At a meeting of the Pennſylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, &c. An eſſay of a Plan for improving the condition of Free Negroes, was preſented by the committee appointed to prepare it, which after deliberate conſideration was adopted as follows,
A Plan for improving the condition of the Free Blacks.
THE buſineſs relative to Free Blacks, ſhall be tranſacted by a committee of twenty-four perſons, annually elected by ballot, at the meeting of this ſociety in the month called April; and in order to perform the different ſervices, with expedition, regularity and energy; this committee ſhall reſolve itſelf into the following ſub-committees, viz.
I.
A committee of Inſpection, who ſhall ſuperintend the morals, general conduct, and ordinary ſituation of the Free Negroes, and afford them advice and inſtruction; protection from wrongs; and other friendly offices.
II.
A committee of Guardians, who ſhall place out children and young people with ſuitable perſons, that they may (during a moderate time of apprenticeſhip, or ſervitude) learn ſome trade or other buſineſs of ſubſiſtence. The committee may effect this partly by a perſuaſive influence on parents, and the perſons concerned; and partly by co-operating with the laws which are, or may be enacted for this, and ſimilar purpoſes; in forming contracts on theſe occaſions, the committee ſhall ſecure to the ſociety, as far as may be practicable, the right of guardianſhip, over the perſons ſo bound.
III.
A committee of Education, who ſhall ſuperintend the ſchool-inſtruction of the children, and youth of the Free Blacks; they may either influence them to attend regularly the ſchools already eſtabliſhed in this city, or form others with this view; they ſhall in either caſe provide that, the pupils may receive ſuch learning, as is neceſſary for their future ſituation in life; and eſpecially a deep impreſſion of the moſt important, and generally acknowledged moral and religious principles. They ſhall alſo procure, and preſerve a regular record of the marriages, births, and manumiſſions of all Free Blacks.
IV.
A committee of Employ, who ſhall endeavour to procure conſtant employment for thoſe Free Negroes, who are able to work: as the want of this would occaſion poverty, idleneſs, and many vicious habits. This committee will, by ſedulous enquiry, be enabled to find common labour for a great number; they will alſo provide, that ſuch as indicate proper talents, may learn various trades, which may be done by prevailing upon them to bind themſelves for ſuch a term of years, as ſhall compenſate their maſters for the expenſe and trouble of inſtruction, and maintenance. The committee may attempt the inſtitution of ſome uſeful, and ſimple manufactures, which require but little ſkill, and alſo may aſſiſt in commencing buſineſs, ſuch as appear to be qualified for it.
Whenever the committee of inſpection, ſhall find perſons of any particular deſcription, requiring attention, they ſhall immediately direct them to that committee, of whoſe care they are the proper objects.
In matters of a mixed nature the committees ſhall confer, and if necessary act in concert. Affairs of great importance, ſhall be referred to the whole committee.
The expenſe incurred by the proſecution of this plan, ſhall be defrayed by a fund to be formed by donations, or ſubſcriptions for theſe particular purpoſes, and to be kept ſeparate from the other funds of this ſociety.
The committee ſhall make a report of their proceedings, and of the ſtate of their ſtock to the ſociety at their quarterly meetings, in the months called April and October.
Philadelphia: Printed by FRANCIS BAILEY.
