[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.

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.