The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1921-01-29
coLoRED coLoNlALs.
Many colored Men in tho American
War for Independence.

~ SoA - oSo60 VI lilo Am0rlCdu war
OF independence, The British natur-
ally regarded slavery as an element
OF weakness in the condition of the
colonies, in which the slaves were
numerous, and laid their plans to gain
the colored men and induce them to
take up arms against their masters
by promising them liberty on this con-
dition --.z--N
The situation was looked upon by
the public men Of the colonies as
alarming, and several Of them urged
the Congress to- adopt the policy OF
emancipation. But while the general
question of emancipation was de-
feated, the exigencies of the contest
again and again brought up the prac.
teal one Of employment for colored
men. whether bond or free.
Only Freemen Wanted in Army.
In May, 1775, Hancock and War
ren's committee Of safety introduced
the following formal resolution: IRE
solved, That it is the opinion of this
committee, as the contest now be-
tween Great Britain and the colonies
respects the liberties and privileges
of the latter, which the colonies are
determined to maintain, that the ad-
mission of any person as a soldier into
the army now raising, but only such
/ as are freemen, will be inconsistent
with the principles that are to be sup
ported and reflect dishonor on these
colonies, and that no slaves be ad-
mltted into this army upon any con-
sideration whatever" -
Washington took command of the
army around Boston on July 8, IT'S.
The instructions for the recruiting
officers from his headquarters at Cam
bridge prohibited the enlistment of
any negro" It may also be noticed
that they were forbidden to enlist
ANY person who is not an American
born, unless such person has a wife
and family and Is settled person
In this country
Many colored Men Enrolled.
Notwithstanding all this, the fact
remains, according to Bancroft, that
the roll Of the army at Cambridge
had, from it's first formation, borne
the names of men Of color" Free
colored men stood in the ranks by the
side Of white men. In the beginning
of the war they had entered the
provincial army, and the colored men
like others, were retained in the serv
ice after the troops were adopted by
the continent"
| A committee on conference, consist
ing of DR.. Franklin, Benjamin Harri
son and Thomas Lynch, met at Cam
bridge, October 10, Its, with the
deputy governors of Connecticut and
Rhode Island and the committee Of
the council Of Massachusetts Bay. tc
confer with Gen. Washington, and ad
wise a method for renovatfng thu
army. On the 23d of October the
gEoes to be excluded from the new
enlistment, especially such as are
slaves?" All were thought imprope,
by the council of officers. It wal
agreed that they be rejected alto
gether. :
In general orders, issued Novembe,
IL, 1776, Washington says: Neither
negroes, boys unable to bear arms
nor old men unfit to endure the IA
tigues of the campaign are to be On
listed"
Permitted Their Enlistment.
Washington, however, IN the las,
days Of the year, under representa-
tons to him that the free colored men
who had served in his army were very
much dissatisfied at being discarded
and fearing that they might seek EN-
ployment In the British army, toob
the responsibility to depart from the
resolution respecting them and gave
license for their being enlisted.
Washington promised that II there
was any objection on the part of Con.
gress he would discontinue the enlist