I am induced to address thee on a subject which has heretofore interested thy feelings, and which, as a philanthropist, and Christian, I presume still continues to claim thy consideration? It is in relation to the African Race, whose cause thou early advocated, by being the first President of the Society for promots the manumission of Slaves, and for protecting such of them as were, or should be liberated.—The establishment of a School for the moral, and literary improvement, of the children soon took place, and has been since by the benevolence of our Citizens, encouraged, and supported; and of late, aided by the Funds for the use of common Schools— in relation to which Institution, I may with propriety say, it is one of the best in our City, and has for its Teacher one of the best instructors. The Girls are also taught needle Work &c—

Altho’. we have a good Building, were upwards of 200 Scholars can be accommodated, yet it has been found inadequate to the number we might educate, had we more room— This has induced the Society to look out for a situation more contiguous to the population of colour, with a view to the purchase of some Lots, in order to erect another School House, for which purpose we have began a Subscription—but as the cost will be considerable, perhaps not less than from 6, to 8 thousand Dollars, we find it requisite to use all proper means to interest our fellow Citizens in the business and as I perceive the name of my friend J. Jay on several lists of subscriptions for the support of that School; I consider it proper, and my duty, to acquaint him with what is now in contemplation—presuming nothing further is requisite, as a “word to the Wise, is said to be sufficient[”] —1

The Society for promoting the manumission of Slaves &c— cannot forget the liberal donation from thy brother Frederick Jay, of a Lot of Ground, which, had it been retained to the present time, might fetch from 8 hundred to a thousand Dollars, but our scanty Funds appeared to render it most advisable to dispose of it— If my friend John Jay has any Lots of Ground between the Broad Way and Bowery, which might do for us to build a School House, and would be willing to sell them on such terms as the Society should consider reasonable, please to let me know, in order that we may not determine on Ground before we hear from thee.—2

Being desirous of furnishing thee with some specimens of drawing, Penmanship and Needle work, of the children of the African School—we request thy acceptance of a performance intended for William Wilb erforce, but as it was not sent in the season of it—we may now feel ourselves at liberty to present it to thee— The other peices we Wish to have returned, as they may be usefull to exhibit to strangers and others who may visit the School— And it is not always in our power to have suitable pieces for that purpose— As I have reason to believe thou entertains a real esteem for my brother L. Murray, I may inform thee, that from the last accounts, we have reason to apprehend, he is not likely to be much longer a member of the Militant Church—he had been very ill, tho somewhat recovered—I trust I may say of him, as I may say of my honourable friend whom I am now addressing, that when you are about being disrobed of these Tabernacles of Clay, you will he enabled to adopt the language of the apostle— “For we know that if our Earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from heaven; If so be, that being cloathed we shall not be found naked.[”]—3 With an affectionate solicitud[e] for thy happiness every way, I subscribe myself— Thy friend