Slave Petition to the House of Representatives in Massachusetts Bay

Summary
The essay begins with a forward which summarizes the purpose and content of the petition. The
petition begins by appealing to the Christian conscience of the Massachusetts legislature, by asserting
the commonality of natural and inalienable rights of all men. The petition then describes the horrors of
being forcibly taken from your friends and family. It then compares the life of a slave to that of a beast
of burden and then reflects on the permanence of the condition. The petition pleads to the legislations
faith in Jesus, their sensibilities and rational and their knowledge of the unjustness of bondage and
subjugation. The petition states death is more preferably to slavery. The petition then links Americas
struggle against the British to the slaves struggle for freedom. The petition then states the surprise of
the petitioner that the previous petitions had been ignored and the hopes that this petition will result in
the restoration of natural rights and freedoms to the enslave. The petition ends by stating the hypocrisy
of the colonists fight for natural and inalienable rights against the British while denying those same
rights at home.
Interpretation
The tone of the letter was humble and conciliatory, almost pleading. It appealed to all things sacred to
humanity by mentioning how heart wrenching it is to be torn from your family and friends. In this way, it
attempted to appeal to feelings common to all humans. Appealing to their sensibilities and rationality
was a good way to approach a condescending legislature. The results are proof of the effectiveness of
this petition, since in 1781 the Massachusetts Chief Justice ruled that slavery violated the states
constitution and stated that men are born free and equal. This will be a theme for later discussion.
1. What were the multiple reasons the petitioners listed for ending slavery?
The main crux of the petition was that slavery violated the natural and inalienable rights granted
to man by the Grat Parent of the Uavers, God. It was an appeal that God had Bestowed
equally on all mankind these rights. He argues that no one forfeited rights by compact or
agreement. The petition argues that slavery violates the Laws of Nature and Nations. He the
argues that slavery isnt rational and it doesnt make sense. The final argument is the hypocrisy
of the colonists fight for natural and inalienable rights against King George III, while denying
those same rights at home. It should be noted that slaves in other states pointed out the
hypocrisy of the colonists in their petitions. For instance African Americans in Connecticut asked
th state assembly whether it is consistent with the present Claims, of the United States, to hold
so many Thousands of the Race of Adam, our Common Farther, in perpetual Slavery, (135)
American Stories.
2. What are specific references to the Declaration of Independence?
Some of the references may be secondary but are implied by the Declaration of Independence.
The statement that have in Common with all other men a Natural and Unalienable Right to that
freedom which the Grat Parent of the Uavers hath Bestowed equally on all mankind has its
roots in Jeffersons Declaration of Independence in the statement, all men are created equal
(120) American Stories.

3. What in your opinion, is the most convincing argument in the petition?

At first I was going to use the argument that Inhabitants of the Stats, (state), No longer
chargeable with the inconsistency of acting themselves the part which they condemn and
oppose in others. A clear reference to the hypocrisy of Americas claim for freedom and natural
rights from Britain. I think the argument that all men are equal as presented by the petitioners
and Jefferson is more important. Thomas Paine in Common Sense exposes the legal fiction that
the monarch could do no wrong, (119) American Stories and the fallacy of the superiority of
lineage. His arguments are the foundation for Jeffersons all men are created equal, (120)
American Stories, statement in the Declaration of Independence and Americas fight against
tyranny. Chapter 5, Lecture-3 reiterates Paines and Jeffersons premise for equality by defining
the natural rights argument in the Declaration of Independence. New Jampshire legislators
were reminded about tyranny when 19 African Americans stated private or public tyranny and
slavery are alike detestable to the minds conscious of the equal dignity of human nature. (136)
American Stories. The commonality of natural rights and equality are the most important
argument the petition presents. These arguments act to humanize those who have been
dehumanized.
1. Who is the author?
The authors are a group of African Americans petitioning for natural rights and equality.
2. What type of source is this?
The source is a primary source since it is an official petition to the Massachusetts legislature in
1777.
3. What is the message of this source?
The message of the source is that slavery violates that natural rights all mankind possesses and
is therefore wrong.
4. Who is the intended audience?
The primary audience is the Massachusetts, but in reality the petition extends to all seats of
government.
5. Why was this source created?
The source was created primarily to abolish slavery. Secondarily it was created to argue the
naturally rights all men possess along with arguing that all men are equal.
6. Is this source credible and accurate?
Yes, its a petition that was eventually granted
7. How is this source valuable to me?
The source tells me that African Americans were active participants in the legal pursuit of liberty
and freedom.