Constitution of the Pennsylvania society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage. Begun in the year 1774, and enlarged on the 23d of April, 1787. All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matt. VII. 12. It having pleased the Creator of the world, to make of one flesh, all the children of men—it becomes them to consult and promote each other’s happiness, as members of the same family, however diversified they may be, by colour, situation, religion or different states of society. It is more especially the duty of those persons, who profess to maintain for themselves the rights of human nature, and who acknowledge the obligations of christianity, to use such means as are in their power, to extend the blessings of freedom to every part of the human race; and in a more particular manner, to such of their fellow-creatures, as are entitled to freedom, by the laws and constitutions of any of the united states, and who, not withstanding, are detained in bondage by fraud or violence. From a full conviction of the truth and obligation of these principles—from a desire to diffuse them, wherever the miseries and vices of slavery exist, and in humble confidence of the favour and support of the Father of mankind, the subscribers have associated themselves under the title of the “Pennsylvania society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondate.”

For effecting these purposes, they have adopted the following constitution:

I. The officers of the society shall consist of a president, two vice-presidents, two secretaries, a treasurer, four counsellors, and electing committee of twelve, and an acting committee of six members; all of whom, except the last named committee, shall be chosen annually by ballot, on the first second-day called Monday, in the month called January.

II. The president, or, in his absence, one of the vice-presidents, shall preside in all the meetings, and subscribe all the public acts of the society. The president, or, in his absence, either of the vice presidents, shall moreover, have the power of calling a special meeting of the society whenever he shall judge proper. A special meeting shall likewise be called at any time, when six members of the society shall concur in requesting it.

III. The secretaries shall keep fair records of the proceedings of the society, and shall correspond with such persons and societies, as may be judged necessary to promote the views and objects of the institution.

IV. The treasurer shall keep all the monies and securities belonging to the society; and shall pay all orders signed by the president or one of the vice-presidents: which orders shall be his vouchers for his expenditures. He shall, before he enters upon his office, give a bond of not less than two hundred pounds for the faithful discharge of the duties of it.

V. The business of the counsellors shall be, to explain the laws and constitutions of the states, which relate to the emancipation of slaves; and to urge their claims to freedom, when legal, before such persons or courts, as are authorised to decide upon them.

VI. The electing committee shall have the sole power of admitting new members. Two thirds of them shall be a quorum for this purpose: and the concurrence of a majority of them, by ballot, when met, shall be necessary for the admission of a member. No member shall be admitted, who has not been proposed at a general meeting of the society; nor shall an election for a member take place in less than one month after the time of his being proposed. Foreigners, or persons who do not reside within the state, may be elected corresponding members of the society, without being subject to any annual payment: and shall be admitted to the meetings of the society, during their residence in the state.

VII. The acting committee shall transact such business as shall occur, in the recess of the society, and report the same, at each quarterly meeting. They shall have a right, with the concurrence of the president, or one of the vice-presidents, to draw upon the treasurer, for such sums of money as shall be necessary to carry on the business of their appointment. Four of them shall be a quorum. After their first election, two of their number shall be relieved from duty at each quarterly meeting: and two members shall be appointed to succeed them.

VIII. Every member, upon his admission, shall subscribe the constitution of the society, and contribute ten shillings annually in quarterly payments, towards defraying its contingent expenses. If he neglects to pay the same for more than two years, he shall, upon due notice being given him of his delinquency, cease to be a member.

IX. The society shall meet on the first second-day called Monday, in the months called January, April, July, and October, at such place as shall be agreed to by a majority of the society.

X. No person holding a slave, shall be admitted a member of the society.

XI. No law or regulation shall contradict any part of the constitution of the society, nor shall any law or alteration in the constitution be made, without being proposed at a previous meeting. All questions shall be decided, where there is a division, by a majority of votes. In those cases, where the society is equally divided, the presiding officer shall have a casting vote.

The present officers of the society. President: Benjamin Franklin. Vice-presidents: James Pemberton, Jonathan Penrose. Secretaries: Benjamin Rush, Tench Coxe. Treasurer: James Starr. Counsellors: William Lewis, John D. Coxe. Miers Fisher, William Rawle.

Vol. No. V.