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= Fugitive Slave Law Convention = *** My page has a Wiki Article already so if you would like to see the introduction, search "Fugitive Slave Law Convention". ***

Convention Proceedings
During the convention, William L. Chaplin was discussed. Chaplin was a radical political abolitionist who helped plan the escape of 77 slaves from Washington, D.C. This plan ultimately failed and later, Chaplin was arrested after he was caught driving a carriage with two escaped slaves. His fiancée, Theodosia Gilbert, attended the convention. There was a resolution by James C. Jackson that was adopted to create a committee to raise money in order to liberate Chaplin. He advised them to raise 20,000 dollars in 30 days.

An open letter titled “To American Slaves from Those Who Have Fled from American Slavery” was introduced to the attendees by Gerrit Smith. This letter advocated for the abolition of slavery and even the use of violence in order to escape. It also discusses the current situation of the country with the Fugitive Slave Law enacted and presents 17 resolutions which they adopted during the convention. These resolutions outlined the evils of slavery, the greatness of abolitionists like William L. Chaplin, and the convention's commitment to support other organizations and people who support abolition and African-Americans.

Convention Leadership and Groups
The meeting started out with temporary chairman Samuel Joseph May and temporary secretary Samuel Thomas Jr. May then appointed Samuel Wells, J.W. Loguen, and Charles B. Ray to a committee to nominate official officers. Later in the convention, official officers were appointed by this committee to major positions. Frederick Douglass was appointed to president. Joseph C. Hathaway, Francis Hawley, Chas. B. Ray, and Chas. A. Wheaton were appointed for vice presidents. Charles D. Miller and Anne V. Adams were appointed for secretaries.

Joseph C. Hathaway, William R. Smith, Eleazer Seymour, and James C. Jackson were appointed to nominate people for the “Chaplin Committee”. This committee ended up consisting of around 19 people. Some of the committee members included James C. Jackson, Joseph C. Hathaway, William R. Smith, and George W. Lawson.

A group of women including Mrs. F. Rice, Phebe Hathaway, and Louisa Burnett were appointed to nominate a committee of females. This committee would obtain a silver pitcher and two silver goblets to present them to William C. Chaplin, in honor of “his distinguished services in the cause of humanity.”

Many of the participants of this convention were also involved in a later anti-fugitive slave law meeting in Syracuse, New York on Tuesday, January 7th, 1851.