The first branch of the Tennessee Manumission Society was organized at Lost Creek Meeting-house in Jefferson County on February 25, 1815. On that day eight persons met for the purpose of forming themselves into a society, under the style of the Tennessee Society for promoting the Manumission of Slaves. These persons were Charles Osborne, John Canady, John Swan, John Underwood, Jesse Willis, David Maulsby, Elihu Swan and Thomas Morgan. The constitution adopted for this society was as follows:

Article I -- Each member is to have an advertisement in the most conspicuous part of his house, in the following words, viz.: "Freedom is the natural right of all men, I therefore acknowledge myself a member of the Tennessee Society for promoting the manumission of slaves."

Article II -- That no member vote for a governor or legislator unless he believe him to be in favor of emancipation.

Article III -- That we convene twelve times at Lost Creek Meeting-house. The first on the 11th of the third month next...shall proceed to appoint a president, clerk and treasurer, who shall continue in office twelve months.

Article IV -- The required qualification of our members are true Republican principles...and in form of ...and that no immoral character be admitted into the society as a member.

Source: Goodspeed's History of Tennessee

To the Honorable Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Tennessee.

The memorial of the Manumission Society sheweth that this Society, extensive and Rapidly growing, is entirely composed of Inhabitants of this State; and has for its object the melioration of the condition of persons in bondage, by whatever lawful and prudent means the good of all concerned may be secured and protected.

We most cordially approve the declaration of independence; and hold these truths to be self evident; "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

We believe that God has made of one blood all conditions of men to dwell upon the face of the earth; and that he looks down with an equal eye upon them all; that he is pleased when they do to others as they would be done unto in similar circumstances; and that he must be displeased when any disregard this rule.

We cannot suppose that having given to all men rational and immortal minds, he intended to difference of colour in our species, either as the brand of Slavery, or the title to Oppression: we rather view it as providential trial of our hearts; to prove what is in us.

When therefore we consider the depressed condition of many in our land, we fully agree with the remark of one of our late Presidents in his notes on Virginia: "We tremble to reflect that God is just; and that in a more than possible extremity we know not what Attribute of his nature could take part with us."

We are confident that nations, states and individuals prosper by righteousness, as they cannot by any other means; and that their unrighteousness only brings down the judgments of God upon them with unfailing certainty.

We are persuaded that to bring up children in the expectation of possessing as property the servants who wait upon them, is to train them to Oppression and tyranny; to indolence and vice; and to prevent the eternal principles of justice, benevolence and mercy from taking proper hold on their hearts.

We believe also, that slavery tends, on the other hand, to debase the minds of its subjects; and unfits the rational creatures of God for the noble duties that he requires at their hands. In this enlightened age these obvious facts are generally admitted with expressions of lamentation that they exist. It is highly gratifying to reflect that the United States in their late treaty of Peace with Great Britain, not only condemns the traffic in Slaves as irreconcilable with the principles of humanity and justice; but engages likewise to use their best endeavours to promote its entire abolition.

We must take encouragement to hope that every State Legislature will act up on the same principle; and that our own State in particular will feel a noble ambition early to manifest their forwardness in so good a work.

We are confident that the population, Strength Wealth Independence, Morality, Respectability and happiness of the state will be promoted by an agreement between the spirit of our laws, and the above mentioned articles of the late treaty.

Under these impressions we beg leave respectfully to solicit your most serious attention to such petitions on the subject as may be laid before your Honourable Body; and that Laws may be past prohibiting slaves from being brought into the State under any pretext whatever; for while ever the law leaves it lawful on any account, advantage will be taken to bring them in and drive them out to any extent; and thus a lawless disposition be begotten and fostered.

Your memorialists are of Opinion, that every thing that would cherish republicanism in the bosom of the people of this State is worthy of Legislative support; and whatever would blunt or erase the sacred sentiments of liberty from their hearts ought to be suppressed. The practice of driving slaves, which is often done in Irons, on our great roads, through our streets, and before the eyes of our children, is calculated to produce sentiments and feelings directly hostile to true republicanism; and is a crime of such black hue, as in the estimation of your memorialists, is worthy to be declared felony and punished accordingly. Your memorialists beg your attention to the propriety of interposing effectual legislative authority to prevent husbands and wives, Parents and children from being sold as to separate them entirely or even unreasonably.

We believe your body, composed of men the choice of freemen, will readily perceive that the cause of humanity will be greatly promoted by regulating the food, clothing, lodging, labour and correction of slaves by law. There is but one other subject to which we now solicit your honourable body; namely, that the good people of this state be permitted to emancipate their slaves of an age and state of heath capable of providing a living without restraint or hazard of any kind.

We believe that just and equitable laws on those points, such as you in your wisdom may enact, will greatly diminish the existing evils of slavery.

Signed of behalf of the Society

By,

Joseph Pendleton
Isaac Anderson
Aaron Coppock
____________
Jonathan Young
Jacob Roberts
James Roberts
Samuel ____ Members of the 5th (?)Convention held 19th Aug 1817
Phillip Babb
Isaiah Harrison
John Caulson