The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-11
New York State Vigilance Committee.


New York State Vigilance Committee.
! The anniversary ofthis Committee held on We'd
nesday evening at Shiloh Presbyterian Church, cor
| ner Of Prince and Marion streets.
The meeting advertised for half past O'Clock,
but 1t not organised until o'clock At that hour,
the Rev Mr.. Joselyn called the meeting to order, and
called upon the Rev Mr. Ward to come forward, and
read the scriptures. Obedent to this call, large
black man came forward and with good voice, read
the latter part Of 18th chapter OF Matthews after
which, the Rev. Mr.. LcCost came forward and made
prayer
there small Knots ~ good %aHrd os, no, very order
y indviduais and there was an unmistakable indica
ton of disorder. No denomination yet made,
tee. they call themselves was introduced to read
| his report
light complexion came forward and said:I Mr. Chair
| man and ladies and gentlemen: The committee do
not present you this year with any written report
will state, however what the report would have
tanned The Committee have. within the year since LIST
oMay 1s49 assisted hundred and fifty fu tives
flor that you know. Is business) In escaping from
| servitude And besides, the Committee have had
charge Of several cases in various courts One
that Of boy in Maryland who has been liberated,
and there Is another till pending in ST Georges
county in the State. We uting another
in Of the southern States In which involved
the liberty Of forty individuals.
The Chief Of Police, accompanied by a strong force
here entered the house and marched around the en-
tire gallery with measured tread. IL company Of
military were taking up their quarters there. The po-
licemcn then distributed themselves around the house.
TO prevent any breach of the peace "a lady in
one Of the pews the pulpit here tainted and lit
i tie confusion ensued)
As soon as silence was restored the Secretary pro.
cceded to finish his report In reference to the forty
individuals whose liberty the subject OF litigation
in the law suit which he had mentioned the facts he
said. were these The grandmother Of these forty
| persons a free white English woman, who came
to this country and sold her services for term Of
years to pay her passage she Afterwards married a
black man AID all their children were held in bond
age IL is now Thought that the right q the grand
The Committee feel notwithstanding the recreancy OF
Northern Senator notwithstanding the proposition
TO make every postmaster slave catcher notwith-
standing all the pers which gathering around our
ds-thc Committee feel as determined as ever TO
persevere in the work which they have engaged in.
An abstract from tho Treasurcr's report read.
showing that during the past year the Treasurer had
received 81 40 and expended 81 30 leaving balance
divduas was mentioned the case Of an old LADY over
eighty years of age, who collected s75 in small town
The house by this time had become well filled II
parti-c oiorcd audience being composed Of about
three ourths white persons, and the rest black and
yellow.
The CH.rnuas announced that letter had been
received from the President Of the society. Gcrrt
Smith which would now be read The Secretary read
PrrrHboRo, April a. 1850
NJ, pr.R srn-This days mail brings mc your letter
My private affairs require my presence home hence
must decline your own and all other invitations TO
visit New York Anniversary week The elevated
and sound principles Of the Vigilance Committee jus
tify in expecting that Its approaching anniversary
viii be good one That committee does not believe
that the federal constitution does or can or that
anything ese does. lcgaliEe slavery. That |
committee doe not believe a. to be a crime but a |
merit 10 help brother out Of slavery aud that 90 do
80 not TO steal from the owner hut 60 restore TO the
owner That committee does not believe that any |
hence he Senate Of the United states to the contrary
notwithstanding that the black has perfect |
right be enrolled in the militia the white man
THE Kisses ycls. groans and other expressions Of
disapprobaton were here perfectly overpowerng and
apparently nothing but wonderfully strong police |
force prevented active demonstrations public
sentiment 90 the contrary Notwithstanding; and that
the black child has perfect right 20 b. enrolled
the common school a. the white child-(slight con-
fusion) the black attendant upon public hip
perfect right 60 an eligible seat the white |
Your fri nd and brother. oERRrr SMITH
At the conclusion Of the reading q this cpistc the
cries a disapprubation mingled With the paudits Of
the friends Of the committee made perfect Babel Of
the house II time before anything like or
der vas restored Al length however partial quiet
The Cg.,pua~ arose and said-I would give notice
10 all In the house individuals disturbing this meet
ing will be noticed. aud hereafter called upon TO
answer To the laws Of the state Cries Of Bah ~
" Oh !i' {" You don't cay 80 ~ Sc)
Mir w,Rp was nov called for by the Chairman and
csme forward with paper IVA his hard
At the same time. Mr.. HUI from the opposing par
~ UP TO the platform aud was peremptorily
laughing good nafur,dly and Mr. w,Rn. a very iarre
ard very black parsonage. took n his top coat aud
said he has been called upon 20 speak to The following
Received. That this committee Is eheorcd by the
suttessss Of the past year ard The smiles u divine
Providence that We hail the fugitive escaping from
the STAKEHOLDER. his hoodhcunds and the Northern /
services a the Senate that. ccntrain ed by all the
forces u our manhood and Christianity to give /
euccor aid and protection To the a. ytve On the face
any ard every hill Of denominations for his recovery
under uhatevcr authority aud II al times and at ali
hazards will shield him t. the extent Of oar power
81 help ne. God Il the oppressed
10 this resolution the reader 3f spoke frr along
inc nov sppiaudcd by his friends ani again gFoansd
and saast 81 ~ sis opponents. Cns ma, IN tbs gal