Sample: Minutes of the First Colored Convention, held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841

This is a sample from the transcription of the Minutes of the First Colored Convention, held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841 (http://coloredconventions.org/scripto/transcribe/1178/4202#transcription). This text is minimally encoded in order to act as a template for further encoding.

Vertical Tabs

Reader 
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?xml-model href="http://www.tei-c.org/release/xml/tei/custom/schema/relaxng/tei_all.rng" type="application/xml" schematypens="http://relaxng.org/ns/structure/1.0"?>
<?xml-model href="http://www.tei-c.org/release/xml/tei/custom/schema/relaxng/tei_all.rng" type="application/xml"
	schematypens="http://purl.oclc.org/dsdl/schematron"?>
<TEI xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0">
   <teiHeader>
      <fileDesc>
         <titleStmt>
            <title>The Electronic Edition of the Minutes of the First Colored Convention Held in the
               City of <placeName>Portland</placeName>, <date when="1841-10-06">October 6,
                  1841</date>.</title>
            <respStmt>
               <resp>Transcribed by</resp>
               <name>Colored Conventions Project</name>
            </respStmt>
            <respStmt>
               <resp>Encoded by</resp>
               <name>Sarah DeLorme</name>
            </respStmt>
         </titleStmt>

         <publicationStmt>
            <publisher>Boston College</publisher>
            <address>
               <street>140 Commonwealth Ave</street>
               <settlement>Chestnut Hill</settlement>

               <postCode>02467</postCode>
            </address>

         </publicationStmt>

         <sourceDesc>
            <bibl>
               <title>Minutes of the First Colored Convention, held in the City of Portland, October
                  6, 1841.</title>
               <author>A.N. Freeman</author>
               <author>J.W. Lewis</author>
               <author>A.W. Niles</author>
               <pubPlace>Portland, ME</pubPlace>
               <publisher>The First Colored Convention Committee of Portland, ME </publisher>
               <date>1842</date>
            </bibl>
         </sourceDesc>
      </fileDesc>
      <profileDesc>
         <particDesc>
            <listPerson>
               <person xml:id="AN01">
                  <persName>A.N. Freeman</persName>
                  <note>President of the Colored Conventions Committee in Portland, Maine</note>
               </person>
            </listPerson>
         </particDesc>
      </profileDesc>
   </teiHeader>
   <text>
      <body>
         <ab>At a meeting of colored citizens favorable to a call for a State Convention, held in
            the city of Portland, June 11th, 1841, <persName ref="#AN01">A. N. Freeman</persName> in
            the chair, and J. W. Lewis, Secretary, the following preamble and resolution were
            unanimously adopted. That if acting conformably to the will of our Creator in securing
            our own happiness and the happiness of our fellow men, are objects of the highest
            moment, then we are loudly called upon to cultivate and extend the great principles of
            Virtue and Truth: and therefore Resolved, That it is expedient to hold a Convention of
            the people of color in this State the ensuing Fall, for mutual consultation, and the
            general benefit of our people. The undersigned were appointed a committe to prepare and
            issue an address to our people.This they submit as A CALL to the Colored citizens of
            Maine and N. Hampshire. Fellow Citizens; We invite your attention to this Call of a
            State Convention to be held in the city of Portland on Wednesday, the 6th day of October
            next. Brethren, we think this meeting ought to be regarded, and hope it will be with
            peculiar interest by every Colored man and woman among us, and no pains spared to render
            it interesting and profitable. Our own, our native land demands, our posterity, our
            enslaved brethren, and our own interests for time and eternity, demand an immediate
            effort for our moral and intellectual elevation. The consideration and adoption of the
            means to these great ends we ought no longer to defer. As individuals we must mainly
            achieve our high purposes, yet it is proper and necessary for us to embody our
            efforts.—We shall need all the counsel, sympathy, encouragement and strength of union;
            and by it, with the blessing of God, we may wisely plan, and successfully accomplish the
            mightiest enterprise. We need a nucleus around which may gather the moral energy of our
            whole population: and we beg of you a candid and prayerful attention to this matter.
            Citizens, as you love your country, and would have it a mountain of holiness and a
            dwelling place of righteousnoss, think of the subject and come. Fathers, would you have
            the paths of wisdom, honor and profit opened to, and every encouragement given to your
            beloved offspring to walk in them, consider it well, and come. Mothers, withhold not
            your influence. The characters of Newton, Wesley, Whitfield and Washington tell of the
            powers of maternal influence. We may have noble minds among our people.—Exert your
            influence to furnish occasion and encouragement that they may be ornaments to society
            and blessings to mankind. Come all. A trodden down and peeled people ought not to rest.
            Oppression is not heaven inherited by any one. Such a condition is not, cannot be
            consistent with our duties as moral beings. The largest liberty is essential to
            humanity. The means for our full emancipation are within our reach; and we cannot longer
            refuse to use them, and be innocent. The subjects which will come up for consideration
            and action, are many and great. In a "Call" we can of course allude, and briefly too, to
            but a part of them. Next to our personal relations to our Heavenly Father, the subject
            of Education should interest us. We cannot measure its importance, but we feel it in our
            relations to man. And the power it has given to others, it offers to us. Through the
            goodness of God knowledge is held to our lips and we may drink even to that which is
            life eternal. It has no prejudices, but whosoever will, may come. We are identified with
            the poor, suffering, bleeding slave of the South. He is our brother. The claims of kin
            are added to the claims of humanity upon us to labor directly and heartily with the
            philanthropist, to undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free. The condition
            of our enslaved brethren greatly affects our own. We cannot expect the full enjoyment of
            all our rights while the influence of Slavery is felt in our land. The baneful influence
            of intemperance has been felt by multitudes among us. Prejudice is, alas! too strong
            without any cause. None of us, therefore, by intemperance or any vicious indulgence,
            should contribute in the least to foster it. Temperance is proving a blessing to all who
            embrace her. Elevating and purifying, her ways are pleasantness, and her paths peace.
            And in her ways alone is there certainty of final triumph. We would also ask your
            attention to the important subject of the future occupations of our offspring. The
            employment naturally affects the disposition and mind as well as the condition. Some
            corrupt the principles; others contract the mind ; while others leave its powers
            stagnant. If such employments do not degrade they cannot have an elevating tendency. Our
            aims require that their minds and hearts be guarded from all evil influences; that their
            occupations be favorable to the developement and cultivation of the mind; consistant
            with sound principle; such as generate enlarged views and generous sentiments; and such
            as will render them as useful as their talents will permit. Such desirable employments
            there are, and some of them are open to us. It is neccessary that we should have all the
            statistical information we can procure in regard to our numbers, occupations, and
            resources, and benevolent and other societies supported among us. And we hope every one
            will come prepared to give such information. Brethren, Our enterprise is a great one,
            and will demand the influence and labor of every one. None can be spared. And none we
            trust will increase our difficulties by their indifference. Our brethren in other States
            are moving in this cause. Come, let us take counsel together; encourage each others'
            heart; strengthen each others' hand; and planting, in humble relience upon the Great
            Deliverer, await the sun and shower of his favor, and the plentiful harvest. Yours
            truly, for truth and right, A. N. FREEMAN, J. W. LEWIS, A. W. NILES, Com.</ab>
      </body>
   </text>
</TEI>
The Electronic Edition of the Minutes of the First Colored Convention Held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841. Transcribed by Colored Conventions Project Encoded by Sarah DeLorme Boston College
140 Commonwealth Ave Chestnut Hill 02467
Minutes of the First Colored Convention, held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841. A.N. Freeman J.W. Lewis A.W. Niles Portland, ME The First Colored Convention Committee of Portland, ME 1842 At a meeting of colored citizens favorable to a call for a State Convention, held in the city of Portland, June 11th, 1841, A. N. Freeman in the chair, and J. W. Lewis, Secretary, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted. That if acting conformably to the will of our Creator in securing our own happiness and the happiness of our fellow men, are objects of the highest moment, then we are loudly called upon to cultivate and extend the great principles of Virtue and Truth: and therefore Resolved, That it is expedient to hold a Convention of the people of color in this State the ensuing Fall, for mutual consultation, and the general benefit of our people. The undersigned were appointed a committe to prepare and issue an address to our people.This they submit as A CALL to the Colored citizens of Maine and N. Hampshire. Fellow Citizens; We invite your attention to this Call of a State Convention to be held in the city of Portland on Wednesday, the 6th day of October next. Brethren, we think this meeting ought to be regarded, and hope it will be with peculiar interest by every Colored man and woman among us, and no pains spared to render it interesting and profitable. Our own, our native land demands, our posterity, our enslaved brethren, and our own interests for time and eternity, demand an immediate effort for our moral and intellectual elevation. The consideration and adoption of the means to these great ends we ought no longer to defer. As individuals we must mainly achieve our high purposes, yet it is proper and necessary for us to embody our efforts.—We shall need all the counsel, sympathy, encouragement and strength of union; and by it, with the blessing of God, we may wisely plan, and successfully accomplish the mightiest enterprise. We need a nucleus around which may gather the moral energy of our whole population: and we beg of you a candid and prayerful attention to this matter. Citizens, as you love your country, and would have it a mountain of holiness and a dwelling place of righteousnoss, think of the subject and come. Fathers, would you have the paths of wisdom, honor and profit opened to, and every encouragement given to your beloved offspring to walk in them, consider it well, and come. Mothers, withhold not your influence. The characters of Newton, Wesley, Whitfield and Washington tell of the powers of maternal influence. We may have noble minds among our people.—Exert your influence to furnish occasion and encouragement that they may be ornaments to society and blessings to mankind. Come all. A trodden down and peeled people ought not to rest. Oppression is not heaven inherited by any one. Such a condition is not, cannot be consistent with our duties as moral beings. The largest liberty is essential to humanity. The means for our full emancipation are within our reach; and we cannot longer refuse to use them, and be innocent. The subjects which will come up for consideration and action, are many and great. In a "Call" we can of course allude, and briefly too, to but a part of them. Next to our personal relations to our Heavenly Father, the subject of Education should interest us. We cannot measure its importance, but we feel it in our relations to man. And the power it has given to others, it offers to us. Through the goodness of God knowledge is held to our lips and we may drink even to that which is life eternal. It has no prejudices, but whosoever will, may come. We are identified with the poor, suffering, bleeding slave of the South. He is our brother. The claims of kin are added to the claims of humanity upon us to labor directly and heartily with the philanthropist, to undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free. The condition of our enslaved brethren greatly affects our own. We cannot expect the full enjoyment of all our rights while the influence of Slavery is felt in our land. The baneful influence of intemperance has been felt by multitudes among us. Prejudice is, alas! too strong without any cause. None of us, therefore, by intemperance or any vicious indulgence, should contribute in the least to foster it. Temperance is proving a blessing to all who embrace her. Elevating and purifying, her ways are pleasantness, and her paths peace. And in her ways alone is there certainty of final triumph. We would also ask your attention to the important subject of the future occupations of our offspring. The employment naturally affects the disposition and mind as well as the condition. Some corrupt the principles; others contract the mind ; while others leave its powers stagnant. If such employments do not degrade they cannot have an elevating tendency. Our aims require that their minds and hearts be guarded from all evil influences; that their occupations be favorable to the developement and cultivation of the mind; consistant with sound principle; such as generate enlarged views and generous sentiments; and such as will render them as useful as their talents will permit. Such desirable employments there are, and some of them are open to us. It is neccessary that we should have all the statistical information we can procure in regard to our numbers, occupations, and resources, and benevolent and other societies supported among us. And we hope every one will come prepared to give such information. Brethren, Our enterprise is a great one, and will demand the influence and labor of every one. None can be spared. And none we trust will increase our difficulties by their indifference. Our brethren in other States are moving in this cause. Come, let us take counsel together; encourage each others' heart; strengthen each others' hand; and planting, in humble relience upon the Great Deliverer, await the sun and shower of his favor, and the plentiful harvest. Yours truly, for truth and right, A. N. FREEMAN, J. W. LEWIS, A. W. NILES, Com.

A.N. Freeman

President of the Colored Conventions Committee in Portland, Maine

Toolbox

Themes:

The Electronic Edition of the Minutes of the First Colored Convention Held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841. Transcribed by Colored Conventions Project Encoded by Sarah DeLorme Boston College
140 Commonwealth Ave Chestnut Hill 02467
Minutes of the First Colored Convention, held in the City of Portland, October 6, 1841. A.N. Freeman J.W. Lewis A.W. Niles Portland, ME The First Colored Convention Committee of Portland, ME 1842 A.N. Freeman President of the Colored Conventions Committee in Portland, Maine At a meeting of colored citizens favorable to a call for a State Convention, held in the city of Portland, June 11th, 1841, A. N. Freeman in the chair, and J. W. Lewis, Secretary, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted. That if acting conformably to the will of our Creator in securing our own happiness and the happiness of our fellow men, are objects of the highest moment, then we are loudly called upon to cultivate and extend the great principles of Virtue and Truth: and therefore Resolved, That it is expedient to hold a Convention of the people of color in this State the ensuing Fall, for mutual consultation, and the general benefit of our people. The undersigned were appointed a committe to prepare and issue an address to our people.This they submit as A CALL to the Colored citizens of Maine and N. Hampshire. Fellow Citizens; We invite your attention to this Call of a State Convention to be held in the city of Portland on Wednesday, the 6th day of October next. Brethren, we think this meeting ought to be regarded, and hope it will be with peculiar interest by every Colored man and woman among us, and no pains spared to render it interesting and profitable. Our own, our native land demands, our posterity, our enslaved brethren, and our own interests for time and eternity, demand an immediate effort for our moral and intellectual elevation. The consideration and adoption of the means to these great ends we ought no longer to defer. As individuals we must mainly achieve our high purposes, yet it is proper and necessary for us to embody our efforts.—We shall need all the counsel, sympathy, encouragement and strength of union; and by it, with the blessing of God, we may wisely plan, and successfully accomplish the mightiest enterprise. We need a nucleus around which may gather the moral energy of our whole population: and we beg of you a candid and prayerful attention to this matter. Citizens, as you love your country, and would have it a mountain of holiness and a dwelling place of righteousnoss, think of the subject and come. Fathers, would you have the paths of wisdom, honor and profit opened to, and every encouragement given to your beloved offspring to walk in them, consider it well, and come. Mothers, withhold not your influence. The characters of Newton, Wesley, Whitfield and Washington tell of the powers of maternal influence. We may have noble minds among our people.—Exert your influence to furnish occasion and encouragement that they may be ornaments to society and blessings to mankind. Come all. A trodden down and peeled people ought not to rest. Oppression is not heaven inherited by any one. Such a condition is not, cannot be consistent with our duties as moral beings. The largest liberty is essential to humanity. The means for our full emancipation are within our reach; and we cannot longer refuse to use them, and be innocent. The subjects which will come up for consideration and action, are many and great. In a "Call" we can of course allude, and briefly too, to but a part of them. Next to our personal relations to our Heavenly Father, the subject of Education should interest us. We cannot measure its importance, but we feel it in our relations to man. And the power it has given to others, it offers to us. Through the goodness of God knowledge is held to our lips and we may drink even to that which is life eternal. It has no prejudices, but whosoever will, may come. We are identified with the poor, suffering, bleeding slave of the South. He is our brother. The claims of kin are added to the claims of humanity upon us to labor directly and heartily with the philanthropist, to undo the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free. The condition of our enslaved brethren greatly affects our own. We cannot expect the full enjoyment of all our rights while the influence of Slavery is felt in our land. The baneful influence of intemperance has been felt by multitudes among us. Prejudice is, alas! too strong without any cause. None of us, therefore, by intemperance or any vicious indulgence, should contribute in the least to foster it. Temperance is proving a blessing to all who embrace her. Elevating and purifying, her ways are pleasantness, and her paths peace. And in her ways alone is there certainty of final triumph. We would also ask your attention to the important subject of the future occupations of our offspring. The employment naturally affects the disposition and mind as well as the condition. Some corrupt the principles; others contract the mind ; while others leave its powers stagnant. If such employments do not degrade they cannot have an elevating tendency. Our aims require that their minds and hearts be guarded from all evil influences; that their occupations be favorable to the developement and cultivation of the mind; consistant with sound principle; such as generate enlarged views and generous sentiments; and such as will render them as useful as their talents will permit. Such desirable employments there are, and some of them are open to us. It is neccessary that we should have all the statistical information we can procure in regard to our numbers, occupations, and resources, and benevolent and other societies supported among us. And we hope every one will come prepared to give such information. Brethren, Our enterprise is a great one, and will demand the influence and labor of every one. None can be spared. And none we trust will increase our difficulties by their indifference. Our brethren in other States are moving in this cause. Come, let us take counsel together; encourage each others' heart; strengthen each others' hand; and planting, in humble relience upon the Great Deliverer, await the sun and shower of his favor, and the plentiful harvest. Yours truly, for truth and right, A. N. FREEMAN, J. W. LEWIS, A. W. NILES, Com.