The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-07-09

for its object the good of their fellow
creatures. +,
To the Cop,nions of The United Kingdom
Of Great Britain and Ireland, in Par.
iiament assembled; s,r7
The respectful Petition of the undersigned, re-
presenting the Society OF Friends, commonly
called Quakers, in Great Britain g. Ireland;
Showeth-That your petitioners have
observed, with great satisfaction, the
firmness and perseverance with which,
from year to year, the parliament of
the united kingdom has advocated the
cause of the oppressed Africans. They
have rejoiced in the belief that the in
iquity and cruelty of the slave trade
continue to be felt and acknowledged
by their own countrymen, whilst thew
have observed, with deep regret, the
want of an eflectual cooperation ON
the part of the other powers of Eu-
rope.
Your petitioners, however, consider.
that, whilst no legal provision is made
for the gradual termination of slavery
within the British dominions, the char
acter of their country cannot be exon
Grated from the charge of injustice
At the last yearly meeting OF the reli-
gious society which they represent there
prevailed a deep feeling for those who
are still held as slaves, accompanied
by firm conviction that this practice
is in direct contradiction to the merci-
full spirit of the gospel, and to the pre-
cepts of its Divine Founder. And your
petitioners are impressed with belief
that the time is arrived when it is their
duty thus publicly to express the feel
ings of their brethren in religious pro-
tession, ia pleading the cause of their
fellow-subjects who are deprived of the
invaluable blessing of freedom.
They therefore respectfully entreat
your early and close attention 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 crea-
ton, and as fellow-objects of redemp-
ton by Christ, they earnestly beseech
that no longer delay may take place
in considering the best means by which
! they may be gradually breueht into
the enjoyment of that liberty to which,
as men, they are justly entitled, and
raised from that degraded condition in
which every man is placed who is re-
dueed TO the state of a slave.
Your petitioners do not presume to
suggest to parliament the way in which
this desirable object may be accom-
piished. They are aware that great
wisdom and prudence will be requisite
in so providing for the gradual extinc-
ton of slavery, as that the slave NAV
ultimately come into possession of their
Liberty in the way which shall render
it most the beneficial to themselyes.and
afford the greatest security to the colo
NAL proprletors and to the state.
Entertaining, however, an tihshaken
belief that the religion which the au-
thor OF our salvation has introduced.
would, if universally embraced and
acted upon, ensure the present and
eternal happiness Of the human race.
your petitioners are anxious that ali
your deliberations and decisions are
founded on the firm and immoveabIe
basis of Christian principles; they are
deeply solicitous that, by publicly re-
cognizing the precepts of righteousness
and truth as of paramount obligation.
the British government may more and
more commend the Christian religion
in the sight of the nations nf Tho .orG. O.
then they reverently believe that the
blessing aud protecting providence of
the Most High will be continued to
their beloved country.
Signed by US, members of the meet
ing for conducting the affairs Of
the said society in the intervals of
the yearly meeting.
London, the TIL of'the End Month, 1928.
Here follow the names.