Minutes of the First Colored Convention, held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841

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               <p> At a meeting of colored citizens favorable to a call for a State Convention, held
                  in the city of <placeName>Portland</placeName>, <date when="1841-06-11">June
                     11th, 1841</date>, <persName ref="#AF01">A. N. Freeman</persName> in the
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                  happiness of our fellow men, are objects of the highest moment, then we are loudly
                  called upon to cultivate and extend the great principles of Virtue and Truth: and
                  therefore Resolved, That it is expedient to hold a Convention of the people of
                  color in this State the ensuing Fall, for mutual consultation, and the general
                  benefit of our people. </p>
               <p> The undersigned were appointed a committe to prepare and issue an address to our
                  people.This they submit as <hi rend="uppercase">A CALL</hi> to the Colored
                  citizens of <placeName>Maine</placeName> and <placeName>N. Hampshire</placeName>. </p>
               <p> Fellow Citizens; We invite your attention to this Call of a State Convention to
                  be held in the city of <placeName>Portland</placeName> on <date when="1841-10-06"
                     >Wednesday, the 6th day of October</date> next. </p>
               <p> Brethren, we think this meeting ought to be regarded, and hope it will be with
                  peculiar interest by every Colored man and woman among us, and no pains spared to
                  render it interesting and profitable. </p>
               <p> Our own, our native land demands, our posterity, our enslaved brethren, and our
                  own interests for time and eternity, demand an immediate effort for our moral and
                  intellectual elevation. The consideration and adoption of the means to these great
                  ends we ought no longer to defer. </p>
               <p> As individuals we must mainly achieve our high purposes, yet it is proper and
                  necessary for us to embody our efforts.—We shall need all the counsel, sympathy,
                  encouragement and strength of union; and by it, with the blessing of
                     <persName>God</persName>, we may wisely plan, and successfully accomplish the
                  mightiest enterprise. We need a nucleus around which may gather the moral energy
                  of our whole population: and we beg of you a candid and prayerful attention to
                  this matter. Citizens, as you love your country, and would have it a mountain of
                  holiness and a dwelling place of righteousnoss, think of the subject and come.
                  Fathers, would you have the paths of wisdom, honor and profit opened to, and every
                  encouragement given to your beloved offspring to walk in them, consider it well,
                  and come. Mothers, withhold not your influence. The characters of
                     <persName>Newton</persName>, <persName>Wesley</persName>,
                     <persName>Whitfield</persName> and <persName>Washington</persName> tell of the
                  powers of maternal influence. We may have noble minds among our people.—Exert your
                  influence to furnish occasion and encouragement that they may be ornaments to
                  society and blessings to mankind. </p>
               <p> Come all. A trodden down and peeled people ought not to rest. Oppression is not
                  heaven inherited by any one. Such a condition is not, cannot be consistent with
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                  means for our full emancipation are within our reach; and we cannot longer refuse
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               <p> The subjects which will come up for consideration and action, are many and great.
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               <p> Next to our personal relations to our <persName>Heavenly Father</persName> , the
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                  feel it in our relations to man. And the power it has given to others, it offers
                  to us. Through the goodness of <persName>God</persName> knowledge is held to our
                  lips and we may drink even to that which is life eternal. It has no prejudices,
                  but whosoever will, may come. </p>
               <p> We are identified with the poor, suffering, bleeding slave of the
                     <geogName>South</geogName>. He is our brother. The claims of kin are added to
                  the claims of humanity upon us to labor directly and heartily with the
                  philanthropist, to undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free. The
                  condition of our enslaved brethren greatly affects our own. We cannot expect the
                  full enjoyment of all our rights while the influence of Slavery is felt in our
                  land. </p>
               <p> The baneful influence of intemperance has been felt by multitudes among us.
                  Prejudice is, alas! too strong without any cause. None of us, therefore, by
                  intemperance or any vicious indulgence, should contribute in the least to foster
                  it. Temperance is proving a blessing to all who embrace her. Elevating and
                  purifying, her ways are pleasantness, and her paths peace. And in her ways alone
                  is there certainty of final triumph. </p>
               <p> We would also ask your attention to the important subject of the future
                  occupations of our offspring. The employment naturally affects the disposition and
                  mind as well as the condition. Some corrupt the principles; others contract the
                  mind ; while others leave its powers stagnant. If such employments do not degrade
                  they cannot have an elevating tendency. Our aims require that their minds and
                  hearts be guarded from all evil influences; that their occupations be favorable to
                  the developement and cultivation of the mind; consistant with sound principle;
                  such as generate enlarged views and generous sentiments; and such as will render
                  them as useful as their talents will permit. Such desirable employments there are,
                  and some of them are open to us. </p>
               <p> It is neccessary that we should have all the statistical information we can
                  procure in regard to our numbers, occupations, and resources, and benevolent and
                  other societies supported among us. And we hope every one will come prepared to
                  give such information. </p>
               <p> Brethren, Our enterprise is a great one, and will demand the influence and labor
                  of every one. None can be spared. And none we trust will increase our difficulties
                  by their indifference. Our brethren in other States are moving in this cause.
                  Come, let us take counsel together; encourage each others' heart; strengthen each
                  others' hand; and planting, in humble relience upon the <persName>Great
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                  <persName ref="#AF01">A. N. FREEMAN</persName>, <persName ref="JL01">J. W.
                     LEWIS</persName>, <persName ref="#AN01">A. W. NILES</persName>, Com.
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Minutes of the First Colored Convention, Held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841 Anna Kijas Anna Kijas encoding Boston College Libraries Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 2018

This electronic text is available under a public domain license.

Minutes of the First Colored Convention, Held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841 J. W. Lewis Portland, Maine 1842

This is a sample encoding.

Minutes of the First Colored Convention, Held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841. Portland 1842

At a meeting of colored citizens favorable to a call for a State Convention, held in the city of Portland, June 11th, 1841, A. N. Freeman in the chair, and J. W. Lewis, Secretary, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted. That if acting conformably to the will of our Creator in securing our own happiness and the happiness of our fellow men, are objects of the highest moment, then we are loudly called upon to cultivate and extend the great principles of Virtue and Truth: and therefore Resolved, That it is expedient to hold a Convention of the people of color in this State the ensuing Fall, for mutual consultation, and the general benefit of our people.

The undersigned were appointed a committe to prepare and issue an address to our people.This they submit as A CALL to the Colored citizens of Maine and N. Hampshire.

Fellow Citizens; We invite your attention to this Call of a State Convention to be held in the city of Portland on Wednesday, the 6th day of October next.

Brethren, we think this meeting ought to be regarded, and hope it will be with peculiar interest by every Colored man and woman among us, and no pains spared to render it interesting and profitable.

Our own, our native land demands, our posterity, our enslaved brethren, and our own interests for time and eternity, demand an immediate effort for our moral and intellectual elevation. The consideration and adoption of the means to these great ends we ought no longer to defer.

As individuals we must mainly achieve our high purposes, yet it is proper and necessary for us to embody our efforts.—We shall need all the counsel, sympathy, encouragement and strength of union; and by it, with the blessing of God, we may wisely plan, and successfully accomplish the mightiest enterprise. We need a nucleus around which may gather the moral energy of our whole population: and we beg of you a candid and prayerful attention to this matter. Citizens, as you love your country, and would have it a mountain of holiness and a dwelling place of righteousnoss, think of the subject and come. Fathers, would you have the paths of wisdom, honor and profit opened to, and every encouragement given to your beloved offspring to walk in them, consider it well, and come. Mothers, withhold not your influence. The characters of Newton, Wesley, Whitfield and Washington tell of the powers of maternal influence. We may have noble minds among our people.—Exert your influence to furnish occasion and encouragement that they may be ornaments to society and blessings to mankind.

Come all. A trodden down and peeled people ought not to rest. Oppression is not heaven inherited by any one. Such a condition is not, cannot be consistent with our duties as moral beings. The largest liberty is essential to humanity. The means for our full emancipation are within our reach; and we cannot longer refuse to use them, and be innocent.

The subjects which will come up for consideration and action, are many and great. In a "Call" we can of course allude, and briefly too, to but a part of them.

Next to our personal relations to our Heavenly Father , the subject of Education should interest us. We cannot measure its importance, but we feel it in our relations to man. And the power it has given to others, it offers to us. Through the goodness of God knowledge is held to our lips and we may drink even to that which is life eternal. It has no prejudices, but whosoever will, may come.

We are identified with the poor, suffering, bleeding slave of the South. He is our brother. The claims of kin are added to the claims of humanity upon us to labor directly and heartily with the philanthropist, to undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free. The condition of our enslaved brethren greatly affects our own. We cannot expect the full enjoyment of all our rights while the influence of Slavery is felt in our land.

The baneful influence of intemperance has been felt by multitudes among us. Prejudice is, alas! too strong without any cause. None of us, therefore, by intemperance or any vicious indulgence, should contribute in the least to foster it. Temperance is proving a blessing to all who embrace her. Elevating and purifying, her ways are pleasantness, and her paths peace. And in her ways alone is there certainty of final triumph.

We would also ask your attention to the important subject of the future occupations of our offspring. The employment naturally affects the disposition and mind as well as the condition. Some corrupt the principles; others contract the mind ; while others leave its powers stagnant. If such employments do not degrade they cannot have an elevating tendency. Our aims require that their minds and hearts be guarded from all evil influences; that their occupations be favorable to the developement and cultivation of the mind; consistant with sound principle; such as generate enlarged views and generous sentiments; and such as will render them as useful as their talents will permit. Such desirable employments there are, and some of them are open to us.

It is neccessary that we should have all the statistical information we can procure in regard to our numbers, occupations, and resources, and benevolent and other societies supported among us. And we hope every one will come prepared to give such information.

Brethren, Our enterprise is a great one, and will demand the influence and labor of every one. None can be spared. And none we trust will increase our difficulties by their indifference. Our brethren in other States are moving in this cause. Come, let us take counsel together; encourage each others' heart; strengthen each others' hand; and planting, in humble relience upon the Great Deliverer, await the sun and shower of his favor, and the plentiful harvest.

Yours truly, for truth and right, A. N. FREEMAN, J. W. LEWIS, A. W. NILES, Com.

Amos N. Freeman

Clergy

Portland, Maine

Committee President

John W. Lewis

Clergy

Concord, New Hampshire

Committee Vice President

John W. Lewis

Clergy

Concord, New Hampshire

Committee Vice President

Abram W. Niles

Portland, Maine

Committee member appointed to prepare business for the convention.

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Minutes of the First Colored Convention, Held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841 Anna Kijas Anna Kijas encoding Boston College Libraries Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 2018

This electronic text is available under a public domain license.

Minutes of the First Colored Convention, Held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841 J. W. Lewis Portland, Maine 1842

This is a sample encoding.

Amos N. Freeman Clergy Portland, Maine Committee President John W. Lewis Clergy Concord, New Hampshire Committee Vice President Abram W. Niles Portland, Maine Committee member appointed to prepare business for the convention.
Minutes of the First Colored Convention, Held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841. Portland 1842

At a meeting of colored citizens favorable to a call for a State Convention, held in the city of Portland, June 11th, 1841, A. N. Freeman in the chair, and J. W. Lewis, Secretary, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted. That if acting conformably to the will of our Creator in securing our own happiness and the happiness of our fellow men, are objects of the highest moment, then we are loudly called upon to cultivate and extend the great principles of Virtue and Truth: and therefore Resolved, That it is expedient to hold a Convention of the people of color in this State the ensuing Fall, for mutual consultation, and the general benefit of our people.

The undersigned were appointed a committe to prepare and issue an address to our people.This they submit as A CALL to the Colored citizens of Maine and N. Hampshire.

Fellow Citizens; We invite your attention to this Call of a State Convention to be held in the city of Portland on Wednesday, the 6th day of October next.

Brethren, we think this meeting ought to be regarded, and hope it will be with peculiar interest by every Colored man and woman among us, and no pains spared to render it interesting and profitable.

Our own, our native land demands, our posterity, our enslaved brethren, and our own interests for time and eternity, demand an immediate effort for our moral and intellectual elevation. The consideration and adoption of the means to these great ends we ought no longer to defer.

As individuals we must mainly achieve our high purposes, yet it is proper and necessary for us to embody our efforts.—We shall need all the counsel, sympathy, encouragement and strength of union; and by it, with the blessing of God, we may wisely plan, and successfully accomplish the mightiest enterprise. We need a nucleus around which may gather the moral energy of our whole population: and we beg of you a candid and prayerful attention to this matter. Citizens, as you love your country, and would have it a mountain of holiness and a dwelling place of righteousnoss, think of the subject and come. Fathers, would you have the paths of wisdom, honor and profit opened to, and every encouragement given to your beloved offspring to walk in them, consider it well, and come. Mothers, withhold not your influence. The characters of Newton, Wesley, Whitfield and Washington tell of the powers of maternal influence. We may have noble minds among our people.—Exert your influence to furnish occasion and encouragement that they may be ornaments to society and blessings to mankind.

Come all. A trodden down and peeled people ought not to rest. Oppression is not heaven inherited by any one. Such a condition is not, cannot be consistent with our duties as moral beings. The largest liberty is essential to humanity. The means for our full emancipation are within our reach; and we cannot longer refuse to use them, and be innocent.

The subjects which will come up for consideration and action, are many and great. In a "Call" we can of course allude, and briefly too, to but a part of them.

Next to our personal relations to our Heavenly Father , the subject of Education should interest us. We cannot measure its importance, but we feel it in our relations to man. And the power it has given to others, it offers to us. Through the goodness of God knowledge is held to our lips and we may drink even to that which is life eternal. It has no prejudices, but whosoever will, may come.

We are identified with the poor, suffering, bleeding slave of the South. He is our brother. The claims of kin are added to the claims of humanity upon us to labor directly and heartily with the philanthropist, to undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free. The condition of our enslaved brethren greatly affects our own. We cannot expect the full enjoyment of all our rights while the influence of Slavery is felt in our land.

The baneful influence of intemperance has been felt by multitudes among us. Prejudice is, alas! too strong without any cause. None of us, therefore, by intemperance or any vicious indulgence, should contribute in the least to foster it. Temperance is proving a blessing to all who embrace her. Elevating and purifying, her ways are pleasantness, and her paths peace. And in her ways alone is there certainty of final triumph.

We would also ask your attention to the important subject of the future occupations of our offspring. The employment naturally affects the disposition and mind as well as the condition. Some corrupt the principles; others contract the mind ; while others leave its powers stagnant. If such employments do not degrade they cannot have an elevating tendency. Our aims require that their minds and hearts be guarded from all evil influences; that their occupations be favorable to the developement and cultivation of the mind; consistant with sound principle; such as generate enlarged views and generous sentiments; and such as will render them as useful as their talents will permit. Such desirable employments there are, and some of them are open to us.

It is neccessary that we should have all the statistical information we can procure in regard to our numbers, occupations, and resources, and benevolent and other societies supported among us. And we hope every one will come prepared to give such information.

Brethren, Our enterprise is a great one, and will demand the influence and labor of every one. None can be spared. And none we trust will increase our difficulties by their indifference. Our brethren in other States are moving in this cause. Come, let us take counsel together; encourage each others' heart; strengthen each others' hand; and planting, in humble relience upon the Great Deliverer, await the sun and shower of his favor, and the plentiful harvest.

Yours truly, for truth and right, A. N. FREEMAN, J. W. LEWIS, A. W. NILES, Com.