which they now believe otherwise awaits them.-These considerations, added to the unbounded confidence which they appear to have in our Society, the lively gratitude they manifest for the assistance already furnished to them, and the strong affection which they generally feel towards us,-cannot we hope fail to excite Friends to a renewed and more vigilant attention to the highly interesting and important concern in which we are embarked. Baltimore, 8th mo. 3d, 1816. (Signed) JAMES ELLICOTT. PHILIP E. THOMAS. The Committee further report, that since the return of our deputation, a letter has been received from the United States' Interpreter, stationed at Waupaghkennetta, informing us that at a general council of the Indians of that village, held for the purpose of taking into further consideration the communication from Friends, they had come to the conclusion to interdict the admission of any more spirituous liquors into their village, and had adapted regulations to seize and destroy any vessel that might be discovered to have been clandestinely introduced with it there. We have also received a letter from the United States' Agent, informing us that the mill would be completed by the 30th of last month, and that the Indians were preparing to sow about 20 or 30 acres this fall with wheat. Census of the Indians residing in the State of Ohio, 1815. Wyandots on Detroit River, at Brown's Town, and its neighbourhood 167 Do. on Sandusky River, and on the head-waters of the Great Miamy Mingoes, &c. &c., at Lewis Town, on the head Delawares, at Jerame's Town, on the Muskingham River 400 45 400 60 River 800 Ottaways, scattered in various small settlements 200 River Extract from a Letter, dated Baltimore, 7th mo. 24, 1816. Evan Thomas, Jun. to Richard Phillips, East-street, Red Lion-square. ALLUDING to Bible Societies, he observes, that, "to one of them lately established, one individual alone contributed ten thousand dollars; an instance of liberality perhaps not surpassed on a similar occasion on your side of the water. The evidences of the advantages of these institutions are every day accumulating: there is something so much like disinterestedness in the harmonious co-operation of different Christian societies in distributing the Scriptures without note or comment, that many are induced to participate in the pious work, and to peruse the Scriptures, that had hitherto evinced an entire indifference. These remarks particularly apply to the inhabitants of what we call the southern and western states:-a Bible until lately was scarcely to be found amongst them; newspapers and cards occupied almost the whole of their leisure. The Bible is now an article of considerable sale there, and the sale of cards is diminished. Above all, the happiest effects are likely to result from a free association and communication of sentiment, amongst the different denominations of Christians united to promote a measure in which they all concur, and which may ultimately be the means in the hand of Providence of throwing down all partition walls, and cementing all together in the bonds of love and peace. Amongst the numerous salutary effects which result from the influence of Gospel light, the melioration of the condition of the enslaved Africans, and a general disposition to emancipate them, are conspicuous. Not more than 40 years ago, when my father proclaimed liberty to those in his possession, it excited the greatest alarm throughout the state, and every effort which sophistry could suggest was made to induce him to retract. Now emancipation seems to engage the attention of all ranks. Societies are forming in the midst of the Slave States, in some instances almost exclusively by slaveholders, for the express purpose of promoting that interesting measure. Formerly the right to hold Slaves was scarcely ever questioned; now it is admitted on all sides that they justly are entitled to their liberty. Under this impression many are disposed to emancipate them, but are not willing to turn them loose, without education, upon the community. The Societies to which I allude seem to be at present in favour of colonization. As soon as they shall have digested and fixed upon the most suitable plan, they will adopt measures to influence the public mind in its favour, and promote addresses to the State legislators to carry it into effect. To a petition circulated under the auspices of the Abolition Society of Tennessee to the Legislature of that state for some legislative provision in the case, there were upwards of 1500 signatures and as an evidence of their earnest desire for the consummation of their request, many of the slaveholders were so particular as to write opposite their names 'Slave-holder.' I hope some plan will grow out of these movements, consistent with justice and propriety, which will meet with general assent, and eventually restore so many of our fellowcreatures to their just rights and privileges. In this State emancipation seems to be the order of the day- many families of the first rank have recently manumitted their slaves-few die now without making provision for their enlargement; and I trust the time is near at hand when the Legislature will pass an act to register and secure the freedom of all such as may be born hereafter. Should their colonization not take place, the education of their children will become an object of the first necessity and importance, as it will be one of the most powerful means of raising them from that state of degradation in which they have been so unjustly placed. I expect very soon to have it in my power to announce to thee, the organization of a Society in this city for the melioration of the condition of the African race. As 1 have not ceased to recollect the ardent solicitude which I know thou felt for their education, I hope I shall continue to bear it in mind, and endeavour to make it an important feature in our plan, if consistent with the views of those with whom I shall be associated. We who are well acquainted with the actual state of things calculate upon many itapediments; the languor and stupor that distinguished them in their native country is rendered still greater by slavery, which hath ever been known to blunt the faculties and cramp the energies of our nature; to which may be added the prejudices against them in the public mind, their colour, and the unsuitableness of our climate to their physical powers. The prejudice against them, as it regards their colour, seems indeed to wear away rapidly. If they are eventually emancipated and continue amongst us, it appears to me, that the Legislature of each State will be bound by every Christian as well as political duty to provide amply for their education, and I hope that every one interested in their welfare will be prompt in supporting the measure. I regret that I cannot give thee an account of the last annual exhibition at the African Academy in this city, as a particular engagement prevented both my father and self from attending; but it is with much satisfaction that I can state that there is an evident increase of attention to the literary education of the black and coloured children. The last Committee appointed by our Monthly Meeting to examine into the state of literature amongst those in Friends' families, reported that considerable attention was paid to the subject by Friends generally. Ever since my return from England, I have reflected with surprise and regret upon the continuance of the cruel unchristian penal code, which annually hurls into eternity so many of your athletic, ingenuous and enterprising young men, who might under a more humane system have been made useful and valuable subjects. When I reflect upon the natural benevolence of the people of England, I can scarcely make myself believe that such a system could be tolerated by tnem. Can it be possible, have I often exclaimed, that the same people whose sympathies are so feelingly alive to the cries of humanity on all other occasions, should see without emotion hundreds and thousands of their fellow-creatures cut off in the full tide of life, in many instances for offences (often committed in an unguarded moment) of so slight a nature, abstractedly considered, as scarcely to amount to a crime or an injury? No! it cannot be, it must be owing to some imaginary obstacle; they have yielded perhaps too easily to an opinion, that there was no remedy, else such a cruel and sanguinary system could not be supported. I wish the people of England could take a view of our penitentiary, and see how we manage the banditti, which are poured upon our shores from all parts of the world, as well as our own. It would be a spectacle not easily effaced from their recollection: instead of foul and gloomy apartments, and clanking chains, they would see open and airy rooms, free from close offensive smells, walls as white as snow, and floors as clean as they can be scrubbed. On all sides the busy artisans ply sedulously and silently at their several occupations. Smiths, nailmakers, spinners, weavers, shoemakers, tailors, and a long train of manufacturers in their proper apartments present to the eye of the spectator such a scene of active industry, order, and comfort, as to cause him to lose sight of punishment, and to consider himself in the midst (as it really is) of a very thriving manufactory. They would also see, that notwithstanding there is a regular and ample supply of excellent provisions, such as beef &c. furnished to the cri minals, their labour is found to be quite adequate to their main tenance, —a fact of the utmost importance, as it is conclusive evidence of the expediency of the institutions. I am aware that it may be said, that the price of labour will not justify such a conclusion in England; yet I am inclined to the belief that an institution there, conducted with judicious oeconomy, particularly in provisions, might be brought to defray its own expenses; as it is a fact, that although our criminals are only employed about three fourths of the day, and get an ample supply of animal food, yet their labour is quite sufficient to defray the expenses of the establishment; so that the state is not only at no expense for their maintenance, but is actually benefited by their labours. Extract of a Letter from Evan Thomas, Jun. dated Baltimore, 1st mo. 12th, (Jan.) 1817. SOME time last summer a few individuals compassionating the deplorably neglected condition of the numerous coloured people of this city, and persuaded of the truth of the Scriptural declaration "He hath made of one blood all the nations of them that dwell upon the earth," associated for the purpose of imparting useful learning to them. Three hundred pupils immediately presented themselves; and the association being augmented by the accession of new members; and the African Bethel Society having tendered the use of their church and school-room, they entered with alacrity and under favourable auspices upon this humane undertaking. In a short time the number of pupils increased to upwards of one thousand: the association formed itself into a society, assumed the title of "The African Free School Society," and adopted rules and regulations for the government of the Institution. The following are the officers of the society: Evan Thomas, jun. president; Isaiah Littler and Thomas L. Reese, vice-presidents; George F. Janney, secretary; and Joseph P. Plummer, treasurer. Such has been the progress of these pupils-such their desire to improve their intellectual faculties-such their attention to decorum and good order-that a very lively interest has been excited, not only in the society but amongst the different individuals who have visited the establishment. When the respectable standing of the society is consideredtogether with its determination to enforce strictly its judicious |