OES IN THE AGITATION
MOVEMENT.--"FIRST ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE PEOPLE OF COLOR" HELD
AT PHILADELPHIA.--REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
A COLLEGE FOR YOUNG MEN OF COLOR.--PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE
APPOINTED IN EACH CITY.--CONVENTIONAL ADDRESS.--SECOND CONVENTION
HELD AT BENEZET HALL, PHILADELPHIA.--RESOLUTIONS OF THE
MEETING.--CONVENTIONAL ADDRESS.--THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL
COLORED ASSOCIATION.--CONVENTION OF ANTI-SLAVERY WOMEN OF AMERICA
AT NEW YORK.--PREJUDICE AGAINST ADMITTING NEGROES INTO WHITE
SOCIETIES.--COLORED ORATORS.--THEIR ELOQUENT PLEAS FOR THEIR
ENSLAVED RACE.

The free Negroes throughout the Northern States were not passive
during the agitation movement. They took a lively interest in the
cause that had for its ultimate end the freedom of the slave. They did
not comfort themselves with the consciousness that _they_ were free;
but thought of _their brethren_ who were bound, and sympathized with
them.

"_The First Annual Convention of the People of Color_" was held in
Philadelphia from the 6th to the 11th of June, 1831. Its sessions were
held "in the brick Wesleyan Church, Lombard Street," "pursuant to
public notice, ... signed by Dr. Belfast Burton and William Whipper."
The following delegates were present:

_Philadelphia_--John Bowers, Dr. Belfast Burton, James Cornish,
Junius C. Morel, William Whipper.

_New York_--Rev. Wm. Miller, Henry Sipkins, Thos. L. Jennings,
Wm. Hamilton, James Pennington.

_Maryland_--Rev. Abner Coker, Robert Cowley.

_Delaware_--Abraham D. Shad, Rev. Peter Gardiner.

_Virginia_--Wm. Duncan.

The following officers were chosen:

_President_--John Bowers.

_Vice-Presidents_--Abraham D. Shad, William Duncan.

_Secretary_--William Whipper.

_Assistant Secretary_--Thos. L. Jennings.

The first concern of this convention was the condition of that class
which it directly represented--the "free persons of color" in the
United States. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Morel, Shad, Duncan,
Cowley, Sipkins, and Jennings, made the following report on the
condition of the free persons of color in the United States:

"_Brethren and Fellow-Citizens:_

"We, the Committee of Inquiry, would suggest to the Convention
the propriety of adopting the following resolutions, viz.:

"_Resolved_, That, in the opinion of this Convention, it is