Volume II Part 16 (2/2)

[51] Revised Laws of Indiana, 1838.

[52] Session Laws, 1819, p. 354. R. S., 1833, p. 466.

[53] R. S., 1845, p. 154.

[54] Rev. St. of 1856, p. 780.

CHAPTER XI.

THE NORTHERN NEGROES.

NOMINAL RIGHTS OF NEGROES IN THE SLAVE STATES.--FUGITIVE SLAVES SEEK REFUGE IN CANADA.--NEGROES PEt.i.tION AGAINST TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.--A LAW PREVENTING NEGROES FROM OTHER STATES FROM SETTLING IN Ma.s.sACHUSETTS.--NOTICE TO BLACKS, INDIANS, AND MULATTOES, WARNING THEM TO LEAVE THE COMMONWEALTH.--THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF THE NEGRO RESTRICTED.--COLORED MEN TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THE EDUCATION OF THEIR OWN RACE.--JOHN V. DEGRa.s.sE, THE FIRST COLORED MAN ADMITTED TO THE Ma.s.sACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY.--PROMINENT COLORED MEN OF NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA.--THE ORGANIZATION OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL AND COLORED BAPTIST CHURCHES.--COLORED MEN DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES IN THE PULPIT.--REPORT TO THE OHIO ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY OF COLORED PEOPLE IN CINCINNATI IN 1835.--MANY PURCHASE THEIR FREEDOM.--HENRY BOYD, THE MECHANIC AND BUILDER.--HE BECOMES A SUCCESSFUL MANUFACTURER IN CINCINNATI.--SAMUEL T. WILc.o.x, THE GROCER.--HIS SUCCESS IN BUSINESS IN CINCINNATI.--BALL AND THOMAS, THE PHOTOGRAPHERS.--COLORED PEOPLE OF CINCINNATI EVINCE A DESIRE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.--LYDIA P. MOTT ESTABLISHES A HOME FOR COLORED ORPHANS.--THE ORGANIZATION EFFECTED IN 1844.--ITS SUCCESS.--FORMATION OF A COLORED MILITARY COMPANY CALLED ”THE ATTUCKS GUARDS.”--EMIGRATION OF NEGROES TO LIBERIA.--THE COLORED PEOPLE LIVE DOWN MUCH PREJUDICE.

In 1850 there were 238,187 free Negroes in the slave States. Their freedom was merely nominal. They were despised beneath the slaves, and were watched with suspicious eyes, and disliked by their brethren in bondage.

In 1850 there were 196,016 free Negroes in the Northern States. Their increase came from [chiefly] two sources, viz.: births and emanc.i.p.ated persons from the South. Fugitive slaves generally went to Canada, for in addition to being in danger of arrest under the fugitive-slave law, none of the State governments in the North sympathized with escaped Negroes. The Negroes in the free States were denied the rights of citizens.h.i.+p, and were left to the most destroying ignorance. In 1780, some free Negroes, of the town of Dartmouth, pet.i.tioned the General Court of Ma.s.sachusetts for relief from taxation, because they were denied the privileges and duties of citizens.h.i.+p. The pet.i.tion set forth the hards.h.i.+ps free Negroes were obliged to endure, even in Ma.s.sachusetts, and was in itself a proof of the fitness of the pet.i.tioners for the duties of citizens.h.i.+p.

”_To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives, in General Court a.s.sembled, for the State of Ma.s.sachusetts Bay, in New England_:

”The pet.i.tion of several poor negroes and mulattoes, who are inhabitants of the town of Dartmouth, humbly showeth:

”That we being chiefly of the African extract, and by reason of long bondage and hard slavery, we have been deprived of enjoying the profits of our labor or the advantage of inheriting estates from our parents, as our neighbors the white people do, having some of us not long enjoyed our own freedom; yet of late, contrary to the invariable custom and practice of the country, we have been, and now are, taxed both in our polls and that small pittance of estate which, through much hard labor and industry, we have got together to sustain ourselves and families withall.

We apprehend it, therefore, to be hard usage, and will doubtless (if continued) reduce us to a state of beggary, whereby we shall become a burthen to others, if not timely prevented by the interposition of your justice and power.

”Your pet.i.tioners further show, that we apprehend ourselves to be aggrieved, in that, while we are not allowed the privilege of freemen of the State, having no vote or influence in the election of those that tax us, yet many of our color (as is well known) have cheerfully entered the field of battle in the defence of the common cause, and that (as we conceive) against a similar exertion of power (in regard to taxation) too well known to need a recital in this place.

”We most humble request, therefore, that you would take our unhappy case into your serious consideration, and, in your wisdom and power, grant us relief from taxation, while under our present depressed circ.u.mstances; and your poor pet.i.tioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, etc.

”JOHN CUFFE, ”ADVENTUR CHILD, ”PAUL CUFFE, ”SAMUEL GRAY, [his x mark.]

”PERO ROWLAND, [his x mark.]

”PERO RUSSELL, [his x mark.]

”PERO COGGESHALL.

”Dated at Dartmouth, the 10th of February, 1780.

”Memorandum in the handwriting of John Cuffe:

”This is the copy of the pet.i.tion which we did deliver unto the Honorable Council and House, for relief from taxation in the days of our distress. But we received none. JOHN CUFFE.”[55]

Not discouraged at the failure that attended the above pet.i.tion, the indefatigable Paul Cuffe, addressed the following to the selectmen of his town the next year.

”A REQUEST.

”_To the Selectmen of the Town of Dartmouth, Greeting_:

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