The 22d of June, 1772, was memorable in the history of humanity, for it was on that day that Mansfield solemnly declared as Lord Chief-Justice of England that slavery could not exist on English soil. This declaration met with a hearty response in Rhode Island. On the 17th of May, 1774, the citizens of Providence met in town meeting to take counsel together upon the questions of the day. Two resolves of this meeting stand fitly side by side. An intestate estate comprising six slaves had fallen to the town. In the meeting it was voted that it was "unbecoming the character of freemen to enslave the said negroes, that personal liberty was an essential part of the natural rights of mankind, and that the Assembly should be petitioned to prohibit the further importation of slaves, and to declare that all negroes born in the Colony should be free after a certain age." In the June session of 1774 the question was brought before the Assembly. "Those" says the preamble, "who are desirous of enjoying all the advantages of liberty themselves, should be willing to extend personal liberty to others."... Therefore, says the bill, "for the future no negro or mulatto slave shall be brought into this Colony." To perfect the act clauses were added defining the condition of slaves in transit with their masters, and protecting the Colony against pauper freedmen. Having taken this high ground concerning the individual, they took ground equally noble concerning the Colony, "resolving that the deputies of this town be requested to use their influence at the approaching session of the General Assembly of this Colony for promoting a Congress, as soon as may be, of the representatives of the general assemblies of the several colonies and provinces of North America for establishing the firmest union, and adopting such measures, as to them shall appear the most effectual to answer that important purpose, and to agree upon proper methods for executing the same." Thus in Rhode Island the condemnation of slavery and the call for union went hand in hand.