[7] Despite this disruption, the group successfully convened in a meeting in Peterboro, New York, where they formally organized the society The following year, in October 1836, the group held its first successful meeting in Utica, highlighting the resilience of the abolitionist movement in the face of violent opposition; the records of these proceedings were published and a copy is held in the Library of Congress.
The early 1830s saw a surge in anti-slavery sentiment,[9] with various societies and activists working to promote the abolition of slavery.
The Utica Riot of 1835 was part of a recurring hostility toward abolitionists, reflecting the contentious nature of the slavery debate in the United States.
[11] This debate highlights the nationwide scope of the issue, showing that the abolitionist movement was a widespread topic across the entire country.
[12] The society reprinted William Jay's book on the federal government's protective relationship with slavery with a new appendix following the dispensation of the United States v. The Amistad.