To the Marquis of Fayette—

We are engaged in a cause which we conceive to be of the utmost importance to the honor of the United States of America & to the happiness & Natural rights of Mankind

The final purposes of our Society are the suppression of the Slave trade & the gradual abolition of Slavery itself. In the mean time we consider it as our indispensible duty to endeavour by all means in our power to alleviate the miseries of those unhappy People, who are doomed to taste of the bitter cup of perpetual Servitude.

The distinguished character you bear throughout our country, & our firm confidence in your Goodness & Philanthropy have induced us to address you on the interesting objects of our Institution—

This present age has been distinguished by a remarkable Revolution. The human mind has felt its influence. Mankind begin at last to consider themselves as Members of one family. The groans of our distressed & injured bretheren from the Slaves of Africa have at length reached the ears of the Citizens of the United States—Most of our Legislatures have already abolished the Slave trade, & a provision has been made in the general Constitution, which we trust will effect it completely. Great Britain has felt the same spirit of humanity & justice, & her public papers have been filled with the most pathetic & nervous Petitions to her Parliament to abolish this inquitous traffic. But from the influence of national prejudices & jealousies there is too much reason to apprehend that nothing effectual will be done in this business untill France concurs in it, of which we cannot but entertain this most pleasing expectation. We indulge ourselves in the hope that a king, who has so recently distinguished himself by banishing from his Dominion religious oppressions will not permit the Increase of this most grievous of all civil ones, & we cannot believe that the great nation over which he reigns will continue to pursue this disgraceful Commerce in the human Species—

We request your acceptance of the enclosed Copies of the Constitution of our Society & of the Laws now in force in Pennsylvania for the prohibition of the Slave trade & the final abolition of Slavery—

Signed by order of the Society

To Monsieur Dupont— Sir

The President of the Society for the abolition &ca. communicated to us an extract from your letter to him respecting the abolition of the Slave trade—

We rejoice in finding a Gentlemen of your Character & influence disposed to aid us in the work in which we are engaged. We conceive no better method of effecting this can be adopted than by instituting Societies in your Country similar to ours, & by circulating publications calculated to expose the iniqutiy of the Slave trade throughout every part of the extensive Dominions of the king of France—

We request your acceptance of the enclosed copies of the Constitution of our Society, & of the Laws that are now in force in Pennsylvanial for abolishing negro Slavery— Signed per order