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Retreat petition

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Retreat petition part 1
Retreat petition part 2
Retreat petition part 3

Transcript

An humble Petition from the Retreat Servants to the Retreat Committee on behalf of buying East India sugar instead of West India sugar, by reason of the great oppression of the Slave Trade even in the British Dominions; there being no less than eight hundred thousand slaves in these Dominions. These poor Slaves are deprived even of the privilege of leaning to read and to attend places of worship, By these Cruel Masters, Not only so, but they work hard all the day and frequently half the night and some times the whole Night and live on a scanty subsistence; and killed off like old Horses, and are sold as beasts in the Markets both men and Women and their hard Task Masters standing over them with a whip and flog them at their Pleasure. Husbands are tore from their Wives and Children and Wives from their Husbands and Children By the slave holders and Dealers with out pity, Compassion or feeling. Oh that the Retreat Committee would take these things into Consideration and Grant East India sugar instead of West India sugar which will be a great relief to the minds of the Petitioners as well as setting a good example to all that may see their Petition.
The Petitioners signs their names as advocates for East India sugar instead of West India sugar
I John Richardson has Drawn up this Petition on behalf of the Retreat Servants who are Advocates for East India sugar instead of West India sugar.
Therefore John Richardson signs his Name among the Servants, the Petitioners to the Retreat Committee for East India sugar instead of West India Sugar. Retreat, 1st month 16th 1827 [16 January 1827]
John Richardson
John Wansburgh
Edward Graham
Whittaker Fourby Elizabeth Reinson
J. Proctor Ann Reane
John Ray Elizabeth White
George Binns Ann Fawdington
W.S. Hard E. Hall
Elizabeth Stead E. Nattusley
Frances Wickett H. Struther
R. Hall Ann Battersby
R. Burgess Ann Brown
Hanna Puckrin
Mary Procter
John Taylor
Hannah Hall
Louisa Taylor
Richard Gage

It is understood that the West India sugar is manufactored by Slaves and the East India sugar by Free men.

The Cruel Oppression of the Slave Trade Now lies near the hearts of thousands May all that have talents use them for the Abolishing of this most abominable and Detestable Trade That the Lord may become more and more glorified in the earth that all men may be free and come into the liberty of The Sons of God and all Slave Holders swept from the face of the Earth or Come to repentance.