Meeting of the Colored Persons In Detroit

We have received the proceedings of a mass meeting of the Colored People of Detroit, in reference to the recent attempt to carry one of their number into slavery. The meeting was held in the colored Methodist Church, Richard Gordon, Chairman, and William Lambert, Secretary.

Resolved, That we hold our liberty dearer than we do our lives, and we are fully determined, live or die, sink or swim, we will never be taken back into slavery.

Resolved, That as it is our earnest desire to be a peaceable and sober portion of the community, we will always abide by the constitution and laws of this and all other states which recognize no slavery; and for the better preservation of law and order, we request the citizens of this State, to urge upon the Legislature at its next session, to pass laws similar to those recently passed in Pennsylvania, which prohibits the State officers from arresting, aiding, or assisting to kidnap, or in anyway to interfere with human being, as property.

Resolved, That we return our sincere thanks [to] the eminent counsel who have defended us with this case of Robert Cromwell, and our gratitude is yet due to them for the zeal manifest in our behalf, on another occasion.

Resolved, That we return our thanks to the citizens who manifested such a deep interest on the side of liberty, for it was gratifying to witness the spontaneous burst of detestation they manifested against all who countenanced or were connected to this dastardly proceeding.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting, with the preamble and resolutions, be published in the City papers and in the Signal of Liberty at Ann Arbor, Mystery at Pittsburgh, National Era at Washington and the Emancipator at Boston, and all other papers friendly to liberty, are requested to copy the same.

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Updated 06/12/2007

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