British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY AND THE SLAVE-TRADE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. ADDRESS. Combined and strenuous efforts for the universal extinction of Slavery and the Slave-trade having been judged needful, a meeting of Delegates and Friends to the cause, assembled from various parts of the United Kingdom, was held at Exeter Hall, London, on the 17th and 18th of April, 1839, at which the following resolutions were unanimously adopted as the basis of this Society : : I. That the name of this Society be, "The British and Foreign Antislavery Society." II. That the objects of this Society be the universal extinction of Slavery and the Slave-trade, and the protection of the rights and interests of the enfranchised population in the British possessions, and of all persons captured as slaves. III. That the following be the fundamental principles of the Society-that so long as Slavery exists there is no reasonable prospect of the annihilation of the Slave-trade, and of extinguishing the sale and barter of human beings; that the extinction of Slavery and the Slave-trade will be attained most effectually by the employment of those means which are of a moral, religious, and pacific character : and that no measures be resorted to by this Society in the prosecution of these objects but such as are in entire accordance with these principles. IV. That the following be among the means to be employed by this Society: 1. To circulate, both at home and abroad, accurate information on the enormities of the Slave-trade and Slavery; to furnish evidence to the inhabitants of Slave-holding countries not only of the practicability, but of the pecuniary advantage of free labour; to diffuse authentic intelligence respecting the results of emancipation in Hayti, the British Colonies, and elsewhere: to open a correspondence with Abolitionists in America, France, and other countries, and to encourage them in the prosecution of their objects by all methods consistent with the principles of this Society. 2. To recommend the use of free-grown produce, as far as practicable, in preference to slave-grown, and to promote the adoption of fiscal regulations in favour of free labour. 3. To obtain the unequivocal recognition of the principle, that the Slave, of whatever clime or colour, entering any portion of the British Dominions, shall be free, the same as upon the shores of the United Kingdom, and to carry this principle into full and complete effect. 4. To recommend that every suitable opportunity be embraced for evincing, in our intercourse with Slaveholders and their apologists, our abhorrence of the system which they uphold, and our sense of its utter incompatibility with the spirit of the Christian religion. V. That every person who subscribes not less than ten shillings annually, or makes a donation of five pounds or upwards, shall be a member of this Society. VI. That the Society be under the management of a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Committee of not less than twenty-one persons, who shall be annually elected, and shall have power to fill up vacancies, and to add to their number. VII. That there be held in London a general meeting of the subscribers once in each year, at which a report of the proceedings, and a financial statement shall be presented, and a Committee and Officers elected. VIII. That the Committee have power to transact all business of the Society in the intervals of the general meetings, and to convene special general meetings of the Society when necessary. IX. That it be recommended to the Anti-slavery friends throughout the world, to form Auxiliary Societies upon the principles of, and in connexion with, this Society. X. That Auxiliary Societies be empowered annually to appoint,-and where such Auxiliaries are not formed, the Committee shall have power annually to appoint,—one or more corresponding members, who shall be at liberty to attend and vote at all meetings of the Committee in London ; and that the Committee shall also be authorised to appoint annually Honorary Corresponding members who shall have the same privileges. XI. That the Committee do invite and encourage the formation of Ladies' Branch Associations in furtherance of the objects of this Society. XII. That the following gentlemen be the Committee and Officers of this Society. Rt. Hon. Sir S. LUSHINGTON WILLIAM ALLEN GEORGE STACEY WILLIAM BALL ROBERT FORSTER JOHN BEAUMONT GEOEGE BENNET JOSIAH FORSTER Rev. J. H. HINTON HENRY STERRY STAFFORD ALLEN. RICHARD BARRETT SAMUEL GURNEY Rev. JOHN WOODWARK L. C. LECESNE Dr. THOMAS PRICE Treasurer.-G. W. ALEXANDER, Lombard Street. Honorary Secretary.-J. H. TREDGOLD, 41, Wellclose Square. The Committee, according to instruction from the same Meeting, deem it among their first duties to issue the present address to the public, both at home and abroad, on the formation of the Society. The continuance of the great evil of slavery in so many countries, in connexion with the enormities of the traffic in slaves,-enormities proved by late official documents to be of increasing extent, induce the belief that a strong and united effort should be made to promote the influence of principles, subversive both of the Slave-trade and of the system of slavery, among the people of those countries, in which this means has been, hitherto, but partially employed. Having, under the blessing of Divine Providence, witnessed the emancipation of slaves in the British colonies (Mauritius alone at present excepted), and subsequently the termination of their apprenticeship, it must not be forgotten that these events were brought about, in very great measure, by appeal to the moral and religious principles of the nation. Neither should we forget, that slavery, with all the demoralization, cruelty, and oppression, which have ever marked it, exists in British India, in the colonies of several of the nations of Europe, in the United States of America, in Texas, and in the Empire of Brazil. The enormity of this evil in South America, Cuba, and others of the West India Islands, is attended by a feature which did not, within the last few years, mark the slavery in our own colonies. In those countries, the system is kept up by a large supply from year to year, of newly-imported Africans, introduced by a contraband trade in slaves carried on principally by Spaniards and Portuguese. The Slave-trade, though abolished by Great Britain more than thirty years ago, and though during the great part of that time. British cruisers have been employed on the coast of Africa, for its suppression, is, to the present day, prosecuted to as large an extent, and with as many instances of atrocious barbarity, as at any former period. Experience has long ago proved, that whilst there continues a demand for any article which can be obtained, the demand will be met with a supply, either by lawful or unlawful means; especially if the trade in that article be attended with a profit covering the risk of detection and seizure. This being pre-eminently the case in reference to the trade in slaves, it continues unmitigated in its appalling amount of human misery, notwithstanding all that has been done by expenditure of treasure and of life, or by treaties and negociations. Thus there seems no other effectual means of cutting off the supply than by extinguishing the demand; and hence a most strong inducement arises to aim with energy at the termination of slavery, especially in the new world. After what we have seen at home, why should we despair of the same results being effected by the application of the same means66 MEANS OF A MORAL, RELIGIOUS, AND PACIFIC CHARACTER?" Among those means, collateral to such as are stated under the four of the foregoing resolutions, will be a strict inquiry into the state of those negroes who, released from captivity by the capture of slave-ships, are taken to Sierra Leone, or to the West Indies; and of all such persons wherever they may be found. Although the present undertaking be thus comprehensive and arduous, calling for special dependence on the Divine blessing in its prosecution; yet much encouragement is derived, not merely from the recollection of what has been already accomplished in this great cause; but from the conviction that it is one adapted to engage the interest and secure the co-operation of those who form the real strength of every community and country. At the same time the difficulties which British abolitionists have had to contend with, in the attainment of their object, gives them a lively sense of those which may obstruct the labourers in the same work in foreign lands. In the sympathy which is thus awakened, we tender them our cordial co-operation by all the means in our power, consistent with the principles on which this Society is founded. Free communication on their part, with information how they can be most effectually assisted, is earnestly invited. Correspondence, according to the suggestion of the first resolution, with our friends abroad, is indeed highly desirable: so also in all our own colonies, where slavery has been recently abolished, and in Hayti; and that amongst other information, comparative notices should be forwarded to us of the condition of the population, morally and physically, as slaves and as freemen. With respect to auxiliary associations in the United Kingdom, so essential to the efficiency of the Society, we would suggest the importance of uniformity in their foundation, upon the constitution and regulations of the Parent Society. Upon such Associations its resources must mainly depend, and no time should be lost by our friends in the country in active exertion for the formation of these, and of Ladies' Branch Associations. Communications to be addressed to J. H. TREDGOLD, Honorary Secretary of the Society, at the Office, 27, New Broad Street. Donations and Subscriptions will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, or Secretary, or any member of the Committee. J, Haddon, Printer, Castle Street, Finsbury, QUERIES OF THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. PAGE. V. Are there any slaves imported into the United States |