COLORED FREE PRODUCE SOCIETY

COLORED FREE PRODUCE SOCIETY

The circumstances of a society having been organized some months since in Philadelphia, under the above title, has been mentioned before in this work. The following is the preamble to their Constitution. We should be glad to insert the articles themselves, but have not room to spare at present.

This association may be considered auxiliary to the Pennsylvania Free Produce Society, the proceedings of which have been heretofore noticed.
"Whereas, the Constitution of the United States expressly declares, that "all men are born free and equal," but in consequence of the superior wealth and influence of the white population, they have deemed themselves justifiable in establishing and pursuing the notorious practice of holding their colored brethren, who are the children of the same Almighty Parent, and possesed of the same feelings with themselves, mental and physical, in the most abject servitude and oppression--trafficking in their flesh, separating parent from child, husband from wife, and brother from sister, without any regard to those social and domestic enjoyments, which they themselves profess to esteem so highly: And, whereas, it is well ascertained, that self-interest will induce individuals to perform acts for which reason and humanity have long been appealed to in vain; and as every individual who uses the produce of slave labor encourages the slave-holder, becomes also a participator in his wickedness, and rivets the chains of the oppressed more firmly: And, whereas, the substituting of the produce of freemen for that of slaves, is a sure method of lessening the value of slave-labor and destroying the gains of the hardened oppressor, and will, therefore, induce him sooner or later, to restore to the oppressed those inalienable rights, of which they have been so cruelly and unjustly deprived: And, moreover, as it particularly becomes us, who are more closely allied to the sons of Africa, to use our influence to change their present degraded condition, and restore them to the rank which nature and nature's God designed they should occupy: Therefore, we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, agree to form ourselves into an association, to be called the "Colored Free Produce Society of Pennsylvania," that we may the more easily obtain and impart such information, connected with this subjct, as may promote the objects above stated: and for the furtherance of these views we adopt for our government the following Constitution."

The annexed proceedings of a meeting of the association, are inserted at the request of the officers thereof.
A stated meeting of the Colored, Free Produce Society, was held in Philadelphia, on the evening of the 18th of April, 1831. The meeting was honored by the presence of several of our white friends, who are members of a similar institution. The House being organized, business commenced by calling the roll, after which the quarterly contributions were taken up.
The minutes of the preceeding meeting were then read by the Secretary; and the minutes of the corresponding committee were read by their Secretary.
A report being presented by the corresponding committee, on motion it was read & adopted.
A communication was handed in by one of our white friends:--which was also read.
The meeting was then addressed, by Mr. Lundy; he stated many important things, for our encouragement; he was followed by another gentleman, with some very salutary remarks.
It was, on motion, resolved, That this society appropriate ten dollars, to be added to the premium offered for Rice, raised by free labor.
On motion, resolved, that the thanks of this meeting be given to those white friends, who have honored us with their presence and advice.
JAMES CORNISH, Secretary.


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The committee to whom was referred the preparation of a report, relative to the proceedings of the colored Free Produce Society, respectfully state: That they have had the subject under consideration, and cannot regard it in any other light than that of the deepest interest to us--because it looks forward to the annihilation of a practice, which has long been regarded by some of the most enlightened nations in Europe, as piratical, unjust, and anti-christian, in its operations--because it deprives man of those privileges which are inseparable from his constitutional habits, for no other reason than the unalterable color of his skin.
Your committee has the satisfaction to observe, that since the formation of this society, the demand and consumption of the articles of Free Produce have exceeded the most sanguine expectations of its friends; and as an evidence of this, we learn, by a statement of Mr. James L. Pierce, a gentleman who is extensively engaged in the sale of articles of Free Produce, that the sales within the last 18 months have been between five and six thousand dollars.--And so warmly have some of the members of this society entered into the spirit of the undertaking, that from 23 to 50 lbs of free sugar have been purchased at a time for family consumption.--And one of them has commenced the sale of Free Cotton articles, upon a small scale.
Your committee would further mention, that they hav had repeated interviews with the members of the white Free Produce Society, from which they have drived much satisfaction and information.
Your committee humbly hope that they have fulfilled the duty assigned them--and, therefore beg to be discharged.

FREDERICK A. HINTON
ROBT. PURVIS.

James Cornish, Frederick A. Hinton, Robert Purvis

Genius of Universal Emancipation 2:1, p. 6

5.1831