History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol 1: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as CitizensWilliams, George Washington
History
History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol 1: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens
Williams, George Washington
African Americans -- History; Liberia; Sierra Leone
Comment would be superfluous. It is only necessary for the reader to
note that there is not a humane sentiment in the entire article.
But universal liberty was not without her votaries. All had not bowed
the knee to Baal. The earliest friend of the Indian and the Negro was
the scholarly, pious, and benevolent Samuel Sewall, at one time one of
the judges of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, and afterwards the
chief justice. He hated slavery with a righteous hatred, and early
raised his voice and used his pen against it. He contributed the first
article against slavery printed in the colony. It appeared as a tract,
on the 24th of June, 1700, and was "Printed by Bartholomew Green and
John Allen." It is withal the most remarkable document of its kind we
ever saw. It is reproduced here to show the reader what a learned
Christian judge thought of slavery one hundred and eighty-two years
ago.
"THE SELLING OF JOSEPH A MEMORIAL.
"By the Hon'ble JUDGE SEWALL in New England.
"FORASMUCH _as_ LIBERTY _is in real value next unto Life;
None ought to part with it themselves, or deprive others of
it, but upon most mature consideration._
"The Numerousness of Slaves at this Day in the Province, and
the Uneasiness of them under their Slavery, hath put many
upon thinking whether the Foundation of it be firmly and
well laid; so as to sustain the Vast Weight that is built
upon it. It is most certain that all Men, as they are the
Sons of _Adam_, are Co-heirs, and have equal Right unto
Liberty, and all other outward Comforts of Life. GOD _hath
given the Earth [with all its commodities] unto the Sons of
Adam, Psal., 115, 16. And hath made of one Blood all Nations
of Men, for to dwell on all the face of the Earth, and hath
determined the Times before appointed, and the bounds of
their Habitation: That they should seek the Lord. Forasmuch
then as we are the Offspring of_ GOD, &c. _Acts, 17, 26, 27,
29_. Now, although the Title given by the last ADAM doth
infinitely better Men's Estates, respecting GOD and
themselves; and grants them a most beneficial and inviolable
Lease under the Broad Seal of Heaven, who were before only
Tenants at Will; yet through the Indulgence of GOD to our
First Parents after the Fall, the outward Estate of all and
every of their Children, remains the same as to one another.
So that Originally, and Naturally, there is no such thing as
Slavery. _Joseph_ was rightfully no more a slave to his
Brethren, than they were to him; and they had no more
Authority to _Sell_ him, than they had to _Slay_ him. And if
_they_ had nothing to do to sell him; the _Ishmaelites_
bargaining with them, and paying down Twenty pieces of
Silver, could not make a Title. Neither could _Potiphar_
have any better Interest in him than the _Ishmaelites_ had.
_Gen. 37, 20, 27, 28_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account