American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-08-22
To tie Commons Of the Cnited Kingdom Of Great
Rrifn;n mud Ireland in Parliament assembled.

To tie Commons Of the Cnted Kingdom Of Great
Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled.
The respectful Petition of the Undersigned, repre-
senting the Society OF Friends commonly called
Quakers in Great Britain and Ireland:
SsEwETH,
That your petitioners have observed with great
satisfaction the hrmness and perseverance with
which from year to year, the Parliament OF the
united kingdom has advocated the cause OF the OPP
pressed Africans. They have rejoced in the belief,
that the iniquity and cruelty OF the Slave Trade
continue to be felt and acknowledged by their own
country men, willis! they have observed with deep
regret, the want OF an eectua CO operation on the
part Of other of the powers of Europe.
Your petitioners however consider thar whilst no
legal provision is made for the gradual termination
OF slavery within The British dominions, the Charac
ter Of their country cannot be exonerated from the
charge OF injustice. 1.-THE last Yearly Meeting OF
the religious society which they represent, there
prevailed deep feeling for those who are sill held
as slaves, accompanied by firm conviction, that
this practice is in direct CONT ADDICTION the merc
u Spirit of the Gospel, and to the Precepts OF its
Divine Founder. And your petitioners are Impress
ed with belief that the time is arrived, when 1t is
their duty thus publicly to express the feelings oil
their brethren in religious profession, in pleading
the cause of their feow-sublects, who are deprived
oil the invaluable blessing of freedom. They there
fore respectfully entrea your early and close aten
ton to the situation of hundreds OF thousands of
human beings now held in bondage in the British
Colonies. Regarding them as their brethren and
sisters by creation, and as fellow objects OF redemp
ton by Christ they earnestly beseech that no long
er delay may take place in considering the best
means by which they may be gradually brought in
to the enjoyment OF that liberty, to which men
they are justly entitled; and raised from that de
graded condition, in which every man is placed
who is reduced to the state OF slave. Your peti
TONERS do not presume to suggest to Parliament the
way in which this desirable object may be accom-
plshed. They are aware that grea; wisdom and
prudence will be requisite in so providing for the
gradual extinction Of slavery that the slaves may
ultimately come into possession of their liberty ir
The way which shall render it the most beneficial to
themselves, and afford the greatest security to the
Colonial Propretors, and to the State.
Entertaining, however an mistaken belief, tina,
he Religion which the Author Of our salvation has
Introduced would, if universally embraced and
acted upon, ensure the present and eternal happi
less of the human race, your petitioners are anx
GUS that all your deliberations and decisions may be
ounded on the firm and immoveable basis Of Chris
ian principles; they are deeply solicous that by
publicly recognizing the precepts OF Righteousness
md truth as Of paramount obligation, the British
government may more and more commend he
Christian Religion in the sight of the Nations OF the
Earth. and then they reverently believe that the
blessings and protecting Providence OF the Most
High will be continued to their beloved country.
Signed by US Members of Nee ing for conduct
ing the Affairs of the said Society in the inter-
walls Of the Yearly Meeting
London, the It'll Of the end month, 1898.
HERE FOLLOW THE NAMEs.l