives having several children, one of the wives de~’ ceased, the children of the other bound out by the county court at the request of the parents. None of these were con-' veyed to the agents, but were under the care of individual friends, so left by their legal owners who went to the west. ; At Core Sound there were 2 women, one 50, the other 60) years of age, neither of them willing to go any where. One: woman on Neuse River and 8 children, 5 of them bound out by the county court as free persons. At Matamuskeet one. woman, 2 children and 5 or 6 grand children, 2 slaves of the; Newby family who pass for free persons. .One ola man at, Clubfoot with a slave wife, and 4 bays said. to be bound to David Helen whoremoved with them to Alabama. | _ From Rich Square all were gone but 4, one woman the, _ fall previous left at the camp two small children. and her, clothing the next night after they started and in the spring: had the offer of being conveyed with, another company but, utterly refused. ,.Five law suits were struck off the, docket: and the cost paid. Those involved, with 8 or ten others, are expected to go to, the west next summer. a _ At Sutton’s.and Simon’s Creeks—those connected with . free husbands, generally in debt, cannot go, and none of their . children are willing to go and leave them; those connected: with-slaye husbands, except the indebtedness, are nearly in: the same condition. Arrangements were made to send in companies of,,10 or 12 at a time, 40 or 50 to the interior of Long Island. A friend is willing to conduct about 20 to the interior of Pennsylvania. These last reported were very: poor and destitute of the comforts of life and deplorably igno- rant. A iy lta. ' -The friends that went with the companies last fall reported: that they were kindly received by Friends there and many of the minors bound out in suitable families. > < fv : One of the principal obstacles in the way of removing- these people, being their intermarriages with slaves and in- debted free persons, some discretionary power was given to the agents to pay small debts when several might thereby be removed. ia hepa’. From the report of the eastern agents (28th of 8th mo.. \ 1835) it appears that sin¢e last report there had been 6 births, and as many deaths. Fifty-seven had been removed—most - ¢ of them to Ohio and Indiana,at an expense of 99669. ‘The number remaining and. actually transferred is about, 160, but , is believed there are several whose names and ages have not been recorded whieh will perhaps swell the number to 200. David White who went with a company t> the West,’ now reported that he left Perquimans with 53 to’ conduct’ them to Ohio and Indiana. Thirty-eight of them belonged: to the Society of Friends and of them 33 were of the family that Friends were sned tor in that county. Five belonged to’ a member who had authorized them to be taken at his ex pense. S.x of them belonged fo Sampson Lawrence a cel-. dred man—who many years aga hotight his wité aud raised’ a tamily of children. Two of our men married two of hie’ daughters; they tad fourchildren. Fourof ont women had’ intermarried with slave husbands and they had 20 children,’ part of those for whom Friends were sued, and being! earnest: ly solicitous to go to'some other State for safety—they had all concluded to go and leave their lusbands iv slavery. But as the time of their departure drew tear, the cros8 was hard for then to bear and they seemed almost ready to give out: going, and risk the chance of being reduced again’ itite’ ye dage. unless they could have their husbands with them Under these circumstances the four slaves were directed to find out from their masters, for what sum they wonld let them g0. And their owners heing somewhat moved with compass sion, agreed to take one-haif ihe ston they could obtain for them. A contraet was then mde with the masters audthey received $1400 for the four mén. He then proceeded to Oliio) and loft 4 in Chillicothe, 23 near Léesbirg, and 26 went to Wayne county, Indiana, néat’ Newport. Ie imet with ne opposition in the journey, ans- wered all ing iities frankty and fully and fontd a more core. dial récep.ivii from the people of Gino and Indiana than he" had expected. ‘There was quite a willingness In many to have the colored peopl« settled on their lards, to clear and’ cultivate it uider leases of several’ years, 10th mo., 1836. Agents of the Kester Quarterreport that there have been removed to Néw York 28 colored people since last Yearly meeting. The vutnber remaining and ac. tually transferred is abSut 190 acreeably fo our re cords, yet it is believed there are several births whieh bave not been recorded which will make the ntunber larger than the record’ shows. ; There are at this time (1848) stilla few, pérsois to whom our Sociefy retains the legal fght——perlers vot more than’ 1Qorl5in all. It isbelieved' there is no inatanice: ofany being held among usso as to deprivé them of’ the’ benefit ne misit’ : haber. by