character for justice and benevolence in the true point of view to all Europe, who are astonished to see a people eager for liberty holding negroes in bondage."
Again, on the 5th of February, 1779, we find that President Reed called the attention of the Assembly to the subject, and on the 9th f September in the same year, in a message to the House he said: "We would also again bring into your view a plan for the gradual abolition of slavery, so disgraceful to any people, and more especially to those who have been contending in the great cause of liberty themselves, and upon whom Providence has bestowed such eminent marks of its favor and protection. We think we are loudly called on to evince our gratitude, in making our fellow men joint heirs with us of the same inestimable blessings, under such restrictions and regulations as will not injure the community, and will imperceptibly enable them to relish and improve the station to which they will be advanced. Honored will that State be, in the annals of history, which shall first abolish this violation of the rights of mankind, and the memories of those will be held in grateful and everlasting remembrance, who shall pass the law to restore and establish the rights of human nature in Pennsylvania. We feel ourselves so interested on this point, as to go beyond what may be deemed, by some, the proper line of our duty, and acquaint you that we have reduced this plan to the form of a law, which, if acceptable, we shall in a few days communicate to you."[1]
The auspicious day at length arrived. The work of the friends of human liberty in Pennsylvania was at last completed, and on the 1st of March, 1780, an act was passed for the gradual abolition of slavery
The preamble of the Act, one of the noblest compositions on record, and the act itself, were from the pen of George Bryan.
Slavery from this began gradually to disappear, as will be seen from an official document of the Department of State, at Washington.[2]
|
In 1790 there were |
3,737 slaves. |
|
