A Plan for Improving the Condition of the Free Blacks

by Benjamin Franklin

Philadelphia, 26 October, 1789.

At a meeting of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, &c. An essay of a Plan for improving the condition of Free Negroes, was presented by the committee appointed to prepare it, which after deliberate consideration was adopted as follows,

A 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, 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 co-operating 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 enquiry, 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 that 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.

Philadelphia: Printed by FRANCIS BAILEY.