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"Funds Appeal," New York Commercial Advertiser, 5 Sept. 1839.
Appeal to the Friends of Liberty. Thirty-eight fellow-men from Africa, after
having been piratically kidnapped from their native land, transported across the
seas, and subjected to atrocious cruelties, have been thrown upon our shores, and
are now incarcerated in jail to await their trial for crimes alleged by their oppressors
to have been committed by them. They are ignorant of our language, of the usages
of civilized society, and the obligations of christianity. Under these circumstances,
several friends of human rights have met to consult upon the case of these unfortunate
men, and have appointed the undersigned a committee to employ interpreters, able
counsel, and take all the necessary means to secure the rights of the accused. It
is intended to employ three legal gentlemen of distinguished abilities, and to incur
other needful expenses. The poor prisoners being destitute of clothing, and several
having scarcely a rag to cover them, immediate steps will be taken to provide what
may be necessary. The undersigned, therefore, make this appeal to the friends of
humanity to contribute for the above objects. Donations may be sent to either of
the committee, who will acknowledge the same, and make a public report of all their
disbursements.
SIMEON S. JOCELYN, 34 Wall street.
JOSHUA LEAVITT, 143 Nassau street.
LEWIS TAPPAN, 122 Pearl street.
New York, Sept. 4, 1839.
