Abolitionism | The Constitution of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery

Abolitionism

The Constitution of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and the Relief of Free Negroes, unlawfully held in Bondage ... Philadelphia: Printed by Francis Bailey for the Society, 1788

8vo (201 x 121 mm). 29 pp.; lightly toned, closed split to inner margin of title page. Early blue paper wrappers; stitching lacking but partially adhered, dampstained. Housed in a folding cloth chemise. 

In 1774 Anthony Benezet called the first meeting of the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully held in Bondage; most of its members were Quakers. The Society grew in numbers and reorganized several times; and it was joined by such prominent figures as Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush, who helped write the Society's new constitution.

In 1788 the group successfully petitioned the Pennsylvania legislature to amend the gradual abolition act of 1780. As a result of their petition, the legislature prohibited the transportation of enslaved children or pregnant women out of Pennsylvania, as well as the building, outfitting, or issuing of slave ships from Philadelphia. The amended act also made it illegal to separate enslaved families by more than 10 miles and imposed heavier fines for kidnapping.

REFERENCE:

ESTC W30522; Evans 21831