1802. A PETITION OF THE LEFT HAND,

TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENCY OF EDUCATION

I ADDRESS myself to all the friends of youth, and conjure them to direct their compassionate regards to my unhappy fate, in order to remove the prejudices of which I am the victim. There are twin sisters of us; and the two eyes of man do not more resemble, nor are capable of being upon better terms with each other, than my sister and myself, were it not for the partiality of our parents, who make the most injurious distinctions between us. From my infancy, I have been led to consider my sister as a being of a more elevated rank. I was suffered to grow up without the least instruction, while nothing was spared in her education. She had masters to teach her writing, drawing, music, and other accomplishments; but if by chance I touched a pencil, a pen, or a needle, I was bitterly rebuked; and more than once I have been beaten for being awkward, and wanting a graceful manner. It is true, my sister associated me with her upon some occasions; but she always made a point of taking the lead, calling upon me only from necessity, or to figure by her side.

But conceive not, Sirs, that my complaints are instigated merely by vanity. No; my uneasiness is occasioned by an object much more serious. It is the practice in our family, that the whole business of providing for its subsistence falls upon my sister and myself. If any indisposition should attack my sister, and I mention it in confidence upon this occasion, that she is subject to the gout, the rheumatism, and cramp, without making mention of other accidents,

what would be the fate of our poor family? Must not the regret of our parents be excessive, at having placed so great a difference between sisters who are so perfectly equal? Alas! we must perish from distress; for it would not be in my power even to scrawl a suppliant petition for relief, having been. obliged to employ the hand of another in transcribing the request which I have now the honour to prefer to you.

Condescend, Sirs, to make my parents sensible of the injustice of an exclusive tenderness, and of the necessity of distributing their care and affection among all their children equally. I am, with a profound respect, Sirs, your obedient servant,

THE LEFT HAND.

1803. HINTS FOR CONSIDERATION RESPECTING SCHOOL-HOUSE IN PHILA

THE

ORPHAN

DELPHIA

(L. C.)

CHARITABLE Institutions, however originally well intended and well executed at first for many Years, are subject to be in a Course of time corrupted, mismanag'd, their Funds misapplied or perverted to private purposes. Would it not be well to guard against these by prudent Regulations respecting the Choice of Managers, and establishing the Power of inspecting their Conduct in some permanent Body, as the Monthly or Quarterly Meeting?

Would it not be more respectable for the Institution, if the Appearance of making a Profit of the Labour of Orphans were avoided, and the Dependence for Funds to be wholly on charitable Contributions? If this should be concluded, then it may be proper to open an Account with each Orphan

on Admission; the Orphans to have Credit for any Subsistence brought in with them, and for the Profit made of it and of their Labour, and made Debtors for their Maintenance and Education. And at their Discharge on coming of Age, to be paid the Ballance, if any, in their favour, or remain Debtors for the ballance, if against them, which they may be exhorted to pay, if ever able, but not to be compell'd. Such as receive a Ballance may be exhorted to give back a Part in Charity to the Institution that has taken such kind Care of them, or at least to remember it favourably, if hereafter God should bless them with Ability, either in Benefaction while living, or a Legacy on Decease. The Orphans, when discharg'd, to receive, besides decent Clothing and some Money, a Certificate of their good Behaviour, if such it has been, as a Recommendation; and the Managers of the Institution should still consider them as their Children, so far as to counsel them in their Affairs, encourage and promote them in their Business, watch over and kindly admonish them when in danger of Misconduct.

1804. PLAN

FOR IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE FREE BLACKS

THE business relative to free blacks shall be transacted by a committee of twenty-four persons, annually elected by ballot, at the meeting of this Society,' in the month called April; and, in order to perform the different services with expedition,

1 The Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Blacks. - ED.

regularity, and energy, this committee shall resolve itself into the following sub-committees, viz.

I. A Committee of Inspection, who shall superintend the morals, general conduct, and ordinary situation of the free negroes, and afford them advice and instruction, protection from wrongs, and other friendly offices.

II. A Committee of Guardians, who shall place out children and young people with suitable persons, that they may (during a moderate time of apprenticeship or servitude) learn some trade or other business of subsistence. The committee may effect this partly by a persuasive influence on parents and the persons concerned, and partly by coöperating with the laws, which are, or may be, enacted for this and similar purposes. In forming contracts on these occasions, the committee shall secure to the Society, as far as may be practicable, the right of guardianship over the persons so bound.

III. A Committee of Education, who shall superintend the school instruction of the children and youth of the free blacks. They may either influence them to attend regularly the schools already established in this city, or form others with this view; they shall, in either case, provide, that the pupils may receive such learning as is necessary for their future situation in life, and especially a deep impression of the most important and generally acknowledged moral and religious principles. They shall also procure and preserve a regular record of the marriages, births, and manumissions of all free blacks.

IV. A Committee of Employ, who shall endeavour to procure constant employment for those free negroes who are able to work; as the want of this would occasion poverty, idleness, and many vicious habits. This committee will,

by sedulous inquiry, be enabled to find common labour for a great number; they will also provide, that such as indicate proper talents may learn various trades, which may be done. by prevailing upon them to bind themselves for such a term of years as shall compensate their masters for the expense and trouble of instruction and maintenance. The committee may attempt the institution of some useful and simple manufactures, which require but little skill, and also may assist, in commencing business, such as appear to be qualified for it. Whenever the committee of inspection shall find persons of any particular description requiring attention, they shall immediately direct them to the committee of whose care they are the proper objects.

In matters of a mixed nature, the committees shall confer, and, if necessary, act in concert. Affairs of great importance shall be referred to the whole committee.

The expense, incurred by the prosecution of this plan, shall be defrayed by a fund, to be formed by donations or subscriptions for these particular purposes, and to be kept separate from the other funds of this Society.

The committee shall make a report of their proceedings, and of the state of their stock, to the Society, at their quarterly meetings, in the months called April and October.

VOL. X-K