1777 to the General Court of Maſſachuſetts, they humbly pray that "their children (who were born in this land of liberty) may not be held as ſlaves after they arrive at the age of twenty-one years." Maſs. Archives. Revolutionary Reſolves, Vol. vii. p. 132.
The Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England, 19th May, 1643, which commence with the famous recital of their object incoming into thoſe parts of America, viz., "to advaunce the Kingdome of our Lord Jeſus Chrift, and to enjoy the liberties of the Goſpell in puritie with peace," practically recognize the lawful exiſtence of ſlavery.
The fourth Article, which provides for the due adjuſtment of the expenſe or "charge of all juſt warrs whether offenſive or defenſive," concludes as folows:
"And that according to their different charge of eich Juriſdiccon and plantacon, the whole advantage of the warr (if it pleaſe God to bleſs their Endeavours) whether it be in lands, goods, or persons, ſhall proportionably devided among the ſaid Confederats." Hazard, ii., 3. Plymouth Records, 1x., 4. The ſame feature remained in the Conſtitution of the Confederacy to the end of its exiſtence.[1] See Ratification of 1672. Plymouth Records, x., 349.
The original of the Fugitive Slave Law proviſion in the Federal Conſtitution is to be traced to this`
- ↑ The agreement between Leiſler of New York, and the Commiſſioners of Maſſachuſetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut, May 1, 1690, provided that "all plunder and captives (if any happen) ſhall be divided to ye officers and ſoldiers according to ye Cuſtome of Warr." N.Y. Doc. Hiſt., ii., 134, 157. Stoughton and Sewall were the Commiſſioners for Maſſachuſetts.
