The Daily Advertiser

The petition, of which the following is a copy, was presented to the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, on Saturday, the 22d ult.

To the General Assembly of Pennsylvania

The ADDRESS and PETITION of the Religious Society called QUAKERS.

Respectfully Sheweth, That

INCITED by an apprehension of real duty, and encouraged by the laudable essay which has been made by the Legislature of this State for the promotion of personal freedom, we take the liberty of addressing you on this very interesting and important subject.

The natural rights and civil liberties of men have been so fully investigated and declared, and at this time are so generally acknowledged to be unalienable, we conceive it unnecessary to attempt to illustrate the blessing of the enjoyment thereof, or the grievous oppression and distress to which they are subjected who continue to be deprived of that valuable privilege.

The law entitled, "An act for the gradual abolition of slavery." passed in the year 1780, has answered some of the desirable purposes for which it was enacted, and we trust, that an impression of the same affecting considerations which produced that law, will be sufficient weight to induce you to render it more extensive and effectual. Having been informed, and we believe it to be a sorrowful truth, that some commercial persons, inattentive to the feelings of humanity, and regardless of the principles of justice, have, in opposition to the spirit and intention of that law, equipped ships in the port of Philadelphia for the iniquitous traffic to Africa for slaves; and others actuated by the like avaricious motives have used means of violence and craft to captivate divers of the poor blacks, who were legally entitled to freedom, and transported them from hence to the West-India islands and other parts; where they have been sold into unconditional slavery. "The condition of others of these oppressed people has been attended with circumstances which not only deprived them of the common blessings that they were by nature entitled to, but has cast them into the deepest afflictions by an unnatural separation and sale of husband and wife from each other, and from their children;" which barbarities have been committed by men assuming the Christian name, to the great reproach of that dignified character.

We therefore earnestly request you will be pleased to take these afflicting cases into mature consideration, and provide a remedy for their discontinuance, by such supplementary amendments and additions to the act before mentioned, as shall be most effectual to restrain the hands of tyranny and oppression, that you may be the happy instruments to deliver the poor that cry, and the fatherless, and him that hath none to help, so that the blessing promised to the merciful may rest upon you.

Signed on behalf and by direction of a meeting of the Representatives of our Religious Society, held in Philadelphia, the 17th day of the first month, 1788.

JOHN DRINKER, Clerk.