ABSTRACT
During colonial times, some American Friends called on the British Quaker organization to take action against the slave trade. In 1763, for example, Anthony Benezet, an early abolitionist, appealed to George Harrison's future patron, Dr. John Fothergill. 'Though personally unknown' to Fothergill, Benezet wrote to 'request a little of thy attention' to a 'Matter of deep Concern to many well-minded People in these parts of the World which if it ever receives a proper check must come from amongst you; I mean the Negro Trade.' In 1773, Benezet again wrote to Fothergill urging him to join in 'using the best endeavours in our power to draw the notice of the government upon the grievous iniquity and great danger attendant on a farther prosecution of the Slave Trade'. 1
