Commerce

Philadelphia Society of Friends Quakers and slavery 1839. Printed pamphlet: 'An Address to the . Yearly Meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia By the Committee appointed at the late Yearly Meeting to have charge of the Subject of Slavery.

22684 — Philadelphia: Printed by John Richards No. 130 North Third Street. 1839. The full title is: 'An Address to the Quarterly Monthly and Preparative Meetings and the Members thereof composing the Yearly Meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia By the Committee appointed at the late Yearly Meeting to have charge of the Subject of Slavery.' 12pp 12mo. Pamphlet in original plain brown wraps. In good condition lightly aged and worn. Begins with two pages of extracts from the minutes 17 May 1839 regarding the setting up of the committee on 'the deeply interesting subject of Slavery' with reference to 'Benjamin Price Jr. Clerk' and 'Deborah F. Wharton Clerk.' The address itself 'Signed by direction and on behalf of the Committee by John Jackson Clerk' is eight pages long. Towards the beginning it notes that 'Many of our forefathers were slave-holders and the unrighteous practice of holding our fellow-creatures in bondage was not then forbidden by our discipline.' The change of policy is described with reference to 'Anthony Benezet and John Woolman'. Later the address notes: 'The advancement of this righteous concern and the increase of light upon the subject of human rights are causing this system of iniquity to totter to its base. Hence under the influence of fearful excitement many are putting forth their strength to impede the progress of principles which if ultimately triumphant will break the fetters of the slave. A part of the trading interests at the North is evidently involved with those of the South and an influence is in this way exerted against the onward course of Emancipation; thus light and darkness antagonize each other.' And later still: 'Within a few years great events hae occurred in relation to Slavery and much light has been spread on the subject. The experience derived from Emancipation in the British West Indies has opened a new era. . while we have painful evidence that a great body of slave-holders are influenced by injustice and cruelty . There are many whose consciences are burdened by a system which they derived from their ancestors . the money of the slave-trader is temptingly held up before them; . they cannot separate the tender ties of family connexion among their slaves; they dare not receive the price of blood. . We believe they are fervently desiring the deliverance of master and slave from the bondage to which both are subjected. Their hearts have bounded with joy at the success of Emancipation in the British West Indies; it has opened a door of hope thaty they also may be legally permitted to prove the advantage of requited labour over that which is extorted by the lash of the oppressor. .'. The entries on OCLC WorldCat are not clear but the item is uncommon. Philadelphia: Printed by John Richards, No. 130 North Third Street. 1839. paperback