Reverend David Barrow's Petition of the "Kentucky Abolition Society"
October 18th & 19th, 1815
The transcrbed petition appears here first with the scanned documents below.
The Honourable the Speaker, & Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress Assembled.
The Petition of “The Kentucky Abolition Society,” at their annual Meeting, holden in Franklin County, Kentucky, near Frankfort, October 18th & 19th 1815. Respectfully showeth.
Whereas, great Numbers of Slaves have been emancipated in different Parts of the United States, and it may be expected from the Genius of our Government, & from a Spirit of Benevolence that is taking Place among all Classes of Citizens, that the Number will be greatly increased; – and whereas they are not allowed the Privileges of free Citizens where they are emancipated, & most of the States and Territories, have passed Laws to prevent this Class of human Beings from emigrating to them, and from their poor & degraded Situation where they at present reside, are suffering many Privations from want of Room and Opportunities for the Expansion of Genius & Encouragement to Industry; – and whereas, there are vast Tracts of unappropriated Lands within the Boundaries of these United States — and as we now enjoy a Time of Peace & Prosperity, opening the Way & enviting [sic] Government to so benevolent a Project: – we also must earnestly (and we have no Doubt, but that we substancially [sic] speak the Language of Thousands of our fellow Citizens) petition your honourable Body, that you cause a suitable Territory of Lands to be laid off, as an Asylum for all those Negroes & Mulattoes, who have been, and those who may be hereafter emancipated within the United States to reside in; – and that such Donations, Allowances, Encouragemints [sic] and Assistance be afforded them, as may be Necessary in conveying them theither, & settling them therein. – And that they be under such Regulations and Government in all Respects, as your Wisdom shall dictate. – Your friendly Attention, to this our humble Address, will ever be remembered by your dutiful, & much obliged Petitioners with Gratitude.–
Signed by order of the Society, in their annual Meeting, as above written.
