Page:A memoir of Granville Sharp.djvu/36

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32
MEMOIR OF

is now, the growing process in the United States. The following note, exhibits the process then in England.

Dr. Hinchcliff, Bishop of Peterborough, to Granville Sharp, Esq.

"Peterborough, 31st Aug. 1783.

Dear Sir—I return to you the inclosed narrative of one of the most inhuman barbarities that I ever read of. Were religion and humanity attended to, there can be no doubt, that the horrid traffic would entirely cease; but they have too small a voice, to be heard among the clamors of avarice and ambition. Your benevolent endeavors to assist the wretched Africans, however unsuccessful in their favor, cannot be so in your own. As a friend to mankind, permit me to thank you, &c.(signed)J. Peterborough."

In July, 1786, Sharp's attention was arrested by an alarming emergency. He was suddenly informed that a negro named Harry Demane, had just been kidnapped by his master, ——— Jeffrey's Esq., and sent on ship-board. He immediately put himself in action to secure a rescue; but legal difficulties, through the indisposition of the magistrates to do their duty, &c, so perplexed him, that all his knowledge and all his energy were put into requisition. At length the requisite writ of habeas corpus, being procured, Savage and Green were despatched with it, in pursuit of the ship on Saturday night, 29th July. By Monday noon, 31st, they were back in London, with the rescued slave. They found the ship with the anchor weighing, the sails set and the captain at the helm. Henry Demane declared that he had determined to jump into the sea, as soon as it was dark, preferring death to slavery. In this deliverance, Sharp adoringly acknowledged the benignant Providence which thus cheered him in his holy struggle.

The following is an extract of a letter, addressed to him by Dr. Franklin, dated Philadelphia, 9th June, 1787.

"From a most grateful sense of the zeal and abilities, with which you have long and successfully defended the oppressed Africans, the Society (The Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, &c.) have done themselves the honor of enrolling your name, in the