5,500; Pennsylvania and Delaware 11,000; Maryland 4,400; Virginia 116,000; North Carolina 20,000; South Carolina 40,000; Georgia 2,000. Between 1754 and 1776 these numbers must have been greatly augmented, as that was the most flourishing time for slave merchants. We have no means of ascertaining what number there was at the time the colonies declared their independence; but by the census taken in 1790 the population of slaves was returned as follows; New Hampshire 158; Rhode Island 952; Connecticut 2,759; Massachusetts emancipated hers in 1780; New York 21,324; New Jersey 11,423; Pennsylvania 3,737; Delaware 8,887; Maryland 103,036; Virginia 293,427; North Carolina 100,572; South Carolina 107,094; Georgia 29,264. It must be borne in mind that many had been emancipated by the northern States during and after the Revolution, and others had been taken into new States and Territories.
Thus did England plant “the great evil of Slavery” in the constitution of her colonies; and that in many cases against their earnest and filial remonstrance. Massachusetts always opposed the introduction of slaves from abroad, and in 1701 instructed her representatives “to put a period to negroes being slaves.” But the Earl of Dartmouth interposes his edict, “we cannot allow the colonies to check, or discourage, in any degree, a traffic so beneficial to the nation.” In 1645 two reputable townsmen of Boston, “sailed for Guinea to trade for negroes.” But when it is noised abroad, public sentiment pronounces them malefactors and murderers, and a worthy magistrate denounces their act as contrary to the law of God and the law of the country, “and committed the guilty men for the offense.” After advice with the elders and representatives of the people “bearing witness against the heinous crime of man-stealing,” ordered the negroes to be restored at the public charge “to their native country, with a letter expressing the indignation of the court” at their wrongs. But Queen Anne admonishes the governor “to give due encouragement to
