Volume II Part 7 (2/2)

_Philadelphia_--John Bowers, Dr. Belfast Burton, James Cornish, Junius C. Morel, William Whipper.

_New York_--Rev. Wm. Miller, Henry Sipkins, Thos. L. Jennings, Wm. Hamilton, James Pennington.

_Maryland_--Rev. Abner c.o.ker, Robert Cowley.

_Delaware_--Abraham D. Shad, Rev. Peter Gardiner.

_Virginia_--Wm. Duncan.

The following officers were chosen:

_President_--John Bowers.

_Vice-Presidents_--Abraham D. Shad, William Duncan.

_Secretary_--William Whipper.

_a.s.sistant Secretary_--Thos. L. Jennings.

The first concern of this convention was the condition of that cla.s.s which it directly represented--the ”free persons of color” in the United States. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Morel, Shad, Duncan, Cowley, Sipkins, and Jennings, made the following report on the condition of the free persons of color in the United States:

”_Brethren and Fellow-Citizens:_

”We, the Committee of Inquiry, would suggest to the Convention the propriety of adopting the following resolutions, viz.:

”_Resolved_, That, in the opinion of this Convention, it is highly necessary that the different societies engaged in the _Canadian Settlement_ be earnestly requested to persevere in their praiseworthy and philanthropic undertaking; firmly believing that, at a future period, their labors will be crowned with success.

”The Committee would also recommend this Convention to call on the free people of color to a.s.semble _annually_ by delegation at such place as may be designated as suitable.

”They would also respectfully submit to your wisdom the necessity of your deliberate reflection on the dissolute, intemperate, and ignorant condition of a large portion of the colored population of the United States. They would not, however, refer to their unfortunate circ.u.mstances to add degradation to objects already degraded and miserable; nor, with some others, improperly cla.s.s the virtuous of our color with the abandoned, but with the most sympathizing and heartfelt commiseration, show our sense of obligation as the true guardians of our interests, by giving wholesome advice and good counsel.

”The Committee consider it as highly important that the Convention recommend the necessity of creating a general fund, to be denominated the CONVENTIONAL FUND, for the purpose of advancing the objects of this and future conventions, as the public good may require.

”They would further recommend, that the Declaration of Independence and the Const.i.tution of the United Stales be read in our Conventions; believing, that the truths contained in the former are incontrovertible, and that the latter guarantees in letter and spirit to every freeman born in this country, all the rights and immunities of citizens.h.i.+p.

”Your Committee with regret have witnessed the many oppressive, unjust, and unconst.i.tutional laws which have been enacted in the different parts of the Union against the free people of color, and they would call upon this Convention, as possessing the rights of freemen, to recommend to the people, through their delegation, the propriety of memorializing the proper authorities, whenever they may feel themselves aggrieved, or their rights invaded, by any cruel or oppressive laws.

”And your Committee would further report, that, in their opinion, _Education_, _Temperance_, and _Economy_ are best calculated to promote the elevation of mankind to a proper rank and standing among men, as they enable him to discharge all those duties enjoined on him by his Creator. We would, therefore, respectfully request an early attention to those virtues among our brethren who have a desire to be useful.

”And lastly, your Committee view with unfeigned regret, and respectfully submit to the wisdom of this Convention, the operations and misrepresentations of the American Colonization Society in these United States.

”We feel sorrowful to see such an immense and wanton waste of lives and property, not doubting the benevolent feelings of some individuals engaged in that cause. But we cannot for a moment doubt, but that the cause of many of our unconst.i.tutional, unchristian, and unheard-of sufferings emanate from that unhallowed source; and we would call on Christians of every denomination firmly to resist it.”[28]

The convention was in session for several days. It attracted public attention on account of the intelligence, order, and excellent judgment which prevailed. It deeply touched the young white men who had, but a few months previous, enlisted under the broad banner Wm.

Lloyd Garrison had given to the breeze. They called to see Colored men conduct a convention. The Rev. S. S. Jocelyn, of New Haven, Connecticut; Arthur Tappan, of New York; Benjamin Lundy, of Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C.; William Lloyd Garrison, of Boston, Ma.s.sachusetts; Thomas s.h.i.+pley and Charles Pierce, of Philadelphia, visited the convention and were cordially received. Messrs. Jocelyn, Tappan, and Garrison were invited to address the convention. They delivered stirring addresses, and especially urged the necessity of establis.h.i.+ng a college for the education of ”Young Men of Color.” At the suggestion of the speaker the convention appointed a committee with whom the speaker conferred. The report of the committee was as follows:

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