"The free Toleration which the Citizens of these States enjoy in the publick Worship of the Almighty, agreable to the Dictates of their Consciences, we esteem among the holiest of Blessings; . . . but as we are a People whose Principles and Conduct have been misrepresented and traduced . . . Divine Providence may condescend to look down upon our Land with a propitious Eye and bless the Inhabitants with a Continuance of Peace, the Dew of Heaven, and the Fatness of the Earth."

The Quakers' second address directly confronted the issue of slavery. They exhorted President Washington

"to remove every obstruction to public righteousness, which the influence and artifice of particular persons, governed by the narrow mistaken views of self interest has occasioned; and whether notwithstanding such seeming impediment, it be not in reality within your power to exercise Justice and Mercy; which if adhered to, we cannot doubt, must produce the Abolition of the Slave Trade."

Washington evaded a direct answer concerning the abolition of the slave trade by writing that:

"Government being, among other purposes, instituted to protect the Persons and Consciences of men from oppression, it certainly is the duty of Rulers, not only to abstain from it themselves, but according to their Stations, to prevent it in others. I assure you very explicitly that in my opinion the Consciencious scruples of all men should be treated with great delicacy & tenderness, and it is my wish and desire that the Laws may always be as extensively accomodated to them, as a due regard to the Protection and essential Interests of the Nation may Justify, and permit."