Volume I Part 66 (1/2)

”We now have Revs. Corner, Wilberforce, Evans, and their wives, all excellent missionaries, from America; then Revs. Sawyer, Hero, Pratt, and their wives, Mrs. Lucy Caulker, and other native laborers, all of whom are doing us good service. With these six ordained ministers, and twice that number of teachers and helpers, who are devoting all their time to the mission, the work is going forward gloriously. Still, there should be new stations opened and more laborers sent out immediately.”[649]

FOOTNOTES:

[648] Asiatic Researches, vol. iii. pp. 4, 5.

[649] Twenty fifth Annual Report, United Brethren, 1881.

Part II

_SLAVERY IN THE COLONIES._

CHAPTER XV.

CONDITION OF SLAVES IN Ma.s.sACHUSETTS.

The following memorandum in Judge Sewall's letter book was called forth by Samuel Smith, murderer of his Negro slave at Sandwich. It ill.u.s.trates the deplorable condition of servants at that time in Ma.s.sachusetts, and shows Judge Sewall to have been a man of great humanity.

”The poorest Boys and Girls in this Province, such as are of the lowest Condition; whether they be English, or Indians, or Ethiopians: They have the same Right to Religion and Life, that the Richest Heirs have.

”And they who go about to deprive them of this Right, they attempt the bombarding of HEAVEN, and the Sh.e.l.ls they throw, will fall down upon their own heads.

”Mr. Justice Davenport, Sir, upon your desire, I have sent you these _Quotations_, and my _own Sentiment_. I pray G.o.d, the Giver and Guardian of Life, to give his gracious Direction to you, and the other Justices, and take leave, who am your brother and most humble servant,

”SAMUEL SEWALL.

”BOSTON, July 20, 1719.

”I inclosed also the _selling of Joseph_, and my Extract out of the _Athenian Oracle_.

”To Addington Davenport, Esq., etc., going to Judge Sam'l Smith of Sandwitch, for killing his Negro.”[650]

_Pet.i.tion of Slaves in Boston_.

On the 23d of June, 1773, the following pet.i.tion was presented to the General Court of Ma.s.sachusetts, which was read, and referred to the next session:--

PEt.i.tION OF SLAVES IN BOSTON.

PROVINCE OF Ma.s.sACHUSETTS BAY.

_To His Excellency, Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., Governor_--

”To the Honorable, His Majesty's Council, and to the Honorable House of Representatives, in general court a.s.sembled at Boston, the 6th day of January, 1773:--The humble pet.i.tion of many slaves living in the town of Boston, and other towns in the province, is this, namely:--

That Your Excellency and Honors, and the Honorable the Representatives, would be pleased to take their unhappy state and condition under your wise and just consideration.