The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1866-05-18
M1stflIaneous.
SLAVERY IN THE EARLY DAYS OF
MASSACHUSETTS.

D. Appleton Il Co. have published a
volume entitled "Notes on the History of
of Slavery in Massacb usetts," by George
Ell. Moore, Librarian of the New York
Historical Society, and Corresponding
Member of the Massachusetts, Society,"
Contributors to the History of Slavery in
Massachusetts will always be acceptable
to the American student. The part
played by that state in forming public
opinion on subjects connected with our
recent conflict, gives interest to her early
connection with human bondage. An in.
vestigation of the manner in which she
gradually adopted Abolition views, and
became their propagandist, is worthy of
the attention of our most philosophical
writers.
Mr.. Moore has undertaken that task so
far as the early history of Massachusetts,
is concerned, and gives us the result of
his labors in handsome octave of two
hundred and fifty pages. Skillfuly ar
ranged and pleasantly written, it will add
greatly to his present fame as an historian,
and we doubt not will find very numerous
readers-in Massachusetts,, many critics.
Mr.. Everett taught us to believe that
Massachusetts, was always anti-slavery.-
He maintained that her opinions on that
point had never changed. He affirmed
that the South and the North had once
conceded in their views, and that what
ever modification had taken place, had
been in the South, which had become
more and more pro-savery, because of her
growing interest in the production of cot
ton. But Massachusetts, had always been
true to her pristine faith.
Mr.. Moore's volume has very different
story to tell. 1t destroys very delight.
full New England delusion. Massachusetts,
has always carried herself with such pru-
dish dignity in the family of states, her
younger sisters have hitherto SO uuhesita-
tingly accepted her assertions of her ex-
emplary virtues and spotloss character,
that we doubt not they will enjoy with
zest Mr.. Moore's disclosures Of her doings
years ago, and giggle among themselves
at the pretty pranks she played when she
was a girl.
Slavery began in Massachusetts, with
the enslaving of captured Indians in the
Pequod war. Through fear of their escape
and consequent revenge, many of them
were exported to Bermuda, the worthy
Puritans finding that traffic very profta-
able. Governor Winthrop mentions, that
through the Lords great mercy, num-
Der of them had been taken, of whom the
males we're sent to Bermuda, and the fe-
males distributed through the Bay towns,
to be used as domestic servants. There
is something very amusing iu the coolDess
of these proceedings. Captains Slough
ton (page y, who assisted in the work of
exterminating the Pequods, after his ar
rival in the enemy's country, wrote to the
Governor of Massachusetts winthrop as
follows: "By this pinnace you shall re-
ceive forty. eight or fifty women and chill
drou /; concerning which there is one, |
formerly mentioned, that is the tairest and
largest that | saw among them, to whom
have given coat to clothe her. 1t is
my desire to have her for servant, if it
may stand with your good liking, else not.
There is a little squaw that Steward Cula-