1To George Washington from Robert Pleasants, 11 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
Seeing the Lord has done great things for thee, not only in “covering thy head in the day of Battle,” but making thee instrumental in bringing about an extraordiny Revolution (a revolution which has given thee great reputation among men, and Calls for reverent thankfulness to him, who “Rules in the Kingdoms of men,” and declared by his Prophet that, “he will not give his Glory to another, or...
2To James Madison from Robert Pleasants, 6 June 1791 (Madison Papers)
Being appointed by a late Meeting of the Humane, or Abolition society in this State, to procure a presentation of their Memorial to Congress, on the Subject of the Slave trade; and believing thou art a friend to general liberty, I conclude it will not be disagreable to thee to endeavour to prevent, as fare as may be in thy power, the Cruelties, and inhuman treatment, which, to the disgrace of...
3To James Madison from Robert Pleasants, 8 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
I wrote thee of the 6th. of the 6th. month last, requesting (on behalf of the humane society lately established here) thy favor and assistance, in presenting, and promoting a Memorial to Congress on the subject of the Slave-trade; and also a Memorial from the last Yearly Meeting of our Friends in this State, respecting the Militia Bill under consideration of Congress. And altho I have received...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Pleasants, 1 June 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Concieving the Instruction of black Children to be a duty we owe to that much degraded part of our fellow Creatures, and probably would tend to the spiritual and temporal advantage of that unhappy race, as well as to the Community at large, in fitting them for freedom, which at this enlightened day is generally acknowledged to be their right, I have much desired to see some sutable steps taken...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Pleasants, 8 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope thou wilt excuse my not acknowledging before now thy acceptable favor of the 27th. Augt. last, on the subject of free schools. I am not insensible of the superior advantages which might reasonably be expected from Institutions of that sort, Established by law, and conducted in a proper Manner, but as I had no expectation at the time I wrote to thee, that such a law was likely to be...