AN ADDRESS
OF THE
YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS,
HELD AT BALTIMOREOrganization Information ,
TO THOMAS
JEFFERSONPerson Information ,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED SATES:
AND HIS
REPLY.
[For the information of such as may read the following, we may state, that
this address is reprinted at this time, in order to promote, in the public mind, if possible, the same humane and benevolent feelings towards the Indians
that existed in the mind of THOMAS JEFFERSON
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
WE, the Representatives of the Yearly Meeting of Friends
Western Shore of Maryland, the adjacent parts of Pennsylvania and
Virginia, and the State of Ohio, being convened in the City of
Baltimore
minds engaged to address thee on behalf of ourselves, and the
religious society which we represent.
Permit us to say, that whilst we desire to be preserved from inter-
meddling
with the policy of those governments under which we live,
we believe it to
be our indispensable duty, consistently with that
Christian obligation,
with relation to governments, to lead a quiet
and
peaceable life under them, in all Godliness and honesty.
We feel gratitude to the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, in that
he hath
influenced the councils of the general government of our
country, to decide
upon several important subjects, agreeably to the
principles of eternal
justice and right.
Amongst the most prominent of those acts which claim our ap-
probation, we
are induced to notice thy efforts to preserve our coun-
try from the
ravages and calamities of war, by cultivating a dispo-
sition, and pursuing
a conduct, marked with conciliation and friend-
ship toward all those
nations with whom we have intercourse;
thereby avoiding those grounds of
dissention, which are often the
sources from whence this desolating scourge
has its origin, to the
reproach of Christianity. For, as we are firmly
persuaded of its
obligation as a righteous principle, so it is our fervent
desire, in re-
gard to all men, that even the smallest germ of enmity may
be era-
dicated. And our ardent prayer to the Father of the Universe is,
that, through the overruling order of his providence, the hearts and
understanding of his erring and contending creatures may be illu-
minated, so to behold the excellency of brotherly affection, as to be-
come willing to admit the spirit of reconciliation.
We are also bound to acknowledge those philanthropic exertions,
which have
been used to ameliorate the condition of the Indian na-
tives, by
introducing among them a knowledge of agriculture, and
some of the mechanic
arts. We sincerely congratulate thee on
their progress in cilvilization,
and the very encouraging prospect,
abundantly evinced, that this truly
benevolent and laudable under-
taking will ultimately be crowned with the
desired success--an un-
dertaking which, whilst it increasingly obviates
the wretchedness
of their former condition, converts them from dangerous
neigh-
bours to valuable friends.
But there remains a subject inexpressibly dear to our hearts,
which was
particularly interesting to our feelings. We rejoice in
the prospect of a
termination to the wrongs of Africa, and that a
traffic, heretofore
legalized in a district of our country, in its nature
abhorrent to every
just and tender sentiment, and reproachful to
humanity, to say nothing of
Christian principles, is inderdicted by
our government.--For the exertion
of thy influence, united with
the National Legislature (may we not say.) to
relieve our country,
from the complicated evils attendant upon this cruel
and inhuman
trade, we are engaged, through this medium, to testify our
warmest
approbation.
And may the future councils of our country yield to the influence
of Him,
who is called Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God,
The
Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace; so that the
exercise
of additional acts of justice and mercy, towards this greatly
oppressed
part of the human family, may utterly remove the cries
of oppression from
this highly-favored land.
ordering of Divine providence are set over us, we are thy friends.
Signed on behalf of the Meeting, by GERARD T. HOPKINS
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
RETURNED THE FOLLOWING ANSWER.
I thank you for the address you have kindly presented me, on
behalf of that
portion of the Society of Friends of which you are the
Representatives: and
I learn with satisfaction their approbation of
the principles which have
influenced the councils of the general
government, in their decisions on
several important subjects confided
to them.
The desire to preserve our country form the calamities and rava-
ges of war,
by cultivating a disposition, and pursuing a conduct,
conciliatory and
friendly to all nations, has been sincerely enter-
tained and faithfully
followed. It was dictated by the principles of
humanity, the precepts of
the Gospel, and the general wish of our
country; and it was not to be
doubted, that the Society of Friends,
with whom it is a religious
principle, would sanction it by their
support.
The same philanthropic motives have directed the public endea-
vours to
ameliorate the condition of the Indian natives, by introduc-
ing among them
a knowledge of agriculture and some of the me-
chanic arts, by encouraging
them to resort to these as more certain,
and less laborious resources for
subsistence, than the chase, and by
withholding from them the pernicious
supplies of ardent spirits.
They are our brethren, our neighbours; they may
be valuable
friends, of troublesome enemies. Both duty and interest then
en-
join, that we should extend to them the blessings of civilized life,
and prepare their minds for becoming useful members of the Ame-
rican
family. In this important work, I owe to your Society an
acknowledgment
that we have felt the benefits of their zealous co-
operation, and approved
its judicious direction towards producing
among those people habits of
industry, comfortable subsistence, and
civilized usages, as preparatory to
religious instruction, and the cul-
tivation of letters.
Whatever may have been the circumstances which influenced our
forefathers to
permit the introduction of personal bondage into any
part of these States,
and to participate in the wrongs committed on
an unoffending quarter of the
globe, we may rejoice that such cir-
cumstances, and such a sense of them,
exist no longer. It is hon-
ourable to the nation at large, that their
Legislature availed them-
selves, at the first practicable moment, for
arresting the progress of
this great moral and political error: and i
sincerely pray with you,
my friends, that all the members of the human
family, may, in the
time prescribed by the Father of us all, find
themselves securely es-
tablished in the enjoyments of life, liberty and
happiness.