The records of Bucks Quarterly Meeting are in very substantial agreement with those of the individual meetings, Falls, Wrightstown, Middletown and Buckingham, which constituted it.[1249] The question of the rightfulness of buying or owning slaves seems to have come first to a conscious consideration about 1730, when it was debated in the meeting.[1250] They were unable to come to a decision in the matter and accordingly referred it back to the yearly meeting.[1251] Though unsuccessful in debating the question satisfactorily, their practical success seems to have been very commendable, for in 1766 there is reported only one Negro purchased lately throughout the quarter.[1252] This does not mean that no Negroes were held, for as will be shown later there were many in that region; it does mean, however, that their control of any increase in slaves was very satisfactory to the yearly meeting’s demands. By 1772 the record has still been greatly improved, as they report: clear of importing or buying negroes as far as appears, but their religious education is not so strictly attended to as the import of the query seems to require.[1253] Though all indications are to the effect that slave purchasing was near the minimum, the meetings were clearly not satisfied. Committees were at all times kept by both the quarterly and monthly meetings,[1254] to visit with those who held slaves to persuade them to give them their freedom. The committee for this service in the quarterly meeting reported in 1777: [Sidenote: Report of committee on slaves] We of the committee appointed by the quarterly meeting in order to treat with our members who hold their fellowmen in bondage, in connection with the several meetings committees, now report that there has been considerable time spent in laboring with them in order to convince them of the evil of the practice, which labors of love have been by some kindly received, and they have complied so far as to give those they had in bondage their liberty by instruments of writing ... but there are others who still persist in holding them as slaves, notwithstanding the repeated care and labor of Friends extended towards them.[1255] [Sidenote: Meetings set up for Negroes] The next report made in the eleventh month of the year is substantially the same, several slaves having been “manumitted or set free,” and, also, the defiant attitude being still present among some members.[1256] The similarity of these reports continues till the very last years of the century, with however a few additions. At some time prior to 1795, not more than three years, there were established meetings for Negroes which were held at stated times, always under the direction of Friends.[1257] In 1799 the quarterly meeting was able to report “no slaves among us” and that “some care” is extended to those set free.[1258] [Sidenote: No mention made of separate school]