To the Hon. Board of Trustees of the O.C. Institute assembled at ElyriaÑ

 

            Whereas there has been and is now among the Colonists and Students of the O.C. Institute a great excitement in their minds in consequence of a resolution of Bro. J.J. Shipherd to be laid before the board, respecting the admissions of people of colour into the Institute and also of the boardÕs meeting in Elyria.

 

            Now your petitioners feeling a deep interest in the O.C. Institute and feeling that every measure possible should be taken to quell the alarmÑthat there shall not be a root of bitterness spring up to cause a division of interest or feeling (for a house divided against itself can not stand). Thereupon your petitioners respectfully request that your Hon. body will meet at Oberlin that your deliberations may be heard and known on the great and important questions in contemplationsÑWe feel for our Black brethrenÑwe feel to want your counsels and instructionsÑwe want to know what is dutyÑand God assisting us we will lay aside every prejudice and do as we shall be led to believe God would have us doÑ

 

Wm Hosford

Asahel Munger

Brewster Pelton

Thomas P. Turner

Samuel Davis

Philip Tenney

Otis Janes

Josiah B. Hall

E. M. Leonard

Geo. N. Fletcher

T. S. Ingersol

 

H. Gibbs

Saml Daniels

 

Wm. Lewis

Fay Hopkins

 

A. C. Lyon

Daniel B. Kinney

 

Wm. Hills

Wm H. Hosington

 

C. W. Wallace

Rollin Brown

 

Wm. P. Cochran

Mayo G. Smith

 

Wm. Weir

J. F. Wooster

 

J. M. Williams

 

 

Wm. Sheffield

 

 

Herschel Reed

 

 

John Middleton

 

 

William T. Knight, Jr.

 

 

Benjm. Swett

 

 

Franklin B. Hawes

 

 

Jonathan Dearborn

 

 

 

 

Oberlin College Archives, Office of the Treasurer, Misc. Archives, ÒTrustees Re Colored StudentsÓ