JAY TO THE SOCIETY AT PARIS FOR THE MANUMISSION OF SLAVES. - John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, vol. 3 (1782-1793) [1891]
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The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, ed. Henry P. Johnston, A.M. (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890-93). Vol. 3 (1782-1793).
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JAY TO THE SOCIETY AT PARIS FOR THE MANUMISSION OF SLAVES.
New York, June (?), 1788.
Gentlemen:
The society established here for promoting the manumission of slaves, etc., have lately received from Monsr. Brissot de Varville the letter which you did them the honour to write on the 29th of April last. We have their orders to assure you that the institution of a society at Paris for purposes so benevolent gives them very sincere satisfaction, and that they will most cheerfully co-operate with you in every measure that may be deemed conducive to those important ends. You will perceive from the enclosed extracts from their journal that Monsr. de Varville may expect from them all the attention and aid which is due to your recommendation and his personal character, as well as to the interesting objects of his voyage. As a further mark of respect for you and for him they have admitted him as an honorary member of the society, and we flatter ourselves you will soon receive from him such information respecting our views, proceedings, and prospects as to preclude the necessity of such detail at present.
We are happy to find that a correspondence subsists between your society and the one in London; and it gives us pleasure to reflect that the cause of humanity cannot fail to derive very essential advantages from the patronage and exertions of the enlightened and respectable characters in both kingdoms who at present advocate it.
M. Jean Pierre Brissot de Varville, secretary of the Paris Manumission Society, was introduced to the members of the New York Society in the communication of April 29th, as a gentleman “who, by his Sentiments of humanity, his talents, and his unremitted zeal, has principally contributed to the institution and progress of our Society, and has now undertaken a voyage to North America. In the course of this voyage he proposes to acquire all the information possible, respecting the condition of the negroes in that part of the world, the measures taken either to manumit them or prevent their importation, the result of those measures in relation both to the cultivation of the land, and the moral character of the negroes, and in general, whatever may concern that unfortunate but interesting class of men, and may conduce to incline Governments and individuals in their favor.”
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