Sonia Sanchez

Cassandra Clark
History 1700
December 4, 2016
Final Research Paper
Slavery and the slave trade was something that was common for most people in America.
Africans believed they were superior to the White men. They were frightened of what would
happen to them and their families if they stood opposed against the slaveholders. The
abolitionists stood up for the people who were afraid to speak for themselves, they became their
voice.
Primary Sources
Roy E. Finkenbine, Petition of an African slave, to the legislature of Massachusetts, From The
American Museum, or Repository of Ancient and Modern Fugitive Pieces, Prose and Poetical,
June, 1787. Volume 1. Number 6. Philadelphia: Mathew Cary, 1787.
Belinda, an African slave in Massachusetts, petitioned for her freedom to the state legislature in
1782. She was born in Africa and was kidnapped at the age of twelve and was brought to
America. 1 In Belinda's petition, she conveys the inhumanity of the institution of slavery and the
mental and physical damages a slave experiences. Before her owners death, he left a testament in
which he included his last will, "my Negro Woman Belinda in case she does not choose her
1 Petition of an African slave, to the legislature of Massachusetts. From The
American Museum, or Repository of Ancient and Modern Fugitive Pieces, Prose and
Poetical, June, 1787. Volume 1. Number 6. Philadelphia: Mathew Cary, 1787.

Freedom [will be inherited by her daughter]; if she does choose her Freedom to have it provided
she get security that she shall not be a charge to the Town of Medford."2
Belinda's petition ended up being published in May 29, 1783 Massachusetts Sun, in which the
legislature decided in her favor.
Susan B. Anthony, "The Anti-Slavery Society," The World Book Encyclopedia. Copyright 1996,
World Book, Inc.
Susan B. Anthony was first involved in the abolition and temperance movements. In 1852, she
began campaigning for women's suffrage, equal pay and was active on the American-Anti
Slavery Society. She helped escapes slaves on the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War,
Anthony supported the Union cause and President Abraham Lincoln and created the Women's
Loyal League. She also affiliated with other people to establish the American Equal Rights
Association in 1886. The following year, it became active in Kansas in where Negro suffrage
along with women suffrage was to be decided by the popular vote. Unfortunately both ideas were
rejected at the polls.
Frederick Douglass and The Underground Railroad, "Abolitionists and Underground Railroad
Primary Sources"
Frederick Douglass was the most influential African American leader of the 1800s. He was a
powerful and inspirational speaker. He published his autobiography, "The Narrative of the Life
of Frederick Douglass. He levied a powerful indictment against slavery and racism. He had
hopes and spoke out for his people. He preached his own brand of American ideals.

2 Ibid.

Frederick Douglas was once a slave himself in Maryland but managed to escape. He became an
abolitionist and wrote a book about his experiences. One thing he didnt include was how he
managed to escape because many of the slaves did the same thing and didnt want others to find
out how they were able to escape.3
Abolitionists Movement Overview, "Abolitionists and Underground Railroad Primary Sources"
Abolitionists movement was formed during the 18th and 19th centuries which sought to end the
enslavement of Africans and it also aimed to end the Atlantic Slave Trade. William Lloyd
Garrison believed in "all men are created equal,"4 he was one of the most prominent abolitionists.
He was founder and publisher of the antislavery newspaper, "The Liberator " and founder of the
American Anti-Slavery Society.
Northwest Ordinance, "National Archives Microfilm Publication," (July 13, 1787; M332, roll 9);
Miscellaneous Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789; Records of the Continental and
Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, 1774-1789, Record Group 360;
National Archives
The Northwest Ordinance was adopted by the Confederation Congress on July 13, 1787. It
established a government for the Northwest territory, outlined the process for admitting a new
state to the Union. It guaranteed that newly created states would be equal to the original 13
states. This also protected civil liberties and outlawed slavery in the new territories.
Henry Weeden, "Letter from Henry Weeden to Watson Freeman," Boston December 4, 1850
3 The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, and American Slave

4 Abolitionists Movement Overview, "Abolitionists and Underground Railroad Primary

Sources"

Slave-Hunters in Boston, The Liberator, November 1, 1850

Henry Weeden was one of Boston's leading abolitionists, he was a tailor with a shop at 10
Franklin Avenue in Boston. On December 4, 1850 , Weeden's shop received an overcoat in need
of repair from Watson Freeman. Watson Freeman was a US Marshal in Massachusetts and his
job included upholding the Fugitive Slave Act passed in September 1850. Upon receiving his
coat, Weeden wrote him a letter refusing his business and returning the coat. Weeden enclosed
his letter in response to a declaration that Freeman had once made of his "readiness to hang any
number of negroes remarkably cheap." 5
The fact that Weeden opposed to give service to Freeman, demonstrated that he wasn't afraid of
Freeman or the consequences that could have occurred for opposing to provide him serivce.
Secondary Source
Brooks, Elaine. "Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society." The Journal of Negro History 30, no. 3
(1945), October 18, 2016.
The American Anti-Slavery Society was founded at a convention held in Philadelphia on
December 4, 1833. The views and policies were so influenced by William Lloyd Garrison. He
was determined to attack the system of slavery until "every chain be broken, and every bondman

5 Henry Weeden, "Letter from Henry Weeden to Watson Freeman," Boston December 4, 1850

Slave-Hunters in Boston, The Liberator, November 1, 1850

set free."6 Abolition to the society meant not only freedom but it meant that negroes would obtain
the same civil and political rights as the white people.
Negroes were considered property and some were opposed to the idea of being set free. They felt
that they were no one without their owners. They were used to the idea of having been told what
to do and receiving orders from their owners. In a way, they felt protected because of the fact that
they were cared for, they were fed and given shelter.

6 Brooks, Elaine. "Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society." The Journal of Negro History 30, no. 3

(1945), October 18, 2016.