ry of the advocates 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 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 greater 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 with 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 c