The New York Manumission Society was founded in 1785 in New York City to promote the abolition of slavery and support the rights of free African Americans. The society aimed to secure the freedom of enslaved individuals and advocated for their legal rights, education, and integration into society. The society played a significant role in the early abolitionist movement in the United States, working alongside other groups and individuals, including Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. It helped to pass laws that gradually ended slavery in New York State, contributing to the broader fight for civil rights.