To the —— of the State of Georgia.
The memorial and petition of the Delegates from the several Societies, formed in different parts of the United States, for promoting the abolition of slavery, in Convention assembled, in Philadelphia, on the seventh day of January, 1795.
Respectfully shew,
That the Convention, assembled in the month of January, 1794, addressed your body on the subject of the African slave-trade; and the present Convention, not having been informed of the success of that memorial, have thought it a duty incumbent on them, to re-call your attention to some points nearly connected with the honor of humanity, and the interest of your state, and of the United States.
We have learned, with the highest satisfaction, that you have prohibited the importation of slaves into your state, from all other parts of the world, except Africa. We congratulate you, and the friends of humanity in general, on such a step; but the time, we hope, is not far distant, when every motive of wisdom and true policy will lead you to prohibit entirely this species of commerce. And we, at this time, request your serious attention to a consideration of the evil likely to ensue from the continuance of the traffic, and to the numerous advantages which must arise from its abolition. Among the least of these, we would mention the consistency it would afford to the American character, now held up, as an example to the European world; and the good treatment which might hence be naturally expected, as likely to be afforded to those blacks who are already in your country. To these suggestions, permit us to add a wish, that you would consider of the propriety of passing a law, to empower the owners of slaves to grant their gradual emancipation, by will or otherwise, as we are well convinced, that the happiest effects are to be expected from a progressive abolition of slavery.
The committee, to whom was re-committed the address to the several Abolition Societies, for the purpose of incorporating therein such other matters as had received the approbation of the Convention since the appointment of the first committee,—presented one with the additions, which, being read and amended, was adopted as follows, viz.
To the —— Society for promoting the abolition of slavery, &c.
The Delegates, from the several Abolition societies in the United States, convened in this city, express to you, with great satisfaction, the pleasure they have experienced from the punctual attendance of the persons delegated to this Convention, and that harmony with which they have deliberated on the several matters that have been presented to them, at this time, for their consideration. The benefits which may flow from a continuance of this general meeting, by aiding the principal design of its institution—the universal emancipation of the wretched Africans who are yet in bondage, appear to us so many and important, that we are induced to recommend to you, to send Delegates to a similar Convention, which we propose to be holden, in this city, on the first day of January, in the year one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-six.
We have thought it proper to request your further attention to that part of the address, of the former Convention, which relates to the procurement of certified copies of the laws of your state respecting slavery; and that you would send, to the next Convention, exact copies of all such laws as are now in force; and of such as have been repealed. Convinced that an historical review of the various acts and provisions of the Legislatures of the several states, relating to slavery, from the periods of their respective settlements to the present time, by tracing the progress of the system of African slavery in this country, and its successive changes in the different governments of the Union, would throw much light on the objects of our enquiry and attention, and enable us to determine, how far the cause of justice and humanity has advanced among us, and how soon we may reasonably expect to see it triumphant;—we recommend to you, to take such measures as you may think most conducive to that purpose, for procuring materials for the work now proposed, and assisting its publication; and to communicate, to the ensuing Convention, what progress you shall have made toward perfecting the plan here offered for your consideration and care.