Belknap, Jeremy (1744-1798) Queries Respecting the Introduction, Progress and Abolition of Slavery in Mass.
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06764 Author/Creator: Belknap, Jeremy (1744-1798) Place Written: Boston Type: Document signed Date: 1795/02/17 Pagination: 1 sheet + docket 30 x 18.7 cm Order a Copy
Small broadside, disbound and signed by Belknap. Virginian St. George Tucker wrote a 1796 Dissertation on Slavery, proposing abolition. As part of his research, he queried colleagues with a list of eleven questions which are printed here. Jeremy Belknap, first Corresponding Secretary of the Massachusetts Historical Society, is believed to be responsible for this printing for distribution to local colleagues. Evans 28257, MHS 2738.
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
Queries Respecting the introduction, progress and abolition of Slavery in
Massachusetts.
1. The first introduction of negroes or other slaves into Massachusetts?
2. Whether the African trade was carried on thither? at what period it commenced? to what extent it was carried on? when it began to decline? and when it wholly discontinued?
3. Whether it was carried on by European or American adventurers? by what means its declension first began? whether from legislative discouragement or other causes? and to what causes abolition is to be ascribed?
4. The state of slavery in Massachusetts when slaves were most numerous? their number when most numerous? their proportion to the number of white persons at that period?
5. The mode by which slavery hath been abolished there? whether by a general and simultaneous
emancipation? or at different periods? or whether by declaring all persons born after a particular period free?
6. At what period slavery was wholly abolished? what were their numbers and proportion to the
whites at that period?
7. What is the condition of emancipated negroes? is any and what provision made for their education and maintenance, during infancy, or in a state of decrepitude, age or insanity?
8. What are their political rights or disabilities? if there be any discrimination between them and
white persons?
9. Is there any perceptible difference between the general, moral, or social conduct of emancipated persons or their descendants and others?
10. Are intermarriages frequent between blacks and whites? if so, are such alliances more frequent between black men and white women, or the contrary?
11. Does harmony in general prevail between the blacks and white citizens? do they associate freely together? or is there a pre-eminence claimed by the one, and either avowedly or tacitly admitted by the other?
SIR,
The above queries are sent to me by a gentleman in Virginia, whose view appears to be to assist
in removing the difficulties, which attend the question of a general emancipation of slaves in that
State.
Being desirous of collecting the best information for him, I beg leave to submit the queries to
your confederation, asking the favour of you to furnish me, as soon as may be, with your sentiments on any of them which it is in your power to answer,
You most obedient servant, Jeremy Belknap
Boston, February 17, 1795.
[2]
D. Belknap Queries abt. Negroes.
I wish it were possible to get my father*, answer to these queries - I fear I shall not be able to [struck: do] obtain them - but I shall make an effort -
*Judge Sedgwick.
Dr. Belknap's Que[struck: stions] [inserted: ries] concerning Slavery with answers were published in the Collections of the Mass. Hist. Socy. for 1795. (Vol. iv pp.191-211)
The Queries were sent to Dr. B. by Judge Tucker of Virginia. About 40 copies (of which this paper is one) were distributed.
1906.
C.E.M
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