Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-11-10
Slavery in Vermont.
FROM THE TOWN RECORDS OF BENNINGTON
CENTRE, VI

FROM THE TOWN RECORDS OF BENNINGTON
CENTRE, VT.
HEADQUARTERs, PAULET, Nov. 2S, 1777.-To
trhom Il may concern Know ye, whereas,
Dinsh Maths, negro woman. with Nancy, her
child OF two months old, was taken prisoners on
Lake Chsmplsin with the British troops some
where near Col. Giluen's patent. the 18th day
/ Of inst. November, by scout under my con-
mand, and according TO 4 resolve formed by the
honorable Continental Congress, that all prison
ers belonging to the captvstors thereof, there
fore she and her child become the Just property
OF the c2ptIvstOrs thereof.
l, being conscientious that it is not right in
the sight Of God to keep slaves, therefore obtain
ing leave Of the detachment under my comm and
to give her and her child their freedom, | do
therefore give the said Dinah Maths and Nancy
her child their freedom 10 pass and repass any
where through the United States Of America
with her behaving as becomeih, and to trade
and traffic ior herself and child as though she
were free born, without being arrested by any
person or persons
In witnesp BhereuLt0 have set my hand and
subscribed my name EBzSfzEn ALLEN,
Cspiain in Col. Henrick's regiment Of
Green Mountain Boys.
SLAVERY HAD NO LEGAL EXIsTENCE.
From the Vermont Standard9
The following letter from the Hon. L. G. Ke,-
l0gg, upon the subjec, Of slavery in Vermont will
be read with interest:
The first article Of the Declaration Of Rights
in the first Constitution Of Vermont, framed in
July, III. was intended anil always understood
as an absolute prohibition of the existence OF
slavery within the limits Of the state This ar
ticle has always remained q part Of the Consti-
tuition Of the state, and this state aas ;he frs'
Of all The American states which Sbolished
slavery hy It's Constitution. At the time when
our first Constitution WAS framei, slavery ex-
listed in al the New England colonies, and It is
undoubtedly true that among the clrly settlers
of Vermont were some who had owned slaves in
Connecticut OF Massachusetts,. and who, On
coming to Iermont, brought their slaves with
them, aud claimed % holi, and iil actually
hold. such slaves IN this state These instances
were undoubtedly few but there never was
sny legislative action which recognized the law
iul existence Of slavery within the limits Of the
state. On the contrary, the act entitled - An
Act 20 preyen' the transportation q negroes and
mua.tles ont Of the stste,' plssei st the see
sion hell At Rutland IN O,toher 1885, declares
in rs preamble that " the ilea Of slavery is ex-
p7es-ly and io.ally exploded from our free gov
ernment"
The Rev. Mr. jeunine' the present minister
of the first church IN Bennington in his Ben
uincton Memorials Of Century" o. G3D
says 90 that the Rev, David Avery. who was the
second minister of that church (l1so-I7s3.)
brought with his family 20 town c5l1rei
woman. aal be ilsstcl on his right % hold her
as % slave This was one Of the most serious OBJ
jec,ioas urged against him. sui which created
much Dissatisfaction ia the church. Bat the
have been DO the minority One who bal been
for years an active ani iuiuartial member of
the church, being fre4u-utly on important com
n.tlc.s. having bic children baptized e;c, was
placed under church discipline during the
ministry of Mr. Avery lr withdrawing himself
from iJ- communion, iar affirming the position
that 10 would commune wiiE 70 brother who
might have slave. Some i've yes-- afterwari
;h.s Urotber Was ommuuicsiei tlr continuing
10 his refusal TO walk with the church. Nothing
~ an immoral character appears 20 have been
alleged EEaius; him be con iuuei 90 be respect
el IS az upright cit'z7l.
Mr.. Avery vas = NATIVE of Connecticut. q
graduate ct Yale ll1iai. aud previous 20 his
sat,lcmeat In Bsll.1- -t0u be- lsi been = settled
minister In Hssssci uset;s, AZ also a chaplain
il the Beyolutioulry army.
There i an interest az case reported 10 the sec
oui volume Ct Iylcr's Reports 10 re-pe,t % tie
llTfu.uess ot aliliar slaves 10 Vermont, Select
men OF Windsor vs. jacob. ryler's Reports. p.
~, heard sui decided ty the Supreme Court
ia ylur county ST its Aggust Term in l-u2.
This case Vas argrei By the ate Judge Hubbard
Of Windsor, ant the late Hon Charles Msrth Of
Y1ur town, both foremost auouz the eminent
lawyers q the s,&te. and long recognized leaders
% your bar In thst case it vas held that though
a citizen Of the state Parchass slave AMI tsse
b.ll OF sale,which, by the las Of the state where
i, was executed, ,vss valid, yet. il be remove such
t.aye into this state the til or sale toclmes in-
operative. sui 40 Obligation stt4ehes l. the pur-
chaser 20 support such slave, though becoming
g rauryr THIS was the first laui l believe tine
ou.y cSse IN Ulicl ihe s-' i-et of slavery became
q subject tor discuss. .n tae Supreme Court Of
this state
Do--cu. Sept. -. 1871.