The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1773-07-29

ed to the Governor, Council and Houte OF
AAembly, during the lat Selhon Of the
General Court, &c.
To bis Exuli.nty T.HOAfAS HU7CHIN-
SON, EjY; GovUnsr Of Jaid provmfs =
fbs HsaoAr0bk bis MA5EST'1's COUN
CiL,anitbs HanOayabk HOUSE Of RE
PERSONALITIES IN GsnerOi CSurs
e0Fmthd, June, II. D. 1878.
The PETITION of US the lublcribers, in be
half of all thoie, who by divine permiliioI
are held in fate of SLAVERY, wilhir
the bowels of FREE country.
Humbb l5tsVsfb,
THAT your petitioners apprehend'
they have in common with other men, a ma
tural right to be free, and without moleRati.
on, to enjoy fuch property, as they may &C
quire by their indufry. or by any other
means not detrimental to their fellow men ;
and that no perlon can have any ju& claim to
their fervices unlefs by the laws of the land
hey have forfeited them, or by voluntary
compact become fervants; neither of which
is our cafe but we were dragged by the
cruel hand of power, fome of US from ouI
deareR connections, and others Rolen from
the bofoms Of tender parents and brought hi
Their to be enllaved. Thus are we deprived
of every thing that has a tendency TO make
life even tolerable. The endearing ties Of
hulband, wife, parent. child and friend, we
are generally frangefs to And whenever
any Of thofe connections are formed among
rs, the plealures are imbittered by the crue
confederation Of our Aavery. BY our deplor-
able iiuation we are rendered incapable o.
ihewing our obedience to The lupreme COVER
1or of the uniyerle, by conforming ourfelve'
to the duties, which naturally grow out o
flch relations. How can fave perform
the duties of hufband or parent, wife Of
childi We are often under the necefiity o
lbeying man, not only ia omiHion Of, bu
frequently in oppofition to the laws of Gsd
So inmical is favery 70 religion As we arr
hndered by our lituation from an obfervanc'
| of the laws of God, 70 we cannot reap ar
Iequal benefit from the laws of the land witt
| b her fubjees. We are informed, there i
no law of this province, whereby our matter
can claim our iervices mere cufom is th'
tyrant that keeps us in bondage, and de-
prives US of that ufe of the law, which he
who happens TO have white kin is inttlec
TO. We are not infenible, that if we (houlc
| be liberated, and allowed by law to demane
pay for our paf iervices, our matters anC
their families would by that means be greatly
damnihed, if not ruined But we claim no
| rigid iufice Yet as we are honeffly entities
10 Tome compensation for all our tolls anc
Offerings we would therefore, in addition
TO our prayer, that all of Us, excepting fuel
as are now infrm through age, or otherway
Unable to fupport themfelves, may be libe
rated and made free men of this community
and be entitled to all the privileges and i'm
nunities of It's free and natural born fub
eGts further humbly ak, that your Excel
] ncy and Honours woulo be pleafed to giv'
md grant to US Tome part Of the unimprovee
land, belonging to the province, for Gettle
ment, that each Of US may there quietly G
down under bis own 6g-tree, and enjoy tbs
fruits of his own labouT.
" This icheme we apprehend, will re-
move all ra'ional objections to our freedom
and promifes 70 much good to your opprs0.
ell petitioners, as well as future Advantage
to the province that we canGot but hope,
that your Excellency add Houours will give
In is Due weight and conide, ation and hi