American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-08-27
SLAVE TRADE.

IN address to the Inhabitants Of Europe, on the
Iniquity Of the SLare Trade issued By the Re.
ligious Society Of Friends, commonly called
Qaalcers, in Great Britain and Ireland.
Many years have now elapsed since the attention
Of the Religious Society Of Friends, commonly cal
led Quakers was first turned to the subject Of the
Save Trade Such was the conviction Of its iniqulty
hat it felt to be duty represent to all 10 the
same religious profession, the suferings to which
the natives of Africa we're subjected, by being for
chilly torn from their native soil, and condemned to
cruel bondage foreign shore.
The Society proceeded further under sense OF
the enormty of the crime, regulation was made
upwards OF sixty years ago, which has continued
in force unto the present time that those who per-
sisted in the unrighteous traffic in Neg oes,' after
pains had been taken 10 convince them of their
error should no longer be considered as ITS men,
bers And as such as are in religious connection
with US, have been uniformly warned not to par
AXE OF the gain OF oppression, not to de6le them
selves with any profits arising from this species oil
injustice, we trust that we shall obtain full credit,
whe' We allege, that we have no commercial or
political end whatever to answer, by thus advocating
the cause Of the oppressed. We plead on the sim
pie, bul firm basis oil Christian principle.
In common with many virtuous and benevolent
characters Of our own nation, We ielt it 10 be a
Icountrymen information the horrors Of the trade:
and IN soliciting our government to pass law for
the termination OF commerce. at once barbarous
and Ubiquitous. And we participated in feelings OF
10y on beholding that. notwithstanding there wer,
great and numerous obstacles in the outset and in
The progress, of this work Of humanity, the sense
'ot the great bulk of the inhabitants Of these islands
was so clearly seen and yielded To by our Rulers
that this stain on national character wa. ulti-
ms falu trt he
British Legislature many of the members OF
which not only acknowledge the injustice of the
trade, but noby and successfully united their un.
weaFled efforts TO hasten its suppression,
! We have reloiced to hear that the respective Co
Vernments OF those countries, whose subjects are
still implicated in he traffic, have proceeded so far
as they have hitherto done towards its abolition; but
we have learned with deep regret and sorrow, that
II is stu pursued TO great and truly lamentabe ex.
'cnt' and mat under circumstances of aggravated
cruelty by the subjects of those very powers. We
hear that numerous vessels are still lowering along
I the shores OF Africa, to procure cargoes of human
beings and transport them TO distant lands, whence
thev are designed never 20 In fact we hear
and that from undoubted authority, that the trade
which the Congress at Vienna in 1914 pronounced
TO be the desolation Of Africa, the degradation Of
Europe, and the affecting scourge of humanity
has been carried on with increased eageness in the
course Of last year.
: 1t IS under the influence of Christian love and
good will, that we are now engaged to express our
interest on behalf OF this injured people. In thus
introducing ourselves to tse notice of our Cont
mental neighbours we feel that we need not offer
e ay apology, considering them as our brethren, as
the children oil one universal Parent as fellow pro
lessons OF belief in one and the same mercfu
Saviour. The same feelings which lead US to con.
siaer inc natives OF France, of Span of Holland
: OF Portugal and of the other nations of Europe. as
our brethren induce US to extend this endearng ap.
pelation 10 the inhabitants Of Africa. Our heavenly
= Yearly Meeting, 1861,