Faculty Report on Student Anti-Slavery Society 1835

To the Re. and Hon. the Trustees of Phillips Academy

Gentlemen,

You will not think it strange that the excitement on the subject of slavery which has shown itself so extensively in the country, has reached this place. But we are happy to inform you that, so far as respects this Seminary, it has subsided in a manner, which will gratify all who love the order & prosperity of our literary & religious institutions.

During the month of January last Mr. George Thompson visited this place & delivered a course of lectures in the Methodist Church on the subject of Slavery. By request of the students, a meeting was held in our chapel in which Mr. Thompson undertood to answer questions proposed to him by men connected with the Seminary. The views he advanced during that visit ^were for the most part temperate &

candid & there was nothing specially exceptionable in the spirit he exhibited. In consequence of his labors, a considerable number students had a larger impression than before of the evil of slavery & the importance of its removal & were inclined to to join with others in helping forward the desired event by forming a Society in the Seminary. But the faculty had many apprehensions as to te consequences which might result from the existence of such a society in an institution like this. And these apprehensions were freely expressed to the students, who, after a full consideration of the subject, came harmoniously to the result set forth in the following communication,-- which was publised in the Boston Recorder the first week in February.

Andover, Theological Seminary Feb. 2. 1835

Dear Sir

Recent occurrences which need not here be detailed render it incumbent on the members of this Seminary, as a duty which they owe to themselves & the public, to state in what attitude they now stand in relation to the subject of Slavery. We therefore request an insertion in your paper of the following communication.

We would briefly premise that a Committee on Colonization, in connection with the Society of Inquiry, has existed here for many years & that most of the students have been advocates of the Colonication Society-- that about two or three years since an anti-slavery society was formed among us embracing a small portion of our number & that since that

of slavery; nor do we feel caled upon to express an opinion with regard to the different plans which are now before the public for the removal of this evil.

Mr. Thompson, while here, was treated with Christian courtesy; & we saw nothing in him which could justify us in withholding such courtesy. By his visit & addresses our attention was drawn with some interst to the subject which he advocates but [?] the effects of deep excitement on this absorbing topic, we have with [?] [?] among ourselves & the full [?] of our respected Instructors, concluded to refrain for the present from all action in any associate capacity. The Committee on Colonisation has been voluntarily dissolved. The Anti-Slavery Society above referred to, has been given up. The formation of a new society which was commenced

of slavery; nor do we feel called upon to express an opinion with regard to the different plans which are now before the public for the removal of this evil. Mr. Thompson, while here, was treated with Christian courtesy, & we saw nothing in him which could justify us in withholding such courtesy. By his visit & addresses our attention was drawn with some interest to the subject which the advocates fast appro - - aching the effects of such excitement on this absorbing topic, nor have with enter unan - - imity among ourselves, & the full appro - - bation of our respected Instructors concluded to refrain for the present from all action in any associate capacity. The Committee on Colonization has been voluntarily dissolved. The Anti-Slavery Society above referred to, has been given up. The formation of a new society which was commenced