Minutes of the Proceedings of the Second Convention of Delegates from the Abolition Societies Established in Different Parts of the United States Assembled at Philadelphia, on the seventh day of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, and continued, by adjournments, until the fourteenth day of the same month, inclusive

A vivid snapshot of early American reform, this collection preserves the official record of an 1795 gathering where delegates from dozens of regional abolition societies convened in Philadelphia. The minutes detail the roll call of prominent citizens—lawyers, physicians, and clergy—who took their seats, elected a president, and set the rules for debate, offering a window into the formal yet hopeful atmosphere of the young nation’s first coordinated anti‑slavery effort.

Listeners will hear the rhythm of the proceedings as the convention appoints committees, reads reports from other societies, and grapples with the practical steps needed to advance their cause. The careful notation of votes, motions, and adjournments reveals the painstaking organization behind a movement still in its infancy, while the names and titles of the participants echo the diverse voices that aimed to shape public conscience. This primary source brings the earnest, methodical work of early activists to life, inviting you to experience history as it unfolded in the council chambers.