On the 12th. of the present Month, I was favoured with your Letter, of the 12th. of January last, in Behalf of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and the Relief of free Negroes unlawfully held in Bondage; and I beg your Excellency to return my Thanks to the Society for the Copies of their Constitution, the Laws of Pennsylvania relating to one of the Objects of their Institution, and the Copy of Thomas Clarkson’s Essay on the Commerce and Slavery of the Africans—of which they have been pleased to request my Acceptance.

It is with Pleasure I can assure your Excellency of the Progress, in this State, of those Principles founded in Humanity and a regard to the general Rights of Mankind, which are calculated to put a Stop to the Slavery and Miseries of their Fellow Creatures. To effect this Purpose a very considerable number of reputable and influential Characters in this State, have associated themselves to form a State Society, and are to have a Meeting shortly for establishing a Constitution, which I believe will be made similar to that of the Pennsylvania Society; and I trust that these Principles will daily become more diffused, and that their Operation will finally remove from our Country the Practice of Slavery, so injurious to the Africans and their Descendants, and so derogatory of our ——— Character for Humanity and Justice. I am, with sincere Esteem for your Excellency, and my best Wishes for the Success of the Society, Your Excellency’s obedient humble Servant,