Volume I Part 58 (1/2)
From ”The Independent Chronicle,” March 9, 1780:--
”_To be_ SOLD, for want of employment, an exceeding likely NEGRO GIRL, aged sixteen.”
From the same, March 30 and April 6, 1780:--
”_To be_ SOLD, very Cheap, for no other Reason than for want of Employ, an exceeding Active NEGRO BOY, aged fifteen.
Also, a likely NEGRO GIRL, aged seventeen.”
From ”The Continental Journal,” Aug. 17, 1780:--
”_To be_ SOLD, a likely NEGRO BOY.”
From the same, Aug. 24 and Sept. 7:--
”_To be_ SOLD or LETT, for a term of years, a strong, hearty, likely NEGRO GIRL.”
From the same, Oct. 19 and 26, and Nov. 2:--
”_To be_ SOLD, a likely NEGRO BOY, about eighteen years of Age, fit for to serve a Gentleman, to tend horses or to work in the Country.”
From the same, Oct. 26, 1780:--
”_To be_ SOLD, a likely NEGRO BOY, about 13 years old, well calculated to wait on a Gentleman. Inquire of the Printer.”
”_To be_ SOLD, a likely young COW and CALF. Inquire of the Printer.”
”Independent Chronicle,” Dec. 14, 21, 28, 1780:--
”A NEGRO CHILD, _soon expected, of a good breed_, may be owned by any Person inclining to take it, and Money with it.”
”Continental Journal,” Dec. 21, 1780, and Jan. 4, 1781:--
”_To be_ SOLD, a hearty, strong NEGRO WENCH, about 29 years of age, fit for town or country.”
From ”The Continental Journal,” March 1, 1781:--
”_To be_ SOLD, an extraordinary likely NEGRO WENCH, 17 years old, she can be warranted to be strong, healthy and good-natured, _has no notion of Freedom_, has been always used to a Farmer's Kitchen and dairy, and is not known to have any failing, but being with Child, which is the only cause of her being sold.”
It is evident, from the wording of the last advertis.e.m.e.nt quoted, that the Negroes were sniffing the air of freedom that occasionally blew from the victorious battle-fields, where many of their race had distinguished themselves by the most intrepid valor. They began to get ”_notions of freedom_,” and this depreciated their market value.
Dr. William Gordon, the steadfast, earnest, and intelligent friend of the Negro, was deposed as chaplain of both branches of the Legislature on account of his vehement protest against the adoption of the fifth article of the const.i.tution by that body. But his zeal was not thereby abated. He continued to address able articles to the public, and wrought a good work upon the public conscience.
In Virginia, notwithstanding Negroes were among the State's most gallant defenders, a law was pa.s.sed in October, 1776, ”declaring tenants of lands or slaves in taille to hold the same in fee simple.”
Under the circ.u.mstances, after the war had begun, and after the declaration by the State of national independence, it was a most remarkable law.
”That any person who now hath, or hereafter may have, any estate in fee taille, general or special, in any lands or slaves in possession, or in the use or trust of any lands or slaves in possession, or who now is or hereafter may be ent.i.tled to any such estate taille in reversion or remainder, after the determination of any estate for life or lives, or of any lesser estate, whether such estate taille hath been or shall be created by deeds, will, act of a.s.sembly, or by any other ways or means, shall from henceforth, or from the commencement of such estate taille, stand _ipso facto_ seized, possessed, or ent.i.tled of, in, or to such lands or slaves, or use in lands or slaves, so held or to be held as aforesaid, in possession, reversion, or remainder, in full and absolute fee simple, in like manner as if such deed, will, act of a.s.sembly, or other instrument, had conveyed the same to him in fee simple; any words, limitations, or conditions, in the said deed, will, act of a.s.sembly, or other instrument, to the contrary notwithstanding.”[625]
But the valor of the Negro soldier had great influence upon the public mind, and inspired the people in many of the States to demand public recognition of deserving Negroes. It has been noted already, that in South Carolina, if a Negro, having been captured by the enemy, made good his escape back into the State, he was emanc.i.p.ated; and, if wounded in the line of duty, was rewarded with his freedom. Rhode Island purchased her Negroes for the army, and presented them with fifty dollars bounty and a certificate of freedom at the close of the war. Even Virginia, the mother of slavery, remembered, at the close of the war, the brave Negroes who had fought in her regiments. In October, 1783, the following Act was pa.s.sed emanc.i.p.ating all slaves who had served in the army with the permission of their masters. It is to be regretted, however, that _all_ slaves who had served in the army were not rewarded with their freedom.