Nathan Guilford letter to Thomas Rotch, Cincinnati, Ohio July 16, 1817

              B-75-2 
     
                                  Cincinnati  Ohio  July 16th  1817
              Thomas Roach Esqr
                                   Dear Sir,
                              Your favour of the 27th ult. directed to
              me as Cor. Sec. of the Western Emigrant Society in behalf of Paul
              Cuffee who wishes to learn the most eligible situation
              for colonizing 3 or 400 blacks,lately set free by the
              will of Samuel Gist, was not received until the begin-
              ning of the present week.  I immediately presented
              it to the Council of the Society for their deliberation.
              They have this evening returned it to me with di-
              rections to answer it in substance as follows.
                   That declining to give any direct advice upon
              the subject they will as far as within their knowledge
              make a statement of such important facts as they
              suppose would most strongly influence those who have
              the care of their interests.  Among which they consider
              the following the most important considerations.
              1st  There is nothing in the Constitution and laws either of
              the State of Ohio- of Indiana - or of the Illinois and 
              Missouri territories, in any wise to prohibit such a
              settlement as is contemplated by Paul Cuffee.  Our
              laws never enquire the colour or features of a man's