John Jay Papers

Minutes of the New-York Manumission Society, 10 February 1785

Minutes of the New-York Manumission Society

[New York] February 10th 1785—

Election of Officers.

The Society met according to Adjournment and proceeded to Elect, by Ballot, their Officers and standing Committee, and on counting the Ballots: John Jay Esqr: appeared to be elected President, Samuel Franklin Vice President, John Murray Junr. Treasurer; and John Keese Esqr. Secretary and the following Persons were Elected to be of the Standing Committee Vizt.

Melancton Smith Esqr., Lawrence Embree, Dr. James Cogswell, Ezekiel Robins, William Goforth, Elijah Cock

Ordered

That the standing Committee, at their discretion, receive the Subscription of such persons desiring to become Members of the Society as were prevented from Attending this Evening: And that they publish the Proceedings of the Society in such Manner as they may judge most proper for the Information of the Publick.

And also that they draw up a Petition to the Legislature of this State praying an Act for the gradual Abolition of Slavery in this State; and that they procure as many Subscribers thereto as possible.—

The Society adjourned till the 2d. Thursday in May next then to meet at the same place—1

C, NHi: NYMS (EJ: 630). Dft, rough minutes, NHi: NYMS. Lists of member names throughout have been consolidated into paragraph form with punctuation.

1See Minutes of the NYMS, 12 May 1785, C, NHi: NYMS (EJ: 630).

Index Entries