_Extract from the Minutes._ JOSEPH TOWNSEND, Secretary. _President_, SAMUEL STERETT, _Vice President_, ALEXr McKIM. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TO THE HONORABLE THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq. SECRETARY OF STATE, WHOSE Patriotism, since the American Revolution, has been uniformly marked, by a sincere, steady and active Attachment to the Interest of his Country; and whose literary Abilities have distinguished him amongst the first of Statesmen and Philosophers-- THIS ORATION Is respectfully inscribed, as an humble Testimony of the highest Regard and Esteem, by THE AUTHOR. ORATION CITIZENS _and_ FELLOW-MEMBERS, SUMMONED by your voice, I appear before you with diffidence; the arduous task you have imposed upon me, would have been better executed by some one of greater abilities and information, and one more versed in public speaking. However, my feeble executions shall not be wanting to promote the intentions of so laudable an institution; and while I endeavour to fulfil the purport of this meeting, I shall hope not to fail in proving its utility. Too much cannot be offered against the unnatural custom that pervades the greatest part of the world, of dragging the human race to slavery and bondage, nor of exposing the ignominy of such barbarity. Let an impartial view of man be taken, so far as it respects his existence, and in the chain of thought, the _white_, _swarthy_ and _black_, will be all linked together, and at once point out their equality. God hath created mankind after his own image, and granted to them liberty and independence; and if varieties may be found in their structure and colour, these are only to be attributed to the nature of their diet and habits, also of the soil and climate they may inhabit, and serve as flimsy pretexts for enslaving them. In the first rudiment of society, when simplicity characterised the conduct of man, slavery was unknown, every one equally enjoyed that peace and tranquility at home, to which he was naturally born: But this equality existed but for a time; as yet no laws, no government was established check the ambitious, or to curb the crafty; hence reprisals were made upon the best by the strong and robust, and finally subjected the weak and indigent to poverty and want.