ars earnestly protested against slavery. As early as 1696
the yearly meeting had cautioned its members against encouraging the
bringing in of any more negroes. In 1743, and, again in 1755, the
annual query was made, whether their members were clear of importing
or buying slaves. In 1758, those who disobeyed the advice of the
yearly meeting were placed under discipline; and in 1776, those who
continued to hold slaves over the lawful age, were disowned.[14]

The first anti-slavery society took the name of "The Society for the
Relief of Free Negroes unlawfully held in Bondage."[15] The society
met four times in 1775, and on account of the war no meeting occurred
again until February, 1784. I was so fortunate to find among some
pamphlets, presented to our Public Library a short time since, an
original copy of the "Rules and Regulations" of this society, printed
in 1784, which I have here.[16] Regular meetings were held till
April, 1787, when the constitution was revised and made to include the
"Abolition of Slavery" as well as the "Relief of Free Negroes" and Dr.
Benjamin Franklin was chosen president, and Benjamin Rush, secretary,
both signers of the Declaration of Independence.[17]

The society entered with zeal upon its mission, circulating its
documents, and opening a correspondence with eminent men in the United
States and in Europe.[18]

The New York "Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves" was
organized January 25, 1785, and John Jay was the first president. On
being appointed Chief Justice of the United States, he resigned, and
Alexander Hamilton was appointed to his place. This society circulated
gratuitously Dr. Samuel Hopkins's Dialogue on Slavery, and Address to
Slaveholders, and other documents. In 1787, the Society offered a
gold medal for the best discourse, at the public commencement of
Columbia College, on the injustice and cruelty of the slave-trade, and
the fatal effects of slavery. The London Society was organized July
17, 1787; the Paris Society in February, 1788;[19] and the Delaware
Society the same year.[20] The Maryland Society was formed September
8, 1789,[21] and the same year the Rhode Island Society was organized
in the house of Dr. Hopkins, at Newport. In 1790, the Connecticut
Society was formed, of which Dr. Ezra Stiles, President of Yale
College, and Judge Simeon Baldwin, were the president and secretary.
The Virginia Society was formed in 1791; and the New Jersey Society in
1792.