The Liberator

Freedom in Plymouth.

Pursuant to notice, a large number of the citizens of Plymouth assembled in the town hall, to take into consideration the case of George Latimer, a fugitive slave, who has been arrested and imprisoned in Boston.

The meeting was called to order by Wm. Thomas, Esq.

Col. John B. Thomas was called to the chair, and Mr. Edward Morton appointed Secretary.

The object of the meeting was stated by the Chairman, with some appropriate remarks.

Wm. Thomas, Esq. offered the following resolutions, which were sustained by the mover, in a short, but very able and interesting speech:

Resolved, That the use of the Commonwealth's jail, in the county of Suffolk, for the confinement of George Latimer, not charged with any offence—which use, not being authorized by law, not even by the order of any court, is an outrage upon our property, our principles of liberty, and our sensibilities as men.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to memorialise the Legislature to take measures to prevent such abuse in future—and that all State officers be enjoined not to aid in the arrest or confinement of persons alleged to be slaves.

The resolutions were also spoken to by Captain J. Russell, Mr. George W. Briggs, Col. Davis, Mr. Knapp, Captain J. Allen, Mr. James Spooner, and others, in soul-stirring remarks, which found a ready response in all liberty-loving hearts present.

The following resolution, offered by Mr. Briggs and seconded by Dr. Kendall, was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That, protesting as we do against the right of one man to hold another in bondage, this meeting heard with deep thankfulness of the deliverance of George Latimer; and that we render our warmest acknowledgments to those who have aided in procuring it, for their zeal in the holy work.

The following, by William Thomas, in reference to our greatly beloved co-worker in the cause of human rights, deacon William P. Ripley, was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That in view of our assembling prompted by love of liberty, by our sympathies, by our religious sensibilities, we recall with deep emotion the recollection of that beautiful spirit, which with gentleness and firmness so steadily resisted oppression, and which, during the past week, was itself set free.

A committee of seven, consisting of the following persons—William Thomas, John Russell, Joseph Allen, Bourne Spooner, Wm. Davis, Johnson Davie, and Joseph Cushman, were chosen to draft a memorial, to be presented to the next Legislature, which committee are to report at a future meeting.

Voted, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Liberator, and in the papers of this town—and signed by the Chairman and Secretary.

JOHN B. THOMAS, Chairman.

E. MORTON, Sec'y.