The Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia-financiers of the Underground Railroad
The Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia was the secret fund raising and electoral division of the Vigilant Association of Philadelphia, which was organized in 1837 by Robert Purvis, a dedicated abolitionist, to provide aid for runaway slaves. Like its sister organizations in other cities, this group provided the means necessary to assist runaways as they made their way north. The Vigilant Committee helped to make Philadelphia an important stop along the Underground Railroad. The records of the Vigilant Committee consist of one volume containing case records and minutes. The records are comprised of sixty-two entries, each of which describes the cases handled by the group between June 4, 1839 and March 3, 1840. In addition, the volume contains the minutes of the meetings held by the committee between May 1839 and July 1844.
In this famous photograph of Philadelphia abolitionists, now an American Treasure in the Library of Congress, Lucretia and James Mott sit at the right hand side of the front row. Sitting next to Mott is Robert Purvis, a founder of the American Abolition Society, president of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society (1845–50), chairman of the Philadelphia Vigilance Committee (1852–57), and an important leader of the Underground Railroad. The photograph is notable for what at the time was its radical mixing of men, women, and an African American.
Robert Purvis helped abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison establish the American Anti-Slavery Society Philadelphia, signing its “Declaration of Sentiments,” and also the Library Company of Colored People. He lectured widely and organized resistance to efforts aimed at restricting free blacks’ civil rights. Between 1845 and 1850, Purvis served as president of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, and from 1852 to 1857, chaired the General Vigilance Committee which provided direct assistance to runaway slaves.
Robert Purvis, of Pennsylvania, said he was grateful to God for the day. He felt to pour out the speaking gratitude of his soul to the Convention, for the spirit they had manifested during the session, and especially during the pending of this resolution. He most heartily concurred in such a vote, and had no doubt but that it would pass unanimously. The name of William Lloyd Garrison sounded sweet to his ear. It produced a vibration of feeling in his bosom, which words could but too feebly sound forth. It was a feeling of love and hearty confidence, which none but a conscientious abolitionist could know. Three years ago, he had watched the progress of Mr. Garrison with extreme solicitude. The nation was then sound asleep on this subject. The colonization scheme − that scheme of darkness and delusion − was then making its wide havoc among the persecuted people of color. It was the cholera to our ranks. But Garrison arose. His voice went up with a trumpet tone. The walls of Baltimore prison could not confine its thunders. The dampness of his cell did not repress the energy of his spirit. Free and unfettered as the air, his denunciations of tyranny rolled over the land. The Liberator speedily followed. Its pages flashed light and truth far and wide. Darkness and gloom fled before it. The deep, unbroken, tomb like silence of the church gave way. The tocsin of righteous alarm was sounded. The voice of God-like liberty was heard above the clamor of the oppressors. The effect of these efforts is seen and felt this moment, in this interesting Convention. It is, indeed, a good thing to be here. My heart, Mr. President, is too full for my tongue. But whether I speak to them my feelings as they exist in my inmost soul or not, the friends of the colored American will be remembered. Yes, Sir, their exertions and memories will be cherished, when pyramids and monuments shall crumble. The flood of time, which is rapidly sweeping to destruction that refuge of lies, the American Colonization Society, is bearing on the advocates of our cause to a glorious and blessed immortality.
December, 1833
Robert Purvis , Abolitionist
