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304 THOMAS SHIPLEY.

house, I took up a newspaper then lying on the table.

11. "One of the articles which attracted my notice, was an advertisement of Anthony Benezet's historical account of Guinea. I soon left my friend and his paper, and, to lose no time, hastened to London to buy it. In this precious book I found almost all I wanted." The information furnished by Benezet's book encouraged him to complete his essay, which was rewarded with the first prize; and from that moment, Clarkson's mind became interested with the great subject of the abolition.

THOMAS SHIPLEY.

DIED, in Philadelphia, on Seventhday morning, 17th of Ninth month, 1836, after a short illness, Thomas Shipley, in the 49th year of his age. He had been for many years distinguished for benevolent and untiring extensions in befriending the African race, and was followed to the grave by more than a thousand colored persons, male and female,— a spontaneous demonstration of their sense of gratitude.

GOVERNOR RITNER'S MESSAGE. 305

GOVERNOR RITNER'S MESSAGE
TO THE LEGISLATURE OF PENNSYLVANIA IN 1836

FROM "THE FRIEND"

ONE part of it, that in regard to slavery and the applications of several of the slave-holding states for legislative action thereon, is so honorable to himself, and so fully in accordance with the attitude becoming the state of Pennsylvania in relation to this matter, that we must not withhold an extract from it. After reference to the statute book and journals of the legislature for repeated acts and declarations on the subject, from 1780 to the present time, he thus continues:—

2. "Not only has Pennsylvania thus expelled the evil from her own borders, but she has, on all proper occasions, endeavored to guard her younger sisters from the pollution. On the 19th of December, 1819, the following language was unanimously made use of by the legislature, and approved by the governor, on the question of admitting new states into the Union, with the right of holding slaves:—

3."'That the senators and representatives of this state, in the congress of the United States, be, and they are hereby requested to vote against the admission of any territory as a state into the Union,

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