Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minute, 1789-10-03 [extracts]

              Firmly believing that where Oppression & Violence is publickly advocated by those entrusted with national Authority as Guardians of the common Rights of Humanity, however specious & spirited their PRofession of Attachment to the Cause of Liberty & the general Wellbeing of the People over whom they preside, the Exercise of their Power must be partial & unavailing to the important End & AIm of their Trust unfeigned Righteousness in public as well as private Stations is the only sure Ground of hope for the divine Blessing, whence alone Rulers can derive true Honour, establish sincere Confidence in the Hearts of the People, and feeling their Minds animated with the ennobling Principle of universal Good Will to Men, find a conscious Dignity & Felicity in the Harmony & Success attending the Exerccise of a solid uniform Virtue; short of which, the warmest Pretentions to public Spirit, Zeal for our Country, and the Rights of Men,are falacious & illusive.
Under this PErsuation, as Professions of Faith in that ever blessed, all perfect Lawgiver, whose Injunction remains of undiminished Obligation on all who profess to believe in him; "Whatsoever ye would that Men shoudl do unto you, do ye even so unto them"  WE apprehend ourselves religiously bound to request your serious christian Attention to the deeply interesting Subject where on our religious Society in their annual Assembly in the 10gh mo. 1783 addressed the then Congress, who, tho' the christian Rectitutde of the Concern was by the Delegates, generally acknowledged, yet, not being well vested with the Powers of Legislation, they declined promoting any public Remedy agt. that gross national Iniquity of trafficking in the Persons of fellow Men; but divers of the legislative Bodies of the different States on this Continent, have since manifested their SEnse of the public Detestation due to the licentious Wickedness of the African Trade for Slaves, and the inhuman Tyranny & Blood guiltiness inseperable from it; the debasing Influence whereof most certainly tends to lay Waste the Virtue & of Course the Happiness of the People.  Many are the Enormities abhorrent to common Humanity & common Honesty which, under the federal Countenance given to this abominable Commerce, are practised in some of these united States; which we judge it not needful to particularize to a Body of Men chosen as eminently distinguishable for Wisdom & extensive Information ;but we find it indispensably incumbent on us as a religious Body, assuredly believing that both the true temporal Interest of NAtions, and eternal WEll-being of Individuals depend on doin gjustly, loving Mercy, & walking humbly before God, the Creator, Preserver & Benefactor of Men, thus to attempt to excite your Attention to the affecting Subject, earnestly desiring that the infinite Father of Spirits may so enrich your Minds with his Love & Truth, and so influence your Understanding by that pure Wisdom wch. is full of Mercy & good Fruits, as that a sincere & impartial Enquiry may take Place, whether it be not an essential part of the Duto of your exalted Station, to exert upright Endeavours to the full Extent of your Power, to remove every Obstruction to public Righteousness, which the Influence & Artifice of particular PErsons, governed by the narrow mistaken Views of self Interest has Occasioned; and whether, notwithstanding such seeming Impediment, it be not in reality within your Power to exercise Justice & Mercy; which, if adhered to, we cannot doubt, must Produce the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
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