Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-11-09
TRENTON, Nov. /.
PUBLIC MEETING,
RESPECTING SLAVERY.

At large and respectable meeting Of the
citizens of the State of New-Jersey, held
at the State house in Trenton, the 29th of
October, 1919, for the purpose Of taking
into consideration the subject Of SLAVE
RY 10 states hereafter to be admitted No.
10 the Union, pursuant TO public notice,
The Hon. Jesse Epson, Vice Presi-
dent ofthe State, was appointed Chairman.
aud VIM. Griffith, Esq. Secretary.
The meeting after due consideration
and discussion, unanimously adopted the
following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas the abolition OF slavery in
this country, and, most especially, the
prevention of the importation Of slaves
into it, are, not only the anxious and ar.
dent desires of the humane citizens Of the
United States; but in truth, important
objects of national policy, happiness and
security; and whereas the early, contiu-
ued, and strenuous efforts of the people
|of the United States to accomplish these
great and interesting objects, having
highly exalted their character in the esti-
nation of the world, and must be accep.
table to the God and creator of mankind
This meeting would view, with unspeak-
able pain and modification, any measure
adopted by the Federal Legislature, tend
ing to extend and, perpetuate Slavery a.
mong US, and holding out encouragement
and temptation to the dealers in human
flesh to continue their infamous trade, in
defiance of the laws of the land, and the
more sacred will of Heaven.-Therefore,
ResoiUed, That in the opinion OF this
meeting the permission of slaves in the mem
states, admitted into the Union, has a d.
rect tendency to perpetuate Slavery in
these United States, by extending the
sphere of its influence and action TO in.
crease its danger by spreading that spe.
cies of population over the land: and to
promote aud encourage the importation o.
Slaves by providing an extensive ant
growing market for them, in which the
demand and competition for the. purchase
Of them, will be such as SO greatly to en-
nance their price, that evil aud avariciou'
men will be tempted to run all hazards o
the violation of our laws, by the prospec
of the enormous gains Of this horrible traf
fick.
| ResolUed, That the members Of the late
Congress who opposed the admission o
Slaves into the proposed state of Missouri
have the sincere aud respectful thanks o
this meeting for their manly and unanswer
able opposition to measure fraught witt
so much mischief and disgrace to oul
country.
| RESOLVED, That the Senators and Rep
resentatives of New-Jersey, 10 the next
Congress, be most earnestly and respect.
fully solicited to use their utmost means
and influence to prevent the introduction
ofSlavery into Missouri, and every othel
new state that may hereafter be admitted
into the Union.
Resoiued, That in the opinion Of this
meeting the prohibition OF Slaves 10 the
new states, coming into the Union, is no
forbidden by any article OF the Constitu
tion of the United States; but is in full
accordance with the principles OF the
Constitution and imperiousiy demanded
by the honor and interests of the country
| Resoiued, That this meeting has a sin
cere and respectful confidence in the good
and virtnous dispositions Of the national
legislature on the subject Of slavery; and
that, however some of the Members may
be compelled by circumstances to submit
to it for the present, they will heartily
unite with US in every measure calculated
to arrest its progress, and, finally, extin-
guish its existence.
ResolUed, That Elias Boudinot, Joseph
Hopkinson, William Newbold, Rev. Simon
Wilmur, James Parker, and Samuel En-
len, De a Committee TO correspond with
sother persons and bodies engaged in sup