Charter Oak, 1838-03

              CHARTBR OAK.
VOL. I. F R E E P R I N C I P I , E S — F R E E MEN —
M arch] PUBLISHED BY THE CONNECTICVT
F R E E S P E E C H — A . N D A F R E E P R E S S. NO. 1.
CONNECTICUT A. S. CONVENTION.
A Convention of delegates from differ-ent
towns of Connecticut, assembled in the
City Hall, in Hartford, Feb. 28, 1886, to
organize a State Anti-Slavery Society.
The call under which the Convention met,
was as follows:—
** The undersigned invite all the citizcns
of Connecticut friendly to the immediate
emancipation of the slaves of pur^jountfy,
lo Bend del(5]gafes to a Convention to be held
at Hartford, on Wednesday, the 28 h of
February, 1838, in order to form a STATE
ANTI-SLAVERYSOCIETY. Individuals
in this State, and from other States, holding
the principles of Anti-Slavery Societies,
are also invited to attend tiie Convention.
Abolitionists in this State, and gentlemen
from other States, friendly to theanti sla-very
cause, wer® invited to take seats in
the Convention. The following names
were then enrolled:
HARTFORD COVNTV.
flbrf/orrf.
Daniel Burgcti,
I M. Uunce,
Ira Wabitor,
iohn A. Smith,
itiiriSf^^ pmVr!,' *
A. Montrredy,
Wuodbridge Bodtvell,
Horneo E. Goodwin,
James B. Goiidwiti,
Bev. I. N. Sprngue,
" Jnci Hawei,
H. L. Bidwell,
iSelab Treat,
I. W. BliM,
Isaac I. Spnrrr.
Rev Jiihn N'. Ma «• We propose the formation of a State Daiid'siaVsh^^ii""^
•ciety, that our influenco may
be more ! George Wiib. rfirce Prince.
Avon.
Society, mtluenco efficient, and that the great cause in which
we are engaged, may be carried on with } KchS^T'^'
more energy. Kensington.
" We believe we have a right, and that MUo Hotchki»«.
it is our duty, to do all th.it we can, con- Briiatn.
sistently with the Constitution and laws, to paTaK'
abolish slavery in our land: we enter-tain
no Ui«pian project of ' letting loose*
all the slaves: but we propose to have
them placed under equal and just laws; to
deliver them from the yoke of oppression,
and give them liberty.
" We believe the sys'em of slavery in
our country ought to be abolished, because
it is fraught with evil to the slave and the
slaveholder; and we believe it can be done,
because it has been done in other coun-tries,
not only without injury, but with posi-tive
good to all parties. We believe it
ought to be done, because it is wrong in it-self:
contrary to human rights: and con-! Samueis Caae,'
trary to the spirit of the Bible.
Eli B. Smiih,
Alfred Andrews.
BlishaMix,
E. B. Lewis,
Norman Hart,
Ira Stanley. Jr.,
David W. Whittlesey,
i Thomia Stanley.
Bloomfield.
David N. Brown,
Jamei B. Waterman.
Briitof.
Rev. Ha'vey Husteil,
Newel Byington,
Rev. Francis Ilawley.
Burlington.
Rev. Erastas Scranton.
Canton.
Norman N. Btdwell,
Rev. Jairus Burt,
pr.
W. C. Humphrey.
East Hartford.
Elias C. Scott,
James Caae,
" We believe that a state of things which
forbids the reading of the Bible; which
deprives men of property in themselves;
wtiich does not recognize the institution of EiamChapin.
marriage; which is continually rending i Elijah T^uTLT""
asunder the most tender lies; and the ha- Daniel Buck,
bitual tendency of which is to degrade so^Vmon cowi^s, ad.
men to the condition of brutes, ought to be
changed immediately. i s X e i bemTng,'
" Wo know that we have no power, and
no right to abrogate the laws of the slave-holding
States; and we disclaim it. We
do not propose to the slave, to arise, and
vindicate his rights; but we propose the
only course which will prevent it.
" The only means we wish to use are a
moral influence; a concentration of public
opinion ; a diffusion of light and knowledge
on the subject; which will convince and
persuade our southern brethren that it is
not only right for them to free the slaves,
but that the best interests of our country
require it.''
This call was signed by about 2000 per.
sons, nearly all of whom were legal voters.
Hon. PHILIP PEARL, ol Hampton, was
chosen Chairman pro, tern., and Thomas
Kinne, Jr., of Norwich, Secretary pro. tern.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr.
Hawes, of Hartford. ' A n w <wu
A committee to nominate officers for the i
Convention, reported as follows:
FOR PRESIDENT.
Hon. Edwards Clarke, of Wiodham.
FOR VICE PRESIDENTS.
Hon. PhUip Pearl, ofHampton,
Ckas. Skermaa, Esq., of Soffield,
Dr. Isaac JenBiBg>,of Deiby,
Feuner Bash, Esq., of Meridea,
C«eo. Read, Esq., of Deep River,
Hon. George Skarpe. of Pomfret,
Roger Mills, Esq.* New Hartford,
Natn O. Kellogg, Esq., of Yemoa.
rOE SBCRETABIBS.
R«v. Harrey Hasted, of Bristol,
Ckristopker C. CoMstoek, N. Loadoa,
George B* Riptoff Norwich.
A. F. Williams,
Richard Cowlos,
William H. Starr.
Asa Hawley,
Daniel Woodruff,
John T. Norton,
Seiah Richards,
Thomas Cowlcs,
Chaunccy D. Cowles,
Henry C. Bull,
David Hawley.
South Glatttnlmry.
Rev. George May.
Eatt Winiior.
Windsor Ward,
Moses Palmer,
Frank Grant.
E. Windtor Hill, (Tktol. Sem.)
Joel L Dickinson,
Lemuel Leonard,
Lemuel Pomroy.
UoMchMter.
Horace Pitkin,
H. B. Gardner.
Simibury.
Aagufctus R. Case.
SuJ/UM.
Joaiah McWhinnta.
Windsor
W'«f« Hartford.
Henry B. Porter,
John Porter, 3d,
Oliver S. Elmar.
Herman Hough,
Fenner Bush,
Rev. Arthur Granger.
Milford.
William Fenn,
Noah Kelsey.
J?EW tONtOff COUNTV.
i f m London.
Erafitus Denison,
ChiiUopherC. Comstocli.
Douglass W. Harn.!,
William Bolle«,
Rev. Calvin Phileo,
Luke »V. Rogers,
ISeabury Rogers,
lAbraham Gordon,
'S.B. Bailey,
|Gile:i Dart.
I i'ncaivilU.
' R«v. Aii«on Gleason.
j Montvil/r.
'Reuben Palmer,
lE. H. Palmer,
, I. L. Turner.
' yongirh.
iEUsha H. ManHfi' ld,
I Thomas Kinne, Jr.,
I yonoich Cily.
George B. Ripley.
' WINDHAM COVXp-.
I Brooklyn.
I George W. Benson,
I Nathan Witter.
; Rev. Tiiomas Huutingtun.
Ashford.
Tliomas C. Hayward.
Eaatford.
Willaid Lyon,
Rev Erastus Benton,
James IIowc,
Benjamin Bosworth,
Joseph Palmer, Jr.,
James H. Worli.
Central VilloBe.
William Stevens.
Chaplin.
J. C. Martin.
Hampton.
Jonathan Clark,
Philip Pearl,
i Plainjitld.
iCyrus M. Burleigh,
Abington.
George Sharpe,
Robert D. Sharpe,
Rev. N. S. Hunt.
WiUimanUc.
Joseph D. Fiteh.
Samuel L.Hill.
North Woodflock.
Albert G. Kendall.
NEW H-WEN COUNTV.
f f e v Hmttn.
Thomas WiUiamt,
P«t«r Oribom,
Amos TowDMnd, Jr.
YtUCoUtfe.
Henry S. Clark,
Horac* Oajr.
Dtrbi.
Isaac Jeaniogt.
MtrHtn.
Julios Pratt,
JoliiwYalt.
Hariow latoll
JolwYal*,
Walttr WaW>,
ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. HARTFORD. [1838.
nmhetltr (Centtt.)
Silas U. McAlphin.
Wokottille.
Lauren Watmore.
MIDnLtfsliX O^UNTV.
Mtddletown.
Robert fl.Pairchild,
Rev. Cd«r. R. Tyler,
Nath%ii Condot,
Bbennter Oe Forest,
BeT. David Plumb,
Eb^neicr Hoyes,
S. W. Orl«weld,
Rev. J . C. Btman,
J. G. Baldwin,
Samuel Condol,
Zar Bunnel,
Edmund Galpin,
Edward Mize,
Iia Gardner,
CI)arle.sR. Miller,
Lvman Clark,
William Lyman.
Wesltyan University.
Lnnsing Purler,
VV. L. W.ison,
W. H. T. Barnes.
Middletuun. {I'ppcr Houtes.)
Richard Warner.
Chester.
Ely Wurner.
Derp River.
George Rend.
TOl,t,AXD COUXTV.
folland.
Alviin Hibb.ird,
Charles P. Hibbard,
.Iohn railton,
Austin Kibbee,
E'iaha Stearns.
Bolton.
Lozi«n Fierce.
Hebron .
Rev. C. D. Rovers,
" Jhnios Shepard,
.tames M. Stanton.
Hope Vallty.
E. B. Culver,
». S. Norton.
Mamjield.
Jabez Adams,
J»hn Trumbull,
Zaimon
Jervna Bliss.
Vernon.
N. O. Kellogg,
Allen Kellogg.
George Kelloge.
Nathaniel C. Warren.
New York CiYy.
James G. Birney,
Ifenry B. Stanton,
W. A.Tappan.
Gretnwich, N. Y.
Rev. Nathaniel Colver.
Utica, N. r .
Rev. George Storrs.
Alton, Illinois.
Owen Lovejoy.
Quincy, Illinois.
Richard Eell.s.
Sondi-tfield, Mass.
Caleh Birge.
Boston, Mass.
Rev. Giles Pease.
Hudson, Ohio.
Lucius Mills.
The following persons were appointed a
committee to arrange the business of the
Convention. George W. Benson, E. R.
Tyler, Henry B. Stanton, Nathaniel Col.
ver, Austin F. Williams, James G. Birney,
and Geo. B. Ripley.
A constitution for a State Anti-Slavery
Society was presented by the committee,
and adopted, as follows :
CONSTITUTION
OF THK
CON'NECTICUT ANTI-SLAVERt SOCIETY.
LITCHriELD COUNTY.
Barkhamsted.
Orville Jones,
Nelson Gilbert,
William Stlllinan,
Virgil Taylor.
Colebrook.
Joel Lewis,
Peter Corbin.
Xorth Goshen.
ElishK Baldwin.
Harwinton.
Gaylord WelU,
Rev. R. M. Chipman.
Neu Hartford.
Roger Mills,
William Goodwin, Jr.
J^orfolk.
Benjamin Welch.
riymMth.
Stephen G. Bucknall,
John F Warner,
Orlando Swift,
La Fayette Comstock,
I Benedict Bull.
; Salisbury.
;G. W. sterling.
Terryvitte.
J. .C. Lewi*.
Torringford
Uriel Tuttle,
Burton Pond,
Pa leg Elmer..
William S. Baker,
Mllo Burr,
Thomas A. Millar,
Daniel G. Humphray,
John Lyman,
Erasmus D. Hudaon,
R. Rood.
WtsMngton.
Lawis A. Canftald,
William Laavitt,
John Gunn.
Rev. J. W. Alvard,
" DanialCoa,
JoDathaa CM,
WUIwdHolmi.
Ollvar Laomii.
PREAMBLE.
Whereas, The Most High God "hath
made of one blood all nations of men, to
dwell on all the face of the earth," and
hath commanded them to love their neigh-bors
&s themselves; and whereas ojr na-tional
existence is based upon the principle,
as recognised in the Declaration of Inde-pendence,
"That all men are created equal,
and that they are endowed by their Crea-tor
with certain inalienable rights, among
which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness," and whereas after the lapse of
more than sixty years, since the faith and
honor of the American people was pledged
to th^ avowal, before Almighty God and
the world, nearly one-sixth part of the na-tion
are held in bondage by their fellow-citizens
; and whereas, slavery is contrary
to th» principles of natural justice, of our
repujtiican form of government, and or the
Chri^ian religion, and is destructive to the
pros^rity of the country, while it is en-dantering
the peace, union, and liberties
of tw States ; and whereas, we believe it
the ^ty and interest of the masters imme-diatwy
to emancipate their slaves, and that
no ssheme of expatriation, either volunta-ry
or by compulsion, can remove this great
and increasing evil; and whereas we be-lieve
that it is practicable, by appeals to
the ^nsciences, hearts and interests of the
people, to awaken a public sentiment
throughout the nation, that will be opposed
to trie continuance of slavery in any part
of tl^ republic, and by effecting the speedy
abolition of slavery, prevent a general con*
vulsifn; and whereat we believe we owe
it to the oppressed, to our fellow.citicen8
who hold slaves, to our whole country, to
and to God, to do all that is law.
Cq»»TITtJTIOK.
ARTICLE I. This Society shall be called
the Connecticut Anti Slavery Society; and
shall e auxiliary to the American Anti-
Slavery Society. '
ART. 11. The object of this Society is
the entire abolition of slavery in the United
States. While it admits that each State in
which slavery exist.s, has, by the Constitu-tion
of tlje Un te.d states, the ^exclt^ive
righ\ 'o legislate in regard to its abolition
in said Slate, if shall aim to convince all
our fellow.citizens, by arguments address*
ed to their understandings and consciences, ,
that slaveholding is a heinous sin in the .
sight of God, and thai the duty, safety, and .
best interests of all concerned, require its^ ^
immediate abandonment, without expatria>
tion. The Society will also endeavor, in )
a constitutional way, to influence Congress ^
to put an end to the domestic slave trade, ^ •
and to abolish sluvcry in all thoss portions
of our common country which come under
its control, esjiecially in the District of
Columbia,—and likewise to prevent the ex-tension
of It to any stalts that may be here-after
admitted to the Union.
ART. III. This Society shall aim to ele-vate
the character and condition of the
3eople of color, by encouraging their intel-ectual,
moral, an l religious improvement,
and by removing public prejudice, that
thus they may, according to their intellec-tual
and moral worth, share sji equality
with the whites, of civil and religious privi.
leges; but this Society will never, in any
way, countenance the oppressed in vindi-cating
their rights by resorting to physical
force.
ART. IV. Any person who consen's to
the. principles of this Constitution, whp
contributes to the funds of this Society,
and is not a slaveholder, may become a
member of this society, and shall be entitled
to vote at the meetings.
ART. V. Any Anri-Slavery association
in this state, founded on the same pnnci-pies,
may become auxiliary to this Society.
The officers of each auxiliary, shall be ex-officio
members of this Society, and entitled
to deliberate and vote !n the transactions of
its concerns.
ART. VI. The officers of this Society
shall be a President, Vice Presidents, a
Secretary, a Treasurer and a Board of
Managers, composed of the above. And not
less than ten other members of the Society.
They shall be annually elected, and five
of them shall constitute a quorum.
ART. VII. The Board of Managers shall
annually elect an Executive Committee,
who shall have power to enact their own
by-laws, fill any vacancy in their body,
employ agents, direct the Treasurer in the
application o{ all moneys, and call special
meetings of the Society. They sballl
make arrangements for all meetings of
the Society,make an annual report of their
doings, the income, expenditures, and funds
of the society, and in general, adopt the
most energetic measures in their power to
advance the objects of the Society.
ART. VIII. The President shall preside
at all meetings of the Society, or in hit
absence, one of the Vice Presidents, or in
their absence, a President fro tern. The
Secretary shall conduct the correspoa«
dence ; notify all meetings of the Society,
and of the executive commi<tee, and keep
correct records of the same in separate
books. The treasurer 8 >all collect the
poatarity
fully in our power to bring about the ex<
tinction of slavery, we do hereby agrM,
with a prayerful reliance on the Divintaid,
to form ourselves into a society, to be gov.
eroed by the foltowing
subscriptions, make payment at tlie direc.
tion of the Executive Committee, and pre-sent
a written and audited account to ac*
company the annual re|>ort.
A»T. IZ. The annud meeting of the
Society shall be held on the Wedoeidax
next suoceediDg tht wcood Thunday ia
If