highly necessary that the different societies engaged in the
_Canadian Settlement_ be earnestly requested to persevere in
their praiseworthy and philanthropic undertaking; firmly
believing that, at a future period, their labors will be crowned
with success.

"The Committee would also recommend this Convention to call on
the free people of color to assemble _annually_ by delegation at
such place as may be designated as suitable.

"They would also respectfully submit to your wisdom the necessity
of your deliberate reflection on the dissolute, intemperate, and
ignorant condition of a large portion of the colored population
of the United States. They would not, however, refer to their
unfortunate circumstances to add degradation to objects already
degraded and miserable; nor, with some others, improperly class
the virtuous of our color with the abandoned, but with the most
sympathizing and heartfelt commiseration, show our sense of
obligation as the true guardians of our interests, by giving
wholesome advice and good counsel.

"The Committee consider it as highly important that the
Convention recommend the necessity of creating a general fund, to
be denominated the CONVENTIONAL FUND, for the purpose of
advancing the objects of this and future conventions, as the
public good may require.

"They would further recommend, that the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution of the United Stales be read in
our Conventions; believing, that the truths contained in the
former are incontrovertible, and that the latter guarantees in
letter and spirit to every freeman born in this country, all the
rights and immunities of citizenship.

"Your Committee with regret have witnessed the many oppressive,
unjust, and unconstitutional laws which have been enacted in the
different parts of the Union against the free people of color,
and they would call upon this Convention, as possessing the
rights of freemen, to recommend to the people, through their
delegation, the propriety of memorializing the proper
authorities, whenever they may feel themselves aggrieved, or
their rights invaded, by any cruel or oppressive laws.

"And your Committee would further report, that, in their opinion,
_Education_, _Temperance_, and _Economy_ are best calculated