Chapter XV: Condition of Slaves in Massachusetts

The following memorandum in Judge Sewall's letter book was called forth by Samuel Smith, murderer of his Negro slave at Sandwich. It illustrates the deplorable condition of servants at that time in Massachusetts, 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 Shells 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 GOD,
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]

_Petition of Slaves in Boston_.

On the 23d of June, 1773, the following petition was presented to the General Court of Massachusetts, which was read, and referred to the next session:--

PETITION OF SLAVES IN BOSTON.

PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS 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
assembled at Boston, the 6th day of January, 1773:--The
humble petition 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.

We desire to bless God, who loves mankind, who sent his Son
to die for their salvation, and who is no respecter of
persons, that he hath lately put it into the hearts of
multitudes, on both sides of the water, to bear our
burthens, some of whom are men of great note and influence,
who have pleaded our cause with arguments, which we hope
will have their weight with this Honorable Court.

We presume not to dictate to Your Excellency and Honors,
being willing to rest our cause on your humanity and
justice, yet would beg leave to say a word or two on the
subject.

Although some of the negroes are vicious, (who, doubtless,
may be punished and restrained by the same laws which are in
force against others of the King's subjects,) there are many
others of a quite different character, and who, if made
free, would soon be able, as well as willing, to bear a part
in the public charges. Many of them, of good natural parts,
are discreet, sober, honest and industrious; and may it not
be said of many, that they are virtuous and religious,
although their condition is in itself so unfriendly to
religion, and every moral virtue, except _patience_? How
many of that number have there been and now are, in this
province, who had every day of their lives embittered with
this most intolerable reflection, that, let their behavior
be what it will, neither they nor their children, to all
generations, shall ever be able to do or to possess and
enjoy any thing--no, not even _life itself_--but in a manner
as the _beasts_ that perish!

We have no property! we have no wives! we have no children!
we have no city! no country! But we have a Father in heaven,
and we are determined, as far as his grace shall enable us,
and as far as our degraded condition and contemptuous life
will admit, to keep all his commandments; especially will we
be obedient to our masters, so long as God, in his,
sovereign providence, shall _suffer_ us to be holden in
bondage.

It would be impudent, if not presumptuous, in us to suggest
to Your Excellency and Honors, any law or laws proper to be
made in relation to our unhappy state, which although our
greatest unhappiness, is not our _fault_; and this gives us
great encouragement to pray and hope for such relief as is
consistent with your wisdom, justice and goodness.

We think ourselves very happy, that we may thus address the
great and general court of this province, which great and
good court is to us the best judge, under God, of what is
wise, just and good.

We humbly beg leave to add but this one thing more we pray
for such relief only, which by no possibility can ever be
productive of the least wrong or injury to our masters, but
to us will be as life from the dead.[651]

FOOTNOTES:

[650] Slavery in Mass., pp 96, 97.

[651] Neil, pp. 39-41.

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