Anngilee Rollins

Chad Ostler
History 1700-021
October 26, 2015
Document Analysis Assignment #2
Letter by Joseph Taper to Joseph Long (1840)
And
Slavery and the Bible (1850)
In a letter to a friend, Joseph Taper describes the liberty that he and his family
had found by fleeing the United States into Canada. Mr. Taper was a runaway slave
who after escaping from Fredrick County, Virginia settled in Pennsylvania until he
heard of a slave catcher in the area, at which point he and his family fled to up into
Canada for the promised safety and freedom afforded there. In his letter he
describes his new living situation which he finds to his joy to be filled with equality
and liberty. He describes his child being able to go to a good school and the comfort
that his home brings to him and his family. He references the bible and questions
the judgement that will await those who oppress others. He also uses those sections
found in the bible that teach that God will condemn those who repent not of such
actions. In the end he brings his letter to a close by blessing and praising Queen
Victoria for the opportunity to live how men ought to live.
The second dueling document titled Slavery and the Bible presents an
article which was published in a southern magazine titled De Bows Review. It holds
the opinions of the authors in regards to slavery as sanctioned by the bible. The
authors start by addressing the argument that many people of the time (mainly
those in the north) held the notion that slavery was morally wrong based on
teachings found in the bible. These authors then clarify the belief that those who
find it wrong take that book as the standard of morality and religion. They then

use this same stated base argument to start their own argument which also clings
to the belief of the bible being the standard on morality and religion. However, they
claim that they can show where and how the bible sanctions slavery simply by
referring to the majority of authors found in the bible. They state that if people
believe that the bible is correct, then the teachings found in the bible on slavery
must also be correct. They claim that no sacred writer condemned slavery; that
they in fact had their own servants and slaves, referring to them as their property.
They argue that if these holy men did not teach of the evilness of slavery, and
instead spoke of slaves in their own lives, then it must not be evil, but prove
legality and propriety.
The atmosphere surrounding the time period when these papers were written
give insights into the vastly diverse views held by slave owners, slaves and those
opposed to slavery. The Second Great Awakening seems to be the base that fueled
the emotional feelings of the morality towards slavery.
At this point in history the topic of slavery was a heated argument that only created
feelings of hatred towards each opposing side. It was the debate over slavery that
ultimately caused the Civil War itself. No agreements or compromises seemed to be
found, for the north strongly believed slavery to be a sin and therefore must be
stopped, but the south stood firm in the belief that slavery was not a sin, but in fact
a strong base of religion in history (referring to the bible for support).
The letter written by Joseph Taper can collectively show the view held by
slaves of the time. His views touch on the basics of life that all men reach for; a
home, an education, and the freedom to live however one may desire. These basics
give meaning to his letter, connecting readers with their own rights and privileges
that they enjoy; perhaps reminding readers of what they may take for granted in

todays world of opportunities and freedoms. The letter shows the cruel and
closemindedness of people of the time, and also reminds readers of how far society
has come, and yet also how much farther there is still to go. The argument of proslavery using the bible shows how people can take one story and create multiple
meanings depending on their own personal agenda. Religion was a huge influence
in the lives of people living in the 1800s, yet the beliefs that stemmed from the
same book were as diverse as the people professing to be religious. Diversity is a
good thing that gives variety to life, though it has taken society a long time to figure
this philosophy out. Hopefully by looking to the past society can gain insights into
how diversity can create more vibrant futures for future generations to come.