As it is our happy lot to live under a republican government, I take the liberty of addressing one of the Fathers of our allmost happy country. By the Papers we have observed the convention of Verginia is in Session & that the praiseworthy petition from the just & humane for a gradual emancipation is before that honerable body of which you are a member. It appears at this moment that providence has awakened many minds among us upon that allimportant Subject At this time at G Town about 60 Miles from this Several has been executed & about 200 are to be shipped off, for a plan of inserrection, only 7 years ago & many fell a Sacrifice in our City, the first Court instituted in G Town could not act, so tender are the minds of good men upon this Subject, it is absolutely necessary in the present State of things, to take life for what we would do in their Situations, & the Spirit among them is so general that they fear to go on in their investigations, I am a South Carolinian born & brought up, have 4 Sons & 2 Daughters & a comfortable competency, & we own between 40 & 50 Slaves our lot cast here for life, but the injustices & evils of Slavery are so obvious that those who wish to be blind are obliged to see & acknowlege that as its foundation is unjust, it must eventually bring its punishment, at this moment there are 2 vessells at our Wharfs fitting out for Africa for Slaves under foreign colors, & no doubt destined to be smuggled into Florida & while even Slavery is tolerized, there will be unprincipled men who will embark & carry on the horrible unjust trade as you hond Sir have fought & bled in the Cause of Liberty, have Ably acted in the Cabinet, may God in his mercy grant that your last days may be Your best, that your voice & vote may be for the poor wronged oppressed degraded Suffering african, our Noble constitution is against oppression the great & good man of every Nation is against it & will not our beloved Madison enroll his Name with Washington Jefferson Adams Pitt Fox Wilberforce Clarkson & hundreds of others in the Cause of Justice & humanity, we are aware it must be gradual, but should Virginia now refuse to do Justice & love mercy it will be a blot on her never to be washed out, If there is any particular act of your life more Valued to us than the rest it is your being greatly the instrument of Ohio being blest being freed from the injustice & curse of Slavery, & Providence has shewn that in 30 years she has grown beyond the most sanguine hopes of her best friends & so will every State that does justice I am happy to tell you the minds of Poeple here are wonderfully opening; from 10 years of age I have been principled against it & found it dificult to even persuade others to mitigate, but hundreds are Saying only shew us the way with safety to ourselves & good to them, & interest shall give way to justice, their Phisical Strength we dont fear, but the just Judgments of a Righteous God awaits us. Many prayers are put up for the convention & very Many that you may be among the happy number to advocate <a> gradual emancipation, your reward will be great even in this transitory World but no tongue can tell the happiness in Store for the Philanthrophist in that eternal world to which we are all hastening, May every earthly blessing attend you here hon’d Sir & After this life may you enjoy a seat at the right hand of God is the prayer of your Sincere Well Wisher & humble St