dvocates of that practice, merely
from want of reflection, and from an habitual attention to their own
immediate interest. If to such were often applied the force of reason,
and the persuasion of eloquence, they might be awakened to a sense of
their injustice, and be startled with horror at the enormity of their
conduct. To produce so desirable a change in sentiment, as well as
practice, we recommend to you the instituting of annual, or other
periodical, discourses, or orations, to be delivered in public, on the
subject of slavery, and the means of its abolition.

We cannot forbear expressing to you our earnest desire, that you will
continue, without ceasing, to endeavour, by every method in your power
which can promise any success, to procure, either an absolute repeal of
all the laws in your state, which countenance slavery, or such an
amelioration of them as will gradually produce an entire abolition.
Yet, even should that great end be happily attained, it cannot put a
period to the necessity of further labor. The education of the
emancipated, the noblest and most arduous task which we have to
perform, will require all our wisdom and virtue, and the constant
exercise of the greatest skill and discretion. When we have broken his
chains, and restored the African to the enjoyment of his rights, the
great work of justice and benevolence is not accomplished--The new born
citizen must receive that instruction, and those powerful impressions
of moral and religious truth, which will render him capable and
desirous of fulfilling the various duties he owes to himself and to his
country. By educating some in the higher branches of science, and all
in the useful parts of learning, and in the precepts of religion and
morality, we shall not only do away the reproach and calumny so
unjustly lavished upon us, but confound the enemies of truth, by
evincing that the unhappy sons of Africa, in spite of the degrading
influence of slavery, are in no wise inferior to the more fortunate
inhabitants of Europe and America.

As a mean of effectuating, in some degree, a design so virtuous and
laudable, we recommend to you to appoint a committee, annually, or for
any other more convenient period, to execute such plans, for the
improvement of the condition and moral character of the free blacks in
your state, as you may think best adapted to your particular situation.

By a decree of the National Convention of France, all the blacks and
peopl