John Dillon letter to Thomas Rotch, Zanesville 9 mo 3d 1817

               
  
  B-47-2
                            Zanesville 9 mo 3d 1817
  Thomas Rotch
            Esteemed friend
                           Thine dated 14th 7 mo past came
  duly to hand, that part which required a reply respecting the
  Blacks, being a subject of no inconsiderable importance, and
  requiring some thought is the only appology I have of offer
  for my long silence -
                   made
              I have^some attempts to collect the opinion
  of friends in this neighbourhood on this very interesting
  Subject, without satisfactorily effecting it - they being very
  different one from the other.
     Therefore I only say for myself that I feel
  a very great delicacy in soliciting the legislature for
  any mitigation of past acts, fearing a convention
  might grow out of it.  That possible might terminate
  in the admission of Slavery to this State.
     I am convinced that the objectionable part of the law
  respecting the people of colour was not intended to be enforced
  indiscriminately, neither has it been done in a single instance