is to exile us from the land of our nativity,
James Forten was called to the chair, and Russell Parrott appointed
secretary. The intent of the meeting having been stated by the chairman,
the following resolutions were adopted without one dissenting voice:

WHEREAS, Our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful
cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel
ourselves entitled to participate in the blessings of her luxuriant
soil, which their blood and sweat manured; and that any measure or
system of measures, having a tendency to banish us from her bosom,
would not only be cruel, but in direct violation of those principles
which have been the boast of this republic,

_Resolved_, That we view with deep abhorrence the unmerited stigma
attempted to be cast upon the reputation of the free people of
color, by the promoters of this measure, "that they are a
dangerous and useless part of the community," when in the state of
disfranchisement in which they live, in the hour of danger they
ceased to remember their wrongs, and rallied around the standard of
their country.

_Resolved_, That we never will separate ourselves voluntarily from
the slave population of this country; they are our brethren by the
ties of consanguinity, of suffering, and of wrong; and we feel that
there is more virtue in suffering privations with them, than fancied
advantages for a season.

_Resolved_, That without arts, without science, without a proper
knowledge of government to cast upon the savage wilds of Africa the
free people of color, seems to us the circuitous route through which
they must return to perpetual bondage.

_Resolved_, That having the strongest confidence in the justice of
God, and philanthropy of the free states, we cheerfully submit our
destinies to the guidance of Him who suffers not a sparrow to fall
without his special providence.

_Resolved_, That a committee of eleven persons be appointed to open
a correspondence with the honorable Joseph Hopkinson, member
of Congress from this city, and likewise to inform him of the
sentiments of this meeting, and that the following named persons
constitute the committee, and that they have power to call a general
meeting, when they, in their judgment, may deem it proper: Rev.
Absalom Jones, Rev. Richard Allen, James Forten, Rober