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�To the Hon- The Senate and House of Representatives in Legislature Assembled:

    Your petitioners having become

convinced of the harmful effects of the system of American Slavery, and, more especially of the national degradation occasioned by its existence in the District of Columbia, humbly represent that in their opinion, it is expedient for your honorable body to take such measures in the premises as may remove this national stain from our coun- try; and they humbly hope that you will regard the prayer of your petitioners and suf- fer no delay in your action thereon. Your petitioners have seen with pleasure the manly and energetic course pursued by your honorable body, in acting upon the im- portant matters which have been presented to you through the medium of his Excellency's annual message, and those truth inculcating vehicles of political wisdom, the newspapers of our time - to wit- the subject of Gen. Jackson's fine, of Amos Kendall's claim, of the Rhode- Island difficulties &c., &c. - And, while your petitioners believe that our National Legislature justly appreciate the noble efforts of your honor- able body, they also rely with confidence in your willingness and ability to make prompt and decisive action on the subject of this petition, and for this they will ever pray - Cornish, York Co. Me. Joshua D. Small. D.D. H.A. Pike J.T. Lincoln John Chadbourn S C Chick Gilbert Chase Wm. H. Miller N.W. Barker Oran Storer Noah B Thompson Nath'l M. Pike J.C. Thompson Nathaniel Dease[?]