PHILADELPHIA, June 1st, 1853.

Mr. FREDERICK DOUGLASS:—The meet
ing of the colored citizens of the city and
county of Philadelphia, at the Hurst Street
Wesleyan Church, convened to take into con
sideration the call for a National Convetion
to be held at Rochester, N. Y., on the 6th
of July next. The meeting was organized
by calling Rev. Stephen Smith to the chair;
Prof. Charles L. Reason, Secretary; Jacob
Willis Glasgow, Assistant. On motion of
Dr. BiasBias, James Joshua Gould

James Joshua Gould Bias (1807–60) was a physician and preacher living in Philadelphia. Born a slave in Maryland, he learned some medical knowledge while working with a physician there. When Bias obtained his freedom, he moved to Philadelphia, attending the Eclectic Medical School and graduating in 1852. He devoted much of his time before the Civil War tending to the medical and dental needs to fugitive slaves in Southeast Pennsylvania. Bias also was the pastor at the Bethel Church in Philadelphia. He played a leading role in the Colored Conventions movement, holding a number of positions. While Bias endorsed emigration, he rejected the policies of the American Colonization Society, rejecting its White leadership. “Our Philadelphia Letter,”(New York, N.Y.) Weekly Anglo-African, 7 July 1860; George F. Bragg, Jr., Men of Maryland (Baltimore: Church Advocate Press, 1925), 54–55; Michael Dickinson, “Dr. J. J. Gould Bias,” Colored Conventions Project, Coloredconventions.org. , a Committee of three were ap
pointed to draft resolutions; presented to
the meeting by the Committee, John C. Bow
wers, Ebenezer Black, and C. L. Reason.—The Committee reported the following reso
lutions:

Whereas, while the contest is being
waged in the United States between Free
dom and slavery, it is essential that the Free
Colored People should settle on the best pol
icy to be pursued in the aid of the former, and
to the overthrow, not only of the latter, but
the spirit of caste, which hinders us edu
cationally, politically, and in our industrial
pursuits; and, whereas, while there is want
ing amongst us a union of purpose, active
means are resorted to, though the channels
of the Colonization Society, the Fugitive
Slave Bill, pro-slavery presses and churches,
and proscriptive institutions of all kinds to
oppress us, to keep us ignorant and poor,
and even to force us from our country;
therefore,

Resolved, That we approve of the call for
a National Convention to be held at Roches
ter, New York, on the 6th of July, because
it proposes to define, as far as in its wisdom
it may, some enlightened and systematized
plan for the people's adoption, and will send
delegates thereto.

Resolved, That all delegates appointed by
this meeting be instructed to urge upon the
Convention,

1st, An opposition to the principles and
policy of the American Colonization Society.

2nd, To protest solemnly against the un
christian and unconstitutional character of
the Fugitive Slave Bill.

3d, The impossibility of complete eleva
tion, without the franchise right, and the
duty to secure it, if possible, in those States
where it is withheld.

4th, The adoption of some plan by which
our youth, generally, may obtain a knowl
edge of the mechanical branches.

5th, to insist on the necessity of preserv
ing a high, moral character as a people—of
practicing temperance, and of availing our
selves of the facilities of education, particu
larly at those institutions of learning which
combine labor with study.

The adoption of the resolutions was moved
by J. Glasgow, but was laid over until the
next meeting; the further proceeding, was
then suspended, to allow A. M. Sumner to
offer a resolution.

Resolved, That we approve of the sugges
tion of the gentlemen whose names are
signed to the call, recommending the ap
pointment of delegates by churches and other
societies, as we are of opinion this mode of
representation will ensure a powerful delega
tion from our city.

On motion of C. L. Reason, a Committee
of three were appointed to nominate candi
dates for delegates to the Convention. Com
mittee, F. Turner, Nickless, and B. Moore.

After making arrangements for another
meeting, adjourned.

REV. S. SMITH, President.

PROF. C. L. REESON, } Secretaries.
S. W. GLASGOW,