UNITED STATES, _November 29, 1797_.
The SPEAKER and members then returned to the House, and order being
obtained, the SPEAKER, as usual, read the Answer of the PRESIDENT from
the chair.
THURSDAY, November 30.
THOMPSON J. SKINNER, from Massachusetts, appeared, and took his seat.
_Memorial of Quakers._
Mr. GALLATIN presented the following memorial of certain citizens,
called Quakers, in the name of the annual meeting of that body, lately
held in Philadelphia.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States in Congress assembled_:
The memorial and address of the people called Quakers, from
their yearly meeting held in Philadelphia, by adjournments
from the 25th of the 9th month, to the 29th of the same,
inclusive, 1797, respectfully showeth:
That, being convened, at this our annual solemnity, for the
promotion of the cause of truth and righteousness, we have
been favored to experience religious weight to attend our
minds, and an anxious desire to follow after those things
which make for peace; among other investigations the
oppressed state of our brethren of the African race has
been brought into view, and particularly the circumstances
of one hundred and thirty-four in North Carolina, and many
others whose cases have not so fully come to our
knowledge, who were set free by members of our religious
society, and again reduced into cruel bondage, under the
authority of existing or retrospective laws; husbands and
wives, and children, separated, one from another; which, we
apprehend to be an abominable tragedy, and with other acts,
of a similar nature, practised in other States, has a
tendency to bring down the judgments of a righteous God
upon our land.
This city and neighborhood, and some other parts, have been
visited with an awful calamity, which ought to excite an
inquiry in the cause and endeavors to do away those things
which occasion the heavy clouds that hang over us. It is
easy with the Almighty to bring down the loftiness of men
by diversified judgments, and to make them fear the rod and
Him that hath appointed it.
We wish to revive in your view the solemn engagement of
Congress, made in the year one thousand seven hundred and
seventy-four, as follows:
"And, therefore, we do for ourselves, and the inhabitants
of the several colonies, whom we represent, firmly agree
and associate, under the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and
love of our country, as follows:
"Article 2. We will neither import nor purchase any slaves
imported after the first day of December next, after which
time we will wholly discontinue the slave trade, and will
neither be concerned in it ourselves, nor will we hire our
vessels, nor sell our commodities or manufactures to those
who are concerned in it.
"Article 3. And will discountenance and discourage every
species of extravagance and dissipation, especially
horse-racing, and all kinds of gaming, cock-fighting,
exhibitions of shows, plays, and other expensive diversions
and entertainments."
This was a solemn league and covenant, made with the
Almighty in an hour of distress, and He is now calling upon
you to perform and fulfil it; but how has this solemn
covenant been contravened by the wrongs and cruelties
practised upon the poor African race, the increase of
dissipation and luxury, and the countenance and
encouragement given to play-houses, and other vain
amusements! And how grossly is the Almighty affronted on
the day of the celebration of Independence! What rioting
and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness! to the great
grief of sober inhabitants, and the disgrace of our
national character.
National evils produce national judgments; we therefore
fervently pray the Governor of the Universe may enlighten
your understandings and influence your minds, so as to
engage you to use every exertion in your power, to have
these things redressed.
With sincere desires for your happiness here and hereafter,
and that, when you come to close this life, you may
individually be able to appeal as a ruler did formerly:
"Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked
before thee, in truth and with a perfect heart, and have
done that which is good in thy sight."
We remain your friends and fellow-citizens.