A Visit To The United States In 1841 | Page 9

fair-seeming
rule of discipline was frequently evaded. First, a church member
wishing to turn his negroes into cash, begins by making their yoke
heavier, and their life a burden. Next they are thrown in the way of
decoy slaves, belonging to Woolfolk, or some other dealer, who
introduce themselves to the intended victims, for the purpose of
expatiating on the privileges enjoyed by the slaves of so indulgent a
master as theirs; and thus the poor unhappy dupes would be persuaded
to go and petition to be sold, and so the rule of discipline, above cited,
would be literally complied with. So great, generally, is the dread of
being sold to the South, that my informant said the larger number of
runaways escape when the price is high, as the danger of being sold is
then most imminent. The greater proportion of those who thus
emancipate themselves are domestics, owing to their superior
intelligence, and their opportunities of ascertaining the best mode of
escape.
On the 16th, I met the Executive Committee of the American and
Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, at their office, No. 128 Fulton street,
New York. The chair was taken by the President of the Society. The
subject under discussion was the best time and place of holding another
Convention of the friends of the anti-slavery cause from all parts of the
world. After deliberate consideration, the following resolutions were
unanimously adopted.
Resolved, -- "That this Committee fully recognise and adopt the
principles upon which the General Anti-Slavery Convention, held in
London last year, was convened, and upon which it acted; that we feel
greatly encouraged by the results of its meetings, and that we would
strongly recommend our transatlantic friends to summon a second
Convention in London, at about the same period in 1842; and that in
the event of their doing so, we will use our best exertions to promote a
good representation of American abolitionists on the occasion."
Resolved, -- "That we deeply sympathize with the British and Foreign

Anti-Slavery Society, in their noble efforts for the abolition of slavery
and the slave-trade; that we assure them of our hearty co-operation in
their well devised plans and energetic labors; and that so long as the
slave question -- in connection with the promotion of the rights of the
free people of color -- and nothing else, is admitted to a place in
anti-slavery meetings, they may expect the co-operation of all
true-hearted abolitionists throughout the world, in carrying forward the
great objects of our associations to a glorious consummation."
I returned to Philadelphia on the afternoon of the 17th, but before
leaving my hotel in New York, informed one of the proprietors that I
intended being in that city on the week of the anniversaries of the
Religious and Benevolent Institutions; that as I took a lively interest in
the anti-slavery question, it was probable some of my friends among
the people of color would call upon me, and that if he, or any of his
southern customers objected to this, I would go elsewhere; he answered
that he had no objection, and even intimated his belief that public
opinion was undergoing a favorable change in reference to this
prejudice. Although I did not arrive in Philadelphia till near midnight, I
found my kind friends, Samuel Webb and wife waiting to receive me,
whose hospitable dwelling I made my home, whenever I afterwards
lodged in this city. Samuel Webb is one of the few on whose shoulders
the burden of the anti-slavery cause mainly rests in Philadelphia. He is
a practical man, conversant with business, thoroughly acquainted with
the anti-slavery subject in all its phases, and a strenuous advocate for
bringing political influence to bear upon the question. He was one of
the most active in promoting the erection of Pennsylvania Hall, a
beautiful edifice designed to be open to the use of the anti-slavery
societies; which was no sooner so appropriated than it was destroyed
by a mob in the 5th Month, (May,)
1838. The fire-scathed ruin of this building yet stands a conspicuous
token that the principles of true liberty, though loudly vaunted, are
neither understood nor enjoyed in this Capital of a free republic. If
freedom of thought, of speech, of the press, and the right of petition had
been realities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hall would have been yet
standing. Samuel Webb has since taken the chief labor of an appeal to

the legal tribunals for compensation for this infamous destruction of
property, and a jury have at length awarded damages, though to a very
inadequate amount.
During the ensuing week I was chiefly occupied in attending the
Philadelphia Friends' Yearly Meeting. In the intervals of the sittings, I
had many opportunities of meeting "Friends" from whom I received
much kindness, and many more