Attended a dinner a mile below the tower in 2nd Street to celebrate the raising of the roof of an African Church. About 100 white persons, chiefly carpenters, dined at one table, who were waited upon by Africans. Afterward about 50 black people sat down at the same table, who were waited upon by white people. Never did I see people more happy. Some of them shed tears of joy. A old black man took Mr. Nicholson by the hand and said to him, “May you live long, and when you die, may you not die eternally.” I gave them two toasts, viz: “Peace on earth and good will to man,” and, “May African Churches everywhere soon succeed African bondage.” The last was received with three cheers.
- Benjamin Rush, August 22, 1793
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